Atlas Crane Service acquired by Ares Management
Atlas Crane Service, a full-service crane rental company that primarily serves the wind industry, announced recently that a fund managed by the Infrastructure Opportunities strategy of Ares Management had acquired a controlling interest in the company. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Aurora, Ill., Atlas is a full-service crane rental provider offering turnkey maintenance, repair, and overhaul solutions to over 250 customers. The company’s fleet of cranes provides mission-critical maintenance and repair services for wind turbines. Atlas’ executive management team, led by CEO Zach Prentis, will continue to guide the company with an emphasis on growth, geographic expansion, and a continued focus on delivering premier services and a dedication to safety. Atlas Crane Service also has branches in Wheeling and Ottawa, Ill. “The investment by Ares marks an exciting next chapter for Atlas, our employees, and our customers as we seek to accelerate the growth of our business and capabilities,” said Prentis. “Ares brings meaningful resources and deep experience in the renewables industry, which we believe will support our strategic expansion in the growing wind sector. Our team is energized by the future opportunities for Atlas and we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting renewable energy generation across the U.S.” “We are excited to support Atlas’ long-term vision and leverage our combined strengths as we seek to drive continued growth of renewable energy power generation,” said Keith Derman, partner, and co-head of Ares Infrastructure Opportunities. “Zach and his team have built a differentiated business with a strong, entrepreneurial culture, and we look forward to helping them provide critical services and solutions to wind asset owners and operators throughout the country.” Commitment to a low-carbon economy “Ares and Atlas share a commitment to accelerating the transition to a low carbon economy, which requires high quality and competitively priced servicing of wind energy assets,” said Steve Porto, a partner in Ares Infrastructure Opportunities. “We believe that Ares’ deep renewables experience will provide Atlas with strong support to capitalize on the significant opportunity in this resilient and growing asset class.” TM Capital served as the exclusive financial advisor to Atlas Crane Service. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Atlas has a diverse fleet of all-terrain, rough terrain, hydraulic, crawler, and tele-crawler cranes, along with additional value-added services including skilled operators on nearly all rentals, transportation, heavy hauling, subcontracted labor coordination, engineering, and permitting. Prior to its acquisition by an Ares Management fund, Atlas was founder-owned and operated for more than 13 years. Atlas primarily performs mission-critical recurring maintenance, repair – for both planned and emergency break-fix – and repowering of wind turbines. The company also serves non-wind markets in the Midwest United States.
Texada Software announces strategic acquisition of LogiMove
LogiMove adds extensive mobile workflow capabilities to the Texada rental management platform enabling powerful applications including automated equipment inspection Texada Software (“Texada”), Texada Software (“Texada”), a software platform for the equipment dealer and rental industry, announced that it has acquired LogiMove CheckMobile Global (“LogiMove”). LogiMove is known for its next-generation mobile no-code/low-code applications for operations and field services in the equipment industry. With this acquisition, Texada adds a powerful new component to its platform which integrates equipment dealers’ and rental companies’ back offices with both their service and maintenance operations, and with their sales and e-commerce. LogiMove, based in Reno, Nevada, and Hamburg, Germany, is a no-code/low-code application for digitizing and optimizing field operations for heavy equipment dealers and rental companies. LogiMove’s tools are used by industry-leading companies to create fully-customizable process solutions that automate field tasks, like inspections, without the need for complex coding. “This is an extremely exciting time for Texada. The addition of the LogiMove solution to Texada’s platform enables us to provide an entirely new set of integrated field solutions helping our customers automate otherwise very time-consuming tasks,” said Matt Harris, Texada CEO. Harris added, “Importantly, LogiMove is a proven product being used innovatively by some of the world’s largest rental companies. Adding LogiMove to Texada will be a game changer for our customers and for the equipment rental and dealer market in general.” “The heavy equipment rental and dealer markets are ripe for innovation since much of the software in use today dates back to the ‘80s and ‘90s, with cumbersome processes and poor customer experience. The Texada platform and broad customer base combined with LogiMove’s mobile-first customer-centric applications make this the most exciting offering in the industry. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of creating this future,” said Philipp Weirauch, founder of LogiMove. The Texada platform provides customers with a complete solution for managing equipment rental businesses and equipment assets themselves. Texada solutions integrate an equipment rental company’s back office with its field operations, customer acquisition, and payments, enabling rental companies to have end-to-end control and visibility into their business. LogiMove brings new integrated capabilities enabling powerful field applications such as AI-driven automated pre- and post-rental equipment inspections which demonstrably improve customers’ inspection accuracy and recovery of damage charges. “There is a large need in the equipment dealer and rental markets for easy-to-use, modern, cloud-based software and we’re excited to acquire such a complementary platform as well as the talented LogiMove team to build a market leader,” said Hugh Kirkpatrick, Vice President at Banneker. “We know an integrated low-code/no-code solution will add tremendous value for our customers and we look forward to investing in a shared vision to digitize and transform the equipment industry.” The acquisition is effective immediately.
The Crosby Group announces 2022 ‘Rigging for the Troops’ campaign
The Crosby Group, a manufacturer of rigging, lifting, and material handling hardware and equipment, has announced its Rigging for the Troops campaign, supporting the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. Fallen Patriots provide college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. After government programs, the average shortfall in college funding is $25,000. Supported by its loyal channel partners and end users throughout the United States, The Crosby Group will make a donation of $500 to Fallen Patriots for every Crosby and ACCO training event it hosts in the US from September 1 through October 31, 2022. In addition, The Crosby Group will donate all proceeds from its popular User’s Guide for Lifting online training course during this time to this honorable cause, up to $25,000. We also encourage our channel partners and end users to support the Rigging for the Troops campaign with the hopes of once again exceeding our fundraising goal. The Crosby Group has trained more than 500,000 rigging professionals since launching its training program in 1991. Approximately 25,000 children have lost an active duty parent in the military over the last 35 years. Of those, 97% of casualties are men, leaving behind single mothers to care for their families, and 60% report having trouble making ends meet. The foundation said that $625 million is needed nationwide to cover the gap between government assistance and the actual cost of a degree. Since 2002, Fallen Patriots has provided more than $55 million in total assistance to more than 2,200 military children with more than 900 graduates. Every time a worker in the oil and gas, construction, heavy lift, transportation, manufacturing, wind energy, and material handling industries attends a training hosted by The Crosby Group or completes the online training course, they can know that they are doing a small part to help secure a better future for military children who have lost a parent. With a US manufacturing footprint that includes plants in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Alabama, The Crosby Group’s involvement with the country’s military stretches back to its earliest days, supplying shackles and other hardware for military equipment. Today, more than 40 Veterans work in the company’s facilities designing, manufacturing, and distributing the best rigging hardware and material handling equipment in the world. Melissa King Ruths, Vice President of Marketing and Product at The Crosby Group, said: “We are honored to partner with the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation again, for now, the third year. Together, with our distributors and end users, we are proud to support such an important cause and help fulfill the educational funding requirements of young people who have been affected by military casualties.” “We are incredibly proud to partner with a company like The Crosby Group, who has demonstrated year after year their dedication to Veterans, both in their own roster of employees but also in the continued support of our mission,” said Chris Heffernan, president of Children of Fallen Patriots. “The funds raised through this program will go far to support Gold Star children now and in the future.” In addition to raising funds, The Crosby Group is launching a weekly contest to help raise awareness of the initiative on social media. Please visit riggingforthetroops.com for more information.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America Corrugating Machinery Division launches new Mitsubishi Prefeeder for EVOL at Corrugated Week 2022
The Corrugating Machinery Division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America (MHIA), a supplier of corrugating and box-making machinery, is pleased to announce its new and much-anticipated Mitsubishi Prefeeder for EVOL at Corrugated Week 2022 (Booth #201, San Antonio, Texas, September 19-21). The announcement coincides with an important milestone as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America (MHIA) recently sold its 200th EVOL in North America. “In close collaboration with our customers, we are constantly investing and innovating to best serve their needs for productivity, accuracy, and profitability,” said Shoji Isoai, president, of MHIA Corrugating Machinery Division. “The Mitsubishi Prefeeder is the latest technological breakthrough that comes with the ‘vote-of-confidence’ represented by the landmark 200th EVOL sold in North America.” The new Mitsubishi Prefeeder ensures faster throughput and the front-of-line reliability required to keep the MHIA’s premium line of EVOL box-making equipment functioning with maximum efficiency. In productive use across multiple facilities in the EU, the Mitsubishi Prefeeder is now available for customers in North America. The Mitsubishi Prefeeder is currently available for the EVOL 84 and EVOL 100 – either 350bpm or 400 bpm – or for any equipment that is a top printer. It can run a continuous shingle of either single-wall or double-wall sheets with a minimum sheet of 8.7 x 27.2 and a maximum sheet of 37 x 100 and features a lifting device that reverses the sheet stack. “Our research indicates that 50% of equipment downtime is caused by auxiliary equipment, with the prefeeder accounting for 38% of that number,” said Isoai. “The new Mitsubishi Prefeeder will dramatically reduce downtime and maximize the productive potential of EVOL.” EVOL Customers are giving the company high marks across the board. “It’s quite simple – from the MHIA Sales Team to the VP and all the way through to the tech guys – I have never in my life on the converting side had such a good experience throughout,” said Richard Goldberg, VP of Operations, President Container. According to Brian Healy, General Manager, Carolina Container, the “EVOL is a great selling tool for us. Everyone wants to see it and it’s so impressive and it produces such a precise and clean box; it’s the highlight of the tour.” “Listen, we could have bought any machine we wanted but there wasn’t any real conversation about it – it was EVOL all the way,” said Adam Tominsky, General Manager, Rand-Whitney In addition to the Mitsubishi Prefeeder, the company will also be highlighting the following: Introduced in 2021, the MC-100 is a state-of-the-art Flexo Folder Gluer that features ease of operation and enhanced quality control for plant personnel. Introduced in Japan in 2020, the MC-100 produces less downtime through easy technician access via elevated platforms. Its innovative stop and start wheel feeder provides non-continuous feeding, ensuring optimized alignment and quality control. The top production rate is 300 BPM. Work Instructions represent the latest evolution of the company’s EVOL AR Remote Assistance Augmented Reality Program. With some customers reporting an impressive 50% reduction in downtime, EVOL AR allows North America-based plant managers, technicians, and engineers to quickly and efficiently share and resolve issues in real time from their facilities. The company’s sales, service, and technical team members will be on-site at booth #201 to field customer questions, discuss current collaboration opportunities, and share their latest insights. “Our customers have high demands and we strive to meet and exceed them with investments in technology, customer service, rapid delivery of replacement parts, and in-person and online technical support,” said Hiroyuki Kikumoto, Senior Vice President, Sales, MHIA Corrugating Machinery Division.
Women In Trucking Association announces its September 2022 Member of the Month
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Haleigh Fickett as its September 2022 Member of the Month. Fickett has been a transport driver for R.H. Foster Energy for a little more than four years. Following in several family members’ footsteps, Fickett’s professional driving career started at a young age. She attended a local technical school and in an effort to gain a better understanding of the trucking industry, she entered the CDL program. Within a few weeks of joining the class and getting some time behind the wheel of a truck, she fell in love with it and knew she had found where she belonged. Fickett has held a CDL for eight years but has only been actively driving for about five years due to difficulties getting hired at a young age with no experience. After obtaining her Class A CDL at the age of 17, she spent a few years working on local farms and other jobs, while constantly applying for different professional driver openings. At the age of 20, she took a position working for the Maine Department of Transportation, which allowed her to get some experience driving plow trucks and other equipment involved in road maintenance. Fickett is always up for a new challenge and jumped at the opportunity the following summer to begin her career at R.H. Foster Energy, obtain her hazmat, and start learning how to haul fuel. Although this decision was a huge step for her, as she never planned to haul hazmat, she believes it has been the best career decision she could have ever made and considers it to be one of the most enjoyable jobs she could ask for. “Hauling fuel is a unique branch of the trucking industry, but one I find very exciting,” said Fickett. “It takes a lot of focus and caution to work with hazardous materials, but it comes with incredible benefits, such as being able to deliver to different locations every day and practicing driving skills in various situations that arise with delivering to public spaces. Local jobs like mine are a great option for women, such as myself, who love the trucking industry, but enjoy the option to be home every night.” This past May, Fickett had the privilege to compete in the Maine Truck Driving Championship, competing against some of the top tanker drivers in the state and ultimately taking first place in the tanker division. As a result, she qualified for the National Truck Driving Championship and was able to compete against the top tanker drivers from across the U.S. “If I could give any advice to other women interested in the trucking industry, it would simply be to never underestimate yourself,” Fickett said. “I was nervous when I was getting started in my current position because it is a very physically demanding job, but I have proven time and time again that if I truly put my mind to it, anything is possible.”
Crowley secures subcontract for Hybrid-Electric Ferry
Crowley has been selected by Senesco Marine to provide design verification and production packaging for a hybrid-electric passenger vehicle ferry for Casco Bay Lines of Portland, Maine. As part of an elite project team, Crowley brings expansive capabilities in sustainable, emissions-reducing design and construction services. Under the contract, Crowley will use its development experience in electric and hybrid propulsion systems to verify the contract design by Elliott Bay Design Group and develop the production package that is necessary for Senesco Marine to begin construction. The production package provides critical detail engineering to ensure that the ferry is both energy- and capacity-efficient during its operation. Expected to be in service in 2024, the passenger-vehicle ferry will be a true hybrid vessel with the ability to operate using a diesel-electric system, a zero-emissions, fully battery-powered system, or a combination of those options. The vessel, which will hold up to 599 passengers and 15 vehicles, will replace an existing diesel-powered ferry, resulting in a reduction of 800 tons of carbon dioxide each year. “We are collaborating with fellow industry leaders to deliver sustainable, high-performing marine solutions that are better for the environment and well-serve the communities where they operate,” said Coulston Van Gundy, vice president, of Crowley Engineering Services. The project collaboration among Crowley, Senesco Marine, Elliott Bay Design Group and Casco Bay Lines reflects Crowley’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact, as well as its customers, through sustainable innovation across all scopes — including its value chain — as highlighted by its inaugural sustainability report. “We are proud to begin construction on another hybrid-electric ferry, a sustainable solution to carry passengers from point A to point B, made possible by a strong team to include Crowley’s partnership and notable design and verification experience,” said Ted Williams, president, Senesco Marine. In addition to designing the eWolf, the first all-electric U.S. tugboat now under construction, Crowley will leverage its industry-leading know-how of design innovation, construction management, and operation of hybrid tugboats as well as lower emissions marine solutions such as LNG ships.
PLA announces opening of Houston pallet management facility
The new location further expands PLA’s nationwide pallet, logistics, and supply chain services capabilities PLA, a portfolio company of Silver Oak Services Partners, LLC (“Silver Oak”), has announced the opening of its newest pallet services facility in Houston, Texas. The addition of this facility brings PLA’s total number of facilities to 76. The new location is centrally located to bring new and recycled pallet supply, transportation, and other supply chain services to customers throughout the greater Houston metro area. Conveniently located just off I-45 and the Sam Houston Tollway, this location will serve PLA’s supply chain customers across a 150-mile radius, overlapping service areas with the company’s San Antonio and Dallas facilities. The nearly 23,000 square foot facility on over eight acres will feature 10 dock doors and process over 3 million pallets annually. The facility has also been equipped with state-of-the-art automated sort and repair equipment which supports PLA’s key focus areas of employee health and safety, customer service, and environmental sustainability. “We’re proud to continue expanding our nationwide footprint to better serve our loyal customers,” said Kyle Otting, PLA’s CEO. “We have had a long history serving customers in the Houston market from our other Texas operations, so adding a facility in Houston was a natural fit for PLA as we expand our extensive supply chain services network and help our customers stay on top of it all.” The Houston facility will bring at least 35 new jobs to the area and is located at 112221 N. Houston Rosslyn Road, Houston, TX, 77086.
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s Survey of Economic Activity: Monthly Leasing and Finance Index
July New Business Volume Up 2 Percent Year-over-year, down 2 percent Month-to-month, up 5 percent Year-to-date The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25), which reports economic activity from 25 companies representing a cross-section of the $900 billion equipment finance sector, showed their overall new business volume for July was $10.1 billion, up 2 percent year-over-year from new business volume in July 2021. Volume was down 2 percent from $10.3 billion in June. Year-to-date, cumulative new business volume was up 5 percent compared to 2021. Receivables over 30 days were 1.6 percent, up from 1.5 percent the previous month and down from 1.9 percent in the same period in 2021. Charge-offs were 0.18 percent, up from 0.15 percent the previous month and unchanged from the year-earlier period. Credit approvals totaled 78.0 percent, down from 78.1 percent in June. The total headcount for equipment finance companies was down 2.8 percent year-over-year. Separately, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s Monthly Confidence Index (MCI-EFI) in August is 50, an increase from 46.1 in July. ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta said, “Industry performance continues to show solid growth. Despite higher interest rates, continued supply chain disruptions, and higher inflation, the equipment finance industry continues to deliver value to businesses that rely on it to acquire necessary capital equipment to run their operations. Equipment finance providers leverage a positive credit environment and abundant liquidity to help these businesses grow and prosper.” Michael Romanowski, President, of Farm Credit Leasing, said, “We continue to see robust interest from agribusinesses and producers as they look to expand operations and lock in low long-term rates. Demand is outstripping supply as we continue to experience equipment delivery delays due to continued supply chain challenges. Solar leasing remains attractive, and we expect continued interest with the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act.”
Inflation-adjusted economic justification tool projects labor savings from packaging automation
Orbital wrapping machine manufacturer TAB Industries, LLC, Reading, Pa., has updated its online Economic Justification Tool to reflect surging inflation in the labor market. Raising the default hourly labor rate from $13.50/hour to $20.50/hour, the Economic Justification Tool reveals that companies upgrading from manual pallet wrapping to an automated or semi-automated TAB Wrapper Tornado orbital wrapper save $25,184.25 in total labor cost savings that recur annually versus a savings of $16,584.75 annually in prior years. Replacing stretch wrapping by hand with the patent-pending orbital wrapper cuts the pallet wrapping process from a two- or three-person job that requires approximately four minutes per pallet load into a one-person job that requires one minute or less. At 30 pallet loads daily, the entry-level TAB Wrapper Tornado Standard model cuts the total labor costs per wrapped pallet load from $3.69 to $0.46. “The higher the cost of employee compensation, the greater the savings from automating the pallet wrapping function,” says Andy Brizek, vice president of sales and marketing for the family-owned TAB Industries. The inflation-adjusted Economic Justification Tool is available to use for free at https://www.tabwrapper.com/economic-justification-chart/ The TAB Wrapper Tornado line of orbital wrapping machines automatically apply stretch wrap 360 degrees around and under the pallet and load to create a sturdy, secure, unitized load in seconds without banding, boxing, or strapping. The stretch wrappers are designed and manufactured at the company’s Reading, Pa. headquarters and delivered ready for operation with a warranty.
Crosby BlokCam upgrades Crane Camera System range with improved safety and reliability
The Crosby Group, a global provider in lifting, rigging, and load securement hardware, has launched upgrades to its popular range of Crosby BlokCam crane camera systems, including battery improvements. The updates extend the legacy of the original X2 and M3 systems, which have delivered clear enhancement of load handling in several sectors, most notably construction and renewable energy. The X2 is renowned as the industry’s first fully modular system compatible with tower cranes, while the M3 is the first fully modular camera for telescopic and mobile cranes, mainly because it can be installed in just five minutes. The Crosby Group has unveiled a series of additions and enhancements, including a new version of the X2 and M3. Most of the benefits are shared between the two systems, such as a new transmitter that can connect to up to two sensors upon request; a repeater that comes with a ball joint mount (reducing the ports required); a new sensor with integrated audio and video plug; and assembly with an improved Wi-Fi signal. X3L and M3L versions are also available with a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery and charger, compared to the NiCAD (nickel-cadmium) battery with the standard product. Key comparisons between the lighter lithium-ion and NiCAD are longer battery life, four-and-a-half hour’s recharge versus eight, and a charger versus a docking station. The lithium-ion battery also boasts a light-emitting diode (LED) to indicate charging status. Better, faster, smarter Thomas Dietvorst, Director of Crosby’s Technology Solutions division, said: “The upgraded system is better, faster, and smarter—improving safety and reliability. The game-changing BlokCam product range has been an excellent addition to the Crosby family and is a standout innovator in the portfolio, as recognized by LEEA [Lifting Equipment Engineers Association] giving us its Best Innovation Award last year. We are proud to bring these ongoing generational improvements to our growing customer base.” Following the 2021 acquisition, The Crosby Group has leveraged its global outreach to position Crosby BlokCam close to the point of use through its network of channel partners. He added: “We are thrilled to see more and more of our end users and distributors experience first-hand the benefits of the quality, ease of use, and modularity of the Crosby BlokCam systems. In addition to construction and renewables, which are widely regarded as the technology’s pioneering markets, we see continued adoption in transportation, offshore construction, nuclear, rail, mooring, and others. These products have delivered clear enhancement of load handling everywhere they’ve been used, and the user benefits are highly improved. X3L, M3L, and an upgrade package are currently available to order from The Crosby Group’s global distributor network. The X2 is renowned as the industry’s first fully modular system compatible with tower cranes. The updates extend the legacy of the original X2 and M3 systems. The Crosby Group has launched upgrades to its popular range of Crosby BlokCam crane camera systems, including battery improvements.
Cimcorp to showcase its Automated Bakery Solution at IBIE 2022
Attendees will discover how Cimcorp’s automated order fulfillment solutions help bakeries minimize lead times and maximize product freshness Cimcorp, a manufacturer and integrator of turnkey robotic order fulfillment and tire-handling solutions, announces it will be exhibiting at the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) 2022, scheduled for Sept. 17-21, in Las Vegas. At booth #7527, Cimcorp will showcase its fast, modular, scalable automated solution for optimizing bakery order fulfillment. During the show, Cimcorp will also be recognized as an honoree in the 2022 BEST in Baking Awards program. IBIE is the global grain-based food industry’s largest trade event in the Western Hemisphere, where baking professionals from all segments of the supply chain can explore the latest industry trends and innovations. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience Cimcorp’s automated bakery solution through video demonstrations. Cimcorp experts will also be on hand to discuss how automation can help industrial bakeries: Improve order speed and accuracy Maximize product freshness and shelf life Simplify food safety and sanitation Optimize space utilization Overcome labor shortages Deliver ROI for automated order fulfillment & distribution Prepare for the future Notably, Cimcorp has been named an honoree in IBIE’s BEST in Baking Awards program for 2022. Presented together with Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, the awards recognize exhibitors and suppliers that have made particularly notable achievements in their support of the baking industry. Cimcorp was recognized in the Automation & Robotics category for its innovative bakery automation solution. Cimcorp’s automation is ideal for industries like baking, where product freshness depends on the speed of order fulfillment. Its bakery solution combines buffer storage and order picking into one seamless operation, meeting high throughputs with 100-percent order accuracy. With its industry-leading gantry design, Cimcorp’s solution rapidly handles a large volume of inventory stored in standard crates, trays, and totes stacked across a high-density floor-based storage area. This design maximizes storage space, eliminates expensive racking, and makes it easy to clear the entire storage floor for sanitation. Modular and flexible, Cimcorp’s solution can be scaled up to accommodate seasonal demands as well as business growth, making it a future-proof solution. Bakeries across continents have leveraged Cimcorp’s automated bakery solution to optimize fulfillment, including Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc.®, Fazer Bakeries, and Kwik Trip. “For industrial bakeries, freshness is everything. That’s why automation is essential for staying ahead of the competition,” said Adam Gurga, National Manager of Grocery and Retail Partnerships at Cimcorp. “The speed of automation gets products to store shelves as fast as possible—even when demand spikes. Bakeries can thereby reduce spoilage, eliminate waste, and ensure consumers receive optimally fresh baked goods with maximum shelf life.” IBIE 2022 attendees are invited to book a meeting with the Cimcorp team at the company’s booth. Click here to discover more about Cimcorp’s award-winning automated solutions for the baking industry.
TA Services named winner of Food Logistics’ 2022 Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers Award
TA Services, a premier full-service logistics provider, announces that it has been named one of the winners of Food Logistics‘ 2022 Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers award. The award recognizes leading third-party logistics and cold storage providers in the cold food and beverage industry. Food Logistics is the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of products through the global cold food supply chain. “We are thrilled to be recognized as a top 3PL in the temperature-controlled space,” said Scott Schell, President and CEO, of TA Services. “We continue to expand not only the amount of services we offer but the quality of those services across North America. We are dedicated to providing the best support to our customers, and I’m thankful for a great team at TA Services that put customer service first.” For over 36 years, TA Services has been in the business of building meaningful and lasting relationships by valuing customer insight and providing solutions tailored to specific needs. Over the last 12 months, TA Services has acquired Houston, AL-based C2 Freight Resources, and Toronto, Canada-based Scout Logistics. These acquisitions have helped TA Services expand its cold-chain logistics and high-end brokerage specialization offerings for current and future customers. As a leading 3PL partner for temperature-sensitive freight, TA Services helps keep food on the table for consumers across the United States. “These past 18 months have been so challenging for U.S. supply chains. It’s the continuous bottlenecks that require fleets to re-tool and pivot accordingly. But, it’s the drivers, the fleet, the warehouses, and software/technologies that really keep today’s supply chains in line,” says Marina Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive. “These 3PLs and cold storage providers have collaborated on all facets of their operations to achieve full visibility, complete forecasting, end-to-end leverage, and the ultimate in sustainability. Now is the time to honor and celebrate those companies making magic happen behind the frontlines.” Recipients of this year’s award will be profiled in Food Logistics’ July/Aug 2022 print issue as well as online at www.FoodLogistics.com. Go to https://www.foodlogistics.com/awards to learn more about other Food Logistics’ awards.
Nucor to add Air Separation Unit at its South Carolina Sheet and Beam Mill
Nucor Corporation has announced that it will invest $200 million over a 5-year period in mill modernization projects at its Nucor Steel Berkeley division located in Huger, South Carolina. Pending permit and regulatory approvals, a portion of the capital investment will include the construction of a new air separation unit (“ASU”) for the purpose of supplying industrial gases for the mill’s steelmaking operations. When complete, the ASU will be operated by UIG LLC, a Nucor wholly owned subsidiary, that specializes in industrial gas supply. Nucor Steel Berkeley is currently supplied with industrial gases under a long-term supply agreement. This project will allow Nucor through UIG to produce and supply all the gases needed for the steel mill from the new Nucor-owned facility, both now and into the future. “Nucor acquired UIG in 2019 so that we would have the capability to build and operate our own air separation units, giving us an alternative to long-term service contracts with outside providers,” said Mike Lee, Vice President and General Manager of Nucor Steel Berkeley. “We are proud of our company’s long-time partnership with the State of South Carolina, and we are excited to continue to invest in the state where Nucor first began operating nearly 60 years ago.” The State of South Carolina provided the ASU project with a grant issued by the SC Department of Commerce Coordinating Council for Economic Development, as well as a grant from the state’s utility provider, Santee Cooper. Nucor and Berkeley County also entered into a fee-in-lieu of the tax agreement. Nucor Steel Berkeley produces up to 3.5 million tons of flat-rolled sheet and structural steel per year for a myriad of industries, including agriculture, automotive and appliance, construction, energy generation and transmission, oil and gas, heavy equipment, infrastructure, and transportation. The facility employs approximately 1000 teammates.
The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association Foundation awards five college scholarships to future transportation leaders
The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) Foundation – the educational and charitable arm of the worldwide association for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them – announced the five college students who will receive scholarships designed to support and encourage future transportation leaders in their college studies. Selected from accredited educational institutions across the country, each student will receive a $5,000 scholarship to defray the costs of pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a transportation-related field of study. One of the five scholarships was also allocated to a student attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). “We are thrilled to award these scholarships to these future leaders in transportation and mobility,” said Jim Wilson, Board Chair of the IBTTA Foundation and Senior Vice President at TransCore. “The scholarships represent the core of the IBTTA Foundation’s mission to advance programs that strengthen awareness of career opportunities and promote current and future leaders in mobility and transportation.” The 2022 IBTTA Foundation Scholarship Recipients are: Emily Mank from Preston, Md., studying for a master’s degree in civil engineering at Florida State University. Bryce Montgomery from Pacific Grove, Calif., studying for a bachelor’s degree in information technology at the University of California, Santa Cruz Jasmine Platt from Boise, Idaho, studying for a doctoral degree in public policy and administration at Boise State University. Patrice Sterling from Bluefield, W.V., studying for a bachelor’s degree in computer science at Bluefield State University. Min Joo Yoo from Los Angeles, Calif., studying for a bachelor’s degree in both aerospace engineering and accounting at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. “IBTTA recognizes the importance of supporting higher education and mentorship to strengthen our industry, which these scholarships represent,” said Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Transportation and 2022 IBTTA President. “These scholarships also reflect our commitment to fostering diversity in the industry by encouraging and supporting students attending HBCUs.” The 2022 scholarship recipients will be recognized for their achievement during a special ceremony at IBTTA’s 90th Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Austin, TX on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022.
Timken teambuilding results in donation to the Ozarks Regional YMCA
Two key businesses within The Timken Company’s Industrial Motion group, belts and chains, gave back to the local community by preparing 40 solar car kits for donation to the Ozarks Regional YMCA. “Our company understands the importance and the significance of being a good corporate citizen,” said Matt Stoneburner, general sales manager – belts and chain. “We strive to make a positive impact in the local communities where our customers and employees work and live.” Timken partnered with Impact 4 Good, a company that focuses on teambuilding programs to give back to the community. For this event, Timken selected “Go GREEN Racing.” Go Green Racing focuses on the importance of youth learning about science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), and alternative energy from an early age. During a highly energized and competitive program, teams used creativity and ingenuity to build solar cars in preparation for an exciting tournament. The event also resulted in the donation of solar car classroom kits to the Ozarks Regional YMCA. These kits allowed youth members of the YMCA to be introduced to and learn about STEM education in a hands-on manner. Timken associates provided hand-written messages of encouragement with each solar kit to motivate and inspire the children. Children from the Ozarks Regional YMCA came to surprise the participants, complete a race and thank them for the generous donation. The Ozarks Regional YMCA was established in Springfield in 1888. Their association is made up of seven family centers. Their programs, services, and initiatives enable kids to realize their potential, prepare teens for college, offer ways for families to have fun together, empower people to be healthier in spirit, mind, and body, prepare people for employment, welcome and embrace newcomers and help foster a nationwide service ethic. Their after-school programs have an academic support piece that games in core areas of math, science, and literacy. “On behalf of the Ozarks Regional YMCA, I want to thank you for the donation of the 40 solar car kits and the opportunity for our students to participate in your event,” said Megan Outersky, executive director of school age services – Ozarks Regional YMCA. “This could be what grabs a child’s attention and leads them into a career of STEM…and possibly an engineer with Timken!” Following the event and donation of solar car kits, Timken will be donating an additional $2,500 to support the Ozarks Regional YMCA after-school programs and initiatives.
125 young people embark on careers with the KION Group
This year the intralogistics Group is offering career prospects in its 19 apprenticeships and 13 dual study programs Around 500 young people, including new starters, are currently undergoing training with German companies within the KION Group The early stages of the 2022 training program are all about team building The application and selection process for the 2023 training year is already underway This summer 125 young people will get their first taste of working life with German companies within the KION Group. 110 of them are embarking on training programs across 19 different professions, while 15 people will complete dual studies in one of the 13 study programs on offer. The KION Group—including its brands Linde Material Handling, STILL, and Dematic as well as KION Group IT—currently employs a total of around 500 trainees and students. “With its portfolio of strong brands, the KION Group is an attractive employer for young people starting out in their careers. Training these youngsters is one of our top priorities,” says Bernhard Just, Executive Vice President of Human Resources KION GROUP AG. “Both sides reap the rewards long term: Apprentices and students receive high-level training, while the company secures talent for the future. This is particularly important for our competitiveness.” Team-Building Trip to Austria From industrial mechanics and technical model makers to production engineers, all training programs related to system solutions, forklift trucks, and warehouse handling equipment are run by Linde Material Handling. “In cooperation with Linde Hydraulics, we have 58 junior employees starting here: 29 apprentices in industrial-technical professions (a further eight at Linde Hydraulics), nine aspiring managers, and three people at KION Group IT. There are also nine students on a dual study program,” says Christopher Klix, Training Manager at Linde MH in Aschaffenburg. “All trainees will be taken on for at least a year after the end of their training program.” September 1, 2022, will see trainees and students congregate in Aschaffenburg, where they will be welcomed by both company representatives and the works council. Afterward, trainees will get the opportunity to meet their trainers. In addition, there will be tours of the plant for newcomers to get better acquainted with the Linde MH headquarters and familiarize themselves with their working environment. After this settling-in period, trainees and students will have the opportunity to take part in a very special team-building exercise, as they head off to Kleinwalsertal in Austria for a week of experiential education. A Forklift Construction Workshop for the Future Experts STILL has won multiple accolades in recent years for its excellent training program. Trainees are closely supervised from the very beginning to ensure they get off to a flying start. In 2022, a total of 64 trainees and students are embarking on careers at STILL: In Hamburg, there are 35 junior employees (29 trainees and six students on dual study programs), including 23 in technical professions, four warehouse logistics specialists, and two industrial clerks. In the branch offices, there are 29 new starters, made up of 24 mechatronics engineers and five industrial clerks. The onboarding process for trainees and students takes place over three stages in 2022, kicking off with joint team days. “On September 1, all trainees in Germany will be welcomed together. The event will also be broadcast live throughout the branches,” says Jan Wehlen, Training Manager at STILL’s site in Hamburg. “The day will finish with a communal barbecue.” The following two days are dedicated to team building and initial technical training. “People are especially looking forward to the forklift construction workshop,” adds Wehlen. In early October, all the trainees will spend a week working together in mixed groups, focusing on the forklift truck as a product and on interacting as a team. To round off the training, they are tasked with leading a presentation on everything they have learned. STILL also boasts an impressive retention rate: “Out of 36 trainees and students, 35 were offered employment and one was enrolled on a dual study program—so our quota for 2022 is almost 100%,” says Wehlen. Applications for 2023 The application and selection process for the 2023 training year is already underway. More information on training, dual study programs, and career opportunities at a leading intralogistics provider can be found on the KION Group website or on the career portal of our subsidiaries, Linde Material Handling, STILL, and Dematic. https://www.kiongroup.com/en/Careers/Apprenticeships/ https://www.linde-mh.de/de/Ueber-uns/Arbeiten-bei-Linde/Ausbildung/ https://www.still.de/en-DE/job-career/training-integrated-degree-program/your-training-program-at-still.html https://www.dematic.com/de-de/ueber/karriere/
JLG releases new Whitepaper on use cases for Augmented Reality
JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and a global manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers, has published a new whitepaper “Augmented Reality Solves Two Common Challenges on Construction Job Sites,” offering four use case scenarios that highlight how augmented reality (AR) can streamline project planning, simplify ordering/renting JLG® equipment and provide guidance on machine functions and proper usage. The whitepaper is now available for download on JLG® #DirectAccess. “JLG’s AR app is designed to help users find the answers to the questions they have,” says Ara Eckel, Director of Product Management – Connected Solutions, JLG, “but because this technology is still relatively new to the industry, many aren’t aware of how it can be used in everyday operations. This whitepaper provides an in-depth look at how augmented reality can assist with 1) Sizing and configuring equipment and 2) Helping operators better understand and use their machines.” Because JLG’s AR app is specifically designed for use on real-world job sites, the whitepaper walks through multiple scenarios to highlight how the JLG AR app saves users time and money by: Helping rental store branch managers identify the right machine for a renter’s project the first time, reducing guesswork and the duplication of logistics and rental paperwork. Enabling renters to quickly refresh operators on “how to operate” the machines by accessing relevant operational guidance right from their phones, rather than searching online or through equipment manuals. Having the decal viewer available in 20+ languages reduces the time for their service techs to identify what might be occurring with that specific machine when they arrive on a job site. “With the recent updates to the JLG AR app, we significantly evolved the tool to provide more value by increasing users’ productivity with it,” Eckel finishes. “This new whitepaper illustrates to our app users how they can confidently select the right machines and accessories for the job, navigate the virtual machines around their job sites to confirm planning, and access additional educational resources for more efficient machine operation.” To download a free copy of “Augmented Reality Solves Two Common Challenges on Construction Job Sites,” click here.
U.S. Rail Traffic for the week ending August 27, 2022
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 27, 2022. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 511,574 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.4 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending August 27 were 242,633 carloads, up 3.4 percent compared with the same week in 2021, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 268,941 containers and trailers, down 0.3 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 5,893 carloads, to 74,295; grain, up 2,224 carloads, to 19,458; and motor vehicles and parts, up 1,323 carloads, to 14,624. Commodity groups that posted decreases compared with the same week in 2021 included petroleum and petroleum products, down 1,228 carloads, to 9,642; metallic ores and metals, down 660 carloads, to 23,112; and forest products, down 419 carloads, to 9,834. For the first 34 weeks of 2022, U.S. railroads reported a cumulative volume of 7,849,281 carloads, up 0.1 percent from the same point last year; and 8,976,594 intermodal units, down 5.3 percent from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 34 weeks of 2022 was 16,825,875 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 2.9 percent compared to last year. North American rail volume for the week ending August 27, 2022, on 12 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 340,747 carloads, up 2.4 percent compared with the same week last year, and 359,832 intermodal units, up 0.7 percent compared with last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 700,579 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.5 percent. North American rail volume for the first 34 weeks of 2022 was 22,997,308 carloads and intermodal units, down 2.7 percent compared with 2021. Canadian railroads reported 76,361 carloads for the week, up 1.8 percent, and 74,570 intermodal units, up 3.8 percent compared with the same week in 2021. For the first 34 weeks of 2022, Canadian railroads reported a cumulative rail traffic volume of 4,897,939 carloads, containers, and trailers, down 3 percent. Mexican railroads reported 21,753 carloads for the week, down 6.3 percent compared with the same week last year, and 16,321 intermodal units, up 4.3 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 34 weeks of 2022 was 1,273,494 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 1 percent from the same point last year. To view rail traffic charts, click here.
Episode 311: The Cannabis Industry with DIZPOT
The cannabis industry is growing at an unprecedented rate, and with that growth comes the need for innovative technology solutions. DIZPOT is one such company that provides packaging and logistics and a platform to help manage costs and mitigate risk in the cannabis industry. John Hartsell, CEO of DIZPOT, joins Kevin on this episode of the New Warehouse podcast to discuss all things cannabis-related, including branding and packaging needs for a highly regulated market. Be sure to check out this episode to learn more about what DIZPOT is doing for the cannabis industry and logistics! Key Takeaways John shares that as the cannabis industry has consolidated, license holders have increased their multi-state operations to nearly all legal markets. John notes that each state has disparate commercialization, rules, and compliance regulations, creating a need for different packaging and compliance information. John predicts with the legalization of cannabis at the federal level, we could see a situation where there are centralized locations for the cultivation, processing, and sale of cannabis. When this happens, John believes many existing cultivation centers will likely expand and become centralized locations for distribution. This would allow for interstate commerce of cannabis and would make it easier for people to access legal cannabis. The cannabis industry is growing at an unprecedented rate, and with that growth comes the need for innovative technology solutions. John shares how automation plays a crucial role in the packaging and extraction of cannabis. John believes that to support continued growth, we need support for small businesses to upgrade and update their equipment to be manufacturing more goods in the United States, as well as improve port infrastructure to keep pace with other locations in Asia, Africa, and South America. A new division of DIZPOT is DIZLOGIC, a 3PL and freight forwarding software for international transport services. It improves the transparency of where products are today in transit, mitigating risk when they become retail items. DIZLOGIC covers logistics from production and manufacturing through the market, providing valuable information to help target demographics geographically. John also shares the intelligence of the DIZLOGIC platform and how it helps manage costs for those in the cannabis industry. The New Warehouse Podcast Episode 311: The Cannabis Industry with DIZPOT
Columbia/Okura celebrates 1000th palletizing system
Columbia/Okura LLC marked the milestone of shipping our 1,000th robotic palletizer. They have designed and commissioned many successful palletizing systems, handling a massive range of products across dozens of industries worldwide. From bag palletizing systems in abusive and harsh environments to high-speed, multi-robot, multi-picking case applications, Columbia/Okura has handled almost any type of product packaging in virtually any application. To celebrate the occasion and thank employees for their hard work, Columbia/Okura supplied lunch from Smokin’ Oak, a local barbeque restaurant in Vancouver, WA. Over the past 26 years, their team has gathered for every one-hundred robot sold milestone, celebrating with lunch and a team photo with the robot. However, due to COVID-19, in-person celebrations have been canceled for the last milestones–900th systems sold–making this in-person celebration of 1,000 robots even better. The 1,000th system will be sent to their customer in North Carolina, Cherry Farms Seed Co., with a unique crest on the arm to denote it is our 1,000th robot. The system includes the Ai1800 robot, sheet presenter, pallet dispenser, bag end-effector, bag infeed, station conveyor, and a gravity pickup conveyor. Our customer will also receive a framed copy of our staff photo with the system to commemorate the occasion.