Material Handling Management articles from January 2009

Material Handling Management archives from January 2009

Back to basics: survival in this ultra-competitive industry requires a fresh focus on the fundamentals.(Food Distribution)(Cover story)
January 1, 2009... Whether it's skyrocketing material costs, out-of-control SKU proliferation or strict regulation, every industry has an Achilles' heel. If ignored or mismanaged, vulnerabilities in one link of the chain can wreak havoc on the entire system. ...

Growing a traceability plan.(Data Intelligence)
January 1, 2009... There's a lot of talk these days about the need to track fresh produce from "plant to plate" but not a lot of talk about the other plant involved--the processing plant. While some produce goes from field to consumer in a relatively...

More than a wall: here are 11 unique ways food processors and distributors can use flexible fabric walls.(Facility Operations)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Temperature control and energy savings are critical whenever material handling has anything to do with food. That's why decision makers in the food distribution arena constantly reconfigure warehouse, cooler and...

Time to clean the slate.(Front Line)
January 1, 2009... We all know what we're supposed to do: Wipe the slate clean and make some resolutions. I go through the routine every January and then forget about it by February. This year is different. I resolve never to purchase anything from a certain...

Building the workforce of the future.(Inner Circle: A new column connecting leaders in the material handling community)
January 1, 2009... Given today's economic climate, it sounds a little dysfunctional to ask what your company is doing to prepare for the workforce of the future. But, the fact is, leading companies are already taking steps to do just that. In some regards, the...

Every detail counts: for Jason's Deli, precise control over distribution--right down to the lift truck fleet--is a competitive advantage.(Powered Vehicles)
January 1, 2009... Since first opening its doors in 1976 in Beaumont, Texas, Jason's Deli has expanded into a successful foodservice chain, with more than 200 delicatessens in 25 states. Because it specializes in high-quality, healthy foods, the restaurant...

Greenfield site selects fuel cells.(Powered Vehicles: News)
January 1, 2009... LATHAM, N.Y. -- Plug Power Inc. says Central Grocers Inc. is purchasing 220 GenDrive fuel-cell units to power the lift truck fleet at its new distribution center, which is currently under construction in Joliet, Ill. Central Grocers expects the...

Crown creates productivity package.(Powered Vehicles: News)
January 1, 2009... NEW BREMEN, Ohio -- Crown Equipment Corp. has launched Insite, a productivity-focused program that provides information about lift trucks, operators, applications and fleets. It collects and analyzes data, both inside and beyond lift trucks....

Bubbling under pressure: software helps a Coca-Cola bottler manage China's explosive consumer demand.(Technology)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Swire Beverages is a holding company of Swire Coca-Cola HK Limited, the franchise bottler for all brands of Coca-Cola Co. in Hong Kong. Swire's brand portfolio consists of carbonated and non-carbonated beverages,...

Can SaaS ease software sticker shock? Though much has been written about the use of software as a service (SaaS) in distribution, the nontraditional software model is more than just a passing fad.(Technology)
January 1, 2009... For any manufacturer or distributor moving boxes of product and materials, the supply chain systems responsible for managing inventory are mission critical. When these systems go down, even for an hour, the result can be missed shipments, lost...

Downstream effect: the beverage industry's move to lighter, more delicate bottles has forced major changes in packaging equipment.(Transport Packaging)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you want an example of the interconnectedness of the supply chain, look no further than the beverage industry. In this segment, one minuscule alteration can have multiple ripple effects on material handling...

RFID bears fruit for packer: when confronted with an RFID mandate, Pacific Coast Producers found a way to turn the challenge into a business opportunity.(Transport Packaging)
January 1, 2009... Pacific Coast Producers (PCP), a private-label packer of canned fruits and tomatoes, recently confronted one of the most common material handling challenges: an RFID supplier mandate. PCP, a cooperative of more than 180 growers, operates...

Buyer beware: before purchasing used material handling equipment, ask these seven questions.(Special Feature)
January 1, 2009... Now is a good time to consider used material handling equipment. For those struggling to survive in this down market, selecting used instead of new equipment is an opportunity to save a significant amount of money. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Ten fast hiring facts: hire the perfect person for the job every time by using these 10 simple guidelines.(Workforce)
January 1, 2009... 1 Time kills deals. Time can be your enemy if you procrastinate on hiring decisions. Companies need to close candidates at the peak of their interest, i.e., from the time they hear about the job through their second and third interviews. If you...

12 Trends driving automation: despite the weak economy, food and beverage distributors continue to invest in automation. Here are 12 major reasons.(Automation)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Consumers are demanding more choices and lower prices than ever. Today's consumers will quickly switch brand allegiances to get a better value. To preserve margins while still meeting volatile consumer demand,...

Conquering complexity: automated case picking reduces operating costs for a large grocery distributor.(Automation)(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2009... Retail distribution requires the efficient handling of thousands of products, all with different sizes, weights and packaging types. Conquering this complexity with automation has become somewhat of a Holy Grail in recent years. Material...