Modex 2024: Making connections

When the largest manufacturing and supply chain trade event of 2024, Modex, returns to Atlanta on 11 March – to the Georgia World Congress Center – it will include over 1,000 exhibitors representing all segments of the material handling, logistics and transportation industry, from manual equipment to computerised, automated systems and smart, connected supply chain technologies.

In addition to the exhibits, the Modex Conference will include five keynotes and over 165 show floor educational sessions covering trends, best practices and stateof- the-art equipment and technology solutions that can make manufacturing and the entire supply chain work more resiliently, efficiently and profitably.

“Only at Modex can you engage in face-to-face business interactions and gain immersive first-hand experiences with cutting-edge supply chain equipment, technology and solutions,” says John Paxton, the chief executive of MHI, which organises the event and is the US’s largest material handling, logistics and supply chain association. “The value of witnessing these solutions in person, in action on the exhibition floor, participating in informative educational sessions, and connecting with industry leaders and innovators all in one place is invaluable to taking your operations to the next level of excellence.”

SPANCO

Spanco proudly launched its Workmate Electric Chain Hoist recently constructed with a modular design, higher capacity, lighter weight, and flexibility in mind.

Available in lift heights from 10-20ft, a wide range of capacities and in voltages of 110V, 230V and 460V, the Workmate electric chain hoist can be used with a Spanco workstation bridge crane. The hook with die-cast latch is designed to reduce weight while retaining its 8-to-1 safety factor. The chain is coated in a manganese phosphate that increases its lifespan especially in adverse/harsh environments.

“People are demanding a higher quality hoist and we have met that challenge. We are known for our durable cranes, so our hoist has to be equally robust, and the Workmate hits the mark,” says Tim Bambrick, VP, sales and marketing, Spanco.

The hoist was created for flexibility in fast-paced production environments, and constructed with a diecast aluminium housing that can be disassembled and reassembled in a fraction of the time it would take for an older electric hoist.

Bambrick adds it is easier to maintain and service due to its modular design, with a slip clutch and chain guide taking less than 15 minutes to replace. It comes standard with an IP65 environmental protection class – this means that out of the box the Workmate is dust-tight and low pressure water jet-resistant, rated for outdoor use.

HARRINGTON

Harrington, part of Kito Crosby, will showcase its TCE series Spark Resistant Air Hoists at Modex. The hoists are built with components that will reduce or eliminate risk of spark produced by impact or friction in heavy-duty industrial applications.

The TCE-llB Series hoists are Excertified spark resistant to level II 2G Ex h IIB T4 Gb for gas and II 2D Ex h IIIB 130°C Db for dust and are in compliance with the Atex Directive 2014/34/EU.

The air hoists are available in 0.25- 6.0-ton capacities with either cord or pendant controls and can be paired with the company’s VLPT push or VLGT geared Ex-certified spark-resistant manual trolleys. They have an unlimited duty cycle for continuous operation and “extremely fast lifting for applications where speed is critical”.

Standard features include a nickelplated load chain and bronze-coated top and bottom hooks for spark resistance and a spring-loaded multi-vane motor that permits “very fine feathering control”.

GORBEL

Gorbel has partnered with an agriculture seed company in Iowa, US, to install its G-Force hoist to help workers spending all day unloading palletised boxes onto a gravity conveyor. The conveyor moved each box to a staging area where workers would lift them individually onto a workbench for testing and repackaging if needed.

With workers manually moving boxes onto and off the conveyor, the ergonomic drain on the company was significant. Each box weighed about 70lbs, so workers were experiencing frequent back problems and fatigue throughout the day. Production was also slowed because manual lifting was time-consuming and unpredictable.

A Gorbel Work Station Crane outfitted with a G-Force Intelligent Lifting Device was installed. The Work Station Crane helped move the boxes ergonomically through all stages of processing, while the G-Force provided workers with precise handling abilities. What previously took substantial physical strength could now be achieved with a slight touch of the hand. Workers were particularly grateful that this system was easy to use, with no complicated controls or unnecessary buttons.

OZ LIFTING

Oz Lifting Products has provided equipment for a rig that lowered a $250,000 Lucid Air Sapphire electric car at Saks Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

The vehicle was the centrepiece of a holiday-season display in the jewellery section of the store, which is below street level. Getting it there took an overnight operation that involved four 3.0-ton capacity Oz Premium hand chain hoists, with a lifting height of 30ft; beam trolleys attached to 30ft-long beams; and a customised lifting platform. The 5,600lbs car combined with the platform for a total load of 10,000lbs.

To facilitate the lift (lower), four exterior doors were removed, an escalator bank was stripped, and the car was driven to the starting location and driven onto the custom-made platform. Temporary towers were erected by the rigging contractor to support the travelling beams that would allow the car to be travelled from the upper floor out over the lower floor in preparation for the 28ft journey down to the vault level.

Oz Lifting’s equipment was utilised at the point of use by the project’s rigging contractor, Glenn Adelson, a NYC Licensed Master Rigger at Concord Rigging, which sourced it from Oz dealer Eastern Rigging Supply. The steel lifting platform was fabricated by Concord’s inhouse certified welders.

“The work was completed upon closure of the store starting on a Friday evening. It took 14 hours to complete the job, due to its complexity, and the constant requirement to complete the lowering process as safely as possible,” says Bob Eberheim, of Eastern Rigging Supply.

The Oz Premium hand chain hoists are part of a range that spans 0.5-ton to 10-ton capacity. They offer minimal load lifting effort; double reduction gearing provides easy operation. A hand-wheel design enables the hand chain to feed directly into the wheel sprocket from many directions and angles.

An enclosed and protected Westonstyle load brake stays clean and dry during the entire load operation. Hoists are also equipped with a twin pawl design for additional reliability. A sealed roller bearing provides smooth, controlled operation of the gears and shafts, which ensures maintenance-free lubrication.

MATERIAL HANDLING

JLT Mobile Computers will be launching JLT Insights warehouse productivity software as well as presenting a selection of rugged solutions including the JLT6012A with Android operating system at Modex 2024.

JLT Insights, designed to boost productivity in warehouse logistics, is different to other software solutions on the market because it monitors vehicles, access points and workforce productivity, in addition to device monitoring.

Also on display will be its JLT6012 Series of rugged forklift-mounted computers, including an updated Android model featuring Android 12. The model is also Google Mobile Services (GMS) certified and SOTI Mobile Device Management certified.

“We are extremely proud to be launching JLT Insights in the US – the one and only warehouse productivity software that monitors key pain points in a warehouse operation, like workforce productivity, workflow conformity and asset visibility and utilisation. We’ve consulted closely with industry customers in developing this solution, and I’m certain it will make a significant contribution to warehouse productivity. JLT is dedicated to supporting customers’ business, and this solution will enable us to deliver even greater value,” says Eric Miller, CEO, JLT.

Since 2021, Nord DriveSystems has been addressing sustainability issues in an ecological, economic and responsible manner. Carolin von Rönne, controller of subsidiaries, Nord DriveSystems in Germany, says it introduced a sustainability management team in 2022 and has already reached important milestones such as successfully implementing a certified environmental management system in Germany and publishing the first sustainability report for its global headquarters in Bargteheide.

By 2025, Nord aims to make sure all employees are fully informed about corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and receive regular training. It additionally expects to launch a digital Learning Management System (LMS) in 2024 for individual learning opportunities and is preparing to appoint a key figure who will promote diversity throughout the company.

With the goal of reducing its CO2 footprint, it is currently developing an international climate strategy to reduce energy consumption during operations, increasing the use of renewable energies, and reducing the amount of waste each subsidiary produces.

Nord products can be found in more than 100 industries across the globe. As many systems consume a significant amount of energy, Nord has begun integrating more sustainable, energy-efficient solutions into its product development process. One such example is its IE5+ permanent magnet synchronous motors. These motors not only operate with high efficiency, saving energy and CO2 emissions, but also require a relatively small number of critical metals to manufacture – further minimising the environmental impact. Future plans for the Nord product line include increasing the sales quota for energy-efficient solutions, calculating a product carbon footprint for a product series by 2025, and significantly increasing the usage of high-efficiency products within the industries they serve.

Another recent addition to Nord’s portfolio is its Condition Monitoring for Predictive Maintenance solution. In Condition Monitoring, operating and status data are recorded regularly or permanently to optimise the efficiency and operational safety of machines and systems. Important information for Predictive Maintenance can be derived from the data analysis with a goal to proactively maintain the machines and systems, reduce downtimes, and increase overall system effectiveness.

Nord has also developed its LogiDrive Complete Drive Solutions to maximise efficiency and overall savings potential. LogiDrive offers cost-effective, standardised designs including a gear unit, IE3/IE4/IE5+ high-efficiency motor, and variable frequency drive (VFD). The systems provide flexibility and maintain efficient operation at partial load and low speeds, making them an ideal solution for a wide range of automation applications.

Finally, Kion Group has appointed Michael Larsson as president of its subsidiary Dematic Corp., and as a member of the executive board of Kion Group he succeeds Hasan Dandashly, now retired.

In his board assignment Larsson will have responsibility for the Kion Industrial Truck Segment (ITS) for the Americas while retaining responsibility for the Dematic Americas region.

“It’s a very exciting time to lead Dematic, having the opportunity to work alongside an incredible team of industry experts to build upon our proud history and serving our customers. With the industry undergoing fundamental change, driving the need for increasing levels of automation, Dematic is in a great position to lead with innovative software and technology solutions. I would like to thank Hasan for his strong contributions to the company over the last five years building a strong foundation for future growth,” says Larsson.

Prior to joining Dematic, Larsson served as senior vice president and managing director of ABB’s Automotive Business Unit. During his 30-plus years at ABB, he also served in increasing levels of executive leadership, as CFO and business leader across four continents.