Thomas R. Cutler investigates the role of automated guided vehicles and the need for independent experts to facilitate their implementation in food and consumer packaged goods.

Suppliers of end-of-line automation and material handling in the food sector have a distinct scope of technology to consider, including various types of palletizing robots, stretch wrapping equipment, labeling systems, pallet control systems, and laser-guided automatic vehicles.

Corporate sabbaticals refresh tired executives, and are an underutilized strategic tool for improving bottom line results, says Rita Foley

Morale and execution are the cornerstones of powerful sales organizations, but while execution can easily be measured, morale is more of an art than a science, says John R. Treace.

John Shook, Chairman and CEO of the Lean Enterprise Institute, says we need to rethink the way we manage our supply chains after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Henry Ford could get the customer any type of Model T as long as it was black, but the Ford Motor Company now finds itself in the strange position of being able to supply vehicles in any color except (metallic) black as a result of the catastrophe in Japan.

There must be fifty ways, we suppose, but George F. Brown, Jr. and David G. Hartman tell us in detail about the five essential factors for being successful in China.

The mining equipment division of Timberland Equipment manufactures custom-engineered equipment capable of giving reliable service for 50 years. The company therefore relies on new markets and new mines for expansion.

Established in Woodstock, Ontario in 1947 to manufacture lifting equipment for the lumber industry, Timberland Equipment has since diversified into a number of complementary industries and has become recognized as an expert in each.

A major investment in IAMGOLD’s Westwood Project in northern Quebec will also benefit from facilities left behind by neighboring mines in the area.

IAMGOLD is a mid-tier gold mining company producing around one million ounces annually from eight mines on three continents. With a rich pipeline of development and exploration projects, IAMGOLD employs roughly 5,000 workers in West Africa, parts of South America, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, where it also operates a niobium mine.

The location of Detour Gold Corporation’s Detour Lake project makes it an excellent candidate for relatively inexpensive development, which is coming to fruition at an impressive pace.

Building relationships through personal service lays a foundation of confidence that encourages customers to come back.

The Aurcana Corporation operates the La Negra mine in Mexico and is developing and constructing the Shafter Mine in Texas, which will quadruple the company’s silver output and raise it from junior to mid-tier status. The road to success will face challenges, though, as Gay Sutton hears from VP Operations Andy Nichols.