Modern Materials Handling Magazine Archives

March 2022 Modern Materials Handling

In this Issue:

  • MODEX 2022: On the ground at MODEX
  • System Report: CJ Logistics meets the integration challenges
  • Special Report: 2022 Productivity Achievement Awards
  • Big Picture: Automation: Why software is the star
  • Lift Truck Series: Autonomous lift trucks
Once considered the purvey of the far-off future, autonomous lift trucks have arrived. Here’s what they can offer.
CJ Logistics is integrating mobile robots, autonomous lift trucks and other technologies to improve its processes. The 3PL turned to an integration platform to bring it all together.
As fulfillment centers and warehouses become more highly automated facilities with multiple types of automation, software’s role looms larger. Issues like coordinating multiple systems around cut-off times and service levels, as well as knowing when and how to scale automated systems to accommodate peaks in demand, are two leading reasons why.
Yes, there are too few maintenance technicians. No, this doesn’t have the earmarks of an industry crisis. But it sure needs to be a priority of individual companies to hire and retain people capable of high performance levels.
In this transcript of an ISM-sponsored Webcast, Andrew Kelley and Rob Fijalkowski discuss spare parts strategy during Covid and the future.
Selected from our top System Report cover stories from the previous year, Modern’s annual Productivity Achievement Awards honor companies that have made exceptional operational gains through means like warehouse automation projects, robotics, DC network strategy and a spirit of innovation.
The AGV deployment at TRUMPF Group’s Smart Factory near Chicago allows the company’s workforce to focus on value-added manufacturing processes, while the AGVs take care of the supporting material moves, fully synchronized with the manufacturing process.
The economy has maintained strength, e-commerce is booming, and companies with distribution operations are struggling to keep up.
Yes, you read that right. Here’s the story of a patent-pending tote for automated storage systems that holds loads of 70 pounds and acts just like a sprinkler head if a fire ever breaks out.
To maximize efficiency and uptime with autonomous lift trucks, attachments are going all electric, lessening energy drain on AGVs and AMRs while allowing adoption of a predictive maintenance approach.
Modern Material Handling editor sat down with Gary Steen to talk about his career with Hannibal and the racking industry.
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Latest in Materials Handling

Raymond out to inspire next generation via its virtual Manufacturing Day event
Virtual event starting Oct. 6 celebrates the manufacturing industry, highlights the importance of skills development, with the aim of inspiring the next generation as Raymond continues to innovate. Virtual event is open to all middle and high school students globally via teacher registration.

SME announces 2023 College of Fellows
SME, teh national nonprofit leading the industrial ecosystem, honors nine members who have made outstanding contributions to the social, technological, and educational aspects of the manufacturing profession.

Missouri S&T to break ground on Protoplex, celebrate Manufacturing Day
Missouri University of Science and Technology's Protoplex will anchor its manufacturing and innovation campus.

PLA opens Northwest Arkansas pallet management facility
New location expands PLA’s nationwide pallet, logistics, and supply chain services capabilities.

Pallet supplier Millwood opens new location in Lordstown, Ohio
New location to employ nearly 20 new team members

Warehouse automation provider stow Group launches Movu Robotics brand
The new brand replaces the “stow Robotics” name, offering solutions based on autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

Integrated Warehouse Solutions acquires Pioneer Dock Equipment
Pioneer designs and manufactures a wide range of loading dock equipment including dock levelers, vehicle restraints, edge of docks, seals, and shelters.

Körber celebrates partnership milestone with robotics provider Geek+
Software provider Körber and Geek+ mark third year as partners, noting 30 implementations in eight regions and thousands of bots deployed.

IAM Robotics rebrands to Onward Robotics
Mobile robotics company rebrands to mark its next chapter, reinforcing its mission to improve order fulfillment by coordinating humans and robots as a cohesive system.

Agility Robotics readies RoboFab, a 70,000 square foot factory for producing its humanoid robots
Located in Salem, Oregon and set to open later this year, the factory will have the capacity to eventually produce than 10,000 of Agility's 'Digit' bots annually.

Rocrich AGV Solutions joint venture now in operation
The joint venture between Jungheinrich and Mitsubishi Logisnext America, announced in June, offers mobile automation solutions spanning customer use cases from standard to special purpose AGVs and automated forklifts.

Outside the Box: Why parcel shippers are suddenly focusing on packing
This webinar will discuss the recent focus on optimizing pack-out in major brands, highlighting its importance in annual shareholder letters. It will also explore the current state of packing efficiency, how big e-commerce brands are addressing the issue, and the impact of packing on margins and the environment.

Tecsys launches Innovation Lab focused on applying emerging supply chain technologies
Supply chain management software provider's lab will aim to harness a range of technologies including artificial intelligence and machine learning, data science, and process modeling and simulation, to drive customer value.

Retailer Otto Group teams with Boston Dynamics on warehouse robotics deployments
Strategic agreement calls for Boston Dynamics robots, including both its Stretch and Spot robots, to be deployed across more than 20 facilities over the next two years.

Retail sales see slight August gains, reports Commerce and NRF
Commerce reported that total August retail sales, at $697.6 billion, were up 0.6% from July to August, and were up 2.5% annually. Total retail sales, from June through August, saw a 2.2% annual increase, it noted. NRF’s calculation of retail sales – which excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants to focus on core retail – showed August was up 0.1% seasonally adjusted from July and up 3.3% unadjusted year over year. In July, sales were up 0.7% month over month and also up 3.3% year over year.  



Latest Resources

2023 Automation Study: Usage & Implementation of Warehouse/DC Automation Solutions
2023 Automation Study: Usage & Implementation of Warehouse/DC Automation Solutions
This research was conducted by Peerless Research Group on behalf of Modern Materials Handling to assess usage and purchase intentions forautomation systems...
How Your Storage Practices Can Affect Your Pest Control Program
How Your Storage Practices Can Affect Your Pest Control Program
Discover how your storage practices could be affecting your pest control program and how to prevent pest infestations in your business. Join...

Warehousing Outlook 2023
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2023 is here, and so are new warehousing trends.
Extend the Life of Brownfield Warehouses
Extend the Life of Brownfield Warehouses
Today’s robotic and data-driven automation systems can minimize disruptions and improve the life and productivity of warehouse operations.
Power Supply in Overhead Cranes: Energy Chains vs. Festoons
Power Supply in Overhead Cranes: Energy Chains vs. Festoons
Download this white paper to learn more about how both systems compare.