Company Info
Information about the everyday goings on at SJF Material Handling.
SJF Material Handling Announces Appointment of New Senior Leaders, Frank and Sam Sterner
SJF’s new President and Vice President leaders committed to upholding the company’s legacy of high-quality service.
Winsted, Minnesota, July 25, 2024 — SJF Material Handling , a leading provider of turn-key warehouse solutions, announces the appointment of senior leaders Frank and Sam Sterner. SJF Material Handling has a 45-year legacy of providing end-to-end warehouse system integration services. With the introduction of these new leaders, the company will continue expanding its relationships with companies of all sizes across the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
In today’s fast-moving world, warehouse solutions are critical for ensuring the timely, accurate delivery of goods. The pandemic highlighted the need for effective, tech-enabled technologies globally as supply chain issues appeared overnight. SJF Material Handling is a premier provider of futureproof warehouse solutions, with a specific emphasis on integration, automation, and robotics services.
The company has accumulated countless testimonials for its excellent customer service, product knowledge, and professionalism. SJF Material Handling has retained a competitive advantage in the market due to its flexibility toward customer needs. After recognizing that technology was essential for helping customers’ businesses thrive, the company prioritized developing its offerings. As a new President and Vice President overtake leadership, the pair are equally committed to increasing customer satisfaction while investing in cutting-edge technologies.
Frank Sterner, the newly appointed company President, has served SJF Material Handling for over 20 years. The family-owned business was created by his father, Jerry Sterner. Alongside his entrance, Frank’s son Sam is now serving as Vice President. This father-son duo will uphold SJF Material Handling’s family values while spearheading personalized, innovative services.
SJF Material Handling is exploring new avenues for improving the effectiveness of its storage, sortation, and conveyor systems to ensure that customers continue receiving tailor-made solutions. Alongside these developments, the company hopes to support more businesses by continuing to provide services outside of automation and integrations.
“The SJF team is excited to enter a new chapter of business that holds immense potential for organizational growth,” says President Frank Sterner. “Sam and I are grateful for the opportunity to guide SJF Material Handling to new heights and equip our customers with the equipment, services, and support they need to prosper.”
For more information about SJF Material Handling, please visit www.sjf.com.
Contact Information:
SJF Material Handling Inc.
Denise Rosenau, Director of Marketing
(800) 598-5532
drosenau@sjf.com
Website : www.sjf.com
About SJF Material Handling:
Founded in 1979, SJF Material Handling is well known as an industry leader in warehouse system integration, design and layout, automation and robotics, and the sale of new and used warehouse equipment such as pallet racking, cantilever racks, and conveyor systems. SJF has been serving clients since 1979.
SJF Material Handling Marks 45 Years of Innovation and Excellence
Winsted, MN (May 15, 2024) – SJF Material Handling, Inc. is proud to announce its 45th anniversary. Founded in 1979, SJF evolved into an award-winning full-service turnkey provider of warehouse solutions from its originas one of the largest stocking distributors of used material handling equipment. While still active in the used equipment sector, it is SJF’s integration and automation services, combined with partnerships with some of the industry’s best manufacturers of conveyor systems, robotics, AMRs, scanning, and storage solutions, that provided for SJF’s success and growth. Driven by technological advancements within the industry and its commitment to offering its customers superior service, SJF serves companies from startup to Fortune 500 across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
“Reflecting on the past 45 years, we are immensely proud of what we’ve achieved and the relationships we’ve built,” said Frank Sterner, CEO of SJF. “Our journey from used equipment seller to a comprehensive solution provider in material handling reflects our dedication to evolving with the industry and our clients’ needs.”
Embracing technology has been a cornerstone of SJF’s success in its mission to better serve clients nationwide. From building one of the industry’s first websites (SJF.com) in 1995, SJF continues to make the customer experience easier with the addition of its online store, which offers an ever-growing selection of new material handling products. SJF’s website also offers its customers volumes of information and the ability to request quotes, chat with a solution specialist, or just ask questions.
As SJF Material Handling looks to the future, the company remains committed to providing top-tier material handling solutions and continuing its tradition of excellence and innovation.
For more information about SJF Material Handling, please visit www.sjf.com.
Contact Information:
SJF Material Handling Inc.
Denise Rosenau, Director of Marketing
(800) 598-5532
drosenau@sjf.com
Website: www.sjf.com
About SJF Material Handling:
Founded in 1979, SJF Material Handling is well known as an industry leader in warehouse system integration, design and layout, automation and robotics, and the sale of new and used warehouse equipment such as pallet racking, cantilever racks, and conveyor systems. SJF has been serving clients since 1979.
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How Do I Know What Cantilever is Right For Me?
Janae Witte
SJF Material Handling Solutions Specialist
Cantilever racking is an exceptional storage system that allows consumers to store long, bulky or awkward materials that are difficult to store due to their size. Cantilever racking assists with storing product vertically and leaving valuable floor space clear of product.
There are many characteristics that help identify which type of cantilever racking is right for you. The process of deciding what style and/or sizes can be overwhelming. Here at SJF, our Solutions Specialists are here to assist you with this process.
In order for our Solutions Specialists to help you identify which cantilever rack if right for you, a few questions need to be answered.
Solutions Specialist Since 2019
Single Sided or Double Sided Cantilever Rack?
- What is the product being stored?
- What are the dimensions of the product, W x D x H?
- What is the weight of product?
- How tall of uprights?
- How many levels for storage?
- Straight or Inclined Arms?
By answering these questions and more, our Solution Specialists will help you identify the proper design and size required for your project and material. Cantilever Racking can be overwhelming, and we strive to help you find a solution.
For more information about choosing the right type of cantilever racking for your needs, contact Janae at jwitte@sjf.com or visit our Cantilever Rack page, Cantilever Rack Basics page, and Advanced Cantilever Rack pages for more info.
Pallet Racking as a Desk?
We have some very creative customers! Brad Grack of New Auburn, Minnesota, wanted a “manly” look for his desk and found the perfect solution in teardrop pallet racking. This configuration works well as a desk and is completely adjustable to the shelf height/desktop height desired. And as an added advantage, Brad will never have to worry if it can hold the weight of his office equipment with this high capacity design!
There’s Always Time for Making New Friends
As both a service and product based business, SJF employees work with many people every day. Not only do we interact with customers, but also with other service vendors. It comes as no surprise that relationships form and fun challenges conspire.
In this case, the folks from DestiNATION Transport and our own Solutions Specialists Justin Erkenbrack, Vance Haugen, and Craig Barnaal, got to discussing golf one day. Through some fun bantering, the guys decided to set up a golf scramble – SJF vs. DestiNATION Transport on Saturday, June 10th at Albion Ridges Golf Course in Annandale, MN.
The day began with sun and fun with both teams ready to show off their skills. On the second hole of the day, Craig had an amazing 3rd shot in which he holed out for Eagle from 100 yards away from the green. That gave SJF a lead that stuck for the rest of the day.
Officially, play was suspended before a winner could be determined, but SJF was in the lead when it started to rain cats and dogs! The SJF team was 4 under par with three holes left to play when the rain hit.
Lots of laughs were had and both teams had a blast, even though they all ended up soaked and unable to finish the round. They are hoping to set up another outing this fall for a rematch.
Joiiio Partners with SJF Material Handling to “LIBERATE YOUR JEEP!”
By Eric Thovson
SJF Material Handling Solutions Specialist
SJF Solutions Specialist
Joiiio was born from the minds of Jeep owners. It is their desire to allow Jeep owners the unrestricted joy of Jeep ownership. This meant creating a way to conveniently remove and store hardtops so your Jeep can be liberated during Minnesota summer months.
Joiiio also offers rental and installation of soft tops, half doors, and a dizzying list of aftermarket options for your Jeep. Their trained professionals handle the removal and installation of all tops, doors, and accessories at their climate-controlled facility in Hopkins, MN.
When it came to the layout and design of the facility and how to best use this space for storing tops, Joiiio turned to me, Eric Thovson at SJF Material Handling for expertise in the design of the space.
Ken Zylstra from Joiiio first began working with SJF Material Handling in October of 2021 when the plans for Joiiio began to take shape. A test rack was purchased in October to confirm design plans.
When Joiiio secured a warehouse space in February, the building layout was reviewed and the space was designed to hold the maximum quantity of Jeep hardtops. SJF was able to supply used racking materials, a key cost savings component for a start-up company like Joiiio.
Remodeling of the warehouse began. Once completed, we met at the facility prior to installation to go over plans and confirm elevations of beams levels.
If you are a Jeep enthusiast looking for hardtop storage, be sure to contact Joiiio at hello@joiiio.com or call/text them at (612) 712-JEEP.
If you need help with any racking or warehouse solution, contact Eric Thovson at SJF Material Handling at ethovson@sjf.com or directly at (320) 485-4967.
Fork Entry Bars – What they are and Why they’re used
By Justin Erkenbrack
SJF Material Handling Solutions Specialist
Forklift entry bars are used to keep product supported off the pallet racking itself. They allow the picker to get underneath a pallet, tote or product stored with lift equipment safely and clear of racking obstacles.
An Example of when fork entry bars are useful
A customer is storing metal totes/bins full of couplings. The tote/bin has feet/legs on it and you will be unable to store tote/bin effectively on pallet racking without point loading (not the proper way to utilize pallet racking).
The Fork Entry bar will allow the tote to be stored on the bottom base of the tote/bin rather than the feet/legs of the tote. This offers an evenly distributed load on the fork entry bars that are connected properly to the load beams to ensure all weight is being distributed on the load beams.
Questions about forklift entry bars and their uses
Q: Can I secure the Fork Entry bars to the pallet rack?
A: Yes, we fabricate a tek screw hole for end users to fasten the fork entry bar to the load beam to secure placement.
Q: Can I get different heights? What if I need the fork entry bar to support my product higher than normal?
A: Yes, the most common bar heights are 3â€, 4-5/8â€, and 6†heights on Fork Entry Bars.
Q: What if I have an uncommon depth of racking or use box beams?
A: Not a problem, we can custom fabricate the fork entry bars to fit your exact needs.
For more information on Fork Entry Bars, contact Justin Erkenbrack at SJF at (320) 485-4962 or email him at jerkenbrack@sjf.com. He’ll be able to answer any questions you may have on Fork Entry Bars and more!
