Mhmonline Com Images Archive Images David Colby
Mhmonline Com Images Archive Images David Colby
Mhmonline Com Images Archive Images David Colby
Mhmonline Com Images Archive Images David Colby
Mhmonline Com Images Archive Images David Colby

Publishers Page: Turning the Page

Nov. 1, 2008
Yes, you could say there is a pun intended here, as we turn the page and begin a new chapter of the life of Material Handling Management (MHM) magazine.

Yes, you could say there is a pun intended here, as we turn the page and begin a new chapter in the life of Material Handling Management (MHM) magazine. Effective with this issue, we welcome a new editor in chief to the staff and continue the long and distinguished line of gifted editors who have led this magazine to prominence.

Mary Aichlmayr, most recently senior editor, assumes the role of editor in chief, replacing Clyde Witt, who retired last month. (We heard someone say there were “still some fish left to catch.”)

Mary has a wealth of publishing experience and now brings her enormous talent as researcher, writer, reporter and editor to the leadership of our editorial team. Many of you know Mary as one of the original co-founders of the Northeast Ohio WERCouncil, a chapter of the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC). You also may know her from her monthly column in MHM called “World of Difference.” We hope many more of you get to know Mary and see that, in her expanded responsibility, she brings a world of difference to the pages of MHM.

The editor in chief, or chief editor, as she is sometimes called, sets the overall direction for the content of the magazine. She keeps abreast of current trends and critical issues and decides what features and stories are most important or most informative for a given issue. If her recent reporting and writing are any indication, we can expect to see top-level journalism and a writing style that is tightly focused and refreshingly bright and informative. Also expect a thoughtful selection of topics on material handling and supply chain management that illuminates best practices and world-class management techniques.

Mary takes over as chief editor at a critical moment in our industry and in the world. Economic
forecasts for 2009 and beyond from the Material Handling Industry of America, the Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association, the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association and others are not encouraging. Budget scrutiny and long purchase-cycle times make for aggressive competition. Global economic turmoil raises more questions still. Yet, for smart companies in general, and for those who give thoughtful attention to the articles from Mary and the staff of MHM, there are strategies for surviving these difficult times.

So, we turn the page and continue the story of Material Handling Management and the material handling industry. Under Mary Aichlmayr’s guidance, we expect to see change, but this is a new chapter, not a new story. And, while we expect new things from Mary and her team, the things that will not change are quality editorial content and insightful reporting on this important market.

David H. Colby, Publishing Director
[email protected]