Material Handling Management articles from April 2009

Material Handling Management archives from April 2009

Cameras or lasers: choosing the right barcode scanner: the best data collection system matches application needs with scanner performance.(Automation)
April 1, 2009... Lasers have long been the cornerstone of barcode scanning technology. But in recent years, camera-based scanners have become more cost competitive--especially for warehouse and distribution center applications. Logistics managers who optimized...

Pallet debate heats up: a bulletin written for fire officials has ignited a furious debate. Some say it will force already struggling companies to spend billions in facility upgrades. Is the fear justified? MHM investigates.(Cover story)
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Last September, a draft code application bulletin, called CAB for short, was developed by the Washington-based National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM), an association of senior fire officials from states...

My place or yours? Finding the right location and supplier for warehousing and distribution eases logistics concerns.(Facilities)(Company overview)
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Taking serious stock of present locations and distribution infrastructure can lead to conclusions that drive companies to seek third-party help. "We have been in existence since 1898 and in the same facility since...

Spending some green in upgrading for blue: with consumer demand for healthier foods on the increase, facility growth is tailored to meet current and future customer requirements.(Facilities)(Hanson Logistics's history)(Company overview)
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Founded in 1954, Hanson Logistics has a long history in supporting agriculture businesses. "We are Michigan based, with facilities in Indiana and Michigan," notes Andrew Janson, the company's president. "We have...

Creating for consolidation.(Facilities)(Saddle Creek Corp. opens a distribution center for future growth)
April 1, 2009... Saddle Creek Corp. has opened a new 150,000-square foot distribution center on its Lakeland, Fla. campus to serve the need Ebro Puleva, S.A. had to bring together two of its divisions under one roof. Ebro Puleva is a leading supplier of Spanish...

Building for beverage manufacturing and distribution.(Facility Focus: DC Developments)
April 1, 2009... The Dr Pepper Snapple Group has purchased 53 acres of land from Stirling Capital Investments. In Victorville, Calif., the land is part of the Southern California Logistics Centre (SCLC). The beverage manufacturer plans to develop an...

Crossdock facility open for business.(Facility Focus: DC Developments)(BLT's new logistics facility )(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... BLT's new 30,000-square foot distribution, warehousing and logistics facility in Jacksonville, Fla., is now fully operational. "The company, which is situated near the Jacksonville Port Authority Blount Island facilities, as well as the new...

Texas warehouse space available.(Facility Focus: DC Developments)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... The new East Kelly Railport is a 275,000-square foot bulk distribution building. The location sits at the center of a railway intersection that services the NAFTA Corridor from Mexico to Canada, as well as the East and West Coasts of the U.S....

Contract management is a critical competitive advantage: advanced software solutions can standardize and streamline management processes throughout the life of every contract.(Technology)
April 1, 2009... Contract life-cycle management (CLM) could turn out to be one of the "most important new business applications of the first decade of the 21st Century," according to Andrew Bartels, Forrester Research Inc. Technology is increasingly being...

Service is not a bad word: material handling and logistics functions are vital in a service-based economy.(Front Line)
April 1, 2009... Next time you attend an industry event, don't skip the cocktail hour. There's something about a casual environment with an open bar that turns ordinary professionals into philosophers. And you can learn a lot. Lately, I've heard some...

Controlling your own destiny: material handlers will need to get by on more than a hope and a prayer.(Handle With Care)
April 1, 2009... One thing that amazes me is how the national pollsters and pundits are able to report on the national mood of the public without, apparently, ever talking to a single person who manufactures or distributes goods. True, these types of people are...

Adversity brings opportunity: forward-thinking companies are reaching out to others with similar challenges.(Inner Circle)
April 1, 2009... When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Instead of hunkering down in the face of negative news, forward-thinking companies are actively looking for new ways to enhance performance and profitability so they can position themselves for...

Beyond the lift truck sale: the value of lift truck dealers to material handling performance is often understated. Top dealers view the sale as just the beginning of a long-term partnership.(Powered Vehicles)(Company overview)
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While pessimism dominates business conversations these days, a little creative thinking about supplier relationships can uncover new growth opportunities. Consider lift truck dealers. The value of a strong...

Partners for profitability: competitive pressures are forcing distributors away from commodity-based business models. Here are five ways material handling professionals can cash in on the change.(Special Feature: Evaluating Distributors)
April 1, 2009... In today's unforgiving business climate, businesses that refuse to adapt to changing demands will eventually fade away as progressive, dynamic companies take an unfair share of the business. For equipment suppliers, competitive pressures...

3PL file.(Company overview)
April 1, 2009... Company Name: CEVA Logistics-North America Ownership: Private. Owned by Apollo Management L.P., a private equity investment firm. Stock Symbol: N/A US Headquarters: Contract Logistics Division 10751 Deerwood Park Blvd....

Keeping cargo dry in transit: "active" packaging helps prevent product damage in global supply chains.(transport packaging)
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Increasing globalization has prompted expansion in trade and commercial activity over longer distribution chains and global supply networks. This globalization has brought a surge in the number of goods being...

Managing intense labor forces: preparation, not fear, will help material handling professionals adapt to changing workforce regulations.(Workforce)
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As this article is being written, the heated saga of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) continues. On March 10, Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) introduced EFCA, also called the card-check...

5 reasons you can't afford to postpone labor management.(Workforce)
April 1, 2009... Businesses must continually balance customer requirements with the need to monitor the activities of employees. This is a difficult challenge. Fortunately, the advent of labor management systems (LMS) has enabled businesses to better use...

Striving for world-class distribution: being world class is a continuing process, not a goal, and technological tools make the way forward easier.(Special Feature: World-Class Distribution)
April 1, 2009... Work to constantly improve operations and capabilities is being made more difficult by challenging economic conditions. Those companies that continue to lead are not only nimble but also aware of best practices and putting them to use today....

Computing on the floor and out the door: a manufacturer of packaging materials needed a universal platform to handle both fixed and mobile applications.(Technology)
April 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Innovative Packaging Corp., based in Milwaukee, is a successful manufacturer of packaging materials. It produces a range of sheet stocks and specialty products that serve the finished packaging and converter...