Month: August 2019

Consumer interest in cannabidiol “CBD” is growing fast and there are a wide range of products available online, in health food shops, supermarkets and even at service stations. Praised for its health and wellbeing properties, it is estimated that there are 1.3m users of CBD within the UK. CBD is commonly recognised as a natural go-to for pain relief, sleep disorders and anxiety.

The popularity of CBD has risen rapidly, in part driven by the ‘recommended by a friend’ effect. However, not all CBD products are legal and this puts some lorry drivers at risk of failing a drugs test.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is illegal within the UK and is a schedule 1 controlled drug under the MDR 2001 and can be found present in some CBD oils.

Bud & Tender, a leading UK cannabis supplement company, is urging drivers to check that the CBD oil they consume contains 0mg of THC and that this can be substantiated by independent lab reports. The London Evening Standard recently highlighted Bud & Tender Filter Pure CBD Cannabis Oil as being one of the best CBD Oils in the UK because of taste, effectiveness and trust due to independent lab reports being available on the company’s website proving THC was non-detectable.

Charles Clowes Co-Founder of Bud & Tender told us that, ‘’only the other week at an event the team informed an HGV driver who was suffering from back pain that the CBD oil he was using contained 20mg of THC and that he was at risk of failing a drugs test. Greater awareness is needed, because if one HGV driver is using CBD oil that contains THC there will be others.’’

DHL Supply Chain has announced a significant fleet investment in the UK. The investment, worth £90 million, will put over 1,000 new vehicles into service in the UK during 2019. The investment includes tractor units, as well as specialised rigids and multi temperature-controlled vehicles. All vehicles will be equipped with the latest safety features, including cameras, Microlise telematics and the latest engine technology.

Ian Clough, Managing Director, Network Logistics and Transport, UK & Ireland, DHL Supply Chain said: “Not only are we investing in our infrastructure to support our growth, but to signal our confidence in the contract logistics market in the UK. These vehicles are equipped with the latest technology to ensure they have the best possible efficiency and safety features, allowing us to deliver best in class solutions for our customers.”

The new fleet will serve a range of DHL’s customers, and will enhance the performance and support the growth of a number of the networks. According to research conducted on behalf of DHL among transport decision makers, ground transportation is moving away from its traditional role as a commodity towards becoming a business differentiator; 71% believe it is a strategic component of their business, and 75% agree that investment in this area will directly support growth. As a result, third party logistics providers are expected to offer an increased range of value-added services to customers, something this new fleet will help support.

The investment in new technology reflects DHL’s commitment to ensuring that its fleet is best in class and offers the highest possible levels of service to its supply chain customers. As part of DHL’s ongoing efforts to improve its sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of its operations, a number of the vehicles will run on liquefied natural gas.

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.”