In this Issue:
- SB Logistics steps toward lights-out warehouse
- Reader Survey: Pallet Report
- Information Management: Packaging automation
- Best Practices: Pack stations
- Equipment Report: Cubing and weighing
- Special Supplement: MRO in materials handling
Modern Materials Handling Magazine Archives
September 2021 Modern Materials Handling
In Ichikawa City, Chiba, Japan, SB Logistics has implemented robotic systems for piece-picking and packing, along with automated storage and retrieval, conveyance and sortation. These are big steps toward a fully autonomous warehouse.
Fully autonomous lift trucks are on the scene, and with higher-end price tags than conventional trucks, robotics-as-a-service may shape up as the leading model.
SB Logistics’ facility uses a goods-to-robot automated picking and packing solution to provide same-day and next-day service to the city of Tokyo.
Demand for pallets is running high, as reflected by pallet use trends from our 2021 survey. However, there was a sharp rise in respondents having issues with availability and cost with used wood pallets, and a modest rise in readers using semi- or fully-automated pallet wrapping equipment.
By deploying automated packaging solutions, operations can significantly reduce the labor needed compared to manual pack out. It’s about ensuring high and reliable throughput and reducing the worries of scaling up labor to handle peak seasons, while minimizing dim weight charges with package right-sizing.
Packing stations must meet the demands of labor shortages, faster pacing and more demanding customers. Here’s how they do it.
Cubing and weighing equipment helps companies make better use of their warehouse space, cut shipping costs and reduce errors.
With supply chain pressures mounting, now is a good time to evaluate your MRO parts management operation and determine if it needs some new best practices.
From Alberta to Australia, DHL has moved to autonomous bots for cleaning the floors of its facilities of all sizes and levels of activity. It’s a story of advanced technology and collaboration to maximize floor cleanliness without compromising safety or efficiency.
Our staff sat down with Matt Jones, VP of Sales at Dorner and PMMI Board Member to discuss Pack Expo and the plans to adapt to the changing landscape.
A highly flexible yet strong and stiff paper packaging material reduces packaging costs and shipment damage compared to conventional bubble pack. Bring in the sustainability of paper, and the rate of change just accelerated.
Automated package right-sizing allows shopgoodwill.com to save labor, meet customer needs, reduce materials waste, and build up associate skill sets in its e-commerce fulfillment operations.
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Latest in Materials Handling
Warehouse technology company Synergy Logistics promotes Brian Kirst to Chief Commercial Officer
May 17, 2024
Synergy, which offers the cloud WMS SnapFulfil, also will have its Chief Product & Delivery Officer, Smitha Raphael, take on a more global role
Seegrid names Abe Ghabra as Chief Operating Officer
May 17, 2024
Ghabra will lead Seegrid's operations and services as market adoption of AMR lift solutions accelerates rapidly.
GRI appoints Ydo Doornbos as its director for North America
May 17, 2024
As Director of North America, he will lead GRI's efforts to expand and drive GRI’s success in delivering sustainable agriculture, material handling, and construction tires to the North American market.
ISM May Semiannual Report signals growth in 2024, at a reduced rate
May 15, 2024
As was the case in its previous edition in December, the manufacturing and services sectors remain on diverging paths, to a certain extent, in May. One common theme the sectors share, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) May 2024 Semiannual Economic Forecast.
11th annual National Forklift Safety Day to be hybrid event, on June 11
May 15, 2024
The event serves as an opportunity for forklift manufacturers to highlight the safe use of forklifts, the value of operator training, and the need for daily equipment checks
PAC Machinery announces leadership transition
May 15, 2024
Greg Berguig named company president, effective May 1, for the provider of packaging machinery and materials
Motion Industries to acquire automation company
May 15, 2024
The company will join Motion’s business unit, Motion Automation Intelligence, enabling expansion in the Mid-Atlantic.
Automate 2024 heavy on smart warehouse robotics
May 15, 2024
Move over production cell robots, smart pick and place robotics for materials handling, mixed-SKU palletizing solutions, smart parcel handling robots, AMRs, were out in force at A3’s Automate, which set an attendance record.
Automate & Accelerate: Replacing Pick-to-Light with the Next Generation of Automation
May 13, 2024
Berkshire Grey and S&H Systems present a webinar showcasing how their Robotic Put Wall systems offer a cost-effective solution to aging pick-to-light systems, delivering significant labor savings, space efficiency, minimal IT impact, and up to 30-40% batch pick efficiency gain, with seamless integration into existing infrastructure and scalable automation.
MHEFI awards record-breaking $231,700 in scholarships to 61 students
May 13, 2024
This marks the highest amount ever awarded by MHEFI.
ALAN opens nominations for 2024 Humanitarian Logistics Awards
May 10, 2024
The American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) has officially opened nominations for its eighth annual Humanitarian Logistics Awards
Kenco to install an AutoStore system at its Jeffersonville, Ind., DC
May 9, 2024
With systems integration partner KPI Solutions, Kenco’s new automated storage and retrieval system will shorten click-to-delivery times for the 3PL’s eCommerce customers starting this summer
Schneider Electric rolling out WMS and TMS solutions from Manhattan Associates at scale
May 9, 2024
Manhattan Active Supply Chain, which refers to the combination of Manhattan Active WM and Manhattan Active TM, will be implemented in over 20 distribution centers. Additionally, Schneider Electric plans to deploy Manhattan Active TM across a further 200+ operational sites.
Sponsored Content
Leaders Q & A with Bryan Ferguson: Resurgence of RFID technology May 8, 2024
Productivity amplified: RFID's resurgence and it's impact on material handling
Tom Panzarella appointed chief technology officer at Seegrid
May 8, 2024
As CTO for the provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for materials handling, Panzarella will lead Seegrid’s technology innovation and product development.
