Metal Detectable Cable ties Prevent Contamination, Product recalls

A new line of metal detectable cable ties that help manufacturers comply with the FDA’s HACCP standards and EU regulations by preventing contamination is being introduced by ACT Fastening Solutions of Gardner, Mass. ACT Metal Detectable Cable Ties help keep manufacturing processes safe and foreign materials out of consumer products without the expense of stainless steel cable ties.  Featuring copolymer material blended with iron, providing magnetic properties throughout, these cable ties can be detected by metal detectors and are molded in the industry standard teal color for visual identification.

 

Fully interchangeable with other metal detectable cable ties on the market, ACT Metal Detectable Cable Ties have rounded edges for user safety and to prevent insulation damage, require low insertion and pull-through force, and have an angled tail for fast insertion alignment, while tail finger grips allow easier handling and tightening. ACT Metal Detectable Cable Ties are offered in sizes from 4” to 14” long with tie tensile ranging from 18 lb. to 120 lb.  Samples and pricing are available upon request.

 

 

 

 

Flow-Rite Updates Flip Top Battery Watering Cap

Flow-Rite has updated their battery watering flip-top cap, Water Wise. New features include recombinant tips underneath the lid that reduce water consumption. This is accomplished by promoting and directing condensation back into the cell. The addition of vent holes on the lid better diffuses noxious fumes. Cap removal is easier with the new removal grip. Water Wise is now available in two lengths to accommodate the wide range of battery cell depths.

 

The patent pending design allows for the peace of mind denied by standard battery watering gun and cell cap technology. Water Wise limits an automatic watering gun’s nozzle depth without the aid of an O-ring or mechanical stop that requires tools to adjust. This feature prohibits interference with the mosh shield and provides reliable electrolyte levels every time. Just push in the cap for an easy installation.

 

Water Wise is durable enough to withstand demanding industrial applications. The low-profile cap, extending 0.5 of an inch off the battery, sits well below the inter-cell connectors for less chance of being accidentally dislodged. Time and training are saved by not estimating the O-ring/stop position for every watering cycle. Even if the O-ring/stop is properly adjusted, it can be moved out of place after watering many cells. Like all Flow-Rite products, every Water Wise is made in the U.S.

 

 

 

 

Panel Built Offers New Lift-Out Barrier Rail System

Panel Built is manufacturing a new type of barrier rail. There are a number of benefits to the new system, including easier installation and improved aesthetics. Panel Built barrier rail features a complete integral sleeve with sections that slide in and out. This offers much more flexibility with the same structural integrity.  Like all of their metal products, the barrier rail is powder-coated for aesthetics and durability. The new design also provides for quicker production times since there are fewer holes to be drilled in the safety rail. The system still mounts to the floor using wedge anchors, but instead of sections of the guard rail being bolted together, they are simply and easily welded in place. Expanded production at Panel Built means that all components for this system are manufactured in house. Overall, the new barrier rail system should mean greater production efficiency and improved installation time; which in turn, should bring faster lead times and lower cost to Panel Built’s customers.

 

 

Supply Chain Veteran Davison Schopmeyer Joins enVista

enVista has announced Davison Schopmeyer has joined the company’s Supply Chain Solutions team as a Managing Partner.  Schopmeyer brings over 20 years of supply chain consulting experience managing and implementing complex supply chain solutions for companies worldwide.  “enVista’s Supply Chain Solutions practice has been growing at an incredible rate. Davison brings extensive, hands-on experience that will benefit our clients,” said enVista Senior Managing Partner Ken Mullen. “He has experience with over a hundred warehouse management implementations, and has expertise across all facets of the supply chain including labor management, inventory management, and order management.  We are extremely excited to have him join the enVista leadership team.”

 

Schopmeyer brings significant executive supply chain experience to enVista. Most recently, he served as Vice President at Manhattan Associates where he led several of that company’s professional service departments over his tenure there.  Davison led professional services teams in delivering order management, warehouse management, labor management, merchandise planning, inventory optimization, RFID and business intelligence projects.  Davison’s responsibility also included leading the Engagement Management area for Manhattan Associates.  That team oversaw the multi-product installations for some of Manhattan’s largest customers.  Davison’s recent projects, with some of the Top 100 Specialty Retailers, dealt with developing their strategies on inventory and order management from an entire supply chain network standpoint.  The central focus around these projects dealt with the visibility of all inventory and all orders in a supply chain including retail stores to make the best economic decision to source demand.  Davison also led the expansion of Manhattan’s Labor Management delivery team to include change management and the delivery of engineered labor standards.

 

Prior to Manhattan Associates, Schopmeyer served as Vice-President and National Supply Chain Director at CIBER.  Over the course of his leadership, he developed several strategy offerings, a software selection methodology, and directed several large ERP, CRM and supply chain projects. Schopmeyer began his career at The Summit Group where he was an owner of the company before its acquisition by CIBER in 1998. “enVista is an industry-leading supply chain company that combines an experienced team with exceptional supply chain solutions to provide proven results and significant return on investment to customers,” Schopmeyer said. “I am extremely excited to bring my experience to the team and apply it to enVista’s clients to help achieve their business goals.”

 

 

 

 

Steel King Industries Names Vice President of Finance

Steel King Industries, Inc., is pleased to introduce Mike Hamilton as its new Vice President of Finance.

 

Mike has been Steel King’s Director of Finance since June 2010, managing and directing all the Financial and Human Resource activities for Steel King during that time. As Vice President of Finance, Hamilton will continue to oversee all aspects of Steel King’s Accounting, Finance and Human Resource activities.

 

“Mike joined Steel King Industries in June of 2010, bringing 20 years of experience in financial management of manufacturing organizations. In the past, he was involved in shop floor and business process kaizen events, which will be very beneficial to Steel King as we strive to continuously improve our competitive position," said Steel King President Jay Anderson. "Over the past year, Mike has continuously exhibited the mindset that we all need to have. He has a great passion for continuous improvement, error reduction through standard work, and improving our competitive position through Lean, waste reduction, and strategic investment. "He also has a great ability to balance pure numbers with more subjective business considerations. Mike’s past and future contributions are appreciated and will help us to grow.”

 

Steel King Industries manufactures a full-line of material handling products, including selective pallet racks, dynamic flow storage systems, AS/RS racks for mini-loads or unit loads, cantilever racks, portable racks, and custom shipping racks, along with industrial steel containers and guard railing. Innovation, customization and design strength has earned Steel King the reputation as a leader in the material handling marketplace. For more information, call Steel King at (800) 826-0203 or visit them on line at www.steelking.com.

 

 

 

AAR Reports Gains in October Rail Traffic

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported gains in October 2011 rail traffic compared with the same month last year, with U.S. railroads originating 1,215,627 carloads, up 1.7 percent, and 975,566 trailers and containers, up 3.6 percent. October 2011 saw the highest weekly carload average of any month since October 2008, as well as the highest weekly intermodal average since October 2006. Detailed monthly data charts and tables will be made available in the AAR’s Rail Time Indicators report to be released tomorrow.

 

In October 2011, 12 of the 20 carload commodity categories saw increases on U.S. railroads compared with October 2010.  The largest gains were: motor vehicles and parts, up 6,177 carloads or 11.1 percent; coal, up 6,124 carloads or 1.1 percent; and petroleum and petroleum products, up 5,018 carloads or 19.4 percent. Commodity groups seeing a decline in October included grain, down 14,904 carloads or 14.2 percent, and grain mill products, down 2,173 carloads or 5.4 percent. Class I freight rail employment rose to 160,240 in September 2011, up 133 employees from August 2011, continuing an upward trend that began in early 2010.  Total Class I rail employment in September 2011 was up 4 percent, or 6,146 employees compared with September 2010.

 

“While there is clearly room for improvement, October rail traffic appears to indicate that we are still in a slowly growing economy,” said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray.  “Rail carloads of many key industrial commodities — chemicals, steel, petroleum products, crushed stone and gravel — are up, and higher rail shipments of autos and intermodal are consistent with a potential pickup on the consumer side of our economy.  Things can change quickly, of course, and the growth rates are certainly not as robust as we would like to see, but we at least appear to be headed in the right direction.”

 

Today, AAR also reported gains in traffic for the week ending Oct. 29, 2011, with U.S. railroads originating 307,900 carloads, up 5.2 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 243,774 trailers and containers, up 4.6 percent compared with the same week last year. Fourteen of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2010, including: iron and steel scrap, up 23.5 percent; petroleum products, up 20.5 percent; and metallic ores, up 20.1 percent. The groups showing a significant decrease in weekly traffic included waste and nonferrous scrap, down 14.5 percent, and grain, down 5.3 percent. Weekly carload volume on Eastern railroads was up 2.3 percent compared with the same week last year. In the West, weekly carload volume was up 7.1 percent compared with the same week in 2010. For the first 43 weeks of 2011, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 12,544,777 carloads, up 1.8 percent from the same point last year, and 9,856,792 trailers and containers, up 5.3 percent from last year. Canadian railroads reported 80,569 carloads for the week, up 5.1 percent compared with the same week last year, and 51,670 trailers and containers, up 3.4 percent compared with 2010. For the first 43 weeks of 2011, Canadian railroads reported cumulative volume of 3,242,656 carloads, up 3 percent from the same point last year, and 2,074,568 trailers and containers, up 1.5 percent from last year.

 

Mexican railroads reported 13,969 carloads for the week, down 4.5 percent compared with the same week last year, and 7,372 trailers and containers, down 5.2 percent. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first 43 weeks of 2011 was 615,670 carloads, up 4.2 percent compared with the same point last year, and 356,981 trailers and containers, up 22.2 percent. Combined North American rail volume for the first 43 weeks of 2011 on 13 reporting U.S., Canadian and Mexican railroads totaled 16,430,103 carloads, up 2.1 percent compared with the same point last year, and 12,288,341 trailers and containers, up 5 percent compared with last year.

 

 

 

 

 

Crown Equipment commemorates 25 years of manufacturing in Germany

Crown Equipment Corporation is celebrating 25 years of manufacturing lift trucks for European and global markets at its Roding, Germany, facility. Selected for its prime European location and skilled workforce, Roding has been home to Crown manufacturing in Germany since 1986. Original production at the facility included Crown PTH 20 Series hand pallet trucks. As customer demand and the complexity of Crown’s products increased, overall output has grown. Today Crown is manufacturing a wide array of products at the facility, including low-level order pickers, reach trucks and pallet trucks.

 

“What makes Roding special is the consistently high quality of its products, as well as its flexibility in responding to specific customer requirements,” said Ken Dufford, vice president, Europe, Crown Equipment. “We are optimistic that the plant will continue to grow.” The majority of the employees who were part of the facility’s original workforce in 1986 continue to serve in Roding today. Crown continues to make investments in its future by training more than 40 engineering apprentices at the facility each year.

 

“Our employees at Roding have always been highly motivated and loyal self-starters,” said Mads Andreasen, Roding plant manager. “It’s simple – employees are aware that Crown, as a family-owned company, has a long-term commitment to its employees. They also appreciate the fact that Crown invests in their future by offering additional education and training.” In addition to the Roding facility, Crown also manufactures lift trucks in the United States, Mexico, Australia and China.

 

 

 

 

Clark Americas Announces Addition of a New Factory

Clark Material Handling Company has announced it is adding capacity to its North American operations with the addition of a new facility in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. This new facility, scheduled to be completed this month, will play a critical role in Clark’s continued growth and expansion in the Americas. The facility is expected to begin initial production in the first quarter of 2012. Clark Mexico is currently staffed with a mix of manufacturing experts from Clark’s Korean production facility and highly skilled local employees who are engaged in a number of activities preparing the facility for production, including purchasing, facilities management, production planning and clerical work.

 

San Luis Potosi was selected as the site for this new factory after an extensive and detailed search process. A search committee, including representatives from Clark in Lexington, Ky. and Korea joined with Mexican government officials to review sites in Mexico that provided skilled labor, a broad supplier base, modern logistic facilities, an established manufacturing base and a willingness to partner with Clark. With a population of over one million, San Luis Potosi is the 10th largest metropolitan area in Mexico and is a major manufacturing/industrial region. San Luis Potosi lies in the interior between Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. This region is well known for its multinational investors and will give Clark a solid platform to support its continued international growth.

 

Clark Mexico will report to the Clark America Headquarters based in Lexington. Dennis Lawrence, President and CEO of Clark Material handling Company and Clark The Americas will serve as CEO of Clark Mexico as well.

 

“We are extremely pleased to be part of the San Luis Potosi community. Our experience in working with local officials and suppliers has been excellent,” Lawrence said. “The positive long-term impact this facility will have on Clark, its dealers and end users will be significant, including reduced traffic times for finished goods and improved communications and lead times. The fact that this facility is in a similar time zone to Lexington will improve our ability to provide timely responses to our dealers.

 

“We plan to bring this facility on-line in a very deliberate manner. Our sister plants in Korea and China will manufacture product in parallel with the new facility in San Luis Potosi, ensuring customers and dealers alike an un-interrupted stream of Clark forklift trucks. Our teams in Lexington and Mexico will be focused on ensuring the process of bringing this new facility on-line is without any adverse impact to our normal operations.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emission Regulations Impact Latin America

The United States, European Union (EU), and Japan are implementing significant regulations that mandate the lowest emitting nonroad equipment in history. Canada is expected to release similar regulatory programs in January 2012. These regulations, which are known as U.S. Tier 4 Interim/EU Stage IIIB/Japan Step 4, will result in nonroad equipment approaching near-zero emissions of particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

 

The effective dates for Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB are as show:

 

• January 2011: 130 – 560 kW (175 – 750 hp); >560 kW (>750 hp) (U.S. & Canada)

 

• January 2012: 56 – 130 kW (75 – 175 hp)

 

The regulations require diesel engines to reduce Particulate Matter (PM) exhaust emissions by 90% and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) exhaust emissions by 50% compared with the Tier 3 and Stage IIIA emissions standards.

 

New Fuel Requirements: Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB/Step 4 generation engines with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and equipment require the use of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (“ULSD”), which has no more than 15 ppm sulfur. FAILURE TO USE ULSD FUEL CAN RESULT IN SEVERE DAMAGE OR FAILURE TO THE ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM AND DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER SYSTEM. For more information on clean diesel fuel requirements visit www.clean-diesel.org

 

Recommendations for Potential Latin American Purchasers of Nonroad Equipment: A very high percent of the used equipment that is imported to Latin America originates from countries that fall under these new emissions regulations. In the event that a used (or new) Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB/Step 4 emission level machine with EGR arrives in Latin America and proceeds to be operated, using non-ULSD fuel, severe damage or failures to the engine, fuel systems, and diesel particulate filter system are imminent.

 

Estimated Fuel Sulfur levels in Latin American Fuel (measured in parts per million) ppm:

 

• Argentina Metro Area: 500ppm

 

• Argentina Other: 2,000ppm

 

• Brazil Metro Area: 500ppm

 

• Brazil Other: 2,000ppm

 

• Chile Metro Area: 50ppm (could be reduced to 15ppm in 2011)

 

• Chile Other: 350ppm (could be reduced to 50ppm in 2011)

 

• Mexico Metro Areas: 15-500ppm

 

• Mexico/US Border Areas: 15ppm (not consistent)

 

• Mexico Other: 5,000ppm

 

• Venezuela: 5,000ppm

 

• All Other Countries 1,000-12,000 range

 

Prior to purchasing new or used nonroad equipment, obtain written verification from the manufacturer, reseller, or broker whether or not the equipment requires the use of ULSD fuel. This will help to avoid repetitive or catastrophic failures caused by higher sulfur fuel. Avoid importing equipment that was not designed to run in the region of the world in which you work.