Plus One Robotics appoints Ben Gines as Senior Project Manager
Plus One Robotics, a provider of advanced robot vision perception software and solutions for parcel handling systems performing over one million picks per day, has announced the hiring of Ben Gines as senior project manager. Gines is responsible for leading projects from initial customer engagement to robotic solution delivery. “Ben’s deep experience within the robotics industry has provided him an exceptional combination of automation and system integration expertise,” said Crystal Parrott, Chief Operating Officer at Plus One. “We know that he will energize our system engineering team and help us strengthen customer relationships by delivering solutions that exceed expectations.” Gines specializes in turnkey control system integration and has experience working with notable organizations like Fanuc America Corporation, ABB Robotics, and Yaskawa Motoman. Other areas of expertise include OEM product design, capital project management, vendor oversight, and end-user relationship management. Prior to joining Plus One Robotics, Gines was the innovation director at Automated and the robotics execution project manager at Dematic. Gines has a Bachelor of Science in electrical automation and robotic engineering from Utah Valley University and a Master of Engineering in engineering management from Ohio State University.
Toshiba promotes Steven Sauer to Chief Revenue Officer
Toshiba America Business Solutions has promoted its president of Toshiba Business Solutions Steven Sauer to the role of Chief Revenue Officer. The 28-year industry veteran and 19-year Toshiba executive is now primarily responsible for increasing the company’s revenue and profitability via its United States direct and indirect sales channels. With a background in corporate banking, Sauer began his career in the industry as the chief operating officer of Business Methods, Inc., a reseller of multifunction printers, commercial audio-visual systems, and IT solutions in Rochester, N.Y. He soon after became president and owner, during which time he more than doubled revenues to $30 million and grew the business to a highly profitable and reputable local dealership. Upon selling the business to Toshiba in 2004, Sauer became president of TBS New York. Sauer has held a variety of sales positions regionally and nationally at Toshiba. For the past three years, Sauer oversaw sales, professional services, and operational management of TBS’ four regions with nearly 100 locations across the United States. In this role, he successfully navigated Toshiba’s direct sales channel through the pandemic while also dramatically increasing the company’s managed print as a service, software solutions, and major account businesses. “Steven’s impact spanning his time with us at Toshiba is immeasurable,” states Toshiba America Business Solutions President and Chief Executive Officer Larry White. “Steven brought the best practices he learned as a dealer to our own offices and business. He and his teams consistently expanded our sales operations while elevating our profitability. I’m thrilled by the greater impact he can make since he understands how to drive success both at the independent dealer level and at the national level.” “Truly looking forward to engaging with our entire reseller community while ultimately providing Toshiba’s clients with premium technology that enables them to operate as efficiently as possible,” says Sauer. “I’m here to collaboratively lead our sales organizations while providing the best possible support to these teams.” Toshiba’s newly minted CRO has received recognition as a Rochester, New York Chamber of Commerce ‘Small Businessperson of the Year,’ Rochester Business Journal Forty Under 40 recipient, Mental Health Association of Rochester/Monroe County ‘Volunteer of the Year,’ and ENX Magazine Difference Maker. Sauer is also highly involved in elevating Rochester by serving on the community board of Genesee Regional Bank. He has additionally served as vice chairman of Unity Health System, president of the Mental Health Association of Rochester/Monroe County, chairperson of the Young Entrepreneur Organization, and spent a decade coaching a Rochester youth hockey team. Sauer holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York College at Geneseo. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School Executive Education Owner/President Management Program.
Bally Ribbon Mills announces 100th Anniversary
Family lead business celebrates a century of textile innovation Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM), an industry provider in the design, development, and manufacture of highly specialized engineered woven fabrics, announces its 100th Anniversary. Since BRM’s founding in 1923 as a custom textile manufacturer in Bally, PA, the company has provided products for aerospace, defense, medical, safety, automotive, commercial, and industrial applications used around the world. A small representation of BRM’s accomplishments over the past century includes the production of goods for the war effort in World War II, maintaining a continuous ISO quality program for close to 30 years, and numerous contracts, including with the U.S. Military, Department of Defense, and NASA. BRM’s work with NASA includes using composite material in the construction of the heat shield used on NASA’s Orion spacecraft. BRM has been praised by NASA for its ability to answer every specification and challenge. “As a family business, Bally Ribbon Mills is extremely proud to be a trusted partner by some of the largest, well-known companies and agencies from around the world,” said Mark Harries, Vice President, at Bally Ribbon Mills. “Our success has been based on a long-term vision of growth, built around our high-quality engineered fabrics manufactured in America, our skilled employees, and our reputation as a trusted advisor to customers. We will continue to stay at the forefront of technology for all of the industries we serve, just as we have over the past 100 years.” BRM continues to expand and innovate at its Bally, PA facility through the addition of new equipment, departments, and employees.
Women In Trucking Association Awards Truck to Female Owner-Operator
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) announced the winner of its second truck giveaway in the last five years. WIT gave away a 2018 Volvo VNL670 truck, which includes a Volvo VED13 engine and a double-bunk sleeper, to Angelique Temple, owner-operator of Virginia-based Tornado Transport LLC during WIT’s Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event on March 31 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. The truck was donated by Kansas City-based Arrow Truck Sales, which is a source of used heavy- and medium-duty trucks with locations across the U.S. and Canada. Temple has more than 20 years of experience in the trucking industry. She began her career in the industry in 1999 as a HAZMAT driver and trainer for Oil Transport and became a HAZMAT driver and certified trainer for Atlantic Bulk Carrier. In 2021 she started her own company, Tornado Transport LLC, through which she hauls dry foods, medical supplies, and most anything that doesn’t need to be refrigerated. This additional truck she was awarded will enable Temple to expand her capabilities in her business as well as actively introduce professional truck driving opportunities to young girls during high school career days. Temple has been an active member of the WIT Image Team since 2015, through which she regularly grants interviews, speaks at events, and does ride-alongs when needed. She was recently inducted into the Howes Hall of Fame and has been selected to be one of the new voices of safety for FMCSA’s Our Roads, Our Safety Program. She also is active in her community feeding the homeless and securing Christmas gifts for local families. “I’m still in shock that I won this truck,” says Temple. “Having this truck will expand my capabilities in my business and also will give me the ability to regularly talk with women about getting into the industry through events, my social media accounts, radio interviews, and conversations about new opportunities in trucking,” said Temple. WIT received more than 30 applications for the 2023 Truck Giveaway last fall. Qualified applicants were at least 23 years old, hold a valid commercial driver’s license, and are a member of WIT. Applicants completed an application form and submitted a short essay on why it is important to attract more women into the trucking industry.
Johnson Controls appoints Julie Brandt as Vice President and President, Building Solutions North America
Johnson Controls, the global provider of smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, has named Julie Brandt as vice president and president, Building Solutions North America (BSNA), effective today. As the leader of BSNA, Brandt will be responsible for strategy and execution for the $9B North American direct-channel business. She will focus on capturing market leadership, driving operational excellence, and accelerating growth by delivering a diverse portfolio of solutions for a variety of industries – from schools to office buildings, arenas to hospitals – to create healthier, more secure, and more enriching environments for BSNA customers. “Julie brings a wealth of knowledge to this role, with more than 27 years of proven experience leading profitable businesses, building diverse winning teams, and improving customer satisfaction to ensure consistent growth and service excellence,” said George Oliver, chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls. “Her vision for the future, coupled with her motivation to build a world-class, highly engaged team will be instrumental as we help more than 3 million North America customers create spaces that improve well-being, achieve climate goals and deliver greater efficiency and productivity through smart, autonomous buildings.” Brandt joins Johnson Controls from Otis Elevator Company, where she most recently held the role of executive vice president and general manager, U.S. Western Region with full P&L responsibility across 28 states. Brandt has lived and worked in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. She spent most of her career with Otis, holding roles of increasing responsibility within the branch and general management, operations, field execution, sales, marketing, communications, and business development. “Johnson Controls is on an incredible journey with a rich history of innovation and an unwavering focus on customer excellence,” said Brandt. “I am excited to be joining such a strong team and industry leader in the building’s space that is truly transforming the world around us.” Brandt earned an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Marketing from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business as well as leadership certifications from Harvard Business School. Brandt will be based at Johnson Controls’ U.S. headquarters in Milwaukee.
ASSP elections highlighted by Thornton’s upcoming move to president
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), the world’s oldest professional safety organization, has announced its new leaders from the 2023 Society elections. All terms begin July 1. James Thornton will serve as ASSP president for 2023-24. “Our Society’s strength is rooted in our dedicated volunteers and their desire to take on key leadership positions,” said ASSP President Christine Sullivan, CSP, ARM, whose term ends June 30. “Engaged safety professionals have always defined ASSP, keeping it vibrant and advancing worker safety and health everywhere.” ASSP’s top elected positions – all part of its Board of Directors – are president, president-elect, senior vice president, vice president of finance and directors-at-large. Each is a one-year term, except for the three-year terms of the vice president of finance and directors-at-large. The annual succession of leaders from senior vice president to president-elect, and from president-elect to president, is automatic. Following are snapshots of ASSP’s newly elected leaders, whose influence and contributions will help shape the Society and the profession while sustaining the organization as a global leader for workplace safety and health. • President James Thornton, CSP, CIH, FASSP, FAIHA, is president of consulting firm Alpha Industries LLC and previously directed safety and health for 40 years at Huntington Ingalls Industries, the nation’s largest military shipbuilder. He is an ASSP Fellow with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and master’s degree in industrial hygiene. An ASSP member since 1998, Thornton resides in Hampton, VA. • President-Elect Pam Walaski, CSP, FASSP, is a senior program director with Specialty Technical Consultants Inc. and teaches occupational safety and health courses at several universities across the country. She is an ASSP Fellow with 30 years of experience. Her honors include ASSP’s Charles V. Culbertson Outstanding Volunteer Service Award. A member since 2003, Walaski will be president in 2024-25. She resides in Templeton, PA. • Senior Vice President Linda Tapp, CSP, ALCM, CPTD, is president of SafetyFUNdamentals, an occupational safety training and consulting firm. She currently serves on the Board of Directors as vice president of finance. Tapp was ASSP’s Safety Professional of the Year in 2007. She has a master’s degree in environmental health. An ASSP member since 1989, Tapp will be president in 2025-26. She resides in Madison, NJ. • Vice President of Finance Thomas Kramer, P.E., CSP, is the managing principal for LJB Inc. He returns to the Board of Directors after serving as a director-at-large from 2019-22. He was ASSP’s Safety Professional of the Year in 2016. He holds an MBA from Miami University in Ohio and a master’s degree in structural engineering from the University of Cincinnati. An ASSP member since 2000, Kramer resides in Springboro, OH. • Director-at-Large Stephanie Johnson, CSP, CHMM, is the area manager of Global Real Estate, EHS, at AT&T, leading the EHS tank program nationwide. She has nearly 20 years of occupational safety and health experience. Johnson served as Southwest Chapter president and Region 3 North Area director. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin. A member since 2007, Johnson resides in Duncanville, TX. Joining these five leaders on ASSP’s 2023-24 Board of Directors are Directors-at-Large Steven Gray, CSP, CHST; Tim Page-Bottorff, CSP, CIT; and Daniel Snyder, Ed.D., CSP, CHST, OHST, CIT. Jennifer McNelly, CAE, has served as the Society’s CEO since 2018. Candidates for the board must be professional members who possess specific qualifications. The criteria include involvement in an ASSP committee or task force, a record of positive contributions to the occupational safety and health profession, support and understanding of the Society’s vision, and being an effective motivator who is results-driven. Find a complete list of the Society’s 2023 election results on the ASSP website.
Episode 374: Sustainable Power Solutions – EnerSys
In this episode of The New Warehouse, Harold Vanasse, Senior Director of Marketing at EnerSys, joins Kevin at ProMat 2023. Harold talks about the new EnerSys products and how they are helping warehouses with efficiency and sustainability. He also discusses some of the challenges warehouse managers face today and how they provide solutions to them. Be sure to tune in for this episode and learn about EnerSys and its innovative approach to powering the warehouse! ProMat 2023 – Trends and Challenges Harold and Kevin discuss their perspectives on ProMat 2023 and what they are hearing from attendees. Labor shortage continues to be an issue in the industry, and it remains a pressing challenge for companies to overcome. Equipment procurement also presents a challenge since it takes a lot of time, which affects productivity and operations. Sustainable power solutions have also been a big topic this year, with many companies looking for innovative solutions to minimize their carbon footprint and boost energy efficiency. At EnerSys, they have been receiving a lot of inquiries about how to achieve the goal of reducing emissions while improving operational efficiency. One way to reduce labor costs is through automation, with many companies looking for ways to automate some jobs and critical processes. This approach results from the difficulty in finding workers to fill roles, which is only getting more urgent. To stay competitive, companies are also prioritizing investment in the latest technology solutions and getting up-to-date on the total cost of ownership. Companies are looking for cost-effective strategies to maintain and operate their equipment. Overview of Automation, Electrification, and No Maintenance Some exciting trends in the industry include automation, electrification, and reduced maintenance. Electrification is a driving force for many industries in general, and with automation, this is becoming increasingly necessary, as reflected in power needs. The desire to minimize maintenance is another crucial factor contributing to this trend. At the EnerSys booth this year, they showcased a live wireless charger with an AGV from JBT. The highlight of this demonstration is using maintenance-free lithium batteries. This approach reflects the growing importance of automation, and you can see how automated-powered vehicles like the AGV lend themselves well to using maintenance-free products. For EnerSys, thin plate pure lead and lithium-ion batteries are ideal options since they have rapid recharge, high power, and require no maintenance. This is cost-effective and reduces downtime in the long run since a wireless charger has no wear and tear. These trends are exciting to watch as they point towards a future where automation, electrification, and no maintenance will become the norm in many industries, including material handling and logistics. Sustainable Power Solutions Lithium batteries’ reliability, longevity, and versatility make them particularly attractive for this market. EnerSys has just introduced a new 80-volt lithium-ion product in response to the growing demand in Europe and North America. By analyzing each customer’s power requirements and usage carefully, EnerSys can recommend a lithium, lead, or hybrid solution that will deliver the best results for the customer. Harold shares that EnerSys always considers the complete picture to ensure they can offer the most sustainable options while achieving optimal performance. Enersys believes in assisting customers with a comprehensive system approach, where the battery and charger work together seamlessly, monitoring the system’s performance to maximize its efficiency. This approach ensures the customer experiences a maintenance-free experience while delivering savings and sustainability across the vehicle’s lifecycle. Key Takeaways At ProMat 2023, automation was a major topic, with over 45% of seminars focusing on it. Going to a maintenance-free battery option can improve water conservation goals due to not needing to water the batteries. Only ~20% of S&P 500 companies issued sustainability reports a decade ago. Today, that number stands at an impressive ~95%. Similarly, ~80% of the Russell 1000 publicly traded companies now publish sustainability reports. It’s clear that this is not just a fad but an integral part of doing business in today’s world. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 374: Sustainable Power Solutions – EnerSys
Women In Trucking Association announces Gold Partnership with Navistar
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has welcomed Navistar Inc. as its newest Gold Level Partner, forming an industry alliance to further its mission to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments, and minimize the obstacles they face. Jennifer Macalaguin, VP of Engineering at Navistar, will serve on the Board of Directors. Since joining in 2014, Navistar has actively participated in the association. In 2022, the company, which manufactures International® brand commercial trucks, was a Platinum Sponsor of WIT’s Accelerate! Conference & Expo held in Dallas, TX Nov. 13-16 and virtually Dec. 6-7. Additionally, Navistar participated in the event’s Truck & Technology Tour which featured an International® eMV™ Series Class 6 607 SBA 4×2 box trucks. “Navistar is deeply involved with the efforts to support inclusion in the trucking industry, and this partnership with WIT further solidifies that commitment,” said Macalaguin. “It is an honor to represent Navistar on the Women in Trucking Association’s Board of Directors and I look forward to contributing more directly on this board as we build awareness and foster support to demonstrate the integral role women play in the trucking industry.” “WIT is pleased to welcome Navistar as a Gold Level Partner,” said Jennifer Hedrick, president and CEO of WIT. “Their avid support of the WIT mission and commitment to increasing gender diversity within the trucking industry makes this an exciting opportunity to expand the relationship between Navistar and the Women In Trucking Association.” Founded in 2007, the Women In Trucking Association was established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments, and minimize the obstacles they face. Currently, the organization is a resource for nearly 8,000 corporate and individual members located in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as Japan, Australia, Sweden, South Africa, and New Zealand. Recent accomplishments include: releasing the 2022 WIT Index, the official barometer to benchmark and measure the percentage of women who make up critical roles in transportation each year, finding professional female drivers increased to 13.7%; participating in White House and FMCSA roundtables and events; launching its Professional Driver Hub, an online resource to encourage driver success; and more than 1,700 registered attendees at the 2022 Accelerate! Conference and Exhibition.
March 2023 Logistics Manager’s Index Report®
LMI® at 51.1 Growth is INCREASING AT AN INCREASING RATE for Warehousing Capacity and Transportation Capacity Growth is INCREASING AT AN DECREASING RATE for Inventory Levels, Inventory Costs, Warehousing Utilization, and Warehousing Prices NO MOVEMENT FOR Transportation Utilization Transportation Prices ARE DECREASING The Logistics Managers’ Index reads at 51.1 in March, this is down (-3.6) from February’s reading of 54.7 in February. This is the lowest reading for the overall index in the 6.5-year history of the LMI. This is being driven by an all-time low in Transportation Prices, which are down (-5.0) to 31.1, reaching a nadir for the second consecutive month. Relatedly, Transportation Utilization reads in at 50.0, indicating no upward movement for the first time in 2023. Inventory Levels (55.6) continue to grow, though at a decreasing (-6.8) rate. And both Transportation (71.4) and Warehousing Capacity (58.2) continue their upward climb. Interestingly, Inventory Costs (66.0) read in below 70.0 – which we consider being the threshold of significant levels of expansion – for the first time since September 2020. Transportation and Warehousing both contribute to the costs of holding inventory. This metric moving to a more moderate rate of growth is a strong indicator that the high supply costs that have been the primary source of overall inflation in the U.S. for much of the last year are beginning to subside; something that will hopefully be taken into account by the Federal Reserve as they consider their course of action throughout the rest of 2023. Researchers at Arizona State University, Colorado State University, Florida Atlantic University, Rutgers University, and the University of Nevada, Reno, in conjunction with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) issued this report today. Results Overview The LMI score is a combination of eight unique components that make up the logistics industry, including inventory levels and costs, warehousing capacity, utilization, and prices, and transportation capacity, utilization, and prices. The LMI is calculated using a diffusion index, in which any reading above 50.0 indicates that logistics is expanding; a reading below 50.0 is indicative of a shrinking logistics industry. The latest results of the LMI summarize the responses of supply chain professionals collected in March 2023. The overall economy continues to be somewhat mixed. Things are clearly slower than they have been, but it does not seem that we are in an official recession. The U.S. economy grew at a pace of 2.6% in Q4 2022, which is slightly lower than what was expected[1]. This is partial because seasonally adjusted consumer spending grew by 0.2% in February, down significantly from the 2% growth observed in January. Inflation was up 5% year-over-year, but at a slower pace than what we saw in January’s 5.3%. Increased interest rates have led to the U.S. money supply falling year-over-year in every month since December – reaching its fasted rate of decline since the 1930s (which economically speaking, is never a decade you’d like to be compared to)[2]. However, the slowing rates of inflation, combined with the recent troubles in the banking system have led Jerome Powell to suggest the Fed’s program of interest rate increases may be slowing down in the near future[3]. This all led to some optimism on Wall Street, leading the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to expand by 7.3% and 16.77% in Q1 – which was the best quarter for the Nasdaq since 2020[4]. These mixed economic messages are epitomized by the LMI’s overall index score of 51.1 (-3.6). This is the slowest rate of growth we have ever tracked in the 6.5 years of the index, but it is still growth. Things have clearly been slowing down, but the macroeconomy has not yet come to a halt. Volumes moving through the Port of Los Angeles have been slowly climbing since reaching their nadir in February, with volume creeping back up over 100,000 TEUs in the second week of April[5]. This is likely an echo of the increase in Chinese manufacturing volumes we observed last month, as completed goods are now making their way to the U.S. The Chinese manufacturing PMI was down slightly in February but still expanding[6]. When combined with the robust expansion in Chinese services, it certainly seems the world’s second-largest economy is coming back to life, with some of the byproduct likely to be inventory trickling into the U.S. Inventory Levels are growing at a rate of 55.6, which is lower than what we’ve seen (-6.8) in 2023 but similar to November and December. This growth is likely focused more on retail and consumables as goods that are tied to housing and other areas that are most impacted by interest rates have piled up over the last year. Consumers are still spending though, and some new inventory coming into the U.S. will be necessary as some large retailers such as Nike report significant progress in whittling down inventories. Although for some firms, moving inventory so quickly required many goods to be sold at a discount which bumped up topline sales in 2022 – something that is likely to fall in 2023[7]. The slowdown in spending and a glut of inventory has led some firms to put additional pressure on their suppliers. The shortages that plague supply chains have long since ended and large firms are attempting to reestablish dominance over their suppliers, canceling orders and pushing for cost-cutting measures[8]. While Inventory Level expansion has slowed, we still see fairly robust growth in Inventory Costs, which read in at 66.0 (-4.8). It is interesting that Inventory Costs have fallen below 70.0 – which we define as the cutoff for significant rates of growth – for the first time since September 2020. Respondents predict that the expansion of this metric will continue to slow down over the next year. If this were to come true, it could signal significant relief for consumers and firms at every level of the supply chain. After 30 months of expansion, Warehousing Capacity is up (+1.6) for the second consecutive month to 58.2. Industrial property sales
Trelleborg sprints ahead as official partner for Giro d’Italia 2023
Trelleborg just announced that it has once again joined Italy’s prestigious Giro d’Italia 2023 cycling race as an official partner for the world-renowned event, attracting the attention of cycling enthusiasts and thousands of spectators each May for over 100 years. Roberta D’Agnano, EMEA Marketing Director at Trelleborg Wheel Systems remarked: “Last year proved to be a terrific opportunity to reconnect with our customers and end users in local communities across Italy. We are proud to renew our partnership with such an iconic and prestigious event. As tire experts, everyone at Trelleborg is committed to tackling new challenges and giving their best for achieving outstanding sustainable performance. Endurance, excellence, innovation, and team spirit proved to be the perfect fit, as Giro d’Italia and Trelleborg embrace the same values.” The Giro d’Italia is one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year, with riders taking on the challenge of traversing the entire length of Italy, from the plains up through its rough, mountainous terrain. This year’s race starts May 6th on the Adriatic sea’s Costa dei Trabocchi and features a total of 21 stages with riders coming into the final stretch on May 28th in Rome. As an official partner, Trelleborg will be stationed at each start village along the 3500-kilometer route across Italy, where visitors of all ages can win prizes in interactive challenges, view Trelleborg tire solutions up close, and meet cycling enthusiasts as racers set off on each leg of their journey. Find out where Trelleborg stands are set up and see each of the stages of the Giro d’Italia at www.trelleborg.com/it-it/wheels/media-e-eventi/pneumatici-agricoli-e-forestali/giro-di-italia-2023
Sevensense Robotics to showcase industry-proven Visual SLAM Solutions at LogiMAT 2023
Swiss 3D Visual Autonomy provider announced its participation in this year’s edition of the renowned logistics event in Stuttgart, Germany Sevensense Robotics is committed to innovation and excellence in the field of Visual SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology and hardware. Its participation in LogiMAT 2023 is a testament to its leadership and expertise in the industry. As a trusted partner to some of the world’s most innovative robotics manufacturers, Sevensense will showcase its cutting-edge Visual SLAM solutions, which enable precise positioning and navigation of automated guided vehicles (AGVs), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), and other service robots. With its unique market-proven Visual SLAM technology, Sevensense enables manufacturers of mobile robots to upgrade the navigation technology of their products and deliver best-in-class performance. “We are thrilled to be exhibiting at LogiMAT 2023 and to have the opportunity to demonstrate our Visual SLAM solution at a key event for the intralogistics industry. Our products have been designed to meet the needs of logistics businesses, providing a solution that can help AMR users to increase efficiency, and flexibility while reducing their operating costs. We are excited to work with our partners and their customers to reinvent how mobile robots are used to automate processes”, said Gianluca Cesari, Chief Business Development Officer at Sevensense Robotics. Product demos at LogiMAT 2023 The LogiMAT 2023 exhibition is the perfect platform for Sevensense to demonstrate its industry-leading technology and expertise. Visitors will be able to experience first-hand how 3D Visual Autonomy can enhance the capabilities of automated vehicles, enabling them to navigate and operate in complex environments with greater precision and efficiency. Sevensense Robotics will showcase its products: Alphasense Autonomy, is a multi-camera Edge AI solution that provides vehicles with advanced navigation capabilities. Alphasense Position, which leverages the same hardware bundle to provide precise localization. The Sevensense Robotics team will be offering live demos from Tuesday, April 25th to Thursday, April 27th at booth 6D09 in hall 6 at the LogiMAT 2023 show in Stuttgart, Germany. The first vehicles with embedded Sevensense Visual SLAM technology For the first time, Sevensense will display a number of series vehicles produced by its OEM partners and equipped with its Visual SLAM solutions. These mobile robots – spanning from intralogistics vehicles to service robots – state the maturity of the Sevensense technology and demonstrate only a few of the use cases that greatly benefit from it.
New DENIOS poster outlines 10-Step Emergency Leak Plan
DENIOS-US has produced a new full-color poster that outlines the 10 steps users should take when a leak is detected, based on ISO 14001. This informative resource walks users through the process of assessing the danger, stopping, and containing the leak, through clean-up, decontamination, and disposal of all materials. Additional steps include identification of appropriate personal protective equipment, marking the incident site, evaluating, and documenting the situation, and refilling emergency kits to be prepared for the next incident. Posters also include space for users to insert emergency contact information – name/departments and telephone number. Posters are free and available by request at https://bit.ly/10-step-leak-plan . In addition to this new poster, DENIOS-US maintains a document gallery of educational, safety, and environmental content, as well as other articles, for free download. DENIOS-US manufactures a full line of proven spill containment products including the DENSORB family of absorbents in rolls, socks, pillows, and pads. DENSORB Universal quickly absorbs oil, coolants, solvents, and water, as well as non-aggressive acids and alkalis. DENSORB Oil absorbs oils, diesel fuel, solvents, and petroleum (hydrocarbon-based liquids) without absorbing water. DENSORB HazMat should be used with acids, alkalis, and aggressive or unidentified liquids. Regardless of the DESORB product’s use, appropriate Personal Protective Equipment should be worn.
Crowley cultivates next generation ideas with inaugural Innovation Expo to support successful ventures
Crowley will kick off its first Innovation Expo on April 12, hosted in partnership with the business accelerator Plug and Play at the University of North Florida. The Expo will feature 20 startup ventures pitching their innovations for the advanced energy, sustainability, supply chain, and technology sectors. In addition, firms already working in partnership with Crowley in supply chain and sustainability technology will present their products. The event will include a panel discussion with Crowley and UNF experts on opportunities for innovation, venture investments, and technology advancement in the logistics industry. During the panel, attendees will hear from experts on how innovations and investment can be leveraged to advance solutions that make the industry better as well as help reach sustainability goals such as decarbonization. “This Expo is an excellent opportunity for Crowley, Plug and Play, and UNF to showcase partnership opportunities and drive a culture of innovation in our industry,” said Crowley’s Chief Strategy Officer, Deepak Arora. “Our goal is to create a signature event in Jacksonville, bringing corporate decision-makers, innovators together and sparking successful ventures that advance the industry and our communities.” Crowley’s partner Plug and Play is a global platform for innovation that connects startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Through its corporate innovation programs, it assists corporate partners in all stages of their innovation process, from learning to implementation of technology and connections with start-up innovators. The Expo will take place from noon to 5:30 p.m. at UNF’s Adam W. Herbert University Center. The event is an outgrowth of Crowley’s deepening ties to the university, which is home to the Crowley Center for Transportation and Logistics, endowed by the corporation to be a world leader in industry research, education, and engagement.
Motion AI opens new facility in Massachusetts
Motion Industries, Inc., a distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts and premier provider of industrial technology solutions, has announced the newest Motion Ai facility, located at 71 Cherry Hill Drive, Beverly, Massachusetts, 01915. The new facility officially opened on December 1, 2022. Motion Ai was in need of additional manufacturing and inventory space to better meet overall customer demand and to strategically grow the business. With 33,000 sq. ft., the new facility complements two existing Motion Ai facilities nearby in Danvers (19,000 sq. ft.) and Woburn (10,000 sq. ft.), providing the company a total of 62,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space in the Boston area. Most of the production and quality operations among the three locations are housed in the new facility in Beverly, with features including manufacturing lab benches and a quality control testing area. Systems engineering and production solutions focus on motion control, robotics, and machine vision, with additional specialty areas of precision components, electro-mechanical assemblies, and fully engineered automation systems. “The expanded manufacturing space will allow us to meet growing customer needs while adding future opportunities across our entire automation and robotic platforms,” said Aurelio Banda, Motion’s Senior Vice President, Automation Intelligence. “This includes additional OEM business and the ability to accept larger orders in quantity and physical size. We expect this new facility to fuel economic growth for the region, contributing beneficial, long-term impact.” Randy Breaux, President of Motion, said, “We are excited about this investment and anticipate that it will enhance the customer experience even more. We believe it will also increase the employee experience—there is a lot of talent within Motion Ai, and this expansion will offer excellent opportunities for our employees.” Currently, Motion Ai has opportunities for experienced automation engineers, electromechanical assemblers, and quality technicians to join the team, and the company will continue to hire as the business grows.
Bison Gear sees production gains with robotic automation
Bison Gear & Engineering Corp., a provider in the power transmission industry and a high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) manufacturer, highlights production gains with robotic automation. Bison incrementally introduces automation solutions and targets specific steps in the production process where automation can have the greatest impact. This includes both fully automating certain processes and using systems to assist human operators where possible and practical. An example of Bison’s full automation includes its Fanuc robot, which turns slugs of steel into finished gear blanks without any human interaction. This process previously required two human operators, but it now can happen in a fully automated fashion. The Fanuc robot transforms raw materials into inspected finished parts. Bison also uses a Renishaw comparator, which automates the inspection process by continually monitoring system accuracy and performance, automatically adjusting parameters where needed. This spring marks five years since Bison’s robot was brought online. In that time more than 500,000 gears have been finished in this automated gear blanking cell saving thousands of man-hours.
ASSP honors Krug for work on safety standards
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has named Terry W. Krug, M.S., CSP, the recipient of the 2023 Thomas F. Bresnahan Standards Medal for his extensive work in developing and advocating voluntary consensus occupational safety and health standards. Krug is president and owner of Exceptional Occupational Safety and Health Advisors (EXOSHA) in Knoxville, TN. He conducts OSHA standards training, develops safety and health programs, performs workplace audits, and provides expert witness testimony. Krug is a longtime member and current chair of the committee that has developed ANSI/ASSP Z117.1 Safety Requirements for Entering Confined Spaces. Considered a leading national expert on confined space safety, Krug has helped direct several revisions to the standard and has presented many webinars on the subject, including one internationally for the Italian Safety and Health Congress in 2012. “Terry’s expertise and involvement has strengthened the Z117.1 standard in a significant way,” said Leo DeBobes, CSP, CPEA, CIT, chair of the ASSP Standards Development Committee. “His analysis of a full decade of OSHA injury and fatality data provided insights that were vital to the revision of the standard.” Krug’s leadership resulted in a key update that made the standard easier to understand and implement. He regularly shares his confined space safety expertise by presenting courses at ASSP’s annual safety conferences, most recently in Chicago in 2022. An ASSP member since 1996, Krug has been involved in the development of several workplace safety standards, including ANSI/ASSP A10.43 Confined Spaces in Construction and Demolition Operations; A10.49 Control of Chemical Health Hazards in Construction and Demolition Operations; and ANSI/ASSP Z244.1 Control of Hazardous Energy Lockout, Tagout and Alternative Methods. He also served on ANSI/ASSP A10 Construction and Demolition standards subcommittees. “Terry’s impact on workplace safety and health standards is significant, and thousands of people are safer on the job today due to his contributions,” DeBobes said. “I can’t say enough about his value to the safety profession.” Krug served on ASSP’s Standards Development Committee from 2014-18. He also co-authored “Confined Space Entry: An AIHA Protocol Guide” published in 1995 and revised in 2001. The Thomas F. Bresnahan Standards Medal recognizes an ASSP member who actively participates in developing voluntary consensus standards that advance worker safety. The award is named in honor of Thomas F. Bresnahan, a former ASSP staff member and Fellow who reinvigorated the Society’s standards development program and helped position the organization for growth in this strategic area.
Episode 373: SnapFulfil at ProMat 2023
Brian Kirst, Chief Customer Officer, and Smitha Raphael, Chief Product and Delivery Officer at SnapFulfil join The New Warehouse to discuss their product and an exciting new solution called SnapControl. SnapFulfil is a cloud-based warehouse management system (WMS) that provides an all-in-one package for customers worldwide. The service caters to three main categories of clients— third-party logistics providers (3PLs), business-to-business (B2B) clients, and e-commerce clients—across various industries. Be sure to tune in to this episode to learn more about SnapFulfil’s innovative technology, their efforts in the ProMat conference this year, and how they are helping customers save time and money with their software. SnapFulfil Provides Flexible and Scalable Warehouse Management Smitha and Brian believe SnapFulfil’s speed, flexibility, and scalability make it a standout platform for businesses looking to improve their warehouse management capabilities. The platform can be configured and implemented in just 45 to 70 days. This is particularly valuable for businesses with multiple sites, as they can roll out the system at their own pace. Brian adds the systems can accommodate small warehouses with just a few users and large multi-site implementations with hundreds of users. From SnapFulfil Customer to Chief Customer Officer Brian brings a unique perspective to SnapFulfil, as he was a customer for eight years before joining the team. As a customer, he co-founded two successful third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and relied heavily on SnapFulfil to scale their operations efficiently. He shares some impressive results using the product, and his experience as a customer reinforces SnapFulfil’s value proposition and capacity to drive growth for businesses across various industries. SnapControl Provides Speed and Control for Automation Resources Brian and Smitha share an exciting new product from SnapFulfil called SnapControl. SnapControl is a multi-agent orchestration layer embedded within SnapFulfil to control all the automation resources within the warehouse environment. This automation-agnostic solution can integrate with AMRs, sortation, carton-making machines, and more. SnapControl has enabled smaller and mid-size companies to automate their operations on a shorter timeline. Key Takeaways SnapControl by SnapFulfil removes a barrier of entry for smaller or mid-sized companies looking to automate their warehouse management systems by integrating with automation resources. Smitha recommends before adopting automation, companies should understand their operation and associated pain points; implement automation in stages rather than all at once; be aware of vendor & WMS flexibility and customizability; and consider how automation might affect product sizes/profiles. One differentiator for Snapfulfil is speed to value, with implementation in 45-70 days. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 373: SnapFulfil at ProMat 2023
ELOKON hires female industry veteran Filippone as Chief Operating Officer
ELOKON, a provider of forklift telematics and safety systems, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Ute Filippone as the company’s new Chief Operating Officer. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Ute Filippone brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the ELOKON team. Prior to joining ELOKON, Ute Filippone served in executive roles at a leading, NASDAQ quoted US company in our industry, where she oversaw operations of the company’s European subsidiaries and international expansion. Her extensive experience in both operations and internationalization make her a perfect fit for ELOKON as the company continues to expand its global presence. “We are thrilled to welcome Ute Filippone to ELOKON,” said Alexander Glasmacher, CEO of ELOKON. “Her deep industry expertise and proven track record in driving operational excellence will be invaluable for our plans for ongoing growth. As COO, she will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of ELOKON’s operations, including manufacturing, supply chain management, and customer service. She will work closely with the rest of the executive team to realize the company’s strategic vision.” “ELOKON is a leader in its industry and I am looking forward to being part of this talented team to help drive its success as we continue to innovate and increase our offering on the global market,” said Ute Filippone.
Pednekar promoted to Global Business Services Distribution Manager at SLB
Vinit Pednekar was recently promoted to Global Business Services Distribution Manager at SLB in Houston, Texas (US). Mr. Pednekar is responsible for the overall operations of the company’s Regional Distribution Center in the US and its satellite centers in Canada and Mexico. Supporting the company’s Global Operations, he oversees third-party logistics (3PL) operations and performance management and directs complex logistics mobilizations. He also maintains high standards for quality, health, safety, and environment (QHSE) and ensures trade control compliance for all orders routed through these centers. Mr. Pednekar developed special expertise in global supply chain logistics during his 16-year career spanning the Middle East, Asia, and the United States. Prior to this promotion, he was Materials Manager at the Distribution Center. He was previously Supplier Manager for the company’s Well Construction Division, responsible for the North America Offshore and Caribbean region. Based in the Houston office, in this role he managed logistics mobilizations and sourcing and negotiation strategy for critical third-party suppliers, as well as the performance of centralized Hubs. Before relocating to Houston, Mr. Pednekar served as Global Logistics Planning Manager. In that capacity, he played a significant role in building an infrastructure to facilitate logistics planning, standardize service-level agreements, and optimize data analytics. Mr. Pednekar received a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Mumbai University and an M.B.A. in International Business with a specialization in Supply Chain from the Institute of International Business in Pune, India. He is a Fellow member of the Charter Institute of Logistics & Transport.
AAR reports rail traffic for March and the week ending April 1, 2023
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending April 1, 2023, as well as volumes for March 2023. U.S. railroads originated 1,164,052 carloads in March 2023, down 1.2 percent, or 13,794 carloads, from March 2022. U.S. railroads also originated 1,159,656 containers and trailers in March 2023, down 13.3 percent, or 178,555 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in March 2023 were 2,323,708, down 7.6 percent, or 192,349 carloads and intermodal units from March 2022. In March 2023, 10 of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR each month saw carload gains compared with March 2022. These included: motor vehicles & parts, up 5,476 carloads or 7.9 percent; petroleum & petroleum products, up 4,280 carloads or 9.4 percent; and coal, up 4,146 carloads or 1.2 percent. Commodities that saw declines in March 2023 from March 2022 included: grain, down 14,135 carloads or 12.4 percent; chemicals, down 8,482 carloads or 4.9 percent; and stone, clay & glass products, down 3,044 carloads or 8.0 percent. “Rail volumes today are being negatively influenced by broader economic trends, including slowdowns in industrial output, high inventory levels at many retailers, lower port activity, and consumer spending that’s not as robust as it was during most of the last three years,” said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray. “To date, there are no clear economic indicators that suggest this uncertainty will not continue into the immediate future.” Excluding coal, carloads were down 17,940 carloads, or 2.1 percent, in March 2023 from March 2022. Excluding coal and grain, carloads were down 3,805 carloads, or 0.5 percent. Total U.S. carload traffic for the first three months of 2023 was 2,993,492 carloads, down 0.3 percent, or 9,068 carloads, from the same period last year; and 3,023,563 intermodal units, down 10.3 percent, or 346,349 containers and trailers, from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 13 weeks of 2023 was 6,017,055 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 5.6 percent compared to last year. Week ending April 1, 2023 Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 467,430 carloads and intermodal units, down 7.4 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending April 1 were 233,413 carloads, down 0.4 percent compared with the same week in 2022, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 234,017 containers and trailers, down 13.4 percent compared to 2022. Four of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2022. They included metallic ores and metals, up 2,353 carloads, to 23,440; petroleum and petroleum products, up 1,566 carloads, to 10,127; and motor vehicles and parts, up 1,117 carloads, to 14,874. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2022 included chemicals, down 1,788 carloads, to 33,347; grain, down 1,657 carloads, to 20,628; and nonmetallic minerals, down 1,331 carloads, to 30,702. North American rail volume for the week ending April 1, 2023, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads totaled 341,360 carloads, up 1.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 308,322 intermodal units, down 14.0 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 649,682 carloads and intermodal units, down 6.3 percent. North American rail volume for the first 13 weeks of 2023 was 8,314,939 carloads and intermodal units, down 3.6 percent compared with 2022. Canadian railroads reported 85,070 carloads for the week, up 5.4 percent, and 58,855 intermodal units, down 19.2 percent compared with the same week in 2022. For the first 13 weeks of 2023, Canadian railroads reported a cumulative rail traffic volume of 1,817,017 carloads, containers, and trailers, up 2.0 percent. Mexican railroads reported 22,877 carloads for the week, up 13.5 percent compared with the same week last year, and 15,450 intermodal units, up 1.5 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 13 weeks of 2023 was 480,867 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 1.4 percent from the same point last year. To view the weekly rail traffic charts, click here.