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Dear reader, WELCOME TO FORKLIFTACTION.COM, MATERIALS HANDLING ONLINE. This is issue #298 - 22 February 2007 of the weekly newsletter for industry professionals. |
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 “Motorists complain about forklift contractors.” |
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Report shows wave of new blood in UK forklift industry STOCKTON-ON-TEES, United Kingdom New director appointments in the UK forklift industry will put pressure on companies with ageing boardrooms, a Plimsoll Publishing study says. The study says there have been 228 new director-level appointments in the last 18 months in an industry with a total of 796 directors. David Pattison, Plimsoll’s senior analyst, said it was important to note “not just the companies you do business with but the decision makers of the companies. “We all know that companies don’t do business with companies. People do business with people. “But the people are changing and firms will be caught out and lose business simply because they took a customer, competitor or supplier for granted on the basis of an older management style,” he said. The Plimsoll study investigated companies’ financial performances and offers views on the challenges new directors faced. For 62 new directors, the challenge was to keep the company afloat. For 166, it was to deliver industry-leading performance. “The reasons for new appointments are varied. Some have been taken on with the objective of finding a company buyer. Others look like they have been appointed to see through a management buyout,” Pattison said. According to the report, the average salary of a director in the forklift industry was GBP49,733 (USD97,099) last year. Directors’ fees increased on average one per cent and top earners could see their pay increase to more than GBP178,000 (USD347,527). The tenure of a forklift industry director was more than four years, compared to the UK average of about seven years. Forkliftaction.com News readers can obtain the full report for GBP300/USD585.72 (a discount of GBP50/USD97.62) by quoting the code PR02 when ordering at www.plimsoll.co.uk.  Intermec’s 2006 revenue down slightly  EVERETT, WA, United States RFID technology provider Intermec Inc’s revenues for North America and Europe decreased for fiscal 2006, while revenues for Asia Pacific increased. Intermec’s 2006 revenues were USD873 million, down 0.02 per cent from 2005 revenues of USD875.5 million. Earnings from continuing operations were USD35 million, down 16 per cent from 2005’s USD40.6 million. North American revenues decreased four per cent from 2005. Revenues in Europe, Middle East and Africa decreased seven per cent. Revenues in Asia Pacific and Latin America jumped 13 per cent, an Intermec statement said. Kevin McCarty, Intermec director of investor relations & analysis, would not comment on the lower revenues for fiscal 2006. Intermec develops and manufactures technologies that identify, track and manage supply chain assets. Its core technologies include RFID, mobile computing and data collection systems, bar code printers and label media. In the fourth quarter of 2006, Intermec introduced a compact, rigid RFID tag that can withstand temperature extremes and hazardous exposures common in manufacturing and materials handling operations. Intermec and Cascade jointly introduced a mobile RFID adaptable load backrest for rugged, industrial warehouse use (Forkliftaction.com News #293).  Raymond system visually assists operators GREENE, NY, United States Operators working with high racking can identify pallet tags more easily with the help of Raymond’s new visual assistance system. The Vantage Point System is a waterproof, high-resolution camera mounted below the truck carriage and a colour monitor fixed to the operator compartment. The monitor provides a 52-degree view up, down, and to the left and right. Raymond Corp reach truck director John Colburn said an adjustable reference line on the monitor showed operators the forks’ location to assist in pick accuracy. “The reference line is green to make it easy to see on the colour monitor,” Colburn said. The system is an option for new or retrofitted Raymond 7000 series Reach-Fork and Deep-Reach trucks and EASi Reach-Fork and Deep-Reach trucks. It works in ambient temperatures as cold as minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 28.9 degrees Celsius). The monitor requires minimal lighting and effectively reads pallet tags with fonts 72 points or smaller from four feet, a Raymond statement said.  Expose your business with a Forkliftaction.com ShopFront! The ShopFront is your company’s showroom in one of the busiest business portals on the internet. Check out its capabilities with these examples (click a link below to view the ShopFront): Asia: • Battery manufacturer, Korea • Forklift manufacturer, China • Electric stackers and forklifts, China • New and used forklifts, China Europe: • Used forklift dealer, Netherlands • Attachment manufacturer, Italy • Fork protection systems, United Kingdom • Fleet management systems, United Kingdom Americas: • Manufacturer of hydraulic valves, IL - USA • Used forklifts, digital chargers and more, Canada • Manufacturers of logging forklifts, OH – USA • New and used forklifts, Chile Australasia: • Forklift manufacturer, Australia • Lead-acid batteries, QLD – Australia • Truck Mounted Cranes/Forklifts, New Zealand • Fleet management systems, NSW – Australia Want to search the Business Directory? Visit www.forkliftaction.com/directory. For more information or to list your company, email us at info@forkliftaction.com, or phone +61 7 3369 9090 or fax +61 7 3369 9096.   Seven-minute forklift assessment raises eyebrows MELBOURNE, Victoria, Australia An Australian forklift assessor has been fined AUD2,000 (USD1,579.80) after she was found guilty of conducting fraudulent assessments. Maryann deFrutos, 40, who worked at Civic Workplace Training, a licence training and testing company in Melbourne’s Footscray West, was charged under Sections 24 and 153 (1) of Victoria’s Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004 with knowingly giving false or misleading information. During a search of the premises on November 17, 2005, investigators found four completed certificates of assessment in deFrutos’ possession dated that day and carrying incorrect information. Some of DeFrutos’ assessments were estimated to have taken “as little as seven minutes”, a WorkSafe statement said. It said tests typically took about 50 minutes. WorkSafe’s licensing section subsequently refused to issue certificates to about 80 people tested by deFrutos, who resigned as a certified assessor on December 19, 2005. The scam was uncovered as part of a WorkSafe Victoria investigation. Another two people were yet to face court on related charges, the statement said. Certificates of competency are currently required for scaffolding and rigging work (including dogging), crane and hoist operation, forklift operation and pressure equipment operation. WorkSafe said Victoria and other states and territories had proposed changes to the certificates to include a “photo-type identification card” to be reissued every five years from July 1, 2007. There is a AUD45 fee (USD35.55) for current certificate holders and a AUD60 (USD47.40) fee per class of work for new applicants. Public comment on the proposal ends on February 28. Briefs Picking platform wins award MILTON KEYNES, UK Hubtex UK Ltd’s twin masted picking platform, the EZK20, has won the 2007 Fork Lift Truck Association award for ergonomics. The award was announced on February 3. A Hubtex statement said the picking platform was unique in that it allowed two people to pick long loads, safely and quickly. It has been used in the timber and other industries. Smaller telehandlers replace K and KS series RINGWOOD, UK Merlo has replaced its K and KS series telehandlers with five smaller Roto slewing telehandlers. A Merlo statement said the telehandlers had improved cab comfort, a new boom design and adjusted stabiliser footprints. The 3,800kg telehandlers have 2,500kg capacities at maximum lift heights. The 50.10S model has a maximum capacity of 5,000kg and 2,500kg at its full lift height of 10.4 metres. Merlo spokesperson Peter Grant said the extending cylinder remained in the boom base in the new design and only the boom sections moved out. Hence, lost capacity or “parasitic weight” was minimised. Konecranes to supply reach stackers to Africa HYVINKÄÄ, Finland Konecranes Lifttrucks will supply 13 reach stackers worth EUR5.5 million (USD7.2 million) to three port authorities in Africa. Six reach stackers will be supplied to the Namibian Port Authority, three to Kenya Ports Authority and four to Meridian Ports Services Ltd, in Ghana. The equipment will be delivered by the northern hemisphere spring, a Konecranes statement said. The 45-tonne capacity units are capable of stacking containers five high. In the last decade, Konecranes has delivered more than 200 forklifts, container lift trucks and reach stackers to Africa, the statement said. Toyota 8-series released in South Africa JOHANNESBURG, South Africa South African-based Toyota Forklift, also known as Saficon Industrial Equipment, is distributing the Toyota 8-Series. Toyota Forklift is a subsidiary of Imperial Holdings Ltd, a major company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Toyota Forklift is the sole South African distributor of Toyota Forklifts, BT warehousing equipment, and Kalmar container handlers and heavy duty forklifts. Its head office is near Johannesburg and it has five wholly owned branches and several dealerships. A Toyota statement said the 8-Series was “the world’s cleanest internal combustion forklift. It also offers significant advancements in durability, ergonomics and the overall cost of operation”. In 2006, Toyota Forklift won a Toyota Japan quarterly excellence award for business growth, sales, performance and year-end profit.  Forklift contractors take public for a fine ride LAHORE, Pakistan Motorists in Pakistan have complained that forklift contractors are helping the government take money from the public, after cars and No Parking signs were removed by government-contracted forklift operators. According to Pakistan’s Daily Time, forklift contractors had been contracted to 18 city sectors to remove No Parking signs and trap unsuspecting motorists. Operators were then allegedly authorised to remove cars that had been illegally parked, forcing owners to pay for their return. Daily Time said the operation had been assisted by Lahore police. A student told Daily Time he had parked his car outside a railway station after getting permission from a police officer. However, when he returned to his car, it was being lifted by a forklift and the same police officer was sitting beside the forklift operator. The student had to pay Rs200 (USD4.55) to retrieve his car. One forklift contractor told Daily Time he was “authorised by the traffic police to lift illegally parked cars”. He said people often “hurled abuse at him and threatened him”. A government officer told Daily Time private forklift contractors would be advised not to use the word “fine”, as only courts could impose fines. The parking fine matter will be heard before a court on February 23. SALES REPRESENTATIVE Forkliftaction.com, publisher of this international industry publication and web portal, is looking for a motivated and experienced sales representative to join the team. We need someone to represent us in the Australian and New Zealand market from our offices, based in Brisbane. Largely office based, the role requires strong networking skills and the ability to negotiate business through phone and email contacts. Additionally you are required to travel and meet our customers in industry centres, up to 10 times per year. For more information on this exciting work opportunity, click here, or contact the Forkliftaction.com team: email info@forkliftaction.com, phone +61 (0)7 3369 9090 or fax +61 (0)7 3369 9096.  Komatsu releases new vertical order picker TOKYO, Japan Komatsu Forklift Co Ltd has released a vertical order picker. Komatsu Division’s MWQ07-3R model was released last December. It is manufactured at Komatsu’s Luzzara plant, in Italy. It is being released in the UK, Northern Ireland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Eastern Europe, Russia and Turkey, a Komatsu statement said. Features include an eABS anti-locking system. It has a 700kg lifting capacity and a 1,125mm lifting height without raised forks or 1,799mm with raised forks. Its maximum speed is 8.5km/h. The handlebar is similar to a GP motorbike, with two buttons on either side of the grip to control speed, while the other hand picks merchandise. An operator can move the truck at walking pace from ground level without climbing onto the platform by pressing two buttons (forwards and back) on the side of the chassis, a statement said. Movers & Shakers ALPHARETTA, GA, USA Major lead acid battery manufacturer GNB, part of Exide Technologies, has made several staff changes. Taylor Frederickson is the new western regional sales manager. He was previously GNB’s OEM account manager. Jim Pacetti, Steve Clippinger and David Steele are the new OEM account managers. Pacetti was previously national service director and has 35 years of materials handling experience. Before GNB, he was director of sales for Nissan and Clark Material Handling. Clippinger worked for Hyster national accounts for 15 years and spent some time with EnerSys. Steele brings 10 years experience to GNB. Tim Guy has been posted to GNB’s Motive Power National Accounts Group in Atlanta, Georgia. He has been with GNB 14 years. FARMINGTON HILLS, MI, United States Jervis B Webb Company has appointed Bruce Buscher as vice president of automotive & industrial sales and marketing. Before joining Jervis B Webb, Buscher was vice president of sales & marketing for Pro-face America, the North American headquarters for Japanese-based Digital Electronics Corp. HAMBURG, Germany Hans-Georg Frey has been appointed chairman of the board of management of Jungheinrich AG, effective from May 1. Frey has studied law and business administration. He was previously managing director of sales at ring and rotor spinning company Spindelfabrik Sussen GmbH and managing director of vehicle cranes manufacturer Liebherr Werk Ehingen GmbH. DUISBURG, Germany Osamu Miura is Toyota Industrial Equipment Europe’s new president. He takes over from Shinya Furukawa, who is now president of Toyota Materials Handling International. Miura was TICO general manager, overseas sales and marketing, in Japan. Until 2004, he was president of Toyoda Textile Machinery, in the US. Forklift driver picked for cricket TORONTO, Canada A forklift driver, a marketing graduate and a banker are members of Canada’s 15-man cricket team playing in the Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean next month. Canada will compete against England, New Zealand and Kenya in a 16-team tournament that runs from March 13 to April 28. The top two in each group will advance to the Super 8. Canada’s team includes Sunil Dhaniram, a forklift operator, from Ajax, Guyana. He told Canada Cricket Online the national team received no government financial support and, while some costs were paid by the International Cricket Council, he lost money through the time he took off work to play for Canada. Other players include Australian veteran batsman John Davison (captain); New Zealand batsman Geoff Barnett, a marketing graduate; and Toronto wicketkeeper-batsman Ashish Bagai, an investment banker, from Los Angeles. A team spokesperson told the Ottawa Sun “the Canadians will be the underdogs in every match – vast underdogs in most”. The Canadian team coach is Andy Pick. Search 2290 listings in the MarketplaceSample of used equipment for sale:
and thousands more... Click here to include your used forklifts, stackers, telehandlers, container handlers, attachments etc.
Seven-minute forklift assessment raises eyebrows MELBOURNE, Victoria, Australia A Victorian forklift assessor has been fined AUD2,000 after she was found guilty of conducting fraudulent assessments. Maryann deFrutos, 40, who worked at Civic Workplace Training, a licence training and testing company in Melbourne’s Footscray West, was charged under Sections 24 and 153 (1) of Victoria’s Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004 with knowingly giving false or misleading information. During a search of the premises on November 17, 2005, investigators found four completed certificates of assessment in deFrutos’ possession dated that day and carrying incorrect information. Some of DeFrutos’ assessments were estimated to have taken “as little as seven minutes”, a WorkSafe statement said. It said tests typically took about 50 minutes. WorkSafe’s licensing section subsequently refused to issue certificates to about 80 people tested by deFrutos, who resigned as a certified assessor on December 19, 2005. The scam was uncovered as part of a WorkSafe Victoria investigation. Another two people were yet to face court on related charges, the statement said. Certificates of competency are currently required for scaffolding and rigging work (including dogging), crane and hoist operation, forklift operation and pressure equipment operation. In 2006, 36,800 certificates of competency were issued in Victoria. Of those, 21,300 were for forklifts. WorkSafe said Victoria and other states and territories had proposed changes to the certificates to include a “photo-type identification card” to be reissued every five years from July 1, 2007. There is a AUD45 fee for current certificate holders and a AUD60 fee per class of work for new applicants. Public comment on the proposal ends on February 28. Toyota announces market share figures SYDNEY, New South Wales, Australia Toyota Industries Corporation Australia (TICA) has released market share figures for its three brands. A TICA statement said Toyota had a 26.9 per cent market share for Toyota Industrial Equipment, BT Lift Trucks and Raymond last year. It said it was number one nationally in counterbalanced engine-powered forklifts, with a 27.6 per cent market share. Toyota reported a 30 per cent market share in New South Wales, 25.4 per cent in Victoria, 22 per cent in Queensland, 28.4 per cent in Western Australia, 56.8 per cent in Tasmania and 26.8 per cent share in the Northern Territory. TICA delivered 4,364 materials handling machines in Australia in 2006, double its 2005 results, it said. Toyota said it almost tripled sales of battery electric units in 2006, increasing from 637 in 2005 to 2,037. Australian Industrial Truck Association president Howard Grant said it was not common practice in Australia to release individual market share information nor to rank companies. He said the AITA produced non-identifying market share reports, citing deliveries by type, size and state/territory, but not by brand. Briefs Manitou goes touring SYDNEY, NSW, Australia Manitou Australia staff will tour four Australian states to display and demonstrate Manitou products in May, June and August. Manitou masted forklifts, Maniaccess access platforms, telescopic forklifts, Manitransit truck-mounted forklifts, and other equipment will be displayed in Western Australia on May 3, Victoria on May 10, Queensland on June 15 and New South Wales on August 31. A Manitou statement said the tour idea began in France in 2005. Manitou Benelux and Spain will conduct tours this year. The aim was to provide a “fun-filled learning environment about Manitou and its product range”. Go-karts and V8 trials would be part of the tour. Custom Forklift releases telescopic handlers BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia Custom Forklift Sales has added a telescopic handler range to its rough terrain forklifts. A statement said Custom would offer new and used units but would focus on late model, used Manitou, JCB and JLG telescopic handlers. Custom distributes one-tonne to 42-tonne container handlers and engine and electric powered forklifts. The statement said telescopic handlers were becoming popular in the building industry for construction work. “With a reach up to 17 metres, these machines are four-wheel drive, four-wheel steer and capable of handling large assignments.” Australian Government announces funding for logistics GOLD COAST, Queensland, Australia Australia’s Transport & Regional Services Minister Mark Vaile has announced AUD1.6 million in funding for the freight and logistics sector. Vaile said the money would be provided to the Australian Logistics Council (ALC). “The government will continue to provide ALC with funding support of AUD1.6 million over four years,” he said. “I encourage the industry to pursue world’s best practice aggressively and seek opportunities to innovate, attract and retain quality staff, and draw on experiences from other parts of the world.” Work conditions scrutinised SYDNEY, New South Wales, Australia A survey of logistics industry workers has found child care programs, talented staff and flexible staffing arrangements are key workplace issues, while an academic believes not enough is done to address workplace stress. Sydney-based Logistics Recruitment Group surveyed 1,000 workers on behalf of the Australian supply chain and logistics industry. The survey found seven per cent of respondents said child care was offered by their companies. That compared with Europe, where 30 per cent of respondents indicated their companies offered child care as a benefit, a Logistics statement said. “Child care is one of the most significant barriers prohibiting parents from re-entering the workforce.” The survey found 43 per cent of respondents’ companies offered flexible salary packages and fringe benefits. Fifty-three per cent of respondents indicated their companies would recruit overseas talent for positions. About half the respondents indicated their companies employed casual and temporary staff on an on-going basis. Sixty per cent of respondents said Australia’s Workchoices Legislation had no impact on their business. University of Queensland Head of the Centre for Military & Veterans’ Health (CMVH), Professor Niki Ellis, said Australian industrial relations laws were a major issue for workers. “Industrial relations changes have made things worse, not better. The casualisation of the workforce has had a huge negative impact on occupational health & safety. People in insecure employment are reluctant to make unsafe working conditions an issue, so will often put up with them.” Ellis said she was “struck by the attitude of denial” on workplace stress. “Australian employer groups have been very effective in blocking any action to address workplace stress and the Australian Safety & Compensation Council has been silent on it. It’s extraordinary really,” she said. “Little recognition is given to psychosocial workplace hazards, in contrast to the United Kingdom, where the government introduced stress management standards in 2005.” Ellis will deliver the latest research on workplace stress at the Safety in Action Conference on March 20, hosted by the Safety Institute of Australia's Victorian division and sponsored by WorkSafe Victoria. The conference and concurrent trade show run from March 20 to March 22 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.  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Cantiliever Pallet Racking Alpha Warehouse Solutions has just released the complete range of Cantiliever Pallet Racking, and finished another installation for Burnside Plastics in Melbourne Victoria. Click here for the full text of this release, including pictures. Matex 2007: showcasing the warehouse of the future Matex, Australia’s premier showcase of warehouse, materials handling and logistics technologies, will again be part of National Manufacturing Week 2007, to be held from 22 to 25 May 2007 at the Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre. Click here for the full text of this release, including pictures. The BIG One is here! Exhibitors at the International Materials Handling Exhibition (IMHX) are now counting down the days until The BIG One begins! Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 13-16th March, IMHX is the UK’s premier logistics event and will showcase thousands of products and services from the handling and storage industry. Click here for the full text of this release, including pictures. PYROBAN® BRING EXPLOSION PROTECTION TO IMHX 2007 PYROBAN® (www.pyroban.com), the safety and environmental company will be exhibiting at IMHX, the UK materials handling and logistics show, in hall 18, 13-16 March, 2007. Companies using or supplying explosion proof equipment are warmly invited to join the company at the show and learn more about the fascinating world of Pyroban. Click here for the full text of this release, including pictures. Vulkoprin introduces completely NEW WHEEL CATALOGUE! Since 1964, Vulkoprin has been manufacturing, in Belgium, polyurethane elastomere Vulkollan® under Bayer license and is especially known for its high quality wheels, castors, rollers, tyres and technical parts. Today Vulkoprin is one of Europe's leading manufacturers in the "wheel industry" and is exporting to more than 50 countries worldwide. Click here for the full text of this release, including pictures. Easyramps will be at IHMX 2007 The biggest selling container-loading ramp in the United Kingdom and Europe will be on display at IMHX 2007 in Birmingham, England. Easyramps, the UK’s only specialist loading ramp manufacturers, will display an ER7.1 on their stand in the National Exhibition Centre from 13-16 March. Click here for the full text of this release, including pictures. 
Two seminars planned for “Music City, USA” MILWAUKEE, WI, United States The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) will hold product liability and safety seminars at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel, in Nashville, Tennessee, in April. Click here for the full Fork Talk feature, including pictures.
Person: Loren Swakow ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL, United States Industry leader Loren G Swakow succeeded his older brother, Paul, as president of Scott Lift Truck Corp, a Komatsu Ltd distributor, on January 1. Loren Swakow was the 2004 president of the Material Handling Equipment Distributors’ Association (MHEDA) and the 1995 president of the then-active Chicago Industrial Truck Dealers’ Association. He said the factory-direct trend and dealer profitability were among issues facing independent US forklift distributors. Click here for the full Industry Profile feature, including pictures.  |
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