Modern Materials Handling Magazine Archives

May 2023 Modern Materials Handling

In this Issue:

  • System Report: For Carhartt, necessity is the mother of automation
  • Special Report: Top 20 system suppliers
  • Reader Survey: New intralogistics robotics study
  • Equipment Report: Robot basics
  • Information Management: Software helps robots play nice
An iconic American brand is partnering with DHL Supply Chain to build out a network to meet soaring demand. It’s also turning to flexible automation to optimize operations.
Our list got a shakeup this year with new entrants involved with warehouse robotics and high-density storage. The bottom-line revenue tally, based on 2022 revenue figures, is a bit down from our previous Top 20, which came off a high growth year for most suppliers.
This issue was designed to be a bit of a primer, a push to inspire those readers who’ve been on the fence, but are now moving forward on their plans to evaluate and apply some level of robotics and automation into their operations.
In an Ohio facility, the apparel brand and its 3PL partner are working with AMRs to process as many as 110,000 units in a day.
Are you ready? It’s time. Here’s a very short course on what robots can do and why you need to consider them to be part of your materials handling mix going forward.
Our new Intralogistics Robotics Study proves just how vital robotics and automation are becoming to warehouses and DCs of all sizes­—and across all industries.
The latest robotics software trend is platforms that specialize in orchestrating interactions between different robotic systems and other “agents.” This multi-agent orchestration niche involves multiple players with varied approaches—but they all promise to smooth handoffs and speed up automation onboarding.
Modern's editor sat down with Kevin Barker, President of A3 Motion Control and Motors Technology Strategy Board to discuss warehouse automation.
New operating systems and form factors aside, forklift computing gear needs to match conditions and save time for operators.
Here are four great new ideas for getting the most out of protective packaging. Be sure to read all the way through—Walmart doesn’t often lend its name to someone else’s product.
FloraCraft’s implementation of robotic, automated end-of-line packaging solutions gave it the throughput and cost efficiencies it needed to capitalize on growth opportunities.
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Latest in Materials Handling

CLARK Material Handling Co. names J. Michael Binnie as COO/CAO for North America operations
Binnie will oversee daily operations at CLARK, working closely with the CLARK dealer network, facilitating the continued innovation of the company, as well as working closely with the CLARK management team to build on the success of the company.

Savant WMS and Locus Robotics partner on integration
Under the partnership, Savant mid-market focused cloud WMS gains integration with Locus Robotics' autonomous mobile robots and fulfillment platform.

Equipment leasing survey: April new business volume down 8% year-over-year
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s monthly survey also sees decline in new business volume versus March

enVista joins Manhattan Associates’ partner program as Gold Partner
Manhattan Associates recognizes enVista as a trusted partner and third-party integrator of its software solutions suite

OTTO Motors unveils North American certified dealer network
Autonomous mobile robot (AMR) provider partners with leading material handling equipment organizations, with the program introducing over 215 regional offices and 2,000 technicians to the rapidly-growing AMR industry.

Rockwell Automation partners with autonox Robotics
Unified robot control solutions address need for flexible solutions for manufacturing efficiencies.

IFR: Robot sales in North American manufacturing up 12% in 2022
Strong demand from carmakers, International Federation of Robotics reports as highlight of preliminary results

Automate to return in 2024
McCormick Place in Chicago will host next year’s event May 6-9, 2024, and the show will be back in Detroit May 12-15, 2025.

Melonee Wise takes up new gig as Agility Robotics’ new CTO
Wise is joining Agility Robotics as it works to bring its new version of Digit to market. Wise previously served as vice president and general manager of robotics automation at Zebra Technologies. She is the co-founder and former CEO of Fetch Robotics, which was acquired by Zebra in 2021.

OSARO and Geek+ partner to integrate robotic warehouse solutions
Partnership addresses integrated access to OSARO’s advanced picking robots with Geek+ autonomous mobile robots and automated storage and retrieval systems.

Hai Robotics adapts leadership structure to support its growing North American market
Richie Chen, the founder and owner of Hai Robotics, assumes the role of U.S. General Manager, with two other advancements in upper leadership

Swisslog’s SynQ powered AutoStore solution to enable omni-channel growth for Northern Tool + Equipment
Swisslog's Automation Solution will be installed within Northern Tool's Fort Mill, SC facility to meet its distribution needs. The solution is expected to be operational by October 2023.

Interact Analysis: logistics and other new application scenarios key to cobot market success
Market intelligence firm forecasts the collaborative robot market will enjoy modest growth out to 2032, with annual growth rates sitting at around 20%, after red hot growth for the market in 2021.

April retail sales see gains
Commerce reported that April retail sales—at $686.1 billion—were up 0.4% compared to March and were up 1.6% annually. And from February through April, it said retail sales increased 3.1% compared to the same period a year ago. NRF reported that April retail sales, which does not include automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, were up 0.6% over March and were up 2% on an unadjusted basis annually. And on a three-month moving average through April, NRF said that retail sales were up 3.7% annually on...

North American robot orders soften after record 2022
Association for Advancing Automation report shows just under 10,000 units purchased in Q1 2023, down 21% from Q1 2022



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
Warehousing Outlook 2023
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.