Material handling equipment orders are forecasted to grow 6% to 9.5% in 2010, according to the latest material handling equipment manufacturing (MHEM) forecast released by the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA).

Robotics supplier Motoman Inc. and Yaskawa Electric America Inc., a manufacturer of AC drives and motion control products, have announced that they will merge to form Yaskawa America Inc.

Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA) announces the new authorized distributors of Jungheinrich-brand lift trucks in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Software provider Infor has acquired Bridgelogix, a supplier of barcode data collection technologies.

An RFID-based supply chain can help companies continuously monitor all the data and products in their operations.

Mixed-case palletizing offers improved productivity throughout the DC, while minimizing labor hours and transportation costs.

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The AR-200 Robotic Palletizing Cell, can handle up to four different products simultaneously with custom grippers for: boxes, cases, trays, bundles, jugs etc... It can perform peripheral operations and speed up to 28 cycles per minute. It handles unlimited layout configurations, and features quick changeover of palletizing patterns. Click here for more information.

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Wal-Mart Wants to Control Supplier Transportation
Wal-Mart has told U.S. manufacturers that it wants to take over the transportation of product from manufacturing plants to Wal-Mart distribution centers (DCs) and retail stores.

Consumer Group Takes on Wood Pallets
The National Consumers League (NCL) is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to set sanitary and safety standards for "unregulated but crucial" pallets.

Congress Considers Increasing FDA Recall Authority
As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers criminal charges against McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Congress contemplates giving the FDA more power to force drug recalls.