November 2019

Interroll Adds Stacker Crane and Transfer Car to Conveyor Platform

Posted on 22 November, 201925 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Innovative solutions for the fully automatic handling of pallets: With a new stacker crane for dynamic storage and a transfer car, which enable the fast and safe storage and retrieval of up to 100 pallets per hour, Interroll is expanding its Modular Pallet Conveyor Platform (MPP), a flexible modular system for driven pallet conveying. The new products allow users—in seamless interaction with the proven Interroll Pallet Flow dynamic storage system—to implement extremely compact, robust and efficient pallet handling automation solutions that excel with very low planning and installation costs and high energy efficiency.

With the market launch of the stacker crane and the transfer car, companies for the first time have the opportunity to implement a continuous material flow with pallets—for example between incoming and outgoing goods or between warehouse, production and order picking—on the basis of a technology offering from a single source. This means that system integrators and plant constructors can expand their business horizon with cost-effective plug-and-play pallet conveyor solutions, which can also be planned in a very simple and user-friendly way using Interroll’s Layouter tool.

“With our compact automation platform, users can replace cost- and accident-prone forklift truck traffic and take advantage of new high-throughput pallet applications through the flexible combination of our modular conveyor and flow storage systems,” explains Michael Kuhn, Managing Director of Interroll Kronau GmbH. “For example, flow storage systems can now be designed as highly dynamic dispatch warehouses and the space required for automated route preparation can be significantly reduced.”

Stacker crane for high pallet throughput

The heart of a highly dynamic pallet handling system is the new stacker crane, which has been perfectly designed for connection to the Pallet Flow storage system. The lightweight construction and integrated energy recovery make the system extremely energy-efficient. The overall height is 12 metres, the horizontal travel speed is 3 metres per second and the lifting speed is 0.8 metres per second. At the initial launch, the system is designed to transport Euro pallets with a maximum weight of 800 kilograms. Adaptions for the use of additional pallet formats will be carried out step by step over the next few months. The system is equipped with an integrated lifting speed control and powerful braking systems. Due to the modular and preassembled design of the steel construction, the stacker crane requires low maintenance and is easy to deliver and install.

Transfer car for a fast and smooth handover

Like the storage and retrieval machine, the MPP is supplemented by a new transfer car for fast pallet conveying. Up to 5 meters per second can be achieved, allowing even greater distances to be bridged quickly and reliably, for example in the area of route preparation or the connection between warehouse and production. The transfer car weighs just 275 kilograms and, thanks to the intelligent drive concept, does not require a control cabinet for the electrical connection.

As new components of the MPP, the stacker crane and the transfer car can be conveniently planned using Interroll’s Layouter tool and combined to form a complete solution.

Integrated control concept: one solution for all requirements

The Interroll Pallet Control PC 6000 is now responsible for controlling the pallet conveyor modules. The control is easy to attach to the side profile and put into operation. In combination with the Interroll MultiControl, the Pallet Control PC 6000 enables the control of 400-volt and 24/48-volt drives, offering an integrated control concept for the entire pallet conveyor system. For every requirement, be it the transport of heavy or light pallets, Interroll offers a uniform solution for different operating modes. This makes it possible to operate sections of the line autonomously, transport with zero pressure accumulation (ZPA) or to operate continuously. Depending on requirements, the systems can be controlled locally or centrally via programmable logic controller (PLC).

The new integrated control concept consisting of proven controls considerably reduces the planning and installation effort. Perfectly matched interfaces and simple cabling enable the pallet conveyor system to be put into operation quickly.

Sustainability Ambitions Hard to Fulfil, Say Firms

Posted on 21 November, 2019 by David Priestman

Sustainability is now firmly on the agenda for management teams of businesses of all sizes, yet only a minority have a clear understanding of how they are performing or how Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics might apply to them.

These are among the findings of a new HSBC survey, ‘Navigator: Now, next and how,’ that explores the views of over 9,100 companies in 35 countries and territories. It shows that almost all businesses (96%) are feeling pressure to become more environmentally and ethically sustainable, but many are struggling with barriers such as their ability to finance change (35%) and to free up resources to implement that change (31%).

Over a quarter (27%) of businesses say they are frustrated by a lack of consistent ESG measurement criteria, meaning they aren’t sure what to focus on. Moreover, there’s a consistent gap of up to 10 percentage points between ESG indicators companies do identify as relevant and those they actually measure.

Barry O’Byrne, CEO of HSBC Global Commercial Banking, said: “People want to know the values of the businesses they buy from and market pressures mean every business must demonstrate it has a positive effect on the communities in which it operates. But translating sustainability ambitions into measurable practices isn’t easy. You don’t have to look far to find ESG guidance from organisations ranging from the UN to stock exchanges. Identifying which guidance might apply to your business is a challenge for management teams and our Navigator findings show that progress towards common reporting frameworks would clearly be welcomed.”

While 26% of businesses want to become more sustainable to improve their efficiency, and 23% think it will help boost sales, 15% are measuring their energy use and 8% their carbon emissions. In terms of social and governance metrics, 13% say they measure the fair treatment of employees and 14% track the effectiveness of their anti-bribery and corruption controls.

Pressure to do more on sustainability is coming from multiple sources including competitors, investors and employees, according to the survey. Businesses in Indonesia (47%), the UAE (46%), Australia (43%), Turkey (43%), South Africa (41%) and Singapore (40%) say they feel the most pressure from their governments, while peers in Argentina (49%), Russia (46%), Brazil (45%), Poland (45%), South Korea (44%) and Thailand (41%) say it’s their customers that are leading the call for change.

Over the next five years, a third of businesses expect to invest more in technology, innovation and infrastructure to improve sustainable production. The focus for 31% will be to promote employee health, well-being and safety, while for 29% it is to reduce waste generation and improve energy efficiency.

Sustainability Ambitions Hard to Fulfil, Say Firms

Posted on 21 November, 2019 by Keith McKinley

Are You Ready for Peak Packaging Monday?

Posted on 20 November, 2019 by David Priestman

UK supplier Kite has issued a packaging rallying cry ahead of the big retail dates coming up. It asks: are you ready for Peak Packaging Monday, Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

“As the countdown to Christmas begins, we find ourselves entering the busiest shopping period of the year with two key days that are expected to see record sales, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

“It is crucial for businesses in gathering resources and getting strategies in place not to get caught out with key dates and that is why Kite Packaging recognised the Monday before Black Friday and Cyber Monday as the day in which most of such firms purchase their packaging, making it the busiest day for these types of purchases.

“Peak Packaging Monday will this year fall on Monday 25th November and with businesses all over the UK wanting to send their goods in high quality packaging that gets them to their destination in the same condition they left the warehouse, it really ramps up the pressure within the packaging industry. On this date each year we see the biggest influx of orders, but in order to support our customers we have put a lot of time and resource into our ecommerce platform to ensure easy and clear-cut ordering on any device and have a next day delivery option in place for those that need their products fast.”

So put the following key dates in your diary to not get caught out this year:
25th November – Peak Packaging Monday
29th November – Black Friday
2nd December – Cyber Monday

Are You Ready for Peak Packaging Monday?

Posted on 20 November, 2019 by Keith McKinley

UK supplier Kite has issued a packaging rallying cry ahead of the big retail dates coming up. It asks: are you ready for Peak Packaging Monday, Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

“As the countdown to Christmas begins, we find ourselves entering the busiest shopping period of the year with two key days that are expected to see record sales, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

So put the following key dates in your diary to not get caught out this year:
25th November – Peak Packaging Monday
29th November – Black Friday
2nd December – Cyber Monday

Forklift Tyre Specialist Adds Non-Marking Additions to Range

Posted on 20 November, 201925 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Road-free tyre specialist Camso has made non-marking additions to its Solideal PON series. The PON 555 NM and PON 550 NM press-on tyres were developed to deliver increased energy efficiency and thermal performance, the company says.

Both tyres are designed to meet the growing needs of indoor applications and rental fleets with operations of medium intensity usage, offering customers a non-marking solution with industry-leading life. Indeed, companies don’t want to see tyre marks or black rubber dust on the floor or on their goods, and a growing number of industries have set regulations that require the use of non-marking tyres – but none of them can compromise on life or performance.

“As more operations have moved indoors and require cleaner working environments, non-marking tyres have become an imperative for approximately 30% of forklift applications,” says Thierry Miche, Product Line Executive Director – Material Handling, at Camso. “When combined with a rise in rental applications and a growing trend in electric forklifts, it’s no surprise that the demand for performing non-marking solutions is increasing. As a leader in the industry, we want to offer solutions that tackle new challenges as they arise.”

The new tyres added to the PON series are:

• The Solideal PON 555 NM – smooth-surfaced tyre: ensures clean working environment, low rolling resistance and improved thermal performance. It has been especially designed to provide maximum lifespan for medium intensity applications requiring non-marking press-on tyres.

• The Solideal PON 550 NM – treaded tyre: has all the features and benefits of the PON 555 NM, with a wide profile and flat footprint for increased stability and grip. It benefits from the company’s established tread pattern design, which has proven its reliability for over 25 years.

Forklift Tyre Specialist Adds Non-Marking Additions to Range

Posted on 20 November, 2019 by David Priestman

The new tyres added to the PON series are:

Barrier Corners Aim to Boost Warehouse Visibility and Safety

Posted on 20 November, 2019 by Keith McKinley

New Armco barrier corners from impact protection equipment specialists BrandSAFE Protection provide improved levels of operational visibility and safety in warehouses and distribution centres, says the company.

Manufactured from hard wearing and impact resistant polyethylene, the new safety corner range provides a flexible, highly visible and effective addition to new or existing barrier systems. Sections can be quickly installed with a single Armco Post to provide cost effective and time saving benefits.

Product has been specifically designed and developed by BrandSAFE to enable materials handling equipment, powered industrial truck operators and HGV vehicle drivers to better see Armco barrier systems in place in and around the warehouse environment.

Produced in both 90 Degree external and internal and 135 Degree external and internal options, corner sections are supplied complete with integrated 40mm diameter diamond grade self-reflective discs for additional levels of visibility, particularly in low light areas.

For additional application flexibility, individual sections are available in yellow with silver reflectors for applications in service yards and areas where forklifts are operating, while black with yellow reflectors are suitable for front-of-house and car parking areas. Product is also available for next day delivery with eight individual part options to meet all customer requirements.

BrandSAFE specialises in bespoke designed impact protection systems and solutions for distribution centres, warehouses, manufacturing and production facilities, and commercial and retail property. Products comply with appropriate safety standards as well meeting environmental considerations around sustainability, zero waste and consumption of fuels.

Barrier Corners Aim to Boost Warehouse Visibility and Safety

Posted on 20 November, 2019 by David Priestman

Industry View: Wearable Tech and Health and Safety

Posted on 20 November, 201929 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Axel Schmidt, of wearables innovator ProGlove, offers a view on how the technology can provide surprising benefits.

There have been many arguments made about how the use of robots and Artificial Intelligence (AI) could replace the role of workers across numerous industries. However, the reality is that full automation is not a pragmatic approach and will not be a realistic goal for years to come, despite impressive advancements in technology.

Instead, we must consider how technology can augment the human worker’s role and also improve the safety of workforce environments. Despite the importance of warehouse efficiency, there needs to be additional emphasis on health and safety concerns in warehouses, and the continued issue of labour shortages. Implementing AI and wearable technology, businesses can move towards improving both productivity and accuracy while enhancing worker safety.

Improving workplace efficiency
Understandably, many organisations focus on optimising their workforce by streamlining business processes to improve efficiency and productivity. However, to get the most out of worker activity, there are various opportunities to enhance employees’ experience, and in turn, their performance.

Tiredness is one of the biggest challenges which restricts productivity in the workplace; from physical activities including lifting and putting away multiple items or wasting time walking to and from static work stations, errors are more likely to happen as workers run out of energy. When employees become fatigued, the risk of them hurting themselves or the people around them increases. To reduce this from happening, businesses need to maximise both performance and worker safety to achieve higher efficiency.

Since the majority of health and safety incidents reported in the UK in 2017/18 within the transportation and storage industry relate to musculoskeletal disorders, there is an added element of importance to deploy hands-free wearable technology to benefit the safety of workers. Ergonomic workspaces aim to decrease the risk of repetitive strain injury and accidents resulting from exhaustion. By removing unnecessary repetitive actions, such as time-consuming walks across the warehouse or constantly picking up and putting down equipment, wearable technology can ease the strain on the worker by avoiding extraneous tasks.

Workers could immediately be provided with the next pick up location via their wearable device, rather than having to trek back to find out this information. Not only does this reduce the risk of health problems and injuries from strain, but productivity is also increased as workers have higher levels of energy to perform necessary activities.
By ensuring that the majority of physical movement is directly linked to necessary productive duties, risks can be avoided by minimising extraneous movement, removing distractions and cutting out any additional weight.

Remote wearables
Traditional scanners typically follow a handheld, point and shoot procedure, but with wearable technology, businesses can upgrade their equipment with an in-built scanner glove. Removing the need to hold a scanner, and instead, scanning with a click of a button in the glove, this shortens the process and allows workers to manage their tasks with ease.

By not having to hold the device, workers have both hands free at all times, which makes tasks simpler, quicker, but more importantly – safer. The use of the glove removes any additional weight that could affect the worker’s fatigue and reduces the risk of dropping equipment. Furthermore, if there was a hazard or an event of danger, the worker can take appropriate and fast action, as they are not carrying any hand-held devices.

Sensors which emit alert signals can also be added to wearable devices to improve safety by warning workers of motion in your working environment or highlighting any risk created by moving vehicles. For example, vests for workers on construction sites can alert the individual if a hazard is approaching, and also communicates with forklift trucks to alert them of a worker’s presence to avoid the risk of hitting them. Particularly in noisy working environments, this type of smart technology is crucial where workers may not hear or see potential hazards.

Acceptance of technology
In a generation where technology is always developing, it is no surprise that many workers often have concerns in terms of job security. However, when it comes to wearable technology, the benefits are endless. Workers have been positive about the improvements wearable technology has on their daily routine, including; removing needless repetition, improving precision and reducing physical strain. By making their jobs safer and more straightforward, wearable technology has, in turn, improved workers’ conditions and increased their productivity levels.

Wearable technology is one-way companies can apply technology to better their safety standards. With the benefits of the technology quickly realised, both the workers and the business will reap the rewards from improvements in efficiency, safety and morale.

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