DC Velocity - July 2014

r o l lo u ts

U.S.-Mexico cross-border cargo management: Yusen Logistics, a global third-party logistics service provider (3PL), has expanded its U.S.-Mexico cross-border solutions.

The company’s Mexico Border Cargo Management (BCM) solutions now offer shippers a variety of multimodal cross-border transportation options that can be tailored to specific customer requirements.

Yusen Logistics’ BCM service options include:

b Over-the-Road: Shipment is trucked from origin in the U.S./Canada to final destination in Mexico,

b Border Direct: Shipment goes by rail intermodal to Laredo, Texas, and then is trucked to the final destination in Mexico, and

b Mexico Direct: Shipment is moved by rail intermodal from the U.S. to the destination ramp in Mexico, and then is trucked to the final destination.

Yusen Logistics has operations in both the United States and Mexico, including a 100,000-square-foot warehouse in Laredo, which is close to the U.S./Mexico border, and offices in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Celaya. The Laredo facility is C-TPAT certified and Foreign Trade Zone and customs bonded. (Yusen Logistics, www.us.yusen-logistics.com)

Cloud-based route planning: Marathon Data Systems has added a route planning optimization solution to its cloud-based business management platform for companies with mobile workforces. The solution allows employees to actively monitor loads to ensure they remain in compliance with all local regulations and logistical constraints while enhancing overall fleet productivity.

The route planning solution tracks loads to ensure that all of a vehicle’s load capacity limits—such as weight, volume, and value— remain within required limits during the entire route. It also optimizes the order of pickups and deliveries to create the most efficient route. (Marathon Data Systems, www.mara-thondata.com/route-optimization)

Rugged tablet: Glacier Computer has extended its line of rugged industrial computers with the addition of the Fusion 7 Rugged Android Tablet.

The Fusion 7 offers the advanced power management and memory management capability of an Android device, enabling it to run more than 1 million applications. Yet at the same time, it is rugged enough to operate in harsh or ultraclean industrial environments. (Glacier Computer, glaciercomputer.com)

Tire wear indicator: To help companies know when a forklift tire needs replacing, Trelleborg Wheel Systems has created the Pit Stop Line for its premium-range industrial tires. This orange line is embedded into the tire. When the indictor is visible on the surface of the tire, it means the rubber is near the end of its lifetime and the tire has around 100 hours of life left.

According to Trelleborg Wheel Systems, this information is valuable because tires are often replaced with up to 25 percent of their life remaining, leading to increased waste and cost. (Trelleborg Wheel Systems, www.trelleborg.com/wheelsystems)

Collapsible tote: Orbis Corp., a manufacturer of reusable packaging, has developed a 600 mm ( 23. 6 inch) by 400 mm ( 15. 7 inch) Mini-Load Collapsible Tote.

The Mini Tote was designed specifically to interface with automated systems. Its footprint integrates with standard equipment, while its 300 mm ( 11. 8 inch) height accommodates many product forms.

The injection-molded plastic tote has hopper doors on each end for easier access to product in picking lines. It also has handles on the shallow ends, which makes it easy for associates to break apart stacks when manually handling the totes.

The unit’s fingertip latches allow users to collapse the tote when not in use and make it easier to assemble for use. Its reinforced bottom and rib design supports higher weight loads, allowing more products to be stored and shipped per trip.