Big Joe boosts automation capabilities with new AMR features and key personnel
Big Joe Forklifts in partnership with Thoro.ai continues to rapidly advance the features on their flagship AMR and invest in key staff to help deliver easy to deploy automation for their customers. At Pack Expo, visitors could see and experience the latest Big Joe Pallet Mover AMR first-hand including several new features such as dynamic on-the-fly rerouting, onboard viewable maps and configurable zone rules to further enhance productivity, ease of operation and control for users. Additionally, Big Joe will be showcasing other unique vehicles in its standard lineup that are ideal for supporting packaging operations in manufacturing, warehousing or logistics environments. With the introduction of the Pallet Mover’s dynamic rerouting capability the unit can now autonomously navigate to a destination on an alternative path should an aisle or area of travel become blocked, improving productivity and reliable completion of user-directed tasks. With visual maps of an operating area now included on the Pallet Mover’s user interface, operators can now easily validate that they are sending the AMR to an intended location as a visual reference. Lastly but perhaps one of the most powerful updates on the Pallet Mover to be introduced at Pack Expo, is a host of configurable zone rules which users can employ within areas of operation. These zone rules instruct the Pallet Mover as to how a user wants it to behave in a specific location. Slower travel speed areas, continuous horn use areas, prohibited areas and areas intended for automated side-by-side pallet unload are but a few examples of the increased control provided with the new zone rules feature. In addition to advancements in its AMR, Big Joe is announcing that it has hired the Director of Strategic Partnerships for its Autonomous Division, Brendan Brett. Brett will be leveraging Big Joe’s core strengths of developing affordable, reliable, easy to use and deploy autonomous vehicles to foster additional collaborations within or aligned with the material handling industry. Brett’s vision is to evolve the company’s strategic autonomous roadmap ahead of market trends to sustain Big Joe’s competitive advantage throughout both its distribution and service network and those of partners. “The global pandemic accelerated the need and uptake of autonomous vehicles, paving the way for the material handling industry to become educated on how simple, yet effective solutions could be every day, not just to solve its pain points during a crisis,” said Brett. “I look forward to helping provide growth and development opportunities for our current fleet as well as adding additional options for our customers as we continue to focus on innovation and automation.” Brett studied Supply Chain Management and Information Systems at Penn State and has 15 years of Supply Chain Operations experience specifically in the food and beverage industry. He was globally recognized by Nestle’s High Performance Logistics Team for projects such as setting up a configurable WMS fully integrated with AGV-MS, semi-automated Pallet Mole® systems and YMS software. “Big Joe is committed to bringing smart simple automation solutions to market which by nature requires innovation and collaboration. We welcome Brendan and look forward to working together on helping others empower workers and eliminate the need for complicated systems integration,” said Big Joe’s Chief Marketing Officer, Bill Pedriana. The rest of the Big Joe lineup of demos in booth #N-10028 will include the PDSR Walkie Reach Truck which features power steering and flexible operational advantages in numerous material handling applications. The Big Joe CB30/CB35 Counterbalanced Walkie Stackers will illustrate a safe and productive alternative to traditional rider forklifts, and the iconic Big Joe J1 “Joey” Task Support Vehicle will be on hand to help attendees ponder how they might improve the performance of elevated work at their facilities.
Combilift launches world’s first autonomous sideloader with the option to operate manually
Irish materials handling manufacturer Combilift has launched its first autonomous vehicle at the annual Fabtech trade show. Developed by Combilift’s dedicated automation team, the Combi-AGT is a 4-wheel electric stand-on model, which is the world’s first autonomous dual operational sideloader for long loads. Celebrating 25 years in business, Combilift is acknowledged as being at the forefront of innovation in the global material handling sector with its wide range of customized products, and the Combi-AGT harnesses the very latest smart technology to meet customer demands for driverless sideloader capability. These were driven in part by safety to eliminate the presence of personnel in aisles, consistency in handling procedures and to maximize order fulfilment, while also having a backup manual mode in case of power outages or internet disruptions. Combilift’s automation team has spent three years liaising with specialist steel suppliers to identify the best specifications for the Combi-AGT. The new model, with a lift capacity of 5,000kg/11,000lbs and various lift heights, addresses the requirements of steel service centers and the metal industries, which typically handle long loads. Combilift worked in tandem with IMR (Irish Manufacturing Research) during the development process to enable seamless integration with multiple client warehouse management systems. Its design is based on the electric manually operated Combi-GTE model which has long been a very popular choice for service centers due to its ability to work efficiently in rail guided narrow aisles. The first Combi-AGT unit was supplied to Kansas based Steel and Pipe Supply 18 months ago, and since then Combilift have collaborated with a number of leading metal service centers across North America during the development process. The laser-based sensors, fitted at various positions on the chassis, constitute of an anti-collision safety system, as required by the American National Standards Institute. If the machine senses an obstacle or pedestrian that has entered its path, it automatically slows down and will, if necessary, stop in cases of emergency, it will then continue to drive automatically when the obstacle has cleared its safety sensor area. The enhanced adaptive safety system enables the size of the obstacle detection fields to increase or decrease as per the steer angle and speed of the truck. The natural feature navigation system is superior to traditional methods of truck navigation based on wire guidance or artificial landmarks such as reflectors. Instead, it uses the naturally occurring features in a warehouse – walls, racking and columns for example, avoiding the need to add to or change the warehouse infrastructure. Its newly developed load dimension detection system (patent pending) operates by performing a laser scan of the load to check that its length matches the task sent to the machine. Similarly, when unloading, it checks that the rack in front has sufficient free space to accept the load. Combilift CEO and Co-founder Martin McVicar said: “We have deliberately not rushed into incorporating autonomous products into our portfolio. As with any new launch we have carried out extensive field tests to make sure it is fit for purpose by liaising with a number of leading customers in the metal service industry during the product development stage. We are fortunate to have a very motivated group within our autonomous team of software and mechatronics engineers who are committed to scaling this business unit. The Combi-AGT signals a new milestone in product development with further expansion of our autonomous range in the pipeline.” In 1998 Combilift originally made history with its world-first multidirectional C8000 3-wheel, all-wheel drive forklift. 25 years on the company is still challenging the market and the Combi-AGT is no exception.
Episode 419: Navigating Fleet Electrification with Kevin Kushman of Electrada
The New Warehouse Podcast is excited to bring insights from Kevin Kushman, CEO at Electrada. Kevin is a leading authority in fleet electrification. Electrada is a trailblazing company helping warehouse operators seamlessly transition to electric fleets. If you’re grappling with how to steer your warehousing operations into the future of electrification, this is a conversation you can’t afford to skip. Energy Planning: The Critical Backbone of Fleet Electrification Kushman couldn’t emphasize it more: “When you’re building out an electric fleet, you’ve got to start thinking about energy at the same time you start thinking about vehicles.” In an industry where time is money, delays in energy infrastructure can cost you dearly. According to Kushman, taking 8 to 12 months to deploy charging infrastructure is not uncommon. It’s clear that energy planning is not merely an ‘add-on’ but forms the critical backbone of your transition to an electric fleet. The planning shouldn’t be an afterthought but a parallel process to vehicle acquisition. Understanding the Challenges of Fleet Electrification Kushman offers caution for those thinking of going alone: “We’re finding opportunities to come in and help those folks.” He adds, “Electrada takes a surgical look at what we call load shape, which translates to what the energy capacity needs look like for fleets of all sizes and how that translates to power.” Challenges include: Multi-site interactions with utilities Inability to scale further Understanding the new realm of energy risks and the cost of power Bandwidth constraints Identifying the lowest cost per mile Bottlenecks in progress caused by the DIY approach Electrada develops and invests in the solution, acting as the infrastructure owner while providing charging as a service. This approach takes all risk away from the fleet owner, covering technology, reliability, and cost. 360 Charging as a Service 360 Charging as a Service is a comprehensive electric vehicle charging solution encompassing system design, operation, and maintenance under a multi-year contract. The service aims to provide reliable and sustainable electric fuel at a competitive cost compared to traditional fuels. Eliminating extra fuel stops also enhances operational efficiency. Kushman adds, “What we’re describing with 360 as a service is a fully wrapped, capitalized, and guaranteed performance environment where we come in and design the system.” Electrada is technology agnostic and requires technology providers to live up to the commitment of 99% uptime and are One Charge Point Protocol (OCCP) compliant. The focus is on demonstrating cost savings and reliability to facilitate the transition to electric fuel. Key Takeaways Robust energy planning should coincide with vehicle acquisition to avoid costly delays. Electrada offers a comprehensive charging service, acting as the infrastructure owner and risk-bearer, which provides clients with a predictable fuel cost under a performance contract, removing all technological and energy risks. Early consultation with experts can save you from common pitfalls and help you navigate the complex landscape of warehouse electrification. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 419: Navigating Fleet Electrification with Kevin Kushman of Electrada
Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas President Ken Barina honored for Visionary Leadership in the material handling industry
Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas (Logisnext) announced that Ken Barina has been recognized as a ‘Most Admired CEO’ by the Houston Business Journal. The annual award program celebrates Houston-area leaders who have demonstrated exceptional vision, innovation and dedication within the Houston region. Barina was recognized alongside other leaders from prominent industries, such as energy and technology companies, non-profits, among others. “I am honored to receive this prestigious award. It’s a true testament to the commitment and drive of Logisnext’s entire team – all who play a collective role in helping to achieve our vision to Move The World Forward,” said Ken Barina, President of Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas. “Together, we have experienced remarkable growth over the past decade – tripling sales revenue, doubling market share and tripling our number of employees. I’m extremely proud of our accomplishments.” The material handling industry plays a pivotal role in the global economy, enabling the efficient movement of goods across supply chains. Logisnext remains committed to building a positive culture that empowers employees and the company to achieve success and help Move The World Forward. Ken currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for both Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas and Equipment Depot. He also holds the position of Senior Executive Officer at Mitsubishi Logisnext Co. Ltd. His extensive background includes previous board membership in various Logisnext subsidiary companies and the Industrial Truck Association (ITA) for more than 15 years. Barina was honored at the ‘Most Admired CEO’ awards ceremony on August 24 in Houston, where he was acknowledged for his remarkable contributions to both Logisnext and the broader Houston community
H&E opens new brnach in Wichita KS
H&E Equipment Services Inc. hasannounced the opening of its Wichita branch, its first rental location in the state of Kansas. Since the beginning of the second quarter of 2023, H&E has opened 11 new branches across the country. The company now serves 30 states. The facility is located at 3540 S Hoover Road, Wichita, KS 67215-1213, phone 316-869-0100. It includes a large yard area, offices, and a repair shop and carries a variety of construction and general industrial equipment. “Our new Wichita branch is centrally located to reach both the large metropolitan market and also surrounding areas beyond. We already have established branches in Kansas City, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa, so this new location bridges the geographic gap between them and brings additional fleet and resources to customers in the region. Our proximity to I-35 and many feeder highways allows us quick delivery times and responsiveness,” says Branch Manager Cody Richardson. “I’m a Wichita native and started in the equipment business here 20 years ago. I know the area and am excited to introduce H&E to my state.” The Wichita branch specializes in the rental of aerial lifts, earthmoving equipment, telescopic forklifts, compaction equipment, generators, light towers, compressors, and more and represents the following manufacturers: Allmand, Atlas Copco, Bomag, Case, Club Car, Cushman, Doosan, Gehl, Generac Mobile, Genie, Hamm, Hilti, Husqvarna, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Kobelco, Kubota, LayMor, Ledwell, Lincoln Electric, Link-Belt Excavators, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Polaris, Sany, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Sullair, Sullivan-Palatek, Tag, Towmaster, Unicarriers, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, and others.
Hangcha Forklift Canada strengthens national presence with Mississauga warehouse
Material handling equipment supplier shows its commitment to the Canadian market with Mississauga grand opening Hangcha Forklift Canada, a provider of material handling equipment, announces the grand opening of its Mississauga warehouse on October 3, 2023. The spacious 30,000 sq ft facility is poised to make a substantial impact in Ontario and extend the Company’s reach throughout Canada. As a wholly owned subsidiary of the esteemed Hangcha Group, Hangcha Canada is uniquely positioned to offer a comprehensive range of material handling solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of the Canadian market. Strategically located in Mississauga, the warehouse underscores the company’s long-term vision of rapid delivery capabilities to ensure reduced downtime for businesses. The new addition complements the existing warehouses in Vaudreuil-Dorion and Vancouver, allowing the Company to maintain an inventory of 550 units at any given time. “Selling Hangcha Canada material handling equipment allows our staff to offer the Ontario market a full line of high-quality and well-priced Electric and Internal Combustion Forklifts and Reach Trucks,” says Chris DiBerto, Sales Manager at Ri-Go Lift Truck Ltd. “Hangcha Canada offers a broader product range than most Original Equipment Manufacturers (‘OEM’) with stock at three distribution centers in Canada, making it easier than ever for our team to demo and receive quick delivery on equipment.” “With product support, parts support, and technical training that is second to none, the Mississauga warehouse is increasing our ability to support and grow Hangcha Canada’s footprint in Ontario. This is a positive move forward,” says Randy Thistel, Hangcha Canada’s Ontario Sales Representative. The much-anticipated grand opening will be hosted by Hangcha Canada at 3500 Laird Rd #1, Mississauga, ON L5L 5Y4 and welcomes dealers, customers, industry professionals, local businesses, and media representatives. The evening will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:00 p.m., marking the official inauguration of the Mississauga warehouse. Following the ceremony, a networking session is scheduled from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. where attendees can enjoy appetizers and refreshments. “Hangcha Canada’s expansion plan signifies our dedication to Canada’s material handling industry. In January 2024, we will be expanding our headquarters in Quebec to include a state-of-the-art, on-site Training Centre and a Parts Department, allowing us to keep up with Canada’s ever-growing demand for our electric [lithium-ion] product line,” adds Robert Pitzul, Vice President of Sales at Hangcha Canada. Combining global expertise with an in-depth understanding of the Canadian market, Hangcha Canada’s customers can experience premium performance and reliability without compromising their budgets, making its products an attractive investment for businesses of all sizes.
H&E open new branch in Columbia MO
Effective September 5, 2023, H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) announces the opening of its Columbia branch, its third rental location covering the state of Missouri. Since the beginning of the second quarter of 2023, H&E has opened 10 new branches across the country. The facility is located at 5611 Brown Station Road, Columbia, MO 65202-2779, phone 573 615-7101. It includes a large equipment yard, offices, and a repair shop and carries a variety of construction and general industrial equipment. “We expanded into the Midwest just two years ago, and our acquisition of One Source Equipment Rentals last October instantly increased our footprint in the region. We’re maintaining the traction with this new branch in Missouri, which is situated centrally to serve Columbia and the entire state – north to Iowa, south to Arkansas, and areas between our existing locations in the Kansas City and St. Louis markets,” says Branch Manager Robert Kerbo. “We’re continuing to add fleet and efficiencies in the region, and being located close to I-70 and Hwy. 63 means we can source equipment for our customers from nearby branches if needed and move it to their job site quickly and efficiently.” The Columbia branch specializes in the rental of aerial lifts, earthmoving equipment, telescopic forklifts, compaction equipment, generators, light towers, compressors, and more and represents the following manufacturers: Allmand, Atlas Copco, Bomag, Case, Club Car, Cushman, Doosan, Gehl, Generac Mobile, Genie, Hamm, Hilti, Husqvarna, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Kobelco, Kubota, LayMor, Ledwell, Lincoln Electric, Link-Belt Excavators, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Polaris, Sany, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Sullair, Sullivan-Palatek, Tag, Towmaster, Unicarriers, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, and others.
Titan Machinery Inc. announces strategic acquisition of O’Connors
Australia’s leading Case IH dealership group with strong presence in high horsepower equipment – Accretive acquisition generated approximately $0.40 in annual proforma earnings per share – Acquisition includes strong management team with track record of solid financial performance through a combination of organic and acquisitive growth Titan Machinery Inc., a network of full-service agricultural and construction equipment stores, announced that it has entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire J.J. O’Connor & Sons Pty. Ltd. (“O’Connors”), the largest Case IH dealership group in Australia, for $63 million in cash, subject to final working capital and other closing adjustments (the “Transaction”). In the unaudited full fiscal year period ended June 30, 2023, O’Connors generated revenue of $258 million and EBITDA of $21.4 million, as translated to USD. O’Connors, founded in 1964, is the largest Case IH dealership group in Australia, and a market leader in high horsepower equipment. O’Connors delivers a wide range of new and used equipment, parts, and services through its 15 dealerships and 1 parts location located in the Australian southeastern grain belt, which includes the regions of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. In addition, O’Connors is a distributor for more than 25 leading short-line equipment brands, providing an impressive range of complementary offerings to its core Case IH line of products, and has a strong parts and service business that provides a reliable recurring revenue stream. On a consolidated basis, O’Connors achieved a gross margin of approximately 18.7% in the full fiscal year 2023, and generated a total pre-tax margin of approximately 7.2%, representing a margin profile that is consistent with Titan’s. David Meyer, Titan Machinery’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased to announce our definitive agreement to acquire O’Connors, Australia’s leading Case IH dealership group. This transaction marks our entry into the Australian agriculture market, as we continue to seek opportunities for Titan to expand its reach, both domestically and abroad. O’Connors’ operating metrics, core values, and customer-centric focus align with our own, making them a great partner for our entry into the Australian agriculture market, which is benefiting from strong fundamentals that are being driven by enhanced productivity, economies of scale, and farmer profitability.” Mr. Meyer continued, “We are very impressed with the O’Connors senior management team, led by CEO Gareth Webb, who have been operating the business exceptionally well over the last five years after succeeding the retiring major shareholders Dennis and Mark O’Connor. It’s this strong management team, along with their great track record of retailing and supporting the high horsepower CaseIH product line up that makes this a very compelling acquisition. O’Connors has established itself as a respected leader in the region, earning a reputation for its deep expertise and employee and customer-centric focus. Their long-term business relationships, built over nearly six decades, demonstrates their commitment to excellence. The O’Connors team has a proven track record of driving organic growth, M&A execution, and profitability, and we believe that there is additional opportunity to build upon their growth formula and capitalize on operational synergies across Titan’s global footprint as we integrate the business.” Strategic and Financial Highlights Largest Case IH agriculture equipment dealership in Australia with leading market share positions in key offerings – O’Connors is a distributor of Case IH agricultural equipment in Australia, with a primary focus on high-horsepower cash crop production equipment. Throughout its 16 locations in the grain belt region in southeastern Australia, O’Connors provides an end-to-end offering to customers including new and used equipment, parts and services, and other value-added service offerings. Key similarities to Titan’s domestic agriculture business, which will allow for seamless integration and unique synergy opportunities – O’Connors’ focus on high-horsepower cash crop production equipment in Australia’s grain belt region is being supported by the combination of increasing precision ag technology adoption and farm expansion. These trends are similar to what Titan is experiencing in its domestic agriculture business and coupled with the O’Connors’ strong management team, Australia’s native English language, and comparable legal system, this transaction is expected to allow for a seamless integration that carries over into our shared values and customer-centric focus. The Company believes it also provides Titan with unique operational synergy opportunities to expand its global customer service capabilities and capacity across the network. Titan to enhance and expand upon O’Connors’ proven M&A strategy – O’Connors’ growth accelerated in 2018 following a focused acquisition strategy that resulted in acquiring nine additional locations in the subsequent five year period. The Australian market is in the early stages of dealer consolidation and through a combined approach – leveraging O’Connors’ existing leadership team and Titan’s broader capabilities and resources – the Company believes is it well positioned to capitalize on continued acquisition opportunities to unlock network synergies while driving market share gains. Immediately accretive transaction with long-term growth opportunities – O’Connors’ base unaudited fiscal 2023 business, ended June 30, 2023, produced revenue of $258 million, pre-tax income of $18.7 million and EBITDA of $21.4 million. Adding estimated financing and integration expenses for the first twelve months of ownership to these results provides for run rate pro forma profit before tax of $13.0 million, or $0.40 earnings per share. The combined Titan Machinery enterprise, along with the O’Connors proforma run rate results, would equate to approximately $2.9 billion in revenue, and $5.20 in diluted earnings per share an annualized basis, based on the midpoint of Titan’s full fiscal year 2024 guidance ending in January 2024. The combined Company exhibits strong pre-tax margins and builds upon Titan’s growth strategy. Additional Transaction Details The definitive agreement to acquire O’Connors contemplates an acquisition price of $63 million, subject to final working capital and other closing adjustments, and will be funded with cash and Titan’s existing credit facility. The O’Connors organization is represented by a strong, capable and professional leadership team that spearheaded its growth acceleration over the past five years. It is anticipated that Titan Machinery will retain O’Connors’ management team following the integration, who will be responsible for the region’s operating performance and report into Titan’s executive team. The Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of calendar 2023. Fiscal 2024 Modeling AssumptionsUpon closing, the Company
Toyota Material Handling earns Green Supply Chain Partner recognition
Toyota Material Handling was named a 2023 G75 Green Supply Chain Partner for leading the way in sustainability programs. The G75 list, curated annually by the editors of Inbound Logistics, recognizes 75 companies that go above and beyond to prioritize green initiatives and help global supply chains become more sustainable. “Being named a Green Supply Chain Partner is an honor for Toyota. One of our guiding principles is our commitment to creating a sustainable tomorrow. That commitment is part of our contribution to society, the communities we work in and our industry,” said Bill Finerty, Toyota Material Handling President and CEO. “Through our parent company, Toyota Industries Corporation, we have committed to contributing to Environmental Vision 2050, an ongoing company-wide leadership initiative to create a carbon-neutral society, a recycling-based company, harmony with nature and the promotion of environmental management.” In 2021, Toyota was recognized with the Indiana Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for its CO2 reduction projects. Since 2018, the company has reduced its CO2 emissions by 34% at its Columbus, Indiana, manufacturing facility through the implementation of energy reduction projects including LED lighting, air leak detection and repair, energy monitoring, weld fume collection systems, investment in wind energy certificates, and equipment upgrades and replacement. Collectively, these projects have contributed to an estimated CO2 savings of more than 13,000 tons since 2018, the equivalent of 3,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for a full year. Toyota also recently increased its renewable energy ratio to 30% – through wind energy credits – to support the local renewable energy market. Toyota Material Handling has held zero-landfill status since 2004. Last fiscal year, the company diverted 579 tons of waste from landfills and sent 7,545 tons of materials to be recycled, recovered and reused. Local sustainability efforts, such as the company’s annual Environment Week, are planned and implemented by the Toyota Environment team. Through this team’s efforts, over 2,500 trees and 2,000 butterfly garden seed packets were planted in the local community last year to protect the local butterfly population and support biodiversity.
Bobcat Backyard Makeover contest winner announced with plans to include a wheelchair accessible garden
Bobcat fans voted to decide the winner of the $25K backyard makeover, and the opportunity to meet country music superstar Justin Moore The votes are tallied, and Bobcat Company is thrilled to announce the winner of the Bobcat Backyard Makeover Contest is Julie Rummer from Turlock, Calif. Julie will receive a $25,000 backyard makeover using Bobcat equipment to transform her backyard and garden. She will also have the opportunity to meet country music superstar – and Bobcat enthusiast – Justin Moore. Five finalists were selected based on the originality and creativity in their contest entry submission, as well as sharing the impact of how a backyard makeover would empower them to accomplish more. Julie’s powerful story received the most votes from the public. Julie survived an auto accident in 1995 that left her paralyzed as a quadriplegic. She is now wheelchair dependent, and often encounters challenges maneuvering in her backyard. While she loves to garden, the dirt and weeds often get stuck in her wheelchair. She would like to makeover her backyard and make it wheelchair accessible so she can be outdoors more often, which she says helps her forget her mobility limitations. “We are thrilled to announce Julie Rummer as the winner of the Bobcat Backyard Makeover Contest and can’t wait to bring her backyard dreams to life,” said Laura Ness Owens, vice president of global brand and communications and North American marketing. “At Bobcat, we are committed to empowering people to conquer their biggest challenges, and we are proud to help Julie in her pursuits by enhancing her backyard.” Julie and her husband love to entertain family, friends and neighbors at their home. They have dreamt of making improvements to their yard – both visually and to make it more wheelchair-friendly – but haven’t had the time or money. “Gardening is one of my biggest passions and being outdoors makes me forget my daily limitations. I am so incredibly grateful to Bobcat for this opportunity to create a completely accessible yard that will allow me the garden of my dreams,” said Julie. “I’ve been brought to tears at the thought of winning this contest. The kindness, love and support from my family, friends, neighbors and total strangers has filled my heart.” In addition to the backyard makeover, Julie will have the opportunity to meet Justin Moore as he joins the Bobcat team in the renovation project. Moore has been a brand ambassador for Bobcat Company since 2021. As an owner and operator of multiple pieces of Bobcat equipment, including a compact loader and compact tractor, Moore keeps busy on his 80-acre property in Arkansas. In addition to meeting Moore, Julie will work with an area landscape contractor and her local Bobcat dealer to plan and create her dream backyard. “Bobcat is known for empowering people and in my case, they are helping me to enjoy more sunshine and time in my happy place – my backyard,” said Julie. “Thank you for your generosity and commitment to lifting people up and helping me find a new path.”
H&E opens new branch in Wilmington
Effective August 30, 2023, H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) announced the opening of its Wilmington branch, its 10th rental location in the state of North Carolina. Since the beginning of 2023, H&E has opened nine new branches across the country, with three of those in the Tar Heel State. The facility is located across from the Port of Wilmington at 851 Sunnyvale Drive, Wilmington, NC 28412-1151, phone 910 756-4100. It includes a fully fenced yard area, offices, and a repair shop and carries a variety of construction and general industrial equipment. “The location of our newest North Carolina branch gives us greater reach along the Atlantic coastline, both north and into South Carolina, and covers the southeastern portion of the state below our existing Raleigh facility. Adding more fleet in this area allows us to supply customers in Wilmington and up to Elizabethtown, Lumberton, and New Bern, to name just a few cities well within our service area,” says District Manager Justin Gnagy. “Our proximity to I-40 and highways 17, 74, and 421 is ideal and allows us to deliver equipment to job sites across the area quickly and efficiently.” The Wilmington branch specializes in the rental of aerial lifts, earthmoving equipment, telescopic forklifts, compaction equipment, generators, light towers, compressors, and more and represents the following manufacturers: Allmand, Atlas Copco, Bomag, Case, Club Car, Cushman, Doosan, Gehl, Generac Mobile, Genie, Hamm, Hilti, Husqvarna, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Kobelco, Kubota, LayMor, Ledwell, Lincoln Electric, Link-Belt Excavators, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Polaris, Sany, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Sullair, Sullivan-Palatek, Tag, Towmaster, Unicarriers, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, and others.
Bobcat North Dakota Open merges golf and community outreach
Proceeds benefit community with over $1.2 million raised since 1984 The 59th annual Bobcat North Dakota Open brought exciting pro and amateur golf to the Fargo Country Club August 25-27, while also supporting The Village Family Service Center, a local non-profit agency dedicated to improving the lives of area children and families. Andre Metzger won the tournament, becoming the first player to ever win the Bobcat North Dakota Open tournament four times. Tied for second place, behind Metzger, was Zander Winston and Chris Gilman. Ian Siminoch topped the amateur division of the tournament. Bobcat Company has served as the lead corporate sponsor for the tournament since 1984, donating more than $1.2 million in support of The Village’s community outreach services. “All of us at Bobcat Company are proud to support this annual tournament and the greater Fargo-area community,” said Mike Ballweber, president of Doosan Bobcat North America. “The Bobcat North Dakota Open is a great way to host and showcase pro and amateur golf talent while also helping The Village build a brighter future for area kids and families in need of our support.” The three-day pro-am golf tournament concluded Sunday with an awards presentation during which Bobcat representatives presented a check for $1.2 million to Kelly Olson, president and CEO of The Village. The check represents Bobcat Company’s total donations while serving as the annual tournament’s title sponsor. “We are incredibly grateful for the support of Bobcat Company,” said Kelly Olson, President and CEO of The Village Family Service Center. “Their generosity is truly making a difference in the lives of the people we serve, and we look forward to continuing this important partnership in the years to come.” Other major sponsors of the tournament were: Bell Bank, Bremer Bank, D-S Beverages, J & M Printing, Lapham-Hickey Steel Corp, Lenker Consulting, and Swanston Equipment Corporation. A large field of amateur golfers were paired with pros during Friday’s and Saturday’s rounds. The tournament’s events also included a kick-off celebration, barbeque and a Big Brothers Big Sisters program golf clinic for children who each received a set of junior golf clubs courtesy of the North Dakota Golf Association. The 59th annual Bobcat North Dakota Open is a part of the Dakotas Tour, an 18-event, professional golf tour played in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas breaks ground on new electric facility to meet growing demand in electric products
Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas (Logisnext), has celebrated the groundbreaking for its new production facility in Houston, Texas. The state-of-the-art facility will provide increased production capabilities to further support the growing demand for electric lift trucks and warehouse products. Located on Logisnext’s Houston headquarters campus, the new facility will support manufacturing of key electric warehouse products across the Jungheinrich®, Cat® lift trucks, Mitsubishi forklift trucks and UniCarriers® Forklift product lines. The new facility represents a key investment in Logisnext’s long-term electric growth strategy to support its customers throughout North America. With a total floor area of 73,000 square feet, the new facility will expand Logisnext’s current electric manufacturing capabilities by serving as a dedicated fabrication space for in-house welding and painting of masts and frames. The facility will also integrate cutting-edge technologies such as Mixed Model Line Design, Industry 4.0 process monitoring and one-piece flow. The expansion of robotic welding, along with the optimization of paint capacity and weld fixtures, will contribute to Logisnext’s ongoing focus for improved efficiency. “Today marks an exciting milestone for Logisnext as we break ground on our newest electric forklift manufacturing facility in Houston,” said Jay Gusler, executive vice president of Operations at Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas. “The material handling industry is rapidly changing, and we’re proud to be on the forefront of this change. We’re committed to investing in our manufacturing capabilities and new product development to ensure we continue providing our customers with the most advanced, yet sustainable, electric products and solutions in the future.” On August 23, the company celebrated the start of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony alongside its Houston campus employees. Leading the groundbreaking was Ken Barina, President, Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas and Jay Gusler, Executive Vice President of Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas. Construction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.
Yale earns green award for expansive lineup of lift truck motive power solutions
Yale Lift Truck Technologies announces its 12th consecutive annual recognition as a Green Supply Chain Partner by Inbound Logistics magazine. The recognition honors the company for its rigorous focus on developing and manufacturing a broad range of lift truck motive power solutions engineered to address the sustainability challenges of warehouse operations, most recently through the expansion of its integrated lithium-ion lift truck lineup. The company’s full set of options, the Yale Power Suite, gives operations the freedom to select the power source that best suits them, incorporating lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, internal combustion engines and lead-acid batteries across a comprehensive range of lift trucks. Dealers and sales staff guide customers through a consultative process to help select the right power option that allows them to meet their unique requirements, rather than being restricted to limited choices. “Today’s warehouses are striving towards aggressive goals to reduce their carbon emissions, and those challenges don’t exist in a vacuum – they’re simultaneously under pressure to meet growing productivity demands, while also navigating labor shortages and safety challenges,” says Brad Long, Brand Manager, Yale Lift Truck Technologies. “These businesses need lift truck power technologies that not only help them to make progress towards their sustainability goals but also address the full scope of the needs of their operation.” Yale most recently added to its roster by introducing 4,000-pound capacity integrated lithium-ion-powered three-wheel and four-wheel models. The new models allow warehouses in industries like food and beverage, 3PL and retail and e-commerce to reap the benefits of an advanced electric power source, whether transitioning from internal combustion engine-powered trucks or lead-acid batteries. Both the ERP040VTL, the three-wheel model, and the ERP040VFL, the four-wheel model, buck the traditional approach in which a battery box replacement converts counterbalanced lift trucks from lead-acid to lithium-ion battery power. Instead, the trucks are designed from the ground up around a fully integrated, space-saving lithium-ion battery pack. Lithium-ion batteries generate zero harmful emissions, and a lithium-ion battery pack can last over four times longer than a lead-acid battery, helping reduce recycling waste.
UgoWork signs pan-Canadian distribution agreement with Liftow
UgoWork®, a Canadian energy solutions provider specialized in the material handling industry, has announced that it has signed a pan-Canadian distribution agreement with Liftow Limited, Canada’s partner for end-to-end Toyota forklift and material handling solutions since 1960. In an effort to quickly expand Liftow’s offering, its sales and technical teams in Ontario and Québec have already been trained on UgoWork products. Under the official agreement, Liftow will offer UgoWork’s complete line of lithium-ion batteries for electric forklifts. In addition, Liftow customers will be able to take advantage of UgoWork’s flexible pay-for-performance consumption model. Also known as Energy as a Service, this industry-first consumption model offers an array of benefits, including minimized upfront costs and capital expenditures. Companies only pay for what they use, which contributes to healthier bottom lines. Furthermore, UgoWork’s team of battery experts works alongside customers to proactively monitor their lithium-ion batteries’ state of health to optimize fleet uptimes as well as drastically reduce unplanned maintenance and replacement costs. “We are thrilled that Liftow, as a reputable Canadian leader, recognizes the tremendous value UgoWork can bring to material handling teams—in terms of productivity, capacity and cost-savings,” said Philippe Beauchamp, President and CEO at UgoWork. “Thanks to this agreement, companies throughout Canada can speed up their material handling throughput without breaking the bank. We look forward to working alongside the Liftow teams as they continue to expand their service offering with innovative new technologies and operational approaches that are adapted to today’s customer challenges.” UgoWork convened in late 2022 in Toronto, where key representatives from Liftow Limited including Amanda Coulson, General Sales Manager – Central Division; Sean McBurney, Equipment Sales Manager – Central Division; and Red Andal, Marketing and Customer Experience Manager; to formalize the important distribution agreement.
Raymond wins bronze for innovation in event marketing at Global Eventex awards 2023
The Raymond Corporation won a bronze Eventex Award for its 100th anniversary immersive exhibit. The Eventex Awards, founded in 2009 to celebrate creativity, innovation and effectiveness, is the ultimate symbol of excellence in the world of events and experience marketing. With 761 entries from 49 countries worldwide, the 2023 awards recognized outstanding achievements in the events industry. Raymond’s 100th anniversary celebration included an interactive exhibit that took visitors on an adventure through time, highlighting game-changing innovations that make today’s supply chain possible and telling the stories of the people behind them. History was brought to life through museum-style artifacts, physical displays, video and an interactive touch-screen interface. “Receiving this award is a moment of immense pride and accomplishment for Raymond,” said Brian Howard, vice president, marketing and product management, The Raymond Corporation. “This recognition highlights our commitment to pushing the boundaries of our industry. We are honored to be acknowledged among our fellow innovators and look forward to the next 100 years and beyond as we continue delivering groundbreaking experiences and solutions for our customers.” The exhibit traveled to various Raymond Solutions and Support Centers across the country, with a final celebration at the trade show ProMat in Chicago in March. View the complete list of Eventex Awards winners here.
Santana Equipment announces new location in Northwest Florida
Santana Equipment Trading Company, a provider in the used material handling equipment market, has announced the opening of a new retail/rental location to better serve the Southeast region of the United States. Santana Equipment started in Illinois in 1999. Over the years the company grew into a leader in the wholesale forklift market and the need to expand became more evident. In 2013, after moving into a larger complex in North Chicago, Santana’s second location opened in Arizona. Santana Equipment West quickly became one of the top sellers of used forklifts in the Phoenix market. With Chicago Headquarters covering the north, and the Arizona location out west, the need was recognized for another location to serve the Southeast region of the US. After years of preparation and market research a warehouse was purchased in Pensacola, FL. The focus for this new location will be to continue the Santana Equipment business model of buying, selling, and renting quality new and used forklifts. When asked about the new Florida office Alex Stuckey, Santana Equipment West’s Operating Manager, said “We are so excited to be opening this new location in Florida! We’ve wanted to expand to this area for some time and I’m so glad we have had this opportunity to do so.” Seth Worthey, the Operating Manager of the new location added, “When I was researching where to move next, I saw that Pensacola is perfectly situated to serve all the surrounding markets. We will be able to provide our equipment to customers in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and every else in this region with ease.”
JLG® ClearSky Smart Fleet™ Turns Connectivity into Interactivity
JLG Industries, Inc. now offers standard ClearSky Smart Fleet™ connectively on most new JLG® equipment. This breakthrough IoT (Internet of Things) technology launches with 25 unique features, including analyzers, telematics and productivity applications, into a single connectivity beacon on JLG machines for seamless back-and-forth interaction through a comprehensive ClearSky mobile app, a user-friendly web portal or an advanced API. Equipment owners and operators can send a prompt to the beacon to identify a machine’s status or perform diagnostics wirelessly through the mobile app. “ClearSky Smart Fleet is a bold, new frontier in fleet connectivity,” says Ara Eckel, director of product management for JLG’s connected solutions. “It’s a true, two-way fleet management and communication platform that turns yesterday’s one-way data transmission into two-way interactivity that gets JLG equipment fleets talking like never before.” According to Eckel, ClearSky Smart Fleet is more than yet another singular piece of software. It is built as a robust, constantly evolving IoT platform capable of delivering new functionality, new insights and new ways to run more efficient, cost-effective operations. Comprehensive Mobile App Developed from the ground up, the all-new ClearSky Smart Fleet app provides a modern mobile experience to manage data and machine interaction, even when cellular data and Wi-Fi are not available. For example, key features of the mobile app include: FIND MY MACHINE — This feature activates audible and visual cues from the machine to make equipment identification and location effortless. “With ClearSky Smart Fleet, equipment owners and operators can light a specific machine’s beacon or honk its horn with the tap of a screen,” says Eckel. MACHINE STATUS INDICATION — Visual cues from the machine allow equipment owners and operators to wirelessly identify a machine’s status, such as active diagnostic trouble codes (DTC)s, battery or fuel level, ignition and more “…simply by looking at the color of the beacon,” says Eckel. DIGITAL ANALYZER — Perform diagnostics wirelessly with the built-in analyzer functionality that replaces the JLG wired handheld analyzer. DIGITIZED INFORMATION — Access to targeted information, such as parts and technical manuals, to help solve service issues without moving a step. COMING SOON: DIGITAL ANALYZER READER — A one-page summary shows a machine’s set-up, personalities, diagnostics and fault log data, which can be downloaded and shared. User-Friendly Web Portal The ClearSky Smart Fleet web portal delivers clear, efficient navigation and powerful features for immediate visibility into a fleet’s health and performance data. To help digitize daily processes, the web portal features include: DYNAMIC DASHBOARD — Display as much data as needed through a dynamic, action-oriented dashboard. “Whether a fleet view or individual model view is wanted, powerful filters and tailored customization, including drag-and-drop window widgets,” says Eckel, “allow any role to prioritize the actionable insights necessary to maximize productivity and ROI (return on investment).” MACHINE LEVEL DATA — Access to specific serial number and asset ID data, such as interactive schematics, knowledge articles, technical manuals and parts information, can be done in seconds. EXPORT — Generate reports and export the overview dashboard as a PDF or Excel file. UNIFIED LOGIN — ClearSky Smart Fleet is now part of Online Express, allowing for single sign-on and access using Online Express credentials. “By integrating ClearSky Smart Fleet into JLG’s Online Express service, equipment owners and operators can manage a fleet, troubleshoot machine issues and order parts — everything they need to keep a fleet in top shape — with a single login,” says Eckel. COMING SOON: AUTOMATIC SITE NETWORKS — Receive notifications when a machine arrives at or leaves a job site using the site network feature. “Site Networks act like automated geofences,” says Eckel, “when two or more machines are within range of a local connection, a site network is formed automatically, simplifying equipment tracking and reporting.” Advanced API Equipment owners and operators can effortlessly combine actionable, JLG-rich, ClearSky Smart Fleet data into a current telematics solution to manage an entire mixed fleet from a single screen, no matter where they are. “Our next-generation IoT platform offers an integrated, enhanced data feed to combine actionable, JLG-rich data into our customers’ in-house solution to manage their entire mixed fleet from a single screen, maximizing efficiencies and improving ROI,” finishes Eckel. ClearSky Smart Fleet is being introduced as a phased global rollout, starting July 2023. Customers with existing JLG products can continue to use the legacy ClearSky program for their connected needs. Both platforms are integrated into Online Express, JLG’s 24/7 e-Commerce site.
Cornerstone Equipment joins LiuGong North America Dealer Network
LiuGong North America has added Cornerstone Equipment to its dealer network. The Dry Ridge, Kentucky-based operation sells both construction equipment and material handling products. The business started in 2009 as an industrial equipment solutions provider. It serves the agriculture, outdoor power, construction and material handling equipment industries, and its three branches help to cover the tristate area of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. Devin Ponder, CEO, Cornerstone Equipment, has drawn upon his family’s roots and success with the business over the last 15 years. His parents, Bryan and Kathy Ponder, founded the business in 2009 after his dad worked for the region’s largest material handling dealership. He took over day-to-day operations at Cornerstone in 2020. While its roots were in forklifts, the company pivoted to its current line during the pandemic from 2020 to 2022 and expanded its operations in both Ohio and Indiana. The company is now blending its industrial equipment background with recent retail success to expand further, adding construction and material handling equipment. Ponder hailed the relationship already established with LiuGong team members during the recruitment process as Cornerstone Equipment joins the dealer network. “The vision of Cornerstone Equipment’s future and the LiuGong future in North America align perfectly,” he said. “Our team is uniquely qualified to be the market leaders in construction and material handling equipment sales, service and rental operations in the tristate area. “The broad product line offered from LiuGong covering both construction and material handling equipment fits our target customer base perfectly. The value of bringing machines with industry-leading components to market at an extraordinarily competitive price and lead time is exciting.” Andrew Ryan, President, LiuGong North America, expanded on the relationship they’ve developed and what Cornerstone Equipment can add to the dealer network. “There is a strong family history that Cornerstone Equipment has established, along with a pursuit of excellence and strong vision for what they want to achieve,” Ryan said. “It’s a great addition to our LiuGong dealer network across both construction and material handling equipment.” Jared Ward, Vice President, Material Handling, LiuGong North America, added the background they have within the material handling field will only strengthen the material handling dealer network. “The Cornerstone Equipment group has shown strong interest and dedication to serving material handling customers,” Ward said. “We look forward to growing with them in this space and we welcome their family to the LiuGong family of dealers.” Ponder closed by emphasizing the connection he has developed thus far. “The mission of LiuGong to be dealers’ preferred choice resonates with our team, and its organizational structure in North America supports that mission,” Ponder said. “Every LiuGong team member we met in Katy, Texas was truly professional; that’s something required for us to deliver the best customer experiences possible. “Lastly, LiuGong offers us the ability and opportunity to scale and expand our business on a regional level going forward and deliver excellent customer experiences for years to come.”
OTTO Lifter wins Gold Stevie® Award in 2023 International Business Awards®
OTTO Motors, a provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), announced that their autonomous forklift, OTTO Lifter, has been recognized as the winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the Manufacturing Solution category in The 20th Annual International Business Awards®. OTTO Lifter, the world’s smartest autonomous forklift, was awarded for its advancement in autonomous material handling solutions, addressing the challenges of labor shortages, safety, and productivity in manufacturing and warehouse facilities worldwide. Built on OTTO Motors’ fourteen years of industry-leading robotics experience and over four million production hours, OTTO Lifter seamlessly navigates traffic and obstacles, predictably and precisely delivering materials to the right place at the right time. Stevie Award judges commended the solution for its “remarkable innovation, safety, and market performance.” OTTO Lifter was also recently named the SupplyTech Breakthrough Material Handling Solution of the Year as well. “OTTO Lifter was only introduced to the manufacturing industry last year, but it is already transforming and unlocking new material handling workflows, solving top challenges for manufacturers worldwide, and winning prestigious awards,” said Jay Judkowitz, Vice President of Product at OTTO Motors. “We are honored that our autonomous forklift was recognized for its outstanding performance with a Gold Stevie Award.” The International Business Awards are the world’s premier business awards program, recognizing high-achieving organizations and executives from around the world. With more than 3,700 nominations across organizations in over 60 countries, Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 230 executives worldwide who participated in the judging process in June and July. “Nominations to the IBAs get better every year, and this year’s class of Stevie winners is the most impressive yet,” said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller. “The winners have demonstrated that their organizations have set and achieved lofty goals. We congratulate them on their recognized achievements, and look forward to celebrating them on stage in Rome on 13 October.”