Yarn producers from the United States attending ITMA 1995 will be seeking upgraded materials handling systems that offer automation, faster speeds, computerization, training tools, and improved maintenance procedures. Automated materials handling systems generally focus on several key points within an open end operation--transporting cans from carding to the drawframe, transporting cans from the drawframe to open end machinery, and removing cones from open end machinery--that are highly physical and labor intensive. Several new systems also remove yarns from open end machinery and palletize the packages. Although some yarn producers are searching for facilities that can house the large automated materials handling systems, more companies are looking for systems that will function within the tight spaces of their older buildings. Leading spinning machine manufacturers slated to participate in ITMA include Savio, which will show its modernized version of the Volufil system for the production of high bulk acrylic and wool yarns, and Zellweger Uster, which will demonstrate its new online monitoring equipment.