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Month: April 2020

Toyota Material Handling Europe Wins EcoVadis Platinum

Posted on by David Priestman

Every year, Toyota Material Handling Europe undergoes an assessment by EcoVadis, which focuses on the topics Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Sustainable Procurement and Ethics. The past few years, Toyota has received Gold, but this year the Platinum award has been granted. This is the highest possible score, ranking Toyota Material Handling alongside the top 1% of companies in the ‘general-purpose machinery’ sector.

“EcoVadis Platinum enables us to build trust with our customers, suppliers and other stakeholders, and encourages all of us in Toyota Material Handling Europe to continue integrating sustainability in the way we work,” says Tom Schalenbourg, Director Sustainable Development at Toyota Material Handling Europe.

EcoVadis offering transparency to customers

Toyota Material Handling Europe uses EcoVadis’ third-party evaluations to streamline transparency to its customers, and to drive performance within its network. Because of the growing global trend for increasing supply chain transparency and accountability, more and more businesses are increasingly including CSR assessments in their procurement processes. EcoVadis, the leading sustainability rating company, provides sustainability ratings of more than 61,000 suppliers worldwide on their environmental, social and ethical performance. Its online platform allows 175 multinationals to access ratings of their selected suppliers across 155 countries.

Team effort

All Toyota Material Handling’s European factories and local entities undergo this yearly survey, which leads to an individual scoring of each entity. So far, 16 out of 26 local entities have achieved EcoVadis Gold level. Toyota Material Handling Europe’s score takes into account all European data and also includes some performances by Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO).

In 2018, Toyota Material Handling Europe also received the first ever Supplier Excellence Award from EcoVadis for ‘Best Group Engagement’. The award represented Toyota’s commitment to transparency on the performance of all local entities, Gold rating for 30% of subsidiaries, and a top 3% ranking in the industry.

EcoVadis evaluates four themes, of which each theme varies, and Labour and Human Rights weighs the heaviest. Toyota Material Handling Europe has received the following rating for each theme:

Labour and Human Rights 80/100
Environment 80/100
Ethics 70/100
Sustainable Procurement 70/100

Toyota Material Handling Europe appointed Spaniard Ernesto Domínguez as CEO earlier this year.

 

DSV Partners with European Universities

Posted on by David Priestman

DSV has strengthened its partnerships with a number of leading universities to help its customers transition to the smart, connected and sustainable supply chains of the future.

Supply chains are more complex, more interconnected and more important than ever before, with millions of individuals and thousands of companies working together to manufacture and deliver products to billions of consumers all over the globe. In recent weeks, the impact of the coronavirus has highlighted the critical role that a robust supply chain plays in delivering the products we all rely on in our daily lives.

But global supply chains are under scrutiny as the market and consumers realise that traditional supply chains have fundamental flaws that impacts continuity of supply. The coronavirus is accelerating the changes behind the supply chain transformations of the post-coronavirus. According to Erik Van Wunnik who runs the DSV exploration lab, “It has never been a more important and exciting time to work in supply chains. Important, because the coronavirus has shown how key our supply chain workers are in ensuring that medical equipment, food and other essential products reach consumers across the world. And exciting, as new technologies such as additive manufacturing (3D printing), drones, 5G, autonomous vehicles and cobotics are allowing us to completely rethink how to design and operate global supply chains”.

The changes occurring in global supply chains go beyond just new technologies, as explained by Lindsay Zingg, Senior Director of Sustainability at DSV, “Every company is increasingly faced with the challenge of making their supply chains not just more customer centric, faster, more resilient and more efficient, but also making fundamental changes to make their supply chains environmentally sustainable and socially responsible.”

The university partnerships allow DSV and its customers to tap into the latest research and knowledge about the future of global supply chains. As Professor Mike Wilson, EVP of Latin America and Logistics Manufacturing Services (LMS) at DSV explains, “DSV are experts in the operational demands of running supply chains, but when you are working in the fast and demanding operational side of the business, it can be difficult to find the time to fully research and deeply investigate the fundamental and long-term changes that are occurring in supply chains, that’s why partnering with universities, who have the focus, expertise and time to explore the bigger questions in global supply chains, are so important for our business and our customers’ businesses”.

Cobotics in logistics – with Eindhoven Technical University
DSV has already established a strong partnership with Eindhoven Technical University (TU/e), where together DSV and TU/e have secured a research grant to investigate how cobotics can be used within logistics operations (you can read more here). The project is just one part of the wider programme of work being explored at the DSV exploration lab, with other projects investigating the implications of 3D Printing, Robotics and VR/AR on future global supply chains.

Additive manufacturing in logistics – with Cardiff Business School
DSV also has a long-standing partnership with Cardiff University, the PARC Institute of Manufacturing, Logistics and Inventory was founded in 2014 by DSV’s Mike Wilson and Professor Aris Syntetos of Cardiff Business School. Together, DSV and the PARC Institute recently secured a significant grant to create a new additive manufacturing Re-Makerspace Centre (more info here). Hrishikesh Pawar who leads the Re-Makerspace project explains, “Additive Manufacturing (3DP) opens up new possibilities for companies to move towards the circular sustainable supply chains of the future, and the technology is proving key to rapidly design and locally manufacture the new products needed in the fight against the coronavirus.

Looking beyond the coronavirus, our new Remakerspace centre will allow our customers to access the latest 3DP design and manufacturing equipment to allow us to work together with our customers to design products for supply chains with repair, remanufacturing and re-use in mind. Circularity is the future of supply chains, and our new DSV Remakerspace centre will help us and our customers lead the transition from the old elongated, linear supply chains of the past, to the new circular sustainable supply chains of the future.”

Executive in Residence – with Copenhagen Business School
And for DSV, the commitment to university and industry collaboration to address the big questions about the future of supply chains starts at the top, with DSV CEO Jens Bjørn Andersen being part of the Executive in Residence programme at Copenhagen Business School (more here). The aim of the programme is to develop leading edge research and education in close collaboration with industrial partners.

 

DSV Partners with European Universities

Posted on by Keith McKinley

DSV has strengthened its partnerships with a number of leading universities to help its customers transition to the smart, connected and sustainable supply chains of the future.

Supply chains are more complex, more interconnected and more important than ever before, with millions of individuals and thousands of companies working together to manufacture and deliver products to billions of consumers all over the globe. In recent weeks, the impact of the coronavirus has highlighted the critical role that a robust supply chain plays in delivering the products we all rely on in our daily lives.

But global supply chains are under scrutiny as the market and consumers realise that traditional supply chains have fundamental flaws that impacts continuity of supply. The coronavirus is accelerating the changes behind the supply chain transformations of the post-coronavirus. According to Erik Van Wunnik who runs the DSV exploration lab, “It has never been a more important and exciting time to work in supply chains. Important, because the coronavirus has shown how key our supply chain workers are in ensuring that medical equipment, food and other essential products reach consumers across the world. And exciting, as new technologies such as additive manufacturing (3D printing), drones, 5G, autonomous vehicles and cobotics are allowing us to completely rethink how to design and operate global supply chains”.

The changes occurring in global supply chains go beyond just new technologies, as explained by Lindsay Zingg, Senior Director of Sustainability at DSV, “Every company is increasingly faced with the challenge of making their supply chains not just more customer centric, faster, more resilient and more efficient, but also making fundamental changes to make their supply chains environmentally sustainable and socially responsible.”

The university partnerships allow DSV and its customers to tap into the latest research and knowledge about the future of global supply chains. As Professor Mike Wilson, EVP of Latin America and Logistics Manufacturing Services (LMS) at DSV explains, “DSV are experts in the operational demands of running supply chains, but when you are working in the fast and demanding operational side of the business, it can be difficult to find the time to fully research and deeply investigate the fundamental and long-term changes that are occurring in supply chains, that’s why partnering with universities, who have the focus, expertise and time to explore the bigger questions in global supply chains, are so important for our business and our customers’ businesses”.

Cobotics in logistics – with Eindhoven Technical University
DSV has already established a strong partnership with Eindhoven Technical University (TU/e), where together DSV and TU/e have secured a research grant to investigate how cobotics can be used within logistics operations (you can read more here). The project is just one part of the wider programme of work being explored at the DSV exploration lab, with other projects investigating the implications of 3D Printing, Robotics and VR/AR on future global supply chains.

Additive manufacturing in logistics – with Cardiff Business School
DSV also has a long-standing partnership with Cardiff University, the PARC Institute of Manufacturing, Logistics and Inventory was founded in 2014 by DSV’s Mike Wilson and Professor Aris Syntetos of Cardiff Business School. Together, DSV and the PARC Institute recently secured a significant grant to create a new additive manufacturing Re-Makerspace Centre (more info here). Hrishikesh Pawar who leads the Re-Makerspace project explains, “Additive Manufacturing (3DP) opens up new possibilities for companies to move towards the circular sustainable supply chains of the future, and the technology is proving key to rapidly design and locally manufacture the new products needed in the fight against the coronavirus.

Looking beyond the coronavirus, our new Remakerspace centre will allow our customers to access the latest 3DP design and manufacturing equipment to allow us to work together with our customers to design products for supply chains with repair, remanufacturing and re-use in mind. Circularity is the future of supply chains, and our new DSV Remakerspace centre will help us and our customers lead the transition from the old elongated, linear supply chains of the past, to the new circular sustainable supply chains of the future.”

Executive in Residence – with Copenhagen Business School
And for DSV, the commitment to university and industry collaboration to address the big questions about the future of supply chains starts at the top, with DSV CEO Jens Bjørn Andersen being part of the Executive in Residence programme at Copenhagen Business School (more here). The aim of the programme is to develop leading edge research and education in close collaboration with industrial partners.

 

Interroll Launches New Range of Digital Expertise Channels

Posted on by David Priestman

Conveying specialist Interroll is expanding and deepening interactive contact with its customers with new online services. From now on, training events for customers can be easily booked and conducted via the Internet, meetings with experts can be organised, and short videos on important industry topics can be accessed, it says.

An important cornerstone of the new offering is the Interroll Academy, which for many years has been the driving force behind the transfer of knowledge between employees, customers and partners. The integrated learning programs offered by the Group-wide training and collaboration centre ensure a seamless combination of different learning methods, techniques and materials. In this way, what has been learned can be optimally deepened and applied. The Interroll Academy cooperates with leading organisations such as the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics in Dortmund, Germany, and Krauthammer.

With the new e-learning offering by the Interroll Academy, users can access online training content from anywhere at any time. One example of the range of programs on offer is the user training course on the Interroll Layout designer, the popular planning software for the user-friendly design of complete material flow solutions.

Another possibility for a fast, targeted and worldwide exchange of know-how is the online booking of personal expert discussions, for example on technical or industry-specific issues. In addition, informative short videos—educational clips—provide interested parties with a quick introduction to topics that affect important industries such as the food or fashion industry.

“Our customers and partners rely on quality, speed and easiness from Interroll. We consistently deliver on this promise in the digital world as well. By further expanding our channels for virtual interaction, they can now access our expertise even more easily and enter into a professional exchange with us,” explains Jens Karolyi, Senior Vice President Corporate Marketing & Culture of the Interroll Group.

Interroll Launches New Range of Digital Expertise Channels

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Conveying specialist Interroll is expanding and deepening interactive contact with its customers with new online services. From now on, training events for customers can be easily booked and conducted via the Internet, meetings with experts can be organised, and short videos on important industry topics can be accessed, it says.

An important cornerstone of the new offering is the Interroll Academy, which for many years has been the driving force behind the transfer of knowledge between employees, customers and partners. The integrated learning programs offered by the Group-wide training and collaboration centre ensure a seamless combination of different learning methods, techniques and materials. In this way, what has been learned can be optimally deepened and applied. The Interroll Academy cooperates with leading organisations such as the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics in Dortmund, Germany, and Krauthammer.

With the new e-learning offering by the Interroll Academy, users can access online training content from anywhere at any time. One example of the range of programs on offer is the user training course on the Interroll Layout designer, the popular planning software for the user-friendly design of complete material flow solutions.

Another possibility for a fast, targeted and worldwide exchange of know-how is the online booking of personal expert discussions, for example on technical or industry-specific issues. In addition, informative short videos—educational clips—provide interested parties with a quick introduction to topics that affect important industries such as the food or fashion industry.

“Our customers and partners rely on quality, speed and easiness from Interroll. We consistently deliver on this promise in the digital world as well. By further expanding our channels for virtual interaction, they can now access our expertise even more easily and enter into a professional exchange with us,” explains Jens Karolyi, Senior Vice President Corporate Marketing & Culture of the Interroll Group.

Masca ID Laser Marking Systems Installed at TVH

Posted on by David Priestman

After a three-month trial period against inkjet printing technology, Macsa ID (www.macsa.co.uk) – a manufacturer of advanced coding and marking equipment – has installed 17 SPA C10 laser marking systems with beam expanders at Belgium-based global parts and accessories supplier TVH’s new logistics centre. They are applying two-dimensional (2D) codes to some 192,000 cardboard boxes per day. Proven to significantly reduce production line stoppages and downtime, the laser solution was chosen for its state-of-the-art, modular design, reliability and lower lifetime cost of ownership.

TVH is a global supplier of parts and accessories for material handling, industrial and agricultural equipment with customers in more than 170 countries, and has been split up into two business units: TVH Parts and TVH Equipment. The company continually invests in automation and optimisation of its logistical processes to improve its service.

With its head office in Waregem, Belgium, TVH contacted Macsa’s exclusive distributor Codipack when it required an up-to-date coding solution for its new logistics centre. With previous experience of print and apply technology, TVH originally planned to use a similar system to apply a unique 2D code on two sides of each cardboard box.

The codes contain ten numeric numbers, measure approximately 12mm x 12mm in size with the purpose of identifying the box at each stage of the logistics process, right up until shipment.

Once a box is identified by a reader / scanner, it continues to the picking department where the same unique code is scanned again and it is filled with the designated products. The shipping list is added once the code is scanned at the next step.

After that, the scanned code identifies which cover needs to be added. In the final stage, the unchanged code indicates which shipping label needs to be applied to the box. Given its importance at every part of the process, the quality and readability of the 2D codes is vital.

Rather than opting for another print and apply system, TVH chose to install an inkjet printer and Macsa laser unit on a test line over a three-month period. At the end of the trial, the Macsa SPA C10 laser solution was proven to be more reliable and offered a better total cost of ownership.

The Macsa SPA C10 laser model offered a number of advantages over inkjet. It does not require consumables which represented a potential saving of 140,000,000 labels per year. Plus, there are no stoppages on the production line due to label roll replacements or more unplanned production stoppages or losses.

Macsa also won this project due to the technical back up and the laser’s state of the art, modular design which allows the tube or head to be changed with minimal fuss.

A total of 16 Macsa SPA C10 lasers were installed across eight production lines with a spare included as part of the solution in case of any emergencies. The installation runs 24/7 and marks some 192,000 cartons per day or 1,344,000 cartons per week.

The fast and powerful Macsa SPA C10 laser utilises CO2 technology and is designed to meet the most demanding coding requirements. It is ideal for industrial and packaging manufacturers as it can be used on paper, cardboard, glass and a variety of plastics. With a range of optional features and speeds, it can be optimised for individual needs.

A spokesperson for TVH comments: “We made a total cost of ownership calculation and it became clear that the laser was the best solution.

“The choice of Macsa’s laser was made because when using labels we had a lot of stoppages on the line to change labels and the position was not always accurate.

“The inkjet printer gave problems with print quality due to ink drying out of the nozzles. With the Macsa lasers, we have no more production losses or stops.”

Masca ID Laser Marking Systems Installed at TVH

Posted on by David Priestman

After a three-month trial period against inkjet printing technology, Macsa ID (www.macsa.co.uk) – a manufacturer of advanced coding and marking equipment – has installed 17 SPA C10 laser marking systems with beam expanders at Belgium-based global parts and accessories supplier TVH’s new logistics centre. They are applying two-dimensional (2D) codes to some 192,000 cardboard boxes per day. Proven to significantly reduce production line stoppages and downtime, the laser solution was chosen for its state-of-the-art, modular design, reliability and lower lifetime cost of ownership.

TVH is a global supplier of parts and accessories for material handling, industrial and agricultural equipment with customers in more than 170 countries, and has been split up into two business units: TVH Parts and TVH Equipment. The company continually invests in automation and optimisation of its logistical processes to improve its service.

With its head office in Waregem, Belgium, TVH contacted Macsa’s exclusive distributor Codipack when it required an up-to-date coding solution for its new logistics centre. With previous experience of print and apply technology, TVH originally planned to use a similar system to apply a unique 2D code on two sides of each cardboard box.

The codes contain ten numeric numbers, measure approximately 12mm x 12mm in size with the purpose of identifying the box at each stage of the logistics process, right up until shipment.

Once a box is identified by a reader / scanner, it continues to the picking department where the same unique code is scanned again and it is filled with the designated products. The shipping list is added once the code is scanned at the next step.

After that, the scanned code identifies which cover needs to be added. In the final stage, the unchanged code indicates which shipping label needs to be applied to the box. Given its importance at every part of the process, the quality and readability of the 2D codes is vital.

Rather than opting for another print and apply system, TVH chose to install an inkjet printer and Macsa laser unit on a test line over a three-month period. At the end of the trial, the Macsa SPA C10 laser solution was proven to be more reliable and offered a better total cost of ownership.

The Macsa SPA C10 laser model offered a number of advantages over inkjet. It does not require consumables which represented a potential saving of 140,000,000 labels per year. Plus, there are no stoppages on the production line due to label roll replacements or more unplanned production stoppages or losses.

Macsa also won this project due to the technical back up and the laser’s state of the art, modular design which allows the tube or head to be changed with minimal fuss.

A total of 16 Macsa SPA C10 lasers were installed across eight production lines with a spare included as part of the solution in case of any emergencies. The installation runs 24/7 and marks some 192,000 cartons per day or 1,344,000 cartons per week.

The fast and powerful Macsa SPA C10 laser utilises CO2 technology and is designed to meet the most demanding coding requirements. It is ideal for industrial and packaging manufacturers as it can be used on paper, cardboard, glass and a variety of plastics. With a range of optional features and speeds, it can be optimised for individual needs.

A spokesperson for TVH comments: “We made a total cost of ownership calculation and it became clear that the laser was the best solution.

“The choice of Macsa’s laser was made because when using labels we had a lot of stoppages on the line to change labels and the position was not always accurate.

“The inkjet printer gave problems with print quality due to ink drying out of the nozzles. With the Macsa lasers, we have no more production losses or stops.”

Eurotec Adds New Models to Lowpad Family

Posted on by David Priestman

Eurotec has welcomed new models to the Lowpad Family. The release of the new models is fully in line with Eurotec’s goal to move all existing load carriers within any environment autonomously.

Lowpad P
By introducing the Lowpad P, Eurotec has realized an automated orderpick system based on a goods to person principle. The Lowpad P is a compact AMR which acts as an agile high-speed runner within any warehouse environment. Totes with a maximum size of 600 x 400 x 200 mm (23.6 x 15.7 x 7.9”) can be placed on the Lowpad P. The Lowpad P is highly flexible and able to move filled totes to a destination station. Totes can be loaded manual, with a robot or by using a conveyor belt.

Lowpad S
In recent years Eurotec has been regularly asked if the Lowpad K is also capable of moving heavier load carriers like roll cages. The Lowpad K has been developed, in particular, for small load carriers like dollies. That’s why Eurotec initiated a modified model, the Lowpad S. The Lowpad S has been equipped with a wide lifting table and an even higher lifting capacity. This makes this Lowpad model very appropriate for moving heavier load carriers like roll cages.

Eurotec Adds New Models to Lowpad Family

Posted on by David Priestman

Eurotec has welcomed new models to the Lowpad Family. The release of the new models is fully in line with Eurotec’s goal to move all existing load carriers within any environment autonomously.

Lowpad P
By introducing the Lowpad P, Eurotec has realized an automated orderpick system based on a goods to person principle. The Lowpad P is a compact AMR which acts as an agile high-speed runner within any warehouse environment. Totes with a maximum size of 600 x 400 x 200 mm (23.6 x 15.7 x 7.9”) can be placed on the Lowpad P. The Lowpad P is highly flexible and able to move filled totes to a destination station. Totes can be loaded manual, with a robot or by using a conveyor belt.

Lowpad S
In recent years Eurotec has been regularly asked if the Lowpad K is also capable of moving heavier load carriers like roll cages. The Lowpad K has been developed, in particular, for small load carriers like dollies. That’s why Eurotec initiated a modified model, the Lowpad S. The Lowpad S has been equipped with a wide lifting table and an even higher lifting capacity. This makes this Lowpad model very appropriate for moving heavier load carriers like roll cages.

New Software Platform “Revolutionises HGV Agency Model”

Posted on by Paul Hamblin

Manchester-based software specialist Avail Technologies claims it is revolutionising the logistics industry and largely reducing its clients’ driver agency costs. Avail’s CEO Erin Short explained: “The temporary employment industry is currently dominated by the outdated traditional agency model where hauliers are still employing agencies to contract HGV drivers and paying over the odds, and that’s not right. We offer everything a normal agency does and more with a reduced cost.”

Avail Technologies has set out to disrupt this by offering hauliers large savings in a time when they will need it most due to the disruption of services caused by the onset of the pandemic. “Using avail for you agency drivers will, 100% make your contracts more profitable, and increase the driver’s wages, its a win, win,” she promised.

Avail’s technology has previously had notable features by Microsoft for the implementation of the dynamics 365 and Azure cloud systems in their software. Microsoft Azure is currently being used by the avail platform for advanced security and to assure compliance with industry regulations.

The disruption of the traditional agency model is what  Avail says makes it innovative and needed in the logistics industry, it says. Their straightforward platform spans across web, app and tablet formats enabling hauliers to manage their drivers instantly from any device, 24/7. This is point of focus as the current regulations set out by the government surrounding businesses and the movement of individuals are continually changing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Avail’s CEO Erin Short explained how the platform can help hauliers adapt to current circumstances by the pandemic through the “User ease and friendly functionality of the platform” which is causing Hauliers are “move away from traditional agencies to Avail”.

The process to employ temporary drivers is streamlined and transparent using Avail’s Platform. Their intelligent algorithms match HGV drivers to job’s based upon the Haulier’s preferences and requirements. A selection of drivers are then provided, detailing their driving experience, and Avail star rating. Once selected the driver completes the job, after which the haulier rates the driver and has the option to favourite the driver for repeat employment.

Through the reduction of the high fees paid to traditional agencies, hauliers can save on average £4,000 per temporary driver a year. This is a large saving to Hauliers affected by COVID-19, as it will free up resources to be used on developing their fleet as well as paying drivers a higher rate than agencies if they see fit.

Avail are currently offering their services with an introductory free trial day for all hauliers whether they are suffering losses due to COVID-19 or not.

For more information on how avail can reduce costs visit https://availhub.com/hauliers

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