Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

inbound

lights, camera ... material handling!

Earlier this year, The Discovery Channel's series "Some Assembly Required" included an episode filmed at a John Deere plant in Wisconsin.

Those of us who are familiar with the wonderful world of material handling may think it's pretty exciting. But who would think it was glamorous enough for the small screen? Producers at The Discovery Channel, apparently.

Earlier this year, the cable channel's series "Some Assembly Required" included an episode filmed at a John Deere plant in Wisconsin. The episode, which followed the manufacturing and assembly of lawn mowers, included footage of Jervis B. Webb Co.'s SmartCart automatic guided carts. According to Webb, the factory uses 80 SmartCarts to transport tractors throughout the assembly process.


The carts are available as pallet handlers and heavyweight tuggers and come in counterbalanced fork and single conveyor versions (for use with roller conveyor systems). The vehicles follow magnetic-tape trails on the facility's floor, but they can also be programmed to travel off the tape. After they have completed their tasks, they return to the magnetic path and continue on their way, either forward or in reverse.

The Latest

More Stories

Software firm launches initiative to advance women in supply chain tech

Women in supply chain tech don’t always have it easy. That’s particularly true when it comes to building a career in the male-dominated field, where they may face gender bias, limited advancement opportunities, and a lack of mentorship and support.

In a bid to address the problem, the Dallas-based AI (artificial intelligence) software platform provider o9 has launched a professional community that aims to promote gender equality within the supply chain and digital tech industries. Named after Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, strategy, and mentorship, thegroup is open to all women who work in the supply chain and digital technology sectors, and hold leadership roles within their organizations.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

Red Gold Tomatoes truck

You say “tomato” … I say “transformation”

Some of Americans’ favorite condiments include ketchup, salsa, barbecue sauce, and sriracha. Toppings like marinara and pizza sauce are popular as well. The common denominator here is the tomato, and food producers need many tons of them to make these and other tasty products.

One of those producers is Red Gold, an Elwood, Indiana, company whose brands include Red Gold, Redpack, Tuttorosso, Sacramento, Vine Ripe, and Huy Fong. The company works with more than 30 family-owned Midwestern farms to source sustainably managed crops.

Keep ReadingShow less
fuel cell truck EPA port grants

EPA awards $3 billion through Clean Ports Program

Port authorities across the country will get help in purchasing zero-emission equipment thanks to $3 billion in federal funding to decarbonize their operations, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) said today.

Provided by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports Program, the money will flow through 55 grants across 27 states and territories.

Keep ReadingShow less
person shopping for relex consumer trends survey

Survey: retailers face a “highly challenging” holiday season

The majority of American consumers (86%) plan to reduce their holiday shopping budgets this year, with nearly half (47%) expecting to cut spending by more than 50% compared to last year, according to consumer research from Relex Solutions.

The forecast runs against some other studies that predict the upcoming holiday shopping season will be a stronger than last year, with higher sales and earlier shopping than 2023.

Keep ReadingShow less
outrider electric yard trucks

Outrider scales up expansion with $62 million investment

Electric yard truck provider Outrider plans to scale up its autonomous yard operations in 2025 thanks to $62 million in fresh venture capital funding, the Colorado-based firm said.

The expansion in 2025 will be focused on distribution center applications, but Outrider says its technology is also well-suited for use in intermodal rail and port terminals, paving the way for future applications across freight transportation.

Keep ReadingShow less