Robotics-as-a-service provider Formic Technologies raises $26.5 million
January 18, 2022
Series A funding round will help Formic offer RaaS solutions to U.S. manufacturers
Robotic order picking automation vendor Exotec raises $335 million
January 17, 2022
The Series D funding, led by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, is expected to support continued large-scale deployments in North America, and with plans to hire 500 new R&D engineers by 2025
Talking Supply Chain Podcast: How to make your team the GOAT
January 14, 2022
Listen in as Stanley Fawcett and Michael Knemeyer discuss what it takes to make your supply chain team The Greatest Of All Time. SCMR’s Editorial Director Bob Trebilcock hosts.
Retail sales finish up 2021 on solid footing, reports Commerce and NRF
January 14, 2022
Commerce reported that December retail sales—at $626.8 billion—were off 1.9% compared to November, while seeing a 16.9% annual increase. And it noted that total retail sales, for all of 2021, saw a 19.3% annual gain, and retail sales, from October through December, rose 17.1% annually.
Darein Gandall named CEO of Cisco-Eagle
January 14, 2022
Gandall was previously president of the Dallas-based material handling systems integrator, and takes the helm from Warren Gandall, who becomes senior advisor to the board.
Sellick Equipment Limited co-founders retire
January 14, 2022
Over 50-plus years, the co-founders built the Harrow, Ontario-based company into a leading vendor in the rough terrain forklift segment
University study: what supply chain teams need right now is women
January 13, 2022
New research by University of Akron faculty says supply chain teams composed of all women achieve the best performance
Geek+ and Körber digitalize Ariat supply chain with mobile robotics
January 13, 2022
Leading apparel retailer Ariat International has turned to AMR-based solutions from Körber and Geek+ to enhance employee and customer experiences
Analyst firm foresees global micro-fulfillment center market topping 6,600 installs by 2030
January 12, 2022
Study by LogisticsIQ estimates rapid growth for micro-fulfillment center automation solutions and services through 2030.
Hyster partners with RICO on expanded line of explosion-proof lift trucks
January 12, 2022
Partnership centers on a certified Explosion Proof (EX) lift truck line in which traditional Hyster lift trucks are converted by RICO Manufacturing, which has three-plus decades of experience in manufacturing EX solutions for the North American market.
JLT Mobile Computers completes acquisition of French sales partner ID Work, now JLT France
January 11, 2022
Rugged mobile device company JLT sees move as strengthening its sales channel and reinforcing the company’s French presence and commitment.
ELFA names top 10 equipment acquisition trends for 2022
January 11, 2022
Continued equipment shortages and inflation seen as challenges, but positives include high demand for materials handling equipment
Loftware acquires PRISYM ID
January 11, 2022
Adds clinical trials labeling and regulated content management to Cloud-based platform
Drone solution provider Verity gains recognition from Swiss cleantech program
January 7, 2022
Verity AG awarded a financial guarantee from the Technology Fund, a program of the Swiss Government’s climate strategy that supports promising cleantech ventures
LiftOne acquires Atlanta operations from Briggs Equipment
January 6, 2022
Acquisition expands LiftOne representation of the Hyster and Yale lift truck brands to major metropolitan market
Fortna increases investment in Science and Technology Center for Innovation
January 6, 2022
Based on algorithms and research, Fortna's center is digital- and solutions-research based, rather than a physical building, though it will use digital twin tools to model and simulate processes for operations
Services economy ends 2021 on the right side of growth, reports ISM
January 6, 2022
The reading for the report’s key indicator—the Services PMI (formerly the Non-Manufacturing PMI)—at 62.0 (a reading of 50 Or Higher Signals Growth)—fell 7.1% compared to November’s all-time high reading of 69.1. The Services PMI grew for the 18th consecutive month, with services sector growth intact for 141 of the last 143 months through December.
Hy-Tek Holdings acquires Advanced Handling Systems
January 5, 2022
AHS is a material handling automation integrator with expertise in multiple types of systems, with a focus on robotics solutions.
Orion Energy Systems acquires service provider Stay-Lite Lighting
January 5, 2022
Addition of business to accelerate the growth of Orion Maintenance Services
Manufacturing ends 2021 with sequential decline but remains on a growth track
January 4, 2022
In its monthly Manufacturing Report on Business, ISM said that the report’s key metric, the PMI, was 58.7 (a reading of 50 or higher indicates growth), down 2.4% compared to November. This marks the 19th consecutive month of growth, at a slower rate, coupled with December also representing the 19th consecutive month of growth for the overall economy.