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Month: March 2021

Konecranes’ presence continues to grow in the ancient city of Alexandria

Posted on by Keith McKinley

In January 2021, Alexandria Container and Cargo Handling Company (ACCHCO) ordered three additional Konecranes empty container handlers for their two sites in northern Egypt, with two going to the Port of Alexandria and one to the Port of Dekheila expected June this year. They join a large fleet of Konecranes lift trucks already operating at the ACCHCO facilities.

The earliest maritime facilities were built where Alexandria stands now sometime around 1900 BCE, making it one of the oldest ports in the world. However, the port’s history really starts when Alexander the Great founded the city in 331 BCE. Today, the Port of Alexandria is the main port of Egypt, and together with the nearby Port of Dekheila, an extension of the original port, handles about 60% of Egypt’s foreign trade. ACCHCO was established in 1984 as the first specialized container handling facility in Egypt. The company operates two main terminals: Alexandria Terminal and El Dekheila Terminal, in their respective ports. As their volume of trade continues to increase, they need to move a growing number of empty containers to and from storage areas or make them ready for the next consignment. After a tender process, they decided to order three more empty container handlers from Konecranes because they have always been impressed with the efficiency and productivity of their other Konecranes equipment, purchased across previous orders since 2013. This new delivery will bring the total number of Konecranes lift trucks in the ACCHCO fleet to 40 units.

“We bought three of the same model SMV 5/6 ECC 90 empty container handlers just two years ago, and we’ve been more than satisfied with their performance,” says Admiral Mamdouh Tawfik Draz, CEO of ACCHCO. “These lift trucks have shown outstanding reliability, stability and performance in a challenging work environment, operating across shifts and around the clock. Local agent Tad Trade has given us excellent after-sales assistance and maintenance services on behalf of Konecranes. It’s a pleasure to work with such reliable partners.”

“The fact that we won the tender and that ACCHCO are making a repeated order so soon reflects the quality of both our equipment and our long-term business relationship,” says Erik Rausner, Sales Manager, Konecranes Lift Trucks. “We are delighted to see a customer put their trust in such a large Konecranes fleet, and look forward to maintaining our work with ACCHCO and helping them to build on their continuing success.”

The three new Konecranes SMV 5/6 ECC90 empty container handlers have been fitted with a range of special features to enhance their performance. An innovative spreader includes added strength with reduced weight for more durability and less wear. Central greasing on the truck and spreader simplifies maintenance. Safety features include extra lighting on the console and mast for improved visibility; buzzers to alert the driver to temperature and pressure changes; an alarm and automatic lift stop in case of overload; automatic plug fuses as circuit breakers in the unlikely event of an electrical fault; engine, lighting and ignition shutdown if the truck is left running for five minutes to save fuel, and the parking brake engages automatically if the driver leaves the seat.

ACCHCO has also requested different customized chassis colors on each of their orders as it helps them to visually identify and keep track of their machines in the field. These three empty container handlers will be painted RAL 1018 zinc yellow.

Last year Konecranes announced it was to merge with Cargotec.

Distribution Centre Expansion in Magdeburg

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Logistics provider Dachser began operations at a new distribution centre at its Magdeburg location in mid-February. At the 40,000 sq.m facility, the family-owned company provides logistics services for its customer Globus Baumarkt and other companies in the region. The expansion created 40 new jobs.

Dachser’s new facility comprises 84,000 m2 and includes two warehouses with a total logistics area of 40,000 m2. One of the warehouses has been specifically designed for the storage and picking of food and non-food items and covers approximately 8,000 m2. The second warehouse for contract logistics activities has an area of 32,000 m2. Through the expansion, the office and social space at Dachser’s Magdeburg distribution center now cover some 1,880 m2. There is also an additional 3,000 m2 of outdoor storage adjacent to the site. Including the distribution centre 40 kilometres away in Oschersleben, Dachser’s Magdeburg logistics centre now provides 55,000 m2 for logistics operations in total, and space to accommodate some 80,000 pallets.

“At our new facility, we furnish warehousing and distribution services for our customer Globus Baumarkt as well as well-known regional and global manufacturers and retailers of industrial goods and food products,” explains Christian Schäckel, General Manager of the Magdeburg logistics centre. “On their behalf, our employees implement a future-oriented logistics strategy designed to help them grow.”

A strong partner in the region for over 25 years

Dachser has been operating in the Magdeburg region for over 25 years. Some 170 employees are responsible for ensuring the smooth execution of logistics services. “In addition to classic transport services, we also handle storage of industrial goods and food products and provide value-added services such as display-build and finishing,” Schäckel says. Dachser’s Magdeburg facilities are located in the Gewerbegebiet Nord commercial zone in the north of the region, providing convenient access to the A2 and A14 highways. From Magdeburg, the logistics provider serves destinations such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Austria with daily departures. Dachser’s Air & Sea Logistics branch in Langenhagen, near Hanover, connects the Magdeburg logistics centre to all the global markets.

New Intralogistics Sales Director

Posted on by David Priestman

After announcing the brand merger of its operational units (Alstef, BA Systems, BA Healthcare and Glidepath) in September 2020, the newly formed – Alstef Group – continues its evolution,
welcoming Uwe Klärner to head its Intralogistics division sales team.

Uwe, a German-born mechanical engineer, brings extensive global experience from the materials handling industry. He began his career in conveyor assembly for global supply chains solution
provider, Savoye, taking on multiple roles including Project Manager, Sales Manager followed by Business Development Manager – Europe. In 2011, he created his own end-of-line packaging
solutions company, which he further expanded, then sold six years later to Ranpak Automation, where he then took up the role of Global Sales Director.

Uwe now joins Alstef Group, where he is leading the sales team of Intralogistics division and will steer the sales strategy, under the responsibility of Nicolas Breton, Chief Executive Officer. “It is a
real pleasure for us to welcome Uwe, whose expertise will enable Alstef Group to accelerate its growth as a major player in global materials handling”, states Nicolas.

This appointment is part of the wider Alstef Group strategy to build a stronger global presence. “I am very happy to join a rapidly growing company. With the commitment and ability of our teams
to adapt to market changes and even provoke them, we are equal to our ambitions. The adventure is exciting and has only just begun!”, says Uwe.

Logistics Business Hires Peter MacLeod as News Editor

Posted on by David Priestman

Logistics Business, the only pan-European logistics journal, has appointed experienced industry journalist Peter MacLeod as its News Editor.

Peter held the position of Editor of SHD Logistics for 11 years, moving it from a monthly trade magazine to a truly digital brand during his tenure. Under his editorship, Peter oversaw the launch of the SHD Logistics Conference and The Logistics Awards, as well as acting as a judge for the International Forklift of the Year (IFOY) Awards and the Global Freight Awards.

Effective from 29th March, Peter will be responsible for updating the Logistics Business website (www.logisticsbusiness.com) with fresh and compelling content, as well as producing the weekly Logistics Business newsletter. Paul Hamblin remains as Editor of Logistics Business magazine, now focusing fully on the well-respected quarterly printed journal.

David Priestman, Publisher of Logistics Business, said: “We are delighted to welcome Peter to the team. As we move towards what will surely be a challenging post-Covid business climate, Peter and Paul represent a formidable editorial partnership capable of identifying and reporting on the significant trends, events and activities.”

Peter added: “For many years, I have observed Logistics Business becoming established as a true pan-European media brand, and during that time I have enjoyed a friendly and respectful relationship with David, Paul and the whole team. I jumped at the opportunity to join them to help grow further their influence within the dynamic and ever-developing European logistics sector.”

A passionate Europhile, Peter will represent Logistics Business on the European mainland from his home in Amsterdam, combining the role with his existing position as an independent marketing and PR professional. Peter is an ambassador for Transaid, the international development organisation that transforms lives through safe, available, and sustainable transport.

As always, we encourage you to send us all your stories – whether it’s news, product launches, case studies, customer wins or key appointments – for consideration by our editorial team.
For digital, send your stories to Peter MacLeod at pe***@***************ss.com. For the print magazine, send submissions to Paul Hamblin at **@***************ss.com

“Small but mighty” – US 3PL Westhub Logistics Enters the Market

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Westhub Logistics (WHL), a Bay Area-based third-party logistics (3PL) company, announced their entry into the market for both B2B and B2C companies selling dry goods.

Specializing in receiving, warehousing and fulfillment, WHL has built a reputation on accurate inventory tracking, automation efficiency, customized orders and same-day delivery.

Though Westhub Logistics may not be as large a company as its competitors, founder Weston Cook (pictured) does not see this as a hindrance. “There’s this popular illusion that bigger is better. Though we are small, we are mighty,” Cook says. “And we believe our integrity is incomparable.”

Cook set out to “reimagine the impersonal—and often impractical—3PL industry” by launching a family-owned, personally operated company built on integrity, with an emphasis on serving local businesses. “I have always believed that taking things up a notch means bringing customer service down to earth,” said Cook.

Their personalized approach has drawn the attention of Amazon sellers. They manage sellers’ relationship with Amazon, keep track of their orders and calculate when additional products need stocking.

Likewise, with the pandemic forcing shifts in business strategy and paving the way for more online retail businesses to grow, Weshthub Logistics sees itself as a partner that can meet the moment.

Says Sales Manager Jessica Ramos, “With today’s logistical challenges and highly competitive online retail demand, we put our clients at the center with our customer friendly solutions and straightforward pricing.”

Distribution Centre Modernisation Project for Spanish Food Supplier Eroski

Posted on by David Priestman

Eroski’s Distribution Centre has gone through a modernisation process. The Spanish food supplier commissioned industrial storage solutions specialist to fit out its new warehouse.

Adjustable pallet racking has been installed resulting in 4,296 positions for europallets. It is a storage solution for the most common type of pallet racking, in which 124 levels have been added to store medium and light loads in cartons by means of carton flow rack systems. In carton flow rack systems, the goods slide on pulley rails with a slight incline arranged on different levels that make up the storage lanes.

“These new facilities will allow our perishable product to reach the end customer more efficiently and with a substantial improvement in its treatment.” explained Faustino Etxenagusia, Platform General Services Manager in Eroski. He added that “the modernisation of our intralogistics will save us time and effort in the handling of goods, and increase safety for the entire team”. The warehouse will supply more than 300 Eroski stores in Álava, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa.

Mikel Bilbao, Northern region Sales Executive at AR Racking and project manager, said “we have designed and installed a storage solution ideal for a warehouse that has unit loads with a wide variety of references. The distribution centre’s modernisation means that Eroski will be able to manage a daily operation of more than 400 tonnes of fresh products”.

A few months ago AR Racking fitted a new cold warehouse with a storage system in France for AUTTA. For the full story click here.

Intermodal Terminal Pushes Boundaries

Posted on by David Priestman

KTL Kombi-Terminal Ludwigshafen GmbH relies on optimization solutions from Inform as part of its digitalization strategy. Operating the intermodal full-service terminal within the world’s largest integrated chemical complex of BASF, requires precise planning and coordination. To best utilize a terminal of this size, the choice fell on a Terminal Operating System (TOS) with optimization capabilities based on AI algorithms.

KTL’s terminal is responsible for transshipment services of common European containers, swap bodies and semi-trailers, with particular expertise in the transport and transshipment of hazardous goods. INFORM’s TOS is a key element of KTL’s future strategy, serving as a central solution for managing and optimizing terminal operations. “In the past, we had to check up to four different systems to track a single container,” recalls Kai Rauprich, operations manager at KTL. “Now, it’s all in one system, providing 360° visibility into our business.”

With the help of INFORM’s optimization modules, complex and time-critical decisions can be made in real time. Work orders can be converted into shift orders either manually or now also by the integrated optimization systems and assigned to the most suitable resource (crane, terminal vehicle, reach truck). In practice, this means an optimized sequence of pick-up/drop-off points within the terminal for each individual truck. All containers and trailers are assigned the most efficient storing position and equipment operators receive the most precise instructions about their upcoming routes.

Pushing the Button

“Incredibly fast,” said Rauprich, as he described the speed of INFORM’s Train Load Optimizer (TLO), which now automates manual load planning. In the past, planning was significantly more time-consuming, required considerably more human resources and offered little space to react to disruptions or delays. “Today, we just push a button, and INFORM’s TLO generates an optimized train-load plan, plus an optimized sequence of move jobs for all terminal tractors and cranes,” says Rauprich.

Yard space is a valuable and scarce resource at the terminal and should be used as efficiently as possible to remain profitable in the long term. With INFORM’s Yard Optimizer, containers are optimally positioned right from the start and only moved when absolutely necessary. At the same time, with the help of INFORM’s Truck Sheduler and Vehicle Optimizer, KTL can reduce truck turnaround times to a minimum and maintain a high level of service quality at the same time.

Integrated Interfaces

The TOS combines all interfaces to other third-party systems along the intermodal supply chain in one central system. All information on incoming and outgoing train bookings from participating companies such as Hupac and Kombiverkehr is automatically uploaded. Updates in Visy’s rail crane positioning system and gate operating system (GOS) can also be retrieved. Even invoicing and reporting is automated using a Qlik-based BI tool from INFORM, permanently reducing manual effort and associated errors. INFORM’s solution offers sufficient flexibility to scale with KTL’s future growth.

Shortage of Cardboard Packaging Caused by e-Commerce Boom

Posted on by David Priestman

A shortage of cardboard packaging means a growing number of internet retailers are struggling to fulfil orders amidst the boom in online sales during the pandemic.

Jo Bradley, Business Development Manager for packaging solutions at Quadient (pictured above), warns that with some paper and sheet board producers rationing supply to even their biggest customers, buyers are having to pay a significant premium to secure the packaging materials they need.

“The price of corrugated cardboard (OCC) has risen from around £60 a tonne in December 2020 to about £75.50 a tonne in late January 2021,” Jo Bradley says.

“The problem,” she continues, “has been caused by the switch in consumer spending from the high street to online since the start of the Covid-19 crisis. Figures from the Office of National Statistics indicate that internet retail sales grew by 32 per cent during 2020.

With countless surveys indicating that any significant drop off in online sales is unlikely even after non-essential retailers have re-opened, demand for cardboard is set to remain high.

Jo Bradley says: “Quite simply the switch to online retailing has resulted in a substantial and sustained hike in the amount of cardboard that is needed throughout the retail supply chain so, in the short to medium term at least, packaging buyers will have to cope with the ‘double whammy’ of longer lead times and higher prices.”

Despite the rising costs and the increasing shortage of cardboard packaging, it is estimated that e-commerce sellers continue to waste in the region of 30 per cent of this increasingly precious commodity by shipping orders in vastly oversized cardboard boxes.

“It has never been more essential for retailers to reduce the amount of cardboard material that they use within their pack and despatch operation, and yet many continue to pack outbound orders in boxes that are way too big,” says Jo Bradley.

The CVP Impack and CVP Everest fit-to-size automated packaging systems from Quadient have been developed to reduce the waste associated with oversized packaging within fulfilment operations by creating perfect sized boxes for every consignment.

A single operator can construct up to 1100 bespoke packages per hour with the CVP Everest ­– typically amounting to a 30 per cent saving in cardboard across the year.

Jo Bradley adds: “The Quadient technology dramatically reduces cardboard use and, therefore, costs. With the upturn in demand for cardboard packaging forecast to be on-going and material prices set to continue their upward trajectory, the economic argument for investing in fit-to-size box making technology has never been more compelling. E-commerce retailers and their fulfilment services partners simply cannot afford not to make optimum use of their valuable cardboard resources and the best way to do this is to adopt technology that cuts down on waste.”

Agility Australasia Opens New HQ in Melbourne

Posted on by David Priestman

Agility Australasia a global logistics provider, has moved its regional headquarters to a new 32,000 sqm facility in the Melbourne Airport Business Park.

 

The building has advanced features intended to make it energy efficient and environmentally friendly. It is mounted with 4,108 solar panels that can generate up to 1.8MW of electricity for Melbourne Airport’s existing 12MW solar farm. It also features a 10,000-litre, roof-rainwater harvesting tank that will provide water for toilets and drip irrigation of the landscaping. Additionally, the main office has a solar-electric hot water system.

 

The new Agility Australasia facility is equipped with best-in-class technology for logistics with 30,000 sqm devoted to warehousing and 2,000 sqm for office space. Agility Australasia offers a complete range of logistics, multimodal transport and distribution services for industrial, service and retail companies operating in the region. The building will also feature space for Agility Fairs & Events.

 

Qanstruct, an innovative, Melbourne-based design firm, led construction of the facility, which took 13 months and employed more than 100 workers at the peak of the project. To enhance the facility, Agility landscaped the property with 1,800 plants and acquired 10 one-of-a-kind art pieces, all painted by indigenous women.

 

“We faced various challenges especially during the peak of COVID-19, but all parties were compliant to restrictions and the construction was completed safely,” said Michael Potenza, CEO of Agility Australasia. “Now that our facility is open, we are collaborating with customers, suppliers and innovators to pioneer the sustainable supply chains of the future. These supply chains are green and fair, which should inspire confidence in every customer.”

Don-Bur Develops Apprenticeship Scheme

Posted on by David Priestman

Working together with NSEG Training Association, Don-Bur has developed an apprenticeship scheme to take on 15 engineering apprentices in 2021. The scheme is part of a long-term commitment to develop and retain critical skills at the large commercial trailer manufacturing plant in Stoke-on-Trent.

The successful firm has already adopted 8 hand-picked apprentices this year who demonstrated the willingness and potential to grow within the business, but Don-Bur is keen to take this further.

Apprenticeships, from initial training up to and including Technician level 3 and Graduate level 4 schemes, are vitally important to offer career stability and planned, structured growth for a wide variety of individuals seeking self-improvement. The Don-Bur Apprenticeship scheme provides a valuable platform to provide a long-term partnership which will benefit both us and apprentices alike.

Lisa Blake, human resources manager at Don-Bur comments, “Engineering and manufacture relies on skilled associates who may not be readily available without training. The new apprenticeship partnership with NSEG gives us a unique, tailored apprenticeship programme that not only identifies high potential candidates but encourages an excellent retention rate after graduation.”

Paul Williams, leader at NSEG agrees. “As a prime provider to Don-Bur, we pride ourselves on our abilities to tailor individual learning plans, highlight opportunities and support the apprentices throughout the scheme.”

Apprentices completing each level will acquire a recognised qualification as well as having developed valued skills which will generate greater career prospects and remain with them throughout their working life.

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