Jobs Report statement from American Staffing Association
The American Staffing Association has made a statement in regard to the latest job report that came out this morning. “As this morning’s BLS jobs report indicates, America’s help wanted signs are still up and employers are still hiring. This is a good sign of continued confidence in fourth-quarter demand for their firms’ products and services, even in the face of a slowing economy. With 10 million job openings and 5.8 million job seekers, the battle for qualified talent continues. And yet, the Fed wants to drive down inflation rates by driving up unemployment rates which will disproportionately hurt vulnerable workers and hurt overall economic growth. With close to 90 million working-aged women and men (20 years and over) not in the labor force, the private sector and government must make getting people off the sidelines a top priority.” said Richard Wahlquist, president and chief executive officer at the American Staffing Association
Pricing of CNH Industrial Capital LLC $400 million notes
CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI / MI: CNHI) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, CNH Industrial Capital LLC, has priced $400 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.450% notes due 2025, with an issue price of 99.349%. The offering is expected to close on October 14, 2022, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. CNH Industrial Capital LLC intends to add the net proceeds from the offering to its general funds and use them for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including, among other things, the purchase of receivables or other assets in the ordinary course of business. The net proceeds may also be applied to repay CNH Industrial Capital LLC’s indebtedness as it becomes due. The notes, which are senior unsecured obligations of CNH Industrial Capital LLC, will pay interest semi-annually on April 14 and October 14 of each year, beginning on April 14, 2023, and will be guaranteed by CNH Industrial Capital America LLC and New Holland Credit Company, LLC, each a wholly owned subsidiary of CNH Industrial Capital LLC. The notes will mature on October 14, 2025. BofA Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC are acting as joint book-running managers and the representatives of the underwriters for the offering, and BNP Paribas Securities Corp., CIBC World Markets Corp. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. The offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2022. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for the offering may be obtained by contacting BofA Securities, Inc., Attn: Prospectus Department, 200 North College Street, NC1-004-03-43, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Telephone: 1-800-294-1322, Email: [email protected]; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, Attn: Prospectus Department, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, Telephone: 1-866-803-9204; Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014, Attn: Prospectus Department, Telephone: 1-866-718-1649, Email: [email protected]; or RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Attn: Syndicate Operations, 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10281, Telephone: 1-866-375-6829, Email: [email protected]. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for the offering are also available on the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.
KION North America expands territory with dealer partner Granite Industrial Trucks, LLC
KION North America announces territory expansion with dealer partner Granite Industrial Trucks, recently acquired by parent company BMH Equipment LLC. Granite Industrial Trucks, LLC’s expanded territory covers central Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including a new location in their established Massachusetts territory. Granite Industrial Trucks, LLC currently serves areas throughout New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine and is authorized to sell and service KION North America’s entire portfolio of Linde Material Handling and Baoli brands. “We are proud of our partnership with Granite Industrial Trucks, LLC and their expansion into the Northeast,” said Rick Schiel, Director of Distribution Management. “This organization has a long history of being a trusted material handling resource for its customer’s needs. We are excited about this opportunity, including establishing a new location to support this growth while providing a portfolio of exceptional solutions for its customers.” Granite Industrial Trucks, LLC has over 45 years of experience in the material handling industry and continues to offer dependable new and used forklift sales, rentals, and maintenance for its customers. That commitment has earned Granite Industrial Trucks the reputation of a trusted source for customizing solutions for each customer’s specific needs. “We are excited to expand our relationship with KION North America and look forward to bringing the entire portfolio of the Linde Material Handling and Baoli brands to customers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island,” said James Wiese, President of BMH Equipment LLC.
Bally Ribbon Mills highlights highly specialized engineered woven fabrics at 60th Annual SAFE Symposium
Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM), an industry provider in the design, development, and manufacture of highly specialized engineered woven fabrics, says it will highlight its creative solutions for product design and development at the 60th Annual SAFE Symposium, which will be held November 1-3, 2022 at the Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, AL, booth 120. On display will be a selection of the company’s high-performance webbings, including safety webbings and tapes, ideal for military, aerospace, fire, law enforcement, industrial, and commercial fall protection personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as specialty items to showcase BRM’s capabilities. Using its decades of weaving expertise, BRM designs, engineers, and manufactures materials that maximize the end product’s performance characteristics and properties – including strength, durability, resistance to abrasion, chemicals, heat, and weather. BRM enjoys the challenge of assisting customers in problem resolution and innovation creation regarding material selection in their design and development phases. BRM’s services include the development of customized innovations, complete engineering and solutions, sample preparation, and full-scale and specialty manufacturing. Experts will be on hand at booth #120 to show how BRM can design, develop and manufacture specialized, engineered, woven safety webbings and tapes. Made from Nylon, Polyester, Nomex®, Kevlar®, Vectran®, PBI®, Nextel®, and other specialty fibers, BRM’s safety webbing and tapes are ideal for applications requiring high tenacity, abrasion resistance, and flame and heat resistance. They are also a good choice for controlled elongation applications as well as those requiring chemical resistance in specific environments and can be used for shoulder straps, harness webbing, and chin straps, as well as helmet suspension, binding tapes, loop tapes, lap belts, shock-absorbing webbing, flotation device webbings, parachute assemblies, and other aerospace safety applications.
CAD2SCAN named best innovation in machine vision at the VISION Show
Israel-based smart inspection planning company c has announced that its CAD2SCAN software has received the VISION Award for best innovation in the machine vision industry. The award was presented at the VISION show on October 5, 2022, in Stuttgart, Germany. “Being recognized with the VISION Award reflects on the incredible capabilities of our CAD2SCAN technology as a leap forward in automatic inspection planning,” said Dr. Yossi Rubner, founder and CTO of Kitov.ai. “We would like to thank VISION for this honor and congratulate the other finalists on their innovative technologies.” CAD2SCAN technology significantly simplifies the setup of robotic inspection systems using CAD-based automated inspection planning. It expands the capabilities of Kitov’s software platform and allows for complete automation of product inspection from the CAD to the actual manufacturing line. Quality engineers can define their inspection requirements directly on a complex CAD model, simply and intuitively, saving weeks or even months compared to manual programming. Particularly useful for parts with complex geometries, CAD2SCAN automatically extracts specific geometric and semantic information for each inspection requirement marked on the CAD. This information is passed on to the relevant semantic detectors performing the inspection tasks. In addition to having built-in semantic detectors such as surface, label, screw, and existence detectors, Kitov.ai’s open software platform allows easy integration of third-party detectors that can benefit from the planning and reporting services provided by the platform. CAD2SCAN also optimizes inspection plans with accuracy and throughput in mind, guaranteeing full coverage while reducing robot motion and the number of images needed to cover all regions of interest, minimizing total inspection time. Automatic CAD-based inspection planning is a game-changer for industries that manufacture complex parts and products. CAD2SCAN technology is implemented as a plugin to common CAD software systems. (It’s currently available for SOLIDWORKS and Creo.) It also supports the evolving QIF (quality information framework) ISO standard and can parse visual inspection requirements embedded into it. The CAD2SCAN project was funded by the Israel–U.S. BIRD (Binational Industrial Research and Development) Foundation and completed in partnership with Capvidia, a provider of true model-based definition technology.
PTDA welcomes two new distributor members
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), the association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel, welcomes two new member companies. Klockner Group (Columbia, S.C.) Klockner Group services industrial facilities across the U.S. with engineering, installation, fabrication, and parts for conveying systems. It is a major distributor of welded steel chain, cut tooth, and machine tooth sprockets for all material handling industrial chain installations. The company also offers technical field inspection of material handling applications to analyze problem areas and determine solutions for maximum production and maintenance-free operation. “Klockner Group strives to provide the highest quality parts and solutions in support of our customers and industry partners,” says Richie Hayward, vice president. “We joined PTDA to strengthen our relationships and grow in our knowledge of the industry.” Learn more at KlocknerGroup.com. Gerbers of Montana (Great Falls, Mont.) Gerbers of Montana has been a specialist in grain handling equipment since 1878 and now is also the largest bearing/PT stocking distributor in the state. The company prides itself on providing customer service, high industry knowledge, and having quality products in stock. “We are excited to join PTDA and are looking forward to building relationships and learning from fellow distributors/small businesses in the bearing/power transmission industry,” says Jill Tranmer, business manager. Learn more at GerbersOfMontana.com. The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is a global association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel. Headquartered in Chicago, PTDA represents power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $19 billion in sales and span over 2,700 locations. PTDA members also include manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.
Rice Lake’s new iDimension® Pallet Dimensioning System
Rice Lake Weighing Systems has launched a new pallet dimensioning system specifically designed for over-length freight. The iDimension LTL XL uses advanced sensing technology to capture Legal for Trade measurements in seconds. The iDimension LTL XL accurately measures freight up to 12 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8 feet tall, helping shippers avoid fees and expensive chargebacks for extra-long freight that may be misclassified with improper dimensions. Optional high-resolution cameras provide images for freight identification, damage assessment, and shipment tracking. The operator display on the iDimension LTL XL provides immediate feedback to forklift or pallet jack operators, indicating freight dimensions and system status.
LiuGong North America adds APEX Equipment to dealer network
LiuGong North America will welcome APEX Equipment Inc. to its expanding dealer network. Based in Atoka, Oklahoma, the dealership covers a territory that spans from Oklahoma to Southern Arkansas and Northeast Texas. The APEX Equipment leadership team of Ryan Mitchell (President), Bryan Debban (Executive Vice President), and Rick Mitchell (Senior Vice President) boast nearly 100 years of combined industry experience. “We were looking for a dependable product to represent and sell in a very demanding industry,” Ryan Mitchell said. APEX Equipment’s central location in the Kiamichi Mountains makes it an ideal spot to gain business for residential and construction projects that are taking place across Oklahoma. There’s also a wide array of quarry, mining, and major construction companies in the surrounding areas. LiuGong North America President Andrew Ryan said the partnership with APEX Equipment will continue to strengthen its dealer network in the region. “The growth of our dealer network is central to our strategy in North America,” he said. “We believe LiuGong machines are some of the best on the market, and we want great partners to represent and support them with our customers. We believe APEX Equipment is a perfect example and are excited to work together.” The dealership offers equipment for applications, including construction, mining, quarry, municipal, forestry, agriculture, consumer recreation, oil, gas, and material handling. Ryan Mitchell said he believes the partnership will be mutually beneficial for both companies. “This partnership will allow us to stimulate growth in local and statewide economies, and maintain customer relationships based on integrity and trust,” he said. “Providing superior sales and service will be our trademark while representing LiuGong North America and APEX Equipment.”
U.S. Rail Traffic for September and the week ending October 1, 2022
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 1, 2022, as well as volumes for September 2022. U.S. railroads originated 928,590 carloads in September 2022, down 1.1 percent, or 10,639 carloads, from September 2021. U.S. railroads also originated 1,011,304 containers and trailers in September 2022, down 4.8 percent, or 51,039 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in September 2022 were 1,939,894, down 3.1 percent, or 61,678 carloads and intermodal units from September 2021. In September 2022, six of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR each month saw carload gains compared with September 2021. These included: crushed stone, sand & gravel, up 8,987 carloads or 11.2 percent; motor vehicles & parts, up 8,380 carloads or 18 percent; and coal, up 4,886 carloads or 1.8 percent. Commodities that saw declines in September 2022 from September 2021 included: primary metal products, down 6,341 carloads or 16.6 percent; all other carloads, down 4,879 carloads or 21 percent; and grain, down 4,227 carloads or 5 percent. “During September, intermodal slowed as consumers continued to switch consumption more toward services and away from goods,” said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray. “However, two underlying factors have helped magnify this trend for railroads. The first is overbuying by many retailers in late 2020 and during 2021 which is now being reflected in substantial inventories of unsold goods that weaken replacement demand. Meanwhile, a slackening of internet buying from its pandemic peak has softened trailer movements of packaged goods by rail.” Excluding coal, carloads were down 15,525 carloads, or 2.3 percent, in September 2022 from September 2021. Excluding coal and grain, carloads were down 11,298 carloads, or 1.9 percent. Total U.S. carload traffic for the first nine months of 2022 was 9,019,302 carloads, up 0.1 percent, or 9,791 carloads, from the same period last year; and 10,259,554 intermodal units, down 5.1 percent, or 552,271 containers and trailers, from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 39 weeks of 2022 was 19,278,856 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 2.7 percent compared to last year. Week ending October 1, 2022 Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 495,868 carloads and intermodal units, down 3.9 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending October 1 were 234,420 carloads, down 3.1 percent compared with the same week in 2021, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 261,448 containers and trailers, down 4.6 percent compared to 2021. Four of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2021. They included coal, up 2,551 carloads, to 67,866; motor vehicles and parts, up 1,334 carloads, to 14,606; and petroleum and petroleum products, up 626 carloads, to 10,449. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2021 included grain, down 3,225 carloads, to 22,745; metallic ores and metals, down 2,595 carloads, to 21,450; and miscellaneous carloads, down 2,389 carloads, to 8,056. North American rail volume for the week ending October 1, 2022, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 337,140 carloads, down 0.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 350,834 intermodal units, down 1.3 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 687,974 carloads and intermodal units, down 1.1 percent. North American rail volume for the first 39 weeks of 2022 was 26,388,292 carloads and intermodal units, down 2.3 percent compared with 2021. Canadian railroads reported 83,364 carloads for the week, up 1.1 percent, and 74,230 intermodal units, up 6.2 percent compared with the same week in 2021. For the first 39 weeks of 2022, Canadian railroads reported a cumulative rail traffic volume of 5,657,074 carloads, containers, and trailers, down 2.3 percent. Mexican railroads reported 19,356 carloads for the week, up 24.3 percent compared with the same week last year, and 15,156 intermodal units, up 29.8 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 39 weeks of 2022 was 1,452,362 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 3 percent from the same point last year. To view the rail traffic charts, click here.
Episode 321: Plus One Robotics
If you love talking warehouses and robotics, this episode is for you. Erik Nieves, founder of Plus One Robotics and industrial roboticist, joins Kevin for today’s episode of the New Warehouse podcast. Plus One Robotics provides 3D and AI-powered vision software that helps robots perform better in warehouses and other factory settings. Erik and Kevin discuss how this technology is being used to improve accuracy and efficiency to meet eCommerce’s demands. Erik shares his insights on the future of robotics and the automotive industry’s role in robotics gaining popularity in warehousing and supply chains. Key Takeaways Regarding warehouse robotics, Erik says there are only three types of tasks that need to be performed: mobility, manipulation, and storage. As Nieves explains, the challenge is that each of these tasks requires different skills. Mobility is about navigation and obstacle avoidance. Manipulation is about picking up and placing objects. And storage is about…well, storing things. Erik and his team look for opportunities to use robotics to improve efficiency and enable workers to focus on more valuable tasks. Automating less desirable work, like breaking down pallets and sortation, can help make warehouses run more smoothly. In addition, Nieves sees robotics as a way to help workers become more efficient and productive. By using robots to automate repetitive and dangerous tasks, workers can focus on more value-added activities. Erik agrees that robots vs. jobs is a legitimate question but makes a compelling argument against robots taking jobs. He presents the idea that robots are entirely unmotivated, and while great at tasks, he jokes they make lousy employees. He says if people are reassigned to more value-added work when robots come into warehouses and distribution centers, they command a higher wage. Consumers ultimately benefit from higher quality goods and services. Erik believes we need to make employees three to four times more efficient to address the labor shortage. He adds that when you add robots and people, that is where the true magic happens, hence the name Plus One Robotics. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast Episode 321: Plus One Robotics
SafetyFOCUS training geared for fast business impact
While some educational programs require time for participants to use what they have learned on the job, SafetyFOCUS from the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) provides practical guidance that workplace safety and health professionals can immediately implement in their businesses. The upcoming immersive education experience is an ideal resource when the objective is to enact change quickly to help an organization prevent worker injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. The five-day SafetyFOCUS event will take place Oct. 24-28, offering courses in person in Columbia, MD, and online via ASSP’s Live Virtual Classroom. SafetyFOCUS is ASSP’s second-largest annual education event, which has now been expanded to twice a year. Participants will learn from 22 industry experts who will present courses in full-day formats on a broad range of workplace safety and health topics. Courses will focus on business and leadership skills, certification preparation, risk assessment and management, safety management systems, and comprehensive worker well-being. “Whether a safety professional only attends one course for one day or several courses throughout the week, they will gain practical knowledge and skills to help them improve their organizations right away,” said ASSP President Christine Sullivan, CSP, ARM. “It’s a unique opportunity to create a learning schedule that works for you while meeting your specific safety and health education needs.” Continuing education units (CEUs) are awarded for each course to help attendees maintain a range of professional certifications. Those who register for a full week of courses in person or online can earn up to 3.5 CEUs. Participants will also expand their networks by engaging with other professionals who aim to solve similar occupational safety and health issues. Groups from the same company can save on registration by contacting ASSP’s Nancy O’Toole at 847.768.3466 or [email protected]. ASSP members receive discounts on all the Society’s education, training, and workplace safety standards. As part of ASSP’s commitment to protecting the safety and health of everyone at the training facility in Maryland, on-site safety and health protocols require in-person attendees to provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of arrival on their first day. Stay informed of the latest SafetyFOCUS news and safety and health protocols at SafetyFOCUS.assp.org.
September 2022 Logistics Manager’s Index Report®
LMI® at 61.4, Growth is INCREASING AT AN INCREASING RATE for Inventory Levels, Inventory Costs, Warehousing Utilization, Warehousing Prices, Transportation Capacity, and Transportation Utilization Growth is INCREASING AT A DECREASING RATE for NOTHING. Warehousing Capacity and Transportation Prices are CONTRACTING. The Logistics Managers’ Index reads in at 61.4 in September, up (+1.7) from August’s reading of 59.7, and marking a return to the ’60s after a one-month detour into the ’50s. in August, down (-1.0) from July’s reading of 60.7. The sustained growth in the logistics industry continues to be fueled by high levels of inventory and the associated levels of cost and utilization associated with holding them. On the other hand, transportation metrics continue their slowed pace, reaching the second highest level of capacity growth, and the third fastest rate of price contraction in the history of the index. Interestingly, Transportation Utilization is the outlier here, as both utilization metrics in the index were up significantly in September. Essentially, it seems that inventory has been moved early and is ready to go for Q4. The question now is whether it will start moving soon, or if systems will remain clogged through the rest of 2022. Researchers at Arizona State University, Colorado State University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, and the University of Nevada, Reno, and in conjunction with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) issued this report today. Results Overview The LMI score is a combination of eight unique components that make up the logistics industry, including inventory levels and costs, warehousing capacity, utilization, and prices, and transportation capacity, utilization, and prices. The LMI is calculated using a diffusion index, in which any reading above 50.0 indicates that logistics is expanding; a reading below 50.0 is indicative of a shrinking logistics industry. The latest results of the LMI summarize the responses of supply chain professionals collected in September 2022. Overall, the LMI is up (+1.7) from August’s reading of 59.7. Every metric other than Transportation Prices and Warehousing Capacity is growing at a faster rate this month, pointing to some potential bounce-back potential in the logistics industry. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”. This is the opening quote of Charles Dickens’ The Tale of Two Cities, but in September 2022 this could also be applied to the LMI, and the massive differences we see between our Warehousing and Transportation metrics. Transportation continues its slump, while Warehousing is chugging along at the same breakneck pace we have observed for much of this post-pandemic recovery period. Much of this confusion can be attributed to the high levels of inventory that continue to permeate global supply chains. Inventory Levels are up (+4.4) to 71.9 – which as a value over 70.0 we would classify as a significant rate of expansion. Inventories have been high all through 2022, largely due to goods that were late arriving due to supply chain congestion, a shift in consumer spending towards services, and high levels of inflation. The August rate of inflation in the U.S. was higher than expected, with core inflation up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. Headline inflation was curbed by falling fuel prices, increasing only 0.3% over the same period[1]. Dow industrials officially fell into bear market territory in the final week of September, as investors continue to grow nervous due to burgeoning interest rates and slipping consumer sentiment. This dip has led multiple experts and company executives to worry that the Fed’s current plans are too “aggressive” and may end up pushing the economy until it “breaks”[2]. At the same time, Bloomberg predicts that the U.S. jobs report coming out at the end of this week will show that payrolls increased by approximately 250,000 jobs, keeping unemployment at 3.7%, just off the 50-year low reached this summer[3]. This rosy picture is at least partially due to the five-month low in weekly jobless claims observed in the last week of September as firms began bulking up for Q4[4]. The glut of inventory and lack of space continues to drive Inventory Costs up (+0.4) with that metric reading in at 77.2 in September. It is not only finished goods clogging the systems, work-in-process (WIP) inventory continues to bedevil supply chains. At the end of September Ford reported 40,000 to 45,000 vehicles that could not be delivered due to missing components ranging from chips and semiconductors (the old standbys of missing components) to the blue oval plate bearing the “Ford” insignia. Auto sales have increased through 2022 (up 27% in August for Ford), and some executives are hopeful that the increase will continue into Q4 if there is more high-end inventory available[5]. Despite grim economic outlooks in some corners, U.S. consumers remain resilient, with spending up in August by 0.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis. This shift back towards growth comes after the slight dip (-0.2% year-over-year) we observed in July. There is some evidence that the decline in gas prices, along with the continued strength in the labor market has provided a boon to consumers. However, this spending growth can primarily be attributed to essentials like rent and food, with fewer dollars being spent on goods – causing inventories to continue to accumulate[6]. In response to high inventories and muted spending, Firms like Target and Walmart have very publicly marked down goods as part of their strategy to work through excess inventories quickly. Interestingly, this is putting pressure on smaller retailers who do not have excess inventory to run promotions as well as to stay competitive in the slowing retail environment. For instance, UBS Group reports that apparel and footwear retailers offered a discount of 16% on average in August – regardless of inventory levels[7]. Much of this idle inventory is currently sitting in warehouses. Warehousing Capacity read in at 44.3 in September. This is up (+2.1) from August’s reading of 42.2 but still well into contraction territory. This is the 25th consecutive month of contraction for this metric, highlighting the continued difficulty firms
WIT Index shows prevalence of Diversity and Inclusion policies in the transportation industry
Workplace cultures that are strong in diversity, inclusion, and belonging have been linked to increased productivity, according to the 2022 WIT Index. For the first time in its history, the 2022 WIT Index asked participants if their company has a formal Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) policy. Approximately 45.5 percent of companies confirmed that their organization has a formal policy, while 31 percent say their company currently does not have a formal policy in place. Approximately 18 percent confirmed that their company is currently in the process of developing a formal D&I policy. The percentage of leaders in corporations in the commercial freight transportation industry continues to increase, according to new data highlighted in the WIT Index, which was just released by the Women In Trucking Association (WIT). The WIT Index is the official industry barometer to benchmark and measures each year the percentage of women who make up critical roles in transportation. The 2022 WIT Index shows that 33.8 percent of C-suite executives in transportation companies are women, an increase of 1.5 percent since 2019 when the last WIT Index was measured. In addition, the 2022 WIT Index shows that 39.6 percent of company leaders are female. “Company leaders” are defined as someone with supervisory responsibilities and include executives within the C-suite. “It wasn’t that long ago that carriers didn’t even know what percentage of their drivers were female, but now we’re moving beyond that to attract and retain an even more diverse workforce to include age, ethnicity, and other categories in addition to gender,” said Ellen Voie, WIT president and CEO. “The fact that so many companies in transportation have formal D&I policies in place speaks volumes to the importance organizations in this market vertical are placing on gender diversity and inclusion.” Initiated in 2016, the WIT Index is comprised of average percentages of females in various roles that are reported by companies in transportation, including predominantly for-hire trucking companies, private fleets, transportation intermediaries, railroads, ocean carriers, equipment manufacturers, and technology companies. This data was confidentially gathered from January through April of 2022 from 180 participating companies and percentages are reported only as aggregate totals of respondents.
Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas Group Introduces Industry-exclusive 5-year Powertrain Warranty for Jungheinrich® Class I and II Warehouse Products
Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas group, the exclusive distributor of Jungheinrich® lift trucks, narrow-aisle, and automated guided vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico, announced today the launch of its new industry-exclusive powertrain warranty. The new 5-year powertrain warranty comes standard on all Jungheinrich-branded Class I and II warehouse products, including electric cushion and pneumatic tire, stand-up counterbalanced, reach trucks, turret trucks, and order pickers, and went into effect on Oct. 1, 2022. Jungheinrich customers across North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico) will automatically receive the new 5-year or 10,000-hour powertrain warranty, which was previously a 2-year warranty, free of charge. The plan covers all Class I and II powertrain components including motor, drive axle, and controller. With this new plan change, customers will also experience a 40% reduction in Jungheinrich’s extended warranty prices, in addition to unbeatable energy efficiency with longer run times and added peace of mind that their warehouse products will keep running when they need them most. To ensure customers receive the best-in-class ownership experience, the warranty plan for Jungheinrich demonstrates Mitsubishi Logisnext America’s confidence in excellent product quality and commitment to exceptional long-term customer satisfaction. “We’re excited to introduce the industry’s first standard 5-year powertrain warranty for warehouse products,” said John Sneddon, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing at Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas. “Most powertrain warranties cover just the first two to three years of a lift truck purchase and require an additional cost for extended coverage. With the combination of German engineering and American manufacturing, we knew we could offer more to our customers. We want our customers to have a first-class experience, and for us, that means a worry-free, hassle-free operation. We stand behind the quality, durability, and workmanship with offering the industry’s longest running standard powertrain coverage, and we look forward to helping positively impact our customer’s businesses.”
New Fall releases from KEEN Utility
The KEEN Utility San Jose Oxford perfectly bridges the gap between board meeting and floor meeting. Introducing the fan favorite San Jose in a work shoe silhouette, KEEN Utility’s latest release includes the safety, performance, and comfort features the brand has become known for. With an air-infused Luftcell midsole, lightweight aluminum safety toes, siped oil- and slip-resistant rubber outsole that easily sheds water, this style is ready to help keep operations running smoothly. A nylon shank provides support for active work shifts, while non-mutilating construction makes them ideal for use around finished goods. The San Jose Oxford will be available in two colorways. Building on the success of its predecessor, the Vista Energy+ is built for rigorous environments where speed, agility, and comfort are critical. Designed with a new, abrasion-resistant leather upper and KEEN.DRY membrane, this waterproof work sneaker perfectly blends athletic performance and all-weather protection. Product highlights include a KEEN.ReGEN midsole returning energy with every step and a KonnectFit heel capture system that keeps your feet safe and secure. At the same time, the Vista Energy+ does not sacrifice when it comes to safety, offering asymmetrical carbon fiber toes that are 15% lighter than steel as well as an EH-rated, slip-resistant rubber outsole. The new Vista Energy+ is available for men.
RMH Systems acquires DAK Solutions
In a letter to clients, DAK Solutions Dave Kenealy shared acquisition news, “I am pleased to share that RMH Systems acquired DAK Solutions on August 29th, 2022.” Kenealy stated, “For 28 years, DAK’s mission has been to provide our customers with the best possible service and solutions. This guiding principle fostered opportunities to design and install material handling projects in 45 states, Canada, and Mexico. It has been the key to our success and this principle will continue with RMH Systems. I have gotten to know the owners of RMH Systems over many years, and trust they will help grow DAK Solutions and sustain the great service you have been accustomed to with DAK. Their commitment to customers, strong core values and culture, industry expertise, and high-level project execution reflect what we have built at DAK over the last three decades.” he added. For 60 years RMH has been headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, and expanded with locations in Minneapolis, Omaha, and Kansas City. RMH Systems, a third-generation, family-owned company, is the Midwest’s material handling, packaging, and robotics systems integrator, a true turnkey and one-stop-shop solutions provider. RMH Systems is a larger organization that will bring additional engineering capabilities and a broader product portfolio to the DAK Solutions customer base; including systems engineering, robotics, packaging, cranes, scales, and much more! “The DAK Solutions Team would like to thank you for your continued business and assure you, that your current point of contact at DAK will not change. We will continue to provide the high caliber of service and solutions you have come to expect from us. We look forward to introducing you to RMH Systems and its enhanced capabilities over the next few months,” said Dave Kenealy. Chad Howard, a member of the ownership family, will move to Chicago to be the General Manager for DAK Solutions. I plan on staying aboard to contribute in a sales and engineering capacity for the foreseeable future.
H&E Equipment Services completes acquisition of One Source Equipment Rentals Inc.
H&E Equipment Services Inc. has announced the completion of its acquisition of One Source Equipment Rentals Inc. (“One Source”), effective October 1, 2022. With the closing of the transaction, H&E adds 10 equipment rental locations to its branch network, including initial locations in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. In addition, the Company will supplement its operating presence in the southern U.S. while adding approximately $138 million in fleet as measured by original equipment cost. Brad Barber, chief executive officer of H&E, stated, “The acquisition of One Source demonstrates our commitment to growth through expansion into highly prospective geographies and complements our successful warm start strategy. This year, we have announced eight branch additions through September, including recent openings in Hollywood, FL; New Castle, DE; and Indio, CA. Our expansion into the Midwest and further penetration into the southern U.S. positions H&E for increased participation in the non-residential construction and industrial end-markets. The Company remains committed to further growth of its pure-play rental business and other strategic initiatives.” Following the closing of the transaction, H&E’s equipment rental operations extend across 120 branch locations in 29 states.
Episode 320: Improving safety with Lopos
Warehouse safety is always a top priority, and today Kevin is joined by Peter Van Roosbroeck, Chief Commercial Officer at Lopos, to talk about their innovative collision warning system. Their product, LoposAlert, is a 360-degree collision warning system designed to reduce forklift incidents. Kevin and Peter discuss the company’s history, its products, and the future of collision warning systems. Key Takeaways Peter explains how their proximity technology was initially developed as a solution to fight the pandemic during COVID-19. Lopos produced wearables that measure the proximity between people and then provide some contract tracing for large organizations to keep their operations going. The opportunity to improve warehouse safety was one that they identified early on and designed to reduce forklift incidents. LoposAlert can be installed in under thirty minutes and used by all types of forklifts, making it a plug-and-play experience. Customers can configure the system based on environments and needs with customizable sound and light alerts. The LoposAlert Beacon and the LoposAlert wearable work in tandem, so both the forklift operator and the worker are aware of proximity alerts. Shared awareness ensures the safest possible work environment by making both parties aware of the situation. Lopos uses ultra-wideband radio technology, which is extremely precise and accurate but doesn’t require a line of sight. Most other technologies that do proximity warnings require a line of sight to look or see an individual in proximity to an asset or a vehicle. So, the Lopos solution can see people coming through aisles and corners where a line of sight restricts other technologies. This enhanced visibility is ideal for warehouse environments with blind corners and heavy traffic. Lopos can also gather data points and provide digital twins of every incident or near incident. Those insights offer advanced learning opportunities from a training aspect allowing leadership to look for ways to improve and avoid future incidents. Protecting assets is another unique value of the Lopos proximity warning technology. For some reason, warehouse and yard gates are always getting in the way of forklifts. Gates are expensive and can take a long time to repair, potentially leaving your location unsecured. The LoposAlert can provide proximity warnings for the most common collision points in a warehouse to prevent damage and injuries. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast Episode 320: Improving Safety with Lopos
PERC celebrates inaugural National Propane Day
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is celebrating its inaugural National Propane Day on October 7, 2022. PERC is observing National Propane Day as an opportunity to recognize the propane industry and celebrate all the benefits propane offers to users everywhere, including material handling professionals. “With propane, we’re ensuring affordable, accessible energy while reducing carbon emissions,” said Joe Calhoun, director of off-road business development at PERC. “October 7 is a celebration of propane and its many benefits as a clean and reliable energy source that’s available now.” Propane engines have been the powerhouse of material handling operations for decades. Today, propane can be found powering forklifts, port and terminal tractors, light- and medium-duty vehicles, and even marine vessels. As supply chain demand continues to increase, propane ensures warehouses, distribution centers, and ports stay operational by providing 100 percent power without having to waste time waiting on a charge or worrying about electric grid outages. With the ability to power a variety of applications, propane is a single energy solution to reduce emissions, increase productivity and save your bottom line. Propane can be safely used in well-ventilated structures both indoors and out to keep product moving while keeping the air free from harmful gases. Propane forklifts, for example, can reduce sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions by 76 percent compared with electric equipment and nitrogen oxide (NOx) and hydrocarbon emissions by 94 percent compared with diesel models. Propane port tractors produce up to 12 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than their gasoline counterparts not only cleaning up port operations, but also the communities that surround them. To learn more about how propane can benefit your material handling operation, visit Propane.com/material-handling.
Women In Trucking Association announces its October 2022 Member of the Month
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Jessica Olsen as its October 2022 Member of the Month. Olsen is a professional driver for SRS Distribution. Olsen was introduced to the world of trucking when she worked as a truck stop waitress. She wondered if a professional driving career would be a good fit and regularly questioned drivers coming through about their careers and what it takes to be successful in the transportation industry. However, after becoming a single mother, she had to pause her efforts to follow this career path. Like many restaurant workers in 2020, Olsen was laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With continued encouragement from her customers, she used the stimulus money she received to go to a trucking school and obtained her CDL. Open to embracing new experiences, she looked for opportunities in her area that would give her experience behind the wheel. She accepted a position at ABC Supply driving a boom truck. While at the company, she also learned how to operate a crane and became National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) certified. “I stumbled upon crane operation simply because my previous employer was at the top of an alphabetical list,” said Olsen. “I had no idea what I was getting into or how much fun I would end up having. Operating a crane is like stepping into the shoes of a much larger and more powerful being and each job site is a puzzle to solve. I truly enjoy going to work every day and 18 months later, that magic still hasn’t worn off.” In May of 2022, Olsen began her career at SRS Distribution as a professional driver and Logistics Specialist II boom driver and operator. She is known for consistently delivering materials in a safe and efficient manner. Additionally, she has built a reputation within her company for having a positive attitude and many of her coworkers say she is a pleasure to work with. Olsen encourages other women to pursue a career in the industry and to not get discouraged. “Don’t be afraid to go after an intimidating specialty and always be confident in your own abilities.”