In The News Archive
Modern Materials Handling June 2009
Direct marketer Valpak's $220 million production and distribution facility is a hub of technology and automated materials handling. The solution designed and implemented by Daifuku America has resulted in one of the most advanced and automated manufacturing centers in the world. While 430 workers are employed in the production areas, the movement of raw materials and finished goods from the receiving dock to the shipping dock is almost entirely handled by automated materials handling systems.
AS/RS The Heights are Getting HigherMaterial Handling Management May 2009
The latest generation of automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) offers an effective tool for those in warehousing and distribution to achieve greater throughput, reduce errors and damage and gain better control of inventory. These systems are reaching greater heights-literally-allowing companies to expand vertically rather than horizontally, thus reducing or eliminating the expensive proposition of acquiring more real estate.
Control Design May 2009
Relays might seem to be in retreat for all but the most basic control applications in the face of seemingly relentless PLC advances. Instead, relays actually are adding capabilities and encroaching into control territory formerly occupied by PLCs. "We generally use power relays for high power or large inductive loads," says Carl Van Tilburg, PE, electrical engineer in the controls department of Daifuku America.
Divide & Conquer: A Guide to Sortation SystemsInbound Logistics May 2009
The benefits of implementing a sortation system are easy enough to gather. Compared to manual sorting processes, automated systems reduce labor costs and errors, increase shipping rates, and save order assembly time. An automated conveyor that diverts items to the correct spot could be the tool your warehouse needs for efficient, cost-effective material handling.
Materials Handling: Top 20 Systems SuppliersModern Materials Handling April 2009
The more things change, the more they stay the same. At least that's true with this year's Top 20 systems suppliers list, since 19 of this year's top suppliers were also on last year's list. Daifuku Co. Ltd. came in at No. 2 with $2.41 billion.
Networking for a New AgeControl Design February 2009
Evaluate your application and its needs, and test potentially useful solutions in non-critical areas and then implement the network solution that works best for you.
Daifuku and Webb Showcase Innovative Material Handling Solutions at ProMat 2009 Show in ChicagoAd Hoc News January 2009
Webb and Daifuku are demonstrating how an industry-leading Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) integrates with two cutting-edge Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs). ProMat, which is held bi-annually at the McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill., is North America's premier material handling and logistics event.
ProMat 2009: Daifuku and Webb Showcase Innovative, Automated SolutionsModern Materials Handling January 2009
For the first time since Jervis B. Webb was acquired by Daifuku Co., Ltd. in 2007, Webb and Daifuku America Corp. are jointly exhibiting at ProMat 2009.
ProMat 2009: MHIA's AS/RS Group Addresses Industry's Workforce, Efficiency and Environmental ConcernsModern Materials Handling January 2009
Group members custom-design systems ranging from relatively simple, manually controlled order-picking machines operating in small storage structures to extremely large, computer-controlled storage/retrieval systems totally integrated into a manufacturing and distribution process.
Logistics Solutions: Labor SaversRefrigerated & Frozen Foods October 2008
Refrigerated & Frozen Foods went straight to the source to learn about the latest in automated storage and retrieval system technologies. Following is a discussion with Nobo Morita, executive vice president with Daifuku America Corp., Salt Lake City, Utah; Cory Flemings, executive sales manager with SSI Schaefer Systems International Inc., Charlotte, N.C.; and Percy May, director of crane systems sales for FKI Logistex, St. Louis.
Jervis B. Webb President & Co-CEO RetiresModern Materials Handling October 2008
Susan Webb guided her company into the 21st century and to its union with Daifuku.
Equipment Makers Fight to Hold the Line on PricesDC Velocity July 2008
Material handling equipment makers say they're struggling to hold the line on costs and, despite the odds, have largely succeeded.
Installation for Cox Target Media Wins 3 Awards from CIP4Packaging Essentials June 2008
Cox Target media facility wins three CIP4 International Print Production Innovation (CIPPI) Awards for 2008. Daifuku supplied AS/RS technology along with sorting transfer vehicles, conveyor, and software.
Newsmakers: People on the Fast TrackDC Velocity May 2008
Daifuku Co. Ltd. has announced changes in its executive leadership.
Top 20 System SuppliersModern Materials Handling April 2008
Modern's 11th-annual ranking of worldwide materials handling system suppliers reveals 2007 was a big year for most of the industry's top players. Daifuku retains its ranks as the second largest, and sees a revenue boost with our recent acquisition of the Jervis B. Webb Company.
High-rack, High-density Automated Storage and RetrievalMaterial Handling Management April 2008
Daifuku, an automated material handling solutions innovator, is showcasing its tallest high-rack, high-density automated storage and retrieval (AS/RS) technology during CeMAT, May 27-31, 2008 in Hannover, Germany.
Automation Pushes the EnvelopeMaterial Handling Management March 2008
Every year, Cox Target Media mails more than 19 billion coupons in 500 million of the familiar blue, #10 Valpak envelopes. Faced with rising variable costs and looming capacity constraints, Cox managers could see a rapidly approaching day when the company’s growth would overtake its production capacity. Cox looked to Daifuku to automate the material flow between certain processes and the buffer storage areas with AS/RS mini load, AS/RS unit load, and STV technology.
Valpak Manufacturing Center: Showcase of Automated Print ProductionPrinting Impressions February 2008
Daifuku’s material handling solutions for the Valpak Manufacturing Center consist of automated storage and retrieval systems, conveyors, sorting transfer vehicles (STVs), automatic guided vehicles (AGVs), as well as software and controls. The project is an example of how utilizing vertical space and automating storage functions can enhance the growth potential for printing operations. (Daifuku was one of 30 manufacturing and technical partners involved in building the manufacturing center. Learn about our involvement by clicking on the title above and viewing page 15 of this Printing Impressions magazine insert. Go to www.piworld.com to learn more about this publication.)
Conveyors: Getting better all the timeModern Materials Handling February 2008
Modern Materials Handling checked in with engineers at a few of the country's leading conveyor suppliers (including Daifuku America) to discuss recent innovations that enhance and differentiate their conveyor and sortation offerings.
Automation Provides Faster Picking and PackingFastener Technology International February 2008
Winzer Corporation employs Daifuku's mini load AS/RS, pick-to-light, put-to-light, conveyor, and WMS software. This article originally appeared in the Fastener Focus section of the February 2008 issue of Fastener Technology International (www.fastenertech.com).
Warm Comfort In A Cold WarehouseFood Logistics February 2008
Food manufacturers and retailers have used automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) in frozen and refrigerated environments for a number of years to speed-up storage and retrieval times and to limit the time employees spend in hostile environments. This article features a look inside the DC of Yili Industrial Group, which was outfitted with Daifuku's unit load AS/RS rack-supported building system.
A Taste For PerfectionIndustrial Engineer October 2007
The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control choose Daifuku America to create an automated warehouse that would meet all the state specifications. Daifuku’s hybrid solution integrates conventional and automated material handling systems. The unique AS/RS handles full pallets of merchandise both in and out of the facility. The individual case picking for supplying the stores is done manually in the old warehouse. Copyright©2007. Posted with permission of the Institute of Industrial Engineers from November 2007, Industrial Engineer. All rights reserved.
Daifuku To Acquire WebbModern Mateirals Handling October 2007
Top materials handling system supplier Jervis B. Webb's sale of its company to global leader Daifuku expands and strengthens the Japanese company's overseas business.
Uplifting NewsRefrigerated and Frozen Foods September 2007
Experts, including Daifuku America's Nobo Morita, explain that new automated storage and retrieval systems are faster, smarter and more flexible.
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) BasicsModern Materials Handling July 2007
This article describes the basic functions and features of Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), including different sizes (i.e., unit-load, mini-load), benefits of the systems, basic configurations, and a comparison of different brands of AS/RS, including Daifuku's AS/RS.
Modern Materials Handling March 2007
Detailed in this article are the must-do's to achieve accurate order picking in warehouses or plants: using a warehouse management system (WMS), implementing automatic identification (wireless barcode scanning), developing processes that drive accuracy, adding automation, using an automatic scale to flag abnormal carton weights, and cycle counting to verify the quantity of a product.
Modern Materials Handling February 2007
This article explores a few of the reasons for the shift to automation. From rules on mixed pallets to dynamic storage needs, this article examines the reasoning behind the increased demand for automated case handling.
Modern Materials Handling February 2007
Annual ranking of the largest materials handling suppliers: the materials handling industry grew at a healthy rate in 2006, and this article shows who, what, and how the industry grew. Included is a listing of the top 20 materials handling suppliers by rank with 2006 worldwide revenue.
Modern Materials Handling February 2007
Check out the new concepts that debuted at the ProMat show in January in this article. Five companies, including Daifuku America for its automated concept machine, are highlighted for their concepts.
Material Handling Management February 2007
Lean and Six Sigma initiatives carry a lot of baggage thanks to unrealistic expectations and some bad experiences. By avoiding a few of the traps, material handling managers can get better results out of these process improvement programs.
Refrigerated and Frozen Foods December 2006
From an overall visual standpoint, the most obvious change in cold storage warehouse and distribution center construction is unmistakable: Buildings are simply getting taller. The implication of that shift — a much higher level of material handling automation — is less immediately apparent, particularly because many warehouse operators question its applicability.... Maves inked a partnership agreement with Daifuku America Corp., Reynoldsburg, Ohio, earlier in 2006 that the two companies say feeds the need for automation in multi-client third-party cold storage/distribution applications.
