Don Frazier Program Introduces High Schoolers to Material Handling & Logistics Careers

New Rock Hill High School Warehousing and Distribution Program Was Dedicated April 30

Thursday, April 30, 2009

View Photos from the Grand Opening Ceremony

View Video from the Grand Opening Ceremony

The Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. (MHEFI) announces the dedication of the new pilot program, Don Frazier Material Handling Technical Training Program, with the opening of the Don Frazier Supply Chain Training Center as part of the Rock Hill Schools Applied Technology Center on April 30, 2009.

Named for Don Frazier, founder of Frazier Industrial Company, this new program consists of an entry-level educational program for high school, technical and community college students who will gain work-related skills and experiences in state of the art, fully-equipped working warehouse and distribution training centers that serves as a laboratory setting for the program across the nation. The Don Frazier Supply Chain Training Center in Rock Hill is the first fully functioning laboratory established in the program.

The Frazier program is modeled after the well-established and highly respected program at the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute near Allentown, PA.

"Out of respect for Mr. Frazier, and his long and generous leadership of the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) and MHEFI, member companies of MHIA have offered needed equipment and expertise to the program," adds Victoria Wheeler, executive director of MHEFI. These companies include: Atlas Material Handling, Bluff Manufacturing, Bushman Equipment, Demag Cranes & Components, Diamond Phoenix, Frazier Industrial, Hamilton Caster, Hanel Storage Systems, Hytrol Conveyor, NACCO Material Handling — YALE, Southworth International, Spanco, Steel King Industries and Unarco Material Handling.

"Additionally, several local companies—including West Marine, Ross Industries, State Farm Insurance, Black & Decker and US Foods—contributed to the program’s start up costs," she says.

The dedication of the new center took place on April 30, 2009 at the Applied Technology Center in Rock Hill, SC.

MHEFI is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and supporting material handling education. Established in 1976, MHEFI has provided funds, through private and corporate donations, to graduate and undergraduate students, as well as to academicians and their institutions. MHEFI offers a variety of scholarships to students pursuing an education in material handling.

MHIA is an international trade association that has represented the material handling & logistics industry since 1945. MHIA members include material handling and logistics equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, publishers, and third party logistics providers. Member companies come from all areas of material handling and various parts of the world, making MHIA a strong national and international representative for the material handling industry. Much of the work of the industry is done within its product-specific sections, councils and affiliates. The association also sponsors trade events, such as ProMat and NA 2010 to showcase the products and services of its member companies and to educate industry professionals on the productivity solutions provided through material handling and logistics.

Contact: Carol Miller, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) (704) 616-1190/800-345-1815 / cmiller@mhia.org

More information:
Don Frazier materials handling program dedicated