en-us www.mmh.com Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information. Subject to its Terms of Use (www.mmh.com/info/CA6495349.html) Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:41:59 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702435.html?rssid=396 After traditional overhead doors and flex panel doors failed to withstand occasional bumps from lift trucks, grocer Giant Eagle installed impactable doors that can handle abuse and help keep production on schedule. With the old standard metal doors at the 400,000-square-foot Pittsburgh warehouse, an impact could completely disable a door. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702436.html?rssid=396 In anticipation of aggressive retail growth, DeMoulas/Market Basket wanted to ensure safety at its Tewksbury, Mass., distribution center. By installing hook-style vehicle restraints at each bay, the supermarket chain has created a secure loading environment at its docks. Even with the tires chocked, trucks are able to creep while being loaded. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702437.html?rssid=396 Moving into an existing building usually requires some adaptation. When Duratrack moved into its Chicago plant, it quickly learned that supply trucks were longer than the existing indoor dock. When trucks backed in, their noses stuck out, making the overhead sliding doors useless. To keep out the Chicago winters, Duratrack installed a powered roll-up screen door capable of partially closing aro... Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702438.html?rssid=396 In the entertainment business, the show must go on. With the installation of hydraulic scissor-lifts at its rear dock, the Dallas House of Blues can at least be certain the equipment will make it to the stage. No ordinary theme restaurant, the House of Blues hosts A-list bands like Dave Matthews and the Deftones on a nightly basis, in addition to 300 dining room guests and another 1,625 guests ... Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702439.html?rssid=396 Cinram, the world's largest independent provider of pre-recorded multimedia products and related logistics services, wanted to install dock equipment that would protect temperature-sensitive materials, handle massive 40,000-pound dock traffic and ensure operator safety at all times. The result? A multiple-step solution for its Fort Worth, Texas, distribution center. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702440.html?rssid=396 At Western Container, smart carts take care of repetitive tasks so employees don't have to. After a brief setup, the carts move product, organize materials and even recharge themselves without human assistance. Recently, the company realized it had a similar problem at each of its plants in Fife, Wash. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702441.html?rssid=396 A leading Australian health foods supplier realized its end-of-line process was resulting in less-than-healthy rates of production. A dual-fork automatic guided vehicle (AGV) proved ideal, coordinating product movement throughout the staging and shipping process with an eye toward the health of nearby employees. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702442.html?rssid=396 Smooth and synchronized teamwork is the best way for a worker and his lift truck to maximize productivity. The traditional vehicle-based, order-picking process can include unproductive steps. By converting ordinary lift trucks into automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) in its central facility, Sweden's Coop has increased productivity by 100%. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702443.html?rssid=396 It is better to be proactive than reactive. With that in mind, Anheuser-Busch overhauled its Southern California distribution center in anticipation of a 100% increase in stock keeping units. The solution—a mix of automated and human picking technologies—has so far resulted in rapid delivery times and better than 99. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702444.html?rssid=396 A successful business can carry out rapid change that, ideally, leads to rapid growth. Good equipment shouldn't make change expensive or wasteful. After installing a series of modular conveyor segments, Illinois's North American Lighting made the best use of its old conveyors when the time came for change. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702445.html?rssid=396 Prior to adding 30,000 square feet to its manufacturing facility, Sweco's parts painting process was woefully inefficient. Material waste, awkward handling techniques and long wait times combined to severely limit production. With the installation of an overhead monorail conveyor in the new addition, Sweco's output capacity instantly doubled. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702446.html?rssid=396 Aging support software can limit development and old hardware can lead to crashes and data loss. However, the prospect of replacing central technology can be equally frightening, no matter how necessary the switch. But when retailer Fred's replaced a 10-year-old server and upgraded the order fulfillment software at its 800,000-square-foot distribution center, the entire process took just one we... Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702447.html?rssid=396 With manufacturing and distribution facilities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and China, Black & Decker Hardware and Home Improvement manages offshore and on-shore supply chains—often resulting in long lead times. New software enhanced communication between products coming off the shelves in the U. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702448.html?rssid=396 The construction environment can be a risky place to store valuable materials, especially when no one is quite certain how much or how many of the high-priced inventory is on site. With a new warehouse management system (WMS), IDC Construction keeps track of materials, reduces its liability, and cuts costs and waste. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702449.html?rssid=396 Edson Packaging Machinery Limited replaces traditional mechanical components with off-the-shelf mechatronic modules. Its modular approach requires the kind of innovative electrical solutions it has found in a recent partnership. According to president Rob Hattin, the Hamilton, Ontario, based company has created what he refers to as the "Dell manufacturing model for packaging machinery. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702450.html?rssid=396 Ingram Book Group is the world's largest wholesale distributor of books and audio books, stocking 1.4 million stock-keeping units in four distribution centers. The company was able to switch from RF scanners to voice-directed picking for its warehouse management system, increasing productivity, accuracy and worker satisfaction. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702451.html?rssid=396 To improve accuracy, enhance throughput and handle seasonal shifts in demand, one computer hardware distributor completely reengineered its operations, and warehouse and distribution functions. That included switching to very narrow aisles and pick-to-light systems. Overall, the distribution center now has the ability to expand capacity as needed—particularly during seasonal peaks—a... Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702452.html?rssid=396 With 38 distribution centers serving more than 3,400 auto parts stores, Carquest executives thought a smooth implementation of a new warehouse management system (WMS) would be unlikely. However, a phased introduction of a flexible and intelligent automation system has quickly, easily and considerably increased accuracy. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702453.html?rssid=396 In economic hard times, many companies look to outsource. For a company specializing in outsourced packaging services, this can mean rapid growth. For Alta Resources, a provider of outsourced services, an automated shipping and tracking application allowed the company to handle growth and increased profitability by 400%. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6702454.html?rssid=396 When companies upgrade technology, they rarely think about how the equipment will perform year after year in sub-zero temperatures. But when United States Cold Storage deployed 1,000 handheld and lift truck-mounted computers at sites across the country, it wanted to be sure the devices would stand up to some punishment. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PDT