Sustainability

It seems clean energy has finally hit its tipping point. * By Sarah B. Hood * It seems clean energy has finally hit its tipping point. The University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems finds that about 800 U.S. utilities offer renewable-energy options, and in April 2019, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that, for the first time, more electricity ...

A System of Systems to Guide the Development of Sustainable Solutions * By Bill Ferrell, Ph.D., PE, Fluor Professor of Industrial Engineering, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, Clemson University * When you saw that this issue of MHI Solutions was focused on sustainability, what thought first crossed your mind? Reducing your carbon footprint? Adopting the right technology to effectively ...

Corporate sustainability initiatives are becoming increasingly important in recruiting talent, and companies are making ‘green’ or sustainability initiatives a core part of their supply chain strategy. * By Sarah B. Hood * As Millennials and their successors (“GenZ,” born around 2000) flood the workplace, employers with strong sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) records stand to win in the recruitment ...

Thought Leaders to Turn MHI Annual Industry Report Findings into Actionable Strategies * By Doug Reed, MHI Executive Vice President of Strategic Development * When MHI plans the content for the yearly Executive Summit and Annual Conference events (to be held on October 14-17, 2018 at JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, FL), we build the agenda of speakers and ...

Are lead acid batteries still a good fit when it comes to forklifts used in material handling operations? By Sheryl S. Jackson— The lead acid battery has been the mainstay for reliable electrical storage for over 116 years, with more than 65 percent of all forklifts in the U.S. relying on lead batteries, but do they still fit a material ...

As traffic in cities increases, strategic urban logistics planning that leverages technology to combat congestion, noise and pollution will be key. By Brian Reaves— Although still very much in its infancy, developments within Smart City Logistics continue to occur as municipalities, businesses and academia explore the ways connected technologies can help urban areas address the increasing challenges of congestion, noise ...

As the Industry Matures, Costs Are Coming Down, Interest Levels Are Going Up and Companies Are Making the Commitment — By Fiona Soltes — Compared to new and flashy technologies, solar has enjoyed a fairly lengthy day in the sun. Photovoltaic solar energy has been around for roughly 50 years now. But it has continued to gain efficiencies—and acceptance in ...

Sustainability Is Providing a Competitive Edge and Adding Value Well Beyond Its Environmental Benefits By Sarah B. Hood I would argue that 2017 is the year of supply chain sustainability,” says Lisa Geason-Bauer, chief communications and sustainability officer for MHI member Eco-Latch Systems, makers of Box Latch Products. She point out that sustainability has become a key theme at venues ...

Companies Are Only Beginning to Leverage the Advantages, But the IIoT Is Already Producing Tangible Benefits for Many Corporations By Carol Miller, MHI Vice President of Marketing and Communications When the 2017 MHI Annual Industry Report, “Next-Generation Supply Chains: Digital, On-Demand and Always-On” was released last April, it included—for the first time—research and insight into the Internet of Things (IoT). ...

Growth in Natural Gas Usage in the Transportation Sector Expected to Increase in Coming Years By Sheryl S. Jackson When crude oil prices began rising in 2006, natural gas was seen as a cost-effective fuel alternative for members of the supply chain. The subsequent drop in oil-based fuel prices slowed the purchase of transportation that relies on compressed natural gas, ...