Project Services

Warehouse shadow boards can be heavy, and being used in industrial facilities means they need to be secured well during installation.  Hardware capable of holding 100lbs is necessary and so tooling and capability is not considered straight forward.  A good in-house facilities team will be more than capable, however if they are always busy or if you do not have one, employing installation services is advised. Our teams have provided these services many times as part of our wider warehouse identification and marking projects.  Being onsite with equipment and manpower makes it cost effective and professional.

In short, yes. Our teams are trained in-house and with the relevant external training centers to ensure they know how to do their job and how to do it safely. Any employee who we feel is endangering the safety of others is dealt with swiftly.

Yes. Floor labels are the most susceptible location label in a warehouse, they are tough and if used correctly can be extremely cost effective, but they are impacted by material handling equipment, pallets, cages, skids, and everything else which is in contact with your floor.

Ways to avoid damage include:

• Placing the label to the left or right of a pallet lane or storage location entrance. This helps avoid continual impact.
• Lift pallets and forks clear above the floor. This prevents impacts.
• Turn in clear space, not on the floor label or line striping. A wheel turning on a label, will twist the label and rip it off the floor.
• Place a floor label protector over the label, these can help improve the lifespan on the label.
• Place a floor label frame to surround the label which protect and allow you to change the label as needed.

You can drive over our adhesive floor labels without damage being caused, but anything impacted will be damaged, even the protective covers and frames. Consider a training session with your MHE operators also.

Yes, you can clean clear-coat floor striping. Regular cleaning and maintenance is crucial in extending the lifespan of your floor striping as dirt and debris acts as an abrasive, wearing the paint away.

Yes, these are a common request from our customers looking for pick accuracy improvements.

Yes, we supply all component items so customers can finish the signs themselves. It is rare we are asked but we appreciate that customers like to self-customize.

Line widths are not critical, but there are several considerations to make, some are as follows:

• OSHA consider lines of 2 inches and greater to be acceptable to provide floor markings for aisle and passageways.
• Narrow line become more difficult to see inside buildings.
• 4 inch wide lines are standard through the logistics and distribution industry.
• Narrow lines wear out quicker as there is less paint on the floor.
• Very wide lines may need an anti slip finish applied where moisture is present.

Other considerations:

• The layout measurements must include line widths to ensure a pallet fits within the markings.  Pallets on markings can damage the line.
• A narrow line needs less material so is cheaper.
• A more visible marking on the floor draws more attention and so heightens safety.

Yes, in small and large buildings.  We are very experienced in working around other contractors on new builds and carefully plan with the customer and main contractors to achieve a completed installation.

Yes, this is a specialty of ASG Services. Working in and around a fully operational distribution center can be daunting, not to mention it having a significant impact on productivity. Our teams are very experienced in how to work within these facilities and appreciate that the customers work ultimately comes first.

There are many ways, depending on the use, your facility infrastructure and building design as well as sign material allowance. It would be easier to discuss you exact situation with our team, so please feel free to contact us.

Keeping the floor area clean and clear of debris is the easiest thing any facility can work on, however we strongly recommend customer work on their training programs to encourage the following:

• ‘Lift Clear’ – Ensure the forklift truck drivers and warehouse operatives lift pallets clear off the floor before maneuvering.
• ‘Turn Clear’ – Only turn the MHE steering when the wheels are clear of the lines. Twisting on the line will wear the paint surface and pull it off the concrete in some cases.
• ‘Clean Feet’ – Entrance mats can reduce the amount of dirt and debris carried in on shoes.
• ‘Floor Watch’ – Instill awareness in the workforce to remove debris and harmful objects when they are spotted.
• ‘Pallet Care’ – Removing or repairing damaged pallets will prevent them being dragged and gouging the coating.
• ‘Clean Care’ – The cleaner the floor is, the less abrasive items there are to wear the lines, maintain a cleaning regime to suit your operation.

Floor labels become screwed up when MHE wheels are turned while on the label. The adhesive and materials are tough, but the twist pressure is extreme.  Consider placing them to the side of a storage lane, or placing markers on the floor for drivers to hit before turning their wheels.

General use tools and cleaning implements used in industry are notoriously less respected than those owned by employees.  It is therefore not uncommon for them to be left in poor condition, where they were last used.  Facilities operating 5S methodology and utilizing shadow boards drastically reduce tool waste by placing responsibility on those taking items.  Furthermore, activities can be introduced which prevent a process from being complete until all items are replaced.

Items used and returned tend to be in good condition, instead of being left where they were last used and in a damaged condition.  This is because each has their designated place and poor condition is quickly seen.

If you are not able to generate a location file from your warehouse management system, we recommend you use a spreadsheet to help build your own. Spreadsheets allow you to use columns to separate the location sub references, and the rows to quickly expand the number of derivates per run. These columns of data can then be combined to create the barcode data and separately to create the readable elements with separators so operatives can read the rack and shelf location names easily.

Read more on how to build a warehouse location data file.

If we first list the five steps, Sort (Seiri), Set (Seiton), Shine (Seiso), Standardize (Seiketsu) and Sustain (Shitsuke), you can quickly appreciate that a shadow board ticks all the boxes.

Sort: The boards provide the system to ensure all items are located in the correct place.

Shine: As well as the tools themselves potentially being used for cleaning, all tools returned are more likely to be cared for and returned in good order.

Standardize: Uniform tooling for specific activities means the user always has the best implement for the job in hand.

Sustain: Having a central point of resource improves efficiency, reduces downtime, increases productivity and a sense of achievement, which ultimately helps retain your valuable workforce.

Warehouse barcode signs are location signs equipped with long-range material used to print the barcode on. The material allows the user to stand around 49ft to 65ft away and scan the barcode with ease, if their hardware is equipped with the relevant components.

There are several things to consider with the height of signs, they are:

● Sprinkler interference –
Signs should always be placed at sufficient distance from sprinkler heads to ensure the diffusion is not altered or prevented by the signs or rails. If hanging the signs above, this is not an issue.

● Block stack storage height –
The signs will need to be higher than the highest stacking point, but you should consider here that if the signs are hanging behind the front edge of the stack, they will need to be higher still, due to the angle of sight.

● Scanner distance capabilities –
Most modern scanners are equipped with long range scanning components, however this should be checked with the manufacture/supplier. If you want to test the distance before ordering, you might consider requesting a sample to perform on site tests.

● Sign/barcode size –
In a simple explanation, the wider a barcode is, the greater the distance it can be scanned at. Having a wider barcode will need a bigger sign, resulting in a more expensive product.

The lifespan of clear coat striping depends on several factors such as the concrete preparation used, how harsh the working environment is, and how clean your floors are kept.

Generally, a well-maintained dual system, over shot blasted concrete could last from 3-6 years before needing to be reapplied.

Lead times are variable, owing to quantity, complexity and production volumes at the time of order. We prefer to work swiftly with every order since we never know the scale or quantity of the next, so you can be assured that we will not delay the process once your order is placed. We do typically aim for a 1-2 week turnaround from order confirmation.

Our project teams are able to forecast, with a good level of accuracy, installation times of all products we produce and the floor markings we create.

Many factors come into the calculation as you might expect, such as quantities, dimensions, etc, so a detailed discussion will be needed to develop the time frame.  We use this framework for all our project planning as we know our speedy completion is often the last in the larger process.

Depending on the scale and access requirements we may be able to working without effecting your operation, or we may need to provide detailed work plans which show how much we can do, where and when. The project team will also detail access requirements and safe working areas to be agreed and confirmed with the customer.

Shadow boards are a form of storage devise.  They are designed to hold and present implements in a way to show where each goes.  Items such as tools in manufacturing, and cleaning items, are the most common seen in industry.

The items clip-in, hook-on and in some cases, sit against the boards, in designated places.  Their position is determined in design with the silhouettes added to display clearly where each item goes.

Yes, if we have a sample or measurements and a good image we can copy your label almost exactly.

Absolutely, we would be happy to do with this with any order.

We can create one from scratch if needed, there is a cost for this but we keep it low to ensure it is a cost effective alternative.

During an installation, our team on site can relay any updates or requests to the project team, or support you with ideas and possibilities. They are experienced with this situation and will work with you to achieve the preferred outcome.  Our project and sales team will work remotely, on re-planning, pricing and scheduling to maintain a professional control.

After an installation, again just let us know. We can remove, cover up and install most products during an installation, and schedule for a return visit for amendments or additions.

Yes, driving straight over them is fine. Turning on them or scraping pallets across them are the worst things you can do.

• Every label will be in the correct place.
• Labels applied to the rack or shelf in a consistent manor for a uniform presentation.
• If you have missed information from your location references, our teams will report back to ensure they are made and on site before the facility goes live, and hopefully applied before we leave site.
• Barcode and content accuracy.
• Barcode performance and verification guaranteed as an additional service.

Yes, simply because the raw materials we need to create color labels are more expensive, however once an order is over a certain size, the extra cost becomes negligible.

There is always a best fit design, but a best fit for your facility is key to making your operation efficient, but not necessarily the same for another.

We are able to recommend ideas from previous designs, from knowledge and experience in the industry, as well as samples for you to test. Most customers have an idea of what they want or need, if we think there can be improvements or something has been overlooked, we’ll let you know and discuss the details.

Yes, let us have the location reference(s) and we’ll get them out to you as quickly as possible.

It depends on several things, the cleanliness of the surface, the surface texture and temperature.

The surface must be free from dust and dirt, oils, cleaning solutions and moisture and any coatings which are loose.

The surface texture is important, for example standard adhesives will not stick to an unfinished wood surface or a galvanized surface where microscopic elements prevent the adhesive working. Additionally, a surface which is very uneven, like a rough plastic mold finish, does not provide enough flat surface area for the adhesive to bond.

Finally, temperature can affect the adhesive. In very cold environments, including chillers and freezers, the elements of the adhesive begin to freeze. Fortunately they do not neutralize, so once warmed they can be used.

We have several options including mating, adhesive anti-slip products bolt down anti-slip plates as well as anti-slip paint coatings. All are designed for specific uses and varying durability but ultimately, consideration must be given to the use of an area where injury is a risk.

You can find some of the standard products on our anti slip floor tape page.

It is essential to have a clean warehouse floor, particularly if you are operating a floor label system and have issues with floor marking durability issues. Labels can be cleaned, but will not withstand strong chemicals, which is why they are produced and priced to be a consumable item.

Aluminum framed labels would be a better product if your floor is dirty, but any label on a dirty floor will have dirt on it at some point.  You many want to consider barcode hanging signs.

They are ‘digits’ to be double ‘checked’ against the warehouse management system (WMS) records. Once the operative has arrived at the pallet or shelf location, they are asked by the system to provide the ‘check-digit’ information which ensures it matches that on the pick sheet or terminal. If their is a match, it is further confirmation they have found the correct location or product and they are able to proceed with the item pick.  If it is a failed match, the operative is prevented from completing the pick task, and so knows to look again for the correct storage location.

Check digits are often provided by the warehouse management system, as randomized characters forming an addition to the location code. Most barcodes include a check digit within the symbology, calculated by other characters which form that barcode. In a storage environment, the check digit is typically a separate feature.

Below, you can see the user check digit presented as characters with a black background on a warehouse rack label and a barcode location sign. The operator reads the location reference, scans the barcode and enters the check digit.

These are storage panels, designed to hold and display tools, cleaning implements, etc. A user can quickly select, use, and replace each item needed, which is represented by a ‘shadow’ of its unique size and model for quick visual reference. Shadow boards come in all sizes depending on item size and number to be stored and are most often used in industry.

In some industries, the process isn’t complete until all items are returned, for safety reasons.  In others, they help improve organization and efficiency by keeping equipment in their storage place.

Knowing where the equipment is to clear debris, helps reduce down time.  Also, knowing that all tools are returned, confirms that a wrench was not left in a critical area of an aircraft after maintenance checks.

Every industry which uses a form of tool can benefit from shadow boards.  Regardless of the tool size, quantity or use, anyone looking for the tool, or replacing one will know exactly where to go.  In addition, anyone will be able to see the item missing and what to look for to make the cleaning station or assembly tooling complete.