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Month: November 2020

Flexible Fulfilment Functionality to Survive and Thrive

Posted on by David Priestman

The impact of COVID-19 has brought into sharp focus the need for agile solutions, such as warehouse software, to meet sudden changes to business operations says SnapFulfil CEO Tony Dobson.

Traditional business models are being turned upside down and facility rentals are soaring as brands try to capitalise on the e-commerce trend with a direct to consumer (D2C) offering, so it’s more critical than ever to consider the warehousing and logistics part of the supply chain. The solution sits with advanced, digital technology, which is central to tackling new challenges and optimising premium fulfilment centre space. It’s also key to satisfying more demand, staying competitive, plus managing labour efficiency and productivity.

The required change – particularly the shift from wholesale to individual order dispatch –isn’t an easy move. The days of distribution centres designed for bulk ‘pallet in, pallet out’ operations are numbered – and when space comes with a premium price tag, it’s essential that the WMS has the capabilities to effectively support smaller, incremental orders in the thousands.

It should also be specifically engineered to meet the needs of an ever-evolving market place without being expensive or time consuming to set in motion and reconfigure – even remotely.

Consequently, digital transformation of business will continue apace, with more automation to control stocks, fulfilment and delivery. A tier 1 WMS will integrate with other solutions, creating a valuable ‘blockchain’ network of peer-to-peer transactions. This lets firms share information about a container just once, but everyone up and down the chain can see that data in an instant.

Bosses can also access a real-time view of their business allowing them to make better, more efficient decisions based on solid data – essential in disruptive markets and with margins tighter.

Through blockchain technology, companies are also waking up to the value of the customer data trail and the loyalty they can harness through having a single customer view. This can only be achieved through integration and mapping each customer’s buying journey from start to end and beyond. And fulfilment is part and parcel of that.

Data analysis increasingly drives much of the decision making in business, which is why it is so important for companies to understand their past and current performance and challenges in order to succeed in the future.

D2C operations are in stark contrast to bulk or retail-based shipping, so a technology advanced WMS can really help keep goods and processes flowing, while managing staff and resource allocation, through the targeted data it collects and delivers. Savvy businesses are using data to identify trends and make important operational and fulfilment decisions based on a strategic version of their truth.

For example, when labour is at a premium and self-isolation is a reality, coupled with a rapid change in orders, then having data to boost the effectiveness of the available workforce, their picking and packing performance, plus available space– underpinned by highly efficient receiving and putaway activity – is crucial.

Data driven WMS also allows you to take a fresh look at shipping visibility and accuracy. There is an ever-growing expectation from consumers for fast and accurate order fulfilment and during a recession, business can be hard to win but easy to lose due to disgruntled purchasers. Incremental improvements in visibility and error reduction, however, will yield proportionately greater benefits to sales growth and customer retention.

Greater Flexibility, Safety and Productivity: Fully-automatic

Posted on by David Priestman

They never get sick, make no mistakes and work tirelessly around the clock: Automated industrial trucks offer a wide range of clear advantages.

Linde Material Handling has updated its comprehensive product range  wih the second-generation Linde R-MATIC reach truck and an additional Linde L-MATIC HD model. The experience Linde has gained from past projects involving over 50 vehicles has gone into the further development of its reach trucks. The resulting performance characteristics ensure greater productivity, safety and flexibility.

 Pallet warehouses play a central role as material buffers both in industrial manufacturing processes and in distribution centers. Storage and retrieval operations in high-bay racking systems are usually standardized processes entailing a high degree of repetition. As a rule, the narrower the distances between the rows of shelves and the more precise the positioning of the individual pallets, the more efficient the warehouse. This is exactly what makes pallet storage systems the ideal field of application for automated equipment such as the Linde R-MATIC reach truck and the Linde L-MATIC HD pallet stacker.

The new Linde trucks can work with maximum precision even in the tightest of spaces: With a length of 2,520 millimeters and a width of 1,565 millimeters, the Linde R-MATIC (1.6-ton load capacity) is the only automated hybrid reach truck on the EMEA-market that can maneuver in aisles as narrow as 2.90 meters. Software-controlled, the vehicle can store pallets with extremely high accuracy even at lifting heights of more than eleven meters. “The design, maneuverability, load handling and precision of these automated industrial trucks are decisive for the performance of the overall system,” says Alexandra Mertel, Product Manager Automation & Intralogistics Solutions at Linde Material Handling: “These criteria are crucial for enabling the pallets to be placed precisely at the intended storage locations and for pick-and-drop cycles to be improved.”

With the help of an infrastructure-free laser navigation system, the trucks dynamically steer their way through the warehouse, receiving transport orders directly from the warehouse management system via the central control unit.

The trucks receive a noticeable productivity boost from the auto-calibrating 3D camera that is equipped with a new software generation. Not only does this camera recognize the dimensions of the pallet markedly better, it can also see deeper into the pallet, which makes picking up the pallet and placing it down much more precise – whether on the ground, on roller conveyors or on the shelves. At the same time, the automated vehicles are able to transport a greater variety of pallets. This is ensured by relative image recognition algorithms developed exclusively for Linde Material Handling that have been validated in extensive tests.

As is standard practice at Linde Material Handling, the automated trucks meet the highest safety requirements. Four scanners are integrated into the vehicle at floor level, producing a 360-degree safety field around the vehicle and constantly screening for obstacles. The standard equipment also includes additional emergency stop switches, the well-known Linde Blue Spot and the Dynamic Mast Control system, which provides valuable assistance at great lifting heights. Optionally available equipment includes a sensor that detects overhanging loads and a second, higher-positioned 3D camera that can generate time savings in load handling.

The two Linde L-MATIC HD models with 1.6- and 2.0-ton load capacity feature all around safety equipment as well, including side bumpers, standard and optional scanners, emergency stop switches and optical and acoustic warning systems. Here too, load detection is via the innovative 3D camera.

Reach trucks and pallet stackers are designed as a hybrid solution, allowing the operator to take control of the truck at any time and switch to manual mode. Another new feature is the autonomous charging ability. Equipped with fast-charging batteries, the automated industrial trucks drive to the charging station independently for recharging.

“In addition to the appropriate technology, a provider’s consulting expertise also plays a decisive role in automation projects,” says Product Manager Alexandra Mertel from Linde Material Handling. In order to find a suitable solution for a particular customer, numerous parameters must be checked during the planning stage. “We first need to completely understand the customer’s expectations. Only then can the system be developed and the trucks configured in detail.” Here, specialists from Linde Material Handling work closely with different departments on the customer side (e.g. Purchasing, Logistics, Engineering). “For this purpose, we have set up our own implementation team to ensure the reliable commissioning of the vehicles. This enables us to provide comprehensive support to our customers,” emphasizes Mertel.

Greater Flexibility, Safety and Productivity: Fully-automatic

Posted on by David Priestman

They never get sick, make no mistakes and work tirelessly around the clock: Automated industrial trucks offer a wide range of clear advantages.

Linde Material Handling has updated its comprehensive product range  wih the second-generation Linde R-MATIC reach truck and an additional Linde L-MATIC HD model. The experience Linde has gained from past projects involving over 50 vehicles has gone into the further development of its reach trucks. The resulting performance characteristics ensure greater productivity, safety and flexibility.

 Pallet warehouses play a central role as material buffers both in industrial manufacturing processes and in distribution centers. Storage and retrieval operations in high-bay racking systems are usually standardized processes entailing a high degree of repetition. As a rule, the narrower the distances between the rows of shelves and the more precise the positioning of the individual pallets, the more efficient the warehouse. This is exactly what makes pallet storage systems the ideal field of application for automated equipment such as the Linde R-MATIC reach truck and the Linde L-MATIC HD pallet stacker.

The new Linde trucks can work with maximum precision even in the tightest of spaces: With a length of 2,520 millimeters and a width of 1,565 millimeters, the Linde R-MATIC (1.6-ton load capacity) is the only automated hybrid reach truck on the EMEA-market that can maneuver in aisles as narrow as 2.90 meters. Software-controlled, the vehicle can store pallets with extremely high accuracy even at lifting heights of more than eleven meters. “The design, maneuverability, load handling and precision of these automated industrial trucks are decisive for the performance of the overall system,” says Alexandra Mertel, Product Manager Automation & Intralogistics Solutions at Linde Material Handling: “These criteria are crucial for enabling the pallets to be placed precisely at the intended storage locations and for pick-and-drop cycles to be improved.”

With the help of an infrastructure-free laser navigation system, the trucks dynamically steer their way through the warehouse, receiving transport orders directly from the warehouse management system via the central control unit.

The trucks receive a noticeable productivity boost from the auto-calibrating 3D camera that is equipped with a new software generation. Not only does this camera recognize the dimensions of the pallet markedly better, it can also see deeper into the pallet, which makes picking up the pallet and placing it down much more precise – whether on the ground, on roller conveyors or on the shelves. At the same time, the automated vehicles are able to transport a greater variety of pallets. This is ensured by relative image recognition algorithms developed exclusively for Linde Material Handling that have been validated in extensive tests.

As is standard practice at Linde Material Handling, the automated trucks meet the highest safety requirements. Four scanners are integrated into the vehicle at floor level, producing a 360-degree safety field around the vehicle and constantly screening for obstacles. The standard equipment also includes additional emergency stop switches, the well-known Linde Blue Spot and the Dynamic Mast Control system, which provides valuable assistance at great lifting heights. Optionally available equipment includes a sensor that detects overhanging loads and a second, higher-positioned 3D camera that can generate time savings in load handling.

The two Linde L-MATIC HD models with 1.6- and 2.0-ton load capacity feature all around safety equipment as well, including side bumpers, standard and optional scanners, emergency stop switches and optical and acoustic warning systems. Here too, load detection is via the innovative 3D camera.

Reach trucks and pallet stackers are designed as a hybrid solution, allowing the operator to take control of the truck at any time and switch to manual mode. Another new feature is the autonomous charging ability. Equipped with fast-charging batteries, the automated industrial trucks drive to the charging station independently for recharging.

“In addition to the appropriate technology, a provider’s consulting expertise also plays a decisive role in automation projects,” says Product Manager Alexandra Mertel from Linde Material Handling. In order to find a suitable solution for a particular customer, numerous parameters must be checked during the planning stage. “We first need to completely understand the customer’s expectations. Only then can the system be developed and the trucks configured in detail.” Here, specialists from Linde Material Handling work closely with different departments on the customer side (e.g. Purchasing, Logistics, Engineering). “For this purpose, we have set up our own implementation team to ensure the reliable commissioning of the vehicles. This enables us to provide comprehensive support to our customers,” emphasizes Mertel.

New Wood Packaging Recycling Targets

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation (TIMCON) has welcomed Defra’s interim wood packaging recycling targets for business, which have been released for 2021 and 2022. The figures are based on responses received from the 2019 consultation on packaging reform and with consideration of the current market and have been reduced from 48 per cent to 35 per cent.

TIMCON secretary general Stuart Hex said: “We are pleased to see this reduction on wood packaging waste targets, as the high PRN prices experienced previously added a significant cost burden to the manufacturers of wooden pallets and packaging.

“Every other packaging material, including plastics, glass and metal will see an increase in targets from next year, which is a positive sign that government now recognises the clear difference between these and the unique environmental credentials of wooden materials, which are one of the key components of a truly circular, sustainable economy and the need to encourage more reuse before recycling.

“The release of these revised figures is an encouraging step, but the UK industry is still operating at a marked disadvantage to its counterparts in Europe, for whom targets are 15 per cent, rising to a maximum of 30 per cent by 2030. The disparity between these and our artificially inflated targets continues to make our businesses comparatively less competitive.

“It is vitally important that TIMCON works closely with the Wood Recyclers Association and the Wood Panel Industries Federation to ensure that their concerns that the drop in target will mean that valuable wood material does not get lost to Chapter IV biomass.

“TIMCON continues to advocate reuse and repair of our products as the preferred option, moving to the recycling stage only when they have reached the end of their useful life. Wood pallets and packaging are widely recovered, repaired, reused and then recycled for

panel manufacture, animal bedding or as energy. They remain the most cost effective, sustainable option for packaging materials – and this needs to be reflected in future packaging waste regulations.”

Wood prices rose earlier this year due to a reduction in mill operations and closures, combined with an upswing in domestic home improvement/DIY projects during the lockdown period from March. The increases were further fuelled by the relaxation of restrictions during the summer, which caused increasing demand as construction projects have resumed quickly.

New Wood Packaging Recycling Targets

Posted on by David Priestman

The Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation (TIMCON) has welcomed Defra’s interim wood packaging recycling targets for business, which have been released for 2021 and 2022. The figures are based on responses received from the 2019 consultation on packaging reform and with consideration of the current market and have been reduced from 48 per cent to 35 per cent.

TIMCON secretary general Stuart Hex said: “We are pleased to see this reduction on wood packaging waste targets, as the high PRN prices experienced previously added a significant cost burden to the manufacturers of wooden pallets and packaging.

“Every other packaging material, including plastics, glass and metal will see an increase in targets from next year, which is a positive sign that government now recognises the clear difference between these and the unique environmental credentials of wooden materials, which are one of the key components of a truly circular, sustainable economy and the need to encourage more reuse before recycling.

“The release of these revised figures is an encouraging step, but the UK industry is still operating at a marked disadvantage to its counterparts in Europe, for whom targets are 15 per cent, rising to a maximum of 30 per cent by 2030. The disparity between these and our artificially inflated targets continues to make our businesses comparatively less competitive.

“It is vitally important that TIMCON works closely with the Wood Recyclers Association and the Wood Panel Industries Federation to ensure that their concerns that the drop in target will mean that valuable wood material does not get lost to Chapter IV biomass.

“TIMCON continues to advocate reuse and repair of our products as the preferred option, moving to the recycling stage only when they have reached the end of their useful life. Wood pallets and packaging are widely recovered, repaired, reused and then recycled for

panel manufacture, animal bedding or as energy. They remain the most cost effective, sustainable option for packaging materials – and this needs to be reflected in future packaging waste regulations.”

Wood prices rose earlier this year due to a reduction in mill operations and closures, combined with an upswing in domestic home improvement/DIY projects during the lockdown period from March. The increases were further fuelled by the relaxation of restrictions during the summer, which caused increasing demand as construction projects have resumed quickly.

Business Enabler of the Year Award

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Lancashire, UK-based ecommerce fulfilment provider fulfilmentcrowd was announced ‘Business Enabler of the Year’ at the prestigious 2020 Lloyds Bank National Business Awards, which took place on 10 November. Previous winners include: DPD UK, Hotel Chocolat and online fast fashion success story Missguided.

fulfilmentcrowd’s mission is to power the growth of entrepreneurial start-ups and SMEs in the eCommerce space. Leading-edge proprietary tech, a unique self-onboarding process and global network of centres combine to create a market-leading proposition for online retailers. Operating across a host of sectors including fashion, health, beauty and homewares, fulfilmentcrowd offer simple pricing, easy in/out contracts and limitless capacity delivered through their international partner network. As a ‘business enabler’, fulfilmentcrowd can confidently cite over 400 UK and international clients benefitting from the competitive advantage of rapid despatch, world-class customer service, low shipping costs and managed risk.

The fulfilmentcrowd business model has been particularly critical through 2020 as the company was able to soak an unplanned 55% increase in clients during the period March to September whilst maintaining a same day despatch service level in excess of 98%. fulfilmentcrowd’s turnover is on track to increase 60% on last year, with EBITDA up to £2million.

Lee Thompson, Managing Director of fulfilmentcrowd comments: “this was the award that we really wanted and we worked incredibly hard to achieve it. Enabling our clients to access the worldwide ecommerce market and compete on a level playing field is at the very heart of our mission. After a particularly tough year for everyone, I am delighted that judges recognised the points of difference and recognised our amazing people, partners and clients.”

“2020 has been a challenging but inspiring year; a year where we’ve witnessed just how innovative and adaptive the UK business community can be, whether that means helping employees adjust to new ways of working or shifting production towards masks, ventilators and handwash. This year’s winners are testament to the creativity, agility and resilience that sets British business apart,” said Sarah Austin, Awards Director. Of fulfilmentcrowd’s business model, the judges were specifically “impressed by fulfilmentcrowd’s use of data to help its clients manage growth and its commitment to sustainability, ensuring consumers have a greater choice while keeping an eye on the environment.”

Business Enabler of the Year Award

Posted on by David Priestman

Lancashire, UK-based ecommerce fulfilment provider fulfilmentcrowd was announced ‘Business Enabler of the Year’ at the prestigious 2020 Lloyds Bank National Business Awards, which took place on 10 November. Previous winners include: DPD UK, Hotel Chocolat and online fast fashion success story Missguided.

fulfilmentcrowd’s mission is to power the growth of entrepreneurial start-ups and SMEs in the eCommerce space. Leading-edge proprietary tech, a unique self-onboarding process and global network of centres combine to create a market-leading proposition for online retailers. Operating across a host of sectors including fashion, health, beauty and homewares, fulfilmentcrowd offer simple pricing, easy in/out contracts and limitless capacity delivered through their international partner network. As a ‘business enabler’, fulfilmentcrowd can confidently cite over 400 UK and international clients benefitting from the competitive advantage of rapid despatch, world-class customer service, low shipping costs and managed risk.

The fulfilmentcrowd business model has been particularly critical through 2020 as the company was able to soak an unplanned 55% increase in clients during the period March to September whilst maintaining a same day despatch service level in excess of 98%. fulfilmentcrowd’s turnover is on track to increase 60% on last year, with EBITDA up to £2million.

Lee Thompson, Managing Director of fulfilmentcrowd comments: “this was the award that we really wanted and we worked incredibly hard to achieve it. Enabling our clients to access the worldwide ecommerce market and compete on a level playing field is at the very heart of our mission. After a particularly tough year for everyone, I am delighted that judges recognised the points of difference and recognised our amazing people, partners and clients.”

“2020 has been a challenging but inspiring year; a year where we’ve witnessed just how innovative and adaptive the UK business community can be, whether that means helping employees adjust to new ways of working or shifting production towards masks, ventilators and handwash. This year’s winners are testament to the creativity, agility and resilience that sets British business apart,” said Sarah Austin, Awards Director. Of fulfilmentcrowd’s business model, the judges were specifically “impressed by fulfilmentcrowd’s use of data to help its clients manage growth and its commitment to sustainability, ensuring consumers have a greater choice while keeping an eye on the environment.”

Two New Hand Pallet Trucks Launched

Posted on by David Priestman

Clark has launched two new hand pallet trucks for different customer requirements. The trucks are the HPT Eco and the HPT Premium.

Built by Clark, one of the worldwide market leaders in the industrial truck business, both the HPT Eco and the HPT Premium are designed for loads with a maximum of 2,500 kg. Both units are characterized by a robust design and easy operation. Their sturdy frame is powder-coated for high resistance to wear and tear, thus guaranteeing a long service life. Lifting and lowering of the load is done manually by a hydraulic pump. The operator can lift and manoeuvre weights of several tons with very little effort. The proportional valve allows the forks to be lowered smoothly and sensitively even with heavy loads. The pressure relief valve protects against overloading the lift truck. The equipment runs very smoothly during moving, lifting and lowering. The hand pallet trucks also score points due to their low unladen weight and manoeuvrability. This is particularly advantageous when space is limited.

For a high handling performance, both units can optionally be equipped with Quicklift (quick lift) and thus loads up to 150 kg can be lifted and moved quickly in the warehouse. Both hand pallet trucks are equipped with entry and exit rollers and are available with different roller designs (nylon, rubber or poly) and fork lengths. Thus, wherever pallets or other load carriers have to be picked up and transported, Clark hand pallet trucks ensure ergonomic and efficient work processes at low purchase and maintenance costs.

Maximum productivity with minimum effort

The HPT Eco was designed for lighter applications. It has a unladen weight of 69 kg and a maximum steering angle of 190°. Thanks to the large steering angle of the tiller, the hand pallet truck is manoeuvrable in extremely narrow spaces. With a net weight of 63 kg, the HPT Premium even has a maximum steering angle of 205° and is designed for demanding customers. The robustly designed frame as well as the drawbar ensure that the HPT Premium is highly stable even in tougher applications.

Both vehicles are characterized by their simple operation: The HPT Eco has a curved drawbar and the handle for operating the hydraulics is angled. On the HPT Premium, the tiller is more ergonomically designed. For this purpose, it has been made slightly smaller and the handle has been wrapped to ensure good grip. Both machines require little maintenance and can be operated without additional technical equipment. The Premium machine has a quick mounting system for quick attachment or replacement of the drawbar.

Earlier this year Clark announced they had also boosted their warehouse truck range with new lithium trucks

Two New Hand Pallet Trucks Launched

Posted on by David Priestman

Clark has launched two new hand pallet trucks for different customer requirements. The trucks are the HPT Eco and the HPT Premium.

Built by Clark, one of the worldwide market leaders in the industrial truck business, both the HPT Eco and the HPT Premium are designed for loads with a maximum of 2,500 kg. Both units are characterized by a robust design and easy operation. Their sturdy frame is powder-coated for high resistance to wear and tear, thus guaranteeing a long service life. Lifting and lowering of the load is done manually by a hydraulic pump. The operator can lift and manoeuvre weights of several tons with very little effort. The proportional valve allows the forks to be lowered smoothly and sensitively even with heavy loads. The pressure relief valve protects against overloading the lift truck. The equipment runs very smoothly during moving, lifting and lowering. The hand pallet trucks also score points due to their low unladen weight and manoeuvrability. This is particularly advantageous when space is limited.

For a high handling performance, both units can optionally be equipped with Quicklift (quick lift) and thus loads up to 150 kg can be lifted and moved quickly in the warehouse. Both hand pallet trucks are equipped with entry and exit rollers and are available with different roller designs (nylon, rubber or poly) and fork lengths. Thus, wherever pallets or other load carriers have to be picked up and transported, Clark hand pallet trucks ensure ergonomic and efficient work processes at low purchase and maintenance costs.

Maximum productivity with minimum effort

The HPT Eco was designed for lighter applications. It has a unladen weight of 69 kg and a maximum steering angle of 190°. Thanks to the large steering angle of the tiller, the hand pallet truck is manoeuvrable in extremely narrow spaces. With a net weight of 63 kg, the HPT Premium even has a maximum steering angle of 205° and is designed for demanding customers. The robustly designed frame as well as the drawbar ensure that the HPT Premium is highly stable even in tougher applications.

Both vehicles are characterized by their simple operation: The HPT Eco has a curved drawbar and the handle for operating the hydraulics is angled. On the HPT Premium, the tiller is more ergonomically designed. For this purpose, it has been made slightly smaller and the handle has been wrapped to ensure good grip. Both machines require little maintenance and can be operated without additional technical equipment. The Premium machine has a quick mounting system for quick attachment or replacement of the drawbar.

Earlier this year Clark announced they had also boosted their warehouse truck range with new lithium trucks

Diomaster Floorblock Labelling Solution Released

Posted on by David Priestman

inotec UK, has expanded its warehouse identification range with its new Diomaster 250 PC Floorblock TRANS HUW (Diomaster Floorblock) labelling solution. Developed by inotec in France and now available in the UK, the protective Diomaster Floorblock labelling system is ideal for warehouses which print their own labels on-site.

inotec specialises in warehouse solutions, barcode security and RFID labelling.

The Diomaster labelling solution is a high-quality blank polycarbonate label cover protecting self-made labels which are fixed to the floor within a solid cast aluminium frame (Floorblock).

Logistics facilities which handle frequently changing stock items and stock layouts, often face the issue of own-printed labels not being sufficiently durable. The Diomaster label solution allows users to place their printed labels inside a 2-3 millimetre recess within the aluminium Floorblock which is screwed to the floor.

The polycarbonate Diomaster cover sits on the top of the label and adds extra protection from foot and truck traffic in the warehouse, as well as potential daily wear and tear. This ensures complete protection for the efficient readability of labels. Not only can the label under the Diomaster cover be easily replaced as and when required but also, the Floorblock unit can be easily unscrewed and repositioned.

David Stocker, sales director at inotec UK comments: “The Diomaster Floorblock solution is a great addition to our warehouse labelling product range. The combination of the label cover with the aluminium label holder creates a robust system for warehouse identification marking – even when printing your own labels on-site.

“Damaged or unreadable labels cause operational delays which can have significant financial implications. If labels can’t be scanned or locations found, it can cause serious disruption in the supply chain. The Diomaster labelling solution prevents this to ensure warehousing identification performs at an optimum level. We are now able to offer this cost-effective and long-lasting labelling solution to all our UK customers.”

For more innovations in the logistics sector you can browse the latest issue of Logistics Business here

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