Material Handling Management articles from May 2003

Material Handling Management archives from May 2003

Paying your bill of health: it takes leadership to manage your biggest costs. .(Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association discusses holding down costs)(Editorial)
May 1, 2003... Love him or hate him, Ronald Reagan was a manager with vision. Even if you didn't share his political vision, I think we could all agree on his depiction of Washington, D.C.: "An island surrounded on all sides by reality." Just as Reagan...

Fix supply chain first. (News Briefs).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Before a retail company deems itself ready to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, its management and consultants must ensure that supply chain and service issues have been thoroughly addressed. Otherwise, the potential for long-term...

SARS virus attacks electronics industry. (News Briefs).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The rapid spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the People's Republic of China and other Asia-Pacific Rim countries threatens to derail the trillion-dollar global electronics industry, according to a report by Aberdeen Group, an...

WMPKG, MeadWestvaco seal partnership. (News Briefs).(Women in Packaging Inc.)
May 1, 2003... Women in Packaging, Inc. (WMPKG) and MeadWestvaco Corporation recently sealed a new corporate partnership that promises to expand the frontiers of possibility for generations of packaging professionals. The companies teamed up on the...

Raymond Corporation. (Managers Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Raymond Corporation announced the appointment of Reg Lewicki as vice president and general manager of Raymond Industrial Equipment Ltd., the Canadian manufacturer of several Raymond products. Lewicki replaces Jim Locker, previously...

Swisslog. (Managers Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Swisslog has appointed Remo Brunschwiler CEO.

Jervis B. Webb Company. (Managers Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Jervis B. Webb Company announced top management changes at its world headquarters offices. Susan M. Webb has been named president, CEO. She is the third generation family member to lead the privately owned company. Ms. Webb succeeds George H....

Siemens Dematic AG. (Managers Making News).
May 1, 2003... Siemens Dematic AG has named Prashant Ranade president and CEO of Siemens Dematic Material Handling Automation -- Americas. He succeeds Pete Metros who retains his position as a member of the global board of directors for Siemens Dematic.

Carolina Material Handling Services. (Managers Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Buddy Smith was promoted to president and COO of Carolina Material Handling Services.

Northrop Grumman Corporation. (Managers Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Northrop Grumman Corporation has elected Albert F. Myers corporate vice president, strategy and technology. He succeeds Ronald D. Sugar who will become CEO.

NACCO Materials Handling Group Inc. (Managers Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Dave Clarke was appointed vice president of marketing for NACCO Materials Handling Group Inc. -- Americas Division. Clarke is responsible for all parts and service operations, marketing services, Latin America sales and marketing, and NMHG's...

FKI Logistex White Systems. (Managers Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... With completion of the second phase of the FKI Logistex Manufacturing Team deployment, automated storage specialists FKI Logistex White Systems now reports to Alvey Systems, the lead integrator for the team. G. Lynnwood Rosser was named...

SATO America, Inc. (Managers Making News).
May 1, 2003... SATO America, Inc., announced the appointments of John Hutchens, key account manager; Andrew Wright, Western regional sales manager; and Jan Svoboda, printer product manager.

Pilot Air Freight. (Managers Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Pilot Air Freight announced the appointment of Marianne Challis to district manager for the Sacramento, California, station.

Schneider Packaging Equipment Inc. (Managers Making News).
May 1, 2003... Schneider Packaging Equipment Inc. has hired Paul Burdick as director of marketing and sales.

V3 Systems. (Managers Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... V3 Systems, provider of supply chain execution software, announced the appointment of Andrew Kilbourne as executive vice president of engineering.

Aisle-Master Ltd. (Managers Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Aisle-Master Ltd., an Ireland-based manufacturer of narrow-aisle articulated lift trucks, announced the appointment of Finbarr Collins as U. S. product manager.

Combilift Ltd. (Managers Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Combilift Ltd., manufacturer of powered mobile equipment, announced the appointment of Tommy Cadden as U. S. product manager.

New strategic direction for AIM. (News Briefs).(automatic identification management)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... In a move designed to increase national awareness of automatic identification technologies (ADC) and how they are being applied to improve critical applications such as homeland security, patient safety and supply chain management, the AIM...

New consortium for pallet makers. (News Briefs).(Engineered Pallet Network)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Engineered Pallet Network is a national consortium of manufacturers specializing in the production of engineered wood pallets. It has recently launched a joint marketing and technical partnership among its 15 members that includes...

Letter to the editor. (News Briefs).
May 1, 2003... Reading your December editorial "Standard But Unique" left me a bit confused. You say 'Take fleet management services. Please" as if it is a shady scheme developed by lift truck manufacturers to take advantage of unsuspecting customers. ...

Siemens Dematic has completed its acquisition of Automation Technologies Industries. (Companies Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Siemens Dematic has completed its acquisition of Automation Technologies Industries. The acquisition provides the company with additional assembly and manufacturing technologies in material handling automation. In addition, Siemens Dematic has...

Quantronix and Streamsoft have formed a partnership to provide an integrated solution for warehouse item measuring and slotting. (Companies Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Quantronix and Streamsoft have formed a partnership to provide an integrated solution for warehouse item measuring and slotting. Streamsoft's software interfaces with Quantronix's CubiScan and QbitWIN software, designed to run Quantronix's...

Cignys is the new name for Saginaw Products Corp. (Companies Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Cignys is the new name for Saginaw Products Corp. All of the companies subsidiaries will now operate under a single name.

Lift-One Material Handling Systems. (Companies Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Lift-One Material Handling Systems relocated and expanded its operations with a new corporate headquarters in Pompton Plains, New Jersey.

Shuttleworth Inc. (Companies Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Shuttleworth Inc. is partnering with several companies to donate books of classical literature to kids. The company is supplying its Smart transport/buffer conveyor for a live printing line demonstration in the Delphax Technologies booth at On...

FEM. (Companies Making News).(Federation Europeenne de la Manutention)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... FEM (Federation Europeenne de la Manutention) is celebrating its 50 anniversary this year. The original consortium of nine European countries focused its attention on products groups and later became a leader in standards, or technical norms,...

A.J. Jersey Inc. (Companies Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A.J. Jersey Inc. expanded its rental and training divisions by adding an additional 8,000 square feet off site. The new training center includes a classroom environment to provide hands-on training for mechanics and service technicians and lift...

Interlake Material Handling Inc. (Companies Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Interlake Material Handling Inc. has begun the shutdown of its Lodi, California rack manufacturing operations. Interlake intends to establish a manufacturing presence in northwest Mexico in the future.

Radcliffe. (Companies Making News).(has acquired KEF Technologies)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Radcliffe, a developer of supply chain management systems and SAP technical integrator, announced the acquisition of KEF Technologies, a full-service project management solution provider, based in Toronto, Ontario.

Optiant, provider of supply chain design solutions, has secured $10.5 million in its second round of funding. (Companies Making News).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Optiant, provider of supply chain design solutions, has secured $10.5 million in its second round of funding. Castile Ventures, a new investor, and Battery Ventures, which also backed Optiant's s first round, participated in the series B round....

IntermecTechnologies Corp. (Companies Making News).(presented Catalyst Consulting Services Inc. with award for Outstanding Systems Partner, Highest Growth Percentage)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... IntermecTechnologies Corp. has presented Catalyst Consulting Services Inc. with an award for Outstanding Systems Partner, Highest Growth Percentage.

Futaba Corp. (Companies Making News).(names Cattron-Theimeg International Ltd. exclusive distributor)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Futaba Corp., manufacturer of wireless radio remote controls for industrial and commercial uses, has agreed to designate Cattron-Theimeg International Ltd. as the exclusive distributor for Futaba industrial wireless products in North and South...

Prophet 21. (Companies Making News).(announces that Stanley Tools and Black & Decker-DeWalt have become members of Trading Partner Connect)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Prophet 21 announced that two major tool manufacturers have joined Trading Partner Connect. Stanley Tools and Black & Decker-DeWalt have become members of the Internet trading network in an effort to improve customer service while decreasing...

Future Electronics. (Companies Making News).(awards contract to Witron for the implementation of an automated material handling system)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Future Electronics has awarded Witron a contract for the implementation of an automated material handling system at its new U.S. distribution center near Memphis. Mississippi Governor Ronnie Musgrove and other officials broke ground for the...

Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association. (Associations Making News).(elected William J. Casey president)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association has elected William J. Casey to be its 63rd president. Casey, business consultant, Industrial Kinetics Inc., has held numerous offices in the association. Others elected at the association's...

Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA). (Associations Making News).(crane operator certification program)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) and the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) announced plans for the development of a crane operator certification program to address overhead crane...

Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP). (Associations Making News).
May 1, 2003... The Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) is seeking entries for its AmenStar competition. Winners will be selected in 14 categories. For entry information, visit iopp.org/ameristar. Entry deadline in July 1.

Air Knife cuts static. (The Cutting Edge).
May 1, 2003... This 3-in. Super Ion Air Knife removes static electricity from plastics, webs, printed materials and other product surfaces where dust, tearing, jamming or hazardous shocks are a problem. It produces a laminar sheet of airflow that floods an...

Make your conveyor turn in any direction. (The Cutting Edge).
May 1, 2003... The Ergo-Roll multi-directional conveyor roller enables gravity- or motor-driven conveyor systems to transfer or turn material or packages in any direction. The roller is structured around four, free-turning football-shaped roller elements...

No more jams. (The Cutting Edge).
May 1, 2003... This plastic belt incline conveyor has beveled edges to safely guide small parts, particularly in "water fall" style parts transfers. The belt feeds small parts like a funnel. The Z-Rex ships fully assembled and includes a variable speed,...

Responsibility is where you find it. (Transport Packaging).(Editorial)
May 1, 2003... I was standing on the factory floor, a smooth-flowing stream of multicolored pallets and containers surrounded me. The place was the Allison Transmission plant (3.8 million square feet under a single roof) in Indianapolis. It was the first stop...

Calendar.(Calendar)
May 1, 2003... May 19-20 Managing Warehouse Operations. Wyndham Atlanta. Atlanta. Sponsored by WERC. E-mail to wercoffice@werc.org. May 19-20 Supply-Chain World Southeast Asia 2003 Conference & Exposition. Grand Hyatt. Singapore. Sponsored by the...

Cyberterrorism: threat or hype? (Controls & Systems).
May 1, 2003... For the last year or so, business managers have been pounded with the rallying cry to protect their data and controls from possible cyber crime. Now, several Information Technology experts are asking the question: Has the threat of...

Getting to go-live: the road to project completion and system start-up is pocked by pot-holes big enough to consume an SUV. Here's some help in plotting a route around them. (Part 3 of a Series on Automation).(project completion times now down to 1 year)
May 1, 2003... Material handling project managers are faced with a no-win proposition in these tough economic times. First they must fight for months to get their proposed project green-lighted by upper management. Once they get the go-ahead, the ROI has to...

Economic strategies: inventory management; the best way to manage inventory is to reduce it.
May 1, 2003... What's the most economical way to manage inventory? It's easy. Have only one commodity to buy, one to sell, with only one person doing the work. Now, back to reality. Controlling inventory is a management decision based as much on your business...

U.S. secretary of manufacturing? (Manufacturing Management).
May 1, 2003... Why not? I can't think of an idea that makes more sense. After all, as Robert J. Harris says: "We have a Secretary of Agriculture, why not a Secretary of Manufacturing?" "Rob" Harris is managing director of the Industrial Fasteners Institute...

Paying more for your conveyor. (Compliance).(elevator safety authorities favor themselves to regulate all conveyors)
May 1, 2003... It used to be that elevator safety authorities stuck to regulating vertical reciprocating conveyors. Now they're taking aim at all conveyors. (VRCs are enclosed platforms that mechanically or hydraulically lift and lower loads between two...

Simplify warehousing. (Product News).
May 1, 2003... The LTS-PD load transfer station includes a pallet dispenser, decreasing pallet transfer times. One lift truck operator can handle the entire transfer process. At a speed of 45 seconds per cycle, the operator can place a load in the station and...

Pushback for mobile pallet storage. (Product News).
May 1, 2003... Pushback rack system combines the pallet storage capacity of a drive-in system with the access of a selective system. All pallets are stored or retrieved from an aisle. The system is based on wheeled pallet carts that travel on slightly canted...

Faster collapsing. (Product News).
May 1, 2003... The Ropak 4548 reusable containers are easier to collapse, thanks to convenient reach-through latches. Operators can collapse the containers from one side. This option is available on the 33-in. and 34-in. high models on the 48-in, sides of the...

Easty custom label creation. (Product News).
May 1, 2003... Label Gallery is a label design and production suite of software for professional bar code printing solutions. It's available in three versions. The Easy Version offers simple label printing, Wizard-based support and supports all standard...

For tough environments. (Product News).
May 1, 2003... Model HM44-S hand truck is made from Type 304 stainless steel, making it resistant to moisture or harsh chemicals. The truck stands 46 in. high with an overall width of 20-5/8 in. Rated for loads to 500 lb, it rolls on two 8-in, by 8-in....

Reduce stretching and reaching. (Product News).
May 1, 2003... Max-Lift line of lift tables with their rotating top features a roto-bearing construction for easier handling of off-center loading. This optional top is available in round or square configurations with load capacities from 2,000 to 6,000 lb....

Finding the dimensions of irregular parts. (Product News).
May 1, 2003... CubiScan 50-PS is a small static dimensioning system that measures and weighs irregularly shaped parts and components precisely and accurately. It uses photo-optic sensing technology to measure non-cuboidal objects to an accuracy of 0.04 in....

Cordless scanners. (Product News).
May 1, 2003... The Vista powered linear images, ScanPlus 1802 and Sabre 1552 are cordless scanners. Vista technology allows scanners to read bar codes that many laser scanners can't. Both work with radio frequency base stations to form wireless personal area...