Using Automation to Optimize Labor in the Cold Chain
Article from MHI Solutions Magazine
When professional football players take the field in subzero weather conditions wearing short-sleeved jerseys and no extra layers, they’re touting their toughness. But in reality, they’ve got nothing on the dedicated warehouse workers who handle refrigerated and frozen products day in and day out.
It’s one thing to brave harsh conditions for a three-hour game; it’s quite another to spend every work shift in a cold environment where you can see your breath when you exhale. Amid a prolonged labor shortage, many industries, including material handling, have struggled to hire and retain sufficient manpower, but that task is even more challenging in cold-chain operations where frigid temperatures can erode employee morale.
“Very few people want to work in the cold environment, particularly when you’re talking about freezer temperatures or even deep freeze,” said Brian Keiger, vice president of MHI member Conveyco. “Training becomes a real issue because of constant turnover…
