BlueBotics’ easy-to-install Autonomous Navigation Technology (ANT®) is being increasingly adopted across the globe, having proven its benefits across a wide range of industrial environments over the past ten years.
Today, the company is further strengthening its footprint in the Asian market by announcing a new Japanese distribution agreement with ALTECH Co. Ltd.
“Asia is one of the fastest growing markets for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and mobile robots. As such, we have already seen the strong adoption of our Autonomous Navigation Technology (ANT®) across the region,” said Nicola Tomatis, the CEO of BlueBotics. “Partnering with highly experienced distributors is key to us continuing this regional growth, so we look forward to working with ALTECH to help more Japanese manufacturers enjoy the benefits our ANT® natural feature navigation brings.”
Based in Tokyo, ALTECH Co. Ltd. is a successful and long-established importer and distributor of advanced machinery and equipment from Europe and the USA. As per the companies’ new distribution agreement, ALTECH will begin immediately distributing BlueBotics’ ANT® product line into the Japanese market.
“We are excited to bring BlueBotics’ Autonomous Navigation Technology (ANT®) to Japan’s industrial market,” said Hiroyuki Inoue, the Director of Robotics Department of Altech Co. Ltd. “I have no doubt that our country’s AGV and mobile robot manufacturers will quickly understand the speed and ease of installation benefits that BlueBotics’ technology provides.”
Chinese distribution BlueBotics’ partnership with ALTECH in Japan follows hot on the heels of the company’s expansion into the Chinese market in 2018, when BlueBotics signed a distribution partnership with Shanghai TONGBU Electronics Co. Ltd.
BlueBotics’ ANT® technology uses natural structures in the environment to localize vehicles, meaning no inductive wires, magnets or reflectors (for triangulation) are required. The result is that AGVs and mobile robots are both simple to set-up and economical to install and maintain, no matter whether a single vehicle or a large fleet. ANT® combines information from industrial encoders and laser scanners to reach an accuracy of ± 1 cm and ± 1° and can even directly use the data from the safety laser scanners available on your vehicle.
Day: 17 July 2019
Hyster Europe Takes 360-Degree Logistics Solutions to IMHX
At IMHX 2019 in Birmingham, UK, from 24–27 September, Hyster Europe will be showcasing its 360-degree solutions for logistics operations, including those to support the construction materials and paper supply chains. Experts from Hyster Europe, and its UK dealer Briggs Equipment, will be on hand to discuss how to manage costs and optimise operational efficiency by matching the right Hyster® trucks and solutions to application specific materials handling needs.
360-degree solutions for the construction industry
Whether operations are handling bricks, blocks, aggregates, concrete precast or other building materials, dusty, dirty working conditions are the norm, so the driver experience matters. Hyster® lift trucks use intelligent design to assist operators, with ergonomically designed cabs that provide good driver awareness as standard, alongside, flashing beacons, back-up alarms and reflective markings. Flashing front/reverse lights and pedestrian awareness spot lights may be used to further support awareness.
At IMHX, a Hyster® Fortens™ lift truck with a 3.5 tonne capacity will be on display, fitted with additional features to further support driver awareness. This includes Hyster® object detection solutions to help support drivers in identifying nearby hazards, in turn potentially avoiding costly damage, and Hyster® camera systems, which may help support visibility in certain applications, making it possible to view the immediate area surrounding a truck and the load.
Hyster Europe also offers a range of mobile weighing solutions so operators can accurately weigh loads during transport, rather than transporting each load to a static scale, saving valuable time and increasing efficiency. To further support efficient operations in the construction materials supply chain, the Hyster® solutions team can combine the weighing system with speed limitation technology.
With either roof sensing speed limitation, or RFID speed limitation located in the warehouse floor, applications can automatically restrict the speed of the trucks when loads reach a certain weight. This can in turn help minimise damage to the truck, load or warehouse infrastructure.
360-degree solutions for the paper industry
In busy paper handling operations, intelligent lift truck design is essential for preventing load damage and maximising reliability. Hyster® lift trucks include innovative features to keep paper moving through the supply chain, preventing product contamination and wrapper damage while minimising the damage caused by shock loads.
An ideal truck model in paper handling applications is the intelligently designed Hyster® J5.5XN-6 electric lift truck, which will be on display at IMHX. This powerful, high capacity electric forklift provides excellent manoeuvrability in the tight confines of paper production and storage applications, alongside a low cost of operation.
The model that visitors to IMHX can see has also been specially adapted to meet the needs of customers in the paper industry. It features a custom mast that includes a variable spacer to enable paper rolls to be handled using a reel clamp attachment without the shift in load centre or reduction in residual capacity that can be encountered.
360-degree service and support
The global network of local Hyster® distribution partners, such as Briggs Equipment, provide full service and support, adapting to the needs of specific industries and application. From providing guidance on reducing maintenance or fuel costs and optimal fleet management, to after-sales service to maximise uptime and productivity, Hyster® dealers have 360-degree expertise to enhance demanding materials handling operations.
Learn more from Hyster Europe at stand 19K120 at IMHX or visit Hyster® distribution partner Briggs Equipment at stand 19K125.
IMHX takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, UK, from 24 – 27 September 2019.
Houston Depot Expansion Boosts US Capacity for Stolt
Stolt Tank Containers (STC) has recently completed its US$11 million investment at its Houston, Texas depot, increasing storage capacity by 40% to 80,000 square metres. This significant upgrade means the depot now has the capacity to store 3,000 empty and 400 loaded tanks, offering customers a one-stop-shop for loading, storage, heating, cleaning and repairs.
The Houston metropolitan area comprises the largest concentration of petrochemical manufacturing in the world as well as the busiest US port for foreign tonnage. STC’s strategic advantage of an inhouse depot in Houston provides a level of response and support for customers that is unparalleled in the industry.
Dan Shelton, Depot Manager, Houston, said: “We have increased our storage capacity by 40% – laying 12 acres of concrete in order to maximise the use of our property. Unlike other depots with more basic conditions, concrete offers a smoother surface for the movement and storage of tank containers. A new workshop has also been added which is dedicated to the repair and servicing of high-pressure gas tank containers.
“We understand that safety is the number-one priority for our customers, and we make it ours too. We’ve installed new fall protection and a facility-wide emergency siren. Our new automated heating system has raised safety levels at the depot even further, as our technicians can focus on the safe management of the overall heating process. The system has also improved turnaround times for heating services. STC Houston offers customers the convenience of one location where our team of dedicated, highly trained staff can heat products, clean and repair tanks. Having these services available in one, accessible central point can help customers reduce costs related to additional movement by road and chassis rental.” added Dan.
“All our recent investments are focused on putting customers’ needs first,” said Mike Kramer, President Stolt Tank Containers. “2019 will be an exciting year for STC as we continue to expand our depot network. We recently opened two new depots in Saudi Arabia and our modernised depot at Houston is setting the standard for depots around the world. This month we also launched our new online service: Track and Trace which enables customers to check and follow the status of their cargo in real time. We’re proud of our ability to offer our customers a wide range of reliable services, using some of the most modern equipment and technology in the industry.”
ECommerce Driving Strong UK Industrial and Logistics Investment
2018 was a record year for industrial and logistics investment volume in the UK with £8.4bn of assets changing hands, according to a new report.
The Industrial & Logistics Market 2019 report by Lambert Smith Hampton claims that 2018 was a record year for industrial and logistics investment volume with £8.4bn of assets changed hands, driving the sector to outperform the rest of the commercial real estate market.
Despite the growing uncertainty around Brexit, the research shows occupiers were active during 2018; although overall take-up was 4% down on a five-year average, it was only slightly below 2017’s total.
UK employment remains a major spot for the economy and has delivered consistently positive news in recent quarters. Wage growth has accelerated to an 11 year high of 3.4%, and a continuation of rising wages and low inflation could spur further spending growth, which could be a significant boost to the UK economy.
The logistics segment stole the show, with UK take-up in units above 100,000 sq ft falling just short of 2016’s record high. It was, however, a different picture at the smaller end of the market. Despite an increase in supply, mid box (50,000 sq ft to 99,999 sq ft) take-up was the worst in nine years after a record year in 2017. The result raises questions about whether the new supply is meeting occupier needs on location and specification.
The report by LSH expects 11.7 million sq ft of speculative development to come forward in 2019, which will go some way towards restoring choice at the larger end of the market. However, the current boom in speculative development is heavily weighted to the logistics sector.
The development response at the smaller end of the market has remained elusive in this cycle, and there is a danger that the critical lack of supply of quality medium-sized and small properties will continue, despite robust levels of demand.
Strong overall results also hide a striking difference in performance between UK regions. Take-up in East Midlands hit a record 14.6 million sq ft, and big box logistics take-up increased 93%. In contrast, take-up in the West Midlands hit a six-year low due to a lack of large logistics deals.
The threat of a no-deal Brexit has resulted in a cautious start to 2019, but if this is avoided, demand could be released with a rebound in activity. Logistics occupiers are likely to take more space as e-commerce continues to grow, though as the sector is heavily reliant on an EU workforce, it could be affected by a growing labour shortage over the coming years.
James Polson, National Head of Industrial and Logistics at LSH, commented: “The hive of activity across the industrial and logistics sector continues unabated. The driver remains the UK’s evolving ecommerce sector, with investors and occupiers alike clamouring for stock.
“Interestingly, however, there are clear areas to watch. The top of the tree overall performance is masking a weaker underbelly in certain areas. The challenge is clear, to satisfy demand across the entire market by providing the right properties at the right time.”
As consumer shopping habits continue to fuel the growth in ecommerce and the evolution of UK distribution, the market is presenting significant opportunities for developers to create the properties that the sector needs.
Logistics Provider Finds Sustainable Packaging for Eco Manufacturer
A national supply chain solutions firm based in Northampton is helping to make Britain greener by providing sustainable packaging for a multi-award-winning, natural lifestyle products customer.
Crick-based transport and logistics firm The NX Group has been providing warehousing, ecommerce and retail distribution services for KINN Living, a producer of organic and eco-friendly beauty, laundry and cleaning products, for just over a year. Founded in 2017, and having secured a deal with Waitrose by early 2018, KINN soon afterwards chose to use The NX Group for all of its retail distribution. The two companies then agreed upon a recycled packaging option in line with KINN’s brand ethos of “clean beauty” for its customers, their homes and the environment.
The packaging is a low-cost, ready-to-use, manual paper voidfill system made from 100% recycled paper. It is easy to handle and compact, meaning it requires little storage space, which is advantageous for both the customer and the stockist.
Sophie Lavabre Barrow, Co-Founder and Head of Brand at Kinn Living, said: “We’ve found The NX Group so incredibly helpful from the very beginning; they helped make the initial stages of our arrangement with Waitrose go as smoothly as possible. We were also delighted at the firm’s willingness to cater for our packaging requirements. Some time ago we had a fraudulent order that the team at The NX Group managed to stop at the last minute, so I can say from experience that they definitely go above and beyond for their customers.”