Program for technicians receives update
Greene, NY, United States

Raymond Corp has updated its service technician development program to offer a more intensive and multi-layered training experience.
The revisions for corporate and authorised sales and service centre technicians are designed to resonate with the individual rather than through a one-size-fits-all approach.
In working to reduce customer downtime, the program's goal is to help technicians change the way they approach maintenance requests and help them complete tasks more quickly.
Three successive workshop levels focus on a technical primer dealing with foundational knowledge and skills, scheduled maintenance practices to fulfill ongoing regular procedures required for specific forklifts, and troubleshooting and repair relating to diagnostics and repairs. At the end of each level, a technician must pass a test to receive certification and move on to the next level.
Completing the modules of this program can prepare a technician with optimal expertise and service skills.


Tom Ridge keynotes ProMat 2011
Charlotte, NC, United States

Tom Ridge, former secretary of US homeland security, is slated as a keynote speaker at ProMat 2011 taking place on 21-24 March in Chicago's McCormick Place. Ridge's topic will be "Fortune favours the brave: the net gain of supply chain security in a risk-based world".
Another keynote presentation during the biennial materials handling and logistics industry trade show will involve a next-generation robotic innovation for use in the automotive, aerospace and other industries. Representatives of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration and General Motors Corp will describe how they are working together to accelerate robotic development including a state-of-the-art humanoid robot known as Robonaut 2.
Charlotte-based Material Handling Industry of America, the sponsor of ProMat, projects more than 700 trade exhibits, an extensive series of educational tracks and 80 focused seminars.
A centre known as the Hub will be located on the show floor and offer multiple informational and educational opportunities relating to industry resources, social networking, lifetime learning, the American Logistics Aid Network and the trade group's new supply-chain-oriented MODEX event occurring from 6-9 February 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. The space drawing for MODEX 2012 exhibits will take place on 14 December at the Georgia World Congress Centre in Atlanta.