Archive for the Material Handling Category
Lift & Tilt Podcast – Episode 008 : Recruitment & Hiring Post Covid
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Date: 7/10/20
Host: Kurt Guntner
Overview: Kurt and special guest discuss what recruiting, hiring, and retainment will look like post COVID and why your business should start thinking about it now – while sipping Prisoner wine.
Recruiting & Hiring Post COVID
1) Job Market
The job market has changed – there is a much larger talent pool and many candidates from other industries that might have transferable skills.
2) Short vs Long Term Needs
Balancing short term needs with the changing demands of long term shifts in need for skilled labor, tech savvy candidates for automation, and retainment.
3) Redefine Candidate Quality
Prioritize candidate quality, person-organization and job fit to ensure long-term success. There is a large talent pool – be picky.
4) Promote Job Growth & Security
Remember to focus on promoting long-term job security and opportunities for growth. That’s the number one thing job seekers will be looking for in times of economic downturn.
5) Build Your Brand
Mark Cuban, a well-known entrepreneur, said it best: how companies treat their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic will likely define their brand for decades to come.
Source Articles:
Harver | Hiring in the Post-COVID-19 Era
https://harver.com/blog/hiring-in-the-post-covid-19-era/
Wine:
The Prisoner
https://www.theprisonerwinecompany.com/The-Prisoner
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Jun08
Lift & Tilt Podcast – Episode 007 : Trust & Team Dynamics Amongst Controversy
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Date: 6/8/20
Host: Kurt Guntner
Overview: Kurt discusses the importance of trust in business teams and how issues like COVID-19 response, social injustice, and media censorship are sowing discord within our organizations.
Trust & Psychological Safety
1) Psychological Safety
Trust is being able to predict that you won’t embarrass, punish, or humiliate me in a social setting.
2) Questioning
When trust is developed, I feel safe to ask questions about tasks, instructions, or projects without fear of retribution. This leads to greater efficiency and effectiveness when completing tasks.
3) Goodwill
If trust is developed, and goodwill is formed, I can give others the benefit of the doubt about a questionable statement or action.
4) Decision Making
The ability to innovate and quickly make business decisions is based on trust. My boss and colleagues, trust and value my capability and opinion. Therefore there is less time involved in verifying my work, thoughts, or opinions – and projects move forward more quickly.
5) Morale
When we trust that our leaders, colleagues, or organization have our best interest at heart – the work place is a place of enjoyment and provide a sense of accomplishment. When doubt and distrust arise, we dread heading into the office.
Source Articles:
Forbes Magazine | 5 Reasons Why Trust Matters On Teams
https://www.forbes.com/sites/danabrownlee/2019/10/20/5-reasons-why-trust-matters-on-teams/#40e3f7a02d60
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Apr24
Lift & Tilt Podcast – Episode 006 : COVID-19 | Supply Chain and the Future – Part II
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Date: 4/24/20
Host: Kurt Guntner & Special Guest
Overview: In part II of our podcast, Kurt and special guest enjoy a margarita while discussing post pandemics plans for businesses that are welcoming employees back or simply trying to navigate the unchartered waters of business with COVID-19.
Topics Discussed
1) Risk Management
With employees facing new threats in the work place, liability of businesses is being challenged in wrongful death suits and claims of hazardous work environments. Making plans to keep your employees safe and mitigate risk is at the forefront of business management teams across the globe.
2) Technology
Anti-microbial materials, voice activated automation, UV lights, and industrial grade air purifications systems are at the forefront of post pandemic technology upgrades.
3) Disruption Mindset
The pandemic has altered business as many of us know it for the foreseeable future. Developing a mindset that acknowledges change is constant is key to being nimbler and more agile than your competitors.
Source Articles:
Inc. Magazine | Why You Need a Post-Pandemic Plan
https://www.inc.com/lindsay-blakely/coronavirus-reduce-legal-liability-post-pandemic.html
Harvard Business Review | Preparing Your Business for a Post Pandemic World
https://hbr.org/2020/04/preparing-your-business-for-a-post-pandemic-world
Forbes | How to Fortify Your Supply Chain in an Era of Escalating Disruption
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/04/09/how-to-fortify-your-supply-chain-in-an-era-of-escalating-disruption
The Brew & Tasting Notes:
Chuy’s Signature Margarita
“All Margaritas and Martinis are made with our fresh lime juice, squeezed every day in-house. All Margaritas and Martinis are made with our fresh lime juice, squeezed every day in-house. salt and jalapeño-stuffed olives”
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Apr24
Lift & Tilt Podcast – “Short Pour” Bonus Episode : Alcohol Supply Chain Disruption
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Date: 4/24/20
Host: Kurt Guntner
Overview: Kurt and special guest discuss COVID-19’s disruption of alcohol supply chain with shortages of CO2 and the burgeoning alcohol delivery service Drizly.
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Apr06
Lift & Tilt Podcast – Episode 005 : COVID-19 | Supply Chain and the Future – Part I
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Date: 4/6/20
Host: Kurt Guntner & Special Guest
Overview: Kurt and special guest sip Deep Eddy’s Lemon Vodka mixed with Topo Chico while discussing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the supply chain and how the future of the industry may be changed moving forward.
Topics Discussed
1) Risk Management
Risk management and business continuity have been disrupted due to COVID-19 and will continue to dramatically change with focus on flexible work arrangements, sanitation protocols, vendor redundancies, just-in-time inventory adjustments, and crisis management teams/task forces.
2) Technology
COVID-19 will increase the deployment and adoption of technology to better automate and mitigate a labor force separated by social distancing. Data security protocols and vulnerabilities in a remote workforce will continue to be topics of discussion for organizations moving forward.
3) Market Place
The pandemic has the potential to rewrite the competitive landscape of organizations regionally as well as globally. Business continuity due to affects on the vendor supply chain and labor force will likely cause consolidation in many markets, shifts in sales seasonality, and government regulations of many industries.
Source Articles:
Supply Chain Digital | How Supply Chains can Mitigate Coronavirus Impact
https://www.supplychaindigital.com/supply-chain-management/gartner-how-supply-chains-can-mitigate-coronavirus-impact
Harvard Business Review | How Coronavirus Could Impact Supply Chain by Mid March
https://hbr.org/2020/02/how-coronavirus-could-impact-the-global-supply-chain-by-mid-march
Yahoo News | China Wants to use Coronavirus to take over the World
https://www.yahoo.com/news/china-wants-coronavirus-over-world-103022425.html
The Brew & Tasting Notes:
Deep Eddy’s Vodka – Lemon Vodka
Topo Chico – Mineral Water
“Made with real lemon juice and silky smooth Deep Eddy Original Vodka and lightly sweetened with real cane sugar, Deep Eddy Lemon is like a ray of Texas Sunshine, bringing people together for good times.”
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Mar16
Lift & Tilt Podcast – “Short Pour” Bonus Episode : Marijuana Legalization Ruins Floral Supply Chain
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Date: 3/16/20
Host: Robert Dennard & Kurt Guntner
Overview: Robert and Kurt share the story of Christina Stembel of Farmgirl Flowers, and how California’s legalization of recreational cannabis destroyed her supply chain.
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Mar16
Lift & Tilt Podcast – Episode 004 : Effects of the E-com Era on Supply Chains
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Date: 3/16/20
Host: Robert Dennard & Kurt Guntner
Overview: Robert and Kurt sample a citrus wheat beer from Community Beer Co. in Dallas, while discussing how the digital revolution is changing warehouses, distribution centers, and logistics. Supply chain processes, software, robotics, automation, real-estate, and personnel are being transformed to better meet customer demands as well as create greater efficiencies for organizations.
Topics Discussed
1) Doing More with Less
From going vertical with racking to increase storage capacity and open more floor space to employing artificial intelligence or machine learning software to increase efficiency of order fulfillment and inventory turn, e-commerce has forced companies to look for novel ways of efficiency.
2) Sustainable Solutions
The ability to reuse, recycle, or reclaim materials to minimize costs and appeal to eco-conscious buyers serves not only as a marketing function but creates margin in an ever increasingly competitive environment that is slashing profits.
3) Digital Development
Advanced inventory systems are using sophisticated algorithms to provide predictive insights into inventory movement. Paired with company websites, these inventory systems can analyze site traffic and predict SKU level demand spikes to reduce out of stock items.
4) Personnel
With increased reliance on sophisticated systems, robotics, and predictive forecasting, the need for more knowledge based personnel will continue to increase.
5) Real Estate and Geographics
As consumer demand for instant gratification continues to increase the ability to offer shorter delivery times at a lower cost has forced the need for more distribution centers strategically located to serve metro areas. In turn, real estate is at a premium for warehousing.
Source Articles:
Forbes | Logistics in the E-commerce Era
https://www.forbes.com/sites/betsyatkins/2019/05/06/logistics-in-the-e-commerce-era/#5814ae58574d
The Brew & Tasting Notes:
Community Beer Co. – Witbier
“Brewed traditionally using unmalted wheat as a base and lightly spice the kettle with freshly ground sweet and bitter orange peel and coriander seed. The hops are minimal, keeping the focus on the wheat, spices and the unique character contributed by authentic Belgian yeast strains, one of which originated from the same strain that Pierre brought across the Atlantic to America.”
Original Gravity: 12.8
Bitterness: 18 IBU
Alcohol Content (ABV): 5.2%
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Feb18
Lift & Tilt Podcast – Episode 003 : Ethical Supply Chains
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Date: 2/18/20
Host: Robert Dennard & Kurt Guntner
Overview: Robert and Kurt sip a chocolate milk stout from a local brewer while discussing ethical supply chains and their value to businesses. Does your company have a corporate responsibility to the communities in which it operates? Outsourced manufacturing and low supply chain visibility (labor practices, social injustice, and environmentally friendly practices) has become a much bigger topic for consumers and organizations alike.
Question & Answer from anonymous procurement professional.
1) The article alluded to corporate cost reductions being prioritized over social/ethical responsibility. How do managers at the upper echelon’s of organizations balance their sense of duty to business stakeholders with their responsibility of corporate citizenship?
I imagine it’s different, depending on the organization your work at, in terms of how they prioritize profitability over corporate citizenship. That being said, over the last few decades it’s become abundantly clear that social and ethical responsibilities can have a huge impact on a company’s bottom-line – whether that be due to sustainable practices like Starbucks C.A.F.E. program which ensures ethical and sustainable sourced coffee and being view positively by their customers while still being extremely profitable; to the cautionary tales like Nike in the late 90’s where their stock tumbled 40% and they lost 15% market share over unfair labor practices.
Ultimately, it comes down to the corporate culture of the organization, and understanding that we’re here to optimize the supply chain for all of the stake holders involved – customers, vendors, stock holders, employees, and the communities your business impacts.
2) Beyond ethical concerns about environment, health, and safety – how do companies weigh/protect against the potential theft/adoption of proprietary technology?
This is definitely topical with the current trade war between the U.S. and China. In the past the Chinese government has been very lax in policing and enforcing intellectual property rights and I think this falls right inline with an ethical supply chain discussion because companies need to know that the trade secrets that provide them differentiation or a competitive advantage aren’t being negated. Losing proprietary technology or other intellectual properties could mean that business stakeholders are impacted – lower stock prices, layoffs, or in some cases even national security.
It’s a very complex issue, and I think most companies are taking a wait and see approach, because most outsourcing is done in locations like China where the government has so much leverage that organizations have few options if they want access to sell in those markets.
3) For smaller organizations who may just be getting started in outsourced supply chains, what recommendations do you have for managing an ethical supply chain (vetting new suppliers, verifying compliance, etc.)?
Definitely think that every organization should start by building a vendor compliance document that focuses on labor (health, safety, wages), environmental (sustainability, safety, legal), and upstream compliance; meaning their vendors. Get a group of your organizations stake holders around a table and highlight issues that are important to your business or that could be potentially harmful and start drafting a document. Also, you should develop an SOP for vendor vetting and on boarding process to get the ball rolling. The most difficult part is probably in identifying a compliance regimen, whether it’s is an in-house department or an independent third-party to audit vendors, it’s necessary to ensure that suppliers maintain their commitments. Your organization should also consider how transparent they wish to be with their supply chain programs. Some companies, such as Patagonia, utilize their efforts in their marketing and openly list their suppliers on their website to act as a social check/balance for their suppliers.
Source Articles:
Forbes | Building Sustainable & Ethical Supply Chains
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dougguthrie/2012/03/09/building-sustainable-and-ethical-supply-chains/#20ddf5c44179
The Brew & Tasting Notes:
True Vine Brewing – Chocolate Milk Stout
“Aptly and creatively named “Chocolate Milk Stout”, this beer brings together the natural chocolate flavors of roasted malts, the silky smoothness of milk sugar, and the perfect sweetness of real chocolate.”
Original Gravity: 0
Bitterness: 40 IBU
Alcohol Content (ABV): 6.0%
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Jan27
Lift & Tilt Podcast – Episode 002 : Six Sigma & GE – A Cautionary Tale
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Date: 1/27/20
Host: Robert Dennard & Kurt Guntner
Overview: Robert and Kurt enjoy a Mexican style lager while discussing the history of Six Sigma, and how it shaped GE from the late ’90’s to current day. With expert testimony from Toyota’s National Manager of LEAN, Robert and Kurt look to understand how process management systems work and if they can help businesses outside the manufacturing industry. Join us to learn more about process management, and what can be gleaned from past successes and failures of a company like GE.
Question & Answer with Scott Redelman, National Manager LEAN – Toyota Material Handling
1) Given the history/example detailed in the article – do you think it’s possible to focus so heavily on a particular style of process management that it becomes a detriment to the organization?
That all depends. If the process management focus is a detriment to innovation, then maybe yes. In Toyota Lean Management, we are using TPS methodology – which is entirely focused on developing people to incrementally solve problems in their own process. This fosters a culture of continuous improvement rather than an event. It also relies on the creativity on the associates in the organization to solve the issues they face every day whereas often times the style of Six Sigma encourages the improvements to be conducted by the ‘experts’ – the black belts. TPS considers the people in the process to be the true experts in the process. If we value our associates as the experts, and put them in the position to solve problems they face every day, then the culture of improvement builds upon itself. This philosophy looks at management and skilled improvement folks as the culture builders. They don’t exist to solve all of the problems. Instead, management and improvement leaders exist to remove roadblocks in order to put the team in a position to win.
2) For companies that aren’t manufacturers, companies that are primarily service providers or retailers, do you think that the lean styles of management can have the same positive transformational effect that it’s had for manufacturers?
Absolutely yes. Lean applies to everything. Everything we do – at home and at work, in manufacturing, retail, whatever industry – is a process. Wherever there is a process, there’s a process that isn’t perfect that can be improved. Toyota has relationships with customers and contacts benchmarking TPS (Toyota’s lean culture and tools) from health care, military, logistics, accounting and of course service organizations. We even use the skills of lean to support continuous improvement in not for profits! You name it, lean can be applied. Successful lean transformations always begin and are sustained by the culture of respect for people’s work.
3) For companies that are thinking about implementing a process management style such as lean, agile, six sigma, etc. What advice would you have for them regarding implementation and potential pitfalls they should be aware.
First, you have to be ‘all in’. You have to trust the process over time. It can’t be flavor of the month – meaning the top of the organization has to understand the process takes time.
Second, it can’t all be about the KPI results. Instead, focus on the human capital development rather than cost savings. Successful lean cultures focus on singles and doubles (baseball metaphor). Home runs can come later as the organization develops.
Third, designation of ‘lean champions’ is critically important. Choose folks that are ‘servant leaders’ – people that look for how they can help other succeed. The champions don’t need to be leaders on the org chart, but they need to be leaders in the sense that others in the organization respect their approach and are willing to follow their lead.
Finally, pick the methodology that will work best within your organization and that your culture can sustain.
Source Articles:
Quartz at Work | Whatever Happened to Six Sigma
https://qz.com/work/1635960/whatever-happened-to-six-sigma/
The Brew & Tasting Notes:
Deep Ellum – Neato Bandito
“Neato is Deep Ellum’s interpretation of a Mexican-style lager. But Neato’s been working out and is stronger than the others! Light in color, but big in flavor, Neato Bandito wants to help you enjoy all of your summertime activities! Viva la RAZA!”
Original Gravity: 0
Bitterness: 18 IBU
Alcohol Content (ABV): 6.0%
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Jan09
Lift & Tilt Podcast – Episode 001 : Automation & The Human Element
Subscribe on iTunes or Google Play
Date: 1/1/20
Host: Robert Dennard & Kurt Guntner
Overview: Robert and Kurt discuss the ethical concerns regarding automation raised in the Vox article – Robots Aren’t Taking Warehouse Employees’ Jobs, They’re MakingTheir Work Harder. With input from automation experts from Stocked Robotics, Plaskolite, and Toyota Material Handling our hosts attempt to look at the issues from all perspectives – offering warehouse operators and manufacturers key take-aways on how to avoid common operation/labor/public relations pitfalls when implementing automation equipment.
Source Articles:
VOX | Robots Aren’t Taking Warehouse Employees’ Jobs, They’re Making Their Work Harder
https://www.vox.com/recode/2019/10/22/20925894/robots-warehouse-jobs-automation-replace-workers-amazon-report-university-illinois
Fast Company | At Toyota, The Automation is Human Powered
https://www.fastcompany.com/40461624/how-toyota-is-putting-humans-first-in-an-era-of-increasing-automation
The Brew & Tasting Notes:
Saint Arnold – Ye Olde Christmas Ale
A rich, copper colored, hearty ale perfect for the holiday season with a malty sweetness and spicy hop character. The generous use of five different malts is responsible for the full flavor and high alcohol level of this beer.
Saint Arnold Christmas Ale is best consumed at 45° Fahrenheit.
Recommended pairings: Fruit cake, Christmas pudding, & squash bisque.
Original Gravity: 1.067 (17.0° Plato)
Bitterness: 24 IBU
Alcohol Content (ABV): 7.5%
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Jul10