Modern Materials Handling articles from May 2005

Modern Materials Handling archives from May 2005

Ridge joins Savi board.(BREAKING NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... TOM RIDGE HAS JOINED THE BOARD of directors of RFID supplier Savi Technology, Inc. (www.savi.com). The nation's first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and former Governor of Pennsylvania, Ridge was instrumental in the formation...

RedPrairie acquired by equity fund.(BREAKING NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW)
May 1, 2005... THERE'S MORE SHAKEUP IN THE SOFTWARE segment as RedPrairie has been acquired by Francisco Partners, a tech-focused private equity fund. The move, according to RedPrairie, will enhance the software supplier's capitalization, dedicating more...

Toyota, BT--one entity.(BREAKING NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... After five years of autonomous operation despite singular ownership, lift truck suppliers Toyota and BT Industries Group have created a single global organization--Toyota Material Handling Group (TMHG)--with one joint management structure and...

RFID center assists Wal-Mart suppliers.(BREAKING NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Wal-Mart suppliers will need all the help they can get to comply with the mega-retailer's migration to RFID technology. And now they have found an ally in the academic world. The RFID Center at the University of Arkansas has dedicated...

Fast fact.
May 1, 2005... More than 50% of companies crossdock less than 20% of goods Source: Kurt Salmon & Assoc.

The bigger picture.(MY VIEW)(Editorial)
May 1, 2005... SOMETIMES WHEN YOU GET INTO A DISCUSSION about supply chains, the focus is on everything except materials handling. Try to bring it up and you might hear, "We're talking bigger picture. Not just what happens within the four walls." ...

Event: stage set for D/C Expo; RFID and supply chain execution remain priorities for end users at this month's event.(NEWS & TRENDS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... NORTH AMERICA'S largest supply chain IT event is ready to open its doors once again to more than 2,000 attendees in Chicago, May 17 through May 19. Founded in 1983, D/C Expo has enjoyed a resurgence lately due to the up tick in the...

Tags: Gen II on target for Q III.(NEWS & TRENDS)
May 1, 2005... To read the press releases from companies touting RFID solutions utilizing the Gen II specification, one might think new products are about to hit distributor's shelves. In reality, a great deal of progress has been made but there's still...

Outsourcing: study finds 3PLs searching for differentiation.(NEWS & TRENDS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... As an industry being most often characterized as mature, third-party logistics (3PL) suppliers are searching for ways to set themselves apart from competitors. This is according to Adrian Gonzalez, director of ARC Advisory Group's Logistics...

Lift trucks: grants allow trucks to lower emissions.(NEWS & TRENDS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... As part of the Texas Railroad Commission's (TRC) initiatives to curb engine emissions, the group has imparted a substantial grant to a dealer in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area to install propane engines in 17 trucks. Dan Mowrey, forklift grant...

Awards: data capture pioneers recognized.(NEWS & TRENDS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... In recognition of his contributions to the use of automatic identification and mobility solutions, Dr. Gerd Wolfram has been named the 2005 Don Percival Award winner by AIM Global (www.aimglobal.org). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

RFID: "it's all about speed, cost".(NEWS & TRENDS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... For the 100 plus Wal-Mart suppliers shipping product with RFID tags, the initial challenge was just to get up and running. Some started with automated print-and-apply systems while many others used manual slap-and-ship. Which raises the...

Clarification: Top 20 systems suppliers update.(NEWS & TRENDS)(Correction Notice)
May 1, 2005... Due to an inaccurately supplied figure, FKI Logistex worldwide revenues for 2004 were in fact $1.61 billion, not $2.456 billion reported in our Top 20 Systems Suppliers feature in April. The revised figure does not change FKI's #2 ranking on...

Appointments/promotions.(people to know)
May 1, 2005... Appointments/promotions: James F. Lamb, vice president, marketing and sales, Drives, Inc., was re-elected president of the Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA)... ASSA ABLOY Identification Technology Group announces that Enrique...

They're giving it away: information that is. And we're all better off when certain intellectual property is shared. Really.(FOR DEALING WITH THE REAL WORLD)
May 1, 2005... MY PARTNER, STEVE MULAIK, has been working for several years compiling a master list of all of the functions that might be included in a warehouse management system (WMS). He figured that a tool like this would provide a substantial competitive...

Packexpo.com tops B2B sites: Yahoo ranks the site #1 in click-throughs.(WEB-BASED NEWS & INSIGHTS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Packaging professionals use Google, Yahoo and a handful of other search engines when looking for packaging solutions. And Packexpo.com ranks as the #1 most clicked-through site in Yahoo's business-to-business packaging category. Packexpo.com...

Conveyor standard online: standard revises conveyor operation.(WEB-BASED NEWS & INSIGHTS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) has published a revision to its industry standard for conveyor troughing and return idlers. The revision is CEMA Standard 502-2004 "Bulk Material Belt Conveyor Troughing and Return Idlers,...

NWPCA report available: a look at the past and future of the pallet group.(WEB-BASED NEWS & INSIGHTS)(National Wooden Pallet & Container Association)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) 2004 Annual Report is now available online for those unable to attend the presentation at the recent Annual Leadership Conference & Exposition in Tampa, Fla. The multimedia presentation...

Catch a sneak preview: coming soon to a monitor near you.(WEB-BASED NEWS & INSIGHTS)
May 1, 2005... The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals presents "Supply Chain Management: Careers with a Challenge," a film that will show the breadth and diversity of careers available in these challenging professions--and tools to attract...

Zebra revamps site: new design simplifies navigation.(WEB-BASED NEWS & INSIGHTS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Following a detailed redesign, Zebra Technologies Corp. has rebuilt the company's Web site. It now offers 50% more content and is easier than ever to access. Based on user feed-back during the redesign effort, the site has added direct links to...

ITA site hosts OSHA links: lift truck operating requirements just one click away.(WEB-BASED NEWS & INSIGHTS)(Industrial Truck Association)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Industrial Truck Association (ITA) is now providing links to OSHA's Web site, providing one-click access to specific industrial truck operation regulations. ITA's site also offers a link to an OSHA checklist of daily safety standards for...

It's all about the supply chain: arts and crafts retailer Michaels builds a new DC that is the centerpiece of a new supply chain strategy for its 850 stores.(warehousing/distribution)(Cover Story)
May 1, 2005... FOR MANY RETAILERS, bringing on a new distribution center seamlessly is enough of a challenge. But for arts and crafts retailer Michaels, that was only the first objective for its greenfield DC in New Lenox, Ill. The next step is to make New...

Winning team: AGVs and robots; DaimlerChrysler saves $800,000 a year using automatic guided vehicles for rapid delivery of parts to shipping.(equipment/systems)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... MANAGING THE FLOW OF MATERIALS is critical to the successful operation of DaimlerChrysler's 2.9 million square foot Sterling Stamping plant in Sterling Heights, Mich. At the facility, a fleet of 14 laser-guided tugging and towing AGVs (FMC...

Guided vehicles link two buildings: three AGVs move materials between buildings at The Whitehall Group, improving safety and productivity.(equipment/systems)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... WHEN THE WHITEHALL GROUP, a division of Cadmus Communications, built a new 125,000 square foot warehouse next to a printing plant, a system of three laser-guided AGVs (AGV Products, 704-845-1110, www.agvp.com) was the natural solution to link...

Synching up production lines: at Johnson Controls, guided vehicles provide a flexible platform for synchronizing manufacturing operations.(equipment/systems)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... IN WHITBY, ONTARIO, Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) installed a system of 99 automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) to synchronize the flow of instrument panels through its facility with the assembly schedule at nearby GM plants (Jervis B. Webb Co.,...

Orderpicking gets a face lift: this second in our makeover series offers three alternative layouts that streamline orderpicking.(materials handling makeover)
May 1, 2005... SOMETIMES, THE CONVENTIONAL APPROACH TO ORDERPICKING is more commonplace than efficient. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the layout below, workers pick an entire order using a rider pallet jack. That makes for long pick paths. In addition,...

It's better overhead: mezzanine eliminates space crunch for beauty products supplier C.B. Sullivan.(productivity solution)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... AS C.B. SULLIVAN INC. FOUND OUT ALL too quickly, 30,000 square feet of warehouse space wasn't enough to support its growing business. "We just ran out of room," says Rick Sullivan, inventory control manager at the Hooksett, N.H. company. ...

From Juarez to Cottondale: Delphi relies on automated storage to deliver automotive wiring harnesses just-in-time/just-in-sequence at the end of a 1,200-mile value chain.(manufacturing)(ARD Logistics)
May 1, 2005... SUCCESSFUL MANUFACTURERS were once focused on operating the most efficient production line in their industry. But as those operations have become optimized, just being a low-cost supplier is no longer enough. Leaders today are focusing on...

D/C Expo 2005 preview: the latest supply chain productivity tools; Exhibitors at this month's D/C Expo will display the latest developments from warehouse software to RFID.(show preview)
May 1, 2005... Retractable tethers for PDAs, bar code scanners [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gear Keeper retractable tethering systems for PDAs and bar code scanners maximize ease of use while preventing loss and damage. Units...

How to simplify and integrate for real-time information: from customer order entry to final shipment, you can manage your business in real time and meet difficult customer demands.(Interview)
May 1, 2005... * GARY FORGER: We all know it's not easy to balance limited resources and the expansion of expectations. But as you will hear from our speakers, there are steps that can be taken to first simplify and then integrate information systems in real...

A new calculation for WMS: the changes that are re-shaping the WMS industry today will impact the solutions offered to users tomorrow.(A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT)
May 1, 2005... The long-awaited consolidation among suppliers of warehouse management systems (WMS) has finally arrived. In just the last two years, six of the top twenty providers have either merged or been acquired. That in itself would raise eyebrows...

Managing your DC.(PROFILE)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... New possibilities are emerging through SINTHESIS[TM], the intelligent, order fulfillment software suite from SI Systems. Imagine, picking accuracy up to 99.95%. Throughput increases up to 70%. Return volumes cut by 80%. It's not just possible....

WennSoft offers material handling software solution.(PROFILE)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... WennSoft offers the material handling industry a suite of products designed to address the challenges that are unique to your business. By creating solutions that complement and enhance your existing processes and the people who facilitate...

Print on the go.(PROFILE)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2005... For businesses on the go, Zebra[R] mobile printers efficiently handle any job, anywhere--from forklifts to field service. Wireless LAN or Bluetooth[R]-enabled mobile printers from Zebra are IP addressable and easily integrate with your WMS and...

Shelves roll out for large parts storage.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Shelf sizes are available in heights up to 10 feet and depths of 20 feet for vertical, double-sided roll-out racks. The racks are ideal for automotive and aircraft assembly line parts. Rack capacities range from 200 to 2,000 pounds per shelf....

Rack maximizes cube use.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Double-deep storage rack is an adaptation of placing one row of exclusively selective rack behind another. While selectivity is less than with standard pallet rack, twice as many pallets are stored for a given number of aisles. Double-deep rack...

Durable selective rack.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Selective pallet racks are available in a number of frame and beam styles. Tough, roll-formed construction is available in an adjustable beam design that allows for quick, easy beam location and placement on two-inch centers. The rack features...

Maximize product density.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... A tilted pick shelf allows for maximum product density in single-deep racks, and increases access and speed in picking areas. The full shelf surface makes full use of the cube. The rack's 18-degree tilt assists in forward product flow, and...

All-purpose storage solution.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Rack systems specifically designed to handle the demands of high-volume warehouses and DCs use boltless connections. M-dividers separate vertical standing product for enhanced product frontage. Wire decking for the system is available in...

Shelving for various applications.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Clip shelving can be used for basic storage. It is comprised of heavy-gauge steel clips, angle or beaded posts, shelves and accessories. Clips engage square holes on the upright posts, forming a sturdy compression-fit support for the shelf....

Store long items.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Modular bar storage rack is designed for long bars and piping. The system allows for quick retrieval and identification without the hazard of item damage. The system uprights are built of heavy-duty, one-quarter-inch thick steel grid. The...

Multiple SKU racking solution.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(stock keeping units )(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... A carton flow racking system is gravity driven, and is well suited to applications with a large, diverse number of stock keeping units (SKUs). Stock rotates on a first-in/first-out basis. The system allows for separation of the loading,...

Heavy duty pallet rack.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... TUF pallet rack features 14-gauge steel, with heavier grades available. Pre-drilled footplates make for easier lagging while closed-lip bracing adds strength. The system is designed for heavy duty applications. Its tubular construction provides...

Heavy-duty racking.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Roll-formed racking made of ASTM high-strength, low-alloy certified structural steel is engineered to withstand heavy and repeated abuse. Assembly is easy with the help of clearly numbered scales and high-quality components, and requires no...

Strong open-back rack system.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... The Prest Lock 2 is stronger than traditional open-back rack systems by 20%, according to the supplier. Roll-formed tube construction provides added strength, is easy to install, and is interchangeable with all major teardrop-style products on...

Versatile flow racks.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Flow racks feature steel tubing with double the wall thickness of similar products. The benefit is lower design and labor costs because fewer fittings and tubing are needed for a given structural requirement. Two versions are available. One...

Move your rack around.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Portable racking units offer flexibility and added working area when not in use. Rack posts can be removed and the entire unit collapsed. The system can be reconfigured during a subsequent floor layout. Racks can be moved simultaneously to...

Portable racks are flexible.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Portable storage racks combine efficiency, flexibility and safety into one versatile rack system. When not in use, Nestainer racks "nest away," converting storage space into usable floor space. The rack system improves labor efficiency and...

All-purpose bins.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Classic Open Hopper Stack and Lock bins are all-purpose and made from high impact polystyrene. The bins affix to one another, and hang on louvered panels, rails and carts to form an efficient system for storing parts. The bins can also be used...

Rack stores long items.(FOCUSON Manual storage)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Specifically designed to handle heavy loads of multiple types of bars, structural shapes and sheared blanks, bar racks offer the ideal solution no matter what type of crane service is available. The system is built of rugged, heavy-duty all...

Stretch wrap with touchscreen.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Stretch wrapper touchscreens, now standard with all of the supplier's automated systems, features five preprogrammed patterns. In addition, patterns can be changed on the fly by the user. The control includes alarm history, help screens and...

Voice direction leads picking operations.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... DirectPick voice-directed picking offers flexible picking solutions for customized user needs. The technology is available for a variety of applications from order entry to replenishment. The system allows users to manage picking assignments,...

Conveyor takes corners.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... The belt curve is ideal for complex conveyor layouts or airport baggage handling applications. A positive head-drive guarantees reliable transport at a maximum speed of 492 feet per minute. The rollers are cylindrical so that upstream and...

Overhead space maximized.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Make use of unused overhead space with the Power Column 2 vertical lift module (VLM). The system delivers a high-density, small-footprint storage and retrieval solution for small parts. Vertical travel speeds range from 29 to 55 inches per...

Lift from both sides of the aisle.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... The EKX 410 lift truck provides the ability to stack and retrieve pallets from both sides of narrow aisles with a 180-degree swing mast. The truck features an adjustable driver's cab for a guaranteed unobstructed view at all times. Operators...

Protecting shipments with air.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... With speeds up to 72 feet/minute, the Pillow Pak'r produces 24-inch wide pillows filled with air. Each roll of pillow film makes two, 1,000 square foot bundles of inflated cushions. An optional foot pedal or a film sensor can be used to...

High-speed robotic palletizer.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... The KR 100-2 PA's carbon-fiber composite arm is lighter and faster, increasing throughput. The robot is designed for high-speed, medium-payload palletizing tasks for loads up to 220 pounds and 25-feet high. A small footprint and high vertical...

Chain hoist touts safety, longevity.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Overload protection, upper and lower limit switches and brake monitoring are standard on an electric chain hoist capable of lifting loads of 550 pounds to 9 feet. High-cycling motors and single-fall chain ensure a long operating life....

Safer tread stairs.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... The alternating tread stairs offer a shorter span between steps and handrails on each side of the unit. Steps feature raised surfaces for better grip and a safety chain affixed at the top step diminishes the possibility of falls. The welded...

Integrated slap-and-ship.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... The RFID Plug-and-Comply system is designed to integrate slap-and-ship equipment into the existing space and workflow. The system includes either the 360RW RFID applicator, which will validate, write and affix RFID labels in a single process,...

Smooth edge corrugated plastic.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... Milseal 2 seals heavy-duty 8 mm corrugated plastic sheets for lightweight, durable contaminant-free material. The seal creates a smooth edge that will not cut or scrape hands or scratch parts. The system is a lightweight replacement for wood,...

Improve safety at dock doors.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... The Dok-Guardian safety barrier provides a four-foot high visual barrier across the door opening that dock personnel can easily see. By helping protect employees and materials handling equipment from falling off vacant loading docks, the...

Increased holding power.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Buyers Guide)
May 1, 2005... The SPS-75 Shrink Packer's tunnel utilizes advanced heat and airflow management technology to deliver tightly wrapped packages for maximum integrity and appearance. The system removes the gaps that compromise pack pattern accuracy and...

60 seconds with ... Lloyd Wallsten on how to avoid ending your career with the start up of a new DC.(one-on-one interview)(Brief Article)(Interview)
May 1, 2005... In the past five years, I've started up five DCs. Two of them were here at Converse. And no, they did not overlap each other. To do that is sheer madness. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] About two startups ago, it occurred to me that they are...