Spanish forklift manufacturer Mecano Continental unveiled a new rough-terrain forklift that may change the game when it comes to heavy-duty vehicles operating in the roughest conditions. It’s called “Bomaq” and it features hydraulic servo-controls instead of electronic controls, that reduce noise and heat and to improve control of the mast and load during rigorous conditions. … Read more
Plug Power Inc. — the Latham, New York, based maker of fuel cells for forklifts and other materials handing equipment — reported a steep increase in its sales during the five-week period between October 8 and November 14. The company posted $14 million in bookings during the period, compared to just $11 million during the … Read more
Computer-based simulation games such as The Sims, Roller Coaster Tycoon and Evil Genius consumed hours of many people’s adolescent years. But thanks to new engineering design technology, those don’t have to be wasted time with no real value. A new three-dimensional industrial design program unveiled recently by Intergraph — a Huntsville, Alabama, based creator of engineering … Read more
Konecranes — the Finnish manufacturer of lift trucks, cranes and other materials handling equipment — is fitting some of its newest models with an auto start-stop feature that is designed to save fuel and reduce costs. The device automatically shuts of the engine whenever the lift truck idles for a specified time period, then automatically restarts it when needed. … Read more
Seegrid Corporation – one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) — announced in a news release that it has hired Bill Edgy as its new regional sales manager for the Southeastern United States. The hiring is part of an expansion by the company in response to a 350% increase in orders … Read more
Temperatures already are dropping and wintry weather is just around the corner. Is your business prepared? Forecasters at Weather Services International predict that the first part of the winter season will bring colder than normal temperatures to the Midwest, the mid-Atlantic and the Southeast. This temperature drop is expected to last throughout November and into December, according … Read more
Some financial analysts are predicting that the upcoming holiday season could be one of the most successful for retailers since the global recession began nearly a decade ago. The National Retail Federation forecasts a 3.9% increase in retail sales this holiday season, which is higher than the 3.3% 10-year average holiday sales growth, according to Matthew … Read more
The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Group of the Energy Generation and Supply KTN is co-hosting a free webinar on Nov. 27 for anyone interested in the growing use of fuel cells in material handling. The webinar will be held at 9 a.m. EST and will feature Jennifer Kurtz, of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of … Read more
Nissan North America announced that it has named a new vice president at its Smyrna, Tennessee, manufacturing facility. According to a company news release, Randy Knight, who previously served as director of material handling and production control for the company, is taking over for Susan Brennan at the plant, where the company assembles its Frontier, Xterra, … Read more
Columbus McKinnon announced that it is returning its CM-ET Classic Lodestar electric chain host back into production. According to a company news release, the hoist, which is used mostly in staging and rigging for the entertainment industry, will be manufactured once again after being taken off the market in 2011 when the new Lodestar hoist … Read more
