Federal funding announced for navigation improvements for Port of Long Beach
$8 million allocated to ease big ship passage at Port of Long Beach Officials announced recently that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is receiving $8 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to help make navigational efficiency improvements to the Port of Long Beach waterways that will allow visiting ships to transit the harbor faster, reduce transportation costs and cut pollution. “The federal bipartisan infrastructure bill President Biden signed last month is having a direct impact in Long Beach,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “With $8 million in direct funding to the Port of Long Beach, we continue our partnership with the federal government to address supply chain challenges. I am proud of the work we will be doing to enable larger ships to enter our port and move goods faster.” “Long Beach is home to the second-busiest container port in the nation,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “Improving the ability of ships to navigate channels here will have economic benefits for the entire country. Locally, creating navigational efficiencies will move ships through the harbor faster, reducing air pollution. There will be a good return for this investment, and we thank our federal partners for this allocation to assist with our comprehensive harbor-deepening program.” “The Port of Long Beach is the gateway to the trans-Pacific route, the nation’s most important trade corridor,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Steven Neal. “Investments made here have big benefits to the Port’s operations, reduce emissions for our communities, and move goods faster to businesses across America. We are grateful for the support.” “We have a long-standing relationship with the Port of Long Beach and are pleased that this supplemental funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will assist the Port by keeping our federal waterways safe and navigable, and promoting economic stability for the region and our country,” said Col. Julie Balten, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with the port to increase transportation efficiencies for container and liquid bulk vessels, for both the current and future fleet, and improve conditions for vessel operations and safety.” City and Port officials also thanked Democratic Senators, Dianne Feinstein, and Alex Padilla, along with Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) and Grace Napolitano (D-El Monte), for their support in securing the funds. Last October, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed a Chief’s Report showing deepening and widening channels in the harbor would lead to air pollution reductions, improved vessel navigation, and national economic benefits of almost $21 million each year. Among other features, the recommended plan includes deepening the Approach Channel from 76 feet to 80 feet, constructing an approach channel to Pier J South to a depth of 55 feet, deepening portions of the West Basin from 50 feet to 55 feet, and performing structural improvements to breakwaters at Pier J to allow for depths of 55 feet. The Final Integrated Feasibility Report can be found here. The funds awarded this week will help initiate and complete the preconstruction, engineering, and design phase.
KION North America announces partnership with dealer partner Dade Lift Parts & Equipment
KION North America has announced that Dade Lift Parts & Equipment has joined the KION North America dealer network. Dade Lift Parts and Equipment operates two locations in Medley and Pompano Beach, FL, and is authorized to sell both the Linde Material Handling and Baoli brands at both sites. “We are very excited about our new partnership with the long-standing solutions provider, Dade Lift Parts & Equipment,” said Director of Dealer Development Rick Schiel. “This organization prides itself on being customer-centric with a mission of providing excellent options and services for its customer’s challenges. KION North America is proud to partner with Dade Lift Parts & Equipment in promoting the trusted Linde Material Handling and Baoli brands.” Known for its exceptional customer service, Dade Lift Parts and Equipment has provided material handling and warehouse solutions since 1993. This solid foundation has made Dade Lift Parts and Equipment a trusted provider throughout the South Florida area by pushing the boundaries in technology and innovation. “Dade Lift Parts & Equipment is excited to partner with KION North America,” said the president of Dade Lift, Diego Machin. “South Florida continues to be a growing market, and we are eager for this opportunity to introduce the trusted Linde Material Handling and Baoli brands.”
Women In Trucking Association publishes Whitepaper on Same-Gender Training
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has published a new whitepaper, “Same-Gender Training Policy: Recruiting and Protecting Female Drivers.” Same-gender cab sharing during over-the-road training has been a primary concern of current and prospective female truck drivers. After receiving their commercial driver’s license, aspiring professional drivers typically accompany an experienced one on their route to become more confident, safer, and capable on the road, according to Ellen Voie, president and CEO of WIT. This not only could mean working exclusively with a stranger in close quarters for long hours during the day, but it also means the potential of needing to sleep in the same vehicle, said Voie. Some of the whitepaper outlines perspectives drivers hold specifically on same-gender training and its impact on female drivers in the industry. WIT conducted a driver safety and harassment survey to gain an understanding from professional drivers about their perceptions and experiences involving safety and harassment in the North American trucking industry. More than 430 professional drivers completed the survey from July through Sept. 2021. Given that 46 percent of drivers in the WIT study indicated that they have had an unwanted physical advance made toward them at least once and another 52 percent know of someone who had an unwanted physical advance made toward them, it is understandable why the prospect of cab sharing with a member of the opposite gender concerns many women, said Voie. The WIT survey found that while most drivers believe their truck cabs are safe, they also indicated knowledge of women falling victim to harassment or assault while sharing a cabin. “The Women In Trucking Association continues to press hard for companies to develop corporate policies that could help significantly shift this trajectory,” said Voie. There are a number of corporate policy recommendations on same-gender training that Voie recommends: Adopt a same-gender training policy that enables female professional drivers to have the option for a same-gender trainer when involved in on-the-road training activities. When having a same-gender trainer isn’t an option in instances involving female drivers, develop alternatives to help reduce or eliminate issues, such as ensuring that when sleeping arrangements need to be made that one of the parties has the ability to have a paid hotel room available to avoid the need to sleep together in the same cab. Encourage driving teams where partners who are friends, spouses, or in a committed relationship alternate their time behind the wheel on the same route. Upgrade in-cab safety technology where trucks are equipped with sound-enabled in-cab cameras and panic/emergency buttons in the sleeper and cabin areas. This whitepaper is the first of a series focused on safety and harassment issues for women in the transportation industry. To download a copy of the whitepaper, click here: https://www.womenintrucking.org/safety-harassment-series To download the following charts, click here: Trucking is a safe industry for women Aware of drivers who have experienced harassment or assault when sharing cab with opposite gender trainer Implementation of Same-Gender Training would encourage more women as drivers
Dorner’s AquaPruf Ultimate Conveyor Platform earns 3-A Certification
Dorner’s AquaPruf Ultimate conveyor is now 3-A certified. Evaluating equipment for 3-A certification is performed by an objective, independent third-party verification inspection to ensure that the AquaPruf Ultimate conveyor has successfully met the requirements of the 3-A sanitary standard in the design and fabrication of equipment used in food processing. Helping to achieve 3-A certification were recent updates to the platform to incorporate the latest engineering designs to provide the highest level of sanitary standards, and the fastest cleaning times, for applications such as meat, poultry, fish, and ready-to-eat. Dorner’s AquaPruf Ultimate conveyor comes with several industry-leading sanitary features, including: All internal frame components, except belted product, are polished to 32 micro-inches (1 micro-inch equals one-millionth of an inch) All bearings are external to the conveyor and a minimum of 25 mm away from the food zone Drive sprocket design includes a quick cleaning system to ensure cleaning can be done below the sprocket surface Patent-pending idler tail cleaning system on the modular belt and positive drive belt models Belting and chain meet 3-A certification, as well as USDA and NSF requirements Sanitary threadless feet design for all support stands Radii on all internal components meet the 6 mm (0.25”) standard requirement AquaPruf Ultimate conveyors are available in straight modular flat belt, straight modular cleated belt, positive belt end drive, and LPZ belt models. Additional features and benefits of AquaPruf conveyors include: Optional frame cut-outs and belt lifters for continuous access inside the conveyor Solid UHMW wear strips can be removed quickly without tools for cleaning Tip-up tails for quick release of belt tension Continuous TIG-welded 304 stainless steel frame eliminates fasteners in food zone Patented sprocket alignment key Spiral cam belt tensioning with patent-pending threadless design. Performance specifications of Dorner’s AquaPruf Ultimate conveyor include: Widths between 152 mm to 1,524 mm (6 inches to 60 inches) Lengths between 914 mm to 25,375 mm (36 inches to 999 inches) Load capacity up to 98 kg per square meter (20 lbs. per square foot) Speeds up to 100 meters per minute (328 feet per minute)
JW Winco perfects stability
Machines and systems always require stability. Heavy-duty, large-size elements also emphasize the quality of the objects they support. JW Winco has added two newly designed machine feet families to its portfolio. In addition to a high-quality and exceptionally stable design, the components feature additional, beneficial properties. The new solid machine feet from the standard parts specialist Winco are particularly well suited for large and heavy systems and machines. The machine foot GN 36 uses the weight of the machine to create a very stable and robust connection between the threaded stud and the foot. The threaded stud is not connected to the footplate. Rather, the stud centers itself automatically at the contact point via the radius. The blue zinc-plated steel threaded stud is available with fine thread from M20x1.5 to M42x2 for precise leveling and comes with the matching lock nut. The forged steel footplate is available in diameter up to 7.87 in (200 mm), has a powder-coated black matte surface, and can be ordered in three different types. With type A, the footplate rests flat on the underlying surface. Type B has an NBR rubber pad that reduces wear on the surface beneath and is also suitable for contact with oil or coolants. Type C has an O-ring that seals the footplate, preventing liquids from penetrating under the foot. Depending on the footplate diameter, types A and C can each support a load of 11240 lbf (5 t) to 56202 lbf (25 t). The static load capacity for type B ranges from 4496 lbf (2 t) to 24729 lbf (11 t) due to the nature of the rubber pad. The feet are perfect when it comes to compensating for an uneven floor; however, the machine feet may not be used on a surface inclined at greater than 3 degrees to the threaded stud. The second new machine foot GN 37 from Winco also has a central fastening hole running clear through. This allows the use of an anchor bolt. The anchor secures the foot to the floor, preparing it for lateral loads. This makes the machine feet optimal for manufacturing systems or conveyors that are subjected to dynamic movements and lateral forces due to the use of robots. As with GN 36, the footplate GN 37 can be ordered in types A, B, and C. The machine feet GN 37 of types A and C can support between 8992 lbf (4 t) and 33721 lbf (15 t), depending on diameter, while the load capacity of type B ranges between 4496 lbf (2 t) to 24729 lbf (11 t). For customers who already have special threaded studs for their machines, Winco offers GN 36.1 and GN 37.1 as just the footplate without stud.
Hyster-Yale Group launches unified HY Source™ Parts experience
Unified branding, upgraded parts ordering website improve the parts buying experience for Hyster® and Yale® customers Hyster-Yale Group announces the launch of a new unified lift truck parts experience, featuring a rebranded parts program called HY Source Parts and HYSOURCEPARTS.com, an award-winning upgraded online parts shop. The new experience is designed to create an easier, more efficient aftersales experience optimized for customers. By streamlining and consolidating the branding and naming convention for parts approved as replacement parts for Hyster® and Yale® lift trucks, the HY Source Parts brand makes it simpler for customers to identify genuine parts. HY Source Parts undergo engineering studies, measurements, and stress testing to help ensure parts meet standards and are free from compromises that would negatively affect equipment performance and will provide maximum efficiency for customers. “The use of unauthorized replacement parts can lead to compromised performance, unexpected downtime, and premature equipment failure,” said Chuck Pascarelli, president of the Americas Division of Hyster-Yale Group. “The value of genuine, high-quality parts is peace of mind, knowing these parts have been rigorously tested to meet our standards for performance. Evolving our brand and e-commerce platform is the latest step in our commitment to serving customers long after their initial purchase.” HYSOURCEPARTS.com provides an integrated online parts-buying experience that allows users to look up parts, search for schematics, add parts to their cart, and check out all in the same environment. The site also offers user-friendly features such as multi-cart checkout and easy access to past orders for simple re-ordering. Readers of Material Handling Product News and MaterialHandling247.com recently voted HYSOURCEPARTS.com a Product of the Year in the MRO category, ahead of three other finalists. The e-commerce site also includes advanced features designed for the realities of B2B purchasing. For instance, the site’s punchout functionality allows customers using procurement applications to make purchases without ever logging out of their own system. By instantly transmitting transaction information into the procurement system, the site allows customers to easily create a purchase order and follow their own company-specific procedures to submit. Customers can set up access through their local dealer. In addition to HY Source Genuine parts, the new brand structure includes HY Source Reman Parts, parts remanufactured to meet Hyster and Yale quality standards, and Unisource™ All Makes Parts and Accessories designed for other makes and models of lift truck equipment.
Kassow Robots expands sales team to support partners and expand manufacturer networks
Kassow Robots, a developer of 7-axis cobot solutions for machine tending, material handling, and related applications, is strengthening its sales team with the appointment of Ulrich Möller as sales manager for the DACH region. In taking this step, Kassow Robots reinforces its sales presence, an established goal for 2022. Möller is well acquainted with the robotics industry. He previously worked as a field sales engineer at Omron and continues to be involved in the German Robotics Association as head of mobile robotics. The engineering graduate will support systems integrators at Kassow Robots in their sales activities in DACH and drive forward the expansion of the company’s network of sales partners and end-of-arm (EOA) tool manufacturers. Alongside Dieter Pletscher, Kassow Robots’ global sales manager, he will represent Kassow Robots at in-person and virtual events and on social media. “We are delighted to have Uli Möller at Kassow Robots,” says Pletscher. “He is not only a very enthusiastic automation specialist with years of cobot experience but also a well-connected colleague who will vigorously communicate the added value of our 7-axis lightweight cobots.” Company founder and CEO Kristian Kassow stresses, “The DACH region remains an especially important region for us, and one that we want to strengthen with this new appointment. On the one hand, of course, is the economic power of the medium-sized industry in particular. This industry is hard hit by a severe shortage of skilled workers. Our cobots help companies overcome this challenge by automating repetitive tasks.” 7-Axis Cobots Help Medium-Sized Companies Möller looks forward to his new tasks at the Copenhagen-based cobot manufacturer: “Kassow Robots has an exciting and extensive product portfolio on the market. These five 7-axis cobots, with a payload of up to 18 kg and a reach of up to 1,800 mm, cover almost every need there is for cobots. I see huge opportunities for medium-sized companies since these really easy-to-use cobots can help them to cost-effectively defy the shortage of skilled workers. The seventh axis offers unique mobility that makes automation possible even in the most confined spaces — in other words, where conventional models fail.”
ARA cancels Rental Innovation Conference & Exhibits
A variety of factors contribute to ARA’s decision not to hold Rental Innovation Conference & Exhibits The American Rental Association (ARA) has decided to cancel its Rental Innovation Conference & Exhibits event scheduled for March 9 and 10, 2022 in Grapevine, Texas. The decision was made due to a variety of factors. These include the continued spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and both transmission and positivity rates in Dallas Country currently being categorized as “High.” Other factors in the decision were the return of essential travel only restrictions for many large organizations, equipment availability issues, as well as parts and staff shortages. The ARA is evaluating options to deliver the education program portion of the conference at a future event. Those who had already registered for the Rental Innovation Conference & Exhibits will receive a full refund.
EP 248: Kivnon
In this episode, I was joined by Mike Kotzian of Kivnon. Mike is the Managing Director for the USA at Kivnon which is an AGV company providing automation solutions for the material handling industry. We discuss the evolution of AGVs, the concept of robots replacing jobs, and Kivnon’s offerings. Key Takeaways Kivnon provides innovative mobile robotic solutions which focus primarily on AGVs and AMRs. They have an extensive lineup of their base model robots that can provide many different solutions. However, even though they have base models they are also very flexible and open to customization of robotics. Mike gives us some detail on some customized solutions that they have done in the past which included a fully stainless steel AGV that could go through washdown. This is pretty unique as you typically would not get a robot wet due to all of the electronic components but pretty interesting they were able to achieve it. Mike has been working in the industry for 23 years now and has seen a lot of the evolution of AGVs over those years. He gives some great insight into our discussion on how things have evolved. He even drops a fact that I didn’t know and was actually pretty surprised by, the first AGV was in operation all the way back in 1954. For him, the most significant evolution revolved around safety how things have changed with bumpers and how guidance is conducted on these robots. As we are seeing massive growth in this part of the industry, Mike believes that the hardware has somewhat reached the level it can be at for now so the real development and thing to watch will be the software side and how that will make the existing hardware functioning in smarter ways. Being that Mike has been involved in AGVs for so long, I was curious how he has seen the debate of robots taking jobs away over the years. In the beginning, he said there was certainly a lot of anger going on even as far as robots being sabotaged on the overnight shifts with no explanation but as time went on people have gotten more comfortable with technology and accepted them. He also explains that on many implementations people did not get replaced but they got moved to more detailed tasks that the robots could not do. As we see this technology grow it really has taken over the jobs that people are not too interested in anymore and I believe that will continue. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 248: Kivnon
Best Line Equipment acquires Delaware Valley Lift Truck
For over 36 years, Delaware Valley Lift Truck has successfully provided equipment sales, service, parts, and rentals to industrial customers in the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, all managed from the company’s headquarters in Bensalem, PA. “Del Val” drove their success by focusing on forklifts, batteries, and battery management systems, floor care products, and warehouse solutions such as racking, shelving, modular offices, and storage solutions. On December 1st, 2021, Best Line Equipment acquired Delaware Valley Lift Truck. Best Line is taking this opportunity and years of experience in the industry to create a new business and brand which will operate as “Best Line Material Handling.” “It was important to us to secure the experience of the professionals that have driven this success for the past 36 years,” says Adam Houseknecht, president of Best Line Equipment. “We’re thrilled Jack Meyer, Delaware Valley Lift Truck Owner, sales and support staff, technicians, and parts staff are all staying on, and we’re committed to adding resources to meet the same level of service and responsiveness Best Line customers expect and rely on throughout all of our territories.” Best Line Material Handling will operate from the facility at 1311 Ford Rd, Bensalem, PA 19020, and will offer the same quality products without interruption from manufacturer relationships. Best Line Material Handling will continue to sell and service forklifts, batteries and chargers, power management systems, yard trucks, goosenecks, Mafi trailers, racking, floor care equipment, and more. “Best Line has a history of being a Top 100 employer in Pennsylvania. We’re proud to join forces with an organization that invests in employees and equipment like Best Line,” says Jack Meyer, Delaware Valley Lift Truck Owner. Best Line Equipment, also founded in 1985, is an authorized dealer of major industry manufacturers including Bobcat®, Doosan, and JLG. With a team of over 450 employees, it is our goal to be the best employer in the equipment business while providing best-in-class rental, sales, service, and parts to our customers throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
PTDA welcomes two new members
The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), an association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel, welcomed two new member companies. With expertise in industrial chain and manufacturing solutions, such as lasers and metal detection, Connexus (Langley, British Columbia, Canada) has over 150 years of combined industry experience. Its chains are engineered, designed, and manufactured to ISO 9001:2015 standards to meet the highest industry specifications. Company brands include Viking Chains Inc. and I’Anco Products. “We look forward to expanding our network and developing strong, long-term relationships through the PTDA as we continue to grow and enter new markets,” said Tammy Farrell, vice president, sales & marketing. Learn more at cnxsind.com. A family-run business, mayr® (Mahwah, N.J.) boasts more than 100 years of success in providing the best and most reliable torque limiters, shaft couplings, and safety brakes. Today, about 1,200 employees work for mayr power transmission, approximately 700 at the headquarters in Mauerstetten, Germany. “Membership with PTDA will afford mayr the opportunity to engage with and learn from key distribution decision-makers and influencers about current challenges and trends,” said Michael Perretta, vice president. “This will allow us to meet their need and improve our service.” Learn more at mayr.com/en. The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is a global association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel. Headquartered in Chicago, PTDA represents power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $19 billion in sales and span over 2,700 locations. PTDA members also include manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.
Jon Smalling joins BMG as Director of Sales at NAS Nalle Automation Systems
The new hire comes with deep knowledge and enthusiasm for automation across a range of industries including the medical market BMG has announced the appointment of Jon Smalling as Director of Sales at NAS Nalle Automation Systems based in Knoxville, TN. Smalling’s experience encompasses a wide range of paper and plastic industry applications including injection molding, thermoforming, and best practices for automation solutions. He has worked in sales and new business development leadership roles within the extrusion and raw material (resin) industries. Most recently Smalling was the Regional Sales Manager for a global injection molding automation company. Professionally, Jon volunteers as Chair of the PLASTICS industry Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP) and serves on the NPE trade show content committee. “I am excited to join NAS Nalle Automation Systems, a leading supplier of innovative packaging and robotic material handling solutions for the paper and plastic industries. More than ever before, the labor and material constraints on manufacturing have driven the need to automate just about everything.” Smalling explains. “I look forward to building relationships with our current and future customers, partnering with them to find solutions that meet their needs. It is an exciting time to join NAS and make use of the many resources and capabilities of BMG’s family of companies.” “Throughout his career, Jon has been very active in the Plastics community, including being Chair of the Future Leaders in Plastics (FLiP). He is very well known throughout the plastics industry as a trusted mentor and technical advisor” says Bob Gordert, Vice President Sales – Americas. “We are very happy to have Jon join our team as we launch new and innovative automation solutions. Jon’s focus will be to lead the experienced NAS sales team to achieve our strategic growth plans, including new customer development and growing BMG’s medical presence with NAS automation solutions.” Visit www.BMG-Solutions.com for more information.
AttaBox’s Heartland® Polycarbonate enclosures feature the reliable protection of Robotically Applied Foam-In-Place gaskets
AttaBox® Enclosures, the world’s most specified polycarbonate, and non-metallic electrical and industrial enclosures have announced the latest product innovation for its Heartland® series of enclosures: Foam-In-Place gaskets. Foam-In-Place gaskets offer a proven history of providing full secure contact to the mating cover surface with a continuous overlapping seal that ensures no air gaps, no glue joints, and no shrinking of gasket size due to stretching of the material. The result is maximum sealing integrity and reliable protection of all wiring, connections, instrumentation, and controls housed by Heartland® enclosures. Since its introduction, the Heartland® product line has gone through a series of upgrades and innovations designed to increase security and protection, reduce modification time and costs, and expand the availability of standard offerings. The latest addition of foam-in-place gaskets builds on this commitment to enclosure excellence. The Heartland® series is the most innovative, durable, and reliable polycarbonate enclosures available. The Heartland® is one box, one solution enclosure, and can be configured as either a screw cover or hinged cover, available in 13 sizes from 6×6 to 24×24, with either opaque or clear smoked covers. They are listed cULus Type 4X with select sizes, Type 6P for the US and Canada, and are listed IEC IP66 with select sizes IP68. Heartland® Innovations: 1. Panel Management: Heartland® is designed with innovative panel management and side mount capabilities, which allows full use of the interior space to maximize component placement and design flexibility. 2. Latch Material Options: Heartland® polycarbonate enclosures are available with matching polycarbonate latches for a fully nonmetallic enclosure solution, or with stainless steel latches. Latches can be swapped easily without any tools, making retrofitting the enclosures in the field accessible to all users. 3. 6 Standard Colors: Originally available in gray with an opaque or clear smoked cover, the Heartland® series is now available in six standard colors (gray, white, black, red, yellow, and blue). This greatly improves lead times for users looking for a color enclosure solution to stand out, blend in, or meet safety and visibility requirements. 4. Foam-In-Place Gaskets: Now available for all product sizes, the latest performance upgrade to the Heartland® polycarbonate enclosures series features robotically applied Foam-In-Place gaskets instead of the traditional neoprene rope gasketing. AttaBox® is an innovative force in the engineering, manufacturing, and marketing of non-metallic enclosures. We make it easy for our enclosure users to get reliable NEMA 4X and UL -certified protection by making an outstanding product and service quality quickly available through diverse channels including price-competitive online e-commerce, and direct business-to-business one-stop availability. Our state-of-the-art manufacturing technology is U.S.-based and provides customers with a total solution for application challenges demanding the best from protective enclosures.
Winning the war on fog
Brass Knuckle’s proprietary coatings create a new world standard for anti-fog lenses Lenses can fog in almost every application. Going from cool to warm air. Going from outdoor to indoor environments. In high humidity. During strenuous work that causes perspiration. Even warm breath in a cool room or the heat rising from a motor can cause lenses to fog. Fog means double trouble. First, fog reduces visibility. That’s a hazard in itself. Second, fogged-up lenses make workers want to remove their safety glasses. No eye protection equals “out of compliance” — and, most importantly, in those vulnerable seconds or minutes, eyes are exposed to potential hazards where eye injuries can occur. Before a U.S. anti-fog standard existed, one seller of worker protection, Brass Knuckle, decided it was important to measure its eye protection products by a standard. The company began with EN 166/168, the European standard and the most stringent anti-fog standard in the world at the time. Then Brass Knuckle went beyond it. Voluntarily. The result is Brass Knuckle’s proprietary anti-fog lens coating, which uses a groundbreaking technology that delivers better, longer-lasting fog-free protection than competing products. It was then, and remains, the toughest anti-fog standard in the world, exceeding ANSI and EN standards. The result is two coatings, BK-Anti-FOG and BK-Anti-FOG+, that provide extreme anti-fog performance and improve worker safety and productivity. Brass Knuckle BK-Anti-FOG is their original proprietary anti-fog coating that offers excellent performance and a long-lasting, fog-free view under even the most demanding hot and humid conditions. Washable and durable, BK-Anti-FOG formulas allow lenses to resist fog longer than competitors’ anti-fog treatments, and that extra time is what is needed for lenses to come into balance with temperature fluctuations, the principal cause of lens fogging. Brass Knuckle BK-Anti-FOG+ is their proprietary premium anti-fog coating that delivers anti-fog protection that exceeds the EN standard by 4400 percent — or 44x the best standard in the world! Where competitive anti-fog coatings protect against fogging for two minutes, best-in-class BK-Anti-FOG+ protection lasts more than six minutes when tested under the EN standard. In the world of eye protection, it’s as good as anti-fog protection gets. “We could apply any manner of anti-fog chemical to the lens and say we have anti-fog protection. Instead, we developed our own higher anti-fog standard and then hold our products to that standard,” said Jeff Cullman, vice president of Brass Knuckle. “We offer extreme protection against fogging, a huge step forward for ensuring compliance.” BK-Anti-FOG and BK-Anti-FOG+ are available on a wide variety of Brass Knuckle protective eyewear, serving various fits and functions.
Port of Long Beach ‘Container Dwell Fee’ on hold through Jan. 28
Ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles continue to monitor cargo flow The Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles will delay consideration of the “container dwell fee” for another week, this time until Jan. 28. Since the program was announced on Oct. 25, the two ports have seen a combined decline of 62% in aging cargo on the docks. The executive directors of both ports will reassess fee implementation after monitoring data over the next week. Fee implementation has been postponed by both ports since the start of the program. Under the temporary policy approved Oct. 29 by the Harbor Commissions of both ports, ocean carriers can be charged for each long-dwelling import container. Currently, no date has been set to start the count with respect to container dwell time. The ports plan to charge ocean carriers $100 per container, increasing in $100 increments per container per day until the container leaves the terminal. Any fees collected from dwelling cargo will be reinvested for programs designed to enhance efficiency, accelerate cargo velocity and address congestion impacts. The policy was developed in coordination with the Biden-Harris Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force, U.S. Department of Transportation, and multiple supply chain stakeholders.
PAC Machinery enters NEW top fulfillment Auto Bagger for an MHI, MODEX Show Innovation Award
PAC Machinery, a provider in packaging with one of the most diverse ranges of machinery, has entered the Rollbag® R3200 Fulfillment Automatic Bagger in the MHI Innovation Award competition in the “Best New Innovation” category. Winners will be selected at the 2022 MODEX show in Atlanta, GA at the World Congress Center held March 28-31, 2022. The R3200 Fulfillment Bagger was also just named one of PAC’s top-selling machines of 2021. The MHI Innovation Award serves to educate and provide valuable insights on the latest manufacturing and supply chain innovative products and services to MODEX attendees. The award is promoted on the MODEX website and is a great lead generator and booth traffic driver for exhibitors with NEW technologies. Modex states that 48% of attendees that visited the MHI Innovation Awards page, visit the finalist’s booth. PAC’s Rollbag R3200 Fulfillment Automatic Bagger will be packaging products LIVE in booth #C7291at MODEX. “The Rollbag R3200 Fulfillment Automatic Bagger is an exciting development that combines environmentally-sourced material, with automation, less material usage, and the shorter lead times that this industry demands,” said Greg Berguig, VP Sales & Marketing, PAC Machinery. Rollbag R3200 Fulfillment Increase efficiency and lower material costs with the Rollbag™ R3200 Fulfillment automatic bagger, an elite mail order fulfillment bagging system. This auto bagger works with poly tubing as well as bags on a roll. The R3200 Fulfillment can either be equipped with a label applicator that applies a direct thermal label onto the bag (no need for ribbon) or with a thermal transfer printer that prints directly on the bag using ribbon. The standard Rollbag R3200 Fulfillment works with bags up to 16 wide x 24 long and has a seal bar opening of up to 6”. The XL version for larger products, works with bags up to 22” wide x 36” long and features a seal bar opening of up to 11”. The Rollbag R3200 Fulfillment bagger is equipped with a label printer applicator, to create a fully integrated batch-less order fulfillment bagging solution. A thermal transfer printer option is also available, allowing you to print directly on the bag material. Innovation Statement This system is the first one on the market to use pre-opened bags on a roll as well as poly tubing in order to make a bag. The benefits of poly tubing include lower material costs as well as right-sizing of the bag to the product by changing bag length on the fly, lowering shipping costs, reducing material usage, and shorter material lead time. Be innovative and green when you package with improved sustainable materials for this machine by using our Recylene® poly mailer made from up to 90% recycled content (20% ocean-bound plastic, 20% consumer, and 50% Industrial possible). Applicability This bagger is ideal for e-commerce, order fulfillment, and distribution facilities that require the highest level of performance in their order fulfillment packaging operation. This automatic bagger will save you money, improve your branding and customer satisfaction with right-sized bags, and help you to be more flexible when packaging items of various sizes. An additional benefit includes using the latest in sustainable packaging materials, which is better for the environment and makes for a more satisfied consumer.
Gorbel® highlights new Hybrid Work Station Crane
Hybrid Cranes utilize the strength and longevity of patented track with the lightweight advantages of Gorbel®’s aluminum enclosed track bridges Gorbel® is excited to highlight their Hybrid Workstation Crane, an extension of their industry-leading, enclosed track workstation crane. Hybrid Cranes combine the strength and durability of the patented track with the lightweight advantages of Gorbel®’s aluminum enclosed track bridges. Utilizing these two features together allows for greater installation flexibility to meet longer support centers. It also allows for multiple higher capacity bridges to be utilized on a single crane, with no buffers. Here are some key features of the Hybrid Work Station Cranes: Support Centers up to 50’ – With extended support centers there are fewer floor obstructions. This means an easier installation and more flexibility in the location of your installation. Multiple bridges with no buffer– Utilizing Gorbel®’s Tarca® supports and runways allows you to support multiple 1000# to 4000# workstation crane bridges, without buffers, on a single free-standing or ceiling mounted crane system. One Hybrid crane can support multiple workstations or an entire process flow without losing usable crane coverage area to buffers. Manual Push/Pull– Optimized for easy manual movement with a custom motorized solution available as well. Or combine with higher capacity, motorized Tarca Patented Track bridge all in a single solution. Complete Lifting Solution – incorporate a GS Hoist, a G-Force® lifting device, or both for a complete integrated system. Out of the box, plug and play are available for the GS Hoist. “Gorbel has been custom configuring Hybrid Cranes for years and now we’ve utilized that experience to optimize and standardize the solution for our customers,” says Scott Goforth, Product Marketing Manager. “This solution fits a unique, but growing niche we are seeing in the industry and we are extremely excited to bring another innovative product to the market that will expand our capability to meet the high standards our customers have come to expect from Gorbel.”
Port of Long Beach sets annual record with 9.38 million TEUs
Milestone for 2021 marked by increased consumer spending during the pandemic The Port of Long Beach set a new record in 2021 by moving 9.38 million cargo containers as dockworkers and terminal operators worked to clear the docks amid a historic, pandemic-induced import surge. The Port ended 2021 with 9,384,368 twenty-foot equivalent units processed, a 15.7% increase from the previous record of more than 8.11 million TEUs moved in 2020. Imports jumped 14.6% to 4,581,846 TEUs and exports declined 2.6% to 1,437,916 TEUs compared to last year. Empty containers moving through the Port were up 27.5% to 3,364,606 TEUs. “This incredible milestone was achieved by the skilled workers who keep goods moving through the supply chain as we continue to seek solutions to improve efficiency, attract business and build for the future,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “I look forward to enhancing productivity in 2022 by advancing our move toward 24-7 terminal operations, deploying data-sharing technologies for our industry partners, and continuing our infrastructure improvements.” “The ongoing collaboration with our labor force and industry partners lifted us to this extraordinary record during a challenging time,” said Steven Neal, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. “We anticipate further collaboration in 2022 as we work toward developing immediate and long-term solutions that will alleviate congestion at our Port complex.” The significant increase in cargo was driven by evolving consumer spending habits during the COVID-19 pandemic when demand for vacations, dining out and entertainment declined due to health precautions and pivoted toward home office supplies, furniture, and exercise equipment. The Port of Long Beach had 980 container vessel calls in 2021, down from 1,042 a year earlier due to the elimination of “dual calls” for some shipping services that moved up and down the West Coast. The Port collaborated with stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels to enhance cargo movements, including expanding hours of operation; creating temporary staging areas for full containers; and encouraging truck drivers to drop off export containers when picking up an import. The Port has delayed consideration of a “Container Dwell Fee” that would charge ocean carriers for cargo containers that remain too long on the docks. Since the program was announced on Oct. 25, the Long Beach and Los Angeles ports have seen a combined decline of 55% in aging cargo on the docks. The strong economic momentum experienced through 2021 hit a speed bump by year’s end due to the rampant spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Trade was down 7.5% in December compared to the same period in 2020 with 754,314 cargo container units moved. Imports declined 11.7% to 358,687 TEUs. Exports dropped 13.9% to 113,918 TEUs, while empty containers climbed 1.5% to 281,709 TEUs.
Noblelift® announces its new 10 year/20,000 hour Lithium Battery warranty
Noblelift®, a global provider in material handling equipment, just announced its 2022 new advanced battery warranty program for its Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) forklifts. This newly updated battery warranty covers 10 years/20,000 hours and provides an extended 3-year wet cell lead acid guarantee. Noblelift® Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP/LiFePO4) batteries have a considerably greater energy density, making them an ideal choice for material handling equipment. “Our customers want dependability and we’re excited to prove that we can deliver with this best-in-class battery warranty,” says Loren Swakow, Managing Director, Noblelift USA. “As a global leader, this industry-leading warranty proves our commitment to driving growth in North America.” The Noblelift® Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP/LiFePO4) battery is manufactured by GFL International Co. (a unit of Ganfeng Lithium Co.), the world’s top LIB manufacturer and supplier to Tesla, the world leader in electric vehicles, as well as Germany’s big three automotive manufacturers.” As the world embraces emissions-free, energy-efficient equipment and automobiles, lithium has become the new go-to power source. Noblelift® has been a pioneer and leader in introducing this technology from its inception to the material handling industry – today offering a full line of lithium-powered forklifts, stackers, and pallet trucks. The benefits to Noblelift customers go beyond reduced emissions to achieving a lower cost of ownership, 4-5X faster charging, reduced fuel costs, less downtime, and improved operator ergonomics and wellbeing. Further, this lithium technology contains safer chemical compounds, zero toxic fumes or gasses, and is maintenance-free. With Noblelift lithium-powered equipment, businesses can enjoy overall cost savings of at least $50,000 compared to IC (internal combustion) forklifts over a five-year span. Dealers can contact Noblelift® directly to find out more about the extended warranty at 847 595-7100 or email [email protected].
Helmar has lumber forks ready to ship
Helmar has lumber forks ready to ship in popular sizes. Lumber Forks are made in various widths with a typical maximum thickness of 1.5 inches depending on the load weight. All are full bottom taper forks: the taper runs from the tip to approximately two inches from the bend. The top of the blade is polished, unpainted, for ease of entry and exit. Tips are thin with a top chamfer for chiseling between plywood sheets. The tips are squared off, not rounded, to assist the chiseling effort. Helmar has the popular FORK-4250 1.5″ x 8″ x 48″ Class II, FORK-4252 1.5″ x 8″ x 48″ Class III, and the FORK-4254 1.5″ x 8″ x 48″ Class IV.