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Plus One Robotics adds new Sales Directors

Plus One Robotics, a provider of AI vision perception software and solutions for robotic parcel handling, has expanded its sales team with two new sales directors, Ashley Iacozili and Scott Wagner, hired to strengthen the company’s sales leadership within the apparel, home goods, general merchandise, and third-party logistics markets. “Both Ashley and Scott have excellent sales records in managing and growing multi-million enterprise level accounts across material handling automation sectors,” said Robert Nilsson, chief revenue officer at Plus One. “Their professionalism and recognized expertise will help us quickly connect with new opportunities for both our parcel induction and depalletization solutions, inclusive of our unique human-in-the-loop capability enabling 24/7 fulfillment.” Iacozili has extensive sales experience, as an enterprise account manager at Covariant and Packsize International. There she built an impressive sales portfolio, inclusive of new customers, while collaboratively working with both internal and external cross-functional teams to develop and deliver robotic and packaging automation solutions. In addition to her education at the University of Akron, she also has several high level and strategic training certifications. Before joining Plus One, Wagner spent many years as a sales manager, most recently for Vecna Robotics, where he was responsible for enterprise account acquisition for Fortune 1000 companies within the CPG, Ecommerce, food and beverage, grocery, retail, and pharmaceutical markets. In addition to successfully bringing on new clients, Wagner oversaw the company’s first deployment in Mexico. Plus One has experienced nearly three-times year-over-year growth since the release of its PickOne solution in 2018, working with parcel post, general merchandise, and 3PL companies such as FedEx, Pitney Bowes, MSC Industrial, and more. Plus One deployments perform over one million parcel picks each day in production and currently hold an industry-leading metric of nearly one billion total picks.

Yellow Corporation files $137+ Million Lawsuit against International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Union Leadership’s “Militant Approach” Risks Tens of Thousands of Jobs and Taxpayers’ Investment in Company Yellow Corporation, the nation’s third largest less than truckload (LTL) carrier and fifth largest transportation company, has filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas against the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and certain of its affiliates. The complaint alleges that the defendants breached their binding union contract with Yellow causing more than $137 million in damages by unjustifiably blocking, for over eight months, Yellow’s restructuring plan to modernize its business, which is necessary to compete against non-union carriers that dominate the LTL business today. These modernization efforts, known as One Yellow, are essential to the Company’s survival. Without these crucial reforms, which are standard practice in the industry today, Yellow likely will not survive, 30,000 jobs will be lost, including 22,000 union jobs, and its shareholders, including the federal government, which owns 30.1% of Yellow stock, will be severely damaged. Yellow remains a critical part of the domestic supply chain with hundreds of thousands of customers — large and small — relying on the Company to deliver freight coast-to-coast. Driving Yellow out of business will badly damage the supply chain, lessen competition and raise the price of shipped goods in the LTL market and feed inflation. “We do not take this action lightly, but the Union’s leadership has left us with no choice,” said Yellow Corporation management. “For many months, we have made good faith efforts to meet with the IBT to propose a path forward that works for all parties, but they refuse even to meet, let alone engage in honest talks. We have communicated with all stakeholders in Washington, D.C., including the Biden Administration, to apprise it of the imminent loss of tens of thousands of jobs, the significant anti-competitive effects on the American economy and the devastating impact to the supply chain, and to seek their assistance in persuading the IBT to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. We are fighting for the livelihood of our 30,000 employees who are good hard-working people. We will do all we can to save these American jobs and to protect our shareholders, including the American taxpayer.” The complaint also alleges that Sean O’Brien, IBT General President, orchestrated these breaches and has prevented Yellow from meeting with IBT leadership. For several years, the IBT had endorsed the company’s modernization effort and, in fact, approved the first of the effort’s three phases before the IBT reversed itself taking, in Mr. O’Brien’s words, a “militant approach” to blocking Yellow’s modernization. Completion of One Yellow in 2023 is critical to Yellow’s ability to survive, particularly given that Yellow faces, among other things, the imminent need to refinance $1.3 billion in debt—a $567.4 million term loan maturing on June 30, 2024, and a $729.4 million U.S. Treasury loan maturing on September 30, 2024.  Nonetheless, as alleged, the Union has blocked Yellow’s completion of One Yellow, triggering grave uncertainty for employees, investors and customers, and has knowingly intended to cause Yellow’s economic ruin. Moreover, Sean O’Brien has taken up the role of public agitator for the company’s demise, recently tweeting an image of a headstone in a cemetery with “Yellow” on it. He has continued to hide behind numerous false, unconstructive, and irresponsible social media posts maligning the company, while refusing to discuss a path forward with the Company itself. The situation might have been avoided if the Union had participated in meetings months ago or otherwise agreed to sit down and negotiate in good faith. Yellow must now take immediate steps to try to save itself. Yellow is entitled to $137.3 million (and counting) for the injury the Union has caused Yellow, and continues to cause Yellow, and in the event of its demise, at least $1.5 billion for the loss in enterprise value Yellow is sustaining as a result of the Union’s breaches. Yellow is represented by national litigation firm Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP. The Kasowitz team representing Yellow is led by partners Marc Kasowitz and Ron Rossi and includes partner Kim Conroy and counsel Maria Gorecki. The case is Yellow Corporation, YRC Inc. (d/b/a YRC Freight), USF Holland LLC, New Penn Motor Express LLC, and USF Reddaway Inc. v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee, Teamsters Local No. 696, Teamsters Local No. 795, and Teamsters Local No. 41. https://youtu.be/Is2lEbyFnWk

ARA’s Women in Rental and Young Professional Network conferences set for October in Florida

The American Rental Association (ARA) has announced that the 2023 Women in Rental and Young Professional Network (YPN) conferences will be hosted in Clearwater Beach, Florida, in October. The conferences will be held back-to-back at the brand-new JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa. The Women in Rental conference will take place Monday, October 23 through Tuesday, October 24. The Young Professional Network conference will be held Wednesday, October 25 through Thursday, October 26. “We are excited to be hosting these two conferences in October as they will provide members the opportunity to experience focused education and targeted networking among their peers in a welcoming and fun atmosphere,” said Christine Hammes, ARA vice president, association services. “These conferences offer members an environment to foster lasting relationships and create deeper engagement within the industry.” Registration for both conferences opens Wednesday, July 5. Complete event details and registration information can be found at: Women in Rental conference: Monday, October 23 – Tuesday, October 24 YPN conference: Wednesday, October 25 – Thursday, October 26 In addition to a two-night hotel stay, conference materials and swag, two interactive networking receptions and breakfast and lunch during the conferences, registered attendees also will experience renowned speakers exclusive to their respective events: Sara Ross will present “Activate Your Aliveness Factor” at the Women in Rental conference. Ross’s session will leave attendees laughing, inspired and feeling recharged with actionable takeaways to create more human-centered organizations, energized leaders and healthier, happier, high-performing people. James Taylor will present “Supercreativity™: Augmenting Human Creativity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” for the YPN group. Attendees will learn what disruptive technologies such as AI mean for you, your team and the industry; how to use the new science of “Augmented Creativity” to generate, evaluate, develop and implement more ideas, more quickly; which job roles in the industry are most at risk from automation and more. Capacity is limited for both conferences, so it is suggested to sign up early to secure a spot at these inspiring rental industry events. The Women in Rental conference is sponsored by Alert Rental Software, Toro and John Deere. The education sessions for both conferences are sponsored by the ARA Foundation.

Bobcat supporting local communities through Park and Recreation Month sponsorship

Sponsorship celebrates the importance of local park and recreation spaces and the professionals who support these spaces across the nation Bobcat Company, a global compact equipment, innovation and worksite solutions brand, is a longtime supporter and advocate for making a difference for people, supporting communities and bringing positive change to the world. To further this commitment, Bobcat has announced its sponsorship of Park and Recreation Month. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) celebrates Park and Recreation Month every July to promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation areas and to recognize the more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals — along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers — that maintain our country’s local, state and community parks. This year’s Park and Recreation Month theme is “Where Community Grows,” and Bobcat is proud of its long history of community involvement aimed at providing time, resources and charitable contributions to help improve the lives of people across the globe. “This year we are celebrating 65 years, and as we reflect on our rich history, we are also envisioning how we can build a better, more sustainable future,” said Mike Ballweber, Doosan Bobcat North America president. “Through our partnership with NRPA and our sponsorship of Park and Recreation Month, we aim to build stronger communities for a better tomorrow.” Bobcat has also partnered with NRPA to extend five grants, each worth $50,000, to support five park improvement projects in designated communities throughout the U.S. The grant recipients will be announced later in July. “Park and Recreation Month is a celebration held each July to promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation,” said Kristine Stratton, NRPA president and CEO. “We are honored to partner with Bobcat on this very special month to lift up the 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals serving our communities.” In addition to its support of Park and Recreation Month, Bobcat recently completed its Doosan Days of Community Service events where hundreds of its employees across the nation dedicated their time and talents volunteering in their communities to positively benefit the locations they live and work.

Sun Chief Express Service expands Intermodal Connectivity to Cleveland and Columbus

UWL, a top 10 US-owned freight forwarder and global logistics provider, announced the expansion of its inland point intermodal (IPI) program for the Sun Chief Express service, which operates between Southeast Asia and the US and Canada via Seattle. The service now includes access to two key IPI locations in Ohio – Cleveland and Columbus – further enhancing the reach and capabilities of this premier transportation solution. “Diversifying our IPI program through the Sun Chief Express demonstrates the transformative power of this service,” commented UWL President Duncan Wright. “Cleveland and Columbus each serve as powerful economic engines, integrating them into our network bolsters coverage and accessibility of our top-tier transportation solutions.” “For us, as a Cleveland-based company, being able to bring the fastest and most reliable service from Vietnam and Southeast Asia through to our hometown is a source of immense pride,” added Wright. “Our goal is to provide all Midwest businesses with advanced, sustainable supply chain strategies to maintain their competitive edge in the marketplace.” By expanding the existing IPI program to include Cleveland, a city with a per-capita GDP of $72.4k, and Columbus, a city within a day’s drive of 150 million Americans, UWL aims to cater to the growing demand from clients for access to the Midwest, providing them with a true end-to-end logistics solution tailored to their needs. The addition of Columbus is particularly advantageous for apparel and footwear shippers, given its status as a key fashion hub for the Midwest. With this expansion, UWL strengthens its commitment to facilitating seamless and reliable cargo movement, offering businesses unparalleled access to manufacturers and suppliers in Southeast Asia. Since its launch, Sun Chief Express has been celebrated by clients for its speed and reliability. Retailers and manufacturers have come to rely on Sun Chief Express to ensure products made in Southeast Asia arrive on store shelves quickly. Additionally, Sun Chief Express customers receive improved supply chain visibility thanks to WorldScope, UWL’s freight visibility and analytics tool, as well as the peace-of-mind knowing that UWL’s experienced team will provide support at every step of the journey.

Episode 396: Insights from WERC Conference 2023

In the latest episode, recorded at the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) Conference 2023, we had the privilege of sitting down with Michael Mikitka, a representative from WERC. As an organization focused on the warehousing industry, WERC plays a crucial role in providing education, research, and support to professionals in this sector. This blog post shares highlights from the conversation with Michael and sheds light on the most pressing challenges and trends within the warehousing industry. Addressing Labor Challenges and Attracting Talent with WERC During the conference, one of the prominent themes discussed was the ongoing labor challenges faced by the warehousing industry. Finding and retaining skilled workers has become a top priority for companies across different verticals. Michael emphasized the significance of attracting younger talent and the need to showcase warehousing as a viable and rewarding career path. WERC is actively working on a program that recognizes talent and skills within the industry, providing a clear pathway for professional growth and advancement. Automation and Strategic Implementation Automation was another key topic discussed at the conference. As companies navigate the shift towards increased automation, they face the challenge of implementing new technologies strategically. Michael highlighted the importance of proactive planning and integrating automation solutions seamlessly into existing operations. WERC aims to support its members by offering practical insights and guidance on leveraging automation to enhance efficiency and productivity. How WERC Helps Warehouses Overcome Transportation Challenges and Cost Optimization The folks in the warehousing biz are definitely feeling the pain when it comes to transportation issues and skyrocketing costs. It’s a challenging situation to be in. The conference shed light on the impact of transportation issues on warehousing operations, including the need to manage transportation costs and navigate logistical complexities effectively. WERC provides a platform for professionals to learn from industry experts and gain valuable strategies to optimize transportation processes. Key Takeaways from WERC The focus on labor challenges: Attracting and retaining talent emerged as a crucial issue, with WERC striving to help members build a culture that attracts and supports employees. Holistic view of the warehouse: WERC emphasizes the importance of considering all aspects of warehouse operations, from culture and safety to automation and ergonomics, to improve overall efficiency and employee well-being. Practical and peer-reviewed content: The WERC conference offers participants practical insights from expert industry professionals through peer-reviewed content. The goal is to facilitate knowledge exchange and problem-solving within the warehousing community. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 396: Insights from WERC Conference 2023

H&E opens new branch in Statesville NC

Effective June 26, 2023, H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) announces the opening of its Statesville branch, its eighth rental location in the state of North Carolina. The branch is located at 160 Ebenezer Road, Statesville, NC 28625-9478, phone 980 391-3001. It includes a fully fenced yard area, offices, and a separate repair shop and can handle a variety of construction and general industrial equipment. “Our new Statesville branch extends our coverage, reaching north to the state line and west to Hickory, Morganton, Lenoir and Boone. Located within 50 miles of two of our existing facilities in the Charlotte area and another in Winston-Salem, the Statesville location gives H&E greater ability to source available fleet and supply projects throughout all of central North Carolina,” says Branch Manager Alex Villa, who has worked with customers in the area for several years. “We’re located just off I-77 and Hwy. 21, so we can quickly move the new equipment that is arriving to any jobsite within the region and respond to the explosive growth in the Charlotte metro area.” The Statesville branch specializes in the rental of aerial lifts, earthmoving equipment, telescopic forklifts, compaction equipment, generators, light towers, compressors, and more and represents the following manufacturers: Allmand, Atlas Copco, Bomag, Case, Club Car, Cushman, Doosan, Gehl, Generac Mobile, Genie, Hamm, Hilti, Husqvarna, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Kobelco, Kubota, LayMor, Ledwell, Lincoln Electric, Link-Belt Excavators, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Polaris, Sany, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Sullair, Sullivan-Palatek, Tag, Towmaster, Unicarriers, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, and others.

Interthor takes parent company’s name in the US on January 1st

From January 1, 2024 Interthor will officially go by the name Logitrans A/S, and move even closer to its parent company and origin in Denmark. Interthor Inc. and Logitrans A/S Denmark met in the early 80s at a tradeshow. The founder of Interthor Carl Thorkildson saw huge potential in the US for the clever compact ergonomic lifting equipment that Logitrans was manufacturing. The Thork Lift was the first product Interthor Inc introduced to the US market. It was the first skid lift in the US. A groundbreaking ergonomic product back then, and today 40+ years on it is still our best-selling product. Carl Thorkildson retired, and Interthor Inc. was acquired by Logitrans A/S back in 2006. Since then Interthor Inc has been running as a direct subsidiary of Logitrans A/S Denmark with its own sales office and warehouse in greater Chicagoland area. As a part of the new business strategy, Logitrans wishes to further synchronize the US division with the headquarter to create an even stronger global brand and presence. “Interthor was founded in 1957 and we have a trusted and well-known brand name in the US, but over the years we have seen more globalization of our end-users. Therefore, it makes sense to use the same name globally for our company. This way end-users know, we are able to service with clever compact ergonomic products no matter, if they are based in Europe, Asia, Australia, North or South America”, says Jesper L Jorgensen VP of Sales in the US. This name change will not affect the organizational structure of Interthor Inc, nor will it affect the relationships with partners, dealers and end-users. Business will run as usual – just under the name Logitrans A/S. The official date for changing from Interthor Inc to Logitrans A/S is January 1st 2024. However, the practical name change will happen gradually, which is why you might see the Logitrans logo on different elements and material starting from now.

US Cutting Tool Orders totaled $190.0 Million in April 2023 which brings Year-to-Date total up 15.2% from 2022

April 2023 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $190.0 million, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report collaboration, was down 15.8% from March’s $225.6 million and up 7.5% when compared with the $176.7 million reported for April 2022. With a year-to-date total of $809.0 million, 2023 is up 15.2% when compared to the same time period in 2022. These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals reported by the companies participating in the CTMR program. The totals here represent the majority of the U.S. market for cutting tools. “While several industry market segments have contracted recently, cutting tool market indicators remain positive with anticipated mid-single digit growth for 2023,” commented Jeff Major, president of USCTI. “There is a consensus that cutting tool inventories are higher within the distribution segment, which may indicate a short-term inventory burn followed by a possible uptick in renewed buying.” “After a spike in the first quarter of 2023, April shipments of cutting tools fell back to the levels seen at the start of this year, still remaining 7.5% above the April 2022 performance,” said Mark Killion, director of U.S. industries at Oxford Economics. He expanded on this, saying, “Demand from durable goods manufacturers has supported shipments over the past year but is now expected to turn weaker in coming months, in line with expectations for a shallow recession.” The Cutting Tool Market Report is jointly compiled by AMT and USCTI, two trade associations representing the development, production, and distribution of cutting tool technology and products. It provides a monthly statement on U.S. manufacturers’ consumption of the primary consumable in the manufacturing process – the cutting tool. Analysis of cutting tool consumption is a leading indicator of both upturns and downturns in U.S. manufacturing activity, as it is a true measure of actual production levels. Historical data for the Cutting Tool Market Report is available dating back to January 2012. This collaboration of AMT and USCTI is the first step in the two associations working together to promote and support U.S.-based manufacturers of cutting tool technology. The graph below includes the 12-month moving average for the durable goods shipments and cutting tool orders. These values are calculated by taking the average of the most recent 12 months and plotting them over time.

CPKC and CSX announce planned collaboration to develop additional hydrogen locomotives

Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CSX Corporation has announced their intent to enter into a joint venture for the building and deployment of hydrogen locomotive conversion kits for diesel electric locomotives. As an initial step in the collaboration, CSX plans to convert one of its diesel locomotives using a hydrogen conversion kit developed by CPKC. The conversion work will be done at CSX’s Huntington, West Virginia locomotive shop. “This innovative collaboration expands our hydrogen locomotive program beyond a single railroad and represents an exciting next step in proving the long-term viability of hydrogen as a solution to emissions reduction for our industry,” said Keith Creel, CPKC president and chief executive officer. “Our hydrogen locomotive went from concept to reality in 24 months with the first zero emissions hydrogen locomotive having already pulled freight in revenue service. We look forward to this collaboration as we work to create a lower carbon future.” “CSX looks forward to working as a partner with CPKC in the development of the hydrogen locomotive program as it demonstrates our commitment to implementing alternative fuel solutions that could further enhance our emissions performance and offer our customers an even more environmentally-friendly transportation solution,” said Joe Hinrichs, CSX president and chief executive officer. “This exciting initiative will greatly benefit from the expertise of CSX’s advanced, large-scale facilities, where the locomotives will be built.” Nearly the entire freight locomotive fleet of all railway operators in North America consists of diesel-powered units, representing the industry’s most significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Rail has an important role to play in a lower carbon economy and the industry needs a long-term, effective alternative fuel solution. In December 2020, Canadian Pacific (CP) announced plans to develop North America’s first line-haul hydrogen-powered locomotive by retrofitting a diesel freight locomotive with hydrogen fuel cells and battery technology to drive the locomotive’s electric traction motors. The prototype, designed and built by in-house CP engineers, made its first movement under its own power in late 2021. By the end of 2022, the locomotive had made its first revenue moves and now has accumulated more than 1,000 miles of testing in revenue service. CPKC has deployed a second hydrogen locomotive for testing in terminal operations, a program expansion supported by funding awarded by Emissions Reduction Alberta and the Government of Canada Low Carbon Economy Fund. The second hydrogen locomotive is expected to enter service later in 2023.

New generation of Compact LED Flood Lights outshine its HID counterparts

LEDtronics® announces its latest series of compact and lightweight LED Flood Lights that put out a surprising amount of light for their compact size and low power consumption. The high efficacy, multiple-angle mounting options, and sleek design make these light fixtures an ideal and easy installation in various applications. The area and spot luminaires come with an adjustable U-bracket that offers a multitude of choices for angle of inclination for outdoor area lighting needs that require adjustable-angle uniform illumination, such as architectural wall washing and accents, walkways, pathways, garden or landscape lighting, amusement parks, recreation areas, illuminated signs, and emergency exit way lighting, among many others. The LEDtronics GDL002 series flood lights are offered in a choice of two input voltages: 24VDC with 12 watts and 5000K pure white emitted color, and a wide 100~277VAC range with either 8W/4000K natural white combination, or 10.8W with 3000K and 5000K color temperatures. Other voltages, beam angles and color LED CCTs—5700K true white or 6500K cool white—are also optionally available to qualified volume orders. They provide a full-cutoff beam ranging from 40°x45° for the 8W, and a wide 95°x105° illumination for the rest. Their optimal design enhances glare-free night vision while maximizing path illumination. The luminous intensities range from 689 for the 8W all the way up to 1339 lumens for the 12W, while the maximum candela values range from 447 to 1170 cd! All offer lighting of color rendering index exceeding 80. The rugged, industry-standard luminaires feature a black-colored, lightweight and corrosion-resistant ADC12 die-cast aluminum housing and a clear, tempered-glass lens. The series boasts a wide ambient operating temperature range of ~-22F to ~+113F (~-30C to ~+45C) and is IP65 rated: they are protected against water jets from any direction, making them suitable for outdoor locations. Additionally, the solid-state design of these LED spot and flood lights renders them impervious to high shock and vibration, frequent switching and environmental extremes. They emit only minimal amount of heat, and little to no ultraviolet or infrared light. The easily adjustable U-bracket offers multiple mounting options. With average lumen maintenance of more than 100,000 hours, and energy savings of up to 70 percent over their traditional metal-halide/HPS counterparts, this latest series of LEDtronics compact, low-wattage and high-lumen LED luminaires with an infinitely adjustable bracket operate reliably, year after year, and are virtually maintenance-free. They provide accent and flood lighting, indoors or outdoors, while reducing energy costs and improving landscape ambience and security. The LEDtronics GDL002 series comes with an unconditional 5-year U.S. factory warranty, and is available through LEDtronics distributors; quantity discounts are available.

AIT Worldwide Logistics’ Vaughn Moore named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 Midwest

Regional award places Moore in national competition, celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are building bolder futures  During a celebration ceremony in Chicago last night, Ernst & Young LLP (EY) announced AIT’s Executive Chairman and CEO, Vaughn Moore, as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 Midwest Award winner. Now in its 37th year, Entrepreneur Of The Year is one of the preeminent competitive business awards for transformative entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies who are building a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous world for all. “I’m honored to receive this award from EY,” Moore said. “It’s an achievement I’ll treasure and share with all AIT teammates. Whether AIT is growing our business around the world, giving back to the communities where we live and work, or leading the way on sustainability in logistics, teamwork is what drives our success.” In 2012, Moore became an owner of AIT after leading his team of Executive Vice Presidents in a successful leveraged buyout of the company. Since that time, Moore initiated an incredible growth ride highlighted by expansion across Asia, Europe and North America. Under his leadership and successful strategic growth plans, AIT’s annual revenue is more than $2.5 billion today—an increase of 800%. Moore has also led the way on AIT’s values-based approach to both service and corporate sustainability, with an aim to create better living and working conditions through initiatives addressing environmental, social and governance disciplines. For example, as a signatory of The Climate Pledge, AIT launched an ambitious initiative to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2035. An independent panel of judges first selected Moore as one of 35 finalists, then as a Midwest region winner. Judges evaluate entrepreneurs based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other contributions and attributes. Moore and his fellow regional winners will next be considered by the national judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at EY’s annual Strategic Growth Forum®. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award in June 2024. Since its inception in 1986, EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 entrepreneurs in more than 60 countries. Learn more at ey.com/en_us/entrepreneur-of-the-year-us.

PTDA welcomes six new members

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), an association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel, welcomes two new distributors, three manufacturers and one associate to its membership. Distributors  Exim Engineering provides power transmission products, conveyor components, gear box units, speed reducers and safety products. For over 25 years, Exim’s talented staff has been providing customers with the necessary information and support to meet their needs perfectly. Learn more. Full Circle Industrial, Inc. is a creative service company specializing in rebuilding speed reducers, gearboxes and pumps from all manufacturers. The company also distributes an ever-growing line of equipment, maintenance parts and industrial products and services. Full Circle technicians boast over 75 years of combined experience. The company’s mission is to help the community, environment, employees and customers become more sustainable while being devoted to leading the field in customer satisfaction. Learn more. Manufacturers Encoder Products Company (EPC) is a leading designer and world-wide manufacturer of motion sensing devices. EPC began operations in 1969, producing a line of custom encoders (the original Cube series) from a small, home-based shop. Today, EPC is one of the largest privately held encoder manufacturers in North America, producing the most complete line of incremental and absolute rotary encoders in the industry. Learn more. Oil States Industries, a subsidiary of Oil States International (NYSE: OIS), is a major global provider of integrated energy systems and solutions. For 75 years, the company has provided cost-effective solutions to meet drilling & workover, production, lifting and mooring challenges. The company also serves customers in the onshore, marine and industrial markets. Learn more. SITI Power Transmission USA Inc., founded by Filippo Guerra in 1967, specializes in the manufacturing of gearboxes and electric motors. The company, currently accomplishing 70% of their turnover in the foreign markets, is developing new product lines and is focused on entering the field of the heaviest applications used in industrial sections of high expansion, including renewable energies and waste recycling. Learn more. Enlighten.Net, Inc. is a leading provider of document management software and has been a trusted partner to distributors throughout North America for 20 years. The company offers robust solutions to help organizations of any size save time by providing simple yet powerful tools that are embraced by employees at all levels. With capabilities including full text search, quick retrieval and secure access from anywhere, ENet Docs improves companies’ operational efficiency. Enlighten.Net’s AP Automation, Sales Order Automation and AR Automation reduce the errors, time and expense associated with manually processed orders and invoices. Learn more. The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is a 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 more than 2,500 locations. PTDA members also include manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.

Company utilizing AI in Li-ion battery technology receives new financial support to generate over 60 jobs in Quebec

UgoWork receives $3.2 million in financing from the Government of Quebec’s Essor program to create quality jobs in the electrification of industrial vehicles sector  UgoWork™, a pioneering company at the forefront of AI-driven Li-Ion battery technology for material handling, has announced that it has secured substantial new financial support aimed at advancing its mission to deliver the most cost-effective energy-as-a-service solution. This support will not only propel the company’s growth but also create more than 60 job opportunities within the province of Quebec in the next 36 months. The new funding, provided through the Essor program managed by Investissement Québec on behalf of the Québec Government, reflects the recognition of UgoWork’s cutting-edge technologies and its significant potential to revolutionize how the material handling sector addresses their energy consumption. This financial support will enable the company to accelerate its research and development efforts, further optimize software systems, and expand its operations to meet the growing demand for clean, efficient, and cost-effective energy solutions. The funds received by UgoWork will have a direct impact on job creation within Quebec. With this financial support, the company plans to expand its workforce in all departments at its Quebec City headquarters. The creation of highly skilled jobs in energy management, artificial intelligence, automation, production and engineering disciplines such as electrical, mechanical and software, will contribute to the local economy and provide valuable opportunities for professionals in the clean energy sector. “Thanks to its innovative, clean and high-performance material handling solutions, UgoWork is boosting the productivity of many businesses,” added Jonatan Julien, Minister of Infrastructure and Minister for the Capitale-Nationale region. “The creativity and ingenuity of our entrepreneurs are helping to promote Quebec and its expertise in the electrification of transportation around the world.” “To succeed in our energy transition, we need to support promising projects that further our efforts to decarbonize our economy,” said Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister of Regional Economic Development and Minister for the Greater Montreal Area. “The progress of companies such as UgoWork, with their new green technologies, demonstrates that Quebec has the expertise to excel in the field of industrial electrical equipment.” “We are thrilled to have received this support, which serves as a testament to the groundbreaking work our team has accomplished in developing AI-driven Li-Ion battery technology,” said Philippe Beauchamp, CEO of UgoWork. “This financial support will not only allow us to advance our technology but also create meaningful job opportunities within Quebec, fostering economic growth while simultaneously addressing the pressing need for sustainable energy solutions.”

CoEvolution’s latest rollout takes multi-fleet robot deployments to over 50

CoEvolution is rapidly achieving success in the multi-fleet robot orchestration market with the deployment of its market-leading AI-powered solutions. By deploying solutions to a warehouse serving South Korean retail giant Lotte it has expanded its reach to more than 50 settings  Smart flexible factory and warehouse logistics solutions provider CoEvolution Technology is celebrating global success with over 50 deployments of its groundbreaking multi-vendor robot fleet orchestration technology. Founded in 2019, CoEvolution has grown into one of the most successful companies in the field of multi-vendor robot fleet orchestration software, continuously upgrading and optimizing its solutions based on real-world experience and valuable customer feedback. It recently celebrated a significant milestone in its development, with the rollout of its latest tailored solution at a warehouse serving South Korean retail giant Lotte, increasing throughput by 30% more SKUs per day. With its technology now assisting more than 50 companies around the world, CoEvolution has developed a wealth of practical experience that works alongside its innovative technological expertise to apply its multi-vendor fleet interoperability software effectively to customers’ operations. Utilizing the advantages of different logistics robots and providing cost-effective, flexible logistics solutions tailored to their processes through software and systems can help customers optimize their operations and expand their businesses.  The ongoing evolution of CoEvolution  CoEvolution’s multi-fleet solutions are based on AI-driven core software that can control different types of robots, coordinating them seamlessly to deliver multi-fleet solutions. Its impressive list of international customers includes companies in an array of sectors, including retail, electronics, e-commerce and manufacturing, with CoEvolution working collaboratively with each to create the ideal solution to meet their specific needs. The latest move by CoEvolution is its launch into the US market, becoming a US incorporated business and establishing a new office in Seattle. CoEvolution was co-founded by Dr Lijun Zhu, who has a PhD in Physics and extensive logistics experience, both in the US at Amazon and Alibaba in China. At Alibaba he worked at the logistics arm, on projects involving the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into logistics. He left in 2019 and assembled an expert team of co-founders who brought a range of tech, business development, AI, automation and logistics skills to the company he started. CoEvolution has flourished ever since, developing a market-leading suite of multi-orchestration solutions and offering customers such as Siemens, Lenovo, Lotte, SF Express, DHL, Yunda, MyMRO, Ruhlamat, and Wurth, the opportunity to control multi-vendor fleets of robots. CoEvolution’s software harnesses video game technology so that movements of multiple agents can be plotted in order to control real-world fleets of heterogenous robots. Dr Zhu saw the potential offered by AI-based technology to create value, having spent many years learning the ‘pain points’ in the logistics industry. He explains, “We are pioneers. It’s something that you would only do once you’ve played with robots and played with the traditional supply chain business for quite a long time.” CoEvolution has experienced a meteoric rise and now has more than 100 employees, over 50 deployments around the world, offices in both China and the US, and ambitious plans to expand its reach into Europe, where it is now seeking integrators and partners. Looking to the future for CoEvolution  CoEvolution recently made its US debut at PROMAT 2023 and had a very successful show, launching its innovative AI-based flexible logistics technology onto the North American stage and bringing with it mainstream robot vendor partnerships such as Hai Robotics. Currently seeking new regional partners in the US, the company has ambitious plans for North America and for other international markets. It has recently incorporated in the US and is establishing its first US office in Seattle, headed up by CoEvolution Director Long Wong. CoEvolution is now hiring a workforce in the country and has appointed a new local project manager to help facilitate its expansion. This follows CoEvolution being selected by leading US tech business publication The Information as one of its 50 Most Promising Start Ups 2022. Recent data from market intelligence specialist Interact Analysis predicts a CAGR of 138% between 2021 and 2027 for multi-fleet orchestration technology. CoEvolution has ambitious plans for the future, with many more deployments in the pipeline and also plans to offer its groundbreaking AI-based interoperability solutions to the European market. As the cost of robotic technology continues to fall and companies discover the range of benefits and efficiency savings provided by automation, many are now starting to create multi-robot fleets from different vendors and integrate them with their existing operations, creating demand for increasingly complex logistics automation solutions. Dr Lijun Zhu, says,“Logistics is a very traditional field, you move real things around with very interesting and advanced mathematical models and software. I could see the value in that; you’re making an impact on the world, on real things. And my experience in the internet industry showed me that by applying advanced techniques you can create a lot of value. By reducing human labor, you’re increasing efficiency, you can see that. That makes me very excited. I did physics so I like to play with real things.” CoEvolution Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Michael Wang, explains, “Achieving in excess of 50 deployments is a huge landmark and we are happy to have cemented our place as a leading company in the field of multi-vendor robot fleet interoperability. Our ambitious plans will see us move far beyond this total, as manufacturing and warehousing continue to face logistics and staffing challenges that can be addressed through the use of efficient and flexible fleets of multiple robots from different vendors working together within shared environments. “The future looks very bright for CoEvolution and for multi-fleet robot orchestration. The increasing availability of relatively low cost and reliable robots means that the software element will be what distinguishes the best logistics solutions. This is the next step in warehouse and manufacturing, and we will remain at the forefront of the move towards greater automation, providing the means to control multi-vendor fleets of robots to deliver significant efficiency and productivity benefits to companies around

NORD DRIVESYSTEMS USA expands operations with new Texas production facility

NORD DRIVESYSTEMS is a global gearmotor and control products manufacturer that has seen exponential growth over the last several years as more companies incorporate automation into their workflow. In 2022, they had a record-breaking year and achieved over $1 Billion in sales for the first time in company history. The U.S. subsidiary of this family-owned German company currently operates out of three separate facilities – Corona, CA, Charlotte, NC, and Waunakee, WI, which also serves as their U.S. corporate headquarters. To meet the increased product demands while maintaining a high level of customer service, NORD is expanding their American operations into the southern state of Texas. The new facility is located just outside of Dallas in the northeast suburb of McKinney, Texas. It will include both assembly and office space totaling over 85,000 sq. ft. and feature a full staff of production, warehouse, quality, service, customer experience, and administrative personnel. NORD expects to begin assembling unpainted gear units in this location by the end of June 2023 and painted units by the end of Q1 2024 upon completion of paint booth construction. When fully operational, the plant will have the capacity to produce 200 units per shift. “We’re very excited about this new beginning and being able to further service our customers”, says Torsten Schultz, President of NORD USA. “The new plant will allow us to increase gear unit production as well as cut down on delivery times to end users in the southern region.”

AAR reports weekly Rail Traffic for the week ending June 17, 2023

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 17, 2023. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 477,126 carloads and intermodal units, down 3.0 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending June 17 were 228,724 carloads, up 1.2 percent compared with the same week in 2022, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 248,402 containers and trailers, down 6.5 percent compared to 2022. Seven of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2022. They included motor vehicles and parts, up 2,914 carloads, to 16,215; nonmetallic minerals, up 2,599 carloads, to 34,495; and metallic ores and metals, up 2,341 carloads, to 22,124. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2022 were grain, down 4,892 carloads, to 15,795; chemicals, down 2,084 carloads, to 29,780; and forest products, down 272 carloads, to 8,284. For the first 24 weeks of 2023, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 5,396,609 carloads, up 0.7 percent from the same point last year; and 5,615,250 intermodal units, down 10.7 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 24 weeks of 2023 was 11,011,859 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 5.5 percent compared to last year. North American rail volume for the week ending June 17, 2023, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 332,282 carloads, up 1.3 percent compared with the same week last year, and 333,358 intermodal units, down 5.5 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 665,640 carloads and intermodal units, down 2.3 percent. North American rail volume for the first 24 weeks of 2023 was 15,500,857 carloads and intermodal units, down 4.1 percent compared with 2022. Canadian railroads reported 86,539 carloads for the week, down 1.4 percent, and 72,939 intermodal units, down 4.9 percent compared with the same week in 2022. For the first 24 weeks of 2023, Canadian railroads reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 3,836,993 carloads, containers and trailers, down 1.0 percent. Mexican railroads reported 17,019 carloads for the week, up 18.7 percent compared with the same week last year, and 12,017 intermodal units, up 15.6 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 24 weeks of 2023 was 652,005 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 1.7 percent from the same point last year.

Connect tubes securely and without visual clutter

Stable, strong, configurable, and precise: Tube-based constructions are an indispensable part of building machinery and plants. High-performance clamp connectors play a critical role. JW Winco is now adding connectors of glass fiber-reinforced polyamide to its standard product range. When it comes to clamp connectors, those universal connecting elements for tube-based constructions, most people think of parts made of metal. However, JW Winco now offers clamp connectors of glass fiber-reinforced polyamide for diverse configurations. These connectors can withstand temperatures up to 212 °F (100 °C) and are used in applications where corrosion resistance is important, weight is limited, or visual appearance is a significant factor. After all, these plastic connectors feature appealingly smooth and matte surfaces and attractive coloring. These lightweight yet quality plastic parts provide a high-end solution with defined load capacities. Depending on the tightening torque of the screw connections, JW Winco lists the axial extraction force, the radial torsional moment, and the rotation moment if an articulated axis is present. The connectors are designed to fully encompass typical construction tubes to create a nonpositive clamping connection. The tubes are fixed in place with socket cap screws and nuts of stainless steel or with a hand lever (GN 911.9). These are specially adapted to the plastic used and are particularly useful when the tube constructions need to be modified frequently or without tools. JW Winco offers these plastic tube connectors in a variety of configurations and dimensions. Which means there are no obstacles to implementing even the most individual designs. And if different tube diameters are required, special ribbed adapter bushings (EN 290), also of polyamide, can be used.

Kivnon partners with TAP for AGV/AMR Distribution

Kivnon, a global producer of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), has announced that TAP, an industrial solutions provider, will be distributing Kivnon automated guided vehicles (AGVs and AMRs.) Kivnon designs, manufactures, and implements automated guided vehicles (AGVs/AMRs) for a wide range of markets, including automotive, food, aerospace, and retail applications. Its products include small AGVs for use in labs; mouse AGV platforms that slide under and lift pallets; tractor AGVs that pull carts; and self-driving forklifts. Kivnon has partnered with TAP to leverage heightened AGV/AMR interest resulting from Industry 4.0 driven digital transformation. “This partnership marks a significant milestone for both of our companies. Thanks to TAP’s reach and automation expertise, we can supply autonomous vehicles to a larger audience with full confidence that TAP will implement them to take full advantage of their automation potential,” said Kivnon’s France Country Manager, Jose Pantaleao. TAP Group teams with companies across a broad spectrum of industrial segments with unique equipment solutions. Their Storagis brand is dedicated to storage projects, solutions, and equipment for automotive and logistic applications. Damien Marie, Sales Director of TAP Group, said, “TAP is proud to deal with KIVNON, one of the leaders of innovative and technological systems. Many of our clients’ projects involve advanced automation of material handling and warehousing operations, which involves deploying one or more AGVs or AMRs to reduce cost and increase productivity and safety. This is a real opportunity to optimize our clients’ supply chain.”

Episode 395: Fostering psychological safety in the warehousing industry

In today’s episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, we have a special guest, Rob Van Stratum, a managing partner and APICS master instructor at Supply Chain Education CZ. Rob is an expert in the field of supply chain management and will shed light on the fascinating concept of psychological safety within the warehousing industry. Get ready to explore this intriguing topic that can transform how teams operate in the workplace. But before we dive into the episode, let’s learn more about Rob and his journey in the supply chain space. Rob Van Stratum has had a diverse career spanning academia and consulting in the supply chain field. With decades of experience, Rob has taught general, supply chain, and change management to students from various backgrounds. As an APICS instructor, Rob has helped countless individuals enhance their knowledge and skills in supply chain management. Please tune in to hear directly from Rob as he shares his expertise on psychological safety and its impact on the warehousing industry. Understanding Psychological Safety in Warehousing Teams According to Rob, psychological safety refers to an individual’s perception of the consequences of taking an interpersonal risk. It involves feeling safe to ask questions, take risks, and make mistakes without fearing negative repercussions. Rob explains that teams with psychological safety are more likely to foster open communication, collaboration, and continuous learning. According to Rob, signs that employees are feeling psychologically safe include: Asking questions and seeking clarification: When employees feel safe, they are more likely to ask questions and seek clarification without fear of being judged or criticized. They feel comfortable admitting what they don’t know and are open to learning from others. Taking risks and sharing ideas: Psychologically safe employees are willing to take calculated risks and share their ideas and suggestions. They believe you will value and consider their input, even if you do not implement their ideas. Admitting mistakes and seeking feedback: Employees who feel psychologically safe are likelier to admit their mistakes and seek feedback from others. They understand that mistakes are opportunities for growth and learning, and they trust that their colleagues will provide constructive feedback rather than blame or punish them. Speaking up and challenging the status quo: Psychologically safe employees feel comfortable speaking up and challenging the status quo when they believe there is a better way of doing things. They speak out their opinions and offer dissenting viewpoints without fear, knowing their contributions will receive respect. Collaboration and teamwork: Employees who feel psychologically safe are more likely to collaborate and work as a team. They trust their colleagues and are willing to share resources, knowledge, and support to achieve common goals. Open and honest communication: Psychologically safe environments foster open and honest communication. Employees feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, concerns, and emotions without fear of retribution or judgment. Engagement and innovation: Employees who feel psychologically safe are more engaged and motivated. They are willing to take the initiative, explore new ideas, and contribute to the organization’s innovation and improvement efforts. When leaders and organizations can create an environment that fosters psychological safety, they promote employee well-being, collaboration, creativity, and productivity. The Value of APICS CLTD Certification in Distribution and Transportation Rob and Kevin delve into the value of APICS certifications in the distribution and transportation space. Rob emphasizes that the value of any certification is directly proportional to the number of people who hold it. APICS certifications, including Certification in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD), Certification Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), and Certification in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM), are widely recognized and respected within the industry. Being CLTD certified provides professionals with a comprehensive overview of essential supply chain concepts and demonstrates their commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety in the Warehouse The discussion with Rob also focuses on how leaders can foster a culture of psychological safety within their warehouse teams. Rob highlights the importance of dependability, structure, and clarity in creating a psychologically safe environment. He suggests that leaders should encourage open dialogue, provide constructive feedback, and ensure team members understand their roles and responsibilities. By nurturing psychological safety, leaders can empower their teams to take risks, learn from mistakes, and contribute to the overall success of warehouse operations. Key Takeaways Psychological safety is crucial for creating an environment where team members feel comfortable taking risks, asking questions, and making mistakes. APICS CLTD certification offers significant value in the distribution and transportation space, providing professionals with a comprehensive understanding of supply chain concepts. Leaders can foster a psychologically safe environment by promoting open communication, providing constructive feedback, and establishing clear roles and responsibilities. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 395: Fostering Psychological Safety in the Warehousing Industry