Carolina Handling approved as DOD SkillBridge partner
Carolina Handling has been approved by the U.S. Department of Defense as a DOD SkillBridge Authorized Organization to provide job training opportunities for military service members transitioning to the civilian workforce. DOD SkillBridge allows active-duty service members and select groups of the National Guard and Reserves within 180 days of their separation date the opportunity to gain civilian work experience through job training, employment skills training, apprenticeships, and internships and gives industry partners access to a highly trained and motivated workforce at no cost. “Being approved as a DOD SkillBridge partner is an exciting step for Carolina Handling and our recruiting team,” said Corporate Recruiter Catie Beth Bishop. “Hiring continues to be a challenge in all verticals, but especially competitive in the field service technician position. DOD SkillBridge is a cost-effective talent acquisition pipeline that provides access to highly trained individuals with technical skills and strong teamwork and leadership experience.” Service members participating in SkillBridge programs continue receiving their military compensation and benefits, allowing employers time to evaluate the service member’s suitability for future employment. Service members can be granted up to 180 days of permissive duty to focus solely on training full-time with approved industry partners. Almost 13 percent of Carolina Handling associates served or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. In November 2023, Carolina Handling was named a veteran-friendly employer by the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs. Also in 2023, the company became a participant in Recruit Military, a national platform that connects employers to military job seekers via services such as contingency recruiting, career fairs, and job boards.
New piCOBOT® plug & play configuration for FANUC CRX cobots
Piab continues the journey to make our foremost cobot tool family available to all end users. We now offer piCOBOT® and piCOBOT®L in completely FANUC CRX adapted versions. Plug & Play in every aspect. Piab‘s clever end-of-arm-tool piCOBOT® has so far had almost a decade of prosperity on the market for cobot equipment. Parts of the success relate to the unit itself – its compact yet user-friendly design and unparalleled precision. And of course, its capacity. Despite its limited weight, only 1.5 lbs [720 g], this EOAT can lift objects of up to 15.4; bs [7kg]. In 2022, the success was followed by the even more powerful model piCOBOT®L, with a lifting capacity of up to 135 lbs [6 kg]. Since their respective premieres, piCOBOT®® and piCOBOT®L have been suited to fit several different cobot manufacturers specifically, one of which being FANUC – partner from some previous adaptations. “Following our certified piCOBOT® and piCOBOT®L adaptations for FANUC’s CR4/CR7 and LR Mate 200 robots, it was natural to apply the same matched setup on their CRX range. And it’s exactly where we have landed today – true plug and play!”, says Madeleine Sheikh, product manager of Piab Vacuum Automation division. The new Fanuc CRX configuration is a full package including a software plug-in, mechanical interface, specified cabling and compressed-air hosing, which as a whole will support safe and easy-to-use cobot interaction for the end customer. Naturally, when it comes to Piab solutions, the setup is accompanied by our ever-expanding range of suction cups and accessories, ensuring tailor-made applications for any context. “Our fresh piCOBOT® and piCOBOT®L packages are fully tested, approved, and certified by FANUC as CRX devices and will be sold as such”, concludes Madeleine Sheikh. Apart from being cobot equipment marketed by FANUC, piCOBOT® and piCOBOT®L are available on piab.com, fully configurable with the CRX package as a complement to previous adaptations.
SupplyOne expands beyond the U.S. with its acquisition of Crownhill Packaging
SupplyOne, Inc., an independent supplier of corrugated and other value-added packaging products, equipment, and services in the U.S., announced that it has acquired Crownhill Packaging, a North American packaging distributor headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Crownhill Packaging was founded in 1986 and is one of North America’s largest full-service packaging distributors. It has grown to include four locations in Canada and the U.S., including the Chicago area. Crownhill offers a full portfolio of customized packaging solutions to customers and is highly regarded for its custom packaging capabilities, sustainable product offerings and customer-oriented service. Key customer segments serviced by Crownhill include public sector agencies, industrial products, consumer goods and e-commerce. “The acquisition of Crownhill Packaging is an exciting step in the execution of our growth strategy,” said Todd Renehan, President and CEO of SupplyOne. “As our first international acquisition, the company’s go to market strategy offers a significant opportunity to grow and expand in one of the largest metro areas in North America. We are delighted to welcome Crownhill Packaging’s capable employees into the SupplyOne family.” “Our service-oriented approach to customers aligns perfectly with the culture of SupplyOne, and we are delighted to be able to expand our product offering and geographic reach as part of the SupplyOne family,” said Rodney Taylor, Vice President of Crownhill Packaging. This acquisition represents the 39th addition to the SupplyOne portfolio in its 25 years in business. With 18 corrugated production facilities and 45 distribution centers across North America, the company offers a national (and now international) footprint of corrugated and packaging capabilities under one roof with a dedicated focus on local marketplaces. Each region services its customers directly, offering in-person sales support, inventory management and equipment service. “SupplyOne’s service platform delivers personalized support with a robust manufacturing and distribution foundation. We’re enthusiastic about expanding our customer and vendor relationships, diversifying our product offerings, and pursuing further growth through acquisitions in Canada,” said Ken Wong, Vice President of Crownhill Packaging.
Brian Nowak and Andrew A.O. Brown leading PTDA in 2024
The recently-elected 2024 Board of Directors and Manufacturer Council of the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) begin their leadership terms. Brian Nowak, president & CEO, Kurz Industrial Solutions (Neenah, Wis.) assumes the leadership of the association as President. Nowak began volunteering for PTDA in 2015, serving on the Education & Training Committee. Since then, he has joined various committees and task forces and has been a member of the Board since 2020. “I look forward to leading PTDA in continuing conversations addressing the changing needs of our membership,” says Nowak. “Following the launch of several pivotal programs in 2023, we have a great foundation on which to continue to develop and deliver essential resources to help those in our industry achieve success.” Joining Nowak on the 2024 PTDA Board of Directors are: Immediate Past President Mike McLain, vice president, Allied Bearing & Supply, Inc. (Harahan, La.) First Vice President Bill Shepard, vice president, BDI (Cleveland, Ohio) Second Vice President Jim Jeffiers, vice president, Central States Area & U.S. Energy Subsidiaries, Applied Industrial Technologies (Cleveland, Ohio) Treasurer JP Bouchard, vice president, General Bearing Service, Inc. (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) Manufacturer Council Chair Andrew A.O. Brown, vice president, Whittet-Higgins Company (Central Falls, R.I.) Manufacturer Council Vice Chair Sara Zimmerman, vice president business development, Sumitomo Machinery Corp. of America (Chesapeake, Va.) PTDA Foundation President Matt Pavlinsky, director PT Products, Applied Industrial Technologies (Cleveland, Ohio) EPTDA President Luca Martelli, CEO, TRM (Bologna, Italy) Directors: Jeff Cloud, president & CEO, IBT Industrial Solutions (Shawnee Mission, Kan.) Chester Collier, senior vice president, Walter Surface Technologies (Pointe Claire, Quebec, Canada) Tom Holtry, senior director, strategic sales support, Motion (Birmingham, Ala.) Sarah Musser, president, Barlett Bearing Co., Inc. (Philadelphia, Penn.) Craig Pirie, president, Daemar, Inc. (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) Joe Savage, president, Bearing Service, Inc. (Livonia, Mich.) Brown became active in PTDA committees in 2009 when he joined the Electronic Transmissions Standardization Task Force. For the past 15 years, Brown has served on various task forces and committees. He joined the Manufacturer Council in 2017 and served as vice chair in 2023. “We have a tremendous group of volunteers who bring not only a wealth of knowledge and experience, but a deep desire to better our work and industry,” says Brown. “The landscape of the PT/MC industry is dynamic, and I’m excited to be around the table with forward thinking people who are eager to bring about change when and where needed.” Joining Brown on the Manufacturer Council is: Immediate Past Chair Tammy Balogh, chief people officer, Flexco (Downers Grove, Ill.) Manufacturer Council Vice Chair Sara Zimmerman, vice president business development, Sumitomo Machinery Corp. of America (Chesapeake, Va.) Council Members: George Basel, director marketing & product management, U.S. Tsubaki Power Transmission LLC (Wheeling, Ill.) Kristian Campbell, industrial sales manager NA, Dayco Products (Roseville, Mich.) Maxine Gomez, sales manager, Belden Universal (Hillside, Ill.) Chris Gumas, director marketing, Ruland Manufacturing Co. (Marlborough, Mass.) Chris Keyser, vice president channel & segment sales, ABB Motors and Mechanical Inc. (Fort Smith, Ark.) Michael Moonan, senior vice president sales, Solve Industrial Motion Group (Charlotte, N.C.) Paul Phillips, president, Maxi-Lift, Inc. (Addison, Texas) The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is the leading global association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel. Headquartered in Chicago, PTDA represents power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $19 billion in sales and span over 2,500 locations. PTDA members also include manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry. PTDA is dedicated to providing exceptional networking, targeted education, relevant information and leading-edge business tools to help distributors and manufacturers meet marketplace demands competitively and profitably.
Caldwell hires Berman, Schroeder returns
The Caldwell Group Inc. has made two significant appointments in Teddy Berman and Jay Schroeder. Berman, regional sales manager, joins Caldwell as it’s first ever hire as a direct employee in a territory; until now, the company has worked via sales agents. Schroeder, western sales manager, returns to a business he left last March, with a focus on Caldwell’s RUD line of material handling and lifting devices. Berman brings over 10 years of sales and business development experience from leading companies such as Konecranes America. He will work primarily from his home office in South Carolina with frequent travel to customers. He will be spread across Caldwell, J.C. Renfroe, and RUD brands. Berman, who will cover the Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee, said: “I came to Caldwell for the exciting opportunity to be a part of the organization’s growth, especially with their clear focus on the continuous improvement of the customer experience. The strong reputation of these three brands in the material handling industry is also something I look forward to representing and helping to build. “I’ll work hard to support both our distributors and end users alike, depending on the specific case requirements and project complexity. The wide-ranging product lines represent endless opportunities for new applications and solutions to make our end users’ operations safer and more productive.” Darrin Noe, director of sales and marketing, said: “Teddy is charismatic, bringing to the company a perfect blend of personality, energy, and technical ability. Significantly, he is our first hire as a direct Caldwell employee in a territory.” Schroeder will be laser-focused on the RUD line, further raising the U.S. profile of a range of rigging products that is already considered best-in-class in Europe and elsewhere in the world. Caldwell already partners with the RUD Group to unite their sales and marketing activities in North America for RUD material handling and lifting devices within a common organization. The RUD portfolio includes slings and lifting points for the most complex tasks for integration into almost any application. Schroeder said: “The reason I came back is the culture at Caldwell and the ability to go back to selling RUD products. They are the best lifting points in the industry, and they allow me to help customers solve their lifting concerns. I think the biggest challenge is to let the distributors and end users know that Caldwell has made a significant investment in inventory, supported by our in-stock program. “RUD is a high-quality, Germany-manufactured product, so it takes a certain type of company to be able to deliver it here in North America, keeping lead times short and stock levels high, close to the point of use. The timing is perfect to reintroduce RUD to the market with the emphasis on telling everyone we are here—and here to stay.” Noe added: “High-level technical knowledge on the RUD product is something we sorely missed after Jay’s departure. He has immediately stepped back in and helped our organizational efforts, with a sharpened focus on the broad RUD catalog.” Meanwhile, Caldwell has also recruited to several other sales-focused positions, as Noe enthused: “We are excited about plans for the year and ownership continues to invest in many facets of the organization. “In 2024, we are upping the ante for every customer-facing interaction, making sure distributors and end users find it easier to do business with Caldwell than any other lifting manufacturer. Assembling the right team is a critical piece of that mission, and Teddy, Jay, and other recent internal sales team hires, fully support that mission.”
Change your thinking and create a culture that people don’t want to leave
Five steps to turn negative thoughts into positive actions Do you have a Negative Nancy (NN) or Toxic Tim (TT) that you’re keeping longer than you should? Would you let them go if you weren’t so short staffed? One Negative Nancy or Toxic Tim infiltrates the whole company and it spreads throughout, affecting everyone. Think of it like this: You attend a meeting that NN was in. When you leave, you approach Positive Polly and share with Positive Polly, “It’s so frustrating dealing with NN. Why is she still here? All we do is constantly listen to her babble and unhappiness.” Before you know it, you become a Negative Nancy, and Positive Polly sees the impact the original NN has made on you and the team. It only takes one person thinking negatively to bring the whole environment, culture, and team down. In order to help you, Positive Polly shares the following. You have 60,000 thoughts a day and 80% of them are negative. These come in the form or doubt, worry and stress and are linked to poor attitudes, declining engagement, and poor performance. Most people think they are positive and optimistic, yet negativity shows and they don’t recognize it. In fact, 95% of your thoughts are repetitive. So, all of the negative thoughts keep getting repeated, impacting how you show up, speak out, lead, and live. Your thoughts are the fundamental foundation of everything you do and everything you don’t do, yet often times you don’t think about them. When was the last time you thought about what you thought about? If you’re like most people you think the same way you’ve always thoughts, resulting in the same behaviors, actions, and results. If you want to change relationships, communication, interactions, your confidence, you must first change how you think. Once you change that, then everything else will change as well. Here is a five-step process to help you change your thoughts to invoke different actions, behaviors and results and develop a positive work environment. Identify—Recognize your thoughts. There’s an exercise to help you very specifically identify your negative thoughts. It’s called the Stand up/Sit down exercise. This is a great exercise to do as a team. Have someone read a set of statements. For every statement you agree with, you will move your body. Everyone starts in a stand-up position. For example, if the first statement is “If you’re ever thought you’re not smart enough,” and you agree, you’ll sit down. If you disagree with the statement, you’ll remain as you were. If the next statement is, “If you’ve ever thought you don’t have enough time,” and you agree, you’ll move (either stand up or sit down depending on what you did for the first statement). This repeats for every statement read (there should be about 15 statements read). During this activity, you can expect to hear laughter evoke from your group, as they are moving for most of them, which shows that negative thinking arises without you consciously knowing. And you have a lot more of them than you believe. Write it—Once you’ve identified your negative thoughts, it’s important to write them down. Something happens in your brain when you write things down. They tend to become real, and you remember them more. So, when you write down your negative thoughts, you become more mindful when they arise. Follow the rest of the process with just one of your negative thoughts. Once you have mastered one, work on another (you don’t want to overwhelm you or burn you out on doing too many at once). Triggers—What are your triggers for your negative thinking? Triggers can be a place, situation, mood, experience, or thing. If you’ve ever had a conversation with someone and walked away saying to yourself, “Why do I even bother,” then you also know a trigger can be a person too. And many times, it is a person. Write down all of your triggers. When you’re aware of your triggers, you can be on the lookout for them. When they come up, as they will, you are armed to not allow the negative thoughts to follow. Reframe—List all the ways to reframe the negative thought. There are two ways to do this reframing. First, you can say the opposite of the negative statement. Instead of staying I’m not a good enough leader, you can say, “I’m an awesome leader.” The second way is to ask questions. For instance, what courses do I need to take to become a better leader, what leadership book should I read to improve my leadership skills or who can mentor me into being a better leader. Your brain is constantly talking to. If you say you’re not a good enough leader, your brain will validate it with all the ways that it’s true. If you say you’re an awesome leader, your brain will validate it with all the ways that it’s true. So, listening to the positive part of your brain will make all the difference in your work and life. Action—Once you have your reframing options, pick one to take action on. Nothing changes until you take action on it. Small action makes a huge difference. If you want to know the best leadership book to read, you may initially think you do not know any, however, your brain can solve that dilemma. It’ll reply with ideas to look up leadership books on Google, put a post on Facebook asking your friends for their recommendations or look up Amazon book reviews. Then it’s time to decide which action you will take (which book to order and order it). Small consistent action is key to eradicating negative thinking. The more you work through this process the more positive thoughts you have. You’ll soon recognize negative thoughts in others and can help them master their own mindset. You’ll become the Positive Polly and help develop a positive work environment that no one wants to leave. About the Author: Jessica Rector,
TIA enhances education programming with SYNC Training
The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), the only organization exclusively representing transportation intermediaries of all disciplines doing business in domestic and international commerce, is excited to announce a collaboration with Metafora’s SYNC Logistics Training to enhance TIA’s education programs, New Broker Certification and New Employee Orientation, by adding live simulations for students. With the addition of SYNC Training’s live simulations, students now have the opportunity to implement what they are learning practically without worry before reaching out to potential clients, customers, and drivers. “TIA’s Research and Education arm is always on the hunt for the best instruction so that our members can learn how best to operate and grow their businesses,” said Anne Reinke, president & CEO of TIA. “We are delighted to have added Sync Logistics Training to our team of world-class instructors. Sync will provide practical knowledge and real-life examples of how best to work with carriers, shippers and all freight stakeholders.” Students will have access to the SYNC training platform via TIA’s Learning Management System, which will improve the overall learning experience for each student to help ensure they are prepared to start scaling their business after graduation from the course. The program also corresponds and works in conjunction with best-in-class asynchronous learning modules designed by industry experts, industry-leading coaches that offer live training weekly on a myriad of topics pertinent to new brokers, as well as proven training delivery methods by TIA Education staff that helps to ensure students have the skills they need to be successful within the brokerage industry upon completion of the course. “We are excited to partner with TIA to add additional value to their already strong training by providing some of our scenario-based training,” said Ryan Schreiber, vice president of Growth & Industry at Metafora. “The scenario-based training that Sync offers helps brokers practice the skills they learn in training in a low friction environment and accelerates their ramp.
CHEP appoints Xavier Garijo to newly created CEO Americas position
CHEP, a supply chain solutions, announced the appointment of Xavier Garijo as the CEO of Americas effective Jan. 1, 2024, following the announcement that CHEP North America’s president, Laura Nador, left her role on Dec. 31, 2023. Paola Floris, President of CHEP Latin America, and Frank Bozzo, Vice President and General Manager of CHEP Canada and Pallecon North America, will continue in their current capacities and report directly to Garijo. Garijo brings 25 years of experience managing global consumer good supply chains and operations, and multi-industry global logistics businesses. He was most recently a Global Executive Board Member for Contract Logistics at DB Schenker, a German logistics provider. He was responsible for the global contract logistics business, which had a workforce of 40,000 people in 60 countries. Prior to that, Garijo worked in the U.S. and Europe, for 20 years, including managing end-to-end supply chains and operations for Revlon as Chief Supply Chain Officer and in roles of increasing responsibility with Reckitt Benckiser and Unilever. In this newly-created position, Garijo will lead the Americas region combining the previously separate CHEP North America and CHEP Latin America business units. This change reflects the increasing collaboration and interconnectivity between CHEP’s North American and Latin American operations and will help further serve CHEP’s customers and retail partners across the globe. “I am delighted to be joining Brambles as it progresses its digital transformation to ensure ongoing, profitable growth and strengthen further our customer value proposition,” said Garijo. “The business has a vital role in supply chains, which, combined with its leading approach in sustainability, provides an exceptional foundation for continued success. I look forward to working with our internal teams, customers and vendors to drive value for all stakeholders.” As the Americas region continues its transformation, the organization is grateful for the strong contributions Laura Nador, CHEP North America’s former president, delivered in driving operational and safety excellence as well as her care for CHEP’s people and customers. “Xavier is well positioned to build on Laura’s legacy and successes to serve the market needs of today and the future,” said Graham Chipchase, CEO at Brambles, CHEP’s parent company. “As the Americas region moves into this new era, Xavier’s extensive experience in global supply chains and commercial management across the fast-moving consumer goods and logistics industries make him a fantastic choice to elevate the business and lead growth.”
Upcoming online auction features like-new equipment from Colorado ‘Green Hydrogen’ R&D Facility
In court-ordered bankruptcy sale, Tiger Liquidity Services Energy Partners offers assets and IP of renewable energy firm AquaHydrex A Jan. 18 online auction by Tiger Liquidity Services Energy Partners (TLSEP), a strategic alliance between Tiger Group and Liquidity Services, brings to market assets from AquaHydrex’s 32,000-square-foot, green hydrogen prototype and R&D facility near Denver. Bidding opens at SoldTiger.com and AllSurplus.com at 10 a.m. (MT) on Thursday, Jan. 11. The event closes at 10 a.m. (MT) on Thursday, January 18. “The multimillion-dollar, court-ordered bankruptcy sale boasts many examples of high-quality, like-new machinery and equipment,” said Chad Farrell, Managing Director, Tiger Commercial & Industrial. “AquaHydrex had acquired a wide array of highly desirable laboratory, R&D and test and measurement equipment, making this online bankruptcy auction a strong opportunity for buyers in multiple sectors,” Farrell noted. “We also anticipate strong energy-sector interest in the gas-processing equipment that AquaHydrex employed as part of its electrolysis-based approach to extracting hydrogen from H2O.” “The sale features AquaHydrex’s intellectual property assets, such as patents, blueprints, proprietary tooling, molds, and more,” added Nick Jimenez, Vice President of Global Business Development at Liquidity Services. “In the renewable energy space, there is intense interest in—and government incentives for—green hydrogen. These IP assets could be valuable to operators looking to capitalize on these opportunities.” Lab equipment available in the auction includes autoclaves, environmental chambers, vacuum-tube furnaces, ovens, electron microscopes, spraying systems, chillers, fume hoods, mixers, surface plates, lab scales, glassware and more. Among the test and measurement assets are spectrometers, spectrophotometers, oscilloscopes, multimeters, tensile testers, digital micrometers (large quantity), calipers, gauges, inspection equipment, battery testers, inspection microscopes and more. The available R&D equipment includes: Matrix Technologies 10-cell hydrogen/oxygen process skid Clamping rig with 1- to 10-cell capacity (6,000 amps with hydraulic pump) Melco Steel autoclaves Agilent and MKS spectrometers Maccor Series 4000 battery tester Two unused 7,000-amp DC power supplies AquaHydrex operated an extensive machine shop at the Colorado facility. Available in the auction are: Haas vertical CNC milling machines Laser welders Lathes, spot welders, industrial robots, variable-speed band saws, drill presses, blasters, shop presses Sanders, grinders, bench vices, air compressors, parts cabinets, dust collectors, engine hoists, tooling, toolboxes Hundreds of cordless and manual hand tools Finally, a large quantity of plant support, material handling and office and IT assets are available in the bankruptcy auction. AquaHydrex was launched in 2012 and obtained substantial investment backing. Relying on renewable forms of energy such as solar and wind, AquaHydrex focused on deriving green hydrogen from water electrolysis, thereby assisting in the decarbonization of industrial operations, transportation, agriculture and other sectors. Inspections are available on Wed., Jan. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (MT). To arrange an inspection or obtain other information, email [email protected] or call 805 497-4999. Bidders must register in advance. For asset photos, descriptions, and other information, visit SoldTiger.com For more information and to view the available equipment, go to AllSurplus.com.
U.S. Rail Traffic for the week ending January 6, 2024
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending January 6, 2024. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 417,257 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.3 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending January 6 were 208,176 carloads, up 0.9 percent compared with the same week in 2023, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 209,081 containers and trailers, up 3.7 percent compared to 2023. Seven of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2023. They included chemicals, up 2,858 carloads, to 29,083; farm products excl. grain, and food, up 1,199 carloads, to 16,362; and grain, up 1,083 carloads, to 21,667. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2023 were motor vehicles and parts, down 2,318 carloads, to 9,429; coal, down 2,190 carloads, to 61,747; and nonmetallic minerals, down 1,662 carloads, to 24,312. For the first week of 2024, U.S. railroads reported a cumulative volume of 208,176 carloads, up 0.9 percent from the same point last year; and 209,081 intermodal units, up 3.7 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first week of 2024 was 417,257 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 2.3 percent compared to last year. North American rail volume for the week ending January 6, 2024, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads totaled 307,010 carloads, up 1.3 percent compared with the same week last year, and 304,136 intermodal units, up 12.5 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 611,146 carloads and intermodal units, up 6.6 percent. North American rail volume for the first week of 2024 was 611,146 carloads and intermodal units, up 6.6 percent compared with 2023. Canadian railroads reported 85,204 carloads for the week, up 2.2 percent, and 59,601 intermodal units, down 1.5 percent compared with the same week in 2023. For the first week of 2024, Canadian railroads reported a cumulative rail traffic volume of 144,805 carloads, containers, and trailers, up 0.7 percent. Mexican railroads reported 13,630 carloads for the week, up 2.5 percent compared with the same week last year, and 35,454 intermodal units, up 329.9 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first week of 2024 was 49,084 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 127.8 percent from the same point last year. To view the Rail Traffic charts, click here.
Episode 451: Unlocking 3PL growth with Joe McIntyre of Twelve48
Joe McIntyre, the founder and principal of Twelve48, joins this episode of The New Warehouse to discuss the logistics and fulfillment world. This episode delves into McIntyre’s extensive experience and the innovative approach Twelve48 takes toward optimizing 3PL and brand relationships. Be sure to tune in to explore McIntyre’s journey through the industry, the inception of Twelve48, and why football great Mike Singletary may have a bone to pick with him. The Journey to Twelve48 McIntyre shares his career trajectory, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and the dynamic power swings between shippers and carriers. “I had a role very early in my career doing carrier partnerships and performance,” McIntyre recounts, highlighting the buzzword ‘shipper of choice’ and its influence on his career path and the founding of Twelve48. Reflecting on his stint in HR, McIntyre articulates its profound impact on his approach to operations. McIntyre stresses how this experience reshaped his understanding of operations and employee management, subsequently improving his effectiveness in leadership roles. How Twelve48 Bridges the Gap for Successful 3PL and Brand Relationships McIntyre discusses the challenges brands and 3PLs face in forming productive partnerships. “Not fully knowing who they are and therefore knowing who they need,” he notes as a standard stumbling block. In the crucial growth phase, retailers often grapple with transitioning from a scrappy, all-hands-on-deck mentality to a structured operational approach. While they excel in brand building and marketing, their supply chain and operations inexperience can strain the dynamic relationship with 3PLs. Effective communication and understanding forecasts are vital, as a retailer’s decisions significantly impact the 3PL’s capacity to manage labor and serve other clients. Conversely, 3PLs must clearly articulate their capabilities and set realistic expectations to ensure alignment with the retailer’s needs. Bridging this gap requires mutual effort, education, and a shift from viewing the relationship as merely transactional to a strategic partnership. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and communication between parties to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship. Key Takeaways from Twelve48 Value of Partnerships and Relationships: Joe discusses his early career in large retail and the importance of carrier partnerships and performance in the freight market. He emphasizes the concept of being a ‘shipper of choice’ and how providing consistency, even if it doesn’t always mean getting the lowest cost, was a critical lesson that influenced his career and the founding of Twelve48. Impact of HR Experience on Operations: Joe reflects on a pivot in his career when he moved into an HR role, focusing on employee relations at stores and warehouses. This experience was pivotal for him, providing a new perspective on people management and its critical role in operations. He learned about leadership development, the importance of creating a positive work experience, and how these factors directly impact operational efficiency and success. The Genesis and Mission of Twelve48: Joe describes the hypothesis behind starting Twelve48, driven by his encounters with brand owners who were phenomenal at product and brand development but lacked operational experience. He saw an opportunity to match brands and 3PLs and prepare them to make informed decisions. This mission was based on the observation that many great brands and 3PLs fail to connect effectively due to a lack of understanding and preparation. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 451: Unlocking 3PL Growth with Joe McIntyre of Twelve48
PTDA 2024 Industry Immersion Conference offers essential knowledge building and networking for those new to the industry
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) will host a new talent development event, the PTDA 2024 Industry Immersion Conference in Hollywood, Fla. on February 29, 2024. This intensive program is designed to help those who are new to the power transmission and motion control (PT/MC) industry grow the interpersonal skills, networking capabilities and industry essentials for building successful relationships with coworkers, executives and customers. “Every PT/MC employer wants to develop their employees into trusted and valued contributors to their team, company and customers’ success,” says John Newman, vice president sales—Americas, BDI and Industry Immersion Task Force Chair. “This event is an exceptional investment in helping new talent hone the skills they need to outperform in 2024 and beyond.” The Industry Immersion Conference is designed to advance professional perspectives and experience of emerging leaders within the PT/MC industry. The curriculum of the program has been developed by experienced members and includes: A panel discussion designed to help newcomers discover best practices when working with channel partners. Panelists include veteran PTDA members Jeff Cloud (IBT Industrial Solutions) as moderator and Barabara Ross (Pfannenberg USA), Steve Kalgreen (Akron Bearing Company, Inc.) and AnnaMarie Donaldson (Regal Rexnord). A member panel aimed to help attendees understand how to maintain relationships with customers. Jason Sorce (Bando USA, Inc.) will moderate and John Newman (BDI), Mike Pulley (Bartlett Bearing Co., Inc.) Mitch Bouchard (General Bearing Service Inc.) and Darin Davenport (Affiliated Distributors, Inc.) will serve as panelists. Additional programming will include learning about various PTDA resources and programs to assist attendees in their roles and informal networking with PTDA leadership. For more information, visit ptda.org/IndustryImmersion.
Hyster introduces two new cost-effective integrated lithium-ion forklifts
Hyster Company announces the expansion of its integrated lithium-ion forklift lineup with the addition of the three-wheel J32-40UTTL and four-wheel J30-70UTL. The UTTL and UTL are both powered by a factory-installed lithium-ion battery and provide a new avenue for electrifying forklift applications with less demanding requirements in industries such as chemicals and plastics, third-party logistics and trucking. Available in capacity ranges of 3,200-to-4,000-pounds and 3,000-to-7,000-pounds respectively, the trucks are designed to help an even broader range of operations meet sustainability targets and productivity goals through the benefits of this advanced electric power source, including zero tailpipe emissions, fast charging times, consistent power delivery and zero battery maintenance. The trucks complement existing models in the UT series and create opportunities to electrify applications when doing so had historically been cost-prohibitive. “The counterbalanced forklift market is seeing an accelerating shift towards electric, signaling electrification and sustainability as priorities across industries and in materials handling in particular. Advances in motive power, especially lithium-ion, are the catalysts driving the transition,” said James Nielson, Senior Business Product Manager for Motive Power and Electrification, Hyster. “These new UT models deliver a competitive value that makes lithium-ion more accessible to more applications, without complex warranty or support limitations.” Hyster provides service and warranties on the truck, battery, and charger for maximum uptime, productivity, and customer satisfaction. The lithium-ion battery can fully charge in about two-and-a-half hours and opportunity charging allows the trucks to work for the majority of a full day. The trucks also offer several ergonomic features, including a low step height, a small, adjustable steering wheel, and a wide-view mast that helps maximize visibility and supports operator comfort. The Hyster UT line was initially launched in 2019 with a series of lift trucks powered by internal combustion engines. The series was further expanded in 2022 with several electric warehouse models and earlier in 2023 with multiple sit-down counterbalance lead acid battery-powered trucks.
Creform to feature several of its products at 2024 Assembly Show South
Creform Corporation, a manufacturer of unique products for the design and building of material handling structures and AGVs, will showcase AGVS, gravity roller conveyors, workstations, carts, and flow racks in booth 863, at the 2024 Assembly Show South, May 1-2, 2024 Nashville, TN. Highlighting the exhibit will be gravity roller conveyors and an AGV which can control up to 50 courses with 128 commands each via HMI touch screen and built-in RFID for traffic control. The Creform System consists of over 700 components including plastic-coated steel pipe, fittings, and accessories for building AGVs, flow racks, carts, workstations, and other material handling structures. The company has over 15 gravity roller conveyors, including Placon and skatewheel. Gravity roller conveyors are effective for difficult material handling challenges because their superior construction and wide plastic wheels accommodate a broad range of applications while being noticeably quiet. AGVs, from simple bolt-on units to sophisticated low-profile tuggers. Systems can be simple loops for kit cart delivery to plant-wide material delivery that are managed by Creform’s traffic control system. Units have a variety of load ratings, configurations, and power sources. Flow racks are designed and built as single-lane parts feeders to supermarket systems for kitting. As with all Creform flow racks, capacity, size, and configurations are all custom-designed for the application. Carts, from small general-purpose push carts to model-specific kitting carts are Creform specialties. They are built using a system of 28 mm and 42 mm plastic-coated steel pipe and metal joints and can be configured for ESD (anti-static) applications. Creform workstations are built for single-person use to multi-person assembly cells. Workstations can be configured for a stand-up or a sit-down position and can be built and designed on wheels or stationary. The Creform System is used to create an array of material handling and efficiency-enhancing devices and is a proven component in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing programs. The company partners with customers in developing and enhancing these programs.
Michael Larsson announced as new president of Dematic and Member of Executive Board of KION Group AG
Dematic has announced that KION Group AG (KGX.DE) has appointed Michael Larsson as President of Dematic Corp. and Member of the Executive Board of KION Group AG. Larsson succeeds Hasan Dandashly, who has retired from the company. In his Board-assignment Larsson will also have responsibility for the KION Industrial Truck Segment (ITS) for the Americas while retaining responsibility for the Dematic Americas region. “With his responsibility for the Dematic SCS business globally and ITS in the Americas, Michael Larsson will further drive our strong commitment to profitable growth. He will expand our integrated solutions strategy on lighthouse projects with top customers,” said Rob Smith, CEO of KION GROUP AG. “It’s a very exciting time to lead Dematic, having the opportunity to work alongside an incredible team of industry experts to build upon our proud history and serving our customers. With the industry undergoing fundamental change, driving the need for increasing levels of automation, Dematic is in a great position to lead with innovative software and technology solutions. I would like to thank Hasan for his strong contributions to the company over the last five years building a strong foundation for future growth,” said Larsson. A 35-year veteran of Industrial Automation and Robotics, Larsson has a proven track-record as a strategic business leader with a focus on customers and people. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of Dematic’s Americas Region responsible for accelerating growth and driving a market-leading presence in the US, Canada, Mexico and South America. Over the past three years, as leader of the Americas Region, he successfully led the company through complex challenges during the Covid-19 Pandemic as well as historical eCommerce surges of 2021 and 2022. Prior to joining Dematic, Larsson served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of ABB’s Automotive Business Unit. During his 30-plus-years at ABB, he also served in increasing levels of executive leadership, as CFO and Business Leader across four continents. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Stockholm University School of Economics in Sweden.
November 2023 Manufacturing Technology Orders fall despite economy’s soft landing
The soft landing the U.S. economy generally experienced through 2023 did not affect all sectors of the economy evenly. Even in the face of improving economic health, orders of manufacturing technology, measured by the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, consistently fell short of orders placed in 2022. November 2023 was no different, with orders falling to $399.8 million, 10.3% lower than those placed in November 2022 and 2% behind orders placed in October 2023. Year-to-date orders reached $4.45 billion in 2023, 13.3% below the same period in 2022. Contract machine shops, the largest consumer of manufacturing technology, decreased their November 2023 orders by nearly 16% from October 2023. The decline was nearly balanced by increases from other manufacturing sectors. Of those sectors that increased orders in November, aerospace manufacturers peaked at 60% above the monthly average compared to the rest of 2023. Electrical equipment manufacturers also increased orders. Tight conditions in the labor market persisting through the holiday travel and shopping seasons necessitated additional investment in automation to help manufacturers meet consumer demand. While overall orders for the year were down compared to their near-record levels in 2022, several regions and industries saw a late-year rally, showing strong order activity through November 2023. The Northeast and South-Central regions only declined by around 2% from their 2022 totals – virtually flat compared to the steeper declines seen in other regions. The minimal comparative losses in these regions were driven by significant year-over-year growth in orders from aerospace manufacturers. The South-Central region also benefited from significant growth in orders from the automotive sector. The release of December 2023 USMTO data will determine if the November bright spots were outliers or the beginning of a rebound that could drive manufacturing technology investment into 2024.
NAW vehemently opposes Acting Secretary Su’s renomination for Secretary of Labor
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), representing the 8.2 trillion-dollar wholesale distribution industry and 6 million American workers, strongly opposes President Biden’s renomination of Julie Su for Secretary of Labor. Brian Wild, Chief Government Affairs Officer at NAW, issued the following statement: “Ms. Su’s time as Acting Secretary has been marked by a disregard for the diverse needs of both businesses and workers, evidenced in her flawed and harmful policies that threaten jobs, stifle growth, and undermine essential freedoms. The proposed overtime pay rule, with its unprecedented hike in the salary threshold, stands as a prime example. This rule, demonstrably harmful to the wholesale distribution industry – the very backbone of our nation’s supply chain – would limit employee development opportunities, diminish workplace autonomy, and restrict flexibility for millions of employees. This is not an isolated misstep. We see Acting Secretary Su’s influence on other alarming policies, like today’s new Labor Department rule redefining independent contractors, a biased regulation that threatens the flexibility and earning potential of millions of Americans. Furthermore, Ms. Su’s oversight of the Department of Labor has yielded flawed proposals like OSHA‘s proposed walkaround rule, a rule that not only fails to advance workplace safety but also violates property rights, imperils trade secrets, and endangers businesses to increased liability risks. This pattern of harmful decisions is simply unacceptable for a leader entrusted with managing an agency that has such a profound impact on our economy. NAW unequivocally calls upon President Biden to withdraw his renomination of Julie Su. We urge the President to appoint a leader who will work tirelessly to build a future where both businesses and workers can thrive.”
ELOKON promotes Mark Stanton to president & General Manager for North America
Material handling specialist to lead overall operations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for the automated forklift safety and fleet management system company, with Alex Johns taking over as vice president of sales ELOKON, Inc., an innovator in automated forklift safety and fleet management systems, has promoted senior vice president of sales Mark Stanton to the new position of president and general manager for the North American region, effective immediately. Alex B. Johns, ELOKON’s national sales director since 2021, will become the new vice president of sales for the region. Stanton joined ELOKON in May 2023, bringing more than 25 years of experience in the materials handling industry, a deep knowledge of forklift fleet management and forklift safety systems, and an impressive track record of driving growth and innovation. During the 8 months Stanton has been with the company, ELOKON has increased sales by approximately 30 percent and doubled the size of the ELOKON Inc. team. “We expected big things from Mark when we brought him on to lead our sales team in North America last May, and he most definitely delivered,” said Alexander Glasmacher, CEO, ELOKON. “His extensive knowledge of forklift fleet management and safety systems, combined with strong leadership skills and an unparalleled strategic vision, has already resulted in higher sales and stronger employee morale. Mark is the best person to run our growing business in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.” Johns poised to grow sales, increase workplace safety and productivity in expanded sales role ELOKON’s cloud-based forklift fleet management solutions and forklift safety systems are used by some of the world’s largest companies to make their warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants safer and more efficient. North America is the largest addressable market for ELOKON’s solutions, growing steadily over the last three years with Johns playing a pivotal role in the positive growth trajectory. “Alex’s performance as our sales director in the U.S. has been simply stellar, with exceptional engagement with customers large and small,” said Stanton, who works from the company’s U.S. headquarters in Atlanta. “He’s a truly supportive team leader who inspires new sales members as well as current and new customers as we help them to become safer and more productive throughout their warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants.” Prior to joining ELOKON in May 2021, Johns served as the director of sales for Advanced Mechatronics Solutions in Atlanta, following sales leadership and marketing roles at companies such as Acuity Brands, RAIT88, and Adams Beverages of NC, LLC. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business.
Machinery Manufacturer Norwalt continues to invest for career path program for aspiring college students
‘The Collegiate Automation Program’ helps prepare students for careers in machine design and manufacturing. Norwalt, a specialist in custom-built automation and line integration machinery for complex manufacturing applications, continues to expand on its immersive education program for college students interested in careers in machine design, manufacturing, and other automation-adjacent niches. The company’s Collegiate Automation Program (CAP) forges partnerships with the University of Delaware and other colleges to give aspiring students real-life experiences that bolster their learning in the classroom. For example, at the University of Delaware, Norwalt is assisting with facets of the school’s engineering curriculum, and providing funding for hands-on junior- and senior-level projects that complement classroom instruction. Norwalt also offers internship programs and conducts recruitment seminars offering opportunities to join its machine design team. Financial donations and close collaboration with the school’s education administrators round out Norwalt’s CAP program. In recent years, Norwalt has also reached out to the County College of Morris, and several other community colleges with machinery component donations, helping these educational facilities maintain equipment vital for comprehensive student instruction. With facilities in Randolph, New Jersey, and Tampa, Florida, Norwalt is a supplier of concept-to-completion manufacturing equipment solutions. The company’s engineers design, construct, validate, and install premium production equipment whose functionalities include – but are by no means limited to – packaging and product assembly, post-mold automation, modular automation cells, and robotics systems. Norwalt serves customers in a wide array of sectors, from medical devices and food & beverage applications to personal care and household items. “It is highly rewarding to have the opportunity to nurture and mentor the machine designers and engineers of tomorrow,” said Mike Seitel President at Norwalt. “Our partnership with the University of Delaware is already showing tremendous promise, as we strive to provide real-life machining experience that positively influences the overall education process. Supplementing classroom instruction with hands-on scenarios is vital in a field such as ours, and we’re grateful to do our part.”
Two division directors appointed at Port of Long Beach
Promotions OK’d for Program Management, Central Procurement Services The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners on Monday approved the appointment of directors for the Port of Long Beach’s Program Management Division and the newly created Central Procurement Services Division. Monique Lebrun, who has served as the Port’s assistant director of Program Management since December 2022, will become Director of Program Management. She joined the Port in September 2008 and has worked in several roles within the Design and Program Management divisions. The Program Management Division, part of the Port’s Engineering Services Bureau, oversees improvements to harbor, wharfs, terminals, railroads, bridges, roadways and utilities. Terra Van Andel, the Port’s Streamlines project manager since 2022 within the Finance Division, will become the Port’s first Director of the Central Procurement Services Division, which was formed to standardize purchases and contracts across the Long Beach Harbor Department’s 19 divisions. The Central Procurement Services Division will centralize how external contracts and purchases are initiated, processed and executed in an effort to heighten consistency, transparency and efficiency. Lebrun is a registered professional engineer and holds a Master of Science Degree in civil engineering from UC Berkeley and Bachelor of Science degrees in both civil engineering and architectural engineering from the University of Miami. Prior to joining the Port, she worked as an engineer in the private sector for five years. Van Andel joined the Port’s Finance Division as the contract compliance manager in 2020 and has spent the past year assisting with the Port’s transition to a centralized procurement system. She previously served two years as the business process improvement officer in the City of Long Beach Department of Financial Management after working 13 years in the City Auditor’s Office, where she rose to deputy city auditor. Van Andel earned Bachelor of Science degrees in both accounting and in management with an emphasis in leadership from Arkansas State University. The appointments are effective Jan. 13. The Port of Long Beach is a global leader in green port initiatives and top-notch customer service, moving cargo with reliability, speed and efficiency. As the premier U.S. gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the Port handles trade valued at $200 billion annually and supports 2.6 million jobs across the United States, including 575,000 in Southern California. In 2023, industry leaders named it “The Best West Coast Seaport in North America” for the fifth consecutive year. During the next 10 years, the Port is planning $2.2 billion in capital improvements aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness and sustainability.