Subscribe

Month: January 2019

Hymo Vertical Positioning Models on View at LogiMAT

Posted on by David Priestman

Hymo will present vertical positioning solutions at LogiMAT that the company says significantly increase safety and save time and money, including a new mast-driven lift (MDL) to join Hymo’s current MDL product family.

Hymo’s current family of MDLs has been making the vertical transportation of goods safer and more efficient for a long time. Several goods lift/elevator handling OEMs are currently using Hymo MDLs for flexible lifting up to 9 m. These products guarantee safe, vibration-free lifting even at extreme heights. Requiring no pit or masts, they are easy to install and use indoors or outside.

A new product targeting industrial applications will be joining the range at LogiMAT, opening up many new opportunities for elevator companies, integrators and contractors. With a capacity of min 1500 kg, the new goods lift will go from 1300×1200 mm to 1700×1200 mm. It enables pallets and trucks to be carried easily, and offers substantial savings across many demanding goods lift applications.

Hymo’s heavy-duty, outstandingly reliable and highly customizable BX and MX models are used on tens of thousands of production lines and in advanced distribution centres and factories. Quickly and intuitively adaptable to create the correct working position, they improve both safety and efficiency. The wide range of accessories further extends material handling possibilities. PalletPal is designed specifically for pallet loading/unloading. Its smoothly operating turntable enables nearside handling of loads up to 2040 kg without needing power or an air supply.

Following detailed studies, Hymo’s virtual presentation of the vertical factory has now been extended to the Vertical City. Through risk analysis and conceptualization to safety features and accessories that improve safety for goods and people, the model makes available a world of expertise. The Vertical City will be available to explore on Hymo’s stand (Hall 10-C08) at LogiMAT.

Integrated Tech Will Help Solve Driver and Skills Shortages, Says Survey

Posted on by Paul Hamblin

Logistics operations are increasingly turning to integrated technology solutions to overcome a host of transport planning pressures, while at the same time the driver and general skills shortage continues to weigh on the supply chain sector. These were two of the key findings from Paragon Software Systems’ annual UK customer survey, which was completed by more than 100 industry professionals. It found that almost all respondents (97%) are using some type of telematics solution and almost half (45%) are interfacing this technology with their routing and scheduling software.

Meanwhile, the lack of drivers and other skilled workers remains the biggest challenge facing the industry for the third year running according to over half of the survey’s respondents (55%). This represents a 20% increase when compared to last year’s results (46%) and a significant 62% rise from 2017 (34%), suggesting a growing concern amongst businesses within the marketplace. Other notable issues highlighted were rising transport costs (13%), Brexit (12%), and urban transport restrictions (7%).

The 2019 survey results showed that technology is now playing a critical role within road transport to gain added visibility and control. Most fleets are now using vehicle tracking (95%) with over half (52%) also utilising electronic proof of delivery. Other popular solutions include 3G/4G vehicle cameras (40%), live temperature monitoring (25%) and workforce management apps (20%). Transport operations integrating these systems with their routing and scheduling software are doing so to take advantage of real-world data that supports real-time performance monitoring and continuous improvement.

Demand for more accurate time windows (44%) was again pinpointed as the biggest transport planning pressure followed by the ability to compare planned routes with what is actually happening on the road (39%) and the need to maximise the utilisation of available drivers (34%). Meanwhile, almost three-quarters of the respondents said they have had to adapt their service in the past year to meet changing customer demand. In particular, the provision of tighter time windows (31%); ETA on the day of delivery (28%); more frequent communications (22%); and proof of delivery (20%) were the most cited changes.

With transport planning becoming increasingly complicated, almost half of respondents (49%) stated that their planning resource had changed in the past 12 months, with 22% becoming more centralised and 16% growing their team. A large proportion (78%) felt they would significantly or slightly benefit from having greater automation in the transport office, while a number (9%) had already taken steps to fully automate their operation.

William Salter, Managing Director of Paragon Software Systems commented: “The results of our survey suggest the road transport sector faces another tough year with a number of continuing challenges that are compounded by the current economic and political uncertainty. As a result, logistics operations are looking to integrated technology solutions that deliver real benefits in terms of better resource utilisation, improved customer communications and real-time visibility of fleet performance.”

Australia Milestone for Witron with Food Retail DCs Contract

Posted on by David Priestman

Major Australian retail company Coles has selected Witron to deliver two new ambient distribution centres as part of a supply chain modernisation program that will improve availability for customers while lowering costs. The DCs will be located in the states of Queensland and New South Wales.

In seeking a partner for the project, Coles had regard to Witron’s track record of delivering 54 similar projects with global retailers including E. Leclerc, Kroger, Target (US), Supervalu, Sobeys, Edeka, Mercadona, Migros, Meijer, Inex and Coop Norway.

Coles operates more than 2,500 retail outlets across Australia including supermarkets, liquor stores and fuel and convenience stores. More than 21 million customers per week shop in-store or online at Coles, generating sales of more than 39 billion Australian dollars over the 12 months to the end of June 2018 (equivalent to approx. 24.5 billion euros).

The two distribution centres will respectively supply a full range of ambient grocery lines to more than 240 Coles supermarkets in New South Wales and more than 170 supermarkets in Queensland.

From each of the two approximately 70,000 square metre logistics locations, all stores are supplied with a full range of dry goods.

“The modernization of our supply chain will provide a safer working environment for our team members, lower supply chain costs, enhance our overall business competitiveness and make life easier for our customers by having the right offer in the right location,” said Coles CEO Steven Cain.”

Witron CEO, Helmut Prieschenk, said the company was very pleased to be working with Coles on the company’s first Australian project.

“We spent a lot of time working with Coles to make sure that the project was exactly what was needed, going right back to the most basic data before looking at logistics modules and technology, service and operator concepts, end-to-end supply chain intelligence, and finally to ways that the centres could make use of existing and future technology.”

In what Witron owner and company founder Walter Winkler proudly describes as “a milestone in the almost 50-year-history of the company,” Witron has already registered an Australian subsidiary company, Witron Australia Pty Ltd, which will be based in Sydney, to manage the project.

 

Pictured: Coles CEO Steven Cain (right) and Witron CEO Helmut Prieschenk sign the contracts

 

VanRiet Hunts New MD as van den Boog Steps Down

Posted on by David Priestman

VanRiet Material Handling Systems, a leading global provider of integration systems, equipment, and after-market services solutions, today announced that Rik van den Boog has stepped down from his role as CEO of the Company following a successful seven-year leadership tenure.

The Company has initiated a formal search process for an experienced, permanent Managing Director. In the interim, the responsibilities of the CEO will be handled by a strong leadership committee comprised of CFO Johan Verhoeff, Kai Ramadhin, Director of Sales & Marketing, and Thomas van Workum, Director of Lifecycle Performance Services.

“Under Rik’s leadership, VanRiet has grown into a leading international system integrator and a world-class sorting and transport solutions provider with strong footholds throughout Europe, the US and China” said Mr. Ramadhin. “We are very grateful for Rik’s commitment and leadership as CEO.”

“It has been an honour and a privilege to work alongside our talented employees and for our valued customers over the last seven years,” said Mr. van den Boog. “I have no further ambition to run a business operationally anymore. However, it was a great experience to work in a sector that I did not know before.”

New Cold Store High Rack Stacker from Jungheinrich

Posted on by David Priestman

Jungheinrich UK has extended the award-winning EKX range of very narrow aisle trucks into cold storage operations, with the launch of its new Cold Store High Rack Stacker.

Benefitting from years of experience at the forefront of Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) as the market leader, the EKX Cold Store High Rack Stacker from Jungheinrich delivers exceptional throughput performance and maximum efficiency at temperatures between -2°C and -28°C.

Energy consumption is lowest in its class. The EKX Cold Store High Rack Stacker incorporates a new enlarged 86.8 kW battery capacity, as well as synchronous motor technology, requiring no energy to activate the rotor. The result is a reduction in heat build-up and up to 15 per cent improved efficiency compared to a standard asynchronous motor. Combined with the latest energy recovery innovation, the Stacker can be used for two shifts under normal operation with a single battery charge; a range of battery charging options are also available to suit the unique requirements of each individual cold storage application.

Performance is further enhanced with lift speeds of up to 0.6 m/s and drive speeds of up to 0.5 m/s, along with its intelligent high tensile steel construction that is completely robust in the cold, while boosting load capacity by 100 kg to 1300 kg. The main components are constructed from low-temperature steel, hydraulic oil is low-viscosity with anti-stick-slip additive, and the cabin features a two-fold polycarbonate screen window.

Inside, the workstation is fully isolated and heated with a double-stage heater. Complete with dust-filtered fresh air supply and partial front screen window heating, the Stacker optimises safe and comfortable operation for extended time in the harsh cold store environment.

Steve Richmond, Director – Logistics Systems, Jungheinrich UK, comments: “The Jungheinrich EKX range has been the industry benchmark of VNA trucks for many years and we’re delighted to extend its advantages and benefits to the cold store. It’s one of the most demanding material handling applications there is, and so the Jungheinrich EKX Cold Store High Rack Stacker has been meticulously designed to ensure complete safety and comfort for operators, while applying EKX performance and efficiency that’s second to none.”

 

Maritime to Run East Midlands Rail Freight Interchange

Posted on by David Priestman

Logistics property specialist SEGRO has signed a 25-year lease with 3PL Maritime Transport to operate the Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) at SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway (SLP-EMG) and will base their Rail Headquarters at the site.

The 22.5 acre rail terminal will be capable of handling up to sixteen 775m-long freight trains daily and will provide storage capacity for over 5,000 TEU (the measurement of capacity of container terminals) – which is equal to approximately 45,000 pallets of cargo*.

A purpose built 20,000 sq ft office will become the Rail Headquarters under the ‘Maritime Intermodal’ division and will house operations staff, state-of-the-art training facilities and parking for a fleet of up to 100 trucks. Completion of the rail freight terminal is expected in late 2019 and the office element in Summer 2020.

This is the first rail freight interchange in the East Midlands and will connect to the Castle Donington freight line, providing direct access to the UK’s network of Rail Freight Interchanges and all major UK Ports.

 

Cimcorp Robotic Handling for Maximum Food Freshness on Show at LogiMAT 2019

Posted on by David Priestman

Finland-based intralogistics automation supplier Cimcorp will present its robotic handling technology at LogiMAT 2019 (Hall 2, booth B05). Using robots operating from overhead gantries, Cimcorp’s modular solutions provide food producers and retailers with instant access to every SKU, ultra-fast handling and total picking accuracy.

“These benefits contribute to freshness for food products,” says Kai Tuomisaari, Vice President of Sales for Cimcorp. “They help maximize shelf life and secure vital competitive advantage for our clients in the fresh produce, bakery and dairy sectors. Brands such as Colruyt, Mercadona and Fazer are all reaping the rewards of investing in our robotic automation.”

Faced with the challenges of an increasing variety of store formats, more frequent deliveries and smaller order lines, grocery retailers must minimize the time it takes to get fresh products from the supplier to the store. Controlled by Cimcorp’s warehouse control system (WCS), the robots effortlessly manage the entire material flow from receiving to dispatch. “What is unique about Cimcorp’s solutions,” says Tuomisaari, “is that they combine buffer storage and order picking in one efficient, flexible and scalable operation.”

It is not only perishable products that benefit from robotic handling. For companies challenged by seasonal peaks – such as breweries and beverage suppliers – gantry robot solutions provide the speed, capacity and flexibility required to cope with spikes in volume. Where automation of the entire DC is not feasible, Cimcorp can supply what it calls an ‘island’ of automation – such as a system handling solely fresh produce – that is fully integrated with the surrounding manual operations.

Logistics Software Firm Transporeon Sold to Hg

Posted on by David Priestman

Logistics IT software specialist Transporeon Group has been sold to investment vehicle Hg by its existing majority stakeholder, private equity firm TPG Capital. Terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. 

Headquartered in Ulm, Germany, Transporeon is described as a leading cloud-based logistics platform, linking manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers with logistics service providers, via the largest network of its kind. The group digitizes the entire logistics-supply chain, providing software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions that connect a global network of over 1,000 shippers and trading companies, almost 90,000 carriers, and over 100,000 users in over 100 countries.

“Our partnership with TPG has been hugely rewarding and their experience in developing software companies has been very beneficial to Transporeon’s continued momentum,” said Martin Mack, cofounder and CTO of Transporeon. “We now look forward to working with Hg on the next step of our journey.”

This news follows Transporeon’s merger with logistics consultancy TIM Consult, which was announced last summer.

Warehouse Storage Kit Sales Spike “Caused by Brexit Stockpiling”

Posted on by David Priestman

UK logistic provider Palletower claims it is seeing an increase in orders for storage equipment as UK warehouses stockpile in fear of a no-deal Brexit.

With the government yet to announce a deal to ensure trade routes aren’t restricted, businesses are purchasing additional stock from overseas supply chains to minimise the impact of potential price hikes and grocery retailers are preparing for consumers to potentially stockpile essential items such as food and non-perishable items.

UK warehouse owners have reported that three-quarters of their spaces are full to capacity. Matthew Palmer, Managing Director at Palletower, said: “We’ve noticed a significant increase in customers ordering extra storage solutions, such as roll pallets and stillages and it’s correlating with the announcement that companies are stockpiling due to uncertainties about Brexit.”

Palletower’s range of roll pallets, cages and containers are designed to maximise the use of available space throughout the warehouse and across the logistics chain making them an ideal short term storage solution. Matthew added: “With the media storm around Brexit and the uncertainty that is a result of the current political climate, more customers are purchasing products such as stillages, which are used to stack pallets to save on space.”

Palletower’s range of storage including roll pallets, hypacages, plastic containers and retention units perform a vital role for some of the UK’s largest supermarkets, online retailers and high street stores, transforming the supply chain network and revolutionising the transportation of goods and warehouse operations.

Fork Attachment Experts Meyer & Bolzoni Reveal LogiMAT Highlights

Posted on by David Priestman

Forklift attachment specialists MEYER and BOLZONI AURAMO have released their LogiMAT highlights. Meet them at Hall 10, G63 at the Messe Stuttgart between February 19-21.

MEYER High Performance Fork Positioners – now available up to 14 ton
The latest generation 6-25G is now being extended into the capacity class ISO 4 with capacities ranging from 6 ton / 600 mm load centre up to 14 ton at 600 mm and various chassis widths for all truck sizes. Mast integral versions are available for an optimum of visibility and forklift truck residual capacity.

The heavy-duty fork positioner is also designed to work with extreme long forks. The fork carriers are pre-drill as standard for easy retrofitting of bolt-on forks.

MEYER Multiple Pallet Handlers – optimum Life Cyle Cost in fleet and full maintenance operation
The only fully encapsulated guide system, the MEYER Shaft Guide Concept, with long-life life require a minimum of maintenance, which, with its optimised TCO, predestines this Multiple Pallet Handler design for full-maintenance and fleet operations.

MEYER also offers an all-function Auto-Lubrication for the fork adjustment and sideshift functions to allow for maintenance intervals of 2,000 working hours and more.

Throughout the whole logistic chain, industries are constantly looking for new material handling solutions to improve their operation. To handle materials quickly, efficiently and at a competitive cost is now made possible through the SILVER LINE product segment:

SILVER LINE is a range of reliable and cost-effective products, suitable for applications in many industries, particularly where operators require high performance and efficient cost. Most of the SILVER LINE products are available from the BOLZONI Group warehouses located worldwide.

Home Appliance Clamps (above) – intelligent concepts for damage prevention
One of the major reasons for damage on sensitive home appliances is the wrong clamping force. Each product or load scheme requires an individually adjusted clamping force to avoid load damaging or slipping. MEYER and BOLZONI AURAMO present a new system for equalisation of the clamp force over the large surface pads and various features for damage prevention, from basic mechanical pressure setting solutions to highly advance Sensor Control Systems

BOLZONI AURAMO – The Experts in Paper- and Recycling Logistics
With many decades of experience in paper, pulp and recycling logistics, BOLZONI AURAMO combine product development expertise and trends in the logistics industry with customer demands into a state-of-the-art product range for efficient and damage-free handling solutions for each steps of the complete paper logistics chain.

 

Subscribe

Get notified about New Episodes of our Podcast, New Magazine Issues and stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter.