SBWire

John Hayes, founder and CEO of No Risk Automation, was featured in the issue of Business Excellence. The article, entitled, "Agnostic Automation Vendor Selection: Objectivity Required," discussed the four steps of no risk automation.

Delivering Excellence newsletter reported that the December print issue of Supply & Demand Chain Executive featured the recipients of the 2014 Green Supply Chain Awards. The awards recognized companies making green or sustainability a core part of their supply chain strategy, and are working to achieve measurable sustainability goals within their own operations and/or supply chains, in the areas of Sourcing/Procurement, Fulfillment/Logistics, Operations, Product Lifecycle Management, and other areas of the supply chain. The awards also recognized providers of supply chain solutions and services assisting their customers in achieving measurable sustainability goals. Submissions were judged based on the clarity and content of the goals and strategy, the extent of the steps being taken, the impact of the results to date, projected results, and the form and presentation of the information submitted.

Hytrol Conveyor Company, Inc., manufacturer of advanced conveyor systems, controls, and solutions attributes the international integration partner network critical to the company's success. Hytrol Conveyor's Integrated Partner, Mindugar in Mexico ensures high quality and lean manufacturing best practices are available to Mexican manufacturers and distribution centers throughout the supply chain.

Exacta provides customers with access to a reports library that presents data in clear, standardized ways for easy warehouse performance analysis, as well as the ability to create custom reports.

Picking Perfection reported this week that retailer Stage's average rate of return throughout the year is about 7 percent of sales in its physical stores and about 11 percent online, adjusted for exchanges. Over the holidays, those figures grow. (Many merchants keep the exact increase a secret.) Noted Steven Hunter, Chief Information Officer at Stage: "Holiday returns for any retailer can be challenging." The Christmas season is a windfall for retailers, who book as much as 40 percent of their annual sales during the season, but many of those reindeer sweaters, neon socks, and micro-miniskirts in size 16 come back to haunt them. Post-holidays, retailers see triple the number of returns of any other time of year, says Jack Plunkett, Chief Executive Officer of Plunkett Research. "We think something will fit or look good on us, and it doesn't, and we send it back," he explained. The resulting pileups of returning merchandise, he commented, "create a huge problem for the whole retail system."

Wasatch Product Development is focused on providing the most responsive and flexible service in the industry and has a diverse clientele ranging from leading global companies to virtual and emerging entities. With unmatched technical expertise, innovative equipment and regulatory knowledge, Wasatch maintains a demonstrated record with the FDA as well as with its customers; many of whom have outsourced with the company for over ten years. The Wasatch Product Development's lab is compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) along with being registered and certified by the ATF, and FDA. Wasatch has been developing and manufacturing several unique products for many of the World's most successful consumer product companies since 1998.

Wasatch Product Development is focused on providing the most responsive and flexible service in the industry and has a diverse clientele ranging from leading global companies to virtual and emerging entities. With unmatched technical expertise, innovative equipment and regulatory knowledge, Wasatch maintains a demonstrated record with the FDA as well as with its customers; many of whom have outsourced with the company for over ten years. The Wasatch Product Development's lab is compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) along with being registered and certified by the ATF, and FDA. Wasatch has been developing and manufacturing several unique products for many of the World's most successful consumer product companies since 1998.

TraceGains, the leading automated supplier, compliance, and regulatory document management solution for the food supply chain, is hosting the second annual Customer Conference customers of TraceGains. The event will be at Hyatt Denver, CO on March 4-5.

Ultriva, Inc., provider of cloud-based supply chain execution software, announced the addition of a successful energy and aerospace manufacturer to their growing list of customers. The global manufacturer specializing in highly engineered, complex and severe environment products selected Ultriva as their technology provider and partner for their enterprise-wide Supply Chain Management software initiative.

The speaker, Louise Dickmeyer, President of PDP Solutions, will discuss how C-level leadership strategies can work better. The leading employee communications consultant will provide insights and lead discussion on how to improve critical elements for effective industry management. C-level leaders are faced with the following employee facts that can cost millions of dollars.

DualDraw, a manufacturer of air filtration equipment, now offers downdraft systems at an affordable price. These downdraft booths have air filtration solutions which include a signature vented back stop. They have been designed to protect operators with maximum airborne containment from particulates and help to eliminate cross contamination from plant equipment. The booth incorporates the patented DualDraw air flow design with a perforated surface and flexible filter panel system that helps in configuring the application of the operator. This approach for performance is unique within the industry and guarantees user satisfaction.

A supplier of air filtration solutions, DualDraw, is now offering downdraft booths at an affordable price. The company has designed downdraft booths and tables with a vented back stop and work surface with patented perforation for capturing fumes and dust. In this equipment, the filtration systems are configured on the basis of application but are not limited to the panel filtration for water filtration, fumes, HEPA Filtration, self-cleaning cartridge filtration and bag filtration for dust.

T/CCI (tccimfg.com) manufactures built to last quality, dependable, and environmentally safe compressors for a wide range of vehicle applications. Widely respected, ISO-certified T/CCI is a global leader with over 50 years' experience manufacturing heavy duty compressors and clutches for the mobile air-conditioning and refrigeration industries, including for a wide range of vehicles from construction and military to heavy-duty trucking and bus transit. This wide range of OEM heavy duty compressors supplies companies such as Caterpillar, CNH, Navistar, ThermoKing, and Carrier. Global customers recognize value of a well-respected HVAC supplier with advanced technologies including the custom LabView based acquisition system designed to protect the quality and accuracy of data.

Green Status Pro announces a new, unique Conflict Minerals RCOI Reporting Service for executives responsible for approving and certifying their company's SEC-mandated Conflict Minerals Reports. Green Status Pro's Complete RCOI Reporting Service 2015 is ideal for companies that are committed to meeting their conflict minerals regulatory obligations at the lowest cost and with the greatest accuracy.

Instrumentation valves are devices widely used in industrial production processes to control the flow of fluids and gases. These valves can be controlled either physically or automatically. There are different types of valves according to the needs and demands of the production process. Industries worldwide are increasingly using valves because they enhance production efficiency and safety of workers. Manifolds are devices that act as a connecting instrument for two or more valves.

A group of techniques that are used to fabricate a model of a part or the entire assembly is known as "Rapid Prototyping". Three-dimensional computer aided design data is used for this purpose. There are various rapid prototyping technologies that are commercially available- SLA, SLS, LOM, FDM, SGC, and Ink Jet printing techniques. The most widely used technique is SLA technique, which was developed by 3D Systems. 3D printers were first used in rapid prototyping, which aided in visual presentation models. The prototypes are being manufactured in order to get an approval from the engineers before the ultimate production process. Presently, many engineering and design organizations use 3D printers for rapid prototyping.

No Risk Automation founder, John Hayes, was featured in the issue of AutomationMedia.com. The article, titled, "Eliminating the automation Bias," argued that representing an automated guided vehicle (AGV) vendor is often a conflict of interest.

Picking Perfection newsletter reported that the average holiday shopper spent $804.42 and holiday sales in November and December 2014 reached $616.9 billion. Amidst this surge in consumer spending, customer service rightfully gets its time in the spotlight. Superior service providers never take customers for granted, they remain ever vigil for ways to celebrate the joy of partnership and express sincere gratitude. The retail landscape is more competitive than ever and international customer service expert Dr. Chip R. Bell asserts that businesses must harness "the power of extra" during this holiday season in order to retain customers. "Extra" is not about "more for less;" it is an attitude of generosity—extra joy, extra empathy, and extra energy. The author of the upcoming book, "Sprinkles: Creating Awesome Experiences through Innovative Service," warned, "Neglect is more dangerous than strife; indifference is more costly than error.

Now that winter is in full swing and the temperature is struggling to make it above freezing, many commercial buildings' HVAC units are working overtime to keep up with heating demands. Providing technicians with powerful and portable equipment, E Instruments is now offering the E5500 Portable Industrial Combustion Gas & Emissions Analyzer. With the ability to detect five different types of gasses, it will ensure every system meets the EPA compliance level for emissions.

As E Instruments continues to expand their reach, they have adapted to meet the needs of their clients and are now offering brochures in Spanish for their BTU 1500 Combustion Analyzer. With a detailed pamphlet that has been expertly translated, Spanish speaking operators will have no trouble learning about the unit's full capabilities. The all in one device is perfect for HVAC professionals who provide boiler and furnace maintenance.

As Western companies demand for rapid prototyping increases, Klarm Prototyping has spent the last decade establishing itself as a leader among all Chinese rapid prototyping firms.

Passenger transportation creates unique challenges for air conditioning systems according to T/CCI which designs systems to address these needs. Passengers demand comfort and a T/CCI compressor is the heart of the system that maintains comfort. Engineers will work with passenger transportation leaders worldwide to design a system built specifically for unique environmental and regional passenger needs.

TraceGains, the leading automated supplier, compliance, and regulatory document management solution for food manufacturers and processors, reported some of the flavor trends for 2015 in the company blog. Guest blogger and industrial journalist, Thomas R. Cutler reported that many food trends for 2015 will be rooted in Asian cuisine. But the ability to monitor the ingredients for these authentic and innovative flavors requires more rigor than ever before.

Ultriva, the leader in collaborative supply chain solutions, presented a webinar about consumption-based replenishment. It is common to see orders fulfilled in multiple shipments. This is a serious issue on the supply side which forces similar behavior on the customer side. Ultriva manages lot sizes and ties lead time to those lot sizes. This eliminates the common MRP problem of fixed lead time but varying lot sizes.

Delivering Excellence newsletter reported that Door to Door Organics, a leading natural and organic online grocer, announced that it has secured $25.5 million in Series B financing. In an industry that currently only represents two percent of the $650 billion in domestic grocery spending, is expected to increase to 11 percent of the total market by 2023.