James Jones
Apr20

Automation and Humans: Will we be replaced?

Many businesses and workers share a global cautiousness about automation. Yet the reality of robotics and autonomous solutions, such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), presents a powerful opportunity to work smarter together. Work redefined: collaborating not competing This isn’t about machines stealing jobs; it’s about businesses strategically reallocating resources and empowering their workforce to focus on tasks that...

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Garry Bartecki, CFO of employee-owned Illini Hi-Reach and Material Handling Wholesaler Bottom Line monthly columnist
Jan20

You know what they say…..

I hope you had a splendid holiday week!  There certainly were plenty of football games to watch. Besides a wicked hockey schedule related to my grandson’s two players, which is tough to handle when you have two players on different teams, it was a fun weekend and a relaxing Christmas week. I spent a lot of time thinking about all the issues I mentioned in last month’s column and how they will impact the markets I follow,...

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Manufacturers and Dealers need to embrace a new set of opportunities in 2025

As another December has arrived and 2024 winds down, you may be reflecting on a year filled with growth, innovation, and evolving challenges that you are facing in the industry and your local market. The close of one year offers a unique opportunity to assess the past and set sights on the future. Looking ahead to 2025, it’s clear that the industry will continue to face rapid changes, from advancements in technology to shifts in...

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A Practical Guide to Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor Preventive Maintenance

Even the most dependable equipment benefits from regular inspections by a qualified technician. These inspections can help prevent unexpected downtime and keep your operation running smoothly. Crush Downtime with Preventive Maintenance Preventative maintenance is your secret weapon against downtime. It’s like that ounce of prevention that saves you a pound of trouble (and a hefty repair bill). Here’s why a well-defined preventive...

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Enhancing Safety in the material handling area with Linde Reverse Assist Radar for Forklifts

Forklifts are essential to the efficiency of warehouse operations, often moving heavy loads and navigating through narrow aisles. However, operating forklifts comes with inherent risks, especially when reversing. Studies have shown that more than half of all industrial truck accidents happen when the vehicle reverses. This is primarily due to the driver’s limited view of the rear and blind spots. The challenge intensifies when...

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Saluting Women in Material Handling: Champions of Industry Innovation and Excellence

As the material handling industry evolves and grows, so do the ranks of professionals within the business. This month, Material Handling Wholesaler spotlights some women’s work in the material handling industry. Those who participated in the article talked about their history in the business, shared thoughts on where the industry is today, and discussed changes they envision in the near future. Jeannette Walker Walker, currently...

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Forklift Cities – USA – Where forklifts are built in America

Where are forklifts made? Contrary to the prevailing notion that little is manufactured in the USA nowadays, the majority of forklifts sold in the country are, in fact, domestically produced by diverse manufacturers. While some forklift OEMs have shuttered factories in past decades, numerous others have established new manufacturing plants in places like Berea, Kentucky, New Bremen, Ohio, and other small towns throughout the...

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