http://www.mhia.org/rss/casestudies MHIA.org Case Studies en-us Copyright Material Handling Industry 2009 10 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:37:02 GMT Case Study Whiting modernized two (2) 70 ton Gate House cranes and one (1) 150 ton Powerhouse crane which service a hydroelectric power plant located southwest of St Louis, MO. The modernizations were in order to meet new stringent owner operational policies and ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/cmaa/casestudies/9554/a-dam-good-job--by-whiting Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:13:25 GMT Case Study A New England candy wholesaler was stretched to the limit servicing their grocery and convenience store customers. Even with 70,000 square feet of operations spread over three facilities the wholesaler’s operation were strained handling over 12,000 items ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/ofc/casestudies/9503/multiple-carton-flow-solutions-generate-sweet-savings-for-candy-wholesaler Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:07:01 GMT Case Study With lean practices a priority a New Jersey medical manufacturer needed to eliminate waste in one of their primary product lines. To meet customer demand the cervical collar operation assembles and distributes approximately 800 cervical collar packages ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/ofc/casestudies/9502/medical-manufacturer-eliminates-waste--increases-productivity-100- Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:32:31 GMT Case Study With over 22,000 patient records a Chicago area medical center was struggling to keep their patient records accessible. An Electronic Lateral Filing System (ELF) now provides ergonomic access to all authorized employees and the increased file storage ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/ease/casestudies/9474/medical-center-increases-patient-records-storage-capacity-with-an-ergonomic-solution Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:31:52 GMT Case Study The installation of VLMs allow a company to reclaim approximately 1,600 square feet of floor space which could then be used for production, rather than storage. The VLMs also automatically locate and retrieve stored items with the push of a button, ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/9475/automation-provides-assembly-expansion-while-adding-part-capacity Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:12:47 GMT Case Study A health center in Vancouver teamed up with a general hospital in Richmond to consolidate their separate medical supply warehouses. Consolidating inventory, the health care facilities have increased their bulk buying power and reduced overall storage ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/ofc/casestudies/9456/hospital-supply-distributor-increases-throughput-by-500- Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:49:48 GMT Case Study A major player in the specialty coffee industry decided it was time for a change in order to prepare for future growth. Together with their integrator, they worked closely to create a material handling system with future expansion in mind. Their new state-of-the-art ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3335/optimized-material-handling-system-paves-the-way-for-future-growth Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:48:10 GMT Case Study As part of an effort to manage the company’s growth and improve efficiency, an international intimate apparel company implemented a new state-of-the-art material handling system for its distribution center. http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/ofc/casestudies/7948/store-order-fulfillment-system-helps-intimate-apparel-company-manage-growth Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:46:50 GMT Case Study When a world leader in thermal analysis and rheometer systems acquired a top rheometer supplier, they were challenged to find a way to add several new product lines to their facility while maintaining the same amount of space. A vertical storage solution ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3338/vertical-lift-modules-instrumental-in-company-s-growth Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:46:31 GMT Case Study With 35,000+ bus and light-rail train parts being stored in 5,000 sq. ft. of warehouse, this public transit authority was running out of space; even resorting to stacking parts in the aisles! They considered several options, including a $1.3 million expansion ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3336/public-transit-authority-reaps-benefits-of-modernization Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:46:06 GMT Case Study A distributor of medical and health-related supplies utilized pallet rack and a stationary shelving system for storage; they needed a new system to increase productivity and decrease labor costs. An order processing system was designed and integrated, ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3300/increased-efficiency-is-just-what-the-doctor-ordered Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:45:44 GMT Case Study In order to improve customer response time for this manufacturer of various access hardware solutions (locks, fasteners, latches and hinges), an integrated material handling system was designed for the order fulfillment center. Learn how the final system ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3334/manufacturer-realizes-same-day-turnaround-on-orders Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:45:27 GMT Case Study Struggling with excessive maintenance problems and unacceptable upkeep costs related to its outmoded AS/RS, a major producer of telecommunications products needed a more advance system that required less floor space, but could deliver more product to ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3360/streamlined-work-in-process-system--powerful-software-maximize-uptime Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:44:43 GMT Case Study When the worlds leading aircraft manufacturer won a contract to build the USAFs newest transport aircraft, they needed to lower production costs, meet fast approaching deadlines and attain a 15% internal rate of return on investment within 5 years. To ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3361/c-17-productivity-takes-off-with-work-in-process-system Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:44:09 GMT Case Study In 2001, a major supplier of fragrances and beauty products was acquired. Not only did the merger bring together several disparate distribution systems, but the company was expecting serious growth within the next few years. Three distribution centers ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/ofc/casestudies/3603/flexible-pick-to-light-system-supports-growth-of-major-supplier-of-fragrances-and-beauty-products Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:39:23 GMT Case Study One of the largest precast concrete companies in the U.S., Tindall Corporation purchased an existing plant in San Antonio, TX. The company wanted maximum lifting flexibility to accommodate future products. Because the states were high and time short, ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/cmaa/casestudies/9431/konecranes-pd-cranes-and-turnkey-steel-runway-selected-by-innovative-precast-concrete-manufacturer Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:38:30 GMT Case Study A year-round stream of poultry litter generated by Benson, Minnesota turkey raising operations totaling 700,000 tons each year combined with the tradition of spreading litter on agricultural fields as fertilized had begun to impact water quality in central ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/cmaa/casestudies/9430/konecranes-supplies-four-automated-cranes-to-first-poultry-litter-fueled-power-plant--in-united-states Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:37:35 GMT Case Study When a municipal waste composting facility outside Vancouver shut down because of odor problems, a new facility was sited in the Resort Municipality of Whistler. The process transforms a mixture of sewage solids, food waste and waste wood into high-quality ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/cmaa/casestudies/9429/konecranes-biomass-crane-helps-whistler-resort-manage-waste--reduce-carbon-footprint Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:59:46 GMT Case Study A global book and multimedia retailer was looking for a way to increase efficiencies and make better use of floor space in its distribution centers. A new store order consolidation system was developed, which includes two dozen vertical carousels. The ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/as-rs/casestudies/3301/book---multimedia-retailer-uses-vertical-carousels-to-consolidate-store-orders Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:56:43 GMT Case Study A distributor of fundraising products to schools, associations, and non-profit groups was experiencing new growth due to consolidation in the industry. Because of their strong industry position, catalog selections had grown from 20 to 230 items in recent ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/ofc/casestudies/3602/pick-to-light-provides-flexibility-to-respond-to-customer-s-changing-needs Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:51:17 GMT Case Study A major outdoor apparel and equipment retailer was expanding beyond catalog sales and planned to operate as many as 70 regional retail and factory stores by the year 2012. As a result, an automated order fulfillment system was designed and integrated ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/ofc/casestudies/7881/order-fulfillment-system-supports-new-retail-operations Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:49:40 GMT Case Study In order to prepare for future growth, a major player in the specialty coffee industry decided it was time for a change. Originally, their 65,000 sq. ft. facility handled roasting, packaging, warehousing, and distribution. However, in order to grow the ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/ofc/casestudies/3601/optimized-material-handling-system-paves-the-way-for-future-growth Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:41:05 GMT Case Study United Book Distributors (UBD) is the warehousing and distribution division of Pearson Australia Group (PAG), Australia’s largest book publisher. UBD needed to streamline its warehouse and fulfilment operations. Accurate dimensional and weight data are ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/scestg/casestudies/9247/ubd-realizes-measurable-efficiency-and-financial-benefits-with-cube-scanning-solution Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:40:47 GMT Case Study Demag provided a 10 Ton DRPRO Hoist on A Demag Crane for a metal flooring company manufactures metal floor decking products and associated metal flashings for use in the fast track construction. With a projected output of over 2,500,000 sq feet of metal ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/hmi/casestudies/9295/demag-electric-rope-hoist-metal-flooring-plant Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:40:24 GMT Case Study A metal galvanizing plant with a harsh environment facility needed a system to handle long loads with versatility. The units need to be able to run as a single unit or as two individual hoists, allowing dipping of metal tubes. Demag provided a 10 Ton ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/hmi/casestudies/9294/demag-electric-rope-hoist-in-the-galvanizing-industry Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:48:41 GMT Case Study Atlas Copoco needed a piece of equipment that was able to lift very heavy steel cylinders and place them with precision into the milling machine without damaging the part or the machine. After exploring multiple servo-powered lifting devices, the company ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/ease/casestudies/9182/intelligent-lifting-in-action--damage---injury-risk--virtually--eliminated-with-gorbel-s-g-force Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:57:37 GMT Case Study Just In Time CNC Machining was relocating and looking for a crane system that would service several CNC machines and the full selection of products without interfering with the current flow of materials. The building was leased with very high ceilings ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/ease/casestudies/9181/custom-supports-in-action--custom-supports-for-work-station-cranes-give-machine-shop-freedom---flexibility Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:48:59 GMT Case Study When Victaulic, a manufacturer of fire protection and HVAC equipment, decided to expand its current facility they needed a way to transport hot metal from furnaces to auto-pouring stations. The new system consists of three hot metal carriers: two are ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/mma/casestudies/9092/tc-american-hot-metal-carrier-system-unique-system-proves-best-solution Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:28:22 GMT Case Study When the Fasson Roll Division, an Avery Dennison Company, was planning to add a second roll slitting line, and additional self-supporting crane system was needed. Their existing system, utilized I-beam runways and bridge. Operator fatigue inspired the ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/mma/casestudies/9091/tc-american-s-spanmaster--self-supporting-crane Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:12:13 GMT Case Study Early learning company customers range in size from large schools with sophisticated DCs to smaller schools, daycare facilities and individual parents. To meet a variety of customer needs, they required a flexible system that would allow them to automate ... http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/ofc/casestudies/7947/early-learning-company-improves-customer-service-and-inventory-accuracy-with-best-of-breed-warehouse-management-system