short takes

FKI Logistex has formed a Solutions Development Group to provide integrated supply chain solutions on an accelerated schedule to customers in North America. This new team will operate as a systems integrator that specifies, installs, and commissions all FKI Logistex and third-party products and services involved in these solutions. … Advanced Handling Systems, a Lakeland, Fla., designer and integrator of material handling systems, has changed its name to TriFactor. … Descartes, a logistics softwareas-a-service company, has acquired Minnesota-based RouteView Technologies, a company that provides map-based routing software and wireless/GPS technologies. … Trucktruth.com has launched an online calculator to compare the costs of owning and operating an internal combustion enginepowered lift truck vs. an electric lift truck. Go to www.trucktruth.com. … GT Nexus has acquired Metaship AG, a Hamburg, Germanybased company that provides logistics management technology for importers, exporters, and third-party logistics service providers. … SEKO, a freight forwarding and logistics solutions specialist, has expanded its operations in Europe by opening four new offices in France. The offices are located in Paris, Le Havre, Lyon, and Marseille. … Ryder System has bought the full-service truck leasing, commercial truck rental, and contract maintenance businesses of Lily Transportation Corp., a regional carrier based in Needham, Mass. … Agility has acquired Starfreight Logistics Ltd., a customs clearance and freight forwarding specialist in Kenya. … Doosan Infracore America has established Doosan Global Finance to provide financing for companies that purchase its lift trucks. … Epicor Software Corp. has completed its acquisition of NSB Retail Systems. … EMS Technologies, parent company of LXE, has acquired Stockholm, Sweden-based Akerstroms Trux AB, a manufacturer of wireless computing products for warehouses. … Purolator USA has opened a new branch office in Los Angeles. … Toyota Material Handling is donating 20,000 trees to the Arbor Day Foundation. The company says that's one tree for every 8-Series lift truck it sold last year.