May 2008 materials handling upfront news
By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 5/1/2008
DCs cut back on packaging
Distribution centers are using less packaging material, according to a recent report on distribution trends. The report is based on a survey of members of the Supply Chain Consortium, a group of companies who work together to rate their supply chain operations.
"We could definitely see a trend in 2007 compared to previous years' surveys of people using less and less material—and using less expensive material when they are using packaging," says report author Bruce Tompkins.
For environmental and for economic reasons, he says, "companies are using more creative means for protecting their products instead of just throwing money at packaging."
West Coast rack maker gains independence
Management and employees of Hannibal Industries have purchased their company from parent Mitsui & Co. through the formation of an employee stock ownership plan.Hannibal, located near Los Angeles, claims to be the largest manufacturer of steel pallet rack west of the Mississippi.
Company president Blanton Bartlett says the management team's plan is to continue to focus on Hannibal's two current lines of business—Hannibal Material Handling and Hannibal Tubular Products—and to grow through the addition of new product lines and expansion into other areas of the country.
Lean practitioners connect online
Are you a lean practitioner looking to connect with others who have lean manufacturing expertise? The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) now offers a tool that can help.
The SME recently launched the Lean Registry, a free social networking site for lean practitioners. The site allows users to post online profiles, create virtual groups and make safe connections with each other.
Registrants can search through profiles to find people with specific needs or expertise and then send invitations to connect. Users control if and when to accept a connection or share contact information.
California postpones e-pedigrees
The state of California has once again delayed enforcement of its pharmaceutical e-pedigree law. The law originally required drug makers, distributors and retailers to begin electronically tracking prescription drugs through the supply chain by January 2007.
The date was then pushed back to January 2009 and has now been pushed back to January 2011.
The California State Board of Pharmacy says it agreed to the two-year delay after a majority of industry participants reported they could not have RFID or other track-and-trace technology in place in time. Most companies, however, told the board they will be ready for full implementation by 2011.
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