Supplier's Marketplace

ROSS V Cone Blenders offer gentle and effective mixing

Ross unveiled its ROSS V Cone Blenders that utilize diffusion as the main mixing mechanism, providing a high level of precision and consistency, it says. The V-shaped vessel rotates on a horizontal axis, causing batch materials to cascade down, distributing particles over a freshly exposed surface. With operating speeds of 5 to 25 revolutions a minute, the ROSS line of tumble blenders can easily mix dry solid blends, including high-density powders, low-viscosity slurries, friable materials and formulations containing trace components and/or ingredients that are dissimilar in size, shape and density, the company says. The ROSS Model VCB-20 is fully customized, with two pneumatic cylinders affixed to the V cone body, which disconnect and connect fiber drums for charging and discharging. A high-speed intensifier bar is installed along the mixer’s axis of rotation, which also supports nozzles for continuous liquid additions during the mixing process. A NEMA 12 Control Panel includes a 7-inch touchscreen for viewing and collecting the blender’s and intensifier bar’s rotational speeds. ROSS notes that the controls package includes a job function, emergency stop pushbutton, motor fuse protection, rotary disconnect and proximity switches. The proximity switches stop the blender at certain preferred positions and relay logic control for precise operation of the drum lift mechanism, it says.

Peterbilt announces new Cummins natural gas engine

Peterbilt Motors Co. announced the availability of its new Cummins X15N natural gas engine on Models 579, 567 and 520. Orders are scheduled for production in the third quarter of this year. The X15N is optimized for weight, space and durability, the company says. This makes it ideal for short-haul, long-haul, refuse and construction customers requiring a larger displacement engine, which also significantly reduces emissions, it adds. “The new X15N natural gas engine provides another environmentally friendly solution for Peterbilt customers committed to sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint,” said Jake Montero, Peterbilt assistant general manager, sales and marketing, in a statement. With ratings up to 500 horsepower and 1,850 pound-foot of torque, the X15N offers up to 10% fuel economy compared with the ISX12N. The product also offers improved low speed drivability and extended service intervals for reduced maintenance costs. Peterbilt says that the X15N is designed to meet the stringent 2024 and 2027 EPA and CARB regulations. Customers can place orders for the Cummins X15N natural gas engine option through any of Peterbilt’s more than 425 dealer locations in North America.

Vidoejet Technologies reveals pallet labeler to help warehouses

Videojet Technologies launched the new Videojet 9560 PL pallet labeling system. The system can cover up to three sides of a pallet and apply up to four sides of labels, as well as process up to 120 pallets an hour across diverse applications, according to the company. The 9560 facilitates secure warehouse management and adherence to industry regulations, also verifying label accuracy and reprinting incorrect labels as needed. This encourages error-free operations and improves both productivity and profitability, the company says. The 9560 PL automatically reprints the label in landscape orientation if a barcode is unreadable, with the advanced rotating tamp pad applying the label directly over the unreadable one. It then rescans the label to ensure the code is readable. The system also meets GS1 specifications by applying identical labels on up to three sides. Those exposed to harsh production environments can warp, deform and affect adhesion to the pallet, resulting in waste of label rolls. The 9560 PL’s fully enclosed cabinet protects the labels installed in the system from such challenging conditions, the company notes. Clutch-less and adjustment-free technology, Intelligent Motion, in the 9560 PL enables “accurate, reliable and automatic control of printing and application of labels onto pallets, helping users to avoid logistics delays,” it says. The 9560 PL features an easy-to-use touchscreen, which helps minimize errors and supports troubleshooting. The CLARiTY user interface technology delivers intuitive selection, code assurance and built-in productivity tools.

Southworth Products expands popular ZLS line of floor height lifts

The new ZLS-T from Southworth is an extension of the popular ZLS line of floor height lifts. The new lift is a combination of lifter and tilter, and is designed for accessing items stored in containers, totes or gaylords. The unique pan-style platform sits essentially flush with the floor when lowered, which allows it to be loaded and unloaded by a hand pallet truck. The company says the lift is ideal for use in facilities without forklifts or stackers or in areas where forklifts are prohibited. The lift and tilt are controlled independently so operators can precisely position loads at the most convenient height and angle for easy access without bending, reaching or stretching. As the level of items in the container change, the operator adjusts the height, angle, or both to maintain optimal ergonomic positioning throughout a shift, the company notes. This new lift can tilt loads up to 30-degrees while at any height — from floor level to 33.5 inches, making it ideal for use in tall- or short-sided containers and drop gate containers, it says. With either a hand pendant or foot control switch, the operator controls the lift and tilt positions. The lift comes available at capacities of 2,000 or 4,000 pounds. The ZLS-T models can be equipped with a variety of safety and convenience options, the company adds, including bellows accordion skirting, photo-eye toe protection, portability chains, three-phase power units and more.

Track and trace platform latest launch from Sojo Industries

Sojo Industries recently launched a track and trace platform for food and beverage brands. The platform, called Sojo Shield, provides real-time data and enables FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) compliance. It’s a first-of-its-kind, dock-to-dock software platform that provides immediate and accurate reporting on critical tracking events like shipping, receiving and transport, the company says. Sojo Shield is a blockchain-based, multi-device application for Sojo customers “to resolve quality and compliance issues related to production in real time, based on geo-location tracking technology,” it notes. It empowers organization to automate data collection and analytical process to be prepared for a possible event, such as a foodborne illness or allergy-related emergency, which can be difficult to track and trace. “Now is the time to take tracking and tracing of food and beverage products seriously,” said Barak Bar-Cohen, founder and CEO of Sojo Industries, in a statement. “Each year, consumers are subjected to foodborne diseases, manufacturing mistakes and labeling mishaps that cause sickness and even death. Many of these incidents could have been prevented by using modern technologies to solve everyday supply-chain challenges. We built Sojo Shield to enable brands to avoid these types of escalations while addressing new FDA compliance rules. This is our moment to invest in change.”

Non-profit organization the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) revealed data showing that recyclers recovered more than 5 billion pounds of post-consumer plastic for recycling in the United States in 2022. A vast majority of that plastic will stay in North America to be processed and remanufactured, according to the data from APR, ISRI and the US Plastics Pact. “This data is an important benchmark for our industry, finding North American recyclers kept over 5 billion pounds of plastic out of landfills in 2022,” said APR President and CEO Steve Alexander, in a statement. “We know we can grow these numbers. APR’s recycler members have the capacity to recycle more material today if they could just get more supply through collection programs. At the same time, the proliferation of new, inexpensive virgin plastic often undermines the demand for recycled materials. We need state and federal policies that ensure minimum recycled content standards for recycled content to advance circularity for plastic.”

UniCarriers Forklift, a part of the equipment line of Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas, recently announced a partnership with C&C Lift Truck Inc. This collaboration is a significant milestone for UniCarriers as the company expands its reach and enhances its service offerings in the region, which is in North Jersey. “We are thrilled to welcome C&C Lift Truck to our network of authorized dealerships,” said Niels Tolboom, director of North America Dealer Sales at Logisnext, in a statement. “C&C Lift Truck’s solid reputation and commitment to customer service aligns seamlessly with our values and supports our efforts to provide customers the highest-quality material handling solutions and exceptional service.”

Graham Packaging released its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. The report highlights the company’s progress, performance and initiatives related to sustainability, social priorities and corporate responsibility. “At Graham Packaging, we are committed to building a sustainable future,” said Bob Pyle, president and CEO, in a statement. “Our dedication to sustainability, inclusivity and transparency is not just about improving our own carbon footprint. It’s also about supporting our customers in achieving their sustainability goals.”

Continental Tire opened the Continental Retread Solutions Development Center in Rock Hill, S.C. The company says that the center will focus on retread process improvements and technology development, with the goal of bringing innovation and up-to-date processes to Continental’s partners and the fleets they serve. “This center gives us a unique opportunity to continue to make advancements in the retreading part of our business,” said Shaun Uys, vice president of Truck Tires US, in a statement. “Not only will we be able to continue to improve our process, but we can also now provide our Continental Retread Solutions Partners with hands-on training from miles away.”

Shrink sleeve labeling provider PDC International announced that Jerry Reeves has joined the company’s sales team as a senior sales engineer. Reeves is a “seasoned sales professional” from the packaging industry, the company says. A majority of his career was spent at Amcor, formerly Bemis — a global manufacturer of flexible packaging products. PDC shares that Reeves has sold various types of packaging equipment and has an excellent material background. The company describes Reeves as “an extremely engaging, enthusiastic individual,” who has a proven business development record.