Milestones Archives - Material Handling Wholesaler

Carolina Handling Celebrates 60 Years of Innovation and Service

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 19:49:50 +0000

The company marks 60 years of growth from a small equipment dealership to a leading integrated material handling solutions provider with more than 900 associates Carolina Handling, the exclusive Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida’s central time zone, is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1966, Carolina Handling began operations in a former Charlotte, NC, service station with five associates. Today, the company has more than 900 associates across its five-state territory, including more than 485 Field Service Technicians. The company has maintained 99 percent customer retention and an average response time of 1.1 hours for breakdown calls. Carolina Handling President and CEO Brent Hillabrand said the milestone and growth reflect the strength and quality of the company’s associates. “We continue to attract and develop the very best in the industry while leading in our market space. Our customers can depend on us for innovation, quality, and a commitment to their long-term success. We deliver solutions that go beyond equipment,” Hillabrand said. Carolina Handling continues to evolve from a forklift-only provider to an integrated material handling solutions company, supporting customers with lift trucks, consultation, design, engineering, and implementation of storage and automation solutions to help customers achieve more space, speed, safety, and efficiency with integrated technologies. In 2025, Carolina Handling opened a new 264,544-square-foot facility in Pickens County, South Carolina, combining the warehouse and office space from four facilities in the Upstate region of South Carolina under one roof. The new facility includes a Customer Experience Center, where visitors can explore integrated automation technologies and see live equipment demonstrations.  For 34 consecutive years, Carolina Handling has been named a Dealer of Distinction (DOD) by The Raymond Corporation, a global provider of best-in-class material handling equipment and intelligent intralogistics solutions. Carolina Handling has received the prestigious MVP (Most Valuable Partner) Award from the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) for outstanding achievements for six consecutive years.

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Diversified Plastics, Inc. celebrates 50 Years in business

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 21:10:29 +0000

Diversified Plastics, Inc. has announced its 50th anniversary. Since its founding in 1976, DPI has grown into a globally recognized leader in the plastics industry, known for innovation, quality, and customer service excellence. DPI specializes in rotational molding for material handling carts, heavy-duty steps, traffic barriers, and column protectors. The company proudly serves the warehouse, recycling, textile, laundry, hospitality, marine, and agriculture industries, among others. DPI also manufactures waste and plastic recycling containers for restaurants, stadiums, sports venues, apartments, condominiums, and offices. “For half a century, we’ve dedicated ourselves to helping customers with the highest quality plastic material handling products,” said Tommy Wallace, CEO and Owner of DPI. “This achievement reflects the trust our customers place in us, the hard work of our employees, and our commitment to offering cutting-edge solutions for more efficient operations.” DPI’s product lines include plastic utility carts, bulk material handling carts, laundry carts, forkliftable bulk containers, round drums, containers, tote boxes, spring platform trucks, tilt trucks, elevated carts, easy access carts, dock floats, boat lift tanks, holding tanks, and more.

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Valley Industrial Trucks celebrates 70 Years of Excellence and earns Prestigious CLARK Masters Award

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 14:00:32 +0000

Valley Industrial Trucks, Inc. (VIT), a full-service material handling company serving Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, proudly marks its 70th anniversary in 2026 while announcing a major industry accolade from long-time partner CLARK Material Handling Company. Founded in 1956 in a modest shop on Youngstown-Poland Road, VIT has grown into one of the region’s premier providers of forklifts, aerial lifts, utility vehicles, attachments, and warehouse storage solutions. The company operates locations in Youngstown and Akron, offering sales, rentals, parts, service, and operator training for CLARK. This milestone year also highlights VIT’s enduring partnership with CLARK, which has served as an authorized CLARK dealer for all 70 years. In recognition of outstanding performance in 2025, VIT has been honored with the CLARK Masters Award, placing it among the Top 5 CLARK dealers in North America. This distinction positions VIT as a finalist for the coveted CLARK Dealer of the Year, to be announced at an upcoming industry meeting. The Master’s Award recognizes excellence across multiple criteria, including truck sales, parts sales, warranty support, technician and sales training, and overall customer service. “These achievements reflect the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our entire team,” said a VIT spokesperson. “We are grateful to our employees, customers, and partners like CLARK for making 70 years of success possible. As we look ahead, VIT remains dedicated to delivering innovative material handling solutions that enhance efficiency, safety, and productivity for businesses across the region.”

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Powered by Logistics, Guided by Purpose: American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) marks 20 Years

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 13:05:28 +0000

The American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) today marked its 20th anniversary. “In October 2005, 50 supply chain associations and business leaders began looking for a way to leverage our industry’s core competencies to serve others, because they realized that we really are stronger when we work together,” said ALAN Executive Director Kathy Fulton. “Two decades later, we continue to see this play out for every disaster.” Launched in response to the logistics challenges associated with Hurricane Katrina, ALAN specializes in helping humanitarian organizations get relief supplies stored, transported and delivered to disaster sites more quickly – and free of charge. Over the years, it has assisted more than 300 nonprofits with relief efforts for every major U.S. disaster (as well as many global ones) and had a hand in helping millions of disaster survivors get faster access to key resources like food, water and restored power. “A lot of things have changed since we opened our doors, including the fact that we’re now also focused on disaster preparation and education as well as disaster response,” said Fulton. “But two things haven’t: Logistics continues to be one of the largest and costliest hurdles in terms of delivering effective disaster relief. And the pro bono services that we provide with the help of the many businesses and professional associations in this industry continue to do a world of good. “We’re incredibly thankful to all of the visionaries who decided that supply chain lapses weren’t acceptable or inevitable in the world of disaster relief. And we’re grateful for each of the financial and in-kind donors who have stepped up over the years and made ALAN and our journey possible.”

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Combilift announces milestone forklift giveaway

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:15:17 +0000

Irish-based manufacturer Combilift, a global leader in multi-directional and customised handling solutions, has reached yet another remarkable milestone with the production of its 100,000th Combilift! To celebrate this historic achievement, the company is offering the chance to win this exclusive forklift through a special competition, with all proceeds donated to UNICEF Ireland’s Children’s Emergency Fund. “We are inviting individuals and companies to participate in this competition by donating to UNICEF. This will also give you the chance to WIN the Golden Combilift — a special edition multidirectional forklift valued at over €60,000″, said Combilift CEO Martin McVicar. With your support, Combilift aims to raise in excess of €100,000, or approximately $117,000, to help UNICEF deliver urgent aid to children impacted by conflict and natural disasters – providing life-saving support wherever and whenever it’s needed most. Tickets are priced at £100 or $116.70 each, and the competition can be entered via the link information below. Every ticket sold not only brings you closer to owning a piece of Combilift history but also makes a real difference in the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children. You can enter to win by scanning the QR code or by going to this link. The contest will end on December 15, 2025.

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1000th scissor lift to Malaysia’s fastest growing rental business

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:07:35 +0000

Noblelift’s Malaysia-based customer Ban Ngai Rent (BNR) will this month take delivery of its 1000th Noblelift scissor lift. This milestone has been reached in just 12 months, as BNR, a sister company of Kuala Lumpur-based Ban Ngai Engineering, was launched in March 2024 and took delivery of its first Noblelift scissor in June 2024. Since launching last year, the company has already expanded its fleet to 2,200 MEWPs and has ambitious plans to further increase that number rapidly at its locations across Southeast Asia. The company already has operations in Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. BNR is actively exploring opportunities to expand its footprint into Singapore and Indonesia, with plans to establish a presence in both markets within the year “Our ambition is for BNR to be one of the top 3 regional providers of powered access in South East Asia,” says Dato’ Ong Joe-U, owner and Managing Director of parent group Ban Ngai. This foresees a steady increase in the fleet, and Chris Chin, BNR’s Sales Director SEA Region, is clear that Noblelift’s Access Division “will play an important part in this growth, we already have every model that Noblelift produces in our fleet”. BNR is actively pursuing market leadership by enhancing customer value through investments in parts and fleet management systems, telemetry data solutions, and delivering a ‘Wow’ customer experience “We are proud to partner with BNR as our South East Asia regional distributor,” says Noblelift Sales Director Amy Liang, adding that “BNR has our full range of scissor lifts, from 6m to 16m working height. The dynamic and rapid expansion of BNR is truly impressive”. “BNR is one of the rising stars in the access rental sector and will soon take delivery of some of Noblelift’s first electric booms. We truly value the trust that BNR places in our product and our after-sales service and support,” said Noblelift Access Division CEO Tim Whiteman.

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Hapman celebrates 80 years of excellence

Thu, 22 May 2025 11:45:44 +0000

Marking eight decades of excellence and growth in bulk material handling Hapman is celebrating its 80th anniversary. Founded in 1945 in Detroit, Michigan, Hapman began its journey with the launch of the Tubular Drag Conveyor for the automotive industry. Over the years, Hapman has consistently expanded its capabilities and product offerings, gradually shifting its primary focus from automotive applications to the powder and bulk solids sector. With expertise in industries ranging from food production, chemical manufacturing, and wastewater treatment, Hapman has earned its reputation as a trusted name in material handling. As Hapman marks this milestone anniversary, the company reflects on a legacy defined by reliability and ongoing improvement. Recent product introductions, including the CablePro™ and PosiPro®, have reinforced Hapman’s role as a trusted partner in bulk material handling. Looking ahead, Hapman is preparing to launch an additional conveyor, further broadening its lineup of solutions to address evolving customer needs. Alongside new product development, Hapman is expanding its manufacturing footprint. The facility expansion will add 18,500 square feet, an increase of 35%, to support rising demand and boost operational efficiency. In 2025, Hapman will also open a new test lab, allowing customers to validate material handling solutions under real-world conditions and ensure optimal performance for their specific applications. “As we celebrate 80 years of excellence, we reflect on the generations of employees, customers, and partners who have contributed to Hapman’s success,” said Matt Richardson, Vice President of Sales & Engineering. “Our legacy is built on reliability, consistent performance, and a commitment to helping our customers solve their material handling challenges. We are proud of our history and look forward to continuing to serve our customers for many years to come.” Hapman’s equipment is installed in all 50 states and 56 countries, with more than 14,000 completed projects and over 2,700 materials tested. This extensive experience and global reach reflect Hapman’s dedication to customer satisfaction and quality. As the company celebrates 80 years of excellence, Hapman is well-positioned to continue advancing bulk material handling technologies while honoring its legacy as an industry leader.

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FB Chain celebrates 40 years of lifting innovations

Thu, 08 May 2025 18:35:12 +0000

FB Chain has been a driving force in transforming lifting equipment worldwide for four decades. From pioneering leaf chain assembly kits to revolutionising wear measurement, the UK-based company has built a reputation for technical leadership, a customer-first approach, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability, solidifying its position as a trusted global partner in the materials handling and construction sectors. Celebrating 40 years of leaf chain innovation, FB Chain began in 1985 as a supplier to British forklift truck manufacturers. Today, the company provides critical lifting components for forklifts, telehandlers, aerial work platforms, and reach stackers in over 50 countries, a testament to its global expansion and industry influence. A different kind of chain supplier FB Chain recognised the need to differentiate itself from bulk chain suppliers from its inception. Instead of competing on volume, the company focused on quality, safety, and delivering practical solutions to customer challenges, enhancing performance, efficiency, and convenience. Central to this philosophy is the engineering of each chain to exceed ISO 4347 standards by 20%, promoting greater durability and safety. Each chain is stamped at metre intervals with a unique tracking number, linked to a batch test certificate for complete traceability and quality assurance. FB Chain disrupted traditional practices by introducing leaf chain assembly kits with chain cut to length and anchor bolts already fitted to be mounted directly onto equipment lifting mechanisms. This ‘plug and play’ approach and guaranteed time-specific delivery slots revolutionised customer operations. Continuous innovation for efficiency and sustainability “This was unheard of at the time, a real game-changer,” explains former director Jim Cameron. “For our customers, the kits boosted productivity, reduced labor requirements, and minimised waste, while our just-in-time delivery helped them save on storage space and costs.” Further demonstrating its commitment to problem-solving, FB Chain developed the FB Professional Chain Wear Gauge. Unlike previous tools that either showed ‘worn’ or ‘not worn’, this gauge provides precise wear readings in 0.25% increments, allowing maintenance teams to optimise chain replacement, enhance safety, minimise downtime, and reduce unnecessary costs. The gauge has since become an international standard for leaf chain inspection. Never stopping to innovate Despite the simplicity of chain technology, FB Chain remains dedicated to continuous innovation, helping customers save time, money, energy, and waste. This commitment extends to advancements in material development, such as Xtreme Pressure leaf chains for increased strength, and Supershield chains for enhanced corrosion resistance, ultimately improving equipment reliability, uptime, and lowering replacement costs. Recognising the growing importance of supply chain sustainability, FB Chain is also actively addressing one of the biggest challenges its customers face today: reducing their Scope 3 emissions, namely the indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain, including purchased components and their transportation. FB Chain sources its steel from an Italian supplier committed to a circular economy. It uses 95% scrap metal and electric arc furnaces, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 60% per leaf chain anchor bolt. Furthermore, FB Chain’s purpose-built facility in Letchworth, equipped with solar panels, intelligent design, and comprehensive recycling initiatives, achieves negative annual carbon emissions after accounting for offsets. The company prioritizes innovation and sustainability as it looks to the future. A key focus is automation, demonstrated by its early investment in robotic arms to automate the loading and unloading of CNC turning machines for anchor bolt production. This significantly boosted capacity and enabled 24/7 operation to help meet short-notice requests. With seven robotic arms now in use, further investments will ensure greater customer value. We’re not just celebrating our past, but also laying the groundwork for the future,” concludes FB Chain’s current managing director. “By continuing to invest in advanced materials, smarter technology, and greener operations, we’re positioning ourselves to stay ahead of the evolving needs of our global customers for the next 40 years and beyond.”

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Crown Equipment celebrates 80 Years

Mon, 05 May 2025 15:19:14 +0000

Brothers Carl H. Dicke and Allen A. Dicke founded Crown Equipment Corporation in New Bremen, Ohio, in 1945 with an unwavering commitment to customer service. Eighty years later, Crown is a widely recognized, global material handling equipment manufacturer and technology provider with more than 19,600 employees worldwide serving many of the world’s most recognizable brands and category leaders. The fourth generation of the Dicke family continues to lead Crown from its global headquarters in New Bremen with regional headquarters in Australia, China, Germany, and Singapore. The company provides sales and service through its Crown Lift Trucks retail locations and select independent dealers in over 80 countries. “I’m honored to be a part of this company. Since the beginning, Crown has earned a strong reputation for working closely with its customers to enhance efficiency, productivity, and safety. We could not have reached this point without the support of the communities in which we operate, and our employees, an incredible group of people dedicated to our customers’ success,” said Jim Dicke III, president, Crown Equipment. “We are excited to continue our legacy for developing innovative technology and equipment that keeps businesses moving around the globe.” Crown has a long history of exploring and developing advanced technology that has helped direct and define the future of material handling. It recently introduced the SP 1500 Series high-level order picker, which features the industry’s first mid-platform window and leading lift and lower speeds. The mid-window centered between the hand controls improves visibility while fast lift and lower speeds make order picking easier and more efficient. Also recently introduced is the ProximityAssist System, an operator assist solution that uses Li-DAR sensing technology to detect objects in the lift truck’s path. The system provides operators with the opportunity to take corrective action, reinforces operator training, and increases operator awareness. Crown has expanded its award-winning Demonstrated Performance® training program to include optional virtual reality training. Crown’s Virtual Reality Simulator supplements the company’s acclaimed training by allowing operator trainees to demonstrate their proficiency throughout the 11-step Demonstrated Performance training process. As the company continues its industry leadership, it works closely with customers to incorporate many trends, creating change in the warehouse and broader supply chain. These include: Exploring flexible approaches to automation The prioritization of tasks and equipment that are ideal for automation is evident. Customers are developing a clear path for a tangible return on investment that they can build upon to evolve their automation efforts to support their fulfilment strategies. Enhancing operator experience Greater connectivity is enabling fleet managers to create a more informative and personalized experience for operators, designed to simplify onboarding, maximize productivity, reinforce safety, and emphasize engagement to improve workforce retention. Harnessing data Customers identify and prioritize the type of data they want to gather and establish a plan and processes to share relevant, timely information with the right departments and individuals at the right time. Data is presented in a manner that makes it actionable to create meaningful operational and behavioral changes. Considering alternative power sources Companies are looking at innovative power sources for their forklifts to eliminate some of the pain points associated with the lead-acid battery power source. V-Force® Lithium-Ion is one option that offers several productivity, maintenance, and operating cost advantages.

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FOX IV achieves sustainability milestone

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 12:23:47 +0000

FOX IV is proud to have achieved Scope 3 compliance of Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition. Supplier LOCT is an educational platform for suppliers, and a company collaborative for their buyers (LOCT partners). It was created to accelerate action towards reducing supply chain carbon emissions. Guidehouse facilitates an instructional seminar series with levels of progress designed to help suppliers create a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions footprint, adopt reduction targets, disclose emissions, and explore abatement measures. The collaboration is standardizing the way forward for LOCT partners seeking to deliver on their Scope 3 climate reduction targets. This achievement signifies FOX IV’s development of a Scope 3 greenhouse footprint that meets GHG Protocol and Science-Based Targets Initiative standards with the support of the Supplier LOCT collaborative. It affirms our shared ambition to reduce GHG emissions and align with industry standards.

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Tetra Pak celebrates 40 years in the U.S.

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:21:11 +0000

Tetra Pak, a pioneer and world-leading food processing and packaging solutions company, marks this year’s official 40th anniversary of the company’s Denton, Texas, facility. The plant was Tetra Pak’s first in the United States, and today, the 263,844-square-foot site includes a Global Information Technology hub, a Product Development Center, a Technical Training Center, a warehouse, a packaging material production factory, and office space. “For 40 years, our team in Denton has been helping Tetra Pak realize its vision to make food safe and available everywhere. We work to do that sustainably, ﬁnding new ways, with new collaborations, to help deliver the innovative solutions our customers need to succeed. In this way, we help enable communities and the planet to ﬂourish,” said Seth Teply, president and CEO of Tetra Pak U.S. and Canada. Creating a Legacy The Denton site, roughly 40 miles north of Dallas, serves as headquarters for Tetra Pak U.S. and Canada and consists of approximately 725 team members, each contributing to a rich and diverse workplace culture. Employing 80 people at the time of opening, six still work at Tetra Pak today: John Altavilla, Danny Cochran, Julie Hines, Dale Litchfield, Robert Mohair, and Mike Otto. “This year’s milestone celebrates four decades of pioneering innovation, remarkable growth, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability in our market,” Teply said. “And this is just the beginning. Our journey has only just begun, with much more to achieve ahead.” Investing in the Future Built in 1984, the Denton factory is undergoing an expansion project that will enable the factory to produce over 10 billion packages annually. As this growth continues, Tetra Pak will be able to meet future customers’ needs, which will continue to bring new manufacturing jobs to the facility. In 2024, the Denton site is on track to produce an estimated 6.8 billion food packages. Earlier this year, the facility completed an expansion of its Technical Training Center, adding new equipment and resources to enhance hands-on training and workforce development opportunities for customers and employees. Committed to Sustainability As part of Tetra Pak’s long-standing promise to protect what’s good — food, people, and the planet, its Denton facility produces shelf-stable packaging that allows dairy products, nutritional products, juice, broth, and more to stay safe and delicious for long periods of time without additives, preservatives or refrigeration before opening. This process reduces food waste as products can be stored unopened at room temperature until they’re ready to be consumed. “With more than 70 years as a global company in the food and beverage space, we understand the impact packaging has on the environment, and we work to lessen that impact every day,” Teply said. “As we look to the future, we have a growing global population that needs access to safe and nutritious food. Tetra Pak will continue to lead the way toward developing secure, resilient, and sustainable global food systems.” Tetra Pak cartons are recyclable and made primarily of renewable materials from responsibly managed sources, such as from Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified forests and other controlled sources. Additionally, plant-based polymers traceable to their sugarcane origins are available instead of traditional fossil-fuel-based polymers for certain plastic caps and carton coatings within our portfolio. These renewable resources can be replenished over time, resulting in a lower carbon footprint and reduced environmental impact.

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JLT Mobile Computers celebrates 30 years of rugged computing innovation

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:00:38 +0000

This year marks a significant milestone for JLT Mobile Computers: three decades of pioneering rugged computing innovation. Since its founding in the early 1990s, JLT has witnessed and contributed to the remarkable transformation of the rugged IT industry, establishing itself as a trusted leader in delivering robust solutions for demanding environments, most recently with the upgraded VERSO™ Series and JLT1214™ Series. Leveraging three decades of rugged computing innovation With three decades of relentless customer focus, JLT leverages its experience in the rugged computing industry to deliver the most valued rugged computers on the market, helping customers in many segments achieve their business goals. In the warehousing sector, JLT enables companies to meet customer Service Level Agreements (SLA’s), move products efficiently, and ensure flawless order fulfillment. By minimizing computer downtime and addressing challenges such as difficult wireless coverage, JLT helps warehouses maintain peak operational efficiency. In the ports industry, JLT reduces deployment risks and ensures fast and straightforward installation. Its five-year Navis Ready validation guarantees seamless integration between the Navis N4 terminal operating system and JLT’s port-targeted products, further enhancing performance in port operations. JLT’s rugged computers also support innovative applications in “Smart Farming”, where they increase farmers’ efficiency and improve crop yields through advanced IT solutions. In the mining industry, operators rely on JLT devices to monitor critical activities, from assessing ore quality to tracking vehicle tire wear. These insights drive data-informed decisions that enhance productivity. Throughout its long presence in the rugged computing industry, JLT has continuously refined its engineering processes and made design enhancements based on customer and industry feedback. With its own engineering, test center, and production facility in Sweden, JLT controls every aspect of production with high precision. The computers are built from the ground up with the use case in mind. The result is unprecedented quality and reliability, most recently JLT has further advanced its offerings by upgrading the VERSO Series and JLT1214 Series, delivering cutting-edge technology to meet the evolving demands of its customers. 30 years of transformation in the rugged computing industry The rugged IT industry has undergone significant transformation over the past 30 years, driven by technological advancements, changing customer needs, and the growing demand for reliable computing solutions in extreme environments. As a pioneer in the industry, JLT has been part of the journey and has identified the following big shifts: Improved form factors: Devices have become more compact, lightweight, and ergonomic without compromising durability. In 2020, JLT launched its VERSO 10, the most compact and high-performing vehicle-mount terminal on the market, addressing the industry’s need for space-saving solutions without compromising power. High-performance components: Modern rugged devices now include powerful processors, high-resolution displays, and advanced connectivity options like 5G and the latest Wi-Fi solutions. Over the years JLT has repeatedly set new performance records with its continuous product upgrades. Enhanced touchscreen technology: The shift from physical keypads to multi-touch displays, even for use with gloves or in wet conditions, has improved usability. In 2015 JLT set a new industry standard in ruggedness and reliability with market-leading touchscreen technology – the JLT PowerTouch™. Seamless connectivity: The incorporation of GPS, LTE, 5G, and satellite communications has enhanced device connectivity in remote locations. These features are crucial for the use of rugged computers in for example the port industry. Back in 2019, JLT was the first to sign a five-year Navis Ready agreement – a prized proof of quality in the port segment. Efficiency-enhancing software integrations: Software plays a pivotal role in the rugged computing industry today, transforming rugged devices from standalone hardware into integrated solutions that drive operational efficiency, data insights, and automation. JLT Insights™ is JLT’s unique software solution designed from the ground up to monitor key areas in warehouse operations and provide real-time alerts to improve forklift productivity. Through these transformations, JLT has consistently demonstrated leadership and innovation, building solutions that set industry benchmarks while addressing real-world challenges. This has been possible thanks to the strong relationships JLT has built with its Partners and customers. By truly understanding each customer’s unique challenges, JLT has together with its Partners delivered technology that drives results and increases productivity in demanding environments. Shaping the future of the rugged computing industry Looking ahead, JLT is dedicated to driving the future of rugged computing by staying ahead of industry trends and evolving customer needs. In doing so, JLT has recently started a collaborative project in the field of AI and high-performance computing with a leading Swedish university.

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John Deere commemorates 75 Years of Dozer innovation

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 17:43:51 +0000

Driven by innovative and ongoing customer input, John Deere commemorates its 75th year as a leader in the dozer market. Since entering the business, John Deere has focused on meeting customer needs to improve job site efficiencies. Beginning production in 1949 in Dubuque, Iowa, the John Deere line-up of dozers has evolved through the years with innovation that has solved industry-wide challenges. “This important 75-year milestone of dozer manufacturing recognizes the tremendous teamwork of everyone involved, including our factory teams, engineers, and our dealers that support our customers every day,” said Matt Costello, product marketing manager, dozers John Deere. “We’re incredibly proud that this lineup has continued to provide the durability and performance that our customers rely on to work smarter and more efficiently, getting the job done right the first time.” Looking back at key milestones for its dozer family, John Deere debuted various industry-leading solutions and breakthrough designs that paved the way for today’s reliable, powerful, and tech-packed models. 1949 – John Deere began manufacturing MC Dozers in Dubuque, Iowa. 1958—The 440 Crawler Dozer entered the market as the first all-yellow machine built specifically for industrial applications. This model stood out as the industry’s first all-hydraulic bulldozer with a 6-way power-angle-tilt blade, leading the charge with its ground-breaking design. 1965—John Deere introduced dozer T-Bar blade controls and the first integral machines with the new industrial model numbers. These models included the JD350 and JD450 crawlers, configured distinctly as dozers or loaders. 1976 – John Deere became the first North American manufacturer to utilize a dual-path hydrostatic drive on its dozer line-up. 1988—New full powershift transmission models were introduced, including the 400G, 450G, 550G, and 650G models. These models offered four forward and four reverse speeds, expanding capability on the job site. 1999—Dual-path hydrostatic drive was introduced on the 450H, 550H, and 650H models and continues to be used in the full John Deere dozer lineup. 2001—John Deere introduced its largest dozer ever with the rollout of the 1050C. The 1050C led the way for the updates and innovations in the 1050 P-Tier today. 2010 – John Deere unveiled the industry’s first 764 High-Speed Dozer, the first new machine form in decades, featuring travel speeds up to 16 mph. The past decade – technology innovations In the last decade, John Deere has elevated its line-up with innovations that have helped shape the construction industry’s current state. Through its investments and developments in productivity-enhancing technologies, job site safety solutions, and operator comfort improvements, the current state of the dozer market has been strongly influenced by the milestones met in recent years. 2016—John Deere introduced a factory-integrated 3D grade control, SmartGrade, on the 700K model. Today, this solution is equipped on more than 20 models in the Deere lineup. 2017 – The 950K with SmartGrade became the industry’s largest power-angle tilt (PAT) blade configuration. 2020 – John Deere introduced its Slope Control feature to assist operators in maintaining the main fall and cross slope while grading. 2021—The new suspended double-bogie undercarriage debuted on the 1050K, reducing peak vibrations in the cab by up to 75 percent. 2023—John Deere rolled out its innovative EZGrade feature, which aids operators in manually grading smooth finish passes by automatically making small blade corrections. 2024—The 1050 P-Tier model was upgraded to feature the new JD14 (13.6L) engine, which enables enhanced power and operation on the job. 2024—John Deere expands its Dozer SmartGrade offerings with the Next Generation of SmartGrade into the 450 P-Tier and 550 P-Tier and updates the 650 P-Tier. This will provide SmartGrade offerings in the future, such as 450-950-size dozers. The Next Generation of SmartGrade is John Deere designed and supported and can soon be equipped with either Topcon or Leica. In recognition of its 75th year in the dozer market, John Deere will begin decaling its dozer line-up with a commemorative badge. This badge will be available on all Dozers built for 2024 and 2025. To learn more about the current line-up of John Deere dozers, please visit www.JohnDeere.com or contact your local dealer.

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Hangcha Canada celebrates five-year milestone

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 19:35:12 +0000

Hangcha Forklift Canada is celebrating a significant milestone—five years since its establishment. Officially launched on October 18, 2019, with an investment of USD 3 million, Hangcha Canada was built to bring a direct distribution model to the Canadian market. Fast-forward to today, and the company has coast-to-coast service capabilities through a network of 17 dealers. By cutting out intermediaries, Hangcha Canada is more agile and responsive in doing business with its dealers, offering personalized support and solutions that fit the unique needs of each Canadian market. In 2023 alone, Hangcha Canada sold 2,463 units across Class 1 to Class 7 forklifts, supplying relatively small operations to Fortune 500 companies in the automotive, warehousing, cosmetics, and food industries. At its recent 4th annual Canadian Dealers’ Conference, which coincided with its 5th anniversary, Hangcha Canada brought together all 17 dealers under the theme “Engage, Empower, and Elevate.” The conference focused on strategies for the future, such as expanding rental fleets and enhancing service capabilities.

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Superior Tire & Rubber Corp. celebrates 60 years

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 20:44:20 +0000

Superior Tire & Rubber Corp. celebrates its 60th anniversary, commemorating six decades of dedication, innovation, and leadership in the polyurethane and rubber industry. Founded on September 15, 1964, as an automotive retailer and tire recapping business in Warren, Pennsylvania, Superior Tire has evolved into a major player in the polyurethane and rubber markets. Superior Tire’s products (still manufactured in Warren, PA) have a global reach in five focused business areas that help drive material handling solutions, build roads and buildings, plant and harvest the food we eat, and keep a variety of specialized industrial equipment up and running in a 24/7 world. During its growth, Superior Tire has never forgotten its roots and, as a result, has become a respected local enterprise known for its commitment to community, quality, and industry advancements. “This is a proud moment for Superior Tire,” said Hank LeMeur Jr., president and CEO. “We have faced many challenges and exciting wins over the years, and I have no doubt we’re set up to execute strongly in the next 60 years.” A Legacy of Innovation Superior Tire’s vision is to be the vendor of choice by offering its customers a technical advantage, providing those customers with a significant lead in their market. This bold vision could not be achieved without a first-class Engineering department delivering innovative products that stand the test of time. Led today by Joseph Peterson, PhD, VP of Engineering & Quality, his team is staffed with ten passionate engineers who hold nine granted patents with an additional four patents pending. “Our team of experienced individuals is focused on improving design and advancing solutions in the markets we serve,” said Joe. “As we continue to grow, we will need additional talent to join our team to continue creating the technical advantage that our customers expect.” While focusing on new product developments, the Superior Engineering team emphasizes quality and continuous improvement within the manufacturing process and has a talented team of in-house mold designers. Manufacturing Philosophy – The Superior Way Today, Superior Tire has over 375 employees (300 in production) who produce nearly 1.3 million parts annually at its three manufacturing plants in Warren, PA. As the company has grown, it needs to adapt to new manufacturing philosophies, first-class safety standards, and sustainable processes (ISO-9001) to ensure the highest quality possible. In 2018, Superior Tire adopted the Superior Production System, which mimics the Toyota Production System. This system helped bring a shared vision and language to the production floor as demand and growth soared. In addition to process and production systems, Superior Tire has implemented four Universal robot cobots, three Fuji robotic machining centers, four high-speed rotary molding lines, and six auto-feed trimming machines over the last five years. “Innovation in manufacturing processes is fundamental to sustaining our continued growth,” said Beau Kibby, VP of Manufacturing & Warehousing. “Each day, we challenge ourselves to develop new processes that improve our output while sustaining our quality standards.” Safety is core to everything at Superior Tire, and they celebrate safety by recognizing employees who achieve 1,000,000 minutes of work safety. Over the years, Superior Tire has recognized 54 teammates who have achieved and exceeded this safety milestone and one teammate who achieved the coveted 5,000,000 minutes, equating to 40+ years of work safety! Celebrating the Superior Family Over the last 60 years, many employees and teammates have helped make Superior Tire & Rubber Corp. what it is today. Although there are too many to mention in this article, we want to take a moment to thank each employee (past and present) for their dedication, effort, perseverance, vision, and teamwork! As a small tribute of our appreciation to our employees and the community, Superior Tire is hosting an open house at 1818 Pennsylvania Ave in Warren, PA, on Saturday, September 14 (10:00 AM to 1:00 PM) for employees and their families to participate in celebrating our 60th anniversary. The public is welcome to join our celebration! Calynne Neff, HR Manager for Superior Tire, added, “We are proud of all our current and past teammates and look forward to a fun day together. Superior continues to add to our workforce, and we hold open interviews each Wednesday at our plant on Penn Ave. If you’re looking for a new career challenge with a path to grow, come and talk to us!” Looking Ahead Superior Tire is deeply rooted in its history and is spreading its wings as it looks excitedly to the next 60 years. “In my view, we are just getting warmed up!” said Jared Steier, VP of Sales and Marketing for Superior Tire. “There are so many exciting partnerships and products that will sustain our market share and growth in the years to come. By offering innovative, performance-delivering products in the material handling, construction, agricultural, and industrial markets, we have nowhere to go but up! We are investing in the right markets, manufacturing strategies, and engineering excellence to ensure we can meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s partners.” He concluded, “It truly is an exciting moment in our 60-year history.”

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Global Shop Solutions Ilya Dynkin reaches 25-year milestone

Thu, 02 May 2024 14:31:33 +0000

Working at the same company for 25 years is a rare occurrence these days. Global Shop Solutions has announced the latest addition to the Quarter Century Club, Ilya Dynkin, VP of Sales. When Dynkin joined Global Shop Solutions early in his career, he had no experience with ERP or manufacturing software. What he did have was enthusiasm, motivation, and the ability to find and win new opportunities, bringing in new customers. The love and care he shows to each person he works with isn’t just in the sale – it’s in the long-term relationships he builds. “We knew from the start we had a special person in Ilya because of the way he connects with manufacturers on a personal basis, understands their problems, and demonstrates how ERP software can correct them,” says Dusty Alexander, President and CEO of Global Shop Solutions. “He truly enjoys his work, and his spirit and enthusiasm for helping our customers simplify their manufacturing rubs off on all who work with him.” Dynkin prides himself on demonstrating how ERP software can help transform manufacturing companies and improve their processes. What he finds most rewarding is when customers have enough faith in him and trust in the company to want to become a lifetime partner. “At Global Shop Solutions our customers are buying software that will run their entire company from quote to cash, and I want to make sure they understand the importance of partnering with the right company,” says Dynkin. “Telling them who we are, the type of relationship they can expect, and the lifelong partner we want to be is an integral part of the process.” Dynkin believes that when a company shows loyalty to its employees, values and mission, it will keep its people engaged and performing their best. “I am proud of the growth Global Shop Solutions has achieved, but even more so the fact that we haven’t become corporatized,” says Dynkin. “The company’s principles and family atmosphere haven’t changed since I first came here 25 years ago. It continues to be a place where we support each other and can have open conversations with anyone, anytime. The family ownership truly cares about the people who work here, and always put them at the front of their decision-making process.” “I love the work,” adds Dynkin. “It’s gratifying to see the impact Global Shop Solutions has on our customers’ businesses, and I feel like I have a measurable impact on our company.”

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Carolina Handling celebrates anniversary with 58 for 58 giveaway

Wed, 01 May 2024 17:11:22 +0000

Carolina Handling is celebrating its 58th anniversary in 2024 with a yearlong campaign entitled “Handling Hunger Together” to assist hunger relief organizations throughout the company’s five-state footprint. According to Feeding America, more than 44 million people in the U.S. face hunger each year, including 1 in 5 children. In 2022, 49 million people turned to food banks and other charitable organizations to help feed their families. About 8 million pounds of food was collected and delivered to feeding organizations in 2023, according to Move for Hunger, with food banks in need of pallet jacks, lift trucks and other material handling equipment to move non-perishables and fresh produce. “There are numerous organizations throughout the Southeast that receive, store and distribute thousands of pounds of food each year to feed the hungry in their communities,” said Carolina Handling President & CEO Brent Hillabrand. “The logistics of that can be overwhelming to organizations that don’t have applicable, reliable equipment. That’s where companies like Carolina Handling can help.” In celebration of Carolina Handling’s 58 years in business in 2024, the Charlotte, NC-based intralogistics company is giving away 58 motorized pallet jacks to hunger relief organizations throughout its territory, which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida’s Central time zone. The Raymond 8210 electric pallet jacks are used 2016 and newer models with battery packs. They will be awarded on a first-requested basis to qualifying organizations completing a submission form on the Carolina Handling website. Equipment will be delivered to all recipients at no charge.

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Locus Robotics reaches three billion picks milestone

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:12:38 +0000

Locus Robotics announced that it has surpassed 3 billion total picks across its global customer deployments. The milestone was reached just 33 weeks after the company recorded its two billionth pick, and underscores the company’s continued rapid growth, solidifying its position as the undisputed leader in autonomous robotics automation for the warehouse. “Surpassing 3 billion picks across our global deployments is a significant milestone that reflects the trust our customers have placed in our innovative robotics solutions,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics. “As we continue to push the boundaries of innovation, we remain focused on our mission to revolutionize the supply chain industry and empower our customers to drive operational efficiencies and productivity gains to thrive in an increasingly complex and demanding fulfillment landscape.” The billionth pick was a Carhartt t-shirt and occurred at a Carhartt facility in Hanson, KY, just milliseconds ahead of other items picked at the more than 300 Locus customer sites around the world. While it took Locus nearly 7 years to reach its first billion picks, the company’s growth has since accelerated at an unprecedented pace, reaching 2 billion picks just 11 months later, and now the third billion in a mere 33 weeks. During the 2023 holiday peak season, Locus picked more than 331 million units, representing a 66% increase vs. Holiday 2022, and picked a total of 1.2 billion units in 2023, an 82% increase over the previous year. “I first saw a demo of the Locus bots the year the company was founded. I instantly understood the potential this system had,” said Steve Banker, Vice President of Supply Chain Services at ARC Advisory Group. “Their impressive growth trajectory is a clear indication of the value their proven solutions bring to customers, enabling them to improve productivity, lower costs, and stay ahead of the competition.” “The 3 billion pick milestone is a testament to the widespread adoption of Locus Robotics’ innovative AMR technology across various industries, including retail, third-party logistics (3PL), healthcare, and manufacturing,” added Faulk. “At Carhartt, we are consistently impressed by the performance and reliability of Locus Robotics’ solutions,” said Tony Gariety, VP, of Distribution Operations. “LocusBots have become an integral part of our operations, enabling us to meet the ever-increasing demands of our customers while maintaining the highest levels of efficiency and accuracy.” As the industry continues to evolve, Locus Robotics remains committed to driving innovation and delivering cutting-edge robotics solutions that enable its customers to scale to meet growing demand. Locus’s strong focus on research and development ensures that it is well-positioned to continue its rapid growth and industry leadership in warehouse robotics automation.

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Saino doors marks 125 Years in the industrial door market

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 17:22:44 +0000

Saino Doors, a member of the Senneca family of brands, has announced to commemorate 125 years of unwavering dedication and passion in the industrial door industry. Since 1899, Saino has been at the forefront, setting the standard for unparalleled quality and reliability with its sliding fire and service door systems across various industries. As part of the Chase Doors brand, Saino offers a comprehensive line of door systems designed for a wide range of applications, including warehouses, distribution centers, industrial environments, processing plants, manufacturing facilities, parking garages, convention facilities, and pharmaceutical facilities. As Saino marks this significant milestone, they extend heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support and trust in Saino door systems. The company’s dedication to providing innovative solutions tailored to meet their customer’s specific needs and surpass expectations remains unwavering. “Saino: Opening Doors to Possibilities for 125 Years and Counting. With a legacy built on great people, loyal customers, and exceptional products, we continue to thrive and grow,” Rick Paterni, Vice President of product and Marketing shared. “We expect the trend of satisfied customers to continue for decades to come, as we remain committed to excellence in every aspect of our business.” With a steadfast commitment to exceptional customer service and advanced manufacturing capabilities, Saino has earned a well-deserved reputation for delivering high-quality products. The company appreciates the partnerships formed over the years and eagerly anticipates another 125 years of success together.

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Advance Lifts celebrates its 50th anniversary

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 01:15:48 +0000

Advance Lifts, a North American lift manufacturer of industrial scissor lift tables, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. They are also the number one dock lift manufacturer in North America. Since Advance Lifts’ founding in 1974, the company has serviced all facets of business providing lifts for retail, package handling, air cargo, food processing, material handling, automotive, manufacturing, warehouses, aerospace, construction, fabricating & metalworking, roll & coil handling, and industrial applications. “Advance Lifts is extremely proud to not only be known for the most durable and innovative lifts, but for our unmatched responsiveness and superior service,” said Michael Renken, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Advance Lifts. “Our goal over the past 50 years has been to make the entire process of buying, installing, using, and servicing of lifts, as easy as possible for each and every customer.” Advance Lifts has dedicated 50 years to the principle of delivering top-quality products to customers. They have the largest variety of loading dock lifts, industrial scissor lift tables, industrial turntables, container tilters, container dumpers, work access lifts, mezzanine access lifts, multistage lifts, and reciprocating conveyors available. Advance Lifts leads the industry with some of the longest and most comprehensive warranties in their respective product groups. Another one of Advance Lifts’ accomplishments is an array of patented control systems with one allowing for up to .030 of an inch repeatable accuracy, maximizing production accuracies. With the most robust and longest-lasting lifts in the industry, Advance Lifts continues to innovate at its state-of-the-art 120,000-square-foot St. Charles, IL facility.

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