MHIA Announces Participation In American Logistics Aid Network

New Organization created to tap supply chain resources of 8,000 companies to speed delivery of relief aid in future disasters.

(November 9, 2006-Charlotte, NC) Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) announces its participation as a founding member of the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN). ALAN is a new network of industry associations created to assist relief agencies by providing logistics resources to support the distribution of humanitarian aid (including goods and services) in the preparation for, and response to, a disaster. Responding to 2005’s hurricane and tsunami natural disasters, a group of ten associations formed ALAN to provide supply chain and logistics resources and expertise to aid in, and speed, the response to natural and man-made disasters.

In addition to MHIA, the following associations are the founders of ALAN:

AFFI—American Frozen Food Institute
CSCMP—Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
FMI—Food Marketing Institute
GMA—Grocery Manufacturers Association
IARW—International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses
IRTA—International Refrigerated Transportation Association
IWLA—International Warehouse and Logistics Association
MHEDA—Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association
WERC—Warehousing Education and Research Council

The mission of ALAN is to support humanitarian aid agencies access to the resources of thousands of organizations representing food suppliers, refrigerated transportation, trucking, logistics, warehousing, supply chain software, and material handling equipment firms to help these agencies:

• Assist in the ongoing preparation and training of relief agencies volunteers;
• Develop supply chain processes needed to effectively respond to disasters;
• Supplement their efforts to assist in the collection, routing, and delivery of relief supplies to specific disaster area.

According to John Nofsinger, CEO of MHIA, “ALAN was founded by the associations that make the supply chain efficiently operate on a daily basis. When a disaster strikes, we believe that it is our unique responsibility to utilize these same resources and expertise to help ensure that the necessary aid gets where it is needed as quickly as possible.”

Initially, ALAN will focus on one-time crisis situations that occur in the United States, such as hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes. In the future, ALAN could serve as a model in expanding this effort for disaster response in other regions of the world.

ALAN is in the process developing a volunteer base of companies and individuals to aid in their mission. In the event of a disaster, ALAN will work with relief organizations to support their logistics, supply, and transportation needs and mobilize assistance as required.

About MHIA
MHIA is an international trade association that has represented this industry since 1945. MHIA members include material handling 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 2008 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. For more information on MHIA, visit www.MHIA.org or contact Carol Miller at 800-345-1815/704-676-1190 or via email at .

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