summer deals on good reads

Looking for a good book to take to the beach this summer? We can’t help you there. But we can tell you where to find good deals on transportation handbooks you’ll want to keep on your desk for reference year-round.

The Transportation & Logistics Council (TLC), whose mission is to educate shippers about laws affecting transportation and logistics, is offering discounts on the organization’s most popular publications through September. Subjects include freight claims, insurance, tariffs, shipping and receiving procedures, and contracts. The books (some of which are available on searchable CDs) are known for presenting complex regulatory and legal issues “in plain English.” This unique approach makes them suitable as both teaching tools for newcomers to transportation and logistics and as reference works for experienced managers. Authors include the nationally known transportation attorneys George Pezold, Raymond Selvaggio, and the late William J. Augello.

For details, visit TLC’s website, www.transportlaw.com, or call Diane Smid at (631) 549-8984.

material handling pros link up through
LinkedIn

You already know that LinkedIn can be an effective way to connect with former colleagues and potential employers. What you may not know is that the online networking site can also be a great place to find discussion groups built around a shared interest.

Plenty of people share an interest in material handling, it seems. The Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) recently announced that the interest group it established last year now has more than 1,200 members. To join the group, go to www.mhia.org, or go directly to the group’s page on LinkedIn ( www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=1863181&trk=anet_ ug_grppro).

MHIA members include material handling and logistics equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, publishers, and third-party logistics service providers. The organization also sponsors the ProMat and North American material handling trade shows as well as a number of educational events related to equipment, technology, and warehouse management.

inbound

make your dock
“weatherwise”

When you think about loading docks, do you also think about the weather? Apparently, several dock manufacturers do. For evidence of that, you need look no further than a couple of recent new-product announcements that make a very clear connection between docks and weather:

; Sunny and bright: Pentalift Equipment Corp. says its new SolarDock solar-powered hydraulic dock leveler is an industry first. The patent-pending design relies on solar energy to replenish its battery; when fully charged, the battery can supply sufficient power for approximately 150 cycles of the leveler, according to the manufacturer. Installation is inexpensive because there’s no need for a dedicated incoming AC power supply. Will it still work when it’s cloudy? For the answer to that and other questions, go to www.pen-talift.com/PDF/SolarDock-Q&A.pdf.

; Let the wind blow: TKO Dock Doors recently announced that its sectional knockout doors have been approved for high wind-load environments under Florida’s stringent building code—the only ones to so qualify, the manufacturer says. The company’s new Wind Load Door design was tested to withstand pressures of + 52.0 and - 67.5 pounds per square foot, enabling it to remain intact through straight winds and hurricanes. In addition, users can engage the slide locks located on the knock-out panels to provide reinforcement against high winds and debris. For more information, go to www.tkodoors.com.