Latest news with #MarkBecker


Business Wire
30-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Geneva10 Fulfillment Selects Zebra's Automation Solution to Boost Productivity by Over 40%
LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a global leader in digitizing and automating frontline workflows, today announced Geneva10 Fulfillment (G10) has chosen Zebra Symmetry™ Fulfillment, a comprehensive AI-powered solution combining the functions of a warehouse execution system (WES) with robot fleet management and powerful analytics, to increase productivity and reduce costs in its warehouse operations. Using this solution along with Zebra Symmetry Connect Fulfillment AMRs, G10 expects to increase productivity by more than 40%, lower costs, and manage higher order volumes more effectively. 'With purpose-built software, powerful analytics, and a customer-first design, Zebra Robotics Automation empowers businesses to streamline their operations and achieve new levels of profitability and performance,' said Matt Wicks, VP and GM, Zebra. Share G10, a leader in third-party logistics (3PL), is set to deploy the solution specifically for batch and cluster picking operations for two of its e-commerce clients. The deployment is expected to substantially enhance pick rates by transitioning G10's current manual picking process into an automated, autonomous mobile robot (AMR)-assisted picking operation. This more efficient, collaborative approach will improve service delivery and the company's ability to meet stringent service level agreements. According to Zebra's latest Warehousing Vision Study, 93% of warehouse associates agree new technologies are essential for attracting and retaining talent. Technologies like AMRs, mobile computers, and wearables have become essential for streamlining workflows, simplifying tasks, increasing throughputs, and driving efficiencies in warehouse operations. 'We are excited to integrate the Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment into our operations as we continue to evolve and innovate to meet the growing demands of the logistics and ecommerce landscape,' said Mark Becker, President and Co-Founder, G10 Fulfillment. 'This technology will increase our pick rates by over 40% and provide our employees with innovative solutions to better serve our customers.' Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment is the latest comprehensive AMR-assisted-picking solution utilizing Zebra Connect Fulfillment AMRs, wearable technologies, software, and analytics designed to increase productivity and reduce costs in warehouse operations. This AI-powered solution adds value by: using inexpensive carts for buffering, reducing reliance on additional robots and enabling workers to focus on more strategic tasks. minimizing costs while maximizing output, providing more cubic capacity to handle 150 to 300% more volume compared to traditional AMR solutions with integrated payloads. 'With purpose-built software, powerful analytics, and a customer-first design, Zebra Robotics Automation empowers businesses to streamline their operations and achieve new levels of profitability and performance,' said Matt Wicks, Vice President and General Manager, Robotics Automation, Zebra Technologies. 'The continued adoption of Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment across the market is indicative of the trust 3PLs place in the solution to help scale and grow their businesses with real business impact.' The solution eliminates AMR wait times and increases pick density, enabling businesses to reduce their robot count by up to 30%, compared to legacy systems, further driving cost savings and operational efficiency. Optimized pick paths ensure that workers and robots are perfectly synchronized, resulting in seamless workflows that maximize productivity and reduce inefficiencies. KEY TAKEAWAYS G10, a 3PL leader, selected Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment to boost its warehouse pick rates by over 40%. Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment will provide the necessary flexibility to scale and manage higher-order volumes more effectively. Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment is the latest comprehensive AMR-assisted-picking solution utilizing Zebra Connect Fulfillment AMRs, wearable technologies, software, and analytics designed to increase productivity and reduce costs in warehouse operations. ABOUT ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Zebra (NASDAQ: ZBRA) provides the solutions to help businesses grow through increased asset visibility, connected frontline workers and intelligent automation. The company operates in more than 100 countries, and our customers include over 80% of the Fortune 500. Designed for the frontline, Zebra's award-winning portfolio includes hardware, software, and services, all backed by our 50+ years of innovation and global partner ecosystem. Follow Zebra on our blog and LinkedIn, visit our newsroom and learn more at
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Huge ship set to carry turbines to North Sea farm
The first turbines for a major wind farm off the East Yorkshire coast will be installed "in the coming weeks", officials have said. A purpose-built vessel, the Wind Peak, has arrived in Hull to carry components across 80 miles (129km) of the North Sea to the site on the Dogger Bank. Officials said the vessel, which is 162m (530ft) long and 60m wide, was capable of transporting and installing seven turbine sets per load. Sven Utermöhlen, the chief executive of RWE, which is developing the wind farm, said it was the energy firm's "largest offshore construction project globally" and was on track to generate its first power this year. RWE said more than half of the turbine foundations had been installed, along with substations and cabling. The first of 150 wind turbine blades, manufactured in Hull by Siemens Gamesa, are also ready for installation. Each will be recyclable, which the firm has described as "pioneering". Mark Becker, the head of offshore at Siemens Gamesa, said: "This is a major landmark moment: Sofia, one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world, will be the first in UK waters to feature this industry-leading innovation." Officials said the wind farm was expected to generate 1.4GW of electricity and feed energy to more than a million homes by the end of the year. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Anglo-Saxon finds unearthed at wind farm site Largest offshore wind farm hits power milestone Consultation to start on wind farm expansion plan RWE Siemens Gamesa


BBC News
17-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Huge ship to carry turbines from Hull to RWE Dogger Bank wind farm
The first turbines for a major wind farm off the East Yorkshire coast will be installed "in the coming weeks", officials have said.A purpose-built vessel, the Wind Peak, has arrived in Hull to carry components across 80 miles (129km) of the North Sea to the site on the Dogger said the vessel, which is 162m (530ft) long and 60m wide, was capable of transporting and installing seven turbine sets per Utermöhlen, the chief executive of RWE, which is developing the wind farm, said it was the energy firm's "largest offshore construction project globally" and was on track to generate its first power this year. RWE said more than half of the turbine foundations had been installed, along with substations and first of 150 wind turbine blades, manufactured in Hull by Siemens Gamesa, are also ready for installation. Each will be recyclable, which the firm has described as "pioneering".Mark Becker, the head of offshore at Siemens Gamesa, said: "This is a major landmark moment: Sofia, one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world, will be the first in UK waters to feature this industry-leading innovation."Officials said the wind farm was expected to generate 1.4GW of electricity and feed energy to more than a million homes by the end of the year. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.


Axios
10-02-2025
- Health
- Axios
NIH chops support for some medical research costs
The National Institutes of Health sent shockwaves through academic research circles late Friday, saying it will dramatically cut the rate it pays for universities' administration and overhead costs to save the government more than $4 billion. Why it matters: The reductions will particularly hit elite institutions including Harvard, Yale and Johns Hopkins and fulfill a long-sought conservative goal that was included in the Project 2025 blueprint. Trump proposed a similar change during his first term, but Congress didn't act. Project 2025 says the reimbursements "cross-subsidize leftist agendas" and that universities use the funds to pay for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Driving the news: NIH, as of Monday, will cap the indirect cost rate on all new and current grants at 15% of the total cost. Reimbursements vary by institution and have averaged between 27% and 28%, with some receiving more than 50%. It noted Harvard, Yale and Johns Hopkins each received more than 60%. The agency said in a post on X that $9 billion of the $35 billion that it granted for research in fiscal 2023 was used for administrative overhead, as opposed to direct research. The reimbursements can be used to cover the cost of lab space, data processing, safety measures for human subjects and to pay support staff, per the Association of American Universities. What they're saying: "The United States should have the best medical research in the world. It is accordingly vital to ensure that as many funds as possible go towards direct scientific research costs rather than administrative overhead," the agency said in announcing the change. But academic research interests predicted the cuts will slow medical breakthroughs, including treatments for cancer and chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. The reductions "represent the federal government stepping back from commitments it has made to world-leading researchers," said Mark Becker, president of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. "This action will slow advances for millions of patients who desperately need critical breakthroughs and imperil the U.S.'s position as the world leader in biomedical innovation," he said. A senior Democrat in Congress, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), said the move was illegal because annual spending bills prohibit modifications to NIH's indirect costs. She said the move would shift costs to states that can't afford to pay the difference. Context: President Trump's early actions on federal health agencies included temporarily freezing NIH grant reviews and rescinding job offers. NIH has become a frequent target of conservatives, with lawmakers proposing a major overhaul that would include new oversight of research and additional reviews of the process for awarding grants to universities.

Politico
10-02-2025
- Health
- Politico
Higher education leaders decry NIH cuts in research funding
Presented by FUNDING SLASH — The National Institutes of Health late Friday announced it will cut billions of dollars supporting research institutions, the latest blow to higher education. — The announcement said NIH would cut its funding for 'indirect' costs related to medical research which can cover universities' overhead and administrative costs. In its announcement, NIH said it will be capping the overhead rate in research funding grants at 15 percent as of today, which could slash millions in funding for institutions. Several higher education groups say this will have detrimental effects. — Mark Becker, president of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, said cutting the reimbursement of research costs will slow and limit medical breakthroughs that address diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. 'Let there be no mistake: this is a direct and massive cut to lifesaving medical research,' Becker said. 'We urge the administration to reconsider this self-defeating action.' — The NIH spent more than $35 billion in fiscal year 2023 on nearly 50,000 competitive grants to more than 300,000 researchers at more than 2,500 universities, medical schools and other research institutions across the country. The agency said while roughly $26 billion went to direct costs for research, about $9 billion 'was allocated to overhead through NIH's indirect cost rate.' On the social media platform X, the NIH said the cost cap could save more than $4 billion a year. — 'The United States should have the best medical research in the world,' NIH said in the announcement. 'It is accordingly vital to ensure that as many funds as possible go towards direct scientific research costs rather than administrative overhead.' — The potential savings were immediately rebuked by higher education leaders. NACUBO President Kara Freeman said 'while this retrenchment may seem like a good deal for taxpayers' the costs could fall on students or bring research to a halt. — American Council on Education President Ted Mitchell called the move 'short-sighted, naive and dangerous.' He said the funds have allowed colleges to maintain their laboratories and advanced technologies needed to stay ahead of foreign competitors. 'It will be celebrated wildly by our competitors, who will see this for what it is — a surrender of U.S. supremacy in medical research,' Mitchell said. 'It is a self-inflicted wound that, if not reversed, will have dire consequences on U.S. jobs, global competitiveness, and the future growth of a skilled workforce.' — Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) called the action illegal and argued that Congress' bipartisan Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill prohibits modifications to NIH's indirect costs. 'By proposing an illegal and arbitrary indirect cost rate, Trump and Elon are functionally forcing an indiscriminate funding cut for research institutions across the country that will be nothing short of catastrophic for so much of the lifesaving research patients and families are counting on,' she said in a statement. IT'S MONDAY, FEB. 10. WELCOME TO WEEKLY EDUCATION. Let's grab coffee. Drop me a line at bquilantan@ Send tips to my colleagues Rebecca Carballo at rcarballo@ Mackenzie Wilkes at mwilkes@ and Juan Perez Jr. at jperez@ And follow us: @Morning_Edu and @POLITICOPro. Congress AN EYE ON SENATE RECONCILIATION TALKS — Senate Republicans will hold a committee vote this week on a budget blueprint to unlock their two-bill reconciliation strategy, POLITICO's Jordain Carney reports. Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) announced his panel will meet Wednesday and Thursday to debate and vote on his budget resolution, which paves the way for later passing a border, defense and energy bill only. Graham also released the text of his budget resolution Friday. — This would put the Senate on a separate, and faster, trajectory than the House, which is still struggling to find consensus on a budget resolution to begin work on a one-bill strategy. Some House committee chairs in January laid out rough savings targets to be embedded in the budget resolution. The Education and Workforce Committee, for instance, is targeting roughly $60 billion in savings. — The Senate resolution would authorize $85.5 billion in spending per year, to be fully offset by corresponding spending cuts. It also would authorize a handful of Senate committees to find no less than $1 billion in cuts, setting that as a floor but with the expectation that lawmakers will come back with more to match the cost of the bill. The resolution sets a March 7 deadline for Senate committee chairs to hand over their plans. — Murray (D-Wash.), slammed the blueprint. 'Republicans are making clear with their budget blueprint that they are serious about eliminating the Department of Education,' she said. 'Based on the nearly $1 trillion in unspecified spending cuts assumed for this year alone, Republicans are not just okay with Elon Musk running wild,' Murray said in a statement, 'but are encouraging him to target schools, health care, transportation, and other services people who aren't billionaires rely on. ' PARENTS GROUP OPPOSES PROPOSALS TO ELIMINATE ED —The National Parents Union, which represents 1.7 million parents, sent a letter Friday to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate HELP Chair Bill Cassidy expressing their concerns and opposition to proposals to eliminate the Education Department. Efforts to eliminate the agency 'should disqualify any nominee for the next U.S. Secretary of Education,' the group wrote. — The letter comes as Linda McMahon, Trump's nominee to lead the agency, is scheduled to testify before the Senate HELP committee for her confirmation hearing on Thursday. 'Eliminating the Department would have catastrophic and destabilizing consequences for millions of students,' the group wrote, adding that the want the lawmakers to 'reject any nominee who does not uphold the fundamental mission of ensuring equal educational opportunity for all students and to oppose any effort to dismantle the Department and create instability in our education system.' Want to receive this newsletter every weekday? Subscribe to POLITICO Pro. You'll also receive daily policy news and other intelligence you need to act on the day's biggest stories. DOGE WATCH SCOTT REQUESTS GAO DOGE INVESTIGATION — Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the House Education and Workforce Committee, on Friday asked the government watchdog to immediately investigate how secure the Education Department's IT systems are. — The Government Accountability Office request follows several reports of people with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency working inside the Education Department. Scott said DOGE has gained access to the Education Department's internal systems and their collections of data, including for federal student aid. He directed the GAO to investigate the legality of the access to data and any potential consequences for the people who's information may have been accessed. UC STUDENT ASSOCIATION SUES EDUCATION DEPARTMENT — The University of California Student Association's lawsuit filed Friday argues that the agency violated its own regulations and federal privacy laws by allowing members of DOGE access federal student financial aid information, our Rebecca Carballo reports. — 'They collect that data with a promise to keep it safe and use it to help students secure financial aid and make informed decisions about their future,' Student Defense Vice President Alex Elson, who is representing the association, said in a statement. 'Turning around and handing it over to political operatives with an axe to grind is a fundamental violation of both Americans' trust and federal law. We urge the Court to quickly stop it.' SENATORS ALSO WANT A WORD WITH ED — More than a dozen Democrats, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) sent a letter to Acting Education Secretary Denise Carter, asking for a list of people who have access to the department's data. The lawmakers want information about what data they have access to and what kinds of safeguards are in place for the data. BILL INTRODUCTIONS FAFSA FARM, SMALL BUSINESS EXEMPTION — Sens. Joni Ernst(R-Iowa) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) introduced the Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act , which would amend the FAFSA Simplification Act to include an exemption of all farmland, machinery, other operational materials and small businesses with fewer than 100 employees from being declared on the FAFSA form. — The lawmakers said the new simplification changes to the FAFSA process threaten to reduce or possibly eliminate access to need-based student aid for families with farms or small businesses. Under the previous contribution formula, the expected family contribution did not include farm or small business assets. But the FAFSA's new formula, the student aid index, takes those assets into account. Rep. Tracey Mann(R-Kan.) is introducing similar legislation in the House. FOREIGN INFLUENCE BILL REINTRODUCED — House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) and Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.) introduced the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act, H.R. 1048, last week. — The legislation aims to tighten college foreign gift reporting requirements under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act. Last Congress, the bill cleared the House with a 246-170 bipartisan vote. Colleges are currently required to report foreign gifts and contracts valued at more than $250,000. The bill lowers the reporting threshold to $50,000, with some stricter $0 thresholds for 'countries and entities of concern.' MOVERS AND SHAKERS — Zach Waymer, government affairs officer at the Higher Learning Commission, will become the executive director of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors starting April 1. Syllabus — School investigating teacher over social media post allegedly to help ICE: WTOP News — The Department of Education told employees to end support for transgender students: ProPublica — House Republicans mull taxes on scholarships and changes to student loan programs: The Associated Press — Looming $2.7 billion Pell Grant shortfall poses a new threat for college aid: CNBC — An anxious week for some school districts in Colorado comes to a close: CPR News