Material Handling Management articles from May 2007

Material Handling Management archives from May 2007

Value proposition: how logistics and material handling service providers are extending their reach to improve service and reduce costs for their customers.(3PLs)
May 1, 2007... Gone are the days when companies simply asked their third-party logistics providers (3PLs) to do the "pallet in--pallet out" drill. More companies expect 3PLs to perform a host of complex, intricate and even strategic tasks that were once...

Renew your focus on pedestrian safety.(Guest Column)
May 1, 2007... You'd think that lift truck operators would have enough to think about just getting through the day, lifting and positioning loads, and not hitting pedestrians. Unfortunately pedestrians are coming into contact with lift trucks all too...

RFID insecurity.(Data Intelligence)
May 1, 2007... At RFID World this month, the topics of privacy and security were raised, but not answered. In fact, answers to these concerns are hard to specify simply because they're so dependent on your application, product, physical security procedures...

Easy does it.(managing relations with third parties)
May 1, 2007... Outsourcing warehousing and logistics activities is nothing new. But as third parties take on more inventory management responsibilities that are critical to customer satisfaction, they require more oversight. Managing such relationships is not...

Making a fresh start: a new wireless infrastructure paired with a handheld and mobile computers help a regional grocer expand its business.(Case History: Hand Helds)(Associated Grocers of New England)
May 1, 2007... Strong growth and limited space to expand were the main ingredients needed to whip up a new 378,000-sq.-ft. distribution center in Pembroke, N.H., which is exactly what the Associated Grocers of New England (AGNE, agprod.agne.com) did in 2006....

Leading change without authority: how to deal with three of the most challenging aspects of change initiatives and optimize your project's success.(Guest Editorial: Leadership)(Column)
May 1, 2007... Recently I had the pleasure of presenting the opening keynote address for the Supply Chain Council annual conference in Philadelphia. In this talk, I did an informal survey. The extreme response surprised me. Literally 100% of the nearly 300...

Warehouse death prompts Calif. regulators to consider bill to reduce employee heat exposure.(Industry News)
May 1, 2007... A death last year at a Rite Aid distribution center in Lancaster, Calif., is partly behind a bill before the California legislature that would amend Section 142.8 of the State's Labor Code and require the State Occupational Safety and Health...

Ergonomic guidelines for manual material handling.(Industry News)
May 1, 2007... Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling (68 pages, www.mhia. org/psc/PSC_Councils_Ergonomic.cfm) is designed to help managers recognize high-risk tasks and choose effective options for reducing their physical demands. The publication...

AIM global works to dispel the public's fear of RFID.(Industry News)
May 1, 2007... Computer virus-infected cats. "Spy-chipped" $20 bills. Passport-triggered bombs. There is a lack of understanding among the public and media of the facts about RFID technology and its applications. To help overcome that information gap, AIM...

On the job.(Industry News)(Cartoon)
May 1, 2007... "I think there's something wrong with our business plan" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Tasty baking company to build new $75 million bakery and HQ.(Industry News)
May 1, 2007... Tasty Baking Company will relocate its Philadelphia operations to leased facilities at The Navy Yard, a commercial and industrial development center in Philadelphia. The site will include a newly constructed "Tastykake" bakery and a "green"...

Wal-Mart expands commitment to RFID.(Industry News)
May 1, 2007... Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Bentonville, Ark., www.walmart.com), continues to expand its RFID capability to additional facilities, targeting an additional 400 Wal-Mart stores by the end of this fiscal year, said Rollin Ford, executive v.p. and CIO,...

YouTube for engineers.(Industry News)
May 1, 2007... A European website, YourTechTV.com, offers a place for industrial companies to post promotional and educational videos. The more interesting and unique--or amusing and zany--the more viewers they seem to attract. A search under the keyword...

Guide for developing mentoring programs in DCs.(Industry News)
May 1, 2007... The Warehouse Education Research Council (WERC) recently released its latest publication, Mentoring Programs in DCs ($20, www.werc.org). The book includes information about what mentoring is, the value of mentoring, and how to establish and...

AIAG to collaborate with Chinese Auto-ID group.(Industry News)(Automotive Industry Action Group)(Automatic Identification Manufacturer Association of China)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... In a continuing effort to promote communication and collaboration between the North American and Chinese automotive Industries, the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG, Detroit) and the Automatic Identification Manufacturer Association of...

Pepsico makes largest-ever green power purchase.(Industry News)
May 1, 2007... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, Washington, D.C.) recently recognized PepsiCo's commitment to purchase 100% "green" power. At more than 1.1 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), it is the largest such purchase to date under the agency's...

Jury awards $39.5 million to warehouse insurers.(Industry News)
May 1, 2007... Following a month-long trial in Scott County (Ill.) District Court, a jury awarded $39.5 million to two insurance companies in a lawsuit filed against FM Global (www.fmglobal.com), a loss-prevention firm based in Johnston, R.I. Royal Indemnity...

Carriers discuss challenges with shippers.(Vendor News)
May 1, 2007... In one of the most anticipated sessions at the Warehouse Education Resource Council's (WERC, www.werc.org) annual conference in April, top-level executives from different transportation modes shared some of the key challenges faced by their...

ESYNC to merge with TranSystems.(Vendor News)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... TranSystems (Kansas City, Mo.), a full-service transportation infrastructure and management consulting company, and ESYNC (Toledo, Ohio), a strategic supply chain-consulting firm, announced plans to merge. All ESYNC management and staff will be...

CLARK Celebrates 90th anniversary.(Vendor News)(www. clarkmhc.com)(Clark Material Handling Co.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... On Wednesday, May 16, 2007, Clark Material Handling Company (www. clarkmhc.com) celebrated the 90th anniversary of the introduction of the world's first material handling truck in 1917. Clark has built over 1 million forklifts during its...

GS capital partners acquires Myers Industries.(Vendor News)
May 1, 2007... Myers Industries, Inc. (Akron, Ohio) maker of Buckhorn pallets and containers, announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by GS Capital Partners (GSCP) in a transaction valued at $1.07 billion, including the assumption or repayment of $276...

DRI expands executive search services.(Vendor News)
May 1, 2007... Direct Recruiters, Inc. (Solon, Ohio, www. directrecruiters.com) recently expanded its executive search services by launching a new sister company, Myeroff Peterson Charney (MPC, www.mpc-intl.com) International LLC. MPC will specialize in...

Schneider packaging wins Rockwell Automation's Extreme Machines contest.(Vendor News)(Schneider Packaging Equipment Co.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Schneider Packaging (Brewerton, N.Y., www.schneiderequip.com), a producer of end-of-line case packing and palletizing equipment for manufacturers, won Rockwell Automation's "Extreme Machines" contest. Rockwell Automation (Milwaukee,...

Firefly energy selects crown battery as manufacturing partner for carbon-graphite foam batteries.(Vendor News)
May 1, 2007... Firefly Energy Inc. (Peoria, Ill., www. fireflyenergy.com) has contracted with Crown Battery Company Inc. (Fremont, Ohio, www.crownbattery.com) to provide prototypes and production support of Firefly's "3D" battery technology. Using product...

ORBIS partners with national hunger network.(Vendor News)(ORBIS Container Services)(America's Second Harvest)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... ORBIS Container Services (Arroyo Grande, Calif., www.haysrpc.com) has launched a new program in partnership with America's Second Harvest (Chicago, www.secondharvest.org), the country's largest domestic hunger-relief organization. ORBIS...

Voxware, RedPrairie sign integration and reseller agreement.(Vendor News Briefs)
May 1, 2007... RedPrairie Corp. (Milwaukee, Wisc.) and Voxware, Inc. (Lawrenceville, N.J.), are integrating Voxware's voice software with RedPrairie's Warehouse Management System (WMS). RedPrairie will resell Voxware's open voice software product for the...

Dean warehouse launches supply chain division.(Vendor News Briefs)
May 1, 2007... Dean Warehouse (Cumberland, R. I., www.deanwarehouse. com), one of New England's largest warehousing companies, has launched a new division, Dean SupplyChain Management (DSM). The unit creates customized solutions for logistics and...

Airgas purchases Linde's U.S. packaged gas business.(Vendor News Briefs)
May 1, 2007... Airgas, Inc. (Radnor, Pa., www.airgas.com) will acquire part of the U.S. packaged gas business of Linde AG (Wiesbaden, Germany, www.linde.com) for $310 million in cash. The operations to be acquired include branches, warehouses, packaged gas...

Scansource expands distribution capacity in North America.(Vendor News Briefs)
May 1, 2007... ScanSource, Inc. (Greenville, S.C., www.scansource.com), a distributor of specialty technology products, has entered into a 10-year lease agreement with Industrial Developments International, Inc. (Atlanta, www.idi.com) to relocate its North...

FKI Logistex expands Canadian operations.(Vendor News Briefs)
May 1, 2007... FKI Logistex (St. Louis, www.fkilogistex.com), a provider of integrated material handling solutions, expanded its Canadian operations to form FKI Logistex Canada. The new business unit brings together three existing FKI Logistex Canadian...

Berry plastics acquires Rollpak.(Vendor News Briefs)
May 1, 2007... Berry Plastics Corp. (Evansville, Ind., www.berryplastics.com) acquired Rollpak Acquisition Corp. (Goshen, Ind.), a manufacturer of flexible film. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, Berry...

Arrow material handling completes purchase of Sidney Manufacturing.(Vendor News Briefs)
May 1, 2007... Arrow Material Handling Products (Kansas City, Mo., www. arrowforklift.com) completed the acquisition of Sidney Manufacturing (Sidney, Iowa). Sidney Manufacturing makes and sells a variety of niche material handling products, including...

Intelligrated relocates Midwest operations.(Vendor News Briefs)
May 1, 2007... Intelligrated (Cincinnati, www.intelligrated.com) recently relocated its Midwest operations to a new, larger facility in Woodridge, Ill. The full-service operation offers local integration capabilities, including customer support; system...

Gordon riske to Become CEO of Linde Material Handling.(Vendor News Briefs)
May 1, 2007... Gordon Riske, currently chairman of the board of DEUTZ AG (Cologne, Germany, www.deutz.de), will assume the role of CEO of Linde Material Handling GmbH (LMH, www.lindelifttruck. com) and will also join the executive board of KION Group GmbH...

Swisslog buys Swedish manufacturer of conveyors and cranes.(Vendor News Briefs)
May 1, 2007... Swisslog (Buchs/Aarau, Switzerland, www.swisslog.com) purchased Accalon (Boxholm, Sweden, www.accalon.se), a manufacturer of conveyor systems and stacker cranes for warehouses and distribution centers, for an undisclosed sum. "The...

Automated case packers at Jim Beam: automated equipment protects bottles and increases efficiency at legendary distillery.(New Product Spotlight)
May 1, 2007... When it comes to case packing machinery, few bottling operations are more demanding than at Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. (Deerfield, Ill., www.beamglobal.com). The owner of the 211-year-old bourbon brand Jim Beam has grown dramatically over...

Enterprise RFID Reader.(New Product Spotlight)
May 1, 2007... IF61 Enterprise RFID Reader has ample storage and memory to run complex applications, store tag data and operate peripheral devices. Built for high-volume operations, the reader is available with 1GB of scalable Flash memory and an optional...

Label applicator with touch screen controls.(New Product Spotlight)
May 1, 2007... The modular and user-friendly ST1000 label applicator can apply an assortment of sizes and shapes of pressure-sensitive labels. Top, bottom and side applications are accomplished with an angled U-arm. Anodized aluminum construction provides...

Collapsible bulk containers.(New Product Spotlight)
May 1, 2007... Series of 40- x 48-in. collapsible, reusable bulk containers are available in eight heights. The containers, manufactured of high-density polyethylene, accommodate a variety of product sizes, shapes and weights and allows more parts to be...

Parts delivery cart.(New Product Spotlight)
May 1, 2007... New small-parts delivery carts that complement manufacturing and warehouse inventory management programs have two adjustable 34- x 54-in. shelf rails with removable deck halves and a 2,000 lb. rated load capacity. Special modified pivot point...

Heavy-duty checkweigher.(New Product Spotlight)
May 1, 2007... Heavy-duty checkweigher is designed for packaging applications with weight ranges from 1 lb. to 500 lbs. Weigh station conveyors range from 4' long up to 5' long and run at speeds up to 220 feet per minute. Unique features include the ability...

Loading dock under-leveler seal.(New Product Spotlight)
May 1, 2007... The PitMaster under-leveler seal closes the pit and seals air gaps where the leveler, the truck and the dock seal or shelter all meet. The resulting barrier seals air gaps to prevent warm or cool air from escaping the building. Energy cost...

Protective floor and wall coating.(New Product Spotlight)
May 1, 2007... The UR-22 EnviroUltra 60% solids water-based urethane topcoat is designed for use over epoxy floor or wall base coats in environments subjected to chemical exposure and abrasive wear. Low-VOC, low-odor formulation meets current VOC requirements...

Flow rack and parts presentation stand.(SPECIAL FOCUS: CONVEYORS AND SORTATION DEVICES)
May 1, 2007... Compact, multi-functional flow rack and part presentation stand features an angled conveyor-type aisle that slopes lengthwise to allow containers to flow from the load end to the picking end. A second angle tilts the container to lower one end...

Conveyor controllers.(SPECIAL FOCUS: CONVEYORS AND SORTATION DEVICES)
May 1, 2007... UBT controller can be configured for either merge, divert or transfer mode through a serial port and plugged into the line where needed. For higher-level supervisory control, the controller is now available in a version that interfaces directly...

Multi-pole conveyor stop gate.(SPECIAL FOCUS: CONVEYORS AND SORTATION DEVICES)
May 1, 2007... Multi-pole conveyor stop gate simplifies the sourcing, installation and setup of power and free conveyor stops used with TS-style assembly conveyors. The VE2/MP stop gate has a pneumatic solenoid valve, an embedded microprocessor, three...

Narrow-belt sorter.(New Product Spotlight)
May 1, 2007... The Turbo Sortation System narrow belt sorter uses Wave technology to align and divert products at rates of 200 cpm. Commander system controls complement the mechanical hardware and operate the system with efficiency and precision. It has a...

Belt curve conveyor system.(New Product Spotlight)
May 1, 2007... The KGF-P 2040 belt curve conveyor is designed for smooth product turns and transfer of small and delicate parts. It can also be used where production lines require space-saving conveyor configurations. The frame features 10mm T-slotted...

The big picture of a lot of small stuff.(Special Section: Transport Packaging)(Column)
May 1, 2007... I once had the good fortune to interview legendary blues singer Sam "Peg Leg" Jackson. In his self-deprecating manner, the charismatic Peg Leg told me that his luck was so hard that if they opened the doors to Fort Knox for him, he wouldn't be...

Bulk boxes offer safety, efficiency in America's heartland: the search for a better, safer way to handle seed in bulk quantities has led to a new industry standard for grain handlers.(Transport Packaging)
May 1, 2007... In northcentral Indiana spring had not arrived by mid-April. A mix of snow and rain whipped across barren, open fields, some of which had felt the discs of farmers tractors with its promise of the planting season to come. Others were still in...

Expand business by shrinking packages: when a company's packaging line is required to make 12 or more changeovers per day, packaging machinery can be the nemesis of productivity--or the key to success.(Transport Packaging)
May 1, 2007... Blanks Printing and Imaging's (Dallas, www. blanks.com) fulfillment division gives real meaning to the term "quick changeover." Along with its ability to interrupt one job for another of higher priority, it even keeps some equipment on casters...

Big boxes without big bucks: managing an inventory of returnable bulk containers can be expensive. Container pooling can reduce those costs.(Case History)
May 1, 2007... Many companies currently using one-way transport packaging products such as intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) could benefit from container pooling, says Mike Brunhuber, v.p., A.R. Arena Products (Rochester, N.Y., www.arenaproducts.com). His...

Taking security to the next level: storing, packing and order fulfillment of narcotics brings new meaning to keeping secrets.(Case History)
May 1, 2007... When it comes to handling narcotics, there is no such things as too much security. Schedule II narcotics, the kinds of things used in life-sustaining medicines, are a storage and transport packaging challenge for pharmaceutical manufacturers....