“I’ve been working with Crown equipment for the past twenty years. Crown equipment, in my experience, stands the test of time.”
Teresa Baugh
Distribution Center Manager - Lodge Manufacturing
The robust TSP Series’ MonoLift mast and MoveControl seat helps provide superior visibility and precision while operating in the narrow aisles, inspiring operator confidence.
The RC Series’ ergonomic and safety features enable operators to easily and safely maneuver the staging and dock areas while its FlexRide suspension provides all day comfort.
The flexible and ergonomic MPC Series facilitates safe and efficient order picking with electronic steering, a low step height and lifting forks to minimize bending and stretching.
Distribution Center Manager - Lodge Manufacturing
Lodge Manufacturing is an internationally-known manufacturer of cast iron cookware, founded more than 120 years ago in South Pittsburg, TN. It is recognized not only has one of America's oldest continuously operating cookware companies but also as an industry innovator, being the first to introduce pre-seasoned cookware to the market. Today, the company's products are shipped worldwide and sold through big box stores, hardware stores, specialty retail outlets and through online e-commerce.
For many years, the original Lodge foundry and a 40,000 square foot warehouse and distribution center kept pace with demand, but in the mid-1990's business began to increase dramatically. A foundry expansion was soon followed by construction of a second foundry and a new 212,000 square foot distribution center designed to handle the larger orders associated with the company's traditional channels as well as smaller individual orders generated via e-commerce. Now, with capacity available to support the significant increase in demand, Lodge needed to select the right tools and processes that would enable them to effectively handle incoming inventory from two foundries while efficiently processing orders both large and small.
With the help of local Crown dealer, The Bailey Company, and warehouse design expertise from Crown, Lodge Manufacturing selected an entirely new fleet of lift trucks designed to perform specific tasks associated with the new warehouse design. The company selected Crown’s TSP Series turret trucks to replenish and retrieve the heavy cast iron cookware in its narrow aisle, high-bay facility. The RC Series stand-up counterbalance trucks are used on the docks for loading and unloading as well as in the racks for replenishment. Crown’s MPC Series multi-purpose forklift provided an ergonomically friendly order picking solution that enables operators to adjust the pallet height to avoid back and shoulder strain. While Lodge managers were familiar with the durability of Crown forklifts, they also solicited input from operators who praised the maneuverability, visibility and comfort afforded by the new fleet. Productivity in the new distribution center has increased dramatically, with the new warehouse design, application-specific lift trucks, warehouse management system, new processes and a talented and dedicated staff all working together to more than double picking capacity.