Last week, we said goodbye to summer and hello to first grade. We prepped for what felt like an eternity—school supply list, check. First-day-of-school outfit, check. Backpack night and meet the teacher, check, check. It’s simple if done right: get back into a routine, make to-do lists, and start fresh. Summer can be a bit of a free-for-all: no alarm clocks, more time at the park, fewer rules. While I’m a little emotional about the sweet summertime coming to an end, I’m also excited to get back to our routine.
I did my best to keep my daughter’s mind sharp this summer, but finding the balance between fun and focus isn’t always easy. And honestly, the same thing happens in material handling. Over time, operations can slip into “summer mode”—reactive maintenance, inconsistent processes, and small issues that can get overlooked until they become big ones.
That’s why going back to the basics is key to keeping both your home and your operation running efficiently.
Material Handling 101: The Back-to-Basics Checklist
1. Start with a Clean Slate
Just like a fresh backpack and shiny new shoes, your conveyor systems, chutes, and transfer points should start the season clean and clear. Regular cleaning and inspection help spot early wear and tear before it turns into costly downtime.
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2. Check the Essentials
Pencils and notebooks are to students what belt cleaners and skirting are to conveyors—basic tools you can’t operate without. Ensure your primary and secondary cleaners are in good condition, belt tracking is properly dialed in, and your sealing, support, and alignment systems are preventing spillage.
First-day safety briefings aren’t just for the classroom. Revisit your lockout/tagout procedures, confined space entry plans, and personal protective equipment requirements to make sure everyone’s on the same page.
Consistent inspections, preventive maintenance schedules, and clear reporting systems create the structure your plant needs—much like a school day’s timetable. When everyone knows the plan, productivity follows.
5. Keep Learning
In school and bulk material handling, there’s always something new to learn. Training operators, cross-training team members, and staying up-to-date on industry innovations can keep your operation getting gold stars. ⭐
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Heading back to school is a perfect time to set the tone for success—preparing, organizing, and starting fresh. In material handling, a “back to the basics” mindset can do the same for your operation. A little preparation now will set you up for a safe, productive, and efficient future.
We're here to help you get back to basics with the right products, services, and training to keep your operation running at the head of the class.
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