B&Q updates NDC with automated tote shuttle solution

Logistex has completed a £10m project for B&Q at its Distribution Centre in Worksop, UK. The solution brings together a range of technologies including a pallet decant system, Goods To Person (GTP) stations, a tote shuttle system, and robotic palletisers. The system is operated by Wincanton on behalf of B&Q and represents a long-term strategic alliance between the two companies.

Due to significant growth plans, B&Q needed to increase its Worksop site capability to 2,100,000 cases dispatched per week. Working closely with B&Q, the Logistex Solution Design Engineers developed a solution that would meet these expansion needs whilst also improving site efficiency. Simulation and emulation were used to prove performance and minimise risk to the operation.

The decant process efficiency was increased by 86% with the addition of 16 automatically fed pallet decant stations. These ergonomically designed stations are used to decant palletised cases of product to totes, after which they are conveyed to a shuttle system for storage. The Savoye X-PTS shuttle system consists of 54,000 tote storage locations, serviced by 140 shuttles and 10 high speed lifts. The X-PTS has a combined throughput capability of 4,000 totes in and 4,000 totes out per hour.

Four Goods To Person (GTP) stations are serviced via the X-PTS, with each GTP station having its own tote sequence buffer to guarantee maximum throughput whatever the order size. Each GTP station operates at a pick rate of in excess of 800 cases per hour which is a threefold increase on the existing trolley pick system performance.

Order totes picked at the GTP station are returned to the X-PTS to await completion of the order. Once complete, order totes are released to a robot palletiser system capable of palletising in excess of 1,000 totes per hour.

The X-PTS is also used as a replenishment buffer for additional picking areas in the warehouse.

The new decant, X-PTS and palletiser solution is controlled by the Logistex warehouse management and control system, LWS Reflex, to guarantee continuous high performance, high availability, and local support.

This project showcases the successful partnership between Logistex and Savoye which has already resulted in further new project orders.

Jerry Woodhouse, Chairman at Logistex, says; “The new B&Q Tote Handling System has been a great project to be involved in. The principal stakeholders of B&Q, Wincanton, Logistex and Savoye have all worked together with a phenomenal can-do attitude to successfully deliver the project despite the challenges presented by the Covid Pandemic. The Savoye tote shuttle system integrated by Logistex and controlled by our WMS LWS Reflex has enabled B&Q to significantly upscale the operational capabilities of their NDC at Worksop.”

 

B&Q updates NDC with automated tote shuttle solution

Logistex has completed a £10m project for B&Q at its Distribution Centre in Worksop, UK. The solution brings together a range of technologies including a pallet decant system, Goods To Person (GTP) stations, a tote shuttle system, and robotic palletisers. The system is operated by Wincanton on behalf of B&Q and represents a long-term strategic alliance between the two companies.

Due to significant growth plans, B&Q needed to increase its Worksop site capability to 2,100,000 cases dispatched per week. Working closely with B&Q, the Logistex Solution Design Engineers developed a solution that would meet these expansion needs whilst also improving site efficiency. Simulation and emulation were used to prove performance and minimise risk to the operation.

The decant process efficiency was increased by 86% with the addition of 16 automatically fed pallet decant stations. These ergonomically designed stations are used to decant palletised cases of product to totes, after which they are conveyed to a shuttle system for storage. The Savoye X-PTS shuttle system consists of 54,000 tote storage locations, serviced by 140 shuttles and 10 high speed lifts. The X-PTS has a combined throughput capability of 4,000 totes in and 4,000 totes out per hour.

Four Goods To Person (GTP) stations are serviced via the X-PTS, with each GTP station having its own tote sequence buffer to guarantee maximum throughput whatever the order size. Each GTP station operates at a pick rate of in excess of 800 cases per hour which is a threefold increase on the existing trolley pick system performance.

Order totes picked at the GTP station are returned to the X-PTS to await completion of the order. Once complete, order totes are released to a robot palletiser system capable of palletising in excess of 1,000 totes per hour.

The X-PTS is also used as a replenishment buffer for additional picking areas in the warehouse.

The new decant, X-PTS and palletiser solution is controlled by the Logistex warehouse management and control system, LWS Reflex, to guarantee continuous high performance, high availability, and local support.

This project showcases the successful partnership between Logistex and Savoye which has already resulted in further new project orders.

Jerry Woodhouse, Chairman at Logistex, says; “The new B&Q Tote Handling System has been a great project to be involved in. The principal stakeholders of B&Q, Wincanton, Logistex and Savoye have all worked together with a phenomenal can-do attitude to successfully deliver the project despite the challenges presented by the Covid Pandemic. The Savoye tote shuttle system integrated by Logistex and controlled by our WMS LWS Reflex has enabled B&Q to significantly upscale the operational capabilities of their NDC at Worksop.”

 

TSC Printronix appoints DACH sales manager

Highly experienced sales expert Julia Moore joined TSC Printronix Auto ID as Sales Manager on 1st March 2022. Her role is twofold, to both support existing partners, distributors and resellers, and to expand the partner network throughout the DACH North region.

Victoria Grobushkina, Sales Director for TSC Printronix Auto ID Europe and Africa, to whom Julia will report, sees her as a real asset. “We are pleased to welcome Julia to our sales team. Being customer-oriented, results-driven and a great team player, she will support our continuous regional growth and help to establish long-standing business relations with our channel partners and provide the first class level of services for which TSC Printronix Auto ID is renowned,” says Victoria.

Moore has a very ‘hands-on‘ approach that focuses on customer needs. “I put customer requirements front and central to my work and am determined to demonstrate to them how both the TSC and Printronix Auto ID brands can meet their needs. I am convinced that through excellent cooperation with our partners, and by actively supporting a wide range of projects, we can increase our market share and inspire more end customers to use our high-performance products,” says Moore.

Post-graduation from the University of Sunderland, Moore acquired her initial sales skills at Medion AG and Aer Rianta Retail in Dublin. In 2012, she switched to the Auto ID industry with a Customer Account position in Dublin for Datalogic followed by a sales role at AISCI Ident GmbH. Since 2017, Moore has been responsible, as Area Sales Manager, for developing and expanding the reseller and partner network at Promethean, one of the world’s leading suppliers of interactive displays and screens for imaging equipment.

Moore will be based in Essen, Germany, and will complement the DACH team, covering the northern part of the region. She will be focused on managing day-to-day relationships with existing resellers and distribution partners for both TSC and Printronix Auto ID brands. Additionally, she’ll be targeting Auto ID resellers to gain a foothold into new customers to increase regional presence and brand awareness.

TSC Printronix appoints DACH sales manager

Highly experienced sales expert Julia Moore joined TSC Printronix Auto ID as Sales Manager on 1st March 2022. Her role is twofold, to both support existing partners, distributors and resellers, and to expand the partner network throughout the DACH North region.

Victoria Grobushkina, Sales Director for TSC Printronix Auto ID Europe and Africa, to whom Julia will report, sees her as a real asset. “We are pleased to welcome Julia to our sales team. Being customer-oriented, results-driven and a great team player, she will support our continuous regional growth and help to establish long-standing business relations with our channel partners and provide the first class level of services for which TSC Printronix Auto ID is renowned,” says Victoria.

Moore has a very ‘hands-on‘ approach that focuses on customer needs. “I put customer requirements front and central to my work and am determined to demonstrate to them how both the TSC and Printronix Auto ID brands can meet their needs. I am convinced that through excellent cooperation with our partners, and by actively supporting a wide range of projects, we can increase our market share and inspire more end customers to use our high-performance products,” says Moore.

Post-graduation from the University of Sunderland, Moore acquired her initial sales skills at Medion AG and Aer Rianta Retail in Dublin. In 2012, she switched to the Auto ID industry with a Customer Account position in Dublin for Datalogic followed by a sales role at AISCI Ident GmbH. Since 2017, Moore has been responsible, as Area Sales Manager, for developing and expanding the reseller and partner network at Promethean, one of the world’s leading suppliers of interactive displays and screens for imaging equipment.

Moore will be based in Essen, Germany, and will complement the DACH team, covering the northern part of the region. She will be focused on managing day-to-day relationships with existing resellers and distribution partners for both TSC and Printronix Auto ID brands. Additionally, she’ll be targeting Auto ID resellers to gain a foothold into new customers to increase regional presence and brand awareness.

Linde expands ATEX range

Material transport in tight spaces is an everyday challenge for many companies – even more so when having to take explosion protection conditions into account. Linde Material Handling (MH) offers suitable transport solutions for all ATEX applications and is now presenting compact high-performance vehicles featuring a high level of operating comfort for use in confined environments.

Representing an alternative to forklifts, these Linde T20-30 EX pallet trucks, available with or without platform, and Linde L06-L16 AC EX counter­balanced pallet stackers can even be integrated into the Linde connect fleet management system with access control and damage monitoring.

Industrial truck drivers from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, the biotech and cosmetics industries, the food and beverage industry, and the logistics sector are familiar with the problem: In many production and storage environments with limited expansion options, space is often tight.

“Every centimetre counts when it comes to transporting goods and storage and retrieval operations. Drivers need particularly agile, easy-to-manoeuvre and user-friendly vehicles in these conditions. After all, hazardous materials must be handled safely and reliably at all times,” emphasizes Elke Karnarski, Product Manager Ex-Proof Trucks & Retrofit Solutions. This is where the new narrow, explosion-proof vehicles from Linde MH come into play.

Offering load capacities of 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0t, Linde T20-30 EX pallet trucks impress with their compactness and a chassis that is only 720mm wide. Its dimensions remain within the pallet contour – resulting in good manoeuvrability, which is significantly supported by the servo-assisted steering. The vehicles are designed for retrieval and storage operations as well as short- and medium-haul material transport in ATEX zones 1/21 and 2/22. Corresponding explosion protection measures include ignition protection against electrical and mechanical sparks, continuous temperature monitoring of all relevant components, and precautions to prevent electrostatic charging.

Compact, yet ergonomic

In the Linde T20-25 AP EX version with foldable platform, the pallet trucks function as an ergonomic workplace for transporting goods over medium and long distances. Platform and guard are softly padded. The platform is reliably locked in both positions, allowing the driver to stand firmly and safely on the dissipative foot mat. The foldable guard keeps them within the chassis contours – the best prerequisite for higher productivity.

The platform and tiller are decoupled from the chassis, which reduces vibrations felt by the driver. At the same time, the driver has a good view of the load and surroundings at all times, even in tight, demanding working environments. Above all, the electric steering with the low-mounted tiller ensures operating comfort and safe handling of the vehicle. The multifunction display provides clear information about important vehicle parameters – such as the next maintenance date or the battery charge level.

Linde’s EX Monitoring app monitors all safety-relevant factors, such as temperature, resistance, voltage and wear, and the operator receives specific recommendations as to what actions to take to ensure safe, reliable operation of the explosion-proof vehicle.

The Linde L06-L16 AC EX counterbalanced pallet stacker, available in four versions with load capacities of 0.6, 1.0, 1.2 and 1.6t, also has a narrow and compact design of 890mm. With its cantilever fork carriage for ATEX zone 2/22, the vehicle is ideally suited to transporting special loads, IBCs or closed pallets in tight spaces. Shorter than an electric forklift, the vehicle is an optimal alternative for potentially explosive areas where space is tight.

 

Linde expands ATEX range

Material transport in tight spaces is an everyday challenge for many companies – even more so when having to take explosion protection conditions into account. Linde Material Handling (MH) offers suitable transport solutions for all ATEX applications and is now presenting compact high-performance vehicles featuring a high level of operating comfort for use in confined environments.

Representing an alternative to forklifts, these Linde T20-30 EX pallet trucks, available with or without platform, and Linde L06-L16 AC EX counter­balanced pallet stackers can even be integrated into the Linde connect fleet management system with access control and damage monitoring.

Industrial truck drivers from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, the biotech and cosmetics industries, the food and beverage industry, and the logistics sector are familiar with the problem: In many production and storage environments with limited expansion options, space is often tight.

“Every centimetre counts when it comes to transporting goods and storage and retrieval operations. Drivers need particularly agile, easy-to-manoeuvre and user-friendly vehicles in these conditions. After all, hazardous materials must be handled safely and reliably at all times,” emphasizes Elke Karnarski, Product Manager Ex-Proof Trucks & Retrofit Solutions. This is where the new narrow, explosion-proof vehicles from Linde MH come into play.

Offering load capacities of 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0t, Linde T20-30 EX pallet trucks impress with their compactness and a chassis that is only 720mm wide. Its dimensions remain within the pallet contour – resulting in good manoeuvrability, which is significantly supported by the servo-assisted steering. The vehicles are designed for retrieval and storage operations as well as short- and medium-haul material transport in ATEX zones 1/21 and 2/22. Corresponding explosion protection measures include ignition protection against electrical and mechanical sparks, continuous temperature monitoring of all relevant components, and precautions to prevent electrostatic charging.

Compact, yet ergonomic

In the Linde T20-25 AP EX version with foldable platform, the pallet trucks function as an ergonomic workplace for transporting goods over medium and long distances. Platform and guard are softly padded. The platform is reliably locked in both positions, allowing the driver to stand firmly and safely on the dissipative foot mat. The foldable guard keeps them within the chassis contours – the best prerequisite for higher productivity.

The platform and tiller are decoupled from the chassis, which reduces vibrations felt by the driver. At the same time, the driver has a good view of the load and surroundings at all times, even in tight, demanding working environments. Above all, the electric steering with the low-mounted tiller ensures operating comfort and safe handling of the vehicle. The multifunction display provides clear information about important vehicle parameters – such as the next maintenance date or the battery charge level.

Linde’s EX Monitoring app monitors all safety-relevant factors, such as temperature, resistance, voltage and wear, and the operator receives specific recommendations as to what actions to take to ensure safe, reliable operation of the explosion-proof vehicle.

The Linde L06-L16 AC EX counterbalanced pallet stacker, available in four versions with load capacities of 0.6, 1.0, 1.2 and 1.6t, also has a narrow and compact design of 890mm. With its cantilever fork carriage for ATEX zone 2/22, the vehicle is ideally suited to transporting special loads, IBCs or closed pallets in tight spaces. Shorter than an electric forklift, the vehicle is an optimal alternative for potentially explosive areas where space is tight.

 

Copal efficiently serves coffee for Tramar

Tramar SRC, from Le Havre, France, is a logistics company that unloads green coffee from containers which can store up to 160,000 bags of coffee beans. It handles about 50,000 tonnes of green coffee annually.

In 2019, Tramar was facing difficulties to find personnel to manually unload its containers. To mitigate the labour shortage problem, Tramar purchased an automatic container unloader & palletiser from Copal Handling Systems of The Netherlands. Since June 2020, this machine has been in operation to the full satisfaction of Laurent Gouédard, director of Tramar SRC.

The labour shortage, however, is not diminishing; to the contrary, it has been increasing year after year. So, in mid-2021, Laurent Gouédard went to Copal again to find a solution for restacking coffee bags from large harbour pallets to smaller euro pallets.

In February 2022, Copal commissioned an automatic re-palletising robot at Tramar. An advanced camera system recognises the position of each individual bag and sends its coordinates to the robot. The bags can therefore be accurately picked up and re stacked on a different pallet size.

Different coffee bags on one pallet is possible as well. The Copal re-palletising robot will make mixed pallets with no effort at all.

Instead of three people plus a forklift driver to re-palletise, one forklift driver is now enough to get the job done.

Laurent Gouédard says: “Copal has succeeded in developing this re-palletising system in line with our technical constraints and needs. The system is efficient and exceeds our expectations in terms of output. The simplicity of its use requires very little training time.

We are delighted with this continuing partnership between Copal and Tramar SRC.”

CLICK HERE to watch a video.

Copal efficiently serves coffee for Tramar

Tramar SRC, from Le Havre, France, is a logistics company that unloads green coffee from containers which can store up to 160,000 bags of coffee beans. It handles about 50,000 tonnes of green coffee annually.

In 2019, Tramar was facing difficulties to find personnel to manually unload its containers. To mitigate the labour shortage problem, Tramar purchased an automatic container unloader & palletiser from Copal Handling Systems of The Netherlands. Since June 2020, this machine has been in operation to the full satisfaction of Laurent Gouédard, director of Tramar SRC.

The labour shortage, however, is not diminishing; to the contrary, it has been increasing year after year. So, in mid-2021, Laurent Gouédard went to Copal again to find a solution for restacking coffee bags from large harbour pallets to smaller euro pallets.

In February 2022, Copal commissioned an automatic re-palletising robot at Tramar. An advanced camera system recognises the position of each individual bag and sends its coordinates to the robot. The bags can therefore be accurately picked up and re stacked on a different pallet size.

Different coffee bags on one pallet is possible as well. The Copal re-palletising robot will make mixed pallets with no effort at all.

Instead of three people plus a forklift driver to re-palletise, one forklift driver is now enough to get the job done.

Laurent Gouédard says: “Copal has succeeded in developing this re-palletising system in line with our technical constraints and needs. The system is efficient and exceeds our expectations in terms of output. The simplicity of its use requires very little training time.

We are delighted with this continuing partnership between Copal and Tramar SRC.”

CLICK HERE to watch a video.

Flash Battery celebrates strong 2021 revenue

Flash Battery’s revenues for 2021 amounted to €17.3m, up 25% on the previous year, meaning that the company has consolidated its leadership role in the production of lithium batteries for industrial machines and electric vehicles.

With 2020 having seen a 5% growth in revenues despite a slowdown in production in the first half of the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2021 the company, based in Sant’Ilario d’Enza (Emilia-Romagna, Italy), also registered a significant increase of 16% in new hires, bringing the total number of employees to 65, more than a third of whom are involved in R&D activities.

Marco Righi, CEO of Flash Battery, SAID: “2021 was a very important year for us. While results include a significant increase of 25% in foreign revenues, what stands out above all is a series of factors that have enabled us to reinforce our development strategies on the domestic front, but also on international markets, where we are already present in 54 countries.”

Among the elements underlined by Righi are the opening of the new headquarters (150 workstations, investment of €7.5m), significant investments in research, participation in major European Union electrification projects, and the forging of new commercial partnerships in several European countries characterised by the highest levels of dynamism in their approach to electric power conversion.

“Last year,” explains Righi, “we joined BEPA (the Batteries European Partnership Association), an entity that brings together more than 170 industrial companies, universities and research institutes committed to attaining the goals set out at the end of 2020 by the European Commission in the context of the Horizon Europe Programme. This grouping will pour more than €925m into research and innovation projects in the battery sector. At the same time, Flash Battery has established several prestigious partnerships with highly experienced powertrain system integrators active in the main markets.”

Primary among these are Atech in Germany, Efa France in France and Q-Tronic in Benelux. “Along with Italy,” says Righi, “these three markets are fundamental to the progress of the industrial electric transition, especially considering that together they account for more than 80% of the entire European market for the electrification of industrial machinery and electric vehicles.”

“Our prospects for development,” continues the CEO, “are very much linked to foreign markets, both directly and indirectly. Indeed, 35% of our output is currently directed abroad. However, if we consider that the batteries supplied to Italian customers are installed in machines and vehicles that will be exported all over the world, we can say that more than 80% of Flash Battery’s production is internationally oriented.”

Flash Battery was recognised as the best under-40 enterprise in Emilia-Romagna in 2021. But looking to the future, 2022 is of particular importance, as the company will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its founding by Marco Righi and Alan Pastorelli, now Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

“The electrification market is constantly evolving,” says the CEO. “In recent years we have seen an increasing number of industries willing to take the decisive step towards the electrification of vehicles, machines and processes. Up till five years ago, we would never even have dreamed of electrifying an excavator or an agricultural machine, whereas today, in conjunction with the broad field of logistics, we have developed several electric prototypes in the construction and agricultural sectors, to name but a few.

“As we celebrate our 10th anniversary,” concludes Righi, “we are committed to developing new prototypes of lithium batteries for the electrification of increasingly larger vehicles and machines, combining high performance with a reduction in the environmental footprint of high-powered engines.”

Flash Battery celebrates strong 2021 revenue

Flash Battery’s revenues for 2021 amounted to €17.3m, up 25% on the previous year, meaning that the company has consolidated its leadership role in the production of lithium batteries for industrial machines and electric vehicles.

With 2020 having seen a 5% growth in revenues despite a slowdown in production in the first half of the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2021 the company, based in Sant’Ilario d’Enza (Emilia-Romagna, Italy), also registered a significant increase of 16% in new hires, bringing the total number of employees to 65, more than a third of whom are involved in R&D activities.

Marco Righi, CEO of Flash Battery, SAID: “2021 was a very important year for us. While results include a significant increase of 25% in foreign revenues, what stands out above all is a series of factors that have enabled us to reinforce our development strategies on the domestic front, but also on international markets, where we are already present in 54 countries.”

Among the elements underlined by Righi are the opening of the new headquarters (150 workstations, investment of €7.5m), significant investments in research, participation in major European Union electrification projects, and the forging of new commercial partnerships in several European countries characterised by the highest levels of dynamism in their approach to electric power conversion.

“Last year,” explains Righi, “we joined BEPA (the Batteries European Partnership Association), an entity that brings together more than 170 industrial companies, universities and research institutes committed to attaining the goals set out at the end of 2020 by the European Commission in the context of the Horizon Europe Programme. This grouping will pour more than €925m into research and innovation projects in the battery sector. At the same time, Flash Battery has established several prestigious partnerships with highly experienced powertrain system integrators active in the main markets.”

Primary among these are Atech in Germany, Efa France in France and Q-Tronic in Benelux. “Along with Italy,” says Righi, “these three markets are fundamental to the progress of the industrial electric transition, especially considering that together they account for more than 80% of the entire European market for the electrification of industrial machinery and electric vehicles.”

“Our prospects for development,” continues the CEO, “are very much linked to foreign markets, both directly and indirectly. Indeed, 35% of our output is currently directed abroad. However, if we consider that the batteries supplied to Italian customers are installed in machines and vehicles that will be exported all over the world, we can say that more than 80% of Flash Battery’s production is internationally oriented.”

Flash Battery was recognised as the best under-40 enterprise in Emilia-Romagna in 2021. But looking to the future, 2022 is of particular importance, as the company will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its founding by Marco Righi and Alan Pastorelli, now Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

“The electrification market is constantly evolving,” says the CEO. “In recent years we have seen an increasing number of industries willing to take the decisive step towards the electrification of vehicles, machines and processes. Up till five years ago, we would never even have dreamed of electrifying an excavator or an agricultural machine, whereas today, in conjunction with the broad field of logistics, we have developed several electric prototypes in the construction and agricultural sectors, to name but a few.

“As we celebrate our 10th anniversary,” concludes Righi, “we are committed to developing new prototypes of lithium batteries for the electrification of increasingly larger vehicles and machines, combining high performance with a reduction in the environmental footprint of high-powered engines.”

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