Modern Materials Handling Magazine Archives

September 2022 Modern Materials Handling

In this Issue:

  • System Report: C-StoreMaster's convenient automation
  • Big Picture: The IoT-enabled warehouse
  • Best Practices: Reverse logistics
  • Equipment Report: Carts, tuggers and casters
  • Information Management: Light-directed technology
  • Supplement: Dock maintenance
At its new Huntsville, Ala., distribution center, C-StoreMaster has created stripped down and simplified processes to serve its customers.
C-StoreMaster is bringing a new level of robotics and automation to convenience store replenishment.
Reverse logistics has never been more important, but companies are struggling to stay on top of it.
Few companies are on mission to connect every possible asset with Internet of Things (IoT) technology. But interest is rising in Cloud solutions that leverage IoT to address specific operational aims, or to identify problems at package scan tunnels, or to monitor motive power charging to avoid lift truck downtime. Add them up, and IoT can be applied multiple ways in DC operations.
This month in Modern Materials Handling, we continue to track the evolution of robotics and IoT and the roles these technologies are playing to help the labor force respond to and interact with supply chains.
In today’s warehouses and DCs, companies want efficient, reliable equipment that can be operated safely. Here’s how makers of carts, tuggers and casters are responding to those needs.
A host of tools and enhanced capabilities mean pick- and put-to-light can do more than ever.
If there was ever a bad time for dock maintenance to get in the way of dock flow, this is it. Fortunately, new approaches and technologies are making timely dock maintenance a powerful ally of dock efficiencies.
A new take on edge and corner protection for large e-commerce items promises to simplify the packaging process, reducing the chance of damage in the first place. And, better yet, this solution is recyclable.
Aurora Organic Dairy, a leading dairy producer, deployed automated storage and retrieval to streamline processes at two locations, maximizing throughput with minimal space.
Power by the hour is still evolving, but data on fleet use can help devise the right lease arrangements for your fleet.
Modern sat down with Tony Sciarrotta, Executive Director of Reverse Logistics Association to discuss the organization he helps lead.
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Latest in Materials Handling

Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas group celebrates 10th anniversary of National Forklift Safety Day
Logisnext is supporting National Forklift Safety Day through a variety of safety-focused activities. The group, which offers five leading forklift brands--Cat lift trucks, Mitsubishi forklift trucks, Jungheinrich, UniCarriers Forklifts and Rocla AGV Solutions--stresses safety first.

Services economy activity grows again in May, reports ISM
The Services PMI—at 50.3 (a reading of 50 or higher signals growth)—fell 1.6% off of May’s 51.9 reading, growing, at a slower rate, for the fifth consecutive month. ISM said that the services sector has seen growth in 35 of the last 36 months, with December 2022 being the one month with a decline. 

Autonomous mobile robot provider MiR marks its 10th anniversary
Founded in Denmark in 2013 and now part of Teradyne, MiR currently employs more than 420 people globally

Hy-Tek Intralogistics and Hai Robotics announce partnership
Hai Robotics' flexible ASRS technologies, including their HaiFlex and HaiPick A3 solutions, to be leveraged under formalized partnership with Hy-Tek Intralogistics.

KPI Solutions expands with a new Atlanta office
Supply chain consulting, software, systems integration, and automation supplier says new location extends its resources for Eastern U.S. clients and technology partners

Manufacturing declines for the seventh straight month in May, says ISM
The report’s key metric, the PMI, registered a 46.9 reading (a reading of 50 or higher indicates growth), falling 0.2% off of April’s 47.1 reading.

National Forklift Safety Day coming up on June 13
Organized by the Industrial Truck Association, National Forklift Safety Day focuses on the importance of lift truck operator safety training, with a live event in Washington, DC, and virtual/streamed component as well.

Made4net acquired by Ingka Group, with global software rollout with IKEA coming
Acquisition by investment arm of company which operates over 480 IKEA stores is expected to accelerate investment in Made4net’s supply chain software platform, and expand Made4net's global customer footprint.

Automate 2023 analysis: Simplicity and speed will further robotics uptake
Automate show analysis of warehouse robotics trends. Robotic systems are cool, now vendors tap partnerships, integration, and easy-to-use software to make solutions simpler to deploy

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.



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.