by David Kingman, on Aug 9, 2024 9:53:33 AM
In the fast-paced world of logistics and warehousing, efficiency is essential. Every minute saved loading or unloading pays dividends in reduced costs and increased customer satisfaction.
If your team has to load or unload floor-loaded containers and trailers, you already know it’s a time-consuming, labor-intensive process. Simply asking workers to unload faster can lead to injuries and reduced morale.
Fortunately, there’s an easy, cost-effective solution that can:
- Reduce labor costs by 50%
- Help your team avoid injuries
- Get those containers and trailers unloaded twice as fast
Portable Conveyors Improve Efficiency and Protect Workers
Portable conveyors, also known as container unloading conveyors, make material handling in the can safer and faster. As the name implies, they’re designed to be used inside a container or trailer.
By reducing the need for manual lifting and carrying, portable conveyors (such as the Destuff-it and Restuff-it shown above) boost productivity and reduce injuries. Faster unload times also mean more turns per door and reduced demurrage and storage charges.
How a Portable Conveyor System Quickly Pays for Itself
You may already use a conveyor belt in your facility. If so, you know the benefits this type of equipment provides. A portable, adjustable conveyor can help you:
+ Boost Efficiency: Unload containers or trailers up to 50% faster
+ Improve Safety: The adjustable platform minimizes lifting and twisting
+ Elevate Worker Morale: With fewer injuries and reduced drudgery
+ Increase Customer Satisfaction: Get product to customers faster
+ Open Doors: Faster trailer turns means more available doors
— Reduce or Eliminate Expenses for demurrage, trailer drops and standby charges
— Spend Less on Labor and reduce injury-related expenses
— Minimize Damage from workers standing on boxes to access the top of the box wall
It all adds up to Rapid ROI!
The Portable Conveyor Used by Industry Leaders
Of all the container unloading equipment on the market, Destuff-it and Restuff-it are preferred by industry leaders. Customers report a box rate of 900-1500 boxes per hour (depending on the weight of the box and downstream logistics).
Destuff-it is a single-direction portable conveyor designed for unloading only.
Restuff-it is a two-way portable conveyor that can be used for loading or unloading.
Destuff-it and Restuff-it Specs
Conveyor Specs:
- Rated at 165 lbs. Can be used to move furniture, tires, rolls of fabric and fragile items.
- Can be positioned from 6” up to 5’8” from the floor
- Can be driven independently from door to door
- Designed to be used with a variety of conveyors:
(flexible conveyors, telescopic conveyors and cascading belt conveyors)
Operator Platform Specs:
- 550 lb. capacity, designed to support two operators
- Hydraulically raises up to 26" off the floor
The adjustable platform can be raised to the top of the box wall, eliminating the need to lift heavy items or transport them up and down steps. When using Restuff-it for container loading, many customers increase cube utilization because the operator can adjust the horizontal and vertical position of the belt for optimal alignment with the box wall.
ROI Calculator
Below is a comparison of manual devanning costs using a ladder or step stool versus using a Destuff-it machine.
Baseline Unload Cost = $216 per container
3 people x 4 hours to unload x $18/hour = $216
Unload Cost with Destuff-it = $108 per container
4 people x 1.5 hours to unload x $18/hour = $108
You may have noticed the number of people required to unload increases from three to four when using a Destuff-it.
- This is because items the operator(s) inside the can are able to work faster. An extra person is typically needed downstream to avoid a bottleneck.
- Also, although the number of workers increases by one, the total number of hours required to unload drops from 4 hours to just 1.5 hours.
Not sure if a portable conveyor will benefit your operation? Try before you buy. We rent both the Destuff-it and Restuff-it.
ReStuff-It Case Studies
A 3PL was unsure if a Restuff-it would be a good investment, so they rented one first. Performance metrics revealed the Restuff-it increased hourly case rate and reduced labor costs. They ultimately decided to purchase a Restuff-it.
>>> Read the Restuff-it 3PL case study or contact us about a Restuffit rental.
A leading tire manufacturer chose a Restuff-it to assist workers tasked with manually loading and unloading interlaced rows of tires. The Restuff-it not only improved health and safety, it also improved morale.
>>> Read the Restuff-it tire manufacturer case study.
Buy or Rent a Restuff-it or Destuff-it in Georgia or Florida
Manufacturers, warehouses, distribution centers, import/export and 3PLs — any operation that handles floor-loaded product can benefit from a portable conveyor system. If you want to:
- Improve safety
- Reduce costs
- Boost productivity
…contact us about buying or renting a Destuff-it or Restuff-it. Connect with us online, by phone (800) 226-2345 or in person at one of our ten locations throughout Georgia and Florida.
GEORGIA: Albany, Macon, Midland, Valdosta
FLORIDA: Jacksonville, Ocala, Orlando, Lakeland, Tampa, Winter Haven
Related Reading
- Customer Success Stories
- Labor Shortage Problem? Why Automation is a People-First Solution
- How To Extend the Life of Your Loading Dock Equipment
