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Month: February 2022

Transporeon takes dock scheduling to the next level

Posted on by David Priestman

Transporeon has expanded its Real Time Yard Management (RTYM) solution with a new smart re-planning feature, which enables warehouse workers and managers to instantly react to short-term changes on the day of delivery or pickup. Customers can now effectively re-plan scheduled appointments (time slot bookings) to another time and/or another location on any given day. The re-planning feature saves costs caused by waiting times and prevents poorly synchronised assets and ineffective dock planning.

According to a survey conducted by Transporeon and ARC Advisory Group, more than one in 10 loadings (11%) at warehouses need to be rescheduled throughout the day. The survey also reveals a considerable technology gap in yard operations: Nearly two-thirds of respondents handle their rescheduling completely manually. Furthermore, 16% of respondents don’t have a digital time slot management application in place at all. As a result, these logistics professionals cannot account for trucks arriving ahead of time (“early birds”) or behind schedule (“late runners”), making peaks and delays of arrivals unpredictable.

With its time slot management (TSM) offer and real-time visibility (RTV) solutions, Transporeon supports customers to update loading and unloading sequences through automatic processes with instantaneous updates. On average, survey respondents were able to reduce their daily waiting times by more than one hour solely by using the TSM application. Additionally, RTYM users receive a continuously updated overview of incoming and outgoing transports, which contributes to more efficient planning in real-time.

Transporeon CEO Stephan Sieber explains: “Over the last few years, time slot management tools have been used to plan for loading and unloading. When the time slot is booked, that are usually hours, if not days, before the process happens, and in between, delays and changes can happen. When companies combine the planning aspect of time slot management with real-time visibility data, they can use the platform to update loading and unloading sequences to optimise these processes in real-time. This leads to benefits for all participants.”

Accordingly, the survey conducted by Transporeon and ARC Advisory Group identifies a “Lack of predictability and planning” to be the second biggest cause of wait times after “Peaks and throughs of arriving vehicles”. “Communication Problems”, which were a further issue identified by participants, could also be fixed by implementing RTYM. Furthermore, the solution proposed by Transporeon, a “Combination of time slots with real-time data”, was rated by respondents as the yard management technology with the highest potential in the future.

The full White Paper Leveraging Real-Time Data and the Network Effect for Next Level Time Slot Management 2022 with the survey results can be accessed here.

Transporeon takes dock scheduling to the next level

Posted on by David Priestman

Transporeon has expanded its Real Time Yard Management (RTYM) solution with a new smart re-planning feature, which enables warehouse workers and managers to instantly react to short-term changes on the day of delivery or pickup. Customers can now effectively re-plan scheduled appointments (time slot bookings) to another time and/or another location on any given day. The re-planning feature saves costs caused by waiting times and prevents poorly synchronised assets and ineffective dock planning.

According to a survey conducted by Transporeon and ARC Advisory Group, more than one in 10 loadings (11%) at warehouses need to be rescheduled throughout the day. The survey also reveals a considerable technology gap in yard operations: Nearly two-thirds of respondents handle their rescheduling completely manually. Furthermore, 16% of respondents don’t have a digital time slot management application in place at all. As a result, these logistics professionals cannot account for trucks arriving ahead of time (“early birds”) or behind schedule (“late runners”), making peaks and delays of arrivals unpredictable.

With its time slot management (TSM) offer and real-time visibility (RTV) solutions, Transporeon supports customers to update loading and unloading sequences through automatic processes with instantaneous updates. On average, survey respondents were able to reduce their daily waiting times by more than one hour solely by using the TSM application. Additionally, RTYM users receive a continuously updated overview of incoming and outgoing transports, which contributes to more efficient planning in real-time.

Transporeon CEO Stephan Sieber explains: “Over the last few years, time slot management tools have been used to plan for loading and unloading. When the time slot is booked, that are usually hours, if not days, before the process happens, and in between, delays and changes can happen. When companies combine the planning aspect of time slot management with real-time visibility data, they can use the platform to update loading and unloading sequences to optimise these processes in real-time. This leads to benefits for all participants.”

Accordingly, the survey conducted by Transporeon and ARC Advisory Group identifies a “Lack of predictability and planning” to be the second biggest cause of wait times after “Peaks and throughs of arriving vehicles”. “Communication Problems”, which were a further issue identified by participants, could also be fixed by implementing RTYM. Furthermore, the solution proposed by Transporeon, a “Combination of time slots with real-time data”, was rated by respondents as the yard management technology with the highest potential in the future.

The full White Paper Leveraging Real-Time Data and the Network Effect for Next Level Time Slot Management 2022 with the survey results can be accessed here.

Forklift picking enhanced with RFID labels

Posted on by David Priestman

Internal logistics control is still often based on pen and paper and print-outs from WMS and ERP. These time-consuming procedures cost a lot of money, have numerous disadvantages and entail inefficient operations, such as the incorrect placing of products and random driving around of forklifts.

So how to get rid of these, while staying in control of ongoing operations? This case study tells how Brady Corporation helped its customer to answer this challenge.

Custom RFID labels and integrated forklift scanners

RFID can help locate forklifts quickly. Location detection can take place in real time and continuously, or at crucial places such as zone changes, or when items are scanned, picked up and dropped off. The data generated enable pick-up and drop-off location control, efficient route calculation and route registration.

On top of that, forklifts can also be equipped with detection equipment to read RFID packaging labels on your warehouse pallets, boxes or containers. Brady can supply its L-2588-26B UHF packaging RFID label with a modifiable read range up to 10m. They can be programmed on-site with an RFID print-and-program printer, which also enables adding a barcode or serial number on the label.

Fixed RFID scanners can be set up to detect the entire inventory, and these data can be sent automatically to an asset management software linked to the company’s ERPsystem. This equipment enables automatic scanning and registration of the articles or load carriers carried along such as pallets, boxes and containers. Manual scans, and the resulting frequent forklift stops, are avoided, and drivers can fully focus on driving.

RFID forklift track & trace solutions enable an accurate and up-to-date overview of internal logistic movements through automatic location and load control. Through registration of routes, you are able to organise your rides as efficiently as possible.

Smart forklifts

Smart forklifts support flawless and efficient order picking and considerably reduce the number of inventories. The technologies used are RFID location detection, automatic load control, wireless communication and control of the drivers through a panel PC with touch screen. These technologies can considerably increase the efficiency and effectiveness of any large warehouse with forklifts.

CLICK HERE to find out more about RFID Smart Labelling

CLICK HERE to download the RFID Guide

Forklift picking enhanced with RFID labels

Posted on by David Priestman

Internal logistics control is still often based on pen and paper and print-outs from WMS and ERP. These time-consuming procedures cost a lot of money, have numerous disadvantages and entail inefficient operations, such as the incorrect placing of products and random driving around of forklifts.

So how to get rid of these, while staying in control of ongoing operations? This case study tells how Brady Corporation helped its customer to answer this challenge.

Custom RFID labels and integrated forklift scanners

RFID can help locate forklifts quickly. Location detection can take place in real time and continuously, or at crucial places such as zone changes, or when items are scanned, picked up and dropped off. The data generated enable pick-up and drop-off location control, efficient route calculation and route registration.

On top of that, forklifts can also be equipped with detection equipment to read RFID packaging labels on your warehouse pallets, boxes or containers. Brady can supply its L-2588-26B UHF packaging RFID label with a modifiable read range up to 10m. They can be programmed on-site with an RFID print-and-program printer, which also enables adding a barcode or serial number on the label.

Fixed RFID scanners can be set up to detect the entire inventory, and these data can be sent automatically to an asset management software linked to the company’s ERPsystem. This equipment enables automatic scanning and registration of the articles or load carriers carried along such as pallets, boxes and containers. Manual scans, and the resulting frequent forklift stops, are avoided, and drivers can fully focus on driving.

RFID forklift track & trace solutions enable an accurate and up-to-date overview of internal logistic movements through automatic location and load control. Through registration of routes, you are able to organise your rides as efficiently as possible.

Smart forklifts

Smart forklifts support flawless and efficient order picking and considerably reduce the number of inventories. The technologies used are RFID location detection, automatic load control, wireless communication and control of the drivers through a panel PC with touch screen. These technologies can considerably increase the efficiency and effectiveness of any large warehouse with forklifts.

CLICK HERE to find out more about RFID Smart Labelling

CLICK HERE to download the RFID Guide

Sustainable packaging manufacturer celebrates anniversary year

Posted on by David Priestman

In its anniversary year, ORBIS Europe, an international manufacturer of reusable transport packaging, continued its growth path in the European market.

“With a strong demand for durable, innovative and sustainable solutions in the market, our transport packaging solutions really hit the mark,” says Jürgen Krahé Senior Commercial Director EMEA. “Green logistics is more important than ever. Together with our customers, we continue our sustainability journey.”

ORBIS is part of Menasha Corporation, family-owned since 1849. In 2021, ORBIS Corporation celebrated its 25th anniversary in reusable packaging. ORBIS has supported European customers since 2002 and opened its ORBIS Europe in Cologne, Germany five years ago. Today it successfully represents the international corporation in the EMEA region.

ORBIS engineers and manufactures durable and sustainable transport packaging. The packaging solutions are made from high percentages of recycled plastics and 100% of ORBIS’ core products are recyclable at end of life. Following a circular economy approach, ORBIS creates a nearly closed raw material cycle. With reusable and recyclable packaging, companies can build more sustainable supply chains and move their product faster, safer and more cost-effectively.

ORBIS’ customers are medium-sized to large global organisations from different industries: from industrial manufacturing (like automotive) to retail (like food & beverage).

In order to ensure the same high quality standards at all locations in all countries, ORBIS Europe has successfully completed the ISO9001 certification process in 2021.

Added to that, ORBIS Europe extended the UN-certification for its dangerous goods container IonPak: These foldable large containers (FLCs) are now certified to transport larger batteries with a maximum gross weight of 915kg in accordance with UN50H.

“The demand for lithium-ion-battery transportation will continue to increase. With the IonPak, we can offer durable packaging solutions that are optimised to safely transport dangerous goods, such as battery cells, modules and smaller battery packs,” says Christian Hemming, Technical Director.

For ORBIS, innovation is key and starts right at the manufacturing process: Using a low-pressure injection moulding process to manufacture large transport packaging is unique in Europe. By foaming plastics and additives, the products are particularly durable and robust.

To strengthen its ability to innovate, ORBIS operates an innovation centre in the US. Krahé says: “As an international manufacturer, we are able to optimise intercontinental supply chains. After the introduction of PlastiCorr as a reusable alternative to fibre corrugated boxes for European retail supply chains last year, we continue to broaden our product portfolio in 2022 – to offer our customers additional alternatives for more sustainable supply chains.”

In 2022, ORBIS will participate amongst others in the following events:

  • Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Europe, May 2nd-4th in Munich
  • The Battery Show Europe, July 12th-14th in Stuttgart
  • Battery Experts Forum, June 28th-30th in Frankfurt
  • FachPack, September 27th-29th in Nürnberg

 

Sustainable packaging manufacturer celebrates anniversary year

Posted on by Keith McKinley

In its anniversary year, ORBIS Europe, an international manufacturer of reusable transport packaging, continued its growth path in the European market.

“With a strong demand for durable, innovative and sustainable solutions in the market, our transport packaging solutions really hit the mark,” says Jürgen Krahé Senior Commercial Director EMEA. “Green logistics is more important than ever. Together with our customers, we continue our sustainability journey.”

ORBIS is part of Menasha Corporation, family-owned since 1849. In 2021, ORBIS Corporation celebrated its 25th anniversary in reusable packaging. ORBIS has supported European customers since 2002 and opened its ORBIS Europe in Cologne, Germany five years ago. Today it successfully represents the international corporation in the EMEA region.

ORBIS engineers and manufactures durable and sustainable transport packaging. The packaging solutions are made from high percentages of recycled plastics and 100% of ORBIS’ core products are recyclable at end of life. Following a circular economy approach, ORBIS creates a nearly closed raw material cycle. With reusable and recyclable packaging, companies can build more sustainable supply chains and move their product faster, safer and more cost-effectively.

ORBIS’ customers are medium-sized to large global organisations from different industries: from industrial manufacturing (like automotive) to retail (like food & beverage).

In order to ensure the same high quality standards at all locations in all countries, ORBIS Europe has successfully completed the ISO9001 certification process in 2021.

Added to that, ORBIS Europe extended the UN-certification for its dangerous goods container IonPak: These foldable large containers (FLCs) are now certified to transport larger batteries with a maximum gross weight of 915kg in accordance with UN50H.

“The demand for lithium-ion-battery transportation will continue to increase. With the IonPak, we can offer durable packaging solutions that are optimised to safely transport dangerous goods, such as battery cells, modules and smaller battery packs,” says Christian Hemming, Technical Director.

For ORBIS, innovation is key and starts right at the manufacturing process: Using a low-pressure injection moulding process to manufacture large transport packaging is unique in Europe. By foaming plastics and additives, the products are particularly durable and robust.

To strengthen its ability to innovate, ORBIS operates an innovation centre in the US. Krahé says: “As an international manufacturer, we are able to optimise intercontinental supply chains. After the introduction of PlastiCorr as a reusable alternative to fibre corrugated boxes for European retail supply chains last year, we continue to broaden our product portfolio in 2022 – to offer our customers additional alternatives for more sustainable supply chains.”

In 2022, ORBIS will participate amongst others in the following events:

  • Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Europe, May 2nd-4th in Munich
  • The Battery Show Europe, July 12th-14th in Stuttgart
  • Battery Experts Forum, June 28th-30th in Frankfurt
  • FachPack, September 27th-29th in Nürnberg

 

Snack producer reduces forklift fleet size

Posted on by David Priestman

Toyota Material Handling UK has helped the award-winning premium snack producer, Burts Snacks, to reduce intralogistics costs and achieve significant handling efficiency gains across its business.

During a review of the company’s materials handling operation, Toyota identified that by replacing counterbalance machines with multi-functional reach trucks capable of operating outside a building, Burts Snacks could not only reduce the number of forklifts within its fleet – with a resultant drop in maintenance expenditure – but also boost productivity and improve on-site safety.

Burts Snacks manufactures its growing range of own-brand, licensed and private label snacks from sites in Plymouth and Leicester. At both facilities, Toyota recommended switching counterbalance trucks for Toyota Reflex outdoor reach trucks.

The Toyota Reflex outdoor reach truck has greater ground clearance than traditional models, which along with rubber wheels with tread and a revised gearbox configuration, allows it to work in yards, block-stacking, servicing outdoor racking and loading and unloading vehicles from the side.

It can also perform inside a building and at Burts Snacks’ Plymouth site, the trucks are fitted with Kooi extra-long forks with fork cameras to allow pallet loads to be put away within the storage unit’s double-deep racking scheme.

In addition, Toyota provided a mix of electric counterbalance models, powered pallet trucks and order pickers.

The equipment at both sites has been supplied on a long-term rental contract that includes service and maintenance.

Burts Snacks’ warehouse manager, Daniel Cresswell, originally approached Toyota to supply new, ultra-energy efficient trucks to replace a number of existing electric-powered counterbalance models that had been underutilised for some time and were nearing the end of their fixed contract period.

“After seeing the Toyota proposition for our fleet, it was a simple decision for us,” Cresswell says.

All of Burts Snacks’ new machines feature Toyota’s I_Site integrated telematics package as standard. The I_Site system allows truck operating hours to be closely monitored along with battery utilisation across the fleet. This feature has been particularly beneficial at the Plymouth site where the trucks are powered by a combination of Nexus fast charge, lithium-ion and lead acid batteries.

“The I_Site system monitors the forklift’s battery and highlights if the power source is being managed incorrectly. For example, if a lead acid battery is opportunity charged, this can cause significant implications to the battery. The I_Site technology can identify this before any harm is done,” says Cresswell.

I_Site also provides valuable data on the efficiency and safety of Burts Snacks’ lift truck operators, as Cresswell explains: “Because each operator requires his or her own PIN code or smart access card to operate a truck, they quickly realise that they are accountable for their actions during the course of a shift. We find that this accountability prompts forklift drivers to take more care when going about their daily routine, which of course, in turn, results in a safer environment and reduced product, truck or building infrastructure damage.”

Snack producer reduces forklift fleet size

Posted on by David Priestman

Toyota Material Handling UK has helped the award-winning premium snack producer, Burts Snacks, to reduce intralogistics costs and achieve significant handling efficiency gains across its business.

During a review of the company’s materials handling operation, Toyota identified that by replacing counterbalance machines with multi-functional reach trucks capable of operating outside a building, Burts Snacks could not only reduce the number of forklifts within its fleet – with a resultant drop in maintenance expenditure – but also boost productivity and improve on-site safety.

Burts Snacks manufactures its growing range of own-brand, licensed and private label snacks from sites in Plymouth and Leicester. At both facilities, Toyota recommended switching counterbalance trucks for Toyota Reflex outdoor reach trucks.

The Toyota Reflex outdoor reach truck has greater ground clearance than traditional models, which along with rubber wheels with tread and a revised gearbox configuration, allows it to work in yards, block-stacking, servicing outdoor racking and loading and unloading vehicles from the side.

It can also perform inside a building and at Burts Snacks’ Plymouth site, the trucks are fitted with Kooi extra-long forks with fork cameras to allow pallet loads to be put away within the storage unit’s double-deep racking scheme.

In addition, Toyota provided a mix of electric counterbalance models, powered pallet trucks and order pickers.

The equipment at both sites has been supplied on a long-term rental contract that includes service and maintenance.

Burts Snacks’ warehouse manager, Daniel Cresswell, originally approached Toyota to supply new, ultra-energy efficient trucks to replace a number of existing electric-powered counterbalance models that had been underutilised for some time and were nearing the end of their fixed contract period.

“After seeing the Toyota proposition for our fleet, it was a simple decision for us,” Cresswell says.

All of Burts Snacks’ new machines feature Toyota’s I_Site integrated telematics package as standard. The I_Site system allows truck operating hours to be closely monitored along with battery utilisation across the fleet. This feature has been particularly beneficial at the Plymouth site where the trucks are powered by a combination of Nexus fast charge, lithium-ion and lead acid batteries.

“The I_Site system monitors the forklift’s battery and highlights if the power source is being managed incorrectly. For example, if a lead acid battery is opportunity charged, this can cause significant implications to the battery. The I_Site technology can identify this before any harm is done,” says Cresswell.

I_Site also provides valuable data on the efficiency and safety of Burts Snacks’ lift truck operators, as Cresswell explains: “Because each operator requires his or her own PIN code or smart access card to operate a truck, they quickly realise that they are accountable for their actions during the course of a shift. We find that this accountability prompts forklift drivers to take more care when going about their daily routine, which of course, in turn, results in a safer environment and reduced product, truck or building infrastructure damage.”

Garbe hands over Lower Saxony logistics centre

Posted on by David Priestman

One year after the start of construction, Garbe Industrial Real Estate GmbH has completed a new central warehouse for the hagebau Group in Walsrode, Lower Saxony (Germany).

The property, with a total area of around 43,000 sq m, has now been officially handed over to the logistics subsidiary of the building materials and DIY store cooperation. Its omnichannel and logistics activities are to be bundled in Walsrode in the future. Garbe Industrial Real Estate invested around €34m in the new building.

The logistics centre was built on a 100,000 square metre site in the “A27park” industrial and commercial area. It is located directly on the A 27 motorway. The Walsroder Triangle is located in the immediate vicinity. There is a connection to the A7 motorway, one of the most important north-south connections in Germany.

“The central location in the Hamburg-Hanover-Bremen city triangle speaks for itself,” emphasises Jan Dietrich Hempel, Managing Director of Garbe Industrial Real Estate. “In the current difficult times, which in the construction sector are characterised by irregularities in the supply chains and shortages of materials, our thanks go to all those involved in the project for their solution-oriented and constructive cooperation.”

The city of Walsrode also contributed to the quick success of the project by cooperatively facilitating the examination and approval by the building authority within a very short period of time. The project had previously been initiated by the Deltaland mbH business development agency, which, as the city’s service provider, had put the project participants in touch with the location.

Garbe Industrial Real Estate had prevailed as preferred partner for the project development in a multi-stage bidding process conducted by Logivest as the logistics real estate consultant and project manager commissioned by hagebau, and acquired the site ready for construction in November 2020.

A building was erected on top of it, which is divided into four hall sections, each measuring 10,500 sq m. In addition, there are around 1,300 sq m for offices and social rooms. The property is equipped with 40 dock levellers and three ground-level gates. In addition, the object has a gate for side unloading.

The tenant of the new building is hagebau Logistik GmbH & Co KG. It handles the warehousing, order picking and distribution of the product range, which comprises around 10,000 different articles, for the around 360 member companies of the building materials trading and DIY store cooperation.

“The Walsrode site will set standards and play a decisive role in our logistics strategy,” explains Gerritt Höppner-Tietz, Managing Director of hagebau Logistik. The property in the “A27park” will serve as a central warehouse in the future. From there, both the five regional warehouses and the construction and building materials markets are to be supplied. In addition, online orders are to be shipped from Walsrode.

“Numerous jobs will be created in Walsrode for this purpose. A total of up to 150 people will be employed at the site,” adds Höppner-Tietz.

Parking spaces for 122 cars, 20 trucks and 20 bicycles are available in the outdoor area. A photovoltaic system is installed on the roof of the logistics centre to generate renewable energy. Garbe Industrial Real Estate is striving for certification according to the Gold Standard of the German Sustainable Building Council for the entire property.

“We will transfer the logistics centre to our own real estate management and remain a reliable contact for our tenant even after completion,” concludes Hempel, referring to the corporate strategy of Garbe Industrial Real Estate. The property still has potential for expansion. If required, a fifth hall section with an additional 10,000 sq m of space can be built.

 

Garbe hands over Lower Saxony logistics centre

Posted on by Keith McKinley

One year after the start of construction, Garbe Industrial Real Estate GmbH has completed a new central warehouse for the hagebau Group in Walsrode, Lower Saxony (Germany).

The property, with a total area of around 43,000 sq m, has now been officially handed over to the logistics subsidiary of the building materials and DIY store cooperation. Its omnichannel and logistics activities are to be bundled in Walsrode in the future. Garbe Industrial Real Estate invested around €34m in the new building.

The logistics centre was built on a 100,000 square metre site in the “A27park” industrial and commercial area. It is located directly on the A 27 motorway. The Walsroder Triangle is located in the immediate vicinity. There is a connection to the A7 motorway, one of the most important north-south connections in Germany.

“The central location in the Hamburg-Hanover-Bremen city triangle speaks for itself,” emphasises Jan Dietrich Hempel, Managing Director of Garbe Industrial Real Estate. “In the current difficult times, which in the construction sector are characterised by irregularities in the supply chains and shortages of materials, our thanks go to all those involved in the project for their solution-oriented and constructive cooperation.”

The city of Walsrode also contributed to the quick success of the project by cooperatively facilitating the examination and approval by the building authority within a very short period of time. The project had previously been initiated by the Deltaland mbH business development agency, which, as the city’s service provider, had put the project participants in touch with the location.

Garbe Industrial Real Estate had prevailed as preferred partner for the project development in a multi-stage bidding process conducted by Logivest as the logistics real estate consultant and project manager commissioned by hagebau, and acquired the site ready for construction in November 2020.

A building was erected on top of it, which is divided into four hall sections, each measuring 10,500 sq m. In addition, there are around 1,300 sq m for offices and social rooms. The property is equipped with 40 dock levellers and three ground-level gates. In addition, the object has a gate for side unloading.

The tenant of the new building is hagebau Logistik GmbH & Co KG. It handles the warehousing, order picking and distribution of the product range, which comprises around 10,000 different articles, for the around 360 member companies of the building materials trading and DIY store cooperation.

“The Walsrode site will set standards and play a decisive role in our logistics strategy,” explains Gerritt Höppner-Tietz, Managing Director of hagebau Logistik. The property in the “A27park” will serve as a central warehouse in the future. From there, both the five regional warehouses and the construction and building materials markets are to be supplied. In addition, online orders are to be shipped from Walsrode.

“Numerous jobs will be created in Walsrode for this purpose. A total of up to 150 people will be employed at the site,” adds Höppner-Tietz.

Parking spaces for 122 cars, 20 trucks and 20 bicycles are available in the outdoor area. A photovoltaic system is installed on the roof of the logistics centre to generate renewable energy. Garbe Industrial Real Estate is striving for certification according to the Gold Standard of the German Sustainable Building Council for the entire property.

“We will transfer the logistics centre to our own real estate management and remain a reliable contact for our tenant even after completion,” concludes Hempel, referring to the corporate strategy of Garbe Industrial Real Estate. The property still has potential for expansion. If required, a fifth hall section with an additional 10,000 sq m of space can be built.

 

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