PTDA Foundation now accepting nominations for 2023 Leadership Awards
Wendy B. McDonald Woman of the Year Award and Robert K. Callahan Advancing Leaders Award nominations are open through June 9th The PTDA Foundation is seeking nominations for its Wendy B. McDonald Woman of the Year Award and Robert (Bob) K. Callahan Advancing Leaders Award. The Wendy B. McDonald Woman of the Year Award recognizes a woman who, regardless of where she is in her career, brought change as an integral contributor to the success of her company and the PT/MC industry in 2022. The PTDA Foundation established the award in 2014 to honor the memory of Wendy B. McDonald, one of the PT/MC industry’s true pioneers known for her legendary philanthropy and commitment to giving back to the industry and the communities that led to her success. The award is presented annually when merited. Nominations will be accepted through June 9, 2023. Award criteria can be found at ptda.org/McDonaldAward. The Robert (Bob) K. Callahan Advancing Leaders Award recognizes young and ambitious individuals who demonstrate a passion and drive to grow within the PT/MC industry. The late Bob Callahan made a lifelong commitment to supporting the advancement of next-generation trailblazers in the PT/MC industry. The award was established in his honor. Nominations are due by June 9, 2023, and criteria can be found at ptda.org/CallahanAward. Nominations are not gender specific—all are welcome to be considered. Both awards will be presented at the PTDA 2023 Industry Summit in Amelia Island, Fla. in October.
Poor economic climate knocks warehouse construction
Warehouses added to the global building stock in 2023 down 35% compared with 2022. 26% of warehouses are expected to be automated by 2027, up from 18% in 2022 The Inflation Reduction Act, coupled with the trend toward near-shoring resulted in an uptick in durable manufacturing warehouses in Europe and North America As with many other sectors, the recent economic downturn has hit the warehouse construction sector hard. Updated research by Interact Analysis suggests that fulfillment center construction has suffered in particular, partly driven by Amazon’s decreased spend on micro-fulfillment. In response to the rising trend towards online shopping and e-commerce during the pandemic, we saw an increase in the construction of fulfillment centers to cope with this demand. Amazon accounted for a large proportion of this activity, as it doubled its fulfillment capacity between 2020 and 2021. But, as the trend towards e-commerce begins to slow down, the construction and building of new fulfillment centers have also dipped. In 2022, 4,000 fulfillment centers were added to the global building stock, but in 2023 this is forecast to decline to 2,000. Consequently, demand for end-to-end automation solutions will also decrease and the boom we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic will come to an end. Many companies are likely to focus on automating their existing assets rather than investing in new, larger projects. Warehouse construction has also suffered from the effects of poor economic conditions across much of the globe, in particular rising interest rates. It is expected the US will see a “meaningful” downturn within the next 12 to 18 months and, consequently, Interact Analysis forecasts a decline in the rate of warehouse construction in the coming years. Despite this, the growth in e-commerce since the pandemic is likely to dampen the shock to the warehouse construction sector. This is a lagging indicator, so a significant decrease is expected in 2H 2023 and 1H 2024. Overall, 6,700 warehouses will be added to the global building stock in 2023, a reduction of 35% compared with 2022, but still higher than pre-COVID levels. Overall, China and the US are leading the way in terms of warehouse construction. In 2022, the two countries combined accounted for 58% of the total square footage added. The US’s total warehousing stock increased by 6% over the year and China’s by 5%. The updated research shows that Japan and France registered the lowest growth in terms of additional warehouse square footage in 2022. Rueben Scriven, Research Manager at Interact Analysis, says, “It is important to realize the downturn in warehouse construction is not due to a lack of demand. Rather, it is due to high-interest rates and poor economic conditions. The slowdown in warehouse construction is likely to be short-lived as the demand for sites is still there. Rent prices are anticipated to increase in the mid-term and e-commerce will continue to drive demand over the long term. Regarding automation, although we expect to see a decrease in demand for end-to-end automation, by the end of 2022, 18% of all warehouses had some form of automation installed and this is set to increase to 26% by the end of 2027. Food & beverage warehouses, and parcel sectors report the highest levels of automation in their warehouses.” About the Report: “Lockdowns and social distancing measures implemented to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic caused a wholesale disruption of traditional brick-and-mortar retail. In less than a year, US e-commerce penetration rose from ~10% of all retail sales in late 2019 to roughly 15% by the end of 2020. With global e-commerce online sales projected to more than double over the next five years, 28,500 warehouses will be added to the global stock. A significant portion of these new warehouses will be direct-to-consumer fulfillment centers necessitating significant labor and automation investments.” IA’s Warehouse Building Stock Database is the ONLY report on the market that estimates warehouse counts, footprint, sizes, labor demand, and automation penetration as a single, consistent, and global dataset. We’ve consolidated and analyzed data points from government sources, public company filings, and industry sources into a model that provides detailed and credible warehouse estimates – all regularly updated to incorporate new information, outlooks, and segmentations. About Interact Analysis With over 200 years of combined experience, Interact Analysis is the market intelligence authority for global supply chain automation. Our research covers the entire automation value chain – from the technology used to automate factory production, through inventory storage and distribution channels, to the transportation of the finished goods. The world’s leading companies trust us to surface robust insights and opportunities for technology-driven growth. To learn more, visit www.InteractAnalysis.com
#GLAD2023 turns to individuals, End-users
Global Lifting Awareness Day—#GLAD2023—has arrived at the point of use, as July 13th draws nearer. Driven by the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), #GLAD2023 will again bring together all industry stakeholders, including manufacturers and suppliers, but end users are a prime target as the concept strives to promote safe and high-quality load lifting. Now in its fourth year, #GLAD2023 harnesses the power of social media to promote videos, articles, and in-person activity, while pointing people to a dedicated website—www.globalliftingawarenessday.com—where information about apprenticeships, military recruitment, diversity, sustainability, and technology has been posted since the concept’s 2020 launch. Ross Moloney, CEO at LEEA, said: “Ultimately, we’re trying to change behavior, so pivoting towards owners, inspectors, examiners, and end users is key to achieving that. Social media postings are important, and we know that they are effective in giving people a reason to pause, but this isn’t a movement confined to the virtual world; we need to do more to help people along their journey of conversion.” He added: “Most of us in the industry know where to look for guidance, and where to go for advice, but users that have only a passing understanding of lifting—they might only rent, or buy, or use it occasionally—likely need more support to understand the risks and how to mitigate them better. This is a demographic continuously prone to accidents if we don’t position our safety messages where they’re needed most.” Taking ownership LEEA has already invited stakeholders to show support by participating on social media and holding events that serve as hubs from where the concept can grow in future years, which is a message to individuals as well as wider marketing teams. From the C-suite of the largest corporations to the crane cab of the smallest rental company, #GLAD2023 is for everyone. Literally, anybody with an interest in lifting and working at height can contribute. Moloney said: “Our industry is owned by the individuals who work in it, so while we love that companies are getting involved, there’s no reason why individuals can’t post themselves, and we actively encourage both. In fact, a newcomer to the sector or somebody that has tools in their hands will find kindred spirits in those applying lifting equipment at the point of use.” Also aligning to power #GLAD2023 are a collection of authorities and trade bodies, in addition to industry press, equipment manufacturers, and influencers. All are bound by a commitment to share material that promotes safe and high-quality load lifting and is actively encouraging memberships, readerships, peers, etc. to support the cause. If you are an engineer, crane operator, rigger, signalperson, trainer, or apprentice, social media is the place to start. Celebrate the lifting industry on Thursday 13 July—include the #GLAD2023 hashtag.
New Director of Product & Engineering to lead global shop solutions into the future
Success in the highly-competitive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software market requires continual development of new tools and technology advancements that simplify manufacturing. Global Shop Solutions, a solutions provider in ERP software for manufacturers around the globe, is proud to announce the promotion of Trent Maynard to Director of Product & Engineering. “Our primary focus at Global Shop Solutions has always been to simplify manufacturing for our customers,” says Dusty Alexander, President & CEO. “From Trent’s first day with us, he demonstrated a relentless attitude for finding new product advancements and technology to make our customers’ lives easier. That’s exactly the kind of person I want leading our product into the future.” Maynard began his career in the manufacturing industry working for a company that was a customer of Global Shop Solutions ERP software. Shortly thereafter, he accepted a position at Global Shop Solutions providing software implementation and training for new and existing customers. He then transitioned to an operations and technical consultant and business analyst, where he designed and created tailored solutions for existing and potential customer challenges. Prior to this promotion, Maynard served as an R&D Manager and created some of Global Shop Solutions most impactful product advancements in terms of meeting customer needs and positioning the company for new growth. “My focus has been three-fold,” says Maynard. “Number one: hired and retained a team with some of our smartest people to position our ERP product as a technical leader in the industry. Number two: organized our base code to make our product run tighter, faster, and more efficiently, while also enabling customers to implement customizations without having to change the underlying code. Number three: simplified the process for customers to upgrade to new versions.” Serving Internal and External Customers As Director of Product & Engineering, Maynard wants to make sure Global Shop Solutions creates an ERP product their customers love to use because it helps them do their jobs more effectively and efficiently. He also wants to attract new customers by offering a better product than they’re currently using. “Ultimately, it’s all about making sure our product ticks all the boxes for our customers,” says Maynard. “Often they don’t know what is possible, so we have to listen and understand what they’re trying to accomplish and then figure out how the software can solve their pain points. We also want to build a product that appeals to our employees, that our engineers can enjoy working on and be proud of and that attracts top talent to Global Shop Solutions.” Full Speed Ahead to the Future One shift popular for ERP software is the ability to integrate with outside software and technologies. Maynard’s responsibilities will include implementing artificial intelligence (AI) testing tools and best practices and modernizing Global Shop Solutions’ software interfaces and tech stack. “How we build our tech stack has significant implications for what happens downstream with our customers, and I can’t think of a better person to lead the way than Trent,” says Alexander. Mike Melzer, VP of Operations & Service at Global Shop Solutions, agrees. “It’s rare to find someone so talented in the technical field who also has extensive shop experience,” he says. “The one thing we’ve been really good about doing as a company is listening when our customers give us ideas on where we can get better. Trent is open to listening and then guiding the ship where we need to go. I trust his knowledge and experience, and his background gives us a huge advantage in our marketplace as our company continues to move forward.”
New improved Vacuum Grippers from COVAL with communications interface
COVAL offers manufacturers a range of vacuum grippers suitable for handling of parts of various sizes, weights, and materials. This gripper range has been extended with the latest CMS HD series multistage vacuum pumps, developed by COVAL. With this enhancement, the new generation of grippers meets the demands of Industry 4.0 with greater robustness, communication, and modularity. COVAL’s range of vacuum grippers is based on two complementary solutions. The CVGL is characterized by its lightness and great adaptability. It is available as standard in several lengths, power ratings, and gripping interfaces. The MVG, on the other hand, offers the possibility of configuring the gripper to allow it to be perfectly adapted to each application by determining the length, width, gripping interface, and vacuum generator while guaranteeing extreme lightness. It offers a tailored solution that integrates perfectly with handling robots. HEAVY DUTY at the Heart of COVAL Vacuum Grippers COVAL’s new generation of vacuum grippers now incorporates the latest CMS HD series of vacuum pumps. These pumps have a heavy-duty design for high reliability even in harsh environments (IP65), capable of ensuring 50 million cycles. A factor of the pump’s longevity is its modular design which allows specific configurations and targeted maintenance of specific parts to optimize repairability. As a result, the new generation of CMS HD multistage pumps adds to the vacuum grippers´ reliability and adaptability. Vacuum Grippers Become Intelligent The new COVAL vacuum grippers offer a choice of three multistage vacuum pump configurations, depending on the needs of the integrator or end user: non-piloted, piloted, and communicating. The communicating configuration, which makes the vacuum grippers easier to use and parameterize, is obtained by integrating the CMS HD VX version of the multistage pump. The VX pump version features an IO-Link communication interface, compliant with the international IEC 61131-9 standard, for fast and cost-effective installation, continuous diagnostics, centralized parameterization, and efficient communication with higher-level protocols (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT, etc.). It can also support a Human Machine Interface (HMI) with NFC interface, enabling the operator to read and modify setup parameters and diagnostics from a mobile device (Android or iOS) using the dedicated COVAL Vacuum Manager app. With these pump capabilities, the new generation of COVAL vacuum grippers become even more versatile and perfectly compatible with the robot systems at the heart of Industry 4.0. A Vast Range of Applications Thanks to their great modularity and ease of integration in all contexts, CVGL and MVG vacuum grippers can be found in many industries: packaging, plastic, metal, and wood for handling porous and non-porous objects. Qualities that make the difference: • Solutions adapted to each process • Configurable vacuum grippers • Robustness, longevity, and economy of use • Vacuum grippers with communications capability for Industry 4.0
Peak Technologies appoints new Chief Revenue Officer
René Schrama joins the executive leadership team to drive growth across the newly-combined organization Peak Technologies, a provider of digital supply chain and mobile workforce solutions, named René Schrama chief revenue officer (CRO). In his role, Schrama will strategically support future sales growth across all business segments and areas of operation. Schrama’s appointment is the latest step in the organization’s strategic plan to create “One Peak” and drive continued growth as one newly-combined organization. In addition to his new role, Schrama will continue his leadership responsibilities as managing director for Europe. “A key consideration in appointing René to the CRO position is that we will remain true to our foundational values,” said Tony Rivers, president and CEO, of Peak Technologies. “This role will be a dynamic and strategic force to drive our mission of being a trusted business adviser and solutions partner to the world’s leading companies by applying our deep domain-level experience in advanced digital supply chain and mobile technologies to help customers achieve their strategic business objectives.” Schrama brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Peak’s executive leadership team. He joined Peak Technologies in November 2020 and has served as managing director for Europe since October 2021. Under his leadership, Peak UK has grown revenue by 47%, all while facilitating and integrating acquisitions in Ireland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Following his business studies degree in international marketing, Schrama held various international sales leadership roles with Symbol Technologies and Motorola Solutions. In 2014, Schrama started his own consulting company, advising corporations such as Zebra Technologies, Scansource, Datalogic, Toshiba, and Polycom on their go-to-market strategies across Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. Throughout his career, Schrama has built and implemented successful business plans by recognizing opportunities for growth and developing strategies to execute a vision for significant revenue growth. His experience across different sectors, disciplines and global industries makes Schrama well-qualified to successfully integrate a consistent and effective sales strategy across every operational group within Peak Technologies, resulting in sustainable revenue growth. “I am very excited to take on the chief revenue officer position with Peak Technologies, especially at a time when our company is setting itself apart from the competition with our technical capabilities, our solutions focus and our sales reach,” said Schrama. “I look forward to working closely with our talented teams in sales, marketing, and throughout the company. Peak Technologies has a bright future and is uniquely positioned to expand our standing as the world’s leading solutions provider in our sector.”
CLARK Material Handling Company recognizes the 2023 Dealer of Excellence winners
CLARK Material Handling Company, a top-ten global manufacturer of forklift trucks and spare parts, has announced the winners of the 2023 Dealer of Excellence and 2023 Dealer of Excellence Advantage awards. The CLARK Dealer of Excellence awards are presented annually to dealers in the CLARK dealer network that achieve high performance within their assigned regions. The six Dealer of Excellence Advantage winners represent the “Best of the Best” of the CLARK Dealer Network, providing high-quality customer service and solving their customers’ needs. Based on 2022 performance, the following six dealers have earned the Dealer of Excellence Advantage award for 2023: Sunbelt Material Handling – Dallas, Texas Forklifts of Minnesota – Bloomington, Minnesota Brandt Tractor – Regina, Saskatchewan C&B Material Handling – Shreveport, Louisiana The Lilly Company – Birmingham, Alabama Ardent Industrial Equipment – Savannah, Georgia Additionally, CLARK recognizes Darr Equipment LP with the Headwinds Award, recognizing its efforts in the face of great challenges since becoming an authorized CLARK dealer in early 2020. CLARK also recognizes Forklifts of Minnesota as the 2023 Dealer of the Year. “Each of these dealers represents the best of the CLARK dealer network. Through their hard work, determination, and dedication to the CLARK brand, the six Dealer of Excellence Advantage winners have truly earned their place at the top of the dealer network. We are proud to have each in our network, and as part of the larger CLARK family,” commented Dennis Lawrence, President and CEO of CLARK. Additionally, CLARK announced the following dealers who exceeded expectations in all categories, achieving Dealer of Excellence distinction for their 2022 performance. The Lilly Company – Knoxville C&B Material Handling LLC Valley Industrial Trucks, Inc. Buffalo Lift Trucks B&H Industrial Service Mid Atlantic Industrial Equipment Alliance Material Handling – Jessup Alliance Material Handling – Richmond Materials Handling Equipment Cal-Lift, Inc Frontier Forklifts and Service, Inc. Holt of California Lift Atlanta Electro Mechanical Services Ltd MS Equipment, Inc. JM Equipment Lift Truck Sales and Service National Lift Truck Green Diamond Equipment Tri Lift – Greensboro Tri Lift – Charlotte “Our dealer network is one of the strongest in the industry, with a unique blend of dealers representing a wide variety of structures, backgrounds, and goals. Our Dealers of Excellence winners showcase the strength of the dealer network, providing strong partnerships that will carry us into the future. We are proud to recognize these dealers for their efforts in 2022,” added Brandon Bullard, Director of Sales and Marketing.
Episode 375: Pop.Capacity – The future of procuring warehouse space
In this episode of The New Warehouse, Kevin sat down with Matt Fain, CEO of Pop.Capacity. Pop.Capacity is a digital marketplace for warehousing and fulfillment space. Fain founded Pop.Capacity out of frustration with the slow and inefficient process of searching for warehouses with Google, which can take up to two weeks or more. Pop.Capacity leverages AI data, a robust network of providers, and virtual tours to create a faster and more efficient experience for shippers and suppliers. The platform allows direct connections between potential customers and suppliers, cutting out the middleman and providing a more streamlined process. Pop.Capacity Simplifies Finding Warehouse Space Pop.Capacity provides various warehouse solutions, from traditional 3PLs to “dark stores,” allowing users to access non-traditional options like CPG brands with overflow space or event coordinators with available space based on inventory flows. Matt shares how this is great for short-term capacity, providing a more flexible and customizable solution for companies needing space. Pop.Capacity’s platform provides a more efficient and streamlined process for shippers and suppliers while bringing flexibility and customization to the table through non-traditional warehouse solutions. By leveraging AI data and virtual tours, Pop.Capacity is shaping the future of the procurement of warehouse space. Operators benefit from using the platform to showcase themselves through virtual tours of their buildings. This allows them to understand better the types of projects they are looking at and make quick decisions without wasting time. Pop.Capacity also personally captures 3D images and tours of spaces, with relationships built as a priority. Operators can highlight their technology stacks, robotics, automation capabilities, and exterior solutions like trucks tied to the building. Digitizing Procurement of Warehouse Space Pop.Capacity is a platform that helps digitize procurement in logistics, focusing on warehouses and distribution centers. The team uses data to aggregate insights and reports for shippers and suppliers to make better critical decisions within the marketplace dashboard. This data includes the square footage cost in different regions, allowing for intelligent decision-making. Matt discussed how the market is softening, and it’s a reset, where people understand who is good at what. While people won’t necessarily be closing warehouses, he believes they will consolidate to create an infrastructure that works across all verticals. Offloading Automation Solutions Matt is excited to see some offloading automation solutions at Promat, as they can help ease the manual job of unloading containers. This speaks to Pop.Capacity’s overall mission of leveraging technology to enhance the buying experience and create a more efficient and effective process for procuring warehouse space. Key Takeaways Pop.Capacity is a platform that helps digitize procurement in logistics, focusing on warehouses and distribution centers. By creating a digital platform, Pop. Capacity provides a faster and more efficient solution for procuring warehouse space. The Pop.Capacity platform provides shippers and suppliers access to the best fit for them, allowing them to make quick decisions without wasting time. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 375: Pop.Capacity – The Future of Procuring Warehouse Space
ASSP names Safety Professional of the Year
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has named Subba Rao Palagummi, CSP, CMIOSH, F.S. Eng., its 2023 Safety Professional of the Year. The oil and gas industry safety expert from the Middle East has been an ASSP member for 15 years and has helped advance occupational safety and health for more than 30 years in India, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. Palagummi is a corporate health, safety, and environment specialist at ADNOC Onshore (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company). His organization is involved in oil exploration and production in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates located on an island in the Persian Gulf. Palagummi oversees a large team of health, safety, and environment professionals and contractors, and he has built a reputation of being a safety leader with integrity, knowledge, ethics, and an unwavering commitment to reducing illnesses, injuries, and fatalities on the job. He developed and delivered a workplace training module called “Supervising for Safety” that supports an organization-wide culture transformation strategy. He also organized a successful road safety awareness campaign to increase public safety. “He has spearheaded task forces across the group and developed standards and guidelines that led to corporate performance improvement and an enhanced safety culture,” said Tahir Azhibekov, an HSE manager at ADNOC. “His business acumen and people management skills are very much admired across the organization.” As past president of ASSP’s Kuwait Chapter and the chapter’s 2011 Safety Professional of the Year, Palagummi mentors fellow safety and health professionals and helps them advance their careers. He strives to motivate students and young engineers to pursue safety as a career. He also guides university safety students on internships and academic projects. He was ASSP’s Region 9 Safety Professional of the Year in 2019. “Rao has always been proactive and hard-working by nature,” said Viswasri Pendyala, an HSE manager at ADNOC. “His leadership skills in handling teams and mentoring young professionals deserve recognition.” As a lead auditor, Palagummi supports management system reviews and is known for his ability to work collaboratively. He broadly contributed to the development of his company’s life-saving rules as well as a safety and health training matrix for contractors. He also is experienced in creating emergency response plans, incident reporting procedures, and oil spill contingency plans. Each year, ASSP honors an occupational safety and health professional who demonstrates outstanding achievement in the safety field while making significant contributions to advancing the profession. Visit the ASSP website to see past recipients of the Society’s Safety Professional of the Year Award.
Unlocking the Power of Employee Ownership: Hargrove Controls & Automation’s Karen Griffin shares insights with ESOPs at 2023 CSIA Conference Panel
Vice President of Hargrove Controls & Automation Karen Griffin will be participating in a panel discussion on “Succession Planning to Developing a Culture of Ownership” at the 2023 Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) Executive Conference in New Orleans, LA Hargrove Controls & Automation, an industrial automation system integrator and a subsidiary of global EPC firm Hargrove Engineers & Constructors, will be represented by Karen Griffin P.E., vice president of Hargrove Controls & Automation, on the panel “Succession Planning to Developing a Culture of Ownership” at the 2023 Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) Executive Conference May 15-19, 2023 in New Orleans, LA. Griffin will participate in a panel of professionals, alongside Ray Brown, Dan Markowitz, and Joe DeJong, who are experienced in Employee Stock Ownership Programs (ESOP). The panel will dig into the pros and cons of the ESOP structure, how to successfully transition businesses to an ESOP, the impact the change has on company culture, and the effect it has on recruiting and employee retention. “I am thrilled to be a part of this panel of esteemed professionals sharing our firsthand experiences and insights on the benefits and challenges of transitioning to an Employee Stock Ownership Program,” said Griffin. “I look forward to sharing our valuable experience as well as learning from the other panelists about their experiences and successes on the impact of transitioning their companies to an ESOP.” The panel is part of “Track 3 – Company Culture and Emerging Leaders,” one of the sessions available for participants to attend. The panel will take place Thursday, May 18th, from 4:25 pm – 5:10 pm. The CSIA Executive Conference brings together system integration industry professionals to share business insights to tackle the challenges they face, learn about new industry opportunities, and network with peers.
Practice Ladder Safety all year long – Ladder Safety Month is over, but safe ladder usage is not
The American Ladder Institute (ALI) spent last month marking National Ladder Safety Month, spreading the word about safe ladder practices, training opportunities, and more. Because safety never takes a break, now is the time to take the lessons learned in March and carry them forward all year long. By continuing to follow ladder safety practices every day, we can reduce the number of home and workplace ladder injuries. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind: Choosing Your Ladder Before you ever climb, select the appropriate ladder for the job based on style, material of construction, material weight, size, and duty rating. First, you have to know whether or not the work can be accessed with a self-supporting stepladder, or a leanable, non-self-supporting, single or extension ladder. To be able to safely reach the work, size must be considered. If light weight is most important, then aluminum might be best. However, if you will be working around electricity, make sure to choose a non-conductive material like fiberglass. Select a ladder with the duty rating to hold your own weight plus any work materials going up with you. Safety Before the First Step (Inspection and Set Up) You’ve chosen your ladder. Now comes the ladder inspection and gaining a thorough understanding of your surroundings. First of all, even a new ladder can potentially be damaged or otherwise compromised. So, the user must visually inspect it to see if it’s in good condition before they use it. If you’ve picked the right ladder for the job, then don’t misuse it by standing higher than you should or by overreaching. Next, take note of the general area you’re in. For example, is there potential for a forklift to come around the corner, or an unblocked door to swing open and knock you over? Is the ladder set up correctly with all feet on a firm, level surface? Safety While Climbing Maybe you’ve gone up that ladder 100 times. The 101st time is no time to get lax when it comes to personal safety. Always pay attention to what you are doing when climbing and using your ladder. Some tips are just common sense. Face the ladder and have a firm grip. Don’t have hands distracted with other materials. Keep hands free by using a tool belt or some other means, such as a material lift, tag line, or rope, to raise equipment to the work area. Remember to maintain three points of contact as you climb: two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand on the ladder. And don’t do unnecessary reaching. A good rule of thumb: keep your belt buckle between the rails. Safety at the Top You’re finally at the uppermost point of your ladder. This is no time for slacking off. Contact with the ladder is important not only while climbing, but also while working. To that end, the top step and the top cap of a stepladder and the top three rungs of a single or extension ladder are not suitable standing surfaces. The few upper feet of the ladder are there for body support, so you don’t have to balance on just your two feet. If you are transitioning from the ladder onto another surface, your ladder must be secured from movement. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ladder deaths accounted for 161 on-the-job fatalities in 2020, the most recent year for which statistics are available. That same year, there were 22,710 ladder-related workplace injuries, an injury stat that has remained relatively constant over the previous several years. ALI’s Ladder Safety Training site, www.laddersafetytraining.org makes safety training easy, with an organized curriculum, video and resource library, and free registration.
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending April 8, 2023
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending April 8, 2023. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 451,336 carloads and intermodal units, down 11.2 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending April 8 were 225,669 carloads, down 4.6 percent compared with the same week in 2022, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 225,667 containers and trailers, down 17.0 percent compared to 2022. Four of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2022. They included motor vehicles and parts, up 977 carloads, to 14,331; petroleum and petroleum products, up 543 carloads, to 9,861; and metallic ores and metals, up 529 carloads, to 21,230. Commodity groups that posted a decrease compared with the same week in 2022 included grain, down 4,158 carloads, to 20,105; coal, down 3,655 carloads, to 62,070; and chemicals, down 3,615 carloads, to 31,525. For the first 14 weeks of 2023, U.S. railroads reported a cumulative volume of 3,219,161 carloads, down 0.1 percent from the same point last year; and 3,249,230 intermodal units, down 10.8 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 14 weeks of 2023 was 6,468,391 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 5.8 percent compared to last year. North American rail volume for the week ending April 8, 2023, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads totaled 325,473 carloads, down 4.0 percent compared with the same week last year, and 293,300 intermodal units, down 19.4 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 618,773 carloads and intermodal units, down 12.0 percent. North American rail volume for the first 14 weeks of 2023 was 8,950,311 carloads and intermodal units, down 3.9 percent compared with 2022. Canadian railroads reported 78,797 carloads for the week, down 0.3 percent, and 58,922 intermodal units, down 21.9 percent compared with the same week in 2022. For the first 14 weeks of 2023, Canadian railroads reported a cumulative rail traffic volume of 1,954,736 carloads, containers, and trailers, up 0.9 percent. Mexican railroads reported 21,007 carloads for the week, down 11.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 8,711 intermodal units, down 47.8 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 14 weeks of 2023 was 527,184 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 2.4 percent from the same point last year. To view traffic counts, click here.
Flynn bids farwell to the “Iron Business” after 50 years
Mike Flynn, Felling Trailers’ Northeastern Regional Sales Manager, bids farewell to life as a trailer sales rep after 22 years with the company. Mike decided to retire from the “iron business” in January of 2023. A relationship that started in late 1999 when Mike met with Merle Felling (founder and COB of Felling Trailers), having their first conversations on Flynn representing the Felling Trailers brand in the Northeast. At that time, Felling was looking to expand their dealer distribution network beyond the Upper Midwest into the Northeast. In 2000 Mike signed on with Felling Trailers as an independent trailer sales rep for the Northeast region covering Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, DC, and Delaware. No stranger to the iron business, when Mike was 13, his father started his own short-line distribution company after 13 years of representing John Deere overseas. “I got involved with his business from the ground up working weekends, and as I got older, I became more involved with every aspect of the business itself,” said Mike. They sold a wide variety of equipment Ag, light industrial equipment (including equipment trailers), domestic and foreign importing equipment such as Belarus tractors, and tillage equipment from Germany and Italy. Mike learned every facet of the business, from equipment assembly and delivery to sales and dealer training on their extensive line of products. In 1990, he left the family business to be an independent rep on his own. “I repped for Harley Rock Rakes along with Dynaweld trailers for nine years until the company was sold after the owner passed in a tragic plane crash. One of my dealers had heard of Felling Trailers and suggested I check them out. This came at a perfect time to replace Dynaweld with a like quality product (Felling Trailers), but with a wider variety of models on the smaller capacity end,” said Flynn. Mike also represented Liddell Trailers for a period of nine years, selling their heavy haul products that were at a higher capacity than what Felling was manufacturing at the time. Mike represented Liddell until 1999 when the owner passed, and the company was sold. While representing Felling, Mike also took on Rogers from 2007 to 2021 to supplement the heavy haul trailers that Liddell had been making. Throughout his time with Felling Trailers, Mike grew the company’s dealer base and brand awareness from being “the new kid on the block,” as Mike would put it, to a well-recognized leader in the trailer manufacturing space with over 50 dealers throughout the northeast region. “Mike Flynn had started with Felling Trailers as an independent trailer sales rep back in 2000 and was the driving force in establishing the Felling brand in the Northeastern US. We wish him the best in his retirement,” said Pat Jennissen, VP of Sales & Marketing Felling Trailers. “I never thought of my career as work. I had a passion for the challenges of marketing new quality products, meeting new people, and covering the beautiful Northeast,” said Mike. Never slowing down, Mike continued establishing new dealers and selling trailers until he retired. Joining the team for one more hoorah, Mike made his final appearance with the Felling Sales team at the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG show in Las Vegas this past March. Many of Felling’s Northeastern dealers that Mike had established over the years stopped to visit and wish him well. “Mike has been instrumental in the development of the dealer network in the Northeast US. In addition to being a long-time colleague, he’s been a great friend and a mentor to me. I learned a tremendous amount of invaluable information from him, for which I’m extremely grateful! Mike, you’ve worked hard your entire life, and now it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Congratulations on your retirement!” said Nathan Uphus, Sales Manager Felling Trailers. Since retiring, Mike and his wife, Wendy, have relocated from their home in Fayetteville, NY, to their vacation home in Naples, FL, to enjoy the golf course life. Mike’s plans for retirement, “We plan on “over-recreating,” as we call it, with all that we have here for amenities. We want to spend more time with our two sons, their families, and our grandson, as well as traveling the remainder of the world we haven’t seen yet while visiting friends and family along the way.” For the interim, trailer, and dealer inquiries for the Northeastern region, you may contact Felling’s Internal Sales team at 800-245-2809 or via email at [email protected].
K2 Marine turns to Caldwell Posi-Turner for load rotation
When K2 Marine was searching for a lifting device to solve the issue of flipping their boat parts once they come off the mold at their dockyard in Knoxville, Arkansas, they looked no further than Caldwell. After seeing the Posi-Turner in action at another boat plant, Bill Kenner, co-founder, of K2 Marine, which owns BlackJack Boats and Frontier Boats, ordered a 2MP-180 Minimum Profile Posi-Turner from Caldwell’s representative, Riptide Sales and Service in Mississippi. The order took eight weeks to deliver, from customer inquiry to evaluation and qualifying, with concept drawings to final design and manufacture. Caldwell’s Posi-Turner is used by companies around the world to lift, suspend, rotate, and position hard-to-handle objects and is a patented material handling system for objects in light to heavy-duty applications. “Several years ago, I saw a Caldwell Posi-Turner being used at another boat plant. It seemed to perfectly solve the issue of flipping the boat parts once they come off the mold. These pieces are not heavy but are cumbersome to turn over with manpower and normal hoists. The turn of these parts constituted some risk to the individuals turning the part and it was common for damage to be done to the pieces in the process of turning them over,” said Kenner. “We ordered a RLL-2MP-180SP Posi-Turner with twin bails, capacity 2,000 lbs., matched up with two CM 1-ton hoists. The order was part of an overall plant expansion at K2 Marine and took six months to complete the total project. “The main challenges regarding installation included proper measurements of the part that would be rotated and what length of straps would be required. Caldwell helped with this and when the first set proved to be too long, they came to the rescue and provided the proper length required. “Use of the Posi-Turner has proved to be a time saver, turning the parts over with less damage with fewer people involved with a much safer method. I wish all the other equipment purchased for the plant expansion worked as well.” Sean Powers, Posi-Turner Applications Specialist, The Caldwell Group, said safety, efficiency, and damage-free products are what makes the technology a popular choice. “The Posi-Turner units are extremely robust and overbuilt. We have customers still using units from prior to Caldwell acquiring the line in 2000. We always hope for and have repeat customers for the technology, but the biggest factor in the marine industry is the need to continually build customer-driven bigger boats. Bigger boats equal larger capacities and longer Posi-Turner units to accommodate,” he said. “Depending on the capacity from 500 lbs. to 110,000 lbs. and more, ordering can take six to 16 weeks or more depending on the parts and materials available. Our Posi-Turner systems are a popular product in our Caldwell line due to all the industries it serves.” Tyler Newton, Riptide Sales & Service, said following discussions with K2 Marine they traveled to Arkansas to meet with Bill Kenner and complete a walkthrough of the location where the Posi-Turner would be in use. “Once we visited the site visit and discussed what their needs were, we were able to determine exactly what was needed to quote the project. We had some issues at first syncing both hoists on the Posi-Turner but after working with both K2 and Caldwell we were able to get the correct information/codes together to have all transmitters and electrical components working.” Family-owned K2 Marine builds about 250 boats per year, sold through 20 independent dealerships, from New Jersey to South Florida and along the Gulf Coast into Texas. “Each boat requires one to two pieces to be turned over from the original upside-down position that is built, weighing from 500 lbs. to 1,000 lbs. These pieces are then assembled to build a complete boat. The hull of the boat is built similarly but does not need to be flipped over. A complete boat would weigh between 1,800-3,000 lbs. depending on the model,” said Kenner. The optional patent-pending Auto-Leveler is an easy way to keep a load level during rotations. The product can be added to the Posi-Turner at the time of the order or be field-mounted to existing units. The solution is suited to applications in transportation (auto frames, engines, truck chassis, etc.); heavy equipment; concrete; metal forming; and more.
Seeq announces the Seeq Solution for Microsoft Sustainability Manager
The new solution enables sustainability teams to leverage advanced analytics to accelerate organizational efforts to record, report and reduce emissions Seeq Corporation, a provider of manufacturing and industrial Internet of Things advanced analytics software, has announced the Seeq Solution for Microsoft Sustainability Manager. The solution enables sustainability teams to extend the power of Microsoft Sustainability Manager, a Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability solution, to integrate time series process data preparation, analysis, and continuous improvement, reducing the environmental impact of process industry operations. Analyzing time series data from equipment sensors is critical for measuring sustainability impact at process manufacturing companies. Microsoft Sustainability Manager enables these organizations to unify their data to record, report and reduce their environmental impact. By leveraging the new Seeq Solution for Microsoft Sustainability Manager, these organizations can extend this experience by radically decreasing data connectivity, preparation, and analytics efforts. With the solution, the Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability data model is incorporated into the Seeq workflow for consistency of emissions data. Process experts leverage Seeq’s live data connectivity and auditable data cleansing and contextualization capabilities to enrich their time series emissions data, reducing manual data preparation time by up to 80 percent. Sustainability teams can seamlessly access this contextualized data within Microsoft Sustainability Manager to track direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) emissions for reports and to set and track accurate emissions reduction goals. “As a Microsoft Partner, Seeq is committed to help our shared customers navigate their infrastructure and data challenges to achieve measurable sustainability gains,” says Megan Buntain, VP of Cloud Transformation at Seeq. “The Seeq Solution for Microsoft Sustainability Manager is the latest of our solutions built on the Seeq platform to make time series data insights available to all stakeholders for improved outcomes in process manufacturing.” In addition to providing access to the operational data for the corporate sustainability teams, Seeq solution empowers subject matter experts to identify root causes of issues and opportunities for optimization on an asset operations level. These insights provide continuous-improvement feedback as reports and system-wide emissions views are assembled and utilized by corporate teams in Microsoft Sustainability Manager. Real-time collaboration capabilities within Seeq enable asset operations teams to streamline communications with the broader organization, improving cross-functional awareness and emissions management. “Seeq adds value to our mutual customers by integrating their solutions with Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability,” says Dominik Wee, CVP, of Manufacturing and Mobility Industry, Microsoft. “The Seeq Solution for Microsoft Sustainability Manager addresses a variety of pain points related to emissions’ data availability recording, reporting, and reduction and enables customers to accelerate the success of their sustainability initiatives.” Within the Microsoft booth at Hannover Messe in Hall 17 Stand G06 from April 17-21, the Seeq team will showcase the Seeq Solution for Microsoft Sustainability Manager and demonstrate how to process manufacturers can leverage Seeq in the Microsoft Cloud to uncover insights to achieve sustainability and reliability goals. Seeq has been available as a SaaS application in the Azure Marketplace since 2019, with support for many Azure cloud services including Synapse, Azure Data Lake, and Active Directory. Seeq also supports connectivity to Azure Data Explorer, Time Series Insights, and Power BI.
Crowley invests in REPOWR to accelerate sustainability in supply chains
Asset-Sharing Platform and Network Optimization Solution Will Aid Logistics Providers Crowley, a global transportation and logistics provider, announced a venture investment in REPOWR, a logistics-technology start-up, bringing a technology platform for equipment and asset usage and sharing to the supply chain industry. The platform enables companies to seamlessly share logistics equipment, increasing performance while reducing the environmental impact of ownership. Through the partnership, the companies will advance sustainable solutions for supply chain management for a wider market. REPOWR has developed a collaborative asset-sharing platform, connecting logistics companies with more data and analytics to reduce underutilized assets. The platform and its Universal Trailer Network have gained significant traction in domestic trucking, and under REPOWR’s strategy, even greater network effects will be achieved as the platform is applied across other transportation modes. Through this partnership, Crowley will enable REPOWR to accelerate the diversification and expansion of its asset-sharing model, empowering international logistics businesses to share assets with the same ease and security as their domestic counterparts. The partnership also enables Crowley to explore new network opportunities by leveraging REPOWR’s platform and expertise. “We are excited to partner with REPOWR to integrate our asset network with others on the platform to create sustainable solutions for our customers, said Tom Crowley, company Chairman and CEO. “Our investment in REPOWR advances Crowley’s commitment to sustainability and further solidifies innovation as part of our strategic growth. This collaboration is a significant step towards the future of sustainable and efficient logistics.” The two companies recently completed a successful pilot where Crowley leveraged the REPOWR platform to rebalance chassis pools across its network while generating revenue and strengthening relationships with existing carrier partners. Crowley increased network efficiencies and asset utilization, highlighting the opportunity this partnership affords for supply chains globally. “As a young company, we are thrilled to partner with a company that has led our industry with such impressive class and innovation for well over a century,” said Patrick Visintainer, CEO of REPOWR. “Our early success with Crowley is a wonderful springboard to further network optimization, and we look forward to helping them and other companies with whom they network on the REPOWR platform to realize maximum asset utilization.”
150k Picking Robots to be installed by 2030… and we’re only scratching the surface
Substantial and accelerating growth is predicted for the robotic picking sector over the coming years, as labor costs rise, and the cost of robots fall. At Interact Analysis, we forecast there will be just over 150,000 picking robots installed by 2030, with annual shipments jumping from less than 2,000 in 2022 to just above 50,000 by the end of the decade. Demand for robotic picking is expected to pick up pace towards the end of the forecast period. However, this is just the beginning and we’re going to see a large increase in adoption over the coming years, which will speed up as the benefits of robotic picking become more apparent. The uptake will be driven by rising wage costs in warehouses, labor shortages, and the rapid development of AI and machine vision technology. The information in this insight provides a top-level summary of key industry trends and is taken from our upcoming Robotic Picking Report, which provides an in-depth look at the robotic picking market as a whole. Falling robot costs, rising wage bills Over time, the cost of warehouse labor is increasing, while the cost of robotic picking is gradually coming down. Picking tasks in warehouses is extremely repetitive, and companies across the world have struggled to recruit and retain warehouse operators for several years, driving up the cost of labor. At the same time, we expect the price of robotic picking to come down significantly over the coming years, largely driven by pricing pressures for robotic arms and machine vision software. By 2030, we expect the average price of picking robots will drop by 40%, while the cost of warehouse labor will increase by approximately 30% over the same period. Changing roles for warehouse employees The types of roles carried out within a warehouse are changing over time. Historically, most employees have been very mobile due to the nature of person-to-goods picking. However, the rise of automation is leading to the growth of static manipulation roles within warehouses. We estimate there will be around 7.5 million global full-time equivalents (FTE) employees performing static manipulation tasks by 2030, which is more than double that of 2022. The growth of static manipulation roles is expected to be a large driver for the adoption of robotic picking. AI technology improvements driving the market Improvements to AI machine vision technology increase the range of items that can be manipulated by robots and boost the success rate of each pick. We currently assume that for every 3-5 robots, there will be a full-time equivalent (FTE) employee supervising them. However, we expect this will increase to one FTE per 7-10 robots by 2030, improving the unit economics. What’s more, improved AI machine vision and path-planning increase the speed of robotic picking, further improving ROI. For example, we spoke with a representative of one of the leading robotic picking vendors at ProMat 2023, who mentioned the pick rate of their robotic picking system has increased by 17% year-on-year. Barriers to Entry There are, however, several barriers that the industry must first overcome. Firstly, the cost of robotic picking is still prohibitively high in many scenarios, particularly for one-shift operations. It’s often mentioned that the industrial robots on the market today – which are designed for the automotive industry – are largely over-spec for logistics applications. They include expensive proprietary path-planning motion control software (which is often overwritten by the robotic picking vendors), along with extreme precision capabilities that are not required for warehouse picking operations. As a result, there’s significant demand for cheaper industrial robots that don’t include all the ‘bells and whistles’ found in robots currently on the market. Furthermore, we hear that the programming of robots is still a challenge and requires the expertise of robotic engineers. There are currently 132k robotic engineers in the US and this will need to increase significantly to avoid labor becoming a major bottleneck to market growth. Increasing the labor pool of robotic engineers and reducing the complexity associated with programming industrial robots will be key to widespread adoption. Looking to the future of robotic picking Despite more than 150k picking robots expected to be installed by 2030, this represents just 2% of the number of FTEs forecast to be performing static manipulation tasks that year. As we’ve discussed, there is a convergence of factors that we believe will lead to widespread growth in the robotic picking segment over the next decade. About the Author: Irene joined Interact Analysis in 2022 as one of the warehouse automation industry analysts. She has seven years of experience in industry research and international M&A. Before joining Interact Analysis, Irene worked for a PE firm focusing on investing in global semiconductor companies. She holds a master’s degree in Applied Economics. Irene is based in the UK office. Email: [email protected]
FHI, LLC launches FHI NOW to tackle supply chain staffing challenges
FHI Inc., a supply chain labor workforce services provider, is introducing FHI NOW, an on-demand labor solution, to help companies address the shortage of qualified supply chain workers. The service provides staffing solutions that augment an existing workforce with personnel based on each customer’s specific needs, delivering measurable results at a predictable cost, while enhancing ergonomics and safety measures. All FHI NOW associates are trained in ‘The FHI Way,’ which includes a comprehensive range of standard procedures to ensure workplace safety and improved productivity. Because of their experience, the onboarding and learning curve for FHI NOW team members is extremely short, so they are highly productive from day one. “If your company is facing a labor crisis or there are significant seasonal swings in your volume, FHI NOW is a perfect solution because we provide the trained and reliable workers you need to quickly stabilize the operation and get back to running efficient facilities. Our team members are focused on safety and acclimate to client warehouse environments almost immediately, saving you time and money,” said Ryan Wall, CEO of FHI. FHI NOW is available for most consumer product supply chains, including grocery, food service, apparel, furniture, beverage, healthcare, automotive, construction, and manufacturing. There are more than 1,600 qualified associates in the FHI NOW network, with expertise in selecting, unloading, loading, receiving, order consolidation, replenishment, put-away, shipping, and more. Each FHI NOW team consists of at least 10 associates with onsite leaders who have both warehouse operations and people management experience. FHI can provide 150 associates or more for clients’ locations and has the capacity to deploy teams for several months and even years. To learn more about FHI NOW, visit https://www.fhiworks.com/services/fhinow or contact FHI directly to schedule a consultation.
$4.5 Million STEM Talent Challenge funding opportunity launched to Build a Robust STEM Workforce
The U.S. Economic Development Administration or EDA is now accepting applications for its FY23 STEM Talent Challenge to support programs to train science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent and fuel regional innovation economies across the nation. The $4.5 million competition will provide funding for programs that help build a robust STEM workforce in emerging and transformative sectors such as aerospace, aeronautics, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity, among others. Click here for the Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDF) Competition applicants may request up to $500,000 for the implementation of a 24-month workforce program that complements their region’s innovation economy. Click here to apply. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 12, 2023. Competitive applications will demonstrate how the program will develop or expand regional STEM workforce capacity to support entrepreneurial ventures, industries of the future, and other innovation-driven businesses. Click here to learn more about past STEM Talent Challenge awardees Eligible applicants include cities, counties, states, other political subdivisions of states, and Tribal Nations; as well as non-profit organizations, public-private partnerships, federal laboratories or science/research parks, institutions of higher education, Economic Development Organizations, and consortia of the aforementioned with government support. For more information including full details on eligibility, visit EDA’s STEM Talent Challenge webpage. EDA’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) administers the STEM Talent Challenge, which is authorized under Section 30 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Act of 1980. This challenge builds on the momentum of OIE’s Build to Scale Program, which builds regional economies through scalable startups.
Monarch Brands joins Hospeco Brands Group
The move creates a multi-market juggernaut; adds whole product lines, expands microfiber and wiping product offering Two powerful market leaders are joining together to form one powerhouse partnership. Hospeco Brands Group, a United States-based, full-line manufacturer of personal care, cleaning, and protection products to serve the janitorial, industrial supply, automotive, foodservice, healthcare, and hospitality markets, is announcing a merger with Monarch Brands, wholesalers and manufacturers of microfiber, commercial laundry linen, institutional textiles, and wiping products. The move dramatically expands Hospeco Brands Group’s offering of wiping solutions and microfiber and adds complementary new lines to an already robust product mix. With roots established in 1947, Monarch Brands is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and delivers high-quality and value-priced textiles from manufacturers located in 10 nations around the world in Asia, Europe, and Central America. Monarch Brands’ products serve diverse markets, including environmental services, hospitality, institutional, food service, industrial, and janitorial/sanitary, with deep penetration in the whole of North America. Unlike other Hospeco Brands Group brands, Monarch Brands has a solid retail presence with trademarked lines, from opening price points to luxury textiles, in the Americas and around the world. The move adds complementary product lines to Hospeco Brands Group, with some strategic overlap that further deepens the microfiber and wiping product offering. It also creates opportunities for mutual growth as both entities gain new products to offer existing customers. “Joining forces with Monarch Brands exponentially strengthens the position of Hospeco Brands Group in the microfiber and wiper segments — gaining us a near leadership share,” said Bill Hemann, executive vice president of Hospeco Brands Group. “Similarly, Monarch gains the ability to sell Hospeco Brands Group’s complementary products. We are perfect partner brands with aligned goals —providing meaningful product solutions and services through the commercial distribution community that help ensure clean, safe, and productive environments and provide care and comfort to millions around the globe. Our now-shared customer base will immediately recognize the value of our combined resources.” Said Hal Kanefsky, president of Monarch Brands, “This merger is the natural evolution for the growth of Monarch Brands and Hospeco Brands Group. Together, we bring complementing products and talents into a single focus point to benefit all stakeholders. The collective product bundle positions us as an industry leader throughout North America. We are proud to be the newest member of the Hospeco Brands Group and we look forward to growing together in the future.” All key management and sales staff will remain with Monarch Brands. Existing shared distribution in certain key markets is expected to accelerate market penetration. There are no changes to existing customer relationships at this time. To learn more about Hospeco Brands Group’s full line of personal care, cleaning, and protection products to serve the janitorial, industrial supply, food service, healthcare, and hospitality markets—visit www.hospecobrands.com/home.