Material Handling & Supply Chain Technology News

The nature of the just-in-time environment is changing as consumers look to private label brands in their efforts to cut costs. These products carry no big advertising or marketing expenses so they provide higher profit margins for retailers while improved quality and low costs make them attractive to consumers. The challenge for supply chain professionals is the increased number of SKUs in play as they work to optimize the inventory flow of both brand and private label products. Are you handling an influx of new products and, if so, what's your secret to supply chain success?

Add Rousseau heavy-duty drawers to Spider® or your existing shelving for instant high density storage and reclaim 50%-70% floor space without renovations. Customize with numerous accessories. Rousseau drawers have a lifetime warranty on the "R" rolling drawer mechanism, 400 lb capacity and 100% access. www.rousseaumetal.com.

Every scrap tire processing operation is unique in its demands, its needs, its requirements. Tapping into Granutech-Saturn Systems means drawing upon decades of scrap tire processing expertise. The result is the highest quality full-capability system possible and an unmatched level of system support before, during, and after the sale.

Based on Interroll's proven experience in the food and confectionary sector and matched with the latest aseptic innovations, the most hygienic conveyor drive solutions have been developed for Plastic Modular Belting (PMB) and Thermoplastic Non-Modular Belting (TPB) to ensure a clean and hygienic positive drive solution.

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Organize your inventory with strong injection molded plastic bins. Front, back, and side grips for easy handling. Built in rear hanger allows bins to hang from louvered panels or rails. Optional clear plastic window increases bin capacity and provided quick view of bin contents. Learn more...

A pallet positioner/transporter lifts standard pallets or skids without straddling them. Forks lift up to 2,000 lbs to heights of 34 in. The system also features an on-board automatic battery charger and electro-mechanical outrigger actuation enabled by position sensors. The operator console includes a battery disconnect switch and a battery status indicator.

This hoist features a unique parallel motor and drum configuration and has the capacity to lift 25 to 35 tons to heights of up to 91 ft at lifting speeds from 6.1 to 14.1 ft per minute. As a safety feature, a torque arm load-limiting cut-out control keeps the operator from inadvertently overloading the hoist and crane structure.

Shipping perishable goods can be challenging, but it needn't be totally discouraging. This article offers a series of tips for getting it right. The advice includes: be aware of the seasonality trends in the areas you focus on, buy an annual bond to show Customs that you mean business, and join the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program, which will help to expedite the release of your cargo.

Smooth-running logistics can be a matter of life and death when responding to natural disasters. Learn how one company developed its best practices for emergency response, assisting several charitable and relief organizations during the Haitian earthquake and Hurricane Katrina. Some of their practices include staggering relief operations to avoid clogging the supply chain, striving for visibility and accountability, and adapting existing services for humanitarian relief.

Mettler-Toledo understands the challenges facing today's warehouses. Our range of solutions are tailored to help you achieve your business goals. With years of experience, most major companies rely on our solutions, so you can be certain that you will benefit from the world's leading weighing and data capture company.

Laser scanners just can't achieve high enough read rates to perform in today's fast-paced world. The DataMan 500 "Laser Killer" is an advanced barcode reader that combines the benefits of image-based readers with the ease-of-use and cost of laser scanners for your postal, parcel, and package sorting operations. Visit www.thelaserkiller.com

This case history describes how a major manufacturer retrofit its manually operated, 750,000 sq ft warehouse with an automated storage and retrieval system. The company replaced its old stacker cranes but was able to keep its existing rack structure with more than 50,000 pallet positions. The new system has improved productivity and safety while freeing up some extra space for future expansion.

A new platform for mobile computing is designed to be adaptable for new technologies and new applications. Several features make the mobile devices ideal for tough environments, including outer casings made from a strengthened polycarbonate material. In addition, the design minimizes the number of seams and seals, antennas are integrated into the devices instead of protruding, and scanning windows are reinforced in the front and back. A video shows the system in action.

Today's lift trucks are loaded with high tech communications and software capabilities, but discipline and maintenance are still the keys to safe, productive operation. This article describes how one company maintains its fleet of 40 trucks with very few unscheduled emergency repairs — all while handling 12,000 pieces per hour. One simple, but key element — if you see debris, pick it up rather than run over it.

A line of fast chargers for industrial vehicles accommodates 12V to 80 V industrial lead acid batteries, taking just 1.5 hours to bring a battery up to as much as 80% of its capacity. Fast charging eliminates the need to change batteries in multi-shift operations, leading, in turn, to higher productivity and lower energy consumption. Software helps to manage battery health and maintenance.

Supply chain companies rely on a PERFECT ORDER record to reduce the cost of labor, transportation, and errors within their distribution centers. PSI's Engineering's automation solutions for packing stations, managing documents on the line and packaging of orders achieve the document component to the PERFECT ORDER saving DC's time and money.

These handles share a common handle base with our Pendant Handle option. This allows the control block of the G-force® control handle to be integrated with the single pilot valve blocks. This combination can be used to control end effector functions and the up/down motion of the G-Force® on a single handle. Learn more.

Submit your proposal to speak at one of GlobalSpec's upcoming online conferences and trade shows.

• Material Handling & Supply Chain Technology

Events are open to GlobalSpec's six million registered users and are an opportunity for you and your company to be viewed by your target audience, competition, and peers as industry thought leaders. Increase brand awareness. Influence key decision-makers. Learn more or submit your proposal here.

A conference this February in Florida will provide professional development opportunities for retail and consumer product executives in logistics, distribution, and supply chain management. The conference promises to bring together experts from all major retail and consumer product segments as well as solution providers to create educational and networking opportunities.

The buildup of ice is great if you're looking at a pond and want to ice skate. But if you're on an airplane trying to take off or under a power line that looks ready to snap — not so much. The conventional approaches to deter ice accumulation either involve continuous use of environmentally unfriendly materials such as glycol or energy-intensive measures such as heating coils embedded in the surface. A new approach involves the use of nano-scale texturing of the surface. Research is underway to find the right patterns that are not only effective but suitable for manufacturing on large surfaces at a reasonable cost.

Is Being Environmental Good for the Bottom Line?

Some companies have illustrated the connection between sustainability and profitability, but can they sustain their good efforts? What efforts have worked, or failed, in your organization?