KION North America launches new portal for distributors and dealers
The North American subsidiary of the KION Group, KION North America, has completely revamped its online portal for its dealer network. Against the backdrop of rapidly growing e-commerce, the creation of the new portal was equally important with the increased demands on warehouse management and material flow solutions. Central to this is KION North America’s online portal for its dealer network, based on the Intershop Commerce Platform. Dealers and intermediaries can place and refine their orders here according to their authority levels and contracts, check current stock availability, and track delivery status. The sophisticated ordering functionality also allows them to quickly reorder and easily upload order forms. Users can collaborate on uploaded order templates and complete the information or add products. The system also offers users the ability to distinguish between “stock orders” and “emergency orders” during the purchasing process. Emergency orders are then placed with prioritized shipping. The tight real-time integration of the Intershop commerce solution with KION North America’s SAP ERP and CRM system enables them to support their business partners in real-time at all stages of the buying journey. Dealers and intermediaries can also use the portal to view the current warranty status for the equipment they have purchased. If a dealer submits a warranty claim, it’s immediately displayed in KION North America’s Warranty Admin Portal, a second web-based application developed on Intershop technology and seamlessly connected to KION’s dealer portal. From there, sales and service staff can issue individual or collective approvals or reject a claim. In either case, the dealer’s website receives a direct notification of the status. Daniel Schlegel, Vice President of Customer Service at KION North America, comments on the result as being “intuitive, efficient and populated with product images – the new portal creates benefits for everyone involved. It enables us to serve our dealers the way they demand it.” Markus Klahn, CEO at Intershop, sums up the experience, “Our platinum partner, DSS Partners, completed this project in just five months. We leveraged the DSS Partners Intershop Accelerator Store (DIAS) and were, therefore, able to build two sophisticated portals in a short time. The recipe for success was – once again – a combination of the user-centric Intershop Commerce Platform, DSS’s experience with manufacturing and distribution customers, and our collective field-proven e-commerce best practices.”
All Integrated Solutions (AIS) receives Outstanding Quality Award from Motus Integrated Technologies for second consecutive year
All Integrated Solutions (AIS), a division of MSC Industrial Supply Co., announced that it has received an Outstanding Quality Award from Motus Integrated Technologies for a second consecutive year. The award recognizes AIS for shipping more than 10,000,000 pieces with zero defects in 2020 to Motus, a Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier of automotive interior products to the world’s automakers. “Although the global pandemic created many challenges for companies in 2020, the entire AIS team was focused and worked hard to ensure that our customers received best-in-class products and service throughout the year. Being recognized by a leading company like Motus for our efforts is very special and rewarding for our team,” stated AIS president Nick Ruetz.
TVH Americas keeps you covered with ClearCap™
TVH in the Americas (TVH), a leading provider of quality replacement parts and accessories for the material handling and industrial equipment industries, now offers ClearCap™ Forklift Covers. These covers feature a simplistic yet effective design to keep your operator comfortable and safe no matter what kind of environment they are working in. ClearCap™ Covers are manufactured with Ultra Tuff SG weather-able polycarbonate. The low-profile dome in the viewing area ensuring the operator’s field of view stays clear as day no matter what environment they operate in. It even features ribs and gutters to prevent water from pooling and blurring the operator’s vision and eliminates cascading water during maneuvers. ClearCap™ Covers are durable, reliable, and easy to use for any operator. For those working outdoors in hot and humid environments, TVH offers a light tint version of the ClearCap™ Cover to keep operators protected from long hours of exposure to bright sunlight. The tinted cover blocks 100% of UV light transmission. These features ensure operators are protected from both inclement weather and dangerous UV exposure, keeping them comfortable, safe, and productive. Installation is a breeze, as the forklift covers mount easily onto your machine with cam lock buckles and nylon straps. There is no drilling or tapping required, and installation takes only seconds. TVH is proud to offer over 20 different sizes of ClearCap™ Forklift Covers that fit a wide variety of different makes and models. These simple and affordable solutions are the perfect answer to your need for protection from inclement weather when operating your equipment outdoors.
Warning System uses Flashing LED to alert workers of approaching traffic
To help prevent accidents at aisle ends and other high-risk intersections, Rite-Hite has introduced the Safe-T-Vu™ Warning System, a rack-mounted device that uses a flashing red LED-illuminated chevron to alert workers when traffic is approaching from other directions. Part of any facility’s best safety practices, Safe-T-Vu uses unidirectional microwave sensors to detect approaching traffic. When an object is within sensing range, the red LED-illuminated chevron flashes in the direction of the traffic. This warning system has an adjustable detection zone and sensitivity, depending on the workspace. Up to 10 units can run from a single power source. “The ends of aisles and other tight corners that impair visibility in a facility can be dangerous, especially in areas where workers and materials handling equipment are present,” said Andy Olson, Rite-Hite marketing manager. “Safe-T-Vu provides an easy solution to help make those areas safer by providing a clear signal if workers should stop and wait or proceed past the aisle with confidence.” Safe-T-Vu has a durable, heavy-duty construction that can withstand harsh environments and impacts. Designed for indoor use up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, Safe-T-Vu uses magnetic mounting to allow for quick attachment to metal racking and includes additional mounting points for non-metallic surfaces. A strong tether is included with the unit in the event of an accidental impact. Safe-T-Vu also has an additional sensor that flashes yellow chevrons to indicate if the unit’s mounting location has been hit. When enabled with Rite-Hite’s IIoT platform Opti-Vu, Safe-T-Vu helps safety managers collect data on traffic flows. This step can help managers make data-driven decisions to improve traffic, offer training, and ultimately reduce the chances of an accident.
The Crosby Group acquires Speedbinders.com
Innovative load binders for safer and more efficient load securement The Crosby Group, a global provider in lifting, rigging, and load securement hardware, has announced that it has acquired Speedbinders.com (“Speedbinders”). US-based Speedbinders is a designer and manufacturer of pioneering load binders for heavy-duty load securement. The Speedbinders products not only provide faster tie-down and release times for drivers, but also safer load securement with reduced strain and injuries. Robert Desel, CEO of The Crosby Group, said: “We are thrilled to expand our best-in-class load securement portfolio with Speedbinders. The Torque Drive technology’s dual focus on enhancing worker safety and improving productivity for drivers is a winning combination for the industry.” Desel continued: “Speedbinders will provide additional opportunities for our valued channel partners, and together, we will bring this innovation to end-users worldwide.” Speedbinders’ solutions include Torque Drive load binders which use a portable power drill to secure loads, eliminating the need for repetitive, manual operations common with lever and ratchet binders. Steve Helline, Founder of Speedbinders added: “It has been an incredible journey to see this business from concept to significant adoption and now a partnership with a world leader in load securement. I can’t think of a better steward of my business going forward and I look forward to supporting the continued adoption of Speedbinders in the market.”
New Sinamics G115D distributed drive system specifically designed for conveyor applications
Comprised of the drive, motor, and gearbox, this new distributed drive system is available as a complete solution for motor-mounted and wall-mounted horizontal motion control conveyor applications With its new Sinamics G115D, Siemens is introducing a new, compact, and powerful drive system specifically designed for horizontal conveyor applications. The drive system comprises the motor, drive, and gearbox in one unit and is offered in two versions — wall-mounted and motor-mounted. The Sinamics G115D drive system is characterized by a robust design with a high IP protection class (up to IP66 / UL Type 4X) and is suitable for use in harsh environments. Thanks to its compact dimensions, the Sinamics G115D can be easily installed in confined areas. The drive system can also be operated reliably over a wide temperature range of -30 to 55 degrees Celsius (-22 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit), enabling operation in deep freezing applications. Sinamics G115D is suitable for applications in intra-logistics and airports, as well as in the automotive and food and beverage industries. Its power ranges from 0.37 to 7.5 kilowatts (1/2 to 10 hp) for wall-mount applications and 0.37 to 4 kilowatts (1/2 to 5 hp) for motor-mounted applications. The drive system can be put into operation quickly and easily with comprehensive integration into the Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) portal including Startdrive commissioning software or the Sinamics Smart Access Module (SAM) web-server for Wi-Fi setup and diagnostics. To be prepared for digital transformation and to enable cloud-based analysis, Sinamics G115D is integrated into the entire MindConnect portfolio and is compatible with MindSphere applications such as Analyze MyDrives. Thanks to Profisafe, the Sinamics G115D has Safety Integrated in the form of STO (Safe Torque Off) SIL2, which standardizes and facilitates the certification process. For flexibility in terms of installation, service, and maintenance, the solution is equipped with a plug-in connector and flexible connection possibilities. The device is particularly suitable for interaction with Simatic controllers such as the Simatic S7-1200 or Simatic ET200 for motion control. Siemens offers warranty extensions for Sinamics G115D through its Service Protect package. As part of this service package, an additional one or two-year warranty extension may be purchased for failure coverage. The package offers simplified processing under normal warranty conditions for an extended period.
The Service CX
Last month I started a series on the customer experience (the CX). To refresh your memory (or if you missed the last issue), the importance of the CX in recent years has grown significantly. Communication methods, advertising platforms, social media, and evolving customer demands put the CX front and center. I explained last month that controlling and actively managing the customer experience is driven by the needs of our marketplace. Customers want more from us than a simple equipment transaction. They want us to create an environment where material handling is seamless, efficient, and scalable. They want partners in the process, not simply equipment vendors. Ensuring customer satisfaction as a partner…. rather than a supplier, requires a broader focus and a more careful analysis of every customer encounter. Managing the CX begins by envisioning the optimum model for customer interaction. This model may look different in every department. Every employee must be educated as to what customer interactions should look, sound, and feel like. Customer Service (like everything else) needs to be defined. It also needs to be measured with verifiable metrics and performance standards that are understood and adhered to. As we touched on last month, the CX no longer only engages customers simply with products but seeks to forge emotional connections with them. This hierarchy of connection starts with providing data, then moves into actively resolving primary needs, then expands to continuously resolving ongoing issues. The manner in which we do this is designed to engender customer confidence on a long-term basis. It’s not simply an ideology or a theory. It’s a STRATEGY. This month I want to discuss CX functionality in the service department. Many dealers still do not understand the enormous impact that service department interactions have on long-term customer relationships. A service manager I worked with long ago was fond of saying: “The sales department is good at making the promises that the service department has to keep.” I can’t disagree with that. Service truly is where the rubber meets the road. Keeping those promises is predicated on executing your unique CX using the right tools, the right people, the right inventory, the right training, and the right attitude. There are a lot of moving pieces here. Let’s investigate 2 of the most important tools and processes that need to be working at peak efficiency in order to craft and maintain the CX that we want the service department to generate. Data tools Legacy business systems are cumbersome and limiting, but many dealers still depend on them to conduct business. I get it. As a dealer principal, it’s daunting enough to take on the expense of the system alone, not to mention the disruption to your business processes, financial reporting, templates, training, and “learn by error” realities that are baked into a change of this magnitude. Many legacy systems still in use today were designed primarily for accounting (A/R, A/P, inventory, payroll, and financial reporting). Modules were later developed or augmented to accommodate customer service and scheduling, but these were adjunct processes, not the primary aim of the systems. Newer systems (post-2010) are much better at integrating both CRM and real-time service functionality into a broad-based intuitive platform. The future (and our CX) may require us to double down on mobile devices that allow wireless (same day) billing, interactive van inventories, GPS-based travel time calculations, and the ever-expanding data dump created by telemetry devices. These devices will be standard equipment soon enough, and our digital platform has to be robust enough to manage this data. The agility with which your system can organize, categorize and report meaningful data is inextricably linked to your Service CX. Without data…at your fingertips, you will not be able to manage the CX the way you want to. Not only does your system have to have the capacity to manipulate the data, but your PEOPLE also have to know how to access it, and use it to meet the requirements of the CX. My July article will perform a deeper investigation into why our industry continues to have deficiencies in this area. Suffice it to say that the way we store, retrieve, use, and report data, needs further investment and planning. Equally important, (and insufficient) is the way in which we use that data to serve the customer. Read my July article next month for more on this. Dispatch effectiveness I’ve held an opinion for a long time, and at the risk of angering those who disagree, I want to share it. My opinion is that the field service dispatcher is the most important customer service employee at the dealership. In light of managing the service CX, dispatchers (as a whole) are the most under-rated, and under-appreciated customer service professionals in the industry. Why is this? One of the reasons is that a dealer many times is hiring one skill set when they need another. Look at some of the examples of job postings for dispatchers. The skills desired are a laundry list of administrative functions. Heavy phones 10 Key by touch Intermediate Microsoft Excel Keyboard at 50 WPM The issue here is that the dispatch position is lumped in with the general service administration team, but the ACTUAL skills needed to perform customer contact (in concert with your CX) are much different. The actual list should include: Critical thinking and problem-solving skills High emotional intelligence Multiple task handling Rudimentary mechanical knowledge Familiarity with local geography and traffic patterns High Assertiveness High Customer Empathy I always refer to the dispatcher as “the tip of the spear”, because they are. They will interface with many more customers than your best salesman will over the course of a year. The interaction most always starts with chaos. The customer rarely calls the dispatch desk with good news. They want somebody NOW, they want to be HEARD, and they want to know that we care about getting them what they need when they need it. The dispatcher must be skilled in both reassuring the customer,
Industrial Scientific introduces the Tango® TX2 for Two-Gas Detection with one small, reliable monitor
The new lightweight two-gas monitor offers more accurate alarms and minimizes maintenance with a two-year runtime Industrial Scientific, a global provider in gas detection and safety-as-a-service, has announced the Tango® TX2, a new two-gas monitor that increases site safety by allowing users to detect two gases with one small, reliable monitor. The Tango TX2 helps organizations reduce project shutdowns from false alarms, increase worker trust in gas monitors, and minimize time spent on monitor charging and maintenance. With individual sensors for each gas, the Tango TX2 is the most accurate two-gas monitor on the market. Expect fewer shutdowns due to false alarms, enabling you to maximize productivity across your site, improve data quality and build worker trust in their gas monitors. A replaceable battery with a two-year runtime eliminates the need to charge the monitor. With minimal maintenance, companies can easily assign each user a Tango TX2, giving workers an added sense of ownership over their safety. “Our new Tango TX2 gives customers an option for true two-gas monitoring with dedicated sensors in the size of a personal single-gas instrument. In working with customers, we found a gap in the ability to easily monitor a second gas without adding the size and cost of a four-gas monitor or adding the risk of false alarms typical in combination sensors,” says Tom Henson, vice president of product management and marketing at Industrial Scientific. “Tango TX2 allows companies to reduce risk while cutting the time and expense of device maintenance. Simple, reliable monitors increase worker safety, bringing us closer to our vision of ending death on the job by 2050.” The lightweight and wearable Tango TX2 are now available globally with sensors for carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. It is the only two-gas monitor that carries a Guaranteed for Life™ warranty, ensuring your team is always protected by a simple, reliable gas monitor.
Jefferds Corporation
Motion’s 2020 Supplier of the Year winner: NSK
Motion Industries, Inc., a distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts, and a premier provider of industrial technology solutions, named NSK “2020 Supplier of the Year.” The award recognizes companies that have shown exceptional commitment to Motion through quality products and services, as well as earning the highest score in the multi-faceted Supplier Stratification rating system. “2020 was a tough year in general, so for NSK to move to the top of the ranks is impressive,” said Joe Limbaugh, Motion Executive Vice President of Supply Chain, Operations Support, Marketing and Enterprise Excellence. “Our standards as measured through our Supply Chain process are rigorous, and improvement takes understanding, dedication, and overall hard work. NSK rose to the occasion and we are proud of their accomplishments. Suppliers who finished in our Top 50 are the “best of the best” in our industry.” “NSK is committed to delivering value to our customers above and beyond being experts in our own business by demonstrating expertise in our partners’ and customers’ business,” said Reid Jajko, Vice President Aftermarket Business Unit, NSK Americas. “Our success is not defined by the sale of a bearing; it is defined by our ability to positively impact our partners’ operations. I cannot imagine a greater affirmation of our commitment than to receive this acknowledgment from Motion.” Award recipients are determined based on Motion’s Supplier Stratification formula – a rating system that evaluates each supplier’s performance in a number of Supply Chain, Marketing, and Field Support categories.
EP 168: Wear KINETIC
On this episode, I was joined by the VP and Head of Product at KINETIC, Chris Kuruc. KINETIC is a wearable device that helps you with contact tracing when it comes to COVID and also helps improve the ergonomics of workers. We discuss the KINETIC device and technology as well as the origins of the idea. Key Takeaways KINETIC’s wearable device is specifically designed to be a personal ergonomics coach for anyone that is wearing it. It is similar to a pager that you would clip on to your belt or pants. The technology will recognize when your body moves in a way that is unsafe and potentially damaging to your back. Once the high-risk motion is detected vibration is given to the user after the motion is done. Through this, the user is trained to realize what types of movements are high risk and learn how to properly move without injuring themselves. The origin story of KINETIC is pretty remarkable as well. The founder’s mother worked as an elderly care nurse and through that work suffered multiple workplace injuries. Since he saw this first hand he wanted to pursue a solution that could help others reduce workplace injuries. It is certainly working as Chris shares some very impressive numbers that customers are seeing in terms of reduced recordable injury rates. I really find it fascinating how the idea came out and how it is now making such an impact on individuals. When the pandemic hit, KINETIC realized that they had some technology already built into their wearable device that could help with new safety standards. The device can provide social distancing reminders when it detects it is within close proximity to another device. This can give a great warning to employees when they may not be aware they are within the six-foot guidelines. Additionally, it has the ability to do contact tracing for when a user tests positive. This allows the company to be able to easily identify what devices were close to each other during a certain period of time. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 168: Wear KINETIC
APEM introduces new ergonomic handle option for the XD Series Joystick
A new multifunction handle is designed for right-hand operation APEM, Inc. announces the launch of its new RT handle, an ergonomic grip offering a wide combination of pushbutton and Hall effect thumbwheel combinations. Designed exclusively for APEM’s XD series joystick, the RT grip provides IP67 above panel sealing and is ideally suited for vehicle applications requiring a dedicated right-hand operation. Utilizing detailed “voice of the customer” studies, the RT handle was ergonomically designed for optimal right-hand operation. Featuring both front and rear-facing configuration plates, the handle allows users to easily reach all forward-facing functions with an easy sweep of the thumb. Rear mounting functions can be actuated by the user’s index trigger without strain. The front-facing plate may be specified with up to two HR series thumbwheels and six IX series pushbuttons. Utilizing Hall effect technology, the HR series provides linear outputs for over five million lifecycles. The IX series is a momentary pushbutton featuring a protective membrane to provide IP67 panel sealing for over 1M actuations. The Rear-facing plate may be configured with up to one momentary pushbutton in addition to APEM’s FNR series. The FNR series is a three-position rocker switch designed specifically for Forward-Neutral-Reverse “FNR” functions. Considering the maximum possible configuration, the new RT handle can provide up to four axes of proportional control and 10 momentary pushbutton functions. The XD series is a rugged Hand Grip joystick engineered for demanding vehicle applications. Featuring redundant Hall effect sensors to provide more than 10 million operations, it measures just 60mm below panel yet withstands horizontal loads up to 400lbf. The XD series may be specified with CAN bus J1939 or CANopen outputs and is considered Sil2 compatible. The result is a compact yet robust joystick ideally suited for off-highway vehicles and machinery.
A new way to store press brake tools with the Press Brake Tool Storage System
Rack Engineering Division announces their new Press Brake Tool Storage System for storing and organizing Press Brake Tools. Quickly recognize if something is missing before getting started at the Press Brake with the Press Brake Tool Storage System from Rack Engineering Division. In addition to organizing tools, the Press Brake Tool Storage System can also increase storage capacity up to 40%. These storage systems provide ergonomic access and are specially designed for heavy-duty applications with fully extendable Glide-Out shelves that can hold up to 4,000-pounds per shelf. Each unit offers customizable tool holders that are removable, adjustable, and made to hold any type of American and European tooling, including CAT, HSK, and assembly tooling. Each holder is UHMW lined for added protection. The system also offers optional safety features to prevent multiple shelves from being opened at once as well as preventing shelves from moving while in use. Contact Rack Engineering Division for this solution and other storage solutions.
Coval GVMAX HD, versatile vacuum for every branch of industry
Vacuum handling systems in the industry must respond to very diverse requirements, gripping parts of different weights or materials, integration on machines and robots, high-speed operation. COVAL’s GVMAX HD series of heavy-duty vacuum pumps combine robustness, power, modularity, and communication, allowing them to adapt to multiple applications. And thanks to IO-Link technology, they are fully plugged-in to the Industry of the Future. IO-Link and NFC ease communication The IO-Link communication interface of the Coval GVMAX HD vacuum pumps makes installation fast and economical, supports continuous diagnostics, centralized parameterization, and efficient communication with higher-level protocols (Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT…). In addition, thanks to the NFC technology integrated with the GVMAX HD vacuum pumps, all parameterization, and diagnostic functions are accessible and can be modified in the dedicated COVAL Vacuum Manager app on an Android or IOS mobile device. The NFC interface combined with the app makes it possible to copy parameters from one pump to another very easily and can store up to five different parameter configurations. Product ergonomics have been centered on the operator, with a Human Machine Interface (HMI) that makes the operating, diagnostic, and maintenance information easy to read and allows parameters to be set up rapidly. The 1.54” color LCD display is intuitive, with explicit messages in 5 languages. The pump status is highly visible thanks to a 3-color status light. Finally, with the GVMAX HD vacuum pumps, the user can benefit from technical assistance thanks to the data sent by the application to the COVAL experts. The new GVMAX HD vacuum pump is designed to permanently communicate with its environment, ready to play its part to the full in Industry 4.0. Performance, robustness, and energy savings Equipped with a single-stage venturi, the GVMAX HD vacuum pump delivers powerful suction rates and reduced emptying times for gripping, transferring or clamping parts of various sizes and weights. For example, max. vacuum: 85%, suction flow rate up to 230 Nl/ min and 0.4 s to empty a volume of 1 liter at 75% vacuum. Each component has been designed and tested in real-life situations to meet the toughest environmental conditions. As such, the pumps are IP65 and guaranteed for more than 50 million cycles. The performance of the vacuum pumps comes along with reduced energy consumption. The ASC (Air Saving Control) technology, which provides intelligent vacuum regulation by stopping air consumption when the set vacuum level is reached, offers up to 90% energy savings. Ease of use The GVMAX HD series is designed to allow quick and easy maintenance intervention while minimizing the impact on production. The patented Smart Swap system, a Coval innovation, allows pumps to be replaced while under pressure and without needing tools. In addition, the modular design of the GVMAX HD makes it possible to make targeted interventions on each pump element, simultaneously lowering costs and intervention time. To adapt to the installation setup and available space, it is possible to install each pump as a stand-alone assembly or as an island assembly of up to 4 pumps with an internal pressure common. What makes the difference • Robustness: designed to operate in harsh environments. • Performance: combines power and efficiency for gripping, transferring, and clamping. • Communication: integrates perfectly into the process of intelligent factories. • Modularity: allows targeted maintenance interventions on each of its subsets.
TVH reshuffles ownership and looks for minority partner for parts division
In October 2020, Belgian newspaper DE TIJD reported that two families behind the TVH Lift Truck Group will split up the family business. The Vanhalst family will own 100 percent of the Mateco machinery business compared to 50% so far. 60 percent of the TVH Parts division ends up with the Thermote family. The remaining shares of 40% will be open to an external partner. The article also said that their sources stated that the first phase of this ownership reshuffle is over saying that Pascal Vanhalst now owns Mateco and sold five percent in TVH Parts to the two Thermote sisters (Ann and Els). They now own 60 percent of the shares. With that said, they are searching for an external partner for the remaining 40 percent. Last week, the newspaper reported that one thing is clear, they are not interested in a private equity firm that only steps in for a few years. Their interest would be in international asset managers, pension funds, or large families that would be eligible for the remaining 40% of the shares available. Based on an unconfirmed estimate, this could be an investment deal worth nine zeros. The TVH Equipment nv, the Belgian branch of Mateco, where it all started 50 years ago, remains in the hands of both families through a joint venture.
TVH offers new Eco-Friendly Forklift Stabilization Kit
TVH in the Americas (TVH), a global provider of quality replacement parts and accessories for the material handling and industrial equipment industries, knows that when performing maintenance and repairs on equipment, it is important to have safe and reliable tools. While supporting equipment with wood cribbing or blocks has been the way of the past, wood breaks down over time and can fail under the weight of heavy machinery. The Forklift Stabilization Kit, now available at TVH, utilizes a variety of engineered plastic block options that can handle light to heavy load capacities and specific working load limits. This kit is manufactured in the U.S.A from recycled postindustrial PVC, LDPE, and HDPE plastics. For ease of transport, this kit comes with a carrying bag which includes: Two lock blocks Two bessey clamps Two pyramid surfaced blocks Two double wheel chocks Two 4” x 4” x 48” mast blocks Two 4” x 4” x 22” mast blocks The Forklift Stabilization Kit is a clean, safe, ergonomic alternative to wood for equipment stabilization that is also washable and splitter-free. TVH knows how important it is to keep employees safe while they are working on equipment, so check out the new Forklift Stabilization Kit today.
Motion Industries announces two promotions to EVP
Motion Industries, Inc., a distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts, and a premier provider of industrial technology solutions, is pleased to announce the promotion of James Howe to Executive Vice President – eCommerce, Sales Excellence, Strategic Pricing and Corporate Accounts, and of Joe Limbaugh to Executive Vice President – Supply Chain, Operations Support, Marketing and Enterprise Excellence, effective April 1, 2021. James Howe most recently served as SVP – eCommerce, Sales Excellence, and Strategic Pricing throughout 2020, and as of January 1, 2021, took on the additional responsibilities of our Corporate Accounts group. He has been with Motion since 2002 and has held numerous field roles – including Group Executive for the West Group. In the last couple of years, Mr. Howe has led the strategy and development of all aspects of Motion’s digital strategy, including the new Motion.com website released last year. He has also transformed Motion’s pricing strategy, delivering immediate and consistent impact across all aspects of the Company’s business. As EVP, Mr. Howe will continue to lead in his respective areas, while also assisting in other strategic areas of the business and customer development. Joe Limbaugh began his career with Motion in 1983 in Bourbonnais, Illinois. During his time with Motion, Mr. Limbaugh has held numerous field and corporate positions, giving him a unique perspective on Motion and its customers. He most recently served as SVP, responsible for Motion’s procurement and inventory, distribution center operations, and productivity, branch support, facilities and lease management, and marketing strategy. In 2018, Mr. Limbaugh led the renovation of Motion’s corporate campus, finishing the project on time and under budget in late 2019. In 2020, under his leadership and guidance, Motion installed the first “goods-to-person” automated retrieval systems in the Birmingham distribution center, resulting in a 540% productivity improvement. As EVP, Mr. Limbaugh will continue to lead strategic initiatives throughout the company to improve customer service levels and increase Motion’s productivity in an effort to create additional stakeholder value. “With their expertise and substantial achievements, James and Joe are both proven, integral leaders and the key to Motion’s success,” said Motion President Randy Breaux. “Both promotions are well-deserved, and we look forward to seeing continued Company success under their guidance.”
Lift Truck Telemetry impact camera by Yale wins Product of the Year
The Yale Vision impact camera, a lift truck telemetry accessory that captures clear video footage of the events before and after an impact, has been voted a Product of the Year by the readers of Material Handling Product News and MaterialHandling247.com. The impact camera provides warehouse managers with greater visibility to help improve safety, increase efficiency and reduce costs. “For warehouses to keep up with growing demand and protect slim margins, they need workers performing at their best, day in and day out,” says Brad Long, Brand Manager, Yale Materials Handling Corporation. “The impact camera can help increase operator accountability and adherence to best practices, while also helping identify operators in need of additional training and locations prone to impacts.” The impact camera is an optional offering available through Yale Vision, a wireless asset management system that provides insights based on real-time and historical data to optimize lift truck fleets. The impact camera syncs with the impact detection system so when a critical impact occurs, video footage of three minutes before and after is automatically saved. The dual cameras provide large panoramic views in both the front and rear, conveniently powering on and off automatically with the lift truck. Full HD video during playback captures fast-moving content, even in harsh and low light environments, to help validate impacts and identify product damage and inventory shrinkage issues. The readers of Material Handling Product News and MaterialHandling247.com awarded the impact camera the top spot in the automatic data capture category. For the full list of winners, click here.
Eye Protection workers won’t want to take off
Brass Knuckle® Spectrum™ has comfort, anti-fog for all-day wear We know that fogging lenses and an overall lack of comfort are the two main reasons that workers remove their eye protection. Brass Knuckle® Spectrum™ (BKFLEX-4040N) helps solve it by bringing together flexible comfort and peak anti-fog protection for safety eyewear they’ll never want to take off. In fact, lens fogging is the No. 1 challenge facing wearers of eye protection. It makes workers want to remove their safety glasses to wipe away the fog. That’s a hazard waiting to become an accident. Workers who aren’t wearing eye protection are out of compliance — and, in those vulnerable seconds or minutes that their eyes are exposed to potential impact or splash hazard, eye injuries can occur. Spectrum helps prevent this issue with BK-Anti-Fog™ anti-fog lens protection. It permanently bonds to the lens and will not wear off or wash off. Its anti-fog protection exceeds European EN 166/168, and in fact, lasts 15 times longer. (Unfortunately, there is no anti-fog standard in the U.S. for protective eyewear. The only anti-fog standard for safety glasses is the tough European EN 166/168.) For comfort, Spectrum features bowed, super-flex rubber temples that ratchet for a custom fit. They touch the wearer only behind the ears, eliminating all pressure points. These ratcheting flexible temples offer a true face-hugging design that inspires compliance. Capping it off, the second-generation PivotEase™ nosepiece slides up and down and pivots on a hinge for added secure fit. Spectrum brings all this to bear while also retaining its anti-scratch, anti-static, and UV protection properties. This collection also pops with color, inspiring the Spectrum name itself. Each lens color in the family sports a unique, corresponding temple color. A clear lens allows maximum light transmission without changing or distorting vision or colors. The smoke lens provides an all-over tint for normal outdoor conditions. Amber lens sharpens contrast and provides greater clarity in low-light conditions. Amber filters out blue light from computer screens and other electronic devices. There are also two mirror lens finishes available. Indoor/outdoor clear mirror lenses provide an all-around tint for protection from the glare of bright artificial lighting and sunlight, ideal for workers who change environments throughout the day. Blue mirror is a trendy and cool sunglasses style that reduces glare. (Note that the two mirror options do not include BK-Anti-Fog technology.)
TVH is awarded the Healthy KC Platinum Certificate
TVH in the Americas (TVH), a global provider of quality replacement parts and accessories for the material handling and industrial equipment industries, has recently been named one of Healthy KC’s Workplace Wellness Platinum Certified Companies by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. In the face of the pandemic, TVH has strived to keep its culture of employee wellbeing through the TVH Nudge classes and challenges put on by Health and Wellness Coach Lucy DelSarto. The TVH Nudge Program is designed to aid and encourage employees to lead healthy and productive lives. Employees can take part in wellness challenges and attend classes covering a variety of topics such as stress management, nutrition, fitness, and more. This is the fourth year in a row that TVH has been awarded the Platinum Level. The goal of Healthy KC is to establish a culture of wellbeing in the Greater Kansas City area. The KC Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of KC, rates local businesses on their health and wellness culture based on the program’s five pillars. Healthy KC’s pillars are healthy eating, active living, tobacco cessation, work-life integration, and a design-built environment. Coach Lucy attributes TVH’s success with maintaining the Platinum Level to the employees. “The commitment to the Nudge classes and challenges by our employees is above and beyond what most companies see,” says Coach Lucy. “I have witnessed many coworkers choosing to improve their health and wellness during the pandemic, with great and inspiring success.” Coach Lucy knows that inspiration, encouragement, and leadership come in many forms. This is why she brings in speakers and activities that cover a wide range of topics. She stands behind the Nudge slogan, DCM = Daily Choices Matter, by helping employees at TVH find the resources they need to live their best possible life.