Pittsburgh, PA—Seegrid Corporation, a leader in the robotic industrial truck market, announced the addition of Evan Rago as an application engineer.  Before joining Seegrid, Rago was employed by Joy Mining Machinery as a project manager. He led and facilitated multiple kaizen events, including 5S, kanban, and work cell relocation/redesign.  He analyzed facility layouts and optimized material handling and work flow.  When employed at UPMC, Rago worked on material handling projects to allocate nurses’ time more productively while increasing the quality of the care given to the patient.  Prior experience includes professional experience at Walgreens and Westinghouse.

Rago shared his excitement about joining the Seegrid team and commented, “Seegrid has an excellent team environment.  Every single employee here shares a common entrepreneurial drive that I have as well. The most exciting aspect of joining the Seegrid team is the opportunity to be an integral part of sustaining past successes and developing new ones.  The privilege of joining the Seegrid team enables me to utilize my past skills acquired from previously held positions, but more importantly gain opportunities that are unparalleled by my previous experiences.”

Michael M. Hasco, Chief Growth Officer for Seegrid Corporation commented, “Seegrid’s increasing sales success requires our continued support.  Rago’s hiring represents another step in our long history of successfully recruiting from Pittsburgh’s talent-rich universities. His Industrial Engineering education, and process improvement experience, makes him a good fit for the team.  Talent, education, and experience allow us to support our sales growth and customer relationships.”

Hasco also shared, “The growth of RITs in material handling has required that Seegrid be a leader in robotics.  New technologies and new demands in this fast growing sector are driving the growth and expansion of the Seegrid engineering staff.  Because our clients in the manufacturing and industrial distribution sector demand and require the best from Seegrid, we hire only the best and brightest for our engineering team.”

Rago will play a crucial role in the pre-sales engineering of robotic industrial truck systems. As an applications engineer, he will be responsible for determining system requirements, product selection, pricing, system layouts, and proposal generation for potential Seegrid customers. Rago will provide support to the Seegrid sales team by assessing customer sites and assisting with customer presentations. The position requires day-to-day interaction with sales management, sales, engineering, and customers.

About Seegrid
Founded in 2003, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Seegrid Corporation (www.seegrid.com) brings robotic vision-guided technology to the material handling industry. With more than thirty years of innovation and research by some of the leading robotic scientists, engineers, programmers and logistics practitioners worldwide, Seegrid’s exclusive Robotic Industrial Trucks are revolutionizing the movement of materials in manufacturing and distribution environments. Seegrid’s technology transforms industrial vehicles into unmanned, automated pallet trucks and tow tractors that operate without the need for wire, tape, laser, magnet or other automated guided vehicle (AGV) guidance systems. Seegrid offers solutions that optimize workflow processes by increasing productivity and reducing costs, creating economic and operational advantages. Fast Company magazine named Seegrid as one of the Top 50 World’s Most Innovative Company in 2013 and among the Top 10 World’s Most Innovative Robotics Company in 2013. Follow Seegrid Corporation on Twitter at @Seegrid.

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For more information please contact:
Michael Hasco
mhasco@seegrid.com
412-379-4500x 237

Amanda Merrell
amerrell@seegrid.com
412-389-4500x184

Düsseldorf -  A total of 14 Demag portal cranes are being used by the Brazilian project engineering company SPMAR to complete one of the largest and most symbolic road construction projects in Latin America. The crane installations are used for key transport tasks for production and construction site logistics for completing the Eastern section of the Rodoanel Màrio Covas, São Paulo. This 180-km-long ring road circumnavigates the city of millions and is intended to reduce the very high congestion of the existing road network.

In parts, the road is constructed on columns and supporting girders. This requires a special construction method, for which the portal cranes assume major tasks: they transport girders, supports and other load-bearing elements to the place of installation.

Dr Lars Brzoska, Vice President and Managing Director of Terex Material Handling states: “Demag crane technology is supporting the rapid implementation of this road building project. We are pleased that with our products we have been able to make a major contribution to the implementation of this infrastructure project that is so important for the region.”

Particular demands were made on the engineering of the drives because the runway also includes curved sections. Terex Material Handling therefore also supplied portal cranes that are able to negotiate curves, and can also negotiate slight gradients over the course of the road.

Terex Material Handling in Brazil has assumed co-ordination of the crane project, engineering of the crane installations and the structural steelwork engineering and assembly. The central components of the cranes such as hoists, controls and drives come from the German production facility in Wetter/Ruhr.

Vigold Georg, Managing Director Terex Material Handling in Brazil states: “With Demag portal cranes, we offer universal solutions for numerous transport tasks. Thanks to global standardization, our customers benefit from tried-and-tested crane components and extraordinarily short delivery times.”

About the construction project
The metropolitan area of São Paulo in Brazil is one of the most densely populated conurbations in the world. Approx. 20.5 million people live here – this makes the city the largest in the southern hemisphere. The roads in and around São Paulo are chronically congested. The Rodoanel Màrio Covas motorway, which is 180 km long and surrounds São Paulo in the form of a ring road is intended to provide a remedy. This Southern ring has been completed; the inauguration of the 43 km Eastern ring is planned for 2014.

This part of the road section passes through an area of outstanding natural beauty and so the section is being built on stilts, in a similar way to a bridge. Here a new process is being used in which a lattice-boom crane positions columns and lays girders on top of them. Since the terrain is impassable, the girders and other assembly parts are transported by portal cranes to the place of installation. The rail-mounted cranes travel on the outer lanes of the already completed road sections. The rails are extended as construction progresses so that the crane can always reach the place where the construction material is installed.

14 Portal cranes work under harsh operating conditions
For the construction project, Terex Material Handling supplied 14 Demag ZVPE double-girder full-portal cranes. Eight identically crane installations are designed to work simultaneously on four construction sites of the road building project. With a span of 17 m, they are each able to serve three lanes for one direction of travel of the future ring road and are used to transport prefabricated concrete parts. Equipped with a double-rail trolley and a DR 20 rope hoist, they have a load capacity of 32 tons. The lifting height is seven metres.

The special requirement: the drive units and brakes were designed to accommodate gradients of 2.5 %. In addition, the crane installations were configured in such a way that they follow the curve-shaped course of the road section.

Moreover, the cranes meet all requirements associated with outdoor use in the sub-tropical climate zone and the harsh environmental conditions of construction site operation.

A further six full-portal cranes, each with a span of 18 m, are used for lifting and transport tasks in the production plant for the construction materials.  Four full-portal cranes with a load capacity of 32 t and two cranes with a load capacity of 16 t travel on three parallel crane runways measuring 360 m in length. Thanks to their compact design, they can serve practically every point of the approximately 28,000 m² production and storage area.

Standardized portal cranes
The crane installations installed for the road building project in São Paulo were planned and designed in accordance with the high global Demag standard for portal cranes. On the basis of tried-and-tested crane components, international teams of engineers developed standardized solutions for portal cranes that focus on universal areas of application and can be adapted in line with requirements via additional localised options such as radio control, crane distance controls and two-trolley operation. Demag customers thus benefit from high-quality and extremely reliable crane components, shortened planning and delivery times and, as a consequence, higher production efficiencies. Important reasons why the Brazilian project engineering company opted to use Demag crane technology.

The availability and efficient use of crane installations is also guaranteed by a large network of qualified service engineers.

About Terex Material Handling
Terex Corporation is one of the world’s leading suppliers of crane technology with Demag industrial cranes and crane components. The core competence of the Terex Material Handling business group lies in the development, design and production of technically sophisticated cranes, hoists and components and the provision of services for these products. The business group manufactures in 16 countries on five continents and is present in more than 60 countries, reaching customers in more than 100 countries.

Terex Corporation is a diversified global manufacturer of a broad range of equipment. A core activity of Terex Corporation is the provision of reliable, customer-driven solutions for many applications, including the construction, infrastructure, shipping, transport, quarrying, mining, refining, energy, utility and manufacturing industries. Terex reports in five business segments: Aerial Work Platforms; Construction; Cranes; Material Handling & Port Solutions; and Materials Processing Terex Financial Services offers a wide range of products and services to assist in the acquisition of Terex equipment. Please visit our websites at www.demag-us.com and www.terex.com for further information.

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For more information please contact:
Dan Konstantinovsky
440 248-2400
dan.konstantinovsky@terex.com

SPS Ideal Solutions, Inc is an industry leader in manufacturing designed tubular steel suspension roll rack frames that are supplied with aluminum support cores for larger roll applications. 

Roll Raptor™ was designed on Solid Works with stress test analysis. The Roll Raptor™ meets the handling needs of any roll product that is surface sensitive or is benefited by suspension packaging.  2000# roll weights are not a problem. The design allows for easy fork truck loading, custom sizes require NO TOOLING.

The existing wood end boards and wood pallet require many loose metal U and H channels.  Polyester straps secure the roll along with paper or plastic core inserts for core strength. The demand for longer rolls equate to larger diameters to allow for longer runs on converting or packaging equipment. The wood packaging has limits to weight and load. 

The Roll Raptor™ addresses the short comings of the wood end board system.  Roll Raptor™ provides the benefits of the steel roll rack system in small footprints.  The vertical cradle panels’ fold flat when empty and have an automatic pendulum corner locking tab, for safety when loading.  The vertical cradle panels are a hinged design secured to the pallet deck in slots that allow for width adjustment of 9”/ end (allows for 18” width variance). The Roll Raptor™ uses plastic or paper core inserts to strengthen the core ends.  The Roll Raptor™ has recessed strap guides for proper placement of polyester strapping, 4 strap positions.

Roll Raptor™ Features &Benefits of Steel
  
•?        Prevent roll web surface damage
•?        Eliminate hazards of wood splinter contamination in medical, food or personal care rolled materials
•?        Prevent personal injury to workers created from lifting of heavy wood end boards
•?        Eliminate personal injury to workers from sharp ends and edges of wood
•?        No heat treating required for International use.
•?        Improve working area appearance no broken wood to create trip hazard
•?        Decrease work area maintenance for cleanup
•?        Reduce inventory storage space required for various wood ends and pallets
•?        Eliminate loose U and H shaped metal channels
•?        Decrease packaging time – SAVE MONEY

Visit our website www.spsidealsolutions.com for more information and pictures.

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For more information please contact:

Joe DiSabantonio
239-514-3956
239-514-0247 fax
joe@spsidealsolutions.com
www.spsidealsolutions.com

Newport, DE- TotalTrax Inc. a leading provider of real time vehicle, driver and inventory tracking technologies and fleet management solutions for the materials handling industry was named one of 3 finalists for the 2013 SmartCEO Philadelphia VOLTAGE award in the Small Technology Innovator category.

The SmartCEO VOLTAGE Awards program celebrates the role that technology plays in the business community and the future impact the technology sector will have on economic growth. The VOLTAGE award is a prestigious honor that is given to companies that display excellence and have left their mark in the Philadelphia metropolis. 

The nomination sited TotalTrax’s patented technology solution that allows warehouse managers and upper-level management to address some of the most common challenges in the material handling, indoor logistics, and supply chain industries; specifically addressing inventory inaccuracies, high fleet, labor and maintenance costs, and safety hazards within their operations.

“We are honored to be named as a finalist for this award,” said Mike Kinnard, president and CEO of TotalTrax. “TotalTrax has worked hard to continue to expand upon the technology platform we began building over 6 years ago.  Being nominated and recognized for this award by SmartCEO is a tribute to what we have achieved and is an indication of the success and future innovations TotalTrax will continue create for our customers in the years to come.”

TotalTrax is a provider of inch – accurate indoor tracking systems that are reliable enough to track not just vehicles but also the materials or inventory being moved to a storage location. TotalTrax currently holds eight patents and sells its products on six contents and in twenty two countries through a network of thirty two plus distributors.

About TotalTrax, Inc.

TotalTrax, Inc. is a leading provider of real time vehicle, driver and inventory tracking technologies and fleet management solutions for manufacturing and warehouse operations. Offering a complete technology platform that transforms traditional material handling vehicles into “smart trucks”, TotalTrax provides solutions that monitor equipment usage and automate data collection and reporting for materials handling operations. With patented hardware, software, reporting and business intelligence tools, TotalTrax delivers substantial value in safety, fleet utilization, labor productivity and inventory accuracy. By automating vehicle usage, maintenance, impacts and lift truck load and location visibility data, customers are able to reduce or eliminate the inaccuracies normally associated with operator input. The resulting business intelligence provides the insight needed to implement immediate improvements resulting in documented productivity gains.

About SmartCEO
SmartCEO is an exclusive community of CEOs and business executives, highly regarded mentors and well-respected thought leaders whose experiences benefit their organizations and the communities in which they serve. SmartCEO’s mission is to educate and inspire the business community through the pages of its award winning magazine, connections at C-level events and access to valuable online resources.

For more than a decade, SmartCEO has been a leader in helping CEOs tell their stories in print, in person and most recently in-video. SmartCEO’s Mid-Atlantic focus began in Baltimore and has grown to include Philadelphia, Washington DC and New York City.

About the Voltage Awards
The VOLTAGE Awards program celebrates the role that technology plays in the business community and the future impact the technology sector will have on economic growth. An independent panel of business leaders selects the finalists based on the applications submitted. The VOLTAGE finalists are profiled in the May issue of SmartCEO magazine and celebrated at an awards event in May.

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For more information please contact:
Sarah Brisbin
sbrisbin@totaltraxinc.com
(302)-514-0600

Newport News, VA - Swisslog, a global provider of integrated logistics solutions, and Power Automation Systems (PAS), a leading provider of cart-based, deep lane automated warehouse systems, today announced they have formalized a cooperation agreement for the North American market.

Swisslog in North America will include the PAS technology as part of their solution portfolio. The PAS proprietary system is based on PowerStor®, a cart-based Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS), used for deep storage of palletized loads. PowerStor (PAS/RS) provides automated storage for high throughput of large quantities of high-density warehouses and is very effective in existing space restricted or odd-shaped facilities.

“We see the ability to expand the use of pallet handling systems into new market segments, not historically served by automated solutions consistently,” said Markus Schmidt, SVP of Swisslog. “In addition, the PowerStor system will provide an additional extension to our automation solutions portfolio in cold storage applications, further enhancing our leading global position.”

Cory Hypes, executive vice president for PAS adds “We are very pleased to have established this relationship with Swisslog. Their long standing reputation for performance and service is well known in the industry and we anticipate it will open up new segments for our innovative technology.”

About Swisslog
Swisslog is a global provider of integrated logistics solutions for warehouses, distribution centers and hospitals. Its comprehensive services portfolio ranges from building complex warehouses and distribution centers to implementing Swisslog's own software and technology to intra-company logistics solutions for hospitals.

Swisslog’s solutions optimize customers’ production, logistics and distribution processes in order to increase flexibility, responsiveness and quality of service while minimizing logistics costs. With years of experience in the development and implementation of integrated logistics solutions, Swisslog provides the expertise that customers in more than 50 countries around the world rely on.

Headquartered in Buchs/Aarau, Switzerland, Swisslog currently employs over 2000 staff in 20 countries worldwide. The group’s parent company, Swisslog Holding AG, is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (security number: 1232462, Telekurs: SLOG, Reuters: SLOG.S). Note: Swisslog refers to an order as “major order” if its financial volume exceeds the threshold of MCHF 20.

For more information, please visit www.swisslog.com

Get inspired - Join the dialog
Swisslog has launched a Food & Beverage blog, where our industry experts share information on news and hot topics within the F&B industry, comment on developments and provide feature opinions. To join the dialog, please visit www.blogs.swisslog.com

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For more information please contact:
Markus Schmidt
InfoNA@swisslog.com
(757) 820-3616
 

The Obama Administration recently announced that it is launching competitions to create three new manufacturing innovation institutes with a Federal commitment of $200 million across five Federal agencies – Defense, Energy, Commerce, NASA, and the National Science Foundation.

The manufacturing innovation institutes will be partnerships between public universities and private companies. Last year the Obama administration established a manufacturing institute with dozens of academic and private sector members in Youngstown, Ohio. This effort builds off that pilot institute.

Each institute would serve as a regional hub designed to bridge the gap between basic research and product development, bringing together companies, universities and community colleges, and Federal agencies to co-invest in technology areas that encourage investment and production in the U.S. This type of innovation infrastructure provides a unique ‘teaching factory’ that allows for education and training of students and workers at all levels, while providing the shared assets to help companies, most importantly small manufacturers, access the cutting-edge capabilities and equipment to design, test, and pilot new products and manufacturing processes.

The Department of Defense will lead two of the new Institutes, focused on “Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation (DMDI)” (DMDI RFI) and “Lightweight and Modern Metals Manufacturing (LM31)" (LM31 RFI) and the Department of Energy will be leading one new institute on “Next Generation Power Electronics Manufacturing."

All three institutes will be selected through an open, competitive process, led by the Departments of Energy and Defense, with review from a multi-agency team of technical experts. Winning teams will be selected and announced later this year. Federal funds will be matched by industry co-investment, support from state and local governments, and other sources. Like the pilot institute, these Institutes are expected to become financially self-sustaining, and the plan to achieve this objective will be a critical evaluation criterion in the selection process. DOD and DOE are opening the competition for the three new institutes immediately.

The President said he will continue to call on Congress to act on his proposal for a one-time $1 billion investment to create a network of 15 manufacturing innovation institutes across the country.

Click here for more information.

The Board of Directors of the Material Handling Education Foundation Inc. (MHEFI) recently announced its 2013-2014 Scholarship Winners. This year, forty scholarships for a total of $135,774 were issued for this academic term.

This continued MHEFI's thirty-seven-year tradition of support to enterprising students at universities instructing in material handling and logistics sciences. MHEFI scholarships are awarded each year to students dedicated to entering the material handling and logistics field, either within MHI member companies or the user community.

Awardees are pursuing educational goals that will enable them to enter the industry as engineers, project managers, management and professors in material handling and logistics. Many will be employed by end-users, by manufacturers or in MHI member companies.

2013-14 Scholarship Winners

Crane Manufacturers Association of America Honor Scholarship
$9,000 awarded to Sai Srinivas Nageshwaraniyer of the University of Arizona

Tompkins International Honor Scholarship
$7,456 awarded to Austin Buchanan of Texas A&M

Rack Manufacturers Institute Honor Scholarship
$6,918 awarded to Sarah Yung of the University of Oklahoma

Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association Honor Scholarship
$5,000 awarded to Alex Brown of Texas A&M

Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association Honor Scholarship
$5,000 awarded to Daniel Angolia of NC State

Spanco Honor Scholarship
$5,000 awarded to Lindsay Byers of Penn State

Frazier Industrial Honor Scholarship
$5,000 awarded to Tugce Martagan of the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Material Handling Education Foundation Honor Scholarship
$5,000 awarded to Carl Kirpes of Iowa State University

Howard Bernstein Industrial Distribution Scholarship
Sponsored by Atlas Toyota Material Handling
$5,000 awarded to Carl Zaderej of Purdue

Howard Bernstein Industrial Distribution Scholarship
Sponsored by Equipco Division Phillips Corp.
$5,000 awarded to Haomiao Zhu of Penn State

Howard Bernstein Industrial Distribution Scholarship
Sponsored by EnerSys
$5,000 awarded to Kathryn Smith of Auburn

Howard Bernstein Industrial Distribution Scholarship
Sponsored by Transamerican Equipment and FMH Material Handling Solutions
$5,000 awarded to Erika Chin of Clarkson University

Howard Bernstein Industrial Distribution Scholarship
Sponsored by Conger Toyota Lift, Morrison Industrial Equipment and Arnold Machinery
$5,000 awarded to Rachel McWilliams of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Howard Bernstein Industrial Distribution Scholarship
Sponsored by Toyota Lift of LA, Sunbelt Industrial Trucks and Mr. Gary Moore
$5,000 awarded to Seth Willmarth of Texas A&M

Howard Bernstein Industrial Distribution Scholarship,
Sponsored by Riekes Material Handling Company, An Anonymous Donor, Lift & Equipment, Stoffel Equipment Company and Hy-Tek Material Handling
$5,000 awarded to Emily Greer of Oklahoma State

Automated Storage/Retrieval Systems Honor Scholarship
$4,000 awarded to Salah Ahmad of the University of Houston

Integrated Systems & Controls Council Honor Scholarship
$4,000 awarded to Pratik Mital of Georgia Tech

Conveyor & Sortation Systems Honor Scholarship ($2,000) & Hytrol Conveyor ($1,500)
$3,500 awarded to Kyler Hermanski of the University of Oklahoma Norman

Storage Manufacturers Association Honor Scholarship
$3,000 awarded to Eric Gilbert of Oklahoma State

Institute of Caster & Wheel Manufacturers Honor Scholarship
$3,000 awarded to Leily Farrokhvar of Virginia Tech

Electrification & Controls Manufacturers Association Honor Scholarship
$2,500 awarded to David Berrios of the University of Wisconsin-Madison

St. Onge Honor Scholarship
$2,500 awarded to Zachary Montreuil of the Universite Laval

Howard Bernstein Industrial Distribution Scholarship
Sponsored by Cardinal Carryor, Mr. George Sefer and Doosan Infracore
$2,500 awarded to Yanira Rivera-Erives of the University of Nebraska-Kearney

Howard Bernstein Industrial Distribution Scholarship
Sponsored by St. Onge, Hamilton Caster and Allied Equipment
$2,500 awarded to Elwood Jarvis III of East Carolina University

Ridg-U-Rak Honor Scholarship
$2,500 awarded to Alina Cornejo of Georgia Tech

Hoist Manufacturers Institute Honor Scholarship ($1,600) & Monorail Manufacturers Association ($500)
$2,100 awarded to Jonghun Park of Virginia Tech

Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems Honor Scholarship
$2,000 awarded to Katrina Stine of the University of South Florida

Hanel Storage Systems Honor Scholarship
$2,000 awarded to Juan Ma of Oklahoma State University

Seizmic Inc. Honor Scholarship
$2,000 awarded to Thomas Bolton of Kansas State University

Order Fulfillment Solutions Honor Scholarship
$2,000 awarded to Christian Pizzino of Texas A&M

Steel King Honor Scholarship
$1,800 awarded to Nadeepa Wickramage of Clemson University

Gorbel Honor Scholarship
$1,500 awarded to Patrick Keida of Clarkson University

Lift Manufacturers Honor Scholarship
$1,500 awarded to Andrew Waldman of Kansas State University

Loading Dock Equipment Manufacturers Honor Scholarship
$1,500 awarded to Darnell Bortz of Oklahoma State University

Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association Honor Scholarship
$1,500 awarded to Michael Valdez of Texas A&M

Southworth International Group Honor Scholarship
$1,500 awarded to Dustin Hirner of Texas A&M

Harlan Gillett Honor Scholarship
$1,500 awarded to Merve Ozen of the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Harlan Gillett Honor Scholarship
$1,500 awarded to Michael Mostek of the University of Wisconsin-Madison

MHEFI was established in 1976 as an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promote the study of material handling, logistics and the supply chain by exposing students and educators to the industry through financial support. The Foundation offers a variety of scholarships to students pursuing an education in material handling. These scholarships are grouped into three types of funds: Company Funds, Named Scholarship Funds and MHI Industry Group Funds. Contributors can choose a particular fund or an individual scholarship.

In addition to providing scholarships, funds also sponsor grants to faculty and students to attend off-campus industry conferences and seminars directly related to the field of material handling research, to colleges or universities for purchase of classroom instructional aids and lab materials and fellowships for special research.

Since 1976, the Foundation has awarded over $2,500,000 from contributions to fund hundreds of scholarships, faculty/student travel conference grants, instructional aid grants and fellowships. The affairs of the Foundation are administered at the offices of MHI.

For more information on how you can participate in the efforts of the Foundation, please contact Donna Varner at 704-676-1190.

Wixom, MI  –Andersen Material Handling and ISD (Integrated Systems Design), leading providers, manufacturers, designers and implementers of material handling products and systems, including lift trucks, automated storage and retrieval systems, conveyors, carousels, robotic systems and vertical lift modules (VLMs), announces the appointment of Ed Romaine as the CMO – VP Marketing for the organizations.

In addition to implementing a fully faceted marketing program at Andersen Material Handling and ISD (Integrated Systems Design), Romaine has been charged with the marketing and distribution channel development of the ISD UltraProducts™ of equipment which include the UltraStore™  Automated Storage and Retrieval System, UltraSert™  document printer and inserter, UltraBatch™  automated batch picking work station, UltraBot™  IE robotic order picking system, UltraPick™  software and control systems and UltraLights™ pick to light systems.

Romaine has three decades of experience working and marketing in the material handling industry. He has spent over two years with Sapient Automation, 10 years with KardexRemstar and nine years with White Systems.

Since the 1990’s Romaine has been an active member of the industry's trade organization, MHI. He has taken leadership positions as the Chair or Vice Chairman of: the ASRS (Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems) group, Supply Chain Execution (SCE) group of America, Order Fulfillment Council of America and helped create the Carousel and VLM Product Section Group. He also spearheaded the efforts to create the first industry safety standards for horizontal carousels in the US.

Romaine is a frequent editorial and information contributor to hundreds of publications and a speaker at many Supply Chain, Logistics & Ergonomic functions including the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), ProMat, North American Material Handling, Southern California Plant Operations, NJ Material Handling Assoc., Applied Ergonomics, Warehousing Education & Research Council (WERC), Lean Manufacturing Conference, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), NeoCon, Health Information Distribution Association (HIDA), National Catalog & Operations (NCOF) and more.

He has an undergraduate degree from Ohio University and completed advanced studies at Wharton Business School in their Competitive Strategies program.

Integrated Systems Design - ISD is a leading manufacturer, systems consultant, designer and integrator for warehouse, manufacturing, distribution, wholesale, life sciences, institutions and retail organizations in North America. ISD systems are renowned for their tremendous value, reliability and ease of maintenance. Systems are designed using technologies from the leading material handling manufacturers of the world.

Solutions designed by ISD focus on providing space savings, increased productivity, reduced labor, higher accuracy and system flexibility to change as an operation's activities change in the future. Utilizing proven technology and off the shelf components helps provide cost effective solutions requiring minimum maintenance and yielding fast Return on Investments (ROI).

ISD expertise ranges from handling and picking pieces (eaches), cases, pallets, build lines, and special or custom handling solutions. Products and services include: automatic storage and retrieval (ASRS), conveyor, robotics, batch stations, automatic inserters and printers, pick to light, A-frames, horizontal and vertical carousels, vertical lift modules (VLMs), controls, software (including inventory management, WCS, WMS, MES and ERP), application and facility consulting and design, AutoCAD, system simulation, moves, installation and service.

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For more information please contact:
Ed Romaine
248-668-8250
215-431-4524 (cell)
eromaine@isddd.com
www.ISDDD.com
 

A new American national robot safety standard has been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Developed by Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the ANSI/RIA R15.06-2012 standard has been updated for the first time since 1999 and is now harmonized with the International ISO 10218:2011 standard for robot manufacturers and integrators.

“We are excited to introduce the new standard,” said Jeff Fryman, Director of Standards Development for RIA. “This has been a process which required the involvement of robotic industry leaders from across North America and all over the world. I’m proud of this new standard and thankful for efforts of everyone that participated.” The adoption of the international standard allows systems designed and built in one country to be freely moved to other countries while maintaining compliance with safety regulations.

“This global standard results in no change to our ongoing expectations for industrial robot safety while it introduces exciting new capabilities as a result of the ever changing technical improvements,” stated Roberta Nelson Shea, Chair of the RIA R15.06 subcommittee.

A key feature in the standard is “collaborative operation,” which is the introduction of a worker to the loop of active interaction during automatic robot operation. Systems can now be designed for the operator to directly load/unload the robot or manually drive the robot to a selected location thus eliminating costly fixtures.

Another key feature is that the standard addresses “safety-rated soft axis and space limiting” technology. This optional feature available on new robots may have different names depending on the robot manufacturer, but the functionality remains the same. Safety-rated software is used to control the robot motion so that restricted space can be more flexibly designed. Case studies have shown that that this saves both floor space and cost in the system design.

Standards development efforts will now shift to issuing new documents which will provide guidance to the user on using the new ANSI/RIA R15.06, including technical reports on risk assessment and proper implementation of safeguarding robot systems.

To order a copy of the ANSI/RIA R15.06, visit the RIA bookstore, or call 734-994-6088.

The new patented UltraSert™ document printer and inserter from Integrated Systems Design (ISD) can automatically print and insert documents into mixed carton sizes at up to 25 pages per minute for packaging and shipping operations.

The UltraSert units are integrated with conveyor. As an order is moving to shipping the tote or carton is momentarily buffered in front of the UltraSert unit. The specific documentation ranging from a single to multiple pages are instantly inserted into the order and routed to shipping. An UltraSert system of one or multiple units can be used to print manifests, invoices, statements, instructions, labels, or any specialty documents required for any order depending on throughput requirements.

This patented system is cost effectively priced to provide efficient organizations a fast Return on Investment (ROI) due to its accuracy, reliability plus labor and space savings features. One hundred percent accuracy helps assure customer satisfaction without any need for additional checking labor. The UltraSert system is designed for a simplistic implementation for new or existing operations looking to improve efficiencies.

The UltraSert printer and inserter integrate a heavy-duty laser printer with an inserter mechanism. The inserter mechanism is designed with only four moving parts for virtually maintenance free operation. The inserter counts the correct number of pages in the document group and inserts the pages into the waiting order.

A simple communications scheme to the host software system uses a standard Ethernet connection. Likewise, virtually any software system capable of sending a text and bar code output can be interfaced.

Integrated Systems Design - ISD is a leading manufacturer, systems consultant, designer and integrator for warehouse, manufacturing, distribution, wholesale, life sciences, institutions and retail organizations in North America. ISD systems are renowned for their tremendous value, reliability and ease of maintenance. Systems are designed using technologies from the leading material handling manufacturers of the world.

Solutions designed by ISD focus on providing space savings, increased productivity, reduced labor, higher accuracy and system flexibility to change as an operation's activities change in the future. Utilizing proven technology and off the shelf components helps provide cost effective solutions requiring minimum maintenance and yielding fast Return on Investments (ROI).
 
ISD expertise ranges from handling and picking pieces (eaches), cases, pallets, build lines, and special or custom handling solutions. Products and services include: automatic storage and retrieval (ASRS), conveyor, robotics, batch stations, automatic inserters and printers, pick to light, A-frames, horizontal and vertical carousels, vertical lift modules (VLMs), controls, software (including inventory management, WCS, WMS, MES and ERP), application and facility consulting and design, AutoCAD, system simulation, moves, installation and service.
 
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For more information please contact:
Ed Romaine
248-668-8250
215-431-4524 (cell)
eromaine@isddd.com
www.ISDDD.com
 

Elkhart, IN: Worldwide Foam, Ltd. has opened two branch locations for manufacturing crosslinked polyethylene foam in Ontario, California and Lithia Springs, Georgia. Both locations have a skiver and are already taking orders with an average two day lead time from all four of the company’s locations.

“We are appreciative that we have been so well received  and are excited to serve the southeast and west even faster than before,” said John Petrofsky of Worldwide Foam, Ltd.

Worldwide Foam, Ltd. does business on a global and local scale with quality crosslinked polyethylene raw material. Worldwide Foam is an ISO 9001:2008 registered company. To locate the nearest branch near you, contact info@worldwidefoam.com for further details.

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For more information please contact:
Worldwide Foam, Ltd. 
574-968-8268
info@worldwidefoam.com
 

Lathrop, CA− Meeting customer needs is top priority for Power Automation Systems’ Customer First initiative. Underscoring that commitment is a cooperation agreement between Swisslog NA, a global provider of integrated logistics solutions, and Power Automation Systems (PAS). In addition to the Swisslog agreement, PAS has added new staff and products to better meet the direct sales needs of regional customers and specific vertical target markets such as food, beverage and freezer, as well as customers seeking semi-automated solutions. Structured to better serve and deliver PAS’ pioneering PowerStor® automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) to key North American customers, the cooperation agreement with Swisslog rounds out PAS’ comprehensive go-to-market strategy.

Cory Hypes, executive vice president for PAS, said, “We are very pleased to have established this relationship with Swisslog NA. Their long standing reputation for performance and service is well known in the industry and we anticipate it will open up new segments for our innovative technology. This agreement with Swisslog is another step in our Customer First initiative which along with our new direct sales force will provide our customers with greater access to PAS technology, along with superior service and solutions.”

The PowerStor AS/RS solution is a flexible, scalable, energy-efficient shuttle-based system which is ideal for new construction or retrofitting of older buildings. PowerStor’s deep lane storage capabilities allow warehouse managers to increase storage capacity and throughput, reduce labor and energy costs and realize a rapid return-on-investment.

Swisslog’s comprehensive services portfolio includes building complex warehouses which incorporate logistics solutions to optimize customers’ production, logistics and distribution processes in order to increase flexibility, responsiveness and quality service while minimizing logistics costs. Customers in more than 50 countries around the world rely on Swisslog’s expertise from over 2000 staff in 20 countries worldwide.

Markus Schmidt, senior vice president of Swisslog, said, “We see the ability to expand the use of pallet handling systems into new market segments, not historically served by automated solutions consistently. In addition, the PowerStor system will provide an additional extension to our automation solutions portfolio in cold storage applications, further enhancing Swisslog’s leading global position.”

In addition to the Swisslog sales channel, PAS has organized a nationwide network of sales agents to sell the recently introduced PAS Voyager™ shuttle device across North America to customers seeking a highly reliable semi-automated solution for increased deep storage capacity.

More about Power Automation Systems: Power Automation Systems is a leading innovator of automated warehouse products and solutions. A global company with headquarters and manufacturing in northern California, Power Automation Systems maximizes warehouse effectiveness with one of the world’s most innovative automated warehouse storage solution families, PowerStor®.  One of the most sustainable options available today, the PowerStor® system optimizes a facility by providing high density, high throughput and great flexibility.

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For more information please contact:
Ginger Wheeler
630-248-3276
ginger.wheeler@pas-us.com
 

With an endless choice of products in the market today, one way manufacturers and retailers fight to grab your attention is through product packaging. With every new flavor, size or color variation comes different packaging; aimed at getting your attention and a piece of your wallet.

At the manufacturing level, handling large rolls of product packaging presents quite a challenge; a single roll of packaging can weigh up to several hundred pounds. Schlumpf USA is a recognized leader in a the packaging industry for roll and shaft handling products, as well as machinery components for unwinding and rewinding packing materials and aerospace composites. Hoist based and portable ergonomic handling systems from Schlumpf lift, load, and turn the packaging rolls; minimizing the ergonomic stress on the operator as well as reducing the risk of damage to the roll.

With business steadily growing, Schlumpf's 5,280 sq ft manufacturing facility in Windham, ME was bursting at the seams. Parts were stored on standard pallet rack that was accessed with a stacker truck. Workers would navigate the stacker truck through tight aisles to retrieve the parts needed; often reaching above their head or stretching to reach the back of the rack to get the part. "We were using every inch of floor space for storage," said Dana Denbow, Vice President at Schlumpf, "Parts were hard to access and the process was very time consuming."

Internal Expansion
With no room to grow Schlumpf installed one Element Vertical Lift Module (VLM) from Kardex Remstar providing the growth they needed without a building expansion. In fact, the first Element VLM was working so well that they added second unit. Roughly a year later, Schlumpf installed a second Element VLM.

The inventory in both VLMs was previously stored on pallet rack and drawer cabinets that occupied 20 feet by 30 feet of floor space. Using the VLMs Schlumpf was able to recover 474 square feet of floor space (reduced from 600 square feet to 126 square feet), a 79% floor space savings. With this recovered floor space Schlumpf reorganized the manufacturing flow to maximize efficiencies. "The space we've saved with the VLM has bought us another two to three years in this building without a building expansion," says Denbow.

Ergonomics & Safety
With both Element VLM's now in place, all parts are delivered ergonomically to the worker at waist level. "Our products create an ergonomic and safe work environment for our customers, and it's important to me that our manufacturing process here at Schlumpf is ergonomic and safe for our employees too," says Denbow.

The worker lifts the part one time, a horizontal transfer, from the VLM to the transfer cart, reducing the risk of injury to the worker and damage to the part. "The aisles are clear and the clutter is gone; it's a safer manufacturing environment with the VLM," says Denbow.

Facility Flow
The Element VLMs store a variety of parts and components used in final assembly. Parts are ordered from various vendors, but a majority of parts and components are manufactured in-house.   Once these parts and components are manufactured, they are stored in the Element VLMs along with the standard parts that are purchased from outside vendors.

When an order is received, it's sent out to the warehouse to be assembled. Starting with a base kit, assembly pulls the parts and components they need from the Element VLMs to assemble the final product. Upon completion, the product is inspected for quality and sent to the customer.

Picking Parts
Parts are still inventoried using an in-house system, just as they were when the pallet rack was in place. Previously, a worker would lookup the part location and then hunt through the pallet rack to find the part.   Now, the worker looks up the part location, and the in-house system lists a unit and tray number. The worker goes to the correct VLM unit and enters in the tray number where the part is stored.

The Element VLM moves to retrieve and deliver the requested tray to the worker in the access opening. Each tray is fitted with dividers and each cell location is clearly labeled, making the part easy to identify. Once the tray is delivered, the worker retrieves the part they require, confirms the transaction and the tray is returned to storage. All part numbers, quantities and storage locations are managed in the in-house inventory management system.

"This was the perfect solution for us because it allows us to expand gradually by adding one unit at a time." Says Denbow, "We are looking at integrating inventory management software with the Element VLMs in the coming year."

Kardex Remstar, LLC, a company of the Kardex Group is a leading provider of automated storage and retrieval systems for manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, offices and institutions. For information on automated storage and retrieval systems, call 800-639-5805 or visit www.kardexremstar.com.

For more information please contact:
Christina Dube
207-591-3168
800-639-5805
Fax 207-854-1610
christina.dube@kardexremstar.com
http://MediaCenter.KardexRemstar.com  
www.KardexRemstar.com

(Hamilton, Ohio) A simple request for a caster from gas-and-oil drilling giant Helmerich & Payne (H&P) led to a custom-designed dolly and collaboration on lean enterprise with US manufacturer, Hamilton Caster.

H&P contracted with Mike Brunson, a lean manufacturing expert, to streamline their processes and increase efficiency. Brunson asked Hamilton about a specific caster and learned they could also design custom-built trailers perfectly suited to the lean manufacturing methods Brunson envisioned for H&P.

Hamilton Caster itself is a lean manufacturing practitioner and John Yater, a Hamilton design engineer, is one of the company’s biggest proponents of the concept. Yater worked closely with Brunson to determine how best to satisfy the lean design he had in mind for H&P.

“The trickiest part is getting a clear understanding of the customer’s application, intentions, and desires.” Yater said. “We strive to solve customers’ problems and forge a relationship of trust.”

After a series of phone calls and emails, a Hamilton Caster team flew to Oklahoma to meet with Brunson and get a first-hand look at the requirements of the new process they were helping design.

“I needed something that could handle extreme weight and had a low profile,” Brunson said. “Hamilton Caster solved the problem by creating a cart that effortlessly rolls heavy equipment into place without relying on a crane that is more dangerous and time-consuming.”

The modular dolly system that Hamilton Caster developed moves massive pieces of oil-field equipment and parts more safely and more efficiently, decreasing wasted time, energy and manpower, all core principles of lean manufacturing.

Hamilton Caster’s first project with H&P was so successful that it has since led to other projects with H&P.

“Working with Hamilton Caster is a pleasure,” Brunson said. “It’s nice to find an American manufacturer who has been around for 100 years, and is taking appropriate steps to be around for another 100 years.”

Hamilton Caster
For more than 100 years, has built ultra-durable trucks, custom-engineered trucks and trailers, and developed innovations like the super-resilient Ultralast™ wheels and HPI™ swivel caster technology.

Family owned since its inception, the fourth generation remains as committed to quality as the company’s founder, John Weigel.

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
H&P is primarily engaged in contract drilling of oil and gas wells for exploration and production companies and is one of the major land and offshore platform-drilling contractors in the world.

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For more information please contact:
Mark Lippert
Direct: 513-454-2642
800-733-7655
www.HamiltonCaster.com
info@hamiltoncaster.com
 

GREENE, N.Y. — The Raymond Corporation recently recognized high school seniors who have spent about two years contributing to Raymond through its Youth Apprenticeship Program at an apprenticeship senior night in Greene, N.Y., on May 21, 2013. The apprenticeship program at Raymond allows students to experience what careers are available in the manufacturing industry. Held in conjunction with Broome-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and the Greene School District in New York, the apprenticeship program has welcomed more than 58 students since 1991.

“The Youth Apprenticeship Program has a profound impact on students by engaging them in opportunities that develop their leadership skills — helping to mold them into professional young adults,” says Teal Gaylord, coordinator of the Youth Apprenticeship Program at Raymond. “I encourage more companies to become involved in the Youth Apprenticeship Program with BOCES and take an active role in the professional development of our local students.”

Following each apprenticeship term, Raymond holds an annual apprenticeship senior night, where student apprentices share the skills they have acquired as a result of the program. Students typically highlight increased knowledge related to areas such as workflow process, quality improvement and material handling.

The Youth Apprenticeship Program, coordinated through BOCES, is part of Raymond’s commitment to improve the future of manufacturing. It allows junior and senior high school students to explore multiple career options in the material handling industry. The program provides a firsthand look at the intricacies of manufacturing and encourages students in their career pursuits.

Attesting to the overall success of this program, Raymond has hired many past participants as full-time employees at its headquarters.

For more information on the Youth Apprenticeship Program, contact BOCES by calling 607-763-3254. For more information on Raymond, visit www.raymondcorp.com or call 800-235-7200.

The Raymond Corporation is a global provider of material handling technology, expertise and support to increase productivity and cost-efficiency. Designed with ecological and economical benefits in mind, Raymond® lift trucks are engineered to achieve higher performance and increase efficiency. Raymond offers a full line of manual and electric lift trucks — including pallet trucks, walkie stackers, counterbalanced trucks, reach trucks, orderpickers and turret trucks — and iWAREHOUSE®, complete with iWAREHOUSE Essential™ and iWAREHOUSE Enterprise™, to manage lift truck fleets, labor efficiencies and warehouses. Additionally, flexible automation solutions and industry-leading consultation from Raymond further enhance warehouse processes and streamline material handling practices. 

Above. And beyond.® , iWAREHOUSE®, iWAREHOUSE Enterprise™, iWAREHOUSE Essential™ and Raymond® are U.S. trademarks of The Raymond Corporation.

©2013 The Raymond Corporation. All rights reserved.

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For more information please contact:
Elizabeth Buza
elizabeth.buza@raymondcorp.com
607-656-2734

Megan Price
mprice@bader-rutter.com
262-938-5469

WINONA, MN – Peerless Industrial Group was presented an award for “Outstanding Achievement in Workforce Development” at an awards luncheon today hosted by the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce as part of their Business Celebration Week.

The “Outstanding Achievement in Workforce Development” award is given to a local Winona business who has worked hard to grow and further develop their company, has taken creative measures to create new jobs and avoid downsizing, provides the training necessary to stay competitive in the current work environment and maintains a highly skilled, motivated staff. 

“Peerless is a company who values its employees and in turn wants to provide them with as much opportunity and education as possible.” said Elizabeth Ruff, HR Generalist at Peerless Industrial Group.  “Each month, Peerless has a different training topic that employees are trained on.  Peerless prides itself on providing its employees with various developmental opportunities.”

Peerless Industrial Group, established in 1917, has grown and expanded locally, nationally and even globally, and employs over 420 people, 300 of those who work at their Winona location.

The award was one of six award categories that a local Winona business could receive if nominated by another local business. 

For more information about Peerless Industrial Group, visit their website at www.peerlesschain.com.

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For more information  please contact:
Christy Kutchma
c.kutchma@peerlesschain.com
507-457-9253

Lexington, KY – CLARK Material Handing Company has announced the appointment of Mike Walker as Regional Sales Manager, Southeast Region, reporting to Dale Guckian- Sales Manager, North America. His responsibilities will include working closely with end users in establishing & maintaining customer relationships.

“Mike, with his previous sales and customer service experience, will be an excellent addition to our already outstanding sales team” stated Bo Maslanyk, Vice President, Sales and Marketing.

Mike has over nineteen years of experience in the material handling industry. His previous experience includes sales, branch operations, customer service and inventory control, with his primary strength being industry product and application knowledge.

Please join us in welcoming Mike to the CLARK Family.

About CLARK Material Handling Company
CLARK Material Handling Company has been an industry leader since its production of its first gasoline-powered material handling truck in 1917. Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky CLARK is a privately held global company and is present in 102 markets around the world, including the support of 350 dealers in 550 dealer locations. In North America and Mexico CLARK is represented by over 75 dealers in 175 locations. CLARK has a full range of I.C. and Electric trucks for diverse applications.

For additional information on CLARK, its products or to locate a dealer visit us on the World Wide Web at www.clarkmhc.com, Facebook at www.facebook.com/clarkmhcna or call toll free 866-252-5275.

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For more informaiton please contact:

Bo Maslanyk
(859) 422-6525
bomaslanyk@clarkmhc.com

i

Wiesbaden / Köln-Bonn  VITRONIC Dr.-Ing. Stein Bildverarbeitungssysteme GmbH and Smiths Detection are working closely together within a pilot project for UPS in Cologne. The objective is the automated identification and x-ray of cross-border packages.

A six-sided reading system including certified volume measurement has been installed from VITRONIC for the automated identification of barcodes and maxicodes on packages. The camera-based identification system VIPAC R6 as well as the x-ray system from Smiths Detection are combined at only one position in the conveyor system technology, this requires less of a footprint than two separate systems.

The advantage of a combined system is the single data set that is created from all captured data which guarantees the quick and easy traceability of the packages based on the saved shipment- or tracking-code. The grey-scale images of the package surface (six sides), the reading results (barcodes, 2-d codes) as well as the volume and x-ray pictures are saved in a VITRONIC archiving system.

Referring to the system control, the combined system requires only one interface and can therefore easily be integrated in the facility.

The background for the combined solution is the European regulation 200/2008 which has been effective since 2010. This regulation as well as the German Aviation Security Act stipulate, that freight has to undergo extensive security procedures (x-ray, atmosphere simulation chamber, etc.) before it is loaded into the aircraft. The consequences of these actions are longer loading and standing times of the aircraft which results in increased cost for all parties involved.

About VITRONIC
With more than 20,000 camera systems installed worldwide, VITRONIC is a leading provider of camera-based machine vision solutions. VITRONIC, which has more than 400 employees and is headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany, develops and sells both standard products and customized solutions. Its key customers are found in the automotive and automotive supply industries, traffic technology, photovoltaics, medical technology, logistics and the pharmaceutical industry. VITRONIC's core competence in the field of logistics are fully automated identification solutions for warehousing, distribution and parcel logistics.

About Smiths Detection
Smiths Detection is a global leader in the provision of threat detection and screening technologies for Military, Transportation, Homeland Security and Resilience applications. With more than 70,000 installed X-ray inspection systems, X-ray technology is a central field of expertise within Smiths Detection.

Smiths Detection x-ray scanners play an integral part in the search for explosives, weapons, narcotics and contraband in baggage, mail and freight. They enable aviation security authorities, police professionals, customs experts and other private industry customers to optimize security measures, non-intrusively.

Smiths Detection located in Wiesbaden is center of excellence and central R & D location for X-ray technology as well as central production center for X-ray inspection systems.

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For more information please contact:
Birgit Löschner
+49 (0) 611-7152-261
Fax: +49 (0) 611-7152-133
www.vitronic.de
birgit.loeschner@vitronic.de
 

Woodridge, IL - Numina Group (www.numinagroup.com)  is honored to announce for the second year in a row they have been awarded the TGW Integrator Sales Award, reserved for top tier integrators. Numina Group designs and implements automated material handling systems, utilizing TGW's wide range of conveyors and sorters for a variety of installations. Jeff Siebert, TGW Regional Sales Manager, stated that "only the top integrators achieve this prestigious award and very few TGW Integrators have the distinction of earning this award two years in a row."

Dan Hanrahan, President of Numina Group, stated that "TGW is a premier material handling supplier with a wide array of technologies, and provides Numina Group an experienced design support staff to assist in our design efforts throughout the project. TGW's conveyor line is especially well suited for zone routing conveyor used in pick modules for Omni-Channel and E-commerce Fulfillment applications."

Numina Group's Real-time Distribution Software, RDS™, a Tier 1 Warehouse Control System (WCS), utilizes voice picking and/or pick to light to manage order picking and intelligent routing conveyors, implementing single touch pick and pack order validation, which increases accuracy and eliminates secondary inspection and packing labor.

The RDS™ Cartonization module assures that "right sized" order cartons are selected to match the shipment requirements and route orders to conveyor pick zones, reducing operator labor and walk time, delivering operator picking efficiencies of 200-300 lines or more per hour.

Using an intelligent zone routing conveyor matched with best practices voice picking and SKU velocity slotting leads to highly efficient and accurate order fulfillment. This approach is a cost effective solution for a wide variety of distribution requirements, especially for Omni- Channel retail, E-commerce and less than case level Direct to Store order fulfillment.

Upon completion of order picking, cartons travel from the pick module to pack and ship automated conveyor lines. Integrated into the pack area conveyor is in-line scan, weigh, dimensioning, and pack sheet printers and inserters, combined with print and apply labeling to streamline the pack process. TGW zero touch accumulation conveyor and 24 MDR modular DC roller conveyors are ideally suited for in-line pack automation and high volume print and apply labeling systems. "For shipping, the TGW NBS Narrow Belt Wave Sorter™ provides a high performance sorter that handles a wide variety of carton sizes and weights at sortation rates over 125 CPM. It lowers cost by 40% or more when compared to a comparably performing Shoe Sorter," stated Hanrahan.

About Numina Group:
Numina Group has over 25 years of experience in the design and implementation of automated warehouse and distribution centers. Numina Group's Real-time Distribution System, RDS™ is a Tier 1 Warehouse Control System, (WCS) with a family of automation modules that delivers process improvements for manufacturing and distribution operations worldwide. Numina Group provides a full range of services from consulting/design, voice directed picking, pack & ship order fulfillment automation, Warehouse Control Systems (WCS) to turn-key automated operations. Our expertise eliminates operational bottlenecks and excessive labor while improving accuracy and throughput in order fulfillment and distribution operations. To learn more about Numina Group visit http://www.numinagroup.com.

About TGW
TGW Systems manufactures high quality conveyor, sortation and automated material handling technologies. As one of the world's largest material handling companies, we support a network of authorized system Integrators; providing equipment and engineering support, along with one of the industry's best warranties. TGW solutions and material handling equipment offer increased efficiency, higher productivity and profitability.

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For more information please contact:
Barb Kilroe
630-343-2619            

Autoquip Corporation is pleased to announce its recent hire of Greg Vazquez, who will join the engineering team as Mechanical Engineer. Within this role, Vazquez will be doing 3D models, drawings, and creating bills of material in preparation for the manufacturing process.   Vazquez previously worked in a technical capacity at Ditch Witch where he was responsible for conducting equipment tests and troubleshooting electrical/hydraulic issues of product before delivering to the customer.  “Having an understanding of the manufacturing process and assembly side will help in my design work with Autoquip.  Taking those production challenges and finding new ways to reduce or avoid technical problems will in turn help improve overall efficiencies for the company,” said Vazquez.

Vazquez has an Electromechanical Engineering degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City where his courses covered both electrical and mechanical engineering. “We are excited to have Greg onboard.  Autoquip applies several engineering disciplines to our product development, so it will be a great start that Greg has knowledge in both mechanical and electrical,” said James Johnston, Director of Engineering. 

Vazquez appointment comes right at the conclusion of another year of very good growth for the company. "Autoquip is experiencing high demand and more requests from customers for custom design lifts," said Louis Coleman, Director of Sales and Marketing for Autoquip. "We are continuing to hire to keep up with the growth and serve our loyal and new customers that know and understand the quality of products we build.”

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For more information please contact:
Autoquip Corporation
Autoquip.com
888-811-9876