Topic: News

The damage the global recession inflicted in the Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) marketplace in 2009 was severe to say the least, according to an analysis from ARC Advisory Group.

The Institute of Supply Management reported today that while manufacturing activity in June was not as strong as it was in May, the economic recovery is moving forward.

The recently updated “Application Guidelines for Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors” is now available, thanks to the efforts of the Vertical Reciprocating Conveyer Subcommittee of the Conveyor & Sortation Systems (CSS) Industry Group, both of which are part of the Material Handling Industry of America.

Stanley Vidmar, a manufacturer of premium custom storage solutions, will be featured on the “World’s Greatest!” TV show airing June 28-30 on the ION Network. For more than 40 years, Stanley Vidmar has been manufacturing storage solutions that are used around the world—from getting the U.S. military ready for battle with deployment and weapons storage to storing insects at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History.

Adept Technology, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire privately held MobileRobots Inc., a provider of industry leading autonomous robot and automated guided vehicle (AGV) technologies.

Industry veteran hired to man new office

Unlike the previous two months, retail sales growth momentum saw a dip from April to May but saw slight year-over-year increases, according to data released by the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation.

Business logistics costs fell to a record low of 7.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product last year, compared with 9.3 percent of GDP in 2008, according to a new annual benchmark report issued Wednesday.

RedPrairie Corporation announced today the appointment of Joe Juliano to the position of president, Americas and Doug Braun to the position of president, Global Operations.

On the heels of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the materials handling industry is starting to experience growth. In fact, John Nofsinger, CEO of the Material Handling Industry of America recently told Modern, “Going into 2010, I anticipate progressive, continued, gradual growth. I do not expect to see the industry ramping up significantly into double digit growth in 2010, but growth is growth and up is up.”

Consistency appears to be the theme of late when it comes to the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) monthly report on the non-manufacturing sector. The ISM’s index for measuring the sector’s overall health—known as the NMI—was 55.4 percent in May for the third straight month. Like the ISM’s Manufacturing Index, a reading of 50 percent or higher represents growth.

Some of the best new ideas in automated materials handling are the result of better motors, drives and controls. Here’s what you need to know.

As the downturn continues to force more companies to practice lean handling techniques, the latest developments in automated storage are yielding enhanced returns on investment.

When it comes to the economy, not much has changed. Many supply chain analysts are calling this the new normal, with warehouses and distribution centers (DCs) routinely operating under tight budgets while still expected to satisfy increasing customer demands. With limited capital dollars, the recurring theme has been to make do with what you have; and what you have is existing space that’s only so wide and so high. So, how do you make the most of it?

Although the numbers are not quite as strong as the previous month, the economic recovery appears to be on solid footing, according the May manufacturing report from the Institute of Supply Management.

According to our 2010 Software User survey, nearly half of all logistics operations using a WMS are looking to upgrade over the next 12 months. Our technology correspondent explains why and then introduces us to a shipper that’s on the brink of revolutionizing its warehouse operations.

In another sign that the United States economy is gradually recovering, the Commerce Department reported last week that new orders for manufactured durable goods in April were up 2.9 percent from March to $193.9 billion and were up 16.8 percent year-over-year. This marks the fourth time in the last five months new orders were up.

Supply chain consultancy Armstrong & Associates this week released updated figures for 2009 U.S. third-party logistics market revenues.

Following a 3 percent gain in the number of global manufacturers shipping to the United States from February to March, there was another 3 percent gain from March to April, according to data from Panjiva, an online search engine with detailed information on global suppliers and manufacturers.

Keeping in line with retail sales growth from February to March, the United States Department of Commerce and the National Retail Federation recently reported retail sales were up again from March to April.