Navitas Systems Announces Award to Deploy Starlifter™ Lithium Forklift Batteries at Major Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Location | 2017-01-30 | DC Velocity
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Navitas Systems Announces Award to Deploy Starlifter™ Lithium Forklift Batteries at Major Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Location
Contract with National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) Enables DLA's Largest Worldwide Site to Assess Performance Versus Lead Acid Forklift Batteries in Demanding Material-Handling Environment
Woodridge, IL -December 5, 2016 - Navitas Systems LLC (www.navitassys.com), a leading provider of energy-enabled system solutions, energy storage products, and power electronics for commercial, industrial and government/military customers, announced today that has been awarded a contract worth $422,000 and has completed initial deployment of its lithium-ion forklift
batteries called Starlifter™ at the DLA's single largest worldwide site, DLA Distribution Susquehanna, in New Cumberland, PA.
The program objective is to evaluate the utility, feasibility, maintainability, and cost-effectiveness of replacing lead-acid batteries with fast-charging lithium-ion deep-cycle forklift batteries in DLA Distribution warehouses to potentially decrease total forklift battery maintenance costs and increase forklift operational readiness and productivity rates.
Commercial and government customers alike have for decades utilized lead acid batteries to power electric forklift trucks. While these batteries are relatively inexpensive to purchase, they suffer froma number of significant drawbacks including slow recharging, fading performance while discharging, constant maintenance, and productivity downtime when changing batteries. Given both the historical performance limitations of lead acid, combined with the increased prevalence of fast chargers and new power-hungry AC forklift motors, there is a strong need for a better battery solution, particularly in intensive two and three shift operations and in cold temperature warehouse environments.
The Eastern Distribution Center (EDC) of DLA Distribution Susquehanna, PA, is a 1.7 million square feet, high-ceiling building with 122 dock doors and over 322,000 storage locations. Material is moved throughout the main building via 4.5 miles of conveyor lines, 5.3 miles of tow line pulling the 1,100 carts for the Automated Cart System (ACS), and over 400 pieces of conventional, manually-operated forklifts, order pickers, and carts. The EDC operates six days a week with two day shifts. During surges, typically resulting from increased military operations, EDC may operate seven days a week with three shifts.
In the one-year assessment program, an equal number of Starlifter-powered and lead acidpowered forklifts of the same model-type will be instrumented to capture performance data in a number of use-case scenarios. Key test objectives include: Validating and implementing a lithiumbattery which could potentially save money and significantly improve the efficiency of DLA distribution center operations across the Enterprise; determining any decrease in battery maintenance, replacement costs, and labor cost; determining the impact on forklift operational readiness and productivity; determining impact on energy usage; and determining impact on worker safety.
The award comes from the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS), an Ann Arbor, MI based not-for-profit 5013 with nearly three decades of Government contracting and complex, collaborative research and development management experience. Through the development of collaborative partnerships, NCMS addresses strategic issues, brings innovations into commercial implementation, and leverages the resources and infrastructure of each participant to arrive at technology solutions that improve the competitive standing of our manufacturing base. It was the first and is still the best cross-sector consortium that is addressing the competitiveness of the nation's manufacturers.
"NCMS is committed to building and strengthening the US industrial supply base by working every day with NCMS member companies who create highly innovative technology solutions, such as Navitas Systems. This award indicates the confidence DLA has in Navitas' technology and NCMS is proud to play a small role in bringing the parties together for the benefit of the DLA" said Rick Jarman, NCMS Executive Director and CEO.
"We couldn't pick a more demanding environment than at DLA Distribution to demonstrate the benefits of our Starlifter lithium forklift battery" said Mil Ovan, President/CMO of Navitas Systems. "Driving productivity improvements in material handling is doubly satisfying for us, since it directly translates to speeding needed supplies to our Warfighters. We're delighted to be working closely with both DLA and NCMS in this important endeavor" Ovan concluded.
Navitas is showcasing its Starlifter battery this week, December 5-8, in NCMS' Booth # P411 at the Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where maintenance executives share relevant information, identify critical issues, discuss key topics, and increase their awareness of Department of Defense maintenance initiatives. A video being debuted at the Symposium describing the Starlifter lithium versus lead acid forklift battery trial at DLA Susquehanna is available here: https://www.navitassys.com/products-systems/lithium-motive-battery-systems.
You can also check out the following videos at and
Nulogy, a leading provider in supply chain collaboration solutions, and Kinaxis, a global leader in supply chain orchestration, have announced a partnership to develop cutting-edge solutions for brand manufacturing supply chain networks worldwide.
The new partnership aims to catalyze fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and life science brands and their supplier networks to work together more effectively through digital transformation solutions, thereby mutually improving costs, service and revenue. Combining the supply chain orchestration capabilities of Kinaxis with the collaborative external manufacturing specialization of Nulogy will enable customers to share forecasts and order information with suppliers and receive inventory capacity information faster.
Nulogy’s purpose-built multi-enterprise platform enables greater responsiveness in the supply networks of leading FMCG and life science brands, including L’Oréal, Colgate-Palmolive, and Church & Dwight, as well as their extended suppliers and hundreds of sites around the world.
“Given the speed and volatility of today’s global market, it is more important than ever for brand manufacturers to digitally synchronize with their supplier communities in order to respond with agility,” said Jason Tham, CEO at Nulogy. “Through our partnership with Kinaxis, we look forward to collaborations that will elevate the performance of supply chain networks around the world.”
Kinaxis Maestro is the AI-infused end-to-end supply chain orchestration platform for fast, intelligent decision-making. Trusted by renowned global brands to provide agility and predictability to help navigate volatility and disruptions, Kinaxis has been a leader in supply chain planning for over 40 years.
"Our partnership with Nulogy improves visibility, control and collaboration of the upstream network of critical suppliers, like contract manufacturers and co-packers, by integrating a variety of supplier data into Maestro,” said Bill Walker, Senior Director, Partner Solutions Extensions at Kinaxis. “Giving our customers the ability to better run simulations, digitize planning and connect in suppliers.”
Learn more about the partnership at ASCM Connect on September 9, 2024. Kevin Wong, Chief Operating Officer, Nulogy; Polly Mitchell-Guthrie, Supply Chain Thought Leader, Kinaxis; and German Vizcaya Leon, VP Global Planning, Colgate-Palmolive will discuss how Nulogy and Kinaxis’s solutions in Advanced Planning & Scheduling and Supplier Collaboration have played pivotal roles in interconnecting Colgate’s network.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sherri Bosslet
Title: Director of Customer Relations
Phone: 937.415.1715
Email: sbosslet@daytonfreight.com
Date: September 5, 2024
Web: daytonfreight.com
ULINE AWARDED DAYTON FREIGHT FOR EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE
DAYTON, Ohio – Dayton Freight Lines, Inc., a leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, was presented the 2023 Exceptional Performance Award and the Minnesota LTL Carrier of the Year award from Uline.
The 2023 Exceptional Performance Award and the Minnesota LTL Carrier of the Year award were presented to Dayton Freight’s Milwaukee and Hudson Service Centers, respectively. Both awards were given based on the following criteria: exemplary customer service, technological innovation and lastly, partnership and dedication.
Uline, a family-owned business, is the leading distributor of shipping, industrial and packaging materials to businesses throughout North America.
Dayton Freight’s Director of Customer Relations, Sherri Bosslet quoted, “We are incredibly proud of our Service Centers in Milwaukee and Hudson WI for receiving these awards. These accolades from Uline truly demonstrate the dedication and diligence of our Dayton Freight team. We look forward to a lasting partnership for years to come.”
Founded in 1981, Dayton Freight is a private, union-free, less-than truckload (LTL) freight carrier headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. Currently ranked as the country’s 12th largest LTL company, Dayton Freight has 70 Service Centers in 14 Midwest states, served by 6,000+ employees. Offering 1 or 2 day service to thousands of cities, Dayton Freight is known for its prudent growth, operational excellence, advanced technology and an unparalleled company culture known as The Dayton Difference.
Photo Caption: Jeremy Cutchens (Dayton Freight), Shelly Hofmeister (Dayton Freight), Ed VanGrouw (Dayton Freight), Eric Dreissig (Uline), LJ Groen (Uline)
Nulogy, a leading provider of supply chain collaboration solutions, is hosting a session during the Association of Supply Chain Management's ASCM Connect 2024. Nulogy, Kinaxis and Colgate-Palmolive executives will present “Orchestrating Digital Transformation: Nulogy & Kinaxis Empower Colgate-Palmolive’s External Network” on Monday, 9/9/2024, 3:45 - 4:45 p.m. CT in Ballroom E, Level 4.
In an era when digital transformation is paramount for sustainable growth, Colgate-Palmolive stands out as a leader in the consumer packaged goods space. With a strong digital transformation vision and strategic partners that tout the technical capabilities and expertise to bring it to life, Colgate and its extended supply network has been able to reap the benefits of digitally-infused agility, resilience and efficiency to outcompete in today’s marketplace.
The session will cover Colgate-Palmolive’s vision for transforming its supply chain planning and execution, highlighting the imperative to enhance supply chain synchronization and collaboration.
Nulogy and Kinaxis join Colgate-Palmolive in this talk to discuss how their best-of-breed solutions in advanced planning and scheduling and supplier collaboration have played pivotal roles in interconnecting Colgate’s network.
Speakers include:
Moderator: Christine Barnhart, CPIM Chief Marketing and Industry Officer, Nuology
Panelist: Kevin Wong Chief Operating Officer, Nulogy
Panelist: Polly Mitchell-Guthrie Supply Chain Thought Leader, Kinaxis
Panelist: German Vizcaya Leon VP Global Planning, Colgate-Palmolive
Check out the complete Colgate-Palmolive case study by visiting https://bit.ly/3z6xwPK.
Covington, KY — In a significant step toward redefining supply chain efficiency and boosting the local economy, Lakeshore Learning hired Zion Solutions Group, a trailblazer in advanced supply chain integration, to help implement a cutting-edge 1.2 million square foot distribution center in Garland, Utah. This collaboration is set to create over 500 jobs, showcasing an unparalleled commitment to innovation and community development.
“Our relationship with Lakeshore Learning, beginning in 2015, has been a testament to what visionary collaboration can achieve," stated Jim Shaw, President of Zion Solutions Group. “This is not just a collaboration; it’s a leap toward the future of supply chain management. By combining Lakeshore Learning’s vision with our technological expertise, we are set to introduce a distribution hub that exemplifies efficiency, sustainability, and economic growth for Garland."
Artin Ghazarian, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Lakeshore Learning, highlighted the project's ambition: "Our journey with Zion Solutions Group has been marked by a shared drive for excellence. This distribution center goes beyond expanding our logistical capabilities—it's a testament to our dedication to setting new industry standards for efficiency and environmental stewardship in supply chain management."
Jordan Frank, EVP & Co-Founder of Zion Solutions Group, emphasized the collaborative synergy: Our relationship with Lakeshore Learning is more than a partnership; it's a melding of minds aimed at redefining the future of our industry. We're not just optimizing logistics; we're crafting a model of innovation that leverages technology for smarter, more sustainable operations. Our goal is to inspire the sector by demonstrating how collaboration and technology together can create impactful solutions.”
The facility will harness the latest in automation and robotics to optimize both efficiency and scalability. Zion Solutions Group will play a crucial role in this evolution, meticulously shaping the project from its conceptual stages to its final form. This includes value-added engineering to support Lakeshore Learning’s specific needs, overseeing the procurement and engineering processes to ensure precision, and integrating advanced software solutions—including Zion Apex (WES)—for peak functionality. Beyond the project’s completion, Zion’s Customer Experience team will continue to support the operations team and provide optimization opportunities, ensuring the facility operates smoothly and evolves with technological advancements.
With an operational goal set for 2025, Lakeshore Learning’s Garland distribution center represents a major milestone in job creation and economic growth for the region. This initiative aligns with Zion's mission to drive sustainable innovation and cement its leadership in the market.
For more information about Zion Solutions Group and its groundbreaking projects, please visit https://thezsg.com/.
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About Zion Solutions Group
Zion Solutions Group, a leader in Supply Chain Integration, uses its 90+ years of knowledge to deliver memorable experiences and guide intelligent change. Specializing in material handling integration, Zion provides comprehensive services that include detailed data analytics, solution design, procurement, implementation, and post-implementation support. Our customer-centric approach and Project Lifecycle process ensure tailor-made solutions using cutting-edge technology, setting us apart in the industry. Zion, in support of its core purpose, “To Leave a Positive Impact on the Lives of Those We Touch,” is committed to driving success and sustainable growth for our partners and customers.
About Lakeshore—Products Designed with Learning in Mind®
Lakeshore Learning Materials is a leading developer and retailer of top-quality materials for early childhood education programs, elementary schools, and homes nationwide. Since 1954, Lakeshore Learning Materials has offered innovative learning materials distinguished by their quality, educational merit, and safety. To learn more, visit LakeshoreLearning.com.
Panel Built, Inc., a leading provider of modular offices, mezzanines, and custom-engineered structures, has announced plans to expand its primary facility, PB1. The expansion will include additional office and fabrication space, allowing the company to better accommodate its rapidly growing workforce and increasing demand for its innovative space solutions.
As Panel Built continues to experience significant growth in both personnel and market reach, this expansion marks a critical step in the company’s strategic development. The additional space will enable the company to enhance its operational efficiency and continue delivering high-quality products and services to its diverse client base. The expanded facility will also provide a more collaborative work environment for the Panel Built team, fostering innovation and reinforcing the company’s commitment to excellence.
"Panel Built has built a reputation for delivering modular solutions that meet the unique requirements of various industries, including commercial, military, government, and industrial sectors. The company's expertise in engineering, design, and installation has made it a trusted partner for organizations seeking efficient and customizable space solutions.
The Blairsville facility expansion is expected to be completed by early 2025. Panel Built is committed to maintaining uninterrupted service to its clients throughout the construction process, ensuring that all projects remain on schedule and meet the company’s high standards of quality."
- Mike Kiernan CEO
About Panel Built, Inc.
Founded with the mission "To Solve Our Customers' Space Needs With Excellence And Great Customer Service," Panel Built, Inc. specializes in modular construction, offering a range of solutions from modular offices and mezzanines to guardhouses and cleanrooms. With extensive experience in both public and private sectors, Panel Built is dedicated to delivering space solutions that meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.