JLG captures two category wins at 2022 IAPA awards
JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and leading global manufacturer of mobile elevating working platforms and telehandlers, is pleased to announce it has won two 2022 IAPA Awards. The company was shortlisted for both awards earlier this year in the “Product of the Year” categories — for its DaVinci® all-electric scissor lift and 670SJ self-leveling boom lift. Karel Huijser, JLG’s general manager and vice president in the EMEA region, commented; “We are extremely proud to receive this level of recognition from our peers in the industry. Our company was born from a single vision: ‘To provide people with a safer way to work at height.’ Since 1969, we have continued to innovate in the spirit of this vision, bringing to market the products and technologies that drive the access industry forward.” WINNER: 670SJ Self-Leveling Boom – Product of the Year Boom Lift category The JLG® 670SJ self-leveling boom lift is a first of its kind that is changing the way people work at height. Equipped with JLG’s exclusive and patented self-leveling technology, the 670SJ is engineered to automatically adapt to terrain on slopes up to 10-degrees in any direction, while driving with full functionality at a class-leading 67-ft platform height. The machine offers a 73-ft work height, 57-ft horizontal reach, and 550-lb unrestricted/750-lb restricted capacity. The 670SJ’s self-leveling technology is designed to adjust the boom lift’s chassis to the ground conditions — rather than having to adjust the ground conditions to the machine. This allows the 670SJ to navigate uneven terrain while driving at height from one job to the other without lowering the boom, for greater productivity. The 670SJ boasts three operating modes to maximize transportability on-site or on the road. Self-leveling mode enables the machine to work at full height, with full functionality, on slopes up to 10-degrees. Travel mode can be used when the boom is stowed to move across the job site at a faster rate of speed. And shipping mode allows the entire machine to be lowered once in position on a truck, reducing its travel height. All of these features are made possible through the machine’s advanced control system. This system continuously receives performance data from various sensors on the machine, then displays the information through a digital display and selectable screen interface in the platform during operation, helping users understand what’s happening at ground level while working at height. JLG’s self-leveling technology offers a host of benefits for machine operators and their support crews, including reducing (and in some cases eliminating) the prep work required to level the work area. That means no more pre-grading the site or constructing laborious cribbing before work can begin. The 670SJ also eliminates the trial and effort of repositioning a boom lift to find a level work area. This helps operators get into position and up to the work area quicker, maximizes reach capabilities, and reduces the need for larger, higher reaching lifts onsite as a backup for added reach when uneven ground conditions exist. WINNER: DaVinci AE1932 Lift – Product of the Year Scissor Lift Category The DaVinci AE1932 scissor lift features zero hydraulics to help eliminate job site leaks and zero emissions to help control job site pollution. Every component on the DaVinci lift is fully optimized, including the control, lift, drive, and steering systems, to reduce the machine’s energy consumption by up to 70% as compared to a traditional 19-ft scissor lift. This reduced energy consumption allows for the use of a single, lithium-ion battery that can last up to 10-years. The DaVinci lift uses a distributed architecture where the lift, drive, and steer systems are connected independently, helping reduce voltage drops and latency, while enabling the control system to connect to and communicate with each directly. Because the control system is fully connected to the entire machine, the DaVinci scissor lift can transmit data back to operators, fleet managers,er and service technicians via Bluetooth and cellular networks. This sets the stage for new features like the DaVinciGo app. This app provides real-time machine health and battery status information, as well as the ability for service technicians to perform remote diagnostics and push over-the-air software updates. The drive system has permanent magnets which generate torque and create motion to spin the motor. It is estimated that permanent magnet performance can on average increase the efficiency of a motor by up to 20-30%. Motors with permanent magnets have a long life and require zero serviceability. For smooth operation, the independent controllers of the steering system are designed to help reduce tire scrubbing on job sites, which helps control tire wear and limits damage to sensitive flooring. The AE1932’s steering system allows operators to maneuver the machine into and around, narrow-access and space-restricted areas to get work done where it’s needed. The lift system is designed with an electromechanical lift actuator, replacing the more traditional hydraulic cylinder design. Since there are no hydraulics, the AE1932 does not leak, which means it can be used without leak protection. This system is also engineered to recover energy as the platform descends, sending it back to the battery to help maximize use between charges. The DaVinci lift can be fully charged in as little as 3-1/2 hours and opportunity charged in 5 minutes or less for 100-ft of drive, plus enough torque for loading. The AE1932 has a 4-mph travel speed, which is up to 2x faster than a traditional scissor lift, along with an indoor/outdoor 606-lb capacity rating. A progressive elevated drive speed feature slows the unit down as it elevates, instead of defaulting to 0.5 mph like a standard scissor lift. The machine has a compact footprint, weighs 3,450-lb, and offers 25% gradeability. It comes standard with JLG Mobile Control, allowing users to drive, steer and load for transport the scissor lift from an iOS or Android mobile device. The IAPA Award ceremony was held on March 10th in London
How Light Curtains brighten employee safety in industrial plants
At first glance, a simple beam of infrared light would seem ineffective protection against fast-moving, dangerous industrial machinery. After all, isn’t that what heavy-duty steel guards are for? Yet, these beams of infrared light, when utilized as a component of “safety light curtains,” have prevented thousands of employee injuries and saved countless lives. Unlike other types of more bulky safeguards, such as physical barriers, light curtains make it easier to access equipment while performing maintenance or semi-automatic processes that require human interaction. Whether they are used to reduce exposure to point-of-operation hazards, or as a perimeter guarding device, being lightweight and compact makes light curtains ideal for machinery, robots, or areas that require frequent access for purposes of material feeding, maintenance, repair, setup, or the need to be adapted quickly to layout changes on a plant floor. Light curtains are defined as being presence-sensing optoelectronic devices and are often used as a component within an overall safety system in meeting nationally recognized safety regulations and standards, such as OSHA or ANSI (B11.19-2019). The most common application of light curtains is to detect people or objects passing through a perimeter boundary, or close to protect from direct contact with a machine’s point-of-operation. “Point of Operation” in this instance refers to where production material is being positioned for punching, bending, cutting, machining or where any type of hazardous motion is present. This is why light curtains are installed onto power presses and metal forming machines to protect the operator’s hands or fingers from crush injuries. Transmitters and Receivers Although light curtains come in a wide variety of designs, the two common features that make them alike are a transmitter and receiver. Transmitters units have a series of LEDs that emit an array of synchronized, parallel infrared light beams to a separate receiver unit on the other end. The receiver has a corresponding array of photo-diodes that automatically synchronize with the transmitter LEDs, in effect, “receiving” the pulses. Receiver circuitry is designed to detect only the specific pulse and frequency designated for it, preventing external light sources from being sensed. These systems can be mounted vertically, horizontally, or at any angle depending on the application. The only requirement is that the transmitter must align with the receiver when installed. It is important to note that light curtains differ from other photoelectric sensors in that they have self-monitoring circuitry. When photoelectric cells from the transmitter are interrupted by an opaque object, this event triggers an output signal that is typically fed to a safety relay device delivering redundant protection. For example, if a person steps into a prohibited zone, this safety relay would signal to the machine to stop anywhere in its cycle or stroke to prevent a potentially catastrophic accident. Light curtains should only be used on machinery that can be quickly stopped anywhere within the machine’s cycle, and should never be used on any machine with a full-revolution clutch. Once tripped, conscious action is required on behalf of the operator to restart the machine cycle after the source of the light curtain interruption is addressed. Prior Action Stations must be located outside yet within view of the protected area to prevent the inadvertent automatic or continuous resumption of the machine. Depending on the light curtain and its application, a separate enclosure may hold various diagnostic indicators, power supply, user controls, and control logic that cannot be installed within the receiver. Another light curtain design worth noting is an “active-passive system” consisting of two unique devices. One both emits and receives beams while the other device essentially acts as a mirror to deflect the beams back to the receiver. While this approach minimizes overall costs and wiring, an active-passive system reduces the intensity of the light beam and therefore normally has a much shorter operating range than a standard system. Mirrors will reduce the operating range of a light curtain by up to 18% per mirror, depending on the type of mirror installed. Blanking & Muting As mentioned earlier, light curtains come in a wide variety of resolutions and IP ratings. Other more advanced features have to do with minimizing the disruption to factory flow caused by machinery being completely shut down when light beams detect an obstruction. Two worth noting are “blanking” and “muting” — two terms that are frequently used interchangeably yet incorrectly. Muting is the temporary automatic suspension of the entire curtain while a non-hazardous portion of the machine cycle is being performed, for example, during a press’s upstroke. Blanking is more complex. Instead of muting the entire sensing field, blanking is the bypassing of only a portion of it, leaving the rest of the light curtain active. Blanking finds utility when the material is fed through the sensing field while the machine is in motion. Obviously, care must be taken to ensure the operator’s hands, fingers or arms cannot fit through the blanked portion. Minimum Safety Distance When utilizing a light curtain as a point-of-hazard safeguarding device, it is important to know and understand the stopping time of your machine. Both OSHA, ANSI, and ISO all provide formulas to calculate the safe mounting distance of a light curtain based on the stopping time of your machine. OSHA’s formula is the base requirement, while ANSI and ISO formulas represent best safety practices, and generally result in more than a 10% increase in safe mounting distance. Light Curtain Resolution The resolution of a safety light curtain is its detection capability measured as the amount of separation between its laser beams. Higher-resolution light curtains improve the detection capability that can sometimes allow for the light curtain to be safely mounted closer to a hazard. While a 14mm resolution is ideal for finger detection and can be deployed closer to the source of hazardous motion, a lower 25-30mm resolution is all that is required for hand detection. Rockford Systems strongly recommends a risk assessment prior to any light curtain installation. Status Indicator Lights Light curtains often feature status indicators clearly visible from a
KEEN Utility Birmingham keeps feet cool and supported
With a breathable engineered mesh upper, KEEN Utility’s new Birmingham is a work shoe ready to keep the feet cool and supported when conditions heat up. Product highlights include a lightweight, compression-resisting KEEN.ReGEN midsole that returns 50% more energy than standard EVA foam and a KonnectFit heel-capture system provides a secure, locked-in feel. Additionally, a 100% non-metallic construction allows for easy passage for workers who may be required to go through metal detectors on the job. At the same time, the Birmingham does not sacrifice when it comes to safety. Features include asymmetrical carbon fiber toes that are 15% lighter than steel while offering a more unobtrusive fit as well as oil and slip-resistant, non-marking rubber outsole. The Birmingham will be available in two different colorways for men.
EP 263: Bonnie Plants
On this episode, I was joined by the Director of E-commerce Operations & Fulfillment at Bonnie Plants, Sid Phelps. Bonnie Plants provides all of the pre-grown vegetable plants that you would find at places like Lowe’s and Home Depot. We discuss Bonnie Plants distribution model, how they developed a robust e-commerce business for live plants, and some career advice from Sid. Key Takeaways Bonnie Plants has been in business for 104 years bringing live plants to retail outlets for consumers to plant in their gardens and enjoy. Dealing with live plants creates a unique distribution model which includes greenhouses where the plants are grown and stored. Sid explains how there are main distribution centers and then smaller substations which allow the plants to be close to the point of sale and also stay in the proper environments to maximize their life and quality. We also discuss how the life cycle of the plant works into their distribution flow as it starts from a seed and grows to the retail stage. As you can imagine there are multiple challenges when dealing with live plants versus dry goods. Not only is it challenging to deliver them to retail outlets and ensure they are ready just at the right part of the season there is also an added layer when it comes to their e-commerce operation. Sid was one of the main individuals at Bonnie who helped develop their e-commerce business and explains how the biggest challenge was finding the right package. You can tell from the way Sid talks about this that Bonnie Plants has the customer experience top of mind which is such an important part of e-commerce. Sid has been with Bonnie Plants for 22 years and as he explains started in his teens as a greenhouse laborer doing whatever job needed to be done. He has since worked his way up to his current position. I asked him what his career advice would be and he advised that the most important thing to do is to get experience on the floor and do the tough jobs. He explains that doing this allows you to better understand the processes and ensures that when you are leading people you can ask them to do things knowing that you would be willing or have done them yourself in the past. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 263: Bonnie Plants
Meet with Flexcon’s solutions exports at MODEX 2022
Avoid a costly container mistake. Many don’t realize the heavy costs of making the wrong choices when it comes to their containers, bulk boxes, dividers and plastic pallets. Poor cube utilization, system failures, inefficiencies and workplace injuries are just a few of the costs of choosing bad containers. Talk to Flexcon’s solutions experts before your next investment. They’ll be on hand at booth #B7411 at MODEX to walk you through the 5-point roadmap to container perfection and show you the innovations you can leverage.
Hubbell Incorporated Recognized as One of the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies
Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE: HUBB) has been recognized as one of the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere. This is the second time Hubbell has achieved this recognition. Hubbell’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gerben Bakker stated, “We are honored to be listed among the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the second consecutive year. This recognition evidences the strong ethical culture that Hubbell’s employees demonstrate every day. Acting with integrity is a core part of our values and at Hubbell, how we do our work is just as important as the results we achieve.” In 2022, 136 companies were recognized, spanning 22 countries and 45 industries. Ethisphere’s assessment process focuses on culture, environmental and social practices, ethics and compliance activities, governance, diversity, and initiatives to support a strong value chain. The process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify the leading practices of organizations across industries and around the globe. “Today, business leaders face their greatest mandate yet to be ethical, accountable, and trusted to drive positive change,” said Ethisphere CEO, Timothy Erblich. “We continue to be inspired by the World’s Most Ethical Companies honorees and their dedication to integrity, sustainability, governance, and community. Congratulations to Hubbell for earning the World’s Most Ethical Companies designation.” The full list of the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies can be found at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees. About Hubbell Incorporated Hubbell Incorporated is a leading manufacturer of utility and electrical solutions enabling customers to operate critical infrastructure safely, reliably, and efficiently. With 2021 revenues of $4.2 billion, Hubbell solutions empower and energize communities in front of and behind the meter. The corporate headquarters is located in Shelton, CT.
ORBIS BRINGS THE LATEST IN AUTOMATED AND SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS TO MODEX 2022
ORBIS® Corporation, an international leader in reusable packaging, will highlight the intersection of automation with sustainability in reusable packaging solutions at this year’s MODEX show, Booth B8419. ORBIS offers a variety of packaging solutions— including reusable plastic pallets, totes, bulk containers and metal solutions — and services that help supply chains find efficiencies, improve the flow of product and increase sustainability, all while reducing costs. ORBIS is exhibiting at this year’s show held in Atlanta, March 28-31. A prominent feature of the booth will be reusable containers and pallets optimized for automated systems. The booth will highlight the importance of increasing supply chain sustainability by showcasing reusable packaging solutions that can be manufactured, used, reused and reprocessed without impacting the solid waste stream. In addition to promoting the role reusables play in driving the circular economy concept, the booth will emphasize the importance in choosing the right container in the design of automated systems. “As supply chains evolve and the adoption of modern storage systems increases across all industries, we’re committed to delivering our customers reusable packaging solutions that meet the needs of automated systems while also supporting supply chain sustainability,” said Bob Petersen, VP of marketing and product management at ORBIS Corporation. “From primary packaging applications to e-commerce, automotive and more, we offer a variety of packaging solutions that help our customers keep up with today’s demands while reducing their impact on the planet.” With sustainability, e-commerce and automation top of mind for today’s supply chain managers, the ORBIS booth will showcase a variety of packaging solutions and programs for primary packaging, retail, automotive and industrial operations, including: E-commerce solutions for in-store and distribution centers From pick-to-order and order staging to curbside delivery and merchandising, ORBIS offers solutions for all aspects of e-commerce fulfillment. These versatile packaging solutions provide transportation efficiencies as they are stackable and nestable, and ease the picking process for associates by reducing touches, maximizing order quantity, ensuring fast and accurate delivery, and more. OpteBulk™ systems An optimal replacement for single-use fiber corrugated boxes and wooden pallets, the OpteBulk™ system is a pallet, sleeve and top cap system designed to efficiently handle and transport products in a wide variety of industries. Ideal for both manual and automated environments, the OpteBulk system offers sustainability, transportation and cost-saving benefits. The new 6-fold sleeve pack is optimized specifically for the manufacturing and transportation of primary packaging products, including beverage preforms, caps and closures, and blown bottle applications. 40×48 Odyssey® pallet The 40×48 Odyssey® pallet provides stability with unique design features, including optional steel reinforcements and molded-in frictional elements. These elements minimize load shifting, do not damage cases or product, and prevent pallet slippage off fork equipment. The Odyssey pallet is also a highly durable and sustainable solution, with 36 times the life span of a 40×48-inch whitewood stringer pallet, according to a recent study. In FasTrack life-cycle analysis testing, the Odyssey plastic pallet completed 400 cycles through the supply chain without failure, compared with the wood pallet’s 11 cycles. PlastiCorr® reusable plastic box PlastiCorr® reusable plastic box is a direct replacement for corrugated fiber boxes with identical functionality and enhanced features. This sustainable solution works seamlessly with existing automated packaging lines and is ideal for food, beverage and CPG applications. The patented design of the PlastiCorr box allows the box’s flaps to fold and straighten like new every time, allowing PlastiCorr reusable plastic boxes to be reused over 70 times with no change to pack count or pallet configurations. ORBIShield® protective dunnage ORBIShield dunnage is designed to protect unique vehicle parts during transit, assembly and storage using a variety of foam, rigid and fabric materials. The PolySilk™ nonwoven center fabric is ideal for soft divider sets, hanging bags used for lightweight parts, and protection for extra-delicate Class-A components, chrome and painted parts. Composed of extruded polypropylene, Lite Foam™ dunnage offers uniform strength and eliminates the ribbing effect seen in other lightweight dunnage materials. The design versatility of Lite Foam dunnage allows for multiapplication use — making it ideal for the automotive supply chain. StakPak® Plus container The StakPak® Plus tote adds various collar sizes to increase a container’s height to accommodate unique-shaped parts commonly found in the industrial and automotive supply chains. These containers take all the best attributes of the traditional StakPak container, including reusability and cost savings, and combine them with customized heights to increase container capacity. In addition, all StakPak Plus totes are fully compatible with existing totes in the industry. Other products for the industrial supply chain will also be on hand, including the AdjustaPak™ sliding dunnage, the collapsible 48 x45 BulkPak® containers and electrostatic discharge safe packaging. At MODEX 2022, ORBIS will offer two presentations: Optimizing In-Store and Warehouse Operations for E-Commerce with Reusable Packaging; March 28; 1:30 p.m. Speaker: Andrea Nottestad, senior product manager Location: DC Velocity’s Transportation & Logistics Theater Drive Automated System Uptime with Reusable Totes; March 29; 2:15 p.m. Speaker: Andrea Nottestad, senior product manager Location: Theater B Visit ORBIS at MODEX 2022, Booth B8419, to learn more, or go to orbiscorporation.com. For members of the media interested in visiting the ORBIS booth and speaking with one of our experts, please contact Kate Daniels at [email protected]. About ORBIS Corporation With more than 170 years of material handling expertise and 65 years of plastics innovations, ORBIS helps world-class customers move their product faster, safer and more cost-effectively with reusable totes, pallets, containers, dunnage and racks. Using a proven approach, ORBIS experts analyze customers’ systems, design a solution and execute a reusable packaging program for longer-term cost savings and sustainability. Using life-cycle assessments to compare reusable and single-use packaging, ORBIS also helps customers reduce their overall environmental impact. ORBIS is a part of Menasha Corporation, one of the oldest family-owned manufacturers in the United States. As a steward of sustainability, ORBIS is committed to a better world for future generations. Headquartered in Oconomowoc, ORBIS has more than 2,500 employees and 55 locations throughout North America and Europe. For more information, please visit www.orbiscorporation.com, www.facebook.com/ORBISCorporation, www.twitter.com/orbiscorp, https://www.linkedin.com/company/orbiscorporation or www.youtube.com/orbiscorp.
EnerSys® Receives Consecutive MHEDA Most Valuable Supplier Award in 2022
EnerSys® (NYSE:ENS), the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, has again earned the prestigious Most Valuable Supplier (MVS) Award from the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) in 2022. Every year, MHEDA recognizes fewer than 10 percent of all member companies with the MVS Award to acknowledge suppliers that have demonstrated a strong commitment to their dealer network, employees and the community. “It is rewarding for EnerSys® to again receive the MHEDA MVS Award,” said Chad Uplinger, Vice President, Motive Power Americas at EnerSys. “This award is not only a testament to the productive relationship that we’ve built with our distributors, but also exemplifies our commitment to the industry to provide training and educational resources for safer, more productive operations. Our thanks to MHEDA for continuing to be an invaluable resource in the material handling industry.” To qualify for the 2022 MVS Award, EnerSys® was required to meet a series of criteria in several key areas of Industry Advocacy, Distributor Advocacy, Business Networking, Continuing Education and Business Best Practices. In addition to confirming an ongoing commitment to safety and employee training, award recipients also provided documentation of active participation in a program that “gives back” to the community. “Achieving the MVP Award demonstrates a company’s dedication to constantly improving the material handling industry,” said Tom Albero, Chairman and CEO of Alliance Material Handling Inc. and 2022 MHEDA Chairman. “It is an honor and privilege for MHEDA to have so many companies achieve this award that requires continual improvement in customer and employee satisfaction and never-ending education of our industry throughout your organization.” For more information about EnerSys and its full line of products, systems, and support, visit www.enersys.com. ABOUT ENERSYS® EnerSys, the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, manufactures and distributes energy systems solutions and motive power batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor equipment enclosure solutions to customers worldwide. Energy Systems, which combine enclosures, power conversion, power distribution and energy storage, are used in the telecommunication, broadband and utility industries, uninterruptible power supplies, and numerous applications. Motive power batteries and chargers are utilized in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric powered vehicles requiring stored energy solutions. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, large over-the-road trucks, premium automotive, medical and security systems applications. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in over 100 countries through its sales and manufacturing locations around the world. With the NorthStar acquisition, EnerSys has solidified its position as the market leader for premium Thin Plate Pure Lead batteries which are sold across all three lines of business. More information regarding EnerSys can be found at www.enersys.com. SUSTAINABILITY Sustainability at EnerSys is about more than just the benefits and impacts of our products. Our commitment to sustainability encompasses many important environmental, social and governance issues. Sustainability is a fundamental part of how we manage our own operations. Minimizing our environmental footprint is a priority. Sustainability is our commitment to our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. Our products facilitate positive environmental, social and economic impacts around the world. To learn more visit: https://www.enersys.com/en/about-us/sustainability/. ABOUT MHEDA The Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) is the premier trade association dedicated to serving all segments of the material handling business community. MHEDA represents close to 600 companies in the material handling equipment business. Located in suburban Chicago, the association provides services to companies seeking to improve their business through education, networking, benchmarking and best practices. For more information, visit www.mheda.org. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements EnerSys is making this statement in order to satisfy the “Safe Harbor” provision contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any of the statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may include forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. A forward-looking statement predicts, projects, or uses future events as expectations or possibilities. Forward-looking statements may be based on expectations concerning future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties relating to operations and the economic environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements, please see our risk factors as disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by EnerSys on its website or otherwise. EnerSys does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.
JLT Mobile Computers to showcase extensive lineup of rugged mobile IT solutions at MODEX 2022
Booth highlights include the popular JLT6012™ series of rugged forklift mounted computers that are now available in dedicated Android™ and Windows™ versions to give customers full flexibility to choose the best operating system fit for their specific environment. JLT Mobile Computers, a leading developer of reliable computing solutions for demanding environments, announces it will be presenting an extensive spectrum of rugged mobile computers and accessories as well as end-to-end IT solutions for the supply chain, manufacturing and distribution industries at MODEX 2022 in Atlanta Georgia, March 28-31, Booth #C8087. Complementing the breadth of JLT’s own booth display will be partner exhibits by Winmate and International Barcoding. This year’s booth highlight is the acclaimed JLT6012™ series of rugged vehicle-mount computers, which now comprises a new and dedicated Android version (JLT6012A™) in addition to the already highly popular JLT6012™ unit with support for the Windows operating system. These high-end forklift terminals offer a unique combination of ruggedness, processing, and wireless connectivity performance to sustain reliable operation in less-than-optimal conditions. “At SSAB we pride ourselves in our commitment to not only performance but also sustainability,” said Klas Lundåsen, IT Technician at long-standing JLT customer SSAB Common IT Service. “That goes for our specialized products and services, and it also goes for third party products we use in our organization. Our relationship with JLT started in 2003 and their products have been up and running with an almost non-existent failure rate ever since then. The latest addition JLT6012 computers fit right in; they’re built to last.” Also on display at MODEX will be JLT’s other vehicle-mounts, the company’s broad lineup of rugged handheld and rugged tablet computers, as well as barcode scanners that make JLT a one-stop-shop provider for all rugged mobile computer needs where mobility and wireless connectivity and complete service and support are key. Two notable rugged wireless mobility devices on display at the JLT MODEX booth are the ultra-slim and lightweight MT3010A™ Android and MT2010P™ Windows tablets. Featuring state-of-the-art wireless technology to ensure reliable connectivity under any conditions, they put data directly and conveniently into the hands of the warehouse workforce, enabling them to make decisions on the fly as Modern Materials Handling editor Gary Forger aptly put it in a recent article. With over 25 years of experience in developing, manufacturing, and installing rugged IT solutions, a dedicated software development branch and a global network of strategic partners, JLT is in a unique position to address each customer’s individual needs by offering a full spectrum of high-quality hardware, software, and services. As a trusted, well-established solutions provider, JLT offers customers: 24-7-365 performance: Today’s warehouses depend on reliable IT systems to keep goods moving. IT break downs and inefficiency are unacceptable. This is where JLT’s decades of expertise come into play with products designed from the ground up for demanding warehouse environments and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by warehouse operators. Like no other, JLT ensures that deployed devices have seamless coverage and integrate smoothly with existing systems. Warehouse workhorses: JLT has the latest Android as well as traditional Windows vehicle-mount, tablet, and handheld computers, ensuring the right fit for every warehouse use. The popular JLT6012 series – which includes the well-received new Android 10 based JLT6012A rugged vehicle-mount terminal (see professional review) – presents unparalleled functionality as a flexible platform for developing innovative hardware, software and services for the needs of today and tomorrow. Maintenance costs are minimal, wear and tear prone components can be easily serviced, and software upgraded remotely. Other JLT warehouse workhorses are the reliable JLT1214N™ and JLT1214P™ computers, which are deployed worldwide by major warehouse operators to increase uptime and efficiency. Going the extra mile: What sets JLT apart is the dependability and extent of their services and support. JLT is on hand to help customers solve their toughest business challenges every step of the way, and offers in JLT:Care™ a no-questions-asked service agreement with clear levels of coverage, known turnaround times, and zero exclusions. State-of-the-art technology: Technology advances at a rapid pace, and JLT stays ahead of the game with productivity-enhancing updates and upgrades. Stay tuned for impending JLT6012 product line upgrade announcements in processing power, battery, as well as wireless communication technology and performance! To schedule a meeting during the MODEX 2022 show in Atlanta go here, or visit www.jltmobile.com to learn more about JLT Mobile Computers as a solutions provider.
PACK EXPO East is Back and Bigger than Ever Before
The PACK EXPO East 2022 (March 21-23, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia) show floor will be the biggest in its history, according to show producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. Booth space sales have surpassed any of the previous PACK EXPO East events, and attendee registration is also keeping pace with the 2020 show. Click here for up-to-date real-time statistics on the show. Featuring over 400 exhibitors, this biennial, three-day regional event provides professionals from the consumer packaged goods (CPG) and life sciences rich Northeast corridor a convenient opportunity to explore the latest packaging and processing technologies in person, connect with suppliers and find solutions in a rapidly changing marketplace. “PACK EXPO East attendees get the best of both worlds—the ability to see a comprehensive range of packaging and processing technologies while still having time for in-depth discussions with suppliers to solve pain points and address challenges,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. “This easily accessible regional event is the perfect opportunity for a day trip with your team to experience all these solutions first-hand.” Attendees have access to must-see highlights at this year’s show: Free education on the show floor is offered all three days and provides opportunities for attendees to talk with suppliers and learn about best practices and industry breakthroughs. The Forum (Booth 1026) offers free, interactive presentations. It will feature 45-minute sessions on the latest industry trends, presented by the OpX Leadership Network, Institute of Packaging Professionals, Contract Packaging Association and PMMI Business Intelligence, followed by small group discussions and Q&A sessions. Also on the show floor, the Innovation Stage (Booth 2226) offers free, 30-minute seminars throughout the day presenting breakthrough technologies, innovative applications and proven approaches from industry experts. PACK EXPO East also offers programs and activities to get students excited about careers in packaging and processing. Attendees will see high school robotics teams from the Philadelphia area showcase their design, engineering and troubleshooting skills at the Future Innovators Robotics Showcase (Booth 525). Participating schools include Camden County Technical Schools, Egg Harbor Township Police Activities League and Central High School of Philadelphia. Attendees also have the opportunity to meet students from PMMI education partner schools in the Workforce Development Pavilion. Endorsed by top industry associations, the Association Partner Pavilion brings together a valuable mix of professionals, enriching the connections and encouraging industry-wide collaboration. Participating associations include the Adhesive and Sealant Council, AIM North America, AIPIA, the Smart Packaging Association, CPA, The Association for Contract Packagers and Manufacturers, Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), F4SS, The Foundation for Supply Chain Solutions, Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP), OMAC – The Organization for Machine Automation and Control and the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA). In addition to all the show floor features, there will be ample networking opportunities. All attendees and exhibitors will gather and network during the Taste of Philly PACK EXPO East Opening Reception (Monday, March 21; 3-5 p.m.). Following the opening reception, young professionals in packaging and processing will connect during PMMI’s Young Professionals Networking Reception (Monday, March 21; 5-7 p.m.) at SPIN Philadelphia and The Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) Reception (Tuesday, March 22; 3-5 p.m.), sponsored by ID Technology, Morrison Container Handling Solutions, Polypack, Septimatech, SMC Corporation and WLS, will bring women in the industry together in a relaxed meet-and-greet setting. Attendees can plan their visit before the show by utilizing the My Show Planner feature to identify and map out exhibitors to visit, search education sessions and more. The PACK EXPO East show app, sponsored by ProMach, can be downloaded from the Apple App or Google Play Store to help navigate the show floor and find exhibitors easily while at the show. Just a drive or train trip away for most of the east coast, no other event will offer such a wide range of state-of-the-art packaging and processing solutions as PACK EXPO East. For more information and to register, visit packexpoeast.com. To learn about the PACK Ready plan, visit packexpoeast.com/packready.
H&E OPENS NEW BRANCH IN PHILADELPHIA, PA
Effective March 14, 2022, H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) announces the opening of its new Philadelphia rental branch, its first in the state of Pennsylvania. The branch is located at 2500 Wheatsheaf Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19137-1030, phone 445-207-4500. The 15,400-square-foot facility sits on 2.75-acres with a fully fenced yard area, offices, and a separate repair shop with six service bays. It is capable of handling a variety of construction and general industrial equipment for customers in southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. “H&E has established a strong customer base in the Baltimore and DC areas, so expansion to the Philly metropolitan area gives us the opportunity to more effectively serve new and existing customers located just farther north along the I-95 corridor. With growing multifamily construction and warehousing facilities in the works, we know we will have the fleet to meet the need for quality equipment for these and many other commercial construction projects,” says Branch Manager Chris Bourgeois, who managed the Baltimore branch prior to opening the Philly location. “Our entry into Pennsylvania expands our geographic footprint to 25 states with well over 100 branches. We have one of the youngest fleets in the industry, and we’re excited to meet new customers in this market and show them how we can provide timely rental solutions and the support to back them up.” The Philadelphia branch specializes in the rental of aerial lifts, telescopic forklifts, earthmoving machinery, compaction equipment, generators, compressors, and more and represents the following manufacturers: Allmand, Atlas Copco, Bomag, Case, Club Car, Cushman, Doosan, Gehl, Generac Mobile, Genie, Hilti, Husqvarna, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Kubota, LayMor, Ledwell, Lincoln Electric, Link-Belt Excavators, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Polaris, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Sullair, Sullivan-Palatek, TAG, Taylor, Towmaster Trailers, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, and others. Founded in 1961, H&E Equipment Services is one of the largest equipment rental companies in the nation, providing the higher standard in equipment rentals, sales, parts, and service. Branches are located throughout the Pacific Northwest, West Coast, Intermountain, Southwest, Gulf Coast, Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions. For more information about H&E Equipment Services, visit www.he-equipment.com.
Port starts construction on Microgrid Project
Energy source will power security headquarters during outages The Port of Long Beach is pursuing a zero-emissions future with a microgrid demonstration project that will generate a reliable supply of electricity for the Port’s main security facility – the Joint Command and Control Center. Construction started this week on the project, which is aimed at providing energy resilience for the security center while enhancing air quality by delivering clean power for daily operations. The project also reduces the Port’s reliance on diesel generators to produce electricity during outages. “It is vital that we improve energy resilience as we move toward zero-emission equipment that will allow us to enhance air quality while moving a record number of cargo containers,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “Our move toward large-scale energy resilience in the future will benefit the surrounding communities by taking power demand off the utility grid, especially during extreme heat events when rolling blackouts occur.” “Generating power with a new microgrid will enhance reliability for the Port’s critical security operations during an outage on the utility grid,” said Steven Neal, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. “This project also gives us a glimpse into the future and moves us closer toward using greener energy sources.” Equipped with a 300-kilowatt photovoltaic solar panel array, the microgrid will convert sunlight into electricity for the Port’s security headquarters with a connection to provide resilience to Jacobsen Pilot Services, the private company that guides cargo vessels in the Port. The microgrid system’s capability to maintain operations will allow JCCC staff to work uninterrupted during a power outage. The project is anticipated to save the Port more than $60,000 annually on electricity costs, with a yearly output of approximately 520-megawatt hours. During widespread outages or emergencies, a truck-mounted battery system can remain at the JCCC or serve as a zero-emissions generator that can be deployed to refrigerated container yards, pump stations, and other critical areas. Deploying the microgrid during an outage will reduce the need to use diesel generators for emergency power. Additional features include an energy control center and a 250-kilowatt stationary battery energy storage system. Performance data during the first year of operation will be analyzed and compiled into a report outlining lessons learned project replication capabilities, and the ability to commercialize microgrid systems. Lessons learned from this demonstration will be integrated into the Port’s design criteria for future marine terminal projects. Construction of the $12.2 million microgrid is partially funded by a $5 million grant from the California Energy Commission. The project is scheduled for commissioning in November 2022.
EnerSys® Suite of Power Solutions take warehouse operations to the NexSys® Level
EnerSys®, a global provider in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, will feature its family of virtually maintenance-free NexSys® battery solutions at MODEX® 2022 in booth B7811. Sustainable NexSys® iON Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and NexSys® PURE Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) batteries are engineered to maximize productivity and minimize operational costs, while simultaneously reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and water consumption. EnerSys® will also display its proprietary EnSite™ modeling software and range of power management tools, designed to right-size lift truck battery and charger fleets, reveal operational data for performance improvement and deliver an overall lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). MODEX 2022 will take place from March 28 to 31 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. Ideal for heavy-duty applications, NexSys® iON batteries are manufactured with high-performance cells to deliver high energy capacity in a smaller footprint. With modular construction, they can be customized to precise power and fleet demands to lower initial investment and can maintain a high State of Charge (SOC) as a result of faster recharge rate capabilities. The battery’s integrated Battery Management System (BMS) supports greater safety, reliability, and battery life, and is designed to meet Automotive / Rigorous Functional Safety Standard ISO 26262, making EnerSys® the first battery manufacturer to bring this compliance standard to the material handling industry. NexSys® PURE batteries are optimized for fast- and opportunity-charging and are the ideal solution for light- to medium-duty applications. They provide reliable power without the restrictive upkeep requirements of watering, equalizing, and battery changing associated with conventional flooded lead-acid batteries. They provide a lower-cost alternative to Li-ion technology and can be used in conjunction with NexSys® iON batteries as a hybrid solution for the lowest TCO. Eco-friendly NexSys® iON and NexSys® PURE batteries can eliminate the use of up to 13 gallons of distilled water every week, in turn, cutting the energy consumption required for water distillation and distribution. Additionally, both battery chemistries are more energy-efficient per charge compared to flooded lead-acid batteries. The NexSys® iON battery is approximately 28 percent more efficient and the NexSys® PURE battery is roughly 24 percent. EnerSys® proprietary EnSite™ modeling software enables confident, data-driven decisions regarding what battery chemistry – or combination of chemistries – is best suited for individual unique operations. The software uses specific detailed information to generate customized data and actionable intelligence to right-size a battery and charger fleet. By assessing multiple factors, including the number, size, and type of vehicles in operation as well as scheduling and charging requirements, EnSite™ modeling software can help guide proper battery and charger specification, resulting in enhanced fleet productivity. “We are committed to working with our customers to ensure they are getting the most from their battery and charger fleet and that begins with determining the best power solution,” said Harold Vanasse, Senior Director of Marketing, Motive Power Global at EnerSys®. “Our EnSite™ modeling software streamlines the power selection process based on specific data and also identifies operational challenges that can be improved by implementing the right power solution for a specific fleet. Our goal is to give our customers the right solution at the lowest TCO.” EnerSys® power management tools translate data to actionable intelligence to boost productivity, cut costs and improve overall operations. The Wi-iQ® battery monitoring device captures key operational data, issues visual and audible alerts on important operational parameters, and features a slim design for easy installation directly on the battery harness. The device wirelessly communicates metrics via Bluetooth to the Truck iQ™ smart battery dashboard, giving drivers a live view of their lift truck battery health to avoid costly unplanned downtime associated with premature battery failure from improper maintenance and charging practices. Lastly, the E Connect™ mobile app, available free for Android and iOS operating systems, allows users to see a real-time view of their battery and charger operating data in the palm of their hand for enhanced fleet management. “At EnerSys, we are dedicated to exceeding customer expectations by delivering a safer, trouble-free, and reliable power experience for optimal productivity. Equally important is to bring solutions that drive sustainable business practices to help build a better energy future,” continued Vanasse. “With sustainability, safety, productivity and convenience at the core of our company’s product engineering, our solutions are designed to provide lift truck fleet managers with a complete systems approach, regardless of vehicle type or scope of operations.”
Analyze MyDrives available as standard in the MindSphere Store and SINAMICS Connect 300 with new intelligent features
Siemens is presenting its latest solutions for smart and networked drive technology. By networking entire drive systems, machine and plant builders, as well as end-users, can simulate machines and plants more accurately using digital twins, perform commissioning, reduce downtimes and therefore increase manufacturing productivity. Analyze MyDrives With the new version of the Analyze MyDrives MindSphere app, Siemens is offering users new powerful diagram libraries for faster visualization. The new “Pan and Scan” function enables users to specify a precise time frame for monitoring. The new version also features an improved e-mail notification service, which is based upon a simple IFTTT control mechanism. In addition, users can freely configure trend analytics — for example, for time series and scatter diagrams to support even more powerful bi-variate graphical correlation analysis. A new dashboard provides key status information for all relevant drive components at a glance. If necessary, users have an overview of the integrated variables per drive train component, including the last transmitted value, time of the last update, unit of measurement, and link to the diagram used. Diagrams can be exported with a single click and statistical aggregate functions are integrated into all diagram types. New functions for SINAMICS Connect 300 With SINAMICS Connect 300, Siemens is introducing a simple plug-and-play solution that integrates SINAMICS low-voltage drives into IT infrastructure, and it supports cloud-based digitalization. One new feature is expert mode, where, upon request, users can individually differentiate the parameters of the SINAMICS drive and store them in MindSphere, the open, cloud-based IoT operating system. The new SINAMICS Connect 300 device includes comprehensive commissioning and service management with an integrated web server, which simplifies configuration even with very specific requirements. The webserver enables comprehensive management of the device, e.g., CA certificates, license management, and firmware updates. On the webserver’s homepage, users can also view MindSphere connection status and immediately check cloud connectivity. To ensure that data is not lost in the event of network failures, a data buffer of up to 500 MB is provided. For secure data transfer, the transfer protocol has been changed from HTTP to HTTPS and the security guidelines have been updated to prevent unauthorized manipulation of the device. SINAMICS Connect 300 adds to the existing standard MindConnect portfolio and gives users the opportunity to connect SINAMICS drives that do not communicate via Profinet directly to MindSphere. In addition, SINAMICS Connect 300 enables the connection of SINAMICS drives in existing plants without the need for expensive and time-consuming hardware or software modifications. SINAMICS Connect 300 does not use a proprietary data model, which means that uploaded drive data can be provided to all MindSphere apps without issue.
Yellow’s Peggy Arnold named finalist for Women in Trucking’s “Driver of the Year”
Peggy Arnold, a company driver for Yellow Corporation for nearly 30 years, is one of three finalists for the 2022 Driver of the Year award, the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) announced this week. The third annual award recognizes outstanding female professional drivers who are industry leaders in safety standards and service, while also enhancing the trucking profession’s public image. The award winner will be announced on March 25 during WIT’s “Salute to Women Behind the Wheel” event at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Ky. Arnold will attend the event. “It’s always exciting to receive recognition from Women in Trucking, and this is a first-class accomplishment for Peggy,” said Darren Hawkins, CEO of Yellow. “We are so proud of her and grateful for the way she represents our company every day.” Based in Nashville, Tenn., Arnold has earned Yellow’s Million Mile driver award, having logged nearly 1.9 million accident-free miles as of December 2021. She has been named among WIT’s 2022 Top Women to Watch and has also been named as an America’s Road Team Captain finalist for 2022 by the American Trucking Associations. At Yellow, Arnold serves on the company’s safety team and on the Women’s Inclusion Network Employee Resource Group. Last year, she received Yellow’s Road to Excellence Award and is a certified safety trainer. “Our safety team spends countless hours helping our fellow drivers prevent on-the-job injuries, with a goal to be accident-free,” Arnold said. “I am a part of our new driver’s training program and take my job straight to the heart. Every day I do my best to train and teach to the best of my ability… I desperately want them to remember a positive experience and know that the team spirit is alive and well, so that they, too, can someday pay it forward.” Tamara Jalving, vice president for safety at Yellow, said Arnold trains new and existing drivers on collision avoidance, injury prevention techniques, terminal safety practices, and more. “She brings her passion every day to everyone she meets. I personally could not be prouder to have her represent our industry and women in trucking,” Jalving said. This is the third time that WIT will name a Driver of the Year and the first time that a Yellow driver has been a finalist. The judging panel for the 2022 award includes Tricia Tullis, general transportation manager for Walmart Transportation, Jeana Hysell, senior safety consultant for J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., and Ellen Voie, WIT president and CEO. “Each year, we become more amazed at both the quality and the quantity of drivers nominated for this prestigious award,” Voie said.
Manufacturing Technology Orders Have Strongest January on Record
Manufacturing technology orders totaled $436.6 million in January 2022, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. Manufacturing technology orders totaled $436.6 million in January 2022, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. January 2022 orders decreased nearly 27% from December 2021 but increased 33% from January 2021. January orders were also the strongest on record since USMTO began tracking orders. “USMTO typically shows a drop in orders from December to January, and, after December 2021 proved to be the best month on record, we expected to see a substantial decrease,” said Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT. “Recording the best January on record is a welcome sign that the strength of the manufacturing technology market will continue into 2022. Recent demand for production capacity has shifted from sectors producing final consumer goods to ones closer to the raw material process.” Strong consumer demand through January 2022 drove continued investments in manufacturing technology in all stages of the supply chain. In 2021, orders for manufacturing technology were increasing uniformly across all sectors; however, the largest growth was in those closest to the final product. “Consumer demand necessitated elevated capital investment, but we are now seeing a shift to industrial demand,” said Woods. “This shift in industrial demand indicates that entire manufacturing supply chains are being brought back to the United States. Long term, the broad industrial base created by concentrated supply chains is a huge positive for the manufacturing technology industry and the economy as a whole.” The market for manufacturing technology has proved resilient over the past several months despite several challenges facing manufacturers. “We have been highlighting issues that could take the wind out of the sails for the past several months, but the industry has overcome them in one way or another,” said Woods. “Recent geopolitical events and sustained inflation are two more challenges, and time will tell if the industry can find a silver lining behind them.” AUTHOR Kristin Bartschi Director, Marketing & Communications
February 2022 Logistics Manager’s Index Report®
Growth is INCREASING AT A DECREASING RATE for: Inventory Levels, Inventory Costs, Warehousing Utilization Warehousing Prices, Transportation Utilization, and Transportation Prices. Warehousing Capacity and Transportation Capacity are CONTRACTING. February’s overall LMI reading of 75.2 is the second-highest in the history of the index, up (+3.3) from January’s reading of 71.9. This is now 13 consecutive months over 70.0, which we would we would classify as significant expansion, with no obvious signs of a slowdown on the horizon. Like January, this month’s growth is driven by rapid growth in Inventory Levels, which are up 9.1 points to 80.2 – crossing the 80.0 threshold for the first time and shattering the previous record of 72.6. This is a complete 180 from the Fall of 2021, when firms struggled to build up inventories. Now it seems that a combination of over-ordering to avoid shortages, late-arriving goods due to supply chain congestion, and a softening of consumer spending has created a logjam, Inventory Levels a full 21.4 points higher than they were in November. Unsurprisingly, this has spilled over to Inventory Costs as well, which have also reached a new peak (+2.3) of 90.3. This inventory issue seems more pronounced for downstream retailers, who reported significantly higher levels of both Warehousing and Transportation Utilization than their upstream counterparts. There is a possibility that this surge in inventories will result in some price markdowns for durable goods. However, it seems unlikely that this will lead to a meaningful break in the inflation we have observed across supply chains, as Warehousing and Transportation Prices remain high due to the continued mismatch in demand and available capacity. 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 percent indicates that logistics is expanding; a reading below 50 percent is indicative of a shrinking logistics industry. The latest results of the LMI summarize the responses of supply chain professionals collected in February 2022. Overall, the LMI is up (+3.3) from January’s reading of 71.9. The growth in this month’s index is fueled by metrics from across the index. Unseasonably high rates of inventory accumulation stand out among these metrics, but capacity remains constrained, and prices continue to grow quickly. Looking forward, respondents do not predict much relied over the next 12 months. Given the current shortages in capacity, it is difficult to disagree with them. The obvious place to start this month is with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Beyond the truly tragic loss in human life, a number of costs are extending out of this conflict – many of which will have a direct effect on global supply chains. The most apparent change has been the shock to fuel prices. The price of crude oil is up to $100 a barrel – the highest level since 2014. As sanctions rack up on Russia, prices may continue to increase, potentially driving transportation and inventory costs higher[1]. Average diesel prices in the U.S. $4.006 on February 28th. This is up 44 cents per gallon since the start of 2022 and up $1.07 from this time last year[2] [3]. Russia’s invasion has also led to no-fly zones over Moldova, Eastern Russia, and Ukraine, cutting off the most direct route between Europe and Asian. Additionally, many countries, such as the UK have banned Russian carriers from landing there[4]. FedEx and UPS have also suspended shipments to Russia, with packages in route to be returned to sender[5]. The longer routes cargo planes will have to take, along with increased fuel costs due to the war, create a “double whammy” for carriers. Finally, we are likely to observe various indirect costs here as well, as sanctions cut off access to leading producers of commodities like nickel, palladium, natural gas, wheat, grain, and sunflower oil. The ripple effects from this will be felt in products from groceries to Volkswagens[6]. On the other side of the globe, the number of ships waiting off the coast of LA/Long Beach was at 66 during the last week of February – the lowest level since September. Additionally, dwell time for containers at the Port of LA are down 23% from their peaks in early December. However, the number of ships queuing off of alternate US ports like Charleston or New York/New Jersey has increased steadily[7]. Over 30 ships lingered off the Port of Charleston in late February – up from 19 in January. The Port Authority expects the backlog to clear by April[8]. In addition to the ongoing port delays, protests at the U.S./Canada border have slowed truck traffic as well. These actions caused prices to ship goods from Canada to the US to jump up 44% from January to February[9]. The push to avoid bottle necks has also led some firms to move what would usually be intermodal freight by road. US intermodal transports are down by 12% year-over-year through the first six weeks of 2022. They have lost approximately 1% of their market share to long-distance trucking since the start of the pandemic. Increasing the demand for truckloads of over 500 miles[10]. The impacts of this consistent congestion, fueled by the 10.6 million TEUs that were processed at the Port of LA in 2021 – up 16% from 2020[11], a paltry 42.2% of container ships arrived on time in 2021 – down 35.8% from 2019. This has not improved much, in late February the average container was still taking 109 days to get from China to its final point of destination in the U.S., something that should take 40-60 days pre-pandemic. This has led to the forecasting headaches and a high volume of
Sunlight Group adds further international experience to its Board of Directors
Gordon Riske appointed Chairman of Sunlight Group’s new Board of Directors, as independent Non-Executive Director (iNED). Michel Govaert joins the board as iNED and head of the Audit Committee. Dr. Peter Lamp to also join the BoD in May 2022 as iNED and head of the newly established Technology and Innovation Committee. Changes to the company’s corporate governance reflect its ambition to pursue strategic growth opportunities and become a global leader in the energy storage market. Global technology company Sunlight Group Energy Storage Systems (Sunlight Group) appoints its new Board of Directors and names Gordon Riske as Chairman and independent Non-Executive Director (iNED). Also joining the board as iNEDs are Michel Govaert, who will also head the company’s Audit Committee, and Dr. Peter Lamp, who will head the newly established Technology and Innovation Committee. Gordon Riske led KION Group AG for 14 years as CEO and is the incumbent CEO of GRBR Services. He brings decades of professional experience in management and business administration, as well as a wealth of expertise in automation, digitalization, and high-performance energy systems to the organization. His in-depth knowledge of OEMs will assist Sunlight Group to further broaden its activities in its respective sector. As Chairman of Sunlight Group’s new BoD, he stated: “Sunlight Group is a uniquely innovative company with a clear long-term strategy to provide clean energy storage systems to its customers around the world. I am looking forward to working with the management team and the entire Board of Directors on this exciting journey.” Michel Govaert, current Non-Executive Director and former Group CFO at AOC & ChemicaInvest, started his career at Philips Electronics and has served as partner at Alvarez & Marsal. He is a seasoned executive and expert in finance, development of action-oriented strategies, operational and financial result improvement, and M&As. His experience will be invaluable in Sunlight Group’s ongoing corporate transformation to become a global technology company, as well as the proceedings of the Audit Committee that he will be heading. Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I am looking forward to working together with the leadership team and board on the realization of Sunlight’s strategic ambitions, encompassing significant organic and inorganic growth. Combining this growth agenda with a model of operational excellence and translating this into a path of sustainable results and long-term value creation”. As of May 2022, Dr. Peter Lamp, Head of the BMW Group Battery Cell Technology and the associated worldwide R&D network, will also be joining Sunlight’s new Board of Directors. Dr. Lamp has over 30 years of experience in cutting-edge R&D work within the energy sector, which will inspire and lead Sunlight Group’s new Technology and Innovation Committee that he will be heading. Regarding his new role, he commented: “I am honored to be appointed as iNED to the Sunlight Group’s Board of Directors and am looking forward to contributing to the future growth of the company”. The new Chairman and members will collaborate with the existing members of Sunlight Group’s BoD, Lampros Bisalas, CEO and Executive Board Director; Rouben Bourlas, Non-Executive Director; and George Tsourapas, independent Non-Executive Director with over 30 years of professional experience at Procter & Gamble, where he served as President of Global Home Care and Professional Products and member of the company’s Global Executive Leadership Council. The new BoD will serve a five-year term until 2027. Lampros Bisalas, Sunlight Group’s CEO, noted on the composition of the new BoD: “Gordon, Michel and Peter joining our Board of Directors is a great milestone for Sunlight Group. We’re thrilled to welcome them aboard and look forward to learning from their insights and extensive experience. They all have a strong track record of driving growth and operational excellence which they’ll implement in line with Sunlight’s strategic objectives. I would also like to thank our existing board members, Robby and George, for helping Sunlight reach this excellent position and for their ongoing support. The new board signals our ambition to expand our successful course and become a true global leader within the energy storage sector.” Changes to Sunlight Group’s corporate governance reflect the organization’s global ambition to pursue strategic growth opportunities, following the company’s rapid development in recent years and plans for further growth. In 2021, the company announced the initial rollout of its diverse €560m five-year investment plan to expand the capacity of both lead-acid and lithium-ion energy storage products. Investments include upgrades to the company’s facilities in the USA, Italy, and Greece. They will allow Sunlight’s main manufacturing unit in Xanthi to become the largest in the world for industrial, motive, lead-acid batteries, while also demonstrating the company’s commitment to lithium-ion technologies. To find out more about Sunlight Group Energy Storage Systems, please visit: www.systems-sunlight.com
LogistiQ, a “100-Year-Old Startup,” launches at MODEX 2022
Subsidiary of LEWCO offers complete solutions for customers LogistiQ, the first fully vertically integrated business in the e-commerce material handling industry, will make its debut at MODEX 2022, March 28-31, in Atlanta. Though technically a new company, LogistiQ has deep roots in the industry. It’s a subsidiary of LEWCO, Inc., a leader in conveyors and industrial ovens which was founded in 1917. A “100-year-old startup,” LogistiQ was created to meet the explosive demand created by online shopping. “The e-commerce industry is in dire need of innovative technology and services,” said CEO Gerald Guerra. “This new company will allow us to focus exclusively on e-commerce material handling and offer a fully integrated package of services, from consulting and design to manufacturing and installation.” As part of its expansion, LogistiQ has converted a former World War II depot in Port Clinton, Ohio, into a 750,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The Erie Army Ordinance Depot, built by the Army in 1942 to service tanks and other military equipment, is now the manufacturing heart of LogistiQ, which has invested $12 million in new production equipment. The company will continue to operate its two other manufacturing facilities in Sandusky. In addition to adding manufacturing capacity, LogistiQ has expanded its engineering services to offer precision manufacturing and customized design solutions for clients. It also has begun manufacturing pulleys and control panels, which previously had been supplied by vendors. This benefits clients by streamlining manufacturing and eliminating supply chain delays. LogistiQ, a third-generation, family-owned business, is proud to support American manufacturing by recommitting to its roots in north-central Ohio and increasing its workforce of 420 to 550. “Our success is owed to our employees’ hard work and innovation,” Guerra said. “They are the reason we lead the industry and have been able to launch this exciting new company.” By providing comprehensive, vertically integrated solutions for e-commerce material handling, LogistiQ will help the industry continue to grow. “E-commerce has transformed the way the world shops and how business is conducted,” Guerra said. “LogistiQ is committed to providing the expertise, service and equipment that powers this transformation to better serve businesses and consumers.” Stop by the LogistiQ booth (#B6713) at MODEX 2022 to learn more.
EP 262: A. Duie Pyle Navigates NYC
In this episode, I was joined by John Luciani of A. Duie Pyle. Pyle is a transportation and logistics company providing LTL, FTL, and warehousing services based in the Northeast of the United States. John is the COO of LTL services and we discussed how the pandemic has had an impact on the trucking industry we also discuss how Pyle navigates difficult areas for trucking like New York City. Key Takeaways Pyle has been around for close to 100 years now and remains a family-operated business. This is very admirable to me as they are very focused on “making decisions for a lifetime” as John says. Definitely, a great thing to see these days and it shows as they have been resilient through the pandemic. John explains how they had seen a 40% drop in business right when everything happened but were able to navigate their way through to a point where they are now growing again from pre-pandemic numbers. While they saw challenges dealing with different restrictions throughout the pandemic they have been dealing with challenges for a long time. Some of the biggest challenges that Pyle’s faces are those that a carrier operating in a congested city like New York would face. With many restrictions for trucks in New York, Pyle finds different ways to still accommodate their customers and ensure they deliver goods. John discusses the challenges that they face like having only two entry points into the city and parking issues. Many places in the city are outdated to accommodate modern trucks so oftentimes double parking or idling trucks can occur. The issue is that these carry major fines. Pyle was hit with $300k in fines in just the last year from these different restrictions. John believes that working with the city and shifting to more nighttime deliveries will help them to avoid some of these restrictions and get the product to customers in a better way. Another challenge for trucking companies is the green initiatives that the city has put in place. For older trucks, this is hard to meet due to their emissions but Pyle has been testing both hybrid and electric trucks to help move their fleet into the future. However, they also face challenges in this area because of the amount of power that is needed to charge the number of trucks that are required. Another issue that they are ensuring they tackle is to make sure that the power they are utilizing for electric trucks is coming from a sustainable source and that the energy is “green” all the way through the process. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts on the challenges they are facing in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 262: A. Duie Pyle Navigates NYC