ARA forecast shows positive outlook with softening growth for equipment rental
The outlook calls for a slowdown of growth after 2022 revenue surpassed pre-pandemic highs The American Rental Association (ARA) indicates that United States equipment rental revenue surpassed its pre-pandemic highs in 2022, ending the year as a $56.1 billion industry. The ARA released the updated first-quarter forecast at The ARA Show™ 2023 in Orlando. In 2023, the United States equipment rental industry’s growth with soften, but still grow. Year-over-year growth in 2022 was around 13.5 percent and year-over-year growth is expected to be around 5.3 percent in 2023 and 1.9 percent in 2024. Despite a slowdown, positivity is evident among ARA members with large and small operations. Tom Doyle, ARA vice president of program development, says, “In speaking with rental companies across the United States and Canada, despite some unprecedented headwinds, their businesses are strong. It’s generally a great time to be in rental.” ARA’s third annual construction equipment survey, released in January, showed fleet growth in all 30 product groups. Rental companies in North America that responded are estimating a 58 percent increase in new equipment purchases. Of those respondents, 79 percent said their orders included mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and 59 percent said their orders included earthmoving equipment. Growth will also slow in the U.S. for general tool rental revenue in 2023. This will be driven by weakness in the construction markets, especially residential. Year-over-year growth in 2022 was 6.5 percent. In 2023, 2.8 percent growth is estimated and in 2024 growth is estimated at 2.9 percent. Federal policy and investments will continue to affect the rental industry, from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts to the tax policy of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to $185 billion available for new projects. “The outlook for equipment rental continues to be positive. With significant funding for infrastructure coming in 2023, the demand for equipment will continue to grow,” says John McClelland, Ph.D., ARA vice president for government affairs and chief economist. “In addition, more funding is coming from the Inflation Reduction Act as we begin to build out the electricity infrastructure for both vehicles and equipment.” In 2022, Canadian equipment rental revenue totaled $4.5 billion. Overall in 2023, stagnant growth is anticipated with a rebound expected in 2024. The projected 2023 rental revenue for Canadian construction and industrial equipment is $3.8 billion, with slow growth from 2024 to 2026. The projected Canadian general tool rental revenue in 2023 is $969 million, a decrease of 1.5 percent from 2022. However, a strong rebound of 4.7 percent growth is expected in 2024 to reach more than $1 billion in revenue. For more in-depth economic data, visit www.ARArental.org/ara-rentalytics.
Caster and Wheel Manufacturer appoints Mike Kulka as Sales Manager – Business Development
DoRodo has welcomed Mike Kulka and announced his appointment as Sales Manager – Business Development. Mike will be responsible for the leadership and growth of the company’s Business Development market, developing new business opportunities and creating customized solutions tailored to customer needs. Mike Kulka has made a strong impact during his 15 years in the caster and wheel industry with Caster Concepts. From the position of Inside Sales Specialist in 2006, he was elevated to Technical Sales only a year later, then promoted to National Account Manager in 2010. Driven by an intense passion to truly understand his customers, Mike gained a wealth of experience by helping them with mobility solutions, material handling, and automation. “I am very excited to join the group at DoRodo. It will be fun mixing my experience in the caster industry with the unique blend of products we offer. Quality, engineering expertise, and marketing strategies will make DoRodo a major player in the caster industry for years to come.” – Mike Kulka Mike will champion the expansion of FOOT MASTER® and Schioppa™ with the brand’s ability to meet the needs of customers as DoRodo continues to provide quality, innovative products to the marketplace. His concentrated efforts will help customers overcome challenges to improve performance, while his diligent work ethic will set an example for a burgeoning sales team. “With a proven track record of developing strong relationships, he will enhance our goal of offering partnership-based solutions that empower our customers through innovative thinking and steadfast service.” – Jason Popma, President This is the second major hire in 2023, as DoRodo recently acquired Jeremy Brault to lead an established Distribution & National Accounts network. These consecutive additions signal a surge in the company’s forward momentum and emphasize the value customers find in caster solutions that solve problems.
HeroWear announces the launch of Its latest Exosuit to help reduce risk of back Injuries
HeroWear set a new standard for exosuits in 2020. In 2023, they’re set to do it again. The industry-leading company has unveiled the highly anticipated Apex 2 — the latest version of its back-assist exosuit. Back injuries and related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) cost American companies $225.8 billion per year, according to the CDC — that’s an average of $1,685 per employee every year. The 2022 Liberty Mutual Safety Index ranked strains from moving heavy objects as the number one source of injuries, accounting for 1 out of every 5 workplace injuries. The Apex 2 leverages the power of science with a focus on comfort, resulting in unparalleled protection and wearability. The suit weighs less than 3 lbs and can take 75 pounds of the strain off a typical worker’s back with every lift, and it reduces muscle strain and fatigue by up to 40% without motors or batteries. The Apex 2 will be launched via a virtual stream on March 8, 2023. Following the launch, HeroWear will take the Apex 2 on tour, allowing people in select cities to experience the suit in person at industry trade shows as well as private and public events. The suit will be available to ship worldwide this summer, and pre-orders are already underway. “When we launched the Apex in 2020, we just wanted to help people do their jobs without sacrificing their bodies, so they could go home with more energy and less pain,” said Karl Zelik, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of HeroWear and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University. “We accomplished this with the original Apex. It’s impacting people’s lives, on and off the job. We’ve seen it in the data and we hear it from long-time users. But also we listened and learned from these users and identified areas to improve the suit. We are obsessed over the minute design details that make a huge difference in user experience. Now we’re excited to bring these latest innovations to workers around the world.” The science-backed Apex 2 is designed to comfortably provide assistance for hard-working men and women who frequently perform demanding movements such as lifting and sustained or repeated bending. With that assistance, the Apex 2 reduces a person’s risk of a back injury without restricting their freedom of movement. “It’s encouraging to see how the Apex has evolved how work is done and to hear stories about how the suit has already improved the lives of workers,” said Mark Harris, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. “We’ve been working with some of the largest logistics companies in the world, major auto manufacturers, the US military, food producers, and hundreds of other customers — all with the shared goal of protecting people and improving the lives of workers, while delivering a positive impact to the companies’ bottom lines.” While working with such a large and diverse range of workers, HeroWear actively collected data and feedback to make the industry’s best exosuit even better. The result has been multiple patent-pending innovations that further enhance the wearability, usability, fit, effectiveness, and longevity of the exosuit, all of which are critical for long-term user acceptance. Some of the improvements in the Apex 2 include: More Comfort, Less Heat The Apex 2 improves on the already best-in-class modular design to fit an even broader range of people even more comfortably. And the new design dramatically decreases heat retention — making it better suited for more environments. Durability Material selection and feature design for the entire suit have been rethought to ensure that the Apex 2 will hold up to whatever work needs to be done. From abrasion-resistant fabrics to engineering-grade polymers and aircraft-grade aluminum, the suit will hold up to the most rigorous situations and years of hard work. Ease-of-Use With the Apex 2, it is easier to size and train new users, and donning and doffing are faster and more intuitive. The redesigned, patent-pending switch makes it easy for users to activate the assistance when they need support and deactivate the assistance when they don’t. “An exosuit needs to provide assistance and needs to be comfortable, but it also needs to be easy to use,” co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer Matt Yandell said. “Productivity is important, so we doubled down on our user-centered approach and looked for every opportunity to make the suit easier to use. The goal is for the user to forget they have it on and move how they normally would, but with less fatigue and injury risk.”
Caster and Wheel Manufacturer appoints Jeremy Brault as Sales Manager – Distribution & National Accounts
DoRodo has announced the appointment of Jeremy Brault as Sales Manager – Distribution & National Accounts. Jeremy will be responsible for the leadership and growth of the company’s Distributor network and National Accounts market, developing new business opportunities and creating customized solutions tailored to customer needs. Jeremy is a well-known figure in the caster and wheel industry, having held Regional Manager, Brand Manager, Director of Product Management, and Director of Sales positions within the Colson Group for the last 20 years. Jeremy has a proven record of facilitating long-term business relationships with both customers and industry luminaries. With his strong winning attitude and genuine care for people, Jeremy is a sterling example of a servant leader. “I am excited to join DoRodo’s remarkable team of caster experts that work hard every day to provide unique, innovative, high-quality solutions to a wide variety of mobility applications.” – Jeremy Brault. Jeremy will drive the growth and market share of FOOT MASTER®, and Schioppa™ with the brand’s ability to meet the needs of customers as DoRodo continues to provide quality, innovative products to the marketplace. This includes delivering compelling insights and strategies to help customers succeed. “Jeremy has an authentic personality with an intense focus on empowering our partners and distributors through innovative thinking and steadfast service”. – Jason Popma, President This is the second significant hire in 2023, as DoRodo recently acquired Mike Kulka to pilot a growing Business Development sales team. These consecutive additions signal a surge in the company’s forward momentum and emphasize the value customers find in caster solutions that solve problems.
LEDtronics introduces new Tunable LED Linear High Bay Luminaires for versatile lighting solutions
LEDtronics®, a LED lighting solutions company, has announced its latest line of LED Linear High Bay Luminaires. These versatile lighting solutions offer a wide range of features and benefits that make them ideal for various applications. The new Linear High Bays are available in both 2-foot and 4-foot lengths and feature multi-wattage and multi-color temperature tunable units. With the ability to choose from three different CCTs – 3500K Medium White, 4000K Natural White, and 5000K Pure White, and wattage options ranging from 15 to 60 watts, these luminaires are customizable to fit any lighting need. Available with five mounting options and suitable for wet locations with a protection rating of IP66, they are a great solution for many applications, including production areas, canopies, stairwells, warehouse and workshop lighting, food processing facilities, equestrian parks, farmyards, parking areas and garages, tunnels, and bridges. They have a wide operating temperature range of -40°F to +104°F (-40°C to +40°C). The LED technology used in these luminaires provides high-quality lighting that improves visibility and enhances safety in any environment. They operate on a 120 to 277 AC voltage range, providing a wide 120-degree beam of uniform, diffused lighting, with a high color rendering index of 80 or more. Additionally, they are dimmable when wired to an external 0-10V dimmer, and are Title 24 certified in California. “We are thrilled to offer our customers a new line of LED Linear High Bay Luminaires that provide the versatility they need in their lighting solutions,” said Pervaiz Lodhie, CEO and founder of LEDtronics. “Our Linear High Bays are designed to be energy-efficient, durable, and easy to install, making them an ideal solution for a wide range of applications.” All the units feature a frosted polycarbonate white diffuser lens, which eliminates glare and is integrated with crystals that enhance even light distribution, and a lightweight, flexible, and durable white polycarbonate housing that resists vandalism, high impact, and shock, with a stainless steel heatsink. The rugged construction of these luminaires makes them perfect for use in harsh environments. Because LEDs have no filament, their solid-state design renders them impervious to shock, vibration, frequent switching, and environmental extremes. These ETL-listed LED lights do not emit large amounts of heat, and little to no ultraviolet or infrared light, unlike traditional halogen, metal halide or high-pressure sodium bulbs. The latest LED Linear High Bay Luminaires have an extended lifespan of up to 50,000 hours and come with a five-year LEDtronics Warranty. They include mounting hardware for wall, ceiling or suspended mounting as well as silicon gasket and closure clips for secure, even sealing. Other installation options include tamperproof bracket mounting, surface or suspension mounting, junction box cover mounting, and 45° surface mounting. The latest LEDtronics LLL01- and LLL02-3550-101D series of Linear High Bay Luminaires with tunable color temperatures and wattages are available through LEDtronics distributors. Quantity discounts are available, as well as customized options such as an emergency battery with test button, junction-box cover, tamper-proof or 45°-angled luminaire surface mountings, clear polycarbonate lens, photo sensor, and an 8-ft linear luminaire.
Yellow Corporation provides Quarter-To-Date operating data for First Quarter 2023
Yellow Corporation reported certain operating metrics for the first two months of the first quarter of 2023. For Yellow less-than-truckload (LTL), the percent changes in 2023 from 2022 were: Shipments per Workday Weight per Shipment Tonnage per Workday Revenue per Hundredweight(a) Revenue per Shipment(a) January (18.1)% 1.1% (17.2)% 12.9% 14.2% February (2.5)% 3.9% 1.3% 1.4% 5.4% QTD (11.0)% 2.3% (9.0)% 7.5% 10.0% (a) Includes fuel surcharge The year-over-year tonnage per workday result in February followed a 27.4% decrease in February 2022 versus February 2021. On a sequential basis from January 2023 to February 2023, tonnage per workday increased by 0.5%. The year-over-year revenue per hundredweight, including fuel, resulted in February followed by a 33.8% increase in February 2022 versus February 2021. On a sequential basis from January 2023 to February 2023, revenue per hundredweight, including fuel, was essentially flat.
Regal Rexnord displays optimized ModSort® Trident at ProMat 2023
Divert system features improved HMI operator interface and throughput functionality for flow split package handling Regal Rexnord Corporation, a global provider in the engineering and manufacturing of electric motors and controls, power generation products, and power transmission components, will display its newly optimized ModSort® Trident, new Rexnord Curve System with 1540 Series MatTop Chain, and Perceptiv™ S2100 at ProMat 2023, booth S4141. The show will take place at the McCormick Place Convention Center (Chicago, IL) from March 20-23. For the first time ever at ProMat, visitors to the company booth can view a hands-on demonstration of the newly optimized ModSort® Trident 3-way sorter. The mobile, scalable, approachable, and energy-efficient conveyance solution is ideal for increasing the depth of sortation or splitting the flow of product, featuring an enhanced HMI operator interface for quick and easy commissioning and improved throughput functionality. The sorter works well with cartons, polybags, flats, and jiffy packs, gapping the products while scanning package labels and communicating with the warehouse management system for sort decisions. It can deliver throughputs up to 3,600 pph at weights up to 50 pounds and is powered by a safe and energy-efficient 120V AC power supply, providing a safer and quieter alternative to pneumatic-powered conveyance systems for the first and last 100 feet of conveyance lines. Also on display will be the recently launched Rexnord Curve System with 1540 Series MatTop Chain for conveyor lines requiring a zero tangent 180 and/or 90-degree curve. The system offers the tightest inner radius (420mm) and smallest transfer gap (15mm) in the industry, for greatly improved space utilization and package handling. The Rexnord Curve System enables Consistent angular speeds of the system’s modular belts to ensure that products travel through the curve without rotation. A small transfer gap ensures product branding remains intact for arrival on supermarket shelves to capture the eyes of consumers. In addition, visitors will be able to view the Perceptiv™ Sentry S2100 platform for cost-effective wireless vibration and temperature monitoring. The system provides users with early detection of asset problems for predictive maintenance, resulting in increased productivity and efficiency, as well as reduced downtime and maintenance costs. The Sentry 2100 can connect approximately 20 nodes to one gateway to build customized asset monitoring solutions across an organization’s total footprint.
Alta Equipment Group announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 financial results and provides adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2023
Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights: (comparisons are year over year) Total revenues increased 20.3% year over year to $428.6 million Construction and Material Handling revenue of $269.0 million and $154.3 million, respectively Product Support revenue increased 25.4% year over year with Parts Sales increasing by $13.1 million and Service Revenue increasing by $9.9 million Net loss of $(1.5) million available to common stockholders compared to $(1.3) million in 2021 Basic and diluted net loss per share of $(0.05) compared to $(0.04) in 2021 Adjusted basic and diluted net income per share* of $0.04 for both 2022 and 2021 Adjusted EBITDA* grew 15.7% to $42.7 million compared to $36.9 million in 2021 In December 2022, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase the assets of M&G Materials Handling Co. (“M&G”), a privately held Yale dealer with a presence in Rhode Island. M&G generated approximately $5.8 million in revenue in the trailing twelve months through August 2022. The purchase price is approximately $2.3 million. The deal was closed on March 1, 2023. 2022 Full Year Financial Highlights: (comparisons are year over year) Total revenues increased $359.0 million year over year to $1,571.8 million Construction and Material Handling revenue of $995.8 million and $570.7 million, respectively Product Support revenue increased $97.4 million year over year to $441.4 million Net income of $6.3 million available to common stockholders compared to a loss of $(23.4) million in 2021 Basic and diluted net income per share of $0.20 compared to a loss of $(0.74) in 2021 Adjusted basic and diluted net income per share* of $0.40 and $0.39, respectively, compared to a loss of $(0.15) in 2021 Adjusted EBITDA* grew 31.8% to $158.1 million, exceeding guidance, compared to $120.0 million in 2021 Initiated quarterly Common Stock dividend of $0.057 per share and a $12.5 million share repurchase program Completed acquisitions of Ecoverse Industries, LTD (“Ecoverse”) and Yale Industrial Trucks Inc. Introduces the full year 2023 Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $177 million to $185 million, representing a 14.5% increase at the midpoint year over year Alta Equipment Group Inc., a provider of premium material handling, construction, and environmental processing equipment and related services, has announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year that ended December 31, 2022. CEO Comment: Ryan Greenawalt, Chief Executive Officer of Alta, said “We believe our performance for the fourth quarter and the full year 2022 demonstrates the strength and resiliency of our business. Despite certain macroeconomic headwinds, all segments of our business are performing well, and we are achieving growth both organically and through our accretive acquisitions. Total revenues for the year increased by 29.6%, or $359.0 million. Organic revenue growth for the year was $193.9 million, or 16.1% when compared to last year. Importantly, this figure was driven by a 13.6% organic increase in our combined parts and service product support departments and a 10.3% organic gain in rental revenues when compared to 2021. Including revenues of $174.9 million from our 2021 and 2022 acquisitions, we achieved record total revenues of $1,571.8 million for 2022.” In conclusion, Mr. Greenawalt commented, “Given our diverse end-user market exposure and active M&A pipeline, we believe we are well positioned to achieve further growth in 2023. Demand in our Material Handling and Construction Equipment segments continues to be solid and will further benefit from infrastructure and other governmental legislation. As an example, our Florida operations are performing very well amidst the continued growth in non-residential construction projects and significant state spending on highways. We also continue to build our high-margin product support capabilities, which generate predictable, high-margin parts and service revenues. At year-end, we had 1,150 highly skilled service technicians. Additionally, our warehouse systems integration business continues to perform well, and we expect this trend to continue for the foreseeable future as customers embrace robotics and automation. We are also very encouraged by our opportunities with Ecoverse as the market for environmental processing equipment is in its early stages of development in North America. Ecoverse will benefit from stricter federal and state environmental regulations which we expect will put an impetus on increased recycling and reuse of materials throughout both the US and Canada.” The full Year 2023 Financial Guidance: The Company introduced an Adjusted EBITDA guidance between $177 million and $185 million, net of new equipment floorplan interest, for the full year 2023, representing a 14.5% increase at the midpoint year over year. Three Months Ended on December 31, Increase (Decrease) 2022 2021 (1) 2022 versus 2021 Revenues: New and used equipment sales $ 238.2 $ 176.2 $ 62.0 35.2 % Parts sales 61.3 48.2 13.1 27.2 % Service revenue 52.4 42.5 9.9 23.3 % Rental revenue 48.6 42.5 6.1 14.4 % Rental equipment sales 28.1 46.9 (18.8 ) (40.1 )% Total revenues $ 428.6 $ 356.3 $ 72.3 20.3 % Cost of revenues: New and used equipment sales $ 200.6 $ 144.7 $ 55.9 38.6 % Parts sales 40.7 33.6 7.1 21.1 % Service revenue 24.4 20.0 4.4 22.0 % Rental revenue 5.7 5.3 0.4 7.5 % Rental depreciation 26.0 22.4 3.6 16.1 % Rental equipment sales 20.4 41.2 (20.8 ) (50.5 )% Cost of revenues $ 317.8 $ 267.2 $ 50.6 18.9 % Gross profit $ 110.8 $ 89.1 $ 21.7 24.4 % General and administrative expenses $ 96.4 $ 77.6 $ 18.8 24.2 % Depreciation and amortization expense 4.9 3.2 1.7 53.1 % Total general and administrative expenses $ 101.3 $ 80.8 $ 20.5 25.4 % Income from operations $ 9.5 $ 8.3 $ 1.2 14.5 % Other (expense) income: Interest expense, floor plan payable – new equipment $ (1.1 ) $ (0.3 ) $ (0.8 ) 266.7 % Interest expense – other (9.3 ) (5.8 ) (3.5 ) 60.3 % Other income 0.7 0.4 0.3 75.0 % Total other expense $ (9.7 ) $ (5.7 ) $ (4.0 ) 70.2 % (Loss) income before taxes $ (0.2 ) $ 2.6 $ (2.8 ) (107.7 )% Income tax provision 0.5 3.1 (2.6 ) (83.9 )% Net loss $ (0.7 )
Herc Holding announces succession in financial leadership
Herc Holdings Inc., a North American equipment rental supplier operating through Herc Rentals Inc., announced effective March 10, 2023, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mark H. Irion will resign his position for another opportunity. He will remain with Herc Holdings through March 31, 2023, to ensure a smooth internal succession process. Irion joined Herc Holdings in June 2018. The company is pleased to announce that, effective March 10, 2023, Mark Humphrey, previously the company’s Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, will be promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Humphrey joined Herc Holdings in April 2017 from Alico, Inc., a publicly traded agribusiness and resource-management company, where he served as Chief Financial Officer and as Chief Accounting Officer. His nearly 30-year career also includes roles as Chief Financial Officer for Compass Management Group, a property-management company, and nearly 10 years in public accounting with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Also, effective March 10, 2023, Mark Schumacher, the company’s Vice President, Controller, will assume the additional role of Chief Accounting Officer. Schumacher joined Herc Holdings in February 2017 and has nearly 25 years of audit, accounting and financial reporting experience, including Global Controller for GE’s Automation and Controls division, Vice President, Corporate Controller, for SunEdison, Inc., and 14 years in public accounting with KPMG LLP. “I extend my best wishes to Mark Irion as he moves on to his next career chapter and thank him for his valuable contributions to the company’s progress over the past five years, including building strong accounting, financial planning, and financial control teams that are well-positioned to support the robust growth and evolution of our company moving forward,” said Larry Silber, President and Chief Executive Officer. “I am confident that we will have a seamless transition as Mark Humphrey and Mark Schumacher, along with their teams, have operated closely and cohesively with Mark Irion in executing the company’s business strategy. As seasoned professionals, both are strong, proven leaders who know our company and industry well. I look forward to continuing to work with them as we execute our strategy to grow our market share and improve shareholder value.”
365: Seamless Parcel Shipping by ShipX
ShipX is an innovative platform that brings together a variety of assets across the United States to provide fast and reliable final-mile delivery for retailers, brands, and other companies. It streamlines the process of transporting products from stores to customers’ doorsteps, making it easier for businesses to get their goods to their customers quickly and efficiently. ShipX CEO Solomon Zakinov joins this episode of The New Warehouse to discuss the parcel shipping market and how the ShipX technology works to provide a seamless shipping experience. Tune in to learn more about ShipX and the parcel shipping landscape. Key Takeaways Solomon shares that retailers are looking for a balanced approach to delivery services that offer both a competitive price and reliable customer service. This includes providing faster delivery times, better tracking information, and a higher level of customer service than the post office. Companies are also beginning to realize that they need to create flexible pricing models that reflect their customers’ needs to stay competitive. Solomon explains how retailers utilize a blend of national shipping companies, postal delivery, and alternate delivery companies for the best coverage. ShipX acquired a middle-mile trucking and transportation company for better control over the truck part of delivery. This acquisition allows them to separate from other final mile solutions due to greater coverage (70% of US) and seamless processing. As the delivery services industry evolves, companies must pay close attention to the changing landscape. Solomon believes staying ahead of the competition means finding the right mix of traditional regional carriers and more modern players. Procurement managers should aim for a diversified selection of delivery services that accommodate national or postal solutions and larger packages that cannot ship via LTL. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 365: Seamless Parcel Shipping by ShipX
Roberta Nelson Shea, Universal Robots, and Jeff Burnstein, Association for Advancing Automation, selected for 2023 Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards
The robotics industry’s most prestigious award will be presented Wednesday, May 24, at Automate in Detroit The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has announced two longtime industry leaders as the winners of the 2023 Joseph F. Engelberger Robotics Awards, the world’s most prestigious robotics honor. Roberta Nelson Shea, Global Technical Compliance Officer, Universal Robots, was selected as the Application winner for her outstanding work over the course of her career in global robotics safety. Jeff Burnstein, President of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), was selected for Leadership, recognizing his four decades of commitment and vision at the global automation trade association. Nelson Shea and Burnstein are pillars in the robotics industry and were unanimously selected by the awards committee and past chairs of the Robotic Industries Association (RIA, now A3) to win the award this year. These awards are named after the late Joseph F. Engelberger, known throughout the world as the founding force behind industrial robotics. Since its inception in 1977, the Engelberger Awards have now been given to 136 robotics leaders from around the world for excellence in technology development, application, education, and leadership. The winners are recommended by a panel of industry leaders based on all present and past nominations from the industry and voted upon by the past chairs of RIA. A3 is the organization that administers the award, and each winner receives a $5,000 honorarium and a commemorative medallion. “Winning the Engelberger Robotics Award for Application in Safety is a tremendous honor,” said Nelson Shea. “I remember meeting Joe Engelberger at the first R15.06 safety meeting … so many years ago. I am amazed with this award! ” “Winning the Engelberger Robotics Award for Leadership is beyond any accomplishment I could have imagined when I started at the association 40 years ago,” said Burnstein. “The award has been described as the ‘Nobel Prize of Robotics’ for good reason as it is acknowledged globally as our industry’s pinnacle of success. As an English major with no technical background at all, I am living proof that there is a home for anyone in the robotics industry.” Roberta Nelson Shea Roberta Nelson Shea is the Global Technical Compliance Officer at Universal Robots, responsible for global product compliance and reducing barriers to acceptance of UR robots for collaborative applications. For over 45 years, she has been one of the central figures in the development of industrial robot safety standards in North America and around the world. As the convenor of the committee ISO/TC 299 WG3 (ISO/TC 184/SC2), she lead the introduction of ISO/TS 15066, which, as an extension of the established ISO 10218, is the first document defining standardized safety requirements within human-robot-collaboration. For more than 23 years, she’s served as chair of the committee that oversees the R15.06 robot safety standard. Nelson Shea’s commitment to safety is evident in her involvement with the NIOSH/OSHA/RIA Alliance, and past board of director member for ANSI and RIA. With too many honors to name, some of the most significant include being elected one of the Top Twenty Women Making Their Mark in Robotics and Automation by Smart Manufacturing; and one of the Top 100 Women in Safety by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE); and winning the 2022 Goddard Alumni Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement by Worcester Polytechnic Institute. “It has been my pleasure to work in safety standards, and at times this work has been my greatest challenge,” Nelson Shea said. “The robotics industry should be proud of our safety standards and the resulting low incident rate. Due to everyone’s contributions (robot manufacturers, integrators, and robot users), we have made robotics great for the market and the people associated with their use. Let’s celebrate all the ways that robotics improves the world!” Jeff Burnstein Burnstein is the President of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the largest robotics and automation trade group representing over 1,160 global companies involved in robotics, artificial intelligence, vision, motion control, and related automation technologies. Since joining the association in 1983 as manager of marketing & public relations, Burnstein has held a variety of senior positions, culminating in his promotion to President in 2007. He is a frequent commentator in the media, often discusses automation issues with policymakers, and regularly speaks at global conferences on issues such as the impact of automation on jobs and the future of automation beyond the factory floor. Burnstein also serves on the Executive Board of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). “I believe my most important role for the past four decades has been to tell the story of how robotics is making our world better by performing tasks that assist people — not replace them. Robots are enabling better, safer, and higher-paying jobs in every industry and helping solve our most difficult challenges. I hope my selection for this award will inspire others to pursue robotics-related careers in our increasingly automated future.” Awards Dinner The awards dinner at Automate will be held May 24 from 5:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at the Huntington Place Convention Center. Tickets for the event, which includes a cocktail reception and dinner, may be purchased when registering for the Automate 2023 Show and Conference. Automate takes place May 22-25 in Detroit, and anyone who works with or is interested in automation can attend for free. This year will be the biggest yet, featuring 300,000 square feet of exhibit space, 600+ exhibitors, 25,000 attendees, and valuable learning and networking opportunities. Attendees will see the latest in cutting-edge robotics, vision, artificial intelligence, motion control, and more.
The Secrets of Visionary thinkers – Five steps to living in possibility
We tend to believe that famous innovators or other “creative” people have some inherent qualities that we don’t have. But the truth is — they don’t. They’ve simply cracked the code on how to consistently live in a possibility instead of living in obstacles. Visionary thinkers see possibilities. Always. Most of us mostly see obstacles, most of the time. We move through work, and life, by addressing whatever next obstacle falls into our path. We problem-solve the next issue on a project, we deal with the next customer complaint, and we address the next challenge with our kids. But too rarely do we look up, survey the world, and make a conscious choice to shape our world to be the way we want it to be. Visionary thinkers make that daily choice – to imagine the possibility of a different world, to hold on to that vision, and to refuse to let the obstacles limit their thinking. They live in possibility. Visionary thinkers are open-minded, innovative & imaginative, willing to take risks, optimistic, and collaborative – all skills related to creative thinking. They regularly imagine, consider, and pursue new ideas and solutions. The good news – all of these creative thinking skills are learnable! Anyone can become a more visionary thinker by learning to leverage the creative genius that’s already hidden inside. One of the primary barriers to living in possibility is the negativity bias, a cognitive bias, or mental shortcut, that all humans share. It’s the phenomenon that negative experiences have a greater impact — on our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — than positive experiences do. That seems counter-intuitive, but there’s a wealth of research that proves negative affects us more than positive. As a result, we are much more motivated to avoid negative than to seek positive. Our brains have evolved to excel at identifying potential negatives so that we can avoid them. It’s a survival mechanism, and it happens in the most primitive part of our brain – the amygdala. The amygdala is responsible for detecting threats and triggering the fight or flight response. It’s laser-focused and lightning-fast at identifying potential problems. This instant identification of negatives is what can trap us into living in obstacles. Living in possibility requires refusing to let the negativity bias rule our thinking. There are a few steps that can make a significant impact, helping us to manage this pitfall and transform the way we think. Pinpoint the problem. First, we must be able to spot when the negativity bias is at work. The easiest way to do that is by monitoring one simple phrase we say: “Yes, but….” On the surface, these words seem innocuous. And because we say them and hear them so frequently, they don’t seem like a problem. However, this short phrase is a massive blockade to creative and visionary thinking. It dismisses any potential positives in an idea or concept, before even identifying what those positives might be. Instead, it focuses the energy and attention of both the speaker and the listeners on all the possible negatives. This can easily overwhelm any idea and immediately kill it. Manage your mind. Once you’ve determined the negativity bias is at work (someone said “yes, but…”), the next step is to make a conscious choice to change your thinking. The key is to FIRST identify the potential positives in any idea, before focusing on the negatives. This sounds easy. But it’s actually quite hard. It’s counter to a basic instinct, so it really does require a conscious choice to think this way, plus very real discipline to put it into practice regularly. Nix the negatives. The next critical step is to refrain from saying the negatives out loud – at least not yet. The truth is, regardless that you’ve consciously chosen to identify the positives first, your brain will subconsciously identify the negatives anyway. It’s instinctive and instant. So even while you’re enumerating positives, your brain will be busy identifying negatives, too. But the simple trick of not saying those negatives out loud will help dramatically. Force yourself to speak out loud, and write down, the positives first. Teach the team. When working with others, ask them to do the same. Help them understand that letting our natural negativity bias dominate the conversation has the potential to immediately kill ANY idea. Let everyone know that, of course, there will be a time to solve the problems in the idea, but the first task is to identify the potential in the idea. If there aren’t enough potential positives, then it’s time to move to a new idea. But if the idea is visionary and can make a real difference, it’s imperative to hold off on the negativity bias momentarily and allow the brilliance of the idea to shine through. Transform the troublesome term. Once the above steps have led you to a potentially winning idea, it’s time to address the problems with the idea. To continue to remain in possibility, you must change the conversation; you cannot return to “yes, but…” language. Instead, articulate the challenges as a “how might we…?” question. So, instead of saying “Yes, but it’s too expensive”, instead say “How might we do it more affordably?” This trick of flipping a problem statement into a problem-solving question is a neuroscience brain hack that will revolutionize your thinking and problem-solving. This process of identifying positive potential first is the ONLY way to find big ideas. Every successful innovation, in any industry or endeavor, is the result of someone, or a team, choosing to live in possibility in this way. Visionary thinking requires making space for ideas that initially seem scary or difficult. It takes some real courage to push past our immediate “yes, but…” response and instead focus the conversation on “what if…?” If we don’t hold ourselves accountable to look for the positives, we’ll never consider nor implement any truly new ideas. Visionary thinkers must master this skill and learn to live in possibility. About
RightHand Robotics appoints Brian D. Owen as new CEO to drive the next level of growth for the company
RightHand Robotics, data-driven, autonomous robotic picking solutions for order fulfillment, has announced the appointment of tech industry veteran Brian D. Owen as Chief Executive Officer. With 30-plus years of experience and leadership in finance, technology, and commercial deployment, Owen will guide RightHand Robotics through its next phase of growth and lead the continued scale-up of its piece-picking business. “For eight years, the team and I built, hardened, and scaled our product, improving the technology every year, deploying the robots across the U.S., Europe, and Japan, and continuing to grow our customer base. Now is the time to build on these foundations by accelerating the scaling of customers and deployments. I’m very proud of this company and I look forward to working with Brian in my new role as chairman.” said Yaro Tenzer, co-founder, former CEO, and now Chairman of RightHand Robotics. Owen is a six-time public and private company CEO of global enterprise hardware and software companies with experience driving corporate strategy, mission, and purpose while fostering a culture of trust, responsibility, commitment, and innovation among employees, partners, and customers. He has served in numerous roles as an executive and non-executive, chairman, and director in more than 25 technology companies – two of which were public – overseeing multiple financings, IPOs, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, and more than 15 exits while working alongside top-tier private equity investors. Previously, Owen was the CEO and President of Cambridge Semantics Inc., a modern data management and enterprise analytics software company, where bookings grew 300 percent to $24 million during his leadership. He also served in senior roles at White Cup, SunGard, ORACLE Corporation, MapInfo and Computer Associates, among others. Owen earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science from Boston College and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. “I am thrilled to be joining RightHand Robotics as the next CEO and incredibly proud for the opportunity to build on eight years of progress that the team has accomplished,” said Owen. “The company’s piece-picking technology is in high demand in the market and I look forward to working with this amazing team to continue that momentum to grow the company worldwide. I’ve led six companies through various stages of growth and execution and have the scar tissue resulting from the many successes and lessons experienced along the way. I plan to apply that knowledge to this role and carry on the company’s mission and vision of ‘owning the pick in the supply chain so humans don’t have to.’” Tenzer will remain in the company as Chairman to work with the management team on GTM strategy and business development. Since the company’s RightHand Robotics has seen major developments in its business and made significant global moves. The company launched its Partner Integrator program, resulting in recent collaborations with leading players like Vanderlande and AutoStore™ integrator Asetec. RightHand Robotics also solidified its automated piece-picking leadership in the growing online pharmacy market with a new pharma customer, Apotea. See how the company’s RightPick™ 3 system is automating picking in multiple workflows for the customer in the video here.
AAR reports rail traffic for week ending March 4, 2023
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 4, 2023. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 474,191 carloads and intermodal units, down 6.3 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending March 4 were 237,413 carloads, down 1.0 percent compared with the same week in 2022, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 236,778 containers and trailers, down 11.1 percent compared to 2022. Four of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2022. They included coal, up 3,612 carloads, to 72,903; petroleum and petroleum products, up 1,320 carloads, to 10,523; and motor vehicles and parts, up 995 carloads, to 14,264. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2022 included grain, down 4,309 carloads, to 20,522; nonmetallic minerals, down 1,312 carloads, to 31,204; and metallic ores and metals, down 1,244 carloads, to 19,124. For the first nine weeks of 2023, U.S. railroads reported a cumulative volume of 2,066,853 carloads, up 0.1 percent from the same point last year; and 2,100,685 intermodal units, down 8.6 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first nine weeks of 2023 was 4,167,538 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 4.5 percent compared to last year. North American rail volume for the week ending March 4, 2023, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads totaled 341,889 carloads, up 1.9 percent compared with the same week last year, and 311,197 intermodal units, down 10.4 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 653,086 carloads and intermodal units, down 4.4 percent. North American rail volume for the first nine weeks of 2023 was 5,750,477 carloads and intermodal units, down 2.5 percent compared with 2022. Canadian railroads reported 80,825 carloads for the week, up 7.6 percent, and 57,978 intermodal units, down 12.2 percent compared with the same week in 2022. For the first nine weeks of 2023, Canadian railroads reported a cumulative rail traffic volume of 1,250,113 carloads, containers, and trailers, up 3.7 percent. Mexican railroads reported 23,651 carloads for the week, up 15.0 percent compared with the same week last year, and 16,441 intermodal units, up 9.4 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first nine weeks of 2023 was 332,826 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 0.1 percent from the same point last year. To view the weekly rail traffic charts, click here.
Toyota Material Handling, Cornell Engineering unveil world’s first Forklift Learning Studio
The revolutionary studio will provide an immersive educational experience for the next generation of engineers, using elite commercial products to prepare them for real-world applications Toyota Material Handling (TMH), North America’s manufacturer of forklifts and material handling solutions, joined representatives from Cornell University’s College of Engineering to officially dedicate the revolutionary Toyota Forklift Learning Studio at Cornell University’s Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. This is the world’s first Forklift Learning Studio and the result of a unique and dynamic partnership between TMH and Cornell, bringing students a creative outlet for real-world application in a revolutionary and immersive learning experience that could become a model for impactful change in higher education. “At Toyota, we believe making things is about making people, and this learning studio is a great example of that guiding principle,” said Brett Wood, Toyota Material Handing North America President & CEO. “Young people often wonder how they’ll use certain theories in their professional lives because it’s often difficult to connect the dots. In the innovative Toyota Forklift Learning Studio, all of the ‘dots’ will exist in the same space as the finished product. This connects perfectly to our Toyota culture of continuous improvement by giving Cornell Engineering students a place for continuous learning and allowing them to explore ways to apply that learning in the real world.” This state-of-the-art learning studio is equipped with industry-leading products, components, and technology that will bridge the gap between students’ coursework and actual commercial products. The forklifts will help students learn about mechanical properties and how they integrate into a larger system while exposing them to many elements of engineering principles like fluid mechanics, heat transfer, hydraulics, engines, transmissions, motors, and more. This experimental-learning space, designed with the latest in forklift innovation, encourages outside-the-box thinking, intellectual exploration, and empowers students with a real-life application of the theories taught in classrooms that support a modern approach to education that balances lecture and lab sessions. “I became passionate about this when it became clear to me that students were motivated by seeing how what they learned in class applied to their everyday life and to their career opportunities, and they didn’t want to wait very long to get to that point,” said Brian Kirby, Associate Director of Undergraduate Affairs for Cornell’s Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. “The idea behind the forklift learning studio was to lead with the application, and then use that as a framework to decide how it could be linked together in the different classes we teach.” Kirby says the Toyota Forklift Learning Studio will incorporate between seven and 12 different classes, with students going back and forth between the studio and other parts of the curriculum. “We want students to interact with the studio constantly, and we want to influence a larger number of students,” Kirby said. “Unlike a single class, which can only affect 10-100 students, this space will impact hundreds and hundreds of students and allow them to see the links between what they’re doing and what they can actually become. I believe students will see the Toyota Forklift Learning Studio as a fun and exciting place that motivates them to put their energy and passion into studying the foundational material we’re teaching – a place where the coolest things happen on campus.” The Toyota Forklift Learning Studio will not only change the educational experience for engineering students at Cornell – it could become a model for universities across the country. It challenges the traditional ideology of doing things a certain way because that’s how they’ve always been done, and provides a clear answer to the age-old question students ask: ‘When will I ever use this in the real world?’ “I wish I had a learning studio like this when I was studying mechanical engineering many years ago,” Wood said. “To be able to get your hands on a commercial product and learn about direct applications for engineering theory and principles would’ve been a life-changing experience. I really hope this can help the engineers of tomorrow get out into the workforce and better understand the basic and even more complicated engineering principles they learn in a classroom. We believe this is a revolutionary shift in the way students learn, and Toyota is so proud to be at the forefront of impactful change.” The Toyota Forklift Learning Studio is an investment in the next generation of engineers that gives students an inimitable opportunity to learn the key principles of modern engineering and systems thinking. Students taking advantage of this cutting-edge learning experience benefit from having complex systems and individual components all in one place, enlightening students with a holistic perspective of the engineering process and the ability to see how the application of science and mathematics comes together to create an essential product. “The cool thing about the studio is seeing how everything you’ve learned in separate classes can be integrated into one thing,” said Cornell University sophomore Emma Sudmann, who was selected to help build the studio last summer. “It can be hard to see how everything you learn in your statics class compares to your fluid mechanics class, for example. But with the forklift, you can see how all of those topics come together and how they are used in the real world. “This experience has definitely opened my eyes to so many different possibilities, and things I had never thought you could do with engineering. It’s so cool to be part of something that will not only impact engineering but could be a model that impacts how all students learn in the future.” In addition to modernizing the way students learn, the mutually beneficial partnership will expose them to new products and industries where they could build successful careers. The forklift industry is an essential part of the nation’s supply chain, and it is coming off the two best years in history – with a combined 663,000 units sold in North America in 2021 and 2022. The industry contributes more than
Lansmont Corporation donates product and packaging testing technology to MSU
Lansmont Corporation, part of the Physical Properties Testers (PPT) Group, is extending its investment in packaging durability testing and research by donating some of its test and measurement technologies to the Michigan State University (MSU) School of Packaging. Lansmont holds strong historical ties with the university, as the company was established in 1971 – in part – by a number of MSU School of Packaging alumni. Today Lansmont is world-renowned for its shock and vibration measurement and testing technology, counting leading companies, government laboratories, and educational institutions among its customers. “The School of Packaging is pleased to extend our partnership with Lansmont through this generous gift,” said Matthew Daum, Ph.D., MSU School of Packaging director and assistant dean of corporate relations and strategy for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). “New and updated equipment ensures our students have the best hands-on learning experiences with industry-leading equipment. MSU has a long history of distribution packaging thought leadership, and this gift helps ensure we maintain a strong program.” With damage prevention at the core of Lansmont’s ethos, the in-kind equipment donations will include a TruMotion Acceleration Sled system, an updated data acquisition system, vibration table controller and software, a shock table, and controller, as well as next-generation SAVER units. The SAVER environmental data recorders help companies measure what shock, impact, and vibration levels a product or package is exposed to in the supply chain. That data then allows for the assessment and characterization of both the dynamic and atmospheric hazards present within transportation and in-use environments. Being part of the PPT Group has enabled Lansmont to further extend its donation by including other group testers such as Mecmesin’s bench-top compression and tensile testing equipment, as well as Alluris torque testing equipment. This provides students with an all-around testing solution that is rather unique in the area of physical properties testing solutions. “MSU’s School of Packaging is a vital building block in the world of packaging testing,” says John Page, PPT Group Managing Director. “For us to facilitate the learning and research that takes place at this institution is both a privilege and a sure investment in the study of packaging dynamics.” The PPT Group is a family of brands, which includes Lansmont, who are experts in the design and production of physical properties testing solutions for quality control. Lansmont’s ties to East Lansing Lansmont’s support of packaging research and the development of future packaging professionals is clearly not the company’s only tie to MSU. Around 1968 under the guidance of MSU School of Packaging Director James Goff, Ph.D., the school partnered with Monterey Research Labs (MRL) in Monterey, California, to test real-world products using what was called the Fragility Assessment Theory and Test Procedure — originally developed Bob Newton, Ph.D., of the Naval Post Graduate School. This procedure allowed for an engineering approach for defining a product’s fragility, or ruggedness. Establishing those product durability characteristics would allow Packaging designers to subsequently establish protective packaging performance requirements – all quantifiable metrics. Using an IMPAC shock machine on consignment from MRL, a number of MSU graduate students, including Ed Church, Ken Horiszny, and Dennis Young, performed extensive shock testing of different products to help validate Dr. Newton’s theory. Ultimately, their positive results led to the establishment of the Lansmont Corporation and the proliferation of shock test systems throughout the world. The company was named LANSMONT, combining LANSing and MONTerey. “This gift is a prime example of MSU School of Packaging alumni giving back, helping out tomorrow’s packaging professionals, and investing in the future of the packaging industry,” Daum said. “We are truly amazed and grateful for the continued support and far-reaching network of our MSU packaging family.”
NPE2024: The Plastics Show, over 1 Million Sq. Ft. of exhibit space sold at space draw exhibition
For the first time in six years, NPE heads to Orlando May 6-10, 2024 The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) just announced that NPE2024: The Plastics Show, the global platform for innovation in plastics, has sold 1,024,462 sq. ft of exhibit space at this year’s in-person Space Draw event — a new record high with 982,000 sq. ft. sold in 2018. More than 1,100 exhibitors selected space across 1,259 booths in preparation for the return of the trade show on May 6-10, 2024 in Orlando, FL. “We are thrilled to see this level of commitment 14 months ahead of the show opening,” said Matt Seaholm, President and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association. “The plastics industry has undergone incredible amounts of changes over the last few years and industry leaders are eager to showcase their latest innovations. The swift pace of floor space selections is a testament to NPE’s significance as the largest plastics products, materials, and manufacturing show in the Americas. NPE2024 will represent the full plastics ecosystem and supply chain – and servicing key markets like automotive, consumer, recycling, packaging, medical, and building and construction. It’s an incredibly positive indication for NPE2024 and for the plastics industry as a whole.” NPE is held every three years as a five-day focal point event for the plastics industry. It is designed to help organizations leverage innovations, drive major business growth and build a more sustainable economy. Space Draw was held as the in-person event where exhibitors select their booth location for NPE2024. NPE2024 will feature the newest and most innovative plastics, materials, and manufacturing solutions will be on full display in one space. The latest product and service advancements will be highlighted in seven technology zones including Advanced Manufacturing Zone, Bottle Zone, Business Solution Zone, Materials Science Zone, Moldmaking Zone, Recycling & Sustainability Zone, and the Packaging Zone. “NPE2024 is made for the plastics industry,” said Glenn Anderson, COO of Plastics Industry Association. “NPE is our forum, our community, our showroom, our global marketplace, and our platform to do business, learn, connect, and be inspired. We’re excited to get the entire industry together to advance our vision for sustainability and highlight the possibilities of plastics. No one in the plastics industry should miss the highly anticipated return of this event.” The NPE2024 floor plan will be locked down for the next two weeks for an internal audit. Potential exhibitors can apply to exhibit at NPE.org/Exhibit.
364: Auto-FC and the automation journey
The New Warehouse Podcast recently welcomed Ryan Chesterfield, the founder of Auto-FC, an automation consulting venture promising to bring its clients something different than the competition. Auto-FC seeks to differentiate itself with data analytics, simulation tools, and industry knowledge, helping companies adopt automation more effectively with access to robotic & automated technologies consultation. In this episode, Ryan and Kevin explore automation projects and the potential issues they can face. With his insider knowledge of both successes and failures in automation projects, Ryan shares invaluable advice on avoiding common pitfalls and making the most of these new technologies. Key Takeaways With labor shortages, companies are looking for ways to stay ahead of the competition. Ryan shares that only a small percentage of warehouses have some form of mechanization or automation to make the most of their operations. Ryan explains how Auto-FC leverages data analytics and simulation to identify the ideal automation solution. The solutions range from software that organizes workflows to automated packaging machines and robots. Large companies like Amazon typically self-develop their robotics solutions, while small or medium-sized businesses (SMBs) must source them from specialized providers. It can be daunting for companies to decide which is right for them without thoroughly researching solutions that they find both feasible and sensible. Ryan believes Auto-FC can improve the communications between solutions providers and the customer. Ryan shares some reasons why implementations fail. For example, not considering skill levels and existing infrastructure when deciding which solutions to deploy is recommended. Adopting a specific automation project may fail due to the personal influences of a particular personality type on the other side of the vendor. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 364: Auto-FC
KION North America announces its first approved Dealer Managed Key Account Program with Prologis Essentials
KION North America has approved its first Dealer Managed Key Account (DMKA) with Prologis Essentials, headquartered in Denver, CO. KION North America dealer partner, Impact Forklift Solutions, will manage the Prologis Essentials account during the one-year agreement with eligibility for renewal. KION North America launched the DMKA Program at the end of 2022. “We are thrilled about our partnership with Prologis Essentials and are equally excited that Impact Forklift Solutions will manage the account,” said Director of Dealer Development Rick Schiel. “KION North America is eager to witness the success of the DMKA Program and this strategic collaboration.” Pat Heneghen, Vice President of Strategic Solutions of Prologis Essentials, further underscores the importance of the DMKA program. “Partnering with Impact Forklift Solutions and the KION North American dealer network demonstrates Prologis’ commitment to bringing value to our customers through our best-in-class partner network.” Joe McNames, Vice President of Sales – National Accounts with Impact Forklift Solutions, adds, “Impact Forklift Solutions is anxious to collaborate with interested dealerships to further support and grow this exciting account through the DMKA Program. We look forward to partnering with them for shared success.” The design of the DMKA Program allows an authorized KION North America dealer to enter into a North American sales agreement with a qualified customer. Potential eligible customers include those who purchase via centralized purchasing and have several locations in multiple dealer territories. Once the sales agreement is approved, the DMKA Program allows dealers to sell directly to all customer locations. DMKAs are separate accounts from KION North America Key Account lists.
AIR. On the Safe side
At ProMat 2023, Ideal Warehouse Innovations will introduce its new line of Air Quality Control (AQC) products, featuring the AtomikAir industrial-strength air filtration system Ideal Warehouse Innovations, providers in loading dock and warehouse safety, will be at ProMat 2023 (Chicago, Mar 20-23, 2023) with one of their newest products on display – The AtomikAir air filtration system. The AtomikAir, one of a family of new AQC products in the Ideal Warehouse Innovations lineup, is an industrial strength whirlwind, able to process up to 1 million cubic feet of air per hour. Its MERV13 filters capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, which include mold, pollutants, viruses, and more. “Up and down our product line, we feature items that enhance safety and protect people and facilities. Helping to create safer, healthier working environments with powerful air quality control products, was a natural growth area for us.”, offered Dirk Seis, Director of Marketing, at Ideal Warehouse Innovations. A bonus of the AtomikAir system is that its powerful circulation fans help destratify energy-rich warm air trapped in the ceiling. Savings of 20 to 40% off heating costs in winter months are possible. The AtomikAir is an indoor air quality problem solver Air quality is a top concern among workers AtomikAir filters are washable/reusable The unit can be situated almost anywhere in the warehouse AtomikAir and our air quality control lineup join the more than 1000 safety-oriented products in the Ideal Warehouse Innovations catalog.