Overcoming Change With an Operator-first Mindset

As circumstances continue to change, warehouse managers should look to bolster their greatest asset — a resilient and adaptable workforce — with equipment, operator assist technologies and energy solutions that can keep operations running efficiently.

In the last decade, the material handling and manufacturing industries have been tested time and again. And each time, supply chain workers have proven flexible in adapting to uncertainty. As tensions mount over potential supply chain disruptions, warehouse managers should rely on reinforcing their most valuable asset — a roster of well-trained operators — to effectively navigate change.

At The Raymond Corporation, our portfolio of operator-focused solutions is designed to solve challenges despite uncertainty. As we recognize National Forklift Safety Day, we’re reminded that incorporating industry-leading equipment, operator assist technologies and sustainable energy solutions allows logistics providers to foster a workplace environment that puts operator care and efficiency front and center while proactively adapting to change — instead of playing a costly game of catch-up.

Creating Certainty With Connected and Reliable Equipment

The warehouse challenges of today cannot be solved by equipment performance alone. Instead, they call for solutions that reduce learning curves and elevate efficiency to help address challenges like seasonal demand spikes, labor shortages and high operator turnover. This is why Raymond engineers and offers intralogistics solutions that pair integrated technologies and equipment together — turning every lift truck into a technology platform that can grow with your operations based on need.

Bolstering warehouse operations begins with incorporating purpose-built equipment that improves operator effectiveness through precision, agility and operator-first performance. Raymond’s High Capacity Orderpicker, a part of the award-winning 5000 series, offers 456 inches in reach and a 3,000-pound capacity and redefines what’s possible in high-bay and dense-storage applications. The performance story expands beyond the lift capacity. Optional integrated operator assist technologies such as the iWAREHOUSE® Integrated Tether System and iWAREHOUSE ObjectSense Notification & Detection System (iW.ObjectSense) actively reinforce operator training, boost operator awareness and streamline operator security functions — leading to smarter and more-secure warehouse operations.

Raymond’s portfolio of orderpickers offers compact footprints and responsive handling to empower operators to move confidently through congested pick zones. The company’s commitment to durability ensures consistent uptimes even in the most challenging conditions. Designed with serviceability in mind, these lift trucks help minimize maintenance-related downtime, keeping operations on schedule and maximizing return on investment. Whether navigating tight turns or executing repeated picks, Raymond® Orderpickers offer the reliable performance warehouse managers can count on to keep workflows moving.

Pairing Dependable Equipment With Operator Assist Technologies

Raymond’s iWAREHOUSE Intelligent Warehouse Solutions suite serves as an ecosystem connecting lift trucks with advanced technologies to transform them into true smart trucks. With layered operator assist technologies, warehouse managers can help reduce the friction of on-boarding new operators and ensure productivity doesn’t suffer during labor transitions.

These tools allow new operators to perform with greater confidence while helping experienced drivers reach peak efficiency:

• The Integrated Tether System reinforces safety protocols by limiting lift truck functions when tether compliance lapses — delivering immediate audible and visual alerts to the operator.
• iW.ObjectSense uses infrastructure-free light detection and ranging (lidar) to recognize obstacles in a lift truck’s path, issue real-time warnings and pause certain functions to prevent potential impacts.
• iWAREHOUSE FieldSense Proximity Notification System delivers 360-degree awareness of nearby pedestrians and objects, reinforcing situational awareness in high-traffic zones.

All these technologies are designed to support, not replace, operators. They help operators stay in control while benefiting from tools that improve security and accuracy at every level. Implementing operator assist technologies like these helps leaders maintain operational flow and keeps productivity high by mitigating risks in rapidly changing environments.

Scalable Telematics and Insights That Drive Results

Raymond’s iWAREHOUSE Telematics Fleet Management suite offers more than just fleet tracking. It’s a robust data platform that enables operational transparency. Managers gain visibility into:

• Operator certification status and OSHA pre-shift checklists
• Real-time impact alerts and vehicle access control
• Utilization analytics that inform facilitywide efficiency improvements

As operations scale or shift priorities, this data provides leaders with the insight to adjust workflows, reduce risk and ensure every lfit truck and operator is contributing to optimum performance. By investing in iWAREHOUSE, leaders not only gain a strong data generating system and lift truck visibility but also can take operations to the next level by layering in operator assist technologies that provide lift truck control and reinforces operator best practices. 

Choosing Efficient Energy Solutions

In addition to operator assist technologies, contemporary energy solutions like lithium-ion batteries integrated into Raymond lift trucks can help maintain warehouse efficiency while reinforcing operator security.  

By reducing vibrations, mitigating heat, eliminating emissions and contributing to a low-noise environment, electric lift trucks powered by lithium-ion deliver a superior handling experience, building a more sustainable work environment. With fewer mechanical components, no spark plugs and zero need for oil changes or tuneups, these vehicles also create a more consistent work environment, significantly reducing the risk of unexpected equipment failures and establishing a more dependable and secure warehouse operation regardless of external pressures.

As such, modern energy solutions like lithium-ion further contribute to an operator-first approach — keeping your workforce secure and reliably efficient.

Confront Change by Championing a Reliable Workforce

As the material handling and warehouse industry continues to change, forward-thinking industry leaders should take every opportunity available to prepare for and proactively address any potential for disruption. This National Forklift Safety Day serves as a powerful reminder that safety and efficiency are inextricably linked. By meeting uncertainty head-on with an operator-first mindset that champions productivity-enhancing equipment, advanced operator assist technologies and sustainable energy solutions, organizations can simultaneously maximize warehouse security and productivity — creating a resilient foundation for years to come. 

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