Sep 3, 2019 | Blog, News
In 2008 Sencorp Inc. and White Systems merged to form SencorpWhite. While both companies were founded in 1947, their path to success were far different. Sencorp pursued markets in plastics packaging and White in automated storage and retrieval systems. Their go-to-market sales strategy varied with Sencorp having dedicated, direct sales and White utilizing distributors, representatives, consultants, and integrators.
While industry-leading and innovative, SencorpWhite products have been focused on well-defined market verticals, from consumer and medical thermoforming to hospital pharmacy automation. Leveraging over seventy-years of brand equity and customer service in the North American market, SencorpWhite entered into strategic partnerships with several European manufacturers of machines that complement our products.
In that light, I am pleased to announce SencorpWhite signed an exclusive distribution agreement for the United States and Canada with WM Thermoforming Machines of Stabio, Switzerland http://www.wm-thermoforming.com. WM designs and manufactures both in-line and tilt-bed thermorformers that greatly expand SencorpWhite market presence. Their FC and Flex Series in-line thermoformers are all-electric with the size and through-put that complements SencorpWhite 2500 and ULTRA series thermoformers. The FT and Twist Series tilt-bed thermoformers, with optional extrusion and rimming stations, fulfills the market requirement for high-volume food container applications.
With our new partnership, SencorpWhite now offers an extended range of thermoforming technology for a broader range of applications. In addition, WM enters the North American market with a highly respected partner, and the expertise and service backed by over seventy years of experience.
I invite you to meet face-to-face with the WM-Sencorp team at the SPE Thermoforming Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 9 to 11 September https://thermoformingdivision.com/conference. In addition, we will be exhibiting at Pack Expo Las Vegas from 23 to 25 September https://www.packexpolasvegas.com and the K-Show in Dusseldorf, Germany from 16 to 23 October https://www.k-online.com.
May 21, 2019 | Blog, News
White Systems announced the immediate availability of StorBOT 2.0., StorBOT 2.0 is an automated traversing picking system coupled with a space-saving dense storage solution and a full-featured inventory management system.
“StorBOT 2.0 is the next evolution in the Goods-to-Operator space providing incredible flexibility and almost unlimited SKU count. The system efficiently uses traditionally wasted space both horizontally and vertically while minimizing labor requirements,” said Corey Calla, President at White Systems, a SencorpWhite Company.
Positive Customer Impact
Many customers are currently realizing increased throughput from our original StorBOT solution. This innovative design extends the original functionality allowing a single StorBOT to service up 36 horizontal carousels. StorBOT 2.0 is intelligently coupled with a full-featured software solution that can manage inventory, slotting, and is capable of running an entire manufacturing or distribution center or both simultaneously.
StorBOT 2.0. Availability
StorBOT 2.0. is the next product in White’s long legacy of Automated Storage and Retrieval solutions. White Systems has a talented network of field service engineers across the United States to assist in commissioning, preventative maintenance, and emergency response.
Founded in 1947, White systems is a United States based supplier of specialized automated storage and retrieval systems and full-featured software solutions with manufacturing in Hyannis, MA.
White Systems and StorBOT 2.0. are either registered trademarks or trademarks of White Systems in the United States and/or other countries.
You can learn more about White Systems at www.whitesystems.com
May 15, 2019 | Blog, News
Late last month, I attended the PMMI Executive Leadership Conference, an annual trade event for packaging machinery manufacturers. According to PMMI, “this must-attend event features impactful education that can help you navigate the latest industry trends… and take your business strategy to the next level.” Personally, I keep going back for two main reasons. First, I enjoy talking with like-minded business leaders in SencorpWhite’s industry. Second, I always benefit from listening to the presentations from ITR Economics. They discuss trends with macroeconomics, industrial manufacturing, automation, and advanced technology, and frankly, I have found their forecasting so spot-on that is has become a necessary component of my business strategy planning.
This year, PMMI ELC offered even more value—because the keynote speaker was Daymond John.
Like many of you, I recognized John from the popular TV show, Shark Tank, but I had never heard him speak before. John opened his talk by telling us that he used to dream about making it big in hip-hop, but since he couldn’t sing or dance, he had to find another way to capitalize on the hip-hop movement. In 1992, with $40 in his pocket, John founded the fashion label FUBU (For Us, By Us) and started sewing sweatshirts and hats in the living room of the house where he was raised by his single mom. Today, he is the face of American entrepreneurship, managing a multi-billion-dollar empire encompassing fashion, media, philanthropy, and even a monthly shaving club.
John’s story captured my interest from the start. How could someone from such humble beginnings (to say the least) climb to the top of the food chain? What could I learn from him?
I listened as John offered a few memorable lines, like “Responsibility is taken, not given” and “Assets feed you; liabilities eat you.” Good stuff, to be sure, but relatively common fare for speakers at a business conference. But then, moving on to his core message, John told us all to start thinking and acting like “sharks” (a nice play on the show he stars in). As it turns out, SHARK is an acronym John’s now uses to guide his life:
“S” = “Set goals.” John said every day he was driven by his goal of being a success in the hip-hop scene.
“H” = “Do your Homework.” It’s not enough to have a goal or dream; you also need to do your research. You need to answer questions like: Is your dream achievable? What is the market? How are you going to actually achieve your goal?
“A” = “Amore” (love). John reminded us that when you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.
“R” = “Remember, you are the brand.” Everyone knows that companies have brands, but YOU are your own brand. John said it is essential to have a two-to-five-word mantra that tells the world who you are and what you do. Nike uses “Just Do It.” For FUBU, it’s “For Us, By Us.” What is your brand?
“K” = “Keep swimming!” Success isn’t instantaneous. Inevitably, you will fail, and you need to be able to learn from those experiences and keep going. This made me think of the old adage, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”
John’s talk was one of the most inspiring stories I’ve heard in a long while, and his message was clear: Anyone can become a SHARK—if you set a goal for yourself, do your homework, create and sell your own brand, love what you do, and always, keep swimming!
May 6, 2019 | Blog, News
I can’t believe it has been ten years already!
Back in October of 2008, our company Sencorp, which included the Sencorp thermoforming product lines, as well as the CeraTek and CeraPak sealing product lines, had a total of 67 employees located in Hyannis, Massachusetts. That November, Sencorp began the integration of White Systems, relocating the company from Kenilworth, New Jersey.
In less than 90 days, the Sencorp facility in Hyannis was reconfigured to accommodate White Systems manufacturing. Fifty-seven truck-loads of machines and materials were shipped from New Jersey and then, unloaded, installed, and serviced. At the same time, 45 employees were hired and trained to manufacture and assemble White carousels. Within six months, full production resumed and White Systems, a brand that had been recognized for over 70 years as the preeminent designer, manufacturer, and service provider for horizontal and vertical carousels, reemerged as a leader in the automated storage and retrieval market.
While the integration of the two companies went smoothly overall, we did have to overcome a few challenges. Here are the four most important lessons we learned along the way:
- Appreciate the value of a trusted brand name. Shortly after the integration of White into Sencorp, the combined entity was renamed SencorpWhite—our way of paying homage to the legacy of each company. While the new name made sense to us, the market thought otherwise. Both Sencorp and White each had over 70 years of brand equity as recognized leaders in their respective markets, and the new name confused many customers. “What did a ‘Sencorp’ have to do with White?” and “What did ‘White’ have to do with Sencorp?” We listened, and after recognizing the true value of the original brand names, White is now as it was, in name and logo. What’s old is new again!
- You don’t have to manufacture everything. In the late 1990s, White entered the vertical lift module (VLM) market in the United States representing a European manufacturer under the PowerColumn brand. Believing that we needed to manufacture all of our products, utilizing Sencorp engineering, we quickly embarked designing our own VLM, the PowerColumn Three (PC3). While the PC3 is successful for unique applications, it is not a product for the general VLM market. To round out White’s product range, we partnered with an Italian VLM manufacturer, ICAM, to supply automated lift modules for the North American market. Our experience taught us that you don’t always have to manufacture everything yourself in order to be successful.
- Offer customers a complete solution. My thinking around the concept of “software for machinery” was the product of years of experience in industry, so when we acquired White, I expected its software to be the same as Sencorp’s, i.e., applications to run the machines. How wrong I was! White carousels need to work together in warehouses filled with disparate machines and technologies, creating a total warehouse solution. As such, we recognized that being a provider of inventory management solutions requires more than just stand-alone hardware. System providers in the warehouse automation market must have integrated solutions that include hardware, software, and service. Recognizing our inexperience in warehouse inventory management software, we have also acquired Intek Integration Technologies and Minerva Associates, leading software companies in warehouse management systems (WMS) and warehouse control systems (WCS).
- Be open to new, even unexpected, markets. Today, with White’s complete portfolio of hardware, software, and service, we are positioned as a leading provider of integrated storage and retrieval systems for the hospital pharmacy and emerging click-and-collect grocery markets. In addition, White custom configures hardware and software solutions for diverse markets like aerospace and automotive manufacturing and maintenance, e-commerce distribution, defense, and medical marijuana, to name a few.
Looking back, it’s incredible to see how White has expanded in size and scope over the past ten years. Now with over 240 employees, two manufacturing facilities on both coasts, European partners, three engineering and software development offices, and 23 field-ready service sites located throughout the United States, White is better positioned than ever before to be a leading provider of automated storage and retrieval solutions.
Jan 16, 2019 | Blog, News
Industry veteran brings more than 23 years of experience in sales, service, product development, and management.
SencorpWhite, a global leader in end-to-end solutions for automated packaging, integrated AS/RS systems, and warehouse automation software, has announced that Corey Calla has assumed the role of president, effective October 1, 2018.
White is a provider of integrated inventory management systems, high-density storage solutions and storage and retrieval systems for the hospital pharmacy space, manufacturing, distribution and fulfillment, aerospace, in-store pickup and military point-of-use solutions.
As the new president, Calla has responsibility for White Systems, including the operations of the InTek and Minerva Software divisions, both recent strategic acquisitions. Calla is also leading the customer service initiatives for SencorpWhite and its product offerings including thermoforming, sealing and automated storage equipment, based in Hyannis, Mass. Calla will report directly to SencorpWhite’s CEO Brian Urban.
“We are excited to enter the next chapter in our evolution and we are most excited about the experience and leadership Corey brings to our organization. His deep knowledge of sales, service and software systems makes him a natural fit to grow both our products and our customer base,” Urban said. “I am confident Corey will leverage his many years of experience in warehouse automation and service to drive exceptional growth for White Systems.”
Calla has held various leadership positions at Honeywell Intelligrated over the past 23 years and has extensive experience in sales, service, product development and management. He has led the introduction of many initiatives to develop new products, enhance customer experience, and streamline business systems. He has also designed and developed a cloud-based suite of applications to expedite service and support and managed a 40-person strategic sales team with exceptional results.
Initially, Calla will focus on growing White Systems’ storage and retrieval hardware and software businesses, while expanding its reach into integrated systems and capitalizing on the company’s recent successful distribution installations across a variety of sectors, including:
● Aerospace at Airbus, Gulfstream and United Airlines
● Manufacturing at Boeing
● Repair facilities for the United States Air Force and Lockheed Martin
● Hospitals at Providence Hospital
● Apparel at ChefWorks
These White Systems installations are automated systems comprising either stand-alone or combinations of White vertical and horizontal carousels, vertical lift modules (VLMs), StorBot robots and inventory management software.
“I am enthusiastic about the future of White Systems and our newly acquired software divisions. New opportunities continue to open in several key vertical markets, including hospital automation and consolidation, home delivery, in-store pickup, and a focus on efficiency as labor markets tighten,” Calla said. “For over 70 years, the White brand has been synonymous with performance and quality. I am truly excited to be leading the next phase of innovation and growth here, focused on driving customer value.”
Sep 8, 2018 | News
(Photo, left to right: Brian Urban, Lisa Minerd and Frank Doyle at the finalizing of the acquisition of Minerva
Associates by SencorpWhite.)
Acquisition designed to deliver advanced logistics software offerings for manufacturing and distribution
SencorpWhite (Hyannis, Massachusetts) announces the acquisition of Minerva Associates, a strategic merger designed to expand SencorpWhite’s complete warehouse logistics system solutions for the global market.
Since 1947, SencorpWhite’s automated storage and retrieval systems have been a leader in the North American market. With Minerva’s unique software design features and SencorpWhite’s expertise in material handling equipment, this powerful merger provides the supply chain industry with the widest available range of warehouse automation products and support services.
(Photo, left to right: Brian Urban, Lisa Minerd and Frank Doyle at the finalizing of the acquisition of Minerva Associates by SencorpWhite.)
Minerva Associates, based in San Diego, CA, has provided warehouse management, warehouse control, and asset management system software since 1987. Serving a base of regional distributors to Fortune 500 customers, Minerva’s WMS, WCS, and AMS products are field-proven in distribution, manufacturing and 3PL billing & order management.
This merger complements SencorpWhite’s inventory storage and retrieval products and extensive field-service options. It strengthens SencorpWhite’s expanding software resources and allows the SencorpWhite family to offer comprehensive, turn-key hardware and software solutions; solutions that improve accuracy and efficiency, and satisfy unique customer needs with increased configuration choices. This acquisition further strengthens the company’s overall value proposition in the market, in tandem with the 2017 acquisition of Intek warehouse software and the partnership with ICAM for vertical lift modules.
“We are excited to be a part of this strategic merger,” said Lisa Minerd who will remain Minerva’s President. “SencorpWhite shares our dedication to providing customers with the highest level of service, and comprehensive system solutions that improve the customer’s bottom line.”
“Our strategy is to be a great solutions company, and Minerva reinforces our position as a world-class provider of complete solutions for warehouse and storage automation,” said Frank Doyle, CEO of Connell Limited Partnership and chairman of its subsidiary SencorpWhite. “Minerva has a 31-year track record of providing great solutions to some of the world’s most recognizable companies, including large manufacturers and tech companies. This acquisition adds to our recently acquired Intek software bench strength multiple times over, and together we offer customers the strongest and most experienced WMS people in the business,” said Stan McLean, Intek’s VP System Sales & Implementation.
About SencorpWhite
SencorpWhite, a Connell Limited Partnership portfolio company, is a leading provider of unique end-to-end solutions for the packaging and management of high-value inventory. The company’s products and services – which range from innovative thermoformers and other packaging technologies to automated storage and retrieval systems and inventory management software – cover the entire supply chain spectrum, from the point-of-manufacture through distribution and to the point-of-use. For more information, call (508) 771-9400 or visit www. sencorpwhite.com and www.intek.com.
About Minerva Associates
Minerva Associates was founded in 1987 and is the sole owner, designer, developer, and provider of the Advanced Warehouse Logistics software platform, AWL. AWL provides measurable accuracy and efficiency improvements for distribution, manufacturing and 3PL billing & order management, from small regional distributors to Fortune 500 manufacturing enterprises. AWL installations can be found in North America, Western Europe, and the Pacific Rim. Minerva’s product offering and passionate talent are what make them stand out from other WMS software companies. For more information, call (858)-792-8626 or visit http://minerva-associates.com/.
SencorpWhite
400 Kidds Hill Rd | Hyannis, MA 02601 USA | 508.771.9400 |
info@sencorpwhite.com www.sencorpwhite.com – Attention: Brian Urban
Minerva Associates
5910 Pacific Center Blvd. #330 | San Diego, CA 92121
858.792.8626 | info@minerva-associates.com
www.minerva-associates.com – Attention: Lisa Minerd
