Month: August 2020

Flux Power Holdings, a developer of advanced lithium-ion batteries for commercial and industrial equipment including electric forklifts and airport ground support equipment (GSE), has announced a new partnership in North America with Clark Material Handling Company (CLARK).

“We’ve listened to our dealers and to our end-users. After extensive industry research, Clark identified Flux Power as the best partner for providing a superior product that meets or exceeds our dealer and customer requirements,” said Charlie Chwasz, North America Aftermarket Sales Manager. “Flux Power is a great addition that well-complements our existing battery line-up. This partnership will provide customers with a maintenance-free alternative that reduces owner operating costs,” Chwasz added.

Kion Group has entered a strategic partnership with Quicktron, a recently-established Chinese manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) based in Shanghai.

Representatives from both companies recently met in Xiamen, China, to sign a distribution agreement as well as a memorandum of understanding on their joint development plans. Under the agreement, and effective immediately, Quicktron products are to be distributed via the global sales and service networks of the Kion brands Linde Material Handling, STILL and Dematic. The arrangement expands Kion Group’s global product offering of automated warehouse solutions. The leading intralogistics group also plans to acquire a minority stake of less than 10 percent in Quicktron. The partners have agreed not to disclose the size of the investment.

“We are delighted to be forming this strategic partnership with Quicktron. We can offer our customers an even more extensive product range in the automated truck segment,” said Kion CEO, Gordon Riske, at the signing, adding, “The collaboration with Quicktron is expected to further strengthen our position in the automated truck market.”

“Quicktron is a leading autonomous mobile robot manufacturer in China and has been growing steadily,” notes Ching Pong Quek, Kion Executive Board member and Chief Asia Pacific & Americas Officer. “It perfectly complements our skills and experience in the KION Mobile Automation business. The collaboration unlocks additional opportunities to participate in this global growth market and provides our customers with a unique product offering.”

Quicktron was established in Shanghai in 2014 and currently employs around 400 individuals worldwide. It offers smart intralogistics solutions using technology based on artificial intelligence (AI).

Thermo King®, a leader in transport temperature control solutions and a brand of Trane Technologies, today announced that its new hybrid refrigeration systems for trucks and high-loaders are being delivered to customers across Europe. The new T- and UT-Series Hybrid refrigeration systems seamlessly switch between diesel and electric mode allowing transporters to operate in inner cities, residential areas and low emission zones with the unit’s diesel engine turned off.

Greggs, a UK bakery/food-on-the-go retailer with over 2000 shops nationwide, is one of the first customers in Europe to experience the benefits of the new hybrid refrigeration systems. Three new trucks with Thermo King Hybrid systems will contribute to lowering the environmental impact and reducing operating costs of their truck transport operations in central London.

“Thermo King units have been our systems of choice for several years now. Their units have delivered good flexibility and work efficiency to our operations, and we could also always count on the Thermo King dealer service network to support us,” said Richard Penna, group logistics manager at Greggs. “We’re very conscious about the sustainability of our transport operations. It is paramount for us to operate in inner cities with as little noise and emissions as possible. It was a natural choice to work with Thermo King and equip our trucks with these new units that can easily switch from diesel operation to electric, reduce the sound level and eliminate emissions. On top of that we expect to benefit from the lower daily fuel consumption.”

“Thermo King Hybrid technology was designed to help transport and delivery companies future-proof their refrigerated operations and investments. With this solution they can stay ahead of regulations, control their total cost of ownership and achieve important sustainability goals,” said Colm O’Grady product manager at Thermo King. “Thermo King was the first to offer its European customers a trailer hybrid refrigeration. Now, our truck transport customers can also benefit from this cleaner and electrified transport refrigeration to make urban distribution more flexible and sustainable.”

The new hybrid single – and multi-temperature solution for trucks feature Frigoblock alternator and inverter-drive technology. The nose-mount T-Series Hybrid and under-mount UT-Series Hybrid refrigeration automatically switches between electric and diesel operation as required or necessary. This enables the transport companies to operate in inner cities, residential areas and low emission zones with the refrigeration unit’s diesel engine turned off.

The system is also very well accepted by drivers, mainly due to the simple and smooth transition from one drive technology to the other. The driver only needs to set the vehicle when leaving the depot and the system will switch electric and diesel modes seamlessly during the working day depending on the unit’s requirements.

This year, the Talent in Logistics Award for Forklift Operator of the Year will be determined by a series of virtual competition finals in September, specially adapted to keep people socially distanced and safe.

The Forklift Operator of the Year award, delivered in partnership with UniCarriers, will be filmed and made available to watch via You Tube and social media to ensure those across the sector still have the opportunity to support their friends, family and colleagues and be part of the event.

“Notoriously, the Forklift Operator of the Year live finals are something of a spectacle and great fun for all involved – competitors and spectators alike,” says Ruth Edwards, Business Development Director for Talent in Logistics. “Although the competition set-up will be slightly different this time around, the events will still retain the same sense of fun and entertainment, as well as of course closely examining the talent and knowledge of operators to identify the best of the best.”

Previously planned as regional heats taking place during the summer of 2020, the virtual competition finals will now take place in Telford, UK, on the 9th, 10th and 11th September. The top 30 competitors from the earlier online testing stage have been invited to participate and will be required to complete four different tests to identify their level of operating skill and knowledge.

The tests for 2020 will be themed around the Olympics, with tasks inspired by basketball, weightlifting, show-jumping, and golf. Competitors will take part in three practical tests, one of which will include operating a forklift with attachment, as well as one classroom-based test of knowledge.

As well as being developed to be motivating and engaging for the Forklift Operators, all of the tests are designed to adhere to social distancing recommendations, and extra health and hygiene processes will be followed during the competitions for the safety of all involved.  The finalists for the Forklift Operator of the Year award will be announced at the end of the three-day event.

“Forklift operators are a vital asset in an essential economy sector. Their job requires skill, motivation and constant attentiveness,” states Chris Bates, Managing Director at UniCarriers. “With the Forklift Operator of the Year competition, we want to throw the spotlight on them and thank them for their valuable contribution to the industry.  It’s great that we can still do so virtually.”

During the event, UniCarriers will also present other vehicles during digital demonstrations, including more counterbalance trucks, reach trucks, order pickers and pallet trucks.

Finalists will complete all tests using the UniCarriers TX3 electric counterbalance forklift truck, winner of the International Forklift of the Year (IFOY) 2019 and the Red Dot Award 2018, including one specially equipped with a relevant attachment provided by Abbey Attachments.

The overall winner of the Forklift Operator of the Year will be revealed at the online Talent in Logistics Awards night on 1st October 2020. This unique awards event is free to attend and will enable anyone across the supply chain to find out the winners from all awards categories, as well as participate in a virtual networking event, and join in a celebration of the heroes in the logistics sector.