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Day: 12 July 2021

Industry-first ETA solution for airfreight introduced

Posted on by Keith McKinley

FourKites, a leading real-time supply chain visibility platform, has introduced its latest AI-powered innovation, Dynamic ETA for Air. For the first time, shippers, carriers and 3PLs can track 100% of air freight with highly accurate and automated estimated times of arrival (ETAs).

This unprecedented visibility into air freight means the supply chain can now have greater confidence in a mode of transport that is typically utilised for the most critical shipments, but that has been notoriously difficult to track. Real-time visibility into all air freight, with extremely accurate predictive ETAs, empowers supply chain partners to optimise downstream planning, reduce the time and expense of manual track-and-trace efforts, and increase customer satisfaction in the process.

“FourKites’ Dynamic ETA for Air has provided the visibility needed to help reduce turn times on urgent product requests for fulfilling critical customer orders, while also eliminating nearly 75% of shipment tracking email inquiries to our global logistics team,” said Kimberley Segel, Director of Global Transportation, Zebra Technologies.

Shipping via air has been estimated to cost 4-5 times that of road transport, and as much as 16 times that of ocean, but it is indispensable for shippers’ most critical and/or time-sensitive freight, including pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, perishable agricultural and seafood products, emergency shipments of spare parts or simply goods for which customers demand the fastest delivery. In addition, brands are increasingly turning to air cargo to expedite freight as inventory delays continue to plague supply chains.

To date, however, air freight has been plagued by a lack of real-time visibility, due to the complexity of the global air network, as well as multiple stopovers and transfers of goods in hub airports. As a result, ETAs for air shipments have only been available 40% of the time and could be off by as much as two days, creating myriad downstream logistical and customer service issues. By leveraging the latest and most advanced machine learning algorithms and knowledge graphs, FourKites’ Dynamic ETA for Air provides ETAs on 100% of air freight, and is accurate to within 9 hours.

This unprecedented predictive visibility means businesses can expect to spend far less time and money resolving delays, thereby enhancing their customer experience. In fact, FourKites customers have experienced two times higher customer satisfaction scores through their use of Dynamic ETA.

FourKites saw 97% growth in air loads tracked from 2020 to 2021. The platform now supports over 100 airlines and 17,000 airports, and has seen 40% growth quarter over quarter.

“When it comes to rapidly transporting critical goods, no other mode can compete with air,” said FourKites CEO and Founder Mathew Elenjickal. “Our announcement of Dynamic ETA for Air means that shippers, carriers and 3PLs can now enjoy greater ROI — not to mention peace of mind — from their significant investments in this critical mode of transport.”

Industry-first ETA solution for airfreight introduced

Posted on by David Priestman

FourKites, a leading real-time supply chain visibility platform, has introduced its latest AI-powered innovation, Dynamic ETA for Air. For the first time, shippers, carriers and 3PLs can track 100% of air freight with highly accurate and automated estimated times of arrival (ETAs).

This unprecedented visibility into air freight means the supply chain can now have greater confidence in a mode of transport that is typically utilised for the most critical shipments, but that has been notoriously difficult to track. Real-time visibility into all air freight, with extremely accurate predictive ETAs, empowers supply chain partners to optimise downstream planning, reduce the time and expense of manual track-and-trace efforts, and increase customer satisfaction in the process.

“FourKites’ Dynamic ETA for Air has provided the visibility needed to help reduce turn times on urgent product requests for fulfilling critical customer orders, while also eliminating nearly 75% of shipment tracking email inquiries to our global logistics team,” said Kimberley Segel, Director of Global Transportation, Zebra Technologies.

Shipping via air has been estimated to cost 4-5 times that of road transport, and as much as 16 times that of ocean, but it is indispensable for shippers’ most critical and/or time-sensitive freight, including pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, perishable agricultural and seafood products, emergency shipments of spare parts or simply goods for which customers demand the fastest delivery. In addition, brands are increasingly turning to air cargo to expedite freight as inventory delays continue to plague supply chains.

To date, however, air freight has been plagued by a lack of real-time visibility, due to the complexity of the global air network, as well as multiple stopovers and transfers of goods in hub airports. As a result, ETAs for air shipments have only been available 40% of the time and could be off by as much as two days, creating myriad downstream logistical and customer service issues. By leveraging the latest and most advanced machine learning algorithms and knowledge graphs, FourKites’ Dynamic ETA for Air provides ETAs on 100% of air freight, and is accurate to within 9 hours.

This unprecedented predictive visibility means businesses can expect to spend far less time and money resolving delays, thereby enhancing their customer experience. In fact, FourKites customers have experienced two times higher customer satisfaction scores through their use of Dynamic ETA.

FourKites saw 97% growth in air loads tracked from 2020 to 2021. The platform now supports over 100 airlines and 17,000 airports, and has seen 40% growth quarter over quarter.

“When it comes to rapidly transporting critical goods, no other mode can compete with air,” said FourKites CEO and Founder Mathew Elenjickal. “Our announcement of Dynamic ETA for Air means that shippers, carriers and 3PLs can now enjoy greater ROI — not to mention peace of mind — from their significant investments in this critical mode of transport.”

D’Ieteren acquires 40% of TVH Parts

Posted on by David Priestman

Parts specialist TVH, a global player in the field of spare parts and accessories for lift trucks, industrial vehicles, construction and agricultural machinery, has found a partner in D’Ieteren Group.

In October 2020, it was announced that TVH Parts was looking for a strong minority shareholder who is aligned with both the long-term vision and the culture of TVH Parts. That partner was now found in D’Ieteren Group. The shares concerned are the 40% of shares that were held by the Vanhalst family. The remaining 60% of the shares remain in the hands of the Thermote family.

D’Ieteren Group is a listed company and already comprises 4 activities: D’Ieteren Automotive, Belron (Carglass), Moleskine and D’Ieteren Immo.

Like TVH Parts, D’Ieteren Group is a family business with a long, successful history and clear Belgian roots, for whom the development and well-being of the employees is a priority. The company firmly believes in the importance of sustainable business and long-term growth. In addition to these similarities, D’Ieteren Group originated from the automotive industry, which is of course related to the activities of TVH Parts.

Dominiek Valcke, CEO of TVH Parts, said: “I’m happy and honoured that TVH Parts can partner with D’Ieteren Group. In the last months and weeks, we enjoyed the constructive discussions and open dialogues with the management and founding families of the group. We truly believe that their values and their aspiration on seeking long-term growth are aligned with those of TVH Parts. Together we can continue to work successfully together on our mission to keep our customers and employees going and growing.”

Francis Deprez, CEO D’Ieteren Group, added: “I’m very proud to announce the acquisition of the shares of TVH Parts. TVH Parts is a global leader in the growing and resilient business of machinery spare parts, whose purpose and values perfectly match our own. As with all our activities, D’Ieteren Group is convinced to support TVH Parts in its long-term development.”

A statement from the Thermote family read: “We are very grateful for having partnered with the Vanhalst family for the last 50 years and we are proud of what we have built together. In D’Ieteren we have found a long-term partner with a strong family history and with whom we feel a cultural fit. We are looking forward for the next 50 years of sustainable growth together.”

Nicolas D’Ieteren, Chairman of the Board of Directors of D’Ieteren Group, concluded: ”I warmly applaud this new partnership between the Thermote and D’Ieteren families. This acquisition is a new milestone in the long history of our Group, which illustrates our ambition to create value, through supporting innovative organisations driving change in their sector. We look forward to working with the people that make TVH Parts so unique and to draw together the promising future of the aftermarket parts business.”

Completion of the transaction is expected in Q4/2021.

 

D’Ieteren acquires 40% of TVH Parts

Posted on by David Priestman

Parts specialist TVH, a global player in the field of spare parts and accessories for lift trucks, industrial vehicles, construction and agricultural machinery, has found a partner in D’Ieteren Group.

In October 2020, it was announced that TVH Parts was looking for a strong minority shareholder who is aligned with both the long-term vision and the culture of TVH Parts. That partner was now found in D’Ieteren Group. The shares concerned are the 40% of shares that were held by the Vanhalst family. The remaining 60% of the shares remain in the hands of the Thermote family.

D’Ieteren Group is a listed company and already comprises 4 activities: D’Ieteren Automotive, Belron (Carglass), Moleskine and D’Ieteren Immo.

Like TVH Parts, D’Ieteren Group is a family business with a long, successful history and clear Belgian roots, for whom the development and well-being of the employees is a priority. The company firmly believes in the importance of sustainable business and long-term growth. In addition to these similarities, D’Ieteren Group originated from the automotive industry, which is of course related to the activities of TVH Parts.

Dominiek Valcke, CEO of TVH Parts, said: “I’m happy and honoured that TVH Parts can partner with D’Ieteren Group. In the last months and weeks, we enjoyed the constructive discussions and open dialogues with the management and founding families of the group. We truly believe that their values and their aspiration on seeking long-term growth are aligned with those of TVH Parts. Together we can continue to work successfully together on our mission to keep our customers and employees going and growing.”

Francis Deprez, CEO D’Ieteren Group, added: “I’m very proud to announce the acquisition of the shares of TVH Parts. TVH Parts is a global leader in the growing and resilient business of machinery spare parts, whose purpose and values perfectly match our own. As with all our activities, D’Ieteren Group is convinced to support TVH Parts in its long-term development.”

A statement from the Thermote family read: “We are very grateful for having partnered with the Vanhalst family for the last 50 years and we are proud of what we have built together. In D’Ieteren we have found a long-term partner with a strong family history and with whom we feel a cultural fit. We are looking forward for the next 50 years of sustainable growth together.”

Nicolas D’Ieteren, Chairman of the Board of Directors of D’Ieteren Group, concluded: ”I warmly applaud this new partnership between the Thermote and D’Ieteren families. This acquisition is a new milestone in the long history of our Group, which illustrates our ambition to create value, through supporting innovative organisations driving change in their sector. We look forward to working with the people that make TVH Parts so unique and to draw together the promising future of the aftermarket parts business.”

Completion of the transaction is expected in Q4/2021.

 

CargoBeamer opens Calais terminal

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Leipzig-based logistics service provider CargoBeamer has put its first full terminal into operation. With the opening, the company puts its patented and horizontal shifting technology for semi-trailers towards rail into service at the regular market for the first time. Four round-trips will be operated on the lane between Calais and Perpignan in southern France, with at least one more destination to join before the end of 2021.

With its location close to the port of Calais and the important Channel Tunnel towards the British Isles, the transhipment facility in intended to serve as an important cornerstone in the company’s international route network. A first domestic French lane to Perpignan close to the Spanish-French border CargoBeamer enables intermodal transport towards the Mediterranean Sea and Iberian Peninsula.

After a one-week starting phase with two weekly round-trips, the route will be operated with four round-trips per week permanently. Euro Cargo Rail (ECR), a French subsidiary of DB Cargo, serves as cooperation partner. Each train offers a total of 36 seats for trailers, which consist of 24 special CargoBeamer railcars and six usual double-pocket wagons. Besides serving the French corridor, the Calais terminal also aims to provide intermodal transport streams towards Central and Eastern Europe. For this reason, a new route between Calais and Domodossola in Northern Italy will be launched by the end of this year.

The terminal site in Calais allows CargoBeamer to handle six train pairs daily, which means six incoming and six departing trains per day. This results in a total of 432 semi-trailers for every day. A second expansion stage is scheduled for 2023 and will double the terminal’s capacity to a total of 12 daily train pairs.

The shifting process of an entire freight train with simultaneous loading and unloading takes about 20 minutes. During the 11-month construction period CargoBeamer was joined by French construction company Eiffage. Additionally, the project was backed financially by the EU with the Connecting Europe Facility, the France Republic and the region of Hauts-de-France.

“The opening of our first terminal is an important milestone and a real quantum leap for the development of our company,” explains Hans-Jürgen Weidemann, CEO and founder of CargoBeamer. “Here in Calais, we are going to put our technology into regular market use for the first time and will continue to strengthen the modal shift of transports towards sustainable solutions such as rail. We therefore want to thank all our partners, sponsors and investors for their trust put in us and the good cooperation.

“We view our Calais site as the starting point and an important cornerstone of a Europe-spanning network of terminals and routes, forming an increasing number of connections towards Southern, Central and Eastern Europe by rail. Meanwhile the location of Calais promises a lot of potential with its maritime connections and the Channel Tunnel towards Britain. We are going to expand CargoBeamer’s route network continuously in the upcoming years and thus shift more semi-trailers from congested roads onto environmentally-friendly rail.”

 

CargoBeamer opens Calais terminal

Posted on by David Priestman

Leipzig-based logistics service provider CargoBeamer has put its first full terminal into operation. With the opening, the company puts its patented and horizontal shifting technology for semi-trailers towards rail into service at the regular market for the first time. Four round-trips will be operated on the lane between Calais and Perpignan in southern France, with at least one more destination to join before the end of 2021.

With its location close to the port of Calais and the important Channel Tunnel towards the British Isles, the transhipment facility in intended to serve as an important cornerstone in the company’s international route network. A first domestic French lane to Perpignan close to the Spanish-French border CargoBeamer enables intermodal transport towards the Mediterranean Sea and Iberian Peninsula.

After a one-week starting phase with two weekly round-trips, the route will be operated with four round-trips per week permanently. Euro Cargo Rail (ECR), a French subsidiary of DB Cargo, serves as cooperation partner. Each train offers a total of 36 seats for trailers, which consist of 24 special CargoBeamer railcars and six usual double-pocket wagons. Besides serving the French corridor, the Calais terminal also aims to provide intermodal transport streams towards Central and Eastern Europe. For this reason, a new route between Calais and Domodossola in Northern Italy will be launched by the end of this year.

The terminal site in Calais allows CargoBeamer to handle six train pairs daily, which means six incoming and six departing trains per day. This results in a total of 432 semi-trailers for every day. A second expansion stage is scheduled for 2023 and will double the terminal’s capacity to a total of 12 daily train pairs.

The shifting process of an entire freight train with simultaneous loading and unloading takes about 20 minutes. During the 11-month construction period CargoBeamer was joined by French construction company Eiffage. Additionally, the project was backed financially by the EU with the Connecting Europe Facility, the France Republic and the region of Hauts-de-France.

“The opening of our first terminal is an important milestone and a real quantum leap for the development of our company,” explains Hans-Jürgen Weidemann, CEO and founder of CargoBeamer. “Here in Calais, we are going to put our technology into regular market use for the first time and will continue to strengthen the modal shift of transports towards sustainable solutions such as rail. We therefore want to thank all our partners, sponsors and investors for their trust put in us and the good cooperation.

“We view our Calais site as the starting point and an important cornerstone of a Europe-spanning network of terminals and routes, forming an increasing number of connections towards Southern, Central and Eastern Europe by rail. Meanwhile the location of Calais promises a lot of potential with its maritime connections and the Channel Tunnel towards Britain. We are going to expand CargoBeamer’s route network continuously in the upcoming years and thus shift more semi-trailers from congested roads onto environmentally-friendly rail.”

 

Delamode secures new fashion clients

Posted on by David Priestman

Xpediator, a leading provider of freight and logistics management services across the UK and Central and Eastern Europe, has announced that its fashion & lifestyle division, Delamode International Logistics, has secured two new clients in the luxury and boutique sectors of the fashion market.

The clients are independent fashion retailer Kymina, a UK-based manufacturer of sustainable and environment-friendly swimwear and luxury brand Moose Knuckles Canada, known for its stylish take on functional outerwear, sportswear and accessories, whose products are sold in Selfridges, Flannels and Harrods.

Delamode is well positioned to fulfil the clients’ logistical needs with a dedicated fashion facility in London. For Kymina, Delamode is responsible for the storage of the clients’ swimwear range, picking and packing of orders and distribution of deliveries throughout the UK and globally. Similarly, upon arrival at Delamode’s fashion facility, Moose Knuckles’ garments are processed and prepared for dispatch to wholesalers, retailers and individual clients. In addition, as Moose Knuckles is a Canadian-based business, Delamode Anglia (freight forwarding division) is also supporting the business with regard to sea container import services and customs clearance formalities.

Earlier in the year, Xpediator announced that the UK logistics division – Delamode Plc (Logistics Division – Braintree, Essex), EMT Logistics (London) and Import Services Limited (Southampton) – was being integrated and rebranded to operate as Delamode International Logistics. As a result of the successful integration, the London fashion facility has been awarded bonded status as an extension of the certification granted to the Southampton warehousing facility. Bonded warehouses have the ability to defer import tariffs on clients’ goods until the items or distributed or sold, providing more financial headroom and time to choose when and where their products should be distributed.

Luke Croome, COO of the Fashion & Retail Division at Xpediator, said: “We are very excited to be working with these two significant fashion labels, who are both situated in the luxury end of the market which we are shifting our focus towards. The Group’s move towards integrating the division under one brand is already showing clear benefits, with the bonded status of our Beckton warehouse providing exciting opportunities for existing and potential clients as a true one stop fashion facility for all warehousing and logistical services.”

 

Delamode secures new fashion clients

Posted on by David Priestman

Xpediator, a leading provider of freight and logistics management services across the UK and Central and Eastern Europe, has announced that its fashion & lifestyle division, Delamode International Logistics, has secured two new clients in the luxury and boutique sectors of the fashion market.

The clients are independent fashion retailer Kymina, a UK-based manufacturer of sustainable and environment-friendly swimwear and luxury brand Moose Knuckles Canada, known for its stylish take on functional outerwear, sportswear and accessories, whose products are sold in Selfridges, Flannels and Harrods.

Delamode is well positioned to fulfil the clients’ logistical needs with a dedicated fashion facility in London. For Kymina, Delamode is responsible for the storage of the clients’ swimwear range, picking and packing of orders and distribution of deliveries throughout the UK and globally. Similarly, upon arrival at Delamode’s fashion facility, Moose Knuckles’ garments are processed and prepared for dispatch to wholesalers, retailers and individual clients. In addition, as Moose Knuckles is a Canadian-based business, Delamode Anglia (freight forwarding division) is also supporting the business with regard to sea container import services and customs clearance formalities.

Earlier in the year, Xpediator announced that the UK logistics division – Delamode Plc (Logistics Division – Braintree, Essex), EMT Logistics (London) and Import Services Limited (Southampton) – was being integrated and rebranded to operate as Delamode International Logistics. As a result of the successful integration, the London fashion facility has been awarded bonded status as an extension of the certification granted to the Southampton warehousing facility. Bonded warehouses have the ability to defer import tariffs on clients’ goods until the items or distributed or sold, providing more financial headroom and time to choose when and where their products should be distributed.

Luke Croome, COO of the Fashion & Retail Division at Xpediator, said: “We are very excited to be working with these two significant fashion labels, who are both situated in the luxury end of the market which we are shifting our focus towards. The Group’s move towards integrating the division under one brand is already showing clear benefits, with the bonded status of our Beckton warehouse providing exciting opportunities for existing and potential clients as a true one stop fashion facility for all warehousing and logistical services.”

 

DHL to manage Lotus Cars supply chain

Posted on by Keith McKinley

DHL Supply Chain has been appointed by Lotus Cars to manage the iconic car maker’s inbound-to-manufacturing warehousing and transport operations for the next five years.

Commencing operations in August 2021, DHL is responsible for planning all logistics movements, worldwide collection and tracking of parts, inventory management, picking, kitting and sequencing of products, and shunting from the DHL warehouse to the Lotus Advanced Performance Centre and headquarters in Hethel. This will support production of the newly revealed Emira sports car, in the all-new Lotus manufacturing facilities.

DHL’s expertise in designing Auto-Mobility supply chains and optimising ongoing operations were capabilities key to the award.

Mike Bristow, Managing Director, Manufacturing Logistics UKI at DHL Supply Chain (pictured with Lotus Cars MD Mike Bristow at the world debut of the Lotus Emira last week at Goodwood), added: “Lotus Cars is an iconic British brand with a strong heritage and an exciting future ahead. We’re proud to be working in close partnership to develop an agile and resilient supply chain, delivered by a passionate team who are committed to its long-term success.”

DHL to manage Lotus Cars supply chain

Posted on by David Priestman

DHL Supply Chain has been appointed by Lotus Cars to manage the iconic car maker’s inbound-to-manufacturing warehousing and transport operations for the next five years.

Commencing operations in August 2021, DHL is responsible for planning all logistics movements, worldwide collection and tracking of parts, inventory management, picking, kitting and sequencing of products, and shunting from the DHL warehouse to the Lotus Advanced Performance Centre and headquarters in Hethel. This will support production of the newly revealed Emira sports car, in the all-new Lotus manufacturing facilities.

DHL’s expertise in designing Auto-Mobility supply chains and optimising ongoing operations were capabilities key to the award.

Mike Bristow, Managing Director, Manufacturing Logistics UKI at DHL Supply Chain (pictured with Lotus Cars MD Mike Bristow at the world debut of the Lotus Emira last week at Goodwood), added: “Lotus Cars is an iconic British brand with a strong heritage and an exciting future ahead. We’re proud to be working in close partnership to develop an agile and resilient supply chain, delivered by a passionate team who are committed to its long-term success.”

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