2026 Buyer’s Guide: Material Handling Product Releases
Robotic Material Handling Solutions for Warehouses
Yaskawa America, Inc. (Miamisburg, OH) announced the official North American launch of its robotic warehouse solutions, which leverage and scale successful engineering that has resulted in real-world deployments across Europe and several pre-launch sites in the United States.
These fully commercialized solutions are now supported, delivered, and serviced by Yaskawa America, marking a significant expansion of the company’s commitment to warehouse automation in the North American market. Designed and engineered to help operations address throughput, labor efficiency, and scalability challenges, these solutions bring together Yaskawa’s robotics expertise with advanced motion planning and vision technologies.
At the core of this expansion are Yaskawa’s PackMaster cell and the Layer Picker solution. The PackMaster is a palletizing system that leverages integrated motion planning and vision to support consistent, high-speed operations in a mixed-SKU environment, providing densely packed and wrapped outbound pallets while offering rates ranging from approximately 800-to-1,200 cases per hour. The Layer Picker solution allows for up to 130 single SKU layers to be introduced to descramblers or other conveyance solutions. These solutions, along with Yaskawa’s full-line of industrial and collaborative robots, AC-drives, and servo motors extend the manufacturer’s position as the leader in material movement.
Lift Tables Deliver in Demanding Industrial Environments
Advance Lifts (St. Charles, IL) a leading North American manufacturer of industrial scissor lift tables and dock lifts, highlights its Super Duty Series Lift Tables, which include both standard and double long configurations. These heavy-duty lifts are designed to deliver maximum strength, durability, and safety in the most demanding industrial environments while offering extensive opportunities for customization.
The Super Duty Series has a range of capacities from 5,000 pounds up to 20,000 pounds, with custom designs reaching higher capacities as required. Standard travel is 58”, but custom travels are regularly designed and manufactured to meet unique application demands. Many models are adapted from dock lifts, providing higher edge-loading capabilities compared to smaller lifts.
The Double Long Super Duty Series is built to handle rolling and oversized loads, with standard capacities ranging from 10,000 up to 100,000 pounds. These lifts combine the same robust construction and safety features as the single Super Duty units while offering longer platforms to accommodate massive or awkwardly sized materials.
All Super Duty models feature UL-listed control assemblies, machine-grade hydraulic cylinders, and durable pressure hoses. An external power unit ensures long-term dependable performance. All models are backed by a two-year parts and labor warranty, and a 10-year structural warranty.
With their combination of heavy capacities, custom platform sizes, and flexible travel options, this series continues to set the standard for rugged lifting solutions across industries.
New Tilt Stands Facilitate Complete Draining of Containers
DENIOS (Louisville, KY), the industry leader in safety and material handling products, introduces IBC Container Tilt Stands with sturdy steel construction for complete draining of containers. The spring-loaded rising design automatically creates an angle for better release of fluids as material is drained and weight is diminished. Strong construction with a 4,400-pound capacity is durable for everyday industrial usage. Adjustable height versions are available, as are models with caster wheels for easy transport within the facility. Fork pockets are included for easy raising and lowering as well as access to valve connections.
These rugged stands are powder coated in blue or yellow for added toughness and durability; their smooth sleek surface enhances aesthetics and facilitates cleaning. Stainless steel models are also available. Before use, anchor all four legs to the ground with 3/8”-x-4” anchor bolts for stability. DENIOS IBC Container Tilt Stands are ideal for any facility that regularly dispenses liquids from IBC containers. The tilt stands are manufactured to the highest quality and are available with industry-leading lead-times.
Reliable, Gentle Material Transport for Demanding Applications
Hapman (Kalamazoo, MI), a global leader in custom bulk material handling equipment, highlights the TubePro™ Tubular Drag Conveyor, a comprehensive solution designed to transport a range of materials with precision and efficiency. The TubePro is engineered to convey blended, friable, large particle, or smearing materials without compromising product integrity, making it suitable for a variety of demanding applications. Featuring a fully enclosed, dust-tight design that contains dusty, odorous, toxic, or hazardous materials, the TubePro supports zero-emission operation and creates a safer work environment. This construction makes it a dependable choice for facilities with strict containment requirements.
Operational flexibility is a key advantage of the TubePro, where the conveyor can move product vertically, horizontally, at any angle, and around corners, with effortless configuration of inlets and outlets to fit specific facility layouts. Customizable run lengths and bend angles allow the TubePro to meet the unique needs of every installation, and Hapman’s application engineers work directly with customers to develop the most efficient layout for each project.
Product is transported en masse between flights, exposing it to minimal turbulence and reducing the risk of abrasive degradation. This gentle movement preserves material quality during transfer. The TubePro operates at high torque and low speed, resulting in energy-efficient performance and lower operating costs. The conveyor can also stop and restart while fully loaded, minimizing waste and reducing downtime during operation.
There are several options to further enhance performance and adaptability. Multiple chain and flight options, including round link, drop forged rivet less, and engineered sealed pin chains, are available to reduce fatigue, wear, and elongation, supporting a range of applications. Available enhancements include the air knife, chain hammer, brush box, and self-cleaning discharge gate.
Pedestrian Detection Event Dashboard Enhances Safety
Hyster Co. (Greenville, NC) has launched a pedestrian detection event dashboard, which uses data from the company’s award-winning Hyster Reaction™ pedestrian awareness camera system to track pedestrian presence near a lift truck in both indoor and outdoor applications. The dashboard is available free of charge to operations that already use the pedestrian awareness camera and the advanced tier of the Hyster Tracker™ wireless verification telemetry solution.
The pedestrian detection event dashboard tracks when pedestrians are within approximately 6’, 10’ or 16’ of a lift truck. This information reduces the risk of pedestrian- and lift truck-related accidents by adjusting pedestrian boundaries, having discussions with operators or taking other actions.
The camera system was developed using extensive real-world photographic data and adapts to various lighting and environmental conditions to track for physical human features, increasing tracking accuracy and allowing the system to catalog:
- The total and average number of detection events per day and per truck.
- The number of detection events by how close pedestrians get to the truck.
- The location of detection events in relation to the truck.
- The number of events that occurred when the truck was moving or stationary.
- The date and time of each event.
The pedestrian awareness camera solution includes a camera system with audible and visual alerts only, or with optional traction alerts. The audible and visual alerts use a tone sequence to communicate pedestrian proximity and a light to indicate which zone the pedestrian is in on the truck-mounted operator remote. Optional traction alerts automatically and gradually slow down the lift truck so operators can avoid the detected pedestrian.
Extra Heavy-Duty Strapping Dispenser
PAC Strapping Products (Exton, PA), a leader in the strapping and packaging industry, highlights the DSP XHD Extra Heavy Duty Dispenser, which is engineered for maximum durability and mobility in challenging environments. The dispenser is designed for use with all 16” heavy duty polyester coils.
The DSP XHD features dual cart trays for convenient storage of tools and accessories, along with pneumatic wheels to roll smoothly over any terrain.
Its exclusive strap roller payoff system eliminates kinks and prevents strap spill-over, ensuring a smooth, consistent feed that improves productivity and reduces material waste.
Ideal for heavy duty polyester strapping applications 1” wide and above, the DSP XHD is a valuable addition to any operation requiring secure, efficient load containment.
New Platform Extends Autonomous Trailer Loading and Unloading
Slip Robotics’ (Norcross, GA) SlipLift platform is designed to extend autonomous trailer loading and unloading beyond short-haul, high-frequency routes to heavier freight, regional distribution, and last mile delivery applications. SlipLift brings Slip’s hallmark speed, safety, and simplicity to a broader set of dock operations without requiring changes to facilities, trailers or IT infrastructure.
SlipLift is a core architectural shift that decouples the robot from the payload. This approach delivers SlipBot-level speed, safety, and labor savings while allowing fewer robots to cover more docks, resulting in faster and more predictable dock operations.
SlipBot solves short-haul, high-frequency, closed-loop loading. In those environments, SlipBot enables trailers to be loaded and unloaded in five minutes, delivering fast, highly consistent dock turns that make operations predictable. SlipLift supports payloads up to 20,000 pounds, enabling automation for heavier freight while maintaining fast, consistent dock turns.
Portable Yard Ramp Rated for 20,000 Pounds
Bluff Manufacturing (Fort Worth, TX), a leader in dock and yard solutions, offers the Bluff Core Model Portable Yard Ramp, a durable, American-made solution engineered to deliver dependable performance where reliability matters most. Designed as Bluff Manufacturing’s most streamlined and value-engineered yard ramp, the Core Model delivers the essential strength, safety, and performance that facility operators rely on — without added complexity or unnecessary features. Built with all-steel welded construction and rated for 20,000 pounds, the Core Model provides efficient ground-to-truck and ground-to-building access.
The ramp’s 36′ overall length with a 6′ level-off creates a smooth, controlled incline for safer forklift operation, while the 84″ wide deck allows for confident maneuverability. A double-acting hydraulic pump enables quick height adjustments to accommodate a range of trailer heights, improving efficiency across changing workflows.
Positioning the ramp is simple thanks to a full undercarriage and solid 18″ rubber tires, allowing teams to move it where it’s needed most. Standard safety features — including 8″ run-off curbs, safety chains, serrated steel grating, and diamond tread plate — provide reliable traction and operator confidence.
Every Bluff Core Yard Ramp is designed, tested, and manufactured in the USA, and proven through 35,000 full-load test cycles. Available with towbar or ramp clamp options, the ramps integrate easily with existing equipment.
Digital Platform Enables Customization of Below-the-Hook Equipment
The motorized telescoping coil grab is one of The Caldwell Group Inc.’s (Beloit, WI and Rockford, IL) most popular products. While it is stocked in capacities up to 33 tons, it is also one of the company’s most customized lifters.
Higher capacities, rotation options, load scales, indicator lights, padding, toe rollers, and other options are available.
SmartSpec is unique digital tool that provides customization options to dealers specifically looking for non-standard below-the-hook equipment. SmartSpec allows customers to access pricing, place orders, and even design their own products — any time.
The Model 85 has been added to the digital platform at the same time as the Model 80H, which is a Dixon coil C-hook with pivoting wedge. By maneuvering that wedge in between two stacked coils, an operator can separate them and begin a tilt, allowing the rest of the hook to slide in and do its job.
It is stocked in capacities up to 5 tons. The Model 60 heavy-duty sheet lifter is also available on the SmartSpec platform.
Jeff Ferchen, director of business development at Caldwell, said: “SmartSpec is rapidly getting a reputation for facilitating selection of BTH [below-the-hook] equipment, when customers need it. The Model 85 is a good example of the power of the platform; it takes one of our most popular products, one of our most customized — and now customers can get quotes faster than ever. In fact, they can get drawings and quotes in minutes.”
With SmartSpec users can see the multitude of Caldwell’s products’ key features.
The Model 85 coil lifter, for example, offers motorized leg drive that maximizes the efficient handling of coils; narrow aisle stacking maximizes coil storage floor space; curved lifting pads for coil protection; and high impact plastic toe rollers for prevention of lifter foot contact.
What’s more, an anti-clamp limit switch protects coils during closing of the lifter; and heavy-duty torque limiting drive protection.
Skeleton Hoppers Simplify Sheet and Plate Metal Waste Collection
Iron Bull Manufacturing (Marshall, IN), a leading manufacturer of standard scrap and waste hoppers, introduced skeleton hoppers which efficiently collect the skeletal sheet or plate metal remains from stamping, punching, and laser or plasma cutting operations. With capacities up to 7,000 pounds, Iron Bull Skeleton Hoppers efficiently accept, transport, and smoothly place these heavy, bulky materials into a dumpster in a space-efficient manner.
Designed for ease of use and safety, the forklift operator can dump the skeleton hopper from the cab of the forklift. Hoppers are built to customer specifications as to size and weight-handling capacity.
In addition to skeleton hoppers, Iron Bull manufactures a wide range of hoppers to suit many scrap-handling needs, including some with quick ship convenience. All Iron Bull hoppers are built in Marshall, Ind. and are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Lifting Jack Engineered for Precise Rack Lifting and Universal Compatibility
SpaceGuard Products (Seymour, IN), a North American leader in wire mesh security solutions, protective guarding systems, and rack repair solutions, launched the Centurion™ Primus Jack. This modular lifting tool is engineered to redefine rack repair safety and efficiency, designed to safely elevate the front leg of a pallet rack upright for fast repairs — all without unloading pallets in most situations.
The Centurion Primus Jack is designed with an adjustable jack head that slides and locks in 2” increments. The jack lifts from the repair zone, not the ground, for greater stability and precision where it matters most, allowing operators to elevate damaged racks at the precise height required while minimizing repair downtime.
Engineered for superior versatility, the Centurion Primus Jack features a stackable, lightweight lift column that adapts to diverse repair heights while remaining easy to transport and handle onsite. The unit includes both 5’ and 15’ hydraulic hoses, enabling comfortable pump placement regardless of the repair height. The modular three-piece column sections stack securely to reach desired heights for any repair kit installation, allowing the jack head to be adjusted in 2” increments along the full length of the column to support maximum repair heights up to 13’.
Compatible with 3″, 4″, and 5″ upright configurations and a wide array of upright styles and hole patterns, the Centurion Primus Jack provides robust flexibility for diverse repair scenarios. It incorporates a bolt-on teardrop adapter plate for fast, tool-free connections as well as direct-bolt and side-pin attachment options for secure engagement across roll-formed and structural rack repairs. Its innovative proximity-based lift point positions the hydraulic jack near the repair zone to improve alignment, control and safety. Additionally, the notched base design allows the lift head to sit closer to the upright for increased lift stability during repairs.
