Dan M Today, operations in warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities and other businesses are more wireless than ever before. People can direct material handling machinery from their desktop, or even their tablet or smart phones. Some machines, such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or driverless forklifts — can even perform an increasing number of task autonomously. Then … Read more
In the coming year, businesses plan on spending more for material handling equipment and supplies, but they are going to paying closer attention to where their money is being spent so they can make sure they are getting full value from every dollar. That’s the feedback received from the Peerless Research Group’s (PRG) 2015 State … Read more
Editor’s Note: In today’s Thursday Feature, we travel to exotic Singapore, where the lessons gleaned from a forklift accident can help protect drivers and pedestrians here in the US. Singapore, the Southeast Asian island city-state located just south of Malaysia, has a reputation for being strict and conservative. Something as innocent as chewing gum or … Read more
The average age of of material handling system is 15.3 years old, and these aging tools can have a negative impact on a business’s overall productivity, according to a new study released this month by a North Carolina material handling consulting group. Tomkins International surveyed dozens of retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and third-party logistics firms about the … Read more
Here’s a special sneak preview of some of the stories you will find this week on the Bahrns blog: Many businesses are using their material handling equipment long past its expiration date. While they may think they’re saving money, they could actually be costing themselves more in repairs, maintenance and inefficiencies. Singapore has a reputation … Read more
The US Department of Transportation has launched what may be a “Hail Mary pass” to extend the Highway Trust Fund by reintroducing a new version of the same transportation bill that failed to get passed last year. The HTF will expire at the end of next month if no action is taken. It was extended … Read more
The Reusable Packaging Association last week issued new guidelines for use of reusable plastic containers, which are becoming an increasingly popular way to transport fresh and perishable products in the supply chain. The voluntary guidelines encompass the washing, handling, storing, packing, displaying and collecting of plastic containers in the supply chain, as well as defining … Read more
Although it is still five months away, the excitement for Pack Expo Las Vegas 2015 is already building as the packaging industry prepares for what is expected to be the biggest trade show of the year. When Pack Expo Las Vegas 2015 is held September 28 to 30 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, it … Read more
Editor’s Note: In today’s Thursday Feature, we travel to a courtroom in Santa Barbara County, California, where the impact of a forklift crash are still being felt by its victims and their families. Adolo Pozos Sr. stood in a California courtroom last Thursday. A few feet away sat the man who killed his wife and … Read more
Charging that the Union Pacific Railroad nurtures a “culture of retaliation” against its workers, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration slapped the railroad with $350,000 in damages in connection with a worker who was disciplined ror reporting a workplace injury. The incident occurred Dec. 22, 2013, at the Union Pacific’s yard in North Platte, … Read more
