Mfg.-Supplier/Associate: Adpearance, Inc., Portland, OR; Berken Solutions, Watertown, WI; Malark Companies, Maple Grove, MN; Sioux Rubber & Urethane, Sioux City, IA; Standpoint Technologies/FieldServio, Huntersville, NC

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, it's impossible to get yourself (or others) to practice good password hygiene. If you want a more sophisticated yet simple way to practice good password habits, try out a password manager. Here's how they work. Check out this Sileo on Security video on MHEDA TV by clicking here.

It's very convenient, but every time you surf on an unprotected Wi-Fi Hotspot, hackers can see your login passwords, emails and data files (unless you take these steps). Check out this Sileo on Security video on MHEDA TV by clicking here.

Your private information is more vulnerable when you are on the road, whether on vacation or business. A combination of distractions, lack of familiarity, public transit, and common theft mean that you need to take extra precautions. Check out this Sileo on Security video on MHEDA TV by clicking here.

Registrations Now Open!
2018 Convention and Exhibitor Showcase
May 5 - 9, 2018 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel - Miami Beach, Florida.

MHEDA's 2018 Convention and Exhibitor Showcase details are now available online. Technology, Automation and e-commerce are dramatically changing the way material handling companies do business. Are you ready for what’s ahead?

Join us for MHEDA 2018 Convention, What’s Your Vision? featuring dynamic speakers, action oriented presentations and numerous networking forums to help you prepare for the future. 

Learn More

There are three specific secrets leaders share that prevent them from achieving greater success, faster: imposter syndrome, self-criticism fixation and comparison condition. Read AmyK's thought provoking analysis of the secrets that our leaders face once the day is over.

The First Quarter Issue of The MHEDA Journal is online now. This issue is the annual economic forecast issue, featuring economic predictions from MHEDA distributors, suppliers, MHI, ITA, CEMA and a Q and A with Convention Speaker and economist Brian Beaulieu. Read the full issue by clicking here.

With plans for healthcare reform on the table, Congress may consider an old association solution again. Among the numerous ideas bandied about as possible replacements for the doomed Affordable Care Act (ACA) is an established construct that will sound familiar to many association professionals: association health plans (AHPs).

Congressional Republicans who are eager to repeal Obamacare are less unified on what to replace it with. But they are under pressure from the White House to replace the ACA concurrently with a plan that immediately expands access to high-quality, lower-cost coverage for Americans who have previously obtained insurance in the ACA marketplaces. Soon after his inauguration, President Donald Trump announced that he wants “insurance for everybody” and “much lower deductibles” for consumers.

MHEDA would like to congratulate ten members who have been awarded the 2018 MVP Award. Distributors who attain MVP status have demonstrated their commitment to business excellence, professionalism, and good stewardship.
Read the full list of winner below, and hear what they have to say about their achievement.

Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA) announced today that it has appointed G&W Equipment, Inc. to represent its three brands (Cat® lift trucks, Mitsubishi forklift trucks and Jungheinrich® warehouse products) in Georgia. With this change, in addition to North and South Carolina, where they have operated for years, G&W Equipment now serves as the sole authorized dealer for all three brands in the state of Georgia.

Duravant announced that Amanda Peters has been named Marketing Communications Manager. Peters will lead all corporate marketing communications activities, including tradeshows, advertising, public relations, content and digital marketing. Peters will also work closely with the marketing teams at Duravant’s operating companies: Arpac, Fischbein, Hamer-Fischbein, Mespack, FMH Conveyors, Marlen International and Ohlson Packaging.

CLARK Material Handling Company (CLARK) is pleased to announce that Scott Johnson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, has been elected the new Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Industrial Truck Association (ITA). Scott accepted the gavel from outgoing Chairman Brett Wood of Toyota at ITA’s 34th Annual Meeting held at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, September 13-16, 2017.

It looks like global forklift sales for 2017 will remain in the six-digit range. While final figures for the year are not yet available, there were persistent reports of growth of more than 15% for much of the year. That means sales figures of around 1,325,835 may not be out of the question, after 1,152,900 units were sold in 2016.

MHEDA’s education calendar has been developed based on the 2018 Material Handling Business Trends. You can look forward to sales, leadership, strategic planning and communications training. The 2018 Calendar is available on MHEDA's website at www.mheda.org.

Learn how to prevail in price negotiations and how to persist when buyers resist. Webinar focus is managing price-sensitive customers and protecting margins. Presented by Paul Reilly, Reilly Sales Training. 

Dayton, OH - This one-day conference will help you develop skills on how to manage salespeople. We will help you build structure, tools and disciplines into your department. Presented by Don Buttrey, Sales Professional Training, Inc.

Indianapolis, IN -The University of Innovative Distribution is a concentrated educational program focused on the unique needs of the wholesale distribution industry. 2018 marks the 25th year that UID has been serving the supply chain. UID is sponsored by the leading distribution professional associations, in cooperation with the Department of Technology Leadership and Innovation at Purdue University. 

By Doug Carson

This past week I spent reflecting on the level of business activity for material handling in our area of responsibility – northeast to central Ohio. At year-end our area should see the highest level of retail orders for forklifts in my career at Fallsway Equipment Company. Last year, we were expecting a flat to slightly down 2017 for the lift truck market. This was fine considering the high levels of business we were enjoying. I’d have to say we were pleasantly surprised to find our market area up by 30% year over year!

A meat packaging company was moving its hamburger patty line to a new facility and needed a way to convey the patties in a freezer at a steep angle. The company contacted Conveyors & Drives Director of Sales Eric Ragan to determine if this was possible.

MHEDA dealers across the country expect growth, though Storage and Handling anticipates a slow down
By Steve Guglielmo

Each year in the 1st Quarter issue of The MHEDA Journal, we survey the industry to try to determine what can be expected from the economy in the coming year. To do this, we solicit forecasts from our partner associations like MHI, ITA and CEMA. We also speak to MHEDA members from both the distributor and supplier sides of the industry. Taken together, these forecasts should provide some insight into where the industry is heading in 2018 and beyond.

Join MHEDA on March 8, 2018 for a one-day Regional Networking Summit hosted by MHEDA Member, Atlas Toyota Material Handling. This is a unique opportunity to network and learn with others who live and work in the same area of the country. The Summit includes: Breakfast, Business Presentation, Lunch, Guided Facility Tour, Interactive Networking, and Raffle Prizes. Registration will be available early January 2018. Questions? Contact Rebecca Hein at 847.680.3500 or rhein@mheda.org.

Mentors & Mentees wanted for MHEDA's Women in Industry Mentoring Program. Benefits? Gain satisfaction in sharing expertise with others and giving back to the industry. Receive honest feedback and advice in key areas such as communication and leadership skills.

Interested in participating in MHEDA's Mentoring Program? Contact Rebecca Hein, rhein@mheda.org or call MHEDA directly at 847.680.3500

MHEDA is delighted to be attending MODEX 2018, April 9 – 12 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Plan to attend MODEX 2018 and visit MHEDA at Booth #5010 to pick up a MHEDA Member ribbon to affix to your show badge, visit with Board Members and MHEDA Staff members and learn about all we have planned for 2018. You’ll also be able to relax in the MHEDA Lounge! You are also invited to attend a Free Networking Reception on Monday, April 9, 2018 from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm at the Georgia World Congress Center, room B 206.