How to Improve Workflow and Optimize Space with Overhead Handling

More often than not, manufacturers and warehouse operators are always looking to optimize their available space to make room for more work and storage, respectively. Especially in cities with high cost of real estate and rents, organizations are trying to get more done in less space by optimizing their existing structure’s space. At the same time, they want to improve their workflow. How is it possible to improve workflow and optimize space at the same time? One of the possible solutions is overhead material handling equipment — let’s look at how.

Overhead material handling equipment like cranes, hoists, and balancers ensure the lifting of materials does not come in the way of other operations. Since overhead systems operate above the floor, they leave the floor free for workers and other activities on the production floor. By making use of cranes, hoists and monorails to an operation, an organization can take advantage of the overhead space in their buildings, achieving spatial and throughput operational gains that floor-based transport and placement equipment fail to do. Several overhead lifting systems can also be integrated into the ceiling structure of a building, thereby allowing greater lifting elevations for higher stacking heights. This technology allows more products to be handled and stored in the current area without the need to expand usable square footage by acquiring more buildings or land.

Faster operation

Instead of navigating back and forth through aisles, overhead handling equipment takes product up and over obstacles. Obviously, moving over straight pathways is more efficient than roundabout paths to get from one point to another. This saves up the time taken to carefully navigate through or around aisles, columns, equipment and other obstacles—cranes, monorails, balancers and hoists save transport time for an overall increase in operational efficiency.

Less labour required

In other systems of transporting materials, one worker usually loads the material, one operates the machinery (like forklift) and another unloads it. In contrast, only a single operator is needed to control the operation of an overhead lifting solution, other workers formerly dedicated to load transport can be reassigned to perform different, more value-added tasks.

Beneficial in confined spaces

Overhead handling equipment like jib cranes can work just as efficiently in facilities with low ceiling heights. Due to their compact design, this kind of equipment enables an operator to swiftly and efficiently lift, position and place an item without experiencing any ergonomic strain. They also reduce the risk of injuries by way of motorized transport vehicle coming into contact with personnel.

 With the expansion of a business, the requirement for a larger factory or keeps growing in order to accommodate the operations. In such a scenario, overhead lifting systems allow for greater lifting height, vertical storage, and more efficient use of space. Money is saved on land acquisition costs and property taxes. Therefore, you can improve workflow and optimize your space with the proper use of overhead handling solutions. To find out the options of overhead equipment available at Conco, click here.