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Month: December 2020

Mates in Mind Support Employee Mental Health

Posted on by David Priestman

Palletways, an Imperial Group company and one of Europe’s largest and fastest-growing express palletised freight networks, has partnered with Mates in Mind, a UK charity that helps organisations improve their workforces’ mental health.

Mates in Mind was established in 2017 to address mental ill health in the construction sector and more recently, has partnered with an increasing number of logistic and transport companies. They specialise in providing training and support for staff and employers to raise awareness, improve understanding and address the stigma that surrounds mental health.

Over the next month, Mates in Mind will run nationally accredited Mental Health First Aid training with participants from all Palletways’ sites across the UK. The two organisations have also carried out an all-staff mental health survey and are in the process of implementing a three-year wellbeing strategy to improve Palletways’ mental health provision and better support all employees.

Rob Gittins, Palletways’ UK managing director, said: “This year has been incredibly challenging for everyone, and we recognise the impact it has had on our employees’. The mental health and wellbeing of our employees is of paramount importance and that is why we are committed to investing in our staff. Our new partnership with Mates in Mind is an important step in providing extra support and training to our employees. We want to create a cultural shift where mental health is viewed on a par with physical health in our business.”

Martin Lockham, growth development manager at Mates in Mind, added, “We are delighted to welcome Palletways as a supporter of our charity at Mates in Mind. Three in five employees experience mental health issues because of work and this needs to change. As we all navigate the pandemic and the changes it has brought, and continues to bring to our lives, it has never been more important to raise awareness, improve understanding of and support our workforces by develop a culture of openness on this subject. By working with us to develop their own mental health programme, Palletways has shown the kind of progressive leadership that acknowledges that employee mental wellbeing should be at the forefront of organisational health and the future of the wider transport and logistics sector.”

Brexit Supply Chain Management

Posted on by David Priestman

A provider of bespoke business services has announced the launch of a Brexit support package that will assist the management of supply chains and support companies whose staff travel to work across the EU.

Jigsaw Business Group – headquartered in the North East of England – has already in its 25 years of business carved a reputation for providing bespoke business services and transforming supply chains for global brands across Rail, Automotive, Renewables and many other STEM manufacturing Industries.

The business – over the last nine months – has applied these skills to develop a Brexit roadmap that will support manufacturing and operational locations across the EU with both supply chain management and, particularly, the movement of staff and recruitment.

This includes:
• A confirmed pool of in country EU contract staff across all 27 member countries
• An established pool of UK staff who have Frontier Worker status
• A country by country EU requirements matrix that identifies what is needed by citizens of UK Businesses to work in the EU
• Patented secure monitoring technology that allows clients to remotely see and verify, in real time, what is happening in supply chains, enabling fact driven discussion and action planning to transform the way companies collaborate and manage their supply chains.

Speaking about the company’s preparedness for Brexit, Executive Chairman of Jigsaw Business Group, Dean Stennett said: “Brexit in whatever form, will place additional administrative burdens on any UK business importing or exporting product and where staff need to work across the EU.

“Combine this with the recent impact of Covid-19, and we have witnessed a fragility to the modern supply chain like never before seen. Manufacturing businesses are now looking to design smarter, stronger and more diverse supply chains where a balance of near shoring, lower cost manufacturing, and digitization are seen as being key to building more robust supply chains and ensuring a lasting recovery. With more than 25 years’ experience supporting the management of client supply chains across the EU and Asia, Jigsaw Business Group can offer the same support to those companies now affected by the Brexit transition. We have spent more than nine months at Jigsaw Business Group preparing for all options when it comes to the end of the Brexit transition and, be it a Hard or Soft Brexit, we are making sure we can support our clients and other businesses through this transition,” added Stennett.

And, the company’s planning and innovation doesn’t stop there. The company’s recent launch of its unique patented technology – Jigsawsafe® – has seen Jigsaw Business Group take the market by storm with the first product of its type designed to support teams to collaborate remotely, gather and store data and safely enabling teams across various global locations to be onsite from their desk.

“As part of our nine-month Brexit planning we were already well underway with the development of Jigsawsafe® as part of our efforts to drive down costs, reduce response times, increase staff safety, limit carbon emissions and eliminate supply chain fragility for our clients,” Stennett continued. “Recent world events have accelerated the development of and demand for Jigsawsafe® as companies across the globe look to transform their supply chain strategies and keep their workers safe.”

Jigsaw Business Group is a leading provider of business services, delivering supply chain management, business improvement, recruitment and training and development services. The company specialises in working with clients in a range of sectors from rail, automotive and energy through to aerospace, manufacturing, engineering and retail. The business works in full accordance with all industry best practice standards including being certified to ISO9001:2015 across all its service areas.

Brexit Supply Chain Management

Posted on by David Priestman

A provider of bespoke business services has announced the launch of a Brexit support package that will assist the management of supply chains and support companies whose staff travel to work across the EU.

Jigsaw Business Group – headquartered in the North East of England – has already in its 25 years of business carved a reputation for providing bespoke business services and transforming supply chains for global brands across Rail, Automotive, Renewables and many other STEM manufacturing Industries.

The business – over the last nine months – has applied these skills to develop a Brexit roadmap that will support manufacturing and operational locations across the EU with both supply chain management and, particularly, the movement of staff and recruitment.

This includes:
• A confirmed pool of in country EU contract staff across all 27 member countries
• An established pool of UK staff who have Frontier Worker status
• A country by country EU requirements matrix that identifies what is needed by citizens of UK Businesses to work in the EU
• Patented secure monitoring technology that allows clients to remotely see and verify, in real time, what is happening in supply chains, enabling fact driven discussion and action planning to transform the way companies collaborate and manage their supply chains.

Speaking about the company’s preparedness for Brexit, Executive Chairman of Jigsaw Business Group, Dean Stennett said: “Brexit in whatever form, will place additional administrative burdens on any UK business importing or exporting product and where staff need to work across the EU.

“Combine this with the recent impact of Covid-19, and we have witnessed a fragility to the modern supply chain like never before seen. Manufacturing businesses are now looking to design smarter, stronger and more diverse supply chains where a balance of near shoring, lower cost manufacturing, and digitization are seen as being key to building more robust supply chains and ensuring a lasting recovery. With more than 25 years’ experience supporting the management of client supply chains across the EU and Asia, Jigsaw Business Group can offer the same support to those companies now affected by the Brexit transition. We have spent more than nine months at Jigsaw Business Group preparing for all options when it comes to the end of the Brexit transition and, be it a Hard or Soft Brexit, we are making sure we can support our clients and other businesses through this transition,” added Stennett.

And, the company’s planning and innovation doesn’t stop there. The company’s recent launch of its unique patented technology – Jigsawsafe® – has seen Jigsaw Business Group take the market by storm with the first product of its type designed to support teams to collaborate remotely, gather and store data and safely enabling teams across various global locations to be onsite from their desk.

“As part of our nine-month Brexit planning we were already well underway with the development of Jigsawsafe® as part of our efforts to drive down costs, reduce response times, increase staff safety, limit carbon emissions and eliminate supply chain fragility for our clients,” Stennett continued. “Recent world events have accelerated the development of and demand for Jigsawsafe® as companies across the globe look to transform their supply chain strategies and keep their workers safe.”

Jigsaw Business Group is a leading provider of business services, delivering supply chain management, business improvement, recruitment and training and development services. The company specialises in working with clients in a range of sectors from rail, automotive and energy through to aerospace, manufacturing, engineering and retail. The business works in full accordance with all industry best practice standards including being certified to ISO9001:2015 across all its service areas.

New Electric Piggyback Truck Launched

Posted on by David Priestman

Hiab, part of Cargotec, launches the MOFFETT E4 NX, its next generation eSeries of electric forklifts and the world’s first all electric 3-wheel drive truck mounted forklift. Inside the chassis of a MOFFETT M4, Hiab has constructed a zero-emission truck mounted forklift powered by lithium ion batteries with new controllers and the new HMI (Human Machine Interface) that displays battery capacity, machine performance and service information. The MOFFETT can be charged from a regular household socket or a 30 amp socket for faster charging, as well as from the truck in between deliveries.

The new MOFFETT eSeries, currently available in four E4 NX models with more being added, is not only beneficial to the environment as it has zero emissions, it is also much more comfortable and safer for the operator as it is virtually silent and has less vibrations than a diesel powered truck. The low noise means it can be operated without earplugs allowing the driver to both see and hear danger. It can also be operated at night-time and deliver the cargo inside warehouses.

The total cost of ownership is lower than the equivalent diesel model as it can be electrically charged and has reduced service costs. It is engineered with fewer moving parts, which reduces service time and spare parts costs.

“The MOFFETT eSeries is the natural choice for customers who need to enter low emissions zones, work at night or meet sustainability targets. However, as it’s cheaper to run, safer and more comfortable, we think it will prove popular with customers in a wide range of industries. We are certain that drivers will appreciate working in an exhaust free environment and being able to hear what is happening around them,” says Jann Hansen, Director, Sales & Product Business Management, Truck Mounted Forklift, Hiab.

The MOFFETT eSeries have in-built connectivity so that owners can access Hiab’s HiConnect™. HiConnect monitors over 100 machine parameters. Some are displayed on the HMI while the full range of data are available from the HiConnect web portal. Parameters range from battery capacity to delivery route and time, driver safety and service notifications.

New Electric Piggyback Truck Launched

Posted on by David Priestman

Hiab, part of Cargotec, launches the MOFFETT E4 NX, its next generation eSeries of electric forklifts and the world’s first all electric 3-wheel drive truck mounted forklift. Inside the chassis of a MOFFETT M4, Hiab has constructed a zero-emission truck mounted forklift powered by lithium ion batteries with new controllers and the new HMI (Human Machine Interface) that displays battery capacity, machine performance and service information. The MOFFETT can be charged from a regular household socket or a 30 amp socket for faster charging, as well as from the truck in between deliveries.

The new MOFFETT eSeries, currently available in four E4 NX models with more being added, is not only beneficial to the environment as it has zero emissions, it is also much more comfortable and safer for the operator as it is virtually silent and has less vibrations than a diesel powered truck. The low noise means it can be operated without earplugs allowing the driver to both see and hear danger. It can also be operated at night-time and deliver the cargo inside warehouses.

The total cost of ownership is lower than the equivalent diesel model as it can be electrically charged and has reduced service costs. It is engineered with fewer moving parts, which reduces service time and spare parts costs.

“The MOFFETT eSeries is the natural choice for customers who need to enter low emissions zones, work at night or meet sustainability targets. However, as it’s cheaper to run, safer and more comfortable, we think it will prove popular with customers in a wide range of industries. We are certain that drivers will appreciate working in an exhaust free environment and being able to hear what is happening around them,” says Jann Hansen, Director, Sales & Product Business Management, Truck Mounted Forklift, Hiab.

The MOFFETT eSeries have in-built connectivity so that owners can access Hiab’s HiConnect™. HiConnect monitors over 100 machine parameters. Some are displayed on the HMI while the full range of data are available from the HiConnect web portal. Parameters range from battery capacity to delivery route and time, driver safety and service notifications.

Rethinking ASRS and Robots

Posted on by David Priestman

Rethinking automated storage and retrieval systems is the challenge that Rob Sullivan, President and CEO of AutoGuide, has laid down for the industry. David Priestman joined him online to
learn more.

AutoGuide Mobile Robots designs, develops and manufactures high-payload industrial autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for assembly, warehousing and distribution operations. The company has a mobile robot R&D centre located in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and a manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Kentucky and was acquired by Teradyne last November. European
production is coming shortly.

Covid is driving ecommerce and next day delivery, leading to increased expectations. AutoGuide has launched what it claims is the first fully autonomous mobile robot designed to automate racking and picking operations at high bay warehouses, competing with traditional stacker cranes in pallet storage aisles. The new ‘MAX-N High Bay’ is an autonomous counterbalanced forklift that can travel up to 4 mph and lift 1000kg payloads up to 11m high.

The MAX-N High Bay works seamlessly with existing warehouse infrastructure so there’s no need to invest in new racking systems or pallets, and installation can be complete in weeks. Like all AutoGuide AMRs, the MAX-N High Bay exceeds safety standards and travels along a network of approved, predictable paths to decrease workplace risk for employees in shared workspaces. Using ‘SurePath Enterprise’ software, it receives data from existing order management and warehouse management systems and can be quickly deployed to complete a wide array of high bay operations. SurePath Enterprise defines the most efficient route for each job.

Rob Sullivan points out that traditional high bay operations can be complex and potentially dangerous. “Autonomous solutions increase efficiencies and keep both employees and products safe, providing an excellent return on investment in high-bay environments. Labour costs are more than half of distribution centre budgets. Adding space is difficult.”

The MAX-N High Bay is part of AutoGuide’s patent-pending modular AMR system designed to maximize fleet flexibility and uptime. The Max-N High Bay is one of multiple high-payload adapters designed to fit the MAX-N Base AMR. With a change of adapters, the base AMR is converted from a high-bay forklift to a pallet stacker or tow tractor. In addition, AutoGuide claims to be the only manufacturer that engineers and builds AMRs from the ground up to be fully autonomous, high performance material transport robots. The majority of robotic solutions are retrofitted manual vehicles, built from parts supplied by various vendors.

With inventory management software, the MAX-N High Bay becomes part of the new AutoGuide Mobile ASRS. The inventory management software connects with facility WMS and inventory
management applications to keep track of facility inventory, manage finished goods or WIP inventories; speed reconciliation; and provide daily cycle counting digitally.

“As part of the new AutoGuide Mobile ASRS, our autonomous MAX-N High Bay can safely and efficiently transport materials from the receiving dock directly to the storage racks without the need for conveyor systems or other inflexible material handling infrastructure,” Sullivan says. “When connected to detailed, facility-wide inventory awareness, the MAX-N High Bay can get material exactly where it belongs. It’s time for ASRS to be untethered, autonomous and accessible for all warehouse facilities. With our Mobile ASRS, what used to be automated and heavy is now
autonomous and light. Mobile ASRS can be rolled out in a matter of weeks and bring autonomous efficiency to smaller footprints across the facility floor.”

Large, high-revenue facilities that move thousands of pallets a day have increasingly installed ASRS solutions with proprietary racks, custom pallets and massive cranes. Smaller facilities that move less inventory recognize the efficiencies offered by ASRS but have been unable to justify the high-cost and time-consuming deployment. Customers can start flexibly with just 5% automation
with mobile ASRS, combined with existing racking and work up from there. AutoGuide AMRs bring facility-wide freedom to automation strategies, so facility managers do not have to restrict
storage and retrieval operations to specific, crane-only zones.

“Human error in inventory management is both common and costly and automating manual vehicles is suboptimal,” Sullivan concluded. “Mobile ASRS is best-in-class. Digital inventory
control helps eliminate storage and retrieval errors.” Read the whole article here.

Rethinking ASRS and Robots

Posted on by David Priestman

Rethinking automated storage and retrieval systems is the challenge that Rob Sullivan, President and CEO of AutoGuide, has laid down for the industry. David Priestman joined him online to
learn more.

AutoGuide Mobile Robots designs, develops and manufactures high-payload industrial autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for assembly, warehousing and distribution operations. The company has a mobile robot R&D centre located in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and a manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Kentucky and was acquired by Teradyne last November. European
production is coming shortly.

Covid is driving ecommerce and next day delivery, leading to increased expectations. AutoGuide has launched what it claims is the first fully autonomous mobile robot designed to automate racking and picking operations at high bay warehouses, competing with traditional stacker cranes in pallet storage aisles. The new ‘MAX-N High Bay’ is an autonomous counterbalanced forklift that can travel up to 4 mph and lift 1000kg payloads up to 11m high.

The MAX-N High Bay works seamlessly with existing warehouse infrastructure so there’s no need to invest in new racking systems or pallets, and installation can be complete in weeks. Like all AutoGuide AMRs, the MAX-N High Bay exceeds safety standards and travels along a network of approved, predictable paths to decrease workplace risk for employees in shared workspaces. Using ‘SurePath Enterprise’ software, it receives data from existing order management and warehouse management systems and can be quickly deployed to complete a wide array of high bay operations. SurePath Enterprise defines the most efficient route for each job.

Rob Sullivan points out that traditional high bay operations can be complex and potentially dangerous. “Autonomous solutions increase efficiencies and keep both employees and products safe, providing an excellent return on investment in high-bay environments. Labour costs are more than half of distribution centre budgets. Adding space is difficult.”

The MAX-N High Bay is part of AutoGuide’s patent-pending modular AMR system designed to maximize fleet flexibility and uptime. The Max-N High Bay is one of multiple high-payload adapters designed to fit the MAX-N Base AMR. With a change of adapters, the base AMR is converted from a high-bay forklift to a pallet stacker or tow tractor. In addition, AutoGuide claims to be the only manufacturer that engineers and builds AMRs from the ground up to be fully autonomous, high performance material transport robots. The majority of robotic solutions are retrofitted manual vehicles, built from parts supplied by various vendors.

With inventory management software, the MAX-N High Bay becomes part of the new AutoGuide Mobile ASRS. The inventory management software connects with facility WMS and inventory
management applications to keep track of facility inventory, manage finished goods or WIP inventories; speed reconciliation; and provide daily cycle counting digitally.

“As part of the new AutoGuide Mobile ASRS, our autonomous MAX-N High Bay can safely and efficiently transport materials from the receiving dock directly to the storage racks without the need for conveyor systems or other inflexible material handling infrastructure,” Sullivan says. “When connected to detailed, facility-wide inventory awareness, the MAX-N High Bay can get material exactly where it belongs. It’s time for ASRS to be untethered, autonomous and accessible for all warehouse facilities. With our Mobile ASRS, what used to be automated and heavy is now
autonomous and light. Mobile ASRS can be rolled out in a matter of weeks and bring autonomous efficiency to smaller footprints across the facility floor.”

Large, high-revenue facilities that move thousands of pallets a day have increasingly installed ASRS solutions with proprietary racks, custom pallets and massive cranes. Smaller facilities that move less inventory recognize the efficiencies offered by ASRS but have been unable to justify the high-cost and time-consuming deployment. Customers can start flexibly with just 5% automation
with mobile ASRS, combined with existing racking and work up from there. AutoGuide AMRs bring facility-wide freedom to automation strategies, so facility managers do not have to restrict
storage and retrieval operations to specific, crane-only zones.

“Human error in inventory management is both common and costly and automating manual vehicles is suboptimal,” Sullivan concluded. “Mobile ASRS is best-in-class. Digital inventory
control helps eliminate storage and retrieval errors.” Read the whole article here.

New Packaging Process that is over 99% Plastic-Free

Posted on by David Priestman

E-commerce retailer Internet Fusion Group has created a sustainable packaging process that is over 99% plastic-free. Investments in two Quadient CVP-500 automated packaging machines and switching to Corrugated Fanfold material from Ribble Packaging, have aided with their pursuit of an environmentally sustainable right size packaging process.

To highlight the full extent of their achievements, Internet Fusion have released a report investigating the environmental effects of paper-based packaging versus plastic packaging products. The report explores the full manufacturing process of both paper and plastic packaging, through to the recyclability and long-term environmental effects once a package has reached its destination. Head of Sustainability at Internet Fusion, Adam Hall said; “Our customers are tired of plastic pollution, and we are tired of the justifications being put forward for continued plastic production in the middle of a marine plastic crisis. When you dig a little deeper these arguments simply don’t stack up, so we felt it was time to share the decision-making process that has led us to our packaging being over 99% plastic-free. Our customers choose us because of our environmental efforts and in turn, we choose Ribble for the same reasons – it’s partnerships such as these that can shift a whole industry towards a more sustainable future.”

Right Size packaging specialists Ribble Packaging supply Internet Fusion with over 75% of their packaging material in the form of Corrugated Fanfold board, a versatile fully recycled and recyclable cardboard product that feeds many of the leading automated packaging systems in the UK.

Stephen Rector, Managing Director of Ribble Packaging, commented on Internet Fusion’s success: “It is fantastic to see that Ribble products are helping our customers in creating more environmentally sustainable packaging processes. We also see the need to improve our in-house operations to make them more sustainable.”

Earlier this year, Ribble embarked on a project to make their operations carbon neutral. Stephen added; “We understand the need to focus on the effects our manufacturing process has on the environment, this has led to us embarking on a carbon-neutral project that will see us embrace new sustainable technologies and practices. Our products allow customers to create a more sustainable packaging process, but we can enhance these benefits by offering a carbon-neutral manufacturing process as well.”

New Packaging Process that is over 99% Plastic-Free

Posted on by David Priestman

E-commerce retailer Internet Fusion Group has created a sustainable packaging process that is over 99% plastic-free. Investments in two Quadient CVP-500 automated packaging machines and switching to Corrugated Fanfold material from Ribble Packaging, have aided with their pursuit of an environmentally sustainable right size packaging process.

To highlight the full extent of their achievements, Internet Fusion have released a report investigating the environmental effects of paper-based packaging versus plastic packaging products. The report explores the full manufacturing process of both paper and plastic packaging, through to the recyclability and long-term environmental effects once a package has reached its destination. Head of Sustainability at Internet Fusion, Adam Hall said; “Our customers are tired of plastic pollution, and we are tired of the justifications being put forward for continued plastic production in the middle of a marine plastic crisis. When you dig a little deeper these arguments simply don’t stack up, so we felt it was time to share the decision-making process that has led us to our packaging being over 99% plastic-free. Our customers choose us because of our environmental efforts and in turn, we choose Ribble for the same reasons – it’s partnerships such as these that can shift a whole industry towards a more sustainable future.”

Right Size packaging specialists Ribble Packaging supply Internet Fusion with over 75% of their packaging material in the form of Corrugated Fanfold board, a versatile fully recycled and recyclable cardboard product that feeds many of the leading automated packaging systems in the UK.

Stephen Rector, Managing Director of Ribble Packaging, commented on Internet Fusion’s success: “It is fantastic to see that Ribble products are helping our customers in creating more environmentally sustainable packaging processes. We also see the need to improve our in-house operations to make them more sustainable.”

Earlier this year, Ribble embarked on a project to make their operations carbon neutral. Stephen added; “We understand the need to focus on the effects our manufacturing process has on the environment, this has led to us embarking on a carbon-neutral project that will see us embrace new sustainable technologies and practices. Our products allow customers to create a more sustainable packaging process, but we can enhance these benefits by offering a carbon-neutral manufacturing process as well.”

Are your pallets “Brexit Ready?”

Posted on by David Priestman

 When the United Kingdom leaves the European Union on 1 January 2021, import and export companies fear that trade to the former member of the EU and back may no longer function smoothly. The reason that they are citing for this, is a lack of IPPC-compliant wooden packaging and pallets, which from 1 January 2021 must be treated according to ISPM 15 for transport to and from the United Kingdom.

The ISPM 15 standard has been compulsory for the international movement of goods outside of the EU since 2002 to protect native woodlands from pests. For goods transport inside the EU, the treatment is not obligatory. For import to a third country, compliance with the standard is rigorously checked upon arrival and if a load carrier has not been treated the whole cargo will be refused entry. From 1 January 2021 the United Kingdom will be considered to be a third country and for goods transport, wooden pallets at all borders to and in the United Kingdom will be checked for compliance with the ISPM 15 standard.

The ISPM 15 standard requires the treatment of solid wood with an approved measure. This is achieved on all EPAL pallets by heat treatment (HT) in a drying chamber. This is recognisable through the branding of the central block with the IPPC marking and the licensee’s IPPC permit number as well as the abbreviation, HT. These markings may only be used by operations which are registered with the responsible phytosanitary authorities.

EPAL wooden pallets are treated in accordance with the ISPM 15 standard making them suitable for the unrestricted movement of goods outside the EU.

According to the company’s technical regulations, it has been compulsory for all EPAL pallets to be treated in accordance with ISPM 15 during production since 2010. For repairs, EPAL requires that its licensees use new wood and furthermore obliges repair operations to observe the national ISPM 15 regulations.

For more news about the logistics industry and the impact Brexit will have, sign up for our magazine and newsletters here.

 

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