Day: 14 August 2019

As the leading manufacturer of customised industrial forklifts, sideloaders and special-purpose equipment for the transport of long, heavy and bulky goods, Hubtex will present its wide range of solutions at IMHX 2019. A particular focus will be on the industry’s largest modular development platform for electric multidirectional sideloaders, which Hubtex has revised in developing the PhoeniX vehicle series. It will gradually replace vehicles based on the established ESTL platform.

At IMHX, Hubtex will present the first two new vehicles from the PhoeniX series for a load-carrying capacity range of 3 to 5 tonnes. Hubtex plans for the PhoeniX range to gradually replace all electric multidirectional sideloaders with pendulum frames. The series limits between 48 V and 80 V will be seamless.

The electric multidirectional sideloaders from the PhoeniX series offer optimum manoeuvrability, a highly ergonomic driver cabin and improved all-round visibility. Even in their basic configuration, the vehicles are designed for semi automation. Their intelligent features include a new generation of vehicle control, pre-engineered cable runs, positions for sensors, and other features which ensure the vehicles are ready to meet the challenges posed by Industry 4.0. Additional assistance systems can also be integrated as required, for example laser-supported navigation, which will be available for the first time in this vehicles series. This new assistance system ensures the vehicles can be positioned with millimetre precision.

Another highlight at Hubtex’s exhibition booth will be information on the launch of the new FluX 70. This electric multidirectional counterbalance forklift is capable of safely transporting long and heavy loads weighing up to 7 tonnes – even over rough terrain and in narrow aisleways. The new vehicle is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and combines the advantages of an electric multidirectional forklift with those of a heavy-duty forklift with a combustion engine. The FluX 70 (7 tonnes) follows on from the existing FluX models with load-carrying capacities of 3 tonnes (FluX 30) and 4 tonnes (FluX 40). In addition, with the release of the FluX 20 this year, Hubtex will be expanding its product portfolio to include a new 2 tonne version.

With potentially explosive atmospheres present throughout the chemical supply chain, Mark Nailer, Industry Manager for Hyster Europe, discusses the 360-degree Hyster® solutions that support compliant and efficient handling.

“It can only take one spark or hot surface to cause an ignition in the potentially explosive atmospheres found across the chemical supply chain,” says Mark. “Heat and spark control are therefore primary considerations for businesses involved in the production, storage and transport of flammable chemicals.”

The production and delivery of raw materials to a manufacturer is the first stage of the chemical supply chain. These potentially flammable raw materials are likely to be delivered, pumped and stored in large tanks. Drums and IBCs (intermediate bulk containers) may be found indoors or outdoors, in areas where Hyster® ICE diesel or electric forklifts will commonly be working, or passing through.

This may be a Zone 2* hazardous area, classified by ATEX** as where a mixture of air and flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is possible, but not likely to occur in normal operation. To prevent the risk of ignition, it is vital that only explosion protected and rated lift trucks enter this area.

Hyster Europe works with specialist partners, such as Pyroban, who conduct explosion protection conversions to help materials handling equipment comply with local legislation. In Zone 2 applications, the Pyroban conversion of a Hyster® truck combines gas detection with various explosion protection methods such as restricted breathing enclosures and surface temperature cooling.

“It’s important for drivers to be aware of the presence of a flammable atmosphere in a Zone 2 area, so Hyster® trucks operating in Zone 2 areas can be converted with ‘active’ gas detection systems,” explains Mark. “This means if certain levels of gas or vapour in air are detected, the driver receives an audible and visual warning, and if that level elevates further, full equipment shutdown may occur.”

Gebhardt Intralogistics Group has been awarded a contract by Dansk Retursystem A/S for an internal logistics system for process decoupling and company modernization. Rising production figures at the newly created company location in Taastrup, Denmark made this necessary.

Dansk Retursystem is owned by several breweries and is a private and non-profit company. Its core business is the exclusive right in Denmark to collect and sort empty one-way beverage packaging before sending them to be recycled. According to Dansk Retursystem, more than 1.4 billion beverage containers were returned in Denmark in 2018, equivalent to around 3.8 million units per day. Dansk Retursystem’s business model is based on a closed loop that must guarantee the entire process chain at the highest level.

In order to meet these growing demands and the larger volume of beverage packaging in its various production materials, but also to protect the environment and resources at the same time, the Danish company was looking for a conveyor and storage technology manufacturer which would enable new and more automated processes.

Gebhardt Intralogistics Group, headquartered at Sinsheim together with the newly founded branch Gebhardt Nordic ApS in Hobro (Denmark), has been awarded the contract which has been subject to EU public tender procurement. The conveyor technology manufacturer was able to score points with the quality of its products and the project implementation concept.

“We are delighted to have an experienced partner for our new plant. Internal logistics systems are the core competence of Gebhardt, and we are looking forward to bringing their quality equipment and technology to our plant,” says Dansk Retursystem CEO Lars Krejberg Petersen.

Gebhardt Intralogistics Group has been awarded a contract by Dansk Retursystem A/S for an internal logistics system for process decoupling and company modernization. Rising production figures at the newly created company location in Taastrup, Denmark made this necessary.

Dansk Retursystem is owned by several breweries and is a private and non-profit company. Its core business is the exclusive right in Denmark to collect and sort empty one-way beverage packaging before sending them to be recycled. According to Dansk Retursystem, more than 1.4 billion beverage containers were returned in Denmark in 2018, equivalent to around 3.8 million units per day. Dansk Retursystem’s business model is based on a closed loop that must guarantee the entire process chain at the highest level.

In order to meet these growing demands and the larger volume of beverage packaging in its various production materials, but also to protect the environment and resources at the same time, the Danish company was looking for a conveyor and storage technology manufacturer which would enable new and more automated processes.

Gebhardt Intralogistics Group, headquartered at Sinsheim together with the newly founded branch Gebhardt Nordic ApS in Hobro (Denmark), has been awarded the contract which has been subject to EU public tender procurement. The conveyor technology manufacturer was able to score points with the quality of its products and the project implementation concept.

“We are delighted to have an experienced partner for our new plant. Internal logistics systems are the core competence of Gebhardt, and we are looking forward to bringing their quality equipment and technology to our plant,” says Dansk Retursystem CEO Lars Krejberg Petersen.

Agility, a leading global logistics provider, today reported second-quarter earnings of 12.99 fils per share on net profit of KD 21.6 million, an increase of 8.1% over the same period in 2018. Q2 EBITDA grew 31.2% to KD 48.6 million, and revenue increased 3.2% to KD 396.3 million.

First-half earnings of 25.18 fils per share and net profit of KD 41.9 million were up 7.7%. First-half EBITDA was KD 95 million, an increase of 27%. Revenue for the first half was KD 775 million, an increase of 2.5%. Tarek Sultan, Agility Vice Chairman and CEO, said: “We had a good Q2 despite the tough environment we operate in. GIL reported very good results and continues to implement its strategy to drive operational efficiency. Agility’s Infrastructure companies performed well, and key initiatives in each business unit are moving ahead according to plan.”

Agility Global Integrated Logistics achieved EBITDA growth of 7% (excluding IFRS 16 impact) despite higher operating expenses related to new facilities and higher staff costs for operations and commercial requirements. GIL’s Q2 reported EBITDA was KD 15.9 million, or KD 10 million excluding IFRS 16 vs. KD 9.3 million in Q2 2018.

GIL Q2 gross revenue fell 2.6% to KD 281.9 million, mainly due to currency fluctuations. On a constant-currency basis, GIL revenue grew 1%. Net revenue increased 4% to KD 69.4 million, mainly as a result of better Ocean Freight and Contract Logistics performance. The global Air Freight market continued to be under pressure. GIL Air Freight net revenue decreased 1.8% as the result of lower job volume and tonnage, although the decrease was offset in part by higher yields. Q2 2019 tonnage fell 8% vs. Q2 2018. The decrease was the result of weak market conditions and lower demand across industries and geographies, along with a return to more normal volumes following a spike in high-volume shipments a year earlier. The Air Freight market was affected by volume declines and shifts that have resulted from US-China tariffs and import restrictions.

Strong Ocean Freight performance was driven primarily by yield improvement, despite a 2% drop in TEUs. Ocean Freight performance was strongest in the Americas and Asia Pacific. Contract Logistics growth continued in Q2 with gross revenue of KD 32.8 million, a 1% increase from the same period in 2018. The Middle East-Africa region, notably the Kuwait and Egypt markets, was the key driver of growth and improved margins.

Net revenue margins for GIL improved to 24.6% in Q2, up from 23% a year earlier. During the first half of 2019, GIL EBITDA improved 69.5% on a reported basis, taking into account the impact of IFRS 16 (it remained at the same level after excluding the IFRS 16 impact). Revenue decreased 1.9% on a reported basis (or increased 2.1% on a constant-currency basis). GIL net revenue improved 3.1% in the first half.

GIL is focusing on accelerating the roll-out of its global operating platform, as part of a broader digital transformation strategy that is intended to drive improved customer experience, more effective supplier management, enhanced business efficiency and productivity, and better data for decision-making.