| A Semi-Monthly Newsletter for Material Handling Equipment Distributors |
August
15, 2003
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| MHEDA welcomes new Distributor Members Industrial Supply Corp. of Richmond, VA and Toyota Industrial Lift Truck Co. of Bethlehem, PA, new Manufacturers' Representative Mark Walpole & Associates Inc. of Memphis, TN and new Supplier/Associate Member IronRhino Inc. of Austin, TX. MANUFACTURING INDICATORS SHOW GROWTH The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index rose to 51.8 in July from 49.8 in June, showing expanded activity for the first time since February. A reading above 50 indicates growth. New orders rose 4.4%, reflecting a third straight month of growth. New orders are seen as a 60 to 90 day leading indicator of expansion. These numbers
lend support to a recent Federal Reserve report that the pace of
economic growth picked up "a notch" in July. Fed officials
in most of the system's 12 districts reported signs of economic
strengthening, particularly in manufacturing. INDUSTRY
BEAT
New Owners at Liftec of St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) • Adrienne and Ivan Lyss purchased Liftec of St. Louis, LLC from previous owners Sharon Nobles and Cindy Forman. Adrienne now serves as the company's president and Ivan serves as vice president. The Lysses are new to the lift truck industry, but bring prior experience in the trucking business. Fred Hill & Son Refurbishes (Philadelphia, PA) • Fred Hill & Son Co. moved into a completely refurbished 6,000 sq. ft. office space, adding a private conference room, large group presentation area, and a cafe and outside patio. Additional areas being updated include a 23,000 sq. ft. warehouse and a shop area that can handle custom fabrications and equipment repairs. Changes at Lift Atlanta (Augusta, GA) • Ron Sheintal joined Lift Atlanta as customer service manager and will oversee the parts and service departments. Joe Glowacki was promoted to sales manager in charge of all new equipment sales. Jeff Reeder was named senior sales executive responsible for major account retention and development. The company also took over the central Georgia territory, adding 18 counties to its market area, and plans to open a facility in Macon in 2004. EDA Promotes Schwartz (Charlotte, NC) • David A. Schwartz was promoted to director of sales and national accounts for Equipment Data Associates. Schwartz will be responsible for managing the Charlotte-based sales team. East Penn Receives STAR Status (Lyon Station, PA) • East Penn's Metals Division was recertified by OSHA for its Voluntary Protection Program and achieved the elite STAR status for the second time. East Penn is the first battery manufacturer nationwide to have any part of its operation granted STAR status, which recognizes outstanding commitment to a safe work environment. NICE WHEELS! SMOOTH RIDE WITH S.W. BETZ S.W. Betz Company (Baltimore, MD) was determined to provide an equipment solution for its customer, even if it meant waiting to do it. The customer needed a highly maneuverable pallet truck capable of traveling narrow aisles, crossing over metal grates into freight elevators, and delivering load across a narrow walkway to the final destination. Working from blueprints, S.W. Betz Company President Fred Betz and Vice President Joan Thompson, along with Multiton MIC Corp.'s Ray Schmidt, southeast regional sales manager, and Chris Ragland, engineer, determined that the EJE60 Electric Pallet Truck could do the job. Just one condition stood in the way: in order to cross the metal grates without severe bumping, the truck's weight needed to be distributed evenly over two wheels. Multiton's standard trucks came with just one, but Betz knew he was working with the right manufacturer. Multiton fitted the pallet truck with specially designed tandem wheels. It took about eight weeks to make and ship the $48,000 special order. The customer was so pleased with the performance of the EJE60 that two additional pallet trucks were ordered and delivered a few months later.
Sales
Boot Camp Managing
the Sales Professional
FCC Ruling Update • Beginning August 25, you will no longer be able to send your customers promotional faxes without their written permission due to a new FCC ruling that prohibits companies from sending faxes to existing or potential customers with product information, special promotions, closeouts, value-added services, sale of publications and availability of other products or services unless you have their written permission. Many organizations are challenging this rule, including the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors and the American Society of Association Executives. MHEDA is a member of both organizations and supports their efforts. For more information, click the links below.
MHEDA has sent each member a request for written permission to continue sending faxes about association resources, reports and events. Please be sure to complete this form and send it back to MHEDA. We make every effort to fax you quality information that is beneficial to your organization. Questions? Contact MHEDA at 847-680-3500. PERC Launches Training Program • The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), in partnership with the Propane Vehicle Council, will offer a pilot Forklift Technician Maintenance & Training Program for companies that operate Class 4 and 5 large spark ignition propane-fueled forklifts. The program will train attendees in proper procedures for maintaining and repairing propane-powered forklift fuel systems, with an emphasis on pre-2002 open-loop models, and includes instruction in safety, maintenance and monitoring of a fuel system, tailpipe emissions, and an introduction to U.S. EPA and California Air Resources Board emissions regulations. Classes have been scheduled for September 8 in Cicero, IL, September 25 in Sacramento, CA, and October 1 and 2 in Cerritos, CA. For more information, click here. DiSC Report Results Available • MHEDA's 2003 Distributor Statistical Comparisons (DiSC) Survey is complete. Data from 149 participants was tabulated and the results are printed in The Industry Report, a financial and operating profile reported in a way that prevents identification of any individual company. It indicates major differences between the performance of the typical firm and the high-profit firm and provides detailed financial results of material handling distribution firms. To order online, click here. For a minimal fee, Dr. Al Bates of Profit Planning is available for private consultation sessions. For more information, contact Profit Planning Group at 303-444-6212. Convention Workshops Available FREE for 2003 Attendees • Did you attend MHEDA's 2003 Convention in San Antonio? If so, you are eligible to receive online links to the four workshops recorded during the convention. From the convenience and comfort of your office, you can watch and listen to: "Strategic Planning" by Mike Romano, "Effective Distributor Marketing" by Gary T. Moore, "How to Utilize the DiSC Report" by Dr. Al Bates and "Leadership & Teambuilding" by Doug Cartland. For more details, call MHEDA at 847-680-3500. 2004 Membership Directory Deadlines • The Membership Directory is an invaluable reference. The MHEDA staff has developed a working production schedule for the 2004 Directory and is counting on members to observe deadline dates. The 2004 Directory will be mailed in early December 2003. Correction Data Forms – Personalized data forms were mailed to members in July. A second notice will be mailed to those who have not responded. The deadline to return completed forms is September 1, 2003. If you are not sure whether you returned your forms, call the MHEDA office at 847-680-3500. Advertising Opportunities – Work magic on your company's bottom line. Get results that gain maximum impact by advertising in MHEDA's Membership Directory. The Directory contains over 700 listings of material handling companies and offers competitive rates and long-term frequency of ad exposure. Join the 40 companies who placed ads in the 2003 Membership Directory – they know a great advertising venue when they see one. Rates start at $850. Available options include 4 color, cover positions, section dividers and tip-in postcards. Tear sheets and invoices will be mailed in January 2004. Call Evelyn McWilliams at MHEDA 847-680-3500 or e-mail emcwilliams@mheda.org to get the best option for your advertising dollar. |
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