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Day: 2 December 2021

HAI claims success for e-commerce project

Posted on by David Priestman

HAI Robotics, a global leader in Autonomous Case-handling Robotic (ACR) system for warehouse logistics, is calling its first project in the UK with Chinese cross-border warehouse operator WINIT a success, as deliveries for holiday shopping parcels are about to reach customers.

The project provides 120,000 storage locations with shelving height of 4.3m in a 10,000 sq m warehouse in Tamworth, Staffordshire. By deploying 100 HAIPICK A42 robots and 16 On-conveyor Picking Workstations in the warehouse, goods-handling efficiency is improved between three- and four-fold compared with manual work, with a daily handling volume of up to 50,000 pieces.

The warehouse owner WINIT is a Shanghai-based provider of overall solutions for cross-border e-commerce, and runs overseas warehousing and distribution services in Australia, the US and several European countries. With the project going live, it saw its warehouse throughput spiked, comfortably accommodating the inrushing order-fulfilment requests for cross-border warehousing and logistics from merchants around the world, driven by the online shopping boom since the Covid-19 lockdown.

Demands for global warehousing service has dramatically surged with the flourishing cross-border e-commerce businesses in recent. Custom statistics indicate that in 2020, Chinese cross-border trade volume amounted to RMB1.69 trillion (€0.23 trillion), rising 31.1% from the previous year and the figure is estimated to go up to RMB16 trillion (€2.21 trillion) in 2021. By 2020, the number of overseas warehouses owned by Chinese operators exceeded 1,800, totalling more than 12 million sq m in land area.

However, cross-border warehouse operators are often confronted with some hard nuts to crack.

To start with, a major issue that constantly vexes warehouse owners operating overseas is staff shortages and the rising cost of hiring local labourers. They also found it a headache to maintain a stable workforce in their warehouses, which are often located near commercial hubs in industrialised countries, even with above-average level wages. Automating their warehouses has become a pressing issue.

The second challenge is the huge number of SKUs owned by different merchants, which could range from consumer electronics to baby toys. The fact has raised concerns of storage density and picking efficiency. To meet consumers’ growing demands for short parcels delivery time, furnishing a warehouse with robots that can handle complex order-fulfilment tasks can be a rewarding decision.

Last but not least, a flexible warehousing solution that can be swiftly deployed weighs heavily for cross-border warehouse owners whose growing businesses can’t wait for too long.

WINIT, who found no shortcuts to address those concerns, found the HAI Robotics’ solution a good match for the needs of high storage density, goods-handling accuracy, operation efficiency and flexibility.

With the HAIPICK A42 robot that allows picking and sorting with eight loads in one movement, one worker can handle 450 pieces of goods per hour, which is three to four times faster than manual work. The solution has also improved storage density by 130% with spaces from 0.25m to 6.5m high being fully utilised. The HAIPICK system, which supports intelligent totes identification and labels reading, boasts 99.99% picking and sorting accuracy.

Kane Luo, Vice President of Sales from HAI Robotics, said that a customised plan was made for the project to improve performance, including elevated storage density and innovative workflows to facilitate necessary manual work: “We were primarily obliged to provide ACR system. However, we’ve taken into consideration the whole process from inbounds to packaging of outbound goods. The workstations were also ergonomically redesigned according to overseas standards.”

The future of forklifts is electric

Posted on by David Priestman

With more and more forklift truck users opting for electric-power over IC-engine driven machines when the time comes to replace or upgrade their materials handling equipment fleet, the coming years are expected to bring a clear shift away from diesel and LPG towards electric forklifts. Indeed, Toyota Material Handling expect the UK market for electric counterbalanced forklift trucks to grow by as much as 10% in the next five years. In this article, Toyota’s counterbalance specialist, Paul Bowers, considers some of the factors driving the rise of the electric-powered forklift market.

According to the most reliable estimates, the forklift market has historically been split roughly 60/40 between LPG- or diesel-powered internal combustion engine (IC) trucks and battery-driven electric models – with diesel being the most dominant fuel. But the coming years are anticipated to bring a clear shift away from diesel and LPG towards electric forklifts.

At Toyota Material Handling, for example, we expect the UK market for electric counterbalanced forklift trucks to grow by as much as 10% in the next five years as more and more truck users opt for electric-power over IC-engine driven machines when the time comes to replace or upgrade their fleets.

The rise of the electric lift truck can be attributed to a number of different factors – including heightened environmental concerns, rising fuel prices and greater awareness of staff welfare.

Advances in battery technology, such as the further development of lithium-ion and  to a lesser extent (for now) hydrogen fuel cells, are also leading to greater interest in electric power, while the wide-ranging changes to intralogistics processes brought about by the seemingly relentless increase in internet shopping tend to favour electric trucks too.

Of course, environmental issues have been on the corporate agenda for many years but recent talk of the introduction of a ‘carbon emissions tax’ has seen a sharp increase in the truck users that include like-for-like carbon emissions comparisons as part of their forklift fleet purchasing process. IC-engine trucks rarely come top of the class in such tests, which will not be a surprise to many given that electric-powered trucks have always been perceived to have the edge over the IC-engine alternative in all matters ‘green’.

But it would be wrong to conclude that the electric truck market is only growing because diesel sales are in decline: recent developments in technology mean the electric lift truck is now a highly sophisticated product that offers real business benefits to the broadest range of users. And, furthermore, today’s battery-driven forklifts are capable of performing highly effectively within the type of harsh environments that historically only diesel trucks would be considered suitable for.

Perhaps the single biggest technological advance behind the upsurge in electric truck sales is the arrival of the lithium-ion battery. While lead acid remains by far the dominant battery type within the electric-powered forklift market, sales of lithium-ion forklifts have been on a sustained upward curve for some time.

Although it is estimated that in the region of 90% of all electric forklifts in operation throughout the world are still running on lead acid batteries, the lithium-ion solution has now become well established as a viable alternative. Indeed, nearly a quarter of all Toyota electric-powered forklift trucks ordered for delivery in the UK now feature lithium-ion battery (LiB) technology.

Today, lithium-ion is revolutionising the way that some companies operate their intralogistics processes. Lithium-ion batteries have the ability to be recharged in as little as one hour – which increases a truck’s overall availability. One hour’s charging will give in the region of 4 to 5 hours of operating time. Also, as these batteries allow for opportunity charging, trucks can be recharged anywhere by the operator during breaks in a shift or other periods of downtime. As a result, there is no need to swap batteries – so dedicated charging rooms and spare batteries are not necessary.

Hydrogen fuel cells are also emerging as another viable alternative to lead acid batteries. At the present time, Hydrogen only becomes financially realistic where in the region of 90+ trucks are in operation at one location due to the significant investment required in hydrogen generation and storage systems, so the potential user market is currently somewhat limited.

But large fleet operators are keen to embrace the technology and Toyota Hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklifts are already operating at sites across the Nordic region and Europe as well as Australia. Meanwhile in the automotive sector Toyota’s hydrogen-powered Mirai is at the forefront of a new age of hydrogen fuel cell cars that deliver long distance zero-emissions driving.

Of course, as with any new development, when the product matures the price will drop and there is every reason to believe hydrogen fuel cell power will be within reach of every business with a forklift fleet in the not-too-distant future.

But, despite the worldwide rush to eliminate – or at least minimise – the use of fossil fuels and the myriad benefits that electric trucks offer users in terms of running costs, productivity, reduced pollution etc, it is unlikely that we are witnessing the last days of the diesel-powered lift truck.

There are currently still numerous applications, particularly where extra-heavy lifting is involved and truck capacities of 8t and over are required, where a diesel forklift remains the best option. This might not be the case in 10 years’ time though.

Companies considering switching from IC- to electric-engine forklift trucks, should always discuss their options with their MHE supplier who will be able to assess the benefits of going electric for every type of operation.

Ashworth joins Kinaxia board

Posted on by David Priestman

Kinaxia Logistics has appointed leading industry figure Neil Ashworth to its board to support the development and roll-out of its digitalisation strategy.

Ashworth has more than 25 years’ board level experience in the logistics, supply chain, retail and e-commerce industries, with a track record of helping companies and organisations remain at the forefront of market innovation and transform their operations into the digital era.

He is a former chairman of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport and in a recent role was the director of delivery channels for the Department of Health and Social Care’s Covid-19 testing programme across the UK.

Before that post he was chief strategy officer and chief commercial officer at Yodel Delivery Network and chief executive of Collect+. He previously also held senior roles at companies including Tesco and Woolworths.

Currently Ashworth is non-executive chairman of private equity-backed e-commerce fulfilment specialist Selazar, a non-executive director of global healthcare supplies business 2San Global and an adviser to product data technology business IVIS Group.

Kinaxia chief executive Simon Hobbs said: “Neil brings a great deal of experience to our board, both from a supply chain and retail perspective, and will help us refine and implement the digitalisation of the business.

“I look forward to working closely with Neil and benefiting from his proven expertise.”

Ashworth said: “I am delighted to be joining the team at Kinaxia Logistics as they build on their already impressive journey to create a leading force in the UK logistics market.

“My experience complements the capabilities of the existing team, and I look forward to working closely with Simon to drive future growth as a non-executive on the board of directors, which reinforces and highlights the board’s commitment to promoting good corporate governance.”

Kinaxia employs more than 1,600 staff across its businesses and has a fleet of more than 800 vehicles which transport goods for supermarkets and other retailers as well as the leisure, food and drink and manufacturing sectors.

Headquartered in Macclesfield, Cheshire (UK), Kinaxia offers contract packing, e-fulfilment, returns management and storage services from its nationwide warehouse facilities.

 “Game-changing” solution for ultra-cold pharma transport

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The launch of the latest solution from pharmaceutical thermal protection specialist Tower Cold Chain is cited as a “game-changer” by customers who have tested the new KTM42D Tower Double Euro Pallet Ultra Cold in the field.

The KTM42D is a fully reusable double-pallet temperature-controlled packaging container, for the transportation and extended storage of products that require an internal temperature range of -80˚C to -60˚C.

It is therefore ideally suited for the transportation of vaccines, life science products and any other product requiring a stable temperature environment during transportation or storage.

The “game-changing” nature of the KTM42D lies in the use of Tower’s proven robust, reliable and reusable technology, to achieve the optimum balance between ultra-low temperatures, shipment size, simplicity of use, and reusability.

“All of our solutions are developed to meet the needs of pharmaceutical manufacturers, 3PL providers and airlines,” commented Niall Balfour, CEO of Tower Cold Chain. “As such, the KTM42D has been designed to accept two full Euro pallets and maintain the stored contents at less than –60°C for over 94 hours.

“Initial feedback has been beyond our expectations, with one partner calling it a ‘game changer.’ We can’t wait to show customers everything that the KTM42D can do,” he added.

The KTM42D is compatible with all major modes of transit delivery, including wide-bodied aircraft, reefers and all road-transport options.

By using a passive temperature control system that removes the need for external power, and datalogging technology to provide real-time confirmation of the internal temperature, no human intervention is required during transportation.

Instead, the KTM42D features an easy load and unload process through double door access. With less than five-minute load-and-reload time, human contact with dry-ice is minimised to help maintain industry-leading health and safety working conditions.

Temperature is consistent throughout the payload to prevent any temperature differentiation in container. Indeed, when stored in a (-20°C) freezer unit the KTM42D maintains temperatures of under -60°C for over nine days and can be replenished with dry ice in under five minutes, providing unlimited deep freeze time.

The KTM42D is available across Tower’s growing global network of strategically located hubs, providing availability within 24 hours or less. In addition, all KTM42Ds are fully reusable, helping customers to meet sustainability targets with a circular solution for their pharmaceutical supply chain.

Time to winterproof safety signage

Posted on by David Priestman

Winter is not the safest season. Slips and falls increase dramatically, especially when working outdoors, or simply walking to an office from the parking lot. When the cold and dark seem to conspire against health and safety and the need increases to highlight new safety communication to lower the risks, Brady is proposing signage solutions to help make the winter safe.

Reliable safety identification solutions to support Go for Zero programmes throughout winter include:

  • ISO-compliant ultra-visible reflective signs with excellent outdoor reliability to clearly identify on-site winter slip hazards and other risks, and easily guide employees, even in the dark
  • reliable pipe markers easy to apply to wet, rainy and cold outdoor pipe surfaces to make them compliant with any regulation or standard
  • PaintStripe stencils to quickly re-paint or create new, straight outdoor floor marking
  • outdoor safety cones and A-board floor stands to immediately highlight ice patches and other emerging winter hazards

While any solution can be pre-printed to a customer’s specifications, Brady also offers full flexibility to get through winter. With the BBP37 Multicolour & Cut Sign & Label Printer at their premises, a customer can quickly update safety and facility identification to reduce risks by:

  • creating reliable, industrial-grade outdoor signs, labels and pipe markers in any shape
  • using in stand-alone mode, or add Brady Workstation apps to design an even wider range of signs, pipe markers and safety labels
  • stocking a few blank label supplies – requiring minimal storage space – to sustain safety identification needs throughout winter

GEFCO tests biodiesel fuel in car transporters

Posted on by David Priestman

In November 2021, GEFCO France and Gardien Transports started testing synthetic biodiesel made from waste oil and fat as an alternative fuel for two car transporters distributing new vehicles in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. This one-year project supports GEFCO France’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from its finished vehicles logistics (FVL) operations.

For these tests, GEFCO France and Gardien Transports have selected Altens PUR-XTL synthetic biodiesel. This alternative fuel is produced exclusively from waste materials, and can be used in regular diesel vehicles without any technical modifications. Compared to standard diesel, PUR-XTL promises to cut CO2 emissions by 85-90% and fine/ultrafine particles by up to 65% on short journeys with 500km of autonomy.

After committing to the EVcom voluntary carbon reduction program in 2019 and Objectif CO2 standards in early 2021, GEFCO France is now testing alternative fuels (natural gas and biogas) and rolling out a programme for its proprietary finished vehicles logistics business focused on four priorities:

Flow optimisation. Transport schedules, plans and loads are regularly revised and optimised to reduce the flow of trucks and avoid empty return journeys whenever possible.

Vehicles. GEFCO France is aiming to upgrade 100% of its FVL fleet to Euro 6 vehicle emissions standards by the end of 2021. Through these upgrades, the fleet’s fuel consumption at 100km already dropped by 10% between 2015 and 2020. GEFCO France is also asking its partners to make similar upgrades.

Drivers. Since 2015, GEFCO France drivers have followed an eco-driving training programme, renewable every two years. At the end of 2020, 80% had completed this training.

Fuel. To monitor equipment performance and optimise maintenance, GEFCO France tractors are equipped with integrated telematic systems to adapt fuel consumption to loads and road conditions.

This partnership further demonstrates its commitment to a more sustainable logistics sector in France.

“Like GEFCO France, Gardien Transports has signed the Objectif CO2 charter to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Frédéric Briand, COO Finished Vehicle Logistics at GEFCO France. “Our partner is committed to moving the transportation and logistics business forward. Gardien Transports’ values reflect our own, providing all the more reason to support its efforts.”

Clark launches Li-Ion high-lift pallet truck

Posted on by David Priestman

Clark has launched a new high-lift pallet truck onto the market. The efficient and versatile PSX16 pedestrian stacker with foldable ride-on platform and side protection bars is suitable for the economical transport of goods over longer distances as well as for the storage and retrieval of goods on higher racking levels.

For particularly intensive applications, the PSX16 is also available with a Lithium-Ion battery (Li-Ion). It can then be used wherever operators want to benefit from the advantages of this technology, such as easy handling and free from maintenance, the intermediate charging capability or the gassing-free recharging of the battery. With the PSX16, Clark presents its first high-lift pallet truck with Li-Ion battery and expands the product range in the field of Li-Ion vehicles once again.

With a load capacity of 1600kg, servo steering as standard, a battery capacity of up to 375Ah of the lead-acid version as well as an side battery removal system, the electric high-lift truck PSX16 offers everything needed for demanding use in industry, distribution and trade.

Clark says the truck is characterised by a robust design and intuitive operation. Thanks to compact dimensions and a small turning radius, the unit is ideally suited for applications in space-critical work areas and pedestrian operation. For this purpose, both the stand-on platform and the side bars can be folded away. In pedestrian mode, the travel speed is reduced, enabling precise manoeuvring. The powerful lift motor and the proportional hydraulic system ensure smooth and precise lifting and lowering of loads at lifting heights of up to 5.8m.

The four-point support system allows the lift to be positioned at any height. With the aid of the four-point support, the operator achieves a high residual capacity with the PSX16. The modern drive motor in three-phase AC technology guarantees a high degree of efficiency with powerful acceleration and fast change of direction. Thanks to the excellent energy balance of the PSX16, the operator can look forward to low operating costs.

Ergonomic and safe load handling

For easy and ergonomic ascent and descent, Clark has designed the platform step height to be very low at only 160mm. Good all-round visibility ensures that the operator always has the fork tips and load in view. On longer transport routes and in curves, he benefits from side guards with a soft-grip surface that ensure a comfortable grip.

The operator can activate the side guards without leaving the truck. The operator’s spine is relieved by the spring-loaded, low-vibration ride-on platform. The driver can thus cover even longer distances without stress. For a high level of safety, the speed is automatically reduced when cornering. The truck has roll-back protection for safe use on gentle slopes. The standard mast damping system allows the operator to store and retrieve goods safely and without jolts.

The ergonomic tiller is equally suitable for right- and left-handers. The display integrated in the frame provides information about the battery charge level, operating hours and error code messages.

The PSX16 high-lift pallet truck is also available as a Li-Ion version with a battery voltage of 205Ah for particularly intensive operations or in multi-shift use. The high energy density of the battery enables high driving performance and availability without the hassle of changing the battery. The Li-Ion battery guarantees extremely short charging times.

A 24/7 truck availability can be achieved by fast intermediate charging during break times without limiting the battery life. To do this, simply connect the external charger to the battery. No high-voltage connection is required. The battery can be recharged at any 230V socket. Battery and charger in the Li-Ion version are optimally matched to each other, and the built-in battery management system ensures safe operation.

In addition, the operator benefits from numerous advantages that have a positive effect on operating costs: Compared to the lead-acid battery, the Li-Ion battery has a longer service life. There is no additional expense for maintenance work, as the Li-Ion battery is maintenance-free. Intermediate charging can be carried out without the need for a special charging room and the charging location does not need to be ventilated as there is no gassing. Clark uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which have a safe cell chemistry. Thus, using the Li-Ion battery is also a good choice from an ecological point of view.

Sportisimo DC features state-of-the-art automation

Posted on by David Priestman

In Sportisimo’s selection process, the intralogistics expertise offered by SSI Schaefer scored points with the sporting goods retailer, and subsequently the contract was awarded to them: Sportisimo’s newly built distribution centre in Hrušov/Ostrava, Czech Republic, will be equipped with an automated intralogistics solution by SSI Schaefer. The hall will be built on brownfield land in Contera Park Ostrava D1. In addition to supplying both branches, the new distribution centre will also supply Sportisimo customers who have placed orders through the online store. The future solution will focus on the automation aspect.

The contract between Sportisimo and SSI Schaefer was signed in May 2021. It is an important project that underscores the development and goals of the sporting goods retailer. Currently, project planning is in full swing, and the construction of the hall has also begun. Operation of the new facility is scheduled to begin in January 2023, which is a record time for such a large and complex project. In the future, Sportisimo will use Contera Park Ostrava D1 to supply both its branches and online customers in the Czech Republic and the surrounding countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

The new logistics solution is designed to ensure maximum warehouse efficiency. “More than 6,000 metres of conveying systems from SSI Schaefer will be installed in Sportisimo’s hall, connecting the different warehouse areas – from depalletising and goods-in to the automated small parts warehouse (ASPW), the picking area and shipping,” explained Marian Gono, Managing Director of SSI Schaefer Systems International in the Czech Republic.

“Along the conveying sections, 150 workstations will be set up where all orders and returns will be consolidated. The ASPW is designed to be 23m high and currently has 11 aisles with a capacity of over 300,000 cartons. It accepts cartons arriving directly from suppliers. The plan for the future is to expand the small parts warehouse by adding more aisles.”

He adds that a four-story pick tower will be built next to the ASPW. It is made up of racks with aisles. A centre aisle will have additional conveying systems as well as workstations for consolidating picked orders. Plus, a large steel platform will be built in the hall, which will be manufactured at the SSI Schaefer Group plant in Hranice na Moravě. This platform will hold the picking stations used to pack orders and prepare them for shipping.

“From the very beginning, we tried to make the transport distances as short as possible when delivering the material prior to assembly,” Gono emphasised. “That is why we are making full use of our production facility in Hranice na Moravě, which significantly reduces our carbon footprint. Not only are we shortening the transport distances, but we are also supporting the Czech economy.”

Prologis aims to bring seasonal cheer

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Leading logistics property company Prologis will be giving back to charities across the UK and Europe when it embarks upon its ‘dock doors of giving’ campaign for the fourth year running.

The event will see employees, along with their counterparts based in the company’s office across Europe, raising money, donating much-needed items and giving up their time to support local charities throughout the month of December.

The annual charitable giving campaign was named ‘the dock doors of giving’, after the numbered dock doors on the company’s warehouses served as inspiration for a reverse advent calendar which has now become a month-long campaign of giving back to the charities and communities close to its Prologis Parks.

Organised by the Prologis EU Charity Action Team (CHAT), along with the company’s employees, customers, and supply chain, this year’s goal is to raise more than £178,000 (€200,000) to support a selection of charities, communities, and causes over the festive season.

First introduced in the UK in 2018, the company decided to extend the fundraising initiative across its European business for the first-time last year and returned over £244,000 (€275,000) to charities across Europe, outperforming the initial target of £178,000 (€200,000).

Among the UK-based charities who will receive support from the fundraising campaign this year are Acorns Children’s Hospice, Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid and Warwick-based charity Molly Olly’s Wishes (pictured). In total, 78 charities (29 UK charities and 49 charities across Europe) will benefit from this year’s campaign.

Paul Weston, Prologis UK regional head, said: “Giving back to charity and supporting the communities close to our Prologis Parks and offices is an important part of our culture and is integral to our ParkLife initiative.

“The pandemic has left many people reliant on the help of charities and good causes at a time when many have seen donations fall away or decrease and I’m enormously proud of the way our teams work tirelessly to volunteer, raise much-needed funds and donate essential items to help make Christmas that little but brighter for those in need.”

Rachel Ollerenshaw set up Molly Olly’s Wishes in 2011 following the death of her daughter Molly to a rare kidney cancer. The Charity emotionally supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families across the UK and is well-known for its therapeutic toy lion, Olly the Brave.

Rachel said: “We are so grateful to Prologis for picking us to take part in this ‘dock doors of giving’ campaign. Each gift we give to a child is around £500 so all funds donated and raised through this partnership will help to make such a difference to seriously ill children and young people. Our mission is to help make the dark days brighter so thank you Prologis for helping us to do just that.”

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