Lauren Fiochetta joins Tompkins Robotics as Senior Marketing Manager
Tompkins Robotics, a globally focused provider of the robotic automation of distribution and fulfillment operations, has named Lauren Fiochetta to the role of Senior Marketing Manager. In this new role, she will develop and implement omnichannel marketing campaigns designed to attract and qualify customers across a wide range of industries, according to Tompkins Robotics President and CEO Mike Futch. “We are excited to welcome Lauren to the team at Tompkins Robotics at a time when the warehouse and retail automation industry is poised for dramatic growth,” said Futch. “She is a marketing powerhouse with extensive B2B experience and an existing track record of success in the logistics and robotic automation space.” Prior to joining Tompkins, she held marketing management roles for global manufacturing companies in the logistics, industrial materials, and beverage industries, directing data-driven marketing campaigns encompassing advertising, public relations, social media, and a variety of other digital marketing channels. Fiochetta graduated from Westminster College in Utah with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
KION Group to develop and produce its own Fuel Cell Systems for Industrial Trucks
Intralogistics group begins production of hydrogen propulsion systems KION Group plans to invest more than €11 million in this technology Launch of a 24 V fuel cell system planned for Spring 2023, with other systems to follow Advantages over other energy sources: Lower emissions and more sustainable drive with quick tank filling CEO Smith: “As of today, KION will be the only forklift manufacturer in the European market to produce its own fuel cells, something that truly sets us apart.” The KION Group is expanding its hydrogen propulsion range. The global intralogistics group will soon develop and produce its own fuel cell systems for its industrial trucks. The company is going to invest more than €11 million in this technology. The KION Group plans to launch its own 24 V fuel cell system for warehouse equipment to the market in spring 2023. Completion of the fuel cell portfolio is expected to follow in the coming years. This means that the KION brands will soon be able to offer their customers everything they need from a single source: the forklift, the fuel cells, and the associated service. “As of today, the KION Group will be the only manufacturer of forklifts and warehouse equipment in the European market to produce its own fuel cells, something that truly sets us apart,” says Rob Smith, CEO of the KION GROUP AG. “There is huge demand from our customers and we hope that this technology will allow us to meet ever-increasing calls for intralogistics to become more resource-conscious and sustainable, while at the same time also meet demands for rapid refueling.” The group plans to supply the first forklift trucks with its own fuel cell systems this year. Easy and Practical, Fast and Clean The advantages of fuel cell technology are manifold. The energy system does not generate any emissions during operation, making it ideal for use in warehouses. If the hydrogen also comes from regenerative sources, e.g., biogas or electrolysis from the sun or wind energy, it is climate neutral. A further advantage of the energy system comes to the fore when stopping to fill up at the hydrogen filling station: Fully refilling the tank takes just one to three minutes. This helps minimize interruptions and increase the availability of forklifts—a massive advantage for multi-shift operations and for large fleets. A further advantage is that they contain no toxic acids or other pollutants, a real plus not just in terms of recycling, but also for daily operation. For example, this makes the fuel-cell drive an attractive alternative to a lead-acid battery, particularly in hygiene-critical industries such as the pharmaceutical and food industries. Hydrogen Production at the Aschaffenburg Site Alongside the development and production of fuel cell systems, the Group is also installing its own hydrogen production at its Aschaffenburg site. The construction work for a state-funded hydrogen filling station including an electrolyzer is nearly finished. After construction work on the hydrogen infrastructure is completed, 21 hybrid fuel cell systems will be put into operation and will replace the majority of the forklifts with combustion engines that are currently in operation at the site. Decades of Experience With This Energy Source The KION Group brands were quick to embrace the idea that hydrogen and fuel cell technologies could offer significant potential for intralogistics. KION subsidiary Linde Material Handling GmbH (Linde MH) has been focusing intensively on this multi-faceted technology since 1997 and began series production of its first trucks with this technology in 2010. Today, Linde MH offers one of the widest portfolios of fuel cell drive industrial trucks on the market. Around 80% of all models are available with this future-oriented drive technology, including pallet trucks, tractors or reach trucks, and counterbalanced trucks. The technology has also been a core part of KION subsidiary STILL GmbH’s product portfolio for many years. For its customers, the company has been implementing regular hydrogen projects for various truck types since 2003. STILL is currently operating one of Europe’s largest fleets of forklift trucks with hydrogen drive for a customer in France. KION subsidiary STILL has also entered into a partnership with Hydrogentle GmbH to be able to better advise and support its customers in all things fuel cell technology. The partnership is aimed at planning special plant engineering projects, producing feasibility analyses, and advising customers on the topic of hydrogen infrastructure, from initial conversations through to the supply of complete hydrogen infrastructure for filling industrial trucks. Fuel Cell Technology in Industrial Trucks In fuel cell systems, energy is obtained through a chemical reaction between oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2), which feeds a compact lithium-ion battery. This hybrid combination powers the forklift truck by supplying the drive and lifting motors with energy. The fuel cell generates the electrical energy required to operate the forklift truck directly on board. The only by-products generated during “cold combustion” are heat, water vapor, and pure water.
INFORM announces Justin Newell as Chief Executive Officer, INFORM North America
INFORM, a global software provider for AI-driven Digital Decision-Making optimizing business operations, headquartered in Aachen, Germany, announced the promotion of Justin Newell to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), INFORM North America. He succeeds INFORM North America founder and Chairman, Adrian Weiler, who will continue in his role as an ongoing advisor to the CEOs across all INFORM Group entities, as well as serving as a representative of the organization in leading industry associations and conferences. In addition to his new role as CEO of INFORM North America, Newell will retain his role as Chief Operating Officer, which he has held since January 2019, and as CEO emphasize profitable growth of INFORM’s business in North America by delivering INFORM’s Hybrid AI-based decision-making technologies. As CEO of INFORM North America, Newell will continue to focus on business development in North America with a primary emphasis on key sectors. These include: Automotive – Finished Vehicle Logistics and Intelligent Inbound Truck Supply Control as well as Time Slot Management; Aviation – Ground Handling and Workforce Optimization; Supply Chain – Inventory Optimization and Demand Planning; Logistics – Dispatch Optimization in Construction Materials, Returnable Container Management as well as Intermodal/Maritime/Yard Management Solutions; Financial Industry – Fraud Prevention and Risk Management; and Manufacturing –Production Planning. Additionally, he will continue his focus on developing the INFORM North American-based project delivery teams. In performing his role, Newell will continue to consult with Weiler and collaborate with the CEOs both in INFORM headquarters and across the other INFORM entities globally. In discussing his new appointment, Newell said, “I was fortunate to have been recruited by Adrian and to directly work with him over the past four years. His mentorship, guidance, and friendship have created a very rewarding atmosphere that has helped me contribute to the substantial growth of INFORM in North America. Adrian’s strategic vision and guidance will continue to be a resource as we continue to grow our revenue and overall capabilities in this very strategic market.” Newell continued, “I am looking forward to assuming my new responsibilities as CEO of INFORM North America. Over the past few years, and despite the challenges brought on by the global pandemic, climate change, and socio-economic developments, INFORM has advanced its mission and supported the increased profitability, process optimization, and crisis resilience for North American companies in diverse industries. Applying our Hybrid AI-based decision-making technologies, we also are enabling our customers to meet their sustainability goals by optimizing their operations and maximizing their vehicle, equipment, and human resources.” Newell came to INFORM after having successfully performed in senior-level roles with such leading brands as Reliable Carriers, Inc, Porsche Cars North America Inc., and Genuine Parts Company (NAPA). At that time, INFORM’s North American customer base was predominantly within the aviation industry, which it had been since 1992. Under the direction of Weiler, Newell’s role as COO was to focus on growing the Manufacturing Logistics (Automotive), Logistics (Maritime, Terminal, Intermodal, and Distribution Centers), and Fraud Prevention business. Newell added, “Over the past four years, the automotive and finished vehicle logistics area has grown immensely and is now INFORM’s second largest in revenue in North America following aviation. Our fraud prevention business is also on a trajectory for excellent growth opportunities as we have placed a large focus on strategic partnership alliances with companies such as Huron and will continue to pursue other valuable partners when doing so would complement our capabilities and target growth areas.” As evidence of its growth, INFORM recently entered contracts with leading companies such as AMPORTS, a leader in the global automotive service industry and one of the largest auto processors in North America; Norfork Southern’s Rossville and Austell terminals; VinFast, a leading manufacturer of smart electric vehicles (EVs); and Volkswagen Group of America, as well as a strategic partnership with the Huron Consulting Group, among others. Dr. Andreas Meyer, INFORM Group CEO noted that “INFORM has established a strategic global footprint with an international presence that includes our headquarters in Aachen, Germany and our subsidiary in Lisbon, Portugal; our South American subsidiaries in Santiago, Chile and Sao Paulo, Brazil; and our Asia-Pacific subsidiaries in Sydney, Australia, and Singapore, as well as our North American organization in Atlanta, Georgia. We have been very selective in establishing strong executives to lead our organization across our global network. As a result, we have been realizing steady growth and a loyal customer base that has experienced high value and return on their INFORM optimization software investments many times over. Our focus will continue to be one of internationalization as we realize there are many organizations that have yet to embrace INFORM’s Hybrid AI technology including Machine Learning, Fuzzy Logic, and Operations Research that clearly are needed to compete effectively in today’s marketplace.”
The true cause of the Strategy-Execution Gap
When the strategy doesn’t deliver on anticipated expectations, the strategy-execution gap is the scapegoat. In fact, thousands of articles have been written on this phenomenon. For example, here’s one of the top results from a quick Google search: “What causes execution gaps? There are numerous potential causes of execution gaps, such as goals and timelines that are too ambitious, little to no clarity about the vision or goals, and even a lack of buy-in from key players. One of the biggest causes relates to your resources.” However, this actually isn’t the problem. Yes, these components can influence the success or failure of a strategy, but they’re not the cause of the strategy execution gap. Fundamentally, a strategy-execution gap exists because a bridge between strategy and execution is not created. Without a bridge, a high-level corporate strategy has virtually an infinite number of ways to be translated into execution. This often results in reframing existing initiatives so they present like they’re aligned with the strategy, or simply a series of random tactics which can be loosely tied to the strategy. And in this lies the problem – without a translation, any and all things can become “part of the strategy”, which ends up making the strategy itself less strategic. Let’s take a hypothetical example. Say a company develops its corporate strategy, and within that strategy, there’s an objective of attaining growth in a new market. Let’s also assume that the corporate team did their due diligence to identify that this market is really an opportunity, in that it’s growing and the organization has the capabilities and resources to serve it. So now this strategic objective is shared with key departments – in this example, let’s limit it to sales, marketing, and product development. Each of these departments then proceeds to develop its individual plans to achieve this objective. But here’s the rub – there are a thousand ways to skin a cat. So let’s say the sales team focuses on adding more field reps in the market. Marketing focuses on developing marketing materials and promotions to reach the market. Product development focuses on creating a couple of new products for the market. This all seems to make complete and logical sense – the plans align with the strategy. And the teams, who are excellent at execution, get right to work. However, no real traction really occurs – only a marginal amount of revenue is generated here and there. Obviously a strategy-execution gap. Yet, the problem isn’t the strategy or the department plans, communication, resources, or overly ambitious goals. It is the lack of a Supporting Strategy. A Supporting Strategy takes lofty objectives and translates them into clear, actionable, and aligned approaches to execution. Different from an operational or implementation plan, a Supporting Strategy is a strategy of its own – a unique and distinct way to achieve the objectives provided in the Corporate Strategy. Basically, instead of plugging in your old playbook to fit the new Corporate Strategy, you create your own unique strategy to support it. In our example, if each of the three departments – instead of jumping to creating execution plans – began with creating their own Supporting Strategies, Sales might focus on approaching market penetration in a new and different way to better connect with the target audience. Marketing might focus on designing a unique, non-traditional program that stands out in a homogenous market. Product development might focus on not creating a new product, but designing an experience. The point isn’t to execute the obvious and traditional stuff – it’s to design a strategic approach to achieve those bold and ambitious corporate objectives. The point here is that each department needs its own strategy, tied to the overarching Corporate Strategy, which then will focus and drive execution. In addition, Supporting Strategies ensure strategic thinking is embedded across the organization, rather than simply hitting the “easy” button and rehashing the same tired tactics. The bottom line, once you have a Corporate Strategy, it’s time to create your Supporting Strategies to truly bridge the execution gap. 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.
Hauling Solution for wide undercarriage construction equipment, Felling’s LP HD Tags
Felling Trailers, Inc. adds the Low Pro Heavy Duty (LP HD) models to its deck-over tagline. Wideset heavy construction equipment like mid-size crawler excavators and dozers can be challenging for any seasoned equipment hauler. The equipment is typically oversized, particularly heavy, and unique in shape (length, height, and width). The LP HD has been designed and engineered for transporting heavy (near 50-60K load capacities) wideset loads, like excavators, dozers, and other construction equipment. “As equipment continues to get bigger and wider, how weight is distributed can make or break a trailer. Our LP HD series tag has been designed and engineered to accommodate equipment that has an 8’-8.5’ wide track gauge (center to center of tracks), which will concentrate the machine’s weight directly over the side rails, typically 10’+ overall width machines (some examples: Deere 200/210, CAT 320/323, Komatsu PC210). This has been accomplished along with incorporating the standard features an operator wants and needs,” said Felling’s Sales Manager Nathan Uphus. The LP HD series currently consists of two models; the FT-50-3 LP HD triple axle 25-ton and the FT-60-4 LP HD quad axle 30-ton (4 axle legality varies by state/providence). The available deck lengths for the triple axle are 24’, 26’, 28’, and 30’. The available deck lengths for the quad-axle are 28’, 30’, and 32’. The Low Pro Heavy Duty (LP HD) series is constructed with a 10” structural channel full-length side rail (flanges out), Jr. I-Beam cross members 12” on center pierced through the heavy-duty, engineered, and fabricated 16” tall mainframe beams, and is standard with 1-3/8″ apitong decking. The LP HD design was driven by the needs of wide-set heavy loads, with the flange-out side rail construction it allows for optional outriggers to provide additional support and load distribution. Apitong decking is an extremely durable wood, making it ideal for construction equipment applications. The LP HDs are standard with a 6’ long double incline beavertail providing 12-degree and 6-degree load angles, respectively. The double incline feature eliminates the sharp break-over point, which substantially helps load/unload tracked equipment safely. The 6′ double incline beavertail is constructed with 5″ x 3″ self-cleaning angles. The 6′ x 20″ ramps, like the beavertail, are built with a 5″ x 3″ self-cleaning angle, spring-assist construction, or optional air ramp configurations depending on the equipment/operator’s needs. Low Pro Heavy Duty Standard Specifications (triple & quad axle) 16” tall, fabricated Grade 80 main frame beams (stepped down in trunnion area) .5” thick main frame beam flange material 6” high tensile Jr I-beams Grade 80, spaced 12” on center 10” channel side rail (full length) rails turned out Standard 1 3/8” thick apitong decking (white oak optional) Standard 1” bent D-Rings – 16 on Triple, 20 on quad axle 235/75R17.5 J Tires and 25K heavy duty 3 leaf spring suspension 6’ Double incline beavertail with 6’ x 20” spring assist ramps (self-cleaning or wood inlaid) Optional 38” wide x 7’ long air-powered ramps (self-cleaning or wood inlaid)
Jennifer Hedrick named incoming Women In Trucking Association CEO
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) recently announced Jennifer Hedrick, CAE, as the incoming president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the association. She will work closely with WIT’s board of directors and staff to oversee initiatives that support WIT’s mission to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by them. Hedrick has 17 years of association leadership experience and is an accredited executive by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). For five years she led the National Industrial Transportation League (NIT League) focusing on issues across highway, rail, and ocean freight transportation. In that role, she advocated on behalf of members to create efficiencies throughout the commercial freight transportation network. Hedrick began employment with WIT on Jan. 9 and will formally take on full leadership responsibilities on March 16. She assumes the role of Ellen Voie, CAE, who has been president and CEO since she founded WIT in 2007. “Through WIT’s mission we have created a community of 8,000 members to advance gender diversity in a male-populated industry,” said Voie. “I’m thrilled to have an association executive like Jennifer Hedrick who will continue to advance the critical mission of the association I started 16 years ago.” Initially, Hedrick will focus on becoming familiar with the members and key stakeholders of the association. According to Rachel Christensen, WIT chair and vice president of operations for J.B. Hunt Transport, Hedrick already has begun collaborating with WIT’s board of directors on future opportunities for the association during a strategy meeting last week in Dallas. “With Jennifer’s leadership, WIT will continue its central mission to advance the importance of gender diversity in transportation,” said Christensen.
Seeq recognizes its 2022 Reseller and Service Partners of the Year
Annual partner awards, honoring excellence in delivering the next generation of process manufacturing improvements, announced at Seeq Global Partner Symposium in Las Vegas Seeq Corporation, a manufacturer and industrial internet of things advanced analytics software, announced its 2022 Reseller and Service Partners of the Year. These partners have been selected for their excellence in providing value to customers, their continued investments in technical expertise with Seeq-certified employees and training professionals, and for creating awareness for Seeq through collaboration in marketing activities and events. Seeq advanced analytics SaaS software enables customers to rapidly find, share, and operationalize insights from process data stored on-premise or in the cloud. Seeq customers include companies in the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, chemical, energy, mining, food and beverage, and other process industries. Investors in Seeq include Insight Ventures, Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, Altira Group, Chevron Technology Ventures, and Cisco Investments. “In 2022, our global, diverse partner ecosystem empowered our shared customers to solve various advanced analytics use cases across process industries to support their top initiatives for sustainability, digital transformation, and workforce empowerment,” says Nikki Bishop, Chief Customer Officer, including global partnerships, at Seeq. “We are pleased to select six companies that set the standards for excellence in delivering the next generation of process manufacturing improvements as our 2022 Reseller and Service Partners of the Year.” Resellers of the Year Americas Swan-Black is the Seeq 2022 Americas Partner of the Year. Swan-Black demonstrates consistent partner excellence with its Seeq-centric customer-success model, significant account expansions and wins, and the addition of Seeq-certified instructors to support Seeq Foundations Training in North America. Swan-Black has expertise across food and beverage, bio-nutrition, and industrial process-data infrastructure, with a focus on applying advanced analytics to improve business outcomes. Asia Pacific Nukon is the Seeq 2022 Asia Pacific Partner of the Year. As a third-year recipient of the award, Nukon doubled its Seeq business for a second consecutive year in 2022. With more than a dozen Seeq customers across food and beverage, mining, metals, and materials, utilities, and specialty manufacturing, Nukon delivers exceptional analytics support and insight across a broad spectrum of use cases. Asia Tridiagonal Solutions is the Seeq 2022 Asia Partner of the Year. Tridiagonal has played a pivotal role in supporting Seeq customers through their digital transformation journeys in Asia and throughout the world. With deep expertise in data science, advanced process control, and process manufacturing, Tridiagonal delivers a full suite of solutions and services that drive a return on investment for their customers across the process industries. EMEA IT Vizion is the Seeq 2022 EMEA Partner of the Year. IT Vizion was selected for its leadership and domain expertise in the oil and gas industry, which the company has leveraged to scale its Seeq customer base throughout 2022. Additionally, the company’s expertise and support for a variety of technologies for the oil and gas and chemicals industries led to several successful migrations of end users to Seeq. Latin America Vertix Technologies is the Seeq 2022 Latin America Partner of the Year. Vertix was selected for its commitment to growing Seeq’s presence in the LATAM region, including delivering high-quality training and implementation services to customers. The company provides a variety of digital solutions and services to support digital transformation journeys across the oil and gas, mining, pharmaceutical, and pulp and paper industries. Service Partner of the Year BKO Services LLC is the Seeq 2022 Service Partner of the Year recipient. Supporting Seeq customers such as Marathon Oil, Suncor, TexGen, and Shell, BKO’s Seeq-certified partner analytics engineers provide a customer-centric approach, including hands-on analytics engineering support, that yields consistent and valuable customer outcomes. The company provides data engineering and machine learning services for the oil and gas, power, and other process manufacturing industries. Seeq’s global growth is fueled in large part by its partnerships and commitment to cloud-based computing. Seeq is available worldwide through a global partner network of cloud service providers and system integrators, which provides training and other value-added services in addition to resale support for Seeq in over 40 countries. Global Partner Symposium The 2022 Reseller and Service Partners of the Year were announced at the 2023 Seeq Global Partner Symposium, held in Las Vegas from January 10-12, 2023. Themed Elevate, Seeq shared Partner Network program updates to enhance partner operations and enablement, led interactive sessions on the company’s unified go-to-market strategy to further accelerate its global growth, and provided networking opportunities with partners and Seeq executive leadership. Attendees heard directly from Seeq leaders, including CEO Dr. Lisa Graham and Chief Revenue Officer George Skaryak. “Our Partner Network is a core part of the Seeq ecosystem and key to our global growth,” says Skaryak. “The Global Partner Symposium is crafted to provide the strategic direction and collaborative dialogue required to continue delivering business value to our shared customers and positioning our partners for sustained success.” Amazon Web Services, Inc. was the exclusive sponsor of the 2023 Global Partner Symposium. Seeq has been a member of the AWS Partner Network and available in the AWS marketplace since 2019. As an AWS Industrial Software, Energy, and Life Sciences Competency Partner, Seeq supports many data storage services, including Amazon Redshift and S3, plus machine learning in SageMaker, Lookout for Equipment, and others. Partner Advisory Council The event also launched the Seeq Partner Advisory Council (PAC). The PAC will bring together a distinguished and diverse group of global partners to advise on best practices to help Seeq continue to deliver the highest possible value to its partners and customers. The strategic insights gathered from the PAC will directly influence Seeq’s product direction, partner programs, and customer adoption. The Seeq PAC currently consists of seven partners nominated on their tenure and proven commitment to working with Seeq and shared customers. The PAC membership will rotate on an annual basis. The 2023 members of the Seeq Partner Advisory Council include: Werusys – Köln, Germany Vertix Technologies – Lima, Peru Swan-Black – Brookfield, Wisconsin BKO Services – Houston, Texas IT Vizion – Corona, California Tridiagonal Solutions – Pune, India and San Antonio, Texas Nukon – Melbourne, Australia
FORTNA HC-Loop Double Cell sorter wins Product of the Year award
Fast, accurate cross-belt sorter offers a solution for small items with the flexibility to handle larger items, too FORTNA, an automation and software company for the full logistics value chain, has announced that the company’s HC-Loop Double Cell cross-belt sorter is a 2022 Product of the Year, voted the top product in the conveyors and sortation category by readers of Material Handling Product News and MaterialHandling247.com. The product award win is the first since MHS Global and Fortna combined in 2022 to create a single brand, FORTNA. The HC-Loop Double Cell, which offers a maximum throughput of 4,500 parcels per hour and up to 99.9% divert accuracy, features an innovative design that enables it to efficiently sort a wide range of parcel sizes. The sorter uses sections of two cross-belt cells that can work together to handle a large item or independently to handle two smaller items simultaneously for increased system capacity. This flexible approach allows the sorter to accommodate items as small as 2.95-by-2.95-by-0.11 inches, such as flyers and polybags, as well as packages as large as 33.46-by-25.59-by-25.59 inches. “E-commerce and omnichannel fulfillment are driving highly diverse product mixes, an increasingly common challenge for operations,” said Andy Carter, Director of Business Development, North American Sales, FORTNA. “This award-winning cross-belt sorter equips operations with the versatility to handle that large array of shapes and sizes with a single system while maximizing speed and accuracy.” The precise divert of the HC-Loop Double Cell enable the use of narrower chutes, allowing greater chute density and a reduced total system footprint while achieving a high level of sortation accuracy. An intelligent induction system works to increase the utilization of available sorter cells by booking them in advance for target parcels, helping operations reach high rates while using a single compact induction line. “In today’s climate, our customers need to be ready for anything, adapting to disruption and fast-changing market conditions,” says Rob McKeel, CEO, of FORTNA. “The versatility and efficiency of the HC-Loop Double Cell sorter exemplify our commitment to best-of-breed automation technologies that serve as the building blocks for scalable, cost-efficient operations for our customers.” Sensors placed along the sorter track and within each cell constantly monitor the overall system status and individual components. Through predictive analytics, FORTNA can detect when a system failure might be imminent and proactively alert maintenance teams to help avoid unnecessary downtime – especially critical in fast-paced environments like parcel and e-commerce.
Broadhead Equipment joins LiuGong North America dealer lineup
When Broadhead Equipment, formerly known as JES Equipment Solutions, set out to find a new line of construction equipment to sell, they’d never heard of LiuGong North America. But after research and talking with local suppliers, leaders of the Sumiton, Alabama-based dealership kept hearing the same name pop up again and again. It didn’t take long – they decided LiuGong is likely “to be the next big thing in the area.” “This is our business and our livelihood, and we’re eager to expand,” said Jordan Broadhead, Broadhead Equipment business manager. “We think LiuGong can take us there.” Broadhead Equipment is the latest business to join LiuGong North America’s growing dealership partner network. The company was founded in 2019 with just a service truck and two bulldozer engines and has since expanded to sell tractors, zero-turn mowers, and construction equipment. It just changed its name to better identify its company and brand presence to avoid confusion with another entity. LiuGong North America President Andrew Ryan welcomed Broadhead Equipment to the dealer network and noted the business will play a key role in expanding its footprint in the area. “We are incredibly thankful to reach this agreement and are excited to work with them moving forward,” Ryan said. “Broadhead Equipment has grown quickly in just a few years, and we’re excited to see how we expand together in the future.” Broadhead Equipment leaders are no strangers to heavy equipment. Owner Richard Broadhead has more than 35 years of experience in the industry, with about half as an independent contractor and the other half with another industry firm. To him, growing Broadhead Equipment with LiuGong is about establishing a future for his family. “I’m hoping to take this to the next level, leave a legacy for my family and let this thing grow and grow,” Richard Broadhead said. The more Broadhead Equipment learned about LiuGong through the onboarding process, the more they were drawn to the brand. Their dealership agreement feels like a partnership; They’re not just selling LiuGong’s equipment. LiuGong machines have standard components, like Cummins and Yanmar engines. There’s also the fact that both companies are mutually committed to helping one another grow. “One thing that stood out about LiuGong – when they found out we’re not that big, they didn’t go radio silent on us, or look at us like we’re not big enough to sell their equipment,” owner Alex Broadhead said. “They came in here, were very friendly and they saw the potential for what we could become.” Broadhead Equipment covers an area that extends across the northwest quarter of Alabama, from Birmingham north to the Tennessee line and west to Mississippi. Broadhead Equipment serves several industries, including construction, mining, landscaping, and municipal.
PIE Technology Platform™ launches
New product data platform advances industrial partnerships and e-commerce capabilities Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) and the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) announce the launch of the PIE Technology Platform™ (PIE), a cloud-based platform giving manufacturers and distributors of industrial products access to the most comprehensive catalog for the exchange of rich content product information. The essential tool for channel partners, PIE provides efficient and seamless communication of accurate, real-time information, strengthening collaboration and advancing e-commerce sales. PIE ensures end customers have access to the most accurate and reliable product information. With 24/7/365 access to PIE-compliant manufacturer partner content, distributors can map rich product data to their company-specific PIM system, using an automated tool. The single, secure, and standard platform is only accessible to authorized distributor partners, ensuring manufacturers can protect and maintain product data ownership. Both manufacturers and distributors benefit from reduced errors and staff time spent correcting inaccurate or outdated content. “PIE is a tremendous advancement for the PT/MC industry, setting a new standard for how manufacturers and distributors conduct business,” says PTDA President, Mike McLain, Allied Bearing & Supply, Inc. “PIE not only strengthens collaboration between channel partners but provides a competitive edge in an increasingly crowded digital marketplace.” “Now more than ever manufacturers and distributors need tools and strategies that simplify the exchange of product content,” says Todd Hamlin, BSA President, DXP Enterprises. “Building a comprehensive catalog of product attributes and images via the PIE Technology Platform meets that need while creating new efficiencies and opportunities for significant digital sales growth.” PIE launched in 2021 and features 22 bearings categories. New for 2023, PIE will introduce belt drives, chains and sprockets, linear bearings, seals, and bearing accessories and tools. An additional eight product categories are planned, including shaft couplings, iron sheaves, conveyors & material handling, gearing, adjustable speed drives, motor/motion control, clutches & brakes, and motors.
Miner Limited acquires Pace Material Handling
The acquisition brings Miner’s expertise in commercial docks and doors to the Northwest US Miner Ltd., the dock and door division of OnPoint Group, announced the acquisition of Pace Material Handling, the largest independent dock and door service provider in the Pacific Northwest. Based in the Greater Seattle area, Pace Material Handling has been providing design, installation, and service expertise for commercial docks and doors across Washington and Oregon for more than 30 years. This acquisition expands Miner’s service reach on the West Coast into the Pacific Northwest. “At Miner, we are committed to our brand promise to be the national service provider for commercial docks and doors. Our acquisition of Pace Material Handling establishes our presence in the Northwest region and truly solidifies Miner as a coast-to-coast, north-to-south partner,” said Miner President, Dave Wright. Since 1989, Pace Material Handling has been a go-to provider supporting material handling systems for the warehousing and distribution industries, known for its strong relationships with a wide variety of qualified equipment manufacturers. Their highly customized solutions and factory-trained installation and service teams have helped countless distributors, warehousers, general contractors, construction companies, and property managers make lasting operational improvements with boosted safety metrics. “As North America’s expert in docks and doors, the team at Miner shares our mission to bring safety and security to the loading dock. In joining Miner, we look forward to providing expanded expertise and capabilities for our clients as well as growth opportunities for our team,” said Bob Oury, Pace Material Handling Founder and CEO.
TerraSource Global announces the acquisition of Elgin Separation Solutions
TerraSource Global, a manufacturer of high-quality material sizing equipment based on the Gundlach, Jeffrey Rader, and Pennsylvania Crusher brands, and a subsidiary of Right Lane Industries – has announced the acquisition of Elgin Separation Solutions (Elgin) as of January 12, 2023. Elgin designs, manufactures, and services material processing parts and equipment for mining, energy production, recycling, and waste management applications. Core products include vibratory centrifuges (CMI™), decanter centrifuges, mobile packaged treatment systems (KEMTRON™), vibrating screens (Hyper-G™, Tabor™, and Norris™ brands), and cuttings dryers (CSI™). Kevin Hambrice, CEO at TerraSource Global, said, “Elgin is a leading manufacturer of innovative turn-key solutions in a variety of applications, from material handling to natural resource recycling to dewatering and liquid/solid separation. These products complement TerraSource Global’s industrial processing equipment, which serves many of our key markets in minings and metals and expands our portfolio in the food, water and oil, and gas industries. We look forward to working with Michael Rai Anderson and his management team as we integrate our offerings into more complete solutions for customers and as we expand into new product applications, industry verticals, and strategic acquisitions.” Michael Rai Anderson, President of Elgin, said, “We are excited to become part of TerraSource Global and partner with their team to serve customers in all corners of the world. Combined, our innovative product designs, extensive application expertise, and commitment to timely and professional service position us as the leading trusted technical resource for mining, recycling, industrial waste management, and energy production solutions.” Livingstone Partners LLC provided sell-side M&A financial advisory services and Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided legal counsel to Elgin throughout the process. Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP provided legal advisory transaction services to TerraSource Global.
Registration opens for ASSP’s Safety 2023
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has opened registration for its signature safety event. The Safety 2023 Professional Development Conference and Exposition will be held in person June 5-7 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. More than any other professional event, Safety 2023 will connect workplace safety and health professionals to new ideas and each other. It offers the richest networking experience in the industry while highlighting best practices, industry trends, and the latest product innovations. More than 200 continuing education sessions will provide practical information that safety professionals can immediately put to use in their organizations. “As always, our conference and expo will be a dynamic learning and networking experience that supports our mission to help protect workers in every industry worldwide,” said ASSP President Christine Sullivan, CSP, ARM. “It’s a place to find real solutions to occupational safety and health challenges, especially now when environments can quickly shift. We’re excited about what we have in store for attendees.” Thousands of safety and health professionals look to ASSP’s annual conference – now in its 62nd year – to grow their professional development and meet experts who can help them advance their careers and elevate safety at their companies. Popular general and plenary sessions will aim to inspire, entertain and inform all attendees. The conference will not include an online component this year. As a focal point of the event, the expo will feature approximately 500 vendor booths showcasing innovative safety solutions that can help organizations reduce injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. “Our expo is so illuminating, engaging, and informative that we get some safety and health professionals coming only for that,” Sullivan said. “Many exhibitors bring their product developers and present meaningful learning opportunities on the expo floor.” The safety and health of everyone at the convention center remain a priority. Under ASSP’s on-site safety plan, attendees are strongly encouraged to stay current with their COVID-19 vaccinations and applicable boosters. Face coverings and proof of vaccination are not required. ASSP continues to track public health guidance. Safety professionals can earn 1.5 continuing education units (CEUs) for career advancement. Register online to get the discounted early rate through March 16. Groups from the same company can save on the entire conference by contacting ASSP’s Nancy O’Toole at 847.768.3466 or [email protected]. ASSP is also offering an expo-only pass for the third straight year. “If your job involves the safety and health of your organization, Safety 2023 is the place to gain critical insights and knowledge to advance your work environment,” said Stephanie Gurnari, CSP, chair of ASSP’s Professional Development Conference Planning Committee. “It’s a comprehensive experience that provides significant value for occupational safety and health professionals at every level of experience.” The convention center is along the banks of the famous San Antonio River Walk, which includes 15 miles of restaurants, shops, and museums. San Antonio is an international culinary destination and last hosted ASSP’s conference in 2018 when the Society launched its new name and brand. The historic downtown area is also home to the Alamo, the Spanish mission and fortress compound founded in the 18th century.
AAR reports Rail Traffic for the week ending January 14, 2023
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending January 14, 2023. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 486,000 carloads and intermodal units, down 1.7 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending January 14 were 244,171 carloads, up 4.2 percent compared with the same week in 2022, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 241,829 containers and trailers, down 7 percent compared to 2022. Seven of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2022. They included grain, up 3,483 carloads, to 28,008; nonmetallic minerals, up 3,033 carloads, to 30,380; and motor vehicles and parts, up 2,176 carloads, to 14,562. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2022 were chemicals, down 2,226 carloads, to 31,793; forest products, down 715 carloads, to 9,244; and miscellaneous carloads, down 117 carloads, to 9,580. For the first two weeks of 2023, U.S. railroads reported a cumulative volume of 457,133 carloads, up 2.9 percent from the same point last year; and 445,356 intermodal units, down 9.2 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first two weeks of 2023 was 902,489 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 3.5 percent compared to last year. North American rail volume for the week ending January 14, 2023, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 350,991 carloads, up 7.5 percent compared with the same week last year, and 319,854 intermodal units, down 6 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 670,845 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.6 percent. North American rail volume for the first two weeks of 2023 was 1,247,565 carloads and intermodal units, down 0.7 percent compared with 2022. Canadian railroads reported 84,028 carloads for the week, up 23 percent, and 62,980 intermodal units, down 2 percent compared with the same week in 2022. For the first two weeks of 2023, Canadian railroads reported a cumulative rail traffic volume of 273,546 carloads, containers, and trailers, up 9.6 percent. Mexican railroads reported 22,792 carloads for the week, down 3.9 percent compared with the same week last year, and 15,045 intermodal units, down 6.6 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first two weeks of 2023 was 71,530 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 0.5 percent from the same point last year. To view the weekly traffic charts, click here.
Top 10 Equipment Acquisition Trends for 2023
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, which represents the $1 trillion equipment finance sector, today revealed its Top 10 Equipment Acquisition Trends for 2023. Real private investment by U.S. businesses in equipment and software is forecast to be more than $2 trillion in 2023, with a substantial amount of that investment activity financed, so these trends impact a significant portion of the U.S. economy. ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta said, “Slower economic growth underlies the trends this year as equipment acquisition continues to drive supply chains across all U.S. manufacturing and service sectors. Nearly eight in 10 U.S. businesses currently use equipment leasing and financing to acquire the productive assets they need to operate and grow. We are pleased to provide the Top 10 Equipment Acquisition Trends to help businesses make their strategic equipment acquisition plans.” ELFA distilled recent research and data, including the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s 2023 Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook, industry participants’ expertise, and member input from ELFA meetings in compiling the trends. Top 10 Equipment Acquisition Trends for 2023 ELFA forecasts the following Top 10 Equipment Acquisition Trends for 2023: 1. The U.S. economy will experience sluggish growth in 2023 U.S. GDP growth bounced back during the second half of 2022, but underlying conditions remain troubling, including a struggling housing market, volatile financial markets, and the slowing global economy. With a mild recession expected to begin midway through the year, U.S. GDP growth is forecast at 0.9% (annualized) for 2023. 2. The pace of growth in capital spending will continue to slow A surge of 12% annualized growth in capital spending in Q3 2022 provided a solid jumping-off point for 2023. While growth in equipment and software investment has been steady since the onset of the pandemic, rising interest rates, high inflation, and other economic uncertainties are expected to weigh on investment with a 4.2% growth forecast for this year. 3. Financial conditions will tighten regardless of interest rate hikes Interest rate levels are expected to rise above 5% this year and potentially higher as the Fed continues to battle inflation despite the risk of an economic downturn. Even if rate increases slow down or pause later in the year, the Fed’s shrinking balance sheet will contribute to tighter financial conditions. 4. The majority of equipment acquisitions will be financed In 2023, more than half (55%) of equipment acquisitions are forecast to be financed. Eight out of 10 businesses use leases, secured loans, or lines of credit for their acquisitions. Protection from equipment obsolescence, tax advantages, and cash flow optimization will be the top drivers for end-users to finance. 5. Businesses will utilize equipment and software investment to offset labor costs To reduce dependence on labor, businesses in some industries will increase their use of automation and other labor-saving equipment. Additional benefits will be increased economic productivity and downward pressure on inflation in the long term. 6. Normal supply chain backlogs will ease equipment acquisitions By most measures, supply chain backlogs have returned to their historical averages and will ease equipment delivery delays or shortages this year. A combination of cooling demand and an improving public health situation has given suppliers a chance to catch up. In addition, global supply chain disruptions have triggered a paradigm shift with many large organizations “near-shoring” and/or “re-shoring” elements of their supply chains. 7. Many equipment types will thrive amid a slow-growth economy Despite a souring economic backdrop, the residual effects of the pandemic will spur demand for certain equipment types. Post-pandemic hybrid work arrangements will require acquisitions of equipment types such as computers, software, office equipment, and communications equipment. Aircraft investment will boom early in the year as supply chains unwind and travelers return to the skies. Medical equipment appears to be another stand-out vertical for 2023. 8. Federal spending will provide a boost to equipment investment Three major bills passed in Congress authorize at least $600 billion in new funding for a variety of industrial and infrastructure projects and should provide a sharp boost to equipment investment. Funding from these bills will be distributed over the next five years and should help backstop the U.S. manufacturing sector and increase the demand for equipment in 2023 and beyond. 9. Explosive growth in green projects will drive demand for “climate financing” Organizations are committed to cutting their production and emissions of greenhouse gases and require equipment from wind turbines and solar energy systems to microgrids, storage facilities for lithium-iron and hydrogen batteries, electric vehicles, and more. Globally, an estimated $18 trillion of climate-focused equipment is forecast to be financed between now and 2030. 10. “Wild cards” will factor into business investment decisions Businesses will keep an eye on other areas that could impact their equipment acquisition strategies in addition to the trends above. Tightening credit, a potential debt-ceiling showdown in Congress, and energy price increases due to Russia’s war on Ukraine are among potential business impacts. For more information about the Top 10 Trends, please contact Amy Vogt at [email protected]. For forecast data regarding equipment investment and capital spending in the United States, see the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s 2023 Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook.
Episode 351: Powerfleet
Scott Walker, VP of Supply Chain Product Management at Powerfleet, joins The New Warehouse podcast to discuss their people-powered IoT solutions for multiple industries. They provide businesses with actionable insights that can increase safety and sustainability while making team members happier. With real-time asset visibility, route optimization, predictive service scheduling, condition monitoring, enhanced training opportunities, and more, Powerfleet makes it easier to take complete control of your material movements. Be sure to tune in to learn about people-powered IoT solutions and how you can make your warehouse safer, more efficient, and a more enjoyable place to work. Key Takeaways Scott believes that due to the combination of retirements and new job growth in the manufacturing sector, a significant gap in employment will rise over the next decade. Nearly 4 million job openings will remain unfilled unless businesses find new and innovative ways to fill these roles. With only half of those positions likely to be filled by qualified personnel, companies urgently need to adopt technology-driven solutions that can reduce time spent on tedious tasks while increasing value-added roles. The industrial environment is one of the most dangerous places besides car accidents. Powerfleet provides a much-needed element of control, aiming to increase safety practices in the workplace and giving workers more opportunities that bring personal fulfillment and optimism for the future. All these factors combined create a more positive and less stressful environment for those on the job. Powerfleet implements devices that give them immediate feedback to acknowledge material handling equipment like forklifts are safe to operate. If something is wrong, it triggers an alert to notify maintenance to come and make sure it’s safe. The latest technologies integrate a pedestrian warning system to enhance their ability to predict whether or not there’s about to be an incident. If employees operate the equipment unsafely, like going too fast around this corner or bumping into something, it seems too rough for what we expect. Powerfleet’s technologies use artificial intelligence via a video panel that scans areas in the direction of travel 30 to 50 times a second. The AI-based system also allows companies to identify unsafe areas or drivers who may need extra coaching, making it easier for managers to take corrective action before an incident occurs. Scott believes Powerfleet’s success lies in its ability to create scalable solutions across a wide range of equipment. They’ve been able to install their technology on all types and models, regardless of the make or model year. They also have custom mounting solutions to fit each vehicle type and make installation easier. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 351: Powerfleet
Reusable Packaging Association elects new Board of Directors
The Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) is beginning 2023 with new executive committee members and additions to its board of directors. After serving his term as chairman of the board, Ben Stoller, CEO of Paxxal, has passed the torch to 2022 Vice Chairman Kevin Mazula, CEO of RM2. Mazula will begin his chairman term at the annual board of directors meeting held in January. “RPA and its members are thankful for Ben’s dedication and service to the reusable packaging industry,” states Mazula in a previous statement. “It has been a dynamic time for reusable packaging as we navigated through the pandemic and began to see more emphasis placed on resilient supply chains. There was an increased opportunity to find new and innovative ways to bring reusable packaging to the forefront. Not only did the RPA membership experience growth, but reusable packaging stayed top of mind, as more and more manufacturers and consumers sought ways to reduce waste and pollution and create a more circular economy. Our member companies, combined with Ben’s leadership, allowed the RPA to march forward with its mission to promote the use and value of reusable transport packaging systems – offering product quality, and economic and environmental benefits to supply chains.” Looking forward to 2023, Chairman Mazula is focused on the increasing need to bring together industry trends, innovations, and strategies to educate supply chains about the benefits of reusable packaging products and services. “As we move past the pandemic and what was deemed a volatile period, exposing vulnerability within supply chains, we are seeing recovery, with many coming back stronger after the disruption – implementing modern ways to minimize waste and cut costs, ensuring a more sustainable and economical infrastructure. We have a great group of companies that make up the RPA membership, and we continue to see them rise to the challenge and answer the call for more reusable resources to further satisfy the need for better reusable packaging products and services and more cost savings,” said Mazula. “While serving as the chairman, I am focused on RPA’s growth and impact as we continue to have the reusables conversation and share RPA’s message while meeting the increased market interest and demand from companies who are thinking differently about packaging,” he added. Other changes to the RPA executive committee include the appointment of Samantha Goetz, marketing communications manager of ORBIS, as the new vice chairman and chair-elect, and Andy Schumacher from SSI Schaefer as the organization’s secretary-treasurer. Samantha Goetz was the former secretary-treasurer. The annual RPA election also resulted in four new board members and three returning directors starting a two-year term (2023-24). They are: Graham Connor, Senior Vice President, Sales and Customer Support, iGPS Logistics Aubree Duncan, Global Director of Quality and Food Safety, Tosca Amy Lathrop, President, Perfect Pallets Leslie LeMair, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Georg Utz Steve Russell, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Cabka William Wappler, Chief Executive Officer and Owner, Surgere Ben Waterman, Manager of Business Development, Monoflo International Returning board members: David Perrine, Director Sales & Partnerships, ACSIS Inc. Morten Bielefeldt, Senior Vice President Sales & Services, Bruel Systems Brandon D’Emidio, Senior Director, Global Product Development, CHEP Zach Riggs, Director of Fulfillment, Pickup Strategy & Product Management, Kroger Company Shawn Stockman, Vice President Sustainability Solutions, OnePak Inc. Jonathan North, Vice President Sustainable & Core Solutions, Rehrig Pacific Company David Kruger, President, TriEnda Corporation In addition, the Board has established a new “Industry Advisor” position in the executive committee. Willemijn Peeters, CEO of Searious Business, was appointed to serve in this inaugural role. The Industry Advisor joins RPA’s leadership team to provide unique insight and guidance on important issues facing the reusable packaging industry. RPA welcomes the talents and expertise of Ms. Peeters to help lead the association to greater heights in advocating for a reusable system approach to packaging
ProMAT 2023: Kivnon to introduce its versatile Forklift Pallet Stacker
At this year’s ProMat, running March 20-23 in Chicago, Kivnon will showcase the latest addition to its AGV portfolio, its Forklift Pallet Stacker. Kivnon AGVs/AMRs are heavy-duty vehicles that improve safety and process efficiency. But why is Kivnon’s approach to automated guided vehicles different, and why should you visit them at the show? The new Forklift Pallet Stacker automatically transports stack pallets, handling loads of up to 2,645 lb, and is ideal for any pallet storage application for internal logistics or warehousing. It can move both forwards and backward and comes equipped with lifting forks to move loads vertically (up to 1.5 meters) and horizontally at speeds between 0.08 and 1 m/s. The vehicle uses mapping navigation to perform cyclic or conditioned routes and interacts with other AGVs/AMRs, machines, systems, and people to provide a versatile, plant-wide logistics solution. The entire Kivnon AGV/AMR range incorporates security scanners to allow the vehicle to operate safely among people and other machines. An online battery charging system ensures 24/7 operations without the need to stop and charge. Rob Britt, the Sales Engineer at Kivnon, says, “Safety is our top priority. The fundamental design of the Forklift Pallet Stacker is to move stack pallets efficiently and safely. It is ideal for applications including the Automotive, Manufacturing, and Food & Beverage industries. Our vehicles get the job done, and our local support experts will help customers with all stages of the project, from project definition to ensuring they get the support they need for the life of the machine.” Local support, global experience After installation, Kivnon does not offer a ‘standard’ service. Its service response is tailored to individual customer needs, whether that be training to enable sites to maintain their vehicles or complete 24/7 support from Kivnon experts. Kivnon provides robust local support with direct and quick access to local, experienced automation engineers to advise and guide them toward successful vehicle automation. Kivnon vehicles follow standardized fundamental designs that make them flexible to match the purpose of the machine at a facility and individual business goals. This approach means customers get vehicles that are proven, robust, reliable, and safe – but they are not paying for extras they frankly do not need. Britt continues, “Quite simply, our customers get a better product at a better price. We cater to any size project, small or large, and provide solutions that ensure worker and vehicle safety.” “You can expect a return on investment from one of our AGVs in less than 12 months. We invite customers to visit us at ProMAT and get a firsthand experience of the Kivnon approach to vehicle automation – an approach that means you can increase efficiency, ensure safety and reliability, and only pay for the product and support you need,” concludes Britt. ProMAT 2023 runs from March 20 – 23 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, IL. Alongside the company’s AGV vehicles, Kivnon experts will be on hand to answer any questions visitors might have about the products and presence in the US market. Find Kivnon at ProMAT booth N7154. To register for the show, visit www.promatshow.com
Eagle Mark 4 names Mike Tozzi President
Eagle Mark 4, a supplier of Kalmar Ottawa yard trucks and exclusive parts inventory, is pleased to announce that Mike Tozzi has been named President, effective immediately. Being an energetic leader, Tozzi brings years of sales, business development, and operations experience to the position. Tozzi formerly was the acting Operations Manager at GNCO Inc., the parent corporation of multiple material handling companies across the U.S., responsible for overseeing Eagle Mark 4, Wilson Barrett, Towlift Rental, Warehouse Systems, and Trackmobile Departments. “We are excited to recognize Mike’s leadership and business development skills. He will continue strengthening relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, and partners that will lead Eagle Mark 4 to the next level,” said Matt Adams, GNCO President. “More importantly, he’s a great fit within our culture, demonstrating our vision, mission, and values both inside and outside of work.” “My goal is to ensure that the company continues to succeed and that our employees have all the support they need,” said Tozzi. “We have plans to expand our footprint out West, positioning us to better serve our customers on a national scale.” “The biggest challenge Eagle Mark 4 faces right now is keeping up with the amount of growth we have experienced both regionally and nationally,” said Tozzi, “Our success is a testament to the current employees’ efforts, and to continue to succeed, we need to further develop and support our employees as well as recruit talented new hires.” Tozzi helped Eagle Mark 4 achieve record revenue growth, including a 44.5% percent increase in year-to-date revenue in 2022 when compared with 2021, earning the Kalmar Ottawa Premier Partner award for the 2022 year. As one of the country’s largest yard truck parts providers, Tozzi managed the development and launching of Eagle Mark 4’s online B2B Parts Warehouse, yardtruckparts.com, making it possible for businesses to buy yard truck parts from the comfort of their computer or mobile device. Tozzi, 29, was captain of John Carroll University’s football team while earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership (’16) and holds various certificates in Leadership Development and Supervision. Tozzi was a Towlift Sales and Marketing Intern before returning as a Business Development Associate. Tozzi is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and the Professional Gridiron Group, as well as a volunteer for the non-profit Global Empathy Now. Tozzi also serves on the board for ProtecTozz, a polycarbonate cleat guard that protects football players’ feet from injury, that he invented with his father, Dr. Mark Tozzi. In his free time, you can find Tozzi working to transition his football skills to golf, focusing on fitness, or traveling.
Big Joe hires new Strategic Products Manager
Big Joe Forklifts is also proud to announce the addition of Kurt Spyke who will serve as the Strategic Products Manager: New Products. Spyke joins the Big Joe team to build early engagement and customer experiences with new products such as the J2-192. Spyke comes to Big Joe with nearly 20 years of experience across the material handling industry. With a focus on new products, Spyke will build and develop relationships throughout Big Joe’s multichannel distribution network to enhance customer engagement, adoption, and experiences in relation to new equipment releases and new market opportunities for the company. “Joining the team at Big Joe came at a perfect time for me,” Spyke said. “I’m excited to take on a new role that will be an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. I’m fortunate to be at the forefront of bringing our new products to market and to work with customers early on, building momentum for the future. I look forward to introducing the J2-192 to the market and providing a solution for those looking for something that allows them to improve their operations and ultimately serve their customers better.” The Big Joe J2-192 can be used with a wide range of pallet types or order-picking carts and elevates loads to 192 inches via a three-stage steel mast. In addition to enhancing productivity and driving characteristics, the J2’s dual control system enables the operator to choose a stance that improves their line of sight during travel, while staging loads, or when elevated. The J2-192 comes outfitted from the factory with a 24v industrial 340ah battery to support the run time needs of most users and features AC drive motors, an LCD programmable display, pallet clamp, and an anchor, tether, and harness system that attaches to the machine’s overhead guard.