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Month: June 2021

EnerSys offers high-performance Li-ion battery

Posted on by Keith McKinley

EnerSys, a global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, has added high-performance NexSys iON batteries to its power solution portfolio.

Combining the latest lithium-ion chemistry with cost-effective modularity, NexSys iON batteries are engineered with sustainable Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) large format prismatic cell chemistry that has been heavily researched and built to deliver high energy capacity in a smaller footprint.

They are designed to meet Automotive / Rigorous Functional Safety Standard ISO 26262, exceeding customary industrial compliance standards. With modular construction, the power system is precisely engineered according to operational demand, can maintain a high State of Charge (SOC) as a result of its speed of recharge capabilities and can be upsized or downsized as demands change.

“As the industry continues to evolve and operational demands continue to increase, more emphasis is being placed on the selection of lift truck and battery power solutions that are hassle-free, offer faster and more flexible charging and feature integrated power management tools for optimum safety and control,” said Harold Vanasse, Senior Director of Marketing, Motive Power Global at EnerSys.

“Our NexSys iON batteries are engineered with these characteristics in mind and provide our customers from around the world with a premium power solution that can lead to a lower Total Cost of Ownership.”

Ideal for heavy-duty applications, virtually maintenance-free NexSys iON batteries feature an integrated Battery Management System (BMS) that supports greater safety, reliability and battery life by performing auto-diagnosis, voltage limitation (charge and discharge) and communication of performance data. Additionally, fast- and opportunity-charging NexSys iON batteries with high output NexSys+ chargers provide optimised performance, productivity and enhanced fleet efficiency.

Utilising a proprietary EnSite modelling software, EnerSys can work directly with the customer to right-size a NexSys iON battery and NexSys+ charger to their vehicle fleet, helping to eliminate unwanted downtime associated with premature battery failure from improper equipment fitting or charging practices.

“Communication between the charger and battery is integral to fleet performance,” added Vanasse. “The integrated BMS featured in our NexSys iON battery is essentially the brains of the battery and can give operators even less to think about by automating the charging process.”

EnerSys offers high-performance Li-ion battery

Posted on by David Priestman

EnerSys, a global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, has added high-performance NexSys iON batteries to its power solution portfolio.

Combining the latest lithium-ion chemistry with cost-effective modularity, NexSys iON batteries are engineered with sustainable Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) large format prismatic cell chemistry that has been heavily researched and built to deliver high energy capacity in a smaller footprint.

They are designed to meet Automotive / Rigorous Functional Safety Standard ISO 26262, exceeding customary industrial compliance standards. With modular construction, the power system is precisely engineered according to operational demand, can maintain a high State of Charge (SOC) as a result of its speed of recharge capabilities and can be upsized or downsized as demands change.

“As the industry continues to evolve and operational demands continue to increase, more emphasis is being placed on the selection of lift truck and battery power solutions that are hassle-free, offer faster and more flexible charging and feature integrated power management tools for optimum safety and control,” said Harold Vanasse, Senior Director of Marketing, Motive Power Global at EnerSys.

“Our NexSys iON batteries are engineered with these characteristics in mind and provide our customers from around the world with a premium power solution that can lead to a lower Total Cost of Ownership.”

Ideal for heavy-duty applications, virtually maintenance-free NexSys iON batteries feature an integrated Battery Management System (BMS) that supports greater safety, reliability and battery life by performing auto-diagnosis, voltage limitation (charge and discharge) and communication of performance data. Additionally, fast- and opportunity-charging NexSys iON batteries with high output NexSys+ chargers provide optimised performance, productivity and enhanced fleet efficiency.

Utilising a proprietary EnSite modelling software, EnerSys can work directly with the customer to right-size a NexSys iON battery and NexSys+ charger to their vehicle fleet, helping to eliminate unwanted downtime associated with premature battery failure from improper equipment fitting or charging practices.

“Communication between the charger and battery is integral to fleet performance,” added Vanasse. “The integrated BMS featured in our NexSys iON battery is essentially the brains of the battery and can give operators even less to think about by automating the charging process.”

Swiss retailer increases productivity by 40%

Posted on by David Priestman

Online Swiss beauty vendor haar-shop.ch AG significantly improved order fulfilment productivity by over 40% and increased its warehouse utilisation rate by more than one-third by using Descartes’ cloud-based ecommerce warehouse management solution (WMS).

As haar-shop.ch’s online business grew, it quickly became clear that manual fulfilment processes needed to be modernised. Its existing inventory management system did not offer advanced warehouse management capabilities such as “chaotic warehousing,” which speeds the put away process and maximises warehouse space utilisation.

Employee processing and warehouse capacity quickly reached their limits. “We had sorted the shelves by brand, so every employee was required to memorise the product location in the warehouse,” said Markus Stoller, Head of IT at haar-shop.ch. “Our warehouse operations were inefficient as a result, and we couldn’t implement multi-order picking to improve employee productivity.”

With the Descartes solution, haar-shop.ch not only optimised the use of warehouse space, but also significantly increased shipping speed. “Our goals were exceeded. We gained over 35% storage space and increased productivity in order fulfilment by more than 40%,” Stoller explained.

“By automating fulfilment processes, manual steps are reduced, which initiated massive changes in daily routines, but definitely paid off quickly. In fact, the benefits we had aimed for were achieved in only two weeks!”

Part of Descartes’ ecommerce solution suite, the Descartes Ecommerce WMS solution helps direct-to-consumer brands, ecommerce retailers, and traditional retailers rapidly scale in combination with providing a remarkable customer experience. The solution helps ensure that clients can ship on time, ship the right items, do not oversell existing inventory, and have full transparency into warehouse operations.

The Descartes Ecommerce WMS solution is pre-integrated to major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Magento or Shopware to accelerate implementation and time to value. Order information is automatically available to be executed via mobile-driven multi-order pick-and-pack strategies and then fed into parcel shipment systems.

“The Descartes solution can help haar-shop.ch’s warehouse logistics processes scale along with their online store’s sales growth. We’re very proud to be able to support haar-shop.ch in offering its customers an outstanding shopping and delivery experience,” said Dirk Haschke, VP & General Manager, Ecommerce at Descartes. “For companies with eCommerce warehouse operations, excellence in order fulfilment is a key element for sustainable, successful business growth.”

Swiss retailer increases productivity by 40%

Posted on by David Priestman

Online Swiss beauty vendor haar-shop.ch AG significantly improved order fulfilment productivity by over 40% and increased its warehouse utilisation rate by more than one-third by using Descartes’ cloud-based ecommerce warehouse management solution (WMS).

As haar-shop.ch’s online business grew, it quickly became clear that manual fulfilment processes needed to be modernised. Its existing inventory management system did not offer advanced warehouse management capabilities such as “chaotic warehousing,” which speeds the put away process and maximises warehouse space utilisation.

Employee processing and warehouse capacity quickly reached their limits. “We had sorted the shelves by brand, so every employee was required to memorise the product location in the warehouse,” said Markus Stoller, Head of IT at haar-shop.ch. “Our warehouse operations were inefficient as a result, and we couldn’t implement multi-order picking to improve employee productivity.”

With the Descartes solution, haar-shop.ch not only optimised the use of warehouse space, but also significantly increased shipping speed. “Our goals were exceeded. We gained over 35% storage space and increased productivity in order fulfilment by more than 40%,” Stoller explained.

“By automating fulfilment processes, manual steps are reduced, which initiated massive changes in daily routines, but definitely paid off quickly. In fact, the benefits we had aimed for were achieved in only two weeks!”

Part of Descartes’ ecommerce solution suite, the Descartes Ecommerce WMS solution helps direct-to-consumer brands, ecommerce retailers, and traditional retailers rapidly scale in combination with providing a remarkable customer experience. The solution helps ensure that clients can ship on time, ship the right items, do not oversell existing inventory, and have full transparency into warehouse operations.

The Descartes Ecommerce WMS solution is pre-integrated to major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Magento or Shopware to accelerate implementation and time to value. Order information is automatically available to be executed via mobile-driven multi-order pick-and-pack strategies and then fed into parcel shipment systems.

“The Descartes solution can help haar-shop.ch’s warehouse logistics processes scale along with their online store’s sales growth. We’re very proud to be able to support haar-shop.ch in offering its customers an outstanding shopping and delivery experience,” said Dirk Haschke, VP & General Manager, Ecommerce at Descartes. “For companies with eCommerce warehouse operations, excellence in order fulfilment is a key element for sustainable, successful business growth.”

Improved storage density for auto parts distributor

Posted on by David Priestman

A fleet of Aisle Master articulated forklifts have led to improved storage density for Welsh Land Rover spares distributor Bearmach.

From its base in Caerphilly, Wales, long-standing Gwent Mechanical Handling customer Bearmach is a worldwide distributor of OEM and aftermarket parts and accessories suitable for Land Rover vehicles. Established over 60 years ago, the current 130-strong team also ships merchandise, books and technical manuals to the global Land Rover community.

To ensure the seamless and efficient relocation and replenishment of stock between its two warehouses, which together have a footprint of almost 100,000 sq m, Bearmach now operates a fleet of Aisle Master articulated forklifts from the Irish manufacturer Combilift.

Before the first Aisle Master was operational, Bearmach used a combination of forklifts, mainly counterbalance models, some of which could only operate in certain areas due to their various sizes as well as the disparity of aisle widths across the storage facilities.

Steve Jones, Sales Director of Gwent Mechanical Handling, advised that overall efficiency could be much improved by using trucks capable of working in narrower, standardised aisles. Two articulated brands were brought in for a demo, and the Aisle Master proved to be the drivers’ preferred choice when it came to issues such as the in-cab ergonomics.

Four more Aisle Masters followed over the years, which has enabled Bearmach to streamline handling procedures and keep up with growth fuelled by increased internet sales activities. At one point the company thought it would have to relocate as space was getting ever tighter, but the trucks’ narrow aisle capability enabled previous aisle widths of around 3.2m to be cut to just 2m, adding an extra 1,000 pallet locations.

Steve Jones: “Gwent Mechanical Handling has over 30 years of unrivalled expertise and experience in the most efficient use of available space, and as was the case with Bearmach, a number of our customers have been able to avoid the potential disruption and expense of purchasing additional warehouse space.”

The electric Aisle Master 20SE models with a 2,000kg capacity, 1030mm-wide chassis and a lift height of 6m, travel between the two warehouses, relocating stock in euro and standard pallets from one location to another, replenishing minimum or zero stock as well as moving stock to bulk locations. At the moment they work mainly indoors, but as they are specifically designed to be all-purpose trucks, Steve Jones is planning to recommend that they replace the counterbalance trucks that are currently used for yard work when these come to the end of their operational life. “An Aisle Master can do everything that a counterbalance truck can do, but that is not the case the other way round,” he points out.

According to Andy Taylor, Operations Manager at Bearmach, the Aisle Masters have massively improved operations over time, also due to their speed of operation, extreme reliability and minimal downtime. Driver satisfaction and safety is also of vital importance and the original driver preference has proved to be a sound decision. “Operator feedback has always been positive, the trucks are easy to manoeuvre within the narrower aisles, and the height of the cab offers 360-degree visibility for good awareness of the surroundings.”

“We look after the welfare of the trucks, with checks after every 500 hours, and offer a same day service if required,” said Steve Jones. “We have enjoyed a great working relationship with Bearmach over the years and are pleased that we could help them consolidate their operations so successfully.”

Improved storage density for auto parts distributor

Posted on by David Priestman

A fleet of Aisle Master articulated forklifts have led to improved storage density for Welsh Land Rover spares distributor Bearmach.

From its base in Caerphilly, Wales, long-standing Gwent Mechanical Handling customer Bearmach is a worldwide distributor of OEM and aftermarket parts and accessories suitable for Land Rover vehicles. Established over 60 years ago, the current 130-strong team also ships merchandise, books and technical manuals to the global Land Rover community.

To ensure the seamless and efficient relocation and replenishment of stock between its two warehouses, which together have a footprint of almost 100,000 sq m, Bearmach now operates a fleet of Aisle Master articulated forklifts from the Irish manufacturer Combilift.

Before the first Aisle Master was operational, Bearmach used a combination of forklifts, mainly counterbalance models, some of which could only operate in certain areas due to their various sizes as well as the disparity of aisle widths across the storage facilities.

Steve Jones, Sales Director of Gwent Mechanical Handling, advised that overall efficiency could be much improved by using trucks capable of working in narrower, standardised aisles. Two articulated brands were brought in for a demo, and the Aisle Master proved to be the drivers’ preferred choice when it came to issues such as the in-cab ergonomics.

Four more Aisle Masters followed over the years, which has enabled Bearmach to streamline handling procedures and keep up with growth fuelled by increased internet sales activities. At one point the company thought it would have to relocate as space was getting ever tighter, but the trucks’ narrow aisle capability enabled previous aisle widths of around 3.2m to be cut to just 2m, adding an extra 1,000 pallet locations.

Steve Jones: “Gwent Mechanical Handling has over 30 years of unrivalled expertise and experience in the most efficient use of available space, and as was the case with Bearmach, a number of our customers have been able to avoid the potential disruption and expense of purchasing additional warehouse space.”

The electric Aisle Master 20SE models with a 2,000kg capacity, 1030mm-wide chassis and a lift height of 6m, travel between the two warehouses, relocating stock in euro and standard pallets from one location to another, replenishing minimum or zero stock as well as moving stock to bulk locations. At the moment they work mainly indoors, but as they are specifically designed to be all-purpose trucks, Steve Jones is planning to recommend that they replace the counterbalance trucks that are currently used for yard work when these come to the end of their operational life. “An Aisle Master can do everything that a counterbalance truck can do, but that is not the case the other way round,” he points out.

According to Andy Taylor, Operations Manager at Bearmach, the Aisle Masters have massively improved operations over time, also due to their speed of operation, extreme reliability and minimal downtime. Driver satisfaction and safety is also of vital importance and the original driver preference has proved to be a sound decision. “Operator feedback has always been positive, the trucks are easy to manoeuvre within the narrower aisles, and the height of the cab offers 360-degree visibility for good awareness of the surroundings.”

“We look after the welfare of the trucks, with checks after every 500 hours, and offer a same day service if required,” said Steve Jones. “We have enjoyed a great working relationship with Bearmach over the years and are pleased that we could help them consolidate their operations so successfully.”

Hyster-Yale expands Northern Ireland plant

Posted on by David Priestman

In 2021, the Hyster-Yale Group proudly celebrates 40 years of manufacturing lift trucks at its plant in Northern Ireland as it announces the expansion of its Craigavon site.

The facility, which was officially opened on 7th April 1981, was built and equipped with the most up-to-date robot systems and equipment. Over the years the plant has grown to be the largest-volume forklift plant in the UK, manufacturing thousands of electric, diesel, and LPG forklifts each year for export throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The site, around 30 miles from Belfast, employs hundreds of people from the local area, which the company credits as key to its success story. This year, five team members will also celebrate the milestone of 40 years with the company, while more than 100 current employees at the site have 30 years or more of service.

“The success of our plant at Craigavon is driven by our people, where we see incredible dedication, perseverance, and loyalty from the team at all levels, with an average length of service of 17 years,” says Jim Downey, Plant Manager for Hyster-Yale Group EMEA in Craigavon. “Over the last four decades, our people have worked together to conquer challenges, embrace new opportunities, and maintain forward momentum, and that is why our facility continues to succeed, evolve, and grow.”

Transformation remains key to the Craigavon facility, where expansion of the 500,000 sq ft site is currently in progress, in preparation for future manufacturing demands and product lines. The company has invested millions over the past two years developing the factory, which incorporates leading technologies and up-to-date automated systems. The extension will also create dozens of new jobs, including continued investment in apprenticeships.

“We have great confidence in the talent pool in Northern Ireland and are fortunate to have so many long-standing employees that bring with them significant expertise, including many of our management team who started their careers here on the shop floor,” says Downey. “However, at the same time, we are keen to optimise our operations with automation and new ways of working that best support our workforce and deliver the quality our customers need.”

Quality is key to the facility at Craigavon, which has been the recipient of numerous awards throughout its history. Among the team’s achievements is ISO 50001 certification for its commitment to energy efficiency, and sustainability continues to be a key driver for the company during its latest site expansion.

The new 60,000 sq ft. extension to the factory will be known as the Sands Building, in honour of Harry Sands, former Senior VP and Managing Director, EMEA, for Hyster-Yale Group based in Craigavon, who retired in 2020 after 40 years with the company. It has been built with environmental specifications and ambitious objectives in mind. For instance, it incorporates a completely new approach to lighting which harnesses more natural light, decreasing electricity consumption and reducing CO2 emissions. A biomethane fuelled plant on the site will also be used to provide 80% of the electrical power required, with the heat by-product also used on site.

In line with the Hyster-Yale Group 2026 Corporate Responsibility Objectives, the site aims to reduce carbon emissions by 30%, in addition to targets for reducing water consumption, waste, and landfill.  Waste to landfill from the facility has already reduced significantly, with 97% now being recycled, and a number of other waste reduction initiatives exist on the site, everywhere from the canteen kitchen to the packaging line.

The Craigavon plant also continues to be committed to biodiversity, encouraging rare wildlife in its grounds as a result. The latest plant extension incorporates a Sustainable Urban Drainage System, which mimics natural drainage and is more environmentally friendly.

“Throughout its 40 years the Craigavon facility has continued to innovate and build capability to be an agile and flexible facility, that is able to meet and exceed customer expectations through automation, people and processes,” says Downey.

“Now is an exciting time as ever, as we adapt our assembly lines, connect with new technologies, and develop our product ranges, laying the foundations for future growth and many more decades of success,” he concludes.

Hyster-Yale expands Northern Ireland plant

Posted on by David Priestman

In 2021, the Hyster-Yale Group proudly celebrates 40 years of manufacturing lift trucks at its plant in Northern Ireland as it announces the expansion of its Craigavon site.

The facility, which was officially opened on 7th April 1981, was built and equipped with the most up-to-date robot systems and equipment. Over the years the plant has grown to be the largest-volume forklift plant in the UK, manufacturing thousands of electric, diesel, and LPG forklifts each year for export throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The site, around 30 miles from Belfast, employs hundreds of people from the local area, which the company credits as key to its success story. This year, five team members will also celebrate the milestone of 40 years with the company, while more than 100 current employees at the site have 30 years or more of service.

“The success of our plant at Craigavon is driven by our people, where we see incredible dedication, perseverance, and loyalty from the team at all levels, with an average length of service of 17 years,” says Jim Downey, Plant Manager for Hyster-Yale Group EMEA in Craigavon. “Over the last four decades, our people have worked together to conquer challenges, embrace new opportunities, and maintain forward momentum, and that is why our facility continues to succeed, evolve, and grow.”

Transformation remains key to the Craigavon facility, where expansion of the 500,000 sq ft site is currently in progress, in preparation for future manufacturing demands and product lines. The company has invested millions over the past two years developing the factory, which incorporates leading technologies and up-to-date automated systems. The extension will also create dozens of new jobs, including continued investment in apprenticeships.

“We have great confidence in the talent pool in Northern Ireland and are fortunate to have so many long-standing employees that bring with them significant expertise, including many of our management team who started their careers here on the shop floor,” says Downey. “However, at the same time, we are keen to optimise our operations with automation and new ways of working that best support our workforce and deliver the quality our customers need.”

Quality is key to the facility at Craigavon, which has been the recipient of numerous awards throughout its history. Among the team’s achievements is ISO 50001 certification for its commitment to energy efficiency, and sustainability continues to be a key driver for the company during its latest site expansion.

The new 60,000 sq ft. extension to the factory will be known as the Sands Building, in honour of Harry Sands, former Senior VP and Managing Director, EMEA, for Hyster-Yale Group based in Craigavon, who retired in 2020 after 40 years with the company. It has been built with environmental specifications and ambitious objectives in mind. For instance, it incorporates a completely new approach to lighting which harnesses more natural light, decreasing electricity consumption and reducing CO2 emissions. A biomethane fuelled plant on the site will also be used to provide 80% of the electrical power required, with the heat by-product also used on site.

In line with the Hyster-Yale Group 2026 Corporate Responsibility Objectives, the site aims to reduce carbon emissions by 30%, in addition to targets for reducing water consumption, waste, and landfill.  Waste to landfill from the facility has already reduced significantly, with 97% now being recycled, and a number of other waste reduction initiatives exist on the site, everywhere from the canteen kitchen to the packaging line.

The Craigavon plant also continues to be committed to biodiversity, encouraging rare wildlife in its grounds as a result. The latest plant extension incorporates a Sustainable Urban Drainage System, which mimics natural drainage and is more environmentally friendly.

“Throughout its 40 years the Craigavon facility has continued to innovate and build capability to be an agile and flexible facility, that is able to meet and exceed customer expectations through automation, people and processes,” says Downey.

“Now is an exciting time as ever, as we adapt our assembly lines, connect with new technologies, and develop our product ranges, laying the foundations for future growth and many more decades of success,” he concludes.

Palletways celebrates 15 years in Iberia

Posted on by David Priestman

The Palletways Group is celebrating its longstanding presence in Spain, 15 years after the launch of its Iberia network which is targeting 15% growth over the coming year.

Luis Zubialde, Palletways’ group chief executive officer, said: “It became evident that if we were to provide additional capacity across Europe, we had to break into Iberia. The launch of the network was a critical move for the Group which allowed our members and their customers to access other European markets.

“Launching into this new European territory has made sound commercial sense and our Iberia team has worked continually hard to maintain sustained growth. This has resulted in the network doubling in size over the past five years and based on current forecasts, we expect the network will grow by 15% over the next 12 months. These key indicators of market growth send out a strong message to the marketplace about our unwavering commitment for continued dominance in the pallet network sector.”

The Iberia network currently operates 80 depots and three hubs in Madrid, Zaragoza and Jaén and serves the Iberian Peninsula and Islands via its 70-strong member network. And despite the challenges resulting from the pandemic, the Palletways Group continues to experience phenomenal success in Iberia when the network moved a record-breaking one million pallets over the past 12 months.

Gregorio Hernando, managing director at Palletways Iberia, added: “From the moment the Palletways Group launched the Iberia network, the local market welcomed the new palletised freight service with gusto, so much so we launched into Portugal just two years later.

“We’ve seen a great deal of change over the past decade and a half however we’re as committed and determined as we’ve ever been to innovate to stay ahead of environmental and market trends. Our new services such as PalletwaysOnline and Pallets to Consumers (P2C), specifically for home deliveries, have reinforced our position in the sector and importantly, have been well received by our members and their customers.

“Our appetite for growth continues, as does our commitment to create jobs, incorporate technological improvements in our operations and optimise our facilities and processes for the benefit of staff, our members and their customers.”

 

 

Palletways celebrates 15 years in Iberia

Posted on by David Priestman

The Palletways Group is celebrating its longstanding presence in Spain, 15 years after the launch of its Iberia network which is targeting 15% growth over the coming year.

Luis Zubialde, Palletways’ group chief executive officer, said: “It became evident that if we were to provide additional capacity across Europe, we had to break into Iberia. The launch of the network was a critical move for the Group which allowed our members and their customers to access other European markets.

“Launching into this new European territory has made sound commercial sense and our Iberia team has worked continually hard to maintain sustained growth. This has resulted in the network doubling in size over the past five years and based on current forecasts, we expect the network will grow by 15% over the next 12 months. These key indicators of market growth send out a strong message to the marketplace about our unwavering commitment for continued dominance in the pallet network sector.”

The Iberia network currently operates 80 depots and three hubs in Madrid, Zaragoza and Jaén and serves the Iberian Peninsula and Islands via its 70-strong member network. And despite the challenges resulting from the pandemic, the Palletways Group continues to experience phenomenal success in Iberia when the network moved a record-breaking one million pallets over the past 12 months.

Gregorio Hernando, managing director at Palletways Iberia, added: “From the moment the Palletways Group launched the Iberia network, the local market welcomed the new palletised freight service with gusto, so much so we launched into Portugal just two years later.

“We’ve seen a great deal of change over the past decade and a half however we’re as committed and determined as we’ve ever been to innovate to stay ahead of environmental and market trends. Our new services such as PalletwaysOnline and Pallets to Consumers (P2C), specifically for home deliveries, have reinforced our position in the sector and importantly, have been well received by our members and their customers.

“Our appetite for growth continues, as does our commitment to create jobs, incorporate technological improvements in our operations and optimise our facilities and processes for the benefit of staff, our members and their customers.”

 

 

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