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Month: February 2022

TSC Printronix Auto ID makes strategic appointment

Posted on by David Priestman

TSC Auto ID Technology has created a new position to champion its On-Site Service Program, which is now available across its entire range of industrial and industrial enterprise printers. Jaime de Sousa has been appointed to the role of Service Program Specialist.

De Sousa joined TSC Printronix Auto ID from Matica Technologies AG where the position he held was Global Head of Technical Support. His focus is to identify and work with new service providers in certain regions as well as develop existing ones. He’ll also be assessing customer satisfaction, creating protocols and standardising the On-Site Service Program and warranties.

TSC Auto ID Technology says de Sousa is excited to be joining TSC at such a period of growth for the company. His considerable experience and computer science engineering background will also strengthen TSC Printronix Auto ID’s technical support team.

“My goal is to grow and enrich the service portfolio, to increase confidence in both the products and the TSC and Printronix Auto ID brands so that, in time, we continue to be the first choice for customers,” says de Sousa.

The On-Site Service Program can be bought at the same time as any new TSC industrial printer or Printronix Auto ID industrial enterprise printer, or it can be purchased later. It was designed to help minimise business disruption for known service costs. The Program sees TSC devices maintained by certified TSC technicians and includes labour costs, travel expenses (up to 150km) and genuine spare parts (excluding print heads, cutting parts and components damaged by users).

For both resellers and customers, On-Site services will help improve efficiency, help control costs and maximise profit, guarantee the availability of support and offer quick resolution of any printer issues.

Amine Soubai, Managing Director TSC Auto ID Technology GmbH, described the strategic appointment as further evidence of the company’s commitment to improving its service offerings: “Jaime’s sole focus will be on developing, optimising and enhancing our technical service offers and customer service programs and his work will really complement the resources we already have.”

IAG Cargo announces record-breaking Q4 results

Posted on by Keith McKinley

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of IAG (International Airlines Group) has reported record financial results for 2021, with annual revenues of €1,673m for the period from 1st January to 31st December 2021. The results reflect the surging demand for air cargo capacity as global trade rebounds.

The 2021 revenues represent an increase of 30% at constant currency versus the same period last year. Overall yield for 2021 was up 11.3% at constant currency versus 2020. Sold tonnes were up 21.4%.

Throughout 2021, IAG Cargo reshaped its business to take advantage of the strong cargo market and actively repurposed Group capacity where appropriate. Demand for air cargo exceeded 2019 levels throughout 2021. The business continued to align its network to customer demand, supporting customers with cargo-led flying, increasing frequencies on important trade routes and implementing an active charter programme of 745 rotations.

In the second half of the year IAG Cargo saw momentum build with capacity starting to return as the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic gained ground. IAG Cargo closed the year very strongly, achieving a Q4 quarterly record revenue of €499m up from €389m in Q4 of 2020.

In Q4, ecommerce and hi-tech flows from South East Asia into North America accounted for much of this success as did the movement of automotive parts from the UK and Europe. Hong Kong demand remained very buoyant and from mid-December the business directed volumes to flow via Bangkok as crew quarantine restrictions limited direct Hong Kong Flights. IAG Cargo also moved large volumes of what are typically seen as non-airfreight commodities as shippers favoured shorter delivery times and volumes shifted from sea to air against a background of supply chain disruption, port congestion and low inventories.

At the same time, cargo has been vital in supporting the return to widescale passenger flying, providing additional revenue to key passenger routes.

Commenting on the 2021 financial results, IAG Cargo Managing Director David Shepherd said: “Since joining the business in August 2021 I’ve been extremely impressed by the way in which the talented team at IAG Cargo have optimised the opportunities which the market has presented. In 2021 the role of air cargo remained very much in the spotlight. Our people went above and beyond to find solutions to the global capacity crunch and airfreight restrictions. These results are a reflection of their determination and creativity.

“I’m also proud of our work in the fight against Covid-19. In 2021 our cold chain, Constant Climate, service was responsible for shipping millions of doses of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines to almost every corner of the world.

“In 2021 we also invested in improving the functionality of our website and expanded our partnerships with third party platform providers. Both actions, supporting online channel shift and digital bookings whilst providing more flexibility to our customers. It was also great to see a massive expansion in our Forward Rewards loyalty programme last year with an additional 700 customers  signing-up to benefit from earning free flights, hotel stays and cargo credit.

“We enter 2022 with ambition and optimism for the year ahead.”

Enhanced scissor-lift ergonomics with Blickle’s ErgoMove

Posted on by David Priestman

For one manufacturer of lifting tables, collaboration with Blickle has really paid off. The wheel and castor specialist supplied a solution with the ErgoMove electric drive system. Since then, the lifting tables with a weight of up to two tonnes can be easily moved and positioned accurately.

In addition to lifting platforms, the company Janzen Lifttechnik GmbH, based in Niederlangen, Lower Saxony, produces column lifts as well as goods and underfloor lifts. Today, it is not enough for lifting platforms to simply lift and lower loads. For example, pallet cages often have to be tipped so that goods can be removed more easily.

The company with 20 employees has a high level of vertical integration and attaches great importance to continuous quality assurance. From design to welding steel structures to final assembly, everything takes place in-house. For the standard lifting tables, Janzen only uses high-quality components that ensure long-term, low-wear operation.

Since from the perspective of the company management the market for scissor lift trucks with a load capacity of up to 500kg is dominated by Asian competitors, Janzen took a new course: Janzen successfully established itself in the load range 1,500 to 2,000kg –  a sector in which there are only a few other competitors. Over the years, customer inquiries for electrically powered scissor lift trucks have increased continuously. The reason is that heavy pallet trucks are difficult to move by hand. Occasionally, even two persons were necessary to correctly position the trucks with loads.

That’s why Janzen set out to design its own drive. In practice, however, the investment in time and materials required for this turned out to be higher than expected. A visit from the Blickle experts therefore came just at the right time. They identified the problem and suggested using the ErgoMove 2000 electric drive system with a transport capacity of up to 2,000kg.

ErgoMove enables heavy loads to be moved easily, ensures ergonomically correct working conditions and increases efficiency in internal transport. In addition to the drive assistance, the ErgoMove also features steering and braking assistance. As part of a load-bearing structure, the electric drive system assures smooth handling regardless of the truck weight. Blickle offers a version of the ErgoMove cockpit with one rotary joystick for extended travel in one direction (without turns). The version with two rotary joysticks makes it possible to easily manoeuvre heavy loads even in confined spaces.

Those in charge at Janzen were quickly convinced of the advantages of the system. The specialists from Blickle integrated the ErgoMove control and operating unit into the scissor lift table by slightly modifying the handlebar. In addition, the standard nylon castors previously used were replaced by the ErgoMove drive castors and polyurethane swivel castors. Thanks to the effective support from Blickle, Janzen quickly obtained the right drive solutions for scissor lift trucks in industrial applications.

The decision to opt for Blickle has paid off for this privately owned company. “Now heavy scissor lift trucks can easily be moved ergonomically by one person. Loads of up to two tonnes can now be moved by hand using electrical drive, braking and steering assistance,” says Stefan Winter, Production Manager at Janzen Lifttechnik GmbH. In addition, the noise emissions have been reduced. Previously, hard and therefore loud nylon castors were used. The polyurethane swivel castors from Blickle are suitable for high dynamic and mechanical loads and have low rolling resistance for quiet running. High quality components ensure low wear.

Blickle delivered a system solution from a single source. The package also included comprehensive safety equipment that the customer does not have to design and procure independently: The scissor lift trucks are equipped with an emergency stop switch, dead man’s brakes, a horn and anti-trap protection. To prevent improper use, the operating handles have integrated hand recognition. “In addition to the ergonomics, we have also significantly increased safety,” says a delighted Gerrit Richter designer at Janzen Lifttechnik GmbH.

Linde Motion Detection makes handling safer

Posted on by David Priestman

The Linde Motion Detection assistance system provides even better protection for pedestrians in warehouse environments as it is capable of detecting movement behind a stationary truck. In such cases, reversing is prevented and a warning signal sounded. Both employees and management benefit from this effective accident prevention system: The health of everyone present in the warehouse is better protected, the forklift driver’s job becomes easier, downtime or disruptions to operations are prevented to the greatest possible extent and, as a result, productivity is improved.

Linde MH is initially offering the sensor-based solution as an equipment option for the company’s new series of counterbalanced trucks. A retrofit solution, which will also be suitable for use on other makes of forklift, is to follow shortly.

Occupational safety and health protection are top priorities in many companies today. One of the most critical situations involving forklift trucks and pedestrians is the loading and unloading or picking up and putting down of loads. “If there are people behind the forklift when it starts reversing, an accident can quickly occur. Causes often lie in the behaviour of the people involved,” explains Fabian Zimmermann, Product Manager Safety.

“Pedestrians are inattentive and believe that the forklift driver can see them. Moreover, they do not expect that a forklift standing in front of a rack or in the block storage area could suddenly reverse. If, in addition, the driver is unwary for just a short moment and forgets to look over his shoulder, this can have serious consequences.

“In addition, the view to the area behind the vehicle can be obscured by blind spots, stored goods or racks. And the risk of accidents increases the more industrial trucks, pedestrians or even cyclists are present in logistics areas.”

Innovative technology

The Linde Motion Detection assistance system helps prevent such dangerous situations by warning both the forklift driver and any persons in the rear working area. A motion sensor reliably detects any movement behind the stationary vehicle, no matter the prevailing lighting conditions – regardless of whether the movement is triggered by people or other vehicles. In this case, the system automatically prevents or stops the approaching truck from reversing and the driver is alerted to the danger by a warning on the display.

In addition, the assistance system optionally sounds an acoustic signal to draw the attention of passers-by to the dangerous situation that has arisen and to trigger learning effects for everyone involved. To be able to continue driving after the warning has been issued, the driver has to actively put the accelerator pedal back in its starting position, which further increases safety.

Particularly in challenging working environments, such as poorly lit parts of the warehouse or areas where visibility is poor for structural reasons, the assistance system is an effective support and a relief for the driver. The detection area can be adapted to the respective operating and ambient conditions, which ensures a high degree of flexibility. In this way, critical situations are defused and unnecessary warnings prevented.

Linde Motion Detection is part of Linde MH’s comprehensive safety portfolio. With standard and optional assistance systems, such as the Linde Safety Guard or the Linde Safety Pilot, as well as consulting services, the company supports its customers in safe and efficient goods handling.

 

UTA Edenred and Transporeon begin cooperation

Posted on by David Priestman

UTA Edenred, a leading European mobility service provider and an Edenred company, and Transporeon, one of Europe’s leading transport management platforms, have joined forces as part of a sales cooperation. From now on, Transporeon offers its European network of carriers a specially created UTA Full Service co-branded card. This card gives Transporeon customers access to UTA’s acceptance network and its comprehensive product and service portfolio.

Transporeon’s leading Transport Management Platform provides its extensive network of +1,300 shippers and retailers and +130,000 carriers and Logistics Service Providers end-to-end transport logistics management software solutions.

For its extensive carrier community, Transporeon offers a wide range of smart solutions, which help optimize route and resource planning. By entering a partnership with UTA Edenred, Transporeon is bringing even more value to carriers. They will get access to the Europe-wide UTA acceptance network and the mobility specialist’s entire range of products and services, which include fuels supply and e-charging, Europe-wide toll services, repair and maintenance, as well as numerous fleet management solutions and transparent reporting and billing.

Carsten Bettermann, CEO of UTA Edenred, says: “Through this important new partnership, we’re simplifying mobility for Transporeon customers across Europe. UTA Edenred and Transporeon share a number of synergies. Notably, UTA Edenred is creating an all-new digital platform to meet customers’ mobility needs into the future, while Transporeon has a successful digital business model. By combining UTA Edenred products with Transporeon services, we’re providing richer and more efficient mobility experiences for customers.”

Gruziana Hoxha, Executive Director of Carrier Management at Transporeon, says: “We’re committed to helping carriers optimise their global transport and logistics processes with regard to time, cost and resources. UTA Edenred, with its nearly 60 years of experience on the market and such an extensive service network, is an excellent European service partner for Transporeon. Together, we will help our customers save time and money in their everyday business.”

RightHand Robotics secures $66m funding

Posted on by David Priestman

RightHand Robotics, a leader in data-driven, autonomous robotic picking solutions for order fulfillment, has secured $66m in a Series C financing led by top growth investors: Safar Partners, a technology venture fund; Thomas H. Lee Partners L.P. (THL), a leading investor in automation and supply chain; and SoftBank Vision Fund 2, which is part of the SoftBank Group. Zebra Technologies, Epson and Global Brain also join this round, along with previous investors GV, F-Prime Capital, Menlo Ventures, Matrix Partners and Tony Fadell’s Future Shape. Previous rounds were led by Menlo Ventures and Playground Global.

RightHand Robotics intends to use the funds to accelerate product and business development, while scaling its global presence and partner network. The company will also expand its offices and invest in talent acquisition to support overall growth plans.

“The past few years have been an incredibly exciting time for us,” said Yaro Tenzer, CEO and co-founder of RightHand Robotics. “This Series C funding round attracted top-tier investors who know the space and share our vision that piece-picking automation enables predictable throughput with lights-out item handling, while meeting customer needs for scalable fulfilment services. We are eager to continue expanding our solution set and global presence to meet the needs of warehouse operators worldwide.”

“We have been believers in this company for a few years already,” said Arunas Chesonis, Managing Partner at Safar Partners. “The RightHand Robotics piece-picking solution has demonstrated year after year that autonomous robots are vital to solving the challenges of organisations from retail to pharmacy. The surge in e-commerce will continue even when the pandemic subsides, and we are eager to witness the continued maturation of the robotics industry in response to this global demand.”

“RightHand Robotics identified a challenge in the marketplace and responded with a solution that is intelligent, adaptable, and easy to integrate with adjacent software and automation solutions,” said Mike Kaczmarek, Managing Director at THL. “The company’s piece-picking solution enables customers from a diverse set of end markets such as e-commerce, grocery, and pharmaceuticals to streamline and scale their operations and supply chains.”

“Labor shortages are stretching global fulfilment to breaking point, prompting companies to invest more in automation to help improve efficiency and reliability,” said Ram Trichur, Partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers. “We believe that RightHand Robotics is a leader in supply chain logistics with a flexible, full-stack platform that can be integrated directly into customers’ existing systems to improve throughput while decreasing fulfilment costs. We are delighted to partner with Leif Jentoft and Yaro Tenzer and the team as they expand their international presence.”

“Zebra Technologies has been an active investor and solution provider to help businesses globally digitise and automate their supply chains and augment front-line workers,” said Tony Palcheck, Managing Director of Zebra Ventures, Zebra Technologies. “For customers across the consumer-packaged goods, retail, logistics and other industries, fulfilling orders with higher speed, accuracy, safety and cost savings is key, and RightHand Robotics helps achieve those efficiencies.”

RightHand Robotics delivers its innovative piece-picking solution, RightPick 3, with the aid of integration partners such as Element Logic, an AutoStore partner and one of Europe’s leading intralogistics companies; and Okamura, Japan’s leading provider of high-quality products and services for offices, education, commercial facilities and distribution centres. Through these collaborations, RightHand Robotics customers include PALTAC CORPORATION, Japan’s largest wholesaler of consumer packaged goods, and apo.com Group, Europe’s most advanced online pharmacy.

The RightHand Robotics RightPick platform streamlines the supply chain processes of warehouses with its innovative piece-picking robotic solution, which leverages AI software with intelligent grippers and machine vision. The result is an integrator-ready autonomous solution that empowers operating teams and meets the evolving needs of today’s fulfilment industry, as seen in this video.

 

Work underway on ‘next-generation’ HGV hydrogen engine

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Ballard Power Systems and MAHLE Group, a Tier 1 automotive supplier, are progressing the development of a new fuel cell engine concept for long-haul trucks, with MAHLE taking delivery of 120kW module at the company’s hydrogen test centre in Stuttgart, Germany.

The new concept engine is a part of the ongoing development of Ballard’s future product platform – which will feature power outputs from 180kW to 360kW – to specifically address the requirements of heavy-duty and long-haul trucks on global markets.

The joint project is a multi-year development program in which Ballard and MAHLE will continuously refine Ballard’s compact, energy-dense fuel cell stack and an integrated engine to meet the quality and performance expectations of the truck industry.

Seungsoo Jung, Product Director, Trucks, Ballard, said: “We are committed to fuel cell technology leadership, and to tailoring our fuel cell solutions to our customers’ needs. We are extremely optimistic about the value of our collaboration with MAHLE—combining their strength in the automotive value chain with our leadership in hydrogen fuel cell technology and products.”

The module incorporates Ballard’s FCgen-HPS Fuel Cell stack, which addresses limited engine space, and maximizes freight and cargo capacity. Based on an earlier high power density design, the technology draws on Ballard’s on-road experience of 100 million km in service and proven fuel cell durability, exceeding 30,000 in vehicle operation as demonstrated in the London bus fleet.

The concept fuel cell module is the central building block in Ballard’s future engine, which MAHLE will now test and integrate with their components, including the balance-of-plant, thermal management and power electronics, and the system assembly.

The new concept engine for heavy-duty vehicles will feature:

High Power for Heavy Payloads: the 120kW module is a building block for systems that can deliver up to 240kW power, to serve the needs of heavy Class 8 and long-haul freight trucks and coaches that require more power and longer range than transit buses or short-range delivery vehicles.

Easier Maintenance for Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): the module design features reduced weight, fewer parts and a more compact design. A key new feature, the “Open Engine Concept Design”, provides better access to parts and the subsystem, for easier maintenance and ultimately, a lower total life cycle cost.

Robust, Reliable Design: For long-haul trucks delivering critical goods, reliability and robustness are essential – and the Concept Engine’s reduced parts count and simplified integration design are key factors in dependable long-term performance.

Trustworthy Durability: The Concept Engine is based on field-proven technologies and designs, and Ballard’s vast experience in heavy-duty transport.

Fuel Efficiency for Economical Operation: Fuel costs are a major component of a Class 8 truck’s TCO. Fuel efficiency is also key for a manageable heat rejection system.

Freeze Start for Cold Weather: Because commercial trucks have to power up and deliver the goods, even in midwinter in the worst mountain roads.

The partnership’s aim is to accelerate the development and commercialization of zero-emission fuel cell systems. Ballard has prime responsibility for system design and the fuel cell stack sub-system, while MAHLE’s scope of responsibility includes balance-of-plant components, thermal management and power electronics for the complete fuel cell system.

 

Research: security concerns prevent effective use of IoT data

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Research by Inmarsat, a world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, reveals relatively few businesses derive maximum benefit from the IoT data that they gather.

Most of today’s businesses only share IoT data within their own organisations, with security and privacy concerns preventing them from disseminating it to organisations in their wider supply chains. Infrequent data collection and lacking an IoT data strategy leaves many businesses surveyed struggling to extract full value from their IoT data. A more strategic, ambitious and open approach to gathering and sharing non-sensitive data could unlock substantial benefits for business struggling to make the most of IoT projects.

Collecting and sharing the right data at the right time enables companies and their partners to take better, more proactive decisions across the value chain to optimise operations as soon as a problem occurs, or even anticipate and mitigate it before it happens. Such data driven insight can help businesses reduce waste, increase productivity, improve customer service and run more sustainable operations.

The research was based on the interviews of 450 global respondents across the agriculture, electrical utilities, mining, oil and gas, and transport and logistics sectors. According to the research, of those who worked in transport, as many as 82% of respondents admit their organisation does not use the data collected from IoT projects as effectively as it could.

This is despite high levels of IoT adoption overall. The most prevalent barriers are security and data privacy concerns, cited as a barrier by almost three in five (59%) of all respondents, followed by a lag between data collection and availability (41%) and the lack of an IoT data strategy (27%).

Accelerating IoT adoption over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the fact that many businesses’ data sharing strategies are not yet as advanced as they need to be. Currently, only 20% of all transport organisations make non-sensitive IoT data available to anyone in their organisation, and to their partners, to access and to use. Conversely, just over two in five (42%) limit the use of IoT data to certain departments involved in their IoT projects.

However, this is set to change, with a larger proportion of organisations (34%) shifting towards sharing data with their wider supply chain and far fewer (23%) planning on limiting IoT data to specific departments. This change is occurring as more businesses come to understand that the responsible and secure sharing of IoT data is a necessary step towards unlocking the maximum value of that data.

The research reveals that having a formal IoT data strategy is a vital step towards drawing the optimum benefits from the technology, ensuring data is produced, shared, and analysed between the right parties at the right time. Transport organisations with a formal IoT strategy are far more likely to gather data points in their IoT projects in real time (51% of respondents compared to only 16% amongst organisations without an IoT strategy).

There are also notable differences in how strategic businesses are in the usage of their IoT data based on the region they operate in and the size of their organisations. While only 9% of European businesses (excluding Russia) struggle to use IoT data effectively due to the lack of an IoT data strategy, this increases to 27% of organisations in Asia Pacific and 60% in Latin America. Likewise, while 18% of large organisations (3,001 – 5,000 employees) struggle with a lack of an IoT data strategy, 56% of smaller businesses (under 500 employees) cite this as a barrier to effective IoT data use.

Steven Tompkins, Director of Market Development at Inmarsat Enterprise, said: “Transport businesses lag other sectors surveyed in their use of IoT – being the least likely to have a formal IoT strategy – so there is still much to do to leverage IoT’s full potential in this sector. It is evident that a formal strategy around IoT data is imperative to ensuring that transport companies are effectively communicating data, not just internally, but also across their supply chains.

“Effectively communicating the wealth of available data is an integral part of any transport business, so a formal approach and strategy will need to be non-negotiable for the sector to extract full value from its IoT projects.”

Commenting on the findings, Mike Carter, President of Inmarsat Enterprise said: “While our latest research shows that the majority of today’s organisations are now gathering IoT data, there is still plenty more that businesses need to do to derive the maximum benefit from it. The ultimate measure of an IoT project’s success is how it improves the way a company and its partner eco-system operates. This is largely resultant on the type of data extracted and how it is shared and turned into practical and actionable business insights in a timely manner.

“It’s clear from our findings that many businesses still need to employ an IoT data strategy as part of their overall IoT strategy, to ensure their data gets to where it needs to go within the organisation, let alone to other parts of the supply chain. Four out of five businesses currently share the data created from their IoT projects only within their organisation, due to concerns around security or privacy, limiting their ability to extract real business value from this data.

“However, it is encouraging businesses intend to change this situation, as organisations become increasingly open to sharing non-sensitive IoT data with their partners, increasing productive supply chains.

“Without a coherent IoT data strategy in place, businesses will struggle to develop the culture of open and responsible data sharing and collaboration required to ensure their IoT projects are successful. Inmarsat’s Enterprise business is focused on providing IoT connectivity to business-critical applications and to remote locations, providing vital access to valuable data points across global supply chains.

“Our industry-leading ELERAnarrowband network enables organisations that grow, mine, extract, move, save, and inform to access, use and share IoT data anywhere, helping them to improve efficiencies, safety and sustainability.”

Asset Alliance Group makes senior appointment

Posted on by Keith McKinley

UK commercial vehicle specialist Asset Alliance Group has appointed Craig Wells as Contract Hire Truck & Trailer Business Development Manager, with a remit to support the company’s continued growth and unlock new opportunities in the market.

Wells brings more than two decades of industry experience to the role, most recently as Regional Sales Manager for Hireco since March 2020.

Commenting on his appointment, he says: “The opportunity to join Asset Alliance Group was one I simply couldn’t turn down. My new role gives me a genuine opportunity to contribute to the company’s long-term goals; and it couldn’t come at a more exciting time for our industry, given the pace of change we are seeing and the wealth of new technologies coming into play.

“I will be concentrating on developing relationships with new customers who haven’t experienced the benefits Asset Alliance Group can bring to their business. I’ve also been tasked with managing a number of exciting new customer service projects, which is allowing me to use the insight I’ve gained from 21 years in the industry.”

Wells began his career at Newtown Vehicle Rentals in 2001, before moving to Northgate Vehicle Hire in 2005 as Regional Sales Manager. Ten years later he joined Close Brothers Vehicle Hire as Regional Sales Manager, being promoted to National Fleet Manager shortly after.

He will be based out of Asset Alliance Group’s headquarters in Wolverhampton, and will report to Paul Wright, Sales Director.

Asset Alliance Group is one of the UK’s largest independent retailers of new, nearly new and used commercial vehicles, and 2022 marks its 12th year in operation.

The future of warehousing: automation, robotics and energy efficiency

Posted on by David Priestman

The rise of e-commerce is underway and impacting our high streets, even before the rise of Covid-19. Due to the pandemic, the shift from physical shops towards online spending has accelerated by an average of five years. In 2020, 87% of UK households made purchases online and recent statistics show that 70% now prefer it. Now, e-commerce is booming, and it is a trend that is here to stay, with online retail spending in the UK expected to reach £75bn by 2024.

So, what does this transition towards digital spending mean logistically for businesses? The race is now on for retailers and third-party logistics (3PL) providers to secure more warehouse space and capture a share in this growing market. As it stands, warehouse space has already increase by 73% since Covid-19 restrictions began in March 2019. In addition to this, Brexit also played a role in companies bringing their supply chains closer to home. It’s predicted that, by 2024, the impact of growing e-commerce sales in the UK could require an additional 92 million sq ft of warehouse space.

Businesses need also address speed and accuracy, with the average consumer expecting rapid deliveries of products that are both made to order and easily returned. Therefore, the pressure is on for businesses to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible to service a growing marketplace with increasingly high expectations – and all with fewer errors and at a lower cost to serve.

This is where technology is set to play a major supporting role, bringing fundamental changes to the ways in which warehouses operate. So, what exactly does the future hold for warehousing? Here, with some insights from the commercial LPG division at Flogas, we explore how technology and energy efficiency will be the driving force behind a successful, smarter, and more sustainable future.

The Internet of things (IoT)

The IoT broadly refers to the connection of devices and sharing data via the internet. In the world of warehousing, this has become an increasingly important driver in boosting automation. Thanks to the IoT, modern warehouses can be more connected, coordinated, and seamless in their operations, helping them manage escalating demand and run more efficiently.

IoT sensors give an object digital intelligence. This enables devices to communicate with other online systems in real-time and share vital data with warehouse workers. Businesses can use the IoT to connect their equipment, robots, drones, and pallets, while monitoring their inventory and even supervising employees remotely. The IoT is particularly useful for a real-time view of inventory and capacity. Businesses can spot gaps when they appear and make best use of available space. Meanwhile, customers can receive full transparency on package tracking.

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

A fully optimised WMS can enhance a business’s productivity, boost efficiency, and lower costs by digitising its processes. It also helps avoid common mistakes like slow shipments, poor inventory management, or incorrect product details – all of which can be costly and lead to unhappy customers.

This software assists with an extensive range of key day-to-day operations. These activities might include inventory management, stock replenishment, order picking, labour management, and shipping. Ultimately, it gives an insightful and holistic overview of operations. As a result, informed decisions can be made. For example, an accurate, real-time view of inventory means companies can effectively gauge stock needs and avoid back orders. A WMS can even be used to boost productivity amongst workers, matching them to specific jobs at the right time, and guiding them around the warehouse in the most efficient manner.

Automation

Automation has become a key part of boosting warehouse operations. This can enhance efficiency, speed, accuracy, and safety. Over the coming years, all warehouse operation is expected to have some level of automation. In fact, automation is already a significant market, representing over $10bn in annual global spending.

There are lots of exciting emerging technologies on the horizon, and it appears that the more established, proven technologies will have the biggest initial uptake. Recent industry research reveals that 65% of warehousing operations are expected to invest in conveyors and sortation systems over the next 3 years. 56% will adopt shuttle systems, which allow warehouses to increase throughput and storage density. Even well-established technology – such as stacker cranes and traditional automated guided vehicles (AGVs) – are expected to see relatively high levels of automation adoption.

A way to help transport bulk goods quickly and safely, forklift trucks (FLTs) are a popular form of automation in warehouses. Modern FLTs are fast to fuel, as they do run on liquid gas rather than batteries. Therefore, warehouses with their own centralised supply tank can benefit from automatic top-up technology. This means they always have the power they need, increasing productivity and reducing downtime.

Robots

As we look to the future, robots are expected to take centre stage. In warehouses, robots can help operations become more efficient and productive whilst reducing errors and improving safety. It’s estimated that there’ll be around 50,000 robotic warehouses by 2025 with over 4 million robot installations. Robots are already used for a whole host of warehouse functions, from picking and packing, to sorting, batching, transporting, inspection, and security. Many large corporations are investing in these emerging technologies. As of 2021, Amazon has around 350,000 mobile drive units.

Mobile robots have been trending over the past couple of years. Among their many talents, they are particularly helpful for moving goods from warehouse shelves to fulfilment zones. They can also be programmed to perform duties traditionally carried out by conveyors, manual forklifts, carts, and towing machines. Drones are also becoming increasingly important. They are affordable, easily able to reach any part of a warehouse, useful for inventory management (working in tandem with barcode technology), and able to support workers with shipping and delivery.

Energy efficiency

Warehouses often have high energy requirements, from heating to cooling and lighting. According to the Orlando Utilities Commission,  energy costs typically account for 15% of a warehouse’s operating budget. Therefore, businesses are keen for warehouses to become more energy efficient. As well as reducing costs, this will minimise their impact on the environment and reduce emissions.

Renewable energy is set to play a major role in helping warehouses become more sustainable. With large roof areas available, they are already perfectly set up to harness energy from the sun with solar panels.

Renewable green gas will also be a key part of the future sustainable energy mix. Warehouses will be able to use renewable energy for heating or even to power their forklift truck fleet. Once it’s widely available, warehouses already running on commercial LPG will be able to switch to renewable green gas and become carbon neutral without changing any of their equipment.

Lighting is another big energy consumer for warehouses. Significant savings can be made by upgrading to more efficient LEDs, bringing in more natural light with skylights, and controlling lighting more effectively. For example, a warehouse could have automatic lights-out areas where human workers are absent.

Greener, smarter warehouses

There’s no doubt that warehouses are getting greener, and there are a whole host of other efficiency measures available. Energy management systems; cool roof systems; radiant heaters; high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans; green building materials; and measures to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials can all have a major impact. These green initiatives, married with the introduction of digital intelligence, have increased automation. This emergence of new technology means that we can expect a truly smarter, more sustainable, and more productive warehouse in the future.

Overall, the future of warehousing is technological. Warehouses will be digitally intelligent and able to communicate efficiently. For example, warehouse management systems might organise the daily activities of shipments and so on. Modern forklift trucks have evolved to rely on liquid gas, improving productivity in the workplace. Robots operate alongside warehouse workers to optimise labour and companies are investing in renewable energy sources to lead the way in sustainable manufacturing. How will you modernise warehousing?

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