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Month: April 2019

Denso Sled and Handheld Innovations on Show at RetailEXPO

Posted on by David Priestman

For the first time, RetailEXPO in London is bringing together three leading events for the retail sector: Retail Business Technology Expo (RBTE), Retail Design Expo (RDE), and Retail Design Signage Expo (RDSE).

At stand 5E80 DENSO WAVE EUROPE, part of the Toyota Group, will introduce its product innovations for retail: the state-of-the-art BHT-1700 and BHT-1800 handheld terminals, the new SP1 RFID sled, a QR Code based facial recognition solution, and a new copy-protected QR Code. More information on scanners and handhelds, RFID, solutions for mobile data collection, the QR Code, and DENSO WAVE EUROPE can be found at https://www.denso-wave.eu.

Kaber Kolioutsis, Marketing Communication Specialist at DENSO WAVE EUROPE, says: “At RetailEXPO, all innovations, new ideas, and relevancy for today’s omnichannel market come together. Especially for the retail sector, our state-of-the-art data collection devices are ideal, because they provide solutions for fast mobile data collection and optimize the workflow in retail environments. Further information on the scanners and handheld terminals, RFID and NFC, Auto-ID, solutions for mobile data collection, the QR Code and DENSO WAVE EUROPE is available at https://www.denso-wave.eu.

 

Industry View: Europe’s Changing Road Toll Landscape

Posted on by Paul Hamblin

Laboratory tests, field tests, certifications, formal approvals from transport authorities and ministries, products available to pre-order, order or deliver – the European toll market has not seen so much activity for years. But when it comes to Europe-wide toll boxes (EETS boxes), there is a great need for clarification if the product is to work as the customer is led to believe it should. Jürgen Steinmeyer (Director Toll at DKV Euro Service) explains what hauliers should bear in mind.

If an EETS box works in a country, can I install it in my vehicle, drive off and expect that the toll will be correctly settled and correctly shown on my invoice?

Yes and no. If a provider states that his EETS box works in this or that country, this can also mean that his product is technically capable of covering that country and its toll system or it has been successful in a previous field test.

As a haulier, how can I ensure that the box I ordered will work as it should on every occasion in the future?

First of all, the toll service provider should be certified as an EETS provider or the box sourced from an EETS provider. DKV EURO SERVICE sources the DKV BOX EUROPE from Toll4Europe GmbH, a certified EETS provider. Whatever the box itself is said to be capable of, it must be certified for. The process for doing this varies from country to country. In Germany, for example, the box undergoes a laboratory test then a field test. After this, the Federal Office for Goods Transport (BAG) prepares a report on the certification and the box becomes approved for use on German roads through an approval agreement with BAG. A similar procedure applies in Belgium. As a reputable EETS provider, we are ready and willing to give information about the certification status of our box at any time. Ultimately, it is about the customer’s security of service, and he will very quickly lose confidence in that service if his box does not work.

How do you explain why there is still so much uncertainty on the market?
Now that the idea of EETS has gained the necessary momentum, more and more new players are entering the market. The message has been that as many countries as possible will be covered as quickly as possible in order to direct customer focus onto the product. However, the required certifications are often not available, and the box cannot be used. In my view, this is not at all expedient because I will lose the confidence of the customer if his box does not work or it is not delivered to him on time. Transparent billing must also be provided as well as additional services such as the passage lists shown in DKV eReporting. Emergency processes also play an important role. In other words: What does the customer do if the EETS OBU sometimes fails to work properly? We do not gamble with the trust of our customers. I am convinced that a serious and credible dialogue with our customers and potential customers is the only way to deal with this issue. We do not have to be the first on the market. But we must offer our customers quality products that work as they believe they should.

What is the situation with the DKV BOX EUROPE? What countries will it cover?
We are bang on schedule with the DKV BOX EUROPE. This year will see the tolls for Belgium, Germany, Austria, France, Spain and Portugal made available on the box. Customers will be able to order the box from May onwards. Details of the ordering process and delivery are available to our customers from their local branch office.

Dachser Iberia Names New Managing Director

Posted on by David Priestman

Celestino Silva is to take over as Managing Director of Dachser’s European Logistics (EL) Iberia business unit. He succeeds Juan Quintana, who has opted to leave the company to pursue new professional opportunities.

A native of Portugal, 51-year-old Silva brings a wealth of experience in logistics management to the helm of the Iberian overland transport organization. He began his career at Azkar—the predecessor of Dachser EL Iberia—over 20 years ago when the Portuguese country organization was first established. Following Azkar’s acquisition by Dachser, a family company with a global presence, he successfully integrated the Portuguese overland transport organizations. In 2014, he also assumed responsibility for Dachser’s business in the Galicia region in northwestern Spain.

“Celestino Silva is a successful manager with many years of experience and in-depth knowledge of the company, its processes, and the Iberian market,” says Michael Schilling, COO Road Logistics at Dachser. “He was closely involved in the successful transformation of our Iberian business unit from the outset and will oversee its further integration into Dachser’s European network.”

The transformation has brought economic success: the Iberian business unit has grown every year since 2013 and increased its revenue by around 27 percent in the same period. In 2018, the EL Iberia business unit generated unconsolidated gross revenue of EUR 661 million euros across 65 locations. Last year, the Iberian overland transport organization handled 20.7 million shipments. It employs a workforce of around 3,000 people.

Brexit and Higher Tolls Affecting European Truck Transports, Says Timocom

Posted on by Paul Hamblin

Fears that the UK will leave the EU without a deal have caused an explosion in the number of goods ordered for delivery to the British Isles. Compared to the the previous year, truck transports from all parts of Europe towards Great Britain have more than doubled in the first quarter of 2019, with growth of 112%. That’s according to the current numbers on the TIMOCOM transport barometer, which the IT company uses every quarter to document the development of transport offers and requests on Europe’s largest freight and vehicle application.

“Companies in the UK that depend on imports from the European mainland are increasing their stock, in order to be prepared in the event of a hard Brexit,” says TIMOCOM Business Analyst David Moog. According to the data analyst, a no-deal Brexit could mean that vehicles wanting to enter the UK will face extremely long waiting times. “In turn, this could cause supply bottle-necks. Customs fees on the goods are another uncertain factor,” says Moog, noting that the biggest growth in exports to the UK has been from Germany, France and Poland.

The supply and demand developments on the German market and on the European mainland are completely different. “The reserved economic situation has finally reached the transport economy,” says TIMOCOM Company Spokesman Gunnar Gburek about the quarterly results.

The number of companies searching TIMOCOM for transport options for their industry and trade goods decreased in the first quarter of 2019. On average, from January to March 2019, there were 52 freight offers for every 48 vehicle offers. The freight to vehicle ratio for the first quarter of last year was 54:46.

Increased truck tolls curb the number of transport offers
Higher tolls, which were introduced for trucks in Germany at the beginning of the year, have also had an effect on supply and demand within the transport market. In the first three months of this year, TIMOCOM documented a decline in vehicle offers of 12% as compared to the first quarter of 2018. “High toll rates, among other things, mean that European companies not based in Germany have less reason to offer transport within Germany,” is Gburek’s interpretation of the current development.

The transport barometer is an instrument used by the IT company to analyse, per quarter, trends in transport offers and demand as found on the freight exchange, part of the TIMOCOM Smart Logistics System. TIMOCOM, with more than 130,000 users and up to 750,000 international freight and vehicle offers daily, is the largest system platform for road transportation of goods in Europe

SSI Schaefer to Extend Logistics Centre for Fashion Retailer Carhartt

Posted on by David Priestman

Intralogistics giant SSI Schaefer is to provide a new logistics building for Work in Progress Textilhandels GmbH, better known as Carhartt, including a Cuby shuttle system, a compact bin and carton conveying system as well as picking locations with sequencing tower. Furthermore, the existing automated shipping buffer will be extended and connected to the new system technology.

Carhartt WIP supplies 70 of its own retail stores and 11 outlet stores worldwide via an omnichannel strategy from the central logistics centre at company headquarters in Weil am Rhein, Germany. The rapidly growing B2C demand is met by an online shop. SSI Schaefer will extend the storage capacity of the logistics centre and increase the process efficiency of made-to-order production for various distribution channels, thanks to optimized material flows and modern system technology.

SSI Schaefer will implement a fully automated 5-aisle Cuby shuttle system with about 35,000 carton storage locations, a pre-zone and a high-speed loop in the add-on building, which exceeds 4,000 m². The dynamic and completely scaleable storage system is operated by ten lifts to ensure high performance with a compact design. A potential expansion by three aisles is already considered in the installation layout. To guarantee successful sequencing of source cartons and consistent material supply of the eight connected picking locations, SSI Schaefer will install eight sequencing towers with 2 x 23 transfer locations each. An optional expansion by up to four towers for this automation area is already included in the installation layout. The picking locations are equipped with Put to Light technology and integrated into the system concept and material flows.

The new 1.6 km conveying system is set to supply 20 new packing work stations, a semi-automated returns work station and eleven special handling work stations for value-added services (VAS). Additionally, it is connected to the material flows of the already existing system. The existing system will be modified as well: SSI Schaefer will extend the 8-aisle miniload by two aisles with 9,800 storage locations. For further process support, SSI Schaefer also integrates a wide range of handling systems into the new conveying system, such as automatic carton openers and erectors, tape carton sealers, scanners and label applicators. SSI Schaefer implements the warehouse management system WAMAS® in the WIP logistics centre for warehouse management and process control.

Material flow structures for B2B shipping remain intact, while SSI Schaefer will restructure the material flow for B2C shipping, returns handling and the special handling area (VAS). In doing so, the system technology of B2B shipping is considered and incorporated to a large extent. The go-live date for the entire system is planned for the first quarter of 2020.

New Luxembourg-Chengdu Rail Freight Route Opens

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The new Silk Road has added another stop with the first Luxembourg-China journey. The train departs from Bettembourg-Dudelange Intermodal Terminal towards Chengdu Qingbaijiang International Railway Port. The train will cross Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan, entering the Chinese territory in Alashankou and will finally arrive at the Chengdu Qingbaijiang International Railway Port in only 15 days.

With this new connection, the Intermodal Terminal of Bettembourg-Dudelange contributes to strengthen the intermodal offer between Europe and China, as a consolidation hub for South Western Europe. Simultaneously, Chengdu International Railway Services (CDIRS) improves further its coverage in the hinterlands of Europe as well as its service quality.

The train inaugurated carries 41 containers loaded with food, medical equipment, electronics, hardware, ceramics and daily consumer goods.

Located on the Rail Freight Corridor 2 and at the crossroads of the North-South and East-West routes, the Intermodal Terminal of Bettembourg-Dudelange is ideally positioned to act as an international hub for the consolidation of multimodal transport flows between South Western Europe and China. With daily combined train shuttles to major European economic centres, CFL multimodal is constantly striving to develop and enhance its multimodal service offering.

From 31 trains launched in 2013 to 1.595 trains in 2018, Chengdu has been topping the EU–China rail platform companies for the third consecutive year.

Imperial Logistics Boosts China Team to Prepare for Growth

Posted on by David Priestman

Imperial Logistics has made a number of key appointments to its China management team in Shanghai, and has moved to larger offices, preparing for planned growth.

Joshua Mclarin (above) has been named as the company’s new Managing Director for China. Originally from New Zealand, Mclarin has spent the past 13 years of his logistics career in senior positions at Singapore Post group companies in New Zealand, Thailand, Australia and (most recently) Singapore, where he was Vice President, Group Sales, responsible for 13 countries.

Mclarin has considerable experience in providing logistics solutions for some of the world’s largest and best-known online and retail brands, and successfully drove the positioning of Singapore as an e-commerce consolidation and distribution centre for Asia.

He is joined by Owen Li as Head of Commercial, leading the Shanghai-based sales team. Li has over 20 years’ logistics and freight management experience working with Gondrand, Damco and, most recently, CEVA Logistics.

Blair Hu has been appointed IT Infrastructure Manager, responsible for network design, setup and maintenance for the Imperial Logistics office and two warehouses. Hu previously spent 10 years at Nestle’s Research & Development Center in Shanghai, most recently as Project Manager. He has degrees in Electronics Technology, and Computer & Science Technology.

Ricky Nan has joined Imperial Logistics as IT System Manager. His first assignment is setting up the Transport Management System, Warehouse Management System and related systems for a major new contract. He has over 10 years’ experience gained in similar positions for DSV Cargo Service and Prime Cargo.

Matthew Zhu has been appointed Warehouse Manager at Imperial Logistics’ Yangshan location, looking after a major new automotive contract. He has previously handled similar projects during 12 years with Kerry Logistics and Expeditors.

Sofia Ruan has been appointed HR Manager. She has 10 years’ experience in recruiting, training and organization development, including working with a global freight forwarding company. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and HR Management from East China University of Science and Technology.

Finally, Lion Luo joins Imperial Logistics’ China team as Senior Operations Manager after 12 years with SITC Logistics Co., Ltd – most recently as Assistant General Manager. He has comprehensive experience in air and ocean forwarding of imports and exports.

Imperial Logistics has meanwhile relocated to larger offices in Shanghai’s Jing An district, providing additional room for planned growth, and improved facilities for meetings with customers, vendors and service partners.

Says Imperial Logistics International CEO Hakan Bicil: “We are delighted to welcome Joshua, Owen, Blair, Ricky, Matthew, Sophia and Lion to our Shanghai team. Their appointments reflect our increasing commitment to the Chinese market, and their collective skills and experience will play an important part in further strengthening our foothold and delivering on our ambitious development targets.”

Imperial Logistics’ China operations were launched in 2012. The company’s current activities in China include warehousing, internal distribution by road, and global multimodal freight management.

Gebhardt Promises “Next Generation” Storage System With Cheetah Heavy AS/RS

Posted on by David Priestman

Gebhardt says it is taking the optimum utilization of warehouse space onto the next level with the Cheetah heavy Automatic Storage & Retrieval System (AS/RS).

The rail-bound Cheetah heavy has a maximum payload of 1,500kg with an aisle height from 8-24m and can be used for the fully–automatic single or double-depth storage and retrieval of Euro or industrial pallets and box pallets.

A special feature is the high degree of standardisation which is guaranteed through a modular design. This results in short delivery times for customers and storage space can be optimally utilised through the reduced approach dimensions.

Timber Strapping Machines on Show at Ligna

Posted on by David Priestman

Mosca is presenting a new variant of its timber-specialist KOV-111-16, including a high-performance sealing unit, at Ligna 2019. The strapping unit has a tensile force of up to 7,000 newtons and allows the use of 19-mm strapping material for securing heavy products. The machine is also equipped with a scantling device and a fully automated edge protection setter. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses that need to quickly and efficiently secure large volumes of timber products for transport with minimal downtime. The Mosca display in Hall 16 (B12) in Hannover at the end of next month will also feature the MK-50, a particularly solid machine for strapping non-palleted products. The RO-M-RI and the RO-MP-6 T, which are especially suited to bundling long, narrow products such as roof battens or profiled timber, round out the Mosca portfolio for the timber industry.

When large quantities of sawn wood, chipboard, or other timber products are prepared for transport, the strapping technology must work smoothly and efficiently. Downtimes, especially for refilling consumables such as strapping, scantlings, and edge protection for securing the product must be as short as possible. This is the only way the process of securing goods for transport can keep pace with upstream production systems. “We have created a new variant of the KOV-111-16 with a scantling device and edge protection setter to master this challenge with a large magazine,” says Mosca GmbH CEO Timo Mosca. “Combined with the high-performance sealing unit we have developed, this gives us a solution that is specially tailored to the wood industry.” Integrated into conveying systems made by Mosca or other manufacturers, the fully automated machine feeds scantlings under the product to be strapped and protects the upper edges with solid cardboard.

Aberle Wins Intralogistics and DC Deal from Component Maker

Posted on by David Priestman

German electrical component manufacturer Franz Binder has named system integrator Aberle as general contractor for the design and equipment of intralogistics at the company HQ’s new logistics centre.

“With the new building, we are ensuring that we will continue to meet the demands of our customers and the market in the future,” said Markus Binder at the laying of the foundation stone at the end of March 2019.

Founded 59 years ago, the owner-managed family-owned company is today one of the market leaders in the field of industrial connectors. The company continues to grow, including which ten percent for 2018 alone. Against this backdrop, the new construction plans for logistics and production that were initiated in 2011 are currently being implemented. The analyses and planning of the logistics processes were carried out by TKS management consultancy and industrial planning GmbH, Stuttgart. Aberle GmbH, Leingarten, was awarded the contract to create the material flow concept and equip the intralogistics.

In the 26m high building complex, which will feature a spectacular facade design after completion, Aberle will set up a fully automatic pallet warehouse as well as a highly dynamic shuttle warehouse for small parts storage in addition to the continuous pallet and container conveyor technology for efficient intralogistics processes. Both storage systems are implemented as built-in warehouses. The process control and plant visualization will also be handled by customized modules of Aberle’s Process Management System (PMS), which will be connected to the SAP/EWM warehouse management system installed by the customer via interfaces.

When the system is completed, which is scheduled for summer 2020, the single-aisle pallet warehouse will provide around 1,500 pallet spaces for double-deep storage. The installed storage and retrieval machine with its load handling device (LAM) provides for approx. 35 pallets of storage and retrieval per hour.

About 30,000 container storage locations in the new 3-aisle automatic small parts warehouse will be served in the first construction stage by a total of 12 shuttles. They offer a total throughput of 450 storage and retrieval operations per hour. Further shuttles can be retrofitted to increase future performance, so that around 1,200 storage and retrieval operations can be achieved in the future. With the implementation of the project, the family business will be equipped for further growth and will position itself as an attractive employer with modern workplaces in the competition for skilled workers.

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