Month: May 2019

Interroll is introducing a new version of its oil-free drum motor based on the new and improved Interroll Drum Motor Platform.

Synchronous oil-free drum motors are by nature very efficient, which means less heat losses and a much higher power density, as opposed to asynchronous oil-free drum motors which are prone to overheating and power reduction and therefore loss in torque.

Compared to standard drum motors, the oil-free motor’s performance is only minimally impacted by the different type of lubrication. Also, compared to a standard asynchronous motor, oil-free synchronous motors are stronger and better performing. But they require a frequency inverter and speed and torque are slightly reduced compared to a standard synchronous motor lubricated with oil. However, high-speed applications are still possible if the belt pull force is sufficient. This is also true for low-speed applications. Typical oil-free motor applications include transportation and packaging of lightweight goods such as candy, chocolate or pralines.

Food manufacturers who have to comply with certain restrictions regarding food contamination benefit from this new option. Oil-free drum motors can be used for any application where the belt moves slowly (i.e., when the production process is in steps and accuracy is of paramount importance, like portioning and cutting for instance). When installed correctly, Interroll Drum Motors have no leakage issue.

STILL inaugurated its brand new training centre in Fürth earlier this week.

On a total usable floor area of 475 m2, STILL trainers offer future talented staff the optimum framework conditions for soundly-based training, says the company. From now on – in addition to the training centre at the parent company’s headquarters in Hamburg – there is now a second central place of learning here where trainee mechatronics engineers from the whole of Germany in their advanced years of training congregate to jointly complete modular practical seminars specific to intralogistics. Several months of rebuilding time have created modern teaching rooms with an attached mechatronics workshop. This building, whose façade design reflects the STILL Corporate Design, allows a perfect combination of theoretical contents and practical work.

The Fürth Training Centre’s modern, light-flooded rooms offer perfect framework conditions for product-specific training modules for trainee mechatronic engineers aiming at a career as a service technician. Until now, trainees completed these training units decentrally in STILL subsidiaries throughout the whole of the Federal Republic of Germany. The centralisation that has now been accomplished at the Fürth training site releases synergies and strengthens both cohesion and the high quality of training for all locations. In this way, STILL once again satisfies an important criterion to which the new generation of employees pays attention when choosing their preferred employer.

STILL is currently qualifying more than 200 trainees in various trained technical and commercial professions and in dual system study courses throughout the Federal Republic. Dr. Henry Puhl, Chairman of the Executive Board of STILL, stresses that “Professional job training is a decisive factor for the competitiveness of our company and of the intralogistics sector of industry. With the new training centre, STILL is investing in an innovative professional training and in the future of young persons,” and adds: “We are aware that challenges in the labour market are intensifying. The subjects of digitalisation and Industry 4.0 are not the only factors that will change the labour market and have a long-term effect on it. The importance of human value-oriented competences such as customer orientation and willingness to perform is also growing. Our new training centre offers our trainees optimum framework conditions to enable them to master both the current and future challenges in the modern world of work.”

Businesses failing to use procurement specialists to ensure they get best value from Third-Party Logistics suppliers (3PLs) are potentially losing millions, according to the latest research from UK supply chain and logistics consultancy SCALA.

SCALA surveyed a selection of the UK’s best-known businesses and 3PLs (whose revenue runs into the billions and whose number of clients run into the thousands) with regards to how 3PLs are selected, contracts negotiated, and the success of logistics partnerships maintained.

At each stage, the findings revealed that procurement specialists were being sidelined by logistics teams to the detriment of the effective running of their business.

At selection stage, 32% of companies admitted that procurement teams weren’t the main driver or didn’t play a significant role in the process.

A shocking 94% of companies also admitted that procurement teams never, or only occasionally, played a role in contract maintenance.

John Perry, managing director at SCALA, commented: “The findings of our research are made even more concerning by the fact that so few companies are satisfied with the performance of 3PL relationships.

“For example, only 9% of companies are very confident that they got the best deal when negotiating their contract with a 3PL. Also, less than a third (29%) believed that contracts remained appropriate or effective throughout a typical 5-year term.

“Despite these factors, too many companies are still failing to give specialist procurement teams a proper role within the process.”

SCALA’s research went on to show the positive impact good procurement has when used effectively. Companies reported that using procurement throughout the selection and negotiation process delivered cost reductions, improved KPIs, better contractual terms and a clear method for monitoring and maintaining ongoing performance of the 3PL.

Similarly, during the running of the agreement, effective procurement was found to have led to improved performance, better relationships and the avoidance of conflict between companies and their 3PL partners.

John continues: “Leadership teams could potentially save millions in lost efficiencies and unnecessary costs by ensuring the effective integration of procurement teams with logistics.

“The inconvenient truth is that both departments often view each other with (at best) confusion or (at worst) outright hostility. It is rare for one to have a detailed knowledge and appreciation of the other’s work, and yet, this is what delivers the best outcomes.

“It’s key to get both teams talking the other’s language. Alternatively, use a combined procurement and logistics consultant that can ensure maximum efficiency is created and maintained.”

Perhaps the best argument for better procurement is the response of the 3PLs themselves. Those expressing concerns about the enhanced use of procurement teams talked about more exacting KPIs (40%) or the penalisation of performance failures (30%). However, they also admitted that effective procurement did deliver improved performance and dispute resolution for both parties’ mutual benefit.

Participating companies that offered up their views in SCALA’s research cover a wide-range of sectors but predominantly operate in the grocery, FMCG, electrical appliance and homewares sectors. The 3PLs range from regional providers to the very largest in the UK, with the majority having in excess of 100 clients.

IMHX 2019 organizers say the September showcase is set to feature a record number of exhibitors, including many organisations who are attending for the very first time, when it opens for business at the NEC, Birmingham, in September.

IMHX 2019 show director, Rob Fisher, commented: “Exhibitors are the key to any successful trade fair: leading innovators attract visitors and the quality and sheer number of companies exhibiting at IMHX 2019 will inspire the logistics and supply chain community at the NEC in September.”

Dematic, Swisslog, Knapp, Vanderlande, Toyota, Crown, Doosan, Briggs and Hyster-Yale are among the companies that will deliver live and dynamic demonstrations of many of the cutting edge developments that are shaping the modern logistics industry. While companies appearing at IMHX for the first time at this year’s event include: ABB Robotics, loading bay specialists Campisa; forklift truck suppliers BYD and SHS Handling Solutions and intralogistics automation solutions providers, SITMA, VanRiet, WRH Global, 6 River Systems, Rax Solutions and Geek+.

Visitors will also have access to four days of exciting educational content, completely free of charge. The compelling conference programme at IMHX 2019 will feature a roster of inspiring thought leaders from organisations that are changing the face of logistics. The seminar programme will also offer practical knowledge, strategic insights driven by real-life case studies, and further essential professional career development. The full list of speakers will be announced shortly.

Registration is now open to attend IMHX 2019 on 24 – 27 September 2019. Visitors are encouraged to pre-register. To secure your free visitor pass that allows access to all areas of the show on any of the opening dates, visit www.imhx.net

IMHX 2019 organizers say the September showcase is set to feature a record number of exhibitors, including many organisations who are attending for the very first time, when it opens for business at the NEC, Birmingham, in September.

IMHX 2019 show director, Rob Fisher, commented: “Exhibitors are the key to any successful trade fair: leading innovators attract visitors and the quality and sheer number of companies exhibiting at IMHX 2019 will inspire the logistics and supply chain community at the NEC in September.”

Dematic, Swisslog, Knapp, Vanderlande, Toyota, Crown, Doosan, Briggs and Hyster-Yale are among the companies that will deliver live and dynamic demonstrations of many of the cutting edge developments that are shaping the modern logistics industry. While companies appearing at IMHX for the first time at this year’s event include: ABB Robotics, loading bay specialists Campisa; forklift truck suppliers BYD and SHS Handling Solutions and intralogistics automation solutions providers, SITMA, VanRiet, WRH Global, 6 River Systems, Rax Solutions and Geek+.

Visitors will also have access to four days of exciting educational content, completely free of charge. The compelling conference programme at IMHX 2019 will feature a roster of inspiring thought leaders from organisations that are changing the face of logistics. The seminar programme will also offer practical knowledge, strategic insights driven by real-life case studies, and further essential professional career development. The full list of speakers will be announced shortly.

Registration is now open to attend IMHX 2019 on 24 – 27 September 2019. Visitors are encouraged to pre-register. To secure your free visitor pass that allows access to all areas of the show on any of the opening dates, visit www.imhx.net