Modern Materials Handling - October 2011

VOL. 66, NO. 10®PRODUCTIVITY SOLUTIONS FOR DISTRIBUTION,WAREHOUSING AND MANUFACTURINGAnnette Danek,vice presidentof fulfillment,Random HouseCOVER STORYPHOTO: EDWIN REMSBERGSYSTEM REPORT16 Random House cuts turnaround in halfThanks to a tilt-tray sortation system, Random House is beating thecompetition to market and improving turnaround times by nearly 50%.20 Speed to marketRandom House’s new picking methodology aggregates orders forfaster turnaround times and speedier delivery to the market.60 seconds with... David KrebsPHOTO: CHRIS LEWISFEATURESSPECIAL REPORT24 Pallet reader survey: Usage on the risePallets are the foundation of the materials handling industry. Here’swhy they are important to our readers.Special Webcast: Results of Modern’s 2011 Pallet Usage Study,Thurs., Oct. 27 at 2:00 p.m. ET www.mmh.com/2011palletIMFORMATION MANAGEMENT30 Top 20 automatic data capture suppliersAfter a challenging 2009, the ADC market bounced back in 2010 andlooks strong moving forward.EQUIPMENT 101 SERIES34 Data capture basicsData capture technology can help an operation see its products inreal time and take proactive steps to keep materials moving smoothlythrough the supply chain. Here’s a look at several basic data capturetechnologies.PRODUCTIVITY SOLUTIONS40 Driving efficiencies and qualityPick-to-light solutions result in improved picking performance andmore reliable sensing for automotive components suppliers.41 Picking the light solutionLight-directed put stations are designed to help an apparel retaileroptimize split case fulfillment and account for a 300% improvementin pick rates.DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS3/ Upfront7/ This month in Modern14/ Lift Truck Tips: Operator training43/ Focus On: Automated Storage58/ 60 seconds with...NEWS9/ MHIA announces leadership changes10/ Modex 2012: Keynote speakers,conference details announced12/ Manufacturers are becoming lessoptimistic about economy, saysGrant ThorntonModern Materials Handling ® (ISSN 0026-8038) is published monthly byPeerless Media, LLC, a Division of EH Publishing, Inc., 111 Speen St, Suite200, Framingham, MA 01701. Annual subscription rates for non-qualifiedsubscribers: USA $119, Canada $159, Other International $249. Singlecopies are available for $20.00. Send all subscription inquiries to ModernMaterials Handling, 111 Speen Street, Suite 200, Framingham, MA 01701USA. Periodicals postage paid at Framingham, MA and additional mailingoffices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: ModernMaterials Handling, PO Box 1496 Framingham MA 01701-1496.Reproduction of this magazine inwhole or part without written permissionof the publisher is prohibited.All rights reserved. © 2011 PeerlessMedia, LLC.mmh.com MODERN MATERIALS HANDLING / O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 5