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Modern's 60th Anniversary - 2000 to present

-- Modern Materials Handling, 5/1/2006

Modern Materials Handling Turns 60

Modern Materials Handling - 60th Anniversary - 2000 to present


New millennium for materials handling

Today's materials handling goal is to serve demanding customers quickly and accurately, whether those customers are retailers ordering unit loads or floor-ready goods or individual customers buying customized products online.

The power to collect data wirelessly and to share that data over the Internet is increasing visibility in the supply chain, allowing manufacturers, distributors and customers to "see" materials at every phase of the handling process.

 

   
AC Electric Lift Truck

2000 - AC electric lift trucks catch on

Long available in Europe, AC powered lift trucks finally come to the United States.

   
eCommerce

2000 to 2002 - E-commerce takes a hit, bounces right back

Direct-to consumer e-commerce emphasizes accurate picking, high-volume sorters, light-duty conveyors and reverse logistics (for handling all those returns)

   
Outsourcing and 3PLs

2001 - Outsourcing is in

  • Survey says 74% of large U.S. manufacturing companies use third-party logistics (3PL) providers
  • Value-added services, such as labeling and pricing, are standard procedures for most 3PL providers

   
September 11, 2001 - Terrorist Attacks on the Twin Towers

Sept. 11, 2001 - Terrorist attacks briefly disrupt the supply chain

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks prompt companies to re-examine their supply chains, creating contingency plans in case of crisis.

 

   
Real-Time Information Systems

2001 - Technology enables real-time information systems

Thanks to the Internet, RFID and other technology, data can be collected and communicated continuously

  • Enables immediate response to unplanned events
  • Allows customers to track orders end-to-end

   
Voice-directed picking

2002 to 2004 - Voice-directed picking gains prominence

Hands-free, eyes-free systems make picking easier and more accurate.

   
Wal-Mart Announces RFID Requirements

July 2003 - Wal-Mart announces RFID requirements

Mega retailer requires its 100 largest suppliers to use RFID tags on pallets and cartons by January 2005.

   
Lean Warehousing

2004 - Lean warehousing debuts

Warehouses focus on eliminating waste.

   
Hydrogen-powered lift trucks

2004 - Pilot projects underway for hydrogen-powered lift trucks

Could hydrogen be the energy source of the future?

   
Supply Chain Software Companies

2005 - Software companies consolidate

Supply chain software companies are bought, sold and merged.

 

Warehouse workers on wheels

 

Order pickers on roller skates
1951 - Department store ZCMI puts its order pickers on roller skates
   
Order pickers on electric scooters
1966 - Order pickers for office supply company Wilson Jones ride electric scooters
   
Order pickers on Segways
2003- bestpawn.com owner Phil Webb cruises his warehouse on a Segway Human Transporter
 

1940s  |  1950s  |  1960s  |  1970s  |  1980s  |  1990s  |  2000s

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