Renee Niemi knows a thing or two about the influence of tech on the supply chain. As director of Google’s Android and Chrome global business division, it’s Niemi’s job to not only be aware of how new technologies are affecting industries such as material handling, but to lead that change. Niemi, who was among the … Read more
Editor’s Note: In today’s Thursday Feature, we are going to examine the rise of the machines, or why robots have suddenly made the leap from manufacturing to widespread use in material handling in warehouses and distribution centers. Just a few years ago, robots were widely used in manufacturing but rarely — if ever — seen … Read more
Today is April Fool’s Day, the one day of the year that office pranks are not only socially acceptable, but anticipated. While just about everybody appreciates a good April Fool’s prank, you don’t want to spend the afternoon in human resources explaining why you thought your joke was appropriate for the office. So here are … Read more
National Manufacturing Day isn’t until next October 2, but now organizations, businesses and individuals who want to participate in the event can visit a new website that is available all the time. MFGDAY.com allows visitors to sign up to host events in their area, learn more about sponsorship opportunities, and even volunteer to help out. … Read more
Here is a special sneak preview of some of the stories you will find this week on the Bahrns blog: Robotics are now widely used in manufacturing, but in the past two years they have made the leap to warehousing and distribution. We’ll explain what’s behind this sudden rise of the machines … Wednesday is … Read more
Ringing the outskirts of Chicago and its suburbs like a glistening diamond necklace are a series of 22 intermodal rail yards. These bustling facilities are buzzing with activity 24 hours per day as cranes transfer hundreds of cargo containers per hour from towering stacks to semi trailer trucks and rail cars belonging to the biggest railroads … Read more
Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are tiny electronic devices that can be embedded into products, parts, tools and other items so that they can be tracked as they move through the production and into the supply chain. When used in conjunction with strategically-placed RFID reader devices, they can provide precise, real-time information about the … Read more
The truck maker Ryder has developed a new type of truck cabin that is specifically designed to facilitate the unique needs of female truck drivers. The new “female-friendly vehicle package” includes features such as adjustable seat belt shoulder straps, improved placement of dashboard gauges, adjusted height and placement of grab handles, and better access to … Read more
Editor’s Note: In this week’s Thursday Feature, we take a look at a growing trend in post-secondary education among supply chain and material handling professionals: Distance learning. Back in 2012, Beth Wachowiak had a choice to make. Six years earlier, she graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in supply chain management, which she … Read more
An Chicago area sewer and water contractor has been banned by a federal court from engaging in trenching, excavation, construction or related work ever again after repeatedly exposing workers to hazardous trenching conditions. The unusual ruling came after the contractor — Mike Neri, 79, of Elk Grove Village, Illinois — refused to pay fines totaling … Read more
