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Month: August 2021

New trustees join Transaid board

Posted on by Keith McKinley

International development organisation Transaid has welcomed two new trustees to its board, bringing significant experience and its first member from Uganda – a country where Transaid has operated long term road safety and access to health care programmes.

Dr Olive Kobusingye, a Senior Research Fellow at Makerere University School of Public Health, and Gavin Williams, Managing Director, UK & Ireland of GXO, join a diverse team of 13 trustees with collective experience spanning international development, governance, road safety, supply chain and transport and logistics.

Olive has spent the last 10 years at Makerere University School of Public Health in the Head, Trauma, Injury and Disability Unit, working on various projects including investigating risk and protective factors for motorcycle injuries in Kampala and improving the evidence for pedestrian safety in Uganda.

Between 2010 and 2016, she was also Board Chair and Head of Secretariat at the Road Traffic Injury Network, a global road safety research agency working to reduce the burden of road traffic injuries. She also worked for the World Health Organisation between 2003 and 2008 as African Regional Advisor for violence and injury prevention.

Gavin first became actively involved with Transaid in 2009, when he cycled 420km from Lusaka to Victoria Falls as a member of a team taking part in Transaid’s Cycle Zambia challenge. With close to 30 years of experience in the logistics sector, his current role sees him lead the UK and Ireland’s logistics business of GXO, the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider (GXO spun-off from XPO Logistics on 2nd August, 2021).

Jo Godsmark, Chairperson of Transaid, says: “It is fantastic to welcome both Olive and Gavin to the board. Olive has been engaged with Transaid for five years, after Makerere University received a small grant from our innovation fund and delivered excellent work on post-crash response. She brings considerable expertise in road safety and access to healthcare research and programming in sub-Saharan Africa, and is highly respected in her field.

“Gavin’s appointment is also strategically important for Transaid, ensuring one of our longstanding corporate members and a major global logistics company is represented on the board. It is a real credit to the Transaid team that such senior business leaders are eager to become actively involved in steering Transaid’s life-saving work.”

Olive and Gavin join Jo and fellow trustees Joan Aitken, John Gurr, Bill Howie, Alan Hunt, James Keeler, Maeve Magner, Ishmael Muchemenyi, Phidelia Mwaba, Paul Orme and Helen Varma on the board.

For profiles of all trustees, visit: https://www.transaid.org/home/about-us/our-team/.

Caigan launches hydrogen vehicle conversion service

Posted on by David Priestman

Caigan Vehicle Technologies Ltd. has entered the zero-carbon transport market with an innovative hydrogen fuel cell conversion for internal combustion engine vehicles.

Based in South Lanarkshire, Caigan’s engineers can replace a petrol or diesel engine with a complete hydrogen fuel cell power system to eliminate harmful emissions entirely. This novel approach allows fleet managers to gradually upgrade in order to meet targets without the cost and disruption of replacing all of their vehicles.

The conversion process involves removing the existing engine and fuel system and retrofitting a hydrogen storage tank, a fuel cell to convert the hydrogen gas to electricity, a traction battery and an electric drive motor.

Caigan Managing Director Steve Turner (pictured) said: “Companies and organisations are under growing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint and there won’t be enough electric vehicles to meet demand as deadlines approach. We can design and integrate a hydrogen powertrain with negligible reduction in payload and range when compared to petrol or diesel power. This option allows fleet managers to upgrade their high-value assets and keep them in service instead of coming under pressure to dispose of them before good alternatives are available.

“Hydrogen fuel cell technology isn’t a compromise or a half measure. Fuel cells only emit water vapour and a little heat so harmful tailpipe emissions are zero. The most polluting vehicles can drive into our workshop and drive out with no emissions at all. The latest fuel cell cars actually clean the air as they drive which is a game-changer for the environment.”

As well as the environmental and compliance benefits, Caigan also expect a converted vehicle to have significantly lower running and maintenance costs compared to original specification.

With its focus set on medium-duty (3.5-7.5t) vehicles, Caigan is looking towards local councils, emergency services and similar fleets as ideal candidates for its conversion packages.

Caigan launches hydrogen vehicle conversion service

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Caigan Vehicle Technologies Ltd. has entered the zero-carbon transport market with an innovative hydrogen fuel cell conversion for internal combustion engine vehicles.

Based in South Lanarkshire, Caigan’s engineers can replace a petrol or diesel engine with a complete hydrogen fuel cell power system to eliminate harmful emissions entirely. This novel approach allows fleet managers to gradually upgrade in order to meet targets without the cost and disruption of replacing all of their vehicles.

The conversion process involves removing the existing engine and fuel system and retrofitting a hydrogen storage tank, a fuel cell to convert the hydrogen gas to electricity, a traction battery and an electric drive motor.

Caigan Managing Director Steve Turner (pictured) said: “Companies and organisations are under growing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint and there won’t be enough electric vehicles to meet demand as deadlines approach. We can design and integrate a hydrogen powertrain with negligible reduction in payload and range when compared to petrol or diesel power. This option allows fleet managers to upgrade their high-value assets and keep them in service instead of coming under pressure to dispose of them before good alternatives are available.

“Hydrogen fuel cell technology isn’t a compromise or a half measure. Fuel cells only emit water vapour and a little heat so harmful tailpipe emissions are zero. The most polluting vehicles can drive into our workshop and drive out with no emissions at all. The latest fuel cell cars actually clean the air as they drive which is a game-changer for the environment.”

As well as the environmental and compliance benefits, Caigan also expect a converted vehicle to have significantly lower running and maintenance costs compared to original specification.

With its focus set on medium-duty (3.5-7.5t) vehicles, Caigan is looking towards local councils, emergency services and similar fleets as ideal candidates for its conversion packages.

Biodegradable wheel nut indicators launched

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Haulage wheel safety solution company Checkpoint has pioneered product innovation in its range of internationally renowned wheel nut indicators by making them fully biodegradable and therefore better for the planet.

Striving to achieve environmental sustainability across multiple vehicular industries, Checkpoint spent two short years, in a laboratory, testing and re-testing components that would make the company’s product range completely biodegradable, whilst maintaining the quality of manufacturing that is synonymous with Checkpoint.

Selling 17 million products per year to over 65 countries globally, the company estimates that by the end of 2021 all of its products produced will be the newly innovated version called Bio-Checkpoint.

The now biodegradable wheel nut indicators remain at the forefront of the market for premium quality, and continue to be available in any colour, personalised to match each individual customer’s signage and livery.

Commenting on the company’s sustainable invention, CEO Mike Marczynski said: “30 years ago, we were pioneers of the world’s first loose nut indicators, and now we are continuing to lead the vehicular industry sectors by re-launching our already recyclable Checkpoint products as biodegradable – this is a landmark moment for us, our clients and the industry.

“We have always had visual safety and preventative maintenance at the core of our business, and for some time now, we have wanted to do better for the environment and today marks our commitment to do that globally.”

Checkpoint has absorbed the total cost of this investment within the business. Marczynski continues: “With 200 tonnes of plastic sold each year alone by Checkpoint, we couldn’t sit back and watch, we had to do something about it. It’s on us as a business and we won’t be passing this cost onto our customers in any way.”

The Bio-Checkpoint’s key benefits include:

  • An instant visual indicator of wheel-nut movement
  • Indicates possible faults with brakes or bearings through melting or distorting
  • Supports fleet safety checks
  • Cost effective and easy to implement
  • Fully recyclable
  • Now fully biodegradable

Checkpoint was the first-ever product of its kind on the global market to provide an indication of wheel nut movement on commercial vehicles. This clever solution helps to ensure that every truck driver and fleet operator can carry out quick and easy visual checks and audits on their vehicle wheels. Its application has since been introduced to a wide range of sectors in order to provide a solution to loose nuts on plant structures, rail tracks etc.

The Checkpoint visually indicates nut movement. By placing the Checkpoints in a recognisable pattern such as point to point, any movement of the nut is clearly visible at a glance. This assists the visual inspection of wheel nuts, identifying when a nut loosens, to prevent the wheel from coming off. It also melts at a specific temperature to highlight any overheating issues with the wheel or equipment.

Biodegradable wheel nut indicators launched

Posted on by David Priestman

Haulage wheel safety solution company Checkpoint has pioneered product innovation in its range of internationally renowned wheel nut indicators by making them fully biodegradable and therefore better for the planet.

Striving to achieve environmental sustainability across multiple vehicular industries, Checkpoint spent two short years, in a laboratory, testing and re-testing components that would make the company’s product range completely biodegradable, whilst maintaining the quality of manufacturing that is synonymous with Checkpoint.

Selling 17 million products per year to over 65 countries globally, the company estimates that by the end of 2021 all of its products produced will be the newly innovated version called Bio-Checkpoint.

The now biodegradable wheel nut indicators remain at the forefront of the market for premium quality, and continue to be available in any colour, personalised to match each individual customer’s signage and livery.

Commenting on the company’s sustainable invention, CEO Mike Marczynski said: “30 years ago, we were pioneers of the world’s first loose nut indicators, and now we are continuing to lead the vehicular industry sectors by re-launching our already recyclable Checkpoint products as biodegradable – this is a landmark moment for us, our clients and the industry.

“We have always had visual safety and preventative maintenance at the core of our business, and for some time now, we have wanted to do better for the environment and today marks our commitment to do that globally.”

Checkpoint has absorbed the total cost of this investment within the business. Marczynski continues: “With 200 tonnes of plastic sold each year alone by Checkpoint, we couldn’t sit back and watch, we had to do something about it. It’s on us as a business and we won’t be passing this cost onto our customers in any way.”

The Bio-Checkpoint’s key benefits include:

  • An instant visual indicator of wheel-nut movement
  • Indicates possible faults with brakes or bearings through melting or distorting
  • Supports fleet safety checks
  • Cost effective and easy to implement
  • Fully recyclable
  • Now fully biodegradable

Checkpoint was the first-ever product of its kind on the global market to provide an indication of wheel nut movement on commercial vehicles. This clever solution helps to ensure that every truck driver and fleet operator can carry out quick and easy visual checks and audits on their vehicle wheels. Its application has since been introduced to a wide range of sectors in order to provide a solution to loose nuts on plant structures, rail tracks etc.

The Checkpoint visually indicates nut movement. By placing the Checkpoints in a recognisable pattern such as point to point, any movement of the nut is clearly visible at a glance. This assists the visual inspection of wheel nuts, identifying when a nut loosens, to prevent the wheel from coming off. It also melts at a specific temperature to highlight any overheating issues with the wheel or equipment.

£500,000 of funding available to retrain in international trade

Posted on by David Priestman

The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) is making £500,000 of funding available to help workers who have been furloughed, made redundant or become unemployed.

The IOE&IT is the UK’s leading professional body for those involved in international trade, and is ready to help companies with skills shortages and those facing a change in circumstances as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In recognition of the end of the furlough scheme, the IOE&IT has developed a new Step into International Trade training programme.

International trade is integral to the UK’s economy and making sure that it continues to flourish will be a hugely important part of the country’s recovery from the pandemic. At the same time, since the end of the Brexit transition period, the UK is also undergoing the most significant set of revisions to its trade policy for half a century. That means that there is a need for more skilled people to work in international trade.

IOE&IT director general, Marco Forgione said: “Step into International Trade is about offering workers who have recently had a change in circumstances a chance to train for a new career path. The UK is at an historic junction in terms of its trading relationship with the rest of the world and businesses need more skilled people to work in international trade.

“We have made £500,000 available to kick start this effort and introduce new people into the jobs market. Average salaries for customs and logistics managers start between £35,000 – £40,000 and this training package is designed to help people enter this exciting field.”

Minister for Exports, Graham Stuart MP, said: “International trade is the backbone of our economy, creating better jobs and higher wages, more choice and lower prices for British consumers, and economic security and prosperity for British families.

“It’s fantastic that the Institute of Export & International Trade is launching a new training package that will help boost the nation’s trading expertise as we look to build back better from the Covid crisis. I’m pleased to note this initiative is in line with DIT’s own UK Export Academy.”

The Programme

Step into International Trade has been specifically designed for individuals whose employment status has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Staff with international trade skills are needed so that firms can adapt to new post-Brexit rules, make the most of the UK’s new trade agreements and expand into overseas markets. The programme, which will see its first course begin on the 2nd September 2021, is comprised of two steps.

  • Step into International Trade training course
  • Certificate in International Trade, Customs and Logistics

The programme will be delivered online by the IOE&IT team of customs and trade experts. The programme allows time for learners to research and read papers and articles as well as using the learning materials which will supplied online. Crucially, The Institute will also provide them with a subject specific tutor for each module who will be able to guide their learning. Interested applicants, who should be either on furlough, at risk of redundancy or have been recently made redundant, who would like to learn more and take advantage of the free starter course, should sign up here.

Marco Forgione, Director General of IOE&IT, added: “This is the perfect opportunity to forge a new career path. With 50,000 customs specialists needed to handle post-Brexit documentation let our expert trainers give you the skills you need to take your first steps into international trade.”

The Courses

First, learners will take an introductory two-day course to learn about the basics of international trade. The course will cover:

  • Opportunities in international trade
  • How and why firms import and export
  • How goods are moved across borders
  • Role of customs authorities
  • Importance of compliance with customs rules

Secondly, if, after successfully completing the two-day course, they decide a career in international trade is right for them, they can move on to take the Certificate in International Trade, Customs and Logistics, a Level 3 Qualification awarded by the Institute.

The Introduction to Trade and Customs course consists of six units:

  • Unit 1: Export documents
  • Unit 2: Getting paid
  • Unit 3: Cargo and credit insurance
  • Unit 4: Trade customs and logistics facilitators
  • Unit 5: Methods of international transport
  • Unit 6: Customs procedures and documents

£500,000 of funding available to retrain in international trade

Posted on by David Priestman

The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) is making £500,000 of funding available to help workers who have been furloughed, made redundant or become unemployed.

The IOE&IT is the UK’s leading professional body for those involved in international trade, and is ready to help companies with skills shortages and those facing a change in circumstances as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In recognition of the end of the furlough scheme, the IOE&IT has developed a new Step into International Trade training programme.

International trade is integral to the UK’s economy and making sure that it continues to flourish will be a hugely important part of the country’s recovery from the pandemic. At the same time, since the end of the Brexit transition period, the UK is also undergoing the most significant set of revisions to its trade policy for half a century. That means that there is a need for more skilled people to work in international trade.

IOE&IT director general, Marco Forgione said: “Step into International Trade is about offering workers who have recently had a change in circumstances a chance to train for a new career path. The UK is at an historic junction in terms of its trading relationship with the rest of the world and businesses need more skilled people to work in international trade.

“We have made £500,000 available to kick start this effort and introduce new people into the jobs market. Average salaries for customs and logistics managers start between £35,000 – £40,000 and this training package is designed to help people enter this exciting field.”

Minister for Exports, Graham Stuart MP, said: “International trade is the backbone of our economy, creating better jobs and higher wages, more choice and lower prices for British consumers, and economic security and prosperity for British families.

“It’s fantastic that the Institute of Export & International Trade is launching a new training package that will help boost the nation’s trading expertise as we look to build back better from the Covid crisis. I’m pleased to note this initiative is in line with DIT’s own UK Export Academy.”

The Programme

Step into International Trade has been specifically designed for individuals whose employment status has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Staff with international trade skills are needed so that firms can adapt to new post-Brexit rules, make the most of the UK’s new trade agreements and expand into overseas markets. The programme, which will see its first course begin on the 2nd September 2021, is comprised of two steps.

  • Step into International Trade training course
  • Certificate in International Trade, Customs and Logistics

The programme will be delivered online by the IOE&IT team of customs and trade experts. The programme allows time for learners to research and read papers and articles as well as using the learning materials which will supplied online. Crucially, The Institute will also provide them with a subject specific tutor for each module who will be able to guide their learning. Interested applicants, who should be either on furlough, at risk of redundancy or have been recently made redundant, who would like to learn more and take advantage of the free starter course, should sign up here.

Marco Forgione, Director General of IOE&IT, added: “This is the perfect opportunity to forge a new career path. With 50,000 customs specialists needed to handle post-Brexit documentation let our expert trainers give you the skills you need to take your first steps into international trade.”

The Courses

First, learners will take an introductory two-day course to learn about the basics of international trade. The course will cover:

  • Opportunities in international trade
  • How and why firms import and export
  • How goods are moved across borders
  • Role of customs authorities
  • Importance of compliance with customs rules

Secondly, if, after successfully completing the two-day course, they decide a career in international trade is right for them, they can move on to take the Certificate in International Trade, Customs and Logistics, a Level 3 Qualification awarded by the Institute.

The Introduction to Trade and Customs course consists of six units:

  • Unit 1: Export documents
  • Unit 2: Getting paid
  • Unit 3: Cargo and credit insurance
  • Unit 4: Trade customs and logistics facilitators
  • Unit 5: Methods of international transport
  • Unit 6: Customs procedures and documents

PSI delivers WMS upgrade to Weiss Chemie + Technik

Posted on by David Priestman

PSI Logistics GmbH is again delivering an upgrade for the PSIwms warehouse management system to the Weiss Chemie + Technik GmbH & Co. KG. With the current functionalities, the ergonomics, efficiency and the possibilities for analysing the KPIs of the processes in the warehouse can be further improved.

At the production facility in Haiger Weiss Chemie + Technik produces more than 6,300 tonnes of adhesives, 950 tonnes of cleansers and 650,000 sq m of sandwich panels annually. The PSIwms system, implemented as early as 2000, controls the processes through dynamic storage space conversion with a number of pallets on a triple-euro storage space, route-optimised order picking as well as needs-based material provision and on-time transportation of the finished goods. By means of the cross-location functionality, the multi-level processes of the production stations including staging areas and stocks are also reproduced.

With the new upgrade, new functionalities such as activity tracking can be used to log activities and KPIs in the warehouse to record process times for in-depth analysis and optimisation of processes. In addition, the PSI Click Design provides better flexibility in customising user interfaces.

PSIwms Release 2021 offers easier goods receipt and placement. In addition, the dashboard improves ergonomics on mobile touch devices, which can be used to visualise warehouse information on all common devices via the cloud.

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 2,100 people worldwide.

PSI delivers WMS upgrade to Weiss Chemie + Technik

Posted on by David Priestman

PSI Logistics GmbH is again delivering an upgrade for the PSIwms warehouse management system to the Weiss Chemie + Technik GmbH & Co. KG. With the current functionalities, the ergonomics, efficiency and the possibilities for analysing the KPIs of the processes in the warehouse can be further improved.

At the production facility in Haiger Weiss Chemie + Technik produces more than 6,300 tonnes of adhesives, 950 tonnes of cleansers and 650,000 sq m of sandwich panels annually. The PSIwms system, implemented as early as 2000, controls the processes through dynamic storage space conversion with a number of pallets on a triple-euro storage space, route-optimised order picking as well as needs-based material provision and on-time transportation of the finished goods. By means of the cross-location functionality, the multi-level processes of the production stations including staging areas and stocks are also reproduced.

With the new upgrade, new functionalities such as activity tracking can be used to log activities and KPIs in the warehouse to record process times for in-depth analysis and optimisation of processes. In addition, the PSI Click Design provides better flexibility in customising user interfaces.

PSIwms Release 2021 offers easier goods receipt and placement. In addition, the dashboard improves ergonomics on mobile touch devices, which can be used to visualise warehouse information on all common devices via the cloud.

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 2,100 people worldwide.

Europe Snacks revolutionises warehouse operations

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Europe Snacks, a major European snack company, has overhauled its warehouse operation in London putting employee health and safety at the heart of its design.

The aim was to improve how goods were stored and moved within the warehouse. This had previously been done with forklift trucks, and although this was efficient, there was a belief that using bespoke mezzanine goods lifts to easily and quickly move the goods between floors would deliver an even more efficient system.

Europe Snacks operates on a 24/7 schedule, and our task was to provide the solution to lift pallet loads, weighing up to 750kg to the upper mezzanine level on a high-intensity duty cycle.

The whole project, from concept to final installation, took just 12 months. Comprehensive training for Europe Snacks‘ diverse workforce was also provided. Ben Francis, UK Distribution Manager, said: “I was particularly impressed with the training that was provided. It was instructional, but very clear and that’s essential for our workforce. Their safety in the warehouse is a key consideration.”

Scissor Tables UK designed, manufactured and installed customised lifting platforms to move goods up to the mezzanine floor, providing an ergonomic solution for warehouse staff. The goods lifts are also operated using a single touch control making them even more efficient to use.

The mezzanine goods lift has integrated both lower and upper levels as a means of transporting pallets of crisps goods between production to Goods Out. The lifts were surface mounted, removing the need for pits ensuring building work was kept to a minimum.

As identified in initial consultation, reducing the activity of the forklift within Goods Out has been fulfilled – increasing safety for employees.

Francis continued: “There’s no doubt this has been an investment for the future in our warehousing capabilities. But it’s also been a real sign of our commitment to the staff’s health and safety – this investment has led to a boost in morale across the whole warehouse.

“These two hydraulic goods-only lifts have revolutionised our warehouse logistics. We are now able to move our goods in a much more structured way, creating a safe and efficient environment for our colleagues. It’s been so successful, we’re considering installing similar solutions at our other warehouses across the UK.”

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