NA 2002 Show Preview
Advantage Yours
Plenty of opportunities to improve your operations await
you at NA 2002. Be sure to take advantage of them.
A slow economy is a
great time to enhance or fine-tune your material handling processes. And what
better place to find just what you need than at the Material Handling &
Logistics Show & Conference, NA 2002, going on from April 8 through 11, at
Cobo Hall in Detroit. If you plan to buy, you won’t be alone. A recent
survey of pre-registered
ADVERTISEMENT
|
attendees showed that about 80 percent have plans to
buy.
To help you plan
the most efficient use of your time, here’s a look at what you can expect
to find. First, 400 exhibitors will cover 180,000 square feet with solutions,
ideas, equipment and systems for your material handling needs.
The show floor
itself will be divided into four solution-specific sections: equipment,
components and manufacturing; fulfillment and delivery; information technology;
e-fulfillment and delivery.
Also on the show
floor, you will have distinct opportunities to learn in specially designed
theaters, known as Knowledge Portals. Inside, there will be half-hour, focused
seminars running throughout each day. These seminars are free to all attendees.
The focus of these
seminars is on the latest material handling innovations and applications as
well as industry issues such as ergonomics and safety. Here’s a brief
list of what will be available:
• Improving
Operational Flow with High-Rate Sortation;
• Fire Code
Changes to Storage on Plastic Pallets;
• The
Benefits of Returnable Packaging in Manufacturing
Applications;
• Application
Guidelines for Ergonomic Assist Systems and Equipment;
• Previewing
the Newest Technology Developments;
• Successful
Implementation of Self-Guided Vehicle System at DaimlerChrysler Stamping Plant;
• Improving
Distribution & Logistics in Today’s e-Economy;
• Automatic
Guided Vehicle Applications — What Works and Why.
In addition, the
Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) is welcoming sister trade
associations to hold their related events. Two of these events will be on
Tuesday, April 9. The Council of Logistics Management Eastern Michigan
Roundtable will host its Annual Automotive Roundtable. There will be a keynote
speaker from Ford and a panel discussion on material handling and logistics
issues. And APICS will host a workshop for its members.
On Wednesday, April
10, the Material Handling Equipment Dealers Association will host a sales
training workshop that will feature industry-specific speakers and plenty of
opportunities to network.
More learnin’
All attendees are
invited to the opening executive forum “Achieving 6 Sigma
Logistics” on Monday. Steve Banker, director of Supply Chain Solutions
for ARC, will speak on achieving 6 sigma logistics. He will discuss ways to
apply 6 sigma methodology to measure, analyze, improve and control your
operations.
Then three
executives from manufacturing will speak. They will discuss their successes on
integrating material handling systems with their supply chain
applications. The
Forum will then offer a question-and-answer session with a panel of the
speakers.
These speakers
include Frank M. Taylor, vice president, material planning and logistics, Ford
Motor Co., who will speak on “Using Lean and 6 Sigma Methodologies To
Drive Supply Chain Improvements.”
Peter Ham, founder
and president of PH Consulting, will discuss Webvan’s material handling
experience. And Peter Pande, president, Pivotal Resources Inc., will talk about
“Using 6 Sigma To Improve the Supply Chain.”
Before Monday,
however, there are plenty of opportunities to learn through one- and two-day
educational conference workshops. Beginning Saturday, April 6, these sessions
offer you an opportunity to explore new ideas and solutions. Here’s a
closer look at a few of these workshops.
• A Lean
Logistics Supply Chain. On Sunday, April 7, you can explore an operating supply
chain enterprise from an integrated macro perspective that will include
suppliers, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, transportation and
customers. According to the instructor, Roy Piciacchia of Lockwood Greene,
there will be opportunities for hands-on exploration where you will use a
working model to run a business and practice continuous improvement. This
workshop and model, developed by Lockwood Green engineers, has trained
thousands of individuals in material handling.
•
Introduction to the Economic Justification of Material Handling Investments.
This session will also be offered on April 7. Here’s the course for those
who need to learn how best to justify material handling investments with
executives. It will provide you with the basic tools, including a 7-step
approach for justifying material handling systems. You won’t need a
background or formal training in economic evaluation as it’s an
introductory course. The goal of the course is to teach everyone in the supply
chain —from manufacturing to distribution to end-users — to apply
the same criteria and use the same tools. If you are involved in planning or approving
proposed material handling equipment, this course is a must. It will be taught
by Dr. John Usher, professor of industrial engineering at the University of
Louisville.
• The
Fundamentals of Supply Chain Information Systems. Information is crucial to the
supply chain. But the process of implementing the software and hardware to
obtain this information usually means overcoming many obstacles. This workshop
will give you a basic understanding of supply chain applications software and
teach you to plan for rapid deployment. Case studies will help illustrate which
applications are needed and the level of integration necessary with an
organization and among trading partners. Key integration technologies will be
covered, along with a systematic, step-by-step approach for systems planning
and integration. The instructor will be Lee Hales, president of Richard Muther
& Associates.
And, of course,
don’t forget to check out all the new equipment and devices that will be
on display. For a quick preview, check out Material Handling Management’s new tabloid, MHM Product Tab in April.
Show Hours
Monday, 10 a.m. to
5 p.m.
Tuesday, 10 a.m. to
5 p.m.
Wednesday, 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m.
Thursday, 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m.
NA 2002 Exhibitor List
Need to find an
exhibitor? Visit www.mhia.org; click on NA
2002. Companies may move in or out at the last minute.
