Monday, March 01, 2010 - IAFD Newsletter

Bi-Monthly Newsletter March 1st, 2010   Your Logo Could Be Here With A Link To Your Website! Click Here to find out how! Logo   Logo Logo Logo Logo   Logo Logo Logo Better times are ahead for industrial trucks says BITAs Secretary General James Clark 17 February 2010 There was no escaping the market challenges that shaped 2009 sales of industrial trucks. However, James Clark, BITA's Secretary General, has seen some encouraging signs that may signal that better times are ahead in 2010. Headlines at the end of January brought the welcome news that the UK is officially - just - out of recession. However, it will take time to feel the benefit of the recovery. And like so many sectors of business, industrial trucks spent the latter part of 2009 continuing their struggle against incredibly tough market conditions. As the sole provider of industrial truck sales statistics, which are contributed by - and only made available to - its members, BITA keeps a close watch on market conditions to help with business forecasting and planning. According to our latest sales statistics, orders for new forklift trucks continued to fall in 2009, with a 33.6% drop during 2009, consolidating a 14.5% fall during 2008.   In terms of sales volumes, orders for a little over 17,600 new forklift trucks were taken by British Industrial Truck Association members during 2009 8,900 fewer than in 2008. Several trends have shaped this outcome. Of course there has been a general decline in demand for forklift trucks, as customers have fought their own battles with the recession - some successfully, some less so. There has also been a trend toward truck users extending their existing truck hire contracts beyond planned termination dates, rather than replacing them with new stock. Although used truck sales figures are not part of BITA's recording process, we hear there have been significant increases in the sales of used equipment, which in turn, of course, reduces the potential for truck suppliers to sell new units. Among the major forklift categories, the market for engine powered counterbalance trucks was hardest hit during 2009, with orders for diesel and LPG models falling by 42% and 45% respectively during the year. This fall is hardly surprising given that diesel and LPG counterbalance trucks are used in large numbers by some of the most badly affected sectors of the economy, such as engineering and the supply chain to the building industry. The market for electric forklifts has shown a little more resilience: unit orders for electric powered counterbalance trucks fell by 36% during 2009 and the market for warehouse trucks by 25%. These are clearly sobering figures, and I know that BITA members have worked incredibly hard to balance their own needs against those of their customers in these difficult times. But spring is approaching, and on the basis of a few small indications maybe we should permit ourselves a few moments of optimism as we look forward. For example, in most truck categories there has been a noticeable slowdown in the rate at which order intake has declined over recent months. For some truck categories the market has stabilised and is hopefully set to begin to show a positive trend: the markets for powered pallet trucks, pedestrian stackers and low level order pickers display such a pattern. Unit orders for very narrow aisle (VNA) trucks, expressed on an annualised basis, have shown four consecutive months of modest growth since September 2009, demonstrating that the demand for space-saving warehouse trucks has taken root. A further hopeful view can be drawn from the CBI's Quarterly Trends Survey, the CBI's measure of UK industry intentions to invest in plant and machinery. This has shown four consecutive quarters increase and can now be viewed as having stabilised. Of course we must still wait for those intentions to translate into action, but signs are beginning to point in a more favourable direction for the UK forklift truck market. BITA is cautiously hopeful that when the doors open at the IMHX exhibition in November, we'll be able to look back and breathe a sigh of relief that the worst of the storm has passed. Buying a forklift truck Forklift trucks are highly useful for lifting heavy loads and equipment, they are used in just about every industry in one way or another. You may consider warehouses and storage facilities to be a major area where forklift trucks come into operation but, realistically, anywhere there is manufacturing or storage happening there is likely to be a requirement for a forklift. There are many, many variations of forklift with differences in lifting capacity, lift height, fuel type and main function. There are different forklift suppliers all over the coutry specialising in different types of forklift and different forklift manufacturers and these suppliers offer both new and used forklifts. For example a buyer looking for a used forklift in Bristol could easily get quotes from a number of different forklift suppliers. Ranges of forklifts are changing regularly but many of the older forklifts can be reconditioned and bought at a much lower price. It is worth bearing in mind that some forklift dealers will throw in some free forklift driver training when you purchase a new or used forklift. Reputable forklift truck suppliers will have specially trained sales professionals who can guide a potential buyer and can provide a clear insight regarding the technical specifications of the forklifts, matching them with the specific requirement of the buyer. For a novice buyer, it can be a little daunting looking through the myriad of available forklifts so it is often helpful to discus requirements with an experienced sales engineer. However, it is worth noting that not all dealers will quite as reputable as others and may be much more interested in making a sale than matching a forklift with a buyers needs, so due diligence and research is recommended. When buying a forklift try to get an idea of the level of service you will receive from the supplier, both during any sale and after you take delivery of the forklift. If your forklift comes with a warranty period, and it should, you should use the forklift as much as possible during this time to see if there are any problems cropping up that could be covered by the warranty.    About the IAFD The International Association of Forklift Dealers (IAFD) is an International Trade Association run by Global Associations (GA), Inc. for the Forklift Industries of North, Central, South America, the Caribbean and Globally. IAFD is dedicated to the advancement of this Industry. Mission  The IAFD was created to assist it's members in acquiring new business, to network with their peers from all over the world, and to address issues and concerns which could help a Forklift Dealer become more streamlined and profitable. Educational Committee Contact ianhow1@verizon.net to be on the Committee. The Education Committee is responsible for the development and conduct of IAFD's educational programs each fiscal year. The committee is represented on the IAFD Education Board of Directors by a VP of Education and a Director of Education. Committee responsibilities include program development, speaker selection and communications, site coordination, menu planning, and all meeting logistics. The IAFD Educational Committee will continue to stimulate the level of training according minimal requirements around the world. With the ehelp of the scientific and/or academic committee members it will also stimulate knowledge via the IAFD web site- www.ForkLiftAssociation.com for the individual members. The IAFD Educational Committee will ensure high quality educational programming that meets the needs of its members, the Education Committee is responsible for assessing members' educational needs, reviewing content for IAFD educational activities, developing new educational activities and opportunities, and serving as the editorial advisory work group for the IAFD Weekly Newsletter. Responsibilities include: Reviewing educational contributors to the web site. Benefits Become a link partner.  We place your logo with a link to your website in "Our Link Partners" section on our Homepage.  Valued at $495, for Free.  In return, you place the words "Forklift / Material Handling Association" linked to our website on your Homepage.  We help each other!  Contact us at linkpartner@forkliftassociation.com if interested. The IAFD 3354 17th Street Sarasota, Florida 34288 USA 941-320-3216 Special Business Opportunity This is a new business opportunity for anyone who is looking to utilize their network of businesses and individuals to generate income in a new and unique way.  This opportunity is being offered to IAFD Members FREE!!! Click Here to learn more about it, and to take advantage of this great opportunity. Benefits IAFD member companies receive a complimentary listing and URL link on the IAFD Website.  Plus much more coming to benefit our members! Become a Sponsor There are many advantages to being a sponsor of the IAFD. With hundreds of registered members and associates, increase traffic to your website and services. Submit Articles Are you a registered member and would like to have your voice heard in the newsletter?  Simply log in to the website and submit an article.  Your article may be selected by our staff and will be included in the newsletter. Recent IAFD News Do you have too many parts and not enough cash??? Turn your excess forklift parts inventory into cash. Contact me to find out how.   BOB LUML... Read More...

Monday, February 15, 2010 - IAFD Newsletter

Bi-Monthly Newsletter February 15, 2010   Your Logo Could Be Here With A Link To Your Website! Contact ianhow1@verizon.net to find out how! Logo   Logo Logo Logo Logo   Logo Logo Logo Dear Mattech Attendee/Exhibitor: A special note from MachineTools.com, inviting you to Find Machines and More! Search from over 70,000 machine, tooling, and accessory items that contain: * Photos * Videos * Specifications You are able to contact the sellers directly and if you can't find what you need, post a FREE Wanted. MachineTools.com has been the *#1 online source for metalworking machines and related products* and services for 11 years. Start your search today > http://www.machinetools.com/us/machines Feature Article Immediately following Haiti?s 7.0-magnitude earthquake, no forklifts were available at Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport in capital city Port-au-Prince. People on stepladders tried to unload emergency supplies, food and equipment from aircraft arriving from foreign countries, but, without forklifts, the process was clumsy. Also in the initial period, a shortage of fuel threatened to halt engine movements including those of forklifts and aircraft. The geologic rupture occurred on the evening of 12 January with the epicentre about 16 miles (25 km) west of Port-au-Prince. Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, shares Hispaniola Island with the Dominican Republic. During 14 and 15 January, only one forklift was available, making it difficult to unload planes quickly. Subsequently, the arrival of three more forklifts made it more feasible to transfer the pallets from the aircraft to convoys of trucks and helicopters for delivery of shipments. Forklifts prove valuable in airport operations, according to US Air Force Colonel Buck Elton, head of the Florida-based US special operations command south. Elton served as a point person in the 13 January deployment of an initial US force to reopen the airport, provide security, assist with medical evacuation and rescue efforts and establish command and control. The airport was in chaos without functioning electronics or a control center. Elton established communications through Tyndall Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Over four days, Elton?s team controlled about 600 takeoffs and landings on an air strip that normally has three flights daily. "The military aircraft are configured for faster operations, and we can use forklifts to offload them, so it goes much faster," Elton says in a press briefing with a US deputy national security advisor and a US senior regional foreign-disaster-assistance advisor. Members of the 439th airlift wing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts loaded several forklift trucks on a C-5 Galaxy aircraft, brought them to Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia and then directly to Homestead Air Reserve Base near Miami, Florida for forwarding on another aircraft to Haiti. Other military cargo aircraft transported forklifts and tents from New Jersey. A US-funded search-and-rescue team, Virginia task force 2, flew to Haiti in two C-17 Globemaster strategic aircraft. Forklifts in Port-au-Prince removed 19 pallets of gear and four heavy-duty pickup trucks for use during the 80-person group?s 10-day mission. Meanwhile, the death toll climbs. Four days after the earthquake, operators on forklift trucks transported corpses that had been scattered on the streets. An observer saw a forklift placing corpses into a dump truck that was parked near the presidential palace. Amid issues involving epidemics, diseases and civil disorder, at least 100,000 persons have died and, as of 18 January, more than 70,000 were buried in mass graves. * U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua L. DeMotts Logistics Or Not After reading an interesting article in one of the trade magazines I came to thoughts of an ever changing environment in the way people package, store and distribute their product or products to their customers.   The way fuel increases have changed the world and the cost of doing business in general has necessitated some creative thinking on what is the best way to get your product to market.    No doubt that getting the product closer to the destination or cutting the number of movements reduces fuel cost and one less leg of transportation.  Sometimes shippers feel if they start warehousing and shipping from their manufacturing plant they will save.  This can be true or just the opposite.  It is true there is the cost of getting product to the warehouse and then having to ship from the warehouse thus creating an additional truckload or LTL shipment cost.  However, often the warehouse is in an area that lends itself to back haul (movement directions that carriers need to build load factors (fill trailers); greater quality equipment; more availability of quality carriers for the destinations and of course greatly sought - The Best Price.  How do you go wrong – expertise; best availability; best quality; best price and most of all best satisfaction and happiness of your customers and what is more important than that – Nothing.   Consideration should be given to the fact that when using a good warehousing, packaging and transportation company (Logistics Company).  They do the work that they have spent a life time perfecting or getting as close as possible to that point.   Some factors that should be contemplated when bringing your logistics operations in-house: Personnel in the areas of warehousing, administration and transportation Salaries, benefits and overtime for personnel Cost of Equipment (and maintenance) to move product Cost of building to house operation Maintenance of this building Utilities Cost to maintain efficiency and accuracy of inventory Maintaining safety and cleanliness standards Development of a plan of operation to store product; keep track of the product; generate orders; monitor movements to ensure timely delivery. Negotiate agreements with Less Than Truckload, Truckload; Small Shipment and whatever type of carrier that best suits the nature of freight and movement and will provide excellent service, price, efficiency and communication. Monitor all operations to maintain high standards and customer satisfaction Process billing to your customers; process payables to your carriers; File and process freight claims to resolution. Maintain proper records for many carriers in lieu of the one warehouse and transportation company. Protect product from pests Maintain security for the protection of the product The logistics company has designed methods and procedures to react to ever changing customer requirements: Some need JIT (Just in Time) handling which requires having the product in a place in close proximity of destinations with the best reaction time for the price.  Some receivers may need a truckload of product in the next couple of days.  The manufacturer could have a problem if the product isn’t made yet or if there are various product specifications needed by the ultimate customer.  The warehouse will already have the products in stock to react quickly to the demand and at the same time accurately ascertain how much inventory is left for future orders.   Manufactures and Distributors are experts in either the products they produce or the type of commodities they distribute.  They should not have to worry on how their product is best maintained and goes to market.   Tony Piccolo     About the IAFD The International Association of Forklift Dealers (IAFD) is an International Trade Association run by Global Associations (GA), Inc. for the Forklift Industries of North, Central, South America, the Caribbean and Globally. IAFD is dedicated to the advancement of this Industry. Mission  The IAFD was created to assist it's members in acquiring new business, to network with their peers from all over the world , and to address issues and concerns which could help a Forklift Dealer become more streamlined and profitable. Educational Committee Contact ianhow1@verizon.net to be on the Committee. The Education Committee is responsible for the development and conduct of IAFD's educational programs each fiscal year. The committee is represented on the IAFD Education Board of Directors by a VP of Education and a Director of Education. Committee responsibilities include program development, speaker selection and communications, site coordination, menu planning, and all meeting logistics. The IAFD Educational Committee will continue to stimulate the level of training according minimal requirements around the world. With the ehelp of the scientific and/or academic committee members it will also stimulate knowledge via the IAFD web site- www.ForkLiftAssociation.com for the individual members. The IAFD Educational Committee will ensure high quality educational programming that meets the needs of its members, the Education Committee is responsible for assessing members' educational needs, reviewing content for IAFD educational activities, developing new educational activities and opportunities, and serving as the editorial advisory work group for the IAFD Weekly Newsletter. Responsibilities include: Reviewing educational contributors to the web site. Benefits Become a link partner.  We place your logo with a link to your website in "Our Link Partners" section on our Homepage.  Valued at $495, for Free.  In return, you place the words "Forklift / Material Handling Association" linked to our website on your Homepage.  We help each other!  Contact us at ianhow1@verizon.net if interested. The IAFD 3354 17th Street Sarasota, Florida 34288 USA 941-320-3216 News Releases Send your news releases to us and you might have it / them published in our weekly news-letter, which will be sent to all of our members. Benefits IAFD member companies receive a complimentary listing and URL link on the IAFD Website.  Plus much more coming to benefit our members! Become a Sponsor There are many advantages to being a sponsor of the IAFD. With hundreds of registered members and associates, increase traffic to your website and services. Submit Articles Are you a registered member and would like to have your voice heard in the newsletter?  Simply log in to the website and submit an article.  Your article may be selected by our staff and will be included in the newsletter. Recent IAFD News Do you have too many parts and not enough cash??? Turn your excess forklift parts inventory into cash. Contact me to find out how.   BOB LUML... Read More...

Monday, February 01, 2010 - IAFD Newsletter

Bi-Monthly Newsletter February 1, 2010   Dear Member, IAFD was started with you, our members in mind. Please look around our web site and take advantage of the Free advertising, newsletters, etc. which we offer you. Our goal is for you to benefit by being a part of the IAFD. As we offer all our services at no cost, we would greatly appreciate any referrals you can send our way as we are trying to build our membership. We also ask for you to please place our logo on your web site and let people in our industries know that you are a proud member of the IAFD.Contact me at ianhow1@verizon.net and I'll send you our logo. Lastly, don't forget to attend our 1st annual meeting held during the Mattech Expo, July 14-15, 2010. You are bound to learn something if you attend. You can register for Free at Mattech here: www.mattech.us. Thank you. Looking forward towards meeting you in July. Sincerely, Ian Howard President Intn'l Association of Forklift Dealers Each newsletter, up to 8 member logos will be featured here.  Forklifts And Training Prevents Work Accidents According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), approximately 8,000 people suffer from forklift injuries through accidents at work every year. Recently, a warning had been issued by health and safety experts after a forklift truck broke a supervisor’s leg earlier last week. The employee had been allowed to drive the truck without adequate training causing an accident where he reversed into his supervisor and broke his leg. The firm, Line Mark Ltd had been prosecuted for breaching Health and Safety regulations. After the incident, the HSE had issued a safety warning for warehouses using forklift trucks. Safety Inspector, Chris Smith of HSE said: “This prosecution should serve as a warning to all companies to ensure forklift truck drivers are fully trained and have the relevant qualifications. While this was a serious injury, it could have been far worse.” Forklift trucks resulting in deaths Being hit by a forklift truck is the most common cause of death in the workplace. The inspector added that “Forklift trucks are a potential danger to their operators and other people in the vicinity if not operated with great care. They should only be used by fully trained and qualified operatives. Forklift trucks are particularly dangerous in the workplace and, by law, employers must give employees adequate training to ensure their health and safety. Where possible, employers should also tailor training to the worker’s individual needs. On average, forklift trucks are involved in 24% of all workplace transport accidents. These are often due to poor supervision and a lack of training.” Last year, Michael Iain Johnson had lost his life to a forklift accident. After having had overcome cancer, Mr Johnson, 44 had suffered from serious head injuries when he leaned out of a forklift truck trapping himself between the vehicle and a hopper. The HSE had issued a similar warning in 2005 after another man had died whilst assisting with an unloading operation. The firm had been fined £10,000 for breaching the Health and Safety at Work regulations. In 2005, Health and Safety Executive inspector Richard Clarke said: “This was a tragic accident that could have been prevented had a safe system of work been in place. The container had a specialist mechanism for emptying it, but an improvised method was used when the incident happened. Employers have a responsibility to ensure that the right equipment is used for the job and to ensure that loads are safely secured. That wasn’t the case in this incident, which sadly led to the loss of a man’s life.”     About the IAFD The International Association of Forklift Dealers (IAFD) is an International Trade Association run by B & B Expositions, Inc. for the Forklift Industries of North, Central, South America, the Caribbean and Globally. IAFD is dedicated to the advancement of this Industry. Mission  The IAFD was created to assist it's members in acquiring new business, to network with their peers from all over the world at the Mattech Expo, and to address issues and concerns which could help a Forklift Dealer become more streamlined and profitable. Educational Committee Contact ianhow1@verizon.net to be on the Committee. The Education Committee is responsible for the development and conduct of IAFD's educational programs each fiscal year. The committee is represented on the IAFD Education Board of Directors by a VP of Education and a Director of Education. Committee responsibilities include program development, speaker selection and communications, site coordination, menu planning, and all meeting logistics. The IAFD Educational Committee will continue to stimulate the level of training according minimal requirements around the world. With the ehelp of the scientific and/or academic committee members it will also stimulate knowledge via the IAFD web site- www.ForkLiftAssociation.com for the individual members. The IAFD Educational Committee will ensure high quality educational programming that meets the needs of its members, the Education Committee is responsible for assessing members' educational needs, reviewing content for IAFD educational activities, developing new educational activities and opportunities, and serving as the editorial advisory work group for the IAFD Weekly Newsletter. Responsibilities include: Reviewing educational contributors to the web site, and participate in the selection process for seminars at the annual meeting held at Mattech, July 14-15, 2010. Benefits International Gathering at MATTECH, once a year in Miami, Florida, USA. Participate in interactive programming that provides a forum for leaders in the industries to discuss current issues and trends, exchange ideas and industry knowledge. Through Mattech, meet people from all over the world, and cultivate relationships that lead to sales, trade opportunities, and joint ventures. The IAFD 3354 17th Street Sarasota, Florida 34288 USA 941-320-3216 Register Today! Don't miss this year's expo.  Its going on in Miami Florida.  Click Here for more information and to register or book your booth. News Releases Send your news releases to us and you might have it / them published in our weekly news-letter, which will be sent to all of our members. Benefits IAFD member companies receive a complimentary listing and URL link on the IAFD Website. Logo listing and web link on the front page. Plus much more coming to benefit our members! Become a Sponsor There are many advantages to being a sponsor of the IAFD. With hundreds of registered members and associates, increase traffic to your website and services. Submit Articles Are you a registered member and would like to have your voice heard in the newsletter?  Simply log in to the website and submit an article.  Your article may be selected by our staff and will be included in the newsletter. Recent IAFD News The exclusive US distributor for MSE-Forks "RollerForks" is: Reachable Solutions, LLC (www.reachablesolutions.com) Tel 757-548-4142 Read More...       Material Handling Wholesaler is published by Specialty Publications International, Inc. MHW has been serving the industry for over 30 years as the industries premier 'buy and sell" forum. With our mission to provide our readers with the finest and up-to-date industry news, supplier and parts contacts using our exclusive Source Directory and business related services. Material Handling Wholesaler is much more than an ordinary shopper. Wholesaler Weekly is a weekly e-newsletter that contains late breaking material handling news, classified advertising and industry links. Wholesaler Weekly is delivered to over 1,300 e-subscribers every Tuesday. Visit Mattech, Co-Located with the GoGreen Association Expo and Fabtool. July 14-15, 2010 Miami Beach Convention Center Miami Beach, Forida USA

Monday, January 25, 2010 - IAFD Newsletter

July 14-15, 2010 Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida News      Who's Who     Forum       January 25, 2010    Issue No. 3     Main Story   Immediately following Haiti’s 7.0-magnitude earthquake, no forklifts were available at Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport in capital city Port-au-Prince. People on stepladders tried to unload emergency supplies, food and equipment from aircraft arriving from foreign countries, but, without forklifts, the process was clumsy. Also in the initial period, a shortage of fuel threatened to halt engine movements including those of forklifts and aircraft. The geologic rupture occurred on the evening of 12 January with the epicentre about 16 miles (25 km) west of Port-au-Prince. Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, shares Hispaniola Island with the Dominican Republic. During 14 and 15 January, only one forklift was available, making it difficult to unload planes quickly. Subsequently, the arrival of three more forklifts made it more feasible to transfer the pallets from the aircraft to convoys of trucks and helicopters for delivery of shipments. Forklifts prove valuable in airport operations, according to US Air Force Colonel Buck Elton, head of the Florida-based US special operations command south. Elton served as a point person in the 13 January deployment of an initial US force to reopen the airport, provide security, assist with medical evacuation and rescue efforts and establish command and control. The airport was in chaos without functioning electronics or a control center. Elton established communications through Tyndall Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Over four days, Elton’s team controlled about 600 takeoffs and landings on an air strip that normally has three flights daily. "The military aircraft are configured for faster operations, and we can use forklifts to offload them, so it goes much faster," Elton says in a press briefing with a US deputy national security advisor and a US senior regional foreign-disaster-assistance advisor. Members of the 439th airlift wing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts loaded several forklift trucks on a C-5 Galaxy aircraft, brought them to Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia and then directly to Homestead Air Reserve Base near Miami, Florida for forwarding on another aircraft to Haiti. Other military cargo aircraft transported forklifts and tents from New Jersey. A US-funded search-and-rescue team, Virginia task force 2, flew to Haiti in two C-17 Globemaster strategic aircraft. Forklifts in Port-au-Prince removed 19 pallets of gear and four heavy-duty pickup trucks for use during the 80-person group’s 10-day mission. Meanwhile, the death toll climbs. Four days after the earthquake, operators on forklift trucks transported corpses that had been scattered on the streets. An observer saw a forklift placing corpses into a dump truck that was parked near the presidential palace. Amid issues involving epidemics, diseases and civil disorder, at least 100,000 persons have died and, as of 18 January, more than 70,000 were buried in mass graves.   U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua L. DeMotts    Educational Committee   Contact ianhow1@verizon.net to be on the Committee. The Education Committee is responsible for the development and conduct of IAFD's educational programs each fiscal year. The committee is represented on the IAFD Education Board of Directors by a VP of Education and a Director of Education. Committee responsibilities include program development, speaker selection and communications, site coordination, menu planning, and all meeting logistics. The IAFD Educational Committee will continue to stimulate the level of training according minimal requirements around the world. With the ehelp of the scientific and/or academic committee members it will also stimulate knowledge via the IAFD web site- www.ForkLiftAssociation.com for the individual members. The IAFD Educational Committee will ensure high quality educational programming that meets the needs of its members, the Education Committee is responsible for assessing members' educational needs, reviewing content for IAFD educational activities, developing new educational activities and opportunities, and serving as the editorial advisory work group for the IAFD Weekly Newsletter. Responsibilities include: Reviewing educational contributors to the web site, and participate in the selection process for seminars at the annual meeting held at Mattech, July 14-15, 2010.    About the IAFD The International Association of Forklift Dealers (IAFD) is an International Trade Association run by B & B Expositions, Inc. for the Forklift Industries of North, Central, South America, the Caribbean and Globally. IAFD is dedicated to the advancement of this Industry. Mission  The IAFD was created to assist it's members in acquiring new business, to network with their peers from all over the world at the Mattech Expo, and to address issues and concerns which could help a Forklift Dealer become more streamlined and profitable.   Benefits International Gathering at MATTECH, once a year in Miami, Florida, USA. Participate in interactive programming that provides a forum for leaders in the industries to discuss current issues and trends, exchange ideas and industry knowledge. Through Mattech, meet people from all over the world, and cultivate relationships that lead to sales, trade opportunities, and joint ventures. International Association of Forklift Dealers 3354 17th Street Sarasota, Florida 34288 USA 941-320-3216 Material Handling Wholesaler is published by Specialty Publications International, Inc. MHW has been serving the industry for over 30 years as the industries premier 'buy and sell" forum.  With our mission to provide our readers with the finest and up-to-date industry news, supplier and parts contacts using our exclusive Source Directory and business related services.  Material Handling Wholesaler is much more than an ordinary shopper. Wholesaler Weekly is a weekly e-newsletter that contains late breaking material handling news, classified advertising and industry links.  Wholesaler Weekly is delivered to over 1,300 e-subscribers every Tuesday.   Dear Member, IAFD was started with you, our members in mind. Please look around our web site and take advantage of the Free advertising, newsletters, etc. which we offer you. Our goal is for you to benefit by being a part of the IAFD. As we offer all our services at no cost, we would greatly appreciate any referrals you can send our way as we are trying to build our membership. We also ask for you to please place our logo on your web site and let people in our industries know that you are a proud member of the IAFD.Contact me at ianhow1@verizon.net and I'll send you our logo. Lastly, don't forget to attend our 1st annual meeting held during the Mattech Expo, July 14-15, 2010. You are bound to learn something if you attend. You can register for Free at Mattech here: www.mattech.us. Thank you. Looking forward towards meeting you in July. Sincerely, Ian Howard President Intn'l Association of Forklift Dealers  Each newsletter, four member logos will be featured here.                   News Releases Send your news releases to us and you might have it/them published in our weekly e-newsletter, which will be sent to all of our members.   Benefits IAFD member companies receive a complimentary listing and URL link on the International Association of Forklift Dealer's Website. Logo listing and web link on the IAFD front page. Plus much more coming to benefit our members!   Become a Sponsor There are many advantages to being a sponsor of the IAFD.  With hundreds of registered members and associates, increase traffic to your website and services.   Submit Articles Are you a regsitered member and would like to have your voice heard in the newsletter?  Simply log in to the website and submit an article.  One article will be selected by our staff and will be included in the newsletter.   Find out more about forklift trends and facts by visiting our site:  www.forkliftassociation.com                           Visit Our Sponsor                        To unsubscribe from this Free Newsletter Click Here. International Association of Forklift Dealers | 3354 17th Street | Sarasota | FL | 34238