AmeraMex International equipment order ships to Texas port

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AmeraMex International, Inc., a provider of heavy equipment for logistics companies, infrastructure construction and forestry conservation, announced that it has completed the final shipment of a large equipment order to a port in Texas. The final piece of equipment from the initial order is a $300,000, Taylor Equipment forklift, with a 45,000-pound capacity that will be used to off-load steel coils that weigh over 40,000 pounds each from holds in a ship. The forklift is stationed in the hold of a ship by a crane and is used to retrieve steel coils from around the perimeter of the hold. The coils are then positioned so that the crane can grab them and off-load them from the ship. Once a hold is empty, the crane repositions the forklift into the next hold and the process continues. According to AmeraMex CEO Lee Hamre, “The Company expects an order for additional large capacity forklifts before the end of the month. In addition, there will also be an order for a Hyster Double Reach Narrow Isle electric forklift capable of stacking material pallets to over 20 feet in height.”

Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas Group introduces new Quad Mast options for UniCarriers® Forklifts

Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas Group, the exclusive manufacturer and provider of UniCarriers Forklifts across North, Central and South America, has introduced the new Quad Mast options for the PD, BXC, Platinum II® Cushion and Nomad® Series. This new offering will replace the current 3rd Party supplied 2-ton Quad Masts with masts that will be designed, fabricated and assembled in-house. UniCarriers Forklifts Quad Mast is a four-stage mast that provides the highest reach due to its four sets of moving rails. These are designed for very high stacking in specialized warehousing and other industries. The new offering of Quad Masts on most popular trucks fills a gap for customers looking for higher lift capacities and provides customers with significant benefits including price competitiveness while maintaining the same capacity retention. With the new Quad Masts manufactured in-house, Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas will have more flexibility to meet customer’s unique requirements. Updated spec sheets and revised mast and capacity tables are currently available on the UniCarriers Forklifts Dealer Portal for the affected models:  PFD40M-PFD70M – The PD Series, available in 4,000-7,000 lb. capacities, is powered by an advanced diesel engine that utilizes a high-pressure common rail fuel injection system, cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and a Diesel Oxication Catalyst (DOC). BXC30N-BXC80N – An electric counterbalanced forklift series that combines a capacity of up to 8,000 lbs. and exceptional power efficiency. AF30-AF50 – The LP/dual fuel Nomad, with 3,000-5,000 lb. capacity, is the most unique vehicle of its kind and is ideally suited where both indoor and outdoor forklifts are needed. CF30LP-CF80LP – The Platinum II series of IC forklifts, available in 3,000-8,000 lb. capacities, comes with a reliable cooling design, service reminders and longer maintenance intervals that keep operations up and running by helping maximize uptime, while minimizing cost. “We are excited to offer UniCarriers Forklifts new Quad Mast options,” said Niels Tolboom, director, North American Sales for UniCarriers Forklifts at Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas. “The new Quad Masts are a testament to our dedication to delivering superior material handling equipment and services.” For more information on UniCarriers Forklifts’ new Quad Mast options, please visit www.logisnextamericas.com/en/logisnext/resources/forklift-mast-types/

Rocrich AGV Solutions: Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas and Jungheinrich to expand their joint venture for mobile automation solutions in North America

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Combination of Rocla and Jungheinrich® automated guided vehicle (AGV) portfolios in the North American market within existing AGV joint venture Rocrich to offer best-in-class AGV solutions that cover all major customer use cases Joint venture to further expand local capacities to offer even stronger support to customers and partners across North America German intralogistics pioneer Jungheinrich and Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas(Logisnext), a North American provider and manufacturer of material handling and innovative automation and fleet solutions, has announced the pending launch of Rocrich AGV Solutions (Rocrich). The joint venture will build on their existing partnership and will offer proven mobile automation solutions for warehouses and production facilities in North America. Both partners will hold equal shares in the company which will be headquartered in Houston, Texas with additional operations in Marengo, Illinois.  Rocrich: Bringing Rocla and Jungheinrich® AGVs together in North America Logisnext and Jungheinrich have already been collaborating in a long-standing and proven partnership for over 15 years in North America, including a joint venture company offering Jungheinrich AGV solutions – MCJ Supply Chain Solutions LLC (MCJ). In order to capture a significant portion of the projected growth in the North American material handling automation market, Rocrich will combine the AGV portfolios of Logisnext’s Rocla brand and that of Jungheinrich within the existing MCJ joint venture. This will provide customers and business partners with a single source for product and service solutions from both brands. Rocla and Jungheinrich have long-term industry expertise, with each having over 40 years of experience offering reliable mobile automation and robotics solutions for state-of-the-art warehouses. As one entity responsible for Rocla and Jungheinrich AGV portfolios, Rocrich will streamline processes and offer a single point of contact for customers and business partners as well as a strong service offering across North America. Comprehensive portfolio covers all major customer use cases in the North American market With the combined offering, the product and service portfolios of Jungheinrich and Rocla will enable Rocrich to cover all major customer use cases from standard to special purpose AGVs and automated forklifts. This offering for the North American market will build on Rocla’s and Jungheinrich’s global industry-leading knowledge in the area of AGVs that has been continuously developed over the last decades. Rocrich will build on these solutions with more products and services in the future. Strengthening of local capacities backed by largest North American dealer network To become an even stronger partner for the market, Rocrich will grow the North American organization and further strengthen its local capacities. As part of this strategy, it will expand its capabilities in the areas of sales, commissioning, installation and aftersales. At the same time, the joint venture will leverage the knowledge from Jungheinrich’s and Rocla’s in-depth expertise to further enhance its existing customer support and experience in the region. Partnering with more than 570 Logisnext dealer locations across North America, Rocrich will offer the industry’s best service promise with leading local and regional coverage. The extensive dealer network is present throughout the U.S. and provides additional coverage in Canada and Mexico. The industry-leading support offering will include aftersales services such as 24/7 helpdesk support, a quick local response to inquiries as well as planned and unplanned maintenance, among other items. Brian Spradlin, currently President of MCJ with over 15 years of experience in the automation field, will continue his role in the expanded joint venture and serve as President of Rocrich. “We are truly excited to announce Rocrich and to bring together the automation product portfolios of Rocla and Jungheinrich in the North American market,” said Brian Spradlin. “The combination will enable us to provide our customers and partners with fast and easy access to an industry-leading offering and position us for future market opportunities. We will combine the best people and products in the industry to scale our business. Our ambition is to become one of the leading players in the market and to shape the future of our industry.” The launch of Rocrich commercial operations is subject to the receipt of various regulatory authority approvals. The parties expect to complete these activities and commence commercial operations in the third quarter of 2023.

H&E opens branch in Mobile area

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Effective June 15, 2023, H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) has announced the opening of its Mobile branch, its fifth rental location in the state of Alabama. The branch is located at 6562 Theodore Dawes Road, Theodore, AL 36582-3957, phone 251 355-4600. It includes a fully fenced yard area, offices, and a separate repair shop and can handle a variety of construction and general industrial equipment. “Our new Mobile branch extends our Gulf Coast reach and fills in a geographic gap between our existing facilities in New Orleans to the west and Fort Walton Beach to the east. Just off I-10 and near I-65 and various state highways, we are favorably positioned to efficiently move equipment to any job site in Mobile and neighboring markets. We serve customers from Gulfport, Mississippi, to the Florida state line and points north,” says Branch Manager Sean Preece. “Positive economic conditions in the area point to a strong, long-term nonresidential construction forecast, and we have a variety of equipment in our fleet to supply any of those projects.” The Mobile 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.

Cushman introduces two innovative street-legal utility vehicles

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Cushman Tour LSV and Hauler PRO LSV for those that need a street-legal utility vehicle Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. has launched two new Cushman® utility models, the Tour LSV and Hauler PRO LSV. These models introduce street-legal vehicles to the Cushman lineup for personnel transport and utility duties. Both the Tour LSV and Hauler PRO LSV adhere to both the FMVSS 500 federal standard and the SAE J2358 industry standard, and can be operated on roads with speed limits up to 35MPH in most jurisdictions. Check your local guidelines for more information on your area’s specific LSV regulations. The Tour LSV personnel transport vehicle offers style and flexibility, with four forward-facing seats, and meets higher safety standards than traditional personnel transport vehicles. Outfitted with DOT-certified seatbelts, a rearview mirror with integrated backup camera display, side mirrors, an operator protective structure, and a pedestrian warning system, the Tour LSV is the perfect vehicle to get your team and guests to their destination — wherever it is. The Hauler PRO LSV takes the trusted strength and durability of the Hauler PRO and combines it with top-of-the-line safety standards to create the ultimate street-legal utility vehicle. The Hauler PRO LSV features DOT seatbelts, a rearview mirror with integrated backup camera display, side mirrors, an operator protective structure, and a pedestrian warning system. This vehicle comes standard with a 15-cubic-foot aluminum cargo bed, so it can take on whatever your workday brings. Both vehicles are powered exclusively by the proven, zero-maintenance Samsung SDI lithium battery technology used across the Cushman ELiTE series of vehicles. ELiTE lithium vehicles are more energy-efficient than traditional personnel transport or utility vehicles, and provide consistent power and performance regardless of your battery’s level of charge. In addition, ELiTE lithium vehicles offer greater uptime, recharging in half the time of vehicles powered by lead-acid batteries. Combined with the automatic parking brake, now standard on ELiTE vehicles, the Tour LSV and Hauler PRO LSV will bring a superior experience to your everyday tasks. These new models are available for order now from your local dealer.

Raymond celebrates forklift operators for National Forklift Safety Day

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Intralogistics solutions provider demonstrates commitment to supply chain workers through innovative, operator-first product and technology design As National Forklift Safety Day (NFSD) approaches, The Raymond Corporation — designer and manufacturer of some of the industry’s most intelligent intralogistics solutions and advanced material handling products — extends its thanks to and celebrates the thousands of forklift operators who work at every point along the global supply chain. “For more than 100 years, we’ve developed innovative tools and technologies that help move materials efficiently,” said Michael Field, president and CEO, The Raymond Corporation. “But at the heart of it all are the forklift operators themselves. That’s why we’re recognizing and thanking all the forklift operators who keep things moving. And it’s why we’re committed to offering solutions that help operators work more confidently and efficiently.” Among the worker-focused innovations Field cites are: Engaging Learning Programs. When operators understand and implement best practices to operate forklifts, they feel more confident and productive in the important work they do. Safety On The Move, Raymond’s industry-leading forklift operator training program, has helped employers protect their people, equipment and materials since its introduction. Additionally, Raymond’s Virtual Reality Simulator is a flexible, scalable teaching tool that uses the latest immersive technology to quickly increase new operator proficiency and continually expand operator skills for reduced turnover. Operator Assist and Automation Technologies. Operator assist technologies like Raymond’s Pick2Pallet™ LED Light System gives operators the tools to help them perform their jobs more efficiently and accurately. As an added benefit, these products and systems help reduce errors and bring new operators up to speed faster. At the same time, Raymond automation technologies can help by performing basic, repeatable tasks, freeing operators to focus on more value-added jobs. Comfort and Convenience Features. Even the smallest features can make a huge difference in an operator’s comfort. So whenever possible, Raymond designs features like padded lean points, vibration-dampening floor mats, accessory bars and USB charging ports — to help make long days more comfortable. Worker-focused Process Optimization. Nobody knows a process better than the people who do the work every day; that’s why Raymond Lean Management (RLM) is focused on empowering employees to spot inefficiencies and make improvements to the processes they follow and on improving morale and engagement through continuous collaboration between employees and management. “We believe it’s important to highlight the material handling, warehousing and distribution industry’s appreciation for its workers and operators,” Field said. “It’s that appreciation that shows up in equipment and product design, our work processes, and our dedication to continuous improvement.”

Big Joe releases new Spartan & Sprint Lithium Forklift Trucks

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With the new Big Joe LXE50 Spartan and LVE35 Sprint now available, there has never been a better time for companies to go electric Big Joe Forklifts released two new lithium forklifts that are now available. The LXE50 Spartan and the LVE35 Sprint were uniquely designed from the ground up to help companies take maximum advantage of the latest in lithium-ion battery technology at a low cost of ownership. The new Spartan is a 5,000 lb. capacity cushion-tired model that shares the same design attributes as an internal combustion truck of the same capacity. The idea is that operations currently using LP or diesel trucks will now have an electric option that can keep up with their duty cycle requirements and fit right into existing applications without sacrificing operator comfort or requiring infrastructure like eye wash stations. Similarly, the new Sprint 3,500 lb. capacity three-wheel forklift will further accelerate the adoption of electric trucks for users in need of a smaller machine by removing the need for an external charger. The Sprint comes standard with a single phase 120vac onboard charger that can be upgraded to 240vac. This will delight short term rental customers and make deployments at customer sites far simpler and less expensive than typical electric forklifts. The Sprint and Spartan feature 80v AC drive systems powered by a 230AH or 460AH UL-recognized lithium battery, respectively, that are manufactured in-house. By vertically integrating lithium battery manufacturing, Big Joe trucks benefit from numerous design and power management advantages that allow its trucks to run longer and at a lower cost than competitive electric machines. When comparing these power system advantages to a competitive internal combustion truck, the economics of the Spartan and Sprint get even better, with the potential of reducing operating costs by over 50 percent. If up-time is a key consideration, there is no need to stress. With optional three-phase chargers, the Spartan and Sprint can be opportunity charged at a rate of up to 12 percent every 15 minutes. “We designed the new Spartan and Sprint to be lithium forklifts from the ground up to help companies transition and take full advantage of the promise of lithium technology,” said Big Joe’s Chief Marketing Officer, Bill Pedriana. “Running internal combustion forklifts and paying high fuel and maintenance costs just makes very little sense with options like this now on the market. These new machines are less expensive to operate, they can charge fast enough to keep up with just about any use case, and you lose virtually nothing in comfort or performance. Not to mention the fact that you no longer have to breath in fumes all day.” As standard equipment, additional features on these new Big Joe forklifts include a full light and turn signal package, dual drive motors for tight turning performance, comfortable ergonomic seating and controls and Bluetooth service connectivity through a premium digital display on the Spartan. Available options include non-marking tires, blue light, a variety of fork and mast sizes and 4th function hydraulics to support special attachments.

Toyota Material Handling celebrates the 10th Anniversary of National Forklift Safety Day

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Toyota Material Handling  is proud to celebrate the 10th annual National Forklift Safety Day by reinforcing the importance of operator safety training, technology, and forklift safety practices as more new operators join the workforce every year. National Forklift Safety Day, sponsored by the Industrial Truck Association, is an annual event that serves as the focal point for forklift manufacturers to educate customers, policymakers, and government officials about the safe use of forklifts and the importance of proper operator training. “At Toyota, we are dedicated to helping the material handling industry foster a culture of safety,” said Tom Lego, Toyota Material Handling’s Brand Ambassador. “Toyota understands that any enduring culture of safety has its foundation in knowledge and best practice sharing – or yokoten – by promoting respect for careful habits when commuting around a facility.” With involvement in National Forklift Safety Day since the inaugural event in 2014, Toyota Material Handling continues to innovate with product features to help support operators. Toyota’s latest technology, Smart Environment Sensor Plus™ (SEnS+), can assist operators in identifying a pedestrian or object behind their forklift. In addition to the system notifications, SEnS+ has industry-first features, including dynamic zoning, adjustable truck slowdown, and backward movement prevention. The SEnS+ zoning feature automatically adjusts the detection range of obstacles in a 130-degree field of view up to 32 feet away, and limits forklift movements by engaging in regenerative braking to slow the truck speed for pedestrians and objects in specific conditions. Most Toyota Forklifts come standard with the System of Active Stability™ (SAS), which instantaneously detects operational hazards prone to instability. SAS generates over 3,000 readings per second and can automatically stabilize the rear axle to help operators maintain lateral stability, reducing the overall risk of potential accidents. Both SEnS+ and SAS are part of Toyota Assist, a robust family of advanced features and options that work together to passively or actively assist forklift operability, productivity or situational awareness. “The operator is the most important component of a forklift,” Lego said. “Training and investing in these individuals is paramount, even for the most seasoned operators. There is always something new in this industry because each setting is unique and different. We build great trucks for many different applications using the best technology, but we find that proper training and ample opportunities to hone the skills of these essential workers are the most important investments in forklift safety.” Toyota works with customers to help instill a culture of safety in conjunction with Toyota Assist operator enhancements, free site surveys, consultations and operator training. All 230 dealers in Toyota’s nationwide dealer network offer training upon request.

Hyster® trucks to use Rocsys robotic charging

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Ahead of TOC Europe 2023, Hyster confirms that Rocsys will provide autonomous charging solutions for selected Hyster® electric port equipment Rocsys will deliver its ROC-1 autonomous charging system for use with zero-emission Hyster Terminal Tractors, with the possibility to extend to other Hyster electric trucks. Using the robotic ROC-1 solution, parked machines can be both plugged in and charged automatically, helping to support efficiency and uptime in ports. “Rocsys is thrilled to introduce the first autonomous charger for Hyster. By harnessing cutting-edge soft robotics, AI technology, and continuous data-driven monitoring, we offer a reliable and secure charging solution,” says Crijn Bouman, CEO and Co-founder of Rocsys. Crijn continues: “The high power requirements of electric vehicles can result in heavy and inflexible charging cables, which may be challenging to handle. Our innovative system eliminates this issue, helping to support safety and efficiency without compromising performance.” The ROC-1 robotic charging solution works with any type of charger and can use a standard CCS (Common Charging System) inlet. The new Hyster Terminal Tractor, which previews at TOC Europe from June 13th – 15th, will also feature standardized CCS1 or CCS2 capabilities. This may help make the transition to electrics easier, while supporting scheduled and opportunity charging in operations. “One of our aims is to work with partners and champion new technologies that provide solutions to simplify the transition to electrification in ports and terminals,” says Jan-Willem van den Brand, Director Global Market Development at Hyster. “In working with Rocsys, we are helping our customers to explore the possibilities of robotic charging for electric trucks.  If the autonomous charging route best suits their application needs, this integrated solution may make it simpler and quicker for them to get started,” he continues. As well as being an option for selected Hyster equipment, the ROC-1 autonomous charging system will also be implemented at the Hyster test center in Weeze, Germany. Rocsys will use the Hyster site to carry out autonomous charging demonstrations for zero-emission port equipment customers. This will enable further development of the system and help to verify the performance of robotic charging for operations in harsh environments. Learn more at TOC Europe from June 13-15, 2023. Visit Hyster at Stand C11 and Rocsys at Stand C10.

Raymond named to Forbes America Best Midsize Employers list for 3rd consecutive year

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For three consecutive years, Forbes has been honoring The Raymond Corporation as one of America’s best midsize employers from the engineering and manufacturing sector. The list recognizes employers from among 500 companies, based on an independent survey and polling of an anonymous group of employees. “This recognition is the result of all our Raymond associates working together to build on our successful 100-year history,” said Steve VanNostrand, executive vice president, The Raymond Corporation. “We are all very proud of this award and are committed to continuously improving career opportunities, recognition and our associate experience.” Forbes determined the list of best midsize employers in partnership with Statistica, a world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. Statistica surveyed 45,000 Americans working for businesses with more than 1,000 employees to determine the list for midsize employers. Statistica collected anonymous responses through a survey that asked employees how likely they would be to recommend their employer to others; and gave respondents the opportunity to nominate organizations other than their own, as well as identify organizations they would not recommend to others. VanNostrand said: “Raymond’s unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and supporting the advancement of our people and processes is the driving force behind our success in manufacturing and engineering. By prioritizing people development, we are able to deliver exceptional customer experiences and achieve excellence in all aspects of our business.” The Raymond Corporation is hiring for more than 200 manufacturing positions on the first, second and third shifts, as well as for a number of engineering disciplines including, software, electrical, quality, research and more. Weekly on-site interviews are being held at its Greene, New York, and Muscatine, Iowa, locations, along with in-person and virtual job fairs held in June 2023. For more details about open positions and the job fairs, visit https://careers.raymondcorp.com/.

Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas Group celebrates 10th Anniversary of National Forklift Safety Day

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Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas group (Logisnext), a North American provider and manufacturer of material handling and innovative automation and fleet solutions, knows that the safety of forklift operators is a top priority. For the 1oth anniversary of National Forklift Safety Day, Logisnext and its family of brands – Cat® lift trucks, Mitsubishi forklift trucks, Jungheinrich®, UniCarriers® Forklifts and Rocla AGV Solutions – are teaming up with the industry to advocate and champion forklift safety in the workplace. The company is supporting National Forklift Safety Day through a variety of safety-focused activities, including:  Attendance at the 1oth annual Industrial Truck Association (ITA) National Forklift Safety Day event in Washington D.C. that will include presentations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), industrial safety and forklift industry experts. On June 13, Logisnext employees across the company’s three campuses in Houston, Texas; Marengo, IL and Grand Rapids, MI, will celebrate the milestone occasion as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to focus on safety best practices. To further raise awareness of the importance of forklift safety in the workplace, a National Forklift Safety Day toolkit was made available to the Logisnext dealer network to help promote the “Safety First” campaign to employees and customers during the month of June. “National Forklift Safety Day brings an important focus to safety in our industry – an area that we concentrate on all year long as a part of our 100% safety initiative,” said Jay Gusler, executive vice president, operations of Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas. “In recognition of this important national day focused on safety, we are committed to increasing awareness of forklift safety with our employees, dealers and customers.”   Logisnext’s “Safety First” initiative reinforces the importance of properly trained forklift operators and proper forklift certification. New tools are available to help contribute to a safer working environment, including a forklift safety poster series, a forklift inspection checklist and additional operational safety resources. For more information and to download these new resources, visit Logisnext’s National Forklift Safety Day page. 

H&E opens new Houston South branch

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Effective June 5, 2023, H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) announces the opening of its Houston South branch, its 22nd rental location in the state of Texas. The branch is located at 6100 Almeda Genoa Road, Houston, TX 77048-4539, phone 346 547-0300. It includes a fully fenced yard area, offices, and a separate repair shop and is capable of handling a variety of construction and general industrial equipment. “Strategically positioned just north of Beltway 8 with quick access to I-610 and I-45, our new branch extends our reach across the large and continuously growing Houston market. With more Houston-area locations and added fleet inventory available, coverage now blankets all geographic corners of the metro area, and we can more efficiently serve job sites wherever they are located,” says Branch Manager Alex Soliman.  “Our Houston South team consists of equipment professionals who have worked with H&E in this area for a number of years, so we know the market. We can locate equipment from any number of facilities in the area and supply our customers quickly. We’re hitting the ground running.” The Houston South 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, Gehl, Generac Mobile, Genie, Hamm, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Kobelco, Kubota, LayMor, Ledwell, Lincoln Electric, Link-Belt Excavators, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Nissan, Polaris, Sany, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Sullair, Sullivan-Palatek, Unicarriers, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, and others.

RAVAS offers industry-leading forklift truck scales

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Forklifts are an indispensable and versatile means of turning, transporting, storing, or collecting goods. By mounting RAVAS weighing systems on the trucks, you ensure a professional process around your factories and warehouses, regardless of your industry or business sector. RAVAS offers a complete range of forklift weighing systems. These are intelligent attachments that can fit on trucks of all brands. RAVAS’ versatile iForks are the world’s first and most complete wireless set of weighing forks for forklift trucks. The iForks offer a new dimension to cross-docking, weighing incoming and outgoing goods, and safely loading and unloading containers. Our hydraulic weighing systems prevent overloading and can easily complete weight checks. The weighing carriages are highly accurate and can perform in combination with clamps or rotators. The RAVAS Hydraulic Weighing Systems are designed for simple weight checks of pallets and goods. They also avoid overloading your trucks, warehouse racks, and forklift trucks. The advantage of mobile weighing systems is that they are fast, safe, and effective. As a result, they quickly increase the output of the logistics in and around your warehouses. The RAVAS iCP (Carriage Plate Scales), an integrated mobile weighing system, weighs pallet loads while being unloaded or transported with a forklift. The onboard indicator collects critical data and can share it wirelessly via built-in Bluetooth. For more information contact RAVAS at 330 425-3092 or salesoffice-usa@ravas.com

Crosby LoadConnect software goes global

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The Crosby Group announces the launch of the Crosby Straightpoint LoadConnect cloud-based software, which can monitor loads from any distance and from anywhere around the world to improve safety and efficiency at work sites. When connected to a wireless base station, load cell data is transmitted to the unique cloud software solution, LoadConnect. This unique online dashboard provides users with fast, real-time load data, monitors errors and status, and has a map pinpointing exact product locations. It also provides an overview of productivity and utilization. Users can also access more in-depth statistics, historical readings, and view analytics via the dashboard, as well as schedule reports directly to any chosen email. This will reduce site visits, improve decision-making, and safely monitor loads and line tensions from any distance or location. Each base station can connect from up to 16 Crosby Straightpoint wireless load cells, with an option of one cabled load cell, which transmits data to the LoadConnect dashboard via a chosen network or nearby WiFi. When connected via a network, LoadConnect also has the option to send data to a user’s mobile phone. This software is compatible with Crosby’s most popular wireless product, the Radiolink Plus, in addition to the Loadshackle (also tensile) and LoadSafe (compression), and LoadConnect complements the Crosby Straightpoint brand’s newest product, BOLT (Bolt On Line Tensiometer), a lightweight wire rope tensiometer or shunt tensiometer, for fast and accurate measurement of tensions up to 20,000 lbs. (10,000 kg), and up to 1.25 in. (32mm) diameter. BOLT is designed for permanent installation, hence its suitability with LoadConnect. Thomas Dietvorst, Director of Technology Solutions, said: “This is a ground-breaking software solution, whereby you will be able to monitor loads from any distance from anywhere around the world. LoadConnect will prove to be a game-changer for anyone using our wireless load cell range in industries such as telecommunications and bridge nets, eliminating the need for personnel to regularly visit remote locations to check line and wire tension. There are also many use cases in the construction sector and other industries where similar projects are common, such as shipbuilding to monitor weight as loads are applied and nuclear power plants to prevent catastrophe.” Where BOLT is different from Crosby Straightpoint’s COLT (Clamp On Line Tensiometer) is that it can be left in a permanent position and connected to the HHP handheld reader and/or LoadConnect software. The BOLT has a single-wire rope range that is optimized for permanent installation applications. Customers needing a broader application base can still use the COLT which transmits tension data wirelessly to any smart device running the Android or iOS app that contains an infinite wire rope library. Dietvorst added: “The two products are each as important to our portfolio as the other and, with LoadConnect’s characteristics aligning so well with BOLT, the hardware, and software will likely be used together in many instances. There are a multitude of applications where remote monitoring is desirable, especially where defective wire rope and repairs can be alerted and effected quickly and efficiently, without in-person inspection.” BOLT is manufactured using an integral, high accuracy, wireless module—weighing just 2.1kg/4.6lbs and measures 259mm/10.2” by 159.1mm/6.26”. Constructed from aerospace-grade aluminum, the BOLT is lightweight, easy to handle, and operates on wires that are already under tension. Once installed it enables the operator to quickly check tension on cables or wire ropes set at any angle. Crosby Straightpoint’s BOLT and LoadConnect cloud-based software is now available from global channel partners.

H&E opens new branch in Pueblo Colorado

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Effective June 1, 2023, H&E Equipment Services Inc. (H&E) announces the opening of its Pueblo branch, its sixth rental location in the state of Colorado. The branch is located at 3001 N Freeway Road, Pueblo, CO 81008-1023, phone 719 467-2900. It includes a fully fenced yard area, offices, and a separate repair shop and can handle a variety of construction and general industrial equipment for customers in the southern half of the state. “H&E’s placement of its newest Centennial State facility in close proximity to its existing Colorado Springs branch provides increased coverage and convenience for existing customers in all of southern Colorado and positions us favorably to win new business. Thanks to easy access to I-25 and an extensive fleet of new equipment, we can supply job sites down to the state line as well as across the entire lower portion of the state from east to west. Our reach is extensive,” says Pueblo Branch Manager Bob Goering. “Pueblo is a strong market with a variety of industrial and nonresidential projects, and our new location allows us to be even more effective in delivering the reliable equipment and service our Colorado customers have come to depend on.” The Pueblo branch specializes in the rental of aerial lifts, telescopic forklifts, earthmoving machinery, compaction equipment, generators, compressors, and more and represents the following manufacturers:  Allmand, Atlas Copco, Bomag, Case, Club Car, Gehl, Generac Mobile, Genie, Hamm, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Kobelco, Kubota, LayMor, Ledwell, Lincoln Electric, Link-Belt Excavators, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Nissan, Polaris, Sany, Skyjack, SkyTrak, Sullair, Sullivan-Palatek, Unicarriers, Wacker Neuson, Yanmar, and others. Founded in 1961, H&E Equipment Services is one of the largest equipment rental companies in the nation, providing the higher standard in equipment rentals, sales, parts, and service.  Branches are located throughout the Pacific Northwest, West Coast, Intermountain, Southwest, Gulf Coast, Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions.

What does the future hold for California Forklift Buyers? Insights from Cromer’s General Manager, Doug Perez

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Doug Perez serves as General Manager of Cromer Material Handling, and has worked in the material handling industry for over 20 years. Right now, our industry faces a number of big changes, coming fast and disrupting our processes. Doug wanted to offer his thoughts on these changes, what forklift buyers & operators should expect, and how Cromer is working to help. “In recent years, the material handling industry suffered an inventory shortage. Is the situation better today?” It’s better, but we still see big delays. Some forklift brands are on backorder for over one year out, due to component shortages. If you need something now, I recommend considering other forklift brands. You may discover a new favorite. If you want to stick with your current brand, be sure to place your orders in advance so that you’ll get them when your current forklifts are ready to retire. “What are the lead times by forklift brand, generally speaking?” The Doosan and BYD electric forklifts carry a pretty quick lead time now, within six-eight months. Donkey’s managing delays well, too. We have a constant supply of Donkey piggybacks now. For our more specialized forklifts, Combilift narrow aisles take around 12 months. Princeton trailer mounts have a lead time of 12 months. Sellick’s rough terrain forklifts are available in six-eight months. “How is electric forklift adoption going?” We see more interest now than ever before. Currently, about 40% of our forklift sales are electric. Some companies have swapped a percentage of their fleet for electrics; while others went all-in and already see success. In our experience, the biggest change is teams switching their refueling process from filling a tank to charging a battery. “For those customers who need to hold onto equipment longer than they normally would, what would you recommend?” The only way to extend the life of your equipment is to keep it maintained. Deferred maintenance is common among forklift fleets. Right now, this could spell a lot of trouble. If a forklift breaks down, and you can’t repair it fast, you’re stuck waiting on new equipment. That could spell weeks of lost operation time or forklift rental fees. I’d suggest having your maintenance tech check the forklift once a quarter for wear on parts. (They should anyway.) Replacing parts once worn – and before they break – will extend the forklift’s usable life. Alternatively, have a Cromer service tech evaluate your fleet & recommend a maintenance schedule for the coming year. “What challenges would you say warehouses & distributors in the California area face?” Equipment delays have bottlenecked some orders, as I said, but our California customers have another challenge in front of them. We’re constantly faced with legal expectations from CARB, the EPA, and the State of California. They all relate to emissions and grid-related efficiencies. CARB has already implemented a plan to require zero-emissions vehicles for cars & trucks by 2035. What you may not know is they’re working on plans to require the same standard for forklifts soon. Their new rules could require forklift manufacturers to sell only electric forklifts in California by January 1, 2026 (the date’s subject to change). In other words, CARB may soon prevent the sale of any non-electric forklift in California. LPG forklifts will age out of usability from there. Hopefully, the same people making these new rules are working with power companies to make sure our electric grid can support the extra load. “What does Cromer do to help its customers meet these challenges?” It comes down to equipment offerings. With the Doosan and BYD lithium forklift lines, over $25M in rental assets, over 100 techs to service your equipment and multiple finance options, we’re able to meet any requirement. On a service level, I believe what sets Cromer apart is our professionalism, experienced team, and technical training. “If you could tell all California businesses one thing they should know about material handling in 2023, what would it be?” This is a good year to identify your key business partnerships and make changes based on their ability to educate you on the industry’s future. It really comes down to who has readily-available products to ease your equipment challenges, and who’s willing to help you adapt to the coming changes. At Cromer, we’re here to make your life easier.

SOCMA Power Electric Forklift Trucks

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With many years of accumulation in the high-capacity forklift sectors and over a decade of customer success experience, SOCMA has introduced the SOCMA Power Electric Forklift Truck Solutions. SOCMA Machinery strongly believes in a clean and sustainable energy source is the future, and we are here to answer the market. Powered by CATL LFP Battery Technology, our E-Forklift Trucks not only provide significant fuel cuts to your job site but also reduce vibration and air pollution to the maximum during work, which brings benefits not only financially but also biologically. Intelligent Energy Management Strategy Aiming at the complex working conditions of the excavator, the battery is used to cut the peak and fill the valley of the load power, dynamically plan the working point of the engine, and improve the energy saving of the whole machine. Energy Consumption Optimization Saved Up to 35% energy (7-8L fuel consumption per hour) Engine power decreased from 85kW to 36.8kW Power lithium battery: 15.6kwh(DC400-750V) The engine is not affected by National IV emission Eco-Friendly & Bio-Friendly No fossil fuel combustion during operation, and minimum engine vibration, resulting in minimum air pollution, and noise pollution, bring a much more comfortable working environment to the operators and workers around the machines.

CLARK Material Handling Company announces appointment of Mike Binnie as COO/CAO of CLARK North America

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CLARK Material Handling Company, a top-ten manufacturer of forklifts and spare parts, has announced the appointment of J. Michael Binnie as COO/CAO for its North America operations. In this role, Mr. Binnie will oversee daily operations at CLARK, working closely with the CLARK dealer network, facilitating the continued innovation of the company, as well as working closely with the CLARK management team to build on the success of the company with a long-term strategic plan.  Mr. Binnie has over 30 years of experience in various industries and holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration from Duke University. He will report to Dennis Lawrence, President and CEO of CLARK North America. Mr. Binnie has previous experience with the Young An family of companies, having recently served as President and CEO of Dorfman Milano Company for the past four years in Stockton, California/Garland, Texas. Prior to that position, Mr. Binnie served as President, Dickies Workwear (North America) / VF Corporation. Mr. Binnie brings to the organization a solid business background in strategic planning, marketing and sales, and supply chain management. “We are so pleased that Mike is joining us to enhance the success that CLARK has achieved in the marketplace over the past twenty years. He is a seasoned professional, with many years of leadership and operational expertise. He will be a valued asset to the team in North America,” commented Dennis Lawrence, President and CEO of CLARK North America. “I am excited to be joining a team that has experienced exponential growth in the last two decades and believe that my experience leading successful companies will be beneficial to the CLARK brand. CLARK Material Handling Company’s culture is one of excellence and community, which is in alignment with my personal values,” added Mike Binnie, COO/CAO of CLARK North America. Mr. Binnie will be based out of the CLARK corporate location in Dallas, Texas.