Warehouse Automation

The Ultimate In Warehouse Technology

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Choosing which technology should be applied to your warehouse can be a challenge because the quoted performance of any system is dependent upon many specific factors. KMH assists you in successfully applying warehouse technology that improves accuracy, business performance and ultimately profit. The ultimate objective when implementing new technology is to reach your financial and production goals. Our team will help you choose which technology works best for your company.

Common successful techniques that increase productivity in material handling are wireless technology, voice directed picking, pick-to-light, RFID and slotting. These solutions have been widely adopted in fulfillment operations with varying degrees of success.

Some of the ways KMH can help increase your ROI:

Pick-to-Light

Pick-to-Light

Faster order processing time with increased accuracy. A display indicates the quantity to be picked and the picker confirms the completion by pressing a pick-complete button adjacent to the light on the display.

RFID

RFID

Increase warehouse efficiency by reducing labor and logistic costs by broadcasting a signal with information about the product they are attached to and about the location of the product in the warehouse. RFID offers better control and management of your inventory.

Voice Directed Picking

Voice Directed Picking

Helping associates work hands free, eliminate distractions from having to use a computer or paper picking list, people can speak a location and product code to confirm he or she is picking from the correct location. Using voice technology incorrect picking and other errors can be reduced by 80 percent or more.

Slotting

Slotting

Correct slotting maximizes space, and ensures items are placed in properly sized locations. The issue of slotting affects the two largest labor costs: picking and replenishment. Usually 20% of active products account for 80% of all picking activity. These top-moving products should be located in the most ergonomic locations and in storage equipment that has been optimally sized. The return on investment for slotting is typically less than one year.

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    KMH Systems Pallet Rack Systems

    Eliminate Costs & Increase Storage Capacity

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    A racking system and warehouse flow plan will help you reduce undue costs and still maintain performance levels when implemented well. KMH can perform a complete Operational Audit to analyze your current workflow and give you meaningful recommendations for a measurable ROI.

    A few of the factors we consider for your inventory project include conserving your floor space, increasing throughput, ensuring workflow effectiveness and improving productivity. We work with you to increase your floor space and inventory levels while organizing your facility and enhancing safety. Some of the criteria we consider with you:

    1. How much you want to spend for a racking solution.
    2. The amount of floor space available in your facility.
    3. The height of your ceilings.
    4. FIFO (first in, first out) or LIFO (last in, first out) for your product.
    5. The shelf life of your products.
    6. How many pallets you need to store.
    7. What type and height of lift truck you use.
    8. The type of access you need to your products.

    Optional Racking Solutions

    Drive-In Rack

    Drive-In and Drive-Through Racks

    Drive-in rack and Drive-through rack allow the forklift to drive into the stacked rows. A Drive-In configuration has an entry point only at one end, a Drive-Through rack system has entry points at both ends.

    Cantilever Rack

    Cantilever Rack

    The base, the arms, and the horizontal and/or cross bracing. Horizontal and/or cross bracing are used to connect two or more columns together. Cantilever can be portable that can be unfolded to allow convenient access to items at the same time.

    Pallet Flow Rack

    Pallet Flow Racks

    A Pallet Flow Rack System uses a slightly inclined rail with rollers that allow pallets to move easily along the sloped plane. These systems are also called gravity flow or dynamic flow systems.

    Movable Shelf Rack

    Movable Shelf Racks

    Shelving/storage units fitted with wheeled traction systems. Units can be closely packed when access is not required, but can be readily moved to open up an aisle to allow access. By eliminating the need for a permanently open aisle between every unit, Each shelving unit is normally mounted on a level track-way (to eliminate gradients in the supporting floor), making it possible to move heavy units with minimal effort.

    Selective Pallet Rack

    Selective Pallet Racks

    This is the most common pallet racking system. There is a roll formed, which rest on the horizontal load beams and are held in place by mounting clips, and a structural style where the beams are attached with bolts and have greater weight-bearing capacity.

    Request Your Quote Today…

      Wrap Up Your Future

      News

      “The present is theirs; the future, for which I really worked, is mine.” ― Nikola Tesla

      The vision of Nikola Tesla is why we have electricity. He worked for Thomas Edison but Edison hated him, and ignored his inventions. Tesla quit, saying he was going on his own – he couldn’t wait around for Thomas Edison to ‘see the light’ of Tesla’s inventions and Alternating Current. Edison was funded by JP Morgan at the time who asked him, “Do you have any competition, Edison?” Edison replied, “No, no one.” He was wrong.

      While Edison had laughed at Tesla’s ideas, George Westinghouse gladly heard his story and funded Tesla’s electrical current invention. Westinghouse’s calculated risk not only helped Tesla light up the Chicago World Fair in 1893, Westinghouse Electric was born from Tesla’s work and to this day we all benefit from the vision of Nikola because they pioneered long distance power transmission.

      Edison had also bid to light up the World Fair in 1893. . . he lost to Tesla.

      Tesla’s unwavering vision of the future put an end to Edison’s electricity system, but it was never about winning to Tesla, it was about doing the best, right thing.

      Vision, invention and calculated risk.

      This risk is the same kind we take at KMH every day leveraging experience and forward thinking.

      This Holiday season is a perfect time to learn from your Holiday Rush mistakes and capitalize on them for 2015 and beyond. Mistakes are insights, lessons for innovating solutions and that’s what we do best at KMH. Our well planned Operational Audit leads to solutions for your bottom line down the road. The rush puts everyone on high alert and trains the team to see glitches and tricky spots in the company. That’s a good thing, not a bad thing. Most people think mistakes and being under pressure then failing mean you’ve lost the game. At KMH we know every glitch is fixable, that’s why we do what we do best. The best thing about being an inventor and an innovator is you know never give up – the solution exist, and we help you build it.

      Your business, team and customers evolve every day and every time you receive a new order it’s a chance to do it a little better. The future is in the hands of those with vision for the long haul, for the next order and challenge and then the next and the next. Outperforming yourself over time can be more important than beating the competition just for today. The competition may have their eyes on your for the short term, let them. We help you keep your eyes on the prize for the long term win.

      At KMH, partnering for your success and passion for excellence is why we carry the full line of Material handling products. How can we help you?

      Vision, stability and adaptability – Building a company that survives all the storms the competition crumbles under is our passion, why we partner with you, today and for building your dreams and legacy.

      You can learn more about our innovative dedication to your Future for FREE, any day of the week. We look forward to hearing from you!

      KMH Systems Holiday Tips

      Time & Money: Priceless Gifts for Your Holiday Season

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      The Holiday rush is upon us.

      Maintaining a safe, steady productive pace is our wish for you.

      Our expertise in Material Handling is focused to help you effectively manage Holiday volume, avoid chaos, save time and increase profits. At KMH we pride ourselves on solutions for your operations.

      Our Operational Audit is FREE.
      We offer countless ways to increase your bottom line.

      Here are 6 to get you rolling:

      1. Get our Free Energy Audit

      Our Energy Audit will help you better understand your energy usage and determine where your facility can go green and save money. Many states offer tax breaks and utility rebates. Check your State here: http://www.dsireusa.org/

      2. Prevent Expensive Repairs

      Schedule regular inspections and service to improve your equipment and work systems. We will help you save valuable time and money before needing repairs to increase efficiency and decrease risk.

      3. Re-slot

      The fewer touches of product, the less cost of shipping an order. A revamped slotting strategy can reduce Order Pickers travel time reducing picking labor and increasing productivity.

      4. Consider Automation

      About 60 percent of Order pickers spend their time walking products around. An automated solution, such as conveyance, can reduce travel time and lower your cost per unit shipped.

      5. Order Online

      Looking for something? http://kmhsystems.theonlinecatalog.com/ From bins, drums, doors, pallet and scales to racks, shipping supplies to tables, tools and work benches – Our Online Catalog makes it EASY!

      6. Safety

      Avoid peak Holiday disasters by not implementing new unnecessary modifications through December. Facilities change with the volume, maintain a positive productive workflow for everyone and try to schedule heavy replenishment and put away in off hours to reduce aisle congestion.

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      KMH Systems Holiday Tips

      Holiday Material Handling Maintenance Tips

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      “To resent efficiency is a mark of inefficiency.” – Henry Ford

      With the Holiday season fast approaching, are you ready to operate at maximum uptime?
      Here are four tips for your Holiday Season. It is best to perform a full-scale preventive maintenance checks on your system regularly. KMH technicians can come to you to complete the inspection and schedule as well as perform any needed repairs.

      Preventative Maintenance

      1. Forklift Checklist

      Do you have a complete checklist for your operators?
      Take the time to create a detailed checklist for your operators. Prevent accidents and repair costs and raise your bottom line, especially during the busy Holiday Season.

      This list is a general overview, and not exhaustive. A complete checklist should be available for your operators.

      Visual Inspection: Remember to check carriages, forks and locks, tires, masts and look for any leaks before operating.
      Operational Inspection: Check your attachments, tilt, lift and cylinders. Be sure your brakes, lift and steering are in proper order and pay close attention for any unusual noises or exhaust that may signal a problem or failure in the unit. Stop and have a closer inspection at the first sign of any unusual sounds or activity to avoid accidents and injuries.
      Engine Compartment: From your fluid levels, fuel lines, belts, oil filter and cooling system to brakes, panels and even hinges. Make sure your operators take the time to check your units to keep them running smoothly every shift.
      Electrical Systems: Wire connections, battery electrolyte, brushes, switches and connector points.
      Lastly check your Fuel System & Hydraulic System to lubricate your units on a regular basis.

      2. Conveyor Care

      Many components should be checked on a regular basis. Have responsible team members check your drives, take-up systems, belts, pulleys, idlers, and guards.

      Cleaning and lubrication of your conveyor can take place on a weekly basis. More in-depth examinations of belts and pulleys should be done on a monthly basis. Preventive maintenance will help you avoid unnecessary downtime and to keep your operation running smoothly all year long.

      A busy holiday season is the time to consider making any necessary part replacements and keep any spare parts on hand that would cause extended downtime. Our free operational audit can help you prepare in advance of the upcoming holiday season.

      3. Conveyor Parts Preparation

      During your operational audit, we can help you list and make preparations for parts you may want to have on hand. Making the right parts decisions in advance can prevent possible repairs & prevent multiple maintenance calls. For example you can pre-order a variety of regularly needed parts:

      1. Motors
      2. Belts
      3. Drive and pulleys
      4. Couplings
      5. Rollers
      6. Air bags and brake pads
      7. Sensors

      4. Software Maintenance

      1. Is all software up to date? Check Windows updates, security software, and the applications that run the business. Are they performing as expected?
      2. Backups… Are you backing up regularly? Do you have offsite copies? Do you have a procedure in place to restore files if needed?

      There are many material handling maintenance checks that you should perform. We hope this list encourages you to get ready for the busy season! These are only a few tips that will help you review and prep the critical areas of your system before the Holiday Season.

      Call us at 888-KMH-SYSTEMS for your free Operational Audit.

      Profits and Precision

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      The internet has trained us to expect quick precision in order and delivery. KMH helps you implement efficient systems to ensure an experience worth reliving to keep the business going, and the customers coming for more. KMH Systems helps you move the needle in Material Handling ROI with reliable delivery and installation, project management along with parts and service support.

      Inventory Management Database

      Controlling overstock and outage frees up cash tied to inventory giving you an advantage over your competitor. KMH can work with you to design software that tracks your inventory as it is transported from vendor to warehouse, between warehouses, and finally to a retail location or directly to a customer saving you wasted dollars. Clear and accessible data storage increases efficiency while keeping everyone and everything organized. Your database will also give your organization insight into trends that could save you money down the road while storing your inventory more effectively.

      Consistent Clear Communication

      Keeping your database accurate and your inventory well organized creates efficiency of time while high cost facility space is better optimized. Intelligent storage ensures the movement of goods with high precision. Less questions equals less mistakes, thus creating higher profits. No more “Where is it? Who put it there?” Storing things efficiently speeds your delivery time for your sales force, creates the environment for workers to fulfill orders correctly and increases customer satisfaction.

      Ways We Can Help You Increase Your Storage Density

      Creative and effective use of space raises your bottom line. When your orders come in, the steps to get it shipped with the highest level of efficiency and the lowest cost per unit shipped is what we do for you.

      KMH works with you to refine the use of your floor and air space with performance, economics and ergonomics in mind. Our Team guarantees you a smooth operation and we offer rental and ongoing service to continue to serve you and your budget as you grow. Just a few of our solutions for you:

      KMH Systems

      Used Forklift For Sale

      Create Ease & Increase Your ROI

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      Labor is intensive and can’t always keep pace with growing demands. Human error is a reality, and it not only lowers productivity, but it wastes valuable time and increases company tension. Creating ease adds value, lowers stress as well as costs and it increases returns.

      Sometimes people forget the “flow” aspect of “work flow,” and focus too much on the work. An integrated system that creates more ease leaves room for growth. Most people can’t think clearly under pressure. Growth in profit and efficiency increases your peace of mind, confidence, and reputation, which in turn spreads to more customers who will benefit from your improvements. The money saved in your cost per unit shipped adds more value so your organization can expand to fill more orders.

      KMH offers FREE operational audits to assess your organization’s needs, your customers’ wants, and your financial investment strategy and expected return. We bring over 30 years of experience to help you improve production and distribution to your daily experience.

      Items KMH Takes In Consideration:

      • Increasing your throughput
      • Improving your productivity
      • Maintaining accuracy
      • Return on investment
      • Your company’s strengths and weaknesses
      • Available processes equipment and systems
      • Price, space and budget
      • Labor costs
      • Value added opportunities

      Our award winning team takes pride in delivering solutions and working with you to engineer, collaborate, automate, integrate, and support your company. We strive to create ease in your operation to bring you savings. You can’t buy peace of mind, but you can invest in it.

      To schedule an operational audit, call:

      888-KMH-SYSTEMS

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      Cut Costs

      5 Ways To Cut Your Costs Today

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      Every day offers an opportunity to lower your cost per unit shipped. Getting focused in that direction and making it happen will significantly impact this.

      Listed below are 5 simple ways a phone call to KMH for either our operational audits, service calls, or equipment requests can save you money TODAY.

      Warehouse Lighting

      1. Lighting

      Flipping the switch on savings is easier than you think. If you partner with KMH, we are able to pass on the energy management margins to you. We have been saving companies millions of dollars annually! KMH’s lighting Division keeps money in your account. We offer the ability for you to now see what you’re doing as well as where you’re saving. To top it off, KMH lighting surveys are FREE!

      Forklift Trade-In

      2. Trade in Credit

      Do you have used or old equipment lying around, collecting dust, not really getting the job done? If so, you should think about this… Used equipment can be money in your bank account; you just need to decide when to replace it. Utilizing the same old and run down equipment can be inefficient, while also harmful and dangerous to your employees. KMH can evaluate how to maximize your investment in industrial equipment (both indoor & outdoor) as well as your parts and service needs to keep you rolling at an affordable price.

      Fleet Management

      3. Prevention

      What is prevention? Prevention is the action of stopping something from happening or arising. Fleet management is exactly this… it saves time and prevents problems from occurring. Here at KMH, we pride ourselves on telemetry and fleet management hardware & software that contain features such as; email alerts, utilization reports, operator checklists, and even PM interval alerts. If you want to stay ahead of any problems, it’s much easier when you simply prevent them from happening. By implementing these state-of-the-art tools for your forklift fleet and team, you’ll be guaranteed to save TIME & MONEY!

      Forklift Rentals

      4. Rentals

      Are your finances, bills, and long term contract agreements slowing you down? Here is an opportunity for you to gain more freedom financially and enjoy life a little more. KMH maintains a rental ready fleet for both short and long term needs. Whatever works better for you, we adjust accordingly! Sometimes all you will need is a rental, so in turn, we evaluate your goals and can recommend the best solution when and while you need it.

      KMH Service Vans

      5. Parts and Service

      Affordable and reliable – care and efficiency are qualities we pride ourselves on. Our team of certified technicians ensures maximum fleet up-time… that’s your money and your time, and we want to ensure you save it! With over a million dollar parts inventory and 50+ service technicians, we are road ready to stay true to our values all while helping you SAVE BIG!

      Notre Dame Football 2014 Schedule

      Football Season Is Here!!!

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      2014 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

      DATE / OPPONENT
      Aug 30 Rice
      Sep 6 Michigan
      Sep 13 Purdue
      Sep 27 @Syracuse
      Oct 4 Stanford
      Oct 11 North Carolina
      Oct 18 @Florida St.
      Nov 1 @Navy
      Nov 8 @Arizona St.
      Nov 15 Northwestern
      Nov 22 Louisville
      Nov 29 @USC

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