The Mheda Journal

Some of my favorite things to read about in material handling are all the creative applications people have come up with for radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. No, it’s not just for tracking packages anymore. Some of the more unusual applications I’ve heard of include replacing credit cards, tracking prisoner/guard activity in penitentiaries and even ordering ice cream.

But today I read one that proves beyond all doubt just how pervasive RFID is. Apparently, the Australian sheep industry is in the middle of a controversy about whether or not to track the animals using electronic radio means or stick with the current paper-based system. The Victorian government and local saleyards are supportive of the introduction of electronic tagging of sheep. However, the Sheepmeat Council of Australia and the national saleyards body maintain the current paper-based sheep identification system is adequate.

A PriceWaterhouseCoopers report earlier this year indicated “a number of faults” with the current system, but change is slow to come. Sheepmeat Council of Australia President Kate Joseph, on the other hand, points to “the current high implementation and ongoing costs” of widespread use of RFID devices. So it’s a standstill at the moment.

I’d say “I’ll keep you posted,” but I doubt many of you have the means to capitalize on the burgeoning RFID market in Australian sheep. But it’s certainly an interesting application.

I wonder what the sheep would have to say?

So, one of the daily headlines on MHEDA’s newest online resource, wikiMHEDA, features the latest inductees to the Packaging Hall of Fame. First, congratulations to the honorees. Second, I have many questions. Who knew there was such a thing? What must one achieve to be included? What does one receive for such an honor?

Fortunately, wikiMHEDA not only raises questions, it provides answers.

Packaging Digest, the source of the news headline, says:

“Every year since 1971, a select number of career packaging professionals have been inducted into the Packaging Hall of Fame in recognition of significant contributions made to the advancement of packaging technology. PMMI’s Education & Training Foundation serves as the coordinating organization for this tradition of honoring packaging leadership.”

Well that clears that right up. I’m still a little fuzzy on what the honorees get…golden bubble wrap? I’m joking, of course, but if anyone knows the actual answer, I’m dying to find out!

Today I actually got out to walk the show and meet a lot of MHEDA Members. It was a lot of fun.

We started the morning by dropping in on the MHEDA-sponsored Objective Based Selling seminar, where more than 20 distributors learned the ins and outs of successful material handling sales. Then we walked the aisles and saw all the displays, everything from pallet rack to spiral conveyors to ergonomic floor mats to reusable pallets to all kinds of lift equipment, hoists and cranes. A lot of MHEDA members, both distributors and suppliers, had booths, and we tried to make it around to all of them.

One of the interesting things I noticed was that a lot of “regions” had booths. It was strange to see a booth advertising Northern Alabama or Minnesota, but I guess it makes sense. If an attendee is looking to build a distirbution center, those regions or Chambers of Commerce or whoever can sell their area as a good place to build. So that was interesting.

While walking around the show, I realized I have a lot to learn about some of the new-ish technologies out there, particularly voice-activated technology and automated guided vehicles. In talking to some of the manufacturers of these products, I learned a little more about their capabilities. Really fascinating stuff. There were also a lot of booths devoted to sustainable packaging and green material handling practices. We’ve covered some of these issues in the magazine, and it’s a topic that’s not going away any time soon. I look forward to learning more about reusable packaging in the coming months.

There’s a lot more to say but we’re off to hospitality rooms right now to meet and greet more people! There’s more to come in a bit!