Temp buildings demand rises during uncertain times

Between these four walls (and a PVC roof) there’s no secret to Big Box Buildings’ recent success — just a commitment to make customers’ lives simpler with quick, cost-effective solutions that add real value on an industrial scale.

Big Box Buildings, part of the East Yorkshire based Big Box Group (operating throughout the UK), has been delivering a variety of temporary and more permanent buildings in double-quick time for companies looking for simple and affordable storage solutions.

Ian Mackenzie, Director of Big Box Buildings, says the demand for temporary buildings — lightweight structures with PVC roofs that can be installed within six weeks — has been rising steadily in an uncertain economy.

He said: “Our buildings are popular because they usually don’t require groundworks, just fitting to an existing hardstanding, even with an all-steel exterior. Manufacturing, logistics and warehouse operations often tend to need extra onsite storage – and we’re simply able to do that quickly and cost-effectively.

“Whether it’s a workshop, production area, covered loading area or even a factory extension, we’re able to deliver high-quality, hassle-free solutions that can be in place for decades.”

In April 2020, at the start of the global pandemic, Big Box Buildings delivered two storage structures for Smurfit Kappa, a FTSE 100 company and one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging in the world, which operates in over 30 countries.

Ian said: “Their challenge was unique. A lot of their packaging goes to the healthcare sector, so they really saw an upturn in demand when the pandemic began. There was no space to store the extra packaging they were producing. Some of it was exposed to the elements.

“They needed two goods-out ‘canopies’ urgently. One was simple but the other, due to its snug location and extremely uneven and sloped surface, was more of a challenge. But we don’t say no to a challenge.”

The order was placed in April. The BRC-grade aluminium frame structures were on ground and in use by the end of May.

Ian continued: “They were delighted with their buildings. In fact, they were back in touch at the start of 2021 to request a further two. It’s another intricate job, but we’re excited to deliver it and help them build on their growth.”

As part of the Big Box Group, buildings are often just the start of the solution, explained Ian.

“We are much more than just the building shell,” he said. “We can be just that, but the Intralogistics arm of our business can look at the design of the building and consider how racking, shelving, safety and storage equipment can fit perfectly within it.

“Then we can look at whether automation can add any further value by observing activity in buildings and identifying any practices or places where time and energy is being lost. We can bring technology to the table and deliver a tangible return on investment.

“It’s very rare that you can bring all three of these areas together, but that’s exactly what we do. Having everything under one roof, so to speak, gives our customers one point of contact, with the potential to save costs.

“And, ultimately, it makes their lives much easier. That’s what we’re about.”

P&O doubles Zeebrugge-Hull sailings

P&O Ferries has introduced a second ship on its popular Zeebrugge-Hull route. The integrated ferry and logistics business has added MV Freya to its schedule on the North Sea Lo-Lo route in response to rapidly growing demand from British and European customers who need a fast and cost efficient way of transporting goods between the two markets.

The 117m container ship has the capacity to carry 650 TEUs. Together with sister ship Elisabeth, the addition of MV Freya will double capacity on the route and increase the number of sailings in each direction every week to six.

Thorsten Runge, Managing Director of P&O Freight Ferries Services, said: “We are delighted to introduce MV Freya onto our Zeebrugge-Hull route, which is already one of the most cost-effective ways to move goods between Europe and the north of Britain.

“We can guarantee that our customers will benefit from faster turnaround times, enabling them to exit the port as quickly as possible and continue their journeys on the excellent road links to the industrial hubs along the M62, M6 and M1 corridors.

“With the support of our parent company DP World, which is continuing to invest in its UK logistics infrastructure, we are committed to expanding our services to ensure the fast and efficient flow of goods between the UK and Europe.”

P&O is a leading pan-European ferry and logistics group at the heart of the Europe’s economy and a part of DP World, the leading provider of smart logistics solutions and enabler of the flow of trade across the globe. P&O Ferries is a major provider of freight transport and passenger travel services, sailing on eight major routes between Britain, France, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Holland and Belgium. Working closely with P&O Ferries, its logistics business P&O Ferrymasters operates integrated road and rail links to countries across the continent including Italy, Poland, Germany, Spain and Romania, and facilitates the onward movement of goods to Europe from Asian countries via the Silk Road.

P&O doubles Zeebrugge-Hull sailings

P&O Ferries has introduced a second ship on its popular Zeebrugge-Hull route. The integrated ferry and logistics business has added MV Freya to its schedule on the North Sea Lo-Lo route in response to rapidly growing demand from British and European customers who need a fast and cost efficient way of transporting goods between the two markets.

The 117m container ship has the capacity to carry 650 TEUs. Together with sister ship Elisabeth, the addition of MV Freya will double capacity on the route and increase the number of sailings in each direction every week to six.

Thorsten Runge, Managing Director of P&O Freight Ferries Services, said: “We are delighted to introduce MV Freya onto our Zeebrugge-Hull route, which is already one of the most cost-effective ways to move goods between Europe and the north of Britain.

“We can guarantee that our customers will benefit from faster turnaround times, enabling them to exit the port as quickly as possible and continue their journeys on the excellent road links to the industrial hubs along the M62, M6 and M1 corridors.

“With the support of our parent company DP World, which is continuing to invest in its UK logistics infrastructure, we are committed to expanding our services to ensure the fast and efficient flow of goods between the UK and Europe.”

P&O is a leading pan-European ferry and logistics group at the heart of the Europe’s economy and a part of DP World, the leading provider of smart logistics solutions and enabler of the flow of trade across the globe. P&O Ferries is a major provider of freight transport and passenger travel services, sailing on eight major routes between Britain, France, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Holland and Belgium. Working closely with P&O Ferries, its logistics business P&O Ferrymasters operates integrated road and rail links to countries across the continent including Italy, Poland, Germany, Spain and Romania, and facilitates the onward movement of goods to Europe from Asian countries via the Silk Road.

Thermo King solutions help deliver vaccine in Brandenburg

Thermo King, a global leader in intelligent end-to-end temperature-controlled cold chain solutions, and its dealer network are helping UNITAX-Pharmalogistik GmbH ensure precise and stable temperature-controlled transportation of COVID-19 vaccines in Germany.

Unitax, a Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certified expert in pharmaceutical transport and logistics, has been awarded with the exclusive contract to supply all the vaccination centres in the Brandenburg federal state with COVID-19 vaccines.

The GDP-compliant delivery fleet from UNITAX is fully equipped with Thermo King V-Series refrigeration units and features real-time tracking and monitoring. The combination of refrigeration and telematics technologies provide confidence that vaccines remain within the required temperature range, the efficacy and integrity of the product remains intact, and that the medicine will be safe and effective for patients.

“The most important thing is to support safe – and fast – delivery of the vaccine to people,” said Francesco Incalza, president of Thermo King Europe, Middle East and Africa. “At Thermo King, we are helping to ensure the vaccine is quickly and efficiently distributed to the vaccination points, and that means working closely with distribution companies like UNITAX. They can rely on us, and our dealers, to provide the technology and support needed to guarantee the integrity of different variants of the vaccine in transport.”

“UNITAX now supplies about 200 GP practices, around 75 hospitals and eleven vaccination centres. Vaccinations in retirement and nursing homes are carried out by vaccination teams who receive the Covid 19 vaccine from the vaccination centres”, said René Gutke, transport manager at Unitax. “UNITAX is currently on the road with 10 special vehicles, each of which supplies 15 to 20 delivery addresses daily.”

The UNITAX fleet, used for the last-mile transport of the vaccines, consists of GDP-certified Mercedes Sprinter vans with Thermo King V-500 refrigeration units. The temperature in the load compartment is actively monitored via telematics and can be viewed in real time in the Thermo King TracKing portal. All the data from Thermo King TracKing is also seamlessly transferred and integrated into the system of UNITAX’s third party monitoring service provider. It allows UNITAX to have a clear view of all the relevant data, including temperature and door contact sensors, at all times.

“We have been relying on Thermo King refrigeration systems since we started in the pharmaceutical logistics business over 30 years ago,” said René Gutke. “We’ve also been using real-time telematics monitoring ever since it became possible. Knowing we have the Thermo King team on standby – even for mobile service missions in case an urgent repair is needed – gives us the peace of mind.”

Thermo King solutions help deliver vaccine in Brandenburg

Thermo King, a global leader in intelligent end-to-end temperature-controlled cold chain solutions, and its dealer network are helping UNITAX-Pharmalogistik GmbH ensure precise and stable temperature-controlled transportation of COVID-19 vaccines in Germany.

Unitax, a Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certified expert in pharmaceutical transport and logistics, has been awarded with the exclusive contract to supply all the vaccination centres in the Brandenburg federal state with COVID-19 vaccines.

The GDP-compliant delivery fleet from UNITAX is fully equipped with Thermo King V-Series refrigeration units and features real-time tracking and monitoring. The combination of refrigeration and telematics technologies provide confidence that vaccines remain within the required temperature range, the efficacy and integrity of the product remains intact, and that the medicine will be safe and effective for patients.

“The most important thing is to support safe – and fast – delivery of the vaccine to people,” said Francesco Incalza, president of Thermo King Europe, Middle East and Africa. “At Thermo King, we are helping to ensure the vaccine is quickly and efficiently distributed to the vaccination points, and that means working closely with distribution companies like UNITAX. They can rely on us, and our dealers, to provide the technology and support needed to guarantee the integrity of different variants of the vaccine in transport.”

“UNITAX now supplies about 200 GP practices, around 75 hospitals and eleven vaccination centres. Vaccinations in retirement and nursing homes are carried out by vaccination teams who receive the Covid 19 vaccine from the vaccination centres”, said René Gutke, transport manager at Unitax. “UNITAX is currently on the road with 10 special vehicles, each of which supplies 15 to 20 delivery addresses daily.”

The UNITAX fleet, used for the last-mile transport of the vaccines, consists of GDP-certified Mercedes Sprinter vans with Thermo King V-500 refrigeration units. The temperature in the load compartment is actively monitored via telematics and can be viewed in real time in the Thermo King TracKing portal. All the data from Thermo King TracKing is also seamlessly transferred and integrated into the system of UNITAX’s third party monitoring service provider. It allows UNITAX to have a clear view of all the relevant data, including temperature and door contact sensors, at all times.

“We have been relying on Thermo King refrigeration systems since we started in the pharmaceutical logistics business over 30 years ago,” said René Gutke. “We’ve also been using real-time telematics monitoring ever since it became possible. Knowing we have the Thermo King team on standby – even for mobile service missions in case an urgent repair is needed – gives us the peace of mind.”

Cumbrian firm benefits from tyre policy guarantee

Bulmans Bulk & Haulage is specifying Michelin tyres as original equipment on all new trucks, and as replacements across its truck and trailer fleet, after reaping the benefits offered by Michelin’s accidental tyre damage guarantee.

The Penrith-based bulk tipping specialist says tyre-related downtime has reduced and longevity increased – boosting the sustainability of its operations. Plus, in the event a tyre suffers accidental damage before it is 50% worn, the company receives a credit from Michelin for the unused portion of the tyre’s life.

Miranda Housby, a Director of Bulmans Bulk & Haulage, says: “We used to suffer frequent tyre damage before we switched to Michelin. At first, we were hesitant about fitting a more expensive tyre to combat the problem, as the financial penalty is even higher if you still suffer damage.

“But Michelin explained how its accidental tyre damage guarantee worked, and it gave us the confidence to make a permanent switch in policy. Given the type of work we do, we can’t eliminate every instance of tyre damage – but at least with Michelin, damage has reduced significantly, and we have the peace of mind that our investment is protected.”

The customer, which is a FORS bronze member, operates approximately 60 DAF tractor units and 70 trailers, fitting 315/80 R 22.5 X Multi Z and D tyres on its steer and drive axles respectively, and 235/75 R 17.5 X Multi T2 fitments on the mid-lift. All Fruehauf trailers benefit from a 385/65 R22.5 X Multi T replacement tyre policy – which offers versatility and longevity in all seasons.

Michelin’s accidental tyre damage guarantee covers the majority of its regional and on/off-road ranges, and is free of charge to register for – reinforcing the benefits of operating a premium Michelin policy.

Housby adds: “We get great support from Gary Scott, our local Michelin Truck Sales Account Manager, who audits the fleet every few months, and provides bespoke tyre pressure advice to ensure we’re maximising the performance of every fitment in the fleet. He also keeps us fully informed if we’re ever making a claim under the guarantee, right up until the moment we receive payment.”

Bulmans Bulk & Haulage was founded in 1982, initially with a single vehicle trading from a bedroom at a Penrith truck stop. Fast forward nearly 40 years and the company transports more than 6,000 tonnes of feed, cereals and aggregates every day – delivering to every corner of the UK.

Its tyres are supplied and fitted by local Michelin Service Pro dealer Team Protyre – Harolds Tyres, which is based on the Gilwilly Industrial Estate in Penrith.

 

Cumbrian firm benefits from tyre policy guarantee

Bulmans Bulk & Haulage is specifying Michelin tyres as original equipment on all new trucks, and as replacements across its truck and trailer fleet, after reaping the benefits offered by Michelin’s accidental tyre damage guarantee.

The Penrith-based bulk tipping specialist says tyre-related downtime has reduced and longevity increased – boosting the sustainability of its operations. Plus, in the event a tyre suffers accidental damage before it is 50% worn, the company receives a credit from Michelin for the unused portion of the tyre’s life.

Miranda Housby, a Director of Bulmans Bulk & Haulage, says: “We used to suffer frequent tyre damage before we switched to Michelin. At first, we were hesitant about fitting a more expensive tyre to combat the problem, as the financial penalty is even higher if you still suffer damage.

“But Michelin explained how its accidental tyre damage guarantee worked, and it gave us the confidence to make a permanent switch in policy. Given the type of work we do, we can’t eliminate every instance of tyre damage – but at least with Michelin, damage has reduced significantly, and we have the peace of mind that our investment is protected.”

The customer, which is a FORS bronze member, operates approximately 60 DAF tractor units and 70 trailers, fitting 315/80 R 22.5 X Multi Z and D tyres on its steer and drive axles respectively, and 235/75 R 17.5 X Multi T2 fitments on the mid-lift. All Fruehauf trailers benefit from a 385/65 R22.5 X Multi T replacement tyre policy – which offers versatility and longevity in all seasons.

Michelin’s accidental tyre damage guarantee covers the majority of its regional and on/off-road ranges, and is free of charge to register for – reinforcing the benefits of operating a premium Michelin policy.

Housby adds: “We get great support from Gary Scott, our local Michelin Truck Sales Account Manager, who audits the fleet every few months, and provides bespoke tyre pressure advice to ensure we’re maximising the performance of every fitment in the fleet. He also keeps us fully informed if we’re ever making a claim under the guarantee, right up until the moment we receive payment.”

Bulmans Bulk & Haulage was founded in 1982, initially with a single vehicle trading from a bedroom at a Penrith truck stop. Fast forward nearly 40 years and the company transports more than 6,000 tonnes of feed, cereals and aggregates every day – delivering to every corner of the UK.

Its tyres are supplied and fitted by local Michelin Service Pro dealer Team Protyre – Harolds Tyres, which is based on the Gilwilly Industrial Estate in Penrith.

 

PSI provides WMS to Russian logistics firm

Itella Russia, one of the leading contract and transportation service providers in the Russian market, and PSI Logistics have successfully completed the development and implementation of the new multi-client capable software solution based on the Warehouse Management System PSIwms for the legal product labelling obligation in Russia.

Itella has been using PSIwms to implement all changes in technological and intralogistic processes for more than 20 years. The system controls the multi-client warehouses in the Moscow metropolitan area across all locations and allocates the goods receipts according to demand and also supports the automated warehouse management.

Operational management is supported by cockpits and dashboards that can be configured flexibly and intuitively with the PSI click design. The processes are largely controlled via barcodes, which form the basis for all further operations such as determining and allocating the storage location, selecting the load carriers, conveyor technology and transport devices as well as WLAN-based allocation of radio-controlled and route-optimised transport orders via the forklift guidance system in PSIwms.

The adaptive order start in PSIwms also supports Itella in the processing of e-commerce orders, taking into account all defined restrictions. Powerful fuzzy logic in the software balances numerous warehouse metrics according to configurable parameters to improve warehouse performance.

Itella Russia, a subsidiary of the Finnish Posti Group, employs round 2,000 people and has a warehouse area of about 200,000 sq m in the Moscow region, as well as branches in St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Vladivostok and Novorossiysk. The customers are international and Russian companies from various industries.

The PSI Group develops its own software products for optimising the flow of energy and materials for utilities (energy grids, energy trading, public transport) and industry (metals production, automotive, mechanical engineering, logistics). PSI was founded in 1969 and employs more than 2,000 people worldwide.

PSI provides WMS to Russian logistics firm

Itella Russia, one of the leading contract and transportation service providers in the Russian market, and PSI Logistics have successfully completed the development and implementation of the new multi-client capable software solution based on the Warehouse Management System PSIwms for the legal product labelling obligation in Russia.

Itella has been using PSIwms to implement all changes in technological and intralogistic processes for more than 20 years. The system controls the multi-client warehouses in the Moscow metropolitan area across all locations and allocates the goods receipts according to demand and also supports the automated warehouse management.

Operational management is supported by cockpits and dashboards that can be configured flexibly and intuitively with the PSI click design. The processes are largely controlled via barcodes, which form the basis for all further operations such as determining and allocating the storage location, selecting the load carriers, conveyor technology and transport devices as well as WLAN-based allocation of radio-controlled and route-optimised transport orders via the forklift guidance system in PSIwms.

The adaptive order start in PSIwms also supports Itella in the processing of e-commerce orders, taking into account all defined restrictions. Powerful fuzzy logic in the software balances numerous warehouse metrics according to configurable parameters to improve warehouse performance.

Itella Russia, a subsidiary of the Finnish Posti Group, employs round 2,000 people and has a warehouse area of about 200,000 sq m in the Moscow region, as well as branches in St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Vladivostok and Novorossiysk. The customers are international and Russian companies from various industries.

The PSI Group develops its own software products for optimising the flow of energy and materials for utilities (energy grids, energy trading, public transport) and industry (metals production, automotive, mechanical engineering, logistics). PSI was founded in 1969 and employs more than 2,000 people worldwide.

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