Kamon Distribution Group celebrates 50th anniversary
Kaman Distribution, a value-added distributor of bearings, power transmission, automation, and fluid power products, celebrates its milestone of 50 years in business. Kaman Distribution was founded in 1971 as Kaman Bearing & Supply, Inc. by Charles H. Kaman. Throughout the years, the company has grown organically and through acquisitions; expanding its reach into the Automation and Fluid Power markets. Today the company employs approximately 2,000 employees and has over 220 locations in the US, including Puerto Rico, and is a critical partner to approximately 50,000 customers and 10,000 suppliers. Kaman Distribution’s mission is to deliver the greatest total value to make our customers more productive, more competitive, and more profitable. We accomplish this by having the most technically talented product application team members, intensely focusing on customer service and support, and by continuously improving our business processes and expanding our product offering. We provide customers with product expertise for maintaining, upgrading, and improving their production processes. “Kaman Distribution provides customers with exceptional service because of the dedication of our valued and experienced personnel,” said Ben Mondics, president and CEO of Kaman Distribution. “We appreciate the hard work from all our employees throughout the years, who have contributed to our success, as we reach this milestone of 50 years in the business.”
American PERMALIGHT® welcomes Maria Xavier to their team
American PERMALIGHT® Inc. has announced its recent hire of Maria Xavier, who officially joined the organization in June 2021. She will serve as Sales and Project Specialist, with a focus on growing relationships within the life safety industries that the company supports. Maria is a subject matter expert who provides tremendous value through American PERMALIGHT® Inc.’s Educate & Inspire approach that establishes a sustainable competitive advantage and is mutually beneficial for both organizations. She will facilitate professional and organizational growth within your business while acting as your accountability partner to ensure that you stay committed to achieving your goals and objectives. Maria said, “Joining American PERMALIGHT® has raised my awareness of safety and the importance of being prepared for emergencies. American PERMALIGHT®’s mission in the life safety industry aligns with my career goals and values, and I’m happy to be part of an organization that guides people to safety and saves lives. I am excited to learn and grow in my role as a Sales and Project Specialist and proud to be part of the American PERMALIGHT® team.”
TVH’s South Carolina location relocates to larger facility
TVH in the Americas (TVH), a global provider of quality replacement parts and accessories for the material handling and industrial equipment industries, has announced that their South Carolina distribution center has moved! Previously located in Duncan, SC, TVH South Carolina is now located in nearby Greer, SC. The new distribution center is less than eight miles from its previous location and has more than 70,000 square feet of warehouse space. This allows TVH South Carolina to have more inventory on hand and readily available for customers. Helping to achieve the company’s goal of being a true one-stop shop by having the right product, at the right time, at the right place for customers. “Our move to a newly constructed modern building in Greer, SC allowed for increased storage capacity via 30-foot clear ceiling height. We increased the efficiency of the checking and shipping processes with the addition of three dedicated bulk item checking stations and automated accumulation conveyors and sorters. The customer service center was improved with more convenience, including a dedicated restroom for the customers who utilize our will-call service. The office area now includes a dedicated training center, a mothers nursing room, and an updated cafeteria for the Greer staff,” commented Jim Hockett, Operations Manager of Remote Branches.
American PERMALIGHT® welcomes Alexis Hinckley to their team
American PERMALIGHT® Inc. is pleased to announce its recent hire of Alexis Hinckley, who officially joined the organization in June 2021. She will serve as Sales and Project Specialist, with a focus on growing relationships within the life safety industries that the company supports. Alexis is a subject matter expert who provides tremendous value through American PERMALIGHT® Inc.’s Educate & Inspire approach that establishes a sustainable competitive advantage and is mutually beneficial for both organizations. She will facilitate professional and organizational growth within your business while acting as your accountability partner to ensure that you stay committed to achieving your goals and objectives. Alexis says, “Since joining American PERMALIGHT® I have learned so much about the life safety industry. American PERMALIGHT®, directly and indirectly, saves people’s lives every day by improving the safety standards in buildings and homes across the nation, and this is the main reason why I wanted to join this organization. I’m excited for my journey with American PERMALIGHT® and look forward to Educating and Inspiring our customers about life safety.”
BakerCorp rebrands to United Rentals
BakerCorp, a fluid solution provider has announced that it will be rebranded under the United Rentals name starting September 1, 2021. “We are excited to become United Rentals and offer our customers a wider range of solutions under one powerful umbrella,” said Jurgen Verschoor, Region Vice President. “Building on our nearly 80-year BakerCorp legacy, as United Rentals we remain committed to safety, quality, service, and rapid response.” As United Rentals, the company also announced a product expansion to include power rental solutions. Diesel generators, fuel tanks, distribution boards, and cables will be added to its core offerings which include tanks, pumps, and filtration. “We have an aggressive expansion plan to build from our core fluid solutions offerings,” said Verschoor. “We are adding power solutions with new equipment, new branches, and a team of experts to allow us to better serve our customers.” BakerCorp was acquired by United Rentals in 2018. The rebrand will align all European branch operations with United Rentals business, which also operates in the United States and Canada.
Fairbanks Scales announces new weigh-in-motion railroad track scale
Reduces weighing costs, increases operational safety and productivity! Fairbanks Scales Inc., the oldest scale company in the U.S. and the world’s leader in weighing equipment, announces its new 2000 Series Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) Railroad Track, targeted to dramatically increase productivity and eliminate occupational safety hazards. Each 2000 Series WIM Scale is shipped with a Fairbanks FB400 Instrument that meets all NTEP and AAR requirements. The FB400 is easy to operate and continuously reports through a user-friendly PC web interface that features customizable user preferences. Scale data integration into most customer ERP systems is possible. Individual ERP compatibility is determined during the project’s discovery and quoting process. The 2000 Series WIM Scale design has tremendous advantages for rail scale operators looking to save time and money safely. The above-ground modular design allows for easy maintenance and accessibility. Weighing the cars in motion will save immense amounts of time vs. static weighing and improve your processing capabilities. Combining the proven reliability of a 2000 Series rail scale with the advanced weighing capabilities of the In-Motion system provides a superior weighing experience. Fairbanks’ heavy-duty rail scale rocker column load cells feature a true hermetic seal at its cable entry point and are constructed of 100 percent stainless steel. The heart of the 2000 Series WIM Railroad Track Scale, this robust, fully electronic load cell has delivered reliable, accurate weighments for decades in the most demanding rail applications. It features air-tight moisture protection, an industry-leading IP69K enclosure rating, and Armour Guard stainless cable jacketing to protect its conductors Beyond new scale installations, Fairbanks can now also convert existing static scales into an InMotion system, utilizing existing equipment as much as possible to save time and money during installation. Our Fairbanks Sales team will review the existing site and customize a proposal for exactly what you need to get weighing quicker.
TVH hires Chris Davis as new Southeast Regional Business Development Manager
TVH in the Americas (TVH), a global provider of quality replacement parts and accessories for the material handling and industrial equipment industries, is pleased to introduce Chris Davis as the new Southeast Regional Business Development Manager. In this position, Chris will work to continue building deeper relationships between TVH and its customers in the Southeastern United States. Chris brings over 25 years of experience and a thorough understanding of the material handling industry to this position. He began his career as a forklift technician before transitioning into a customer service position. Most recently, Chris has spent over a decade in multiple sales positions on both the east and west coast where he was responsible for the substantial growth of his markets. “I’m very excited to welcome Chris to our team. Chris is a high-energy, passionate, and experienced sales professional with a proven track record of success,” says Chris Aiello, Business Development Manager. “We are certain he will be a strong asset to our Business Development team, contributing to the growth of not only his geographical sales territory but also the overall growth and success of our company.” Chris, who is originally from South Carolina, is looking forward to returning home and working once more with old friends in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Treston reveals new LED Light with motion detection
A new, energy- and cost-saving LED light has been added to the Treston product range! The Treston LED light with a built-in shield is now available with a motion sensor! The sensor easily detects a user at the workstation with a 45-degree viewing angle and automatically turns off after 60 seconds without movement. Treston LEDs boast a long life span, 10x longer than traditional fluorescent lamps, and use up to 90% less power than traditional lighting. The added feature provides additional energy- and cost- savings, as these lights are only on when needed. As with Treston’s Dual LED light, the motion-activated light features a built-in eye shield which reduces lumens by approximately 25%. Cascade up to 10 units in a daisy chain on a manufacturing line, or magnetically attach a single unit below a shelf, Treston LEDs are easy and fast to install – just click into place and plugin. Treston’s high-quality LED lights are carefree for years to come, with low maintenance – just keep them clean! Motion detection lights come with a two-year guarantee and are suitable for all Treston workstations.
H&E opens new branch in Fresno, CA
H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) just announced the opening of a new rental branch in Fresno, CA, bringing the number of H&E California facilities to 11. The new location is at 4199 E. Jefferson Avenue, Fresno, CA 93725-9707, phone 559-570-6700. The 10,000-square-foot facility sits on six acres with a fully fenced yard area, offices, parts warehouse, and a repair shop with five service bays. It is capable of servicing a variety of construction and general industrial equipment and joins the H&E facility in Lodi in serving central California and the San Joaquin Valley. “This new location just off the Golden State Highway will provide even greater coverage for our central California customers, especially when paired with nearby H&E facilities. Fresno will bridge the gap between our Lodi branch to the north and the Bakersfield location to the south. Centrally locating this new facility is about taking care of our loyal customers in Merced, Mariposa, Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties, but we can also now reach farther and invite others to experience the H&E difference too,” says Branch Manager Ed Sollid. “We have built a team that is customer-oriented, aggressive and running on all cylinders. We are like a well-oiled machine that is built to last. We’re ready to assist with any project in the area, including highway, rail, and commercial construction.” The branch specializes in the rental of aerial lifts, telescopic forklifts, earthmoving machinery, compaction equipment, generators, compressors, and more and represents the following manufacturers: Atlas Copco, Blue Diamond, Bobcat, Bomag, Case, Club Car, Doosan, Gehl, Generac Mobile, Genie, Hamm, Hy-Brid Lifts, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Kubota, LayMor, Ledwell, Lincoln Electric, Link-Belt Excavators, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Okada, Polaris, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Sullair, Sullivan-Palatek, Takeuchi, Towmaster Trailers, Valew, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, and others. 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.
TVH Americas promotes Jeannette Walker to Vice President of Sales
TVH in the Americas (TVH), a global provider of quality replacement parts and accessories for the material handling and industrial equipment industries, is proud to announce that Jeannette Walker has been promoted to Vice President of Sales. Jeannette began her career at TVH in 2001, and since then has held positions in Finance, Customer Support and launched the Marketing Department in 2007. In her role as Global Marketing Director, she was responsible for managing the Marketing Departments in both the Americas and Europe, combining them into one global team. Most recently, in her position as International Sales Director, Jeannette was responsible for the International, Mexico, and Brazil Sales teams in the Americas. As the Vice President of Sales, Jeannette will oversee the International, Domestic, Canada, and Mexico sales departments for TVH in the Americas. She will be instrumental in leading the sales teams by providing thoughtful leadership and an overall vision of how to develop and execute sales strategies to meet company goals now, and in the future. “Jeannette has a very thorough understanding of our customers and their expectations and is a great fit to take the lead in continuing the growth of our customer base in the Americas,” said Simon Witdouck, Senior Vice President of TVH Americas. “I am confident that her experience, ability to manage our various sales teams and her knowledge of our customers’ needs will ensure her success in this role.”
Departmentalization leads to Compartmentalization
It always amazes me how as dealers, we all tend to organize ourselves the same way. I suppose I really shouldn’t be amazed. In any industry, there are methods and processes that are proven to be efficient. These methods become “best practices” in the industry, and the effectiveness of the process should naturally draw most of the participants to mimic the most productive model. Financially the “best practices” in our industry call for the dealership to be separated into 5 or 6 distinct “profit centers” (or departments). We do this because the purpose, expectations, and market focus of each profit center is different. The range of sales revenue, gross profit, expenses, and manpower varies greatly between departments. Consequently, the goalsetting standards and metrics used to measure progress are equally diverse. Normally dealerships define these profit centers as follows: New Equipment Sales Used Equipment Sales Rental Department Parts Department Service Department Integrated Solutions (sometimes included with new sales – other times separated) There is nothing inherently wrong with this separation. In order to set attainable goals and grow all facets of our business, we must employ a segmented approach. This helps us to properly plan where our investments in people, assets, and inventory will provide the best return. When we hire team members for our departments, I think it’s a natural tendency for employees to establish personal goals for success, that are in concert with departmental goals and objectives. This is more than simple “esprit de corps”. Personal commitment to departmental accomplishments may be tied to financial incentives that reward departmental achievement. I have observed that the most successful dealerships SHARE many of their goals with their rank-and-file employees. You have heard me say before that it’s impossible to hit a target that you never hang on the wall. Whether those targets are financial, operational, or behavioral, if you share these objectives, every team member will most likely view them through the prism of their role in their assigned department. All this focus on departments has a downside however that we routinely ignore. One of my favorite business axioms is that “Departmentalization leads to Compartmentalization”. As an example: If my role, my activities, and my rewards are predicated on the success of the RENTAL departments, I will naturally prioritize my efforts based on what is best for the RENTAL department. The emergence of this “silo” mentality is a common internal enemy in any multi-profit center organization. Naturally, we tend to look out for our own interests. Therefore, MY involvement in any particular issue may be mitigated or enhanced by the value that it represents to MY department. By default, my interest is to preserve profitability in MY silo. This danger is more insidious than it seems. Silos can operate on more than one level. Not only do we accommodate departmental silos, but we can also erect branch-based silos. Territorial disputes, inventory allocations, and training support are all areas where our efforts are affected by branch silo concerns. Management may view silo battles, simply as dedicated employees paying attention to the details. We want our employees to be engaged. We want them to watch out for the bottom line. We want them to care about performance. But have we considered at all, how the CUSTOMER is viewing our silo-centric activity? The glaring gap in our customer experience effort may be grounded in our inability (or unwillingness) to defeat the silo mentality. Through all of this noise, one thing remains clear: The customer couldn’t care less about our departments! Customers are not interested in what department is responsible for crafting the solution to their problem. This shouldn’t be a surprise…… customers care about THEMSELVES. Customers care about the part that was ordered next day air, actually showing up the next day, AND BEING INSTALLED the next day. Customers care that we sent the right size forks or the right attachment on the rental unit. Customers care about response time – especially when they have trucks to unload today. Customers care about quality control, PM completion, and parts availability. Customer care about us “getting it”, and about us understanding their urgency. It’s not their job to care about US. It’s our job to care about THEM. They want our relationship with them to be efficient, timely, intuitive, and productive. They want us to anticipate their needs and make their material handling issues almost invisible. None of this can really happen if we are not dedicated to deconstructing silos. If we don’t take silos seriously, we end up with customer communications that sound like: I told the parts department that we needed to order it NDA. The service department was supposed to check the rental before it left. Sales were supposed to contact you about the warranty coverage on that repair. It’s not my fault. That’s not my job. We don’t want to think that we would ever allow a customer experience that includes these responses. The departmental blame game, however, is usually employed as a “last-ditch effort” by a customer-facing employee, attempting to explain the failure. Its roots are fed by the silos, but there are both policy and communication tools that can create an environment where the customer is shielded from ever being subject to our silo-based excuse-making. In my next column (Sept 2021), I will be recommending some operational and policy measures that put critical internal communications and processes in focus. I will also outline suggested customer contact protocols when delays emerge, and commitments cannot be kept. In the October issue, I will challenge dealers to rethink their systems of departmental incentives and rewards. We cannot expect to deconstruct silos if the motivation behind building them remains in place! We mix our message when we say that customer satisfaction is our number one priority, then base our entire reward system solely on profitability. Although we tend to universally use a system that rewards RESULTS (sales, profits, and expenses), it may be prudent to investigate a system that rewards BEHAVIORS. My experience
Regal enhances its Industrial Powertrain capabilities
End-to-end solutions optimize efficiency within bulk and unit material handling, metals, pulp and paper, mining, and other critical industrial applications Regal Beloit Corporation, a global provider in the engineering and manufacturing of high-efficiency electric motors and power transmission products, is continuing to enhance its industrial powertrain capabilities. Regal, with its leading power transmission and motors offering, and deep domain expertise in a range of industrial end markets, combined with enhanced component integration and optimization capabilities, is now even better positioned to maximize uptime and reduce energy consumption in customers’ powertrain applications, whether for new builds or existing installations. The Regal® electromechanical powertrain offering encompasses a broad range of Regal-produced components (e.g., motors, speed reducers, gearing, couplings, bearings, belt drives, and more) that can be integrated to create complete end-to-end solutions, customized to meet specific application requirements, and optimized to maximize energy efficiency and productivity. In addition to helping customers design, assemble, and commission their powertrains, Regal can monitor a solution’s ongoing performance through its cloud-based Perceptiv™ internet of things (IoT) platform. Data collected and analyzed via Perceptiv can support a wide range of diagnostic and prognostic activities, enabling customers to sustain high performance from their assets. “At Regal, we create a better tomorrow and endless potential for our customers by energy-efficiently converting power into motion,” said Louis Pinkham, Regal’s Chief Executive Officer. “We optimize our engineered mechanical power transmission components and motors to work better together, more efficiently and effectively. The ongoing asset monitoring we offer across the powertrain with Perceptiv intelligence helps to maximize uptime and prevent costly outages while simplifying the maintenance, repair, and operations experience for our customers.” Pinkham continued, “Earlier this year, Regal announced a transformational merger with Rexnord’s Process & Motion Control business, which is on track to close in the fourth quarter. The merger is expected to further enhance our capabilities across the industrial powertrain, especially in higher-torque applications, where Rexnord is strong while deepening our presence in attractive high-growth end markets such as renewable energy, aerospace, and e-commerce, and in a broader set of geographies.” Currently, Regal’s electromechanical powertrains are used within industries such as bulk and unit material handling, metals, pulp and paper, mining, and other critical industrial applications.
Eaton helps Commercial, Industrial and OEM Customers achieve new level of Safety, Reliability and Simplicity
New Eaton PowerXL™ DM1 micro variable frequency drives help customers increase space savings in multiple environments Offers proven performance efficiency with the most value in its class Easy-to-operate industry-exclusive onboard communications and Bluetooth capabilities integrated into every drive Power management company Eaton has announced the launch of the PowerXL™ DM1 micro variable frequency drive (VFD). Designed for commercial, industrial, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers, the Eaton engineered drive is designed to simplify design, integration and operation, improve safety and support reliable operations. Eaton’s new VFD offers the most value in its class through onboard Ethernet-based communications, IoT, webserver, Bluetooth, safe torque off, SIL2, and more. By providing industry-leading onboard communications, high short-circuit current rating, and compact design, Eaton’s PowerXL DM1 micro drives are engineered to help customers reduce system costs and meet the challenges of today’s more demanding commercial and industrial applications. The PowerXL DM1 is a Micro drive that incorporates a patented energy control algorithm, extensive onboard industrial communication protocols, and built-in webserver capabilities to help customers reduce the cost of using a VFD. The PowerXL DM1 offering includes DM1 and DM1 Pro that increase simplicity, safety, and reliability through onboard communication protocols and webserver, high short-circuit current ratings with resettable devices like breakers and manual motor protectors, and a robust design built on decades of VFD experience. PowerXL DM1 4 frame sizes (0.5 – 25hp) 230V, 480V, and 575V 3-phase models Status LEDs 1 onboard Modbus communication Bluetooth PowerXL DM1 Pro 4 frame sizes (0.5 – 25hp) 230V, 480V, and 575V 3-phase, as well as 110V and 230V 1-phase models Keypad with display Onboard STO SIL 2 5 onboard communications 4 communication cards Bluetooth The PowerXL DM1 drives are engineered for safety, including Bluetooth capabilities, eliminating the need for opening enclosure or panel doors to monitor the VFD, and TuV compliant Safe Torque Off (STO). The drives are tested to EN61800-9 efficiency standards and are also one of the first in the industry to achieve molded case breaker short circuit ratings within Underwriters Laboratories’ (UL) new standard 61800-5-1.
Servo motors provide the accuracy and smoothness of motion required for automated precision processes
STXI Motion, a global motion control, and servo solution company, introduces the PRHD2 high-performance permanent magnet synchronous servo motors from Servotronix Motion Control. The motors target automated precision processes such as robotic manufacturing, machine tooling, and electronics assembly. The PRHD2 combines excellent dynamics and torque accuracy with a compact design and high-power density. The electromechanical design of the PRHD2 servo motors features low speed and torque ripple, minimal temperature rise, high torque density, and high overload capacity to ensure the accuracy and smoothness of motion required for high-performance motion applications. The PRHD2 servo motors offer a rated output power range of 50 W to 7.5 kW, rated output torque of 0.16 to 48 Nm, the peak output torque of 0.56 to 120 Nm, and a maximum speed of up to 6000 rpm. The motor range includes six frame sizes, a winding option for 230 and 400 VAC models, medium and low inertia, IP65 protection class, a scratch-resistant housing, an optional holding brake, and an extended ambient air operating temperature from -10 to +40°C. Standard sensAR 20-bit single-turn or multiturn absolute magnetic encoders, or an optional absolute encoder enables high-speed operation and a dynamic response. Other encoder types, and additional winding, cable, and connectors, allow for customization to meet specific application needs. Additional features include high overload capacity, high torque-to-inertia ratio, low cogging with less than 2% of nominal torque, and low-noise and vibration-free operation. Bundles combine the servo motors with CDHD2 servo drives for advanced functionality, high power density, and fast and easy commissioning.
New Ultra-bright LED Miniature Wedge Base Bulbs offer perfect solution for Casino Gaming Machine status indication
Continuing to expand on a product category that it has been manufacturing for over 38 years, LEDtronics® introduces its latest LED Machine Status Indicator Bulbs that directly replace incandescents in critical instrument status indication applications. These bulbs are particularly ideal for slot machine candles, casino gaming, and maker lamps. The W305SM series of omnidirectional miniature-based bulbs illuminate colored lenses with a much brighter light intensity while remaining energy-efficient and tolerant of higher temperatures. Having an ultra-bright machine status light is a necessity in casino gaming applications for quick identification of the status of slot machine candles and other machines in a typically bright and high-traffic casino environment. This newest line of industry-leading LED bulbs features a T3¼ (9mm) wedge base with bipolar terminals. The compact design of these indicator bulbs makes them ideal for easy installation into tight spaces in enclosed fixtures. They can be directly installed, requiring no modifications to the socket or to the circuit that supplies power. Depending on the voltage and LED light color, power consumption ranges from only 0.6 to 1.8 watts, offering luminous intensity from 25 to 85 lumens and efficacy values of 36 to 54 lumens per watt. The series also has a maximum candela brightness value that ranges from 2399 mcd to 8661 mcd. They can be specified in virtually any combination of colors and operating voltages to fit the customer’s specific configuration and voltage requirements. Featuring a 320-degree, no-shadow beam pattern, these omnidirectional LED bulbs provide higher-intensity illumination, better visibility, and uniform lighting compared to incandescent and halogens. They have lumen maintenance of over 70% at 15,000 hours. Unlike incandescents, they generate minimal heat, produce virtually no UV radiation, and do not emit RF interference. The solid-state, rugged polycarbonate design of the LEDtronics W305SM series bulbs renders them resistant to electrical/mechanical shock and vibration, frequent switching and environmental extremes. They have a wide operating temperature range of ~-40°F to ~+212°F. They come in a choice of four white color temperatures in 24V AC/DC voltages: 1800K Soft White, 3000K Warm White, 4000K Natural White, 5000K Pure White; and 4000K Natural White in 14V and 28V AC/DC voltages. They replace 24V or 28V AC/DC glass miniature wedge bulbs and color incandescent bulbs when used under a color-tinted lens. The new W305SM series of LEDtronics Ultra Bright Miniature Wedge Based LED Bulbs comes with an unconditional 3-year U.S. factory warranty, and they are available through LEDtronics distributors. Other voltages, colors, and beam angles are available for qualified volume orders.
EP 189: An SOP for your SOP’s
On this episode, I was joined by Dave Baiocchi of Resonant Dealer Services. We focused the discussion on something I love, the SOP! This is the latest in our partnership with Material Handling Wholesaler for their July 2021 issue. Dave wrote the cover story entitled “Unifying your dealership data: ERP or SOP?” which discusses the different aspects of technology and how it can help you organize your data. Key Takeaways Dave has been focusing on the customer experience and how that has evolved over time. One thing that certainly increases as your business grows is the amount of data that you accumulate. Many people will bring in technology to help track this data and get it organized. However, the one big point that Dave makes is that employees need to know how to use this technology. That is where the SOP comes in or the standard operating procedure. Why do I love SOP’s so much? The SOP is such a great tool in any operation or company because it gives you guidelines on how to do a process the correct way every time. It creates repeatable results and avoids any deviation from the process which can cause issues. Additionally, they make the training process much easier and ensure that nothing is missed during the training of new hires. This is a big focus of Dave’s article on how things can get lost from employee turnover if there is no documentation. Having an SOP is great but can be a big undertaking to create. If you are well established and have no SOP’s in place then it may seem daunting to start. Dave advises that you have a dedicated person at the minimum to start. As far as what process to start with, Dave recommends focusing on the processes that have the biggest impact on your customer. With this mindset, you’ll be able to ensure your customer is getting the same experience every time. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 189: An SOP for your SOP’s
TVH named to Top 100 Privately Held Companies list
TVH in the Americas (TVH), a global provider of quality replacement parts and accessories for the material handling and industrial equipment industries, has been named to the Top 100 Privately Held Companies list for 2021 by Ingram’s Magazine. “We are proud to be ranked again as one of the Top 100 Privately Held Companies for 2021,” said Simon Witdouck, Senior Vice President of TVH Americas. “I would like to personally thank each of our employees for their hard work and commitment to each other and our customers. While the past year has been a challenge, this award is a testament to our ability to work together as one team. The success of the past year means we are growing our team and are actively hiring for positions from Logistics and Manufacturing to Sales. We plan to grow our Americas team by more than 100 awesome employees in 2021.” The Top 100 Privately Held Companies list is based on 2020 revenue and is made up of companies that are privately held and headquartered in the Kansas City area. TVH in the Americas established its presence in Olathe in 2005 and now has over 1,000 employees operating out of 16 locations throughout the US, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico.
Bison VFsync PMAC Motors deliver synchronized movement across multiple axes with energy and cost efficiency
The award-winning products designed to fill the gap between induction and servo motors Bison Gear & Engineering Corp., a provider in the power transmission industry, has announced the release of its compact and highly efficient VFsync line of Permanent Magnet AC Synchronous (PMAC) motors. The VFsync line is designed for use within a wide range of applications, including conveyor systems, greenhouse equipment, bottling equipment, bagging equipment, packaging machines, and industrial pumps and mixers. The new VFsync PMAC motor line are variable speed AC motors that run synchronously with an input AC frequency in applications that require synchronized movement across multiple axes. The motor rotors contain magnets that precisely follow the internal rotating magnetic field without the slip commonly seen in general induction motors. As a result, the VFsync PMAC motors are highly effective for applications that require velocity control, with a lower price point than servo counterparts. What’s more, most of the major motion control platforms offer electronic drives compatible with PMAC motors thus minimizing the engineering investment needed for a motor type changeover. The VFsync PMAC motor line fills a gap in the fractional horsepower and integral horsepower market between a simple induction motor and a more complex servo motor. Machine builders looking for energy-efficient motor solutions that draw less power but don’t necessarily require the level of feedback and sophistication found in a servo motor see significant cost and functionality benefits from the VFsync PMAC motors. VFsync was awarded a Bronze Medal in the LEAP Awards (Leadership in Engineering Achievement Program) mechanical category in 2020.
Thomson Industries celebrates 75 years of innovation and motion control
Thomson Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of linear motion control solutions, celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Activities and celebrations throughout the year will commemorate the company’s extraordinary 75-year journey and acknowledge the contributions of Thomson employees. What began as John B. Thomson Sr.’s wartime government project to reduce friction in the motion of airplane propellers ultimately led to 75 years of linear motion innovation and countless solutions provided across a wide range of industries. Given the expanding use of automation in the world economy and the company’s sustained focus on innovation, Thomson has grown exponentially in both size and technical capability over the years. It is now one of the most trusted motion control brands in the world. “Most, if not all, of the credit to the company’s success can be attributed to a long history of dedicated, persevering employees that work together toward a common goal of fulfilling the Thomson brand promise, which is helping design engineers find the optimal linear motion solution for their applications,” said Thomson President, Scott Benigni. “Thanks to their efforts, we’re in a good position to continue serving our global customers and distribution partners with the greatest breadth of the highest-quality motion components for many years to come. Our mission is to help our customers build better machines to improve their lives. I am extremely proud of the collaborative approach our team takes towards helping our customers innovate in their respective fields. From medical diagnostics and treatment and precision farming to aircraft safety and alternative energy, Thomson is partnering with our customers to find the right balance of cost, life, and performance in linear motion.” Since its incorporation 75 years ago, Thomson has made a series of acquisitions and mergers and has become a leader in linear motion globally. Throughout this journey, Thomson has evolved its culture by combining the best of what each company offered and has always maintained a drive for continuous improvement. In 2018, a merger with Altra Industrial Motion has positioned Thomson as a key business in the Automation & Specialty platform. As part of Altra, Thomson is now even more equipped to provide complete system solutions through its control, drive, motor, power transmission, and precision linear motion technologies.
TVH employees walk over 54k miles in global walking challenge
TVH in the Americas (TVH), a global provider of quality replacement parts and accessories for the material handling and industrial equipment industries, just concluded its first Global Walking Challenge. Starting April 19, 2021, and running through May 16, 2021, TVH employees were encouraged to be active. Whether they were walking, running, or doing a workout, all steps were captured on their personal activity trackers. The end results of the challenge were very impressive. Over 450 employees from 20 locations around the world took 117,301,201 steps during the challenge, going 54,665 miles. TVH has built a great reputation as an employer that cares about its employees. The Global Walking Challenge was just one of the initiatives from their Nudge program. This program encourages employees to make healthy choices while working on their mental and physical well-being. Lucy DelSarto, Health and Wellness Coach for TVH and director of the Nudge program for TVH in the Americas, was very excited about the response the challenge received worldwide. “When I first started with TVH, the Nudge program was five years old and doing 12-week walking challenges. I found that many people didn’t participate because of the length of time. So, for the past five years, I have restructured the challenge to be four weeks long, four times a year, and the response has been phenomenal,” she said. “With the growth, the initiative saw in the Americas, we decided to take the Nudge program and its walking challenge global. Over the last year, we have been coordinating with our headquarters in Belgium to establish different initiatives that would make sense for their location. It was thrilling to see so many employees participate in our first-ever Global Walking Challenge.” Individual and Company Goals The goal of TVH’s Global Walking Challenge was two-fold. The first was for each employee to achieve an average of 10,000 steps each day. The second was for the employees, as a group, to virtually walk from one TVH location to another, circling around the world. In total, the employees took 117,301,201 steps during the four-week challenge and walked no less than 54,665 miles. This distance is the equivalent to 962,104 football fields, over 2,084 marathon lengths, or a little over two times the world’s circumference. “As a company, we feel it is important to help our employees feel connected. With this global initiative, we managed to find a common goal that also benefited our health and was fun to do,” says Simon Witdouck, Senior Vice President of TVH Americas. Boost to the Company Morale Steps were tracked per country and individually. The Mexico team achieved the most steps per person per day with an average of 16,636 steps. While the most passionate hiker in the world, Dhanraj Wanve, on our India team, achieved a whopping 1,255,055 steps in total. However, the physical goals were not the only thing that incentivized employees to participate in the challenge. “The Global Walking Challenge was a great way for our employees to stay connected while being separated for safety reasons. Being apart for so long has been challenging on everyone, and our initiatives are a great way for them to reconnect,” said Coach Lucy. “The employees were able to challenge each other through the apps they used. Some even got creative and started using their exercise equipment while listening to podcasts or watching shows.” In addition, Coach Lucy worked to help everyone find a way to move that would work for them. Her motto is Daily Choices Matter, and by making the choice to move, everyone will live healthier and stronger lives.