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The Vertical Reciprocating Conveyer (VRC) Subcommittee of the Conveyor & Sortation Systems industry group is comprised of the industry’s leading suppliers of material lifts intended to meet the safety requirements of ASME B20.1 – Safety Standard for Conveyors and Related Equipment. These members design, manufacture, and install VRCs worldwide for use in a wide variety of industrial, commercial, and institutional operating environments. A VRC, Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors, also known as a freight lift, offers one of the most efficient ways of moving heavy materials up or down between two or more fixed levels. A VRC is a type of vertical conveyor and sortation system that is actuated by either electro-hydraulic or electro-mechanical means that allows you to move products between multiple levels by using a platform to lift or lower products. A VRC can be custom designed to move product between 2 to 10 levels carrying loads up to 200,000 pounds at varying speeds. A VRC is designed to move materials only and is not designed to carry passengers or an operator. VRCs are used within manufacturing, retail, wholesale, or distribution facilities where one or more overhead storage, floors or mezzanines are utilized. They are highly customizable for any operating environment and footprint size. VRCs can be operated automatically or manually, or a combination of both. There are many types of VRCs, the most popular models use mechanical or hydraulic actuation, using cables, belts, or chains to hoist their platforms. VRC’s fall under ANSI B.20 code. VRC Subcommittee members meet regularly to review, discuss and implement programs which effectively communicate and promote the safe application, design, installation and operation of vertical reciprocating lifts. The VRC Programs Include: The publication and promotion of technical literature on the application, installation, training, inspection, safe use, and maintenance of VRCs. The ongoing review of, and revision to, nationally recognized safety standards which effect vertical reciprocating lifts. The discussion and adoption of industry best practices as it pertains to the application, design, installation, and safe operation of VRC equipment. The preparation and distribution of educational and promotional materials which explain the benefits of VRC equipment solutions. The regular review and discussion of regulatory and legislative activity – at the federal, state, and local levels – which may effect the vertical reciprocating lift industry, and respond to that activity as an industry when deemed necessary. The establishment of liaison relationships with those private and governmental agencies establishing policy which effects the application and use of VRC equipment and technology.
VALUE STATEMENT CSS MISSION & VISION STATEMENT Mission: Vision: To promote the market growth, awareness, and effective use of traditional and emerging conveyor /sortation technologies in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution within the supply chain. To be the trusted independent authority for practitioners and suppliers on market trends, technology developments, and applications through: ▪ Education On key features, advantages, and emerging technologies ▪ Challenges Addressing issues affecting our marketplace through practitioner outreach ▪ Resources Development and distribution of educational materials ▪ Collaboration Of manufacturers & technology providers ▪ Promotion Promotion of career opportunities within the industry VALUE STATEMENT To CSS Customers To CSS Members Trusted since 1971 as Leaders in the design, manufacturing, and supply of Conveyor and Sortation Systems Equipment, Components, and Technology. Unique networking opportunities. Investing in conveyor and sortation solutions in unique ways over time, including giving back through college scholarships, and practitioner and manufacturer education. Can provide practitioners with access to a wide range of perspectives and solutions, and as a collective of manufacturers, are genuinely invested in customer success. LEARN MORE ABOUT CSS MEMBERS >> Provide opportunities for industry education, leadership, and increased market presence. Lend your company the collective credibility of its industry leading members that has been established over its over 50 years as an organization. Provide exposure to practitioners. Access to data on industry trends, emerging technologies, and other market intelligence data. JOIN CSS TODAY >> 1 Market Intelligence 2 Networking & Access to Industry Peers CSS MISSION & VISION STATEMENT - Market forecasts and economic indicator monitoring - Industry commodity forecasts - Leadership development - Networking with other subject matter experts throughout the industry - Trend monitoring - Peer to peer interaction which promotes collaboration and industry betterment 3 3 CSS Members are recognized as Market Leaders - Offer collaborative responses to regulatory changes - Are invested in the promotion, safety, and success of the conveyor and sortation systems industry - Have been recognized as industry leaders since 1971 - Are Subject Matter Experts 4 Increased Exposure to Practitioners & Increased Business Opportunities - Web-based case studies provide potential solutions and increase engagement with practitioners - Blogs for Industry Awareness and Promotion - Practitioner Educational Publications OUR STRUCTURE
The Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association (ProGMA) members are the Industry’s leading suppliers of fixed protective guarding products designed to protect personnel, equipment, and inventory in industrial facilities. Mission: ProGMA promotes safety, security, and guarding for people, products, and facilities. ProGMA educates about protective barrier and guarding solutions through industry standards and best practices. Vision Statement: To be the authoritative resource for the best practices, standards, and applications of protective barrier, guarding solutions and associated technologies for industrial facilities. Protective Guarding Manufacturing Association member companies meet regularly to review and discuss industrial safety hazards and to promote specific guarding solutions for people, products, and facilities. ProGMA programs include: Development of educational materials for the promotion of proper protective guarding methods. Development, maintenance, and publishing of industry standards and specifications. Promotion of the features, advantages, and benefits of properly used protective guarding equipment. Development and promotion of standard nomenclature for protective guarding products. Dissemination of information regarding relevant legislation and international trade. Development, review and revision of product standards. Confidential collection and reporting of market statistics for different types of guarding products. Protective Guarding is a fixed barrier or device, used in manufacturing, distribution, and other industrial facilities to protect personnel, equipment, and inventory from hazards present in the workplace. Protective Guarding items range from fixed objects installed around articulating equipment, machinery, or material storage areas such as safety fence, netting, guard rail, and bollards to specialized switches designed to stop machine operation as well as safeguarding through visual or auditory aids.
The Storage Manufacturers Association (SMA) members are the Industry’s leading suppliers of industrial storage equipment. They supply storage solutions worldwide and in virtually every major manufacturing and distribution sector. Industrial storage equipment includes steel shelving, industrial work platforms, work and assembly stations, modular drawer equipment, clothing storage lockers, movable base storage equipment, storage containers and directly related equipment. Mission: To deliver value for the work platform and shelving industry by providing education, market intelligence, and standards that promote safe and efficient designs. Vision: To be recognized as the independent authority in the work platform and shelving industry. Value Proposition: SMA members are the industry leaders that develop, maintain and publish standards for design, performance and safe operation of work platforms and shelving products. SMA value includes: Development and maintenance of national standards that help end-users implement efficient and safe warehouse and distribution solutions. Provide educational and training materials to promote the benefits of products. The confidential exchange of market statistics to better understand the industry and market trends. Collaborate to resolve industry problems that individual members can’t solve on their own. SMA members meet regularly to review, discuss and revise the standards for design, performance and proper operation of steel industrial/storage equipment. SMA Programs Include: SMA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as developer for U.S. Industrial Steel Shelving and work platform product and safety standards; Product testing and R&D programs funded by SMA over the past 20-plus years have resulted in virtually all of the technical advances made within the U.S. Codes/Standards communities with respect to industrial steel shelving; SMA members prepare and conduct extensive educational materials and programs to create additional value for you as a user of steel industrial/storage equipment; All SMA members are seated on the SMA Engineering Committee and on the Storage Council's related groups whose collective mission is to develop the methodology and understanding of how to properly apply and integrate traditional storage solutions; SMA representatives maintain seats on a number of code and fire safety bodies to further assist in advancing the state of the art in steel industrial/storage equipment design/application.
In an effort to meet demands and keep operational costs low, an increasing number of companies are turning to facility automation to ensure accurate and timely product delivery. Companies looking to automate their facility should begin within an investment in mezzanines and vertical reciprocating conveyors (VRCs).
When loading docks are outfitted with the right safety equipment and personnel are educated about best practices, the likelihood of an accident or injury is greatly reduced. The following products and best practice suggestions offer insight into the elements that can be found in a comprehensive loading dock safety program.
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PRODUCT CATEGORIES
BRANDS & PRODUCTS
4XLift™
ArmorCar™ Carriage
Automated Tote Lift
Delta Lift VRC
DriverLift™
Mechanical Modular Box Lift
Hydraulic V-Lift™
RiderLift™ Material Lift
XpressLift™ VRC
Mezzanines
Column Protectors
EdgeAlert™ Open Gate Alarm
EdgeGard™ Dock Gates
JiffyRail™
Laddergard™ Safety Swing Gate
Machine Guards
NetGate™ Pick Module Safety Gate
Pallet Drop Zone Safety Gate
Pivot Safety Gate
SaferGate™ Pedestrian Crossing Gate
Trackgard™ Overhead Door Track Protectors
Wilgard® Rack Protectors
Wilgard® LT Guard Rail
Wilgard® MT Guard Rail
Wilgard® XT Guard Rail
Double-Drop Gate
Finger Gate Pick Module Impact Gate
LadderLink™
Lift-Out Gate
Overhead Safety Gate
Pick Moduel Accessories
Robinson Helicopter Workstands
Rolastair™
Slide Gate
Swing Gate
Tilt Gate
TRADE SHOWS
Waukesha, WI – December 2, 2024 – Wildeck, Inc., a leading manufacturer of industrial work platforms (mezzanines), vertical reciprocating conveyors (VRCs), rideable material lifts (RMLs), custom ladders, access platforms, and safety guarding products, is excited to announce the completion of its new corporate headquarters and innovation center in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Located at 1900 E. North Street, the new campus spans over 21.97 acres, and is triple the size of the previous headquarters, which Wildeck operated at 405 Commerce Street (also in Waukesha) for nearly four decades.VJS Construction Services led the construction and design for Wildeck’s new 40,000-square-foot office which includes state-of-the-art, new facilities for training, research, and customer engagement. Wildeck’s new office connects to an expansive manufacturing space which has involved recent capital investments, including an automated powder coat paint line, automated structural steel fabrication line, and fiber laser.Remaining in Waukesha, a hub of skilled manufacturing talent, was crucial to Wildeck. With deep roots in Southeastern Wisconsin, the company is proud to contribute to the area’s strong manufacturing tradition and benefit from its skilled labor pool. Located conveniently off I-94, the new headquarters ensure an easy commute for Wildeck’s employee-owners, most of whom live nearby.Dan Lorenz, President of Wildeck, emphasized the significance of the new headquarters: “Our new headquarters is a game-changer for Wildeck, helping us attract top talent, offering a prime space for customer tours, and providing a cutting-edge training facility to ensure our team’s continued excellence. We’re grateful to VJS Construction Services and the city of Waukesha for their support in making this project a smooth success.”The new facility not only supports Wildeck’s operational growth but also strengthens its role as a top employer in the region, regularly hiring manufacturing positions including welders, material handlers, machine operators, and painters, largely from the Waukesha area. The company’s expanded headquarters enable the development of new and innovative products, the ability to attract top industry talent, and best-in-class training resources for dealer partners.“VJS Construction Services is proud to have led construction for Wildeck’s new facility, supporting their growth and creating job opportunities for Waukesha and nearby communities,” said Katherine Kawczynski, Partner and Director of Architecture at VJS Construction Services.As Wildeck embarks on this new chapter, the company remains committed to driving innovation and providing superior solutions to its customers across the country. The company looks forward to continued collaboration with the city of Waukesha and other local partners as it grows its footprint and impact in the region. Images of its new headquarters can be found here: www.wildeck.com/wildeck-completes-move-to-new-wi-hqAbout Wildeck, Inc.Wildeck, Inc. headquartered in Waukesha, WI, is a subsidiary of Holden Industries, a 100 percent employee-owned company. Founded in 1976, Wildeck has grown to become a leading manufacturer of industrial mezzanines, material handling lifts, and safety guarding products in the United States. With a focus on safety, quality, and innovation, Wildeck supports warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities nationwide. For more information, visit www.wildeck.com.About VJS Construction ServicesBased in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, for more than 76 years, VJS Construction Services has served as a leading general contractor, construction manager, and design builder, playing a pivotal role in shaping and revitalizing communities throughout Wisconsin. Their areas of expertise span various sectors, including K-12 Education, Higher Education, Senior Living, Multi-Family Housing, Corporate, Civic and Community, Manufacturing/Industrial, Aviation, Religious, Retail and Hospitality, and Healthcare markets.ContactDan LorenzPresidentinfo@wildeck.com
When Ronald Vincze, Quality Manager at Wisconsin-based Precision Gears, Inc., surveyed his facility with an eye on safety, one area that caught his attention was the unprotected ledges on the loading dock in the shipping and receiving area. Vincze saw several videos of Wildeck’s guarding products on YouTube and contacted the company. Wildeck’s EdgeGard™ Straight Dock Gate would help protect employees and personnel around the wide truck pits and loading dock bays. Wildeck’s EdgeGard™ Folding Dock Gate would provide a layer of protection between the entrance to the building and the loading dock area. Wildeck’s Wilgard® Guard Rails would provide a strong physical and visual barrier.
When CDW decided to open a new distribution center in North Las Vegas, they decided to partner with Matco Distributors, Inc., a trusted supplier of Wildeck material handling solutions, for their mezzanine needs. In contemplating how to best route the miles of conveyor equipment that enabled 60,000 outbound cases of IT products to be processed and shipped daily, it was decided that two custom designed, multilevel Wildeck mezzanines were needed. Once installed, the Wildeck mezzanines added more than 178,000 square feet of additional usable space.
CDW’s state-of-the-art Western Distribution Center in North Las Vegas, NV is the future of product distribution. To keep CDW’s new building operating at peak capacity, it was decided that Wildeck’s Wilgard® Guard Rail (painted safety yellow) would be used to protect the facility’s conveyors and other critical systems.
Wildeck’s SmartControl™ system for hydraulically operated lifts is a major advancement in control technology for vertical reciprocating conveyors (VRCs). Older controls had “relay logic” that stopped the VRC on an error without signaling the cause of the problem. Users were left wondering, “Did the VRC stop because it was loaded with too much weight? Did it run out of hydraulic oil or did someone push the E-Stop button?”
Young Living Essential Oils (headquartered in Lehi, Utah) decided to extend the life of their original facility through the installation of a Wildeck mezzanine. In contemplating ways to increase the safety and efficiency of their warehouse, Young Living saw an opportunity to install Wildeck’s Wilgard® Guard Rail at several strategic locations throughout the building. This strategic application of Wildeck’s Wilgard® increased the company’s safety and efficiency.
Unlike fixed setpoint motor overload systems, Wildeck’s AutoSenz® system automatically determines the overload setpoint each time the VRC motor starts lifting. This continual monitoring protects the VRC from jams and/or material overload conditions, creating a safer lifting experience.
Due to a surging demand in the wellness market, Young Living Essential Oils (headquartered in Lehi, Utah) experienced an expansion dilemma. In order to keep pace with the market’s growing demand, a Wildeck mezzanine (measuring 136’ x 55’) was installed inside the company’s building to extend the life of the facility. Young Living was exposed to an innovative safety gate that would allow the safe and efficient transfer of palletized materials to and from the steel work platform.
As Young Living Essential Oils struggled to keep pace with the market’s growing demand, they knew that the limited amount of available space within their facility was the barrier to success. A Wildeck mezzanine platform would prove to be Young Living’s most efficient and economical solution for continued growth within their current facility. Through the installation of their new steel work platform, the company was able to add more than 7,000 square feet of workable space to their facility.
Baker Distributing is a Vermont-based, family-owned and operated beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverage distribution company. In contemplating ways to cost-effectively expand their facility, the company decided to integrate four Wildeck mezzanine platforms. These mezzanines would serve as the storage location for the company’s delicate, liquid merchandise. To ensure the smooth and efficient transportation of their merchandise to and from the mezzanine’s deck, Baker Distributing decided to install Wildeck vertical reciprocating conveyors (VRCs) to handle the product transportation.
Baker Distributing (a Vermont-based, family-owned and operated beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverage distribution company) integrated four Wildeck mezzanines into their facility. Through the integration of their Wildeck VRC with their Wildeck mezzanines, Baker Distributing was able to safely move their breakable merchandise between the facility’s first and second floors.
When Ferguson Box consolidated their two locations into one modern facility, they knew that strategically addressing the loss of available square footage would prove to be a unique challenge. It became evident that a Wildeck VRC would be needed to move the company’s essential tools and equipment to and from their storage location atop the mezzanine’s elevated deck.
After consolidating their two locations (totaling 212,000 sq. ft.) into one modern facility (totaling 185,000 sq. ft.), Ferguson Box knew that addressing the reduction in total available space at their new facility would be a unique challenge. In the end, Ferguson Box’s overall operational efficiency increased as a direct result of their investment in a Wildeck mezzanine.
After consolidating their two locations (totaling 212,000 sq. ft.) into one modern facility (totaling 185,000 sq. ft.), Ferguson Box knew that addressing the reduction in total available space at their new facility would be a unique challenge. The company’s new Wildeck mezzanine would serve as a centralized location for accessing the tools and equipment necessary for production. As a result of this new level of organization, the amount of time that employees spent looking for tools and equipment was drastically reduced.
When Baker Distributing (a Vermont-based, family-owned and operated beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverage distribution company) realized that they were running out of space, they knew the solution to their problem could be found by “going up.” While the installation of four Wildeck mezzanines at their two facilities resolved their space woes, the company was still in need of first-rate products that would provide access to the mezzanine’s deck.
Baker Distributing (a Vermont-based, family-owned and operated beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverage distribution company) knew they were facing an expansion dilemma that could only be resolved by “looking up.” After successfully installing four Wildeck mezzanines at two of their company’s facilities, Baker Distributing knew that acquiring first-rate access products was the next step in optimizing their facility’s efficiency.
A growing alcohol distributor in Medford, MA traffic on their warehouse floor consisted of busy employees and fast-paced, motorized equipment were all traveling in the same space. The beverage distributor was able to obtain a custom designed Wildeck work platform that separated employee and motorized equipment traffic.
Located in Green Cove Springs, Florida, Vac-Con manufactures custom-built, truck-mounted machines to serve public and private environmental markets globally. Through a collaboration with Wildeck, a leading mezzanine manufacturer, Vac-Con was able to maximize the use of their space and create a showroom ready facility.
