Women In Trucking Association announces its August 2023 Member of the Month
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Vontyna Durham as its August 2023 Member of the Month. Durham is the founder and president of Xcelente Trucking and Logistics Training Services in Memphis, Tennessee. Following in the footsteps of her cousin and fiercely determined to dominate a male-populated industry, Durham attended trucking school and obtained her CDL. She was the only woman in her class at the time, as women were not widely accepted in these professions, but she knew she could do it like the guys – if not better. Now, with more than 18 years of driving under her belt, Durham is fueled by her dedication to her community and is a firm believer in second chances. As a result, she is the first woman in the State of Tennessee to establish a CDL apprenticeship program specifically developed for women, youth, and justice-involved individuals. “I’m a game changer and I focus on making a difference and changing lives,” said Durham. “My goal is to show people that whether you have been homeless or have been incarcerated, you can still have a rewarding career. You could say I’m like the underground mother of the trucking industry.” Durham’s commitment to the empowerment of the next generation sparked the development of the first-ever youth trucking dispatcher and CDL program. The program is available to individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 and provides mentorship, job shadowing, and advanced skill building. In 2022, she received the Leaders and Legends award by the City of Memphis for these efforts. She is also a member of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) Program. Durham is creating a movement by training highly qualified drivers to meet the growing demand of the transportation industry. She encourages all women to have confidence in themselves and pursue a career in the trucking industry saying, “if you’re determined and you’ve decided this career path is what you want to do – just go for it. Set yourself up for success, stay focused, and accomplish your goals.”
Green Cubes announces Preferred Supplier Agreement with Doosan
Green Cubes Technology to provide Lithium SAFEFlex batteries to power Doosan electric forklifts as sole Lithium-ion battery supplier of choice Green Cubes Technology (Green Cubes), a provider in producing Lithium-ion (Li-ion) power systems that facilitate the transition from lead-acid batteries and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) power to green Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery power, today announced that Doosan Industrial Vehicle America Corporation (DIVAC) named Green Cubes as preferred power systems vendor to support its electric forklift product line. The DIVAC group supplies quality material handling equipment for the North American network of 105 independent authorized and trained dealers. Doosan authorized dealers operate over 250 sales and service locations throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The Industrial Vehicle product line includes 133 separate models of 82 various engine/battery configurations of Internal Combustion and Electric-powered vehicles. Under the agreement, Green Cubes will provide its Lithium SAFEFlex batteries and chargers for these electric industrial trucks. “As the only manufacturer to offer a complete solution for the user including a charger, Green Cubes was the clear choice for our electric fleet,” said Andre Marshall, Product Manager for Doosan. “The Lithium SAFEFlex drop-in replacement batteries make upgrading from Lead Acid to Lithium simple for our customers who rely on safe, long-lasting power.” “We’re pleased that companies like Doosan recognize the innovation and high performance of our power systems, and we’re proud to be Doosan’s sole battery supplier of choice for customers who want to utilize green, efficient power for their fleets,” said Mike Davis, Chief Revenue Officer for Green Cubes. Lithium SAFEFlex is a comprehensive battery solution designed to meet the cost, performance, efficiency, and durability requirements of the rugged warehouse environment. It includes application-specific cell chemistry and intelligent battery management electronics. FBP-1000 series Lithium SAFEFlex battery systems are high-cycle life, maintenance free solutions for industrial vehicles to fulfill the most demanding requirements. Batteries are sized to fit the standard motive power lead acid battery, along with meeting the truck battery weight requirements.
BNSF Railway reaches tentative agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen on paid sick leave and improvements to work schedules for locomotive engineers
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and BNSF Railway have reached a system-wide agreement this week that will significantly benefit locomotive engineers at BNSF. The tentative agreement includes up to eight paid sick leave days and grants access to scheduled time off in an effort to improve the quality of work-life balance for the engineers. This breakthrough tentative agreement comes after several months of negotiations, and pending ratification by BLET’s members at BNSF, it is expected to bring positive changes to both the professional and personal lives of locomotive engineers. The agreement will allow for more predictable scheduling and enable engineers to take paid sick leave without any penalty. These enhancements will not only contribute to a more consistent service for BNSF’s customers but also aid in the recruitment and retention of employees. Furthermore, the agreement introduces work/rest options that can be implemented in every pool. Locomotive engineers will have the opportunity to earn an “Earned Day Off” (EDO) quarterly. Additionally, all BLET-represented engineers at BNSF will be provided individual paid sick days. Approximately 7,500 BLET members at BNSF will receive detailed information about the tentative agreement this week, and a ratification vote is scheduled for September. The cooperation between BLET and BNSF marks an important step forward in supporting the well-being and satisfaction of locomotive engineers, ensuring a more balanced and efficient work environment.
July 2023 Logistics Manager’s Index Report®
LMI® at 45.4 Growth is INCREASING AT AN INCREASING RATE for: Inventory Costs, and Warehousing Capacity Growth is INCREASING AT AN DECREASING RATE for: Warehousing Utilization, Warehousing Prices, and Transportation Capacity Inventory Levels, Transportation Utilization, and Transportation Prices are DECREASING Similarly to last month, Inventory Levels are down (-1.0) to 41.9 which is the steepest rate of contraction in the history of the index. Decreasing inventories have led to slowing rates of growth for both Warehousing Utilization and Warehousing Prices, with Warehousing Capacity increasing. Interestingly, we do see the rate of growth for Transportation Capacity slowing while Transportation Prices decline at their slowest rate since April. Warehousing metrics are still buoying the overall index, but they are softening as transportation metrics are beginning to stiffen. Researchers at Arizona State University, Colorado State University, Florida Atlantic University, Rutgers University, and the University of Nevada, Reno, and in conjunction with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) issued this report today. Results Overview The LMI score is a combination of eight unique components that make up the logistics industry, including: inventory levels and costs, warehousing capacity, utilization, and prices, and transportation capacity, utilization, and prices. The LMI is calculated using a diffusion index, in which any reading above 50.0 indicates that logistics is expanding; a reading below 50.0 is indicative of a shrinking logistics industry. The latest results of the LMI summarize the responses of supply chain professionals collected in July 2023. We continue to see very different outcomes for the overall economy and the logistics industry. This dichotomy is most clearly seen in employment figures. While 209,000 workers were added in June, 14,000 freight and parcel carriers were cut and 6,900 warehousing and storage jobs were lost. In the past we would expect to see transportation and warehousing ramping up hiring in late summer ahead of peak season. However, analysts do not see the same “urgency” towards hiring in the logistics industry so far this year (1) . Freight and storage markets are at lease somewhat suppressed by high interest rates. Ironically, the contraction we see in the former and the softening we see in the latter have driven down supply costs, allowing some prices to come down and taking pressure off of labor. Essentially, the slowdown in logistics costs is allowing growth to slow to a more sustainable level. A point in that direction can be seen in personal-consumption expenditures (PCE) increasing by 3% in June year-over-year, which is down from the 3.8% increase in May and steadily moving closer to the Fed’s preferred targe t(2). This is partially fueled by a decline in wage growth. Wages were up one 1% in Q2 (down from a 1.2% bump in Q1) and up 4.5% year-over year (3). We also saw that consumer spending on goods in Q2 was down year-over-year, particularly on durable goods like cars and appliances (4). All of this led the Fed to once again raise interest rates at their most recent meeting, pushing rates to a range between 5.25 and 5.5% – the highest in 22 years. However, Chairman Powell noted that further increases would be dependent on the how quickly inflation can be reined in. Perhaps most encouragingly, Powell stated that Fed analysts were no longer predicting a recession to occur in 2023 – a marked change from their stance earlier in the Spring (5) (and as dedicated readers will know – in line with what the LMI has been predicting all year). While there may still be interest rate increases in 2023, Powell did say that the improvement in inflation means the Fed can “afford to be a little patient” (6). Inventories showed up in an unexpected way in the GDP numbers that were published in July. U.S. GDP was up 2.4% in Q2 – up from analyst expectations and the growth seen in Q1. This is a far cry from the same time last year when the economy was in the midst of a two-quarter retraction. Interestingly, private inventories contributed positively, adding 0.14% to overall GDP growth after acting as a net negative of 2.1% in Q17 . Relatedly, in late July the Atlanta Fed released a prediction of 3.5 percent GDP growth for Q38 . This is a far cry from late 2022 and earlier this year when many were predicting a recession. This prediction raises two major questions: 1) How would inventories have to change to facilitate this level of growth? 2) Will firms be able to move this many goods this quickly? There is plenty of idle trucking and warehousing capacity, but for 3.5% growth there will need to be a lot of goods passing through them. Would the improvements that have been made to port, storage, and intermodal infrastructure be enough? Or would we see congestion that is similar to what we had in 2021? Currently inventory levels are at their lowest point in the history of the index, down (-1.0) from June’s reading and contracting at a rate of 41.9. Working through the bulge of inventories that firms had in 2022 was a lengthy process, and according to July’s results, still ongoing for Upstream respondents (Downstream Inventory Levels ticked up slightly). On a recent earnings call Knight-Swift CEO David Jackson posited that wide-scale destocking is near the end, and seasonality should return in the “coming quarters” (9) . While this is reflected in the respondent future predictions discussed below, it should be pointed out that some carriers have been predicting a restock to happen for months and it has still not yet materialized. However, one argument for restocking occurring is that the Consumer Sentiment Index tracked by the University of Michigan was up 11% to 71.6 in July, which is the highest reading since October 2021 and suggests that consumers are increasingly confident about the short- and long-term health of the economy (10). Confident consumers need something to spend money on, and firms will need to build inventories back up if they don’t want to miss potential
A Must-See Las Vegas Attraction! Matrix Demonstrating its excellence with Flexible Packaging Machines at PACK EXPO 2023
Matrix will be highlighting its vast portfolio of vertical form fill seal and pre-made pouch solutions and demonstrating how they integrate into packaging lines for your specific application For vertical form fill seal (VFFS) and pre-made pouch machines, there’s only one name shining brightly in the Las Vegas lights to see – Matrix Packaging Machinery! Matrix will be demonstrating its portfolio of VFFS, pre-made pouch, and sachet solutions, including its MVC-300 continuous box-motion bagger, in booth C-2825 at PACK EXPO 2023, September 11-13, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. Matrix is a provider in VFFS packaging equipment producing a variety of flexible bag styles, including pillow, gusseted, flat bottom, and modified doy. Matrix’s distributor product line-up includes Pacraft with its rotary pre-made pouch solutions, and INVpack with its Sachet and stickpack machine solutions. Matrix will be showing attendees live demonstrations of its flexible packaging solutions and illustrating how its machinery seamlessly integrates with other ProMach equipment for complete, turnkey packaging lines. MVC-300 Taking center stage in Las Vegas is the MVC-300, a one-of-a-kind continuous box-motion bagger with the latest high performance servo system for unprecedented precision motion control. Together this allows users to run a variety of films at faster speeds and with better accuracy. The MVC-300 features enhanced remote connectivity for service, updates, and diagnostic capabilities without danger of facility firewall compromise. The MVC-300 uses a continuous-motion, high-speed jaw system that is unique from other VFFS machines because the film never stops. The jaw system cuts the film and provides just enough dwell time for the three bag seams to properly seal. This innovative feature allows users to achieve higher fill rates, making the MVC-300 Matrix’s most advanced VFFS machine. At the show the MVC-300 will be paired with a Yamato scale and mezzanine to package small pillow bags of candy. The candy will be packaged using film from CL&D, a ProMach brand. Be sure to see the live integration in action … and pick up a sweet treat as well! Mercury The second packaging line demonstration stars the Matrix Mercury, a high-speed vertical form fill seal bagger that can fill up to 140 bags per minute. The Mercury is known for its easy operation and quick changeover and setup. It can accommodate bag widths between 2.5” and 11”, and bag lengths between 3” and 15”. The Mercury is a great cost-effective packaging solution as it features a small footprint, stainless-steel frame, automatic film tracking, a registered film sensor, and more. The Mercury is teaming up with a case former and erector from Wexxar Bel, a ProMach brand. Together, with a cup filler from Spee-Dee, the line will fill bags of candy, and those bags will be packed and sealed on the Wexxar Bel system. Elete Premier Other machines in action at PACK EXPO 2023 include the Elete Premier 18/20 VFFS, a high-performance, totally configurable solution for large bags that is ideal for customers who require more hygienic attributes in their packaging machine. The Elete Premier 18/20, which offers an 18” web width and up to 20” in length, features a stainless steel, sanitary design with all major components, including fasteners, bearings, shafts, and motors suitable for washdown environments. The machine can produce several different bag shapes, such as pillow, gusset, and flat bottom with a variety of films, including recyclable, at filling rates up to 100 bags per minute. The Elete Premier also comes in a smaller 13/15 version to produce bags with a 13” wide web width and up to 15” long. At the show, the Elete Premier 18/20 will be able to show pillow or gusseted bags. Pacraft (formerly known as Toyo Jidoki) The Pacraft TT-8D-N pre-made pouch filler/sealer is designed for a wide variety of packaging applications. Its pouch formats and product types include flat, stand-up, retort, and press-to-close pouch styles. It can seal up to 55 pouches per minute; pouch sizes range from 4.72” to 10.23” (120 – 260mm), lengths from 5.11” to 15.74” (130 – 400mm). Matrix will be running regular resistant as well as recyclable pouches. Anyone with sustainable initiatives will want to see these running! INVpack MVA12 The MVA12 from INVpack is a VFFS multilane machine producing flat sachets. It is designed for high production output filling liquids, powders, granulates, and pasty products. Ideal markets include food, cosmetics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. The MVA12 brings great flexibility in terms of sachet style formats and is capable of forming sachets with two different compartments already pre-cut and the ability to charge the sachet lengths through the touchscreen HMI. Plan to visit booth C-2825 at PACK EXPO 2023 to see the flexible packaging solutions from Matrix, Pacraft, and INVpack, in action, and learn how they can help you increase productivity and meet your sustainability goals.
Association of Diesel Specialists adopts Right to Repair Position
The Board of Directors of the Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS) adopted a formal Right to Repair position for the association during its July 14, 2023 Board Meeting. Realizing the importance of the Right to Repair to ADS diesel service shops, the ADS Board unanimously approved the ADS Right to Repair position that: • Advocates for independent repair shops to have access to the technology and parts necessary to service vehicle engines and the components thereof. • Approves supporting right to repair legislation. • Authorizes the officers of the Association in coordination with Association staff, to take all reasonable actions to support the position of the Association on right to repair, including authoring position statements and endorsing position statements from other organizations. “I will work with the elected leaders of the association to determine the most effective path forward for ADS to support the Right to Repair initiatives,” stated ADS CEO Scott D. Parker. “Just as it has done since its founding in 1956, ADS will continue to support the independent diesel aftermarket.” The Association of Diesel Specialist was formed in 1956 for “companies or concerns engaged in servicing and selling diesel fuel injection equipment, governors and immediately related accessories.” Over the next 67 years, 32 Presidents, hundreds of Board members and countless volunteers have worked together to develop various services and products to provide value to members. Today, ADS diesel service shop members face an increasing challenge in their ability to provide service to their customers – including lack of necessary access to technology, information and parts. ADS will update its members on its action to Right to Repair initiatives and encourage them to promote the concept where and when appropriate.
Central Oregon Forklift and Equipment joins LiuGong North America Dealer Network
The LiuGong North America material handling network continues to grow with the addition of Central Oregon Forklift and Equipment. The company’s roots are based in Long Beach, California, but the business relocated to Bend, Oregon in the early 1990s. Both Dee Shields, CFO, and Dan Shields, COO, of Central Oregon, have family history working within the material handling space. LiuGong and Central Oregon connected following the discovery of a California dealer advertising in Oregon. Dan Shields noted the desire to add reliable, consistent forklifts to the Central Oregon fleet. The company sells forklifts in Oregon, California, Idaho and Washington. “We have been looking for something more affordable for our customers, and additionally, the warranty was huge for them too,” Dan Shields said. Within the first few months working together, Central Oregon expressed its thanks to LiuGong for its consistent communication. “LiuGong has been responsive and great to work with,” Shields added. “Everyone is very helpful, and we’re so thankful for that.” Jared Ward, Vice President, Material Handling, LiuGong North America, echoed Shields’ comments in noting the relationship has gotten off to a strong start. “When our team connected with the Central Oregon group, we knew they were a great potential addition to our material handling dealer network,” Ward said. “Their experience and range covering the Pacific Northwest stood out as we continue to expand our network. We’re committed to serving them with consistent, reliable forklifts.”
H&E opens new branch in Cleburne Texas
Effective August 1, 2023, H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) announces the opening of its Cleburne branch, its 23rd rental location in the state of Texas and the sixth in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Since the beginning of the second quarter of this year, H&E has opened seven new branches across the country, two of those in the Lone Star State. The new facility is located at 1800 S Highway 171, Cleburne, TX 76031-7627, phone 682-413-4100. It includes a fully fenced yard area, offices, and a separate repair shop and carries a variety of construction and general industrial equipment. “Our new Cleburne facility is in the southwest corner of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, creating a diamond network of locations with our existing branches in Aledo, Fort Worth, and Dallas. With this addition, H&E extends its coverage for customers farther west to Stephenville and Brownwood, keeping in stride with local growth,” says Branch Manager Cody Leigh. “Cleburne is a transportation hub, so getting to jobsites will be easy with our facility and yard close to many thoroughfares. We’re just south of Hwy. 67, directly between state roads 171 and 174, and close to I-35. We can source additional fleet from other branches to make sure our customers across the metro area have what they need.” The Cleburne branch specializes in the rental of aerial lifts, earthmoving equipment, telescopic forklifts, compaction equipment, generators, light towers, compressors, and more and represents the following manufacturers: Allmand, Atlas Copco, Bomag, Case, Club Car, Cushman, Doosan, Gehl, Generac Mobile, Genie, Hamm, Hilti, Husqvarna, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Kobelco, Kubota, LayMor, Ledwell, Lincoln Electric, Link-Belt Excavators, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Polaris, Sany, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Sullair, Sullivan-Palatek, Tag, Towmaster, Unicarriers, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, and others.
Women In Trucking Association names 2023 Top Woman-Owned Businesses in Transportation
Redefining the Road magazine, the official magazine of the Women In Trucking Association (WIT), just announced the recipients of the 2023 “Top Woman-Owned Businesses in Transportation.” There are many reasons to recognize female entrepreneurs, which is the reason Redefining the Road magazine launched the “Top Woman-Owned Businesses in Transportation” recognition program in 2017, said Brian Everett, group publisher and editorial director of the magazine. Six years later, WIT continues to recognize successful organizations in transportation that are led or owned by women. Criteria used to identify qualified applicants include majority ownership by a woman, financial stability and growth, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit, according to Everett. Each company was nominated and chosen based upon business success and accomplishments including those related to gender diversity. Women-owned firms now comprise 30% of all businesses in the United States and they’re generating approximately U.S. $1.5 trillion in revenue, according to the latest reports by American Express. ”Woman-owned businesses are on the rise, and with good reason,” said Jennifer Hedrick, president and CEO of WIT. “Women bring unique perspectives, skills and experiences to the businesses they lead, which can make them ideal business owners. The Women In Trucking Association continues to encourage female entrepreneurs to start and lead their own businesses, which can lead toward increased financial independence and create pathways for other women pursuing similar goals.” There is a broad range of company sizes named to the 2023 “Top Woman-Owned Businesses in Transportation” list, which is sponsored by Triumph, but all must generate a minimum of $5 million in gross annual sales. Companies named to the 2023 “Top Woman-Owned Businesses in Transportation” list and the primary female business owners are: 3 Sisters Logistics (Leslie Tarble, president) AGT Global Logistics (Angela Eliacostas, founder & president) Andy Transport, Inc. (Andreea Crisan, president & CEO) Aria Logistics LLC (Arelis Bonilla, CEO & president) Bennett Family of Companies (Marcia G. Taylor, CEO) Brenny Transportation, Inc. (Joyce Brenny, founder & CEO) Candor Expedite, Inc. (Nicole Glenn, founder & CEO) Garner Trucking (Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, president & CEO) Hassett Logistics (Michelle Halkerston, owner & CEO) Lineas 1o de Mayo, S.A. de C.V. (Blanca Mondragon, president) Powersource Transportation (Barb Bakos, president & CEO) Rihm Family of Companies (Kari Rihm, president & CEO) S-2international LLC (Jennifer Mead, founder & CEO) STARS HazMat Consulting (Wendy J. Buckley, president & CEO) Tucker Freight Lines, Inc. (Saunya Tucker, CEO) UFL Services, Inc. (Jennifer Behnke, co-owner & president) Youmans Transport, Inc., Evans Delivery Agent, Savannah (Sherry Youmans, president & owner) The 2023 “Top Woman-Owned Businesses in Transportation” will be recognized during a special program at the upcoming Women In Trucking Accelerate! Conference & Expo, which takes place Nov. 5-8 in Dallas, TX.
Plastics Industry Association submits comments, disappointed with EPA draft strategy on plastic pollution
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has submitted comments in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) request for public input on its Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution. “The plastic industry appreciates the opportunity to submit comments to the EPA, however, we are disappointed with the agency’s draft strategy,” said PLASTICS’ President and CEO Matt Seaholm. “The EPA was directed by Congress in an overwhelmingly bi-partisan way to focus on post-consumer materials management and infrastructure, and instead the agency’s first stated objective in this strategy is to reduce the production of essential materials rather than address plastic waste.” “The strategy is not focused on improving infrastructure, meanwhile, the plastics industry continues to invest billions of dollars in innovations to expand recycling capacity. Understanding and addressing the essential nature of plastics and tackling environmental challenges should not be mutually exclusive.” “We don’t recycle enough, and we need to improve recycling rates in the U.S., period. PLASTICS remains eager to collaborate with the EPA, stakeholders and anyone who is willing to work towards our common goal of effective solutions to keep plastic waste out of the environment,” concluded Seaholm. PLASTICS’ comments state that the EPA’s draft strategy should: Recognize plastics serve a critical and sustainable role in modern life and have more than “some potential benefits.” Acknowledge that innovations in product and material design have outpaced our infrastructure, negatively impacting our country’s ability to recycle at acceptable levels. Revise a draft consistent with the bipartisan legislation that directed the EPA to develop a strategy to improve post-consumer materials management and infrastructure, not pre-production and product restrictions. Foster circularity, not advocate production limits. Hold all materials to the same standard and recognize that plastics often outperform other materials environmentally. Revise the draft strategy following appropriate, thorough stakeholder engagement in a transparent process to develop practicable and achievable goals, gain and leverage greater collaboration necessary to achieve those goals.
Episode 406: Unleashing sustainability in warehousing with delivered
In this episode of the New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin Mireles, the former Chief Sustainability Officer at Delivered, sheds light on the warehousing industry’s path toward sustainability. Delivered is a national parcel transportation carrier that aims to revolutionize the industry by leveraging excess capacity and orchestrating seamless shipping experiences. Delivered takes sustainability seriously as a pioneer in their field, considering it an essential part of their business model. Right-Sized Packaging: Maximizing Efficiency and Minimizing Waste Mireles emphasizes, “Sustainability is all about how we help businesses be more efficient and deliver a better customer experience.” Right-sized packaging, for instance, is a fundamental way to enhance sustainability in logistics. Businesses can simultaneously reduce costs and environmental impact by focusing on efficiently designed packaging and optimizing transportation routes. He notes, “It’s the same model you use to figure out your pricing for transportation, is the same model you use to figure out how to be more sustainable.” Strategic Inventory Placement: Reducing Emissions and Boosting Customer Experience Choosing the right locations for distribution centers can significantly impact a company’s environmental footprint. Businesses can avoid express shipping methods and reduce emissions by centralizing or placing inventory closer to customers. Mireles suggests that companies should integrate sustainability metrics into their supply chain tools to evaluate the impact of their decisions thoroughly. Mireles encourages businesses to “Think about the tools you already have. Are they integrated with sustainability metrics to help you make better decisions?” This proactive approach enables them to make well-informed choices that align with their environmental goals, promoting a more sustainable business model. “It requires getting executive-level buy-in, working across silos, and pulling data. There’s no magic bullet, but the same thoughtfulness and approach to improving operations apply.” Towards a Greener Future: Advancing Sustainability in Warehousing with Technology Technology continues to revolutionize the warehousing sector. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and IoT (Internet of Things) devices enable warehouse managers to monitor inventory levels seamlessly. With real-time data, businesses can avoid overstocking, leading to less waste. Integrating automation and robotics enhances the speed and accuracy of warehouse operations while reducing the overall environmental impact. Moreover, implementing AI (Artificial Intelligence) optimizes supply chain routes, reduces fuel consumption, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. These sustainable technologies are both environmentally friendly and cost-effective, which is a significant incentive for warehouse owners. Key Takeaways for a More Sustainable Future Efficient Packaging: Implement right-sized packaging solutions to reduce waste, emissions, and overall costs. Strategic Inventory Placement: Optimize the locations of distribution centers to reduce the need for express shipping and lower emissions. Intermodal Transportation: Explore opportunities to shift from trucks to trains, substantially cutting emissions in specific routes. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 406: Unleashing Sustainability in Warehousing with Delivered
Dialight launches new and improved Area Light with Battery Backup
Dialight, the global provider in hazardous and industrial LED lighting innovation, has launched an all-new battery backup model of its compact and versatile Area Light product. This state-of-the-art fixture now offers even greater peace of mind for enhanced safety in harsh industrial environments, such as Refining, Mining, Pulp and Paper, Petrochemical, Metals and Steel, Water/Wastewater, General Manufacturing facilities, and more. With ‘poor visibility’ being a leading cause of accidents at industrial facilities, ensuring proper illumination is of paramount importance, especially in facilities where power outages can occur. Dialight’s new auxiliary battery backup solution features a sleek, lower profile enclosure and can provide illumination for a minimum of 90 minutes in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101® guidance on emergency lighting. Furthermore, it has been certified for use in a sealed enclosure to ensure maximum protection against harsh environmental conditions common in industrial settings and has been vibration tested to IEC 60068-2-6. It is compatible with all existing Dialight Area Light mounting options and at merely 20lbs is easy to install and to replace auxiliary batteries as needed. “Our Area Light has long been a favorite of customers across a wide variety of industrial sectors due to its versatility and extensive range of retrofit kits, making installation to existing infrastructure quick and easy” said Dialight CEO, Fariyal Khanbabi. “Now with our all-new battery backup system, customers can have even greater peace of mind that their operations will be safely illuminated in the event of power disruption.” This robust, self-testing fixture contains corrosion resistant stainless steel hardware and features Dialight’s industry-leading 10 year warranty (excluding batteries). It is available in both Vigilant (non-hazardous location) and SafeSite (hazardous location) models and is certified to UL1598/A, UL924 and UL844. Dialight’s all new Battery Backup Area Light is currently available for sale in North America. Please refer to datasheet for more information on available models and lumen output in battery backup mode.
Integrated packaging line flexes strengths of Serpa, Quest and Texwrap at PACK EXPO 2023
The ability to collaborate between brands to develop and execute integrated solutions is what defines the power of ProMach. A great portrayal of this integrated collaboration between Serpa, Quest, and Texwrap can be seen in action in booth C-3425 / C-3433 at PACK EXPO 2023, September 11-13, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. This integrated line features filled canisters being tray packed, overwrapped and palletized – depicting packaging applications common in the nutraceutical and food industries. PACK EXPO attendees will see a fully operating line starring a Serpa FG1 top load tray former that will be forming trays from corrugated blanks. Serpa top load tray formers are built with a heavy-duty frame and quick-change forming heads that make changeover quick, simple, and repeatable for 24/7 operation. From there, trays are conveyed to a Quest QP200-SA2 case packer, where a FANUC SCARA robot orientates the canisters, shrink wrapped by CL&D, before they’re picked and placed into the formed trays by an articulated robot. Pack patterns are configured using QPack case/tray packing software. QPack allows users to create optimized patterns for a variety of SKUs with ease, which makes product changeovers quicker and simpler than ever. Finally, a Quest Bot Bot QB320 space-saving robotic palletizer picks up wrapped trays and places them on a floor-level pallet. Every Box Bot comes standard with QBox pallet building software that allows operators to create new pallet patterns based on the size of the case and pallet. The Box Bot offers more than 24 standard designs with lead times of 4-6 weeks. ProMach advantage ProMach is a solutions-based company; it first analyzes the problem or challenge, and then designs a solution that best meets the customers’ production goals. ProMach and its 46 brands are grouped into distinct business lines that span the entire packaging line. This packaging line at PACK EXPO 2023 is a great demonstration of the type of integrated packaging solution ProMach and its brands can develop to meet the full scope of automation needs of customers. Projects like this allow customers to have one central point of contact that serves as a one-stop, full-service provider by connecting multiple ProMach solutions together. This level of integration involves professional project management to streamline the planning process, installation, and start-up for packaging lines. Serpa (C-3433), Quest (C-3425), and Texwrap (C-3625), are located next to each other within the ProMach village at PACK EXPO 2023. To see how these three brands and the power of ProMach can help you with your next packaging application, visit them at PACK EXPO 2023.
YELLOW ceases business
According to industry publication FREIGHTWAVES less-than-truckload carrier (LTL) Yellow Corp. ceased all operations at 12 p.m. Sunday, according to a notice on the gates at its terminals. Separate internal documents showed the procedures for closing the facilities as well as “talking points” to be used when informing union employees not to show up for their shifts. The documents indicated the company plans to issue a public statement Monday updating “the state of the company and the operation.” On Friday, Yellow (NASDAQ: YELL) laid off most of its nonunion employees in areas like customer service, information technology and sales. The company stopped making pickups earlier in the week and has been delivering the remaining freight in its network ahead of what appears to be a permanent closure. After months of negotiations with its Teamsters workforce, the carrier has been unable to reach terms over proposed operational changes it has said were required for its survival. In a breach of contract lawsuit filed last month regarding the matter, the company said it could be out of cash as soon as mid-July. Most are expecting Yellow to announce it will file for bankruptcy Monday.
Nominations open for Influential Woman in Trucking Award, Sponsored by Daimler Truck North America
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) and Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) are seeking nominations for the 2023 Influential Woman in Trucking award. This prestigious award was created in 2010 to honor women in the transportation industry who make or influence key decisions in a corporate, manufacturing, supplier, owner-operator, driver, sales, or dealership setting. Nominees must also have a proven record of responsibility, mentorship, and serve as a role model to other women in the industry. “The number of women in the trucking profession continues to grow,” said Jennifer Hedrick, president and CEO. “We are honored to share their stories and mark their accomplishments through this award.” Nominations will be accepted through September 11. The winner will be announced at the upcoming WIT Accelerate! Conference & Expo Nov. 5-8 in Dallas, TX. Each finalist will serve as a panelist for the Unstoppable Women in Trucking You Must Know About panel discussion on Nov. 7. “As Women In Trucking’s results from the recently released 2023 WIT Index reflect, the representation of women in the industry continues to grow at all levels,” said Angela Lentz, chief people officer, Daimler Truck North America. “By highlighting the incredible accomplishments of women already in the industry, we can continue to improve that representation everywhere from truck cabs to C-suites while propelling the many companies represented forward with diverse perspectives.” Past recipients of the Influential Woman in Trucking award include: 2022 – Trina Norman, southern California feeder operations manager, UPS 2021 – Lily Ley, vice president and chief information officer, PACCAR 2020 – Kristy Knichel, president, Knichel Logistics and Jodie Teuton, co-founder, Kenworth of Louisiana 2019 – Ruth Lopez, director, transportation management, Ryder System, Inc. 2018 – Angela Eliacostas, founder and president, AGT Global Logistics 2017 – Daphne Jefferson, principal and executive coach, Jefferson Consulting Group, LLC (former deputy administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [FMCSA]) 2016 – Ramona Hood, president and CEO, FedEx Custom Critical 2015 – Kari Rihm, president and CEO, Rihm Kenworth 2014 – Marcia G. Taylor, CEO, Bennett International Group 2013 – Rebecca Brewster, president and COO, American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) 2012 – Joyce Brenny, founder and CEO, Brenny Transportation, Inc./Brenny Specialized, Inc. 2011 – Rochelle Bartholomew, CEO, CalArk International Learn more and nominate at https://www.womenintrucking.org/influential-woman-in-trucking.
HexcelPack to debut additional protective paper-based wrapping products at PACK EXPO
HexcelPack, a developer of eco-friendly, paper-based protective packaging solutions to replace bubble and air pillow packaging and other plastic, paper or foam-based materials, will introduce several new paper-based wrapping and cushioning products for cost-effective and sustainable shipping at PACK EXPO Booth N-9261, September 11-13 in Las Vegas. Among the introductions will be a bladeless automatic dispensing solution for void fill, a wide width version of the company’s standard HexcelWrap™, and cushioning pads. AutoFil™: A fully automatic dispensing solution for the company’s HexaFil™ void fill. The machine uses a novel bladeless cutting technique to dispense the sustainable void fill material into corrugated shippers up to three times faster than alternative methods. Fully automatic with a programmable screen and electric operation via foot pedal, the machine quickly dispenses HexaFil™ in preset lengths with no cutting blades or dangerous components needed. The AutoFil™ stands 6½ feet tall and is adjustable in height to fit over packaging conveyor systems. The unit also has wheels for easy maneuvering. Wide Wrap™: A wider version of the company’s original HexcelWrap™ cushioning paper. Available in widths from 20” to 40” (unstretched), the solution allows easier wrapping of larger items. Wide Wrap™ can be dispensed via a tabletop brush dispenser or an orbital wrapper for larger and heavier items that need ample protection. Hexcel Pads™: Similar to the company’s Hexcel’Ope™ mailer, its Hexcel Pads™ offer superior protection attributes without the interior opening. Hexcel Pads™ are available in sizes up to 48” long and 16” wide, and are available in three thicknesses – including a double layer option for best possible protection against crushing. “We are thrilled to be expanding our protective packaging solutions portfolio with innovative new products that are both cost-effective and sustainable,” said Lorne Herszkowicz, Partner at HexcelPack. “At the same time, we are actively expanding out market reach with our new office in the United Kingdom and a number of new customers here in North America.”
Wize Solutions acquires Warehouse Equipment Contractors Inc.
Wize Solutions announced the close of its acquisition of the Warehouse Equipment Contractors, Inc. installation business. This strategic acquisition will provide WIZE with additional experienced teams of warehouse installation employees in the Southern California market that has strong and connected leadership. Hear the details directly from Wize leadership on the announcement video here: WIZE Acquisition Announcement Video. With projects completed in all 50 states, more than 100 dedicated employees, thousands of satisfied customers and completed projects, this strategic acquisition is another step WIZE has taken to strengthen its offering to its customers. I am glad to welcome Monte and his staff to WIZE,” said Tyson Bigelow, president of Wize Solutions. “Monte has more than 27 years of experience in material handling and brings a wealth of knowledge in warehousing, automated systems, design and installation. He has strong relationships with dealers and distributors, and we look forward to him maintaining these connections in his new role at WIZE.” “I have known Tyson, Ryan Boucher and Josh Trayner for many years and respect their high-quality standards, integrity and the business they have built,” said Monte Landy, founder and principal of Warehouse Equipment Contractors, Inc. “Now that Warehouse Equipment Contractors, Inc.’s installation business is now officially part of WIZE Solutions, Inc., I am looking forward to providing our expanded customer base with the same warehouse services with the added resources of WIZE.” WIZE has scaled the business with other components including: • Strengthening install teams across the country: Through hiring on-staff project managers, additional installation employees, a new installation team and a national sales manager to service the growing customer base in the United States. • General Contractor Capabilities: WIZE Solutions holds contractor licenses in most states and provides permitting services while maintaining the highest level of insurance coverage. • High Safety Standards: WIZE Solutions maintains a great safety record, the WIZE foremen are OSHA 30 trained and general laborers are OSHA 10 trained.
BSLBATT Battery joins Fronius Charger Compatibility Program
BSLBATT Battery has announced that it has joined Fronius Perfect Charging’s new partner program “Charger Compatibility”. The program provides BSLBATT Battery with the tools to pursue new opportunities with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). As part of Fronius Charger Compatibility, BSLBATT can showcase its integration with Fronius Charger in a curated network of tested and compatible batteries and charging solutions. BSLBATT’s lithium battery products were iteratively tested and validated by Fronius team of engineers. “We are delighted to have been selected to join the Fronius Charger Compatibility Program,” said BSLBATT Battery Marketing Director Haley Ning. “We stand alongside several reputable companies, whom we admire, and hope that our association with Fronius Perfect Charging takes our relationships with OEMs to the next level.” Affiliation with the program will increase BSLBATT’s visibility among leading OEMs in search of solutions that offer electric forklift with best-in-class performance, prolonged battery life and maximum uptime. Through the program, OEMs can view optimized BSLBATT Battery algorithms with Fronius Perfect Charging such as the one developed for BSLBATT’s MH Series products. “Fronius Perfect Charging offers a unique way for battery and BMS partners like BSLBATT Battery to generate more business by signaling a level of quality and compatibility that OEMs can rely on. Currently, there is no other resource available that offers OEMs a one-stop-shop with this level of curated solutions,” said Fronius Account Manager of Business Development Kai Wan.
KEEN Utility footwear new Arvada safety-toe sneaker is a perfect blend of athletic-level cushioning and style
New for Fall ‘23, KEEN Utility’s Arvada is designed for jobs requiring constant movement and long hours on your feet. A perfect blend of athletic-level cushioning and style, this safety-toe work sneaker series features the lightweight, compression-resisting KEEN.ReGEN midsole that returns 50% more energy than standard EVA foam and a sneaker-like ultra-breathable mesh upper. At the same time, the Arvada does not sacrifice when it comes to safety offering asymmetrical carbon-fiber safety toes that are unobtrusive and 15% lighter than steel and an EH-rated oil-and-slip-resistant rubber outsole provides dependable footing. Offering energy-returning jobsite performance with all-day style, the Arvada will be available for both men and women in several colorways.
KION Group increases profitability in the first half of the year and raises guidance
Result driven by strong performance in the ITS segment Revenue rises to €5.617 billion (H1 2022: €5.537 billion) Adjusted EBIT at €348.3 million (H1 2022: €311.7 million) Adjusted EBIT margin improves to 6.2 percent (H1 2022: 5.6 percent) Free cash flow increases to €228.8 million (H1 2022: minus €591.5 million) Group and ITS segment guidance raised The KION Group continued to increase its profitability in the first half of the year driven by the further strong momentum of its Industrial Trucks & Services (ITS) segment. The improved supply chain situation and successful measures to increase commercial and operational agility are key reasons for the positive result. Adjusted EBIT improved by 11.7 percent year on year, while revenue was up by 1.5 percent. “The agility and performance measures initiated last year are paying off,” said Rob Smith, Chief Executive Officer of KION GROUP AG. “The positive development in the ITS segment is impressive proof that the determined focus of the entire KION team on the right levers has made the company much more resilient and agile going forward. We are therefore raising our guidance for 2023 for both the Group and the ITS segment.” Consolidated revenue advanced by 1.5 percent year on year to €5.617 billion in the reporting period (H1 2022: €5.537 billion). The proportion of consolidated revenue attributable to the service business grew to 44.3 per cent (H1 2022: 40.5 percent). The 19.9 percent increase in revenue in the ITS segment to €4.135 billion (previous year: €3.445 billion) resulted mainly from measures to improve material availability. Price increases implemented in 2022 also had a positive impact. Revenue from the service business went up as volumes grew across all service categories. Revenue in the Supply Chain Solutions (SCS) segment, however, fell by 28.6 percent year on year to €1.497 billion (H1 2022: €2.096 billion). This was primarily due to muted customer demand in the project business (business solutions) in the previous quarters. By contrast, revenue development in the service business (customer services) was very encouraging again increasing by 13.5 percent compared to the same period last year. The Group’s adjusted EBIT rose by 11.7 percent to €348.3 million in the first half of 2023 (H1 2022: €311.7 million). This increased the adjusted EBIT margin to 6.2 percent (H1 2022: 5.6 percent). Adjusted EBIT for the ITS segment improved significantly to €378.9 million (H1 2022: €197.8 million). This rise in earnings came from the revenue growth driven by higher volume and prices as well as efficiency gains in production. The improved profitability in the ITS segment was also reflected in the adjusted EBIT margin of 9.2 percent (H1 2022: 5.7 percent). Adjusted EBIT for the SCS fell year on year to € 14.8 million (H1 2022: € 149.8 million) and returned to profit after a negative result in the full year 2022. The execution of lower-margin projects and delays due to ongoing component shortages contributed to the decline in revenue and earnings at SCS. The adjusted EBIT margin for the first half stood at 1.0 percent (H1 2022: 7.1 percent). Net income for the period amounted to €146.3 million (H1 2022: €159.8 million). This reflects a significantly lower financial result and higher tax expenses. Free cash flow was €228.8 million (H1 2022: negative free cash flow of €591.5 million), resulting from the increase in EBIT while net working capital remained at a similar level to the end of 2022. As a result of the improved liquidity situation, it was possible to reduce financial liabilities by €178.9 million. Net debt decreased by €101.0 million to €1.570 billion compared to end of 2022. KION Group commits to net-zero target and Science Based Targets initiative Sustainability is a key focus of the KION 2027 strategy. At the beginning of July 2023, the KION Group committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in order to provide transparency with regard to its activities and progress on the path toward a carbon-neutral future. In line with the SBTi principles, the KION Group is pursuing the net-zero target of being emission-free along its entire value chain (scopes 1, 2, and 3) by 2050 at the latest. The criteria for assessing whether companies are operating carbon neutrally are based on a fundamental scientific framework and align with the objective of the United Nations Paris climate agreement to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C. KION Group sells the ITS segment’s Russian business The KION Group announced its intention to exit its Russian business in October 2022. On 16 June 2023, the Group signed a contract to sell the ITS segment’s Russian business as part of a management buyout. The transaction is still subject to approval by the Russian authorities. The SCS segment’s remaining business in Russia is being wound up at the same time. Once the contracts come into force, the KION Group will no longer have any business activities in Russia. Outlook In the first half of 2023, the KION Group achieved revenue growth and a sharp increase in earnings thanks to the healthy business performance of the Industrial Trucks & Services segment. The main contributing factors were the measures taken to enhance operational and commercial agility, the improved supply chain situation, and better availability of materials. In the remaining months of 2023, the Industrial Trucks & Services segment is therefore expected to see an improvement in revenue and adjusted EBIT compared to the second half of the previous year. The Supply Chain Solutions segment is set to see noticeably higher revenue and improved adjusted EBIT in the second half of 2023 compared with the first six months thanks to the growing proportion of higher-margin customer projects in the order book. Subject to the proviso that there are no changes to the current level of availability of materials, the Executive Board of KION GROUP AG is raising the outlook for 2023 for the Group and the Industrial Trucks & Services segment once again, having already raised it on April 19, 2023. The target figures for the Supply Chain Solutions segment remain unchanged: Outlook 2023 KION Group Industrial Trucks & Services Supply Chain Solutions Outlook July 2023 Outlook April 2023 Outlook July 2023 Outlook April 2023 Outlook July 2023