TVH receives 7th consecutive MHEDA MVS award
TVH Americas, a global provider of quality replacement parts and accessories for the material handling and industrial equipment industries, has earned the prestigious Most Valuable Supplier (MVS) Award for achievements in 2021. The MVS Award is granted by the industry’s trade association, Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) to less than 10% of all member companies. This is the 7th consecutive year that TVH has earned the MVS Award. This industry award recognizes companies who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to their dealer network, their employees, and their community. To qualify for the MVS Award, TVH was required to meet a series of criteria in a number of areas important to the distributor companies who do business with them. In addition to confirming an ongoing commitment to safety and employee training, award recipients must provide documentation of active participation in a program that “gives back.” MVS Award winners have demonstrated an overall commitment to business excellence by documenting programs in the following areas: Industry Advocacy Distributor Advocacy Business Networking Continuing Education Business Best Practices “TVH is honored to be recognized as a Most Valuable Supplier for the 7th year in a row,” said Simon Witdouck, Vice President of TVH. “MHEDA provides opportunities to develop partnerships, learn innovative business practices, and improve relationships across the industry. The partnership with MHEDA is crucial to our success, and I am incredibly grateful for their continued support and recognition.” “Achieving the MVP Award demonstrates TVH’s dedication to constantly improving the material handling industry. It is an honor and privilege for MHEDA to have so many companies achieve this award that requires continual improvement in customer and employee satisfaction and never-ending education of our industry throughout your organization,” said Tom Albero, Chairman, and CEO of Alliance Material Handling, Inc. and 2022 MHEDA Chairman.
Motion promotes Tart to VP-Southeast Group
Motion Industries, Inc., a distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts, and a premier provider of industrial technology solutions has announced the promotion of Jon Tart to Vice President of the Company’s Southeast Group, effective March 1, 2022. Mr. Tart was promoted from his position of Baltimore Division Vice President. Starting with Motion in 1996 as a Customer Service Representative, he transitioned to the Corporate Training program in 1997, then moved to a sales territory in 1998. Since then, Mr. Tart has served as Branch Manager of two branches, Division Sales Manager, Area Vice President of Corporate Accounts for the Northeast and the Southeast, and Baltimore Division Manager. Mr. Tart will report to Kevin Storer, Executive Vice President, Branch Operations. “Jon’s impressive background and his ability to leverage his vast experience and competitive nature will ensure success in the years ahead,” said Mr. Storer. “I look forward to seeing him successfully lead the Southeast Group to new heights.” A graduate of East Carolina University, Mr. Tart holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and an MBA.
ZAPI GROUP launches Inaugural Conference, The Future of Electrification 2022
The event will highlight global electrification efforts and showcase keynote speakers in the industrial electrification space ZAPI GROUP, a global provider in electrification, is announcing the launch of “The Future of Electrification” conference. The event is the company’s first educational virtual event and will take place on April 5 – 7, 2022. The Future of Electrification will bring together design and R&D engineers, product managers, academics, and executives to learn and discuss market trends, emerging technologies, best practices, practical challenges, and opportunities for industrial electrification. The event aims to facilitate connections, increase collaboration, and propel the worldwide electrification effort through technical and forward-looking discussions, presentations, and networking events. “ZAPI GROUP is a pioneer in the design and manufacture of electrification components and is advancing global movement towards electrifying industrial applications to help customers meet evolving requirements,” said Claes Avasjo, Executive Director, ZAPI GROUP. “We are excited about the inaugural Future of Electrification 2022 – an event for our customers, partners, and electrification innovators to come together to imagine and create applications that facilitate the transition to an all-electric future.” The following conference keynote speakers, representing leaders and innovators in this field, have been confirmed – with more to follow: Saul Griffith, Engineer, inventor, entrepreneur, MacArthur “genius grant” recipient and author of “Electrify – An Optimist’s Playbook for our Clean Energy Future.” Jonathan Dawley, President & CEO of KION North America Corporation Tom Nguyen, VP Business Development, Inventus Power Matt Zaremba, Director, Product Strategy, TSV (EZGO) Dr. Nicola Tomatis, CEO of BlueBotics The curated event will offer a combination of pre-recorded and live presentations, Q&A sessions, panel discussions, and virtual networking activities. All presentations will also be available to registrants after the event. There is no cost to attend this inaugural event, but registration is required through the Accelevents virtual events platform. To register for the Future of Electrification 2022, visit: www.futureofelectrification.org
LEDtronics new Bolt-on LED Panel Indicators are a bright choice for Industrial Control Panels
Continuing to expand its offerings of LED indicators for industrial control panels, LEDtronics introduces new additions to its family of bolt-on panel indicators. It features various voltage and color options. The new BS858C Series of direct incandescent-replacement LED lights are sunlight visible and boast a wide viewing angle, making them an excellent choice for control panels in such applications as power plants, automation equipment, product floors, construction equipment, machinery, and medical equipment. They are also ideal for pilot lights, signal lights, and any similar control panels with a thickness no greater than 0.335 inch (8.51mm) with a recommended mounting hole of 0.899in (22mm). The LED lamps have bipolar terminals that make them easily installed into 7/8″ (22mm) diameter mounting holes with side-insert lead wires and Phillips screws. They come in a choice of colors and voltages: 240VAC Super Red and 120VAC Natural White, and a lineup of 28VAC/DC lights in Super Red, Super Orange, Aqua Green, and Natural White. They all feature a flat, polycarbonate tinted lens with a separate white internal diffuser in a black PA66 nylon housing. Offering energy savings, negligible heat generation and a wide operating temperature range of ~-13 to ~+176 degrees Fahrenheit (-25°C to +80°C), the BS858C Series lamps use only 1 watt or much less and a wide beam angle of around 105°~115°. The 28-volt lamps provide a luminous output ranging from 7.30 to 12.53 lumens, 0.04 to 3.23 candelas at a rated current ranging from 0.011A to 0.021mA, and input power of 0.3 to 0.6 watts. BS858CWF-120VAC offers 10.84 lm, 4.67 cd at 0.011A, using 1.1 watts, while BS858CRF-240VAC offers 2.21 lm, 1.02 cd at 0.007A, using 1 watt. With over 70% lumen maintenance of colored LEDs and an average life span of 100,000-plus hours (11 years)—more than 30 times longer than the equivalent incandescent lamp—the BS858C Series LED lamps to operate reliably year after year. Savings from reduced maintenance costs and downtime quickly return the capital investment expenditure! Additionally, unlike their incandescent counterparts, LED lamps to generate only minimal heat and emit neither UV/IR rays nor RF interference. The latest series of LEDtronics Bolt-on Panel Indicators is available through LEDtronics distributors, and quantity discounts are available. Other voltages and color options are available for large quantities and qualified applications.
Inflation – OMG!
In December of 1980, I left college and got my first full-time job. We had just elected Ronald Reagan in a landslide election, but Jimmy Carter was still the President. The hostages in Iran had been held captive for over 400 days. The unemployment rate was eight percent. Our economy was facing runaway inflation. Nobody knew quite what to do, or what to expect next. In 1976, the inflation rate was 4.6%. Four years later it had skyrocketed to 12.5%. The Federal Reserve uses interest rates as their primary tool to stem the tide of dollars flowing into the marketplace and bring inflation back under control. In the six-month period from June to December of 1980, the federal funds rate was raised six consecutive times, starting at 8.5% and topping out at 20%. The prime rate in December was an astronomical 21.5%. It was a portentous moment to start a career. The standing joke of the day was: “I dozed off for a moment…. did the prime rate go up while I was asleep?” We only laughed to keep ourselves from crying. Only people born before 1960 were affected by (or even remember) this near-catastrophic economic upheaval. Ronald Reagan re-ignited the economy using tax cuts, deregulation, and incentives. Life went on…prosperity returned. That was 40 years ago. 40 years is a long time. How quickly we forget the tenuous economic legs on which we stand. For the rest of the ’80s and most of the 1990s, we were able to enjoy a robust economy, while maintaining control over the money supply. Rates were moderated with the FOMC occasionally adjusting federal funds rates which averaged between 3.0 – 5.0% through the mid-2000s. Then in 2008, an unprecedented banking crisis nearly took the country into a deep depression. Credit tightened, as banks had to adjust to new regulatory parameters. The Federal Reserve, in an effort to soften the severity of the economic impact, started printing money (using the bond market and a new euphemism called “quantitative easing”). They also lowered the fed funds rate to spur borrowing of those printed dollars, in an effort to get the economy moving again. All of this phantom liquidity caused some concern. Rewind to 1980. Too many dollars, chasing too few goods equals inflation. Surprisingly…inflation did not materialize. So, the Fed lowered rates again…and again…and again. From a high of 5.25% in June of 2006 to a low of 0.25% in December of 2008. For the next 13 years (with a few notable exceptions), the government has kept printing money and making it available to banks at nearly zero net cost. This left many (myself included) scratching their heads about the mathematics connected to economic inflation. The banks, the investment firms, the government bailouts, the low-cost loans, and even a worldwide pandemic could not seem to stir the inflationary beast. Funny thing about inflation; by the time you figure out it’s started… it’s already out of control. Well, it seems the wildfire has been started…on a very windy day. The supply chain crisis has finally kicked us over the edge of the inflationary cliff. All of the printed dollars circulating in the economy have fewer and fewer places to go. Cars, machinery, real estate, clothing, food staples, gasoline, building materials, and nearly every other consumer and commercial category are facing rising prices as demand increases, and supply shrinks. In January of 2021, the CPI inflation index was at 1.4%. It DOUBLED two months later (Mar 21 -2.6%). Then it doubled AGAIN on May 21 (5.0%). At this writing, the numbers for November were just published at a staggering rate of 7%. Ships are still waiting to unload at the ports, shortages are becoming commonplace, and makers of microchips are still reporting lead times that extend well into 2023. Yes…. we need microchips to build forklift trucks. Inflation is not “on the horizon”. It’s not “transitory”. It’s here…it’s real and as dealers, we are directly affected by it. For the past 40 years, we have not really had to deal with spiking prices. Our SOP’s, our pricing policies, our workforce, and our customer service processes will all need to be reviewed. Our success in 2022 and beyond will in great measure, be predicated on the decisions we make NOW regarding inflationary pressure. In this article, I want to suggest a few key areas where we need to prepare the management team ahead of this expanding price wave. Doing so will ensure that we maintain adequate profitability as well as long-term customer retention. New Equipment Sales My wife and I just purchased a new vehicle a couple of months ago. Have you been to a car lot lately? What did you see? New cars? No, you didn’t. You saw USED cars. That’s because every dealership in the country is waiting on their inventory from the factory…. just like we are. Of the model we were interested in… they had a total of two in inventory. We were quoted a full sticker price PLUS $4,000 if we wanted to drive it off the lot. No deals. No discounts. They knew exactly how many new cars they were apportioned, and exactly what they had to sell them for in order to remain in business. They didn’t really care if we bought it or not, because someone would….and quickly. We wanted it, so we paid for it. We also knew that to find another one, we would have to drive over 100 miles, and pay the same price. So, our options were limited because the INVENTORY was limited. Can you sell your new lift truck inventory on the yard for the list price? Perhaps not…. But you need to understand the power that scarcity gives us. As a sales manager, I can’t ignore the fact that we may be out of stock by the time the trees are in bloom. Every dealer has a minimum profit percentage for a new forklift deal. Raise the floor on that expectation NOW. Announce
JW Winco’s new Standard Parts Handbook is released
JW Winco’s new handbook will support designers and engineers with the largest selection of standard parts. Our handbook has the most comprehensive number of standard parts with over 75,000 items on 2,184 pages. This printed Handbook is a powerful reference tool and a source of inspiration for mechanical engineers, designers, drafters, and innovators for machine and equipment builders. More than 75,000 standard parts can be found in this handbook. You will find our popular sellers as well as brand new products – including toggle clamps, shaft collars, concealed multiple-joint hinges, and hygienically designed components, including ones made of metal detectable plastics or antibacterial materials. Our products are presented in a uniformly designed standard sheet, including notes on installation and application. All standard parts are specified in precise detail in all their variations, materials, and technical dimensions. The handbook provides a clear overview and facilitates the search for suitable solutions. Our standard parts are categorized into three main groups – operating, clamping, and machine parts – followed by detail-oriented sorting into product subgroups based on function. All 75,000 standard parts have unique order code combinations that you can build by referencing our tables. Parts can be ordered and researched with either our handbook or by visiting JW Winco’s website. JW Winco also provides up-to-date 2D and 3D CAD models online for each standard part, which can then be incorporated directly into the design process. The Standard Parts Handbook from Winco can be ordered free of charge via email sales@jwwinco.com or via the link https://bit.ly/3LAbmXE Be prepared! The new Standard Parts Handbook is an enormous showcase of our products. See it live on your desk here: https://ar-handbook.jwwinco.com/
Creform kitting cart is an efficient way to organize and transport parts
Creform Corporation, a manufacturer of unique products for material handling has designed and produced a kitting cart that is used in the assembly department of an aerospace assembly manufacturer. The cart provides an efficient way to organize, kit, and load transport in-process materials from the logistics area to the assembly floor. Helps the manufacturer kit parts in the warehouse supermarket area and provides them to floor associates for efficient installation. The Creform cart is designed with three levels. Each shelf features a solid plastic surface and was factored into the cart’s design. The surface is lightweight, but the strong plastic corrugate provides enough capacity and is strong enough for the light aerospace parts and further helps keep the overall weight of the cart down for easy movement. The top two levels of the cart feature a Creform pipe lip around the perimeter to ensure that product stays on the shelves during transit. Aerospace parts are fragile and expensive. Loss or damage must be prevented as in many cases these parts are hard to replace. The cart features four, 5 in. diameter casters with urethane wheels for easy positioning, stability, and safe movement. Two of the casters are fixed for directional control while two others feature brakes that can be engaged for secure positioning. Wheels lend themselves to easily moving the structure for transport, housekeeping, and/or repositioning. Cart is also ideal for transport to point of use and temporary storage of all the parts needed for a job. The cart has overall dimensions of 27″ W x 34″ L x 52″ T and is designed to hold up to 375 pounds. As with all Creform carts, higher capacity and custom cart sizes and configurations are possible with the Creform system of 28 mm, 32 mm, and 42 mm plastic coated steel pipes and metal joints. They can be configured for ESD (anti-static) applications Although the cart pictured is shown in high-visibility red, a wide variety of pipe color options are available, and upgrade hitches are available for AGV delivery. Accessories include hooks, label holders for shelf levels or even shelf positions, writing surfaces with clipboards to name a few. Creform carts are available as a kit, assembled structure, or in component form for a complete DIY solution The Creform System is used to create an array of material handling and efficiency-enhancing devices and is a proven component in continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing programs. The company partners with customers in developing and implementing these programs.
Shaft Collars and Couplings for food processing and conveyors
A full line of shaft collars, rigid shaft couplings, and mounts that are corrosion-resistant for applications requiring frequent wash-down has been introduced by Stafford Manufacturing Corp. of Wilmington, Massachusetts. Stafford Stainless Steel and Food-Grade Plastic parts include USDA- and FDA-approved 303 or 316 stainless steel, Nylon, or Delrin® shaft collars, rigid couplings, and mounts with 18-8 or 316 SS fasteners. Featuring round, square, hex, keyed, and threaded bores, they are all corrosion-resistant and designed for use in food processing equipment and conveyor systems. Available with special bore and O.D. treatments, mounting holes, slots, and other custom modifications, Stafford Stainless Steel parts come in bore sizes from 1/4” to 10” I.D. and the Nylon and Delrin® collars and mounts come in 1” to 4” I.D. sizes. Standard aluminum and steel parts and custom parts made from high temp. alloys are also offered. Stafford Stainless Steel, Nylon, and Delrin® Shaft Collars, Couplings & Flange Mounts are priced according to material, size, and quantity.
Rice Lake introduces Dimensioning Solution for long freight
Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ powerful line of dimensioning solutions now includes the iDimension® LTL XL, designed specifically for freight with oversized lengths (long freight). iDimension LTL XL systems capture measurements of pallets and crates in less than 2 seconds. With eight sensors, the iDimension LTL XL records Legal for Trade measurements on freight up to 12 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8 feet tall. With a solid-state design and no moving parts, these systems have minimal maintenance and are easily integrated into LTL freight handling environments. TCP/IP cameras can also capture high-resolution images of freight to enable identification, condition assessment, and tracking. Using iDimension SS for software integration, the iDimension LTL XL easily transfers shipment data to existing ERP, MRP, TMS, and WMS systems. A TCP/IP label printer can be added to print freight data, including weight, dimensions, identification number, and configurable user fields. iDimension LTL XL systems increase efficiency by reducing the extra time and risk of error with manual measurements.
Sustainable Bio-Blast™ quickly frees frozen parts with no VOCs
Renewable Lubricants new Bio-Blast™ Penetrant is a high-performance, fast-acting, biodegradable penetrant that eradicates rust and dirt to quickly free corroded nuts, bolts, and other frozen components quickly. A patented blend of additives and bio-solvents provides a fast-penetrating catalyst that is non-staining to ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Fast capillary wetting action reduces surface tension, freeing up frozen parts quickly. Unlike petroleum solvents, there is no direct loss of the penetrant into the water, soil, or work environment, so Bio-Blast™ is inherently safer for the environment. This patented non-flammable, non-combustible formulation is safer for the workplace as well. Renewable, non-toxic, OSHA and ISO-1400 compliant Bio-Blast™ contains no hazardous VOCs, making it ideal for use on nuts/bolts, air tools, rusty chains, jacks, locks dies, linkage cables, wire ropes, hinges, firearms, fishing reels, and more. Bio-Blast™ meets the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) guidelines for Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) and is ideal where low toxicity, biodegradability, and non-bioaccumulation properties are required. Penetrates in close tolerances and prevents corrosion Available in 11-ounce aerosol cans, 12-ounce spray bottles, 1-gallon jugs, 5-gallon pails, 55-gallon drums, and case lots from the Hartville, Ohio factory. Renewable Lubricants, Inc. began as a research and development company in 1991, developing high-performance products that would directly replace petroleum-based products. Starting from a single corn-based engine oil developed in the inventor’s garage, the company now offers more than 250 products and has over 100 worldwide patents. They manufacture their products as environmentally friendly as possible without sacrificing performance.
Mactac® Completes acquisition of Spinnaker Coating, LLC
Mactac®, a LINTEC Company, announces it has completed the acquisition of Spinnaker Coating, LLC, representing $130 million of specialty revenue at a price of $40 million. The asset purchase consists of Spinnaker’s manufacturing facility and headquarters based in Troy, Ohio, and North American distribution centers located in Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; and, Vails Gate, New York. Spinnaker will operate as a standalone subsidiary of Mactac. As part of LINTEC, Mactac is one of the largest, most diversified global pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) suppliers. Mactac’s acquisition of Spinnaker, which specializes in the customized production and distribution of pressure-sensitive roll label and sheet base materials in North America, creates a one-of-a-kind, world-class specialty labeling company. With Spinnaker, LINTEC, and Duramark Products (formally Ritrama USA and acquired by Mactac earlier in 2021) serving the industry together, Mactac delivers customers unmatched technology, capability, service, and value. These combined pressure-sensitive adhesive technologies provide the North American market with the necessary support and capacity. “Mactac built upon our solid foundation adding enhanced service, capabilities, and breadth of product offering,” said Ed LaForge, Mactac president and CEO. “Our combined product offering now encompasses all adhesive technologies, including hot-melt, solvent, silicone, and emulsion. We offer a wide range of high-quality PSA materials for any application need, such as film, cast vinyl, and specialty solutions. And, with Spinnaker’s unique business model, we will expand Mactac and Spinnaker specialty labelstock offerings to create a model unlike any other.” The purchase of Spinnaker delivers Mactac customers an abundance of new opportunities in specialty labeling. Spinnaker customers benefit from Mactac’s advanced technologies, innovative solutions, modern production capabilities, and depth of technical expertise. “Joining together gives Spinnaker access to Mactac’s state-of-the-art engineering and technology and offers our customers new and expanded product offerings and adhesive capabilities,” says Lou Guzzetti, Spinnaker’s Chairman of the Board. “And, like Spinnaker, Mactac is an employee-centric organization with a service-first culture. We look forward to realizing the possibilities this acquisition brings to our employees and to the market.” In response to customer and market requests for enhanced products and services, supply chain continuity, and added reliability, Mactac is focused on market growth and operational expansion. The Duramark acquisition expanded Mactac’s technology, adhesive capabilities, and production capacity with more facilities and locations, new world-class coaters, and advanced automation technologies. In 2022, Mactac will add five new world-class slitting assets and further grow its adhesive formulation and manufacturing capabilities.
KEEN Utility gives fresh update to Sparta 2 work sneaker
The new Sparta 2 is a fresh update on KEEN Utility’s core athletic work sneaker, designed for light industrial tasks, warehouse work, or any job requiring constant movement. Product highlights include a 2-layer engineered mesh upper that keeps the feet cool, KEEN.ReGEN midsole technology offers all-day cushioning and lightweight performance, and streamlined aluminum safety toes. Other safety features include an oil and slip-resistant, non-marking rubber outsole that is also EH-rated to provide underfoot protection from live electrical circuits. With an athletic-inspired silhouette, this responsive work shoe is ready to provide all-day comfort and protection. The Sparta 2 is available in several colorways for men and women.
Quick clamping shaft collars for packaging applications
Ruland quick clamping shaft collars require no tools for installation, adjustment, or removal, making them a convenient and efficient choice for a variety of packaging equipment and applications. Designers and operators of packaging machines such as wrappers, bundlers, and cartoners benefit from the faster, tool-less adjustment of quick clamping shaft collars. Ruland offers two types of quick clamping shaft collars: collars with cam levers and collars with clamping levers. Quick clamping shaft collars with cam lever have an integral lever that sits flush with the outside diameter and is finger actuated. The design features a tension-adjustment screw that can be adjusted to tailor axial holding power to application needs. These collars are one-piece clamp-style and require shaft end access to be installed properly. They are best suited for light-duty and low rpm applications with frequent change-outs of items like guide rails or other setup fixturing. Quick clamping shaft collars with clamping lever feature a Ruland manufactured shaft collar combined with an adjustable clamping lever that replaces standard hardware. The final assembly is a shaft collar with a ratcheting handle that can be easily installed, removed, or repositioned without tools. They have the benefits of traditional Ruland shaft collars such as not marring the shaft, tight controlled face-to-bore perpendicularity (TIR of ≤ .002 inch or 0.05 mm), and a fine burr-free finish, allowing them to be used in a wide variety of packaging applications. These shaft collars with clamping levers are offered in one- and two-piece clamping styles and with outer diameter flats and holes for easier mounting of other components. Quick clamping shaft collars with cam levers are manufactured from 6061 anodized aluminum bodies and 6063 aluminum handles with bore sizes from ¼ inch to 3 inches and 6 mm to 75 mm. Quick clamping shaft collars with clamping levers are offered in standard materials including 1215 lead-free steel with black oxide or zinc plated finish, 303 and 316 stainless steel, high strength 2024 aluminum, and engineered plastic. The lever is sourced from JW Winco and features a zinc-plated handle with a stainless steel threaded stud and internal components.
Environmentally friendly Bio-Ultimax™ 1000 Hydraulic Fluid outperforms traditional hydraulic fluids
Renewable Lubricants presents patented Bio-Ultimax™ 1000, readily biodegradable biosynthetic formulas which perform like mineral oil-based hydraulic fluids but are environmentally friendly. With oxidation performance comparable to full synthetics, this is one of the safest hydraulic fluids for the environment. Ideal for stationary or mobile environments, Bo-Ultimax super high Viscosity Index (VI) fluids are proven in systems up to 10,000 psi and in systems with ultra-fine filtration. To ensure performance and long life, Renewable Lubricants developed the stringent IsoGreen filtration standard which meets or exceeds the Rexroth pump guidelines for hydraulic fluids. Non-toxic, zinc-free formulations contain no heavy metals. In addition to enhancing performance, Bio-Ultimax helps companies achieve their sustainability goals. They are ideal for use in all types of hydraulic systems including trash compactors, waste and recycling collection vehicles, hydraulic pumps, pile driving equipment, and more. With a higher VI than synthetics (Energy Conserving Formulas), Bio-Ultimax™ 1000 has improved thermal shear stability and increased load capacity. Their extremely low volatility increases the flash and fire safety features, making them safer to use. A direct replacement for mineral oil-based hydraulic fluids, Bio-Ultimax™ is ideal for hydraulic systems where low toxicity, biodegradability, and non-bioaccumulation properties are required. These patented biobased hydraulic fluids are formulated to perform in high- and low-pressure hydraulic systems that require Anti-Wear (AW), anti-rust, anti-oxidation, anti-foam, and demulisibility properties. With patented antioxidants (Stabilized™*), these biosynthetics provide improved performance in oxidation stability over standard plant/vegetable/HETG and unsaturated HEES-type fluids. They are highly inhibited against moisture and rusting in both fresh and seawater, and pass A and B sequences of the ASTM D-665 Turbine Oil Rust Test. Formulated to provide a longer seal life with reduced oil leakage, this environmentally friendly, the zinc-free product meets or exceeds high-pressure pump requirements. Very little wear was encountered in field studies and in accelerated pump tests using biobased formulations in Denison T-5D, Vickers 20VQ, 35VQ-25 (M-2950-S), and V-104C (ASTM D-2882), Vickers I-286-S pump stand tests and pressures and temperatures ranging from 2000 to 3000 psi and from 150°to 210°F. Anti-wear performance exceeds requirements for US Steel 126, 136, and 127, load stage 10 in the FZG (DIN 51354) and GM (LS-2). Bio-Ultimax™ Hydraulic Fluids meet and exceed Federal Specifications for machine tool hydraulic systems and can replace specification MIL-PRF-17672E for ground support equipment. It meets EPA 21013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) guidelines for Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) and should be used in hydraulic systems where low toxicity, biodegradability, and non-bioaccumulation properties are required. Renewable Lubricants, Inc. began as a research and development company in 1991, developing high-performance products that would directly replace petroleum-based products. Starting from a single corn-based engine oil developed in the inventor’s garage, the company now offers more than 250 products and has over 100 worldwide patents. They manufacture their products as environmentally friendly as possible without sacrificing performance.
KION North America announces partnership with dealer partner Dade Lift Parts & Equipment
KION North America has announced that Dade Lift Parts & Equipment has joined the KION North America dealer network. Dade Lift Parts and Equipment operates two locations in Medley and Pompano Beach, FL, and is authorized to sell both the Linde Material Handling and Baoli brands at both sites. “We are very excited about our new partnership with the long-standing solutions provider, Dade Lift Parts & Equipment,” said Director of Dealer Development Rick Schiel. “This organization prides itself on being customer-centric with a mission of providing excellent options and services for its customer’s challenges. KION North America is proud to partner with Dade Lift Parts & Equipment in promoting the trusted Linde Material Handling and Baoli brands.” Known for its exceptional customer service, Dade Lift Parts and Equipment has provided material handling and warehouse solutions since 1993. This solid foundation has made Dade Lift Parts and Equipment a trusted provider throughout the South Florida area by pushing the boundaries in technology and innovation. “Dade Lift Parts & Equipment is excited to partner with KION North America,” said the president of Dade Lift, Diego Machin. “South Florida continues to be a growing market, and we are eager for this opportunity to introduce the trusted Linde Material Handling and Baoli brands.”
JW Winco perfects stability
Machines and systems always require stability. Heavy-duty, large-size elements also emphasize the quality of the objects they support. JW Winco has added two newly designed machine feet families to its portfolio. In addition to a high-quality and exceptionally stable design, the components feature additional, beneficial properties. The new solid machine feet from the standard parts specialist Winco are particularly well suited for large and heavy systems and machines. The machine foot GN 36 uses the weight of the machine to create a very stable and robust connection between the threaded stud and the foot. The threaded stud is not connected to the footplate. Rather, the stud centers itself automatically at the contact point via the radius. The blue zinc-plated steel threaded stud is available with fine thread from M20x1.5 to M42x2 for precise leveling and comes with the matching lock nut. The forged steel footplate is available in diameter up to 7.87 in (200 mm), has a powder-coated black matte surface, and can be ordered in three different types. With type A, the footplate rests flat on the underlying surface. Type B has an NBR rubber pad that reduces wear on the surface beneath and is also suitable for contact with oil or coolants. Type C has an O-ring that seals the footplate, preventing liquids from penetrating under the foot. Depending on the footplate diameter, types A and C can each support a load of 11240 lbf (5 t) to 56202 lbf (25 t). The static load capacity for type B ranges from 4496 lbf (2 t) to 24729 lbf (11 t) due to the nature of the rubber pad. The feet are perfect when it comes to compensating for an uneven floor; however, the machine feet may not be used on a surface inclined at greater than 3 degrees to the threaded stud. The second new machine foot GN 37 from Winco also has a central fastening hole running clear through. This allows the use of an anchor bolt. The anchor secures the foot to the floor, preparing it for lateral loads. This makes the machine feet optimal for manufacturing systems or conveyors that are subjected to dynamic movements and lateral forces due to the use of robots. As with GN 36, the footplate GN 37 can be ordered in types A, B, and C. The machine feet GN 37 of types A and C can support between 8992 lbf (4 t) and 33721 lbf (15 t), depending on diameter, while the load capacity of type B ranges between 4496 lbf (2 t) to 24729 lbf (11 t). For customers who already have special threaded studs for their machines, Winco offers GN 36.1 and GN 37.1 as just the footplate without stud.
Hyster-Yale Group launches unified HY Source™ Parts experience
Unified branding, upgraded parts ordering website improve the parts buying experience for Hyster® and Yale® customers Hyster-Yale Group announces the launch of a new unified lift truck parts experience, featuring a rebranded parts program called HY Source Parts and HYSOURCEPARTS.com, an award-winning upgraded online parts shop. The new experience is designed to create an easier, more efficient aftersales experience optimized for customers. By streamlining and consolidating the branding and naming convention for parts approved as replacement parts for Hyster® and Yale® lift trucks, the HY Source Parts brand makes it simpler for customers to identify genuine parts. HY Source Parts undergo engineering studies, measurements, and stress testing to help ensure parts meet standards and are free from compromises that would negatively affect equipment performance and will provide maximum efficiency for customers. “The use of unauthorized replacement parts can lead to compromised performance, unexpected downtime, and premature equipment failure,” said Chuck Pascarelli, president of the Americas Division of Hyster-Yale Group. “The value of genuine, high-quality parts is peace of mind, knowing these parts have been rigorously tested to meet our standards for performance. Evolving our brand and e-commerce platform is the latest step in our commitment to serving customers long after their initial purchase.” HYSOURCEPARTS.com provides an integrated online parts-buying experience that allows users to look up parts, search for schematics, add parts to their cart, and check out all in the same environment. The site also offers user-friendly features such as multi-cart checkout and easy access to past orders for simple re-ordering. Readers of Material Handling Product News and MaterialHandling247.com recently voted HYSOURCEPARTS.com a Product of the Year in the MRO category, ahead of three other finalists. The e-commerce site also includes advanced features designed for the realities of B2B purchasing. For instance, the site’s punchout functionality allows customers using procurement applications to make purchases without ever logging out of their own system. By instantly transmitting transaction information into the procurement system, the site allows customers to easily create a purchase order and follow their own company-specific procedures to submit. Customers can set up access through their local dealer. In addition to HY Source Genuine parts, the new brand structure includes HY Source Reman Parts, parts remanufactured to meet Hyster and Yale quality standards, and Unisource™ All Makes Parts and Accessories designed for other makes and models of lift truck equipment.
AttaBox’s Heartland® Polycarbonate enclosures feature the reliable protection of Robotically Applied Foam-In-Place gaskets
AttaBox® Enclosures, the world’s most specified polycarbonate, and non-metallic electrical and industrial enclosures have announced the latest product innovation for its Heartland® series of enclosures: Foam-In-Place gaskets. Foam-In-Place gaskets offer a proven history of providing full secure contact to the mating cover surface with a continuous overlapping seal that ensures no air gaps, no glue joints, and no shrinking of gasket size due to stretching of the material. The result is maximum sealing integrity and reliable protection of all wiring, connections, instrumentation, and controls housed by Heartland® enclosures. Since its introduction, the Heartland® product line has gone through a series of upgrades and innovations designed to increase security and protection, reduce modification time and costs, and expand the availability of standard offerings. The latest addition of foam-in-place gaskets builds on this commitment to enclosure excellence. The Heartland® series is the most innovative, durable, and reliable polycarbonate enclosures available. The Heartland® is one box, one solution enclosure, and can be configured as either a screw cover or hinged cover, available in 13 sizes from 6×6 to 24×24, with either opaque or clear smoked covers. They are listed cULus Type 4X with select sizes, Type 6P for the US and Canada, and are listed IEC IP66 with select sizes IP68. Heartland® Innovations: 1. Panel Management: Heartland® is designed with innovative panel management and side mount capabilities, which allows full use of the interior space to maximize component placement and design flexibility. 2. Latch Material Options: Heartland® polycarbonate enclosures are available with matching polycarbonate latches for a fully nonmetallic enclosure solution, or with stainless steel latches. Latches can be swapped easily without any tools, making retrofitting the enclosures in the field accessible to all users. 3. 6 Standard Colors: Originally available in gray with an opaque or clear smoked cover, the Heartland® series is now available in six standard colors (gray, white, black, red, yellow, and blue). This greatly improves lead times for users looking for a color enclosure solution to stand out, blend in, or meet safety and visibility requirements. 4. Foam-In-Place Gaskets: Now available for all product sizes, the latest performance upgrade to the Heartland® polycarbonate enclosures series features robotically applied Foam-In-Place gaskets instead of the traditional neoprene rope gasketing. AttaBox® is an innovative force in the engineering, manufacturing, and marketing of non-metallic enclosures. We make it easy for our enclosure users to get reliable NEMA 4X and UL -certified protection by making an outstanding product and service quality quickly available through diverse channels including price-competitive online e-commerce, and direct business-to-business one-stop availability. Our state-of-the-art manufacturing technology is U.S.-based and provides customers with a total solution for application challenges demanding the best from protective enclosures.
Helmar has lumber forks ready to ship
Helmar has lumber forks ready to ship in popular sizes. Lumber Forks are made in various widths with a typical maximum thickness of 1.5 inches depending on the load weight. All are full bottom taper forks: the taper runs from the tip to approximately two inches from the bend. The top of the blade is polished, unpainted, for ease of entry and exit. Tips are thin with a top chamfer for chiseling between plywood sheets. The tips are squared off, not rounded, to assist the chiseling effort. Helmar has the popular FORK-4250 1.5″ x 8″ x 48″ Class II, FORK-4252 1.5″ x 8″ x 48″ Class III, and the FORK-4254 1.5″ x 8″ x 48″ Class IV.
The Fickle Workforce
Much has been written in the past decade about the demographic shift from “boomers” to “millennials”. I was born in 1959, which puts me squarely in the boomer category, and I, like others in this tenured industry, struggled to adapt to the priorities and motivations of the millennial generation. When I entered this industry in 1983, I was determined to find my place, climb the corporate ladder, and stay put for the indefinite future. I stayed at my first dealership for seven years. My second post lasted 26 years. That’s what boomers do. They endure. Work is seen as a calling. Loyalty and legacy are important. Your occupation is connected with your identity. Work-life and personal life are intertwined. Not so much with our millennial co-workers. With rare exceptions, this group doesn’t really see work as a calling. Instead, work is viewed as a CONTRACT. “I’ll trade my hours for your dollars”. Work-life and personal life are mutually exclusive. Switching employers is predicated primarily on personal satisfaction. Millennials tend to grow tired of assignments that don’t interest them, or that don’t add to their personal development. Hence their tenure at any particular employer has noticeably declined. A Bureau of Labor Statistics report issued in September of 2020 highlighted these differences: “Median employee tenure was generally higher among older workers than younger ones. For example, the median tenure of workers ages 55 to 64 (9.9 years) was more than three times that of workers ages 25 to 34 years (2.8 years).” 1 For employers, this shift represents a sea change in how staffing is administrated, and how workplace satisfaction is measured and aligned. The investment costs in hiring, training, and retaining employees have not abated. In fact, not a year goes by where January 1st there aren’t multiple new federal and state regulations enacted that continue to challenge even the best HR professionals. Finding employees that want to work and have the right background is hard enough. Keeping them seems to be even more difficult. Enter the “gig” economy One of the ways the workforce is evolving is in the expansion of freelance “project” work. This is colloquially known as the “gig” economy. The most prevalent examples are on your smartphone right now. The success of Uber and Lyft shows the wide acceptance of itinerant work. As the movement grew, project work became less of a “side-hustle” and more of a mainstream occupational reality. Generation Z (people born after 1997), hot on the heels of the millennials, loves the autonomy and the freedom of expression that comes with not being tied to any single employer for more than a short while. They have the education and digital skills to be effective. They understand and are committed to the short-term “mission” because meeting mission objectives define their value for the next “gig”. Freelance work is distasteful to most boomers as they came of age in a world that clung to the security of long-term employment. Most boomers will be able to finish out their career path without changing lanes, but for everyone born after 1970 … the working world of the 2020s and 2030s will see changes that nobody ever expected. Can dealerships adapt to the gig economy format? The distribution business will find it difficult to amend its operating model to utilize the gig workforce platform. Many of the resources we need to operate efficiently require the knowledge and experience that can only be accumulated over time. Industries such as advertising, consumer goods, fashion, software, engineering, and medicine all offer ripe opportunities for project-driven initiatives, but the needs of distributors are unique and are best performed by a seasoned workforce. So, we have a hill to climb. As we power into 2022 (and beyond), we will be faced with a transitory workforce. How can we make it LESS transitory? Here are some ideas. We must resonate If it’s not meaningful, it won’t matter. We cannot expect assigned work to be a priority if it does not resonate personally with the employee. How can we make a PM service resonate with a young technician? That sounds like a hard sell. Actually, any task can resonate if we surround it with the correct motivational processes. I use the following flow chart to govern the process: Model Measure Report Reward Model: It won’t resonate if we “wing it”. We have to have a hard and fast written SOP for every task, whether it be timecard posting, work order processing, or PM completion. We simply cannot effectively and objectively assess performance if the standards are not understood! Measure: How many were done correctly? How many were not? How can we improve? What tools, policies, or changes must be instituted to have a better process and a better score. Example: In the case of PM’s, we will want to include the following measurements: Additional maintenance services sold by the technician (trans, hydraulic, coolant, etc.…) Segment two repairs found and quoted Completion of all work in the allotted time No negative customer comments Van cleanliness and housekeeping All of these metrics can be assessed as a point value and used to recognize the employee for both performance and improvement. Report: In every case, a report showing performance toward a goal should be generated. Some objectives will be personal and kept between the manager and the employee. Other objectives can serve as a platform for competition. There should be personal goals and team goals in every department. The more that relevant reporting is discussed, the higher the chance that resonance will be found. Reward: Wages and salaries are what we pay an employee to be there and get the job done. Rewards are paid for meeting specific meaningful goals both on the personal and team level. This can be done with cash (through payroll), redeemable points, travel rewards, merchandise (Snap-On, gift cards), or even PTO. The rules are simple. Pay rewards NO LESS than monthly Pay rewards PUBLICLY (during staff meetings) so that we can celebrate the wins