This week's news comes to you from Hannover, where editor Allan Leibowitz is on jury duty for the 2020 edition of the IFOY (international forklift and materials handling solutions of the year) awards - and the preview of what used to be CeMAT but is now part of the Hannover Messe exhibition.
Adverse weather conditions in Europe made it a demanding journey, with a nine-hour delay in Singapore and an afternoon of cancelled connections from Munich.
Travel is an essential part of global business these days, but our experience as a result of a couple of days of extreme weather is a reminder of how we have come to rely on efficient airline operations - and how easily the system breaks down when things go wrong.
One can only imagine how this kind of transport turmoil would have affected the two giant European trade shows next month and the Modex Show in the US. And that's before we even consider the impact of the coronavirus threat which has authorities on high alert at major airports around the world.
It's not a great time to be travelling!
World News
Helsinki, Finland
Cargotec ended 2019 with mixed fortunes: Kalmar and Hiab achieved record high operating profits while MacGregor made a loss, according to the company's latest financial report. "Our comparable operating...
Almere, Netherlands
Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe (MLE) has announced a further integration of its Mitsubishi Caterpillar and UniCarriers business in Europe. From 1 April 2020, business and strategy execution will be "strengthened...
Oklahoma City, OK, United States
The proposed and previously announced acquisition of substantially all the assets of Gammon Equipment Company by Medley Material Handling Company has been completed. Following the financial closing, Medley was...
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Members of the ASEAN Forklift Entrepreneurs Golf (AFEG) celebrated the Chinese New Year at a gathering in Malaysia which attracted 150 materials handling industry professionals. The AFEG Roast Pig...
New Bremen, OH, United States
Crown Equipment Corporation has introduced a diesel option to the Crown C-5 Series, first launched in 2009 as the company's first internal combustion line of industrial pneumatic and cushion...
Henderson, NV, United States
Snorkel showed off its rough-terrain models at last week's World of Concrete 2020 show in Nevada. The line-up of rough-terrain telehandlers included the SR5719 which was introduced at the...
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Brazil's SGB Maquinas has introduced a new line of forklifts under the All Work brand. The machines are imported from China, according to spokesman Armando Campanini Neto, who says...
Christchurch, New Zealand
RCT has commissioned its SmarTrack fleet management solution for Dairyworks New Zealand. The project, in collaboration with Christchurch-based South Island Forklifts, involved seven new Jungheinrich battery electric ETV 114...
Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa
A couple of images are doing the rounds, showing a container handler in a precarious position at Cape Town Container Depot in August last year. Rather than simply responding...
Solihull, United Kingdom
A fleet of JCB Access scissor lifts has landed a leading role with the premier supplier of access equipment to the television and film industry. Solihull-based Media Access Solutions...