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InfinityQS’ Global Client Survey Shows Positive Upturn in Manufacturing in the Wake of COVID-19
Research reveals nearly three-quarters of manufacturers are now working remotely and reporting they are ‘optimistic toward the future’
FAIRFAX, Va. – Aug. 11, 2020 – InfinityQS® International, Inc. (InfinityQS), the global authority on data-driven enterprise quality, shares green shoots of recovery are emerging within the manufacturing industry, as evident in new findings from the company’s 2020 Global Client Survey. The results show a positive upturn in the industry, with nearly 74% of respondents reporting that they are optimistic toward the future. These manufacturers are adapting and rebounding in the wake of the pandemic, adopting new technologies and processes for managing production and controlling quality, including 75% who noted more of their workers are now working remotely.
To enable this remote work and build greater flexibility and resiliency into their processes, these manufacturers are rapidly adopting technologies, such as cloud computing. Additional results from InfinityQS indicate that an acceleration in digital transformation initiatives is occurring, where the number of proofs of concept for InfinityQS' cloud-native quality intelligence platform Enact® has steadily quadrupled in the last three months.
There has also been an uptick in demand for the company’s training classes designed to educate clients in how to effectively use new tools for remote collaboration. In June, InfinityQS even saw a 316% spike in its professional services hours—compared to March when the outbreak occurred—with clients seeking support as they begin increasing their production to pre-pandemic levels.
Jason Chester, Director of Global Channel Programs at InfinityQS, discussed what the research can tell us: “As we have seen over the last four months, the impact of coronavirus has been a massive wake-up call for all industries and manufacturing is no exception, particularly as a sector still heavily dependent on manual processes and legacy technologies.”
“Manufacturers are rapidly moving away from outdated pen-and-paper processes in favor of cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions, enabling plant staff to efficiently monitor and optimize their production processes in real time from anywhere. This is in stark contrast to our traditional notion of manufacturing, which is centered around being onsite, on the shop floor, or in close proximity to physical production processes. The research also shows the sheer urgency of those transformation projects over the last three months, evident in the very significant increase in our professional billing hours to support those initiatives.”
Jason explained, “As some plants restart and others adapt to a new normal, we are seeing a sharp rise in our customers seeking to expand their digital capabilities so they can improve agility, productivity, efficiency, and ensure the safety and quality of their products, as well as have access to process data while away from the shop floor to ensure social distancing, or when working from home. The increase in requests for our professional services shows manufacturers are taking advantage of the flexibility offered by the cloud and this has been further reflected in the increased demand for our online technical training programs.”
Jason concluded, “It is fantastic to see the tentative signs of a recovery and the increased demand for cloud-based Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Quality Intelligence technologies, which can ensure agile and cost-effective support to manufacturers now and into the future. The fact that 74% of our customers are now reporting an optimistic posture toward the future shows they are confident that these technologies will help them maintain continuity and succeed in the post-COVID reality.”
About InfinityQS International, Inc.
For over 30 years, InfinityQS has been the leading global provider of Manufacturing Quality Intelligence software and services. Powered by a robust Statistical Process Control (SPC) analytics engine, the company’s solutions—Enact® and ProFicient™—deliver unparalleled visibility and strategic insight across the enterprise, from the shop floor to the boardroom. This extensive deep-dive capability enables manufacturers to improve product quality; decrease cost and risk; improve compliance; and make strategic, data-driven business decisions. Headquartered near Washington, D.C. and with offices in Seattle, London, Beijing, and Delhi, InfinityQS has thousands of customers around the world, including Ball Corporation, Boston Scientific, Graham Packaging, and Medtronic. For more information, visit www.infinityqs.com.
Fort Worth, TX – September 10, 2024 – EP North America, a fast-growing, lithium-ion focusedmaterial handling equipment provider offering innovative and competitive options to the market, today debuted two new forklifts. The CPD45F8/50F8 and EFLA251 help warehouse and DC managers provide powerful lithium-ion solutions that will upgrade any fleet of diesel and LPG warehouse vehicles and are available today via EP North America’s dealer network.
“EP North America continues to expand its portfolio to solve a wider range of material handling applications, leveraging our unparalleled strength in lithium-powered solutions,” said Jason Bratton, general manager, EP North America. “Whether leading occasional or multi-shift operations, these lithium-ion powered solutions provide exceptional value, quality and dependability that we believe our dealer network and their customers have been looking for.”
The CPD45F8/50F8 is an IPX4 Rated, pneumatic forklift designed for outdoor use to suit applications up to 10,000 lbs. The CPD45F8/50F8 utilizes an integrated EP Energy 80V lithium-ion battery, requiring zero maintenance and eliminating ongoing fuel costsassociated with diesel/LPG units. By removing the internal combustion engine, it reduces fatigue by eliminating vibration, heat, noise and exhaust, which creates a more comfortable and productive work environment.
EFLA251 is a Class I forklift engineered to provide a direct alternative in both utilization and cost to Class IV LP equivalent. Featuring a lifting capacity of 5,000 lbs., the EFLA251 is powered by an EP Energy 80V Lithium-ion battery with onboard charging as a standard feature and is capable of empty-to-full in just over two hours, eliminating all dependencies on LPG.
EP controls cost and supply through a vertical integration strategy that ensures readily available stock and consistently short lead times on factory orders. EP has loaded dedicated demo units to its fleet to make available through the remainder of 2024, supporting its efforts in driving conversion adoption from IC to E.
About EP North America
EP North America is leading the IC to E movement in North America, offering a range of material handling solutions from lithium-ion Class 1 forklifts to lithium battery solutions, stackers, pallet jacks and task support vehicles. For more information, visit epforklifts.com or follow us on social media.
GEODIS, a leading global logistics provider, today announced plans to hire 3,700 seasonal workers across its campuses in the U.S. and Canada to help manage the expected rise in volumes during peak season. This hiring initiative will bolster the company’s operational capacities in its warehouses and distribution centers in preparation for the holiday season, a time when consumer demand surges.
Emarketer noted U.S. holiday sales in 2023 increased 3.9% year-over-year as consumer spending grew even amidst uncertain economic times, and a similar pattern is projected for this year. Emarketer expects a substantial 4.8% increase in holiday retail sales for 2024, signifying continued growth despite factors such as inflation and consumer price sensitivity. In anticipation of this demand, GEODIS is seeking seasonal employees to join its nearly 17,000 teammates who power its operations across North America.
GEODIS is recruiting material handlers and equipment operators across 13 regions in the U.S. and Canada this peak season. The company offers competitive wages, peak premium pay incentives, peak and referral bonuses, and an expedited payment option that allows workers to receive up to 50% of their paycheck before payday through an on-demand program. Additionally, GEODIS provides flexible schedules with weekend opportunities and multiple shift options daily, allowing teammates to choose times that best suit their lives. Both part-time (under 30 hours a week) and full-time (over 30 hours a week) seasonal positions are available. Prospective teammates can also use GEODIS’ virtual recruiting assistant, Sophie, to find the right role, easily navigate the application process and receive fast answers to questions before being connected to a recruiter for next steps.
“We acknowledge the immense responsibility we have to our customers to deliver exceptional service every day, and this is especially true during peak season,” said Anthony Jordan, GEODIS in Americas Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Because peak season is the most business-critical sales period of the year for many of our retail clients, expanding our workforce is vital to ensure we have a flexible, dynamic team that can handle anticipated surges in demand.”
GEODIS’ culture puts teammates at the forefront by offering opportunities for employees to provide feedback and suggestions through surveys, personal check-ins and group meetings. The company also prioritizes teammate safety and ensures optimal work conditions in modern facilities with state-of-the-art technology. GEODIS invests in its teammates with paid safety-focused training, allowing them to gain hands-on experience so they can feel confident from day one of employment.
“GEODIS is committed to creating a diverse and supportive work environment where employee well-being is our top priority,” said Jordan. “Whether looking for extra income during the holidays or wanting to explore a long-term path at GEODIS, our teammates have the opportunity to make a difference and receive the training and support they need to move their careers forward.”
For more information on GEODIS’ seasonal positions, visit www.WorkAtGEODIS.com.
GEODIS – www.geodis.com
GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in four lines of business: Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express Transport, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and 53,000 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 5 in its sector across the world. In 2023, GEODIS generated €11.6 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group.
Nulogy, a leading provider of supply chain collaboration solutions, is hosting a session during the Association of Supply Chain Management's ASCM Connect 2024. Nulogy, Kinaxis and Colgate-Palmolive executives will present “Orchestrating Digital Transformation: Nulogy & Kinaxis Empower Colgate-Palmolive’s External Network” on Monday, 9/9/2024, 3:45 - 4:45 p.m. CT in Ballroom E, Level 4.
In an era when digital transformation is paramount for sustainable growth, Colgate-Palmolive stands out as a leader in the consumer packaged goods space. With a strong digital transformation vision and strategic partners that tout the technical capabilities and expertise to bring it to life, Colgate and its extended supply network has been able to reap the benefits of digitally-infused agility, resilience and efficiency to outcompete in today’s marketplace.
The session will cover Colgate-Palmolive’s vision for transforming its supply chain planning and execution, highlighting the imperative to enhance supply chain synchronization and collaboration.
Nulogy and Kinaxis join Colgate-Palmolive in this talk to discuss how their best-of-breed solutions in advanced planning and scheduling and supplier collaboration have played pivotal roles in interconnecting Colgate’s network.
Speakers include:
Moderator: Christine Barnhart, CPIM Chief Marketing and Industry Officer, Nuology
Panelist: Kevin Wong Chief Operating Officer, Nulogy
Panelist: Polly Mitchell-Guthrie Supply Chain Thought Leader, Kinaxis
Panelist: German Vizcaya Leon VP Global Planning, Colgate-Palmolive
Check out the complete Colgate-Palmolive case study by visiting https://bit.ly/3z6xwPK.
Austin, TX - (September 3, 2024) – AutoScheduler.AI, an innovative Warehouse Orchestration Platform and WMS accelerator, announces the company is sponsoring a webinar hosted by DC Velocity magazine to discuss PepsiCo/FLNA’s (Frito Lay North America) warehouse transformation using AutoScheduler.AI’s AutoPilot.
Keith Moore, CEO of AutoScheduler.AI, and Peter Hanna, a leader at PepsiCo, will share how AutoPilot is revolutionizing operations at PepsiCo/FLNA. Faced with rising demand, shrinking margins, and complex operations, PepsiCo turned to AutoScheduler.AI’s cloud-based AutoPilot platform to optimize warehouse operations and improve efficiency, including a 30% increase in product picks per hour.
“PepsiCo has been focused on driving value for customers through innovative supply chain processes that improve fulfillment times, reduce operating costs, and maximize productivity,” says Keith Moore, CEO of AutoScheduler.AI. “Our AI algorithms can prioritize customer orders based on predefined rules and criteria while considering warehouse constraints, which helps to improve customer satisfaction and overall profitability.”
At the free webinar on September 12, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET, attendees will:
•Learn how AutoPilot unifies data across systems for better visibility.
•Discover how advanced algorithms maximize productivity and minimize costs.
•See how AutoPilot provides comprehensive, real-time insights for informed decision-making.
•Hear about the impressive gains at PepsiCo/FLNA, including a 30% increase in picks per hour.
AutoScheduler.AI AutoPilot smooths warehouse operations by orchestrating and planning all activities in real-time on top of an existing WMS. It considers space, time, labor, dock doors, and more constraints to ensure that orders are fulfilled on time and in full. Clients gain efficiencies and value in their supply chains through optimized labor, schedules, touches, and inventory.
To register for the free webinar, visit: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4676523/A2108DE2BC89DF1C73F2FCB1C1A5863F?partnerref=auto
About AutoScheduler.AI AutoScheduler.AI orchestrates warehouse activities directly on top of your WMS, optimizing operations for peak performance. Developed alongside industry leaders like P&G and successfully deployed at prominent companies such as Pepsi, General Mills, and Unilever, our AI and Machine Learning platform seamlessly integrates with your existing systems. Focused on labor planning, inventory workflow, human-robotics interaction, and space utilization, we streamline operations, reducing travel and inventory handling while maximizing OTIF rates and labor efficiency. With prescriptive analytics driving insights, our clients harness the power to enhance efficiencies and generate value across their supply chains. Reach out to us at info@autoscheduler.ai for more information.
GreyOrange Inc., a leader in AI-driven fulfillment automation, was recently recognized as a Sample Vendor in the 2024 Gartner® Hype Cycle™ for Mobile Robots and Drones report. GreyOrange views its inclusion in four categories – Multiagent Orchestration (MAO), Mobile Sortation Robots, Smart Robots, and Mobile Robotic Goods-to-Person Systems – as confirmation of the company’s role in driving innovation and efficiency within the rapidly evolving robotics landscape. The report focuses on practical applications of mobile robots and drones, leaving detailed technological aspects to other Hype Cycle reports.
The 2023 Gartner Supply Chain Technology User Wants and Needs Survey found continued strong interest in, and deployments of, robotics and automation, with 92% of the respondents saying they were investing, or planned to invest, in robotics over the next two years. GreyOrange believes the 2024 Gartner® Hype Cycle™ for Mobile Robots and Drones report highlights the critical role of mobile robots in transforming supply chain operations and addressing the challenges posed by labor shortages and increasing order volumes.
According to the report, “Demand for, and investment in, mobile robots and drones is robust and will remain so for the foreseeable future.” The report also details, “As companies deploy heterogeneous fleets of robots, integrating and coordinating tasks between these robots becomes more difficult, which will require an orchestration capability across robot platforms. This will introduce the need for an additional software layer to support these activities.”
This year, GreyOrange introduced two new intralogistics and case pick robot solutions - the Ranger Forklift XXL for case picking and the Ranger Forklift AnyPallet for closed pallet handling - to its Certified Ranger NetworkTM (CRN) ecosystem in response to labor and order volume needs. During MODEX this year, GreyOrange also welcomed partner solution Cypher Robotics’ CAPTIS, an autonomous cycle counting solution, to the CRN.
The CRN solutions are powered by GreyMatter, GreyOrange’s warehouse execution systems (WES) platform that enables real-time, multiagent orchestration among various robotic technologies, people and automation systems. Leveraging GreyMatter, customers can reduce fulfillment cost per unit (CPU) by 50%, decrease worker onboarding time by 90%, and improve peak season performance. These innovations further demonstrate the company’s innovation of robotics solutions for the evolving warehouse landscape.
“We are honored to be recognized by Gartner, as it is great to see some of the categories like Multiagent orchestration coming to life as we define the next generation roadmap for them,” said Akash Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of GreyOrange. “We strive to continually advance fulfillment automation to meet and exceed the needs of our customers in an ever-changing and demanding market where supply chain optimization and execution are of top importance.”
GreyOrange’s fulfillment solutions help customers meet the growing demands for faster deliveries, reduce operational costs and tackle labor challenges. By leveraging advanced robotics and AI, GreyOrange's fulfillment solutions are designed to significantly improve operational efficiencies, adaptability, and actionable visibility in today's digital marketplace.
Download the Hype Cycle™ for Mobile Robots and Drones 2024 report, compliments of GreyOrange by visiting https://bit.ly/4cKZCh4.