Pittsburgh, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/15/2013 -- According to Susan K. Lacefield, Associate Managing Editor for DC Velocity, “Pallet damage can add significant cost and waste to your supply chain. And it is not just the cost of repairing or replacing the pallet itself; you also have to factor in the expenses your company will incur if the product loaded on the pallet is damaged as a result.” DC Velocity reports the main cause of pallet damage is mishandling by forklift operators.

When robotic industrial trucks are used to transport palletized loads of goods, a reduction in pallet, product, and infrastructure damage occurs. “Removing the operator from the forklift or pallet truck automatically eliminates the decision making process from all aspects of transportation. When an unmanned robotic industrial truck is used to transport product, versus a fork truck operator, palletized product is moved reliably, safely, and in a consistent manner,” said John Mazock, Vice President of Manufacturing at Seegrid. Mazock went on to say robot transport eliminates:

- Pallet dropping
- Product damage
- Pushing pallets across a facility floor
- Improper pallet unloading
- Pallet tip over
- Improper pallet loading

“Using high-quality pallets from companies like GMA, CHEP, PECO, and iGPs will ensure pallet loading by the robot operator is seamless. Companies utilizing severely damaged pallets will not experience productivity and efficiency gains at the same rate as companies utilizing quality pallets,” stated Mazock.

DC Velocity article link: http://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/20130318-how-to-reduce-pallet-damage/

DC Velocity is the first and only business information vehicle in the market addressing the specific informational needs of distribution center managers and executives. DC Velocity captures and holds the attention of business professionals throughout the supply chain.

About Seegrid Corporation
Founded in 2003, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Seegrid Corporation (http://www.seegrid.com) brings robotic vision-guided technology to the material handling industry. With more than thirty years of innovation and research by leading robotic scientists, engineers, programmers and logistics practitioners worldwide, Seegrid’s exclusive Robotic Industrial Trucks are revolutionizing the movement of materials in manufacturing and distribution environments. Seegrid’s technology transforms industrial vehicles into unmanned, automated pallet trucks and tow tractors that operate without the need for wire, tape, laser, magnet or other costly automated guided vehicle (AGV) guidance systems. Seegrid offers solutions that optimize workflow processes by increasing productivity and reducing costs, creating economic and operational advantages. Fast Company named Seegrid as one of the Top 50 World’s Most Innovative Company in 2013 and among the Top 10 World’s Most Innovative Robotics Company in 2013. Follow Seegrid Corporation on Twitter at @Seegrid.

Seegrid Corporation
http://www.seegrid.com
Amanda Merrell
amerrell@seegrid.com
412-379-4500