Material Handling Management articles from May 2004

Material Handling Management archives from May 2004

Some like it hot.(From the Publisher)
May 1, 2004... My March travel schedule was like the weather in the Midwest that month. It came in like a lion and went out like a lion. Fortunately I spent the month attending conferences all over the country, so I sampled a variety of climates--including...

A quest for innovation: to quest is to seek. To question is to start the journey.(Editorial)(Editorial)
May 1, 2004... So I'm driving to the I-X Center here in Cleveland to cover the opening day of NA 2004, MHIA's material handling and logistics show and conference. On the radio, two DJs are talking about what's going on in town and they mention NA. My ears...

Are you in shape for the DoD's marching orders?(News Briefs)
May 1, 2004... The Department of Defense's supplier mandate for RFID functionality came on the heels of Wal-Mart's request that top suppliers adopt the technology. To help companies affected learn how to meet these challenges, Material Handling Management...

AIM honors two with Dilling Award.(News Briefs; association for Automatic Identification and Mobility)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... AIM, the association for Automatic Identification and Mobility, has awarded its highest honor, the Richard R. Dilling Award, to two individuals who have made major contributions to the development and growth of the AIDC industry. The 2003...

NEW Research Foundation names chairman.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors' Distribution Research and Education Foundation (DREF) announced the election of a new chairman and the addition of two members to its Board of Directors. Moving into the chairman's seat...

Albertsons buys into RFID.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Albertsons Inc., the $36 billion food and drug retailer, has joined Wal-Mart and the DoD in requiring suppliers to adopt radio frequency identification technology (RFID). Its compliance deadline: April 2005. Albertsons' suppliers will need to...

RosettaNet launches Global Logistics Council.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... RosettaNet, an e-business standards consortium, announced the formation of the Global Logistics Council. Cisco, DHL, Exel, FedEx, HP, IBM, Intel, Menlo Logistics, Portnet Singapore, Texas Instruments and UPS are among the first major industry...

DoD official wins Percival Award.(News Briefs; assistant deputy undersecretary of Defense (Supply Chain Integration) Alan Estevez)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... AIM Inc., the association for Automatic Identification and Mobility, and "SCAN: The Data Capture Report," recently presented the 2004 Don Percival Award to Alan Estevez, assistant deputy undersecretary of Defense (Supply Chain Integration)....

Online registration available for Pack Expo.(News Briefs)
May 1, 2004... Packaging professionals from around the world can avoid long on-site registration lines and save 50 percent on entry fees for Pack Expo International 2004 (November 7-11 at Chicago's McCormick Place) by visiting the show's official Web site....

Toyota turns out 200,000th lift truck.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing (TIEM), Columbus, Indiana, produced its 200,000th lift truck and broke ground for an expansion of its facility. The expansion will increase TIEM's square footage from 750,223 to 859,023 and create an...

On the job.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Truckers are finding creative approaches to enforcing hours of service. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Lift truck Q & A of the month.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... question: What is a 100% brushless AC-controlled lift truck? answer: Two types of electric motors are used to power lift trucks--DC and AC. DC motors use brushes that wear on a commutator to produce the voltage that powers truck...

New safety training programs available.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... J.J. Keller & Associates Inc. has introduced The Ins and Outs of Loading Dock and Warehouse Safety and The Ups and Downs of Material Handling Equipment Safety. These video-based programs provide training for those who load, unload or move...

Irista updates WMS software.(News Briefs)(Irista Inc.,)(Warehouse management system)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Irista Inc., developer of logistics applications, has released irista-Warehouse 8.5. The latest version of this warehouse management system is a core component within Irista's logistics management execution solution. In response to direct input...

IconNicholson leads 'living' RFID lab.(News Briefs)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Engaged by Tibbett & Britten Americas in a four-way partnership, IconNicholson, the New York-based IT professional services firm, is leading the design and implementation of a "living" RFID lab at Tibbett & Britten's member company, Connect...

Robert V. Delaney, CLM consultant, dies.(News Briefs; Council of Logistics Management )(Brief Article)(Obituary)
May 1, 2004... Robert V. Delaney, consultant to the Council of Logistics Management (CLM), and originator and co-author of the annual State of Logistics Report died April 2. "We are saddened to learn of Bob's death," said Maria Mclntyre, CLM's executive...

Guide looks at Pedestrian accidents.(News Briefs; from Yale Materials Handling Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Yale Materials Handling Corp., manufacturer of lift trucks, has published a comprehensive study of accidents in the workplace for the material handling industry. "Forklift/Pedestrian Accidents--Cause and Prevention" offers new findings and...

Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association.(Associations Making News)(elections)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... James F. Lamb, vice president, marketing and sales, Drives Inc., was elected president of the Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA). Other officers elected were: vice president, Marc Jorgensen, president, Jorgensen Conveyors Inc.,...

Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute.(Associations Making News; appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) recently made change in staff responsibilities. Matt Croson was appointed director of member services and Sara Kryder was promoted to manager of communications.

Dr. Harley Heinrich.(Managers Making News)(appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Dr. Harley Heinrich, RFID chief technologist for Intermec Technologies Corp., has been named to co-chair the EPCglobal Inc. work group charged with completing a draft RFID standard for a generation of RFID technology known as C1G2 or UHF...

Joel Epstein.(Managers Making News)(Integrated Warehousing Solutions LLC)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Integrated Warehousing Solutions LLC has named Joel Epstein its new chief technology officer. Epstein has been with the company four years.

FKI Logistex Automation Division.(Managers Making News)(appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... FKI Logistex Automation Division has hired George Parr as national accounts manager, East Coast, for its Custom Engineered Systems group. Parr will be responsible for key corporate system sales along the Eastern Seaboard. He will report to Dick...

Advanced Handling Systems.(Managers Making News; appointment)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Scott Tappan has been named president of Advanced Handling Systems, Lakeland, Florida. The company was this year's winner of the MHM Value-Added Award. Jack Phelan remains as chairman.

Magnetek Power Control Systems.(Companies Making News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Magnetek Power Control Systems is relocating its Telemotive Industrial Controls division to its Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, facility. Magnetek designs and manufactures power control products and systems for many industries.

SK Daifuku Corp. has merged with Daifuku America Corp.(Companies Making News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... SK Daifuku Corp. has merged with Daifuku America Corp. The merger brings together three major product groups as one wholly owned North American subsidiary of Daifuku Co. Ltd.

Matrics Inc.(Companies Making News; moves corporate headquarters to Rockville, Maryland)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Matrics Inc. has moved its corporate headquarters to Rockville, Maryland. The new facility is located in the 1-270 technology corridor. It will accommodate the company's Executive Briefing Center, RFID technology and engineering lab, and sales,...

MagneMotion Inc. has teamed with Federal Equipment Co.(Companies Making News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... MagneMotion Inc. has teamed with Federal Equipment Co. to work with Northrup Grumman Newport News on the Advanced Weapons Elevator for the U.S. Navy's CVN21, the first new-generation aircraft carrier. Construction is slated to begin in 2007.

Inther Logistics Engineering.(Companies Making News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Inther Logistics Engineering, a systems integrator with headquarters in the Netherlands, has opened an office in Chicago. The new branch is responsible for sales and customer support in North America. Inther specializes in pick-and-put...

The Container Store.(Companies Making News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The Container Store has opened its new headquarters and distribution center at Freeport North Industrial Park, Coppell, Texas. The facility covers more than 30 acres.

Mecalux.(Companies Making News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Mecalux has moved from its location in Farmers Branch, Texas, to Carrollton, Texas. The new facility has 26,000 square feet of warehouse and office space. It is about 20 minutes from DFW International airport, and close to Interstate 35. ...

What good are dealers?(Ask the MHM Editorial Advisory Board)(Material Handling Management)(Panel Discussion)
May 1, 2004... A question from a reader came in recently on the value of dealing with dealers. MHM couldn't resist taking a crack at this one before running it by its Editorial Advisory Board. Q: The margins on material handling equipment are marked up...

Reach truck.(Cutting Edge)
May 1, 2004... The Model 7400 Reach-Fork truck is available in capacities from 3,200 to 4,500 lb, in Reach and Deep-Reach configurations. The bidirectional truck (forks first or tractor first) features the company's ACR system, a combination of AC technology...

Fast-charge batteries.(Cutting Edge)
May 1, 2004... Horizon lead-acid batteries can be charged during breaks without removing them from lift trucks. Fast charging eliminates the need for back-up batteries and a battery room. The batteries are maintenance free. Water never needs to be added;...

Inflatable packaging.(Cutting Edge)
May 1, 2004... Fill-Air Elite inflatable packaging system creates cushions on demand. The cushions are primarily for top void fill, but can be used for blocking and bracing. The compact unit fits into single or multiple workstations. The easy-to-use system...

Calendar.(Calendar)
May 1, 2004... May 12-14 Managing Performance in the Supply Chain. Sawgrass Marriott Resort, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Sponsored by the University of North Florida and the Council of Logistics Management. Visit www.unf.edu/dept/logistics or phone 904-620-2588....

Floor labeling: a permanent solution for labeling floor storage.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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. thick and inserts inside the frame. Labels are...

Used & surplus equipment: the revolutionary solution for the buying and selling of used/surplus material handling equipment on-line.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... An on-line marketplace that provides real-time opportunities for companies to turn surplus material handling equipment into cash, and purchasers a money-saving opportunity to buy high-end used/surplus equipment. B2bmaterialhandling.com is...

Packing function: free packing area design guide.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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 company order fulfillment plan. Each...

Conveyor systems: modular conveyor systems offer versatility.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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 manufacturing or workflow environments. Made from...

Narrow aisle forklift: LP gas lift ttuck works in 7 ft. aisles.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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 Aisle-Master has 4400 lb. lift capacity, with...

Conveyors & parts: modular conveyors online at conveyormart.com.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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. Well-known Taylor Conveyor products are also offered...

Power systems: Legacy Platinum System.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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 maintenance costs and...

Lifter: telescoping lifter provides safe, stable handling.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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. The MechLift is ideal for applications such as door or...

Safety Gates: double coverage--up to 6-foot-wide mezzanine openings.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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 with no opposite point contact. No cutting, welding or...

Power transmission: quality speed reducers and gearmotors.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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, including BISSC-approved and stainless steel...

Presswood pallets: export and domestic pallets.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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 budget-minded! Incas have been used in the...

Labeling: RFID Enabled label Printer/Applicator.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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 top or side of a product. All metal...

Lifting device: precision lifting.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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 strength to protect your...

Conveyor rollers: cost-effective Universal conveyor rollers.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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 tapered for quick installation and easy...

Drum Handling: morse offers more selection.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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, tilt, stack, plus custom versions...

Wire partitions: style 840[TM] woven wire partitions.(Special Advertising Section: New Products, Equipment & Services Showcase)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... 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 configuration. Modular design reduces installation...

Save money, avoid taxes.(Transport Packaging)
May 1, 2004... May--that time of the year when some major league baseball teams are already saying, "Wait'll next year," and taxpayers are saying, "I paid how much?" Some international shippers have been saying the same things, only next year and the tax...

AIDC: ready or not for manufacturing; There's a lot of hype about RFID, but manufacturers need to know where they fit in the automatic identification and data collection reality.(radio frequency identification )(Cover Story)
May 1, 2004... It's been a long time since a technology has so captured manufacturing's attention as has automatic identification (Auto ID), and specifically radio frequency identification (RFID). After a push by the world's largest company, Wal-Mart, and...

Rethinking recycling: it's not just for environmentalists any more. In fact, recycling damaged and returned products, as well as your used transport packaging material, can beautify your bottom line and the environment.--Part 2 in our reverse logistics series.
May 1, 2004... Ten years ago, Dale Rogers, professor of supply chain management at the University of Nevada, took his class on a field trip to a General Motors parts facility in Reno, Nevada. The elass was astounded by what they saw. Instead of watching the...

Customer service begins with pallets and unitizing: even the best product tracking systems won't mean a thing if your product is damaged in transit. Undamaged products begin with the proper shipping platform and protection from the elements.(Transport Packaging)
May 1, 2004... What's so special about pallets and unitizing? Everything. This basic, core part of material handling has changed more rapidly than most people realize, following the ebb and flow of consumer demands. While radio frequency data collection gets...

Adding color to the scrap pallet business.(MHM Innovator of the Month)
May 1, 2004... Nobody likes broken wood pallets. That's why so many of them end up in landfills. It takes an innovator to see value in something that few others do. When the Kurtz brothers look at wood pallets, they see mulch. The challenge ...

Celebrating innovation.(Material Handling Management)
May 1, 2004... Awards Presentation, Reception and Banquet Tuesday, March 30, 2004 * Renaissance Cleveland Hotel * Cleveland, Ohio [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] First Innovation Awards Event Attracts More Than 150 Material Handling Management presented...

Material Handling Management's 2004 Innovation Awards program.(Calendar)
May 1, 2004... During 2004, MHM will publish Innovator of the Month profiles in the magazine, with an Innovator of the Year profiled in the December issue. The January through May profiles have recognized the achievements of: JANUARY -- William...

Favorite mistakes.(Warehousing & Distribution)
May 1, 2004... Warehousing and distribution aren't rocket science. They're harder. Rocket science has set formulas that don't change. Warehousing and distribution change constantly. Look what happened when Wal-Mart announced its RFID compliance mandate. Then...

Untethered productivity: the next technology that will support higher levels of efficiency and productivity in today's warehouse, distribution center and yard applications is wireless.(Warehousing & Distribution)
May 1, 2004... Planes touch down on the landing strip while wireless equipment in the cargo bay sends data to the local warehouse or DC about its contents. The WMS system at the facility processes these data and sends instructions to picking systems to remove...

Lean Quality: beyond Deming?(Manufacturing Management)
May 1, 2004... So you thought you knew it all when it comes to quality? Just read Dr. Deming on statistical process control (SPC) and apply it to the line. Then relax and it's Six Sigma, right? Well, what about the $10 billion that industry annually pays on...

AC-powered lift truck.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... The ERP-DH electric rider truck provides lower noise levels, less heat, a smaller turning radius and no emissions. The lift truck is available in 4,000- to 6,000-lb capacities. Features include 80-volt AC power drive control, on-demand power...

AC drive handles motor slip.(Case Study)
May 1, 2004... A conveyor manufacturer required a low-cost AC drive for its adjustable-speed conveyor belts. The drive needed to overcome low-speed torque and tight speed regulation issues on AC induction motors without the expense of flux vector control. ...

Carton flow.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... RollerRack combines wide-span uprights, hanger beam and Span-Trak carton flow track. RollerRack eliminates the need for shelves and plastic wheels. It can be configured for layback, flush front and pushback applications. Accessories include...

Three-wheel lift truck.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... THE J30-40ZT 3-wheel lift truck series is available in 3,000- to 4,000-lb capacities. Brushless AC traction and steer motors eliminate motor brushes, commutators and contactors. On-board diagnostics display helps technicians pinpoint issues...

Tubs cross-stack for stability.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... Cross-Stack Akro-Tubs are available in two sizes in heights of 8 in. and 12 in. The heavy-duty tubs have side and bottom stacking grooves that allow 90[degrees] stacks of loaded containers for efficient transport on pallets or dollies. The tubs...

Active RFID tag for pallets.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... SaviTag ST-651 is a high-performance, active RFID tag designed for pallet tagging and other mid-size supply chain assets. Available with 8K or 16K of programmable memory and a temperature sensor, the tag holds critical tracking information and...

Wire conveyor belting.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... C-Cure Edge open-mesh, stainless steel wire belts run side by side without snagging or catching, and eliminate tangling during shipping, storage, installation and day-to-day operation, reducing damage and downtime. Closed-loop ends eliminate...

End effectors.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... The Modular End Effector Tooling (MET) system can be configured to meet a variety of applications such as packaging, injection molding and palletizing. Features include 360[degrees] positioning, vision camera mount and, base-mount tool changer....

Storage cabinets.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... Double doors on the Visible storage cabinets have Plexiglass inserts, permitting visual access to contents without opening the doors. Other features include three-point locking device for security, quiet-door design for office-friendly...

Baffled bag.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... MaxSack container with Clean Seal baffles allows product to flow through the baffles and square out the shape of the container for safe stacking and improved stability. All baffle edges are smooth and clean. The MaxSack with Clean Seal baffles...

Lift table with rotating plate.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... The Guardian Lift 'n' Spin low-profile lift table combines a built-in rotating top with an auto-transition plate. When the table is raised 1/4", the plate returns to its original position, permitting 360[degrees] rotation of the pallet for...

Desktop auto-id solution.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... The compact ProxWedge connects to the workstation and the ERP systems. It secures workstations, PCs and applications against unauthorized access while accurately tracking knowledge-worker project time and labor. PC-Client software provides...

Mobile carts, workstations.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... This company has incorporated mobility into its line of small-parts organizers and storage equipment. All models measure 32-in. high X 24-in. wide X 34-in. deep with a capacity of 1,000 lb. They differ in types of storage compartments. They...

Energy-absorbing dock door.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... Panels of the MxV dock door are flexible, returning to their original form and function after impact. The panels are guided in PVC track by polypropylene brush. The brush, an integral part of the door, provides 360[degrees] perimeter seal,...

Laser bar code scanner.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... The Model 7 bar code scanner is only 1.9 X 1.5 X 0.6 in. It is designed for low-range, tight-space applications such as embedded scanning. It is available with optics for either direct or 90[degrees] scan, providing mounting flexibility. A...

Electric pallet truck.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... This new pallet truck's compact design makes it efficient in confined spaces. Features include separately excited drive motor and transistor control system, reduced head length, tapered fork tips, multifunction control handle with dual thumb...

Ace battery system.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... The Advanced Clean Energy (ACE) system is a closed-loop battery formation process that uses computer-controlled technology to form lead-acid batteries. It consists of a series of self-contained modules in which batteries are form in...

Pushback rack.(Product News)
May 1, 2004... SK3600 pushback rack stores pallets two to five deep while retaining easy access to a variety of SKUs. Pallets are placed on nested carts riding on inclined rails. Color-coded carts provide visual inventory. Unlike drive-in rack, each level is...