Transparency creates a better customer experience
We’ve all been in the hospital waiting room. You sometimes seem to sit there forever. You see people come and go, and maybe you see your appointment time come and go. You don’t know whether they’re running behind, forgot you, or simply have an emergency to deal with. While a changing schedule flow is understandable, it doesn’t bode well for the proverbial customer experience. But transparency can make all the difference. There was one time when I was going into the hospital for a simple blood draw. I checked in and found my way to the waiting room. I sat there and saw a screen that showed my initials, an abbreviation of the services I was receiving, my check-in time, and my projected registration time – when I’d get the paperwork processed, which afterward I’d get shuffled into my appointment. The transparency provided me insight and understanding about how the process was going to go, along with how fast they were going that morning. It also provided me the insight to know when to speak up if something wasn’t right – if my time passed and I still wasn’t attended to, or if my name wasn’t showing up, I would know to act, rather than wait until someone came to me. It established expectations and made the wait go by much more quickly. The hospital applied the Psychology of Queueing – a simple yet effective way to alleviate the negative feelings that accompany waiting. According to behavioral science, uncertain waits seem longer than known, finite waits. So to address this, setting the expectation of wait time reduced perceived wait time. It also enabled patients to do things like make a phone call or grab a coffee if the wait was projected to be a bit longer. The counter-argument to this is when wait times are ridiculously long. We’ve all been there when we’re on hold for customer service and the wait time is projected to be 2 hours or more. But transparency can help here too – just in a different way. Instead of simply providing information about wait time, provide other options or paths to resolution. Many companies do this now with automated callbacks and online self-service options. So make your customer experience better – whether it be something as simple as waiting on hold or communicating the status of an order – provide transparency. I got called in a few minutes early, completed my paperwork, and was in and out in no time. But even if things had been delayed, the transparency provided confirmation that they knew I was there, and action was being taken. After all, anything that can make your experience at the hospital better is a good thing. About the Author Andrea Belk Olson is a keynote speaker, author, differentiation strategist, behavioral scientist, and customer-centricity expert. As the CEO of Pragmadik, she helps organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to Fortune 500, and has served as an outside consultant for EY and McKinsey. Andrea is the author of three books, including her most recent, What To Ask: How To Learn What Customers Need but Don’t Tell You, released in June 2022. She is a 4-time ADDY® award winner and host of the popular Customer Mission podcast. Her thoughts have been continually featured in news sources such as Chief Executive Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, Harvard Business Review, Rotman Magazine, World Economic Forum, and more. Andrea is a sought-after speaker at conferences and corporate events throughout the world. She is a visiting lecturer and startup coach at the University of Iowa, a TEDx presenter, and TEDx speaker coach. She is also an instructor at the University of Iowa Venture School. More information is also available on www.pragmadik.com and www.andreabelkolson.com.
Myers Industries announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results
Record Top-and-Bottom Line results delivered for four consecutive quarters outlook for sustained revenue growth in fiscal 2023 Myers Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of a wide range of polymer and metal products and distributor for the tire, wheel, and under-vehicle service industry, today announced results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022. Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights: Net sales of $213 million, up 7% versus the prior year period GAAP EPS of $0.36; Adjusted EPS of $0.32, up 39% versus the prior year period Cash flow provided by operations of $22 million and free cash flow of $15 million The full Year 2022 Financial Highlights: Net sales of $900 million, up 18% versus the prior year period; Organic net sales up 10% GAAP EPS of $1.64; Adjusted EPS of $1.68, up 73% versus the prior year period Cash flow provided by operations of $73 million and free cash flow of $48 million Myers Industries President and CEO Mike McGaugh said, “2022 was a strong year as Myers posted record results in each quarter with robust top-and bottom-line growth, serving as proof that our 3-Horizon strategy is working. We continued to generate healthy margins and strong cash flow from the initiatives we took throughout 2022. In addition to improving the company, we also made two acquisitions during the year, adding scale to our Distribution Segment with Mohawk Rubber and enhancing our Material Handling Segment with the addition of a rotational molding facility in Decatur, Georgia. Our team continues to do a nice job growing and transforming the company.” McGaugh continued, “While recognizing that 2022 was a year of record results, I’m excited about Myers’ future because I continue to believe that the company still has significant unrealized potential. We can see the opportunity and we have the right people in place to capture it. We are now working to institutionalize our improvements into an operating system. In 2023, we will implement the “Myers Operating System” to make sure our improvements are ingrained, lasting, and scalable. The Myers Operating System will drive standard work processes across the company, ensuring that best practices are applied across all of our legacy business units as well as our new acquisitions. I am confident the Myers Operating System will further Myers on its journey to become a world class company. I believe there is still a long runway for our company and significant value creation opportunity for our shareholders.” Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Summary Quarter Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2022 2021 % Inc (Dec) Net sales $212,840 $199,579 6.6% Gross profit $65,074 $51,816 25.6% Gross margin 30.6% 26.0% Operating income $17,022 $10,750 58.3% Net income: Net income $13,428 $7,255 85.1% Net income per diluted share $0.36 $0.20 80.0% Adjusted operating income $16,485 $12,468 32.2% Adjusted net income: Net income $11,797 $8,369 41.0% Net income per diluted share $0.32 $0.23 39.1% Adjusted EBITDA $22,101 $17,601 25.6% Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2022 were $212.8 million, an increase of $13.3 million, or 6.6%, compared with $199.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, primarily driven by incremental sales of $17 million from the Mohawk Rubber acquisition in the Distribution Segment. On an organic basis, higher pricing was offset by lower volume/mix. Gross profit increased $13.3 million, or 25.6% to $65.1 million, primarily due to continued benefits from pricing actions, lower material costs and the Mohawk Rubber acquisition, partially offset by lower volume and a change in sales mix. While we continue to experience cost inflation, we were able to successfully offset it through our self-help initiatives, including cost reductions. Gross margin expanded to 30.6% compared with 26.0% for the fourth quarter of 2021. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $6.1 million, or 14.8% to $47.4 million due to the Mohawk Rubber acquisition, higher variable selling expenses, salaries, and incentive compensation. SG&A as a percentage of sales increased to 22.3%, compared with 20.7% in the same period last year. Net income per diluted share was $0.36, compared with $0.20 for the fourth quarter of 2021. Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.32, compared with $0.23 for the fourth quarter of 2021. Fourth Quarter 2022 Segment Results (Dollar amounts in the segment tables below are reported in millions) Material Handling Net Sales Op Income Adj Op Income Adj Op Income Margin Q4 2022 Results $142.2 $20.9 $21.0 14.7% Q4 2021 Results $147.3 $12.3 $13.2 9.0% Increase (decrease) vs prior year (3.4)% 69.7% 58.4% +570 bps Net sales for the Material Handling Segment during the fourth quarter of 2022 were $142.2 million, a decrease of $5.0 million, or 3.4%, compared with $147.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. Net sales increases in the food and beverage and consumer markets were more than offset by decreases in the vehicle and industrial markets. Operating income increased 69.7% to $20.9 million, compared with $12.3 million in 2021. Adjusted operating income increased 58.4% to $21.0 million, compared with $13.2 million in 2021. Contributions from pricing actions and lower material costs more than offset lower sales volume and a change in sales mix. Additionally, SG&A expenses were higher year-over-year. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to increased variable selling expenses and higher incentive compensation costs. The Material Handling Segment’s adjusted operating income margin increased 570 basis points to 14.7%, compared with 9.0% for the fourth quarter of 2021. Distribution Net Sales Op Income Adj Op Income Adj Op Income Margin Q4 2022 Results $70.6 $3.4 $4.1 5.8% Q4 2021 Results $52.3 $5.4 $5.4 10.3% Increase vs prior year 35.0% (37.2)% (24.0)% -450 bps Net sales for the Distribution Segment during the fourth quarter of 2022 were $70.6 million, an increase of $18.3 million, or 35.0%, compared with $52.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. Excluding the incremental $17 million of net sales from the Mohawk Rubber acquisition, organic net sales increased 2%. Operating income decreased 37.2% to $3.4 million, compared with $5.4 million in 2021. Adjusted operating income decreased 24.0%
Markus Schmidt named CEO of BEUMER Corporation
BEUMER Corporation, the wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Beckum, Germany-based BEUMER Group, has named Markus Schmidt as president and chief executive officer. Schmidt joins the company effective immediately. BEUMER Group is pleased to welcome a seasoned leader with a proven track record of collaborative partnerships. With more than 30 years of industry experience and 18 years of executive experience, Schmidt brings to BEUMER decades of expertise in intralogistics automation, market segment-oriented strategy, an understanding of the unique challenges facing operations throughout North America, and a dedication to collaboration with both internal and external partners. Schmidt’s leadership style and commitment to excellence align perfectly with the company’s vision and values. As the new CEO, Schmidt will work closely with the talented team at BEUMER Corporation to build on the company’s strong legacy and drive continued growth and success. The company is committed to delivering innovative solutions and world-class service to customers while prioritizing safety, quality, and sustainability. “We are pleased to have Markus join BEUMER to lead our North American operations,” said Rudolf Hausladen, CEO of the BEUMER Group. “Markus’ expertise in intralogistics automation coupled with strategic leadership within multinational organizations will enhance our sustainable success by creating valuable solutions for our customers in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.” “I’m honored to join the BEUMER team at such a crucial time for our industry, said Markus Schmidt, incoming CEO at BEUMER Corporation. “As the industry faces exceptional growth, technological advancements, and a continuing e-commerce surge, I look forward to working with the exceptional North American team to provide solutions that enhance productivity, efficiency, and create unparalleled customer value across the many markets we serve.” Schmidt earned his diploma from the University of Cologne (Germany) and has sought advanced education focused on leadership development at the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Virginia, Darden School of Business, and the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland).
Women In Trucking Association announces its March 2023 Member of the Month
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Ashley Leiva as its March 2023 Member of the Month. Leiva is the co-owner of Noemi Trucking in Corpus Christi, Texas. Shortly after graduating high school, Leiva enlisted in the Army. During her 15 years in the military, she was a Sergeant First Class, E7, and worked as a Culinary Management NCO, hauling equipment, food, and personnel to training and danger areas. She trained in many parts of the world, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia, as well as served two tours in Iraq. Leiva’s mother, who has been her lifelong inspiration, was a professional driver for more than 20 years. After her passing in February 2021, Leiva took a leap of faith, taking over her trucking company, formerly Leiva Trucking, with her brother, Johnny Leiva, and obtained her CDL to continue her mother’s legacy of hauling crude oil. Leiva and her brother have co-owned what is now Noemi Trucking, named in honor of their mother, for two years. “The unique part of my job is not everyone can do what we do,” said Leiva. “Hauling crude oil is definitely a tough job and it requires a lot of training and knowledge of your truck and trailer.” In 2022, Leiva received the annual “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award during a special ceremony at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C. The award is part of an overall effort to inspire the hiring of more service members into the trucking industry and to recognize their contributions to the workforce. Additionally, this award included a Kenworth T680 Next generation, equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and PACCAR Powertrain featuring a PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission, and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles. “I’m still in shock that I received such a prestigious award,” said Leiva, “I am so grateful blessed, honored, and humbled.” Leiva is thankful for the support from her family, community, and mentor, Lynette Cervantes, the director at Del Mar College where she obtained her CDL. “As women, we are taught at a young age to be nurtures, but times have changed,” said Leiva. “We are strong, smart, adaptive, and intuitive. My daughter just turned six and I hope one day I make her as proud as I am to be my mother’s daughter. My mom always told me to take the job that no one wants, and you will always be on top of the list to get the call first!”
UgoWork offers a sneak peek into a new lithium-ion battery management solution at ProMat 2023
UgoWork™, a Canadian energy solutions provider specializing in lithium-ion batteries and Energy as a Service (EaaS) solutions in the material handling industry, has announced that it will unveil a brand-new lithium-ion battery management solution at ProMat 2023, which will take place from March 20 to 23 in Chicago, IL. To be showcased at UgoWork’s booth (#N6760) alongside its lithium-ion batteries for industrial trucks, pay-per-use approach, and real-time fleet monitoring services, the company’s lithium-ion battery management solution will put material handling team’s in the driver’s seat for more effective and efficient means to track performance levels and energy usage. “This new platform is akin to business intelligence for both industrial trucks and the batteries that power them,” explained Philippe Beauchamp, UgoWork’s CEO. “We have drawn upon a decade of experience in energy management and most importantly, listened to fleet operator’s challenges, to develop an intuitive solution that is easy to use and provides clear insights to maximize the ROI of lithium-ion batteries, reduce unnecessary expenses, and, overall, accelerate material handling operations throughput. Our ultimate goal is to maintain our success story record with our Fortune 500 clients, who all achieved exceptional outcomes from every perspective.” To book an exclusive demo of UgoWork’s latest innovations at ProMat 2023, visit get.ugowork.com/promat.
ProVeyance Group to introduce new FlexExtend Conveyor System at ProMat 2023
ProVeyance Group, a North American manufacturer of advanced conveyance components, will be introducing its innovative new FlexExtend Conveyor System at ProMat 2023, which will be held March 20 -23 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. FlexExtend is a flexible gravity conveying system with self-tracking skate wheels. The system is designed for low- to medium-volume, multi-sized conveyance operations. This high-flow product can be extended, contracted, or flexed into curves to meet specific material handling requirements. “FlexExtend is fully customizable to meet our customer’s conveyance needs and will include options for conveyor rollers and dock accessories for maximum efficiency,” states Tim Swineford, President of Ashland Conveyor, a ProVeyance company. ProVeyance Group will be showing off the FlexExtend and its other well-known product lines at ProMat 23, Booth N9533.
AAR reports rail traffic for February and the week ending February 25, 2023
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 25, 2023, as well as volumes for February 2023. U.S. railroads originated 905,744 carloads in February 2023, down 1.6 percent, or 15,101 carloads, from February 2022. U.S. railroads also originated 943,979 containers and trailers in February 2023, down 8.4 percent, or 86,351 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in February 2023 were 1,849,723, down 5.2 percent, or 101,452 carloads and intermodal units from February 2022. In February 2023, eight of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR each month saw carload gains compared with February 2022. These included: crushed stone, sand & gravel, up 8,821 carloads or 13.1 percent; petroleum & petroleum products, up 5,833 carloads or 15.8 percent; and motor vehicles & parts, up 4,389 carloads or 8.9 percent. Commodities that saw declines in February 2023 from February 2022 included: coal, down 16,648 carloads or 6.1 percent; grain, down 9,227 carloads or 9.7 percent; and chemicals, down 6,298 carloads or 4.6 percent. “Coal, chemicals, and grain together account for more than half of all non-intermodal U.S. rail volume. When all three are down like they were in February, it’s very hard for total carloads not to be down too,” said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray. “On the positive side, several commodities including crushed stone and sand, petroleum products, steel products, grain mill, and food products showed very strong performances.” Excluding coal, carloads were up 1,547 carloads, or 0.2 percent, in February 2023 from February 2022. Excluding coal and grain, carloads were up 10,774 carloads, or 2.0 percent. Total U.S. carload traffic for the first two months of 2023 was 1,829,440 carloads, up 0.3 percent, or 4,726 carloads, from the same period last year; and 1,863,907 intermodal units, down 8.3 percent, or 167,794 containers and trailers, from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first eight weeks of 2023 was 3,693,347 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 4.2 percent compared to last year. Week ending February 25, 2023 Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 459,233 carloads and intermodal units, down 5.9 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending February 25 were 226,435 carloads, up 0.1 percent compared with the same week in 2022, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 232,798 containers and trailers, down 11.1 percent compared to 2022. Five of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2022. They included nonmetallic minerals, up 2,978 carloads, to 30,142; petroleum and petroleum products, up 1,890 carloads, to 10,629; and farm products excl. grain, and food, up 1,385 carloads, to 17,267. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2022 included coal, down 2,971 carloads, to 64,218; chemicals, down 1,711 carloads, to 32,234; and grain, down 1,700 carloads, to 20,511. North American rail volume for the week ending February 25, 2023, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads totaled 327,221 carloads, up 2.9 percent compared with the same week last year, and 308,029 intermodal units, down 9.3 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 635,250 carloads and intermodal units, down 3.4 percent. North American rail volume for the first eight weeks of 2023 was 5,096,524 carloads and intermodal units, down 2.3 percent compared with 2022. Canadian railroads reported 75,994 carloads for the week, up 7.9 percent, and 59,210 intermodal units, down 3.6 percent compared with the same week in 2022. For the first eight weeks of 2023, Canadian railroads reported a cumulative rail traffic volume of 1,111,310 carloads, containers, and trailers, up 4.5 percent. Mexican railroads reported 24,792 carloads for the week, up 16.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 16,021 intermodal units, down 0.7 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first eight weeks of 2023 was 291,867 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, down 1.7 percent from the same point last year. To view the rail traffic charts, click here.
363: Swisslog – Cold Storage Solutions
Grant Beringer, Vice President – of Integrated Systems – Americas at Swisslog, joins The New Warehouse podcast to discuss cold-chain fulfillment and warehouse automation. Swisslog Logistics provides innovative automation technologies to facilitate efficient warehouse operations. They specialize in designing, developing, and implementing customized solutions for handling pallets, cases, and other units with the help of storage and retrieval machines, conveyors, autonomous mobile robots, and automated picking robots. Key Takeaways Automation investment has seen significant growth in the last few years. Still, Grant expects that to continue. The pandemic’s effects have caused companies to modernize their supply chains, and there is still an increased demand for automation and labor scarcity in menial jobs. Swisslog is investing in automation for its cold storage solutions to ensure efficient and reliable operations while reducing labor and energy costs. Grant estimates over 70% of cold storage warehouses in the US are over 20 years old. There is a focus on upgrading outdated freezer warehouses with automation and increasing the automation level across the warehouse to maximize efficiency. Swisslog ensures its systems account for temperatures by using materials rated for cold storage environments and ensuring that maintenance can be done as quickly as possible. They are now beginning to explore automated case picking in these extreme temperatures, which poses a unique challenge due to product rigidity and the delicate nature of equipment needed in such conditions. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 363: Swisslog – Cold Storage Solutions
EnerSys® gains MHEDA 2023 Most Valuable Supplier Award
EnerSys®, the global provider of stored energy solutions for industrial applications, has earned the 2023 Most Valuable Supplier (MVS) Award from the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA). Each year, MHEDA recognizes member companies who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to their dealer network, their employees, and their community. This marks the ninth consecutive year that EnerSys® has received the award, a testament to the Company’s desire to “give back” to the industry through participating in a series of activities. “We are proud to be a MHEDA supplier member and honored to have earned this recognition for the ninth year in a row,” said Chad Uplinger, Vice President, Motive Power Americas at EnerSys. “The 2023 MVS Award underlines our ongoing commitment to MHEDA’s mission of providing the material handling industry with access to resources, training and networking opportunities that help it grow and thrive.” To qualify for the 2023 MVS Award, EnerSys® demonstrated an overall commitment to business excellence by documenting programs specific to Industry Advocacy, Distributor Advocacy, Business Networking, Continuing Education, and Business Best Practices. In addition to maintaining a Documented Safety Program and enrolling in MHEDA’s Learning Management System (LMS), award recipients had to provide documentation of active participation in a community service program. “The MVS Award recognizes the best-of-the-best in our industry,” said John L. Gelsimino, MHEDA Chairman and President of All Lift Service Co. Inc. “MHEDA appreciates your dedication to being an industry leader by checking all the boxes from education, industry best practices, and awards to networking, employee engagement, giving back and much more.”
E Tech Group acquires E-Volve Systems
Together, E-Volve and E Tech Group Expand to Over 500 Industrial Automation and System Integration Professionals with a North American Footprint E Tech Group has announced the acquisition of E-Volve Systems, a provider of industrial automation, controls engineering, and computer systems validation to clients in the life sciences, food and beverage, and consumer products industries. E-Volve will operate under the name “E-Volve Systems, an E Tech Group Company.” Kevin Stout and Principals Jason Antolovich, and Vivek Puthezath will remain with the company, and no significant employment changes are anticipated in E-Volve’s Merrimack, New Hampshire, or Cincinnati, Ohio, offices. “We are thrilled to add E-Volve Systems to the E Tech Group,” said E Tech CEO Matt Wise. “E-Volve is an outstanding firm with an excellent reputation for quality. Their deep footprint in Life Sciences combined with our extensive client set makes us a clear leader in the space. Additionally, our combined clients and services enable E Tech to offer one of the automation industry’s broadest service sets, from cyber security & OT optimization, through automation design, systems integration, industrial data management, and business intelligence with 24/7 support. We fulfill the promise of a one-stop shop for advanced automation.” “As legacy E Tech and Superior employees prior to founding our company in 2011, we have tremendous respect for E Tech Group and are confident this will be a seamless transition that will quickly pay dividends for clients of both companies,” said E-Volve’s partners in a joint statement. “We’re also excited about the career opportunities other members of the E-Volve team may enjoy as part of a larger, fast-growing organization like E Tech Group.”
Cybertrol Engineering wins Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork™ Sustainability Award
Cybertrol Engineering, a provider of plantwide automation systems and information integration solutions, today announced that Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, has named Cybertrol Engineering the winner of the first-ever Sustainability Award during the 2023 Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork Conference. The Sustainability Award acknowledges a PartnerNetwork firm that has demonstrated outstanding efforts, initiatives, and programs in the field of environmentalism. The recipient company must align with Rockwell Automation’s mission to integrate control and information across the enterprise to help industrial companies be more productive and sustainable. “We are honored to be recognized by Rockwell Automation for the first-ever Sustainability Award in our efforts to provide viable and cutting-edge technology to our clients,” said Ben Durbin, president of Cybertrol Engineering. “Our team is committed to delivering solutions that not only help our clients achieve their automation goals but also contribute to a more sustainable future. We are proud to be at the forefront of this important movement and look forward to continuing to drive positive change in the industry.” Cybertrol Engineering and client Meati have collaborated to provide a system that sustainably grows a type of protein derived from a mushroom root, commonly referred to as mycelium. This protein is used to produce tasty and healthy meat alternatives, which are becoming a popular dietary choice in America. Meati uses a Cybertrol-designed advanced control system that provides continuous visibility into the production process, optimizing water usage, energy, and time, resulting in a more sustainable end product. As Meati continuously sets sustainability objectives and pledges, the transparency of this data through the control system created by Cybertrol utilizing Rockwell Automation goods will enable establishing significant targets with a clear view. Meati products offer an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional meat choices like cows and chickens, as they require fewer resources and eliminate the need for antibiotics and growth hormones. The collaboration provides more choices for consumers who want to reduce their consumption of conventional meat due to environmental, social, or dietary concerns. Cybertrol Engineering—a Rockwell Automation Gold System Integrator Partner—was selected as the first-ever winner of the Sustainability Award in recognition of the company’s commitment to delivering innovative food and beverage industry solutions that optimize the use of resources, reducing waste and energy consumption, and minimize environmental impact. The company’s sustainability-focused approach has helped its clients to achieve significant cost savings while also reducing their carbon footprint. “It is an honor to deliver our Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork Sustainability Award to Cybertrol Engineering, which delivered a cutting-edge solution to Meati, a mushroom-root protein company,” said Andrea Ruotolo, global head of customer sustainability at Rockwell Automation. “The protein products could play a meaningful role in addressing the challenge of climate change and food security. The solution allows for deeper and continuous visibility into the data required to optimize water, energy, and time within the processes.” The PartnerNetwork Conference was centered on redefining the potential for partnerships through collaboration, as well as reinforcing the significance of the worldwide community to promote customer accomplishments. During the conference, which featured sessions and industry networking events, partners were highly visible, particularly during the PartnerNetwork Awards. Now in their second year, the awards honor the achievements of organizations that have successfully planned and executed innovative and transformational solutions.
Concentric introduces PowerHIVE® the industry’s first Automated Forklift Battery System
A faster and safer way to manage your power from the leader that invented GuaranteedPOWER® Concentric, an OnPoint Group Company, is launching PowerHIVE™, the industry’s first automated forklift battery and charger system, providing on-demand, sustainable, and scalable battery power whenever it is needed. Their newest innovation in equipment power management marries automation with forklift battery systems – eliminating the need to think about forklift charging or battery maintenance. An automated, three-minute battery reload is all that’s required to provide a safer, more cost-effective solution designed to support forklift operations in a way that’s easily scalable and flexible. PowerHIVE’s simple model doesn’t require any change to existing operations, ensuring an unlimited supply of power at whatever velocity is needed. “This is an exciting milestone for Concentric continuing our mission to deliver uninterruptible, guaranteed power to customers. PowerHIVE is a quantum leap forward. It provides plug-and-play, on-demand power that’s scalable to every piece of equipment you operate today and tomorrow. PowerHIVE unleashes your equipment to move at the productivity and velocity you require from day one until you retire the equipment,” said Concentric Chief Operating Officer, John Winter. “Customers experience cost savings with less equipment, no equipment issues due to lack of power, peak energy savings, and less headache for their forklift operators.” Distribution and manufacturing facilities face an array of challenges from labor shortages and productivity to worker safety and sustainability. PowerHIVE eases those challenges by providing a faster and safer equipment experience ensuring operators always have the battery power they need. Operators no longer have to handle the repercussions of downtime, safety risks, and failing equipment. “Forklift power is too often an afterthought, and facilities are numb to its negative impact on equipment and operator productivity, not to mention morale and safety,” said John Winter. “For facilities with multiple shifts, PowerHIVE delivers an automated and safe forklift power experience for every forklift type. The system eliminates the need to think about forklift charging or battery maintenance as operators receive a battery that’s ready to go in less than three minutes. Lithium and Hydrogen alone don’t solve your power issues as there are failure points in a one battery per forklift approach,” said Antonio Mendonca, Director of Engineering. To learn more about how PowerHIVE aligns with Concentric’s mission to provide intelligent power, while positively impacting People, Planet, and Profits, visit Concentricusa.com.
Staffing employment eases in February
New assignments down from the prior week Staffing employment eased for a third straight week in the week of Feb. 13-19, with the ASA Staffing Index decreasing by 0.9% to a rounded value of 100. Some staffing companies mentioned temporary-to-permanent conversions and seasonal business fluctuations as barriers preventing further growth. Staffing jobs were 4.5% below the same week last year. New starts in the seventh week of the year decreased by 1.3% from the prior week. About a third of staffing companies (35%) reported gains in new assignments week-to-week. The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average nudged down from the prior week to a rounded value of 101.4, and temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending Feb. 19 was 3.2% lower than the same period in 2022. “Staffing employment is off to a slower start in 2023 than in 2022, though it remains stronger than at this time in any year before that,” said Tim Hulley, ASA assistant director of research.” This week will be used in the February monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Mar. 10. The ASA Staffing Index is reported nine days after each workweek, making it a near real-time measure of staffing employment trends. ASA Staffing Starts are the number of temporary and contract employees placed in new assignments during the reporting week. ASA research shows that staffing employment has historically been a coincident economic indicator.
362: Everything 3PL with Fulfill.com
Joe Spisak, CEO of Fulfill.com, joins The New Warehouse to share the inspiring and amusing journey that led him to start Fulfill.com. Fulfill.com provides businesses with an easy and cost-effective way to outsource their fulfillment needs by connecting them with ideal fulfillment centers through a global 3PL directory and personalized advisors. If you think you can’t start a 3PL, try going from your parent’s garage to an abandoned morgue and eventually leap to a 140,000-square-foot behemoth of a warehouse. Be sure to tune in to learn everything you need to know about choosing, starting, and matching with a 3PL to grow your business. Key Takeaways Joe jokes that his expertise in playing drinking games gave him his start in entrepreneurship. He began making drinking and board games like OK Boomer and soon found himself navigating the third-party logistics world. Joe explains how he went through three different third-party logistics companies over a year and a half. The nightmare issues of lack of pricing and transparency, poor customer support, and delayed shipments made him wonder: Is this the best 3PLs can do? He decided to bring everything back in-house and started ShipDaddy. ShipDaddy became a success due to Joe’s understanding of e-commerce and ability to offer transparent pricing and customer communication. Fulfill.com was created due to the success of fulfilling e-commerce needs across different sales channels. Joe shares his secrets on growth in e-commerce, leveraging your network, and how to select the ideal 3PL for your business. For even more warehousing insights, check out the Warehousing and Fulfillment Growth Community, including the new course “Beginner’s Guide To Starting A Warehousing & Fulfillment Company.” In 2023, Joe predicts increased growth for boutique-level fulfillment centers specializing in complex tasks outside traditional packing and shipping services. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 362: Everything 3PL with Fulfill.com
KION Group building a new highly automated Spare Parts Distribution Center in Germany
A new highly automated distribution center will provide even better and faster spare parts supplies to its customers Total investment of around EUR 60 million KION subsidiaries Dematic and Linde Material Handling are providing the latest warehouse technology for the distribution center The planned completion date is January 2025 Andreas Krinninger, Member of the KION Executive Board: “The new distribution center will enable us to even better support our customers by reducing processing times and creating full transparency through digitalizing the end-to-end material flow from goods-in to goods-out.” Following the official ground-breaking ceremony in Kahl am Main near the German city of Aschaffenburg, the extensive construction and installation work on this new spare parts distribution center can now begin. Work will be completed by January 2025. The distribution center is set to house around 22,000 square meters of floor space for the spare parts logistics for the KION brands Linde Material Handling and Dematic. The building complex will be divided into different halls, among them a 30 m tall fully automated high-bay warehouse. “This highly automated distribution center will ensure that we can provide a fast and reliable spare parts service for our customers in Germany and several neighboring countries. This flagship project demonstrates the broad scope of the KION Group’s capabilities and brings together cutting-edge automation, digital, safety, and energy technologies from the two operating segments—Industrial Trucks & Services and Supply Chain Solutions. The new distribution center will enable us to even better support our customers by reducing processing times and creating full transparency through digitalizing the end-to-end material flow from goods-in to goods-out,” said Andreas Krinninger, Member of the KION GROUP AG Executive Board, at an on-site meeting with Jürgen Seitz, mayor of the municipality of Kahl am Main, other representatives of the company, and key individuals from the construction company carrying out the building work. A Showcase for the Group’s Material Handling and Intralogistics Solutions The building complex for the new warehouse will feature several areas for goods inward and goods outward, order picking zones, and a special warehouse with block storage. Goods will be delivered via 16 truck ramps. “The technical set-up in the halls will be a ground-breaking example of integrated solutions from the two KION segments Industrial Trucks & Services and Supply Chain Solutions,” stressed Krinninger. Continuous conveyors for small and large parts from Dematic and AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) from Linde Material Handling will be perfectly integrated into the material flow. Highly efficient Li-Ion-powered electric forklift trucks and pallet stackers will also be used. “Combining technologies from our Group with our collective project expertise enables us to find the solution that best meets the speed, flexibility, safety, energy efficiency and transparency requirements of the new distribution center. And the consequence of this is that our customers will benefit in the future from even higher availability and even faster delivery of spare parts to their sites”, explained the Executive Board Member. The KION subsidiary Dematic, one of the leading global providers of integrated automation technology, software, and services for optimizing the supply chain, is supplying the high-bay warehouse with six aisles and the multi-shuttle warehouse operating in five aisles and serving 110,000 storage locations. Secured Jobs and Ecological Compensation Areas The investment also secures the long-term future of the site and makes it even more attractive for highly qualified employees. The investment in Kahl am Main, where KION’s brand Linde Material Handling has had a spare parts warehouse and some parts of its production since the mid-1970s, is also well supported by the local community. Residents were involved at an early stage through a public information event and are being regularly updated on the progress of the plans since then. The sustainability ambition of the KION Group is also well reflected in the design, construction and fit out of the new distribution center. This involves also making optimal use of the existing site without any further ground sealing. In addition, extensive compensatory measures for the protection of nature and species have been initiated or already been implemented, and there are plans for more of these. Environmentally friendly building methods and photovoltaic panels are other key elements of the site concept and will ensure that the site is significantly contributing to climate-neutrality.
Yellow Corporation recognizes its 2022 Million Mile Drivers
Overall, 298 Yellow professional drivers achieved one million miles or more of safe driving last year Yellow Corporation has congratulated its professional drivers who, in 2022, achieved the milestone of driving more than one million miles without a single preventable accident. In 2022, four Yellow drivers reached the four million mile safe-driving milestone, while 32 drivers surpassed three million miles. Overall, 298 Yellow drivers achieved a status of one million miles or more of safe driving, as of last year. To put into perspective what is required to drive one million miles without a preventable accident – it typically takes a decade of professional truck driving experience and is equal to making two trips to the Moon and back. “This is just a tremendous accomplishment and we are so proud of all our drivers who reached a million-mile status last year,” said Tamara Jalving, Yellow Vice President of Safety and Talent Acquisition. “Our Million Mile drivers are part of an elite and exclusive club. They embody our safety vision and truly act as safety leaders where they work and live.” Yellow drivers who reached four million miles of safe driving in 2022 are: Michael Baldwin – Aurora, Co. Lawrence Steffel – Chicago Heights, Ill. Lloyd Spearman – Memphis, Tenn. Steven Kenemuth – Copley, Ohio Yellow drivers who reached three million miles in 2022 are: Marvin Colbert – Fresno, Calif. Pedro Fuentes – Santa Clara, Calif. Marcus Goodrich – Aurora, Co. Donald Anson – Council Bluffs, Iowa Shannon Hise – Atlanta, Ill. Nicholas Golich – Chicago Heights, Ill. Milan Vranjes – Chicago Heights, Ill. Henry Keys – Edwardsville, Ill. Randall Deters – Wyoming, Mich. Steve Duncan – Kansas City, Mo. Terry Cooper – Olive Branch, Miss. Eduardo Braun – Olive Branch, Miss. Darren Freeman – Charlotte, N.C. Raymond Shamblen – Copley, Ohio Bernard Drexler – Copley, Ohio Jeffrey Rose – Copley, Ohio Douglas Skamer – Copley, Ohio Elbert McNeely – Oklahoma City, Ok. William Crawford – Memphis, Tenn. Kenneth Clarett – Memphis, Tenn. Terry Mingle – Nashville, Tenn. Jimmy Kirby – Nashville, Tenn. Gary Murley – Nashville, Tenn. Terry Brown – Nashville, Tenn. Lee Gaskin – Irving, Texas Henry Whitley – Irving, Texas James Ellis – Irving, Texas Charley Bradley – Irving, Texas Mark Smith – Irving, Texas Jeffrey Payne – Cedar City, Utah Marlin Allington – West Valley City, Utah James Schroeder – Nennah, Wisc. “The number of Yellow drivers who join the Million Mile status each year is another testament to the fact that we have the best people in the industry,” said Darren Hawkins, Yellow’s CEO. “Their leadership, dedication, and focus on safety every day they are behind the wheel is commendable, and I’m so proud to have these drivers on our team.” Since 2008, more than 361 Yellow drivers have achieved a safe driving milestone of three million miles or more. In the past decade, eight drivers have had the distinction of achieving five million safe driving miles. To learn more and read about other Yellow Million Mile drivers, click here.
High attendance at The ARA Show 2023 reflects positive State of Rental Industry
The American Rental Association (ARA) trade show, The ARA Show™ 2023, has wrapped, and attendance was phenomenal. The largest equipment and event rental trade show and convention in the world was held February 11-15 at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida — the 5th time it has been held at that location. The sunny destination consistently attracts a high number of attendees who enjoy the warmth, which extended beyond the weather to reflect an overall positive tone for the event. “It was so good to be back on our normal schedule for The ARA Show and it’s the first time in three years that our exhibitors and attendees were able to interact without restrictions. Our first-time programs like Future of Equipment Rental and EventsU were lauded by attendees, and almost all of our signature events set new attendance records,” said Tony Conant, CEO of the American Rental Association (ARA). “Being able to see products firsthand, speak with exhibitors, attend education sessions, and network on such a large scale all in one place is such a unique opportunity. The energy level was incredibly high over the five days of events. Our industry is poised for another good year.” The number of rental stores that attended the show increased tremendously from the previous show in October 2021. More than 750 exhibitors attended the trade show – many celebrating milestones from first-time exhibitors to a remarkable 66 years as an exhibitor at the show. New this year was the addition of two rental-specific education programs, EventsU (formerly Events & Tents) and Future of Equipment Rental. More than 700 rental professionals attended the full-day education programs in event and equipment rental, respectively. The add-on programs were followed by the traditional full day of educational seminars on Sunday. The keynote address sponsored by ARA Insurance featured Daymond John of ABC’s “Shark Tank.” John is a NY Times best-selling author, the founder and CEO of FUBU, a global fashion brand, and a phenomenally successful businessperson. The award-winning entrepreneur empowered attendees with an inspiring presentation on goal-setting and achievement strategies. John’s keynote address also marked the opening of the trade show floor. “Overall attendance exceeded our initial expectations, and the momentum seemed to build from Saturday education programs to the trade show floor opening,” said Christine Hammes, vice president of association services/events. “It was exciting to see the trade show floor buzzing with activity. The feedback from attendees has been positive with many reporting an increase in buying activity, and optimism for the year ahead.” Many networking opportunities and programs throughout the week were sold out, including the Tuesday night event at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and the Women in Rental Breakfast. In 2024, The ARA Show will return to New Orleans and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center with a full day of educational seminars on Sunday, Feb. 18, and the trade show from Monday, Feb. 19, through Wednesday, Feb. 21. Additional details on next year’s show will be available soon at ARAShow.org.
Southwestern Scale announces expansion into Texas
The scale servicer, manufacturer, and provider of industrial and commercial-grade weighing scales made the announcement Wednesday Southwestern Scale Company Inc. (SWSCALE), a servicer, manufacturer, and provider of industrial and commercial-grade weighing scales has announced that they have opened a new office in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, in an effort to boost efficiency and services to the Lone Star State. The Phoenix-born business is in its 75th year of operation and has been a major player in the American Southwest scale industry for decades. Mark Murdza, Chief Business Development Officer, said that the expansion is a significant step for SWSCALE: “Opening operations in Texas is a momentous occasion for Southwestern Scale. We have invested tremendous time and effort into strengthening our business model, culture, and presence in the markets and it was time to share that with the great state of Texas.” The Fort Worth-based office will be managed by Shane Irvin, one of the operation’s newest employees. On joining the business in this new capacity, Irvin remarked, “I couldn’t be more excited to be part of the Southwestern Scale team as we open our new location in Fort Worth, Texas.” He added, “We look forward to providing people in the Lone Star State with solutions to their weighing applications for decades to come.” Throughout the last 75 years, the business has seen its fair share of defining moments. Last year the company announced that it had been recognized as one of only 12 small businesses across the state of Arizona to be recognized as SHARP-certified. SHARP (Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program) was developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to highlight businesses that operate under exemplary safety protocols and standards. While last year’s announcement underscored the company’s commitment to safety, their recent announcements have highlighted their commitment to growth and, as Murdza confirms, growth that customers had been inquiring about for some time: “Over the years, we have been delivering confidence with every measure to customers in Texas, repeatedly being asked when we were going to open operations there. The time has finally come, and we could not be more excited.” Their new office is now open at 10101 Hicks Field Road, Suite 105 in Fort Worth (76179), and can be reached at 817-913-2055.
UK Forklift Battery Dealer touts BSL Battery
Want a lithium-powered model that handles like a yard truck? Want a retrofit lithium battery for any forklift you have? Lithium Battery Solutions brings to market a range of products that will enable you to do just that, Stephen Burton tells HSS editor Simon Duddy. WHOLLY-OWNED Windsor Materials Handling subsidiary Lithium Battery Solutions has launched a two-pronged approach to bring nuance to the lithium revolution. Managing director Stephen Burton talks about the concept which aims to transform the market’s mindset when considering their transition to electric, which he believes will make lithium power accessible to new applications, as well as make the retrofit of lithium power to existing forklifts easier and less expensive. Stephen says: “The typical three-ton electric truck is not a yard truck, they are built for the interior, they have no suspension, the chassis is too stiff, so it will not work for many applications, such as tradesmen for builders, which is what we That’s why the range of forklifts with BSL lithium batteries come into play.” “Builder’s merchants are absolutely primed for this. Applications tend to be up to 20-25 hours per week, where the user needs the availability.” For traditional IC truck users, moving to lead-acid battery trucks is arguably a bigger change, as it involves battery maintenance. They must be refilled regularly with distilled water to function properly and stay healthy, which in turn brings added implications to health and safety procedures. “Typically, switching to lithium is a change of mind for diesel balance users,” Stephen said. “While you can get on a forklift with a BSL lithium battery, the set-up feels very similar—we can tweak the program settings to run like a hydraulic regulator or a traditional torque converter IC truck, which makes the operation The clerk felt like—loved to drive.” With the BSLBATT Battery, users can get up to 5 hours of runtime on a single charge, but the upcoming 2023 third-generation BSL forklift lithium batteries are expected to run even longer. SO WHICH USERS WOULD BE MOST SUITED TO THIS TWIST ON THE LITHIUM FORKLIFT? “Builder’s merchants are absolutely primed for this,” says Stephen. “Applications tend to be up to 20-25 hours per week, where the user needs the availability. For a lot of the independent builder’s merchants, it’s all about quick delivery, they’ve got to keep their customer service levels going and this truck enables them to do that. “Our advice is, if it’s idle, charge it, you can get a 10% charge in 20 minutes, and a full charge in two hours. You’re getting the opportunity charging with maintenance-free batteries. We describe it as hassle-free motoring.” Stephen explains: “The BSLBATT range of batteries that we are bringing to market is proving to be a game changer for our customers. We can fit lithium batteries to any manufacturer’s truck, which could be anything from a walk-behind powered pallet truck to VNA man-up machines, providing unchallenged run times. There are two types of battery on offer: a water-based cell, which is suitable for cold stores; as well as an oil-based cell. The chemistry used is Lithium Iron Phosphate – known as LiFePO 4. – rather than NMC. “We work closely with the factory to design and build our own batteries to fit inside the trucks and do all the aftermarket modifications to suit any solution. Currently, we don’t work with the CANbus on the trucks, it’s all done via our separate BMS, so we can monitor remotely and keep abreast of utilization,” says Stephen. “A lead-acid battery has 1,500 cycles, and if you discharge by 20%, that is considered a cycle. With lithium, if you discharge by 20%, you still have 80% usage without impacting performance. You’re getting double in terms of battery lifetime, and despite people sometimes worrying about how to dispose of the batteries once they are no longer fit for use, we’re aligned to a secondary market in uninterruptible supply systems (UPS).” “Within the market, there is an undoubtable belief that lithium is a dangerous, flammable product with dangerously high voltage which is a challenge we have come across when pitching recommendations to customers” adds Stephen. “We’re going through an education process to demonstrate that LiFePo4 is in fact, incredibly stable and has been through rigorous lab tests before entering the market. We have test data on all of our cells, including crush and nail tests, and have consulted with the fire brigade on the treatment of a lithium battery fire which transpires is the same as for a lead-acid battery fire.” That all said, there is still room for traditional lead acid in some applications. “I still struggle to see why in 24/7 applications reach trucks should be lithium-powered,” explains Stephen. “They hot shift, back-to-back, and I don’t believe there are many companies that have the time to opportunity charge them. “This last 12 months particularly has shown that the drive in becoming Net Zero by 2030 is not going away.” “One common mistake that we have identified is that when many people are considering the change to lithium that it has to be either/or, we find we say to customers, this part of your fleet is suited to lead-acid, and for this part, lithium will pay off. This is where the consultancy approach comes in where we will run the operational calculations and work with customers to get the most efficient and cost-effective solution for them.” Windsor Material Handling is a customer of Lithium Battery Solutions and a distributor for both product types, with Stephen also looking to go out to a select dealer network. “We are approaching this part of the offering with great consideration, what we don’t want to do is flood the market and find ourselves in a situation with multiple dealers quoting customers on the same product which is frustrating for all parties,” he says. THE FUTURE OF LIB While the adoption of lithium-ion technology is growing, it still represents a rather small percentage of the material handling industry. Experts expect that to change over the next five years. “There’s a misconception that in five years, someone can just create
Metal Fabricator eliminates pallet wrapping bottleneck with automated Orbital Wrapper
TAB Wrapper Tornado allows Penn sheet metal to wrap long pallet loads fast Metal fabrication company Penn Sheet Metal, Allentown, Pennsylvania, has cut the time required to stretch-wrap its pallet loads of architectural and roofing components and custom decorative building products from an average of 15 minutes per load to 60 seconds or less by replacing manual stretch-wrapping with the automated TAB Wrapper Tornado orbital wrapping machine. Releasing a bottleneck in the packaging department that threatened the company’s stellar lead times, the TAB Wrapper Tornado automatically wraps stretch wrap 360 degrees around and under the pallet and load while it is raised on a forklift to create a secure, unitized load without banding or boxes. The orbital wrapper safely encases the full length of the fabricator’s custom 10- and 16-foot-long pallets required for many of the elongated metal parts. Speeding production while reducing the number of workers involved in the wrapping process from two or three to just one worker, the orbital wrapper saves an average of 2-1/2 hours per day or more than 78 full, eight-hour workdays per year, according to Mike Roeder, president of Penn Sheet Metal. “We were wasting so much time wrapping pallets by hand until I’d finally had enough,” says Roeder. “Now we’re getting a much better, more secure wrap every time, even on our longest skids and it wouldn’t even be possible to wrap them by hand – I just love this machine!” The orbital wrapping machine is designed and manufactured by TAB Industries, Reading, Pennsylvania. TAB offers a range of automated and semi-automated orbital wrappers in several sizes to suit nearly any pallet wrapping requirements.