Using Technology to make workers jobs easier

Computer models ease Ford workers' tasks, raise quality
BY SARAH A. WEBSTER • FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER • March 26, 2008



On Tuesday, Ford showed off its secret virtual operations to the media in its manufacturing development center on Mercury Road in Dearborn.

The facilities help Ford re-create automotive factories, parts and cars that are lifelike -- with the exception of their bright candy colors -- so that virtual autoworkers can assemble them and pinpoint problems in the computer world, which is less expensive and faster than the real world.

Dan Hettel, chief engineer for vehicle operations at Ford, said the operations have taken on increasing importance as the automaker tries to get new cars and trucks to market faster and with better quality.

"There's just no time to do it any other way," he said. "We create a whole virtual factory where we build the vehicles."

The approach has reduced the amount of expensive and time-consuming work Ford has had to do with pre-production vehicles. Vehicles now reach that stage with fewer ergonomic and other problems, Hettel said.

This sophisticated computer-aided approach helped Ford improve its quality by 11% last year, while the industry improved just 2%, according to a 2007 study by Global Quality Research System. The study was commissioned by Ford.

Ford's virtual software, developed with the help of German supplier Siemens AG, also includes a digital human model, which is essentially a smart avatar that records critical facts for engineering the process required to build a car or truck. That includes facts such as the stress on joints to move a heavy part or how far an autoworker must reach to install a bolt or wire.

The data are then used to make the job simpler and less stressful on the body, said Allison Stephens, Ford's ergonomics technical specialist with vehicle operations manufacturing engineering.

"Our digital employees -- Jack and Jill -- are helping us predict the ergonomic effect of long-term repetitive motions," she said. "The impact on health and safety metrics, as well as on quality, has been tremendous."

The more difficult a job is to complete physically, she explained, the less likely it is to be completed properly. So Ford uses the data to make tasks easy enough to be done correctly during the time allotted.

The automaker also wants to ensure that jobs are easy to perform ergonomically to reduce injuries, which results in employee turnover. Tasks are also more likely to be completed correctly when there is more stability and less rotation of personnel, Hettel said.

Ford has been advancing its approach to digital ergonomics work since it began using virtual tools to improve ergonomics in 2000. The company is also collaborating with the University of Michigan as part of a technology consortium as well as participating in the Virtual Soldier Research program with the Department of Defense and the University of Iowa.

Ford also collaborates on some aspects of digital modeling with General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC through the U.S. Council for Automotive Research, an umbrella organization for collaborative research.

Stephens said Ford is so advanced in its application of the virtual tools that Toyota Motor Corp. recently called to seek out its expertise.

"There's a desire to advance our human model," she said.

Contact SARAH A. WEBSTER

Lift the load and avoid the injury

Objective: To be able to lift properly to avoid injuries.

The part of the body most often injured is the back.
Material Handling - Think Before Lifting
Have a handling plan that avoids slippery hazards and includes a destination.
Test the load to ensure that it can be safely carried.
Know the limits! If the load is too heavy, awkward or bulky to carry alone, get help.
Use machinery or equipment, such as pushcarts, hand truck, wheelbarrow, forklift or hoist.
Do not overlook the use of levers, incline planes or rollers to move loads.
Serious back injuries occur because of improper lifting techniques.

Some common improper lifting techniques people often use include:
Bending from the waist to pick up objects.
Lifting boxes above the chest.
Twisting the body to carry or lift a heavy box or object.
Lifting objects when in poor physical shape. Guidelines for safe lifting:
Get a good grip. Grasp the load firmly. Use gloves if they allow for a better grip.
Get a good footing. Center body weight to provides a powerful line of thrust and good balance.
Keep it close. Grasp the load firmly and lift towards the belt buckle. Hold the load close to the body to avoid putting pressure on the back.
Lift smoothly. Raise, carry and lower the load smoothly. Never jerk a load.
Avoid twisting. If turning is required while lifting or carrying a load, turn the feet and body instead of twisting the back.
Push. Push rather than pull the load.
Review the Following Points
Approximately 25 percent of work related injuries result from overexertion, mainly from lifting.
Think and plan before lifting.
Push rather than pull the load.
Use mechanical means whenever possible.
Avoid twisting when lifting or setting down a load. Turn the body instead of twisting the back.

Preventing Lifting and Overexertion Injuries Quiz True or False
1. For best results, always pull rather than push a load.
T
F
2. Wear gloves if they allow for a better grip.
T
F
3. Approximately 25% of all injuries result from overexertion, mainly from lifting, pulling or pushing objects.
T
F
4. Use mechanical means to handle materials when possible.
T
F
5. To prevent injuries, you should turn the body instead of twisting the back.
T
F

Answer Key: 1. F, 2. T, 3. T, 4. T, 5. T

Tips for Talking Safety to the CEO

What do you do if your organization's CEO questions the return on investment of safety and health programs? How would you negotiate safety programs into your organization's long-term business plan?

These questions were asked of safety managers gathered at the American Society of Safety Engineer's conference, The Business of Safety: A Matter of Success held in Baltimore March 13 and 14. The overall theme of the conference explored ways to help safety professionals enhance communication with management and secure a seat at the financial and strategic planning table.

Following are several gems of insight from attendees and presenters at the conference to answer those two questions.

Be strategic-minded. Be strategic-minded and professional in all dealings with the organization's executives; they generally do not like emotional responses to their questions or inquiries, according to Michael Behm, PhD, CSP. Be prepared to present current costs and benefits with projections that show the outcome of a "keep everything as it is" scenario, and the costs/benefits of one or more alternative plans with projected outcomes. Include your recommendation and the justification (e.g., documentation, calculations, expert support) for your proposal.

Ask for help. Tap resources within your own organization for help preparing your proposals in the format and business language preferred by the executive team. If they prefer spreadsheets and charts for interpreting financial information, learn to use spreadsheets and charts to present proposals.

Be clear when discussing financial values and when discussing intangible values. Make it clear when you are discussing monetary or financial cost/benefits and when you are addressing non-financial or less tangible values like company reputation, employee morale, or ethical considerations.

Stress productivity and efficiency gains from safety. Highlight examples where safety programs yield improved worker productivity or greater efficiency, according to Stuart Wood, and independent safety and health consultant. For example, a container company saw a 20 percent increase in the number of boxes produced per day on an assembly line after an ergonomics consultant recommended operational changes to eliminate repetitive arm and shoulder injuries. In such cases, efficiency improvements can justify a return-on-investment when the usual cost/benefit numbers don't add up.

Do not just rely on cost avoidance. Avoid using "soft numbers" to make a business case, added Mr. Wood. An example of a soft number is cost avoidance. Making a case for saving money on the basis of costs incurred in the past that is not on the books for future projections won't help. For example, don't try to project a reduction in worker's compensation premiums from the year before if your safety proposal is adopted. Just one or two low-probability injuries can drive up premiums, but it is extremely difficult to make a valid case that the same injuries will occur next year if your safety proposal is not adopted. Instead of relying on cost avoidance, try first to make the case for revenue generation or profit through efficiency.

"No" is not the final answer. "No" does not mean "no forever," and often means "no" only in the context under which the request for resources was made, according to Patricia Kagerer, CSP, ARM. For example, Ms. Kagerer initially presented her case to a company CFO for a worker wellness program but was turned down. She went back to the CFO with information about how a wellness program could reduce the company's health insurance premium rates. This time she got approval for the wellness program.

Be honest. Don't try to make a return-on-investment case if the financial data is not supporting it. It is extremely difficult to restore credibility in your case if you can't reasonably justify or document your findings. When financial returns can't be demonstrated, present the case for gains in "hidden" values such as company reputation, employee morale, or reduced compliance risk.

Track proactive and reactive measures of safety. Track and measure proactive measures of safety as well as reactive measures if you aren't already doing so, says Dan O'Brien, CSP. Reactive measures such as lost-workday rates are critical to track, but they show what happened in the past and do not reliably show present conditions. Proactive measures such as employee training, management commitment, and employee-management communications can be evaluated using a standardized, internal scoring system.

Material Handling Equipment to Cross $104 Billion by 2010, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Material handling equipment, an integral part of any plant, warehouse or distribution system, is dependent on the general state of a nation's economy. While mature and industrialized nations in Western Europe and United States dominate the global production and exports scenario, Asian economies are set to play a significant role in production and consumption of industrial machinery.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) March 12, 2008 -- Global material handling equipment market is projected to reach US $104 billion in sales by 2010 according to a new report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Tendency toward complete integration of material handling systems with procurement systems, manufacturing management systems and shipping operations is expected to bolster demand for automation equipment and software. Increasing demand for equipment for handling smaller packages from the E-Retailing sector, innovation, ergonomics, safety and environmental concerns comprise general growth drivers. Several emerging trends in lift truck market coupled with innovations continue to redefine the material handling business.

Globalization has set the trend for outsourcing and ongoing industrialization in developing nations, thereby resulting in emergence of new low-cost equipment manufacturers, particularly in Asian nations. Rising per capita incomes, expanding manufacturing output, and increasing investments in infrastructure development activities are major contributors to the rise in demand for material handling equipment in developing nations. The growth is profound across developing regions in Asia such as India and China, as well as in Russia, Mexico and Turkey. Increasing tendency towards integration of material handling equipment with other company systems has also contributed towards market growth.

Material Handling Equipment: A Global Strategic Business Report
Europe and United States are projected to be the leading regional markets for material handling equipment capturing about 55% of the worldwide sales by 2010, as stated by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing regional market, projected to record sales of US $25 billion in 2009. Rapidly expanding infrastructure needs of automobile, construction, energy, electronics, food & beverage, and retail & warehousing sectors from Asian countries such as China are expected to drive future demand. Among the segments, industrial trucks and lifts market represents the largest, and is projected to exceed US $7 billion by 2010 in the United States.

Advanced and automated equipment such as automated guided vehicles, robots; and software and other services such as project management and system design are expected drive growth and sales in the overall market. Apart from enhancing productivity, such equipment can be easily integrated into automated factory and warehouse environments. While the demand for conventional handling equipment is expected to continue, advanced equipment are expected to grow in popularity across the developed world. In Europe, Automated material handling equipment market is projected to grow at the fastest rate over the analysis period 2001-2010, from an estimated US$7 billion in 2007.

The report titled "Material Handling Equipment: A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. analyzes recent past, current and future market data and analytics over the period 2001-2010, historical data (1991-2000) and long term projections (2011-2015). Demand patterns are quantified across all geographic markets including the United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Latin America. The study reviews various end-use markets, and examines major technological breakthroughs in the material handling equipment market. The report also offers detailed company profiles and enumerates recent developments, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities. Segments analyzed include Conveying Equipment, Industrial Trucks and Lifts, and Hoists, Cranes and Monorails, and Automated Material Handling Equipment.

The report reviews major players in the material handling equipment market including Clark Material Handling Company, Daifuku Co., Ltd., FKI Plc, Dematic GmbH & Co. KG, Kardex Remstar, Columbus McKinnon Corporation, Interroll Group, Flexlink AB, Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited, Kion Group, Sandvik Materials Handling, Jungheinrich AG, Manitou Group, Manitowoc Company, Inc and Lockheed Martin.

For more details of this research report please visit http://www.strategyr.com/Material_Handling_Equipment_Market_Report.asp

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world's largest market research publishers. The company employs more than 700 people worldwide and publishes more than 880 full-scale research reports each year. Additionally, the company also offers a range of more than 60,000 smaller research products including company reports, market trend reports and industry reports encompassing all major industries worldwide.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Telephone 408-528-9966
Fax 408-528-9977
Email press @ StrategyR.com
Web Site www.StrategyR.com

MHIA promotes better ergonomics for materials handlers

By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 1/9/2008
Laborers and material handlers miss more workdays due to injury and illness than do any other workers. According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, this category of workers reports more injury and illness than do nurses, janitors, construction workers or truck drivers.


For this reason, the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) has published a 68-page booklet offering tips for improving ergonomics for materials handlers, and MHIA representatives attended the National Ergonomics Conference in Las Vegas this winter to promote the guidelines.


According to their presentation at the conference, manual materials handling often involves repetitive motion, pushing, pulling, bending, lifting and carrying—and these actions can result in the sprains, strains and back pain that so often cause lost labor hours. Good ergonomic programs, however, can reduce these injuries and improve productivity.


The following are a few of the ergonomic tips offered at the conference and in the MHIA booklet:


Make carrying easier



Slide, push or roll instead of carrying when appropriate.

Alternate carrying tasks with non-carrying tasks.

Wear gloves that fit properly to improve your grip.

Use conveyors, slides or chutes to avoid carrying heavy boxes.

Use a pallet truck to transport heavy loads.


Make lifting easier



Find a co-worker of a similar height to help lift a heavy load.

Store only lightweight or infrequently lifted items on the floor.

Use a lifter to raise or lower the load so that it’s level with the work surface. Then slide the load instead of lifting it.

Use a vacuum lifter to facilitate lifting and maneuvering of heavy objects.


The booklet, “Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling,” is available for free at the MHIA online store.

Hey! We don't just care about you. We are also looking out for your dog's ergonomic issues!

Introducing an ergonomic dog bed with classic design by Cashmere Co.
Finally, all faithful companions have found a voice in this handmade, well-crafted, luxuriously therapeutic Secure Snuggler®.


Related Website: friends of cashmere boutique Publish Date: 2008-03-18
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The goal was to create a place of rest that would cradle the developing structure of a puppy and adapt to the aging process providing an exclusive individual support system.

An innovative frame of moisture resistant minicel® construction and a memory foam pedic pillow are covered in a plush Italian cashmere and merino wool blend, providing cozy support and maximum relaxation.

Pet owners will have a nice surprise in the stylish design as it integrates beautifully with home decor in rich colors.

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The Secure Snuggler is proudly handmade in the USA and accented with the Royal Bullion Crested Crown logo, which has been the mark of excellence for centuries.

The Secure Snuggler® dog bed comes in two sizes, Classic (23” x 17” x 6”, MSRP $249.99 and The Toy (19.5” x 14” x 5”, MSRP $199.99). There are nine attractive color combinations to choose from. The bed’s design provides “man’s best friend” with the greatest comfort, while adding a illustrious design element to any room.

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ANSI Board Rejects Bid to Block Construction Ergonomics Standard

March 14, 2008
The American National Standards Institute Board of Standards Review today rejected an appeal seeking the withdrawal of the adoption of the ANSI/ASSE A10.40-2007 standard addressing musculoskeletal problems in construction, the American Society of Safety Engineers announced. ASSE is the standard's secretariat; the appeal was made by the Construction Industry Employer Coalition, a coalition of five trade associations.

ASSE said a hearing was held May 1, 2007, to hear the coalition's formal complaints. On May 25, 2007, the appeals panel found unanimously that the complaints had no merit and that ASSE had complied with ANSI due process requirements in developing the standard, according to ASSE, which said the standard was approved by ANSI’s Board of Standards review on July 23, 2007. The coalition then appealed. Now, A10.40 stands as an American National Standard.

"We are pleased with ANSI Board of Standards Review's decision to uphold the approval and publication of the A10.40 standard," said James D. Smith, CSP, ASSE's vice president, Council on Practices and Standards. "At ASSE, we are committed to the protection of people, property, and the environment, and this standard is an excellent step in protecting workers from injury and in helping to create safer and more healthy workplaces."

The standard includes elimination, substitution, engineering and administrative controls, training, use of PPE, assessment of individuals’ physical capabilities. It also contains a list of non-occupational risk factors associated with work-related MSDs, such as age, strength, and gender.

Summer and HOT weather is on its way--be sure to be ready. A look at the below OSHA resources can help you prepare.

Heat can add another factor which affects your employees effectiveness. The repetive lifting job they could do in the cool weather can be limited in the heat.

Many workers spend some part of their working day in a hot environment. Workers in foundries, laundries, construction projects, and bakeries -- to name a few industries -- often face hot conditions which pose special hazards to safety and health. The following references aid in identifying hazards and possible solutions for heat stress in the workplace.
OSHA Technical Manual (OTM). OSHA Directive TED 01-00-015 [TED 1-0.15A], (1999, January 20). Identifies heat stress as part of the evaluation process in the following:
Heat Stress. Contains useful sections on the signs and symptoms of heat stress, sampling methods, control suggestions, and guidelines for investigating heat stress in the workplace.
Heat Stress: General Work-Place Review. Contains a list of factors that should be considered when investigating heat stress in the workplace.
Heat Stress-Related Illness or Accident Follow-up. Includes a brief list of questions to answer when investigating a heat stress illness or accident.
Measurement of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature. Provides a brief overview of how to measure and calculate the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature.

ZeroG Arm technology announced

Equipois Introduces the Revolutionary zeroG(TM) Arm Technology to Combat Injury and Inefficiency in the Workplace
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Equipois Inc. announced the launch of its zeroG(TM) line of products, which renders tools, parts, and even the human arm effectively weightless while allowing unmatched freedom of motion. The company introduced the product line at the keynote luncheon of the Applied Ergonomics Conference and Expo today in Orlando, Florida.

TM) arm utilizes patented technology that allows workers to maneuver tools, parts and even their own arm as if weightless, but with astounding freedom of motion. (Business Wire

The zeroG
Designed by legendary inventor Garrett Brown, the zeroG(TM) technology utilizes a patented spring, cam and gimbal-based architecture to "float" objects as if they weigh virtually nothing while allowing them to be maneuvered almost effortlessly, with full range of motion and functionality. By significantly reducing the exertion required to operate tools and move materials, the zeroG(TM) technology reduces workplace injuries, a massive problem estimated to cost U.S. businesses more than $200 billion a year. It can also enhance productivity by increasing the speed and accuracy of industrial tasks.

Eric Golden, Equipois's founder and CEO, said: "With gravity effectively neutralized, workers can perform at a new level - they can accomplish more in a shorter time and with greater precision, all without suffering debilitating and costly injuries that businesses have until now been forced to accept as inevitable. In short, the zeroG(TM) technology allows workers to use their skill and judgment without using up their bodies...with significant savings to employees, employers, and customers."

Equipois's first offering, available for delivery starting in April of 2008, will be the zeroG4, which holds tools and parts weighing up to 36 pounds. Equipois tested and refined this technology in pilot projects with world leading companies in aerospace, heavy machinery, marine manufacturing, and other industries.

United States Ergonomics, an independent firm of Certified Professional Ergonomists, conferred the zeroG with its highest "Ergonomic Certification" after putting test subjects through a range of exercises. "We are extremely impressed with this product's capabilities and performance," said Kevin Costello, President of United States Ergonomics. "Our tests revealed that the zeroG produces dramatic reductions in user muscle effort and fatigue potential. The zeroG will allow employees to work longer with less effort." Costello also noted that test subjects uniformly found the zeroG extremely easy to learn and use and offered high praise for its performance, even when maneuvering weights up to 24 pounds throughout their full range of motion.

Later in 2008, Equipois will introduce a lightweight version of the zeroG(TM) arm that will support human arms for activities that require prolonged, outstretched exertion such as medical procedures and laboratory research.

Equipois's mission is to use its innovative zeroG(TM) technology to eliminate avoidable workplace injuries and increase productivity. For more information, please visit www.equipoisinc.com.

ABOUT EQUIPOIS INC

Founded in 2006, Equipois designs and manufactures revolutionary technologies that allow tools, parts or equipment to be maneuvered as if weightless, but with full range of motion. The company's patented zeroG(TM) systems are designed to support a range of manufacturing, heavy industrial, bioresearch, medical and other applications in order to reduce workplace injuries and associated costs while increasing productivity.

News Release--New OSHA Ergonomic Guidleines for Shipyards

OSHA Announces New Ergonomics Guidelines for Shipyards

WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced the release of Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Guidelines for Shipyards, an industry-specific guidance document that provides practical recommendations to help employers and employees reduce the number and severity of musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace."Shipyard work is considered one of the most hazardous occupations, with an injury rate more than twice that of construction and general industry," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "These guidelines will assist many shipyards in their continued efforts to address and implement ways to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders."The guidelines emphasize various solutions that have been effectively implemented by shipyards across the country to decrease work-related musculoskeletal disorders. An "Implementing Solutions" section offers examples of ergonomic solutions that may be used to control exposure to ergonomics-related risk factors in shipyards.OSHA will work with trade, labor and professional organizations to assure that these guidelines and other effective practices are accessible and implemented where appropriate. OSHA’s free consultation service will be available to assist small businesses.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure the safety and health of America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health.

For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

We don't only want you to be safe at work--Check this article out below

February 27, 2008
APHA: Check Emergency Kits When Turning Clocks Ahead
By Laura Walter
The American Public Health Association (APHA) launched a new campaign to encourage Americans to check their emergency preparedness kits when they change their clocks for daylight saving time on March 9.
"Since we already use daylight saving as an opportunity to ensure that our families are prepared for an emergency, it's a great time for us also to make sure that we have a fully stocked emergency kit and that none of the perishable items have expired," said Georges C. Benjamin, APHA’s executive director. "When we spring forward this year, we want every American to make sure their family has a preparedness
kit to fall back on in the event of an emergency."
The "Get Ready: Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks" campaign urges people to gather or refresh their emergency supplies before a disaster or disease outbreak occurs. APHA recommends that emergency kits include at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food and bottled water for each person, as well as any essential medication.
APHA points out that this also is an ideal time for people to re-familiarize themselves with their community’s emergency preparedness plan, including evacuation routes, emergency shelters and food bank locations. Citizens also should check their smoke detector batteries.
As part of its campaign, APHA released materials and tips on its Web site, including a downloadable tool kit that informs families about the importance of preparing for a public health emergency, what to include in a preparation kit and how to involve children. Other facts and tips include checklists, grocery lists, stockpile recipes and more.
To download materials and learn more about the campaign, visit http://www.getreadyforflu.org/clocksstocks/index.htm.

Purdue program will give employee health training a boost

Purdue University is starting a pilot project aimed at improving employee health and controlling health-care costs in the manufacturing industry in northern Indiana.Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development, or WIRED, is working with the university's School of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Department of Health and Kinesiology and Healthcare Technical Assistance Program to identify which training programs work best and to help companies implement them.As many as 750 employees at 12 companies are expected to participate in the 12-month pilot project, which will begin this month, Purdue said in a statement. Potential topics to be addressed include: wise use of the health-care system; self care; everyday exercise; weight management; smoking cessation; ergonomics; nutrition; heart health; and stress management.From April to October, the pilot project will analyze company data - health-care claims, prescription drug use, workers'-compensation claims, safety logs and absenteeism rates - to perform a needs assessment, Allison Bryan, Healthy Workforce Project manager said in a statement.Following the analysis period, the Healthy Workforce team will provide customized training to participating companies on-site. The pilot project will conclude in December, after which it will reassess company data to see what areas have improved, Bryan said.

Planning on visiting the NA 2008? Make sure and stop by the Gorbel booth #2804

Gorbel will be showcasing their G-Force intelligent lift assist in even higher capacities. Be sure to ask them about the the iQ and Q in capacities up to 660# and still offering pinpoint precision and speed.

About NA 2008
In April 2008, tens of thousands supply chain and logistics professionals from more than 80 countries will arrive at Cleveland's I-X Center. They will be greeted by over 450 exhibits covering 150,000 net square feet on one show floor - exhibits that feature manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, logistics and IT solutions for the supply chain. The Show's accompanying Educational Conference will offer highly-focused, half-hour seminars providing industry expertise on the latest productivity innovations. NA 2008 will also feature a keynote on Supply Chain Sustainability by Green to Gold author Andrew Winston. If you are looking for solutions to make your supply chain work more productively and profitably, register today for NA 2008.



Show Hours:
April 21 - 24, 2008
Monday:
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday:
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday:
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday:
10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Show Sponsor: The Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA)
Dates: April 21 - 24, 2008
Show Location: I-X Center
Cleveland, OH, USA

Educational Conference