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Month: January 2022

DB Schenker improves Bulgarian network with Transmetrics AI

Posted on by David Priestman

Transmetrics, a state-of-the-art AI platform developed exclusively for the supply chain, has announced that its artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have been employed by DB Schenker, a global leading logistics provider, to adopt a new approach for the leader’s domestic land transport in Bulgaria. One of the key aspects of the project was achieving faster transit times for groupage shipments and improved vehicle utilisation.

This significant change in the company’s Bulgarian setup successfully involves AI methods such as neural networks, Bayesian models, and stochastic optimisation. In addition, the implementation of modern processes has been carefully developed to meet ever-growing customer expectations and to benefit the supply chains within the country and beyond.

The changes involve new international connections as the company’s branch office in Sevlievo, North Central Bulgaria, becomes a transportation hub for the country and several European and Caucasus trade lanes.

In order to achieve that, Transmetrics and DB Schenker worked closely together to configure multiple network scenarios and run various ‘what-if’ simulations. Based on different demand growth projections and various network parameters, the powerful AI algorithms could measure the efficiency and resilience of numerous network setups’. Comparing these, the project teams identified the best possible way to adjust the network infrastructure and the most optimal linehaul plan.

“This project is a solid milestone for Transmetrics as it ensures that our proprietary AI algorithms can provide the right tools to power-up strategic logistics planning,” said Dimitar Pavlov, Head of Business Development at Transmetrics. “With ever-increasing demand, it is important to rely on data-driven business decisions, and we are thankful to DB Schenker for the opportunity to work together on such an exciting project.”

“We are confident that by completing this project, using AI and new simulations, and taking into consideration the requirements of the market, we have significantly improved our network setup in Bulgaria,” added Zoran Lazoroski, Managing Director of DB Schenker in Bulgaria and North Macedonia. “We have optimised our internal traffic and domestic lines to be much more efficient, in many different aspects, including reducing our ecological footprint.”

Prologis increases logistics footprint in Coventry 

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Prologis, a leading developer and owner of logistics property in the UK, has acquired an additional building at its highly successful logistics park in Coventry, further strengthening its holdings in a core location.

The 56,000 sq ft building, which is let to UK Flooring Direct until 2025, has been acquired for a consideration of £8m from a UK fund. Prologis now owns and manages 1.86m sq ft of prime logistics space at the park, with potential for further expansion in the future.

Built by Prologis in 2003 as a design-and-build project, the building has been bought back to help meet existing and future demand for logistics space in the area.

From its location within the logistics ‘golden triangle’, at the heart of the UK’s motorway network, Prologis Park Coventry is less than two miles from Junction 3 of the M6. The site is currently fully-let and along with UK Flooring, customers include household names such as Bridgestone, DHL, Royal Mail and Co-Op.

James Hemstock, Director in the Capital Deployment & Leasing team at Prologis UK, said: “This is a purchase which signals our commitment to strengthening our asset base at Prologis Park Coventry – an excellent location that continues to meet the needs of our customers in a core Midlands market. We hope that we will soon be in a position to extend the site further, so we can continue to meet demand for much-needed warehouse and logistics space within the logistics ‘golden triangle’.”

Prologis was advised on the property acquisition by Acre Capital.

TX Logistik expands Swedish intermodal services

Posted on by David Priestman

TX Logistik AB, Swedish subsidiary of the German TX Logistik AG, is expanding its domestic intermodal services in Sweden. As of 31st January 2022, the rail logistics company, which is part of the Mercitalia Group (Gruppo FS Italiane), will add a further connection between Trelleborg and Eskilstuna, around 100km west of Stockholm, to its network.

The new block train will be operated as a company train for the Austrian full truckload specialist LKW Walter. The new connection is a further milestone for LKW Walter for the expansion of combined transport on the European continent.

Four round trips per week are planned. Up to 38 units can be loaded onto one train and most of the units will be trailers. The trains will run between the port in Trelleborg and the combined transport terminal in Eskilstuna, one of the most important hinterland terminals in Sweden. The route runs via Frövi and the transit time will be about seven hours.

TX Logistik is responsible for traction, terminal handling and customer service. In Trelleborg, LKW Walter uses the ferry connections to and from Rostock and Travemünde. By shifting transports from the road to the new route, both companies are taking part in a further reduction of CO2.

TX Logistik is experiencing sustained high demand for freight transport by rail. The company foresees potential for further growth above and beyond this in transports on the north-south axis and within Sweden. TX Logistik is already one of the most important providers of combined rail freight transport in the Scandinavian country. For the retail chain Coop, for example, TX Logistik transports food products 20 times a week between Bro (near Stockholm) and Malmö.

The rail logistics company also supplements the domestic network in Sweden with the national line between Trelleborg, Malmö and Eskilstuna. The line currently operates seven round trips per week as an open train system.

TX Logistik expands Swedish intermodal services

Posted on by Keith McKinley

TX Logistik AB, Swedish subsidiary of the German TX Logistik AG, is expanding its domestic intermodal services in Sweden. As of 31st January 2022, the rail logistics company, which is part of the Mercitalia Group (Gruppo FS Italiane), will add a further connection between Trelleborg and Eskilstuna, around 100km west of Stockholm, to its network.

The new block train will be operated as a company train for the Austrian full truckload specialist LKW Walter. The new connection is a further milestone for LKW Walter for the expansion of combined transport on the European continent.

Four round trips per week are planned. Up to 38 units can be loaded onto one train and most of the units will be trailers. The trains will run between the port in Trelleborg and the combined transport terminal in Eskilstuna, one of the most important hinterland terminals in Sweden. The route runs via Frövi and the transit time will be about seven hours.

TX Logistik is responsible for traction, terminal handling and customer service. In Trelleborg, LKW Walter uses the ferry connections to and from Rostock and Travemünde. By shifting transports from the road to the new route, both companies are taking part in a further reduction of CO2.

TX Logistik is experiencing sustained high demand for freight transport by rail. The company foresees potential for further growth above and beyond this in transports on the north-south axis and within Sweden. TX Logistik is already one of the most important providers of combined rail freight transport in the Scandinavian country. For the retail chain Coop, for example, TX Logistik transports food products 20 times a week between Bro (near Stockholm) and Malmö.

The rail logistics company also supplements the domestic network in Sweden with the national line between Trelleborg, Malmö and Eskilstuna. The line currently operates seven round trips per week as an open train system.

Universal Robots reports record revenue

Posted on by David Priestman

Universal Robots, the Danish producer of collaborative robots, has reported record annual revenue of US$311m, 41% up on 2020 and 23% up on pre-pandemic results in 2019.

The company’s President, Kim Povlsen, said: “Universal Robots has had a great year. In a company like ours, which manufactures sophisticated hardware to high quality standards, this sort of growth requires tremendous commitment from all involved.

“Our production team in Denmark has broken internal records for the number of cobots built, producing 400 cobots in a single week in Q4. Our supply chain experts have worked hard to keep our business running smoothly despite global supply challenges.”

Q4 revenue also broke records, up 22% on Q4 2020 and 28% up on Q4 2019. Povlsen continued: ‘Our growth is driven by several long-term trends, including workforce shortages and growing awareness of the contribution automation can make to productivity. As well as reaching new consumers, we see repeat business from manufacturers extending their use of cobots after seeing the impact of the technology.’

The company expects strong growth to continue in 2022, as Povlsen explained: “Demand for collaborative robots is set to grow and our unique ecosystem is growing with it. Working with more than 1,000 independent companies – including component, kit and application manufacturers, certified integrators and distributors – collaborative innovation is what sets our growth journey apart.”

Universal Robots reports record revenue

Posted on by David Priestman

Universal Robots, the Danish producer of collaborative robots, has reported record annual revenue of US$311m, 41% up on 2020 and 23% up on pre-pandemic results in 2019.

The company’s President, Kim Povlsen, said: “Universal Robots has had a great year. In a company like ours, which manufactures sophisticated hardware to high quality standards, this sort of growth requires tremendous commitment from all involved.

“Our production team in Denmark has broken internal records for the number of cobots built, producing 400 cobots in a single week in Q4. Our supply chain experts have worked hard to keep our business running smoothly despite global supply challenges.”

Q4 revenue also broke records, up 22% on Q4 2020 and 28% up on Q4 2019. Povlsen continued: ‘Our growth is driven by several long-term trends, including workforce shortages and growing awareness of the contribution automation can make to productivity. As well as reaching new consumers, we see repeat business from manufacturers extending their use of cobots after seeing the impact of the technology.’

The company expects strong growth to continue in 2022, as Povlsen explained: “Demand for collaborative robots is set to grow and our unique ecosystem is growing with it. Working with more than 1,000 independent companies – including component, kit and application manufacturers, certified integrators and distributors – collaborative innovation is what sets our growth journey apart.”

Atlantic Pacific purchases Freedom Logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

Atlantic Pacific Group has acquired Freedom Logistics UK Ltd, effective from 19th January 2022.

Freedom Logistics is a Heathrow-based international logistics supplier that predominantly has been providing air freight, warehousing and logistics services for 15 years.

In support of global logistics and niche services, including specialising in temperature controlled cool-chain services, Freedom operates from its own warehousing unit in Feltham, with the ability to collect and deliver using its own vehicles.

Atlantic Pacific Group Chairman Ashley Nichols commented: “We are delighted to welcome the Freedom Logistics team to our group. Strategically, this is a great fit for all group members, which enables us to extend our air freight services to better support many of our specialist verticals.

“The experience and specialist knowledge that Freedom provide within the cool-chain sector will be of great benefit to our existing customers, especially the many we have in the Food industry.”

Freedom Logistics Managing Director Chris Houghton added: ”Joining the Atlantic Pacific Group is a great opportunity for us. Gaining access to the group’s buying power, worldwide network and global service offering, while maintaining our dedicated and personal approach to customers, should open up a host of opportunities for our existing clients.”

Chris Houghton will continue to lead Freedom Logistics, as he has done since the company was formed in 2007.

 

Atlantic Pacific purchases Freedom Logistics

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Atlantic Pacific Group has acquired Freedom Logistics UK Ltd, effective from 19th January 2022.

Freedom Logistics is a Heathrow-based international logistics supplier that predominantly has been providing air freight, warehousing and logistics services for 15 years.

In support of global logistics and niche services, including specialising in temperature controlled cool-chain services, Freedom operates from its own warehousing unit in Feltham, with the ability to collect and deliver using its own vehicles.

Atlantic Pacific Group Chairman Ashley Nichols commented: “We are delighted to welcome the Freedom Logistics team to our group. Strategically, this is a great fit for all group members, which enables us to extend our air freight services to better support many of our specialist verticals.

“The experience and specialist knowledge that Freedom provide within the cool-chain sector will be of great benefit to our existing customers, especially the many we have in the Food industry.”

Freedom Logistics Managing Director Chris Houghton added: ”Joining the Atlantic Pacific Group is a great opportunity for us. Gaining access to the group’s buying power, worldwide network and global service offering, while maintaining our dedicated and personal approach to customers, should open up a host of opportunities for our existing clients.”

Chris Houghton will continue to lead Freedom Logistics, as he has done since the company was formed in 2007.

 

IMHX reveals Sustainability Zone

Posted on by Keith McKinley

A ground-breaking Sustainability Zone will be one of the major highlights at this year’s International Materials Handling Exhibition (IMHX 2022), when the UK logistics industry’s flagship event returns to the NEC, Birmingham, this September.

Brand new for 2022, the IMHX Sustainability Zone will combine physical displays, augmented reality, and virtual reality demonstrations to give visitors a ‘deep dive’ into the many steps that companies operating in the supply chain space can take to make sure they perform as sustainably as possible.

Prominently located within the main IMHX exhibition hall, the Sustainability Zone, which is being delivered in partnership with SEC Storage, will be set across 300 sq m and will allow visitors to take away everything they need to develop an effective sustainability policy or benchmark their existing strategy against examples from some of the most successful companies in the industry.

IMHX 2022 Group Director, Rob Fisher, comments: “In business, sustainability refers to operating without negatively impacting the environment, community or society as a whole. Sustainable firms consider a wide array of factors, such as a company’s carbon footprint, water usage, community development efforts and board diversity when making business decisions.

“Sustainability has emerged as a strategic imperative. Consumers increasingly show a preference for brands and products with authentic sustainability credentials and, as a result, more companies will only deal with businesses that share their sustainability values and don’t treat the issue as another marketing veneer.”

Harry Watts, Managing Director of SEC Storage, says: “Sustainability is the new frontier on which companies must compete and it is going to have a significant impact on every business’s long-term viability. Increasingly we will see that a positive approach to social and environmental issues brings financial reward, so ‘doing good’ will have a direct impact on a company’s ability to ‘do well.’

“It is no longer enough to ‘greenwash’ your company’s environmental performance or treat issues such as diversity and inclusion in the workplace as another ‘box-ticking exercise’. Companies that neglect the important role that sustainability is starting to play across the commercial world will struggle in the same way that many retailers were left behind or went out of business altogether because they failed to recognise how the emergence of internet shopping was going to affect their business model until it was too late.”

The IMHX Sustainability Zone – delivered by SEC Storage – will comprise a number of dedicated areas where visitors can learn about the developments in technology as well as the social issues and operational trends that are shaping today’s sustainable supply chains.

By taking a holistic approach, the zone will provide visitors with an insight into an array of adoptable sustainable initiatives. Interactive augmented reality features will complement physical displays, while virtual reality will be used to allow visitors to ‘travel through a portal’ and bring different sustainable solutions to life.

Watts continues: “At SEC, we’re extremely excited about delivering an experience for visitors that will showcase Industry 4.0 technological, operational and market trends, through cutting-edge, immersive technologies. Visitors will be able to step into a world that will highlight not only how fascinating the logistics industry is right now, but will also show how much potential there is in their own operations.”

Fisher adds: “Our Sustainability Zone is certainly going to have the ‘wow factor.’ It is one of many new features planned for IMHX 2022 which will ensure that every aspect of the event is relevant for the challenges and opportunities presenting themselves to companies in the logistics and supply chain sectors today.”

IMHX reveals Sustainability Zone

Posted on by David Priestman

A ground-breaking Sustainability Zone will be one of the major highlights at this year’s International Materials Handling Exhibition (IMHX 2022), when the UK logistics industry’s flagship event returns to the NEC, Birmingham, this September.

Brand new for 2022, the IMHX Sustainability Zone will combine physical displays, augmented reality, and virtual reality demonstrations to give visitors a ‘deep dive’ into the many steps that companies operating in the supply chain space can take to make sure they perform as sustainably as possible.

Prominently located within the main IMHX exhibition hall, the Sustainability Zone, which is being delivered in partnership with SEC Storage, will be set across 300 sq m and will allow visitors to take away everything they need to develop an effective sustainability policy or benchmark their existing strategy against examples from some of the most successful companies in the industry.

IMHX 2022 Group Director, Rob Fisher, comments: “In business, sustainability refers to operating without negatively impacting the environment, community or society as a whole. Sustainable firms consider a wide array of factors, such as a company’s carbon footprint, water usage, community development efforts and board diversity when making business decisions.

“Sustainability has emerged as a strategic imperative. Consumers increasingly show a preference for brands and products with authentic sustainability credentials and, as a result, more companies will only deal with businesses that share their sustainability values and don’t treat the issue as another marketing veneer.”

Harry Watts, Managing Director of SEC Storage, says: “Sustainability is the new frontier on which companies must compete and it is going to have a significant impact on every business’s long-term viability. Increasingly we will see that a positive approach to social and environmental issues brings financial reward, so ‘doing good’ will have a direct impact on a company’s ability to ‘do well.’

“It is no longer enough to ‘greenwash’ your company’s environmental performance or treat issues such as diversity and inclusion in the workplace as another ‘box-ticking exercise’. Companies that neglect the important role that sustainability is starting to play across the commercial world will struggle in the same way that many retailers were left behind or went out of business altogether because they failed to recognise how the emergence of internet shopping was going to affect their business model until it was too late.”

The IMHX Sustainability Zone – delivered by SEC Storage – will comprise a number of dedicated areas where visitors can learn about the developments in technology as well as the social issues and operational trends that are shaping today’s sustainable supply chains.

By taking a holistic approach, the zone will provide visitors with an insight into an array of adoptable sustainable initiatives. Interactive augmented reality features will complement physical displays, while virtual reality will be used to allow visitors to ‘travel through a portal’ and bring different sustainable solutions to life.

Watts continues: “At SEC, we’re extremely excited about delivering an experience for visitors that will showcase Industry 4.0 technological, operational and market trends, through cutting-edge, immersive technologies. Visitors will be able to step into a world that will highlight not only how fascinating the logistics industry is right now, but will also show how much potential there is in their own operations.”

Fisher adds: “Our Sustainability Zone is certainly going to have the ‘wow factor.’ It is one of many new features planned for IMHX 2022 which will ensure that every aspect of the event is relevant for the challenges and opportunities presenting themselves to companies in the logistics and supply chain sectors today.”

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