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Day: 22 October 2020

Fresh Produce Rail Route Expands its Network

Posted on by Keith McKinley

A fresh produce rail route is to have its network expanded and will include many key destinations in Europe. The service will operate under the name CoolRail powered by Transfesa Logistics. Transfesa Logistics and Euro Pool System (EPS) have signed an agreement to operate the CoolRail service.

The new service boasts the first direct rail connection for refrigerated products between Valencia and Rotterdam. Other destinations will include to the UK, the Nordic countries, Germany and Poland.

The CoolRail service will use the vast infrastructure of DB Cargo, the main shareholder of Transfesa Logistics.

The new fresh produce rail route will enable British customers to have a faster and more sustainable transport solution.

The CEO of Transfesa Logistics, Bernd Hullerum, said “The association with Euro Pool System is a great opportunity. It means for the fresh produce market that the railroad can be just as fast and reliable as road service. In addition, it contributes to achieve more environmentally friendly supply chains. A train emits nine times less CO2 than a lorry.”

Gerjo Scheringa, the CEO of Euro Pool System confirms that Euro Pool System is excited about this next step: “It is our goal to achieve greater sustainability in the logistics sector across Europe and this partnership will help to reduce CO2 emissions by replacing road traffic with a direct rail connection.”

Fresh Produce Rail Route Expands its Network

Posted on by David Priestman

A fresh produce rail route is to have its network expanded and will include many key destinations in Europe. The service will operate under the name CoolRail powered by Transfesa Logistics. Transfesa Logistics and Euro Pool System (EPS) have signed an agreement to operate the CoolRail service.

The new service boasts the first direct rail connection for refrigerated products between Valencia and Rotterdam. Other destinations will include to the UK, the Nordic countries, Germany and Poland.

The CoolRail service will use the vast infrastructure of DB Cargo, the main shareholder of Transfesa Logistics.

The new fresh produce rail route will enable British customers to have a faster and more sustainable transport solution.

The CEO of Transfesa Logistics, Bernd Hullerum, said “The association with Euro Pool System is a great opportunity. It means for the fresh produce market that the railroad can be just as fast and reliable as road service. In addition, it contributes to achieve more environmentally friendly supply chains. A train emits nine times less CO2 than a lorry.”

Gerjo Scheringa, the CEO of Euro Pool System confirms that Euro Pool System is excited about this next step: “It is our goal to achieve greater sustainability in the logistics sector across Europe and this partnership will help to reduce CO2 emissions by replacing road traffic with a direct rail connection.”

User-friendly Lithium-ion Trucks

Posted on by David Priestman

AMAB has recently chosen Toyota Material Handling as a partner for their lithium-ion trucks. The user-friendliness of the trucks and lithium-ion solution was a determining factor in their choice.

AMAB offers a variety of services and one-stop-shop total solutions, on their own premises or at their customers’ sites. They are specialised in packaging: co-packing, repacking, electro assembling. “Our workers are people with a physical or mental disability. Together with the occupational therapist we decide which role they can fulfil despite their disability. We try to regularly switch their tasks to bring variety in their job,” says Rudi Crombé, manager of the technical department in Zaventem, where the introduction to lithium-ion has just been completed.

“Before this purchase, most of the machines at our 3 sites were already Toyota trucks, which we always have been satisfied with. That’s why it was a logical step for us to also buy our next trucks from Toyota,” he adds. He also immediately expresses that AMAB appreciates the fact that a Toyota representative always comes on site to introduce new machines and give a clear explanation. “In 2015 we merged with our other branches. We used this opportunity to establish an inventory and ask 3 potential candidates for a service contract.

“Toyota eventually came up with the best offer. The majority of our fleet consists of Toyota trucks, which makes it easier for the technician. This way we only have to call in one technician, which requires less kilometres, and less impact on the environment,” says Crombe. Preventive maintenance and repairs are therefore also planned more efficiently this way, keeping transportation to a minimum. For a few months now AMAB has several lithium-ion-powered pallet trucks and stackers in operation at their site. After much deliberation, they decided not to go for traditional lead-acid batteries, but for lithium-ion instead. When asked why they chose lithium-ion, Crombe’s answer is clear: “It’s easy to maintain, easy to use, and the initial cost offers an ROI on the long term because of the lowered energy consumption and longer battery life. After all, battery change takes up a big part of our maintenance budget. While lead-acid requires supervision, check-ups and a separate charging area, this is not the case for lithium-ion. It’s very easy to use, which makes it ideal.

“Our employees often prioritise habit and routine. So for them, the implementation required some adjustment. Before, they had to drive the lead-acid trucks until the battery was empty before charging them. We noticed they often waited to charge the lithium-ion trucks as well because the battery was not empty yet. But now they are used to it and it has become a routine. When the workers end their shift, they automatically charge them. The batteries are never empty again! Before, a truck would stand still here and there, leaving them to work with one machine less. Our available space is restricted, which is why trucks standing still are not an option. Now we can use all trucks efficiently and we don’t lose any parking space.” https://toyota-forklifts.eu

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Hyster Launches 7-9T Range With Fully-Integrated Lithium-ion

 

User-friendly Lithium-ion Trucks

Posted on by David Priestman

AMAB has recently chosen Toyota Material Handling as a partner for their lithium-ion trucks. The user-friendliness of the trucks and lithium-ion solution was a determining factor in their choice.

AMAB offers a variety of services and one-stop-shop total solutions, on their own premises or at their customers’ sites. They are specialised in packaging: co-packing, repacking, electro assembling. “Our workers are people with a physical or mental disability. Together with the occupational therapist we decide which role they can fulfil despite their disability. We try to regularly switch their tasks to bring variety in their job,” says Rudi Crombé, manager of the technical department in Zaventem, where the introduction to lithium-ion has just been completed.

“Before this purchase, most of the machines at our 3 sites were already Toyota trucks, which we always have been satisfied with. That’s why it was a logical step for us to also buy our next trucks from Toyota,” he adds. He also immediately expresses that AMAB appreciates the fact that a Toyota representative always comes on site to introduce new machines and give a clear explanation. “In 2015 we merged with our other branches. We used this opportunity to establish an inventory and ask 3 potential candidates for a service contract.

“Toyota eventually came up with the best offer. The majority of our fleet consists of Toyota trucks, which makes it easier for the technician. This way we only have to call in one technician, which requires less kilometres, and less impact on the environment,” says Crombe. Preventive maintenance and repairs are therefore also planned more efficiently this way, keeping transportation to a minimum. For a few months now AMAB has several lithium-ion-powered pallet trucks and stackers in operation at their site. After much deliberation, they decided not to go for traditional lead-acid batteries, but for lithium-ion instead. When asked why they chose lithium-ion, Crombe’s answer is clear: “It’s easy to maintain, easy to use, and the initial cost offers an ROI on the long term because of the lowered energy consumption and longer battery life. After all, battery change takes up a big part of our maintenance budget. While lead-acid requires supervision, check-ups and a separate charging area, this is not the case for lithium-ion. It’s very easy to use, which makes it ideal.

“Our employees often prioritise habit and routine. So for them, the implementation required some adjustment. Before, they had to drive the lead-acid trucks until the battery was empty before charging them. We noticed they often waited to charge the lithium-ion trucks as well because the battery was not empty yet. But now they are used to it and it has become a routine. When the workers end their shift, they automatically charge them. The batteries are never empty again! Before, a truck would stand still here and there, leaving them to work with one machine less. Our available space is restricted, which is why trucks standing still are not an option. Now we can use all trucks efficiently and we don’t lose any parking space.” https://toyota-forklifts.eu

similar news

Hyster Launches 7-9T Range With Fully-Integrated Lithium-ion

 

VPK Group NV and Encase Ltd Reach Acquisition Agreement

Posted on by Keith McKinley

VPK Group has come to an agreement with COPI Holding to acquire Encase Ltd. Encase is a manufacturer and designer of corrugated cardboard packaging. Encase Ltd operates two integrated corrugated packaging plants in England and one sheet plant in Scotland. VPK intends to merge Encase with its UK corrugated operations, formerly known as Rigid.

VPK’s corrugated operations in UK and Ireland, formerly known as Rigid Containers and recently rebranded as VPK Packaging, experienced consistent yearly growth since entering the VPK Group in 2000.

Under its ownership, VPK invested more than £100 million into the division. Desborough was transformed into the UK flagship site, whereas greenfield sites in Wellington and Selby gradually increased capacity to fully mirror operations on all three sites.

In 2015, the acquisition of ICS Europaks in Limerick, Ireland, further strengthened the geographical spread.  Earlier this year, VPK acquired a majority stake in Corrboard UK Ltd,  a leading supplier of corrugated cardboard sheets located in Scunthorpe.

As part of its long-term strategy, it is now VPK’s intention to fully merge Encase with the existing VPK UK corrugated operations. The combined businesses are expected to achieve yearly sales of more than £200 million in corrugated packaging and sheets. All six corrugators combine a yearly containerboard consumption of 300.000 Tons. This represents a major part of the non-integrated recycled containerboard consumption in the UK.

VPK has a proven track record of successful investments and acquisitions. These include four sheet feeding plants in Poland and Germany – known under the brand name Aquila. A greenfield investment project in Halden (Norway) was recently put into operation. VPK also accquired Viallon Emballages in France. With regards to containerboard production, the pioneering conversion in Strasbourg, France, of the former UPM Stracel assets by Blue Paper, set a new standard for the recycled containerboard industry.

 

VPK Group NV and Encase Ltd Reach Acquisition Agreement

Posted on by David Priestman

VPK Group has come to an agreement with COPI Holding to acquire Encase Ltd. Encase is a manufacturer and designer of corrugated cardboard packaging. Encase Ltd operates two integrated corrugated packaging plants in England and one sheet plant in Scotland. VPK intends to merge Encase with its UK corrugated operations, formerly known as Rigid.

VPK’s corrugated operations in UK and Ireland, formerly known as Rigid Containers and recently rebranded as VPK Packaging, experienced consistent yearly growth since entering the VPK Group in 2000.

Under its ownership, VPK invested more than £100 million into the division. Desborough was transformed into the UK flagship site, whereas greenfield sites in Wellington and Selby gradually increased capacity to fully mirror operations on all three sites.

In 2015, the acquisition of ICS Europaks in Limerick, Ireland, further strengthened the geographical spread.  Earlier this year, VPK acquired a majority stake in Corrboard UK Ltd,  a leading supplier of corrugated cardboard sheets located in Scunthorpe.

As part of its long-term strategy, it is now VPK’s intention to fully merge Encase with the existing VPK UK corrugated operations. The combined businesses are expected to achieve yearly sales of more than £200 million in corrugated packaging and sheets. All six corrugators combine a yearly containerboard consumption of 300.000 Tons. This represents a major part of the non-integrated recycled containerboard consumption in the UK.

VPK has a proven track record of successful investments and acquisitions. These include four sheet feeding plants in Poland and Germany – known under the brand name Aquila. A greenfield investment project in Halden (Norway) was recently put into operation. VPK also accquired Viallon Emballages in France. With regards to containerboard production, the pioneering conversion in Strasbourg, France, of the former UPM Stracel assets by Blue Paper, set a new standard for the recycled containerboard industry.

 

Superfast all-Rounder Door

Posted on by David Priestman

DMG Mori is a worldwide leading manufacturer of machine tools with a turnover of more than €2.6 billion. A total of 12,000 employees, suppliers and strong, reliable partners offer strong evidence of its success. Efaflex has supplied high-speed doors for efficient plant logistics to the Seebach site in Thuringia. “We have only been installing Efaflex doors for four years now,” reports Jörg Berz, head of plant technology at DMG Mori in Seebach. “The planners focused most attention on the very fast opening and closing speed of the EFASST and EFA-STT high-speed doors. Efaflex doors are the best there is. We have tested products from various manufacturers. Since we have had the fast doors from Efaflex, there is hardly any damage caused by forklift trucks.”

Maintenance and repair costs are also extremely low, which is why all older doors in the factory are gradually being replaced by those from the specialist for high-speed industrial doors. “The appearance of the doors is also very impressive,” says Berz. At DMG Mori in Seebach, the colour of the exterior doors has been adapted to the company’s corporate identity in the RAL colour iron grey. In addition to the standard aluminium-coloured coating, the manufacturer also paints the door’s laths and steel parts in almost any colour from the RAL system on request. As a result, the EFA-SST can be perfectly adapted to any façade to suit the architecture and customer specifications.

Superfast door

Both door types, the EFA-SST and the EFA-STT, can handle up to 250,000 load cycles per year: a must for the busy main logistics area at DMG Mori in Seebach. The doors perform the function of access control in other areas of the plant, such as the warehouse. They are opened here using a card reader. “This is very important for us,” explains Berz. “As a well-known shipper, we are
certified as part of the secure supply chain, for example for air freight, and must therefore meet high security standards. This means that only certain employees who have been checked for
reliability by the authorities may enter these areas.”

Read the whole article from our September issue here: https://flickread.com/edition/html/index.php?pdf=5f3d1fcf3160d#22

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24/7 Endurance Doors

 

Superfast all-Rounder Door

Posted on by David Priestman

DMG Mori is a worldwide leading manufacturer of machine tools with a turnover of more than €2.6 billion. A total of 12,000 employees, suppliers and strong, reliable partners offer strong evidence of its success. Efaflex has supplied high-speed doors for efficient plant logistics to the Seebach site in Thuringia. “We have only been installing Efaflex doors for four years now,” reports Jörg Berz, head of plant technology at DMG Mori in Seebach. “The planners focused most attention on the very fast opening and closing speed of the EFASST and EFA-STT high-speed doors. Efaflex doors are the best there is. We have tested products from various manufacturers. Since we have had the fast doors from Efaflex, there is hardly any damage caused by forklift trucks.”

Maintenance and repair costs are also extremely low, which is why all older doors in the factory are gradually being replaced by those from the specialist for high-speed industrial doors. “The appearance of the doors is also very impressive,” says Berz. At DMG Mori in Seebach, the colour of the exterior doors has been adapted to the company’s corporate identity in the RAL colour iron grey. In addition to the standard aluminium-coloured coating, the manufacturer also paints the door’s laths and steel parts in almost any colour from the RAL system on request. As a result, the EFA-SST can be perfectly adapted to any façade to suit the architecture and customer specifications.

Superfast door

Both door types, the EFA-SST and the EFA-STT, can handle up to 250,000 load cycles per year: a must for the busy main logistics area at DMG Mori in Seebach. The doors perform the function of access control in other areas of the plant, such as the warehouse. They are opened here using a card reader. “This is very important for us,” explains Berz. “As a well-known shipper, we are
certified as part of the secure supply chain, for example for air freight, and must therefore meet high security standards. This means that only certain employees who have been checked for
reliability by the authorities may enter these areas.”

Read the whole article from our September issue here: https://flickread.com/edition/html/index.php?pdf=5f3d1fcf3160d#22

similar news

24/7 Endurance Doors

 

Advantages to Andoid over Windows CE, say Denso

Posted on by David Priestman

Windows CE is due to be discontinued in 2022. Denso Wave Europe, mobile data collection expert, believes the Android operating systems is advantageous.

There is an increased risk of software viruses for Windows CE users. Also, the functional guarantee will expire from March 2022,” explains Dirk Gelbrich, General Manager Technical Department at Denso Wave Europe. “We know this problem. We help our customers, for example in retail and logistics, switch from Windows CE to Android as the new operating system.”

Denso’s latest mobile data collection devices such as the BHT-1700 and BHT-1800, are equipped with Android as the operating system, thus offer stability for the future.

Windows CE has long been the standard operating system for mobile data collection devices. However, there has been a noticeable change in the past five years towards devices based on Android.  

Why have so many Windows CE users already switched to Android? Denso Wave sees one of the reasons in the possibility of adding to existing Windows systems without any problems. Other important factors are the extended security features of the Android operating system and the rapidly growing number of innovative devices with Android.

Gelbrich explains another strong advantage of Android: “With Android as the operating system, updates are continuously possible, which means that companies can plan with a stable system for the future.” In addition to stability and consistency, the flexibility of and with Android is an important factor for numerous companies, for example from the logistics or retail sector. “The compatibility with other devices and software is ideal with Android, so that the device management in a company can be carried out very easily. Employees save time, money and effort,” Gelbrich continues.

The Android operating system is an open source platform, meaning that the Android OS enables a quick reaction to new functionalities. Thus, the software can be adapted to the needs of a company. For example, a retailer uses an Android device in different areas than a logistician. With the BHT-1700 handheld terminal or BHT-1800 handheld terminal, equipped with Android, users remain flexible in the long term.

Overall, it is crucial to take the development – away from Windows CE to Android – into account in all planning processes. “When choosing a new operating system, the focus should be on the performance and security of the respective operating system,” recommends Gelbrich. Together with their European partner network, Denso helps migrate existing applications for customers in the logistics or retail sector. For new projects, users could benefit from Denso’s Android devices such as the BHT-1700 or BHT-1800.

The BHT-1700 handheld terminal combines the advantages of an extra-large, shatter-proof screen with the usual input via keyboard. The BHT-1800 handheld terminal offers an extra-large 5-inch display, but without a keyboard. The angled scan head and several quick access keys ensure easy operation. Users can always keep track of things with these mobile computers equipped with Android.

 

 

Advantages to Andoid over Windows CE, say Denso

Posted on by David Priestman

Windows CE is due to be discontinued in 2022. Denso Wave Europe, mobile data collection expert, believes the Android operating systems is advantageous.

There is an increased risk of software viruses for Windows CE users. Also, the functional guarantee will expire from March 2022,” explains Dirk Gelbrich, General Manager Technical Department at Denso Wave Europe. “We know this problem. We help our customers, for example in retail and logistics, switch from Windows CE to Android as the new operating system.”

Denso’s latest mobile data collection devices such as the BHT-1700 and BHT-1800, are equipped with Android as the operating system, thus offer stability for the future.

Windows CE has long been the standard operating system for mobile data collection devices. However, there has been a noticeable change in the past five years towards devices based on Android.  

Why have so many Windows CE users already switched to Android? Denso Wave sees one of the reasons in the possibility of adding to existing Windows systems without any problems. Other important factors are the extended security features of the Android operating system and the rapidly growing number of innovative devices with Android.

Gelbrich explains another strong advantage of Android: “With Android as the operating system, updates are continuously possible, which means that companies can plan with a stable system for the future.” In addition to stability and consistency, the flexibility of and with Android is an important factor for numerous companies, for example from the logistics or retail sector. “The compatibility with other devices and software is ideal with Android, so that the device management in a company can be carried out very easily. Employees save time, money and effort,” Gelbrich continues.

The Android operating system is an open source platform, meaning that the Android OS enables a quick reaction to new functionalities. Thus, the software can be adapted to the needs of a company. For example, a retailer uses an Android device in different areas than a logistician. With the BHT-1700 handheld terminal or BHT-1800 handheld terminal, equipped with Android, users remain flexible in the long term.

Overall, it is crucial to take the development – away from Windows CE to Android – into account in all planning processes. “When choosing a new operating system, the focus should be on the performance and security of the respective operating system,” recommends Gelbrich. Together with their European partner network, Denso helps migrate existing applications for customers in the logistics or retail sector. For new projects, users could benefit from Denso’s Android devices such as the BHT-1700 or BHT-1800.

The BHT-1700 handheld terminal combines the advantages of an extra-large, shatter-proof screen with the usual input via keyboard. The BHT-1800 handheld terminal offers an extra-large 5-inch display, but without a keyboard. The angled scan head and several quick access keys ensure easy operation. Users can always keep track of things with these mobile computers equipped with Android.

 

 

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