Month: February 2019

A year after getting established in the Netherlands with the takeover of family business HaCas Transport in Gilze, Heppner is pleased to announce the acquisition of Hamacher Logistik GmbH, the specialist of international transport from the region of Gronau, located at the border between Northern Germany and the Netherlands.

To be as closer as possible to its customers and in the context of a shortage of transport means in Germany, the acquisition of Hamacher Logistik GmbH strengthens and accelerates Heppner’s ability to continuously improve the quality and development of its transport solutions in this key area for the company’s French, German and Dutch customers.

With a staff of 190 employees and a turnover of €39m, Hamacher Logistik GmbH is an international transport specialist characterised by its family business DNA, flexible and close to its customers. The company provides and carries out transport solutions especially on the trade axes Netherlands/France and Germany/France. A founding member of the CTL network in Germany, it has its own distribution capabilities in the Netherlands and the Gronau region. This acquisition thus also increases Heppner’s distribution capabilities in Germany. Hamacher Logistik GmbH also has a logistics business in Gronau and overseas in the Netherlands. In a first stage, Hamacher Logistik GmbH will continue to operate independently with its network of partners.

‘The acquisition of Hamacher Logistik GmbH is a perfect fit for our development strategy aiming being close to our customers and strengthening our transport solutions. We have a unique combination of partnerships and local branches that allows us to provide our customers with the highest service level in terms of time, quality and information control.’ says Cédric Frachet, Strategy and Development Director for International Land Transport at Heppner.

Conker, a British producer of business rugged tablet, touch screen and mobile devices, has announced the availability of the Conker SX5 Android barcode scanner. Part of the SX range, the SX5 barcode scanner, available in black and white, has been designed to be fit-for-purpose across many industries, where data collection or replacing paper-based systems and digital transformation is critical.

From a design perspective, the IP 65 Rated, SX5 barcode scanner has been drop tested from 1.2 metres onto concrete, is protected against water jets and is impervious to dust. It is ergonomic, lightweight and compact, making it easy to handle by any mobile workforce. The MediaTek Quad Core 1.3GHz processor, 3G/4G connectivity, and integrated 2D barcode scanner ensures that the SX5 has the power and capabilities to manage the most complex digital transformation tasks.

The white version, specifically, features BactiBlock®, an additive that prevents the growth of bacteria, mould, fungus and other microorganisms, making it effective for the healthcare sector. However, both the black and white versions can be used to improve business processes within warehouse & logistics, engineering, manufacturing, hospitality sectors and public sector organisations.

James Summers, CEO and founder, Conker, says, “Businesses across the UK are crying out for cost-effective, fit-for-purpose, business rugged mobile devices, with associated scanning capabilities, to form part of their enterprise mobility and digital transformation strategies. Our devices are powerful enough to form the ‘device backbone’ of these strategies, as businesses create innovative ways to run enterprise software that streamlines their business processes.”

He added, “These barcode scanners look smart and are highly effective for employees to use. They’re portable and light, and for those who are working in a warehouse, for example, ‘scanning’ all day, they are much more ergonomic, compared with the other bulkier and heavier devices available on the market.”

The Conker SX5 forms part of Conker’s wider SX range of Android barcode reading devices. It is available immediately and can be ordered from £579. Pricing and payment options are dependent on specific customer needs. Conker offers up-front consultancy to determine the most appropriate mobile device strategy.

TIP Trailer Services has completed the construction of a brand-new secure parking facility for heavy goods vehicles, located in Dourges, northern France. The facility is due to open officially in April and will provide 150 HGV spaces for transport operators from around Europe, whose drivers require a safe and comfortable place to park in this busy road transport region to the south of Lille.

With the safety of drivers and the security of vehicles and cargo in mind, the TIP park offers a range of security features, such as vehicle and pedestrian access control, 24/7 manned security, and thermal camera surveillance, whilst the overall security of the fully fenced site is third-party accredited. The facility also provides drivers with an ‘all-in-one’ rest area, offering shower, laundry, restaurant and free Wi-Fi services for the comfort of those who are staying on site during the day and overnight.

Whilst pre-booking space at the site is recommended (an official TIP App will be soon be available to facilitate this), it is not necessary. Drivers can just turn up at Dourges and a display at the site entrance will indicate the number of free spaces available. Parking charges are very reasonable, with payment accepted by most major credit cards.

Also, at the site, and just opened for business, is a brand-new TIP 7-bay workshop and 2-bay tyre maintenance facility that offers, not only heavy goods vehicle and trailer maintenance and repair services, but also a TIP trailer rental service.

The 7-hectare site, known as the ‘Delta Park Multi-Service Truck Centre’, is located in Dourges, 30 km south of Lille in northern France, at the interchange junction of the A1/E17 and the A21 road networks. It is one of the busiest road junctions in Europe, with more than 25,000 heavy goods vehicles passing through the area daily; the site is approximately one kilometre from this busy junction.

Commenting on the new TIP facility in France, Mike Furnival, managing director, TIP Trailer Services UK & I said, “This brand-new TIP centre is expected to help alleviate problems caused by parking on hard shoulders within the region, whilst also providing a safe and comfortable resting place for heavy goods vehicle drivers and securing cargo. With the current uncertainty surrounding transport operations between the UK and mainland Europe, TIP’s multi-service truck centre may prove to be a welcome respite from their journeys within the region for drivers from UK transport companies.”