Danka Office Imaging Company needed a lift. The San Leandro, Calif.-based imaging equipment distributor was experiencing pains when depalletizing loads… primarily in its back.

Scott Reed, depot preparation center-2 coordinator, explains that his team is charged with depalletizing heavy copier equipment. The lighter applications require manual lifting from pallets on to pedestals. "Some of the large equipment we uncrate is so heavy it would require three or more people to depalletize it," he says.

For the heavier loads, Reed's team would employ a forklift, but he notes, the method required more manpower than was available. In addition, "the forklift is not real safe or sturdy for these types of lifts. Equipment might fall off."

Coordination with a former Danka manager and team members spawned the idea for the lift, Reed notes. "We couldn't find what we were looking for, so our manager created the crane from several different spare parts." The solution assembly includes lockable, steel casters that allow for easy movement within the facility and a heavy-duty, electric hoist mounted on the cross-beam of the gantry crane.

Reed mentions that the hoist allows him to be more productive, with less manpower. "Without the hoist, I physically could not lift many of the lighter pedestal applications that require two people," he said. And while the hoist takes a bit more time than the forklift for heavier applications, "the benefits certainly outweigh the drawbacks—especially in terms of product and worker safety."

Eric Efaw, project manager of quality assurance for the Danka U.S. Supply Chain, shares Reed's sentiments. "The return on investment for the Danka Lift Hoist Solution will be recouped almost immediately by increasing productivity greater than two-fold in the DPC locations," he said. "What previously took two to four people to do can now be safely handled by one DPC person. This frees up personnel to concentrate on other aspects of day-to-day warehouse operations, customer delivery satisfaction and quality controls."