Wouldn’t inventory be easier if silo walls were transparent? Unfortunately, they’re not. And since you don’t have Superman’s x-ray vision, you need another way to measure the material in silos.
Having an accurate picture of your inventory is a big deal. Consider the safety implications of having to check levels by climbing silos. According to OSHA, falls are the number one cause of death on-the-job. Lack of fall protection training, along with improper ladder use, were among the top 10 most cited OSHA violations last year.
Many companies are desperate for solutions that can utilize technology like sensors and software to prevent injuries and enhance efficiency. Besides the safety component, high tech solutions bring accuracy and, with that, cost savings. In fact, one facility found switching from a manual process saved them more than $200,000 in safety stock and another $11,000 in labor costs.
So how do you know how much inventory you have without climbing the silo?
This interview with Scott Hudson of BinMaster covers some of the best practices and latest technology for monitoring silo inventory. Additionally, Scott showcases a common example of how plants are using level sensors and software to make their operations safer and more efficient.