Superior Transport & Logistics and Synapsum Enhance Platform’s Offering and Leadership TeamKansas City, MO (February 27, 2024) – eShipping, a tech-enabled, asset-light provider of managed transportation and logistics services, today announced the closing of two strategic acquisitions as the company continues its growth trajectory – Superior Transport & Logistics and Synapsum. Superior Transport & Logistics is a leader in custom transportation solutions, including less-than-truckload and truckload brokerage, parcel services and transportation management systems. Synapsum is a leading supply chain analytics software provider that delivers proprietary data solutions for shippers to improve margins by connecting data across sales and logistics. These recent acquisitions further strengthen eShipping’s competitive position and ability to provide more custom data, insights, and visibility for its shippers.“We are pleased to welcome Superior Transport & Logistics and Synapsum to eShipping,” said Chad Earwood, Founder and CEO of eShipping. “Both businesses add strategic capabilities and critical talent to our growing platform. Superior Transport & Logistics is a very logical partner that offers complementary managed transportation services to eShipping’s existing solutions. Synapsum is a strategic asset with differentiated technology and capabilities that combine well with eShipManager® and Global Data View® to bring shippers margin visibility and more pathways to optimize the distribution chain.”Earwood added, “eShipping’s goal is to be a value-added partner to shippers’ entire distribution chains, providing both visibility and execution across key modes and services, delivered in a seamless technology platform. In pursuit of this mission, over the past decade, we have expanded our capabilities to include less-than-truckload and truckload brokerage, international air and ocean services, customs brokerage, parcel, final mile, drayage and warehousing services. We deliver these services through our eShipManager® technology platform to provide supply chain visibility and optimizations for efficiency. Increasingly, customers are demanding multi-modal capabilities, and our approach seems to be resonating in the marketplace. We are excited to keep making progress to better serve our customers and create value for all stakeholders of eShipping.”eShipping has successfully completed multiple acquisitions since its 2021 recapitalization, led by Ridgemont Equity Partners and management. The company continues to pursue opportunities to partner with third party logistics providers that share the same commitment to team culture and data-driven solutions that support shipper customers’ most demanding supply chain needs.About eShippingeShipping is a leading, tech-enabled, non-asset based provider of managed transportation services. Through its proprietary eShipManager® platform, the company offers a full suite of outsourced logistics solutions, including freight optimization and management, less-than-truckload and truckload brokerage, international air and ocean services, customs brokerage, parcel, final mile, drayage, warehousing, and distribution. eShipping is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, with regional office locations and distribution centers across the United States.ContactTodd Campbell/Owen Lenanderconnect@eshipping.bizwww.eShipping.biz

Read the Full Case Study[St Louis, MO] – When a utility company faced transporting 120,000-lb motor housings within its facility, traditional transport solutions fell short so they partnered with Align Production Systems for a solution. The solution was a low-profile pallet transporter—a custom-engineered solution designed to move high-capacity loads and fit within tight spaces.The company's motor housing extended below the height of standard transporters, requiring a custom equipment solution. The low clearance of the garage doors within the facility limited the available options. To address these challenges, the company needed a flexible solution that would not compromise safety or ease of use.In collaboration with the customer and our expert engineers, Align introduced a custom low-profile pallet transporter designed to meet their needs. Key features include:• High Capacity: Handles loads up to 120,000 lbs• Low Height: Just 12 ¾ inches off the ground, allowing smooth movement through tight spaces• Ease of Use: Equipped with user-friendly remote-control steering for easy navigation“This transporter’s flexibility is its greatest strength. It handles anything you throw at it while navigating spaces that cranes or other solutions simply can’t,” said Blake Ringger, Design Engineer.The low-profile pallet transporter has become an essential part of the company’s operations and allowed operators to quickly master the remote-control system from day one. Beyond the initial motor housing project, the transporter’s multi-use allowed it to be used for other heavy loads, making it a cost-effective solution.This custom-engineered solution demonstrates how innovative design can solve industry-specific challenges, providing a safe, efficient, and flexible answer to material handling needs. The low-profile pallet transporter not only addressed the utility company’s immediate challenges but also positioned them for long-term operational success.For more information about this groundbreaking solution, please contact: sales@alignprod.com, call us at 800-888-0018 or visit www.alignproductionsystems.com.ContactHolly HaleMarketing Coordinatorsales@alignprod.com

Reston, Va. and Chattanooga, Tenn. — February 17, 2026 — Takt, a Warehouse Intelligence and Labor Management platform, and Kenco, one of North America’s leading third-party logistics providers, today announced a strategic partnership to scale AI-powered labor management, real-time operational intelligence, and workforce engagement across Kenco’s distribution network. The partnership reflects how leading 3PLs are investing in real-time workforce intelligence to improve performance and maximize the impact of automation and robotics across their networks.Kenco has selected Takt as a strategic Labor Management and Warehouse Intelligence system. The platform is currently deployed across 19 distribution centers, with expansion planned to an additional 30 facilities in the coming months. As part of the agreement, Kenco will also serve as a Design Partner, collaborating with Takt to shape future product capabilities.“Partnering with Takt elevates labor performance intelligence from reporting to real-time operational control,” said Jason Minghini, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Solutions at Kenco. “Standardizing on a unified platform strengthens execution, sharpens responsiveness, and allows us to scale performance discipline across our growing automation-enabled network.”“Kenco is exactly the type of partner we look to build with—forward-thinking, operationally disciplined, and deeply invested in their people,” said Glynn LoPresti, Chief Executive Officer at Takt.“Together, we’re building a long-term foundation for smarter, more adaptive warehouse operations powered by data, AI, and workforce engagement.”Measurable Operational ResultsSince go-live, Kenco has realized measurable gains across multiple operational environments: 7% increase in efficiency and $213,000 in savings in a multi-system MCS implementation since go-live 15% decrease in average cost per pallet and $229,000 in savings at a single-client CPG distribution site Successful integration and implementation of an 11-site network labor takeover in five months, averaging 15 days per site, generating an estimated $900,000 in savings since implementationReal-Time Intelligence and AI-Powered Employee CoachingThe platform provides real-time performance visibility across direct and indirect labor, helping leaders make faster staffing and coaching decisions during the shift. Automated notifications proactively surface performance trends and risks, reducing reliance on manual reporting.TaktAI translates performance data into actionable, role-specific coaching recommendations, equipping supervisors to provide targeted feedback while giving associates clear expectations and guidance. The result is improved productivity, engagement, and workforce stability.“TaktAI isn’t just analytics—it’s about helping people perform better every day,” said Noah MacMichael, Chief Product Officer at Takt. “By turning real-time performance data into practical coaching guidance, we’re enabling Kenco to improve productivity while strengthening engagement and long-term workforce stability.”Gamification That Drives Engagement and PerformanceAs part of the design partnership, Kenco and Takt developed and launched a gamification module that aligns incentives with role-based metrics, fair standards, and operational goals.Since launching the module pilot in December 2025, Kenco has reported measurable engagement and performance improvements. In the single pilot site, Gamification has resulted so far in: $9,000 in monthly operational savings 1.2% reduction in time off task 2.16% increase in overall performance 4.21% improvement in attendance“Gamification is most effective when associates trust the data behind it,” said Kristi Montgomery, VP of Strategic Transformation at Kenco. “By embedding gamification into Takt’s real-time performance platform, we’re creating motivation that feels fair, meaningful, and directly connected to how work gets done.”Scaling a Network-Wide Performance StrategyAs Kenco expands Takt across its network, the partnership establishes a scalable foundation that combines labor intelligence, AI-powered coaching, automated alerts, and engagement strategies to drive consistent performance across diverse operations.“Kenco’s strategic approach demonstrates how technology, data, and people can come together to drive measurable results,” said MacMichael. “This partnership shows what’s possible when warehouse intelligence and engagement are treated as strategic advantages.”About KencoKenco is a leading North American 3PL delivering custom, integrated logistics solutions that maximize supply chain efficiency. For more than 75 years, they have partnered with customers to provide distribution, transportation, material handling and automation solutions. Kenco’s people set the organization apart—experienced, committed associates who bring agility and expertise to even the most complex supply chain challenges. Guided by its mission and vision, Kenco innovates relentlessly to deliver solutions on a national scale with the care of a local provider, building trusted partnerships that keep goods moving and businesses growing.kencogroup.comAbout TaktTakt is a labor management and warehouse orchestration company helping logistics providers, retailers, and third-party operators unlock greater efficiency and resilience in their workforce. By combining data-driven insights with practical tools, Takt enables organizations to optimize staffing, balance direct and indirect labor, and adapt to shifting volumes and automation levels. With a focus on measurable outcomes and operational excellence, Takt provides customers with the framework to evaluate their current state, identify opportunities for improvement, and achieve their ideal future of work, all while balancing costs.takt.ioContactpr@takt.io

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Today’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) can further enhance already automated sortation or sorting systems in several ways.

The Global Battery Alliance’s Battery Passport allows ‘entry’ into the increasingly regulated market of ethical lithium-ion batteries.

At a chemical manufacturer, an automated guided vehicle system (AGVS) ws installed to transport aluminum pin carts containing acetate fiber rolls. The system, seamlessly integrated with existing plant equipment, transported the raw materials to production lines. The integration included conveyors and a robotic arm system. The AGVS provided a solution which greatly improved production efficiency, reduced operation and labor costs. The expected pay back period is less than three years.

Bricks and related products come in a variety of types, designs, and colors. But they all have one thing in common: they are heavy. The manual work of loading pallets with finished product involves constant lifting, reaching, and bending. In a typical case, bricks being transported on conveyors were unloaded from the waist-high conveyors onto pallets placed on the floor. Once loaded, forklift trucks move the pallets to storage. Each pallet contains over 400 bricks with loaded pallets weighing in at 2000 pounds. Loading the pallets was time consuming, hard on worker's backs, and led to frequent back complaints, worker fatigue, lost time, and ongoing productivity issues.

An 11-story, 1,000+ bed hospital installed an automatic guided vehicle system (AGVS) to pickup and deliver materials (meal trays, surgical supplies, pharmaceuticals, etc.) to approximately 500 different points throughout the facility. Each of the 43 vehicles can lift and transport loads weighing as much as 1,000 lbs. They make 3,000 material movements daily interfacing with nine dedicated freight elevators. The AGVS replaced an obsolete overhead rail transport system and provides a cleaner, safer and more organized environment.

This session synthesizes key insights from two pivotal reports by STIQ and Interact Analysis, providing a comprehensive overview of the latest trends, economic impacts, and technological advancements in conveyors and sortation systems. Attendees will gain a detailed understanding of how shifts in e-commerce, changes in economic conditions, and innovations in technology are reshaping the future of warehouse operations and logistics. Learn about the strategic shifts towards optimizing existing facilities, the rise of mobile automation, and the expected growth trajectories in various global markets. This seminar is tailored for logistics professionals aiming to leverage these insights into actionable strategies for navigating the evolving landscape of intralogistics. ----- Is this on target or in the right direction regarding what it should be???

MAVs deliver a lot of benefits, including higher efficiency, productivity, safety, and flexibility. To provide safe, efficient, and cost-effective movement of materials. To supplement or replace manually-operated material handling vehicles, such as forklifts, tuggers, and order pickers. For greater flexibility in material transport compared to fixed solutions, such as conveyors. In response to shortages in labor, allowing reassignment of employees to areas where they can add more value. To eliminate associate travel time during picking and order fulfillment.

The overhead lifting product groups of MHI (Crane (CMAA), Hoist (HMI) and Monorail (MMA) (collectively “CHM Partners”) and the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) entered a collaborative relationship to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces in 2005. In this Alliance, the three product groups committed to provide information, guidance and training resources that could help protect the health and safety of worker and to help employers understand their responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Alliance between OSHA and the CHM Partners has been recently renewed as Ambassador status. Documents that have been developed by the CHM Alliance can be found at https://www.osha.gov/alliances/cmaahmi-mma/cmaa-hmi-mma.

Safety Tips Sheet No. 8: Alternatives to Manual Handling of Individual ContainersProviding alternatives to manual handling of loads can improve the workflow and reduce operator fatigue and avoid possible injury. This is the 8th in a series of Safety Tips Sheets developed by the Crane, Hoist and Monorail Alliance concerning safe moving of loads. The content of this series was developed by Ergonomic Assist Systems and Equipment (EASE), which is a Council in the Material Handling Industry of America.

Price: $50.00This standard applies to underhung cranes whose end trucks operate on the internal flange of a runway using enclosed track section; and to trolleys (carriers) operating on single-track monorail systems, including all curves, switches, transfer devices, lift and drop sections, and associated equipment. Systems used for transporting personnel require special considerations and are not included in these specifications. This standard does not apply to underhung cranes whose end trucks operate on the lower flange of a patented-track runway section. Refer to ANSI MH27.1-2025, Patented Track Underhung Cranes and Monorail Systems for patented-track runway sections and patented-track monorail systems.Hoist(s) or carrier(s) may be supplied by the crane manufacturer, crane distributor, crane installer, or by the user. In either case, the applicable portions of ASME/ANSI B30.16, Overhead Hoists (Underhung); ASME B30.17, Cranes and Monorails (With Underhung Trolley or Bridge) and appropriate ASME HST Performance Standards apply to the hoist(s) or carrier(s). If the hoist(s) or carrier(s) are supplied by the user, the crane builder shall be provided with certified dimensional drawings with all required data including wiring diagrams, carrier collector locations and weights.This standard includes considerations for cranes and monorail equipment only. It does not include considerations or specifications for the design of the building, the design of supporting structure, electrical power supply, or erection.This standard applies to systems operating in normal ambient temperatures and atmospheric conditions; any other conditions require special consideration.