- Smart move. SmartOps Corp., a company that markets enterprise-class supply chain optimization solutions, and Bristlecone, which designs and implements extended supply chain solutions, have entered into a strategic alliance. Under the agreement, Bristlecone will offer its customers in North America, Europe and Asia the SmartOps Multi-Stage Inventory Planning and Optimization (MIPO) software. Bristlecone will also become a certified MIPO implementation partner.
- Selective services. eBusiness Solution Pros, developer of the Stay-Linked terminal emulation and session management solution, is now a member of Symbol Technologies' newly formed PartnerSelect Independent Software Vendor partner program. This partnership enables qualified software developers to leverage technical, sales and marketing programs to provide service to customers and increase revenues.
- With one voice. Vocollect, a company that provides voice-directed distribution systems, and Swisslog, an international company that offers supply chain solutions, have reached a reseller agreement. Swisslog will resell Vocollect voice-enabled products integrated with Swisslog's warehouse management systems. This will allow Swisslog to provide voice technology to key customers in the retail, consumer goods, pharmaceutical and healthcare, and food and beverage industries.
- Racking up the business. DHL Fulfillment, a subsidiary of the German postal service, has chosen SSI Schaefer Germany to provide a high-bay warehouse, conveyers and order picking systems for a new 226,000-square-foot facility that will house fulfillment operations for a TV home shopping channel. The deal is worth $43 million. The rack-supported warehouse is slated to be 98 feet high with four aisles and storage-retrieval machines that will service 16,000 double-deep pallet storage positions. The deal also includes roller conveyors, chain conveyors, lifting transfer units, pallet stacking systems, picking systems and a 200foot conveyor that will transfer outgoing cartons to DHL's parcel express operations. SSI Schaefer's work at the facility is expected to be completed early next year.
- Making bale. Transpac, a Mexican supplier of contract sheeting and paper recycling services, has purchased a wide-mouth baler from American Baler for its newest plant near Mexico City. The model 8043 baler has a large 41- by 80-inch feed opening, a five-wire auto-tier, and a material tension chamber that self adjusts to maximize bale density.
- On your MARC, get set ... Two major software companies, Manugistics Group and MARC Global, have formed a strategic relationship agreement to help customers optimize their supply chains. The program combines the best offerings of both companies, including Manugistics' collaborative demand, supply and transportation management solutions and MARC Global's adaptable warehouse management system and business intelligence offerings. The move is expected to help clients improve customer service, reduce costs, source more efficiently and reduce inventories.
- Ryde on. LG Electronics USA, a consumer electronics and home appliance manufacturer, has picked Ryder System to design and manage its warehouse, transportation and outbound delivery network. Under the agreement, Ryder will manage warehouse facilities in New Jersey, California, Illinois, Georgia, Florida and Oregon.
- Neither rain, now snow ... Intelligrated will be supplying 210 conveyor systems for use in the U.S. Postal Service's sorting facilities. The systems will tie together mail sorting equipment supplied by United Sortation Solutions and Northrop Grumman as part of the U.S. Postal Service's Automatic Flats Sorting Machine—Automatic Induction program. Intelligrated will provide its 24-volt motor-driven roller conveyor to the 210 sites in 48 states, with installation to be completed by the middle of next year.
- No more border lines. PBB Global Logistics Income Fund, a division of third-party logistics provider PBB, has acquired Canada-based Unicity Integrated Logistics (UIL) and Unicity Customs Services (UCS). UIL provides cross-border consolidation, deconsolidation and forwarding capabilities, while UCS is one of the top 10 Canadian customs brokers. PBB specializes in cross-border logistics between Canada, the United States and Mexico.
- It's a gift. Spencer Gifts has just selected Metrologic Instruments' MS9540VoyagerCG units for point-of-sale applications. The hand-held laser bar-code scanners will be placed next to registers at over 600 of Spenser's gift shops.
- The results say a lot. Save-A-Lot, a grocery chain and subsidiary of Supervalu, has begun implementing Voxware's voice-directed logistics solution, VoiceLogistics, for picking orders in its fulfillment centers. During the project's pilot phase, Save-A-Lot realized an 80-percent improvement in picking accuracy using the voice system. Save-A-Lot operates more than 1,150 stores in 38 states.
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Wreaths Across America
