Month: April 2019

Gefco, a global provider of industrial supply chain services and European leader in automotive logistics, has extended its contract with leading sport equipment and sportswear company Decathlon until 2020. The renewed contract marks the third year of partnership between the two organisations, which began with a project, launched in 2017, for the transportation of goods to nationwide Decathlon stores from its Northampton logistics centre.

Gefco was granted three additional lanes to optimise and expand supply routes for deliveries to new Decathlon stores in 2018 and, after a successful contract period, all three lanes have been renewed for 2019/2020.

Tracey Turner, Key Account Manager at Gefco UK, commented: “While driving new business is a key strategic priority for Gefco UK we are equally pleased to build long-lasting relationships with existing customers such as Decathlon. Our customer-first approach, and commitment to developing strong partnerships, has seen us go the extra mile to anticipate and overcome any challenges and we are pleased to support a brand as prestigious as Decathlon whilst further showcasing our cross-sector capabilities.”

Daniel Fenoy, Logistics Manager, Decathlon commented: “Gefco has proven itself to be a reliable and effective partner and has demonstrated real value in supporting our expansion plans. We are pleased to continue to build on this successful relationship.”

Logistics real estate specialist Prologis has snapped up of 295,000 square metres (3.2 million square feet) of what it calls “prime properties in four of Sweden’s strongest logistics markets”. The acquisition substantially strengthens Prologis’ presence in Sweden.

The portfolio comprises 11 modern and flexible logistics properties designed for today’s advanced customer requirements. according to the company. It also brings a diversified tenant roster of both new and existing Prologis customers.

The portfolio was acquired by Prologis European Logistics Fund (PELF).

The properties are near Prologis’ existing portfolio ‒ and more than 70 percent of the acquired portfolio is in the Stockholm and Gothenburg area. The acquisition creates and expands two existing Prologis logistic parks in Sweden to more than 120,000 square metres each: Hisingen, Gothenburg, and Arlanda Stad, which is close to Stockholm Arlanda Airport and 30 minutes from the Stockholm city centre.

Logistics real estate specialist Prologis has snapped up of 295,000 square metres (3.2 million square feet) of what it calls “prime properties in four of Sweden’s strongest logistics markets”. The acquisition substantially strengthens Prologis’ presence in Sweden.

The portfolio comprises 11 modern and flexible logistics properties designed for today’s advanced customer requirements. according to the company. It also brings a diversified tenant roster of both new and existing Prologis customers.

The portfolio was acquired by Prologis European Logistics Fund (PELF).

The properties are near Prologis’ existing portfolio ‒ and more than 70 percent of the acquired portfolio is in the Stockholm and Gothenburg area. The acquisition creates and expands two existing Prologis logistic parks in Sweden to more than 120,000 square metres each: Hisingen, Gothenburg, and Arlanda Stad, which is close to Stockholm Arlanda Airport and 30 minutes from the Stockholm city centre.

Toyota Material Handling is linking up with Microsoft at Hannover Messe this week (Hall 7, Stand C40).

Last year, Toyota Material Handling showed a first preview of its future logistics vision at the Microsoft booth: ‘A.I.TeamLogistics’ was its concept for connected vehicles with on-board intelligence working as teams to deliver a continuous flow and optimised logistics operations. The Pallet drone vehicle was equipped with Azure Cognitive Services as an enabler in helping Toyota to realise its vision, using Microsoft HoloLens to visualise some scenarios. This allowed visitors to experience how the Pallet drone viewed its surroundings thanks to vision-based technology replacing traditional scanner technology.

First presented as the 2028 vision, this year Toyota Material Handling is bringing the realisation of the concept forward to 2020. The vehicles are presented on the booth in a scaled size, completing a demo based on a 3D scan of a warehouse. This allows the machines to train to navigate within the digital twin of the warehouse environment, continuously optimising its performance, all thanks to Azure Machine Learning (trained by reinforcement). Once deployed, the vehicle will continuously improve, with an understanding of its route based on its (moving) surroundings thanks to the onboard intelligence. HoloLens allows human beings to interact with the autonomous vehicles thanks to the ability to view the information coming from these machines.

STILL has strengthened of its product portfolio in the low-platform truck area with the EXH-SF 20/25 model. Building on the same platform, users of the EXD-SF double-deck high-lift truck also benefit from numerous technical innovations. These machines, the narrowest on the market at only 720 mm, have an exceptionally compact, ergonomic design with a unique sprung platform suspension. In this respect, the EXH-SF with a 2,500 kg load capacity for demanding applications, and the EXD-SF with a load capacity of 1,000 kg on the mast lift with 1,000 kg on the initial lift, were developed for double-deck transport and movements into storage up to a height of 2,942 mm – depending on the lift mast. This makes the two new machines really powerful enforcers in the warehouse.

The double-deck machine reaches a maximum speed of 10 km/h and uses STILL Dynamic Drive Control to automatically adapt it to the load weight and lift height. As soon as the lift height reaches above 1,800 mm, the EXD-SF changes to slow-speed mode to guarantee safe operation. The double-deck lift truck can be fitted with a load protection grill for added safety and security, with the result that the side-arms can stay folded out at a lift height above 1,800 mm. As a result of the double-deck transport and assistance functions, the EXD-SF ensures increased performance when used for goods truck loading and unloading on a ramp, in the pre-zone and in the warehouse.

Product trainer Maik Eckerkunst explains “Through their slim design, we have optimised the machines for goods truck loading and unloading: this means the trucks allow more latitude when shunting on the load floor, thus permitting safe, precise manoeuvring through narrow shelf aisles with oncoming traffic,” and adds another plus point: “The improved ergonomics relieve the load on drivers, who gain a more attractive, more convenient workplace.”