Modern Materials Handling - April 2011

CURRENT EVENTSMaterials handling in JapanTHE DEVASTATION FOLLOWINGthe earthquake in Northern Japanhas touched every aspect of life andindustry in that country. Withoutminimizing the human toll of thistragedy, the news as it relates tothe materials handling industryis that industry leaders likeToyota Material Handling USA(TMHU), Daifuku Webb and Mu-InSight Super-Size AkroBins®Indicator ProCart A/Deck System BinsVantageBin InnovatIve ProductsONLYFrom Akro-Mils!AkroDrawers Stackable CabinetsEarthSaverShelfMax Discover how innovative products fromAkro-Mils can add efficiency and organizationto your material handling. Call us at 800.253.2467or visit www.akro-mils.com for more information.Everything You Need To Store, Organize & TransportDedicatedto OurDistributorNetwork!©2011 Akro-Mils/Myers Industries Inc. Form No. AKM27rata Machinery were largely spared.Daifuku Webb reported fromthe show floor at ProMat 2011 lastmonth that there have been noreports of fatalities or serious injuriesamong Daifuku personnel or theirimmediate families and that itsoffices sustained no damage. Thecompany’s crisis management systemwas put into place immediatelyfollowing the earthquake to restorefunctionality to customer systemsthat were damaged. “We have beenoverwhelmed with words of encouragementand offers of hope,” aspokesperson said.Similarly, Murata Machinery USAreported at the show that its factorieswere located in unaffected areas ofsouthern Japan. All the same, keyexecutives who had planned on attendingProMat chose to stay home.“Our colleagues in Japan are workingon relief efforts and to support oursuppliers and customers in NorthernJapan,” said a company spokesperson.TMHU reported that there was nodamage to any of the Toyota IndustriesCorporation (TICO) plants inJapan. The Takahama forklift plantwas closed March 11 to 18. Productionrecommenced March 21. “TICOwill continue to monitor the situation,but at this time, business operationshave resumed otherwise,” a spokespersonsaid. TICO is donating $1.2million to provide relief support forvictims and reconstruction assistancethrough Japan Platform, an internationalemergency humanitarian aidorganization offering emergency aid,focusing on the issues of refugeesand natural disaster.10 A P R I L 2 0 1 1 / MODERN MATERIALS HANDLING mmh.com