Pub Memo recently featured Retail Handling as an Ergonomic Solution

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/23/2013 -- Pub Memo featured Retail Handling Solutions in a recent issue. Ergonomists can help retailers provide safe, comfortable, effective and efficient equipment throughout the retail chain to help them achieve excellent customer service. Areas which benefit from ergonomics support include the design of checkouts, counters, hand-held devices such as chip and pin machines and self-service equipment.

Ergonomic design of chill cabinets ensures customers can see and reach merchandise which is being kept in perfect condition, while staff find it easy to clean, load and maintain. Ergonomic backroom design ensures staff can move merchandise onto the sales floor easily and keep it clean and tidy.

Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. For nearly a century not much has changed in the way retailers stock shelves. The process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience.

Southworth International Group is the parent of a family of companies whose mission is to make work faster, safer, and easier. Southworth's roots date back more than a century. For much of this history, the company has been developing and supplying equipment that provides the many benefits of the practical application of ergonomics in the manufacturing and warehousing industries. Its divisions are widely recognized for their innovative approach to application engineering, extensive product offerings, and adaptability to exact customer requirements including service both before and after sales.

In more recent years, it has extended its focus to include the opportunity rich repetitive handling requirements of many retail operations. Store goods are handled multiple times, often in awkward positions and almost all operations are done over and over again. Safety problems are clearly an issue and applications to improve productivity abound. Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications.

About Retail Handling Solutions
Retail operations require automation according to Brian McNamara, founder of Retail Handling Solutions, based in Falmouth, Maine. Many of the processes, including retail stocking, is time consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury and product breakage. With all the advances made in other areas of the store, this key operation function has been largely ignored. Follow Southworth on Twitter at @SouthworthProd.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Young Workers at Risk in Retail

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/15/2013 -- The retail sector employs a large proportion of young people. Characteristics of the work include low pay, casual, part-time and weekend work, and increasing use of shift working with a high staff turnover. Over a quarter of workers work part-time in this sector, and many of these are young workers, especially students still attending school or university. Because this sector is undergoing a great deal of change, because it is a major employer of young, inexperienced workers, and because staff change rapidly, attention to health and safety is particularly important. Also, risks in the retail sector are not always obvious compared to some other types of work, which can mean that they are not well-controlled.

Many young people work in shops, supermarkets and retail stores. According to The Agency for Safety and Health, working in the retail sector can be hazardous, especially when young and new to the job. Some hazards are specific to the retail sector. Young workers may be at risk from moving vehicles in delivery areas, falling objects, and strains on the body from lifting loads and making repetitive movements.

Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. When retailers stock shelves, the process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience. Because of the size and weight of pallets, important safety factors have to be considered at all times. Retail workers (and customers) must pay attention to any loose components in the pallet rack system, and take the time to report any damage in the pallet rack frame; such frame damage could cause the pallets to fall. It is especially important to have highly visible warning signs if the pallet rack system is used in retail environments, such as wholesale centers, where the public is present.

About Retail Handling Solutions
Retail Handling Solutions, a division of Southworth Products, was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications. Follow Southworth on Twitter at @SouthworthProd.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ergonomics with Retail Handling Solutions Drives Improved Productivity

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/07/2013 -- A division of Southworth Products, Retail Handling Solutions is poised to address the fact that store goods are handled multiple times, often in awkward positions and almost all operations are done over and over again. Safety problems are clearly an issue and applications to improve productivity abound. Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications.

In an article entitled, "Body Knowledge: Improved Ergonomics = Improved Productivity" published in Material Handling Management, author, Clyde E. Witt, interviewed James Galante, Director of Business Development for Retail Handling Solutions.

Product designers say many of their better ideas come from customers. "People don't sit around thinking, 'I guess I'll go out and buy a lift table today.' They have a specific job that needs to be done, or a problem to be solved. They come to the equipment provider and go from there. Either we have it or we make it," noted Galante.

Retail Handling Solutions (http://retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. For nearly a century not much has changed in the way retailers' stock shelves. The process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience. Retail operations require automation according to Brian McNamara, founder of Retail Handling Solutions, based in Falmouth, Maine. Many of the processes, including retail stocking, is time consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury and product breakage. With all the advances made in other areas of the store, this key operation function has been largely ignored. Follow Retail Handling Solutions on Twitter at @SouthworthProd.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Retail Handling Solutions Reduces Ergonomic Related Injuries

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/03/2013 -- Removing wasted, unnecessary motion can have a significant positive impact on systems and processes as well as decrease lead times and inventory, increase quality and substantially increase productivity. Understanding the whole organizational system requires all business processes to be flexible. This will significantly aid a company's ability to respond to changes which are occurring in the marketplace. This can be flexibility in setup/ change-over, the type of assist device, inventory controls or linkages (transporting or storing materials). Ergonomic assist devices can dramatically reduce or even eliminate the forces required to perform a task as well as reduce the associated reaching, bending or stretching. They will reduce fatigue and stress that would be experienced by the worker. These symptoms are often a precursor to a lost time injury. By focusing on strategic placement of parts, products, tools and equipment and reviewing the layout of the work area human stress and ergonomic related injuries can be reduced.

James Galante, Director of Business Development for Retail Handling Solutions, a division of Southworth Products, writes in article entitled, Doing More with Less, published in OCH Magazine, "Improving the bottom line or in many cases just maintaining it, has become increasingly difficult and the road ahead is not going to get any easier, at least not any time soon. Managers today face more challenges than ever before. In this very tight economy they are being told to cut costs to the bone and, unfortunately, that often means reducing the labor force. But, at the same time, managers are being challenged to maintain production rates or even increase them; maintain the quality and find ways for a reduced staff to get the job done. Do more with less are today's marching orders."

Similarly Jon Walder, Dr. Jennifer Karlin, and Dr. Carter Kerk advocate four applications in which lean thinking and ergonomic principles are related and essential to creating effective, sustainable programs. Good ergonomics eliminates excessive body motions and limits the number of repetitions in most work tasks. Good ergonomics will reduce mistakes and will improve quality - more lean values. Galante insists, "Ergonomics plays into lean as much as lean plays into ergonomics, an effective tool that links the two is material handling assist devices, more specifically; ergonomic assist devices."

About Retail Handling Solutions
Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. When retailers stock shelves, the process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience. Retail Handling Solutions, a division of Southworth Products, was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications. Follow Southworth on Twitter at @SouthworthProd.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Material Handling Management Looks at Improved Productivity via Ergonomics

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/01/2013 -- Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. For nearly a century not much has changed in the way retailers' stock shelves. The process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience. Retail operations require automation according to Brian McNamara, founder of Retail Handling Solutions, based in Falmouth, Maine. Many of the processes, including retail stocking, is time consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury and product breakage. With all the advances made in other areas of the store, this key operation function has been largely ignored.

In an article entitled, "Body Knowledge: Improved Ergonomics = Improved Productivity" published in Material Handling Management, author, Clyde E. Witt, interviewed James Galante, Director of Business Development for Retail Handling Solutions.

Product designers say many of their better ideas come from customers. "People don't sit around thinking, 'I guess I'll go out and buy a lift table today.' They have a specific job that needs to be done, or a problem to be solved. They come to the equipment provider and go from there. Either we have it or we make it," noted Galante.

A division of Southworth Products, Retail Handling Solutions is poised to address the fact that store goods are handled multiple times, often in awkward positions and almost all operations are done over and over again. Safety problems are clearly an issue and applications to improve productivity abound. Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications. Follow Retail Handling Solutions on Twitter at @SouthworthProd.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Aging Workforce Impacts Retailers According to James Galante

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/22/2013 -- James Galante, with Retail Handling Solutions, recently shared a presentation about Gaining Efficiency in Retail Stocking and specifically looked at the one of the largest issues effecting worker's comp costs, namely an aging workforce.

- In 1972, average age of a US worker was 28. Today it's 46.
- The number of workers aged 45+ has doubled since 1950.
- According to the AARP, the number of people 55 years and older in the labor force — which stood at about 18.2 million in 2000 — is projected to rise to 25.2 million this year and nearly 32 million by 2025.

Similarly, In Aging Workforce News, Philip Moeller referenced Kristin Tugman, senior director of health and productivity at Unum, who outlined the five components of a productive aging program. According to Tugman, beyond mentoring, prospective labor-force shortages mean many employers simply cannot afford to let older workers retire or walk out the door. In particular, in manufacturing and physically challenging occupations such as nursing, employers are recognizing the creep up in terms of their employees' average age and the clear impact of continuing repetitive, hard labor.

Productive aging programs include a rigorous demographic analysis of an employer's aging workforce today and projected into the future, employee wellness programs with specific older-employee components, and chronic condition management, perhaps with special emphasis on obesity, as well as flexible work environment and job enrichment programs, which value older workers and seek to leverage their motivation with respect to their return to work and their staying at work.

About Retail Handling Solutions
Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com), a division of Southworth Products, is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. For nearly a century not much has changed in the way retailers' stock shelves. Retail operations require automation according to Brian McNamara, founder of Retail Handling Solutions, based in Falmouth, Maine. Many of the processes, including retail stocking, is time consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury and product breakage.

With all the advances made in other areas of the store, this key operation function has been largely ignored. Follow Southworth on Twitter at @SouthworthProd.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Retail Handling Solves Liquor Retailer Hazards in Workplace

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/15/2013 -- An inspection program identified that liquor retailers' manual handling as the most common hazard in the workplace. Employees were at most risk of a manual handling injury when moving and processing stock such as cartons of liquor. Manual handling means any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain a person, animal or thing.

Across all industries, manual handling injuries account for approximately one third of the total Lost Time Injuries/Diseases (LTI/Ds). Within the liquor retail industry the proportion is higher with manual handling accounting for half of the total LTI/Ds. An analysis of the industry's injury data showed sales assistants in the 25-34 year age category sustain the highest number of injuries. Most of the injuries occur when lifting/handling loads and most commonly result in sprains and strains.

Employees are often asked to carry out manual handling tasks, which force them to bend and twist the spine significantly when lifting cartons on to or off a racking system. Without the use of an appropriate working platform, employees' movements are restricted, compelling the employee to adopt extreme postures and placing them at a greater risk of injury to the back.

Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. When retailers stock shelves, the process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience. Because of the size and weight of pallets, important safety factors have to be considered at all times. Retail workers (and customers) must pay attention to any loose components in the pallet rack system, and take the time to report any damage in the pallet rack frame; such frame damage could cause the pallets to fall. It is especially important to have highly visible warning signs if the pallet rack system is used in retail environments, such as wholesale centers, where the public is present.

About Retail Handling Solutions
Retail Handling Solutions, a division of Southworth Products, was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications. Follow Southworth on Twitter at @SouthworthProd.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Material Handling Management Looks at Improved Productive via Ergonomics with Retail Handling Solutions

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/10/2013 -- In an article entitled, "Body Knowledge: Improved Ergonomics = Improved Productivity" published in Material Handling Management, author, Clyde E. Witt, interviewed James Galante, Director of Business Development for Retail Handling Solutions.

Product designers say many of their better ideas come from customers. "People don't sit around thinking, 'I guess I'll go out and buy a lift table today.' They have a specific job that needs to be done, or a problem to be solved. They come to the equipment provider and go from there. Either we have it or we make it," noted Galante.

Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. For nearly a century not much has changed in the way retailers' stock shelves. The process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience. Retail operations require automation according to Brian McNamara, founder of Retail Handling Solutions, based in Falmouth, Maine. Many of the processes, including retail stocking, is time consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury and product breakage. With all the advances made in other areas of the store, this key operation function has been largely ignored.

About Retail Handling Solutions
A division of Southworth Products, Retail Handling Solutions is poised to address the fact that store goods are handled multiple times, often in awkward positions and almost all operations are done over and over again. Safety problems are clearly an issue and applications to improve productivity abound. Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications. Follow Retail Handling Solutions on Twitter at @SouthworthProd.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Australian Retail Magazine Profiles Dairy Rotation Featuring Retail Handling Solutions

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/09/2013 -- Australian Retail Magazine reports that Retail Handling Solutions addresses rotating dairy items for freshness with Shelf Stocking Carts. Rotating dairy items for freshness is a critical issue for grocery and convenience store retailers. Retail Handling Solutions has addressed this issue with the Stock and Roll. It is an elegantly simple, one-of-a-kind device that solves all common shelf stocking problems making the job faster, safer and easier in supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores or any other retail outlet where case-packed goods are displayed for sale on shelves.

- Presents case-packed goods at shelf height for faster, safer access
- Securely supports heavy loads and non-rigid packaging
- Rolls easily between staging areas and stocking locations
- Compact footprint and unmatched maneuverability
- Simplifies and speeds inventory freshness turning
- Ships fully assembled for use right out of the box

To view the benefits of Stock & Roll for perishable food products, such as dairy goods, go to: http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com/video-stock-a-roll-dairy-mov-format.

Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. For nearly a century not much has changed in the way retailers' stock shelves. The process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience.

Retail operations require automation according to Brian McNamara, founder of Retail Handling Solutions, based in Falmouth, Maine. Many of the processes, including retail stocking, is time consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury and product breakage. With all the advances made in other areas of the store, this key operation function has been largely ignored.

About Southworth International Group
Southworth International Group is the parent of a family of companies whose mission is to make work faster, safer, and easier. Southworth's roots date back more than a century. For much of this history, the company has been developing and supplying equipment that provides the many benefits of the practical application of ergonomics in the manufacturing and warehousing industries. Its divisions are widely recognized for their innovative approach to application engineering, extensive product offerings, and adaptability to exact customer requirements including service both before and after sales.

In more recent years, it has extended its focus to include the opportunity rich repetitive handling requirements of many retail operations. Store goods are handled multiple times, often in awkward positions and almost all operations are done over and over again. Safety problems are clearly an issue and applications to improve productivity abound. Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications. Follow Southworth on Twitter at @SouthworthProd.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://wwww.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Retail Handling Advocates Ergonomics as Solution to Business Challenges

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/05/2013 -- James Galante, Director of Business Development for Retail Handling Solutions, a division of Southworth Products, writes in article entitled, Doing More with Less, published in OCH Magazine, "Improving the bottom line or in many cases just maintaining it, has become increasingly difficult and the road ahead is not going to get any easier, at least not any time soon. Managers today face more challenges than ever before. In this very tight economy they are being told to cut costs to the bone and, unfortunately, that often means reducing the labor force. But, at the same time, managers are being challenged to maintain production rates or even increase them; maintain the quality and find ways for a reduced staff to get the job done. Do more with less are today's marching orders."

Similarly Jon Walder, Dr. Jennifer Karlin, and Dr. Carter Kerk advocate four applications in which lean thinking and ergonomic principles are related and essential to creating effective, sustainable programs. Those four components include removing waste.

1) Removing wasted, unnecessary motion can have a significant positive impact on systems and processes as well as decrease lead times and inventory, increase quality and substantially increase productivity.

2) Secondly, understanding the whole organizational system requires all business processes to be flexible. This will significantly aid a company's ability to respond to changes which are occurring in the marketplace. This can be flexibility in setup/ change-over, the type of assist device, inventory controls or linkages (transporting or storing materials).

3) Ergonomic assist devices can dramatically reduce or even eliminate the forces required to perform a task as well as reduce the associated reaching, bending or stretching. They will reduce fatigue and stress that would be experienced by the worker. These symptoms are often a precursor to a lost time injury.

4) By focusing on strategic placement of parts, products, tools and equipment and reviewing the layout of the work area human stress and ergonomic related injuries can be reduced.

Good ergonomics eliminates excessive body motions and limits the number of repetitions in most work tasks. Good ergonomics will reduce mistakes and will improve quality - more lean values. Galante insists, "Ergonomics plays into lean as much as lean plays into ergonomics, an effective tool that links the two is material handling assist devices, more specifically; ergonomic assist devices."

About Retail Handling Solutions
Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. When retailers stock shelves, the process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience.

Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Retail Handling Solutions Leaders Attend MHI Spring Meetings in Charlotte April 6-10

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/04/2013 -- Brian McNamara, President and CEO, Southworth International Group and James Galante, Director of Business Development, Southworth Products will be attending the MHI 2013 Spring Meetings at Charlotte Marriott City Center Saturday, April 6, 2013 - Wednesday, April 10, 2013. Retail Handling Solutions is a division of Southworth Products.

Material Handling Institute (MHI) is sponsoring the event. MHI is the nation's largest material handling, logistics and supply chain association. MHI offers education, networking and solution sourcing for members, their customers and the industry as a whole through programming and events. Members include 800 material handling and logistics equipment companies, systems and software manufacturers; consultants; systems integrators and simulators; and third-party logistics providers and publishers.

Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. When retailers stock shelves, the process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience.

Southworth International Group is the parent of a family of companies whose mission is to make work faster, safer, and easier. For much of this history, the company has been developing and supplying equipment that provides the many benefits of the practical application of ergonomics in the manufacturing and warehousing industries. Its divisions are widely recognized for their innovative approach to application engineering, extensive product offerings, and adaptability to exact customer requirements including service both before and after sales.

In more recent years, it has extended its focus to include the opportunity rich repetitive handling requirements of many retail operations. Store goods are handled multiple times, often in awkward positions and almost all operations are done over and over again. Safety problems are clearly an issue and applications to improve productivity abound. Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications.

Mr. Galante has developed his expertise in the scissors lift industry with over 45 years of experience, beginning in 1967. Scissors lifts include vertical positioning, transfer cars, turntables and industrial tilters, invertors and rotators. Galante unique perspective originates from hands-on and practical involvement with installation to after-sale customer service support and everything in between. He has worked with and visited, literally, hundreds of industrial and commercial facilities to inspect and investigate ergonomic problems and to insure end-user satisfaction with equipment selections.

Galante has conducted numerous symposiums, seminars and tutorials on the practical application of material handling devices for the improvements of productivity, safety and ergonomics in industry. This expertise is brought to grocery retailers via the revolutionary ergonomic products and analysis offered by Retail Handling Solutions.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Aging Workforce Impacts Retailers Most

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/01/2013 -- James Galante, with Retail Handling Solutions, recently shared a presentation about Gaining Efficiency in Retail Stocking and specifically looked at the one of the largest issues effecting worker's comp costs, namely an aging workforce.

- In 1972, average age of a US worker was 28. Today it's 46.
- The number of workers aged 45+ has doubled since 1950.
- According to the AARP, the number of people 55 years and older in the labor force — which stood at about 18.2 million in 2000 — is projected to rise to 25.2 million this year and nearly 32 million by 2025.

Similarly, In Aging Workforce News, Philip Moeller referenced Kristin Tugman, senior director of health and productivity at Unum, who outlined the five components of a productive aging program. According to Tugman, beyond mentoring, prospective labor-force shortages mean many employers simply cannot afford to let older workers retire or walk out the door. In particular, in manufacturing and physically challenging occupations such as nursing, employers are recognizing the creep up in terms of their employees' average age and the clear impact of continuing repetitive, hard labor.

Productive aging programs include a rigorous demographic analysis of an employer's aging workforce today and projected into the future, employee wellness programs with specific older-employee components, and chronic condition management, perhaps with special emphasis on obesity, as well as flexible work environment and job enrichment programs, which value older workers and seek to leverage their motivation with respect to their return to work and their staying at work.

About Retail Handling Solutions
Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. For nearly a century not much has changed in the way retailers' stock shelves. Retail operations require automation according to Brian McNamara, founder of Retail Handling Solutions, based in Falmouth, Maine. Many of the processes, including retail stocking, is time consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury and product breakage. With all the advances made in other areas of the store, this key operation function has been largely ignored.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Retail Handling Solutions Profiled in Convenience Distribution Magazine for Stock and Roll Shelving

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/28/2013 -- Retail operations require automation according to Brian McNamara, founder of Retail Handling Solutions, based in Falmouth, Maine. Many of the processes, including retail stocking, is time consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury and product breakage. With all the advances made in other areas of the store, this key operation function has been largely ignored. Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. For nearly a century not much has changed in the way retailers' stock shelves. The process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience.

According to Convenience Distribution Magazine, Retail Handling Solutions now offers ergonomic and simple Stock & Roll portable shelf stocking carts, which hold case-packed goods and store containers at any shelf height. The carts glide down aisles to make stocking faster, safer and easier. The height of the Stock & Roll platform is easily adjusted with mechanical assist by any employee, regardless of size or strength. Once the platform is raised or lowered, the need to bend and stretch is reduced. Because the unit is movable, it can be used with "U-boat" carts or to transport merchandise from staging areas to stocking locations, eliminating the need to carry heavy loads up and down aisles. The platform has handgrips on all four sides for easy maneuverability on smoothly rolling casters.

Southworth International Group is the parent of a family of companies whose mission is to make work faster, safer, and easier. Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/28/2013 -- Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. When retailers stock shelves, the process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience. Because of the size and weight of pallets, important safety factors have to be considered at all times. Retail workers (and customers) must pay attention to any loose components in the pallet rack system, and take the time to report any damage in the pallet rack frame; such frame damage could cause the pallets to fall. It is especially important to have highly visible warning signs if the pallet rack system is used in retail environments, such as wholesale centers, where the public is present.

James Galante, with Retail Handling Solutions, recently shared a presentation about Gaining Efficiency in Retail Stocking and specifically looked at how common practices with pallets are at the cause of injury. Manual loading and unloading of pallets continues to be one of the most common and most injury prone task in industry today, according to Galante.

In this important presentation, Galante also noted that as much as 40% of the time required unloading a pallet, can be spent walking around it! Back bending, back extension are serious issues and for the older worker or obese worker in retailing. He suggest that load positioners automatically function holding the top layer of goods in the 30" to 40" window, greatly reducing the bending and turntables eliminate having to walk around the pallet.

About Galante
Retail Handling Solutions is proud to have Galante as part of the team. His expertise in assessing these retail challenges cannot be underestimated. Mr. Galante heads up the Engineering Committee responsible for the ANSI Standard MH29 - The safety standard for industrial scissors lifts and tilters. He is the immediate past Vice-Chairman on the Main Committee for ASME B20 - The safety standard for conveyors and related equipment. He has served twice as the Chairman of the LMPS (Lift Manufacturer's Product Section) a trade association of the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) and he chaired the VRC Sub-Committee (Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors) of the CSS (Conveyor & Sortation Systems) of the MHIA. He is a member of the ASME and in 2006 was appointed to the ASME Board on Codes and Standards. He is presently the Chairman for the EASE Council (Ergonomics Assist and Systems Equipment) a product council of the MHIA.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/26/2013 -- James Galante, with Retail Handling Solutions, recently shared a presentation about Gaining Efficiency in Retail Stocking and specifically looked at the two largest issues effecting workman's comp costs, namely an aging workforce and obesity.

Aging Workforce

- In 1972, average age of a US worker was 28. Today it's 46.
- The number of workers aged 45+ has doubled since 1950.
- According to the AARP, the number of people 55 years and older in the labor force – which stood at about 18.2 million in 2000 – is projected to rise to 25.2 million this year and nearly 32 million by 2025.

Obesity

- The most obese workers file twice as many WC claims as healthy weight workers and have 13 more lost workdays.
- WC medical claims cost are 6.8 times higher for the most obese workers and indemnity costs are 11 times higher.
- The body parts most prone to injury are: back, lower extremities, wrist, and hands.
- The most common causes of these injuries were lifting, lowering, and slipping – a.k.a. manual material handling.

Retail Handling Solutions (www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. When retailers stock shelves, the process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience. Because of the size and weight of pallets, important safety factors have to be considered at all times. Retail workers (and customers) must pay attention to any loose components in the pallet rack system, and take the time to report any damage in the pallet rack frame; such frame damage could cause the pallets to fall. It is especially important to have highly visible warning signs if the pallet rack system is used in retail environments, such as wholesale centers, where the public is present.

It is too easy to overload or exceed the recommended load specifications for a racking system. Overloading may cause a catastrophic failure of a retail storage rack system. Rack audits (safety checks) should be performed on a regular basis by a qualified inspector familiar design and safety standards to make sure all aspects of system are up to 100% operationally safety.

About Galante
Retail Handling Solutions is proud to have Galante as part of the team. His expertise in assessing these retail challenges cannot be underestimated. Mr. Galante heads up the Engineering Committee responsible for the ANSI Standard MH29 - The safety standard for industrial scissors lifts and tilters. He is the immediate past Vice-Chairman on the Main Committee for ASME B20 - The safety standard for conveyors and related equipment. He has served twice as the Chairman of the LMPS (Lift Manufacturer's Product Section) a trade association of the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) and he chaired the VRC Sub-Committee (Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors) of the CSS (Conveyor & Sortation Systems) of the MHIA. He is a member of the ASME and in 2006 was appointed to the ASME Board on Codes and Standards. He is presently the Chairman for the EASE Council (Ergonomics Assist and Systems Equipment) a product council of the MHIA. Recently Galante hosted a nationally attended MMH Workshop in Atlanta and another workshop in Minneapolis in conjunction with the IIE (Institute of Industrial Engineers) and most recently a third MMH workshop in Chicago.

Retail Handling Solutions
www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/25/2013 -- James Galante has developed his expertise in the scissors lift industry with over 45 years of experience, beginning in 1967. Scissors lifts include vertical positioning, transfer cars, turntables and industrial tilters, invertors and rotators. Galante unique perspective originates from hands-on and practical involvement with installation to after-sale customer service support and everything in between. He has worked with and visited, literally, hundreds of industrial and commercial facilities to inspect and investigate ergonomic problems and to insure end-user satisfaction with equipment selections.

Retail Handling Solutions (www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. When retailers stock shelves, the process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience. James Galante is Director of Business Development for Southworth Products Corp., the largest manufacturer in the world of lifting and positioning equipment for material handling applications.

Southworth International Group is the parent of a family of companies whose mission is to make work faster, safer, and easier. For much of this history, the company has been developing and supplying equipment that provides the many benefits of the practical application of ergonomics in the manufacturing and warehousing industries. Its divisions are widely recognized for their innovative approach to application engineering, extensive product offerings, and adaptability to exact customer requirements including service both before and after sales.

In more recent years, it has extended its focus to include the opportunity rich repetitive handling requirements of many retail operations. Store goods are handled multiple times, often in awkward positions and almost all operations are done over and over again. Safety problems are clearly an issue and applications to improve productivity abound. Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications.

Galante's philosophy has to been placing customer satisfaction as a number one priority by helping them to not only determine the best product for the operation, but also how to analyze and assess cost justification. Mr. Galante is largely responsible for and was a principle editor of the Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling. This major, internationally recognized publication defines the problems and presents the solutions to solve the No. 1 cause of worker injury in the workplace.

Galante has conducted numerous symposiums, seminars and tutorials on the practical application of material handling devices for the improvements of productivity, safety and ergonomics in industry. This expertise is brought to grocery retailers via the revolutionary ergonomic products and analysis offered by Retail Handling Solutions.

Retail Handling Solutions
www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Australian Retail Magazine profiles Stock and Roll Shelving by Retail Handling Solutions

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/21/2013 -- Australian Retail Magazine reports that Retail Handling Solutions addresses rotating dairy items for freshness with Shelf Stocking Carts. Rotating dairy items for freshness is a critical issue for grocery and convenience store retailers. Retail Handling Solutions has addressed this issue with the Stock and Roll. It is an elegantly simple, one-of-a-kind device that solves all common shelf stocking problems making the job faster, safer and easier in supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores or any other retail outlet where case-packed goods are displayed for sale on shelves.

- Presents case-packed goods at shelf height for faster, safer access
- Securely supports heavy loads and non-rigid packaging
- Rolls easily between staging areas and stocking locations
- Compact footprint and unmatched maneuverability
- Simplifies and speeds inventory freshness turning
- Ships fully assembled for use right out of the box

To view the benefits of Stock & Roll for perishable food products, such as dairy goods, go to: http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com/video-stock-a-roll-dairy-mov-format.

Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. For nearly a century not much has changed in the way retailers' stock shelves. The process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience.

Retail operations require automation according to Brian McNamara, founder of Retail Handling Solutions, based in Falmouth, Maine. Many of the processes, including retail stocking, is time consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury and product breakage. With all the advances made in other areas of the store, this key operation function has been largely ignored.

About Southworth International Group
Southworth International Group is the parent of a family of companies whose mission is to make work faster, safer, and easier. Southworth's roots date back more than a century. For much of this history, the company has been developing and supplying equipment that provides the many benefits of the practical application of ergonomics in the manufacturing and warehousing industries. Its divisions are widely recognized for their innovative approach to application engineering, extensive product offerings, and adaptability to exact customer requirements including service both before and after sales.

In more recent years, it has extended its focus to include the opportunity rich repetitive handling requirements of many retail operations. Store goods are handled multiple times, often in awkward positions and almost all operations are done over and over again. Safety problems are clearly an issue and applications to improve productivity abound. Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Convenience Distribution Magazine Looks at Stock and Roll Shelving by Retail Handling Solutions

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/20/2013 -- According to Convenience Distribution Magazine, Retail Handling Solutions now offers ergonomic and simple Stock & Roll portable shelf stocking carts, which hold case-packed goods and store containers at any shelf height. The carts glide down aisles to make stocking faster, safer and easier. The height of the Stock & Roll platform is easily adjusted with mechanical assist by any employee, regardless of size or strength. Once the platform is raised or lowered, the need to bend and stretch is reduced. Because the unit is movable, it can be used with "U-boat" carts or to transport merchandise from staging areas to stocking locations, eliminating the need to carry heavy loads up and down aisles. The platform has handgrips on all four sides for easy maneuverability on smoothly rolling casters.

Retail operations require automation according to Brian McNamara, founder of Retail Handling Solutions, based in Falmouth, Maine. Many of the processes, including retail stocking, is time consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury and product breakage. With all the advances made in other areas of the store, this key operation function has been largely ignored. Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. For nearly a century not much has changed in the way retailers' stock shelves. The process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience.

About Southworth International Group
Southworth International Group is the parent of a family of companies whose mission is to make work faster, safer, and easier. Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

James Galante Presents at Annual Applied Ergonomics Conference Tuesday March 19

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/18/2013 -- James Galante, Director of Business Development for Southworth Products Corp., has conducted numerous symposiums, seminars and tutorials on the practical application of material handling devices for the improvements of productivity, safety and ergonomics in industry. This expertise is brought to grocery retailers via the revolutionary ergonomic products and analysis offered by Retail Handling Solutions, a division of Southworth Products. Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. When retailers stock shelves, the process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience.

Galante is presenting at the 16th Annual Applied Ergonomics Conference at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 from Time: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM in the Monet Room. Galante's presentation is titled, "How New Developments in Industrial Scissors and Positioners Improves Ergonomics and Productivity."

Innovations in the design of industrial scissors lifts and positioners have greatly improved the interface between the worker and the manual handling tasks he must perform. Control devises that sense the load height and automatically level the load, timers and one touch controls that ensure the machine is providing maximum benefit are readily available. These innovations help solve some of the serious ergonomic problems in the industrial setting and they also provide real productivity gains. This fast moving, highly illustrated session will explore these technologies and present the many benefits by presenting simple, straight forward examples. Many work station task examples and photographs of actual equipment in use will be included in this dynamic presentation. There will be ample time for questions and answers.

Southworth International Group is the parent of a family of companies whose mission is to make work faster, safer, and easier. For much of this history, the company has been developing and supplying equipment that provides the many benefits of the practical application of ergonomics in the manufacturing and warehousing industries. Its divisions are widely recognized for their innovative approach to application engineering, extensive product offerings, and adaptability to exact customer requirements including service both before and after sales. In more recent years, it has extended its focus to include the opportunity rich repetitive handling requirements of many retail operations. Store goods are handled multiple times, often in awkward positions and almost all operations are done over and over again. Safety problems are clearly an issue and applications to improve productivity abound.

Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications.

Mr. Galante has developed his expertise in the scissors lift industry with over 45 years of experience, beginning in 1967. Scissors lifts include vertical positioning, transfer cars, turntables and industrial tilters, invertors and rotators. Galante unique perspective originates from hands-on and practical involvement with installation to after-sale customer service support and everything in between. He has worked with and visited, literally, hundreds of industrial and commercial facilities to inspect and investigate ergonomic problems and to insure end-user satisfaction with equipment selections. Galante is largely responsible for and was a principle editor of the Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling. This major, internationally recognized publication defines the problems and presents the solutions to solve the No. 1 cause of worker injury in the workplace.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/13/2013 -- James Galante, with Retail Handling Solutions, recently shared a presentation about Gaining Efficiency in Retail Stocking and specifically looked at how common practices with pallets are at the cause of injury. Manual loading and unloading of pallets continues to be one of the most common and most injury prone task in industry today, according to Galante.

In this important presentation, Galante also noted that as much as 40% of the time required unloading a pallet, can be spent walking around it! Back bending, back extension are serious issues and for the older worker or obese worker in retailing. He suggest that load positioners automatically function holding the top layer of goods in the 30" to 40" window, greatly reducing the bending and turntables eliminate having to walk around the pallet.

Retail Handling Solutions is proud to have Galante as part of the team. His expertise in assessing these retail challenges cannot be underestimated. Mr. Galante heads up the Engineering Committee responsible for the ANSI Standard MH29 - The safety standard for industrial scissors lifts and tilters. He is the immediate past Vice-Chairman on the Main Committee for ASME B20 - The safety standard for conveyors and related equipment. He has served twice as the Chairman of the LMPS (Lift Manufacturer's Product Section) a trade association of the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) and he chaired the VRC Sub-Committee (Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors) of the CSS (Conveyor & Sortation Systems) of the MHIA. He is a member of the ASME and in 2006 was appointed to the ASME Board on Codes and Standards. He is presently the Chairman for the EASE Council (Ergonomics Assist and Systems Equipment) a product council of the MHIA.

Recently Galante hosted a nationally attended MMH Workshop in Atlanta and another workshop in Minneapolis in conjunction with the IIE (Institute of Industrial Engineers) and most recently a third MMH workshop in Chicago.

About Retail Handling Solutions
Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. When retailers stock shelves, the process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience. Because of the size and weight of pallets, important safety factors have to be considered at all times. Retail workers (and customers) must pay attention to any loose components in the pallet rack system, and take the time to report any damage in the pallet rack frame; such frame damage could cause the pallets to fall. It is especially important to have highly visible warning signs if the pallet rack system is used in retail environments, such as wholesale centers, where the public is present.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Aging Workforce and Obesity Are Bottom-Line Issue for Retailers

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/12/2013 -- Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. When retailers stock shelves, the process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience. Because of the size and weight of pallets, important safety factors have to be considered at all times. Retail workers (and customers) must pay attention to any loose components in the pallet rack system, and take the time to report any damage in the pallet rack frame; such frame damage could cause the pallets to fall. It is especially important to have highly visible warning signs if the pallet rack system is used in retail environments, such as wholesale centers, where the public is present.

It is too easy to overload or exceed the recommended load specifications for a racking system. Overloading may cause a catastrophic failure of a retail storage rack system. Rack audits (safety checks) should be performed on a regular basis by a qualified inspector familiar design and safety standards to make sure all aspects of system are up to 100% operationally safety.

James Galante, with Retail Handling Solutions, recently shared a presentation about Gaining Efficiency in Retail Stocking and specifically looked at the two largest issues effecting workman's comp costs, namely an aging workforce and obesity.

Aging Workforce
- In 1972, average age of a US worker was 28. Today it's 46.
- The number of workers aged 45+ has doubled since 1950.
- According to the AARP, the number of people 55 years and older in the labor force – which stood at about 18.2 million in 2000 – is projected to rise to 25.2 million this year and nearly 32 million by 2025.

Obesity
- The most obese workers file twice as many WC claims as healthy weight workers and have 13 more lost workdays.
- WC medical claims cost are 6.8 times higher for the most obese workers and indemnity costs are 11 times higher.
- The body parts most prone to injury are: back, lower extremities, wrist, and hands.
- The most common causes of these injuries were lifting, lowering, and slipping – a.k.a. manual material handling.

Retail Handling Solutions is proud to have Galante as part of the team. His expertise in assessing these retail challenges cannot be underestimated. Mr. Galante heads up the Engineering Committee responsible for the ANSI Standard MH29 - The safety standard for industrial scissors lifts and tilters. He is the immediate past Vice-Chairman on the Main Committee for ASME B20 - The safety standard for conveyors and related equipment. He has served twice as the Chairman of the LMPS (Lift Manufacturer's Product Section) a trade association of the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) and he chaired the VRC Sub-Committee (Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors) of the CSS (Conveyor & Sortation Systems) of the MHIA. He is a member of the ASME and in 2006 was appointed to the ASME Board on Codes and Standards. He is presently the Chairman for the EASE Council (Ergonomics Assist and Systems Equipment) a product council of the MHIA.

Recently Galante hosted a nationally attended MMH Workshop in Atlanta and another workshop in Minneapolis in conjunction with the IIE (Institute of Industrial Engineers) and most recently a third MMH workshop in Chicago.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

James Galante Brings Unique Ergonomic Knowledge to the Grocery Retailer via Retail Handling Solutions

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/12/2013 -- Retail Handling Solutions (http://retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. When retailers stock shelves, the process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience. James Galante is Director of Business Development for Southworth Products Corp., the largest manufacturer in the world of lifting and positioning equipment for material handling applications.

About Southworth International Group
Southworth International Group is the parent of a family of companies whose mission is to make work faster, safer, and easier. For much of this history, the company has been developing and supplying equipment that provides the many benefits of the practical application of ergonomics in the manufacturing and warehousing industries. Its divisions are widely recognized for their innovative approach to application engineering, extensive product offerings, and adaptability to exact customer requirements including service both before and after sales.

In more recent years, it has extended its focus to include the opportunity rich repetitive handling requirements of many retail operations. Store goods are handled multiple times, often in awkward positions and almost all operations are done over and over again. Safety problems are clearly an issue and applications to improve productivity abound. Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications.

Mr. Galante has developed his expertise in the scissors lift industry with over 45 years of experience, beginning in 1967. Scissors lifts include vertical positioning, transfer cars, turntables and industrial tilters, invertors and rotators. Galante unique perspective originates from hands-on and practical involvement with installation to after-sale customer service support and everything in between. He has worked with and visited, literally, hundreds of industrial and commercial facilities to inspect and investigate ergonomic problems and to insure end-user satisfaction with equipment selections.

Galante's philosophy has to been placing customer satisfaction as a number one priority by helping them to not only determine the best product for the operation, but also how to analyze and assess cost justification. Mr. Galante is largely responsible for and was a principle editor of the Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling. This major, internationally recognized publication defines the problems and presents the solutions to solve the No. 1 cause of worker injury in the workplace.

Galante has conducted numerous symposiums, seminars and tutorials on the practical application of material handling devices for the improvements of productivity, safety and ergonomics in industry. This expertise is brought to grocery retailers via the revolutionary ergonomic products and analysis offered by Retail Handling Solutions.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Retail Grocery Stores Gain Practical Recommendations from OSHA Guidelines

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/07/2013 -- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores were published to provide "practical" recommendations to help grocery store employees reduce the number and severity of injuries in the workplace. Ergonomic solutions at the retail level are needed. Retail operations require automation according to Brian McNamara, founder of Retail Handling Solutions, based in Falmouth, Maine. Many of the processes, including retail stocking, is time consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury and product breakage. With all the advances made in other areas of the store, this key operation function has been largely ignored.

Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. For nearly a century not much has changed in the way retailers' stock shelves. The process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience. Retailers in the grocery trade have more challenges as they operate on very thin margins.

About Southworth International Group
Southworth International Group is the parent of a family of companies whose mission is to make work faster, safer, and easier. It has extended its focus to include the opportunity rich repetitive handling requirements of many retail operations. Store goods are handled multiple times, often in awkward positions and almost all operations are done over and over again. Safety problems are clearly an issue and applications to improve productivity abound. Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Retail Environment Safer with Dandy Lifts

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/06/2013 -- Dandy Lifts are available in capacities from 330 lbs. to almost 1,800 lbs. and in single scissor, double scissor, and low-profile designs. Dandy Lifts are the original lifter/transporters. For nearly thirty years, these units have been the standard of quality, performance, and overall value in portable, hydraulic lifter/transporter carts. Thousands of units are in use in all types of industries to make work faster, safer, and easier. Nowhere are the benefits more needed than in the retail environment. Retailers choose from foot pump or battery powered electric lift. Dandy Lifts are packed with features not available on most competitive units.

View Dandy Lifts in action at: http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com/video-dandy-lift.

Retail operations require automation according to Brian McNamara, founder of Retail Handling Solutions, based in Falmouth, Maine. Many of the processes, including retail stocking, is time consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury and product breakage. With all the advances made in other areas of the store, this key operation function has been largely ignored. Retail Handling Solutions (http://www.retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. For nearly a century not much has changed in the way retailers' stock shelves. The process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience.

About Southworth International Group
Southworth International Group is the parent of a family of companies whose mission is to make work faster, safer, and easier. Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://www.RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Safety of Loading and Unloading Pallets in Retail Environments Assisted by PalletPal

Falmouth, ME -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/05/2013 -- PalletPal is a critical development for the retail loading and unloading environment. To view PalletPal in action go to: www.retailhandlingsolutions.com/video-palletpal-training-mov. Retail Handling Solutions understands that one of the great safety concerns in retail is the loading and unloading of pallets. The PalletPal 360 makes loading and unloading pallets faster, safer and easier. This simple, automatic unit uses a system of springs and shock absorbers to lower and raise loads as boxes are added or removed from pallets. A turntable allows nearside loading and unloading. No power or air supply is required.

- Rugged tubular steel frame for loads up to 4,500 lbs.
- Heavy-duty springs calibrated to bring pallet to most convenient loading and unloading height.
- Proven linkage design maintains level under uneven loading.
- Dampener provides smooth, gradual raising and lowering action, without overshoot or spring bounce.
- Low-friction bearing supported turntable for near-side loading and unloading.
- Phenolic frame cover (optional).
- Fork pockets for relocation by fork truck also extend base for free standing stability.
- Leveling feet (optional) allow use on sloping or uneven floors.
- Free standing, can be easily relocated by fork truck.

Retail Handling Solutions (http://retailhandlingsolutions.com) is at the core of revolutionizing retail products handling. For nearly a century not much has changed in the way retailers' stock shelves. The process is time-consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury, product breakage, and customer inconvenience.

Retail operations require automation according to Brian McNamara, founder of Retail Handling Solutions, based in Falmouth, Maine. Many of the processes, including retail stocking, is time consuming, labor intensive, and fraught with productivity road blocks and the potential for injury and product breakage. With all the advances made in other areas of the store, this key operation function has been largely ignored.

About Southworth International Group
Southworth International Group is the parent of a family of companies whose mission is to make work faster, safer, and easier. Recognizing that retail store operations are significantly different from manufacturing and somewhat different from warehousing, Retail Handling Solutions was created to concentrate the practical application of ergonomics on the specific circumstances of the retail work environment. Limited space, high volumes, thin margins, packaging necessities, as well as consideration for in-store shoppers and merchandising frequently require a unique approach to optimizing the productivity and safety of these stock handling applications.

Retail Handling Solutions
http://RetailHandlingSolutions.com
Alison K. Shea
Market Development Manager
ashea@retailhs.com
(207) 317-4222

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm