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.
LiuGong North America to showcase company growth, Battery electric vehicle technology and eight new products at CONEXPO 2023
The construction industry has changed significantly since the last CONEXPO-CON/AGG held in 2020, and so has the LiuGong presence in North America. As LiuGong returns to this year’s CONEXPO, held March 14-18, 2023, in Las Vegas, it does so in an enhanced position in the construction equipment marketplace and as one of the fastest-growing companies in the industry. LiuGong arrives at booth F9205 on the Festival Grounds at the Las Vegas Convention Center with 19 total machines, including eight new products, two new battery electric vehicles, a significantly increased staff, and a robust and growing dealer network. “The LiuGong presence at CONEXPO/CON-AGG 2023 is a culmination of our growth strategy, new product development, and investment made by members of our expanding dealer network,” said Andrew Ryan, President, LiuGong North America. “At CONEXPO, LiuGong will highlight the growth and development our team has worked on for the last several years, while also showcasing the value of our machines to prospective customers. The future is bright for LiuGong as a company, and we’re looking forward to the week ahead in Las Vegas.” 2021 and 2022 Business Success The last two years for LiuGong have seen records in profit, revenue, and growth. While other manufacturers scaled back production, LiuGong increased its production and inventory, making it the largest single producer of wheel loaders in the world. The LiuGong Lineup at CONEXPO The 19 products on display cover five product lines (wheel loaders, excavators, dozers, rollers, and material handling applications) and include new technological elements throughout most machines. Headlining the LiuGong display is one of its battery-electric vehicles, the 856H-E MAX Wheel Loader. There has been exponential growth in this area, with an estimated 2,000 of these units already operating worldwide in some of the world’s toughest conditions. The 856H-E MAX can enhance job sites where traditional combustion engines aren’t allowed or in fixed-site operations where investments in charging infrastructure make sense. LiuGong debuts two new large-size excavators. The 36-ton class 936F Excavator is a step above medium size excavators, while the 95-ton class 995F Excavator will become the largest in the LiuGong excavator portfolio. There are two new Zero Tail Swing (ZTS) Compact Excavators premiering in the 9051FZTS and 9057FZTS models. These 5- and 6-ton class excavators fill a gap within the LiuGong lineup and build on the 9027FZTS model that premiered in 2021. Answering the call to handle tight work on commercial and residential job sites, the new 15-ton class LiuGong 915FCR (Compact Radius) Excavator is a complement to the 913FCR, providing customers welcome choices in that size class. Both evolved from the 915F platform with a focus on a short tail swing and little compromise in lifting capability. Additional new products include the LiuGong 6612E Roller and the Dressta TD-25M Dozer. LiuGong will also feature the HV Series Wheel Loaders (838HV, 856HV, 890HV). The HV Series of products have progressed to Stage V emissions standards and include updated transmission and hydraulic systems. Rounding out the lineup is another Dressta product, the TD-16N Dozer, along with five products from the rapidly expanding LiuGong material handling business. This includes the LiuGong CLC2025A-SC, CLG2030G, and CLG2035G Fork Trucks and S1930DE and S4046DE Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP). The full list of LiuGong North America products at CONEXPO includes: 856H-E MAX Wheel Loader (battery electric vehicle; LiuGong North America launch) 9027F-E Excavator (battery electric vehicle; display vehicle only) 9051FZTS Excavator (LiuGong North America launch) 9057FZTS Excavator (LiuGong North America launch) 915FCR Excavator 922F Excavator 936F Excavator (LiuGong North America launch) 995F Excavator (LiuGong North America launch) 838HV Wheel Loader 856HV Wheel Loader (LiuGong North America launch) 890HV Wheel Loader 6612E Roller Dressta TD-16N Dozer Dressta TD-25M Dozer (LiuGong North America launch) CLC2025A-SC Fork Truck CLG2030G Fork Truck CLG2035G Fork Truck S1930DE Mobile Elevated Work Platform S4046DE Mobile Elevated Work Platform Increasing Dealer Coverage Since 2019, LiuGong has signed 29 construction equipment dealers and 28 fork truck dealers for a total of 57 new dealers. At the year-end of 2022, LiuGong had 92 total dealers with 156 locations. Several new dealers have signed recently and either has been publicly announced or will be in the coming weeks. Others have expanded their operations by either adding locations or enhancing their footprints. “Our new dealers in both the construction equipment and material handling industries were looking to grow their level of support and relationship with a new manufacturer,” Ryan said. “It’s our job to help ensure that we as LiuGong work together with these new dealers to elevate them in the marketplace while continuing to recruit more in key markets across the country.” Key Relationships LiuGong has worked with Cummins for decades, and the companies have been involved in a joint venture building engines in China together since 2011. Cummins will have one of its engines on display at the LiuGong booth, while the Cummins booth will be in South Hall 4, booth S84615. LiuGong will also display GRYB product attachments; GRYB has its own booth on the Festival Grounds, F8144. LiuGong also works with CATL as its battery supplier, with Miller UK to provide its globally recognized quick couplers, and with Leica Geosystems, a trusted supplier of premium sensors, software, and services for geospatial data intelligence. Some of the other LiuGong business enhancements since the last CONEXPO include an enhanced dealer portal, the launch of the new LiuGong Finance program, and a telematics support system, Topcon/Tierra for LiuGong.
Autoscheduler introduces Make-N-Ship Warehouse optimization platform
Today, at the Retailers International Leaders Association, (RILA), AutoScheduler.AI, an innovative Warehouse Management System (WMS) accelerator, introduces the Make-n-Ship warehouse optimization platform that optimizes loading products straight off the production line to better orchestrate production, warehousing, and transportation plans. Moving production runs directly to a truck eliminates touches, helps with labor shortages, and reduces the need for storage space in a warehouse or distribution center located at the manufacturing site. “Most WMS can’t efficiently handle products coming directly from the production line to a truck at the dock because of a mismatch between pre-built stock transfer orders and what gets produced, causing trucks to remain idling at the dock waiting to be filled. Without the buffer of the warehouse storage, companies struggle to have a ready supply of trailers that match the production output. Make-n-Ship will handle the movement of products directly from production to various deployment destinations,” said Keith Moore, Chief Executive Officer, AutoScheduler Make-n-Ship: Creates transportation requirements days in advance so “best cost carriers” can be engaged. Reschedules transportation as production changes, aiming to match production schedules. Creates and transmits a recommended transportation plan. Updates hourly on the need and timing of trailers and inventory. Issues alerts, using the latest data and trailer availability to relay such warnings, as there will be a trailer shortage in two days. Updates a real-time deployment module to reflect the latest decisions on where to shift or store inventory. Clients using Make-n-Ship free up 10% more space capacity, reduce production planning loads by 33%, increase floor productivity by 8%, increase container fill by 2%, and increase service levels by 4%.
Felling Trailers names Pessen as South-Central Regional Sales Manager
Felling Trailers Inc., a national manufacturer of industrial and commercial trailers, has recently named Joe Pessen as a regional sales manager to serve the South-Central territory. He will be responsible for all sales development, activity, and dealer support within Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana. As the regional manager for the south-central territory, Joe’s primary responsibilities will be to achieve regional market share objectives with the existing dealer base and develop new dealers in the assigned territory, providing training and product support. Joe will be taking over the south-central region once served by Gary Knudsen, who retired at the end of 2021. “I chose to work at Felling Trailers as I was aware of the quality and craftsmanship that goes into every one of the trailers the company produces,” said Joe. “Joe brings years of knowledge and understanding of the transport industry to Felling Trailers. We’re excited to have him representing our company and further building our brand in the South-Central US!” said Nathan Uphus, Sales Manager Felling Trailers. “I feel my role in the south-central region allows me the opportunity to increase sales and market share by leveraging my product knowledge and my ability to develop relationships in a manufacturer/dealer dynamic,” said Joe. Joe brings with him a very diverse knowledge of the transportation and logistics industries, having held various roles within the industry for over 30 years. He worked with Manufacturers Consolidation (MCS) in sales and oversaw the brokerage division for a period of six years. While with MCS he established a relationship with Goodyear Tire & Rubber initiating the delivery program for all of Goodyear’s natural rubber to their production plants from three U.S. ports. Pessen then joined Cornerstone Systems, a third-party logistics company. During his ten years with the company, he oversaw the opening of the Kansas City branch and established account relationships with Goodyear Tire & Rubber, ADM Milling, and Haldex Brakes. In 2009 Pessen moved on to partner with an equipment leasing company, founding Transmaxx LLC., a truckload carrier. The company ran dry vans and flatbeds with concentrated efforts in the Midwest and Southeast. Parting ways in 2018, Joe moved into a Sales position with Transwest Trailers, a distributor of commercial trailers, trucks, horse & livestock trailers, RVs, and automotive groups. “It was during my time with Transwest, while selling the full line of trailers, that I gained an understanding of the processes to build and market trailers, specifically to the constructions and heavy haul markets,” said Joe. “We feel Joe’s extensive experience in the transportation and logistics industries will be a great asset in our south-central territory,” said Patrick Jennissen, Felling’s SVP of Sales & Marketing.
Statement is from Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National President Eddie Hall
The following statement is from Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National President Eddie Hall in response to the preliminary report released Thursday, February 23, 2023, on the East Palestine, Ohio derailment: The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has been assisting the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation of the recent derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. That work will continue. Our agreement with the NTSB limits some of what we can say today, I don’t want to speculate on the causes of the derailment in East Palestine, but I do want to emphasize a couple of items that were not raised in the preliminary report or discussed in today’s press conference. First, we were very fortunate this time that there were three crew members on this train. They were able to respond to the emergency, uncouple the locomotives from the train cars, and take other action. If this had been a train operated by one crew member it may have taken longer to react to the fire caused by the failure of the bearings, axles, and other mechanical items. It’s not unusual for things to go wrong on trains and sometimes many things. This is why it is important to have experienced engineers and conductors onboard. But, despite running ever longer trains that routinely carry hazardous materials, railroad CEOs have pushed for having only one person on the train and to even use remotely-operated trains. This is a serious mistake. Second, the railroads and their trade association, the Association of American Railroads (AAR), employ armies of lobbyists on Capitol Hill who are there not to promote safety regulations but to slow the implementation of federal safety regulations or attempt to eliminate them altogether. Over the past two decades, they have spent nearly a half billion dollars lobbying Congress. In the absence of federal requirements, it’s important to note that the railroads will continue to self-regulate. Norfolk Southern Railway freight train 32N that derailed in East Palestine was nearly two miles in length. On western railroads such as Union Pacific, where I was working as a locomotive engineer as recently as last year, trains are often three miles long. The railroads have opposed any government regulation on train length; they have sought waivers to eliminate having trained inspectors monitor rail cars; and they have pushed back on the Train Crew Staffing Rule. Already, the AAR and the railroads are pushing back against attempts to learn from this derailment. They are hiding behind the NTSB process and suggesting that we should wait for the final report, which is probably a year away from being issued. There’s growing public awareness of irresponsible behavior by the railroads. Now is the time to toughen regulations on America’s railroads to keep both railroad workers and the communities our members operate through safe.
NAFA appoints 2023 Board of Directors
NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA), the vehicle fleet industry’s largest membership association, has announced the appointment of its new Board of Directors, led by chairman Mike Camnetar, CAFM, Fleet Services Manager for General Mills Inc. Members serving on NAFA’s Board of Directors come from a variety of industries and companies, representing cities, software and technology companies, foodservice groups, health corporations and more. “I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Board President for NAFA, and am looking forward to working alongside such an experienced and accomplished group of fleet industry professionals,” says Mike Camnetar, CAFM. “Together, we are excited to continue our focus on advancing the interests of the fleet and mobility profession, and we look forward to what this next year will bring.” The following individuals sit on NAFA’s 13-member 2023 Board of Directors: President: Mike Camnetar, CAFM – Fleet Services Manager for General Mills Inc. Immediate Past President: Raymond Brisby, CAFM – Manager, EMS Fleet Operations for Alberta Health Services Senior Vice President: Maria Neve – Vice President of Electrification & Sustainability for Wheels Donlen LeasePlan Vice President: Kevin Fisher, CAFM – Director of Commercial Fleet Solutions for Induct EV Secretary/Treasurer: Beth Cooley – Director for the Commonwealth of Virginia Office of Fleet Management Clyde Collins, CAFM, Member – Fleet Maintenance Supervisor for Prince William County Service Authority Al Curtis, Member – Fleet Director for Cobb County, GA Government Fleet Management Kenneth Jack, Member – Vice President of Fleet Operations for Verizon Robert Martinez, Member Amy McAdams, CAFM, Member – Fleet Manager for Farmer Brothers William McCarty, Member – Director of Office Budget & Management for the City of Springfield, IL Bob Mossing, Member – Director of Global Fleet Administration for STERIS Corporation Steven Saltzgiver, CAFS, Member – Fleet Success Senior Advisor for RTA Fleet Management Software NAFA is pleased to welcome these expert fleet professionals and skilled individuals to the 2023 Board of Directors. Their dedication to the fleet and mobility world inspires innovation, creates progress, and truly keeps the industry moving.