Carry the weight┬áAs materials handling becomes faster and more complex, Cascade Corporation innovates and upgrades to help smooth and improve operations. While itÔÇÖs unlikely that they will ever eliminate warehouses completely, tools and techniques like lean manufacturing, with its constant companion, just-in-time delivery, have reduced the quantity of goods held in static big boxes, either as components or finished goods throughout the manufacturing process. That doesnÔÇÖt mean fewer items are being shifted ÔÇö quite the opposite. But the need now is for materials and finished items to be handled quickly and effectively. Lift trucks remain the essential tools but with narrow-aisle, high-reach and cross-docking now commonplace, thereÔÇÖs no ÔÇÿone size fits allÔÇÖ answer. Different activities need different solutions, and thatÔÇÖs where Cascade comes in. Founded in 1943 in Oregon, the company has grown to enjoy revenues in excess of $500 million and more than 2,400 employees. It is now a global corporation, with locations across Europe; in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China and other countries in East Asia; and in South Africa also. Its home remains in Portland, Oregon, and five production facilities across the US demonstrate that North America is its strongest market. The company has two plants in Canada: in Mississauga and Guelph, both in Ontario. From the outset, CascadeÔÇÖs mission has been about providing personal service and support to its customers. Its first product lines were stainless steel valves and pipe fittings; after a few years it designed and developed its first hydraulic cylinder, which allowed it to expand into new business areas. The product line now extends to a range of lifting forks, as well as fork positioners, side shifters, rotators, multiple load handlers, layer pickers, hydraulic and electrical systems ÔÇö and, of course, clamps. You canÔÇÖt pick up a large roll of newsprint paper with forks, nor can they be efficiently stored on pallets ÔÇö they take up too much room. Specially-designed clamps are the answer. But Cascade doesnÔÇÖt just make the clamps themselves, it makes and supplies hydraulic and electrical systems, too; reels, valve kits, power supplies, pressure regulators, rotational control and more are on the Cascade product list. Damage reduction systems, including load cushions and tilt control, also feature. Whatever the requirement in materials handling, Cascade probably has the solution.While CascadeÔÇÖs products will typically be found in warehouses, cross-docks and store yards, its operations north of the border are looking outside their traditional home. CanadaÔÇÖs economy is firmly based on primary activities like mining; its growing oil and gas industries need support services and equipment also. The same with construction, waste management, textiles and agriculture. Whether itÔÇÖs palletless transport of 55-gallon drums, making-up of mixed loads of beverages, slide sheet handling of bagged products such as cement, cosmetics or seed, Cascade has the equipment in its standard catalog. Waste management prefers to handle its materials in bales, rather than on pallets; call in Cascade. The same for food processing businesses that need rotators to invert loads into hoppers. Agriculture, food processing and manufacturing companies all need to handle and dump bins; Cascade has a forward bin dumper attachment range. Smaller enterprises need to make the most out every piece of equipment and may not have the volume of goods to justify the purchase of specialty equipment. No problem ÔÇö Cascade can supply fork clamp attachments, which, as their name suggests, can operate both as clamps and as fork positioners, to handle bales, crates, and even tires, as well as pallets. If loads like soft drinks and empty containers can sometimes be unstable, then make sure you have a load stabilizer to make handling safer and more efficient. Cascade has even come up with a solution for dealing with damaged or overloaded boxcar doors; an attachment that uses hydraulics to open or close them.Cascade has grown through most of its existence by expanding its operations to exploit new business opportunities. However, it made a big step forward in 1996/7 when it went on the acquisition trail and added five companies, including Kenhar Corporation, to its operations. Customer responsiveness, strength in design and commitment to innovation and customer service have helped Cascade to become the global leader in forks and materials handling equipment. ┬á