Bradford White Corp. is unique among its competitors in two ways. First and foremost is its business model, which prevents the sale of the company’s water heaters directly to consumers or commercial businesses. Heaters are only sold to licensed plumbers at various supply houses to ensure proper and safe water heater installation, and to prevent code violations.
Some of the world’s finest racing, performance and luxury cars feature wheels manufactured by HRE Performance Wheels, based in Vista, CA. HRE specializes in built-to-order wheel sets of one- or three-piece forged aluminum wheels.
BERLIN—Festo Corp. has invented a pneumatic conveyor belt that uses wave action to transport objects in a targeted manner and sort them at the same time.
CHARLOTTE, NC—MHI is developing the first U.S. industry roadmap for material handling and logistics. The goal is to create a blueprint of market, technological and developmental priorities that are needed to accomplish long-term industry goals.
CAMBRIDGE, England—Japanese conveyor manufacturer Daifuku will integrate RFID technology from Ubisense into its next-generation material handling systems.
ANDREWS, MS—Saferack Manufacturing is doubling the size of its assembly plant here and adding at least 50 workers. The company makes loading racks, safety cages and other equipment.
CHARLOTTE, NC—Material handling equipment orders are forecasted to grow 8 percent to 9 percent in 2012 and 6 percent in 2013, according to the Material Handling Industry of America.
Ergonomics is good for plant workers as well as plant profitability. A good example of this can be found at the Westbrooke, ME, plant of SIGCO Inc., a glass and architectural metal fabricator and distributor.
Lean workstations are designed for minimal wasted motion, which refers to any unnecessary time and effort required to assemble a product. Excessive twists or turns, uncomfortable reaches or pickups, and unnecessary walking all contribute to wasted motion.
