Material Handling Management articles from November 2007

Material Handling Management archives from November 2007

Placard program promotes productivity.(Real World Material Handling)
November 1, 2007... Cardinal Health (Dublin, Ohio) is dedicated to improving the safety and productivity of healthcare. It is constantly focused on finding new ways to improve the efficiency with which it delivers products and services to customers--many of which...

Cultural impact of safe work environments.(Guest Column)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It should not surprise you that an employee's perception of safety has a direct effect on actual safety. Now, empirical evidence exists to support this logical connection, thanks to new research findings that...

When your product is people: aggressive recruiting helps a third-party maintenance provider close the skills gap.(Labor Management)(Company overview)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The glass is half empty, say executives from major manufacturing companies throughout the U.S. In a recent survey, two-thirds of 100 senior executives are counting on losing an average of $50 million annually over...

Looking for answers, finding questions.(Transport Packaging)
November 1, 2007... There's nothing like wandering around a trade show when you're seeking answers to pressing questions. And, this year's Pack Expo--like any Pack Expo--was the place to find plenty of both answers and questions. One answer I was looking for...

When a standard solution doesn't work.(Data Intelligence)(using security devices to save the business data from exposing)
November 1, 2007... Okay, I realize that this is heresy, but there are times when you may not want to use accepted industry or international standards. In other words, you may want to consider a (gasp!) proprietary system. Here's why. And why not. But first,...

Manufacturing, maquiladoras & material handling: companies that produce and move product should take another look at "offshoring." It's not just about China anymore.(Real World Material Handling)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When we think of the term "offshore production," China comes to mind. It's become natural to associate labor-intensive material handling tasks with China and other countries in the Far East. These areas have been...

Vera Bradley revisited: eighteen months ago, Vera Bradley Co. was planning a major move to a new manufacturing and distribution center. Here's an update--with some lessons learned.(Real World Material Handling)(Cover story)(Company overview)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While it's tempting to make comparisons between current and former material handling systems, this is one instance where comparisons don't--well, compare. "You can't really compare this to what we had on Progress...

Something for nothing.(Witt's End)
November 1, 2007... People prowl the aisles of trade shows looking for lots of things--mostly free things. Most show-goers look for answers, assuming they know the questions. Remember, free advice is worth every penny you pay for it. I try to be non-materialistic....

Flex your brain.(World of Difference)
November 1, 2007... Do you manage or just supervise? This question is becoming more important for material handling managers as the labor market continues to shift. Right now, one of every three U.S. residents is classified as a "minority," according to the...

How a floor can $ave millions: building and maintaining floors in perfect condition keeps on paying. Here are two examples of how to do it.(Facility Management)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designing, specifying and constructing a typical concrete industrial floor for a moderate-size distribution center can easily cost $1 million. Sometimes, building owners overlook the role of the floor in saving...

Safety, aesthetics combine in green floor process.(Facility Management)(Medrad Inc. choosed QuestMark Flooring for making eco friendly flooring )
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MEDRAD (Warrendale, Pa.) could have chosen to sit back and celebrate its healthy profits. Instead, it chose to advance environmental efforts in its manufacturing facilities. With its more than 1,700 employees,...

Daifuku to acquire Jervis B. Webb.(Industry News)(Daifuku Company Ltd.)(Jervis B. Webb Co.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- Jervis B. Webb Co. has announced it will sell 100% of the outstanding shares of Webb to Daifuku Co., Ltd., headquartered in Osaka, Japan. The transaction is expected to be completed in December, pending final...

Warehouse managers take aim at Michigan tax.(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... LANSING, Mich. -- As first reported by Logistics Today magazine (www.logisticstoday.com), when legislators in Michigan made an 11th-hour addition that included warehousing in a services tax, local warehouse operators, third-party logistics...

Man squashes record with 3PL help.(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... NORTH SCITUATE, R.I. -- Champion pumpkin grower, Joe Jutras of North Scituate, R.I., is blessed with more than a green thumb when it comes to pumpkins. In late September, Jutras harvested the world's largest pumpkin, tipping the scales at a...

Santa's helpers ready to go.(Industry News)(forecast of christmas business)(FedEx Corp. earnings )(UPS earnings)
November 1, 2007... Online sales are projected to be the best-performing retail channel during the holidays, according to TNS Retail Forward. The firm expects online retail sales to approach $42 billion in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared with $35 billion last...

What's bugging you?(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... Last month, on our Web Readers' Quick Poll, we asked: What aspect of your operation is most susceptible to pest damage? Here are the results: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Transport packaging material/pallets: 37% * Facility/building:...

Wal-Mart opts for fuel cells.(Industry News)
November 1, 2007... BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Plug Power Inc. announced that Wal-Mart has placed an order for GenDrive fuel-cell power units for use in lift trucks at one of the giant retailer's distribution centers. The new units will power pallet trucks at Wal-Mart's...

Toyota helps California residents.(Vendor News)(Toyota Material Handling U.S.A. gave donation to American Red Cross)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... IRVINE, Calif. -- Toyota Material Handling USA Inc. donated $25,000 and 13 lift trucks to the American Red Cross for use in the relief efforts related to the southern California wildfires last month. It is also matching employee donations....

Size matters.(Vendor News)
November 1, 2007... SINGAPORE -- Singapore container shipping company, APL, announced its latest innovation: 53-foot ocean containers that could significantly alter the U.S. import market. The carrier said it will take delivery of the world's first "ocean-capable"...

ProLogis wins prestigious award.(Vendor News)
November 1, 2007... DENVER -- ProLogis, an owner, manager and developer of distribution facilities, announced it has received the top award in the category of "Sustainable Architecture, Environmental and Green Design" for its LEED-certified distribution center,...

Atlas Material Handling purchases Warehouse Products LLC.(Vendor News)
November 1, 2007... SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- Atlas Material Handling continues its strategic plan with its most recent acquisition of Warehouse Products LLC, a San Bernardino, Calif.-based distributor of material handling products. The new alliance will...

Worthington acquires Lefco Industries.(Vendor News)
November 1, 2007... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Worthington Industries' subsidiary, Worthington Steelpac Systems LLC, has acquired a 49% interest in Lefco Industries LLC, a minority business enterprise (MBE). The new joint venture, Lefco Worthington LLC, will...

Raymond publications win awards.(Vendor News)(Raymond Corp. (Greene, New York) received award)(Rare Bird award from the Center for Information-Development Management)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... GREENE, N.Y. -- The Raymond Corp.'s Technical Publications group received the Rare Bird award from the Center for Information-Development Management (CIDM) for its new XML process development initiative. Raymond is the first material handling...

Hyster offers buying tips.(Vendor News)
November 1, 2007... GREENVILLE, N.C. -- Hyster Co. recently launched a new Web site that offers lift truck buying tips and information about safety, operation and maintenance, the company said. The site, www.trucktruth.com, is billed as an "online resource...

CEMA reports order increases.(Association News)(Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association increase in shipment of conveyors)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... NAPLES, Fla. -- The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) reported its September booked orders index increased 54% from the August index. The September index increased 11% from the previous year. The 12-month index for booked...

AIM launches education program.(Association News)
November 1, 2007... WARRENDALE, Pa. -- AIM Global is launching an "aggressive" RFID outreach effort in the U.S. to educate the general public and policymakers about radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies. Themed "RFID: Making the World a Better...

Customize your lift trucks.(Product Focus)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The standard lift truck is material handling's most fundamental and versatile equipment. Still, one size does not fit all, and working environment is everything. High noise levels, limited aisle space, heavy...

Reduce Pallet damage.(Product Focus)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Pallet Dawg, developed with input from CHEP (Orlando, Fla.) engineersby Raymond Corp. (Greene, N.Y.), specifically addresses challenges suppliers and retailers have with damaged pallets by reducing hard contact...

Protection from the elements.(Product Focus)(Crown Equipment Corp. introduced ThermoAssist and ThermoAssist+)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Crown Equipment Corp. (New Bremen, Ohio) introduces ThermoAssist and ThermoAssist+ lift truck accessories designed for cold-storage warehouse environments. ThermoAssist, designed for reach trucks in freezer...

Pallet detector.(Product Focus)
November 1, 2007... The new Model PD-1C Pallet Detector from Sky-Trax Inc. (New Castle, Del.) indicates pallet acquisition on board lift trucks with an electronic signal. Designed primarily for use with automated systems requiring digital "load on-board" and "no...

Broom attachment.(Product Focus)(TrynEx International product information)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... TrynEx International (Warren, Mich.) offers its SweepEx Mega 720 broom attachment, featuring a 72-inch-long mainframe, for cleaning up dirt, leaves, snow, material spills, standing water, steel shavings and gravel. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Massage cushion.(Product Focus)
November 1, 2007... A lift truck massage and heat cushion from Vestil Manufacturing Corp. (Angola, Ind.) improves operator comfort during long sitting periods, the company says. The cushion is attached to the lift truck seat with elastic straps and includes a...

Remote hour meter.(Product Focus)
November 1, 2007... The remote hour meter from Hyster Co. (Greenville, N.C.) automatically tracks lift truck run time, saving time and effort traditionally spent on maintenance and manual product checks, according to the company. The remote hour meter requires...

Drum handler.(Product Focus)(Liftomatic Material Handling Inc launched product)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Liftomatic Material Handling Inc. (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) offers a mechanical lift truck attachment for handling 30-, 55- and 85-gallon steel drums. The attachment, which fits directly to the forks, uses a "Parrot-Beak" clamping system and...