What to Expect in 2016

Explosions in manufacturing plants are almost always serious, often catastrophic — and, in most cases, very preventable. Using fabric curtain walls to enhance the efficiency of standard exhaust methods is a good step in controlling dust and preventing explosions.

New Belgium, the fast-growing craft brewer, addresses dock issues and finds safety and productivity improvements using Rite-Hite products.

Discover how HVLS fans can help lower your heating bill by up to 30%.

Safety is a major concern for facility managers.  Read how it's being addressed with multi-level workspaces.

Automation technologies aren't just revolutionizing the consumer world; the use of automated loading dock systems is becoming more widespread.

Check out the newest product from Rite-Hite!

Elevated work areas, such as pick modules and mezzanines, are increasingly common in industrial and chemical facilities across the U.S. In order to provide the necessary safety for employees and to protect products, facility managers contemplating the addition of elevated workspaces must take OSHA-mandated safety regulations – and should take ANSI best practices guidelines – into consideration when designing and outfitting these areas.

Eclipse Dock Shelter Selected as Finalist for Third IDFA Innovations Awards. Please vote for the Eclipse Dock Shelter in the Food Safety category.  

Arctic Cold Storage's employee-oriented approach can be seen in recent renovations to one of its most crucial work areas – its loading docks.

Distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, and other large, open warehouse environments face a host of unique design and maintenance challenges. These challenges include energy costs, temperature control, air quality and employee safety/comfort issues. In an effort to mitigate these challenges, more and more facilities are installing high volume, low speed fans as a complement to their HVAC system.

In the last five years or so, New Belgium has experienced a growth spurt, with production soaring to more than 945,000 barrels in 2014 from fewer than 583,000 in 2009. But with more product coming through the DC, problems began to crop up. That was particularly true at the dock bays, where wear and tear were taking their toll on the equipment and the forklift operators who worked there.

When it comes to choosing the right door to control proper temperatures in different areas, the decision typically comes down to two factors: speed and insulation. Recently, however, high-speed doors have stepped to the forefront, as their quick action roll-up capabilities can actually increase worker productivity and safety, while also decreasing energy loss.

Pharmaceutical warehouses are busy places. And while a steady flow of shipments in and out generally puts a smile on managers' faces, the repeated opening of loading dock doors also generates concern.

As the manufacturing industry gets more automated, more focus will be placed on moving parts and material more safely and efficiently.

There are a wide variety of links in the food supply chain. At almost every level – from processing and manufacturing to distribution – loading docks play a significant role in bringing fresh, safe food to consumers.

Picture a typical shift on a loading dock. Semi-trucks – often dozens of them – come and go, material handling equipment moves product across the floor, and employees work in and around the dock. It’s a busy – and in some cases dangerous – place to work.

Fans and Curtain Walls Cool Employees & Improve Efficiency

Developing an efficient and safe warehouse can be challenging. Here is some advice from Walt Swietlik, director of customer relations and sales support for loading dock equipment company Rite-Hite.

The industry that moves products where they need to go is moving itself – toward more automation.

A number of major technological changes have taken place in the manufacturing industry during the last decade. In most cases, corresponding changes in safety regulations have followed shortly afterward.

Rite-Hite's Flex Neck LED dock light features a multi-articulating arm made from molded nylon links. The LED dock light incorporates a variety of other features, including four different settings with visual indicators to clearly identify the current level of lighting, allowing users to select the desired level of light output.

Greater safety, security and efficiency at the loading dock can be achieved when food companies incorporate a system of products and a detailed sequence of operations at the loading dock. The use of barrier systems, automated vehicle restraints, dock levelers, doors, shelters and lighted communication systems – working together – can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries to workers, while improving security and supply chain integrit...

Rite-Hite's RHV Vertical Storing Hydraulic Dock Leveler bridges the gap between the loading dock floor and the trailer bed. Unlike a pit-style leveler, the Rite-Hite vertical leveler (when in the stored position) allows the loading dock door to close directly on the pit floor - rather than the leveler itself.

Picture a typical shift on a loading dock. Semi-trucks – often dozens of them – come and go, material handling equipment moves product across the floor, and employees work in and around the dock. It's a busy – and in some cases dangerous – place to work. Having a systematic safety strategy in place can help reduce the potential for these kinds of onsite accidents and conditions.

Many companies install mezzanines, elevated work platforms or multi-level racking systems to create additional storage space or work areas about existing operations. Building upward creates a number of advantages and efficiencies... 

The past three years have been a particularly intense period of change, with many forward-thinking companies beginning to implement safer practices even before regulatory bodies mandate them. Safety-minded managers are implementing best practices that go beyond current regulations to embrace the reality of these highly automated industrial workplaces - and the dangers inherent in them.

Loading Dock Light - Facility Management Product Release 

Kevin Chang, general manager of Concord Ceramics, is a member of a younger generation of factory bosses in China trying to survive leaner times. That quest led him to examine the power use at his factories.

Air-Ride Trailers are gaining popularity for: Better cargo protection Longer trailer life Driver retention The increasing presence of air suspensions poses special challenges for dock design and equipment selection.

One of the most recent upgrades at the University of Utah benefits athletes, spectators, and student facility users alike: the installation of a high-volume, low-speed fan from Rite-Hite.

As companies look to maximize existing space within their facilities, many are turning to mezzanines to create additional storage space or work areas. In response to this trend, Rite-Hite Barrier Systems has introduced the GateKeeper Mezzanine Safety Gate.

Protect workers, loads with mezzanine safety gate.

Rite-Hite, Milwaukee, introduced a new LED dock light design called the Rite-Lite Flex Neck LED Dock Light. Rite Hite LED dock light

Universal Vehicle Restraints: Rite-Hite is an example of a company that is developing universal vehicle restraints designed for both trailers and intermodal containers. The company – which invented the vehicle restraint industry in 1980 – continues to develop new products to meet industry demands. Rite-Hite recently introduced the Dok-Lok® RHR-4000

Indoor air quality: Food redistributor overcomes high ceiling and high energy costs to better manage heat Dot Foods, the nation’s largest food redistributor, offers nearly 105,000 products from over 600 food industry manufacturers. Originally called Associated Dairy Products, the company was founded in 1960 by Robert Tracy, who started by selling products out of the family station wagon.

According to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) semi-annual forecast, expect to see a 5.6% increase in manufacturing revenue, as well as an increase in business investment in the manufacturing sector. While 2010 has been a year of recovery in manufacturing, expect improvements in both investment and employment in 2011.