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Day: 21 April 2021

Geodis makes Americas appointment

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Geodis has promoted Anthony Jordan to the role of Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Americas region.

An industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience, Jordan is appointed EVP and COO after serving most recently as Senior Vice President and Head of Market Line Operations for Geodis in Americas. Jordan has dedicated the past 15 years of his career at Geodis in various senior-level positions.

“Throughout Anthony’s 15-year tenure at Geodis, he has proven himself as a true logistics professional who has played an instrumental role in supporting our company’s growth,” said Mike Honious, Geodis in Americas President & CEO. “Since his start at Geodis, Anthony has been an integral team member responsible for cultivating impactful customer relationships, and his experience and vision will be critical to the continued success of the company as we move into the future.”

Jordan began his career at Geodis in 2005 as the Director of Customer Care where he led critical initiatives such as its customer satisfaction survey, net promoter score and quarterly business reviews across key accounts. In 2010, he was promoted to Vice President of Account Management. Among his many accomplishments, he was responsible for implementing its Customer Relationship Management Program to maintain and enhance its client service capabilities.

In 2013, Jordan was promoted to Senior Vice President of Contract Logistics Operations where he oversaw the design and implementation of customized logistics solutions from production and warehousing to distribution to the final customer. Prior to his promotion as EVP and COO, Jordan served as Senior Vice President and Head of Market Line Operations where he developed and executed strategies to optimize key accounts utilising multiple Geodis sites across its vast network.

In his new role, Jordan will be responsible for developing the strategic vision and providing operational leadership across Geodis in Americas. Leveraging his expertise, Jordan will continue developing strategies to further grow the company’s high level of customer service.

Prior to joining Geodis, Jordan spent 18 years in similar industry positions at FedEx Supply Chain. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Memphis in Tennessee.

Geodis makes Americas appointment

Posted on by David Priestman

Geodis has promoted Anthony Jordan to the role of Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Americas region.

An industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience, Jordan is appointed EVP and COO after serving most recently as Senior Vice President and Head of Market Line Operations for Geodis in Americas. Jordan has dedicated the past 15 years of his career at Geodis in various senior-level positions.

“Throughout Anthony’s 15-year tenure at Geodis, he has proven himself as a true logistics professional who has played an instrumental role in supporting our company’s growth,” said Mike Honious, Geodis in Americas President & CEO. “Since his start at Geodis, Anthony has been an integral team member responsible for cultivating impactful customer relationships, and his experience and vision will be critical to the continued success of the company as we move into the future.”

Jordan began his career at Geodis in 2005 as the Director of Customer Care where he led critical initiatives such as its customer satisfaction survey, net promoter score and quarterly business reviews across key accounts. In 2010, he was promoted to Vice President of Account Management. Among his many accomplishments, he was responsible for implementing its Customer Relationship Management Program to maintain and enhance its client service capabilities.

In 2013, Jordan was promoted to Senior Vice President of Contract Logistics Operations where he oversaw the design and implementation of customized logistics solutions from production and warehousing to distribution to the final customer. Prior to his promotion as EVP and COO, Jordan served as Senior Vice President and Head of Market Line Operations where he developed and executed strategies to optimize key accounts utilising multiple Geodis sites across its vast network.

In his new role, Jordan will be responsible for developing the strategic vision and providing operational leadership across Geodis in Americas. Leveraging his expertise, Jordan will continue developing strategies to further grow the company’s high level of customer service.

Prior to joining Geodis, Jordan spent 18 years in similar industry positions at FedEx Supply Chain. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Memphis in Tennessee.

Smurfit Kappa invests further €35m in Germany

Posted on by David Priestman

Smurfit Kappa has announced a significant investment in its Hoya paper mill and board manufacturing plant in northwest Germany. It is the latest phase of an investment programme, which commenced in 2011, and this last phase will see production output increase by 70 kt to 450 kt per annum.

The investment will replace the complete press section of the PM2 paper machine with new state-of-the-art technology, increasing the overall efficiency of the manufacturing process. The PM2 is a 7.5m-wide paper machine, producing both testliner and fluting packaging paper. Production speed will increase to 1250 m/min and upon completion, this world-class machine will further strengthen the industrial efficiency of Smurfit Kappa Group’s containerboard system. It is expected to be operational from the first quarter of 2023.

Saverio Mayer, CEO, Smurfit Kappa Europe said: “This investment will be the final and significant phase of a programme of sustained investment at our Hoya Mill which commenced over a decade ago. Today’s announcement underlines Smurfit Kappa’s continued commitment to developments in leading edge technology and our operations in Germany.”

The investment means that CO2 emissions will be reduced by 5,500t per annum.

Also commenting on the investment, Andreas Noss, Managing Director of the Smurfit Kappa Hoya Mill, said: “This investment will make the PM2 a state-of-the-art light weight paper machine that enables us to meet the changing needs of our customers. It will increase production speed and produce light weight paper in the most efficient and sustainable way possible.”

The Hoya site in Germany has been in operation for over 50 years and is a major regional employer, with over 300 people working at the facility.

 

Smurfit Kappa invests further €35m in Germany

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Smurfit Kappa has announced a significant investment in its Hoya paper mill and board manufacturing plant in northwest Germany. It is the latest phase of an investment programme, which commenced in 2011, and this last phase will see production output increase by 70 kt to 450 kt per annum.

The investment will replace the complete press section of the PM2 paper machine with new state-of-the-art technology, increasing the overall efficiency of the manufacturing process. The PM2 is a 7.5m-wide paper machine, producing both testliner and fluting packaging paper. Production speed will increase to 1250 m/min and upon completion, this world-class machine will further strengthen the industrial efficiency of Smurfit Kappa Group’s containerboard system. It is expected to be operational from the first quarter of 2023.

Saverio Mayer, CEO, Smurfit Kappa Europe said: “This investment will be the final and significant phase of a programme of sustained investment at our Hoya Mill which commenced over a decade ago. Today’s announcement underlines Smurfit Kappa’s continued commitment to developments in leading edge technology and our operations in Germany.”

The investment means that CO2 emissions will be reduced by 5,500t per annum.

Also commenting on the investment, Andreas Noss, Managing Director of the Smurfit Kappa Hoya Mill, said: “This investment will make the PM2 a state-of-the-art light weight paper machine that enables us to meet the changing needs of our customers. It will increase production speed and produce light weight paper in the most efficient and sustainable way possible.”

The Hoya site in Germany has been in operation for over 50 years and is a major regional employer, with over 300 people working at the facility.

 

One-millionth Linde truck rolls out of Aschaffenburg

Posted on by David Priestman

Linde Material Handling has been manufacturing counterbalance trucks at its Aschaffenburg, Germany production site since back in 1959. In March 2021, the one-millionth vehicle rolled off the assembly line and has since been ceremoniously handed over to customer company Colorobbia España S.A., one of the largest facilities in the world for the production of frits, pigments and other products for the ceramics and glass industry.

Even though big celebrations had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, it was a real goosebump moment when the one-millionth counterbalance truck came off the production line at the Aschaffenburg plant in mid-March. Captured on video for everyone to see, the completion of the milestone vehicle was celebrated with a minute-long indoor fireworks display of red Bengal lights, sparklers, smoke and lots of glitter raining down around the figure “1,000,000”.

The next day, the latest-generation Linde diesel forklift truck with a load capacity of 3.5t set off on the journey to its future workplace at Colorobbia España S.A. on the east coast of Spain, with the signatures of all assembly employees written on the back of it. There, it will reinforce a fleet of 60 vehicles.

“We have been relying on Linde brand forklifts for 24 years now and particularly appreciate the trucks’ user-friendliness and safety,” says Gonzalo Trilles de Castro, Managing Director of Colorobbia España S.A. Equally important to him, he says, is a reliable partnership with a company that shares his own philosophy on sustainability, innovation and technology.

“All of this is a guarantee of long-term success, which we share with our customers as a competitive advantage.” The truck’s arrival at the Spanish customer company, which is celebrating its centenary this year, was duly recognised with a specially decorated cake which features sparklers too.

The one-millionth counterbalance truck from Linde Material Handling’s Aschaffenburg headquarters represents the latest highlight in its corporate success story, which now spans more than 60 years. With the “Hubtrac”, Linde’s first forklift truck, the intralogistics specialist offered an industry-defining, technological alternative to the commercial vehicles that had up to then been difficult to operate, usually having a jerky clutch and gear shift.

Thanks to the innovative hydrostatic drive, which allowed a double-pedal control to be fitted, this forerunner was ideally suited for retrieving and storing goods or loading and unloading trucks: no shifting was required when frequently driving back and forth, allowing both feet to be able to rest in a relaxed position on the respective pedal.

Even back then, this resulted in higher efficiency in goods handling and has remained the hallmark of all of Linde’s counterbalance trucks to this day – regardless of whether they are powered by internal combustion engines or electric motors.

Today, Linde Material Handling is once again setting technological standards and making its industrial trucks fit for the future: by means of a wide variety of energy types, intelligent assistance systems and networking as standard.

“Our goal is to enable customer companies to make their material flow processes as efficient and safe as possible, so that they will become even more successful in their core business,” says Stefan Prokosch, Senior Vice President Brand Management at Linde Material Handling. “With products that convince our customers, we already have our sights firmly set on the next milestone in our company’s history – the launch of Linde’s new electric forklift generation in June of this year.”

One-millionth Linde truck rolls out of Aschaffenburg

Posted on by David Priestman

Linde Material Handling has been manufacturing counterbalance trucks at its Aschaffenburg, Germany production site since back in 1959. In March 2021, the one-millionth vehicle rolled off the assembly line and has since been ceremoniously handed over to customer company Colorobbia España S.A., one of the largest facilities in the world for the production of frits, pigments and other products for the ceramics and glass industry.

Even though big celebrations had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, it was a real goosebump moment when the one-millionth counterbalance truck came off the production line at the Aschaffenburg plant in mid-March. Captured on video for everyone to see, the completion of the milestone vehicle was celebrated with a minute-long indoor fireworks display of red Bengal lights, sparklers, smoke and lots of glitter raining down around the figure “1,000,000”.

The next day, the latest-generation Linde diesel forklift truck with a load capacity of 3.5t set off on the journey to its future workplace at Colorobbia España S.A. on the east coast of Spain, with the signatures of all assembly employees written on the back of it. There, it will reinforce a fleet of 60 vehicles.

“We have been relying on Linde brand forklifts for 24 years now and particularly appreciate the trucks’ user-friendliness and safety,” says Gonzalo Trilles de Castro, Managing Director of Colorobbia España S.A. Equally important to him, he says, is a reliable partnership with a company that shares his own philosophy on sustainability, innovation and technology.

“All of this is a guarantee of long-term success, which we share with our customers as a competitive advantage.” The truck’s arrival at the Spanish customer company, which is celebrating its centenary this year, was duly recognised with a specially decorated cake which features sparklers too.

The one-millionth counterbalance truck from Linde Material Handling’s Aschaffenburg headquarters represents the latest highlight in its corporate success story, which now spans more than 60 years. With the “Hubtrac”, Linde’s first forklift truck, the intralogistics specialist offered an industry-defining, technological alternative to the commercial vehicles that had up to then been difficult to operate, usually having a jerky clutch and gear shift.

Thanks to the innovative hydrostatic drive, which allowed a double-pedal control to be fitted, this forerunner was ideally suited for retrieving and storing goods or loading and unloading trucks: no shifting was required when frequently driving back and forth, allowing both feet to be able to rest in a relaxed position on the respective pedal.

Even back then, this resulted in higher efficiency in goods handling and has remained the hallmark of all of Linde’s counterbalance trucks to this day – regardless of whether they are powered by internal combustion engines or electric motors.

Today, Linde Material Handling is once again setting technological standards and making its industrial trucks fit for the future: by means of a wide variety of energy types, intelligent assistance systems and networking as standard.

“Our goal is to enable customer companies to make their material flow processes as efficient and safe as possible, so that they will become even more successful in their core business,” says Stefan Prokosch, Senior Vice President Brand Management at Linde Material Handling. “With products that convince our customers, we already have our sights firmly set on the next milestone in our company’s history – the launch of Linde’s new electric forklift generation in June of this year.”

Energy-efficient motors set new standards

Posted on by David Priestman

Considerably lower losses than the IE4 series: The energy-efficient IE5+ permanent magnet synchronous motors from Nord Drivesystems are particularly characterised by high efficiency and a wide torque range.

This makes them optimally suitable for economic operation in the partial load range. The new IE5+ motors are equally interesting for both intralogistics and hygiene-sensitive areas in food and pharmaceutical industries. Last year, the compact IE5+ motor of size 71 was presented, and now size 90 is also available for power ranges from 1.1 to 4.0 kW with a continuous torque of 6.8 to 18.2 Nm.

The motor ensures the usual Nord flexibility: Direct motor attachment as well as NEMA and IEC motor attachment are available. Rotary encoder and mechanical brake integration is available on request.

The IE5+ synchronous motors in two sizes with a smooth motor design are ideally suited for wash-down applications in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Due to the constant torque providing a targeted reduction of variants over a wide speed range, administrative expenses can be minimised, and manufacturing, logistics, storage and service processes can be streamlined.

The investment pays for itself within a short time. The IE5+ synchronous motors can be combined with all gear units and drive electronics from Nord Drivesystems in a modular system. This results in a system solution from a single source in which all components are seamlessly matched.

 

 

Energy-efficient motors set new standards

Posted on by David Priestman

Considerably lower losses than the IE4 series: The energy-efficient IE5+ permanent magnet synchronous motors from Nord Drivesystems are particularly characterised by high efficiency and a wide torque range.

This makes them optimally suitable for economic operation in the partial load range. The new IE5+ motors are equally interesting for both intralogistics and hygiene-sensitive areas in food and pharmaceutical industries. Last year, the compact IE5+ motor of size 71 was presented, and now size 90 is also available for power ranges from 1.1 to 4.0 kW with a continuous torque of 6.8 to 18.2 Nm.

The motor ensures the usual Nord flexibility: Direct motor attachment as well as NEMA and IEC motor attachment are available. Rotary encoder and mechanical brake integration is available on request.

The IE5+ synchronous motors in two sizes with a smooth motor design are ideally suited for wash-down applications in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Due to the constant torque providing a targeted reduction of variants over a wide speed range, administrative expenses can be minimised, and manufacturing, logistics, storage and service processes can be streamlined.

The investment pays for itself within a short time. The IE5+ synchronous motors can be combined with all gear units and drive electronics from Nord Drivesystems in a modular system. This results in a system solution from a single source in which all components are seamlessly matched.

 

 

Edeka automates its fresh produce logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

Part of Germany’s largest supermarket chain, the regional company Edeka Minden-Hannover is automating its fresh produce logistics in the fruit and vegetable sector with an intralogistics solution from Cimcorp, which has specialised in this automation for over 40 years.

Together with other Edeka regions and the Netto Marken-Discount chain, the regional company Edeka Minden-Hannover is one of the first German grocery retailers to use this solution.

Cimcorp has already provided similar automation for the fruit and vegetable sector in other European countries. Jarno Honkanen, Director of Solution Development at Cimcorp, says: “We’ve provided reliable solutions for rapid order fulfilment for many years, thereby optimising the shelf life of perishable products. The advantage for customers is that they receive their fresh products faster and that they stay fresh longer in the household. We look forward to working with Edeka on this further project.”

“The Edeka slogan is ‘We love food’,” explains Arnd Wilde, Logistics manager at Edeka Minden-Hannover, “which is why our regional company offers a comprehensive range of products in its Edeka stores, secured by professional quality management: from inexpensive basic items to branded items and selected specialties. Supported by our cooperative guiding principle, we rely on our independent Edeka merchants and store managers to have a high level of commitment in the joint business venture.

“Our daily challenge is to bring fresh fruit and vegetables from the producer to our markets promptly. This is often a race against time, because it usually takes only a few hours between delivery to our warehouse and delivery to our stores. In Cimcorp, we have found a partner who can provide us with a solution for fully automated order picking of ergonomically packed fruit and vegetable pallets that meet the requirements of our markets – quickly, reliably and cost-effectively. This automation does not mean that jobs are lost; we need our full team to continue to provide the desired logistics service for our salespeople in the future.”

Quality and freshness are critical for customers when buying groceries in-store. This means that speed and accuracy in picking are crucial for product quality. Edeka Minden-Hannover is constantly working to optimise its logistics processes and is thus continuing its sustainability strategy with a view to reducing CO2 emissions, among other things. In order to meet these challenges, Edeka Minden-Hannover, as the largest grocery retailer in its sales area, continuously invests in the modernisation of its logistics.

Around 1,200 fruit and vegetable items for the 1,488 supermarkets in the region are freshly picked and delivered daily to the four logistics centres located in Lauenau, Freienbrink, Wiefelstede and Landsberg. The aim is to modernise two of the existing logistics centres – Lauenau and Freienbrink – with minimal disruption to daily operations and without risking food safety. These two logistics centres will supply fresh fruit and vegetables to more than 1,000 stores every day.

In Lauenau, the automation will be installed in the existing logistics centre, which has been fully operational since 2014. The volume is higher in Freienbrink, so a total of three fresh food modules will be installed there. The modular structure speeds up the installation: once the first fresh food solution is in operation, the next two will be installed.

Jarno Honkanen, Director of Solution Development at Cimcorp, says: “When fully operational, the modularity guarantees the maximum functionality of the system through redundancy. The individual module can be emptied – for example, during cleaning – without interrupting the entire flow of materials in the logistics centre. Overhead gantry robots handle food crates that are stacked on the floor – there is no need for an expensive shelving system.

“This is also essential for food safety. During cleaning, crates can be moved to another module or stacked under the gantry robot to clear the floor. An empty floor is easy to clean, which ensures a high standard of hygiene.”

Edeka automates its fresh produce logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

Part of Germany’s largest supermarket chain, the regional company Edeka Minden-Hannover is automating its fresh produce logistics in the fruit and vegetable sector with an intralogistics solution from Cimcorp, which has specialised in this automation for over 40 years.

Together with other Edeka regions and the Netto Marken-Discount chain, the regional company Edeka Minden-Hannover is one of the first German grocery retailers to use this solution.

Cimcorp has already provided similar automation for the fruit and vegetable sector in other European countries. Jarno Honkanen, Director of Solution Development at Cimcorp, says: “We’ve provided reliable solutions for rapid order fulfilment for many years, thereby optimising the shelf life of perishable products. The advantage for customers is that they receive their fresh products faster and that they stay fresh longer in the household. We look forward to working with Edeka on this further project.”

“The Edeka slogan is ‘We love food’,” explains Arnd Wilde, Logistics manager at Edeka Minden-Hannover, “which is why our regional company offers a comprehensive range of products in its Edeka stores, secured by professional quality management: from inexpensive basic items to branded items and selected specialties. Supported by our cooperative guiding principle, we rely on our independent Edeka merchants and store managers to have a high level of commitment in the joint business venture.

“Our daily challenge is to bring fresh fruit and vegetables from the producer to our markets promptly. This is often a race against time, because it usually takes only a few hours between delivery to our warehouse and delivery to our stores. In Cimcorp, we have found a partner who can provide us with a solution for fully automated order picking of ergonomically packed fruit and vegetable pallets that meet the requirements of our markets – quickly, reliably and cost-effectively. This automation does not mean that jobs are lost; we need our full team to continue to provide the desired logistics service for our salespeople in the future.”

Quality and freshness are critical for customers when buying groceries in-store. This means that speed and accuracy in picking are crucial for product quality. Edeka Minden-Hannover is constantly working to optimise its logistics processes and is thus continuing its sustainability strategy with a view to reducing CO2 emissions, among other things. In order to meet these challenges, Edeka Minden-Hannover, as the largest grocery retailer in its sales area, continuously invests in the modernisation of its logistics.

Around 1,200 fruit and vegetable items for the 1,488 supermarkets in the region are freshly picked and delivered daily to the four logistics centres located in Lauenau, Freienbrink, Wiefelstede and Landsberg. The aim is to modernise two of the existing logistics centres – Lauenau and Freienbrink – with minimal disruption to daily operations and without risking food safety. These two logistics centres will supply fresh fruit and vegetables to more than 1,000 stores every day.

In Lauenau, the automation will be installed in the existing logistics centre, which has been fully operational since 2014. The volume is higher in Freienbrink, so a total of three fresh food modules will be installed there. The modular structure speeds up the installation: once the first fresh food solution is in operation, the next two will be installed.

Jarno Honkanen, Director of Solution Development at Cimcorp, says: “When fully operational, the modularity guarantees the maximum functionality of the system through redundancy. The individual module can be emptied – for example, during cleaning – without interrupting the entire flow of materials in the logistics centre. Overhead gantry robots handle food crates that are stacked on the floor – there is no need for an expensive shelving system.

“This is also essential for food safety. During cleaning, crates can be moved to another module or stacked under the gantry robot to clear the floor. An empty floor is easy to clean, which ensures a high standard of hygiene.”

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