Tuesday, December 31, 2013

What’s the Future Of Green Buildings In 2014? Industry Leader Offers Top 10 Megatrends

Green Building by quint via flickr.com
Happy New Year's Eve! As we welcome the year 2014, let's take a look forward at one of the most significant building and maintenance issues - being green and sustainable. Today's Facility Manager offers their perspective on green building trends. One surprise might be the focus on making existing buildings more green, instead of only new building. What do you see coming?

What are the major trends likely to affect the green building industry and markets in the U.S. in 2014? As one of the world’s leading green building consultants, Jerry Yudelson thinks he knows the answers. In fact, his Top 10 list of green building megatrends has become an annual event.

At the top of Yudelson’s 2014 list is the prediction that green building in North America will continue its strong growth in 2014, with the ongoing expansion of commercial real estate construction together with government, university, nonprofit, and school construction. “Green building is the tsunami of the future that will inundate the entire real estate industry,” says Yudelson.

The second megatrend on Yudelson’s list is the growing focus on energy efficiency in all kinds of buildings, including the increasing role of building automation…

Read the full article at Today's Facility Manager. 

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year

We hope you enjoy your holiday season with family and friends!

Best Wishes,
Power Pusher

Three Christmas tree decorations in the foreground, with Christmas tree lights in the background
Getting the decorations out by m_shipp22

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

5 Questions Landscapers Hate to Hear

by Ryan Milani, via flickr.com
This article on TotalLandscapeCare.com makes it clear that potential landscaping clients sometimes misunderstand the process of hiring a landscaping professional. How do you handle client expectations, or try and educate them about what the process involves?

Are there questions you dread? Here are landscaper Ben Bowen’s top five inquiries he doesn’t like hearing:

1. Are you guys expensive? I don’t know. “Expensive” is totally relative, and I have no idea what you are using as a reference. I can’t honestly say “Yes” or “No”.

2. What does something like this cost? First of all, I am horrible with ballpark figures. Second, I know you say you won’t hold me to it — but you kind of will.
Read the full article on TotalLandscapeCare.com

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Diesel exhaust the culprit in some lung cancer deaths

1 Diesel Engine 1930s by Rich701 via flickr.com
With the possible cancer causing effects of diesel, will that impact how you purchase new equipment or replace existing equipment in the coming year? How do you manage the long term impact of job sites on health with immediate business needs? Read more on the topic of diesels harmful effects on ISHN.com.
 
An estimated 6 percent of lung cancer deaths in the United States and the United Kingdom – 11,000 deaths per year – may be due to diesel exhaust, according to a study recently published in Environmental Health Perspectives.
 
The researchers estimate that 4.8 percent of lung cancer deaths in the United States and the United Kingdom is due to occupational exposure to diesel exhaust, while 1.3 percent is due to environmental exposures to the exhaust.

Truckers and miners exposed over their careers to diesel exhaust face a risk of deadly lung cancer that is almost 70 times higher than the risk considered acceptable under U.S. occupational standards. The scientists calculated the lifetime risk for these workers at up to 689 extra lung cancer deaths per 10,000 workers exposed.

Read the full article on ISHN.com

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

How To Run a Successful Snow-Removal Business

Expanding a landscaping business into snow removal can be lucrative, but it can also be expensive, exhausting and require dealing with stressed out people in stressful situations. Learn the ropes at TotalLandscapeCare.com and read an excerpt below.

Snow Removal by Eric Kilby via flickr.com
A successful snow removal business can help a landscaper’s year-round cash flow, but there’s more to it than just pushing the white stuff out of the way.

“If you don’t love it, don’t get into it,” says Harry Turner, founder of TLC Turner Lawn Care, a family-owned landscaping business in Monticello, Wisconsin. “I’ve gone as long as 47 hours without sleep.”

Long hours in negative 20-degree weather, working on holidays, equipment expenses, customers who don’t pay — all of these factors will make running a snow-removal business challenging. So before jumping in, business owners should take time to research the competition, available customers and how to charge.

Research the market Large commercial sites like banks, hospitals or mall parking lots offer one-stop plowing opportunities – but keep in mind the liability pitfalls. Also, since many of these sites are sewn up with a large provider deploying multiple trucks via sophisticated storm-tracking equipment, it may be worthwhile to research the benefits and drawbacks of signing on as a subcontractor.

Read the full article  at Total Landscape Care

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Does Poor Safety Equal Poor Management?

Safety Signs, photo by mikecogh via flickr.com
Seeing accidents as inevitable, or devaluing human capitol, might be at the heart of poor safety culture decisions. As with any aspect of a business, if it's pushed down the ladder or put off for the future, it can be overlooked. With safety, that can have serious consequences. Read more about the connection between poor safety and poor management on EHSToday.com. See an excerpt below.

Many high-ranking leaders in various organizations have been quoted as saying that poor safety results are an indicator of other poor management practices. In interviews with top officials, the majority indicated that they demand excellence in safety from contractors and suppliers for the very reason that they view poor safety results as a warning sign of other management or performance weaknesses. Following this lead, many contractor management firms have vaunted safety as a primary condition of being included in the list of approved providers. But is safety necessarily linked to other performance areas, and if so, which ones? And what is the link?

To better answer this question, consider the potential causes for poor safety performance:

• Leaders of some organizations simply view safety as a low priority. This view can originate from other, more-valued priorities or from a philosophy that accidents are inevitable and unavoidable. Sadly, some organizations value the management of capital or technology more than the management of people and don't appreciate the importance of human capital.

Read the full article on EHSToday.com

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Shipping Options Driving Consumer Purchases

Super Power Pusher at work
Shipping costs are increasingly a factor in holiday shopping. With the holidays almost upon us, how much are you considering shipping in your preparation? Does it involve more personnel, or technology upgrades? The excerpt from the Material Handling & Logistics article below examines the impact of shipping costs.

Consumers consider shipping options—including free shipping—to be an important factor in their overall shopping experience, according to 80 percent of those responding to a recent survey commissioned by Pitney Bowes Inc. The survey polled consumers on attitudes toward shipping through all channels, including in store, online, catalog, and phone.

“Shipping has become a considerable factor in consumers’ buying choices,” said Jim Hendrickson, vice president and general manager of shipping solutions, Pitney Bowes. “In fact, there’s now a blurred line between the decision on a shipping method and the selection of a product when it comes to the overall buying decision.”

The survey found free shipping is by far more important to Americans surveyed over fast shipping (77 percent vs. 19 percent). That number spikes further among those who’ve shipped a purchase in the last year (82 percent vs. 16 percent, respectively).

Read the rest of the article on MHLnews.com.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Landscaping for Safety

Pathway by WordRidden via flickr.com Creative Commons License
An article in Total Landscape Care turned our attention to the topic of landscape maintenance for safety.  Considering the safety of visitors, as well as workers, should be a priority for building managers and project heads.

Lighting
Lighting should be an important consideration for any landscape design. Particularly for those who enjoy entertaining into the evening hours, footpaths at entryways and main pathways should be well-lighted and free of obstacles. In areas with less traffic, consider motion-activated lights. These devices not only provide illumination for family members and guests, they’re also a burglary deterrent. Landscaping itself tends to discourage thieves, since a well-maintained lawn suggests the home’s occupants are attentive to what happens on the property.

Level surfaces
Paved walkways and other hardscapes on a property should be constructed with safety in mind. Materials should be textured to reduce the risk of slipping. Also, materials that easily crack, such as concrete, can result in uneven areas that can cause tripping. Avoid the use of materials better suited for indoor spaces, such as ceramic tile, and use real stone, pavers or decking instead.

Read the entire article on TotalLandscapeCare.com. 

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Is the Term "Accident" Still Acceptable?

The following is an excerpt from EHS Today.

Safety, like all other fields of endeavor, has its own terminology. In science, terminology is critical to ensure that everyone is talking about precisely the same thing. Shared terminology can align thinking and foster common understanding. When trying to solve problems or expand knowledge, defined terminology can provide the same starting place from which progress is made. In short, terminology can get everyone on the same page.

One of the most common terms in safety has been under attack for the past two decades. This is the term "accident." The attackers have suggested that the term implies that the event was inevitable and unstoppable; that accidents are events over which humans have no control. Some also have implied that a true accident is an "act of God" and therefore it is useless to try to place blame or determine causation. Why attempt to control something that is uncontrollable and beyond human manipulation?

To read the full article, visit EHSToday.com.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Compete: Conquer the Dock's Top 3 Hazards

The following is an excerpt from Material Handling & Logistics News Online.

Looking at safety statistics, it's easy to conclude that the loading dock is one of the most hazardous areas of your operations.  A quarter of all accidents occur there. The majority of these accidents result in the dreaded back injury that, according to OHSA, ultimately ends up costing U.S. companies upwards of $80 billion dollars annually.

With staggering numbers like these, not even the largest and safest companies doubt that the loading dock is potentially dangerous. However, by taking steps to address these top areas of concern, it can be safer.

Loading Dock Drop Offs  

With a height above the driveway of more than four feet, open and unprotected dock doorways can be an accident waiting to happen. Equipment and signage that warns employees of danger ahead can help them avoid driving off the dock in a forklift or stepping too far and falling. 

To read the full article, visit MHLNews.com.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Your execs should know: Safety isn’t a commodity anymore

The following is an excerpt from ISHN.com.

The safety job has matured, and will continue to do so – that was one of the takeaways from last week’s National Safety Congress & Expo, sponsored by the National Safety Council.
You can measure safety’s maturity a number of ways. What your execs should understand, if they don’t already, is the days of “a glove is a glove,” “glasses are glasses,” training videos come “canned” from off the shelf, and safety programs… well, if you seen one you’ve seen them all – those days are gone.

Advances in the materials used in just about every type of PPE require a more educated buyer when it comes to making selections. More and more training is not “canned” but customized to specific sites. Leading and lagging safety performance indicators are also customized to be site-specific. Wireless gas detector networks generate volumes of data to be analyzed. Safety apps are raining down on safety departments with absolutely no end in sight.

When you purchase a safety product now, check out the services that are offered with it. PPE vendors are big on education and consultative selling, knowing how overworked many safety managers are today. Some are creating portals where, for a subscription fee or some other form of pricing, you can download training materials, safety meeting materials, checklist, tip sheets, and more. Yes, all this “value added” from PPE makers.

To read the full article, visit ISHN.com.



Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Make Fall the New Busy Season

This is an excerpt from a Total Landscape Care article.

For many landscapers, their workflow starts to slow down when the leaves hit the ground — but why?

Of course, there are areas of the country that have already seen snow, but for many, the weather still works in their favor, making fall a great time to add new features and plants.

Plant, trim
Fall is the perfect time to cut down perennials, clean up flower beds, plant new trees and seed lawns, says Dean Savarino, owner of Dean’s Landscaping, to The Times Media Company.

“Anything you plant does a lot better when you plant it in the fall, before everything goes dormant,” he tells the publication.

To read the full article, visit Total Landscape Care's website.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

States strive to reach young workers with safety messages

This is an excerpt from an ISHN article.

They may be at different ends of the country, but Connecticut and Oregon have one thing in common: both are taking steps to help keep young workers safe.

It's a special area of concern. Employees under the age of 25 are twice as likely to be injured on the job, according to a 2005 study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.

They also tend to be unaware of their workplace rights.

Oregon’s OSHA has gone the video route, using a YouTube-hosted video series heavy on humor and music to educate teen workers about things like speaking up on the job and ladder safety. A quirky teacher passionate about lifting techniques demonstrates safe lifting, and singing restaurant workers bring home the message about safety in that industry. (The videos can also be found on Oregon OSHA's website at www.orosha.org/subjects/young_worker.html.)

To read the full article, visit ishn.com.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Get the Best from Managers

This is an excerpt from an article written by Jeff Harkness in Landscape Management.

I’ve had the recent pleasure of managing a client’s account management team for the last six months. I love it, but managing people who are in front of your customer is tough. It takes hard work and patience. The good news is this skill can be learned and refined with experience, but there’s a shortage of good management talent operating in this industry. You have to get this right. Your growth and sanity depend on it!

The best companies are making investments in finding, training, motivating and rewarding their talent. This leads to retention and stability. Profits follow. Sounds easy, right? If you’re frustrated and challenged by your team’s results, consider the following.

Personality profiles. Human behavior is predictable and job descriptions require certain skill sets within your organizational structure. Profiles can be used to gain insight as to how a particular individual works and interacts with others, in their personal life or working life.DISC, Myers-Briggs or Wonderlic are few good providers to check out as a measuring stick for your team. Include yourself. Owners create problems, too! This screening process is a must and you need to make it part of a strategic planning meeting and/or your hiring process. In the classic read Good to Great author Jim Collins talks about a simple question “great” companies ask themselves: “Do I have the right people on the bus? Are they sitting in the right seat?” Ask this question of your organization on a regular basis.

To read the full article, visit Landscape Management.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Manufacturing Sector About 75% recovered, MAPI predicts full recovery by Q4 2014

This is an excerpt from an MHI blog post.

Despite growing faster than the overall economy since the recession ended, U.S. manufacturing is still only about 75 percent recovered. And their is a wide variation in the performance of industries within the sector, according to the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI).

Manufacturing industrial production has increased faster than inflation-adjusted gross domestic product (increasing 18 percent while GDP expanded 9 percent), but manufacturing is still in the recovery phase of its cycle. Manufacturing production declined 20 percent in the recession, and production needs to increase another 5 percent from its Q2 2013 reading in order to return to  Q4 2007 levels. MAPI forecasts that the sector will complete its recovery in Q4 2014.

The full post is available at MHI's website.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Healthier Workforces May Lead to a Healthier Bottom Line

This is an excerpt from an ISHN article.

Companies that build a culture of health by focusing on the well-being and safety of their workforce may yield greater value for their investors, according to a study published in the September issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM), official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

The stock market performance of companies that had received ACOEM’s Corporate Health Achievement Award (CHAA), which annually recognizes the healthiest and safest companies in North America, was conducted at HealthNEXT LLC and analyzed by lead authors Raymond Fabius, MD, and R. Dixon Thayer, and colleagues. Companies that receive the award must be engaged in demonstrable and robust efforts to reduce health and safety risks among their employees.

To read the full article, visit ISHN.com.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Improving Safety with Power Pusher® Electric Tugs

Traditional methods of material transportation (such as manpower, pallet jacks and forklift trucks) expose employees to unnecessary risk. Although these solutions are effective for moving goods, and are still commonly accepted, they each suffer concept or design flaws that increase risk factors for potential injury on the plant floor.

Industrial electric tugs not only improve safety and control, but also increase flexibility with the option to push and pull loads. Nu-Star’s Power Pusher® reduces manpower and increases plant floor productivity with less downtime by transporting heavy loads fast and without excess exertion or muscle strain. Enabling a single person to maneuver 50,000 to 250,000 pounds with total control, the electrically powered, compact tug replaces large, expensive material handling equipment, such as forklifts and tractors. With a wide range of standard or custom attachments available, the tugs are a scalable, flexible solution built to meet specific load requirements.

Visit our website to learn how all of the Power Pusher tug devices can improve safety and efficiency for specific applications.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

RIF – Breaking Through Safety Performance Plateaus

This is an excerpt from an ISHN blog post.

RIF, Recordable Injury Frequency, the worldwide standard for judging safety performance, is often talked about as inadequate, but in actuality is seldom, if ever, replaced. Why use this concept?

  • RIF is reactionary, not proactive 
  • RIF doesn’t give a hint as to what you should do differently to improve safety 
  • Why incent RIF performance when all it does is lead to hiding injuries and thus impede progress in resolving the recurring issues that should be addressed 
  • RIF means nothing to the front line worker where the risks are lived with every day
  • We have all heard these arguments and more. Yet we keep slogging down this same old road expecting a different result, the classic definition of insanity.

A group of safety professionals recently met with the executive safety leadership of a Fortune 50 company that was struggling with the RIF plateau. A number of years back when their injury numbers were higher they attacked the RIF culture that existed, solved many conditional and regulatory issues and took a steep drop in RIF and its associated costs.

The full article is available at ISHN.com.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

310 More Workers Returned Home to their Families in 2012

This is an excerpt from an EHS Today article.

Preliminary results from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries released Aug. 22 show a reduction in the number of fatal work injuries in 2012 compared with 2011. Last year, 4,383 workers died from work-related injuries, down from a final count of 4,693 fatal work injuries in 2011.

The rate of fatal workplace injuries in 2012 was 3.2 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, down from a rate of 3.5 per 100,000 in 2011. The numbers could be better, according to the secretary of labor.

"Workers in this country have the right to return home safe and healthy at the end of a work day," said Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "Despite that right, poor safety conditions cause thousands of people each year to lose their lives at work."

To read the full article, visit ehstoday.com.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Why Construction Workers Don't Report Injuries

This is an excerpt from an ISHN article.

More than 25% of construction workers responding to a recent survey by the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) said that they had suffered a work-related injury at some point in their career that they did not report.

Multiple reasons
  • Workers accept that injury is part of the job
  • They wanted to remain eligible for safety incentive prizes
  • They feared they would not be hired again by their employer if they reported an injury; and
  • They found the paperwork and process for filing a claim daunting
“Pain is a natural part of my job”

The focus group participants identified multiple reasons why workers failed to report workplace injuries:
Workers who explained their failure to report a work-related injury were most likely to say that “my injury was small” and “pain is a natural part of my job,” according to the CPWR.

The full article is available at ishn.com.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

EHS Today Releases its National Safety Survey Results

Below is an excerpt from the EHS Today 2013 National Safety Survey article. 

The respondents to the 2013 National Safety Survey generally are well-paid (approximately 80 percent earn more than $55,000 and 15 percent earn more than $105,000 per year); most have responsibility for safety (96 percent) followed closely by emergency preparedness (74 percent), occupational health (73 percent), ergonomics (66 percent) and industrial hygiene (65 percent); 94 percent attended college; and three-quarters are certified safety professionals (CSP). 

Most rate their organization's EHS performance as "good" (31.8 percent), "very good" (34.2 percent) or world-class (4.9 percent). Companies that offer a "one-size-fits-all" approach to EHS were criticized and the "production versus safety" argument appears to be ongoing. 

Here is a sample of what some respondents said when asked: "What is the most frequent complaint you hear from employees about your organization's safety and health program?":

    • Our managers care more about product than safety.

    • The foremen of the company still push and drive with disregard to safety. The foremen are not held accountable [for poor safety performance].

    • Management does not follow safety programs.

    • That our side (construction) has to follow the regulations but the facilities and maintenance sides do not have to follow safety policies, training or OSHA requirements.

The full article and the full survey results are available at ehstoday.com.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

ARA Adjusts U.S. Rental Forecasts but Remains Positive

This is an excerpt from an International Rental News article by Murray Pollok.

The American Rental Association (ARA) continues to make bullish forecasts for the U.S. rental market with 7.0% growth expected this year followed by increases of 9.2% next year and 12.9% in 2015.

The 7.0% figure is slightly lower than the 7.3% estimated by the association in May this year, reflecting a modest slowdown of the economy, but it remains an extremely high rate and in stark contrast to Europe where rental market growth this year is expected to be around 1%.

The ARA figures come from its quarterly Rental Market Monitor produced by consultant IHS Global Insight.

“The U.S. economy slowed more than expected in the first half of the year, but equipment rental demand has remained strong”, said Scott Hazelton, a senior partner with IHS Global insight, “We have lowered our growth expectations for 2013 modestly to reflect this, but rental growth will still handily outperform the overall economy.

“The path ahead still looks promising with employment growth continuing and housing data coming in strong, which implies an improving commercial construction market to follow. Industrial markets, especially those tied to energy exploration and production, also should see growth”.

The full article is available on the International Rental News website.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Cycle Counting Exposes Inventory Ills

This is an excerpt from a Material Handling and Logistics article.

Cycle counting is a process designed to replace comprehensive annual inventories with smaller counts conducted on a continuous basis throughout the year. It can be conducted while normal business operations continue, eliminating the need for an annual shutdown.

While you do need a certain level of product/process complexity or volume to make cycle counting worthwhile, companies need not be large to benefit.

5 Top Benefits

1. Improved ability to fill orders: Cycle counting allows smaller batches of goods to be counted and allows counts of the same batches multiple times a year. Companies can decide, for example, to schedule six counts a year of their highest turnover items, reducing inventory variances in the ordering system and, in turn, reducing the number of purchase requests that must be placed on back-order.

2. Current information to manage the business: When inventory records are inaccurate, orders for extra supply often are placed to provide “padding” that insures goods will be there when needed. This excess inventory increases carrying costs and potentially increases the amount of obsolete stock on hand.

3. Faster recognition of breakdowns in shipping, receiving and inventory transfer transactions: This can reduce extra costs associated with expedited freight that is incurred to make up for time lost dealing with inaccurate inventory records.

4. Reduced disruption: Since only small batches are being counted at a time, there is no need to shut down operations for counting inventory. And since counting is done continuously, the process can be integrated into the regular workflow. Last, there is no need to hire and train temporary workers to do an annual inventory. Existing staff can cycle count.

5. Increased ability to reduce errors and theft: More frequent counting allows discrepancies to be discovered closer to the time they were caused. That in turn makes identification of those causes – and correcting them – easier and quicker, reducing the impact of errors.  More frequent counting also helps detect theft more quickly so that countermeasures can be taken.

The full article is available on Material Handling and Logistics' website.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Job Outlook Improving For Construction Industry

This is an excerpt from a todaysfacilitymanager.com article.

Gradual improvement throughout 2012 and into 2013 offers construction job seekers some relief, according to a new report by CareerCast.com. Commercial construction has improved over the past year with indicators pointing to continued growth.

“Newly created jobs in the construction industry provide opportunities for candidates with a diverse range of qualifications and skill sets,” says Tony Lee, publisher, CareerCast.com. “A construction manager/site superintendent is one such career, and one of the most lucrative in the sector with a median annual salary of $82,790.”

The construction manager/site superintendent oversees the day-to-day operations on-site, which is also important to the overall profitability of a project. Particularly skilled candidates for this job need to make sure projects “avoid hiccups” to prevent further cuts into those profit margins.

In recent years, construction workers with specialized trade skills have been the most in-demand amid the industry’s tumultuous times, Department of Labor statistics show. BLS projections suggest most specialty trade careers will grow over the national average in the next seven to 10 years. That means 20% to 25% more opportunities for carpenters, electricians, and plumbers. Contributing to the growth of these fields are the options they offer. Some skilled workers are independent contractors with whom construction companies employ on an individual basis. Other companies choose to staff their own, full-time skilled trade workers.

The full article is available on the Today's Facility Manager website.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

3 Steps to Better Estimates

This is an excerpt from a landscaping estimates article published on Greenindustrypros.com.

Without completely knowing their costs, landscape contractors can't possibly arrive at an accurate bid number. And without that, they can't possibly earn the profit they need to sustain their businesses.

Contractors need a reliable, repeatable and consistent bidding system. By knowing all costs associated with each job, the bidding process will run more smoothly.

Information related to material prices and hourly labor costs should be readily accessible. Some contractors keep binders of information in their trucks. Others use management software back at the office, many times syncing up to a mobile device such as a smartphone or iPad. However you do it, having this information available on the fly is helpful. Not only can it help you to improve the accuracy of your estimating, but it can help speed up your estimating process. Remember, in many instances, the faster you can get an estimate into the prospective client's hands, the better your chances of getting the job.

Producing an accurate estimate requires two things: 1) Knowing how much it costs you to perform each task, 2) Knowing the exact parameters of the job you are bidding on.

Read the full, "3 Steps to Better Estimates" article at Green Industry Pros' website.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Brick-and-mortar retailers display staying power on 2013 Top 100 Retailers list

This is an excerpt from a post on mhi.org about STORES’ 2013 “Top 100 Retailers” list. The full article is available on the MHI news webpage.

Wal-Mart remains at the top of the STORES’ 2013 Top 100 Retailers list, raking in $328.7 billion in 201. Kroger, reporting more than $92 billion in sales in 2012, maintained the No. 2 spot for the fourth year in a row.

Costco (4), The Home Depot (5) and Safeway (9) each moved up a single spot, and McDonald’s (10) joined the top 10 list for the first time in the survey’s history, reporting more than $35.5 billion in sales in 2012.

Target (3), CVS Caremark (7) and Lowe’s (8) round out the top 10, and Amazon.com, one of only two pure-play retailers on the Top 100 list, jumped from No. 15 to No. 11 this year.


Growth in Home Goods Sector Shows Consumer Resilience

An area of note in this year’s report is the growth seen in the home goods sector. Of the three companies who made the list, each climbed from last year’s position. Thanks to an improving housing market, consumers have come out of hibernation and have begun sprucing up their homes or buying for their new homes. Williams-Sonoma landed at No. 91 this year, up from No. 94 last year, and IKEA North America came in right behind at No. 92, up from No. 95. Bed Bath & Beyond reported more than $10.9 billion in sales in 2012 and landed at No. 36, up from No. 39 last year.

Continue reading the full article on the MHI news webpage.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Hone Your Hiring Skills

This is an excerpt from an article in Construction Business OwnerThe magazine conducted a survey to find the most pressing workforce management challenge that its readers are facing. 

... More than half of those surveyed stated that finding skilled employees was their greatest hurdle. Another 20 percent of readers stated that effective hiring was their top challenge.

This issue takes on even more importance considering that the need to hire employees is on the rise for most companies. According to the “SMB Hiring Outlook Survey 2013” by Sage construction software, a third of small- to mid-sized construction companies reported an increase or plan to increase the size of their workforce in 2013. With such growth comes immense pressure on business owners to make smart hires. CBO interviewed three business management experts to glean insight into how to create an effective hiring process.

Recruiting is the First Step 
The consensus among the experts is that if you wait until you have a position to fill to begin hiring, you have already failed. Jack Daly, a widely recognized sales management consultant and the author of “Real World Management Strategies that Work,” drives this point home: “Sports teams are quite frankly run better than businesses.”

Would Nick Saban or Rick Pitino ever entertain the thought of filling their roster without active recruiting years in advance? Surely no coach, even a less successful one, would consider selecting replacements only as their senior players are preparing to graduate. Yet, business owners often do just this. “There are businesses that aren’t spending any time recruiting good people to come into their company, and then they wonder why their performance is suffering or lacking,” Daly says.

He encourages business owners to act as if their companies are never fully staffed, principally because waiting until you have to find someone often puts you at the mercy of the pool of active job seekers. Stan Davis, founder of Standish Executive Search, concurs: “Active job seekers are maybe 20 to 25 percent of the people you want to attract.” Since no smart business owner would reasonably choose to ignore 75 percent of the talent pool, the need to prioritize recruiting is undeniable. “You’ve got to go where these people are, and you’ve got to dig them out. That’s what good search firms do—they build a network,” Davis says.

The full hiring and recruiting article is available on the Construction Business Owner website.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Staying Safe While Landscaping

As an OccupationalHealth & Safety article, "Landscaping Safety: Tips to Help Prevent Injuries,” points out, landscaping is a dangerous job.  Many worker fatalities occur because of car accidents, while others are injured while operating or repairing machinery.

In 2011, 167 landscaping professionals died on the job, which was 34 more than 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

As the article suggests, awareness and prevention lead to the safest work zone possible, including utilizing the proper equipment, properly using it and safely maintaining it. Equipment and practices that improve efficiency can also make it easier to stay alert and monitor surroundings, because as these unfortunate reports show, it’s important to not only mind your own work, but others’ work as well.

With these concerns in mind, Power Pusher’s E-750 ElectricWheelbarrow is capable of effortlessly moving up to 750 pounds and was designed to make landscaping easier and safer.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

New Power Pusher Electric Wheelbarrow Model Makes Hauling Easier

Power Pusher has expanded its electric wheelbarrow capabilities with the E-750 Electric Wheelbarrow, featuring a heavy-duty, high-density plastic tub. It transports heavy loads with ease and is designed to improve operator safety and productivity. It eliminates the ergonomic challenges and unnecessary production delays associated with traditional wheelbarrows.

Along with its stainless steel model, the new high-density plastic model is capable of effortlessly moving up to 750 pounds at speeds reaching three miles per hour. The electric wheelbarrow enhances production speed and efficiency.

Featuring a heavy-duty construction, the E-750 has a bed capacity of nine cubic feet, allowing users to haul larger loads in a single pass. Its power dump feature provides an added safety benefit. Activated with push-button ease, users can eject materials without excess strain from manual dumping. It is engineered to tackle diverse applications, and it is capable of hauling a range of landscaping and construction materials, including:

  • Rocks
  • Bricks
  • Sand and Concrete
  • Fertilizer
  • Sod
  • Soil
  • Mulch
The E-750’s 24v battery-operated motor can run for a total of five miles on a single charge. Its quiet motor can be used indoors without the noise disruption and fumes common with gas engines.


Tuesday, June 11, 2013

New Super Power Pusher™ Features 250,000-Pound Push Capacity

Power Pusher has expanded the capabilities of its durable Super Power Pusher™ with a dual-motor model capable of moving up to 250,000 pounds for enhanced productivity that simultaneously reduces safety risks.

Fingertip controls and compact sizing make the device easy-to-maneuver, enabling a single employee to move loads from 500 to 250,000 pounds for a cost-effective alternative to forklifts, tractors and other ride-on material handling equipment. Additionally, the fully programmable control system adjusts the speed and acceleration/deceleration based on the current load and environment, adapting to individual application requirements. Battery-operated, with 36-volt DC, 1500-watt dual motors and equipped with an on-board charger, Super Power Pusher delivers a powerful, yet efficient, solution to challenging material handling applications.

Engineered to promote safety, Super Power Pusher complies with OSHA Health & Safety guidelines limiting the amount of manual pushing/pulling performed by a single person. Offered with optional safety features, including audible motion beeper, strobe, horn and hand guards, Super Power Pusher is constructed to protect the worker, the load and equipment.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Safety & Profitability

According to the Occupations Safety and Health Administration, a single employee suffering a minor sprain can cost an employer up to $48,505. This figure includes the cost of the injury, wages paid to injured workers, costs related to lost productivity, worker replacement costs and administrative time.

Each injury encompasses direct and indirect expenses that are appropriated from a company’s revenue stream, which hinders its ability to experience profit growth. Therefore, when safety is improved and the resulting number of injuries decreases, these incidental costs no longer impact the company’s capacity for profit gain.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Simplifying Material Handling Increases Employee Productivity

Implementing tugs proactively reduces the number of work-related injuries in material handling applications, which has a direct effect on worker productivity. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, in 2010, 50 percent of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were back injuries that required an average absence of seven days and the most severe work-related MSDs required as many as 21 days off work. Preventing the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders reduces employee absenteeism, which improves overall productivity.

Additionally, material handling tugs also increase employee productivity by simplifying material handling applications. In situations where manpower is used, utilizing multiple workers to push a single load reduces the amount of productivity realized, as personnel are abandoning their tasks to aid in moving heavy loads. By allowing one worker to single-handedly control materials weighing over 100,000 pounds, the number of workers dedicated to a single material handling task decreases, ultimately reducing unnecessary production halts.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Flexible Material Handling

Tugs not only improve control, but also increase flexibility with the option to push and pull loads, depending on application requirements. Further, these devices can provide additional stability, as multiple devices can work in unison to move difficult loads. For instance, when constructing pre-fabricated housing, each piece is moved sideways along the construction zone. Using a tug on each end of the piece, operators can push the material in sync.

Material handling tugs can also be equipped with safety accessories and job-specific attachments. With the option for safety horns and strobes, operators can signal facility occupants of their impeding approach to avoid collisions—even on noisy plant floors. Further, for challenging or diverse loads, tugs can be equipped with attachments designed to complement individual needs, such as a push pad assembly, railroad truck attachment and an angle plate for modular homes. These attachments provide the ideal performance capabilities for transporting virtually any load safely and efficiently.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Big Picture: Little things that make a big difference in your operation

This article was originally posted in Modern Materials Handling.

Automation, technology and software promise new levels of efficiency and productivity along with the capability to execute complex order fulfillment strategies. That’s the good news. The bad news: just as a supply chain is only as efficient as its weakest link, a sophisticated materials handling system is only as efficient as the bottlenecks in a distribution center. A high-speed order fulfillment engine won’t hit its numbers if inventory doesn’t get off the receiving dock or orders can’t get through manual packing stations to meet shipping cut-off times.

As a result, these new systems are highlighting the big difference that little things can have on operations. Seven examples to consider for your facility include:
  1. Receiving, inspection and quality control with powered mobile workstations
  2. Capture cube and weight information now for packaging later
  3. Integrate workstations with the materials handling system
  4. Lean out the labeling process
  5. Optimize and automate the packaging process
  6. Don’t overlook the dock
  7. Automation doesn’t stop at the dock door
Read the full article here to learn more about how to impact your performance. 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Battery-Operated Tugs Engineered for Safety

Battery-operated tugs are designed to ideally distribute weight and maximize torque. Containing specifically-designed gears, this technology effectively converts speed to torque, enabling operators to minimize the effort required to pull or push loads. The body of these devices acts as a wedge, slightly lifting the load at an angle and transferring all the weight to the drive wheels, which allows torque to propel the device forward. With this technology, users can maneuver heavy materials without straining muscles—reducing the likelihood of injury during initial exertion.

Tugs also include features that prevent incidental injury during operation. Machines equipped with anti-runaway capabilities power down once the throttle is released. Additionally, the tug is designed in a way that, prior to operation, users must actively pull back the handle and hold it in place to power-up the machine. Together, these features prevent any incidental propulsion of the device. Another safety feature built into the controls of the machine is an emergency reverse switch. When pulling a load in reverse, if the device comes into direct contact with the operator’s torso, the emergency switch will automatically move the tug forward and stop the machine, preventing users from being pinned or crushed.

Along with operational safety features, these devices can also be constructed to improve ergonomics. For instance, devices containing ergonomically-designed handles protect fingers from being crushed when turning corners sharply. With the tug’s easy maneuverability, users will not experience shoulder and back pain due to overcompensating for lack of control. Plus, by allowing operators to be closer to the loads, tugs offer better visibility to reduce incidental collisions with equipment and other workers.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The Evolution of Material Mobility

With an estimated 85 forklift fatalities and thousands of material handling-related injuries each year, the need for alternative solution arose. To mitigate some of the serious safety risks associated with forklifts and pallet jacks, many industries are moving away from this technology to wheeled cart solutions.

Battery-operated tugs are designed to provide a safer alternative for moving large loads, without exposing personnel to unnecessary risk. By effectively distributing and mobilizing virtually any load on wheels, users can transport thousands of pounds with total control and without strain—preventing injuries, reduced productivity and lost revenue experienced with other material handling solutions.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

New Video Helps Promote Material Handling and Logistics Careers

 This article was originally posted in Material Handling Industry.

The Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) recently released a video explaining the impact material handling and logistics has on the supply chain and the many different career opportunities available in this vibrant and growing industry.

The video explains the thousands of careers available in this industry that are as diverse as the materials and products moving through the supply chain. People, projects, and resources all have to be managed. Facilities need to be planned and designed. Marketing, sales, accounting, operations, engineering, CAD design, technical support, information technology and logistics are just some of the career choices the material handling and logistics industry has to offer.

Click here to view the video.

This video is part of an ongoing effort to promote material handling and logistics careers by MHEDA and MHI. For more information, visit MHEDA's Career Center and the MHI Career Center.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

A Journey Towards World Class Manufacturing

This article was originally posted in Material Handling & Logistics.

John M. Hall remembers the CNH Wichita Product Center of six or so years ago. The facility was "dark and dingy," with large amounts of material and inventory everywhere, describes the manager of the Product Customer Service Center and a 19-year veteran of the Wichita site.

"We had some issues," he says.

Today such disorder is hard to imagine at this site, the sole manufacturing location for the Case and New Holland brands of skid steer loaders and compact tract loaders. It is well-lit, with wide, clean aisles and no signs of inventory creep, courtesy of managers who recognized that the status quo had to go.

See Also: Manufacturing & Distribution Center Best Practices

"For a while, you had to keep moving or you would be repainted," Halls says of the reorganizing effort. He also points to a phenomenon that occurs when you begin to declutter. "Open space creates open space," Hall says.

The changes at the Case New Holland plant go well beyond the cosmetic, however. They go to performance. For example, in the past three years the Wichita plant has reduced scrap and rework costs by 80.5%. It has reduced energy consumption by 60.1% per unit of production in the past three years. And it has combined two dedicated assembly lines into a single line capable of mixed-model production for improved efficiency and productivity.

Today, an emphasis on the world class manufacturing (WCM) methodology is driving CNH's continuing performance improvements.

Engineering services manager Kenny Callaway calls WCM "a lifestyle." The facility's WCM tools manual describes it as a change program, one that "involves all employees in continuous improvement, focusing on eliminating waste and reducing losses" while improving standards and methods.

Operations manager Eddie Smith, who joined the Wichita plant about two years ago, says a recent reorganizing effort at the front end of the assembly line provides a good example of the facility's aim to reduce losses—in this instance, the losses associated with non-value-added activities. Operators were spending excessive amounts of time walking and searching for parts. Additionally, the line required the introduction of workstations to address added product complexity.

A cross-functional team that included operators conducted a major kaizen (WCM and lean employ many similar tools). Ultimately, the team developed a new layout. Other improvements included a new means to both deliver axles to the line and install the axles, as well as the addition of parts kitting at certain stations.

In the end, the reorganization improved line efficiency. It also resulted in the reduction of several operators on the line, and one logistics employee per shift. The displaced workers were reassigned to other, overtaxed areas in the plant.

"The goal is to be more efficient, not drive headcount reductions," Smith says. Indeed, the Wichita plant has been in a growth mode the past few years. With new employees comes an increased need for training, and the CNH Wichita Product Center has an enviable training center. So much so, that other CNH facilities have traveled there for training. The training is largely interactive, and features both touchscreen tools and an audience response system that captures an electronic record of the interactions.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Conventional Material Handling Methods: Pallet Jacks

Another device frequently used in material handling applications is a pallet jack, which operates similarly to forklift trucks, but on a much smaller scale. Pallet jacks lift and move stationary loads to provide a walk-behind alternative to forklift trucks. Available in both manual and electric options, pallet jacks are designed to haul pallets through warehouses. Difficult to control, pallet jacks result in accidental contact with other employees or equipment. When maneuvering pallet jacks, operators commonly run over other employees’ feet, fracturing bones and creating a hazard to pedestrian traffic. Pallet jack operators can also pin either themselves or other employees against walls, causing serious damage.

In addition to lack of control, operators must also be concerned about pallet jack depreciation, as wear and tear on the device can escalate safety concerns. If tires are worn unevenly or have flat spots, pallet jacks will not carry the load uniformly, increasing the possibility that the load will tip or fall. Also, breakdowns with operational systems such as the hydraulics, steering or brakes could cause serious accidents when a load cannot be stopped or controlled. Further, workers can also experience stress to the hands and arms because of difficulty steering and stopping the device.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

MFC-100™

The hydraulically operated MFC-100™ is ideal for lifting and moving heavy barrels, automotive towing or lifting awkward equipment. With push-button ease, operators can engage the hydraulic lift to raise the load for effortless transportation. Featuring diverse attachment options and a 15,000-pound maximum push capacity, the MFC-100 is a powerful, flexible industrial cart solution for a wide range of material handling applications.

Features and Benefits:
  • Fully programmable control system with diagnostic features to adjust speed and acceleration/deceleration based on load and environments
  • Fingertip control and compact sizing deliver superior maneuverability
  • Load capacity of 15,000 for heavy-duty applications
  • Built-in battery charger for long lasting operation
  • Automatic braking for increased operator safety

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

2013 Warehouse/DC Equipment and Technology Survey: Moving More, Spending Less

This article was originally posted in Modern Materials Handling.

Just as an effective materials handling system cannot be shaped around one data point, interpreting the results of an industry survey is about more than just the bottom line. For instance, take a look at the average materials handling budget as reported by Peerless Research Group (PRG) in the 2013 State of Warehouse/DC Equipment and Technology Survey. At nearly 26% less than last year, the average anticipated spending among the survey’s 597 respondents is just $334,510. In fact, about half of those respondents plan to spend less than $50,000.

But if we look at activity levels, facility capacity numbers have jumped up by as much at 10% in one year—following six consecutive years of decline. According to John Hill, director at St. Onge, capacity figures between 60% and 70%, although a big improvement, are still below a certain threshold. When they rise above 70%, he says, it’s often necessary to spend on materials handling equipment just to keep up. In the meantime, most businesses will tend to sit tight.

In fact, respondents expressed a great deal of optimism that they could handle it. When asked about their anticipated activity levels over the next two years, almost 95% said that they expected activity to increase or stay the same. To be fair, more than 50% of respondents suggested their warehousing activity would stay the same.

According to George Prest, CEO of Material Handling Industry (MHI), growth is projected to improve into 2014. Following industry growth rates of 14% in 2011 and 10% in 2012, 2013 could hover around 6% before breaking double digits again in 2014.



Click here for more information about the survey and to read the full article.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Conventional Material Handling Methods: Forklift Trucks

Forklifts are a more convenient alternative to manpower that lacks the physicality of manual labor by mechanically lifting and moving heavy loads; however, they do present a separate set of safety concerns. Congestion on the plant floor, reduced load control, vehicle instability and polluted air emissions are just a few of the potential risks associated with forklift truck operation.

Due to the instability of their design, forklift trucks can overturn from overload, incorrect load positioning, operator errors or poor maintenance—putting drivers at life-threatening risk. Further, forklifts increase the risk of collisions. By moving at high speeds throughout the facility, forklifts not only run the risk of striking other forklifts, but also increase hazards for employees. Additionally, ergonomic deficiencies also lead to potential injuries. Uncomfortable seating and poor shocks can cause operators to suffer back, neck and arm pain induced by exerting excessive physical effort to compensate for vehicle vibrations.

Forklift trucks can also impact the indoor air quality of the facility. These vehicles emit exhaust gasses that pollute the air within the facility, subsequently forcing occupants to breathe in these toxins. This will eventually lower the air quality for the building and poor indoor air quality can have significant health consequences, such as causing or exacerbating respiratory disorders, fatigue, headaches and more.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Conventional Material Handling Methods: Manpower

Manpower refers to one or more employees physically pushing or pulling a load to its intended destination. This method of material mobility presents numerous safety hazards to workers, including overexertion and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). With manpower, the majority of the force required to build enough momentum to propel the load forward is through the initial exertion. Therefore, most injuries occur while workers are attempting to set a load in motion. Liberty Mutual Research Institute states that in 2009, the primary cause of serious workplace injuries arose from overexertion due to lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, holding or carrying heavy loads—accounting for 24.5% of all work-related injuries and costing companies nearly $13 billion in direct costs each year.

Relying on manpower to move loads that weigh hundreds or even thousands of pounds contribute to the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders within material handling applications. These disorders make up as much as one third of all work-related injuries and effect nearly all tissues, including the nerves and tendon sheaths. The physical strain required when using manpower often causes sprains, nerve damage, hernias and joint dislocations.

To help instill safer material handling procedures, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) outlined parameters on what constitutes a material handling safety hazard. When deciding if a hazard exists, they consider the repetitiveness of lifting the distance from the load to the spine; the weight, size and stability of the load lifted; and the footing at the worksite. Though NIOSH provides helpful guidelines to avoiding injury when moving large or heavy loads, on a busy plant floor, operators do not always have the time to carefully calculate these factors before proceeding.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Back to Basics: Inventory Handling and Tracking Technologies

This article was originally posted in Material Handling & Logistics.

Inefficient or poorly-managed logistics operations increase overhead and reduce customer satisfaction, posing a significant threat to a manufacturer's profitability. Technologies can lend an almost scientific approach to logistics operations planning. With that in mind, let's look at just one area in which technology is making an impact—inventory tracking and handling.

The Fully Automated Warehouse

Full warehouse automation is the most comprehensive example of technology use in retail warehouses. The biggest manufacturers can find that success creates its own particular challenge when it comes to order fulfilment—a gigantic customer base, demanding swift delivery of a huge range of products, to innumerable locations ranging from retail stores to the very homes of the consumers themselves.

To create the operational fluidity necessary to satisfy their millions of customers, leading companies will often invest heavily in completely automating their warehouse facilities. Such facilities tend to have a completely integrated system where specialized warehouse management software interacts with specially designed automated racks, cranes, and stackers to ensure that inbound items are loaded, and outbound items located, retrieved and passed along a network of conveyor belts to the appropriate loading bay—with high accuracy rates.

IKEA, Walmart and Zappos are just some of the retail giants that currently employ these advanced systems as an integral part of their low cost/large scale operations.

Read the full article here to learn more about inventory handling and tracking. 


Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Material Handling Solutions Past and Present

Material handling applications often require operators to move objects weighing thousands of pounds, which can result serious safety and health consequences. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2010, an estimated 3.1 million workers in the United States suffered nonfatal work-related injuries, which not only affects productivity, but also directly impacts a company’s bottom line. Each injury results in workers’ compensation, insurance increases, lost productivity and diverse indirect costs, which amount to billions of dollars each year nationwide.

Traditionally, industries have been utilizing manpower, forklift trucks and pallet jacks to transport goods throughout a facility. While effective solutions for moving goods, these devices create worker vulnerability by exposing them to potential injury, such as muscle strains, nerve damage or in some cases, even death. Lacking stability and control, forklifts and pallet jacks increase the likelihood of incidental contact with personnel and equipment, while manpower can lead to injuries resulting from overexertion.

With today’s industries moving faster than ever, implementing solutions that adhere to strict safety regulations without impacting productivity is crucial to meeting growing customer demands. The development of battery-operated tug units, which are capable of effortlessly moving thousands of pounds, eliminates excess strain or exertion to personnel for increased material handling safety. With their inherent stability, tugs accommodate uneven surfaces without tipping, and are engineered to simplifying material mobility. This allows facility managers to not only minimize risk of injury, but also improve efficiency, productivity and profitability.


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

A Proactive Approach to Plant Safety

In recent years, improving worker safety has become an important focus in most industries, as job-related injuries can result in employee absenteeism, reduced productivity and increased costs. Many material handling applications pose serious health and safety risks, requiring workers to move heavy loads either through sheer manpower or by using equipment that is unstable, difficult to control or ergonomically deficient.

To overcome these safety challenges, the development of battery-operated tug devices allows employees to single-handedly move materials weighing thousands of pounds without exposing them to unnecessary risk of injury. Battery-operated tugs enhance safety by preventing operator strain and reducing potential collisions on busy plant floors, resulting in improved productivity and efficiency—ultimately impacting a company’s overall profitability.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Introducing the Power Pusher Safely Moving Forward Blog

Welcome to the new Power Pusher Safely Moving Forward Blog, designed to bring you the latest technology, trends and tips on material handling solutions. The blog will include information, strategies and equipment we can offer to enhance your productivity while delivering safety benefits in a wide variety of material handling applications. In addition to providing our own expertise, the blog will also focus on relevant industry news and issues.

With participation from a variety of Power Pusher representatives, from product development and technology, marketing and sales, we ensure detailed technical information and knowledgeable opinions on a variety of material handling topics, from productivity and safety to quality equipment solutions.

Power Pusher, a division of Nu-Star Inc., is a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of material handling solutions. With over 40 years of experience as a mover, shaker and innovator in the industry, we have a competitive edge in providing reliable and cost-effective load-moving solutions that deliver tangible productivity and safety benefits in a wide variety of applications.

For the latest information on material handling solutions, bookmark this page or add our RSS feed. We welcome your feedback on future posts, as well as suggestions for topics that you’d like to see covered in the future. Stay tuned!