CeMAT Insider

Are you ready to see the light? If not, you may want to get ready, because the Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming the way businesses use their lighting systems. Lights have transformed into “smart connected ceilings” that have the ability to do more than just illuminate our spaces.

First published in the Forkliftaction.com News edition #875.

Five years ago, telematics was the buzzword in fleet and asset management. In 2018, it is believed that less than 20% of the 1 million forklifts in the USA use any sort of fleet or asset management tools. Melissa Barnett looks at the reality behind the stats, investigates whether it is a worldwide phenomenon and finds out where fleet and asset management is headed.

As warehouse management solutions (WMS) evolve to become more efficient, digitisation and automation are realities that every logistics business must embrace in order to survive. But many logistics service providers and distribution centres today – in particular, the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) – still operate largely manually.

In our previous article, Erica from SCLAA (Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia) told us about her experience with General Motors logistics and how she started her career in the logistics and supply chain industry. Today we asked Erica about her experience in Australia and the trends she predicts for the industry here in Australia.

Erica Gilcrist told CeMAT Insider about the history of logistics and supply chain in the US. As the Director of SCLAA (Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia) and based on her early career experience, she has a deep understanding of the industry’s evolution.

Over the course of the last 100 years the Industrial Revolution improved productivity by leaps and bounds, particularly within logistics management. In chronological order, the three key enablers of productivity have been steam, the moving production line, and industrial control systems and automation.

Brookfarm is an award winning family-owned food manufacturer and producer of macadamia products. Founded in 1999 by Pam and Martin Brook with the support of their two sons – Will and Eddie, Brookfarm is today one of Australia’s leading producers of premium quality macadamia based products.

First published in the Forkliftaction.com News ‘Your Focus’ column.

Steve Shakespeare is director of customer service at Jungheinrich UK. He oversees an extensive, customer service support network that comprises specialist technical engineers and product quality managers, with a dedicated UK parts centre and tailored service and maintenance packages.

The industrial internet of things (IIoT) is a hot topic in manufacturing and supply chain management, promising real-time visibility of the entire supply chain through a vast network of advanced sensors, thereby supplying invaluable insights that can be used to optimise processes and workflows across the business.