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Month: June 2019

DHL Trend Report Highlights ‘Digital Twins’ Concept

Posted on by Keith McKinley

DHL has released a new Trend Report on “Digital Twins in Logistics” at the inaugural Internet of Things (IoT) Day, at DHL’s Innovation Centre in Germany. The report explains the concept and rise of digital twins as well as how it creates value. The technology, which involves using digital models to better understand and manage physical assets is already well established in some industries and has the potential to significantly change logistics operations.

A digital twin is a unique, virtual representation of a physical thing that monitors and simulates both the physical state and behavior of the thing. The digital copy is continually connected to the physical object(s) and updates itself to reflect real-world changes. Applied to products, machines and even entire business ecosystems, digital twins can reveal insights from the past, optimize the present and even predict future performance.

“The market for digital twins is expected to grow more than 38 percent each year, passing the $26 billion mark by 2025,” explains Matthias Heutger, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Innovation & Commercial Development at DHL. “Digital twins offer unparalleled capabilities to track, monitor, and diagnose assets. They will change traditional supply chains, with a range of options to facilitate data-driven decision making and collaboration, streamlined business processes, and new business models. We are keen to work with our customers and partners to jointly explore applications in our industry.”

In logistics digital twins could be used in a variety of applications along the entire value chain, including the management of container fleets, monitoring of shipments or the design of logistics systems. IoT sensors on individual containers for example, show their location and monitor for damage or contamination. This data flows into a digital twin of the container network, which uses machine learning to ensure that containers are being deployed as efficiently as possible.

S9 Tech Software to “Revolutionise” Customs Duty and VAT Collection

Posted on by David Priestman

UK-based custom software developer S9 Tech has announced the release of what it calls a unique and market leading SaaS product to revolutionise custom duty payment collections.

The Duties etc. solution was developed to calculate and collect VAT and duties for cross-border shipping, specifically for the E-Commerce and B2C customers, where the charges are calculated on day zero, and a payment notification is sent to the final consignee via email and text. This speeds up the process of clearance at destination and avoids creating bottle necks for the final mile delivery division.

Nearly every shipment that crosses an international border is subject to custom duty and taxes. Every country determines the assessment of import and export duties and taxes differently. With the implications of Brexit still looming, the requirement to provide accurate product classification has never been more important. Similarly, the growth of Ecommerce has led to overseas purchases growing at exponential rates and consumers often want (and need) to calculate their expected total landed costs before purchase.

Duties etc. is used by a variety of cross-border business, providing thousands of calculations and classifications to customers, brokers, retailers and logistics & freight carriers in over 108 countries around the world. Duties etc. will automatically calculate duties and taxes for every order being shipped. Seamlessly integrating with existing front or back-end systems, the Duties etc. system will inform customers with daily SMS and email reminders of the charges to be paid or I.D numbers and ID image which needs to be uploaded before services can be fulfilled. Duties etc. will integrate with any ecommerce back-end system and allow retailers to know exactly how much duty they need to be charging customers. This allows clear, transparent costing and quick and easy payments.

 

New Camso Animation Highlights Static Electricity Dangers

Posted on by David Priestman

Camso releases second animation video to educate on static electricity hazards in the Material Handling industry

Camso today released a sequel to its first ever animation video – Fixing the safety hazards of static electricity – as part of its ongoing efforts to educate general public on the static electricity hazards linked to non-marking forklift tyres. This time the story takes place in Europe where the material handling industry is victim to the troubling rule of a highly damaging static villain.

Watch the new video now: camso.co/staticstory2

“The video we released in March about the Solideal PON 775 NMAS received a very warm response in the industry and generated incredible engagement,” says Lysandre Michaud-Verreault, Communications and Marketing Manager – Material Handling at Camso. “We saw a great opportunity to create a sequel to this story for the launch of the Solideal RES Xtreme NMAS, a new patented non-marking anti-static tyre destined for European markets.”

For most people, static build-up is an invisible phenomenon. Unfortunately for anyone who works near a forklift running on non-marking tyres, the likelihood of static shocks up to 50,000 volts represents a real safety issue.

In the short film, the new resilient hero joins forces with the PON 775 NMAS to resolve the static issues, but in real life the addition of the Solideal RES Xtreme NMAS to Camso’s portfolio makes it the only tire manufacturer to offer a complete range of solid non-marking anti-static forklift tyres.

 

Industry View: 10 Success Factors in Intralogistics Systems

Posted on by David Priestman

From the early enlistment of experts to data analysis to ongoing product development – Austrian systems integrator TGW has identified ten success factors for the maintenance of intralogistics systems.

An international team of service experts from the TGW Group under the leadership of Christoph Knogler, Director Global Lifetime Services, has worked together with customers to identify those key factors that will ensure long-term success. “Still, there is no single approach that is right for everyone,” emphasizes Michael Pope, Director Lifetime Services at TGW USA. “Intralogistics systems differ from each other in terms of function and complexity. And so the operating and maintenance requirements differ as well. However, there are some influencing factors that you should definitely pay attention to.”

As service has become an increasingly important issue, TGW has more than doubled its customer service staff since 2015. As a globally active company, TGW offers innovative service concepts which are presented to the customer at an early stage of a project. An individual package is then put together. “Total cost considerations over the lifecycle of a plant are becoming more and more important – and, along with that, total cost of ownership. These must be mutually optimised,” says Knogler.

The 10 success factors at a glance:
1. Involve experts at an early stage
2. Develop an appropriate maintenance strategy
3. Create transparency
4. Make costs predictable
5. Create win-win situations
6. Foster awareness and responsibility
7. Use technology effectively
8. Analyze data for continuous improvement
9. Proactively prevent unpleasant surprises
10. Ongoing further development means retrofitting

Technology Leader BYD Offers Single-Source Solutions at SIL

Posted on by David Priestman

Forklift innovator BYD is presenting its technology solutions at SIL Barcelona, with a line-up of pure electric vehicles for intralogistics and transportation at stand D458.

For the first time, logistics managers can source their electric forklifts and electric commercial vehicles from a single manufacturer operating across a nationwide network that covers over 90% of the Iberian Peninsula.

Featuring BYD Iron-Phosphate battery technology, BYD’s comprehensive range of warehouse trucks will be shown for the first time in Iberia. They will be joined at SIL by BYD’s IFOY Award-nominated ECB50 counterbalance forklift truck, as well as one example of its zero-emissions pure electric commercial vehicles.

“Businesses seeking reliable, latest-generation electric warehouse and commercial vehicles across their logistics operations now need only to speak with BYD,” says Javier Contijoch, Vice President of Sales at BYD Europe. “With our proven market-leading battery technology at the heart of our vehicles, supported by a growing nationwide distribution network, we can offer businesses a competitive advantage by choosing BYD forklifts and trucks.”

“As one of the pioneers of the development and manufacture of lithium iron phosphate batteries across multiple industrial disciplines, we have unrivalled understanding and experience of the entire pure electric vehicle ecosystem – a claim no other single supplier can make.”

The batteries utilised across the BYD range of pure electric vehicles offer outstanding performance and reliability, amounting to industry-leading Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). When compared to equivalent vehicles powered by traditional lead acid batteries, BYD Iron-Phosphate batteries require lower maintenance, have a shorter charge time, a longer working life, and use up to 40% less energy. Furthermore, BYD’s batteries can be opportunistically charged during short breaks in operations, thus guaranteeing maximum uptime at the lowest-possible cost.

BYD’s proven technology is currently deployed at distribution centres, ports, transport hubs and airports across Europe, and often operated under challenging time constraints in extreme conditions. Under normal operating conditions, the decision to choose BYD as a supplier of your workplace transport will be rewarded by a typical Return on Investment (ROI) of approximately four years. Supported by the assurance of BYD’s industry-leading eight-year battery warranty, its workplace vehicles can generate considerable savings over the course of their working life.

Both forklifts and commercial vehicles are distributed by BYD’s selected forklift dealers, ensuring customers are never far from their single-source supplier. Whether you are a single-truck user, or the operator of a large fleet of forklifts and trucks, BYD has the capacity to supply and service your equipment across the entire Iberian Peninsula. Furthermore, in the unlikely event of your local BYD dealer not having a critical part in stock, BYD’s centrally-located parts warehouse in Rotterdam ensures rapid delivery of spare parts, often within a 24-hour window.

Established forklift or commercial dealers wishing to increase their potential future opportunities by offering the BYD range are also urged to speak with the BYD on-stand personnel at SIL. With some exciting new product introductions in the pipeline – particularly in its commercial and industrial vehicles and tow-tractor offering – the manufacturer is in the process of expanding and enhancing its dealer network to match its considerable ambition for the Iberian market.

TX Logistik Expands Network with New Rotterdam Connection

Posted on by Keith McKinley

TX Logistik AG (TXL) is expanding its European network further and, as of 1 July 2019, will be enhancing its Ocean Rail Logistics range with a connection between the Port of Rotterdam and Kornwestheim near Stuttgart.

“The new service now also connects businesses in BadenWürttemberg with the with the busiest seaport in Europe,” says Berit Börke, Chief Sales Officer at TX Logistik. “We are using the boxXpress.de train system, in which we have been involved since its foundation and which has proven successful for many years in seaport hinterland transport to and from Hamburg and Bremerhaven, on account of its high stability and reliability.”

Initially, three round trips per week are planned. The terminal in Kornwestheim will be directly connected to the Rotterdam terminals RSC, Euromax and ECT Delta at the start of operation.

Konecranes Wins Mobile Harbour Crane Order in Poland

Posted on by Keith McKinley

HES Gdynia Bulk Terminal SP (HES Gdynia), on the coast of northern Poland, has ordered an eco-efficient Konecranes Gottwald Model 6 Mobile Harbour Crane for continuous-duty bulk handling. The order was booked in the second quarter, and the crane will be pre-commissioned and handed over by the end of 2019. The crane is suitable to handle different kind of dry bulk materials and is furthermore able to travel between two quays. This results in more flexibility during the unloading process and enables HES Gdynia to offer even better service to customers.

“Another HES terminal in the Port of Rotterdam already operates a Konecranes Gottwald Model 6 mobile harbour crane, and it has consistently demonstrated high performance and reliability,” says Sonia Florczuk, Commercial Director of HES Gdynia. “Its low cost of ownership and long service life convinced us to invest also in a Konecranes Gottwald mobile harbour crane in Poland. It was also customized for the challenging conditions on the quay at our Gdynia terminal.”

The new crane will be a Konecranes Gottwald Model 6 mobile harbour crane in the four-rope variant G HMK 6508 B for continuous-duty bulk handling. It features a raised tower cabin for a better view on the vessel, and an extended chassis with an additional axle to cope with special quay loading requirements, a design already proven in other terminals. In addition to the eco-efficient diesel-electric drive, the crane is equipped with an external power supply, which boosts efficiency even more while also reducing local exhaust and noise emissions in the terminal.

Workwear Specialist Claims Thinnest-Ever Thermal Glove

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Workwear specialist, Supertouch, has expanded its Pawā range of protective gloves, emphasising its commitment to innovation with the launch of what it claims is the thinnest coated thermal glove on the market.

The PG400, is the only single-layer Thermolite® direct dipped glove to be rated EN511 level two for protection from contact cold. This makes the PG400 extremely dexterous, allowing the wearer to use items such as handheld barcode scanners and tablet styluses accurately, and without sacrificing thermal comfort.

The dexterity of the gloves is complemented by the degree of grip they provide. Benefitting from advanced foam and crinkle latex grip, the PG400 remains supple, even in cold environments. An additional benefit which arises from the slimline construction of the gloves is improved wearer hand health. The ergonomic design and flexible liner and coating makes it easier for the wearer to move their fingers, decreasing hand fatigue. This also leads to better blood circulation, which adds to the enhanced thermal performance of the glove.

Khurram Akhtar, Director of Product & Sales at Supertouch, comments: “Providing employees with effective and comfortable PPE is at the heart of Supertouch’s design process. The PG400 helps to boost productivity by equipping wearers with maximum dexterity, enabling them to confidently complete tasks which require a great deal of accuracy.

“The combined comfort and practicality of the PG400 makes it easier to use pens, keyboards, hand tools, forklift controls, indeed a wide range of applications which require precise control in cold conditions. We want wearers to feel their work, not the cold.”

With an abrasion rating of three, and a tear level of four, the PG400 is equipped to handle a range of applications in a number different of industries, from food processing and temperature-controlled storage and distribution through to construction.

Khurram concludes: “Equipping employees with the tools to complete their job safely and efficiently is vital for any company, and the Pawā PG400 contributes to this by striking the perfect balance between comfort, performance and practicality.”

Austrian Wholesaler Kellner & Kunz Expands with inconsoWMS

Posted on by David Priestman

Austrian wholesaler Kellner & Kunz is going on the offensive with the expansion of its logistics centre in Wels, Austria.

Working with logistics software specialist inconso, the realization phase for the 23,000 m2 building extension has begun. For the new building, consisting of a high bay warehouse (HBW) with 15,400 pallet locations and 200,000 container locations, the company chose an efficient warehouse management system and warehouse control system from inconso. Loading and shipping of about 2,800 daily deliveries to commercial and industrial companies throughout Austria and Eastern Europe will be controlled fully automatically by Kellner & Kunz with inconsoWMS and inconsoWCS.

When the plant is finished, Kellner & Kunz will continue to rely on highly automated processes. The C-parts specialist stores over 120,000 different positions that can be transparently monitored with inconsoWMS. The company currently supplies more than 60,000 customers in Austria and eleven foreign subsidiaries from Wels; delivery up to the production line is becoming commonplace. The technical components used for material flows from goods receipt to shipping are special features of the project. These include electric floor conveyors and driverless transport systems for the transport of pallets, container conveyor components in the automatic storage and retrieval systems and shuttle areas (shipping lanes, conveyors, carton erectors, conveyor technology) and sequencing components for handling the pre-picked order containers.

Driverless transport systems are also planned to enable an efficient interplay of the existing and extended building areas for controlling the transport of pre-picked goods from inventory into the new building and replenishment from the existing and the new HBW. In addition to classic order processing for handicraft and industry customers, the site’s logistics include Kanban delivery, customer-specific labeling processes and consolidated goods shipping. In the future, orders for the existing plant will also be controlled via inconsoWMS.

“Severe Skills Shortages Facing Logistics Sector” Says Report

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The logistics sector is bracing itself for a tough time with recruitment in the coming years thanks to low wages and a lack of relevant skills. That’s according to a new joint report from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and Statista.

According to the report, 54% of logistics companies are expecting skills shortages to increase over the next five years, whereas 21% are uncertain as to their future recruitment ability, and only 4% expect the skills shortage to improve.

While office staff, vehicle drivers and warehouse workers are the most likely to be in high demand, software engineers, project managers and executives are the hardest roles to fill. 42% of logistics firms cite lack of job-specific skills as the main barrier to successful recruitment, with lack of work experience (29%), and low wages (25%) the other most common challenges.

As the logistics sector is looking to invest more in technologies to drive efficiency, software engineers in particular are proving the most difficult to recruit, with 23% of logistics saying that it is “problematic” to recruit tech talent, or only possible with “considerable effort”.

These are the findings from a report entitled UK Logistics Monitor 2019 by CILT and Statista, which offers a comprehensive overview of the market situation in the UK logistics sector — identifying current developments and trends, while offering insights into human resources, recruitment, health and safety and the impact of Brexit on the sector.

In an attempt to make the logistics sector a more attractive industry in which to work, UK logistics firms are implementing flexible working patterns, focusing on diversity, and improving career paths. However, a lack of time and interest on training on the part of employees may hinder these efforts to retain staff.

Kevin Richardson, chief executive at CILT said: “In terms of recruitment, the next few years are going to be a concern for logistics firms in the UK. We are seeing the uncertainty that surrounds Brexit force the problem to worsen as employees seek to find career paths that offer more stability.

“There needs to be more done to attract talent to the industry. Logistics is hugely important to the UK economy, and if the sector is struggling to recruit the effects will be felt by other industries that rely on logistics to operate effectively.”

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