Industry News

Based on survey responses, the report covers how text messaging is being used in business communications today, predicts where the market is heading in the next 12 months, and explores what challenges and opportunities this creates for businesses.

70% of people say texting is the fastest way to reach them. That’s just one of the many findings in the 2024 State of Business Texting Report published today by Text Request, the industry-leading business messaging platform. The report, anchored in more than a thousand survey responses, details how organizations are texting with customers and employees, what trends to expect over the next calendar year, and what opportunities this creates for businesses.

“Rather than blasting out promotions to subscribers, which can be very effective, most organizations are using text messaging for everyday conversations and to replace phone calls,” says Text Request VP of Marketing Kenneth Burke, who led the survey and analysis. “Businesses are seeing that text is the most effective way to connect with customers and employees quickly and get a response, so they’re taking advantage of that opportunity for everyone’s benefit.”

Significant findings in the 2024 State of Business Texting Report include:

• 74% of people read every text they get
• 54% of organizations say text message is the most effective channel for getting a response
• 75% of organizations are texting for customer service
• 87% of consumers want to receive texts about appointment scheduling and reminders
• 66% of people get 20 or fewer texts per day—far less than the average email count of 156—making text a great way to stand out in communications

“If you’re going to reach someone quickly, you’ve got to text them,” says Text Request CEO Brian Elrod. “That’s something we’ve all felt, and this data supports that experience. Think about how helpful it is to be able to reach everyone immediately, and get a response. You can get twice as much done in half the time, cut costs, and increase revenue. That’s the trifecta.”

The report goes on to show how this data can be applied throughout organizations for customer service, sales, marketing, hiring, and more. To view the complete report, go to: https://www.textrequest.com/ebooks/state-of-business-texting-2024

Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas Continues Its Legacy of Educational Support in Houston 

Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas, one of the world’s leading manufacturers and providers of material handling, automation and fleet solutions, is now accepting applications for its 20^th Annual Cat^® Lift Trucks Scholarship Program. This long-standing initiative continues its tradition of recognizing an exceptional Houston-area high-school senior interested in pursuing a four-year degree related to the material handling industry. The chosen recipient will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship to support their pursuit of higher education.

“Innovation and education are the cornerstones of progress in our industry, and we’re thrilled to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of our Cat Lift Trucks Scholarship Program,” said Ken Barina, president of Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas. “By championing the ambitions of young talent, we are investing in the future of material handling, automation and fleet solutions and helping shape the landscape of our industry.”

A Legacy of Support 

Since its launch in 2005, the Cat Lift Trucks Scholarship Program has awarded a cumulative $140,000 in educational assistance to 27 outstanding students from the Greater Houston area. Past recipients have gone on to enroll in prestigious Texas universities and colleges, including Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin and Texas State Technical College, pursuing degrees in diverse fields, such as mechanical and chemical engineering, welding technology and entrepreneurship. Selection criteria include academic performance, community service involvement, leadership abilities and financial need.

Honoring Texas Tradition 

As the Official Lift Truck Provider of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ (HLSR), Cat Lift Trucks will announce the winner of the 2024 scholarship during the annual HLSR event, scheduled to take place from February 27 to March 17, 2024, in Houston.

“Each year, we witness remarkable academic achievements and a deep dedication to community service among our scholarship applicants,” said Jerry Sytsma, executive vice president, Sales and Aftermarket, at Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas. “Their dedication fuels our commitment to nurture the industry’s future leaders as we celebrate two decades of this program.”

How to Apply 

Applications for the 2024 Cat Lift Trucks scholarship must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. CST on January 31, 2024. Applicants must be from a Houston-area school district and plan to enroll in a college, university, or technical school in Texas focusing on engineering or a business-oriented or technical trade field related to the material handling industry.

For more information on this year’s scholarship program and requirements, or to apply, visit https://www.logisnextamericas.com/en/cat/cat-lift-trucks-scholarship.

HVAC company’s annual Veterans Day giveaways awards free A/C units to local heroes

To recognize the sacrifices made by Veterans and their families, Air Pros USA honored eight Veterans in eight cities by surprising them with new air conditioning units. Employees helped select deserving recipients through Air Pros USA’s annual Veterans initiatives and exclusive partnerships. After a careful vetting process, the company installed brand new HVAC units free of charge for Veterans in LaGrange, Georgia; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Fort Myers, Florida; Gainesville, Florida; Miami, Florida; Auburn, Alabama; Mobile, Alabama, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

“A recurring theme among this year’s awardees was their selfless dedication to aiding others without seeking anything in return,” said Anthony Perera, founder and Chief Growth Officer of Air Pros USA. “These are the instances that will resonate within our team eternally as we contribute to creating a meaningful impact in our communities.”

Air Pros USA’s 4^th Annual Veterans Day Giveaway awarded five Veterans:

Richard Fuller is an Army Veteran, from Fort Mitchell, Alabama. Fuller joined the military when he was 18 years old after seeing the devastation of 9/11 and deployed to Iraq three times. He was medically discharged after serving seven years in some of the most dangerous battles and deadliest cities in Iraq. He also trained Iraq soldiers and police at the commencement of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Cody Parham is a decorated Army Veteran from Mobile, Alabama who wanted to continue serving others after he left the military. He now works as a nurse. During his military career, Parham worked as an Intelligence Analyst in the Army and was deployed to Afghanistan from 2015-2016.

Dillon Stewart is a military hero from Denham Springs, Louisiana who still serves in the Army National Guard. During the floods of Hurricane Ida, Stewart rescued an elderly man from drowning. In a separate incident, he assisted an elderly man who was having a stroke on the beach. Stewart received the Distinguished Service Cross Award for his valiant efforts, which is the second highest award one can receive from the military.

Chad Entrekin is an Air Force Veteran from Columbus, Georgia who served on numerous refueling missions to support aircraft protecting the no-fly zone in an area formerly known as Bosnia. He served as an e4 Senior Airman and has received a Marksmanship Ribbon.

Robert Colin is a Marine Veteran from Bokeelia, Florida. Colin is a disabled Veteran who served in the Vietnam War. He has trouble walking and recent hurricane damage to his home has made getting around even harder as his stairlift was damaged in the storm.

Through partnerships with Florida Gators, Miami Dolphins, and Air Force Athletics, Air Pros USA also awarded free HVAC units and installation to three Veterans this year:

Cheryl Donalson is an Air Force Veteran from Miami. She is the caretaker of her elderly father and the devoted mother of her two-year-old daughter. She was nominated by the Miami VA Women’s Veterans Program.

Roy Garren is an Air Force Veteran who served in the Vietnam War. Garren spent 20 years in the Air Force with nearly 1,000 hours of flight time in Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in Vietnam. After retiring in 1983, he began serving with the Navigators Ministry.

Frank “Buck” Maher is an Air Force Veteran from Colorado Springs. He was deployed three times and was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal for combat mission support, and two Air Medals for combat missions. Buck flew in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent.

The trusted manufacturer is also supporting the ministry’s outreach by donating equipment to the Hope Village affordable housing project and contributing volunteer hours to prepare and serve Thanksgiving meals

Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading American manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, is providing critical support for the fight against hunger this holiday season with a $10,000 contribution to Mel Trotter Ministries.

The donation will help Mel Trotter Ministries meet the needs of struggling families and individuals in the Grand Rapids area through its annual Thanksgiving Day meal and turkey distribution.

“Bradford White is committed to helping build stronger communities and ensuring our neighbors have the opportunity to experience a happy Thanksgiving,” said Peter Kattula, senior vice president and general manager at Bradford White. “We’re proud to partner with Mel Trotter Ministries to serve families in need in our area and demonstrate our ongoing support for the communities where we live and work.”

More than two dozen employees and their families are also volunteering their time at the DeVos Center on Thanksgiving Day. Volunteers will be participating in several shifts, helping to prepare and serve meals for hundreds of individuals and families as part of Mel Trotter’s annual Thanksgiving meal event.

Additionally, Bradford White donated three water heaters for Mel Trotter Ministries’ Hope Village project in West Michigan, including two 75-gallon power vent units. The Hope Village project is developing 17 tiny homes in response to the shortage of affordable housing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and to help individuals experiencing homelessness.

Mel Trotter Ministries is at the forefront of battling homelessness through community partnerships and innovative solutions. For more information, visit https://www.meltrotter.org/.

For more information about Bradford White Corporation, visit https://www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com.