Month: March 2020

Imperial has opened its latest multi-user warehouse, located in Werne, Germany.

The new facility provides an under-cover storage area of 22,000 sq.m., with racking for over 21000 pallets and 11,000 parts bins already installed, and over 8,500 sqm of floor storage space. In addition, the facility features 24 truck doors, a yard and parking area of 7000 sq.m., container loading and unloading facilities and a paperless order picking system.

The location of the facility provides easy access to Germany’s A1 and A2 autobahns, and is well-served by courier and express companies. Adjacent land is available for potential future expansion.

One major client has already transferred its logistics operations to the new Imperial facility, from nearby manufacturing sites. The Imperial team is now responsible for receiving, warehousing and processing of hundreds of inbound lines, combining components from external suppliers with finished goods from the customer’s own production facilities. Imperial is also handling inventory control for outbound lines, as well as providing frequent trailer shuttles to and from manufacturing sites.

Imperial is employing Lean management methodology to drive efficiencies, and all processes undergo regular analysis to facilitate cost reduction and cycle time improvements for clients.

Says Christian Lohmann, Vice President Commercial Industrial of Imperial Logistics International: “Quality, safety, and precision are paramount to today’s industrial client, and we are committed to continuously enhancing our logistics offering to enable our clients to strengthen their own customer service.”

The Industrial sector has been identified as a key target market for Imperial, whose integrated service portfolio is designed to cater for a wide diversity of product types and dimensions. “No product is too large for our systems and facilities,” adds Lohmann.

He continues: “This new facility is a further expansion of our proven multi-user warehousing concept, which is now attracting major blue-chip clients. The increased scale of operations we achieve through such a shared facility justifies top-quality resources including the latest technological solutions.

“Sharing facilities and resources across multiple users also balances out individual clients’ seasonal fluctuations, maintaining optimal utilisation year-round. That enables us to operate a pay-as-you-use billing model, reducing user costs and assisting budgeting and cash flow. In addition, we are able to pass on savings through consolidated purchasing of packaging materials.”

Clark Europe is expanding its product range in the area of warehouse technology by introducing a new order-picking vehicle. With the COP1, the forklift truck specialist has launched a real multi-talent: The vehicle is not only extremely efficient for picking goods, but also – thanks to the work platform that can be elevated – proves its worth as rolling ladder or work platform. Compared to a conventional rolling ladder, the COP1 not only saves time by eliminating the need to climb up and down, but the risk of an accident is also lowered.

Regardless of whether it is used for order picking or performing repair, maintenance or cleaning work, the Clark COP1 is the ideal helper that impresses every time thanks to its intuitive and safe operation. The special advantage of the multi-talent: The flowing movement of the vehicle allows it to lift and be driven simultaneously, which saves time and ensures high productivity. Thus, the COP1 is not only the ideal helper in wholesale and retail, distribution and in the food and beverage industry, but is also perfect for use in offices, hotels, museums, hospitals or in trade fair construction. When used inside and on level floors, the vehicle can be used safely and efficiently to fill shelves, conduct inventory, decorate rooms, mount signs, replace light sources or complete cleaning and repair work, among many other things.

Tailor-made power thanks to Lithium-ion-Ready

The multifunctional order picker has both a drive motor with 0.65 kW and a lift motor with 2.2 kW. It comes with a maintenance-free 24 volt battery (120 Ah) that provides sufficient energy for one workday as standard equipment. The battery can be recharged with an integrated charger at any 230 Volt socket. The charging cable is integrated into the vehicle. If the use requires higher availability, the COP1 can also be optionally equipped at the factory with an available lithium-ion battery with 120 Ah, so break times can be easily used for interim charging. Neither battery version needs charging rooms or ventilation systems, as the charging process generates no gases.

The multi-talent guarantees intuitive and safe use

The height-adjustable shelf of the COP1 has a 90 kg carrying capacity. The lower shelf can carry an additional 110 kg. With the work platform, the operator can go up to a maximum lifting height of 2,990 mm and reach a height of up to 5 m. The maximum driving speed of 6 km is adapted to the lifting height. Easy-to-reach switches allow safe and productive working when driving diagonally. The vehicle’s maneuverability is worth a special mention, as the COP1 turns on the spot. Its total width of only 750 mm and turning radius of just 1,260 mm allows the vehicle to be easily maneuvered in narrow aisles or confined work areas – even narrow doors of up to 80 cm are no problem.

The standard safety features are an additional highlight. They range from electrically monitored safety bars and two optical hand sensors all the way to two dead man’s switches in the footwell. In addition, a tilting sensor and a safety sensor under the work platform prevent injuries when the platform is lowered. The flexible warehouse helper can only be started when the operator is standing on the work platform and the safety bars have been closed. When the work platform is lifted, the safety bars are automatically locked. Safety sensors below the operator platform deactivate the driving, lowering and lifting functions when the operator presses on the motor cover underneath the work platform. The optical sensors ensure that the operator keeps both hands on the controls while driving and lifting and stays within the vehicle contour while operating the vehicle. The dead man’s switches ensure that the operator has to stand firmly on the platform. As soon as the dead man’s switch loses contact, the driving, lowering and lifting functions are automatically deactivated.

The ergonomic steering knob ensures the vehicle’s intuitive and precise operation. Small parts can be safely stowed away in the standard storage compartments. Two cup holders and one document storage compartment facilitate the operator‘s daily work routine. For working in poorly illuminated work areas or as a warning to oncoming traffic, the vehicle is equipped with an LED light integrated into the front vehicle frame. And last but not least, Clark completes the COP1’s safety features with the hydraulic emergency lowering and the emergency shutdown, which can be operated from the outside.

Solidly and functionally built

When the COP1 was built, great importance was attached to a solid construction. The rugged steel frame protects the vehicle not only from damages but also ensures a stable driving style and firm foothold thanks to the five-point support, ensured by a combination of drive gear, two support rollers and two support edges. The lift mast, which is also designed in an extremely solid way, proves invaluable in the extended position. In the COP1, Clark has completely dispensed with external plastic parts that could be damaged during use. The height-adjustable shelf is equipped with longitudinal slots, so that the operator always has a good downward view. Within the work platform, the padded door handles that also serve as backrest and a padded front rest ensure superior comfort.

Tailor-made for the application

The COP1 can be individually adjusted to the application. Not only the handling, but also the braking, acceleration and counter current braking can be adjusted to the respective situation. The vehicle tray is height-adjustable and has an adjustable range of 485 mm so goods of different sizes can be picked. To increase safety even more, a driving or lowering signal is optionally available on request. In case of failure, the COP1 has an on-board diagnostic system with error codes so the service technician can quickly fix minor malfunctions.

Modern businesses are constantly on the lookout for potential opportunities to maximise their operational efficiency, with the warehouse environment increasingly being targeted as a key area for improvement. These changes often come in the form of reconfiguring an existing warehouse or building a new facility to incorporate a Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) layout.

VNA structures ensure more of the available space in an area is being used, in turn improving productivity and increasing storage space.

Whilst VNA layouts within warehouses are not a new concept, the successful installation of materials handling equipment to operate in these environments requires careful planning and consultation. The time delays and financial implications that come with an unsuccessful VNA installation are significant, which is why it’s crucial for asset management specialists such as Briggs Equipment, to provide expertise in this area.

At Briggs, this activity is headed up by Andy Hancox, VNA Installation Manager who, with support from a nationwide network of technical engineers, manages all VNA installations from concept through to delivery and aftercare. He provided some insight into the complexities of VNA projects and why it’s crucial that Briggs has a dedicated team.

“By their very nature, VNA projects require careful attention to detail to ensure a successful installation and outcome. Typically, our team’s involvement with customers begins at the very beginning of a project where we’ll work alongside our sales team and undertake a specific site survey to help accurately determine the requirements.

“It’s at this point that we can identify any additional support that might be required during the installation and finalise the exact project brief. For example, we sometimes need specialist lifting or access equipment to complete a delivery of a VNA truck. In this instance, it’s crucial that the right machines are sourced well ahead of time to reduce the risk of complications on installation day. The projects we’re involved with are inevitably a real diverse mix, which is why we’re consistently innovating and improving as a team to ensure we’re ready to help no matter the situation.

“In addition to our pre and live installation work, we also collaborate with our customers post-delivery to ensure they are getting the most out of their VNA machine. The large network of mobile engineers that Briggs provides is incredibly important for customers, as they know that we’re able to respond quickly, and that we’ve got the expertise to accurately solve any issues.

“The skillset that we have within our team allows us to provide a complete solution to our customers. They are always very receptive to the fact that we can call upon this specialised resource and it undoubtedly gives them confidence in our capability to deliver complex VNA projects. The successful installations carried by our team have helped cement a number of long-term commercial relationships.”

VNA projects represent a growing area of business for Briggs and the number of installations increases year on year, with 2020 already projecting to be a record period. To adequately adapt to this demand, Briggs provides a truly world-class selection of VNA products and equipment from a range of market-leading manufacturers.

The ongoing feedback that Andy and the team receive from customers is fantastic and further highlights the importance of having dedicated expertise.

EPAL’s total production and repair volume grew in 2019 to a total of 123 million EPAL load carriers. Compared to the previous year, this is an increase of 1% or 1.2 million pallets more in 2019 (2018 total: 121.8m). Looking at production and repairing separately, the 2019 repair figures showed a slight decrease. In 2019 26.8 million EPAL load carriers were repaired, in 2018, some 27.5 million. Looking purely at the production figures, there was an increase of 2.4%: in 2019, 96.2 million EPAL load carriers were produced, 2.3 million more than in the previous year (2018: 93.9 m.).

Robert Holliger, President of EPAL: “Despite the economic slowdown in Europe, the need and demand for EPAL pallets grew in 2019.”

Number of EPAL Euro pallets in the open pool at an all-time high

Currently there are more than 600 million EPAL pallets and 20 million EPAL Box pallets available to the global logistics industry and used by shipping agents, transport companies and large retailers. For many years the pool in Europe has been growing continuously. Due to the very high level of new production, the pool is able to serve the increasing quality expectations of the supply chain. As a result, quality classification levels A and B are also available in greater numbers. The EPAL system’s foundations comprise: independent quality assurance, international trademark protection, acceptance by all market participants, environmental responsibility and sustainability. The EPAL Box pallet also continues to have widespread acceptance in the automotive industry’s supply chain.

RTP supplier Go Plastic Pallets has released a video detailing the varied, weird and wonderful ways its plastic pallet boxes can be used. They include the world’s largest kite, seal pup rescue, zoo animal feed and fishing gear.

See all 10 here.