Industry Announcements

Interroll is moving its U.S.-based Interroll Automation business unit to a new, high-tech manufacturing plant in Jeffersonville, Ind. Interroll Automation also recently completed construction of a plant in China. (March 8, 2010)
Choice Logistics, a specialist in outsourced service parts logistics services, has opened a regional hub in Dubai. The new facility will serve as a primary gateway for the Middle East. (March 8, 2010)
The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and Industria Nacional de Autopartes (INA), the automotive parts manufacturers association in Mexico, have formed a new partnership. The venture is designed to ensure that suppliers in the United States and Mexico have access to the same world-class educational programs, industry best practices, and standards. (March 8, 2010)
Neal Cunningham, manager of strategic planning and analysis at Navistar, and Callen Vickers, senior director of purchasing for Nissan North America, have been named to Automotive Industry Action Group's (AIAG) 18-member board of directors. (March 5, 2010)
Lesley Couch has joined Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services as director of its duty deferral and foreign-trade zone (FTZ) practice. In her new position, Couch will provide advice to clients on duty savings opportunities and duty deferral by utilizing FTZs, bonded warehouses, and similar programs around the world. (March 5, 2010)
Wynright, a designer and manufacturer of integrated material handling systems, has created a new brand to be known as Wynright Robotics. The new brand will provide turnkey automation solutions for a variety of industries, including electronics, automotive, food, telecommunications, and medical devices. (March 5, 2010)
Canadian apparel importer Gildan Activewear will open a new 850,000-square-foot distribution center in Charleston, S.C., this spring. (March 4, 2010)
MIC Customs Solutions has added new support and senior project management positions in its North American operations. William Arango, former leader of Global Trade Systems at GM, has been hired as the director of operations - Americas and Asia Pacific. Arango has 20 years of experience in all aspects of trade management systems. In addition, Jason O'Brien has been hired as director of sales and marketing for the Americas and Asia Pacific. He brings over 10 years of experience working in sales and marketing within the trade automation space to his new position. (March 4, 2010)
Don Baldwin, business segment manager for Michelin Americas Truck Tires, has been named to the board of directors for the North American Council for Freight Efficiency. As a member of the board of directors, Baldwin will be responsible for helping the organization collect, assess, and circulate information on performance and efficiency benefits to technology developers, fleet owners, and truck drivers. (March 4, 2010)
Don Baldwin, business segment manager for Michelin Americas Truck Tires, has been named to the board of directors for the North American Council for Freight Efficiency. As a member of the board of directors, Baldwin will be responsible for helping the organization collect, assess, and circulate information on performance and efficiency benefits to technology developers, fleet owners, and truck drivers. (March 4, 2010)
Fresh King, a grower and shipper of tropical and exotic fruits and vegetables, has announced plans to expand its use of the CHEP pallet pooling system. Through its use of the CHEP pooling system, Fresh King has already reduced solid waste generation associated with shipping platforms by 95 percent, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 58 percent. (March 3, 2010)
Sketchers USA has entered into a joint venture with HF Logistics I LLC for the development of a 1.82 million-square-foot distribution facility in San Moreno, Calif. (March 3, 2010)
Tire importer TBC Corp. plans to open the first half of its new 1.1 million-square-foot distribution center in the Summerville, S.C., region later this year. (March 3, 2010)
The International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) has honored Ellenbee Leggett Co. president James Kite with the IFDA Cornerstone Award. The award recognizes Kite's service to the industry through his work with IFDA, including 11 years as a member of the IFDA board of directors and four years as IFDA's treasurer. (March 2, 2010)
Clark Material Handling Co. has honored its top-performing dealers in both trucks and parts on an annual basis. The "Dealers of Excellence" represent the top 8 percent of the dealer group at Clark. They are Infiniti Handling Systems, Middletown, N.Y.; Tri-Lift NC, Greensboro, N.C.; Material Handling Inc., Dalton, Ga.; Burke Handling Systems, Jackson, Miss.; Jefferds Corp., Charleston, W.V.; and W.E. Johnson Equipment Co., Miami, Fla. (March 2, 2010)
Ryder System Inc. has entered into a joint venture partnership with Cargo Services Far East Ltd. (CSFE), an Asia-based logistics solutions provider specializing in export consolidation services. Operating as Ryder Supply Chain Solutions Asia, the venture will offer a comprehensive, end-to-end service with full geographic coverage throughout Asia for North American retailers and other companies importing from Asia. (March 2, 2010)
Yusen Air & Sea Service has selected CargoWise's ediEnterprise system as its global enterprise solution. The system, which is designed to improve process management and operational efficiency, will help support YAS Group with its future global business strategies. (March 2, 2010)
The Progress Group, a supply chain consulting firm, has partnered with Optricity, a supply chain optimization software developer, to provide enhanced technology solutions for their clients. The companies will use Optricity's OptiSlot warehouse slotting software and will work together on new applications for Optricity's Juncture Optimization technology. (March 2, 2010)
Greg E. Reimmuth has been appointed director of national fleet accounts for transportation software specialist Noregon Systems. Prior to joining Noregon, Reimmuth served as regional sales manager for Medco. (February 24, 2010)
A. Duie Pyle, a Northeast transportation and logistics service provider, has appointed Gordon Mackenzie, former president of UPS Freight, to its board of directors. A former senior vice president and chief operating officer of Preston Trucking Co., Mackenzie began his logistics career at Overnite Transportation in 1996 as senior vice president, sales and marketing. (February 24, 2010)
Bastian Material Handling, a global material handling integrator, has expanded into Canada with the opening of a new office near Toronto, Ontario. (February 24, 2010)