Running Out of Production Space? Look Up!

Many businesses are experiencing a boom in their operations. Orders are once more coming in, production is ramping up, and people are finally getting back to work. But what happens when business is so booming that you need to expand … and quickly? Purchasing and re-equipping a new facility can take years of planning. And … Read more

Ohio Awards $2 Million in Grants for Workplace Safety Research

While some states such as Illinois and Wisconsin struggle to pay their bills, another Midwestern state is funding $2 million in research to improve workplace safety. Ohio’s Bureau of Worker’s Compensation announced last week that it was committed to making warehouses, factories and other work sites in that state safer and reducing worker injuries and … Read more

Billionaire Buffet Criticizes His Railroad’s 2014 Performance Record

Warren Buffett, the 84-year-old billionaire, has criticized the BNSF Railway Company’s 2014 operating performance, calling the carrier’s record “not good”. So why should BNSF officials care what Buffett has to say? He’s the owner. Buffett’s company — Omaha, Nebraska, based Berkshire Hathaway Inc. — includes the railroad among its many vast holdings. In his annual … Read more

Port of Melbourne Tenants Balk at 750% Rent Hike

Editor’s Note: In today’s Thursday Feature, we are going “Down Under” to report on a proposed rent increase that has the Australian shipping industry in an uproar. One of the world’s biggest cargo container companies has been hit with a 750% rent increase by Australia’s Port of Melbourne, the nation’s largest port. DP World Australia, … Read more

Lower Oil Prices, Higher Employment Fuels Economic Recovery

A one-two punch of lower oil prices and increased hiring in the manufacturing sector is pushing the US economy back towards robust health, according to a report issued this month by a leading industry group. Daniel J. Meckstroth, the leading economist for MAPI — the research arm of the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity — predicted … Read more

Pennsylvania Equipment Maker Doubles Its Facility Size

A Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, based maker of engineered industrial bulk material handling and processing equipment recently gave itself a nice anniversary gift celebrate its 40th year in business: An expansion doubles the operational space of its headquarters. Later this month, Flexicon will complete the $6.3 million addition that adds 90,000 square feet to its current 91,000 … Read more

No Forklifts? No Warehouse? No Problem for Clothing Retailer

The popular clothing retailer American Eagle Outfitters is building a new distribution center that will handle both store replenishment and direct-to-consumer orders from the same inventory. Typically, these two functions are handled by different operations, but the new AEO distribution center currently under construction in Hazle Township, Pennsylvania, will be a streamlined, fully-automated facility that … Read more

Forklift Rodeo Reality Show an Actual Thing in New Zealand

Commentary and Opinion Regular readers of this blog may recall when I facetiously pitched an idea for a reality show based on the growing popularity of forklift rodeos. Well, apparently a television production company in New Zealand had the same idea because the “World Forklift League” TV show currently is filming in locations throughout the … Read more