Australian port officials temporarily took over a Hong Kong-based ship at the port in Newcastle after learning crew members had unlashed a cargo load of 300 rail cars prior to the ship’s arrival in port. The ship — the Orient Becrux, owned by Chinese operator Pacific Basin — was held by Australian authorities for several … Read more
During the past couple of years, management had to figure out how to address workers using their mobile devices during work hours. When was it appropriate and when should they be shut off? Now there’s a whole new problem: Workers wearing their access devices to work. Wearable Access Devices Wearables includes such things as watches, … Read more
Here is a special sneak peek at some of the stories you will find this week on the Bahrns blog: Smart phones are used all the time at work, but now there’s another high tech gadget that’s making its way into the workplace. We’ll tell you what it is … This holiday season was one … Read more
Despite dire predictions of long package delivery delays and commercial carrier distribution system breakdowns, it was a relatively happy and problem-free holiday season for most package delivery services. That comes in stark contrast to the previous holiday season, when missed deliveries and package delays caused many gifts to be delivered long after Christmas. Problems with … Read more
UPS announced earlier this month that it expanded four distribution centers by a total of 1.2 million square feet this year. The centers are located in Mira Loma, California; Hebron, Kentucky; Louisville, Kentucky; and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Alan Amling, the package carrier’s VP of global logistics, said the expansion projects are in anticipation of an … Read more
An Australian materials handling manufacturer has developed a new tool that makes it easier to unload boxes, crates and other heavy items from the back of vans, the trunks of cars, or even on top of desks. The Foldalift lift trolley — from King Materials, of Bayswater, Victoria, Australia — resembles a two-wheeler hand truck … Read more
As gasoline prices hover around $2 per gallon in many areas of the US, the idea of raising the federal gas tax to fund transportation infrastructure projects is once again being run up the flag pole. And Thomas Donahue, president of the US Chamber of Commerce, is saluting. “Isn’t it reasonable to invest a dime … Read more
The BNSF Railway announced earlier this month a $6 billion capital spending plan that includes about $1.5 billion in engineering maintenance and line expansion products along its routes eight northern US states. The railroad — which is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, the Nebraska-based holding company of billionaire investor Warren Buffett — is targeting its … Read more
For the sixth year in a row, Toyota remains the top provider of forklift in Australia. The Japanese manufacturer of heavy machinery also retained its title as the number one provider or internal combustion counter balance forklifts, a record it has held for 28 years. Toyota forklifts accounted for 32.4% of the market share in … Read more
President Barack Obama’s surprise announcement last month that he was reestablishing diplomatic relations with Cuba could mean a boost for many industries, especially tourism. But the materials handling industry may also benefit from apparent thaw between the US and its island neighbor to the south. Benefits to Material Handling Firms One materials handling firm — … Read more
