Material Handling Management articles from July 2004

Material Handling Management archives from July 2004

'We were just following orders': this defense is as impotent in business as it is in the military.(Editorial)
July 1, 2004... An official of the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) tried to use a variation of the Nuremberg defense to explain to me why he wouldn't allow the installation of a vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) in a major home improvement...

Will automotive fuel cells generate momentum for lift trucks?(News Briefs)
July 1, 2004... If you think fuel-cell-powered lift trucks are just a pipe dream, it's time for a wake-up call. True, technologists have been talking about fuel cell applications being "around the corner" for decades, but this technology has never had the...

The business logistics system--2003.(News Briefs)(Industry Overview)
July 1, 2004... During 2003, the cost of the business logistics system increased to $936 billion, or the equivalent of 8.5 percent of nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Once again the largest share of the increase can be accounted for by rising...

And the winner is ...(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Clyde Witt, executive editor of Material Handling Management, received gold and silver awards at the recent American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) awards banquet. Clyde won in the regular column, staff-written category for...

CLM First Coast Roundtable selects officers.(News Briefs)(Council of Logistics Management)(Middleton, Ann)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The First Coast Roundtable of the Council of Logistics Management announced its officers for 2004-2005. Easwaran Sundaram of PSS World Medical will serve as president; Terry Haber of TNT Logistics North America will serve as vice president...

Floor labeling.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Aigner Index, Inc)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... A Permanent Solution for Labeling Floor Storage This floor labeling system has a 5 in. X 7 in, aluminum frame that installs in less than two minutes. The custom-imprinted, replaceable, 3 in. X 5 in., self-adhesive aluminum label is .012 in....

Used & surplus equipment.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Business to Business Material Handling)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... THE REVOLUTIONARY SOLUTION FOR THE BUYING AND SELLING OF USED/SURPLUS MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT ON-LINE An on-line marketplace that provides real-time opportunities for companies to turn surplus material handling equipment into cash, and...

Packing function.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Dehnco Pack Materials, Inc)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... Free Packing Area Design Guide The Order Fulfillment Solution Center-Packing Function Website has been created to help management become better informed about problems involved in designing and integrating a packing department into the...

Conveyor systems.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... Modular Conveyor Systems Offer Versatility Dynamic Conveyor's light- to medium-duty DynaCon[R] modular conveyor systems offer true versatility. DynaCon's modular conveyor systems can be reconfigured in less time, in ever-changing...

Narrow aisle forklift.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... LP Gas Lift Ttuck Works in 7 Ft. Aisles The Aisle-Master articulated forklift is designed to maximize storage space by reducing operating aisle widths. The truck can work both indoors and outside like a regular counterbalance truck. The...

Conveyors & parts.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Conveyor Mart)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... Modular Conveyors Online at conveyormart.com Conveyor Mart is your online store for cost-effective, fast delivery modular conveyors and replacement parts. With over 2500 items being offered, we know you'll find what you are looking for....

Power systems.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... Legacy Platinum System The Legacy Platinum System from Douglas Battery offers the ultimate in maintenance free power. This valve-regulated system is designed and manufactured to provide long life and superior performance, while reducing...

Lifter.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(EMH Movomech Systems, LLC )(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... Telescoping Lifter Provides Safe, Stable Handling The MechLift's[TM] rigid structure ensures ergonomic load movement without annoying sway. Pneumatic and electric models adapt to a wide selection of end effectors. Capacities to 1500 lbs....

Safety gates.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(FabEnCo, Inc.)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... Double Coverage--Up to 6-Foot-Wide Mezzanine Openings Protect a 6-foot-wide opening with standard FabEnCo XL71 Series Self-Closing Safety Gates for $500 or less. Special features allow for mounting on either side of your mezzanine opening...

Power transmission.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... Quality Speed Reducers and Gearmotors Whether you're designing new material handling equipment or replacing existing speed reducers or gearmotors, consider Grove Gear products. We offer the widest range of standard and custom designs,...

Presswood pallets.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... Export and Domestic Pallets Litco's Inca presswood pallets meet the new ISPM 15, International Standards for Wood Packaging Material, and do not require additional costly treatment for infestation. Inca pallets are priced for the...

Labeling.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Tharo PA1000tZ Printer/Applicator)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... RFID Enabled Label Printer/Applicator The new Tharo PA1000tZ Printer/Applicator, is a powerful accessory for the Zebra[R] Z4M[TM] and RFID Enabled Zebra[R] R4Mplus[TM] thermal/thermal transfer bar code label printers. Applies labels to the...

Lifting device.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... Precision Lifting More precise than a hoist, more efficient than an air balancer. Gorbel's new Easy Arm[TM] lifting device gives you the speeds you need to increase productivity, the precision you need to decrease product damage, and the...

Conveyor rollers.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... Cost-Effective Universal Conveyor Rollers Interroll Corp. 1700 Series Universal conveyor rollers may be used in nearly all conveying applications. 1700 rollers have hexagonal or round shafts; available as fixed, spring-loaded, threaded or...

Drum handling.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... Morse Offers More Selection Morse--"The Specialist in Drum Handling"--offers the widest product line. Over 100 items to handle steel, fibre and plastic drums, plus many cans. Move, pour, agitate, mix, palletize, open, heat, lift, weigh,...

Wire partitions.(New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Wire Crafters LLC)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... Style 840[TM] Woven Wire Partitions Separate, secure, or store valued items with this easy to install system. Use 20 standard sized panels and steel support posts to build partitions, enclosures, or storage areas of any size or...

Flexible material handling at Ford.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Ford Motor Company's "Year of the Car" shifted into high gear with the recent reopening of its Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1. The automaker literally raised the roof of this 53-year-old plant four feet to accommodate state-of-the-art material...

HK provides AS/RS for grocery chain.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... HK Systems, a leading automated material handling and supply chain software total solutions provider, has been selected by Stop & Shop Grocers, an Ahold USA Company, to provide an automated storage and retrieval system for its new East Coast...

On the job.
July 1, 2004... "Graphic User Interface, dummy! I said I was thinking of getting a GUI workstation, not a gooey one!" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

W.A. Schmidt provides platforms for national conventions.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... W.A. Schmidt Inc., a manufacturer of structural mezzanines, will provide major mezzanine installations this summer for the Republican National Convention (RNC) in New York City and the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Boston. ...

Everything you need to know about 3PLs.(News Briefs)
July 1, 2004... The 12th edition of Who's Who In Logistics? is now available in two volumes. The set includes industry statistics such as: * U.S. 3PL/Contract Logistics Market Gross Revenue Growth 1996-2003; * Major 3PL market segments defined; *...

FKI Logistex North America.(Managers Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Board of Directors of FKI plc has named Stephen Ackerman president of FKI Logistex North America, the FKI material handling division serving the North American markets, to succeed David Martin. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Rob E. Hilborn, president of Darcor, announced the appointment of Dan Carnegie as vice president.(Managers Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Rob E. Hilborn, president of Darcor, announced the appointment of Dan Carnegie as vice president. Carnegie will be based at the Toronto, Ont., home office. He had served as a consultant on Darcor corporate matters. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

AeroVironment Inc.(Managers Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Stephen Ache has joined AeroVironment Inc. as national sales director of the PosiCharge industrial fast charger division. Ache has 15 years of motive power experience and held senior management positions at EnerSys, GNB Technologies and Yuasa....

Shockwatch.(Managers Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Dennis Raymond, national sales manager of Shockwatch, announced the appointment of Scot Hemann as regional manager responsible for the company's new Cincinnati sales office. The new office oversees sales of Shockwatch's Shock-switch ID product...

Schneider Electric North American Operating Div.(Managers Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Chris C. Richardson, who retired in May as president and CEO of the Schneider Electric North American Operating Div., has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Schneider Electric. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Orion Packaging Systems Inc.(Managers Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Orion Packaging Systems Inc. has appointed Paul McCarthy as Northeast regional manager. His area covers from New York state and north to the Canadian border.

Kaman Industrial Technologies.(Managers Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Kaman Industrial Technologies appointed Michael J. Pastore vice president, purchasing. He will report to Carlos Ingram, vice president, business systems and logistics. Pastore is responsible for the management of all procurement and inventory...

Wisconsin Lift Truck Corp.(Managers Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Wisconsin Lift Truck Corp. has appointed Pat Ryan as field sales and manager and corporate accounts representatives for its southern region. He has held positions as branch manager and parts and service representative. [ILLUSTRATION...

Magline Inc.(Managers Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Magline Inc. has promoted Art Burnham to the position of manufacturing manager of its Standish, Mich., plant. Burnham's experience includes supervising production, purchasing material, project management and new product launches. ...

Schneider National Inc.(Managers Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Schneider National Inc. has promoted Mike Hoes to regional sales vice president for its Southeastern sales team. He will work at the company's new operating facility in Atlanta.

Linpac Materials Handling.(Managers Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Patrick M. Huesing has joined Linpac Materials Handling as beverage specialist in the food and beverage sales group. He is based in Gainesville, Georgia, and will serve customers nationwide.

Remstar International Inc.(Managers Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Michael W. Blankenship has been named service director of Remstar International Inc., a provider of automated storage and retrieval systems throughout North and South America.

Harrington Hoists Inc.(Managers Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Harrington Hoists Inc. named Edward (Ned) Hunter as president and CEO, effective May 3. The company also recognized Brett Kunin as sales representative of the year and Randy Landgrebe as manufacturer's representative of the year.

Real Time Solutions.(Managers Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Real Time Solutions, an FKI Logistex member company, has hired Jeff Runnion as Midwest regional sales manager. Runnion will manage Real Time Solutions sales in Wisconsin, lowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana,...

Ohio Governor awards grant for RFID training.(News Briefs)(Radio frequency identification )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Ohio Governor Bob Taft presented a $63,000 check from the Ohio Department of Development's Ohio Investment in Training Program to The Kennedy Group. The grant will be used to train Kennedy Group employees on new RFID equipment and solutions....

Masuhiko Yazaki, president of Creform Corp.(Companies Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Masuhiko Yazaki, president of Creform Corp., announced that with the finalization of a merger agreement, the previously independent Creform LogisTech Corp. is now officially included under the Creform Corp. name.

Manhattan Associates Inc. and Matrics Inc.(Companies Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Manhattan Associates Inc. and Matrics Inc. have formed a strategic alliance to accelerate adoption of RFID technology throughout the consumer goods supply chain.

Kalmar.(Companies Making News)(BIA NV's Material Handling Equipment Div)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Kalmar will establish its own sales company in Belgium through the acquisition of BIA NV's Material Handling Equipment Div., located in Antwerp.

Southeastern Freight Lines.(Companies Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Southeastern Freight Lines was recently recognized by Moen Inc. with its Partners in Quality award for 2003. This was the ninth consecutive partnership award for Southeastern. The company was also named the "LTL Carrier of the Year" by Springs...

Shockwatch.(Companies Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Shockwatch has opened a new technical support center in Graham, Texas, to serve the needs of its clientele. The new center and its staff will offer telephone support (800-466-0101) for the lifetime of the Shockswitch product line.

Alvey Systems.(Companies Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Alvey Systems, an FKI Logistex member company, was selected by Miller Brewing Co. as a "Partner in Excellence" in 2003. Alvey was recognized for quality, service, cost-competitiveness and innovation.

FastPic Systems and Remstar International.(Companies Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... FastPic Systems and Remstar International have partnered with ADP to create a seamless interface between FastPic4 software, vertical carousels and Shuttle VLMs and the ADP Parts Inventory Management System.

Lowry Computer Products Inc.(Companies Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Lowry Computer Products Inc. has entered into a value-added reseller agreement with SAMSys Technologies Inc. to sell, install and service RFID readers integrated into its total RFID solutions.

SICK Inc.(Companies Making News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... SICK Inc. has entered into distribution agreements with Madison Electric Co. and Standard Electric Co. for the distribution of its line of sensors, safety systems and auto ID products in Michigan.

New RFID testing ground.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... North American-based Tibbett & Britten Americas has strengthened its position in supply chain innovation by announcing a radio frequency identification (RFID) testing ground. T & B has signed a four-way partnership agreement with IconNicholson,...

FCC, China commission support 434 MHz band.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Recent international regulatory support for the 434 MHz radio-frequency band by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and China's State Radio Regulatory Commission (SRRC) is a major milestone in advancing a global standard for...

Exel president authors 'Supply Chain Vector' book.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Exel, a leader in supply chain management, announced the availability of Supply Chain Vector: Methods for Linking Execution of Global Business Models with Financial Performance, a book authored by Dan Gardner, Exel's president in Latin America....

How to handle shortages on bills of lading: every material handler will run into problems with damages, shortages and claims during his or her career. This month's question for our Editorial Advisory Board comes from a reader who's been having trouble dealing with a freight company.(Ask the MHM Editorial Advisory Board)
July 1, 2004... Q: "We are in the welding supply business and operate a classic "hub and spoke" distribution network to our 22 retail outlets from a central warehouse. The mistake centers around signing a common carrier's bill of lading. Generally the bill of...

Beware, pedestrians.(Cutting Edge)
July 1, 2004... Worker Alert warns pedestrians and other drivers that a lift truck is coming. The device uses a photo-sensor that sends a safe red light beam to detect a reflective strip mounted on the lift truck. The warning device (usually a strobe) is...

Plastic pallet is strong, durable.(Cutting Edge)
July 1, 2004... The HD228-FR pallet has received Underwriters Laboratories' UL2335 Classification for fire safety. The 48 X 40-in. pallet has also passed National Sanitary Foundation testing for sanitation and meets Grocery Manufacturers of America sanitary...

This motor can get dirty.(Cutting Edge)
July 1, 2004... DirtyDutyWD washdown-duty electric motors are designed for severe, corrosive applications. The motor features an exterior surface coating bonded to its steel frame, cast iron endplates, conduit box, lid and base. This coating is impervious to...

Cool idea combats bottlenecks.(Cutting Edge)
July 1, 2004... The ICwedge device increases container throughput for loading coolers and pasteurizers. The cooler infeed system operates with continuous motion and low back pressure. The system utilizes the rotating motion of multiple wedges to form and...

Calendar.(Calendar)
July 1, 2004... July 21-22 Supply-Chain Council Annual Meeting. San Jose, CA. Visit www.supply-chain.org. July 24-27 Material Handling 2004. Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. Contact manufact@reedtradex.co.th or visit...

Shipping air is costing you money.(Transport Packaging)
July 1, 2004... Loren Eggert, vice president of distribution and fulfillment at Fingerhut Co., was telling me that he was tired of shipping air. It was costing his company money to ship all the nothing that wedges its way in around the multitude of items in...

How do you compare with your colleagues?
July 1, 2004... The second annual meeting of Material Handling Management's Editorial Advisory Board brought together some familiar faces from last year's event, plus a few new ones. Much has happened in the world and at the companies represented on the board....

Let us entertain you! Whether as passengers on spaceship Earth, or reading thrillers at the beach, material handling has the functionality that delivers our fun.(MH in Entertainment)
July 1, 2004... When we think of entertainment and conjure up diversions from our daily lives, rarely do we factor in material handling. Yet material handling makes magic happen under the big top. It surfaces on the pages of best-selling novels. It makes...

Do something.(Warehousing & Distribution)
July 1, 2004... This is about logistics. Singer, songwriter, philosopher, the late Harry Chapin used to say, "Do something!" He said it at his concerts and was referring to doing something for the less fortunate among us. Chapin performed one night for himself...

Crossdocking comes of age: get ready to crossdock with advice from those who have done it.(Crossdocking)(Editorial)
July 1, 2004... Can any industry prosper with the idea of receiving product on Monday, putting away on Tuesday, with the system registering it (i.e., becoming 'visible') on Wednesday and shipping it on Thursday? Maybe, but such days are quickly disappearing....

Philanthropy is good business: there will always be poor and needy among us. Here's a material handling logistics innovation that will make their lives--and your role in saving them--a lot easier.(MHM Innovator of the Month)
July 1, 2004... As a captain involved in military logistics automation in the late 1990s, Jason Rushton was always looking for innovative ways to improve the military supply chain. Because no military operation happens where and when you plan for it to happen,...

Where business is booming.(Manufacturing Management)
July 1, 2004... The numbers are getting better and better when it come to the U.S. economy. Profits are up--way up in some cases. Manufacturing productivity is record making today in American industry. Even hiring is increasing. So confident is Alan Greenspan...

Crossing the line with wireless.(Automatic Data Collection)
July 1, 2004... By now, you are probably fairly comfortable with the various flavors of 802.11:a, b and g. But if you think that's all you're going to need to know about wireless, think again. Other standards with which you'll soon become familiar are...

MPI Label Systems.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... The 360 RW label applicator inspects and writes to 13.56 Mhz ISO and other HF transponders embedded in pressure-sensitive labels and automatically tamp-blow applies them to a variety of products. It eliminates the need for advanced programming...

Portable printer gives Gaming company an edge.(Case Study)
July 1, 2004... Until early 1996, Iverson Gaming Systems (IGS) was a division of Iverson Associates, a firm that has been developing customized software and providing solutions for the PC and minicomputer platforms since 1984. In 1994, Iverson Associates was...

SATO America Inc.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... The CL408e and CL412e UHF printers utilize multi-protocol RFID read/write technology, which supports EPC Class I, ISO 1800 and EM Marin protocols. The printers can be easily upgraded as new standards and protocols are established. SATO America...

Matthews International Corp.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... This direct thermal transfer digital printer marks and codes on paper, bags and containers as well as wood, leather, rubber, fabrics, and scratch-proof and solvent-resistant plastic. A double ribbon creates a positive image electronically on...

Printek Inc.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Mt2 is an ultra-light-weight 2-in. mobile thermal printer. Its clamshell printhead design provides quick and easy paper loading. An RS-232 Serial interface and fast IrDA with optical communication are standard; Bluetooth wireless...

Iconotech.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Economizer digital bag and case printer prints text, bar codes and graphics on uncoated multi-wall kraft bags, flat cases, die cuts and blanks. Its hand-fed press prints 1,000 cases per hour. An operator simply adjusts the guide bar on the...

AccuSort Systems Inc.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... The FAST Tag RFID system places, tracks and verifies RFID tags on cartons and pallets. The base system includes an inbound bar code scanner, RF tag applicator, tag verifier and outbound box-tag RFID verifier. Controls for infeed, tracking,...

Hitachi America Ltd.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... The PX Series small-character inkjet printer features a large color LCD touch panel for quick and easy operation and maintenance. The ink circulation system helps reduce fluid evaporation. Viscosity and density control provides stable ink drop...

Autologik.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Stryker labeling software allows order fulfillment customers to automatically print and apply labels to both the face and back sides of products in one continuous pass. It also allows apply-only applicators in the mix. Stryker processes up to...

Avery Dennison Printer Systems Americas.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... The 64-05 RFID printer is UHF/EPC-compliant and can be upgraded to keep pace. It is equipped with features that conserve ribbon usage, verify chip functionality and guard against label damage when the system is printing. It programs a label's...

Aigner Index Inc.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... A new floor labeling system holds up under pallet and lift truck traffic. A heavy-duty, 5 X 7-in. aluminum frame holds a 3 X 5-in., self-adhesive, custom-imprinted aluminum label. To change a label, simply pop it out and insert a new one. The...

Teklynx International.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Free printer Driver Service Pack (DSP) online update service now supports Label Matrix software. DSP enables systems integrators, resellers and end users to update and add printer drivers via a simple Internet download, without software...

Qube Corp.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Industrial-grade plastic enclosures protect bar code label printers as well as computers, touchscreens and other electronic equipment in harsh, dusty environments. The enclosures offer mobility and flexibility, and do not interfere with data...

Intermec Technologies Corp.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... The EasyCoder Intellitag PM4i printer writes to Intellitag RFID chips embedded into a label and simultaneously prints bar codes and human-readable text. The tags operate in the 800-928 MHz UHF range and can be read and written at any frequency...

Weber Marking Systems Inc.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... The Alpha V40 label applicator automatically peels labels from the supply roll, then affixes them to products or packages as they pass on a conveyor line. The unit applies labels up to 4.72 in. wide and 98 in. long at speed to 210 feet per...

Brady Corp.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... Tamper-indicating labels provide physical evidence of tampering to prevent fraud and protect assets. The labels fracture upon removal or footprint upon removal, indicating label tampering. Labels are available in a variety of material in both...

Unibar Inc.(Printing and Labeling Spotlight)
July 1, 2004... BARCODE 2000 6.0 prints bar-coded shipping and other production labels on most enterprise printers, using data piped directly from standard applications and databases. The multi-platform software requires no special print servers or other...