2 December, 2021

GEFCO tests biodiesel fuel in car transporters

Posted on 2 December, 2021 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 2 December, 202125 July, 2025 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.

Clark launches Li-Ion high-lift pallet truck

Posted on 2 December, 2021 by David Priestman

Ergonomic and safe load handling

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.

Sportisimo DC features state-of-the-art automation

Posted on 2 December, 202125 July, 2025 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.”

Sportisimo DC features state-of-the-art automation

Posted on 2 December, 2021 by David Priestman

Prologis aims to bring seasonal cheer

Posted on 2 December, 2021 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.”

Prologis aims to bring seasonal cheer

Posted on 2 December, 2021 by David Priestman

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.

Ergonomic and safe load handling

Ergonomic and safe load handling

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