PERC announces new Director of Off-Road Business Development
Matt McDonald brings propane background, fresh perspective to PERC team The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) welcomes Matt McDonald as its new director of off-road business development. In his new role, McDonald will lead research and development and training projects with a focus on new product development and commercialization in the off-road and material handling markets. He will also assist in market communication strategy and outreach. “Matt’s passion for the industry, paired with his existing experience and expertise, made him a great fit for this position,” said PERC President and CEO Tucker Perkins. “We have no doubt he will be a great addition to the PERC team and look forward to watching him expand propane use in the off-road market in new, innovative ways.” Prior to PERC, McDonald was a general manager at Ferrellgas for nearly six years. He also served as an aircrew survival equipmentman in the United States Navy for four years. “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this market and excited for the new challenge,” McDonald said. “I know I am joining forces with an incredible team here at PERC and am eager to dive in and get started.”
Reinforce Forklift Safety with these 10 simple tips
Forklifts are one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment throughout the supply chain and distribution industry. The material handling equipment offers countless operational benefits, but it also introduces a variety of workplace hazards. There are risks involved in operating any heavy industrial machine, including forklifts. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted a study analyzing forklift-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities and found that the top six causes were operator inattention, forklift overturns, unstable loads, operators struck by a load, elevated employees, and lack of training. Fortunately, OSHA has several safety guidelines in place for warehouses concerning forklift operation, maintenance, and training. It’s important for forklift operators to stay up to date on training, not become complacent around heavy equipment, and remain proactive. Doing so will ensure the health and safety of employees and, ultimately, keep business running smoothly. Here are a few of the most essential forklift safety tips. While some of these tips may seem obvious, it’s often the small, seemingly simple practices that get overlooked: Complete pre-operation inspection. Report any damages or problems to management, and don’t operate the forklift if it needs to be repaired. Buckle up before operating. With overturned forklifts being one of the leading causes of forklift-related incidents, it’s crucial to buckle up. In the event of an accident, wearing a seatbelt can save operators from getting crushed by the machine’s overhead guard or roll cage. Wear personal protective equipment like hard hats, protective footwear, and high-visibility clothing when working around forklifts and other heavy machinery. Don’t operate with a load that exceeds the lifting capacity. This will decrease the risk of tipping the machine. Watch your speed and sound the horn when visibility is blocked. Operators should maintain slow travel speeds and take corners and turns slowly to minimize the risk of tipping. They should also sound their horn if vision is obstructed to alert pedestrians or other operators and avoid unnecessary collisions. Maintain a safe distance from the edge of ramps to prevent tip-overs. When descending a ramp with a loaded forklift, operators should always travel in reverse with the forklift and payload pointed up the grade. When traveling up a ramp with an unloaded forklift, operators should always keep the forks pointed downgrade. Set the parking brake, lower the forks, and set the controls to neutral when finished operating. Safely parked equipment reduces the risk of unintended movement. While there are a variety of forklift fuels on the market, propane has proven to be a leader in the material handling market because of its many advantages. In fact, propane currently holds about 90 percent market share for Class 4 and 5 forklifts, according to data from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). And the majority of fleet managers prefer propane to diesel or electric, too — 70 percent from the 5,000 to 10,000 lbs. capacity range and 51 percent from the 10,000 and heavier capacities. Because propane is a widely-used forklift fuel, highlighting propane-specific safety tips is important for a variety of facilities across the United States. Here are a few safety reminders for employees operating propane-powered forklifts: Before operating, check cylinders for rusting, dents, gouges, and leaks. Cylinders that show signs of wear or leaks shouldn’t be used and may need to be replaced, even if within the cylinder’s requalification date. Secure the pressure relief valve on the cylinder. Operators should check that the pressure relief valve fitting is roughly 180 degrees from the forklift’s locating pin. When not in use, close the service valves on propane cylinders. This helps prevent potential injury around internal combustion engines and unintended fuel loss. It’s also important to note that the propane industry has dedicated procedures to support businesses operating propane-powered equipment, including assistance from local propane suppliers across the country. And one way to enhance workplace safety is by developing a relationship with a local supplier. Propane suppliers can serve as a great safety resource, providing support in a variety of ways. First of all, they work to ensure all employees understand how to properly and safely install propane cylinders on their forklifts. Beyond that, they can help crews identify the most convenient location for cylinder cages, so they don’t interfere with workflow — most often located away from exits, stairways, entryways, and high-traffic areas. They can also inspect cylinders each time they’re exchanged, remove damaged cylinders from service, and repair and replace worn valves and O-rings on cylinders as needed. Lastly, some propane suppliers offer additional safety training opportunities for their forklift customers. For more information on forklift safety, visit Propane.com/SafetyFirst. About the Author: Jeremy Wishart is director of off-road business development for the Propane Education & Research Council. He can be reached at jeremy.wishart@propane.com.
Alternative Fuel Tax Credit retroactively extended for Propane Forklifts
Tax credits are available for propane forklifts for 2018 – 2020 The Propane Education & Research Council is encouraging propane forklift users to take advantage of the Alternative Fuel Tax Credit, which was recently passed by the U.S. Congress as part of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020. Businesses operating propane forklifts who apply for the tax credit will be able to claim a credit for every gasoline gallon equivalent of propane purchased, or about 37 cents per gallon. The bill not only extends the credits through Dec. 31, 2020, but facility managers can also apply for credits retroactively for any fuel purchases made in 2018 and 2019. While April is typically tax month, companies now have until July 15 to file. “Propane-powered forklifts are already a leader in the material handling market because of the key advantages they offer over other fuels, so this opportunity only strengthens their value proposition,” said Jeremy Wishart, director of off-road business development at PERC. “Businesses across the country are leveraging propane’s versatility and clean, powerful performance to keep crews more productive — and now they can cash in on extra cost savings, too.” For facilities and distribution operations that require on-site refueling, the new law also retroactively extends the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit, which allows facility managers to claim up to 30 percent or $30,000 of the cost of installing qualified alternative fuel equipment refueling property — including propane refueling equipment. Businesses operating propane forklifts can learn more about how to apply for these credits through this fact sheet from the National Propane Gas Association. PERC encourages all forklift operators to consult their own tax advisers first regarding any claims for credits or refunds.
Propane Council invites MODEX attendees to test their Forklift Knowledge
Visitors of the PERC booth can earn prizes while learning about propane equipment benefits The Propane Education & Research Council welcomes industry professionals to put their knowledge to the test in the PERC booth (#6273) at MODEX from March 9 to 12 in Atlanta. As a part of PERC’s promotion, show attendees can test their propane forklift knowledge and win a prize for playing. The forklift trivia challenge allows users to explore the facts about various forklift energy sources on a wide variety of topics including refueling, cost savings, emissions, safety, and the benefits of propane. “Propane forklifts lower emissions, have convenient refueling, and are safe for your crew whether they operate inside or outdoors,” said Jeremy Wishart, director of off-road business development at PERC. “The forklift trivia challenge is a fun way for us to showcase all of the economic and environmental benefits propane can provide to businesses.” In addition to taking the quiz in the PERC booth, visitors will be able to explore the ins and outs of a Catä propane forklift — upfitted with Tecogen’s patented Ultera near-zero-emissions after-treatment technology. This demonstration of an economical retrofit solution allows for internal combustion forklifts to attain near-zero CARB certification.
Bacharach releases Monoxor XR High Range CO Exhaust Gas Analyzer
Bacharach, an industry provider in gas detection and analysis instrumentation, introduces the Monoxor XR (extended range) hand-held exhaust gas analyzer for measuring CO (carbon monoxide) in ambient air or directly from the exhaust pipe of forklifts, floor burnishers or other equipment burning propane, gasoline, diesel, or CNG (compressed natural gas). The Monoxor XR is the ideal instrument for verifying worker safety and achieving compliance with OSHA air quality regulations. It can also be used for engine tuning and diagnostics, resulting in improved equipment efficiency and fuel savings. The Monoxor XR provides visual and audible alarming for instant alerting of personnel to dangerous CO levels. The expanded measuring range of 80,000 ppm allows technicians to test even the most poorly maintained equipment without risking damage to the gas sensor. Bacharach’s Combustion mobile app allows the user to quickly and easily create and send customizable emissions reports from their smartphones or tablets. A specialized exhaust probe kit is available for direct connection to various exhaust pipe designs, and a magnetic rubber boot is available to provide a non-slip, secure grip for hands-free testing. The Monoxor XR employs Bacharach’s B-SMART® sensor technology for pre-calibrated sensor replacement in the field – minimizing downtime, maintenance costs, and overall cost of ownership.
Fat Brain Toys thrives in competitive retail market with propane forklifts
NEBRASKA-BASED TOY STORE EXPEDITES SHIPPING WITH PROPANE EQUIPMENT Keeping pace in today’s retail world is no small undertaking. A company’s reputation and customer satisfaction depend on its ability to move and ship materials at a rapid pace. Fat Brain Toys, a family-owned and operated business in Omaha, Nebraska, can attest to the challenge. Fat Brain Toys takes pride in designing and curating world-class toys and games, and in having the largest selection of American-made toys found anywhere. It stocks nearly 7,500 games, toys, and gifts — including the classics like LEGO Bricks, Lincoln Logs, puzzles, and heirloom toys — in its two Nebraska-based warehouses, which equal approximately 140,000 square feet in total. The company began as a small, in-home business in 2002 but has since grown substantially, now operating an online store, two warehouses, and two retail stores — located in Omaha and Kansas City, Kansas. To maintain a high level of productivity and move products at an efficient pace, the company relies on propane-powered material handling equipment. COMPANY FACES COMPETITIVE MARKET, SHOPPER EXPECTATIONS As Amazon, Walmart, Target, and other large retailers continue to reduce shipment and delivery timelines, customers are pushing even the independently-owned online retailers to keep pace. According to PwC’s 2018 Global Consumer Insights Survey, 88 percent of consumers worldwide are willing to pay more for same-day delivery. The survey also revealed that, when asked what factors, other than price, sway customers to buy from a particular retailer, nearly a quarter of respondents named fast, reliable delivery. Fat Brain Toys takes the growing demand for speedy delivery to heart, and therefore guarantees same-day shipping for customers who purchase three items or more. Most in-stock orders are shipped within 24 hours — if not faster. A fourth-quarter dominant company, Fat Brain Toys earns half of its annual revenue in six weeks of the year. The company ships approximately 500 packages on a normal day, but during the busy season, it can ship up to 12,000 packages per day. To keep up with this aggressive shipping strategy — during busy seasonal sales and year-round — the company needs a good, consistent level of production. More importantly, the company needs reliable, efficient material handling equipment in order to ship products as quickly as possible and meet its distribution demands. propane is the only forklift fuel that can meet the company’s stringent demands. PROPANE IS THE ONLY FORKLIFT FUEL THAT CAN MEET THE COMPANY’S STRINGENT DEMANDS Propane’s uninterrupted operational capacity, clean reputation, reliability, and ease of use, maintenance, and refueling are all reasons Fat Brain Toys trusts propane to get the job done. “We’ve honestly never considered another forklift fuel and do not think battery-powered forklifts would meet our needs as well,” said Bernie Lorkovic, distribution center manager at Fat Brain Toys. “We like propane and chose it because of its ease and simplicity.” The company relies on two propane forklifts — one at each warehouse location— to unload trailers and move products throughout the warehouses. Propane offers superior performance benefits compared with other fuels. For starters, propane provides employees with 100 percent power throughout operation and propane forklifts don’t lose power throughout the workday, unlike electric forklifts. According to data from the Propane Education & Research Council, propane forklifts push heavy loads at full capacity more consistently than their electric counterparts, too. Propane forklifts also maintain more consistent travel speeds and acceleration throughout a shift compared to battery-powered forklifts — allowing employees to be more productive in a warehouse where time is money. And because a fast, easy cylinder change gets them back into business quickly, propane forklifts offer minimal downtime, too, which is mission critical during fourth quarter, busy-season workdays. By operating on propane, the company skips the mess of forklift batteries and avoids the hassle of dealing with downtime for charging batteries or battery mismanagement. “We have always felt that it’s much easier to switch out a tank than charge a battery,” Lorkovic said. “With propane, we can switch out a cylinder in a couple of minutes, without having to worry about handling or maintaining messy, leaky batteries.” With such a large influx of seasonal employees, simplicity is critical. The company has found that propane forklifts are easy to train employees to operate at a high level quickly. PROPANE ENABLES COMPANIES TO COMPETE- AND THRIVE- IN TODAY’S RETAIL MARKET Since 2002, Fat Brain Toys has gone from a basement-start up to a significant player in the international educational and specialty toy industry, with annual sales exceeding $40 million worldwide, and the company’s propane forklifts have played an instrumental role in that growth. Fat Brain Toys’ propane-powered forklifts enable the company to consistently keep up with its aggressive shipping needs year-round and overdeliver for customers with every opportunity, which is a key component in the company’s mission statement. Research has shown that consistent execution of expedited delivery can have a significant impact on customer experience and brand loyalty. By enabling the company to consistently maintain its shipping and distribution demands, Fat Brain Toys’ propane-powered equipment also helps the company to keep pace in today’s market, compete with other large retail companies, and continue to grow. Click here for the PDF.
Propane Council launches Forklift Trivia Challenge
First 500 participants in free online challenge will receive gift from PERC The Propane Education & Research Council created a new interactive resource, available on Propane.com, that allows participants to put their forklift knowledge to the test. The first 500 participants to take PERC’s new trivia challenge will receive a free insulated cooler lunchbox. “We were looking for a uniquely engaging way to educate material handling industry professionals on the benefits offered by propane-powered forklifts,” said Jeremy Wishart, PERC director of off-road business development. “Propane outperforms other forklift fuels on a variety of categories, all of which are brought to life in the challenge.” The trivia challenge allows users to explore the facts about forklifts — and various forklift fuels — on a wide variety of topics including refueling, cost savings, performance, emissions, safety, and propane as a fuel. There are varying levels of difficulty from which players select to play. “We hope that by utilizing this tool, users will walk away with a new understanding of propane’s capabilities in the material handling, logistics, and distribution industry,” Wishart said. “In addition, we hope the challenge can shed light on some possible misconceptions users may have had about propane or propane-powered equipment, and identify areas where they can improve operations by using propane.” To learn more about the benefits of propane forklifts, visit Propane.com/Material-Handling, or head to Propane.com/Propane-Forklift-Trivia-Challenge to take the trivia challenge.
Warehouses embrace technology
The warehouse. It is perhaps one of the places most reflective of the state of the material handling industry, a key hub from which products flow and supply chains function. It is also the place where both new technologies blossom and some long-standing industry components hold fast. This month, we asked a few sources to talk about the current state of warehouses in material handling. Here is some of what they are seeing on the ground floor of warehouses industry wide: Robotics Although it has a reputation for being new, mobile robots have been around since the 1960s, according to Josh Cloer, Mobile Industrial Robot’s North American sales director. But what is new is the technology being implemented, in particular slam robotics, or simultaneous location and mapping. MiR is a manufacturer of collaborative mobile robots. “We’re the front-runner in this space,” said Cloer, adding that the use of the company’s autonomous mobile robots is “growing rapidly” in both manufacturing and warehousing. MiR’s own growth is reflective of this, as the company hired over 125 employees last year, opened a new office in San Diego and most recently opened a new office in Long Island. The company’s robots can be used for many different applications in the warehouse and, according to the business, can be used to “optimize workflow, increase productivity and reduce costs,” according to a press release. Development continues in designing robots that can learn the specifics of the warehouses where they are stationed, identifying everything from forklifts to products, according to Cloer. Also, in the near future, Cloer said MiR is working to enhance the ease for users of programming its robots with components like clear interface designs. The main market for the company’s robots currently is the automotive sector, according to Cloer, who said the industry has an innate knowledge of making adjustments, as it already does to accommodate different vehicle models. Still, warehouses throughout the industry are “a rapidly growing space” for the business, he said. “We see opportunities in parcel space as well as third party logistics space,” Cloer said. Asked whether the company has heard concerns about robots taking over human jobs, Cloer said MiR leaders understand those worries. But he notes the current state of marketplace labor, with many businesses reporting difficulty in finding necessary workforce. Robots can aid in the completion of work by freeing up human staff for other jobs within the warehouse or business, he said. Aaron Conway, president of Mezzanine Safeti-Gates, Inc. said in an interview with Material Handling Wholesaler last spring that the growing combination of automation and human workers means other warehouse systems are now being designed with the shift in mind. “With the mix between automation and traditional human workers around the (warehouse) areas, one of the keys is to get those two different styles to operate seamlessly and safely,” he said. Mezzanine Safeti-Gates is incorporating more power operations into its gates and Conway said company designers also favor controlled access areas. With sensors added to safety devices, products can detect if a worker or piece of equipment is in the area. “It aids in the communication throughout the system. It can also tie into their software so they know how many areas are being utilized,” Conway said. Packaging At DHL Supply Chain, cartons are top of mind. It’s an issue almost every consumer, even outside of the material handling industry, is likely familiar with. “When you receive a shipment from Amazon or whomever, oftentimes that box can be grossly underutilized,” said Adrian Kumar, global head of operations science and analytics for DHL Supply Chain. “You might be wondering, ‘Why is this happening? Haven’t they figured out that they should be using a smaller box?’ The answer is that sometimes, a business does not have the right boxes on site at their packing stations, Kumar said. In addition to the packaging waste, this is problematic because parcel carriers charge by dimensional weight, he said. So, for example, a three-to-four-pound object in a large box could end up being assessed a weight of 12 to 15 pounds. And so. DHL Supply Chain recently developed a carton optimization tool that reduces shipping costs by ensuring products are packaged in the optimal size boxes. The tool uses analytics to determine cartons needed in a warehouse to match order profiles and minimize dimensional weight charges, a release from the company said. “Customer pilots utilizing the technology have witnessed up to a 20 percent reduction in shipping costs when combined with other parcel optimization tools, the release said. The DHL tool assess customer order history and item weight and then determines what 10 to 20 preconfigured box sizes should be on hand at the packing stations. “We make suggestions to customers to potentially switch out box sizes,” said Kumar, who said advice can also be to retool practices. “Some of our customers like to ship everything together,” he said. “If you’re shipping a baseball bat and baseball helmet, if it was a separate order you would put the bat in a long narrow box and the helmet in a square box. “If you put it together you need a big rectangular box blow, it might be driving up your shipping costs. “Those are the types of things we advise our customers on that are usually eye openers,” he said. DHL’s tool also helps customers look into what carriers might offer the best rates for their specific needs. The company also helps client’s factor in how they want products to be presented and how much space they want in packaging. So far, DHL has used the tool for about five customers. Kumar said with ready access to the data, it can be put on DHL’s warehouse management system and the tool works fast. “The analysis is run pretty quickly. And the data doesn’t have integrity issues,” Kumar said. Following the implementation strategy, it can take about a month for savings make their way into the books, according to Kumar. As the push for rapid fulfillment continues across industry sectors, DHL is working to help
New tool from PERC allows you to compare operating costs between electric and propane forklifts
Forklift cost calculator helps decision makers crunch the numbers The Propane Education & Research Council released a free online cost calculator that allows facility managers to quickly determine how much they could save by operating propane-powered forklifts. “With this new tool, facility managers can have the data at their fingertips, giving them an easier way to compare the operational costs between forklift fuels,” said Jeremy Wishart, PERC director of off-road business development. “In the end, many facility managers are surprised to learn that, when compared with other forklift fuels, propane has proven to be the most cost-effective option.” To calculate potential savings, users input a few data points such as number of forklifts, usage hours, forklift purchase amount, and fuel price. Then, the forklift calculator will yield the overall cost comparisons between propane and electric forklifts. The output will provide operating costs, including the cost of batteries and fuel, along with the total ownership costs and potential savings. According to data from PERC, propane forklifts cost less than other options at acquisition. In fact, capital costs of propane forklifts are almost 30 percent lower than electric. Plus, electric forklifts incur additional utility and infrastructure costs to keep them charged. With propane, facility managers are only responsible for buying and storing cylinders, in addition to purchase and fuel costs. “When you crunch the numbers on the long-term costs of forklift fuel options, propane takes top billing in a lot of ways,” Wishart said. “Propane forklifts consistently cost less than other fuels, providing cost savings throughout ownership to businesses operating on propane.” Visit Propane.com/Forklift-Cost-Calculator to view PERC’s new cost calculator.
National Propane Gas Association to sell CETP Certification Program to Propane Council
This will include all certification records in the program database since its inception in 1987 The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) have reached agreement on terms to transfer the certification assets of the Certified Employee Training Program (CETP) from NPGA to PERC, effective Dec. 31, 2019. This action was mutually agreed upon by the officers and leadership of both organizations to help improve safety and training in the propane industry by moving all assets under one roof. Currently, a permanent record is maintained through an online database where all candidate CETP training tests and evaluations can be accessed by candidates and their employers. As part of the transfer process, protocols will be in place to ensure the transfer includes all training records, tests, and skill evaluations for more than 100,000 propane professionals who have gained certification since the program began in 1987. The certification program helps employers and employees comply with various federal and state codes and standards that require documentation of employee training. The program facilitates compliance by providing a formal structure for testing and verifying propane employees’ knowledge and skills in 14 different certification areas to ensure safe and effective work performance. Since 2002, PERC has owned and developed the content portion of the training, while NPGA continued to operate the certification aspect. Members of NPGA’s CETP Certification Committee have been invited to join PERC’s Safety & Technical Training Working Group to maintain consistency in program development and deployment. “The safety and training program has always been a key focus and top priority for PERC,” said PERC President and CEO Tucker Perkins. “Our restructured safety, education, and compliance team is going to build on that foundation by creating innovative training and safety materials and new ways to deploy the material and access the training. Our goal is to continue and improve on the world-class safety and training program to provide the very best to the industry.” “NPGA remains committed to the industry’s safety, education and compliance,” said NPGA Chairman Randy Thompson. “Through NPGA’s continued in-depth engagement with codes and standards development organizations and regulatory agencies, this transaction will facilitate a more streamlined process of information sharing with PERC that will feed into the development of new safety and training materials.” As the transaction will not become effective until December 31, there will be no changes to the current certification program through the end of 2019.