- Read all about it! HK Systems has completed an expansion of the material handling systems used at the Denver Newspaper Agency. The solution includes an integrated two-aisle automated storage and retrieval system and material tracking and control (MTC) system. The MTC system manages the pallet movement of all newspaper inserts and integrates with the production planning systems to provide real-time system-directed labor task management. It also tracks material flow from receiving through distribution.
- Fresh approach. Mastronardi Produce of Kingsville, Ontario, has selected RIMS Produce, a warehouse management system from Robocom Systems designed specifically for produce operations. Mastronardi, known for its gourmet vegetables, will implement the software solutions at its refrigerated warehouses in Kingsville and Romulus, Mich.
- The revolution begins. Hydrogenics Corp. has signed its first distributor for the company's HyPX Fuel Cell Power Pack product for lift trucks. Under the agreement, LiftOne will market, sell and service the fuel cells to customers in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
- Right on Target. Swisslog has announced two major deals. In the first, the company has formalized an agreement to design a new distribution center for Target Corp. The contract also calls for Swisslog to design and implement the material handling systems within the new facility. In the second agreement, Australian-based Coca-Cola Amatil has commissioned Swisslog to be the prime contractor for planning an automated bulk distribution center near its headquarters in Sydney. The new warehouse is scheduled to open in mid-2008.
- Cool deal. Preferred Freezer Services, a chain of full-service public refrigerated warehouses, has ordered Condor automated storage and retrieval systems from FKI Logistex for six new facilities it plans to build this year. The Condor is a high-bay, very narrow aisle system that uses a hybrid crane to store and retrieve pallets. With the new contract, Preferred Freezer Services will have more than 100 Condor cranes in operation at its warehouses throughout the United States.
- Making a Smart move. Jabil Circuit, a global electronics company, has selected SmartOps Multistage Inventory Planning & Optimization software to help manage its supply chain. The software provides a scalable automated system for setting optimal inventory levels and will tie into Jabil's existing enterprise systems.
- Forward ho. Five European freight forwarders have created a Web pOréal for their customers, many of whom are in the chemical industry. The new pOréal, which is named EURTEAM, uses the INTTRA e-commerce platform to standardize its electronic booking, shipping instructions, bills of lading, and track and trace information. The five companies participating in the venture are Asta Logistik Grupo (Spain), Daher (France), Leschaco (Germany), The Warrant Group (U.K.) and U. Del Corona Scardigli (Italy).
- Go fetch. Staples, the well-known office supply retailer, plans to use the Kiva Mobile Fulfillment System at a new facility it's building in Denver. Staples currently uses the Kiva System, which uses robots to move racks holding products, within its Pennsylvania DC. In Denver, Staples will deploy both the Kiva ItemFetch split-case picking system and the OrderFetch shipping sorter solution.
- Pool time. Michelina, a food-processing company that makes ready-to-heat frozen entrees and snacks, is moving to the CHEP pallet pool program for its distribution. The company will use CHEP pallets to ship products from Michelina's Jackson, Ohio, production facility to retailers, wholesale clubs, supermarkets and drugstores.
- Bringing some culture to the area. Fage USA Dairy Industry, a Greek dairy company, is building its first U.S. based yogurt manufacturing facility in Johnstown, N.Y. For the warehouse part of the facility, the company is purchasing an automated storage and retrieval system from Westfalia Technologies. The system will store more than 1,600 pallets in a 38 degree Fahrenheit environment.
- Suitable arrangement. Ann Taylor has purchased RedPrairie's BlueCube Enterprise Workforce Management Suite to manage labor and workflow in its stores. The women's apparel retailer will use a number of the solution's components, including forecasting, optimized scheduling and business process workflows, as well as the system's dashboard, metric reporting and analysis tools.
- Perish the thought. Provide Commerce, an online retailer specializing in such perishable goods as flowers, fruit, sweets and premium meats, has chosen the HighJump Supply Chain Advantage suite to help manage its operations. The company will use the warehouse management system and other solutions in the suite to help meet the demands of its rapidly growing business.
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