Looking back at NA 2008
MMH covers all the press conferences, events, and releases at NA08, giving you the opportunity to find out what happened at the big show.
By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 4/24/2008 12:54:00 PM
Day 4: April 24, 2008
So long NA, hello ProMat. The exit signs say it all: Thanks for coming to NA08. See you at ProMat09.
Green companies among first-time NA exhibitors. Companies exhibiting at NA08 have a variety of reasons for being here. From expanding their brand presence to introducing new products, exhibitors hope to generate new business opportunities.
Job posting Web site for MH students. The new Gateway job posting Web site is the first site dedicated solely to recruiting students within the materials handling industry.
Four days of problem solving and networking. Today marks the conclusion of NA 2008, four days of comprehensive problem solving and networking to provide solutions to the complex manufacturing and supply chain challenges faced by industry today.
Gorbel improves light-duty lifting. Gorbel (Booth 2804) introduced a new jib crane and several new intelligent lifting devices at a press conference on Tuesday.
Yale shows masted walkie truck. Yale Materials Handling Corporation (Booth 1801) is displaying lift trucks that offer productivity, dependability and ergonomic solutions, in line with its new Industrial Grade Critical Components initiative.
Seegrid demonstrates new camera-guided robot. At a press conference Tuesday, materials handling industry veteran Greg Cronin used those words to describe the technology offered by Seegrid Corporation (Booth 2627), a start-up company he recently joined as executive vice president.
Supply chain software suite. HighJump Software, a 3M company (Booth 832), released the latest version of its extended supply chain execution solutions.
TranSystems | ESYNC combine supply chain expertise. Twelve months ago, ESYNC (Booth 1640) was a 60-person consulting company, with a focus on transportation and distribution and an expertise in supply chain software and automatic identification technologies.
Plug Power showcases fuel cell technology. Plug Power (Booth 2647) is exhibiting two counterbalanced lift trucks and a pallet truck, each equipped with GenDrive technology. GenDrive is the company’s line of hydrogen fuel cell power units designed to fully replace lead acid batteries in lift trucks and other materials handling vehicles.
AC trucks offer environmental benefits. At Jungheinrich (Booth 1408), concern for the environment led to a push in the continued development of AC electric vehicles, offered as a replacement for internal combustion engine trucks.
Wider bins offer expanded carousel storage. The EXACTPick carousel system, featuring 4-foot wide bins for expanded storage and picking, was released yesterday by Diamond Phoenix (Booth 1622) in a press conference.
New pallet runner introduced. Konstant (Booth 3000), a supplier of warehouse racking and pallet storage solutions, introduced an automated high density storage system for users of drive-through pallet rack.
Branded, reusable packaging totes. At Scholler Arca Systems (Booth 3045), a variety of smaller, handheld reusable plastic totes are on display.
New ink jet printer delivers high-speed multi-line messages. A new ink jet printer from Videojet (Booth 2632) is designed for customers who want to print multi-line messages at high speeds.
Holjeron improves motor-driven roller. As the cost of electricity rises, energy-efficient motor-driven roller (MDR) conveyor is becoming increasingly popular. At NA08 this week, Holjeron (Booth 1420) is showcasing two new technologies that make MDR conveyor even more attractive.
Day 3: April 23, 2008
MHIA forecast: Slowdown. After several consecutive years of growth, including a strong 2007, the materials handling industry is expected to contract modestly in 2008 and 2009 before resuming growth mode in 2010.
Modern Honors Productivity Winners. Productivity and innovation are what NA 2008 is all about. Both were honored Monday night at Modern Materials Handling magazine’s (Booth 1404) 18th annual Productivity Achievement Awards dinner.
Keynote focuses on redesigning business. We’re all familiar with the three "Rs" of waste reduction: reduce, reuse and recycle. But what about redesign, rethink and reimagine?
NA 2008 exhibitors represent entire industry. On behalf of the Board of Governors of Material Handling Industry, I hope you are finding your time at NA 2008 to be productive and enjoyable.
Hyster delivers value in tough climate. No matter what industry you’re in, thriving in today’s economy is a challenge. “There are many mixed signals about what’s going on in the economy today,” said Paul Laroia, president of Hyster (Booth 1400).
World’s first hybrid electric lift truck debuts. The world’s first hybrid electric lift truck was unveiled by Komatsu Forklift USA (Booth 2513) on Tuesday.
Building green DCs is difficult, but achievable. LEED certification was the topic of a panel discussion held yesterday afternoon by sponsors Modern Materials Handling magazine and the Northeast Ohio Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC).
Independent, unmanned vehicle system unveiled. On Monday, Sky-Trax Inc. (Booth 632) announced the launch of its Central Controlled Vehicle (CCV) program.
System-based unit load design explored. “The best way to green the supply chain is to move from component-based to system-based design,” asserted Marshall White, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech and president of White and Company, in a presentation Tuesday morning.
Oorja Protonics shows on-board battery charging system. Oorja Protonics (Booth 2639), a provider of ultra-powerful direct methanol fuel cells, is offering its first public showing of the OorjaPac on-board battery charging system at NA 2008.
Voice software connects to SAP WMS without middleware. Top-VOX Corporation (Booth 1240) presented the pick by voice topSPEECH-Lydia-Multimodal system for increased stock inventory management and efficiency in a booth press conference on Monday.
Inther emphasizes automation. Among the videos showing Monday at the Inther Integrated Systems (Booth 2527) booth was a simulation of a fully automated distribution center.
Move pallet racks safely. First-time NA exhibitor Cozza Inc. (Booth 3305) has launched the Rhino Series pallet rack moving system.
Packaging supplier offers environmentally friendly solutions. At Akro-Mils/Buckhorn (Booth 1200), new product offerings show a special emphasis on the environment.
LXE introduces Bluetooth ring scanner. LXE Inc. (Booth 1032) introduced yesterday a Bluetooth-enabled ring scanner for use by mobile workers in a multitude of supply chain environments.
ShockWatch teams up with Raymond. ShockWatch (Booth 1537), a provider of manufacturing damage prevention products, has partnered with The Raymond Corporation (Booth 2819) to develop Raymond’s iWarehouse fleet optimization system.
RFID software shows where in the world shipments are. Tom Park, chief technology officer, introduced new RFID software technologies from Analytica (Booth 1545) in a press conference on Monday.
China: When one strategy’s not enough. Western companies looking to capitalize on business opportunities in China need to adopt a dual strategy to succeed, advised Jim Tompkins, CEO of Tompkins Associates (Booth 1115), and Steve Ganster, senior vice president of Technomic Asia, a division of Tompkins Associates, in a press conference yesterday.
Day 2: April 22, 2008
NA 2008 opens to record number of exhibitors. George Prest, director of business development for Unarco Material Handling and chairman of Material Handling Industry of America, cut the ribbon to officially open NA 2008 in Cleveland.
Green Pavilion marks Earth Day. Commemorate Earth Day today with a stop by NA 2008’s Green Pavilion (Booth 1817), located behind the Ferris wheel in the middle of the show floor.
Classroom Day in its 5th year. Material Handling Logistics Classroom Day gave materials handling and logistics students an opportunity yesterday to see the latest technologies and solutions up close.
Welcome to Earth Day at NA 2008. Welcome to NA 2008, the largest and most comprehensive international material handling and logistics show held in North America this year.
Use NA08’s educational resources. On behalf of the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to NA 2008.
HK automates the conventional warehouse. Companies that wanted to automate putaway and picking operations used to have one option: An automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) that typically requires specialized racking and high volumes to justify the cost of automation.
Webb unveils automatic guided carts. Jervis B. Webb Company, a subsidiary of Daifuku Co. Ltd. (Booth 1602), demonstrated its expanded line of SmartCart automatic guided carts (AGC). Four new carts, guided by magnetic tape, are being shown.Dematic demonstrates warehouse control system. A new warehouse control system (WCS) from Dematic (Booth 2634) brings visibility and control to order fulfillment operations.
Play the game at Kiva's booth. Kiva Systems (Booth 2200) is holding an order-picking contest in its booth throughout the show to demonstrate “Game-Changing Order Fulfillment.”
Raymond’s fleet management system unveiled. iWarehouse is an enterprise fleet management solution for warehouse and distribution center managers that collects and analyzes real-time lift truck data to maximize fleet productivity and reduce costs.
4Front drives directly to customers. 4Front Engineered Solutions (Booth 2648) is not your typical trade show booth. It’s a custom-built, 53-foot semi-trailer, mobile showroom and demonstration van, complete with full-size production equipment and room for 30 people.
I.D. Systems acquires PowerKey. Wireless asset management solutions provider I.D. Systems Inc. (Booth 1237) announced yesterday its acquisition of PowerKey, the industrial vehicle monitoring products division of International Electronics Inc.
Rite-Hite addresses energy savings, safety. Rite-Hite (Booth 2213) is highlighting at its booth what the company describes as the first and only under-dock seal, which closes off gaps beneath the dock to dramatically reduce energy loss and improve industrial hygiene.
Worthington Steelpac shows new pallets. Designed to meet the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) capacity and compatibility standards, mass production of Worthington Steelpac (Booth 315) steel distribution pallets began last month.
Slotting optimization software released. On Monday, industrial engineering and software solutions company IDS Engineering (Booth 532) unveiled the release of Slot3D 2008 and SlotLE 2008 in a press conference held at its booth.
New doors solve old problems. Goff’s Enterprises (Booth 723) introduced two new roll-up doors that can win the battle against high winds and corrosive environments.
Cattron highlights LCAS and MKU products. Cattron Group International (Booth 2137) showed its Laser Collision Avoidance System (LCAS) with advanced laser technology that ensures overhead cranes and hoists don’t collide with walls or overhead equipment.
USPS offers price incentives. The United States Postal Service (Booth 3104) is helping companies to grow business through its products, services and solutions by addressing acquisition, fulfillment and retention programs through package and international services, plus direct mail.
Day One: April 21, 2008
NA 2008 open for business. The 2008 North American Material Handling Show and Conference throws open its doors at 10 a.m. today at the International Exposition Center here in Cleveland.
Two shades of green. Keynote presents business case for a profitable, environmentally sustainable supply chain.
RMI celebrates 50th anniversary. In celebration of 50 years of advancing standards, quality, safety and general fitness for steel storage rack systems, the members of the Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI) will each display special signage in their booths at NA08.
NA 2008: Non-stop solutions. As chairman of the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA), and on behalf of our officers and members, it is my privilege to welcome you to our industry’s largest event this year—NA 2008.
Looking for a few good materials handling employees? In addition to finding equipment and systems at the North American Material Handling Show and Conference, you just might also find your next great employee, too. An opportunity to recruit former Marines with logistics and other experience will be offered right here at NA.
Education foundation expands scholarships, educational programming. On the floor of NA 2008, don’t be surprised to see plenty of wide-eyed young people exploring the exhibits. Their presence marks the expansion of efforts by the Material Handling Education Foundation Inc. (MHEFI) to encourage young adults to enter materials handling logistics.
Multi-tasking at NA08. Several organizations are taking advantage of the opportunity to host end-user meetings and association events at NA 2008. These co-located events afford show visitors the opportunity to network and build relationships with the materials handling and logistics industry’s leading solution providers and to meet for up to four days of problem-solving and information gathering.
Learn something valuable at a free seminar. Don’t miss the chance to attend one of the more than 70 on-the-show-floor educational seminars held this year at NA 2008. Located in Knowledge Center theaters at the opposite end of the I-X Center from the show entrance, each highly focused seminar lasts 45 minutes and is free to attendees.
International Visitors Center helps 2,000 attendees. Don’t be surprised to hear languages other than English spoken while strolling the show floor. Of the 20,000 people expected to attend, approximately 2,000 attendees from more than 80 countries—with Canada, Mexico and China most represented—are expected at NA 2008.
Hit the books. If adding a new materials handling book to your library is on your show agenda, be sure to drop by the NA Bookstore, located at Booth 1847 on the show floor. Browse the stacks between booth visits and seminars, and you’ll find the complete inventory of publications from the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA).
Green: The color of spring… and materials handling. It’s not easy being green, or so Kermit the Frog would have you believe. But perhaps Kermit never hopped over to the Green Pavilion, located in the center of the NA 2008 show floor, directly behind the Ferris wheel.
NA walks the walk of sustainability. With the special emphasis on environmentally friendly materials handling solutions at this year’s North American Material Handling Show and Conference, the show’s sponsor has taken particular care to minimize the environmental impact of the event itself.
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