Month: May 2019

Global integrator Witron is building the sixth fully automated frozen food logistics centre for market-leading Spanish food retailer, Mercadona. Sited in in Guadix (province of Granada, southern Spain) the distribution centre will be equipped with the latest OPM technology. All logistics processes are optimized in real-time, thanks to intelligent and holistic networking. Scheduled to start operations at the start of 2021, the logistics centre will supply 224 Mercadona stores throughout Andalusia. In total, Witron mechanized logistics systems will then be responsible for the storage and picking of frozen goods for more than 80% of all 1,630 Mercadona stores in Spain.

The system with a size of 17,600 square metres / 189,400 square feet is equipped with 7 fully automated COM machines and will pick up to 46,000 cases every day out of an assortment of 550 items at -23 degrees Celsius / -9 Fahrenheit onto pallets – store-friendly and without errors. A five-aisle pallet high bay warehouse with 7,000 pallet locations and a 14-aisle tray AS/RS with 62,300 locations are located in front of the COMs. The mechanical elements manufactured by Witron guarantee high availability and were designed for a 24/7 continuous operation at freezing temperatures.

The Witron warehouse management system optimizes all material flow processes. This software suite stands for holistic networking and transparency both vertically between all system levels as well as horizontally within the entire supply chain. The result is a high level of “warehouse intelligence”, which means the creation of a real-time logistics network that directly connects all “players” in the overall system allowing changes to happen dynamically and directly in the logistics processes.

Mercadona and Witron have been maintaining a successful logistics partnership since 2004. Additional logistics centres for dry, perishable and frozen food designed and realized by Witron are operated by Mercadona in Barcelona, Villadangos del Páramo (León), Ciempozuelos (Madrid), Ribarroja (Valencia) and Vitoria.

Innserve, specialists in the supply, installation and maintenance of beer and soft drinks dispense systems, is rolling out Panasonic TOUGHBOOK L1 Android tablets to its 400 technicians across the UK.

The company chose the devices for their rugged and ergonomic design, alongside Panasonic’s commitment to supporting the latest Android operating systems and its comprehensive service and maintenance offering.

Innserve is the major provider of drinks dispensing in the UK. Its maintenance and installation technicians service more than 80,000 licensed and non licensed premises across England, Scotland and Wales. The company has used Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices for many years and was impressed with the latest TOUGHBOOK L1 Android tablet.

“We require rugged Android devices that are functional, reliable and competitively priced,” said Kieran Delaney, Innserve’s Director of IT. “But it is not just the device, it’s the service and maintenance that comes with it that is critical to the running of our operation. In addition, because we develop all our own desktop and mobile applications, ongoing support for future versions of Android is incredibly important to us to ensure we can continue to take advantage of future innovations.”

Panasonic offers its Android customers specialist Android support through Panasonic COMPASS, its market-leading suite of enterprise management tools for Panasonic TOUGHBOOK rugged tablets and handheld devices running the Android operating system. The latest additions to the Complete Android Services and Security package include a new proprietary rapid configuration tool “PARC”, enhanced security support for up to 3 years after product end of life and can be extended for up to 5 years, including support through OS transition where applicable., as well as a Mobile Enterprise Application Platform and an application submission portal to certify new applications for devices.

To ensure the workforce always has the right tools for the job, Panasonic also maintains a Rapid Replacement stock for Innserve at its configuration and service centre in Cardiff and provides a 24 hour replacement service for devices that are damaged or stolen.

Innserve technicians will receive their daily schedule of 8-10 appointments a day, plan their journeys and record information about each job using the device. In addition, the TOUGHBOOK L1 tablet will be used to place orders for and return parts, as well as for email communications, to provide access to HR systems and payment information, and also to show customers the latest information and training videos.
 

In response to the mounting sustainability challenges facing manufacturers in the food industry, ULMA Packaging UK has announced the launch of the #ULMAweCare project.

Launched at the IFFA trade show in Frankfurt, the #ULMAweCare project demonstrates ULMA’s commitment to enhancing its sustainable credentials. The manufacturer of packing machinery is promoting the reduction of packaging and the use of recyclable materials throughout the process.

With the demand for plastic packaging expected to double in the next 20 years, and the packaging industry already using 40% of the plastics processed every year, finding a solution that minimises waste, and provides a sustainable alternative to plastic, has been a priority for the business.

ULMA has sought to advance sustainability through innovation with the introduction of a range of environmentally-friendly solutions. For instance, LeafSkinTM is a packaging solution that reduces plastics usage by up to 80% and is based on a 100% recyclable flat cardboard tray. Additionally, all of the materials are fully separable.

The sustainable packaging solutions highlighted at IFFA, included ULMA’s latest thermoforming machinery. One such example is the TFS 200 MSV (above) which is compatible with MAP, skin and vacuum processes, and is optimised for multiple applications with flexible and rigid plastic materials and some combinations of cardboard.

Chris Pickles, Managing Director of ULMA Packaging UK, commented, “The ‘Blue Planet’ effect has made reducing plastic packaging a hot topic within the food packing industry. Consumers are increasingly looking for reduced packaging and so the industry must innovate and develop new technologies.”

Geodis, one of the world’s leading global supply chain operators, will be exhibiting at this year’s Breakbulk Europe at Messe Bremen, Germany 21–23 May 2019.

The Industrial Projects business of Geodis is specialized in heavy-lift and out of gauge movements, serving multiple segments, such as oil & gas, mining, infrastructure, renewable energy, power, nuclear and rail. With a competent team of more than 600 people worldwide, Geodis Industrial Projects delivers innovative solutions for numerous and diverse project cargo customers worldwide.

“Breakbulk Europe is the place to be for project cargo professionals,” commented Luke Mace, Senior Vice President Industrial Projects for Geodis. “It gives manufacturers and project managers the opportunity to study market trends and learn about innovation and for us providers to showcase solutions to challenging projects.”

Geodis’ Industrial Projects specialists will be  in Hall 5 Booth K30 to discuss effective solutions for project cargo transportation challenges.

A ‘French Hour’ will be organized at the booth on May 22nd, from 1:00 to 3:00PM, where visitors can enjoy crepes and coffee.