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Month: November 2021

Bridgestone signs agreement with Collease

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Bridgestone’s flexibility, attention to detail and long-term approach to fleet management has worked together to secure a huge commercial partnership with Collease. The vehicle rental giant, with around 2,000 vehicles operating from the east of England, has agreed a two-year agreement with Bridgestone, incorporating all types of trailers and motorised equipment.

Bridgestone’s National Fleet Executive Neil Collison (pictured right), who played a key role in communicating the company’s holistic package of support, said: “We’re thrilled to be forging a partnership with Collease, which is a company very close to our hearts having worked with them in recent years. We have worked hard across the business to provide a bespoke package of solutions to meet their needs.

“From a product perspective, we have identified our R179+ as an ideal solution for the nature of the Collease operation. It offers a mix of longevity and reliability more suited for this rental fleet contract and made sense to opt for this premium product.

“In addition, our most advanced fleet management system (FLEETBRIDGE) automates the tailor made workflows between Collease, our Bridgestone Partner network and our fleet administration team.

“We were able to demonstrate savings in both cost and time, and to see the Bridgestone logo on the tyres that are turning for Collease will be a sight to make us extremely proud. It’s a partnership we value hugely.”

Bridgestone’s Total Tyre Care offering means the company will regularly audit all five sites in Norwich, Felixstowe, London, Southampton and Manchester in an attempt to get maximum life out of each tyre.

Collease Director Martin Drewery (pictured left) said: “Bridgestone come with a great reputation and we were already aware of a number of their solutions. But we could see that they have evolved as a business, underpinned by a diligent, hard-working team. They grasped what we wanted and displayed a level of flexibility to meet our needs, which was great to see.

“Neil’s knowledge and attention to detail was another impressive factor. It is nice to work with a business which speaks the same language as us and understands our needs.”

UniCarriers completes MX series with compact trucks

Posted on by David Priestman

With the MXS3 and MXS4, UniCarriers is expanding its successful MX series of electric counterbalanced trucks with new models that it says set benchmarks in agility, performance and intelligence.

All the new models are characterised by their compact and robust design, excellent manoeuvrability and intelligent control systems. This makes them ideal for dynamic handling tasks in demanding, confined environments.

The MXS3 line is made up of 3-wheel forklifts with capacities from 1.4 to 2 tonnes, while the 4-wheel forklifts from the MXS4 line have capacities of 1.6 to 2 tonnes. With this expansion, the MX series now covers all categories of logistical tasks, from the MXS all the way to the heavy-duty MXL range. It means that warehouse operators can find a one-stop solution for every application, from a single supplier.

The MXS3 and MSX4 combine the heritage of their award-winning predecessors, the TX3 and TX4, with the advanced technology of the MX series. All systems and components are specified for robustness, ease of maintenance and high operating efficiency, as well as excellent ergonomics.

With their compact design, amazing manoeuvrability and intelligent control systems, UniCarriers says the MXS3 and MXS4 are ideal for handling tasks in cramped, fast-paced environments. The latest steering technology maximises agility and productivity in tight spaces.

Four-wheel steering with +100° rear turning axle provides the MXS4 with smooth and agile manoeuvring, including instant side turns with no pushback. The MXS3 features 360° steering that allows the truck to turn 180° without stopping. The unique UniCarriers S3 – Stability Support System – adapts rapidly to pedal operation, and ensures all movements are smooth. Advanced curve control enables the fastest safe cornering speed in every situation. To ensure safe operation whatever the lift height or load, advanced hydraulics keep load handling steady and precisely controlled.

The system performance of a truck is defined by the interaction between vehicle and operator, and the MSX3 and MSX4 are both optimally tuned to their driver. Among their most outstanding features is a set of intelligent assistive technologies that ensure maximum driver comfort and safety.

Advanced safety features, ergonomic controls and comfortable working conditions enhance driver confidence, performance and satisfaction. The ProVision design with its unique transparent front panel gives the driver excellent vision in all directions, ensuring safe handling. An advanced full-colour display visualises data to ensure that the driver always has the most important information available at a glance. Spacious operator compartments offer comfort and easy access features for drivers of all sizes, in any of the perfect-fit cabin solutions – including optional cold store modification.

Built to cope with the harshest conditions, this truck range is suitable for deployment in food and beverage manufacturing and wholesale, fishing and fish processing, chemicals, textiles or general and refrigerated warehousing and storage, just to name a few examples – or wherever a powerful, intelligent and agile handling solution is required.

The MXS3 and MXS4 are available now from the manufacturer and all UniCarriers dealers.

Majority striving for Event-Driven Architecture

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Solace, a leader in powering real-time event-driven enterprises, has announced the results of an industry-first survey on event-driven architecture (EDA), shedding light on how organisations are striving to incorporate real-time data and event-driven architecture into their IT landscape.

Led by independent research firm Coleman Parkes, the global survey of 840 respondents, in roles ranging from C-Suite to IT architecture, discovered:

  • The majority of organisations, 85%, recognise the critical business value in adopting EDA
  • Adoption is still ‘early days’, as only 13% claim to have achieved full EDA maturity
  • The IT department is bought in, but more work needs to be done with business leadership

Gartner asserts “as the mastery of EDA is essential to digital business, and achieving this mastery is a multistep process, application leaders — still lacking a plan of action for strategic use of EDA — must begin now.” *

The findings show the majority of organisations surveyed clearly recognise the value of EDA and know what they want to achieve with it. The top priorities for EDA implementation were as follows:

  • Improving application responsiveness (46%)
  • Improving customer experiences (44%)
  • Responding to events and changes in real-time (43%)

Overall, 71% of businesses see the benefits of EDA outweighing the costs, or at least equalling them. This is partly driven by what businesses stand to lose by failure to invest in real-time data capabilities. With a lack of EDA, businesses are most concerned at the following outcomes:

  • Decision-making based on inconsistent & out of data information (46%)
  • Prevention of rapid response to threats and opportunities (45%)
  • Hindered ability to innovate (44%)

“The appetite for real-time data sharing as a means of coping with constantly changing landscapes is increasing. Businesses are under unprecedented pressure, with shifting customer demands pushing them into adapting and innovating,” said Mychelle Mollot, chief marketing officer, Solace. “For many, a business model underpinned by event-driven architecture has already proven its value, the benefits by far outweigh the costs, and they are on the way to implementing EDA across a variety of use cases.”

EDA maturity: early days to adoption

Despite high levels of enthusiasm for EDA, just 13% of global businesses surveyed claim to have made it to the ‘promised land’ of full EDA maturity. For those still on the journey, a number of obstacles lie in their way:

  • 75% of organisations cite lack of adequate technology as a key roadblock to EDA
  • 59% say they haven’t yet identified the right tools and vendors to meet their needs
  • A lack of education on the benefits (38%) or talent to execute implementation (37%) were also notable obstacles

Furthermore, for EDA to succeed, the survey found organisations need greater buy-in at the business leadership level. On the IT side, 61% already appreciate the value of real-time event-driven data distribution, pointing at an appetite for EDA. This number, however, drops off to just 35% when looking at business roles, where decision makers might have a harder time reconciling how the bottom line can benefit from EDA.

“Whatever their level of maturity, organisations know they must face some common challenges, which centre around education, skills, and efficiency,” added Mollot. “Crucially, IT already knows the possibilities of EDA: now is the time to prove the value to the bottom line and bring business leadership onboard.”

CLICK HERE to read Solace’s The Great EDA Migration report.

* Source: Gartner “Maturity Model for Event-Driven Architecture”, Yefim Natis, Massimo Pezzini, Keith Guttridge, Roy Schulte, 30th November 2020.

PSI Logistics receives “Top Employer” accolade

Posted on by David Priestman

The “Top Employer Medium-Sized Businesses 2022” study – published on 27th November 2021 by the business magazine Focus-Business – ranks PSI Logistics GmbH among the 4,000 best employers in Germany in the current industry ranking.

The top list was compiled by the research partner FactField GmbH on behalf of FOCUS. Using a high-quality methodology, the research institute determined top employers of medium-sized companies 2022 for around 40 industries. The survey was based on responses to a Germany-wide online survey as well as existing online reviews of employers with an average rating of at least 3.5 stars.

The range of questions reflects, among other things, the attractiveness of the employer and working environment, working conditions and career prospects. The final ranking of the companies is based on a score calculated from the two factors rating average and number of ratings (from both data sources).

Around 950,000 companies and 4,000,000 employee evaluations were analysed. The top list is broken down by industry and contains a total of around 4,000 excellent medium-sized companies. With a good overall rating, PSI Logistics was awarded the title “Top Medium-Sized Employer 2022”. For the fourth time in a row, this ranks the Berlin software company among the best employers in Germany in the evaluation of employees, applicants and the analysts of the research institute.

Successful project moves silos from Tunisia to UK

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Specialist Logistics Services (SLS), a specialist in the movement of out-of-gauge and abnormal project cargo, recently successfully executed one of its largest projects – the movement of seven silos and associated equipment from Sfax in Tunisia to the Wheelabrator Kemsley waste-to-energy plant in Kent, UK.

Moving project cargo requires coordination of stakeholders in multiple locations to ensure smooth and timely delivery of vital equipment. It is a complex business, involving much more than simply moving an item from A to B – though that, in itself, is a challenging task when it comes to heavy or outsize shipments.

It took two years to plan the move down to the smallest detail. In cooperation with the client and manufacturer, SLS also worked with landowners, government authorities, other transport companies and crane hire providers to ensure the delivery took place on time and on budget.

The support of Ridham Dock at Sittingbourne in the UK was also crucial. The key to the project’s success was finding a small port that was willing to make many infrastructure changes (for example  levelling yards, allowing SLS to make a new exit gate) to accommodate the sheer size of the silos. Consideration also then had to be taken of the overhead power lines and a transformer located near the exit point. The trucks carrying the huge silos had to comply with safety clearances specified by the National Grid.

SLS ensured that all cargo arrived in the UK on a weekend to avoid any disruption to local businesses and the surrounding area. SLS worked closely with local contractors to organise the removal of street furniture such as bollards and signage in order to pass unhindered and replaced it by the following morning along the private road between Ridham Docks and the job site at Kemsley, whilst ensuring minimal disruption to local businesses and residents.

SLS engaged many expert parties, including marine surveyors and customs clearance agents, to deliver this project safely and economically. On top of that, it is perhaps fitting that environmental considerations were of great importance in the logistics supporting this renewable energy project.

It was imperative that the largest silos, at 7.2m in diameter and 16m long, could be shipped to the job site in one piece without using public roads in order to minimise the amount of truck movements that would have been required if the cargo had been delivered as smaller units. SLS obtained special permission to use a privately-owned road for the final leg of the silos’ journey.

Detailed planning even helped to minimise the carbon footprint of the journey, making it as efficient and direct as possible.

Nerak Wiese strengthens UK team

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Vertical elevation specialist, Nerak Wiese Ltd, has promoted three members of its team to enhance its capabilities as demand for its solutions continues to grow.

Scott Amber, Josh Williams and Josh Kerr are all stepping up to more senior roles in the UK division of the global material handling company. “With a healthy order book and a high number of enquiries as businesses increasingly seek to automate their logistics and production processes,” commented John Oakley, Managing Director, “we are making these promotions to strengthen our technical, design and project management capabilities.”

Scott Amber has been promoted to the Board as a Director. He joined Nerak in 2013 as a Project Engineer, was promoted to Senior Project Engineer in 2018 and became Head of Design & Development last year. With a degree in Industrial and Product Design, he brings considerable engineering insight to Board decision-making.

A Design Engineer with Nerak since 2017, Josh Williams is being promoted to the role of Project Manager. Josh is a Product Design and Innovation graduate with proven skills in both engineering design and customer relationship management.

Also moving up to the role of Project Manager is Josh Kerr. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he joined Nerak earlier this year as a Solutions Design Engineer but has already demonstrated a clear ability to progress.

Nerak designs, manufactures and installs automated lifting and conveying solutions for both bulk goods and unit loads, with key products including continuous platform elevators, pallet lifts, bucket conveyors and reciprocating hoists. The company has supplied vertical elevation systems for clients in diverse sectors including GlaxoSmithKline, JD Sports, John Lewis, Unilever and XPO Logistics.

Pictured (left-right): Josh Kerr, Scott Amber and Josh Williams

Logistics Business Show Spring 2022

Posted on by David Priestman

The three-day Logistics Business Show got underway online on Tuesday March 15th. As well as a chance to explore products and solutions from a broad range of exhibitors, visitors can also network with the 5,000+ industry professionals who have already registered.

As in previous events, the Panel Discussions for the conference are attracting considerable interest. Once again they will be expertly hosted by Logistics Business Magazine’s Editor Paul Hamblin, and reflect the broad variety of exhibitors signed up to attend.

The industry experts speaking on the first day (Tuesday March 15th) of the Logistics Business Show virtual event will cover subjects ranging from sustainability and automation to road transport and inventory management, the panel debates have again attracted high-level speakers from sector-leading European and global businesses.

The provisional timetable for TUESDAY MARCH 15th is as follows:

Road Transport Challenges – 10.00 UTC/11.00 CET

Panellists: Stefan Van Doorslaer, CEO of Belgian logistics expert Ahlers; experienced New Zealand-based editor and journalist Nigel Parry from ontherack.news; and Tom Southall, policy director at the UK’s Cold Chain Federation.

Delivery WISMO & Inventory Management – 11.00 UTC/12.00 CET

Panellists: Craig Summers, UKI managing director at supply chain solutions leader Manhattan Associates; Mike Becker, managing director & co-founder of intralogistics automation company doks.innovation GmbH; and Cedric Mollon, co-founder and CEO of barcode scanning start-up VIZIOTIX.

Automation Systems in the DC – 12.00 UTC/13.00 CET

Panellists: Wouter Loomans, sales manager at US industrial automation leader Material Handling Systems Inc (MHS); Oana Jinga, CCO and co-founder of British robotics and AI company BotsAndUs; and Gianni Girolami, key account manager of advanced robotics maker HAI Robotics.

Sustainable, Low-Carbon Supply Chains – 14.00 UTC/15.00 CET

Panellists: Kevin Onderbeke, director of business development at Ahlers; Paul Williams, executive director of global logistic, freight forwarding & supply chain specialist Woodland Group; and Oliver Chapman, CEO of supply chain procurement partner OCI.

Putting Your Data to Work – 15.00 UTC/16.00 CET

Panellists: Robert Jordan, CEO of The Information Factory, an independent software vendor; Graeme Aitken, VP strategic customer pricing at DHL Global Forwarding; and Ulrik Topp, independent director of transport services reseller World Options.

On the second day (Wednesday March 16th) subjects being covered range from forklift innovation through health & safety to the latest robotics solutions.

The provisional timetable for WEDNESDAY MARCH 16th is as follows:

Forklift Innovation & Components – 10.00 UTC/11.00 CET

Panellists: Adam Dudas-Smith, Export Area Manager at industrial tyre specialist Marangoni; serial entrepreneur Louise Inglese, Founder & CEO of GenieGrips; Jean-Francois Marchand, Marketing Director for Canadian Li-ion battery manufacturer UgoWork; and Pete Wooding, Manager Technology & VNA at global forklift maker Crown Lift Trucks.

Robotics: Affordability & AI – 11.00 UTC/12.00 CET

Panellists: Adam Fox, Business Development Manager for logistics automation leader Swisslog; Jason Dyche, Division Director of logistics solution provider Big Box Group UK; and Kevin Heath, Senior Manager in the Dematic Global Robotics Center of Excellence (CoE).

Software for Real Time Visibility – 12.00 UTC/13.00 CET

Panellists: Jorge Lopera, Vice President and Head of Global Strategy for FarEye; and Tony Dobson, CEO at Snapfulfil EMEA.

Warehouse Worker Health & Safety – 14.00 UTC/15.00 CET

Panellists: James Ryan, Owner at safety equipment manufacturer Sentry Protection Products; Kevin Antony, Chief Executive Officer at van accessory producer Safepul Ltd; and Abi Piper, Sales & Business Development for Scafftag at global safety leader Brady Corporation.

Track & Trace: Rugged Mobile – 15.00 UTC/16.00 CET

Panellists: Rogier de Klein, Senior Account Executive at FarEye; Laurent Turmes, International sales manager at POST Telecom for Business; and Mike Willett, Retail, T&L, Manufacturing Lead at Panasonic TOUGHBOOK.

The organisers are delighted to announce that FarEye is the event’s principal sponsor. FarEye is a low-code, Intelligent Delivery Management Platform, enabling enterprises to orchestrate, track, and optimise their logistics operations. FarEye’s native SaaS products provide real-time visibility across transportation networks and logistics orchestration for the execution of deliveries across the first, mid and last mile.

David Priestman, Director of Logistics Business Publishing, the event’s organiser, said: “Our panel discussions have proved one of the most popular aspects of the Logistics Business Show. This time round, we announced our themes in advance in order to attract speakers with knowledge to impart from across the logistics sector.”

With a full programme of exclusive conferences and interviews running alongside the exhibition, please CLICK HERE to find out more about the must-visit third staging of the Logistics Business Show. Registered visitors can log-in early on Monday 14th March to finalise their and prepare their online profile.

As a taster, please CLICK HERE to view some of the conference sessions from the Autumn 2021 staging of the Logistics Business Show.

LogiMAT postponed until May

Posted on by Keith McKinley

LogiMAT, the International Trade Show for Intralogistics Solutions and Process Management scheduled for March 8–10, 2022, in Stuttgart, has been postponed due to the renewed challenges associated with Covid-19. The organiser, EUROEXPO Messe und Kongress-GmbH, has worked closely with exhibitors in making the decision to push back the event to May 31–June 2, 2022.

“The current high level of case incidences is unsettling to everyone, including our exhibitors,” explained Michael Ruchty, Exhibition Director of LogiMAT Stuttgart. “This is understandable and cannot simply be ignored. That’s why we are compelled once more to respond to the situation at hand. Our exhibitors need certainty for their planning, and that’s difficult right now.

“From today’s perspective, it isn’t clear whether it will be possible to host the full on-site event in March. The exhibitors would like to see an in-person event, but if vaccination rates remain too low and the resulting strain on hospital capacities leads once more to the introduction of stricter measures, then that’s not in the interests of everyone involved. We must do everything we can to ensure that the event lives up to the understandable expectations of on-site exhibitors and visitors. That’s why it’s not surprising that many exhibitors explicitly support this postponement.”

The LogiMAT.digital platform will be extended for all participants to the end of June 2022 to bridge the time until the trade show in May 2022.

Swissterminal connects Ottmarsheim and Antwerp by rail

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Swissterminal AG, a leading Swiss integrated logistics provider, is expanding its Schweizerzug rail product portfolio with a new rail connection between Antwerp and Ottmarsheim starting 1st January 2022. This transport service will begin with three direct roundtrips per week, each with the fastest overnight connection between the seaport and the Alsace region.

This new product allows 540 TEU per week to be transported by eco-friendly rail, providing an efficient and economical alternative to more polluting transport modes. Furthermore, by adding these rail capacities, Swissterminal expects to offer relief for supply chain congestion across the region and build greater resilience into its network.

Handling will take place at Ottmarsheim every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. In Antwerp, the handling days are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Customers utilising the service will benefit from convenient pick-up and delivery times as well as a range of Swissterminal ancillary container services, such as maintenance/repair and reefer services.

“With this addition to our rail network, we will bring new opportunities to the border triangle of France, Switzerland and Germany,” explained Roman Mayer, Swissterminal CEO. “Positioned on the river Rhine, Ottmarsheim is an important location for a wide range of shipping lines, freight forwarders and beneficial cargo owners. By rolling out this new rail service, we are not only meeting market demand with sustainable connections to one of Europe’s most import ports, but we are also taking a step toward our goal of transforming Ottmarsheim into a rail hub catering to the entire tri-border region.”

After being awarded the concession to operate the French ports of Mulhouse in Ottmarsheim, Ile Napoleon and Huningue-Village-Neuf on 1st July 2021, Swissterminal announced its intentions to improve transport connections to key locations across Europe for the forwarding industry in Alsace, Southern Germany and Switzerland. The introduction of this new rail product is the first in a series of progressive developments planned over the next months and years.

“The Alsace region has strong logistics potential, and we have ambitious plans for the future here,” concluded Mayer. “With our intermodal know-how – as well as our wide range of services, innovations and warehousing – Swissterminal is fully committed to supporting the growth of the region and meeting demanding market requirements.”

FourKites appoints ex-Uber Freight manager

Posted on by David Priestman

Oleksii Kosenko has joined FourKites, a leading real-time supply chain visibility platform, as Director Carrier Network Operations, EMEA, to accelerate the company’s rapidly growing carrier base in Europe. Prior to joining FourKites, Kosenko led the carrier sales teams at Uber Freight and sennder Technologies GmbH, and held a senior sales role at C.H. Robinson.

“As today’s supply chain challenges put increasing pressure on carriers across the world, my priority is to ensure that European carriers of all sizes can leverage FourKites to offer better customer service, improve cash flow and cut costs,” said Kosenko. “Being able to provide a secure platform for sharing data is what will propel the entire supply chain visibility market into the future, and carriers should receive immense value in return.”

According to a recent study from FourKites and Reuters, carrier relationships and capacity constraints are a persistent problem for shippers. “Our biggest challenges are carrier integration and data sharing,” said Ferenc Polgar, Global Distribution Operational Excellence Lead, Bayer. “Given the volume of transportation companies we subcontract with, getting them engaged to connect and share data is a big challenge. It can be their capability to share data, their infrastructure or how they communicate. It is improving, but very slowly.”

FourKites pioneered real-time supply chain visibility in 2014 and has since built the world’s largest platform to track shipments across every mode of transportation, including road, rail, ocean, air, parcel and courier. The company works with some of Europe’s largest GPS hardware providers to help carriers of all sizes get GPS tracking technology at both the hardware and software levels. Globally, the company tracks more than 2 million shipments a day for more than 750 of the world’s most recognised brands.

In addition to real-time visibility, FourKites improves efficiency for carriers and drivers through digital documentation workflows, enhanced collaboration tools and mobile capabilities.

“Oleksii plays a strategic role in our major European investments, and we’re delighted to have such an experienced industry veteran onboard as we continue to drive momentum among Europe’s carrier base,” said Mathew Elenjickal, FourKites Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “His deep understanding of the European carrier landscape and his expertise in the Eastern European and Baltic regions is exactly what we need to enhance our offering for carriers. He also brings us experience with 3PL and digital freight forwarders.”

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