Modern Materials Handling articles from November 2006

Modern Materials Handling archives from November 2006

60 seconds with...(Cott Beverages Ltd. implemented supply chain software)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... By Staff Jeff Stites on what can be done to improve supply chain visibility. You have to start with the right people who understand the problems in balancing demand and supply. They will develop the processes that will allow you to...

Lift truck attachment basics.
November 1, 2006... By Sara Pearson Specter, Editor at Large Lift truck handling of pallet and palletless loads requires different attachments. Here are the details of the various types and how they can reduce costs and improve handling efficiencies. Any...

The new retail supply chain.(warehouse management system)
November 1, 2006... By Bob Trebilcock, Editor at Large The retail supply chain now extends all the way to the retail shelf. So does the software that gets inventory there. Out of stock. Those may be the three most important words in the retail supply...

Eliminating the bottleneck.(ink jet case coding system)(Editorial)
November 1, 2006... By Bob Trebilcock, Editor at Large If a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, then in manufacturing, throughput is determined by the least efficient operation. That's why any bottleneck can have an impact beyond its area. At...

Retail supply chain rehab.(Editorial)
November 1, 2006... By Gary Forger, Editorial Director It's early November and I just finished reading a story that says price wars are ahead as retailers battle out the holidays. Basically, the consumer was not as strong in October as had been hoped. And...

Best bets for productivity.(Editorial)
November 1, 2006... By Corinne Kator, Associate Editor CSCMP conference speakers recommend equipment and technology investments for increasing productivity in the warehouse. Does a warehouse management system (WMS) direct putaway and replenishment in your...

Hydrogen set to take off.(use of fuel cells in lift trucks)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... By Staff "It's time to start thinking about fuel cells in your lift trucks," says Steve Medwin, manager of advanced research at Raymond Corp. ( www.raymondcorp.com ). Medwin hosted a session on hydrogen fuel cell technology at the annual...

SPX Dock Products sold to management team.(Wynnchurch Capital Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... By Staff In a move six months in the making, SPX Corp. has sold its dock products business to that division's existing management team and private equity firm Wynnchurch Capital. The new company, which will continue to be based in...

Lift truck sales climb worldwide.(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... By Staff From North America to Europe and Asia, it's been a good year for lift trucks. That's the report from the recent Industrial Truck Association's ( www.indtrk.org ) "President's Forum." There, leaders of the truck...

What's driving retail DCs today.(Dematic introduces the C-L series of modular conveyors)
November 1, 2006... By Staff There's no question that wholesale/retail distribution today is challenging for those who manage it. Quite simply, more, smaller orders are slated for shipment from the DC in ever-shrinking time frames. But that's only the...

HK Systems expands, hires COO.(chief operation officer)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... By Staff Materials handling system supplier HK Systems ( www.hksystems.com ) is expanding its business and making changes to its management structure. In addition to its recent acquisition of AGV Products (see...

Futuristic lift trucks at Logis-Tech Tokyo.(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... By Staff Safety and ecology were the themes of Logis-Tech Tokyo 2006, held Sept. 12-15. And those themes were certainly evident in the industrial trucks on display at the show, says Dick Ward, who attended Logis-Tech on behalf of...

Fortna and Q4 merge.
November 1, 2006... By Staff Fortna ( www.fortna.com ), the Tennessee-based materials handling consulting firm, is merging with California-based supply chain systems integrator Q4 ( www.q4logistics.com ). Beginning this month, Q4 will operate as the...

Focus on RFID products.(Epicor Software Corp.)(Symbol Technologies Inc.)(Zebra Technologies Corp.)
November 1, 2006... By Staff Compact mobile reader Staff The RD5000 compact, mobile Gen 2 RFID reader can be integrated with forklifts, pallet jacks, stretchwrappers, and other materials handling equipment, and used in various...

Product showcase.(FastPic Systems)(Vi-Cas Manufacturing)(Arbor Automation)
November 1, 2006... By Staff RFID case receiving line for efficient processing Staff An RFID case receiving line, the EasyInbound, efficiently and accurately processes both RFID labeled and non-RFID labeled cases. As the boxes move down the...

New drives control high-speed palletizers.
November 1, 2006... By Staff A high-speed palletizer's upgrade includes variable speed drives to control different functions, including the demanding vertical lift assembly. Heavy-duty palletizers put up with a lot. Each time one stacks another layer...

Warehouse giants.(growth due to business expansion)(Editorial)
November 1, 2006... By Corrine Kator, Associate Editor Our annual review shows the companies leading the way in North American warehouse space in private, 3PL and public refrigerated/freezer operations. North American distribution and warehousing space in...

Warehousing wisdom.
November 1, 2006... By Staff The best warehouse manger is a disciplined warehouse manager, according to Ken Ackerman, president of K.B. Ackerman Co. ( www.warehousing-forum.com ). The industry veteran shared such gems of wisdom throughout his session,...

Linde sells lift truck division.(Linde AG sells materials handling division to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... By Staff Linde AG has sold its materials handling division, which it recently renamed the Kion Group ( www.kiongroup.com ), to investment firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners for [euro]4 billion...

Pellegrino receives Cahners award.(John Pellegrino receives 2006 Norman L. Cahners Award )(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... By Staff John Pellegrino, president of rack manufacturer Ridg-U-Rak ( www.ridgurak.com ), received the 2006 Norman L. Cahners Award from the Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. (MHEFI, www.mhia.org/et ). According to MHEFI,...

Materials handling heroes.(Southworth Products Corp introduces productivity brochure )(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... By Staff Pete the production manager learns he must increase productivity or the corporation will close his facility and outsource the work to China. Just then, his friends Matt Handling and Flo Matterz arrive on the scene to suggest...

Learning from experience at McGraw-Hill Education.(McGraw-Hill Education builds an industrial facility)
November 1, 2006... By Corrine Kator, Associate Editor Stretched to capacity, McGraw-Hill Education built another DC that has trimmed labor and costs per unit while increasing inventory. We've all seen the buzz of activity on the first day of...