Topic: This Month in Modern

This month in Modern we find two eye-opening stories that paint a clear picture of how materials handling systems and the people who manage them are evolving to meet the needs of today’s more dynamic business environment.

It would be difficult to find a more comprehensive snapshot of the current state of lift truck usage, best practices and technology than the issue of Modern that you’re holding in your hands at this very moment.

In business, as in life, the tougher the challenge you face the smarter you have to work to see your way through to a resolution—and never did the readers of Modern meet a tougher battle than “doing more with less” during the recession.

There’s a significant trend that has been unfolding over the first half of the year that’s given me hope that the economy has finally turned the corner: Professionals representing all facets of supply chain management are starting to step out of their facilities and offices to attend live trade shows and events.

I can’t think of a better System Report to grace the cover of this Special Technology Issue than Musikhaus Thomann, one of Europe’s leading retailers of musical instruments and accessories.

The general interest level and media attention given to the concept of “sustainability” has traditionally ebbed and flowed with the price of fuel.

Last year, executive editor Bob Trebilcock launched a series of feature articles that we titled “The Big Picture: Where business meets materials handling.” This series has allowed us to break out of the traditional “how-to” and “case study” mold to offer an objective, broad-sweeping look at how materials handling technologies and best practices are affecting overall business strategy.

One of the many satisfying benefits of covering a market over many years is watching trends evolve into operating procedures that revolutionize how companies conduct business.

We break the Modern mold a bit this month by focusing this issue firmly on one piece of equipment—the tried and true backbone of the materials handling industry, the lift truck.

Rocky Brand’s distribution team faced a pretty daunting network design issue as well as a new customer service challenge

I’ve often found that some of the most innovative ideas present themselves when you’re not actually looking for them.

This month Modern shares the third in a series of features we’re calling “Big Picture: Where materials handing meets business.”

If our recently completed 2010 State of the Materials Handling Industry report is any early indication, the show floor at NA 2010 should be rocking next month in Cleveland.

This year's Productivity Achievement Award winners perfectly define the pioneering spirit that Modern promotes in its monthly System Report. In fact, I would say that the winners we're celebrating on page 23 (February 2010 issue) embody the two key characteristics that we tend to find in companies that that push the innovation envelope inside and outside of the four walls.