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By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 2/1/2001
MHI offers guidelines for conveyors, mezzanines
The Material Handling Industry (MHI) along with members of the Conveyor Product Section and the Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association have developed guidelines for conveyors and mezzanines.
The Association of Professional Material Handling Consultants (APMHC) also assisted in creating the "Conveyor practice guidelines." As a voluntary industry standard, the guidelines help reduce misunderstandings between consultants, users, and system suppliers.
Before finalizing the practice guidelines, both organizations will seek public comment in a discussion forum and formal presentation at ProMat 2001 on Feb. 14 from 8:00-11:00, session S63. A copy of the guidelines is currently posted on www.mhia.org for reader review and feedback.
The "Standard practice guidelines for design, manufacture, and installation of pre-fabricated steel mezzanines" are designed to offer guidance to those considering the application of pre-fabricated steel mezzanines. For more information, visit www.mhia.org/sma .
Brick-and-mortar e-commerce spending climbs
Despite problems that pure-play e-commerce sites have been experiencing, brick-and-mortar companies are investing heavily in e-commerce initiatives. That's according to a survey of more than 250 U.S. companies, published byeCommerce Businessmagazine.
Among companies surveyed from small businesses to major enterprises which currently engage in or plan to engage in e-commerce, 80% said they plan to increase their e-commerce spending on software, hardware, staffing, and developing partnerships this year.
Nearly half, 46%, plan to increase their investment in e-commerce by 15% or more and 36% plan to increase spending by 20% or more.
Are robots in
your future?
A new study by the Robotic Industries Association shows that only a small percentage of industrial companies use robots for materials handling applications. Nevertheless, many non-users are interested in robots for palletizing, packaging, and other materials handling applications.
The 100-pg study presents results based on interviews with 215 current robotics users and non-users. Out of the one hundred and eight companies that currently use robots, just 15% now use robots for palletizing and packaging applications. The study is available to RIA members for $495 and $795 for non-members. For more information, call 734-994-6088.
Access
up-to-the-minute information on ProMat
If you're hungry for more information about ProMat 2001or can't be in Chicago for the event, you can access up-to-the-minute developments from the show at www.promat2001.org .
The site is designed to offer the latest show news during the event, post-show coverage, and follow-up with exhibitors. Features include complete conference information, detailed exhibitor information and floorplan, and a press room covering show news.
ProMat 2001 will remain online throughout the year so attendees can connect with exhibitors at any time.
When a company announces a supply chain malfunction, such as a production or shipment delay, its stock price tumbles an average of 8.62%. Losses can be as great as 20% over 6 mo, according to a study by Vinod Singhal, associate professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, and Kevin Hendricks, associate professor at the University of Western Ontario.
Using 861 public companies that had supply chain problems from 1989 to 1998, they determined that those glitches adversely affected stock prices.
See chart for average shareholder losses due to supply chain disruptions caused by internal, supplier, and customer problems. For more information, call Vinod Singhal at 404-894-4908.
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