Automated Guided Vehicle Systems
Jervis B. Webb Company Helps Global Provider of Performance Nylon Increase Production with Automatic Guided Carts
Worldwide Material Handling Solutions
Farmington Hills, Mich. (September 16, 2008) - Jervis B. Webb Company - a subsidiary of Daifuku Co. Ltd. and leading provider of material handling solutions - today announced a new contract with Solutia Inc., a global provider of performance materials and specialty chemicals. The contract calls for Webb to supply six SmartCart® AGC Automatic Guided Carts to Solutia's plant in Pensacola, Fla.
SmartCart AGCs are flexible, low-cost Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs) that are ideal for moving products on an assembly line or transporting goods throughout a plant or warehouse. Guided by magnetic tape, the guidepath of the SmartCart AGCs can be installed or modified in as little as a few hours.
The SmartCart AGC models selected by Solutia are equipped with a roller conveyor deck. The SmartCart AGCs will pick up pallets from a powered roller conveyor, which carry bags or boxes filled with Vydyne® nylon pellets (weighing approximately 2,000 pounds). The pallets are then transported to a gravity roller conveyor, where they are easily directed to a reject lane, the dock or warehouse area. Solutia's Vydyne nylon adds toughness and heat resistance to products that range from hairdryers and electric shavers to automobile mirror assemblies and roof racks.
Solutia also utilizes Webb Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs) in its Pensacola and Decatur, Ala., plants to transfer heavy loads of raw material.
"The SmartCart AGCs will allow Solutia to increase production efficiency and lower operating costs at their Pensacola facility," said Bruce Buscher, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Jervis B. Webb Company. "The SmartCart AGC system also will be able to communicate with its existing Webb AGV system, helping Solutia effectively leverage both material handling investments."
About Jervis B. Webb Company
Jervis B. Webb Company is a subsidiary of Daifuku Co. Ltd and leading developer of innovative material handling technology and systems. Webb specializes in the design, engineering, installation and support of integrated systems used in the automotive, airport, beverage, warehousing and manufacturing industries. Webb is headquartered in Farmington Hills, Mich., with manufacturing locations in Harbor Springs and Boyne City, Mich.; Carlisle, S.C.; Canada; India; and China. The company was founded in 1919 by Jervis B. Webb who invented the forged rivetless chain conveyor that helped revolutionize mass production.
About Solutia
Solutia is a market-leading performance materials and specialty chemicals company. The company focuses on providing solutions for a better life through a range of products, including: Saflex® interlayer for laminated glass; CPFilms® aftermarket window films sold under the LLumar® brand and others; high-performance nylon polymers and fibers sold under brands such as Vydyne® and Wear-Dated®; and technical specialties including the Flexsys® family of chemicals for the rubber industry, Skydrol® aviation hydraulic fluid and Therminol® heat transfer fluid. Solutia's businesses are world leaders in each of their market segments. With its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, the company operates globally with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 60 locations. More information is available at www.Solutia.com.
Sarah Carlson Challa
Marketing Director
Jervis B. Webb Company
248-553-1000 xt. 1311
scarlson@jerviswebb.com
