Douglas Machine Inc. offers the Invex Case/Tray Packer for low-volume packagers running at 25 cases and trays per minute. The model speeds production for low-volume packagers by incorporating all the flexibility of servo controls in a small footprint. Invex’s servo controls offer smooth, quiet operation, reduced maintenance time and cost, and fast, repeatable changeovers. In addition, the machine features software modularity for simplified diagnostics.
— Douglas Machine Inc., 3404 Iowa St., Alexandria, Minn. 56308; 320/763-6587; www.douglas-machine.com

Valspar Flooring, a division of Valspar Corp., has introduced its ValsparComplete single-source solution for facilities seeking turnkey design, sales and installation of high-performance seamless floor and wall systems. The system begins with a detailed site survey conducted by Valspar technical engineers who create customized flooring solutions utilizing the company’s extensive line of floor and wall coating systems. Valspar sales specialists then manage each step of the installation project, from delivery of materials to the selection of certified installers.
— Valspar Flooring, 1101 S. Third St., Minneapolis, Minn. 55415; 800/637-7793 ext 5050; www.valsparflooring.com

A-B-C Packaging offers the Model 360 unpacker/case packer. The model performs both functions, uncasing and case packing, with every motion of the servo-operated robotic style transfer head. With every cycle, as the head lowers into the case, filled bottles are packed and empty bottles are gripped for unloading. As the head reaches the conveyor, the empty containers are deposited for transfer to filling and additional filled containers are picked for packing. Model 360 operates at speeds up to 15 cases per minute and occupies 56 square feet of floor space.
— A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp., 811 Live Oak St., Tarpon Springs, Fla. 34689; 800/237-5975; www.abcpackaging.com

Hyster Co. presents the Fortis line of lift trucks. Each Fortis lift truck is offered with multiple powertrain configurations to meet specific application requirements and business objectives, the company says. The Fortis family has a capacity range of 2,000 pounds to 15,500 pounds with both cushion and pneumatic tire classes and multiple engine choices, including gas, LP and diesel. Hyster’s electronically controlled powertrain, CANbus system industrial strength electronics, advanced cooling systems and reliable hydraulics all help to improve dependability and lower operating costs, the company says. It also includes a Pacesetter VSM industrial on-board computer for adjustable performance to maximize uptime. The Fortis concept is available in a tiered system of preconfigured engine transmission bundles.
— Hyster Co., P.O. Box 7006, Greenville, N.C. 27835; 800/497-8371; www.hysteramericas.com

Wilks QC Inc. introduced its CarboBrix Chek, which analyzes carbonation and Brix/diet concentrations in any size beverage container. The model is able to check 3-liter bottles as well as smaller sized cans in less than five minutes per measurement, with no sample preparation. It uses infrared spectroscopy techniques to measure sugar and diet sweeteners as well as carbonation levels simultaneously as the soft drink is drawn through the infrared absorption cell. A two-color background quickly indicates within spec (green background) or out-of-spec (red background) values. Additionally, the instrument can be permanently calibrated for any and all products produced at a given plant, and analyzed values can be transmitted directly to a plant computer. Wilks QC Inc. expects to have the CarboBrix Check in full production this month.
— Wilks QC Inc., 2819 62nd Ave. E., Bradenton, Fla. 34203; 941/758-3044; www.wilkqcinc.com

LexJet introduced Flexcon’s two-way window graphic solution, Jetbond UVJ210, engineered for UV-curable printers. When backed with Flexmark’s V 400 H Clear V-327 Low Tack Vinyl for Window Advertising, Jetbond UVJ210 is the perfect solution for opaque promotion two-way window graphics of all types to generate increased store traffic. The film consists of a 2-mm. white opaque polypropylene film with a permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive that bonds well to printed surfaces. The solution is simple to install and removes easily without residue, the company says. The two-way window film is now available from LexJet in 54 inch, 100 foot, and 300 foot roll lengths.
— LexJet, 1680 Fruitville Road, 3rd Floor, Sarasota, Fla. 34236; 800/453-9538; www.lexjet.com

Emerson Process Management offers the Rosemount Analytical Model 3300HT PERpH-X high performance pH sensors. The Rosemount model incorporates design innovations to prolong sensor life in difficult hot processes to tolerate temperatures up to 145 degrees Celsius, the company says. It also features and Accuglass bulb to improve the sensor response speed and makes the sensor tolerant to thermal shocks. The enhanced double junction reference electrode uses an outer gel-based reference that retains viscosity and resists the pumping action produced by temperature and pressure changes. A custom refill kit is available to refill the outer reference, which may extend the life of the unit. The sensors currently are implemented at the Duvel Moortgat brewery in Puurs, Belgium.
— Emerson Process Management, 8000 West Florissant Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63136; 314/553-2000; www.emerson.com

Georgia-Pacific extended its Packaging Systems Optimization (PSO) Program to non-customers. The PSO program is designed to help companies achieve greater profitability and sustainability by identifying packaging supply chain inefficiencies. The service extension will now enable eligibile non-customers to engage in PSO assessments to gain greater insights into how to optimize packaging supply chains. It features a five-step process in which a team of packaging engineers analyze a company’s entire packaging supply chain, focusing on package design, material optimization, shelf impact and SKU consolidation, productivity, material handling and distribution. The Georgia-Pacific PSO team then delivers a detailed report that outlines areas where cost-savings, profitability and sustainability can be mutually achieved.
— Georgia-Pacific LLC, 133 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, Ga. 30303; 404/652-4000; www.gp.com

Visual Ice is available for retailers and manufacturers that want their advertising to make a mark in the freezer section. Visual Ice uses nano-technology to apply an advertisement that responds to temperature change and humidity. The frosted message can be seen when the freezer door is opened and is visible from as far as 30 feet away. All ads are scratch-and tamper-resistant and come with a one-year guarantee.
— Visual Ice, 600 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 170, Irving, Texas 75062; 972/989-8115; www.visualicemarketing.com

International Truck and Engine Corp. launched the PayStar 5900i Set-Back Axle (SBA). The PayStar 5900i SBA is a Class 8 vocational on/off-road vehicle with custom factory options. The model has a new axle configuration that meets the demanding needs of vocational applications and offers improved front-load distribution and maneuverability, the company says. The new truck is powered by Caterpillar and Cummins diesel engines with up to 625 horsepower rating. It also features a lightweight aluminum cab with sloped hood, aerodynamic grille and exterior air cleaners. The company also announced it is now producing the International DuraStar Hybrid, a diesel hybrid electric medium-duty truck. The hybrid model can provide 30 to 40 percent fuel savings on a standard in-city pickup and delivery application, the company says.
— International Truck and Engine Corp., Navistar International Corp., 4201 Winfield Road, Warrenville, Ill. 60555; 630/753-2143; www.internationaltrucks.com

Tennant Co. introduced the S10 Battery-Powered Industrial Walk-Behind Sweeper. The S10 model is a small, maneuverable sweeper with a 34-inch cleaning path and direct throw technology to remove heavy dust, sand and light debris. The durable machine has a large hopper capacity of 2.8 cubic feet. In addition to superior dust filtration, the S10 also has an ergonomic adjustable handle to improve operator comfort, the company says. Tennant also unveiled its ech2o, “echo,” cleaning technology that electrically activates plain tap water to work as a detergent without any added chemicals. The product is said to reduce costs, improve ease of use, heighten operator safety and present an environmentally friendly alternative. The technology, which received an Innovation Award at the 2007 ISSA/Interclean USA trade show and conference in Orlando will be made available on Tennant and Nobles branded floor scrubbers.
— Tennant Co., 701 North Lilac Drive,  Minneapolis, Minn. 55440; 763/540-1200; www.tennantco.com

Intermec announced its PF8 series of compact printers designed for space-restricted applications requiring easy printer set-up and loading. The new line of printers is available in thermal transfer, PF8t, or direct thermal, PF8d, versions with throughput of up to 4 inches per second for self-adhesive labels, non-adhesive tags or continuous paper strip applications. The PF8 printer series features Connect to Print, which is an all-inclusive package of software, drivers and cables for printer set-up. In addition, PF8 printers come complete with LabelShop START, Intermec’s label design software, and InterDriver Windows Driver that allow for easy printing of bar code labels from Windows applications. Both models feature a 32-bit RISC processor that allows the printer to quickly handle graphic-intensive label formats, the company says.
— Intermec Inc., 6001 36th Ave. West, Everett, Wash. 98203; 800/347-2636; www.intermec.com

PDC International Corp. introduced a steam tunnel for precise shrinking of shrink sleeve labels at slow to moderate speeds. The KST 55-710 is heavy duty, highly flexible and offers a broad range of speeds, according to the company. The design is based on PDC’s higher speed, dual zone steam tunnels and offers adjustments for steam volume, flow and nozzle position in a new compact design, which allows for precise application of steam for aesthetic purposes and minimal risk of bottle distortion. The KST 55-710 can accommodate containers that are filled or empty in many shapes and material types. PDC says the model is ideal for full-body shrink labels and multipacking.
— PDC International Corp., 8 Sheehan Ave., Norwalk, Conn. 06854; 203/853-1516; www.pdc-corp.com

Ryder System Inc. launched its RydeGreen line of tractors and trailers designed to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The RydeGreen line offers customers the latest technology and design to help reduce idling and help improve fuel efficiency, the company says. Ryder partnered with Freightliner for two sleeper tractors, the Columbia and the Century. Both are built to meet the demands of long-haul trucking and come equipped with special features that have earned them the U.S. E.P.A.’s new eco-friendly SmartWay designation. Also available are specially configured trailer packages from Great Dane and Utility, which have aerodynamic features and weight-saving options. In addition, Ryder provides online driver training programs to customers through the Ryder Pro-Tread course.
— Ryder System Inc., 11690 NW 105th St., Miami, Fla. 33178; 305/500-3726; www.greentruck.ryder.com

WACO has made available a new line of DPD Powder Pack Reagents for chlorine water analysis. The offers powder reagents in pre-measured unit doses specifically formulated for use in Hach colorimeters, spectrophotometers and test kits. It offers a low cost per test, is U.S. E.P.A. approved and is available for either free or total chlorine, the company says. The reagents are available in 100 or 1,000 count packages and in 5- ml., 10-ml. and 25-ml. sample sizes.
— Wilkens-Anderson Co., 4525 W. Division St., Chicago, Ill. 60651; 773/384-4433; www.wacolab.com

R.A. Jones & Co. Inc. introduced the new Flexi Pro Robotic Vision Picking Cell, which is a flexible product handling and collating unit featuring the world’s fastest Adept robot. The high-speed machine sorts, collates, orients and places products in a precise manner at speeds up to 180 picks per minute. When the Flexi Pro’s vision system senses the orientation of randomly placed products moving rapidly down the eight foot conveyor, the robot picks up the product, properly reorients it and deposits it into a bucket conveyor, cartoning operation or other downstream machine. The picking cell can handle a wide array of products as well as create variety packs with minimal or no changeover, the company says.
— R.A. Jones & Co. Inc., 2701 Crescent Springs Road, Covington, Ky. 41017; 859/578-4497; www.rajones.com

Imaje extended its third generation CO2 laser coders product line to include the Imaje 7031S coder for marking PET. The model is a vector laser coder designed with specific wavelength properties to guarantee legible contrast print on PET bottles. The 7031S offers codes with enhanced contrast and bolder fonts that are easy to read regardless of bottle contents. Similar to the remainder of the 7000 Series, the coder features a third generation print head operating at temperatures of up to 35 degrees Celsius, a modular design for easy integration onto productions lines and intuitive user interface for easy menu navigation.
— Imaje USA, 1650 Airport Road, Suite 101, Kennesaw, Ga. 30144; 770/421-7700; www.imaje.com

HighJump Software, a 3M company, announced Nagel Beverage has significantly reduced costs and improved operations with the HighJump suite of direct store delivery solutions. A HighJump Software client for more than 10 years, the $80-million, Boise, Idaho-based Pepsi distributor utilizes HighJump solutions for route accounting, load and inventory management, mobile sales and delivery, document management and vending management.

Nagel Beverage distributes nearly 6 million cases annually via 37 conventional and 15 bulk routes each day. Nagel Beverage’s load and inventory management solutions enable it to maximize warehouse usage and product organization as well as optimize space and delivery stop time with efficient loading and unloading.

 Nagel Beverage also implemented HighJump mobile solutions to improve the efficiency of its sales team. The system provides store-level sales management, sophisticated ordering capabilities and multi-location inventory visibility. Armed with immediate access to up-to-date order and customer information, Nagel Beverage’s sales team has increased efficiency, improved customer relationships and boosted sales. Additionally, the solution enables the company to transmit data remotely, reducing warehouse loading times by 15 percent and smoothing volume spikes.

 “We’re pleased with the results Nagel Beverage has achieved using the suite of HighJump DSD solutions,” said Joel Levinson, president, HighJump Software. “We’ve enjoyed our long-term relationship with the company and are committed to playing a critical role in its ongoing growth and success.”
— HighJump Software, 6455 City West Parkway, Eden Prairie, Minn. 55344; 800/328-3271; www.highjumpsoftware.com