inbound

Big Brown has a reputation as a serious, buttoned-up organization, overseeing the flow of millions of parcels each day without ever cracking a smile.

Take a look online, however, and you may be able to spot a crack in UPS Inc.’s steely visage. The Twitter feed for the company’s UPS Store division recently started deploying a novel strategy to catch customers’ attention— humor.

Since November, the social media feed has taken a decidedly silly turn while
promoting the unit’s core service offerings, which include retail packing,
shipping, postal, printing, and business services. “We’ve found that in order
to break through on Twitter, you need to catch peoples’ attention,” UPS Store
spokeswoman Chelsea Lee said. “We want to still talk about the products and
services offered by The UPS Store, but in a way someone might find entertain-
ing or enjoyable!”
Follow the unit’s Twitter feed for some offbeat supply chain humor like:

; “When you transport by car, it’s a shipment, but when you transport by ship, it’s cargo. Nice try, words.”

; “We can help you make catalogs. We can even help you make catalogues if you’re British.”

; “If you have nothing to shred, you’re living a pretty boring life. Pick up some secrets. We’ll keep the shredder hot.”

UPS gets its funny on

President Trump visited the Pennsylvania lift truck dealership H&K Equipment Inc. on Jan. 18 as part of a nationwide tour to promote his tax plan. During his visit to H&K, a Coraopolis, Pa.-based dealer of UniCarriers Americas ( UCA)-brand lift trucks, the president outlined the benefits of his tax program for small businesses and reiterated his support for American industry, the firm said.

In remarks delivered before an estimated crowd of 700 people, the president cited H&K for its business success and growth outlook. “The signs of America’s comeback can be seen at companies like H&K Equipment, which just had its most successful year in its 35-year history,” Trump said. He added that H&K would soon make a $2.7 million capital investment, claiming the move was a direct result of the tax reform bill he signed in December and that it signaled more growth and jobs at the successful dealership, according to H&K. Trump also praised H&K for its strong ties to the local and national economy.

Among those in attendance was UCA President James J. Radous III. “We’re very proud of H&K Equipment, not just for their business success, but for their strong commitment to their customers and to their local economy,” Radous said in a statement. “As I’ve stated before, forklifts are at the heart of commerce. As American manufacturers, we see it at a national level, and small businesses like H&K Equipment really shine light on this impact at a state level. It’s exciting to see President Trump take notice.”

Trump visits
Pennsylvania lift truck
dealership

Fans of the fast and violent videogame “Grand Theft Auto” know there are many ways to do a job dangerously, but only the most skilled can run the gauntlet both swiftly and safely. Now, one of the founders of that popular game series is looking to apply what he learned developing videogames to a very different arena: the world of warehousing and material handling.

In January, New York-based startup Next Wave Safety Solutions Inc. launched its first virtual reality ( VR)-based training modules. The firm, whose chief technology officer is Gary J. Foreman, co-founder of Grand Theft Auto creator Rockstar Games, says it developed the modules with an eye toward training workers for potentially hazardous jobs without putting them in actual danger. Among other advantages, VR-based training lets users learn through doing, which increases retention rates, leading to safer practices and fewer incidents, the company says.

The initial release consists of two modules: “Hazard ID,” which teaches workers how to safely navigate a construction site, and “Forklift,” which trains operators on how to drive lift trucks through crowded DCs. (You can watch a demonstration video at https://player.vimeo.com/video/252924401.)

In addition to the initial two modules, the firm plans to release eight more training products in 2018. They will target fields like mining, oil rigs, and law enforcement.