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Month: December 2021

SP Digital upgrades to automated mobile robotics

Posted on by David Priestman

Geek+, a global AMR leader, is continuing its expansion in South America with the successful deployment of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at SP Digital, a leading e-commerce company for computer hardware and gaming products in Chile. The project will provide SP Digital with the capacity to support its rapid business growth during peak season.

The solution was implemented in collaboration with Boreal, a key provider of mobile solutions in Latin America and a strategic partner of Geek+’s AMR solutions.

“We are excited to see Boreal leverage our picking solution to support a leading e-commerce company like SP Digital with the efficiency and accuracy needed to expand its business,” said Randy Randolph, Senior Director Channel Relationships, of Geek+ America. “By integrating our AI-driven AMRs, SP Digtial can optimise its warehouse operations, respond to rapid changes in order volume, and continue to provide accurate deliveries during peak season.”

In light of a surge in online shopping trigged by the COVID-19 pandemic, SP Digital has faced unprecedented challenges and massive spikes in demand. In order to improve operator picking efficiency and warehouse throughput, the company digitalised its supply chain with Geek+’s picking solutions. By integrating smart AI technologies and advanced picking robotics, SP Digital is now able to optimise warehouse operations, achieve maximum picking efficiency, and meet increased consumer demands.

Diego Santander, CEO of SP Digital, said: “For us, implementing the Geek+ robotics systems in our value chain is an important step on the path towards enriching and strengthening the services we offer our clients. In a crazy, dynamic, and changing world, the only accurate compass is people. Listening to your customers it is always a successful and enriching exercise. We are very satisfied with the work done together with Boreal and Geek+ robotics. We look forward to continuing to collaborate and expand the range of solutions.”

Roberto Fuhr, CEO of Boreal Technologies, commented: “SP Digital is a great example of the successful implementation of autonomous mobile robots by Boreal with remote support from Geek+. We are very happy to have collaborated with our collective teams that provided the comprehensive automation capabilities, and we appreciate the opportunity they gave us to automate current and future operations.”

With pandemic-induced changes in consumer shopping, Geek+ will continue to work closely with SP Digital to enable fast and agile order fulfilment and will collaborate with Boreal to support e-commerce retailers overcome warehouse challenges across South America.

 

 

STILL supports vaccination campaign

Posted on by Keith McKinley

STILL is supporting the City of Hamburg’s vaccination campaign by providing extensive premises and the necessary infrastructure for two open vaccination days organised by the social security authorities at the STILL Arena in Billbrook.

On 10th December, 2021, and 7th January, 2022, anyone over the age of 12 who is willing to be vaccinated can benefit from the offer without pre-registration. Primary, secondary and booster vaccinations will be offered and the vaccines available will be from Biontech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.

Taking responsibility is a matter of course for the Hamburg-based intralogistics company. STILL has been actively involved in the fight against the Coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic, for example with a special vaccination line for the workforce and donations of vehicles for system-relevant supply areas. Now STILL is making its STILL Arena events hall, in Berzeliusstraße in Hamburg Billbrook available to the City of Hamburg’s social security office for two open vaccination days. The infrastructure – from furniture to routing to IT – will be organised by STILL as well.

“We can only overcome this pandemic if we stand together in solidarity,” emphasises Frank Müller, Senior Vice President Brand Management / Sales & Service Steering STILL EMEA. “It is therefore a matter of course for us to support the city’s vaccination campaign. And if we can use our resources to help provide even more Hamburg citizens with low-threshold access to a Corona vaccination, then we are very happy to do so. We hope that many citizens will make use of this offer and roll up their sleeves with us in the STILL Arena.”

Right next to the STILL Arena there is also a Corona test centre run by the German Red Cross (DRK). Here, too, the company has made premises available to support the containment of the pandemic and to offer employees an additional opportunity to protect themselves and implement the 3G regulation in the workplace (which stands for vaccinated, recovered, tested) with as little effort as possible.

Werma launches “new benchmark” for industrial signalling

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The new eSIGN signal tower is a breakthrough and a clear sign of Werma‘s continual technological progress: this signal tower sets new standards in terms of individuality and flexibility with full-surface signalling, robust industrial design and impressive features.

As early as 1994, Werma established a global industry standard with the launch of its KombiSIGN signal tower. And this standard has just been upgraded: the eSIGN is the next generation that will define the future of signal towers. Impressive features, supreme compatibility and an industrial design that combines functionality with style and durability.

The new eSIGN has generated a quantum leap in possibilities: full-surface signalling makes it considerably more conspicuous and optimises the signal tower’s potential. This enables all users to monitor processes even more extensively, more comprehensively, more accurately and more proactively. Werma claims the new eSIGN represents a new dimension of signalling.

The eSIGN is a shining example of a signal tower with visibly improved performance: more colours, more effects and more individuality. Thanks to the modularity of its electrical components combined with the latest LED technology, different signalling modes can be produced using multiple colours, brightness levels and light effects – from the classic traffic light display to fully customised settings. Variable fill-level displays or full-surface signals can also be generated with ease using this signal tower. This not only allows users to oversee processes, but also brings completely new possibilities.

Werma says the eSIGN is the best signal tower it has ever developed. The range of applications is as diverse as the eSIGN itself: from alarm signalling to access control, visual warnings, statuses, fill-level or fault displays right through to material stock levels and building security. It can even be used as an acoustic warning system.

Acoustic signalling is an indispensable component that supplements visual signalling in daily work processes across the globe, from production facilities to logistics, building technology or mechanical and plant engineering applications. Their aim is to ensure that processes run smoothly, to secure the safety of personnel and protect the equipment being used. With the comforting feeling that everything is running smoothly.

For this reason, the new eSIGN is equipped with a siren that can produce up to 10 different tones. These can also be configured to suit specific applications. Naturally, the siren can be combined with light effects, has variable volume options and is easy to set up.

The high technological standards and user-friendly operation of this new Werma signal tower are not at all contradictory: depending on the variant, eSIGN can be easily controlled using IO-Link or configured via USB. It can be mounted on the floor, on tubes or on walls.

The two different sizes of the eSIGN also offer maximum flexibility: 15 or 9 segments, with or without siren, standard 24V version with configuration transfer via USB or using IO-Link technology.

The robust industrial design also delivers what it promises: the high IP66/IP69k protection class ensures improved resistance to typical substances used in production, while the UL type 4X enclosure guarantees resistance to UV radiation and environmental influences.

Werma says the custom modes, acoustic signals, free selection of light effects and robust industrial design mean the new eSIGN is simply always the right choice.

Furnolic picks Prologis Park Ryton for net zero DC

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Prologis, the developer and owner of logistics parks, has agreed a lease with global e-commerce business, Furnolic Co. Ltd, the UK subsidiary of Ziel Group, for the latest unit at Prologis Park Ryton in Warwickshire.

The 10-year lease for the 148,461 sq ft (13,800 sq m) unit is Furnolic’s first physical site in the UK. The Chinese e-commerce business, which also trades under the name Songmics, Vasagle and Feandrea, specialises in homeware, furniture and pet furniture and is one of the largest global retailers on Amazon, operating across the US (Ameziel), Germany (Euziel), Japan (Zieljp), France, Spain, Italy, Canada, and Mexico.

Prologis Park Ryton is one of the most sought-after industrial and logistics locations in the UK, with current occupiers including Jaguar Land Rover, DHL and LEVC. The location has six major motorways within 14 miles of the park, along with a labour force of almost 900,000 people in a 30-minute radius. Once occupied, the new building will create 20-30 new jobs for the local area.

Tom Price, capital leasing & development director, at Prologis UK, said: “This is an important milestone for Furnolic as they secure their first location in the UK, and we are delighted to be welcoming another occupier to this prime logistics site. Furnolic is a valued global Prologis customer, and we are aiming to make the move to the new site a seamless and positive experience for the business.

“The attractiveness of Prologis Park Ryton, and the Midlands in general, as a location for logistics facilities, is clear. Companies of all shapes and sizes are recognising the value that the area holds as a means of expanding or further strengthening their e-commerce and delivery operations.”

Tong Wang, director at Furnolic, said: “We are very happy to be working with Prologis to set up our first logistics site in UK, which will provide better service to our customers in the UK, as well as in Europe. It is of great significance for us to expand our business in the European and global markets.”

Like every Prologis warehouse constructed in the UK for the past 13 years, DC8 at Prologis Park Ryton is net zero carbon in construction (based on the UKGBC net zero carbon framework).

Through a partnership with Planet Mark and climate action charity, Cool Earth, Prologis has measured and reduced the building’s whole life carbon footprint and mitigated five times the unavoidable embodied carbon emissions (carbon associated with the construction of the building) by protecting vital areas of rainforest.

As a result, DC8 is protecting 107 acres of rainforest canopy in the Peruvian Amazon, locking in almost 35,000 tonnes of carbon, protecting 24,000 trees, and supporting 652 indigenous people who are empowered to protect the rainforest.

Prologis is also constructing a further 330,770 sq ft (30,700 sq m) unit at Prologis Park Ryton, which is the last remaining plot. This unit is available to let and will be completed in August 2022.

Delivering to a security-sensitive site

Posted on by Keith McKinley

A global outsourcing giant required a secure logistics model that adhered to the specific requirements of the Olympic Games and the G8 Conferences – two of the most security-sensitive events in the world. Given the critical nature of these events, maintaining operational delivery models was near impossible.

Working collaboratively with the client, security agencies and delivery partners, NSC Global’s highly skilled, certified field engineers and logistics managers created innovative technical solutions, to provide a full suite of impenetrable onsite resources, including security-cleared equipment deliveries and pre-cleared engineers based on site – ensuring zero downtime.

The results:

  • NSC Global enabled millions of viewers around the world to receive live feeds, broadcasts and rolling news, uninterrupted
  • Ensured security for the events was never at risk within NSC Global’s sphere of influence
  • Achieved zero downtime for these critical events

GSM takes delivery of new trailers

Posted on by David Priestman

Scottish haulier GSM Transport has taken delivery of two new refrigerated trailers, each specified with a Carrier Transicold Vector 1550 unit. Designed to distribute milk across the UK for one of the company’s dairy customers, the new assets join a 24-strong refrigerated trailer fleet that has been Carrier-cooled for more than 20 years.

The two new mono-temperature Vector 1550 units are mounted to 13.6-metre Gray & Adams refrigerated trailers and are new additions to GSM Transport’s fleet, which features both Carrier Transicold Vector 1550 and Vector 1950 MT (multi-temperature) units.

“We started using Carrier for our trailers in the 1990s, and they have consistently delivered everything we need,” said Jim Morrison, Owner, GSM Transport. “The Vector range allows us to pick the most suitable model for our specific requirements, with the power and fuel efficiency of the Vector 1550 proving ideal for our work with McQueens Dairies. When you add in the outstanding maintenance and aftersales support, it’s fair to say we’ve been a consistently happy customer.”

The Vector 1550 unit is well suited to GSM Transport’s needs, delivering a unique combination of power and efficiency. The system’s ability to provide exceptional pull-down speeds and accurate set-point control is essential for transporting milk and dairy produce. The Vector 1550 features Carrier Transicold’s E-Drive™ all-electric technology, which removes mechanical transmissions found in belt-driven truck and trailer refrigeration systems. The E-Drive transforms engine power into electricity via a generator, helping to reduce refrigerant leak rates by up to 55% while also cutting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

“The beauty of the Vector unit is the all-electric technology at its heart, which makes them easier and more affordable to run,” added Morrison.

The new trailers will operate for eight to 10 years, travelling approximately 130,000km per year. They will deliver milk seven days a week from its headquarters in Annan to customers as far north as Aberdeen and as far south as Northampton.

Founded in 1996, GSM Transport has built a solid reputation for delivering chilled produce to businesses across Scotland, England and mainland Europe. Since 2016, the haulage company has been supplying McQueens Dairies with transport to their depots, with an expanding number of its trailers sporting the dairy’s livery.

Carrier Transicold creates refrigeration solutions to handle precise temperature-controlled cargo, like food and beverages, as part of its Healthy, Safe, Sustainable Cold Chain Programme. Products and services are designed to ensure the safe delivery and consumption of consumer perishable goods.

 

Ferag supplies pouch sorter to Crocs DC

Posted on by David Priestman

With its highly efficient pouch sorter system, Ferag AG is helping to automate logistics processes and handle e-commerce orders at shoe manufacturer Crocs in Dayton, Ohio (USA), which also successfully operates on the European market.

The extensive project involves expanding the existing distribution centre by over 70,000 sq m and is taking place under the direction of Bastian Solutions, a Toyota Advanced Logistics company, contracted by the Swiss company for many years. In the first phase, the Skyfall system will be equipped with 33,500 pouches that act as a dynamic, constantly rotating circulating buffer thanks to the new U-turn switch. Commissioning is planned in several stages up to August 2022.

From the point of view of system integrator Bastian Solutions, the Skyfall pouch sorter from Ferag proved the best technology for helping Crocs meet its strategic business and growth plans in the coming years in combination with the upstream AutoStore system. The goal was to find a high-performance, high-precision “order fulfilment machine” that is able to reliably process up to 40,000 units per hour at peak times when complete. Furthermore, the outstanding flexibility of the system from the Swiss experts was also a decisive argument.

The Skyfall system can not only be scaled with minimal effort when required, but can also be used for processing returns, which was planned from the outset in this project. The Ferag system can also be adapted to changing buying habits, new order profiles and seasonal fluctuations without any issues. Even changes within the Crocs product line do not pose any problems. These were the main reasons why the shoe manufacturer – famous worldwide for its plastic clogs – opted for the system from Switzerland’s Zürcher Oberland.

With 18 manual infeed stations and 153 delivery stations, 736 switches and about 8km of conveyors, the latest order from the USA is one of the largest Skyfall pouch sorter projects that Ferag has implemented to date. In addition to supplying its particularly robust and fail-safe technology, the family-owned company also provided Crocs with a convincing, sophisticated concept for handling the special Jibbitz shoe charms that Crocs wearers use to personalise their shoes according to their own individual taste.

Crocs was founded in 2002. Since then, the shoe manufacturer has seen constant growth, with its bright plastic clogs in colours such as light green, turquoise or yellow quickly gaining cult status. The company now employs over 4,000 staff, with numbers continually increasing.

Photoneo raises $21m Series B funding

Posted on by David Priestman

Photoneo, the innovative smart automation powerhouse, has announced an investment of $21m from AI Capital, IPM Group, Earlybird, Venture to Future Fund, and Credo Ventures as well as all investors who participated in previous investment rounds. The newly raised capital will accelerate the 3D Sensor business and enable expansion of its fully automated fulfilment solutions for warehouses and dark stores called BRIGHTPICK.

Online shopping is booming. e-commerce, q-commerce, and e-grocery are all experiencing immense pressure, fuelled by rising customer demands and dynamic customer behaviour. These changes have been dramatic over the past two years. Additionally, a shrinking labour force and ever-increasing labour costs translate to sector demand for automated fulfilment solutions. These solutions will help e-commerce companies keep their customer commitments and keep up in the hyper-competitive landscape.

“We identified a gap in the order fulfilment sector. We combined our unique technologies to develop a first-of-its-kind end-to-end solution for fully automated fulfilment centres,” said Jan Zizka, co-founder and CEO of Photoneo. “The potential of this next-gen warehouse automation technology is immense as it is highly flexible and scalable, maximising throughput with minimum effort. It helps optimise processes, save space, and increase efficiency by 3 to 5 times compared to manual labour.”

Branching out into the logistics sector, Photoneo also announced its new Business Unit – BRIGHTPICK: a first and only fully-automated fulfilment solution for warehouses and grocers to support huge throughput via smart AMRs and AI powered robotic picking. Its modular structure can be tailored for a range of usage from Nano to Central Fulfilment Centres.

Photoneo’s futuristic vision as well as BRIGHTPICK’s successful pilot integrations have attracted a large number of investors who decided to support the company’s bold strategy through one of the largest investments into an automation startup in Europe, achieving a total of $21m.

“We are happy that our disruptive technologies and ability to spot market potential at the right time, and forecast its future developments, earned the trust of our investors, convincing them that Photoneo is primed to lead the next-generation automation of orders fulfilment,” says Jan Zizka.

The investment round was led by IPM Group, a global asset manager focusing on technology companies, together with Venture to Future Fund, Earlybird, Credo Ventures, and investors who participated in earlier rounds as well.

“Photoneo’s work and achievements are truly impressive. We believe in the company’s power to enhance logistics and transform the automation of e-commerce processes with its groundbreaking and much-needed solutions,” says Marian Bocek, Managing Partner at IPM Group. “Photoneo is already a well-established leader of smart automation solutions powered by original machine vision technology and artificial intelligence and supporting the company at this stage means helping them embrace the future of automation completely and on all fronts.”

With its relentless R&D activities and innovative spirit, Photoneo says it sets the standard in machine vision and intelligent automation solutions. Its worldwide acclaimed 3D sensing technology, proven best-in-class systems for vision-guided robotics, and novel end-to-end solutions for fully automated fulfilment centres make next-gen automation available and affordable for all customers who want to boost their processes with smart automation.

Hyster to unveil scalable counterbalance series

Posted on by David Priestman

At LogiMAT 2022, Hyster will focus on ‘Powering YOUR Possibilities’ and will reveal the first preview of its new tough, scalable lift truck series.

Visitors to Stand C10 in Hall 10 from 31 May – 2 June in Stuttgart, Germany, will be among the first to discover the latest Hyster developments, including a sneak peek of a new modular and scalable IC counterbalanced truck series which is ‘distinctly Hyster – built for you’.

“At LogiMAT, we are excited to bring together our diverse global industry experience and our newest developments, showing how we support our customers specific needs with different solutions,” explains Rainer Marian, Director Network Development at Hyster Europe.

The expert team from Hyster, backed by the power of dealers from the DACH region, will be on-hand to discuss how Hyster can ‘power your possibilities’ with a range of solutions to address customers’ unique handling challenges across diverse applications and industries. Overall, the full product portfolio includes a comprehensive range of more than 140 models of counterbalance trucks, warehouse trucks and container handlers.

At the show, Hyster will also be inviting visitors to learn more about the wide selection of different power options available for its lift trucks and warehouse equipment, including intelligent lithium-ion battery solutions. Sustainability, automation, and lifetime cost reduction will also be high on the agenda.

“Space is becoming scarcer. Time pressure is increasing. Business costs are rising,” says Rainer. “As many companies are in the process of business transformation, Hyster is excited to have a range of solutions to help make it easier to overcome the specific challenges facing customers operations. We are very much looking forward to discussing this with visitors at LogiMAT 2022.”

Sorted acquires returns specialist Clicksit

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Sorted, the Delivery Experience Platform, has closed its Series C funding round for $40m and acquired Clicksit, an automated returns company. This acquisition will enable all retailers, ranging from large enterprises to small and medium businesses, to have access to next-generation post-purchase experiences for the first time.

The acquisition sees Sorted transform into a unique all-in-one, end-to-end, Delivery Experience Platform – bridging the gap between post-purchase and returns experiences in one ecommerce platform. It is also a testament to UK innovation, with both Manchester-HQ’d companies joining forces to deliver the best in ecommerce delivery on a global scale.

The next generation of Sorted sees its existing products – including leading post-purchase tracking and communications product, SortedREACT – undergo considerable development to further enhance the platform. Having recently announced the appointment of new CEO Carmen Carey, the acquisition also marks Sorted’s continued expansion into the US market with Clicksit’s growing number of US returns management customers.

The acquisition will bring further international presence and accessibility of Sorted’s products, increasing the breadth of the market the company can serve. Whereas Sorted’s heritage lies in the large enterprise space, currently enabling 5* delivery experiences for enterprises like ASOS, Asda and more, the acquisition will bring industry-leading delivery experiences to the SMB market for the first time.

Carmen Carey, CEO at Sorted, commented: “Our acquisition of Clicksit marks an important milestone in the company’s rapid expansion journey. Returns is, now more than ever, a crucial step in the ecommerce customer journey, and we are excited to power returns innovation as part of our full Delivery Experience Platform.”

Carey added: “With such experiences being the sole privilege of large enterprises for many years, this next stage in Sorted’s evolution is set to provide the SMB market with industry-leading delivery and returns experience capabilities for the very first time. We’re looking forward to driving the company’s growth, enabling a unified delivery and returns experience for all customers, and marking an acceleration into serving the US retail landscape.”

Thomas Hill, CEO at Clicksit, adds: “Sorted’s acquisition of Clicksit has come at a pivotal moment for the retail industry. Customers are now expecting – and demanding – faultless delivery and returns experiences as standard, regardless of whether they order from a large multinational brand or a small business. Sorted’s acquisition of Clicksit will empower retailers and brands to provide industry-leading customer experiences at a time when the trading environment is more competitive than ever.”

Shaz Sulaman, Founder at Solid Bond Capital, and Chairman and main investor in Clicksit, commented: “News of the investment and the partnership between Sorted and Clicksit is a great fit for both businesses, and I am proud of Thomas’ journey so far. As new shareholders in Sorted Group, we very much look forward to seeing Carmen and the team grow the business and serve the new growing global customer base.”

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