Riekes Equipment recognized as Yale Dealer of Excellence for 22nd Year
Riekes Equipment has announced its recognition by Yale Materials Handling Corporation with the 2020 Dealer of Excellence Award. This annual award honors Yale Dealers that have exhibited focused leadership and continue to drive their customers to the highest level of performance in all functional areas of materials handling. To receive the Dealer of Excellence award, Yale dealers must meet rigorous business practice standards, a commitment to employee development, and performance criteria which are assessed and modified annually to ensure alignment with evolving customer expectations and heightened industry demands. “Every year, the Dealer of Excellence recipients demonstrate their willingness to enhance capabilities and commitment to the safety of their associates, while meeting the increasingly demanding recognition criteria,” said Bob Sattler, Vice President of Dealer Business Development at Yale. “The consistency in which they stand out amongst a talented network of dealers is remarkable.” “Our employees work hard every day to provide the levels of service our customers need and expect,” said Duncan Murphy, President of Riekes Equipment. “Although we have received this designation more than 20 times, this year is even more meaningful because of the challenges we saw across our industries and customers. Our commitment to improving operational efficiency and performance was put to the test in 2020 and I’m proud to say that our team’s dedication to service remained strong.” Riekes Equipment will be honored along with the other Dealer of Excellence recipients at a special awards celebration in late June 2021.
Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas celebrates the Unicarriers 2020 Premier Club winners
Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas group, the exclusive manufacturer and provider of UniCarriers® Forklifts across North, Central, and South America, has announced the winners of its Premier Club Awards. The Premier Club recognizes the top ten UniCarriers Forklift dealers throughout the Americas. The Premier Club winners set the standard to which all dealers representing UniCarriers’ brand products aspire. They create a culture of reliability and professionalism within their organizations and reflect UniCarriers Forklift’s core values. To attain status as an award winner, each organization accepted UniCarriers’ challenge, surpassing difficult goals, and ranking among the OEM’s leading dealerships. All UniCarriers dealers were evaluated based on new equipment sales, market penetration, aftermarket parts sales, service expertise, overall performance, and professionalism. The following 10 dealers excelled in these critical areas and earned the prestigious status as a UniCarriers Premier Club winner: Equipment Depot Wisconsin, Hartland, WI CFE Equipment Corporation, Norfolk, VA J.M. Equipment Company, Manteca, CA Lift Solutions, Omaha, NE M&L Industries, LLC, Houma, LA Material Handling Supply, Pennsauken, NJ Ogden Forklifts, Atlanta, GA Parkway Systems, San Antonio, TX Select Equipment Sales, Buena Park, CA Sunbelt Material Handling, Dallas, TX “For an award based on such rigorous metrics, it’s exciting to see so many exceptional dealers display perseverance, dedication, and excellence in representing our company,” said Mark Manninen, vice president, sales and marketing at Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas (Marengo). “Congratulations to this year’s winners! Your Never Quit attitude inspires all of us.”
M&R Rentals moves to new location after 50 years
M&R Rental in Gainesville, GA has a new location after outgrowing their old location of 50 years. The former location was located on Enota Avenue and its new location is located at 2577 Monroe Drive. M&R Rental still offers the same services as the location but has more room to grow. The business was started by Harrison Martin and David Reed in 1967. Nathan Crumley purchased the business in December 2008. Soon after, Nathan’s brothers Don and Will have joined him in operating the business. M&R serves the Gainesville and surrounding area in Georgia. They are looking to expand to more locations in the near future.
Women In Trucking Association announces its May 2021 Member of the Month
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Carina BeeBe as its May Member of the Month. Carina is a professional driver for Wilson Logistics. In 1999, Carina began her professional driving career in Europe, driving primarily curtain van, mostly in Holland, Belgium, and Germany. After a couple of years, she moved on to refrigerated trailers and drove in Scotland and United Kingdom. Driving on the left side of the road was an interesting twist to the driving experience. During this time, Carina delivered flowers and plants throughout Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, and France. Wanting to try something different, she went back to refrigerated cartage in the UK and Scotland. Carina moved to Canada in 2011 to live a lifelong dream of driving a conventional style Peterbilt. The added benefit was to see a different part of the world. While in Canada, Carina worked for a Canadian Company driving step deck and flatbed where she hauled lumber and oversized loads. A year later, Carina thought it was time to add a companion to her journey and married. Carina and her then-husband moved to Montana where she drove oversize flatbeds to Canada and Alaska. In addition, she worked a dedicated Walmart route from Washington to Alaska. For a short period of time, Carina also started her own transportation company where she delivered RVs throughout North America. After divorcing in 2018, Carina knew she missed driving over the road in a big truck and knew she had to get back to it. Carina moved back to Montana and started with Wilson Logistics. While with Wilson, Carina had the opportunity to be a CDL instructor. Not too long after becoming an instructor, it was clear to her that she really missed the road. So, today Carina and her dog Jack are living her dream of driving. Carina is one of the Wilson Logistics cross-border drivers between the U.S. and Canada. “I have always wanted to drive truck and see the world; I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” she said.
Shoppa’s Material Handling opens State-of-the-Art Facility to meet growing Amarillo Market demand
Innovative Space Expands Complete Material Handling Solutions to West Texas Region Shoppa’s Material Handling, the Texas-based company known for providing complete material handling solutions, announced the opening of its new Amarillo, Texas, location. Shoppa’s, which has been serving Amarillo and the surrounding area since 2006, built the nearly 30,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility to support the growing needs of the West Texas region, delivering advanced solutions to its customers, including the market’s first advanced battery facility with partner Viking Power. “The people of our company, which was built from the ground up, understand the hard work and innovative solutions it takes to grow and maintain a business,” said Jimmy Shoppa, president of Shoppa’s Material Handling. “In today’s environment, where businesses are continually adjusting to meet the realities and implications of a global pandemic, we are especially honored to be investing in a new facility dedicated to serving our customers in this community.” Shoppa’s Amarillo facility supports key industries including agriculture and cotton, beef production, food distribution, pet food manufacturing, general warehouse and manufacturing, and more. “We want to deliver an exceptional experience with solutions that ensure our customers around the region move their goods in the safest, most effective manner. Shoppa’s Amarillo will continue to serve the West Texas industries working to navigate a rapidly changing landscape,” Shoppa added. Known as a premier Toyota lift truck dealer, Shoppa’s offers a wide range of equipment options from world-class brands and is a leading provider in systems design, automation, product and equipment integration, installation, and service. The new facility is leading the way for material handling offerings in West Texas, including: Viking Power – the first state-of-the-art battery facility in West Texas, delivering solutions for developing industries and making an investment into environmental responsibility. Viking will provide new and refurbished batteries, as well as battery service and warranty support Reconditioning Center – the market’s first in-house equipment reconditioning center, allowing for customers’ forklifts to be serviced locally in West Texas and not shipped elsewhere, saving time and transit costs Demo Center – a demonstration room outfitted with the latest types of equipment for customers to experience Training Center – a new center enabling teams to train locally with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as industry compliance training and certification opportunities Shoppa’s Systems – a unique approach to support customers’ warehouse design, racking, and advanced systems needs through automation, integration, and robotics “We have experienced significant growth over the past several years in Amarillo and throughout West Texas, and we are eager to continue supporting our customers and community,” said Garrett Eagle, Shoppa’s Amarillo Branch Manager. “These businesses represent some of our region’s most essential industries, and this one-of-a-kind facility allows us to more efficiently provide solutions to meet their material handling and equipment needs.”
Fairchild Equipment recognized as Yale Dealer of Excellence for 26th Year
Fairchild Equipment has announced its recognition by Yale Materials Handling Corporation with the 2020 Dealer of Excellence award. This annual award honors Yale dealers that have exhibited focused leadership, and continue to drive their customers to the highest level of performance in all functional areas of materials handling. “I’m very pleased coming out of a unique year like 2020 that we were able to continue our long streak of winning this valued award. It’s one of our primary goals every year at Fairchild,” said Van Clarkson, President. Fairchild Equipment has now been awarded the Yale Dealer of Excellence Award a total of 26 times. To receive the Dealer of Excellence award, Yale dealers must meet rigorous business practice standards and performance criteria which are assessed and modified annually to ensure alignment with evolving customer expectations and heightened industry demands. “Every year, the Dealer of Excellence recipients demonstrate their willingness to enhance capabilities and commitment to the safety of their associates, while meeting the increasingly demanding recognition criteria,” said Bob Sattler, Vice President of Dealer Business Development at Yale. “The consistency in which they stand out amongst a talented network of dealers is remarkable.” Fairchild Equipment will be honored along with the other Dealer of Excellence recipients at a special awards celebration in late June 2021. Fairchild Equipment, founded in 1985 by Gary Fairchild, is a premier material handling dealership that offers comprehensive solutions and services in materials handling including sales, service, parts, rental, fleet management, training, and engineered storage systems. Its dedicated employees proudly serve customers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Northern Illinois, North Dakota, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with positive, personalized, and innovative solutions to meet their needs.
Bonnie Michael named 2021 Recipient of the Edward A. Groobert Award for Legal Excellence from ELFA
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) has awarded Bonnie Michael, Vice President Legal and Compliance USA for Volvo Financial Services, the Edward A. Groobert Award for Legal Excellence. ELFA Legal Committee Chair Lisa Moore, Senior Counsel at PNC Equipment Finance, LLC, presented the award to Bonnie on May 4 at ELFA Legal Forum LIVE! in recognition of her significant contributions to the association and the equipment finance industry. Bonnie has over two decades of experience representing equipment finance companies and the financial services industry. She joined Volvo Financial Services as General Counsel in 2010 and has led the USA legal team since then. In her current role, she monitors the broad spectrum of legal and regulatory areas impacting the company, providing day-to-day advice and guidance, and implementing changes as developments occur. A leader in her field who is conversant in a wide range of topics concerning equipment finance, Bonnie has contributed to ELFA and the equipment finance industry in a number of ways. She has served as an information resource for ELFA members regarding legal issues impacting the equipment finance industry. She has been a frequent speaker and participant in the ELFA Legal Forum and other industry events. In addition, she has contributed to ELFA’s Equipment Leasing & Finance magazine and the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s Journal of Equipment Lease Financing and led a team of ELFA volunteers in updating the Motor Vehicle State Survey on Financial Responsibility. Bonnie has served in a number of leadership roles within the association. She is a past member of the ELFA Legal Committee (2010–2012) and past Chair/Co-Chair of the ELFA Motor Vehicle Subcommittee (2010–2016). She also gives back to the industry by serving on the Board of Trustees for the Equipment Leasing & Financing Foundation (2015–present). In 2020, she was the Vice-Chair of the Foundation Board. She has served on the Foundation’s National Development Committee, Nominating Committee, and Editorial Review Board for the Journal of Equipment Lease Financing. As a respected industry thought leader, Bonnie has mentored many members of the industry legal community. She has invested time and leadership in serving as a resource to colleagues seeking guidance from her on a range of legal issues. Outside of ELFA, Bonnie has actively participated as an “observer” in the submissions to and meetings with the Uniform Commercial Code and Emerging Technologies Committee of the American Law Institute/Uniform Law Commission currently undertaking a review of the UCC to determine whether the Code or official comments should be revised or supplemented to reflect emerged and emerging technology. In addition to her legal responsibilities at Volvo Financial Services, Bonnie created and served as the initial Chair of the Community Involvement program in the U.S., which furthered her passion for giving back, and also created and served as the first Chair of the Engagement Committee in the U.S., helping to foster an even better workplace for all employees to enjoy. Bonnie holds a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin. About the Award The Edward A. Groobert Award for Legal Excellence is named for ELFA’s long-time Secretary and General Counsel Edward A. Groobert, who was active in the legal affairs of the association from the mid-1960s until his retirement in 2010.
H&E’s Norfolk, VA branch relocated and renamed to Chesapeake
Effective May 3, 2021, H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) has announced both the renaming of its Norfolk rental equipment branch to Chesapeake and its relocation to a nearby facility at 1201 Cavalier Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA 23323-1507, phone 757-295-4944. The 10,000-square-foot facility sits on 2 acres with a fully fenced yard area, offices, parts warehouse, and a repair shop with four service bays. It is capable of servicing a variety of construction and general industrial equipment and will continue to provide exceptional service to customers in southeast Virginia and northern North Carolina. H&E’s crane branch, renamed Chesapeake Crane, will remain just around the corner at the Koppens Way address. The dedicated rental branch specializes in aerial lifts, telescopic forklifts, earthmoving machinery, compaction equipment, generators, compressors, and more and represents the following manufacturers: Atlas Copco, Blue Diamond, Bobcat, Bomag, Club Car, Cushman, Doosan, Gehl, Generac Mobile, Genie, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Kubota, LayMor, Link-Belt Excavators, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Okada, Polaris, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Takeuchi, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, and others. “Infrastructure, private, and government construction projects remain robust in Hampton Roads, and our new location will let us focus on the expanding needs of the surrounding market. Our rental fleet has grown by $4 million in the past six months, giving us the capability to grow with our current clientele and bring on additional business,” says Branch Manager Michael Berger. “Our Chesapeake location will continue to forge strong relationships and provide a customer service experience that is unmatched. We’re confident that this new branch location will be a catalyst for H&E’s continued growth in the region.” In addition to a large rental equipment fleet, the facility provides expanded new and used equipment sales, parts availability within 24 hours for most items, in-shop and mobile service repairs, training, and other value-added services.
Brooke Hanson named Vice President of Operations at Delta-Q Technologies
With more than 20 years of strategic leadership, logistics, and operations experience, Brooke will oversee the company’s global supply chain Delta-Q Technologies (Delta-Q) has announced that Brooke Hanson has joined the company as Vice President of Operations, responsible for heading Delta-Q’s global supply chain and growing its manufacturing footprint. In her new role, Brooke will oversee Delta-Q’s geographically dispersed, multiple lines, 400,000-unit plus manufacturing, and supply chain operation. This includes fostering the company’s Tier-1 contract manufacturing relationships and overseeing the team of supply chain and logistics professionals. “Brooke is a driven and experienced operations leader that will play a vital role in furthering Delta-Q’s growth within the global battery charger market,” said Steve Blaine, Co-CEO and Executive Vice-President of Engineering & Quality. “Brooke’s leadership in technology and manufacturing logistics will help Delta-Q continue to drive the industry toward widespread electrification and sustainability as we expand our manufacturing and supply chain footprint to meet the needs of our partners and customers.” Brooke has more than 20 years of experience in the IoT market-leading high-performing teams in operations, analytics, logistics, and production. In her new role, Brooke will drive innovation and automation across Delta-Q’s product, procurement, and manufacturing procedures. As a member of the senior management team, she will provide strategic operational and process development leadership to ensure efficient allocation of supply chain resources and to maximize profits and quality system-wide. “I am excited to join Delta-Q’s team and continue its impressive expansion in the global equipment manufacturing sector,” said Brooke. “Delta-Q is changing the way manufacturers view battery-powered technologies. I am eager to continue this modernization and advance its vision while cultivating relationships with global partners.” Prior to joining Delta-Q, Brooke was the Vice President of Operations at HAVEN by TZOA. Previously, she served as the Director of Global Supply Chain for Sierra Wireless in Richmond, BC, managing 12 manufacturing partners and an annual budget of $500 million. Brooke earned her Master of Business Administration in Management from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC.
Motion’s 2020 Supplier of the Year winner: NSK
Motion Industries, Inc., a distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts, and a premier provider of industrial technology solutions, named NSK “2020 Supplier of the Year.” The award recognizes companies that have shown exceptional commitment to Motion through quality products and services, as well as earning the highest score in the multi-faceted Supplier Stratification rating system. “2020 was a tough year in general, so for NSK to move to the top of the ranks is impressive,” said Joe Limbaugh, Motion Executive Vice President of Supply Chain, Operations Support, Marketing and Enterprise Excellence. “Our standards as measured through our Supply Chain process are rigorous, and improvement takes understanding, dedication, and overall hard work. NSK rose to the occasion and we are proud of their accomplishments. Suppliers who finished in our Top 50 are the “best of the best” in our industry.” “NSK is committed to delivering value to our customers above and beyond being experts in our own business by demonstrating expertise in our partners’ and customers’ business,” said Reid Jajko, Vice President Aftermarket Business Unit, NSK Americas. “Our success is not defined by the sale of a bearing; it is defined by our ability to positively impact our partners’ operations. I cannot imagine a greater affirmation of our commitment than to receive this acknowledgment from Motion.” Award recipients are determined based on Motion’s Supplier Stratification formula – a rating system that evaluates each supplier’s performance in a number of Supply Chain, Marketing, and Field Support categories.
Weaver named Women In Trucking’s 2021 Driver of the Year
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) announced today Nikki Weaver, a company driver for FedEx Freight, as the winner of the second annual Driver of the Year award sponsored by Walmart. Weaver was among three finalists for the award. The other finalists include Carmen Anderson, a company driver at America’s Service Line, LLC, and Ingrid Brown, independent owner-operator of Rolling B LLC. Weaver has been a professional driver for over 20 years. For the first seven years of her career, she was an over-the-road driver. Then, she became a company driver with FedEx Freight and has been with the company for 13 years. She now has more than 2 million accident-free miles and zero moving violations. Since 2019, Weaver has served as an America’s Road Team Captain. She was most recently a finalist for the Luella Bates Award at FedEx Freight and is a two-time winner of the prestigious Bravo Zulu Award, an award created by FedEx Freight founder, Fred Smith. She speaks to community colleges about the trucking industry as well as the Pennsylvania State Police Academy’s new commercial officer cadets. She is an advocate for Truckers Against Trafficking and has attended their leadership conference and is also involved with outreach programs in her community. Her 10-year-old son is proud of her and loves what she does for a living. “I am so honored to be recognized for this award,” said Weaver. “I love being a professional driver and encourage any women who are considering this career to go for it!” “We are proud to honor Nikki Weaver with the Driver of the Year award. She demonstrates a positive public image of the trucking industry through her safety standards and community involvement,” said Ellen Voie, president and CEO of WIT. Sponsored by Walmart, the annual award was established to promote the achievements of female professional drivers who lead the industry in safety standards while actively enhancing the public image of the trucking industry. “Walmart is honored to sponsor Women In Trucking’s Driver of the Year award, which recognizes an outstanding driver who is making a positive impact in the transportation industry,” said Ryan McDaniel, vice president, Walmart Transportation and Women In Trucking board member. “With the events of the past year, professional drivers all across the county demonstrated how essential our industry is in helping our communities have access to necessities such as food, medicine, and cleaning supplies. We congratulate Nikki and each of the finalists for their examples of safety and service.” Members of the judging panel were: Tricia Tullis, general transportation manager, Walmart Transportation; Jeana Hysell, senior safety consultant, J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.; Tim Ridley, talk radio host; Ellen Voie, WIT president and CEO.
H&E opens new facility in Marietta, GA
Effective April 21, 2021, H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) announces the opening of its Marietta branch, the fifth facility located in Georgia and the third in the Atlanta area. The new location is at 1069 Canton Road, Marietta, GA 30066-6039, phone 770-343-2200. The 30,000-square-foot facility sits on 3.5 acres with a fully fenced yard area, offices, parts warehouse, and a repair shop with six service bays. It is capable of servicing a variety of construction and general industrial equipment for customers northwest of Atlanta. The branch specializes in the rental of aerial lifts, telescopic forklifts, earthmoving machinery, compaction equipment, generators, compressors, and more and represents the following manufacturers: Allmand, Atlas Copco, Blue Diamond, Bomag, Case, Club Car, Doosan, Gehl, Generac Mobile, Genie, Hamm, Hy-Brid Lifts, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Kubota, LayMor, Link-Belt Excavators, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Okada, Polaris, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Sullair, Sullivan-Palatek, Takeuchi, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, and others. “Some of the fastest-growing cities in Georgia are on the northwest side of Atlanta, so Marietta was the obvious choice for another H&E location. With various infrastructure, commercial and multifamily residential construction projects increasing, we needed to grow to meet the demands of our customers,” says Branch Manager Jeremiah Smith. “Our existing branches located in nearby Decatur and Suwannee have solidified relationships with their customer base. With our three metro Atlanta branches, we now have excellent coverage of the area and can locate equipment and provide quick service to all H&E customers in the region.”
Combilift gives Monaghan Ladies Gaelic Football Team a lift
Combilift, a global player in the field of materials handling, is also now getting involved on the sports field at a local level. The company has committed to a new three-year sponsorship deal with the Monaghan Ladies Gaelic football team as well as sponsoring the Monaghan senior club championship. Combilift CEO Martin McVicar said: “We are firmly rooted in Monaghan and are committed to our local community, and are extremely proud to support the Monaghan Ladies team at all levels as they strive for continued success” Combilift sponsorship intends to help promote ladies’ GAA games locally by increasing media coverage, participation, and match attendance. The GAA is at the heart of Irish culture and is focused on promoting indigenous Gaelic games such as traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football.
Wildeck Inc. welcomes Jon Mueller as new Chief Financial Officer
Wildeck, Inc. has announced that Jon Mueller is its new Chief Financial Officer. Jon will be responsible for the preparation, consolidation, and management of all financial activities for Wildeck. Jon and his team will also partner with each department to establish specific reporting and financial metrics to help run the business. Jon has 20+ years of progressive experience in financial management across multiple industries in small to large organizations. “We are excited to have Jon joining the team.” Commented Dan Lorenz, president of Wildeck, Inc. “His excellent track record of success in reputable organizations, including several manufacturers, made him our top pick for the role of Wildeck’s new CFO. I look forward to leveraging his valuable expertise as we continue to grow to unprecedented levels.” Jon earned a B.A. Degree in Accounting from Upper Iowa University, and has his CPA Certification, State of Wisconsin. Headquartered in Waukesha, WI, with additional manufacturing operations in Pewaukee, WI, and Goodyear, AZ. Wildeck, Inc. is a member of MHI (Material Handling Industry Association), MHEDA (Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association), FMA (Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International), and the NAEC (National Association of Elevator Contractors). Wildeck is the largest manufacturer of structural steel mezzanine platforms, manual and automated vertical lifts (VRCs), rideable material lifts (RMLs), and safety guarding products in North America. A complete line of industrial rolling ladders, custom-designed work platforms, and other high access products are also available. Wildeck products improve supply chain productivity and provide additional capacity, efficiency, and safety in manufacturing plants, warehouses, distribution centers, third-party logistics operations, automobile dealerships, retail backrooms, and many other facilities. They are sold through a dedicated and experienced network of customer-service-oriented dealers and systems integrators nationwide.
Menasha Corporation recognized as a U.S. Best Managed Company
Menasha Corporation, the parent company of ORBIS® Corporation, has announced that it has been selected as a 2021 US Best Managed Company. Sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, the program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies and the achievements of their employees. The 2021 designees have demonstrated excellence in strategic planning and business execution, a commitment to their people by fostering a dynamic, resilient culture, as well as strong financial performance. Despite major operating and market challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, they continued to lead with purpose and with the goal of making significant contributions to their customers, workforces, shareholders, and communities. Menasha Corporation is one of 49 honorees out of 70 finalists and over 500 applicants. “It is an honor for Menasha Corporation to receive this award,” said Jim Kotek, president and CEO, Menasha Corporation. “It is our employees who are to be commended for this recognition — they demonstrate daily the importance of our company values and their incredible commitment to our customers cannot be overstated. The pandemic presented extra challenges for our employees in 2020 and I view this award as a testament to their extraordinary efforts and success.” Applicants are evaluated and selected by a panel of external judges and join a global ecosystem of honorees from more than 30 countries recognized by the Best Managed Companies program. Menasha Corporation is the only company in Wisconsin to receive this recognition. “As ORBIS celebrates its 25th anniversary, we’re honored to have our roots grounded in the 170+-year-old Menasha Corporation,” said Bill Ash, president, ORBIS Corporation. “It’s achievements like this that highlight the leading role our associates and partners play in making our organization what it is today.” About the Best Managed Companies Program The Best Managed Companies program is a mark of excellence for private companies. U.S. designees have revenues of at least $250 million. Hundreds of private companies around the world have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates four key criteria in their management skills and practices — strategy, execution, culture, and financials. U.S. program sponsors are Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. For more information, visit www.usbestmanagedcompanies.com.
Delta-Q Technologies and EnerSys® celebrate new milestone of seven-year partnership
Companies sold over 40,000 units of NexSys® PURE battery and Delta-Q charger systems in the last four year Delta-Q Technologies (Delta-Q), a provider in battery charging solutions for electric drive vehicles and industrial equipment, and EnerSys® (NYSE: ENS), the global provider in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, announced over 40,000 units of NexSys® PURE battery and charger solutions sold in the last four years. This milestone falls on the heels of the groups’ seventh year as partners providing Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) with reliable and quality power solutions. Since Delta-Q Technologies and EnerSys joined forces in 2014, demand for NexSys® PURE batteries with an integrated Delta-Q IC650 charger has been on the rise in a variety of industrial markets. The Delta-Q on-board charger provides the flexibility to charge from the convenience of any standard power outlet and complements NexSys® PURE battery’s ability to deliver reliable, cost-effective, and hassle-free power. It’s safe, fast, efficient and can also help reduce application downtime while allowing customers to opportunity charge and reduce the need for battery swaps and dedicated charging rooms. “Our partnership with Delta-Q Technologies has come with great success! We are pleased with the results and the positive responses from our customers since the integration of their chargers onto our NexSys® PURE batteries,” said Tim Wittig, General Manager, Motive Power Specialty Markets Americas, at EnerSys. “Their expertise in the field and collaborative mindset has brought our products to new heights and we look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come.” Engineered with the latest generation of proprietary Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) technology, NexSys® PURE batteries provide a maintenance-free power solution without the restrictive upkeep requirements of watering, equalizing, and battery changing tied to conventional flooded lead-acid batteries. They are uniquely designed to deliver extended cycle life and increased lifetime energy throughput for a wide range of material handling applications. Delta-Q’s high-performance IC650 charger is specifically programmed and calibrated to deliver a proprietary algorithm for NexSys® PURE battery storage capabilities, maximizing energy throughput. Paired with Delta-Q’s sealed, IC650 battery charger, NexSys® PURE batteries can withstand demanding manufacturing and operating environments giving OEMs and operators confidence in the durability of their fleets. The charger’s sealed diecast enclosure protects the charger against moisture, dust, and demanding mechanical shock and vibration. As a connected solution, the pack also offers fast charging from 40-80 percent State of Charge (SOC), in less than one hour. “Over the past six years, we have enjoyed partnering with EnerSys and are proud to be a part of NexSys® PURE battery’s success,” said Lloyd Gomm, Vice President of Business Development at Delta-Q. “The working relationship between our two companies is a classic ‘1 + 1 = 3’ as OEMs and end-users clearly appreciate the performance, reliability, and cycle life of the NexSys® PURE battery and IC650 solution.”
AHS Partners with Caja Robotics to bring Robotic Fulfillment to a major distribution facility
Advanced Handling Systems (AHS, LLC) has announced that they will be partnering with Caja Robotics to optimize a Midwest distribution facility for a major retailer. AHS, LLC, a full-service systems integrator located in Erlanger, KY, is a premier US partner of Caja Robotics and will be completing the installation and deployment of approximately 100 robots in the new facility. Caja Robotics is a visionary software and robotics company that is committed to advancing warehouse operations through its proprietary, smart, and flexible goods-to-person robotic fulfillment solution. Utilizing a dual-robot system, the Caja solution will support roughly 108,000 square feet of the facility space. The solution will enable the distribution center to operate at optimal performance, with the ability to support an outbound unit volume greater than 26 thousand units per day. “When AHS was looking to expand our technology offerings, we partnered with organizations that we felt not only provided something innovative but technology that could be deployed to solve real challenges in the distribution center,” said Drew Eubank, Director of Customer Solutions at AHS. “I can’t explain – in words – how excited I am to see this strategy pay off with this large Caja installation. It will not only benefit the customer but could potentially provide a solution for an entire industry segment.” Caja Robotics was founded in response to the daily challenges experienced in the world of order fulfillment. This was the driving force to develop a smart warehouse robotics solution that is adaptive enough to work with existing infrastructure and flexible enough to handle peaks in sales. Flexibility is a strong suit, as Caja can respond to peak demands by stretching the robots to increase their working hours and/or add more robots to the fleet of robots during peak time. Caja’s solution increases order efficiency, optimizes storage capacity, and improves the workplace environment to maximize business growth; the solution allows fast deployment and is also scalable. The system includes advanced cloud-based software which controls the entire operation, two types of robots that work in combination, two types of picking stations, and fleet management with a unique 4D algorithm for warehouse and order optimization. “We are excited to partner with AHS on this major deployment, where we excel by virtue of the combined capabilities of both our companies,” said Ilan Cohen, CEO of Caja Robotics. “We’ve teamed up our dedicated robotic solution and market expertise to deliver competitive advantages to fulfillment operations in retail e-commerce.” With AHS’s extensive experience in warehouse automation paired with Caja’s intelligent and flexible goods-to-person technology, both teams are confident and excited to get started on the first of many projects together.
Darrel Harris named President of Yellow Corporation
Yellow Corporation a U.S. provider in trucking and logistics, announced the promotion of Darrel Harris to President of Yellow Corporation. Mr. Harris joined Yellow in November 2020 as Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives with the responsibility of instituting and leading a company-wide enterprise transformation initiative that not only modernizes the way freight is delivered but also expands and enhances services available to Yellow’s 200,000 customers. Mr. Harris is a 25-year industry veteran with extensive experience in the less-than-truckload marketplace. Most recently before coming to Yellow, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Xpress Global Systems in Chattanooga, TN. Prior to that, he worked in sales and operations at some of the largest freight companies, including FedEx Freight. “Darrel is well-positioned to help drive Yellow toward a vibrant future. He brings innovative, exciting ideas and leadership to his new role,” said Darren Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer of Yellow. “He started his trucking career working the docks, and few are better positioned to understand this industry than those who have worked at all levels. I’m proud to see him in this expanded role.” Mr. Harris will assume certain of the responsibilities of T.J. O’Connor, Yellow’s former Chief Operating Officer, who is retiring, and Scott Ware, former Chief Network Officer, who announced his resignation. “I would like to thank T.J. and Scott for their many years of dedicated service to the Company. Each worked tirelessly on behalf of Yellow. We are grateful for their leadership and we wish them the best,” concluded Hawkins.
Adam Abrom recognized as Flux Power’s 2020 Sales Manager of the Year
Flux Power Holdings, Inc., a developer of advanced lithium-ion industrial batteries for commercial and industrial equipment, recognizes Adam Abrom, Regional Sales Manager, as the recipient of the 2020 Sales Manager of the Year award for the second consecutive year. “Congratulations to Adam for the second year in a row, on becoming the Flux Power Sales Manager of the Year for 2020. His dedication and hard work has been an inspiration to us all. He has executed and implemented innovative ideas in becoming a leader, not only with Flux Power, but within the entire material handling space,” commented Tod Kilgore, Director of Sales. “It’s with great honor that we recognize Adam’s accomplishments and goals as a team leader within our organization.” Abrom’s territory includes most of the central US, as well as Florida.
JLG’s Shippensburg manufacturing facility is recognized by DOE As a 50001 Ready Site
JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company and global manufacturer of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers, announces that its manufacturing facility in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, has achieved the 50001 Ready designation from the Department of Energy (DOE). Based on the ISO 50001 (Energy Management System) program, the 50001-Ready program is designed to help facilities identify their energy management gaps while providing technical tools and resources that help organizations build a culture of structured energy improvement. JLG’s Shippensburg facility manufactures a broad range of world-leading mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers. “JLG has long been a forerunner in the design and manufacture of environmentally-friendly equipment and sustainable technologies,” says Frank Nerenhausen, President, JLG. “As the Access industry leader, we view protecting the environment through responsible operations as one of our greatest responsibilities. As such, we continuously look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint.” He adds: “Strategic energy management not only helps to reduce our company’s energy-related spending, but it also improves JLG business processes. I’d like to congratulate our Shippensburg management team for being progressive and the first of all Oshkosh plants to achieve the 50001 Ready recognition. This achievement positions JLG to implement compliant ISO 50001 programs well into the future.” According to the DOE, implementing a structured energy management system can be a key step for 50001 Ready companies, including JLG, to: Cut operational costs Achieve continual operational improvement Improve risk management Stay competitive in the marketplace