7 February, 2022

Federal Minister assumes IFOY patronage

Posted on 7 February, 2022 by Keith McKinley

Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany´s Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, has taken over patronage of the International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) AWARD.

The IFOY AWARD is considered the most authoritative international innovation award in intralogistics. For the past ten years, companies from all over the world, ranging from top intralogistics providers to innovative start-ups, have been sending their new developments and innovations to compete for the award, which is also known as the “Oscar of intralogistics”.

These include new forklift models and warehouse technology equipment, as well as driverless transport vehicles, robots, automation solutions or holistic warehouse solutions – for short, everything the intralogistics industry has to offer in terms of future technologies.

The election by the jury, which includes internationally renowned trade journalists and the leading logistics media, is preceded by an extensive audit with nomination and test cycles. On the occasion of the IFOY TEST DAYS, which will take place this year from March 18 to 23 at the Messe Dortmund exhibition centre, the devices and solutions nominated for the finals undergo individually tailored driving or functional tests, including the IFOY test protocol comprising around 80 criteria and the scientific IFOY Innovation Check. In addition, the judges and their advisory teams from the economy will travel to assess the finalists themselves before casting their vote.

As part of IFOY TEST DAYS 2022, TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS will take place for the third time. From March 21 to 23, under the motto “Spot on Innovation”, additional exhibitors as well as a B2B trade audience interested in innovation are admitted to the test hall. This year, the topic of e-mobility in the fully automated warehouse of the future is high on the agenda. The number of participants is limited.

The trophies will be awarded on June 30, 2022.The location for the awards ceremony will be announced shortly. Until then, the result will remain a secret – both for the finalists and for the public.

Briggs completes acquisition of Aerial Platform Hire

Posted on 7 February, 2022 by David Priestman

Briggs Equipment has completed the acquisition of Aerial Platform Hire Limited, one of Ireland’s leading powered access hire companies.

Working from two sites in Clane, Co. Kildare and Mallow, Co. Cork, Aerial Platform Hire has an established reputation for delivering high quality powered access solutions to a diverse customer portfolio. This latest acquisition will enable Briggs Equipment to further strengthen its position as the UK and Ireland’s premier Asset Management and Engineering Services specialist, whilst also demonstrating an ongoing commitment to developing its product and service offering.

As part of the acquisition and long-term strategy for the business, Briggs will be delivering ongoing investment into key areas including the equipment fleet to help meet evolving customer and market demands.

Pete Jones, Briggs Equipment’s Group Managing Director, commented: “We are delighted to have completed this latest acquisition, which sees Aerial Platform Hire join our Group. Their unique combination of strong coverage throughout Ireland and an established reputation in the powered access market, will enable us to build on our existing presence within the country and expand our product offering.

“We are committed to working with businesses that share the same values and cultures as ourselves and it’s clear there is a real family atmosphere that has been at the heart of the company’s success. As with all our acquisitions we are keen to preserve that ethos whilst also providing the appropriate investment, support and guidance to help the business achieve its full potential.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in securing the completion of this acquisition and we look forward to welcoming the Aerial Platforms team into our business, working closely with them and ensuring they have everything they need to go from strength to strength as an integral part of the Briggs Equipment Group.”

Andrew Davin, Managing Director of Aerial Platform Hire Ltd commented: “The Davin family are very pleased to announce the change of ownership of Aerial Platform Hire Ltd which has been acquired by the Briggs Equipment Group.

“We have grown this business over 42 years and we pride ourselves on providing an excellent service to our customers through the dedication of our team and investment in quality powered access products.

“We are confident that being part of the Briggs Equipment Group will be a positive experience for our customers and staff alike as they benefit from the support and expertise of Briggs. We wish Aerial Platform Hire and Briggs every success for the future.”

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Briggs, Aerial Platform Hire Limited will continue trading under its own name and with all current operational contacts remaining in place.

Briggs completes acquisition of Aerial Platform Hire

Posted on 7 February, 2022 by Keith McKinley

Briggs Equipment has completed the acquisition of Aerial Platform Hire Limited, one of Ireland’s leading powered access hire companies.

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Briggs, Aerial Platform Hire Limited will continue trading under its own name and with all current operational contacts remaining in place.

Setlog presents OSCA software at LogiMAT

Posted on 7 February, 202229 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Software company Setlog will present its enhanced SCM software OSCA at the LogiMAT intralogistics trade fair in Stuttgart (31st May – 2nd June). In Hall 7 Booth C61, the supply chain experts from Bochum will demonstrate the IT tool’s five solutions. The software has been adapted to new realities and market requirements helping companies find digital solutions for their processes more precisely.

Third-party systems can now be connected to OSCA even more easily than before, bringing overall deeper transparency into value chains. The tool is used by more than 150 brands worldwide. The goal is to break down silos and avoid media discontinuities. Standardised API interfaces allow data to be exchanged with ERP, TMS, WMS and other systems without a duplication of maintenance and redundancies.

The five solutions of OSCA – short for “Online Supply Chain Accelerator” – are: Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Procurement, Quality Control, and Global Logistics.

Over the course of time, specialists have further developed OSCA so that users can also manage several tiers of upstream suppliers with the tool. The software now brings transparency up to Tier-8. “In the apparel industry, for example, with our software we are now able to advance all the way to the farmer who harvests cotton,” explains Ralf Duester, a member of Setlog’s board of directors.

OSCA brings users numerous benefits: For example, the CSR solution helps companies to implement the regulations of the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, which will come into force in Germany in 2023. “Globally operating companies must not lose any time in setting themselves up digitally in supply chain management. Those who tackle this now need not fear the legislation, additional costs or increased administrative efforts after the Supply Chain Act comes into force,” says Duester. “With OSCA, our customers have a user-friendly, digital tool with which they can master the complexity of topics such as CSR, supplier management, purchasing, logistics and quality control.”

For the further development of OSCA, the SCM experts not only exchanged knowledge with industry associations, but also with customers. Know-how transfer took place with Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof, Adler Modemärkte, Woom, and KiK Textilien and Non-Food, among others. Numerous customers already use OSCA for CSR to monitor compliance with labor, human rights and social standards and to manage their suppliers and supply chain partners.

Although the regulations of the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act will initially only apply to companies with more than 3,000 employees and will not apply to companies with more than 1,000 employees until 2024, Duester advises medium-sized companies to do their homework. “Those who supply large companies should by no means put the issue on the back burner. Because these companies will contractually manifest that not only large suppliers, but all suppliers comply with the regulations of the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act and make their supply chains transparent,” says Duester.

At LogiMAT, Setlog representatives also want to advocate for the topic of open-source software. Setlog is a founding member of both Open Logistics e.V., the sponsoring association of the Open Logistics Foundation, and the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA). The Bochum-based company’s credo is that open-source software, especially standardised interfaces, can help logistics IT service providers – particularly medium-sized companies – improve their own solutions.

“The integration of partners on platforms has become increasingly complex in recent years, and the connection effort with interfaces has increased accordingly. Today, it’s all about refining interfaces so that data can flow more quickly, speeding up coordination processes,” Duester emphasises. “Interfaces are not the Holy Grail for anyone in logistics – neither for logistics companies nor for IT service providers – because the intelligence still lies in the software itself.” According to Duester, the Open Logistics Foundation, which was founded because of an initiative by Fraunhofer IML and the Silicon Economy project, will support logistics on its path to standardisation, specifically around interfaces.

Stobart establishes multimodal division

Posted on 7 February, 2022 by David Priestman

Culina Group company Stobart Europe has started 2022 with the establishment of a new division – Stobart Multimodal.

Stobart Multimodal will offer a wide range of integrated specialist services including ambient and temperature controlled logistics solutions, road and rail transport to continental port of exit, export customs formalities, shipment to the UK, import customs clearances, and deliveries in to Culina Group locations.

Following the acquisition of Stobart Europe in the summer of 2021 Culina Group had a vision to establish a fully integrated supply chain and over the last six months have been working hard to make Stobart Multimodal a reality.

Accelerated development of the vision was prompted by the various unprecedented logistics challenges of 2021, including COVID, Brexit, and the evolving driver shortage. These challenges have been financially tough and time-consuming for many Culina Group customers. Significantly COVID exacerbated Brexit issues have frequently caused continental loads to arrive in to the UK late, sometimes leading to empty shelves in stores. The challenges confirmed to Culina Group that the time was right to develop the Stobart Multimodal concept.

“Well over 100,000 full loads are delivered into Culina Group warehouses from the continent each year and up until now we have had limited control over when goods would be arriving,” said Thomas Van Mourik – Culina Group CEO.

“Stobart Multimodal will address this. High-level logistics solutions will be offered and performance will be guaranteed, all backed up by emergency solutions in the form of Culina Group resources.

“We will work with selected partners on specific corridors easing the pressure on our customers supply chains and limiting disruption to their operations.”

Leading the development of Stobart Multimodal is international logistics expert Arthur Koutstaal. Koutstaal has nearly 40 years’ experience in logistics and has worked in numerous operational positions for prominent businesses such as Geest North Sea Line (now part of Samskip), P&O Ferrymasters Zeebrugge, ECS European Containers, Koolwijk Logistics, and Move Intermodal.

“I am very pleased to welcome Arthur to the Culina Group business in the position of Senior Supply Chain Specialist for Stobart Multimodal,” said Van Mourik. “He has always had strong links with the UK and Ireland and has historically worked very closely with Culina Group delivering into our warehouses so knows our business well.”

Stobart Multimodal priorities going forward will be focused around infrastructure and IT whilst developing its network with strategic partners. Culina Group will also be looking at potential acquisitions that fit with the Stobart Multimodal business model as well as identifying appropriate investment opportunities.

Stobart establishes multimodal division

Posted on 7 February, 202231 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Culina Group company Stobart Europe has started 2022 with the establishment of a new division – Stobart Multimodal.

“Stobart Multimodal will address this. High-level logistics solutions will be offered and performance will be guaranteed, all backed up by emergency solutions in the form of Culina Group resources.

“We will work with selected partners on specific corridors easing the pressure on our customers supply chains and limiting disruption to their operations.”

IAA TRANSPORTATION to take place in Hanover

Posted on 7 February, 2022 by Keith McKinley

Under the motto “People and Goods on the move”, IAA TRANSPORTATION will take place from September 20th to 25th 2022 at the Deutsche Messe AG exhibition centre in Hanover.

In addition to the presentation of new vehicles, the focus will be on logistics, transport and the digitalisation of commercial vehicle transport on the way to climate neutrality.

The previous IAA Commercial Vehicles is thus expanding the breadth of topics and exhibitors and, with a new name as IAA TRANSPORTATION, is becoming the leading international platform for logistics, commercial vehicles, buses and the transport sector. With its expanded event concept, it networks the relevant manufacturers and suppliers from the commercial vehicles, buses and logistics sectors with leading tech providers.

An important goal of the new concept is to focus more on the climate-neutral and technological transformation of the entire transport sector as an international platform.

“IAA TRANSPORTATION is the leading trade show for transport, commercial vehicles and logistics,” says Jürgen Mindel, VDA Managing Director. “Our successful concept for a corona-proof staging of IAA MOBILITY 2021 will also be used at IAA TRANSPORTATION in Hanover: The current registration status makes it clear that the concept expansion has been positively received by the industry.

“There are already exhibitor registrations from more than forty countries. The high level of registrations is gratifying and also underlines the exhibitors’ desire to once again offer customers a live experience with the new products.”

The new concept of IAA TRANSPORTATION also implements a combination of new product presentation, trade audience and expert exchange within the framework of the IAA Conference 2022. To give exhibitors and visitors the best possible exposure to their target audience, the IAA Conference will focus on different key topics over four days.

FUTURE LOGISTICS, with the topics of supply chains, trucks, rail & shipping integration, e-mobility and hydrogen technology in heavy-duty transport and heavy and light commercial vehicles, as well as technological and digital innovations for the logistics chain;
TRADE & LOGISTICS, with the topics last mile, inner city logistics, van, transporter, cargo bikes, delivery robots, digitalization as well as innovative solutions for retail, e-commerce;
INFRASTRUCTURE, with the topics charging infrastructure electricity and hydrogen, expansion of data networks, data management, long-distance bus transport, rail transport connection;
INNOVATIONS IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT, with the topics of bus, electrification, hydrogen, ride-sharing, ride-hailing, MaaS, digital networking of existing services.

Interested companies and associations can contact the organiser and contribute their concepts via email to info@iaa.de .

With the Last Mile Experience Area, the IAA TRANSPORTATION presents an innovative new hall concept. For the first time at a trade fair, a complete city backdrop will be set up indoors, within which the latest last mile solutions will be presented in application. On display will be the use of parcel drones, delivery robots, e-transporters, e-cargo bikes as well as innovations from the Internet-of-Things, data networks and cloud technologies, SaaS platforms and decentralised hubs.

“With the new format, we want to bring together urban planners, technology providers, food retailers and delivery services with logistics industry players, mayors and local politicians. Because only with intelligent, innovative and socially accepted solutions will we be able to create the growing demand for inner-city logistics and move toward climate neutrality,” says Mindel.

Presentation of prestigious industry awards at IAA TRANSPORTATION Prizes will also be awarded at IAA TRANSPORTATION in various branches of the mobility industry. The winners of the prestigious “Bus of the Year”, “Coach of the Year” and, for the first time, “Cargo Bike of the Year” competitions will be presented and honoured.

“We are in good talks with “Truck of Year”,” Trailer Innovation Award” and the “Van of the Year” and I am optimistic that in 2022 we will be able to present all of these awards in Hannover and thus give them the greatest possible attention. We are particularly pleased to welcome the “Cargo Bike of the Year” to the IAA. This clearly shows how multi-layered our portfolio is,” says Jürgen Mindel.

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