January 2021

Conveyor Networks and imio Software become 1 Brand

Posted on 20 January, 202129 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Claire Umney has been appointed as managing director of Breathe Technologies to drive the company through its next phase of growth. Joining the executive team, Umney will deliver the company’s sustainable growth objectives as it builds on its high-tech, automated handling solutions and software offerings.

Bringing Conveyor Networks and imio Software under one brand identity, Breathe Technologies, was the strategic decision of company executives to address the requirement for a holistic automation and software offering in the UK marketplace.

Umney joins Breathe Technologies from international software solutions provider, AEB, where she worked for 12 years, most recently as strategic initiatives director. She has also held roles at CEVA Logistics and TNT. David Carroll will become CEO, where he’ll take a more strategic and supportive role, while exploring further opportunities and partnerships for Breathe Technologies.

The rebrand and restructure comes at a pivotal time for the retail industry. David Carroll commented, “2020 saw a seismic shift in the retail industry, and we’ve seen just how important the ability to adapt and change quickly is. The future of automated handling solutions lies in flexibility and adaptability, and AI-led systems will soon become the norm. We’re increasingly seeing software at the heart of the warehouse. We want to ensure that our brand reflects the broad-ranging high-tech solutions and software we offer.

“Claire’s 20+ years’ experience in logistics, supply chain and technology, particularly her background in supporting customers with designing and deploying logistics solutions, as well as her business management experience for an international software solutions company, makes her the perfect fit to take Breathe Technologies forward. She has energy in abundance, a clear desire to provide a great customer experience, and a tenacity to make things happen.”

Umney commented, “The managing director role really excited me as I am entrusted to continue David’s legacy and lead the continued growth and development of the business and its people. The company’s collective skillset and obvious commitment to continued success gives us a solid foundation and a great platform to move onwards.

“I want to help us realise our full potential and become the automatic choice for all customers considering automation solutions, both hardware and software. My aim is to make sure that we’re rightly recognised as innovators in the industries that we operate in; through building strong, long-term, mutually advantageous partnerships, but also by driving green initiatives and placing our environmental responsibilities at the forefront. Breathe Technologies has an extremely exciting future, and it has been incredibly easy to become invested in the journey.”

Breathe Technologies provides expert technology solutions to retail, e-commerce, distribution, and manufacturing workplaces. Its clients include QVC, Pets at Home, Amazon, Yodel, Ultimate Products, Debenhams, WHSmith, Unilever, and Johnson & Johnson.

Pallet Racking and Picking Solutions Installed

Posted on 20 January, 202129 July, 2025 by David Priestman

AR Racking has fitted out the new warehouse in Gavà of Grup Sevica, company with more than 40 years of experience and pioneer in supply chain operations related to the textile business.

Specialised in textile logistics management, Grup Sevica has a new 5,000 m2 warehouse able to store 3,500 pallets thanks to the adjustable pallet racking system installed by AR Racking, supplier of industrial pallet racking systems. In addition, 500 carton flow rack levels integrated in the adjustable pallet racking system have been installed. The new logistics centre also has 750 longspan shelving levels for manual picking. This new warehouse now joins the other handling centres that Grup Sevica has in Gavà and Viladecans, making up 30,000 m2 in total dedicated to integrated logistics for the textile sector.

“We have entrusted AR Racking because we were aware of the quality of its storage solutions and the adaptability and versatility of its industrial racking” said Daniel Sevilla, General Manager of Grup Sevica. The company offers specific garment handling, quality control, storage and picking services, managing the shipping of garments to points of sale, reverse logistics and e-commerce. Its customers are leading national and international brands from the fashion sector. “Our maxim is to add value throughout the supply chain, the storage and logistics of the goods”, added General Manager.

According to Manel Bustos, AR Racking Northeast region Sales Representative and project manager, “the daily operations of the Grup Sevica warehouse require both dynamism and control. With the adjustable pallet racking system and by including different picking solutions we have helped the customer to be able to quickly locate goods and fully exploit the space”.

Pallet Racking and Picking Solutions Installed

Posted on 20 January, 202129 July, 2025 by Keith McKinley

AR Racking has fitted out the new warehouse in Gavà of Grup Sevica, company with more than 40 years of experience and pioneer in supply chain operations related to the textile business.

Stoecklin Logistics Opens New North American Headquarters

Posted on 20 January, 202124 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Stoecklin Logistics, a supplier of innovative supply chain solutions, is expanding its North American operations and has moved into a larger headquarters location in Roswell, Ga., north of Atlanta, that will allow the company to increase its market presence and provide clients with additional local support. The new facility includes space devoted to customer service, marketing, business development and mechanical maintenance.

“The new office is perfect for our growing team. We now have the space needed to support our associates in their daily work and host both customer and company meetings. The location also offers quick, non-stop access to most locations on the continent and direct flights from our corporate headquareters in Switzerland,” said Damaris Grütter, Director of U.S. & Canada for Stoecklin.

Stoecklin Logistics Opens New North American Headquarters

Posted on 20 January, 202125 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Order Pickers and Tow Tractors Upgraded

Posted on 19 January, 202125 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Crown, one of the world’s largest material handling companies, has refined the design of its GPC and MPC Series order pickers and TC Series tow tractor as part of the company’s continuous product improvement efforts. All three series now offer a variety of ergonomic enhancements for making order-picking processes even faster, more efficient and user-friendly.

Order-picking applications are more varied and demanding than any other warehouse activity. This is why Crown’s GPC, MPC and TC Series combine excellent performance with a high level of comfort designed to relieve the physical strain on operators and boost their daily productivity. An extensive range of add-on equipment and accessories provides a highly effective response to the specific requirements of various warehouse applications by further reducing and streamlining the movements of operators as they interact with their vehicles.

Enhanced platform suspension reduces strain for the operator

In line with its continuous product improvement philosophy, Crown has now revised and enhanced some of this equipment. This includes, for example, the ergonomic full-suspension operator platform. The new suspension system dampens shocks through the platform even more effectively than before, reducing operators’ fatigue during their shifts. This is a key factor in ensuring that lift trucks are operated safely and efficiently, resulting in increased productivity and reduced customers’ operating costs.

The focus of the product update is on operator comfort. Crown has further expanded its extensive range of Work Assist accessories accordingly, including new magnetic storage trays and writing pads. Alongside the tried-and-tested Work Assist accessory tube, a new optional version with integrated cable management is now available, allowing even more power-supplied accessories to be mounted on the tube for better accessibility and visibility.

Another highlight is the new intuitive display which enables the operator to easily view key operating data due to its large size and strategic positioning on the trucks. QuickPick Remote Ready option anticipates future workflow automation All three series can also be ordered optionally in a version that is already prepared for Crown’s QuickPick Remote Order Picking Technology. This option is ideal for customers wishing to ensure that their vehicles can be retrofitted with Crown’s award-winning, workflow-improving technology at a later stage.

The QuickPick Remote system streamlines workflows in high-density picking applications. Using a remote-control unit built into their work gloves or strapped to their finger, operators can remotely move their order pickers or tow tractors to the next picking location at the touch of a button. This technology, in use since 2013, has proven in practice to minimise operator walking distances and physical stress, thereby boosting picking speed and overall productivity.

Order Pickers and Tow Tractors Upgraded

Posted on 19 January, 202125 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Enhanced platform suspension reduces strain for the operator

Premium Mobile Label Printer Series Launched

Posted on 19 January, 202129 July, 2025 by David Priestman

BIXOLON Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of BIXOLON Co. Ltd, a leading global Mobile, Label and POS printer manufacturer, has announced the launch of its NEW XM7 Series, featuring the XM7-40 4-inch (112mm) and XM7-20 2-inch (58mm) Liner and Linerless Mobile Label printers. Strengthening BIXOLON’s portfolio of mobile printing solutions to the European market, the XM7 series provides premium-level performance at speeds of up to 5ips (XM7-40) and 6ips (XM7-20) at 203dpi to produce quality printing outputs at high volumes, making it ideal for the most demanding of environments within Logistics, Healthcare, Retail or Manufacturing.

Delivering intuitive features and value add software support, the new printer series features rugged, compact designs, an embedded Peeler, TFT Colour Displays, drop protection of 2.1 metres and IP54-protection ratings. Supporting a smart battery with universal USB Type-C Power delivery charging, these mobile label printers provide a wealth of battery health information through BIXOLON’s web-based printer profile management software XPM™, guaranteeing consistent performance throughout prolonged operations.

Offering seamless connectivity at every level, the XM7 Series presents USB 2.0 and Serial interfaces as standard, with optional Bluetooth V5.0 Classic (MFi Certification) and WLAN 802.11a/b/g/n wireless technology which can be connected simultaneously. Supporting easy Bluetooth pairing via NFC allows compatibility with major operations including Android™, iOS™ and Windows™. The series also boasts compatibility with market leading command languages such as SLCS, BPL-Z™, BPL-C™ and BXL/POS to allow for seamless integration with customers’ existing systems.
Boasting a 128 MB SRAM, 256 MB Flash memory as standard and optional 256 MB SDRAM, 512 MB Flash memory enabling the storage of fonts and graphics, alongside firmware upgrades and tools. The XM7 series prints directly from SAP® Smart Forms and is compatible with a range of label editing applications including BIXOLON’s Label Artist™, Label Artist Mobile™ for iOS™ & Android™, alongside the industry leading Bartender® software.

“The new XM7 series compliments BIXOLON’s already highly successful range of mobility printing solutions,” explains Charlie Kim, Managing Director, BIXOLON Europe GmbH. “As the demand continues to grow for labelling solutions in our current economic climate, BIXOLON’s new premium labelling solutions provide stability for customers who require mobile high volume printing across all environments.”

Premium Mobile Label Printer Series Launched

Posted on 19 January, 202129 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Warehouse Manager Role Has Gone Up a Level

Posted on 19 January, 202129 July, 2025 by David Priestman

A fulfilment technology specialist is advocating warehouse management as an increasingly pivotal role in any company hierarchy and supply chain – as well as a higher level career path – because of the extraordinary logistical challenges we all now work in.

SnapFulfil CEO, Tony Dobson, said it requires a more focused and problem-solving skill set that’s infinitely adaptable, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a ‘new breed’ of warehouse manager to navigate our faster moving environment.

“It’s rather a ‘new and next level’ of effective operations leader who can quickly grasp and advance new software technologies and process improvements to promote greater understanding and efficiency,” explained Dobson. “Those key drivers and attributes that first draw people into distribution management – being able to coach and develop a team to meet definitive targets and efficiencies, plus having a strong ‘operator ‘ mindset – are still valued, but modern, digital warehousing certainly requires much greater depth and more varied IT skills.”

Dobson also appreciates the COVID-19 Supply Chain – especially with the seismic shift taking place in online retailing – has become a lot more complex. Distribution operations embody that complexity, so the leaders of those operations must be much more than just drivers of traditional and bulk ‘pallet in, pallet out’ activity. They must now be innovators and continuous improvement advocates to survive and thrive.

Innovation in the warehouse primarily comes in two forms: advanced, cloud-based technology like SnapFulfil WMS and the agile, easily configurable processes it supports, plus the genuine creativity in breaking through process design. Continuous improvement approaches are the accepted method for measured success, but most distribution centres struggle to de-prioritise their established ways without technological assistance.

However, warehouse managers who bring curiosity to the table and who think creatively about improvement will have a distinct advantage over their peers. Designing a new process is a skill in itself and becoming increasingly important in the warehouse management field.

Technology selection and implementation within a warehouse used to be an IT or PMO-based activity, where the warehouse operations team was the internal customer, but not necessarily the driving force behind selection and adoption. This approach is now skewing and to best serve operations, warehouse managers need up to the minute familiarity with software selection, programming, data analysis and project/implementation practices. Consequently, they should now approach their operations with continuous improvement as a recurring and given KPI.

“I cannot stress enough though that – except for the most ‘customisable’ solutions on the market – the best implementations are driven by operations staff who can also dedicate themselves to the execution and realisation of the new technology,” added Dobson.

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