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Month: March 2022

Volumes plummet at Port of Shenzhen

Posted on by Keith McKinley

China’s zero-Covid policy is putting severe strain on supply chains across the country with factories and warehouses being frequently shut down for short periods and trucks sometimes being stopped from travelling.

At Shenzhen, normally the country’s second busiest port, figures released by supply chain visibility expert FourKites reveal a trend of sharply declining volumes, not just in the last week as the city went into full lock-down, but over the last three weeks as authorities there have taken measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 in the latest outbreak.

FourKites predicts that some suppliers and carriers will move to other ports and take the hit of significantly longer over-land routes to get there. However, the situation is volatile and it’s impossible to predict whether — and where — there may be other Covid-19 restrictions.

With delays in other parts of the world, notably the US ports that Shenzhen serves, Covid-19 restrictions at the Chinese port may not represent the worst bottle neck. It may not be worth rerouting, if goods must sit on ships for two weeks anyway before they are able to depart for the US. Chinese lock-downs tend to be short lived and so waiting it out may also be an option for users of Shenzhen.

The fact that dwell times have not shot up as volumes have gone down suggests that shippers are becoming more agile in their reactions to supply chain issues. They are not simply changing routes, sometimes they are changing the factories they source from, to keep supplies moving.

Constant change is a given these days and, for transport professionals, volatility and increasing costs are just part of the job. They will have to keep a close eye on the situation, and particularly how long Shenzhen restrictions may last, and be ready to adapt.

  • FourKites has seen impacts to ocean freight volume following the recent lockdown of the City of Shenzhen due to increasing COVID-19 cases.
  • In Guangdong Province (where the City of Shenzhen is located), 7-day average ocean load volume for both imports and exports is down 43% since 1 March. On 17 March, the 7-day average load volume was down 39% week-over-week.
  • Dwell times at the Port of Shenzhen remain stable, hovering around 8.3 days for exports and 5.1 days for imports, though dwell times will likely increase over the coming days as throughput decreases.

 

Technology changing last-mile delivery sector

Posted on by David Priestman

COVID-19 has accelerated the use of technology across almost every industry and sector, with businesses adapting to digital and remote approaches on a wide range of their traditional processes. One area of logistics which has benefitted from this influx of technology is the last-mile delivery sector and specifically the way it engages self-employment.

Historically, self-employment has always brought up connotations of stressful admin, particularly around tax and finance, which have dissuaded many people from this type of employment. With many last-mile delivery firms heavily relying on self-employed drivers to get parcels out to individuals, this created an ongoing workforce issue which is only being exacerbated by the steady rise in ecommerce.

In a recent survey commissioned by UK self-employment technology specialist, Wise, 22% of people explained one of the barriers holding them back from self-employment is the sheer amount of admin you are required to complete. Within delivery and logistics firms, lots of this relates to onboarding and the documentation needed not only to get started, but to confirm your employment status and compliance status – traditionally, onboarding a new self-employed driver with all of the required paperwork could take as long as three hours.

Now, Wise is tackling these issues around self-employment within UK logistics by creating a revolutionary digital platform that is helping both the delivery firms and their subcontractors to save time, money and stress. Currently working with over 250 UK logistics companies, its digital system helps these firms to streamline their recruitment and onboarding processes whilst also providing vital support on both legal and compliance matters.

Tom Hills, Chief Operating Officer at Wise, said: “As a country, we understand now more than ever how important a role self-employed drivers are playing within the UK supply chain, getting goods around the nation and to our doorsteps. With our innovative platform, we’re delighted to be able to play a part in improving the self-employment experience for these subcontractors and the delivery firms which engage them.”

 

Mulgrew orders bespoke curtainsiders from Tiger

Posted on by David Priestman

One of Ireland’s leading operators, Mulgrew Haulage, has switched to Tiger Trailers for its latest curtainsider fleet order in a procurement move influenced heavily by the manufacturer’s ability to build bespoke trailers to exacting specifications.

Mulgrew, known for its specialism in the drinks industry, has so far welcomed over 50 of its 200-strong order of Tiger-built curtainsiders which will, once delivered, take the operator’s already sizeable fleet to around 1,000 trailers, with the latest curtainsiders therefore representing around one-fifth. The trailers are operated by a fleet of over 200 truck tractor units, predominantly Scania, and Mulgrew offers its customers over 150,000 sq ft of warehousing space. Its sites include two in County Down – the Holm Factory, Dromore, and Culcavy – along with Dublin, Deeside and Heysham.

Tiger Trailers has always had, since its formation in 2014, a strong customer-focussed ethos, and prides itself on manufacturing a full product range of trailers and rigid bodywork to the precise requirements of its diverse end users. Tiger’s sales and engineering teams collaborated closely with Paul Mulgrew to build an initial prototype trailer before its production lines turned into a sea of the customer’s equally distinctive orange livery.

Director, Paul Mulgrew, comments: “Darren and his colleagues certainly lived up to Tiger’s customer-first way of building trailers and his repeated visits to see our operations and understand our requirements first hand have resulted in new trailers that we are very happy with. It’s refreshing to work with a manufacturer that goes the extra mile in tailoring its products for each customer like this.”

Mulgrew Haulage’s new Tiger Trailers curtainsiders were designed with the customer’s operational restraints of 4650mm at the core and equip them with the maximum side aperture possible for multi-user movements, along with a very specific load restraint setup.

Ferry use comprises a significant percentage of Mulgrew’s operations and Tiger reflected this in several ways throughout its custom EN 12642 XL-rated curtainsider trailer design, from recessed and protected lighting, underrun positioning, and D-buffers to protect from damage, to heavy-duty and removeable roof cappings and tapered and plated bottoms to the corner pillars to reduce coupling impact.

Darren Holland, Sales Director of Tiger Trailers, says: “It has been a pleasure to work closely with Paul to produce a trailer to suit Mulgrew’s individual needs and the environments they operate in. Visiting the customer in Ireland multiple times enabled us to understand their requirements and ensure that Tiger met their specification 100%, building the one-off protype up front to iron out any challenges before commending building the remainder of the 200 ordered.”

Tiger Trailers is rapidly welcoming a growing number of hauliers from across the island of Ireland to its customer base and offers the full product range, from curtainsiders and box vans to double decks, temperature controlled, demounts, and rigid bodywork, along with a portfolio of services including finance, parts, and rentals.

 

Toyota extols safer logistics at seminar 

Posted on by David Priestman

Toyota Material Handling is the sponsor of a brand new feature at the Health & Safety Event 2022 – this year’s largest gathering of professionals responsible for running safe and efficient workplaces (NEC, Birmingham, 5-7 April 2022). The Safer Logistics Theatre will be an expert-led, free-to-attend seminar programme featuring a range of high profile speakers who will provide valuable insights into maintaining an optimal health and safety regime within the warehouse and across the supply chain.

For example, at noon every day throughout the exhibition Toyota’s Paul Mulcahy (pictured) and Keith Smith will host a session dedicated to the importance of good mental wellbeing.

Mulcahy and Smith will describe the processes that Toyota implemented to help team members through the pandemic period and go on to explain how poor mental health can be linked to physical accidents in the workplace.

Some of the advances in technology and product design that are playing an important role in cutting accident rates across the logistics industry will also be outlined.

Mulcahy comments: “Toyota has always been at the forefront of the development of new and advanced safety solutions. For example, as long ago as 1999 we launched our iconic SAS – System of Active Stability. Regarded as one of the most important safety developments in the material handling industry, the Toyota SAS dramatically reduces the risk of truck tip-overs by detecting unsafe operating conditions.”

As well as the opportunity to listen to some high quality educational presentations, those attending the Safer Logistics Theatre seminars will earn CPD points.

Toyota will also showcase models from its extensive range of handling solutions, including hand- and powered-pallet trucks, tow tractors and counterbalance forklift trucks at the Health & Safety Event.

Among the products on display on stand 4/H150 will be the recently launched 1600kg capacity Toyota BT Levio LWI160 – the first-ever purpose-designed lithium-ion powered pallet truck (PPT).

When developing this new model Toyota’s engineers removed the battery compartment that is a standard feature on traditional lead-acid battery-driven PPTs. The result is a smaller and lighter PPT, which, because there is no battery compartment to lift or lower, is exceptionally energy efficient, and delivers maximum uptime and reduced CO2 emissions.

Toyota will also demonstrate the health and safety benefits that its I_Site fleet management system brings to any environment where lift trucks are in operation.

The I-Site package features a range of tools to ensure maximum on-site safety. One such device is the system’s ability to make sure that the truck automatically goes into creep speed after a collision and can only go back to full capacity after being checked by a technician or re-set by an authorised person. The system also controls forklift access to make sure only trained drivers can operate machines, while unique driver profiles can also be created for increased safety.

Mulcahy says: “Successful warehousing and order fulfilment is all about maximising efficiency and productivity, but those joint aims should never be achieved at the expense of safety, which is why Toyota is constantly working to develop new and better safety technologies that reduce lift truck accidents.”

 

Virtual showroom offers warehouse solutions

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Businesses seeking to increase efficiency and safety in their warehouses and distribution centres by creating a more visual and informative workplace are invited to visit Brady’s Virtual Showroom. The 24/7 digital facility offers a number of solutions and tools to help organise your workplace in a more efficient and safer way.

Brady’s Virtual Showroom features identification solutions for rack labelling, inspection management, forklift access controls, lean 5S labelling, lockout procedure writing, floor marking, hazard communications, pipe marking, arc flash assessments, and spill control.

Brady describes it as “a new digital experience in exploring identification and safety solutions for warehouse and logistics”.

Ferag provides intralogistics solution to fashion group

Posted on by David Priestman

Fashion group s.Oliver is taking another major step in its growth strategy by opening a logistics centre in Dettelbach in 2024 with a hub function for the whole of Europe. As general contractor, Ferag AG is responsible for the overall coordination of intralogistics and the automated handling of the ordering and returns processes.

A European hub for around 60 million goods per year in online retail is being built in Dettelbach in Lower Franconia, Bavaria. The German fashion company s.Oliver plans to locate the entire logistics processing of its B2C business at this site. The reorder process and the supply of self-managed areas for the B2B sector are also to be integrated, according to a group release. The new logistics centre is a consistent next step in s.Oliver’s growth strategy and a reaction to the significantly increased demands on automated processes in e-commerce retailing.

Maximum process reliability

A key project with significant dimensions has begun for Ferag AG with the start at the beginning of January 2022. Several teams will work exclusively on this project for almost two years. More than 16km of conveyor systems will be supplied. They will run on three levels, connect several halls and ensure seamless process handling.

Ferag’s proven pouch sorter system Skyfall is loaded with 125,000 pouches and ensures all steps in the ordering and returns processes: receiving goods from the hanging garment warehouse; fully automated pouch loading with prepared returns; dynamic buffering for efficient material flow and on-time availability of goods; automatic pouch emptying and distribution of picked and sorted goods to packing stations; delivery of goods for shipping.

In addition to the impressive technological solution, Ferag also convinced those responsible at s.Oliver with its proactive input of its own flexible approaches and their feasible implementation in the existing concept.

“In addition, Ferag recognised and understood the importance and scope of the project for our company,” stated Dennis Prandl, Director Global Logistics Service Centre at s.Oliver, explaining why Ferag was awarded the contract. Ensuring a high degree of automation is a key requirement. Another is unrestricted flexibility. The concept must be able to react quickly to the demands of the market. Finally, s.Oliver wants to guarantee its customers maximum delivery capability and raise its service level so that goods ordered by 3 p.m. are shipped the same day.

Perfect coordination

To ensure a successful project, the coordination of all parties involved becomes a key task. Ferag assumes responsibility as integrator and organises cooperation with supplier companies, including major ones such as Heber Fördertechnik GmbH & Co. KG (container conveyor technology, outgoing goods sortation), MHart Srl (overhead conveyor technology) and Westernacher Business Management Consulting GmbH (SAP system).

Asked about the major challenges, Ferag project manager Fabian Schulz names the exact assembly planning and the on-time provision of all components. The final phase of the project then involves integrating all the mechanical and digital components, including some new developments, into a functioning overall system.

Ferag has started the project in Dettelbach with enthusiasm and a huge quantity of expertise. The fashion group’s logistics centre is scheduled to open in February 2024.

 

WOF Summit 2022 takes place in Vienna

Posted on by David Priestman

Visit WOF Summit 2022, the most innovative and informative logistics congress, which will take place this coming May at the Marriott Hotel in Vienna. Get the most up-to-date market insights into logistics, transportation and supply chain management. Discover newly available solutions and meet with industry peers for your competitive advantage, all while supporting a good cause at the WOF Connect & Charity evening gala.

Supply Chain and Logistics are evolving as we go, and the recent global developments prove that the industry needs to prepare for the unpredictable. Oil and gas prices are skyrocketing, other commodities follow closely, inflation is at an all-time high and transport costs have risen steeply. Economic and ecological aspects now go hand in hand, more than ever before. How can Green Deal initiatives not only save the planet, but create supply chain security and ease cost pressures? Green Washing was yesterday, today only results count!

Digitalisation, if implemented in a smart way, is another competitive advantage, not only for the booming E-Commerce sector, but for all aspects in the supply chain. Join the discussion with leading industry experts about pragmatic best practices solutions that support your business even in an unpredictable global environment.

Despite all the technological developments, logistics is still a people focused business, and the whole industry is fighting for the smartest minds. The organisers of WOF Summit Vienna 2022 have teamed up with top logistics and supply chain universities in the CEE region to get insights from supply chain students on their visions and expectations from the market in order to create a roadmap for the logistics leadership of tomorrow.

At WOF Summit Vienna 2022, networking is not just having a coffee with another interesting participant, but is powered by the innovative 1to1 Meeting Scheduler for all participants. Pre-arrange your most valuable business meetings with a few clicks in the two weeks before the event, and have the best industry discussions for your personal needs.

On top of this, take part in the WOF Connect & Charity evening programme which is not only about networking, but also about connecting business with charity to help those who need it most. Let’s make a difference at WOF Summit Vienna 2022, where a portion of selected ticket proceeds, and 50% of the evening charity sponsorship package will go to Österreichischen Krebshilfe, towards helping cancer patients and their families.

Whether it is Trucking, Air and Sea Freight, Warehousing, Intermodal Solutions, E-Commerce, Last Mile Challenges or overall Digitalisation and Environmental aspects in the Supply Chain – with top speakers and up to 500 visitors, you will definitely meet the right high-profile counterpart for your business success at the WOF SUMMIT VIENNA 2022.

Do not miss your chance to be part of this essential logistics event and its stimulating programme on 4th and 5th of May 2022, at Marriott Hotel, Vienna.

Leuze sensor offers measuring and switching

Posted on by David Priestman

The innovative ODT 3C sensor from Leuze can handle both measuring and switching tasks. The new 2-in-1 solution is thus suitable for a wide range of automated industrial applications.

Is there an object on the conveyor belt? If yes: What is its position or distance to the machine? These are typical issues that need to be addressed in a wide range of industrial applications and processes. In the past, to solve this problem required the use of multiple sensors. With the new ODT 3C from Leuze, only a single device is needed: The innovative sensor can transmit both switching and measuring information to the machine control system, which makes it an efficient and economical 2-in-1 solution.

Flexibility with a single sensor

The ODT 3C transmits measurement values and extensive diagnostic data via IO-Link. The data includes temperature values, warnings, and signal quality. It features impressive black-and-white behaviour (< ±3mm at 150mm). The operating range can be easily adjusted via the teach button, remote signal or IO-Link.

The new Leuze sensor also offers impressive functional reliability: Active ambient light suppression prevents faulty switching, even when exposed to direct light from LED building lighting systems. LEDs that are easily visible from all sides allow you to quickly read the status of the ODT 3C. Two independent switching outputs and sensor models with warning output or a small light spot (pinpoint) round of the sensor’s functions. This enables plant operators to use the ODT 3C flexibly in a wide range of applications.

Application example from food industry

A machine is rolling off dough for baked goods. The ODT 3C sensor is pointing down onto the dough. It sends a distance value to the parent control. The goal is to regulate the dough within an optimal distance range of 100–120mm.

If the sensor detects a measurement value outside the target range, the conveyor belt motors adjust the speed of the conveyor accordingly. The measurement value is evaluated in the process data via IO-Link. In addition, diagnostic data is transmitted to the controller via IO-Link for Industry 4.0 purposes.

 

German steel company adds magnetised reach stacker

Posted on by David Priestman

Sigma Weiterverarbeitungs GmbH & Co KG, a steel manufacturing company based in south-western Germany, has accepted delivery of a new Konecranes reach stacker for its flame cutting plant in Dillingen, Saarland, near the French border. The order was booked in March 2021 and started operation on-site the following November.

Well-established in the German steel industry, Sigma provides sheet metal, slabs, plates, coils and wire rod to customers who process the steel further for use in a wide variety of products. With its headquarters in Dillingen, it also has operations in Düsseldorf and a sales office in Metz, in north-eastern France. The flame cutting plant in Dillingen needed new equipment that could move sheet metal both inside its facility and outside, in its storage yard. Konecranes has provided a reach stacker with magnets fitted for this purpose.

“The low height of a reach stacker means we can easily use it indoors around other mill equipment, while its speed and manoeuvrability make it easy to move our products around our site,” says Florent Muller, Managing Director of Sigma. “We’ve operated a Konecranes forklift for some years, and it’s clearly increased our productivity, while Konecranes have provided excellent technical support. Now, two Konecranes lift trucks give us even better flexibility and efficiency as we serve our customers.”

“Konecranes have a solid long-term relationship with Sigma,” says Hans-Jürgen Haupt, West Germany Area Sales Manager for Konecranes Lift Trucks. “Their trust has given us an excellent opportunity to provide high-quality products tailored for their specific requirements in a competitive industry. Local agent Jungbluth have worked closely with Sigma and us throughout the whole process. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with both companies long into the future.”

The new reach stacker in Dillingen is a Konecranes SMV 4636 TC5, a sturdy 46-tonne machine that can lift loads up to a height of 12.5m. It features a traverse with four magnets that make direct contact with the sheet metal, all controlled by hydraulics. The truck features an OPTIMA cabin for comfort and visibility, a strong box-type chassis and a wide drive axle with a long wheelbase for high stability and safe handling. A Stage V low-emission engine, reduced fuel consumption and low noise levels minimise environmental impact.

 

Geek+ and Bosch Rexroth extend robotics partnership

Posted on by David Priestman

Geek+, a global AMR leader, and Bosch Rexroth, a world-leading provider of drive and control technology, have signed a strategic channel agreement for North America in March 2022. The partnership has already borne fruit in the form of a unique version of Geek+’s MP1000R moving robot augmented with the laser localisation software ROKIT Locator by Bosch Rexroth.

These robots could automatically distribute materials to production line in Bosch Rexroth’s plant in Changzhou, China. The software ROKIT Locator works in parallel with Geek+’s simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) technology and offers AMRs perfectly suited to manufacturing scenarios.

In view of the vast market opportunities, Geek+ and Bosch Rexroth have agreed to facilitate resource sharing, deepen cooperation, and create more intelligent logistics solutions for their customers.

Emil Hauch Jensen, General Manager, Smart Moving and Forklift Products, Overseas Business at Geek+ said: “We are very excited to unveil this new SLAM technology for AMRs jointly developed with Bosch Rexroth. The partnership will provide our customers with several products and solutions to accelerate the implementation of intelligent moving robots that will drive the intelligent transformation of the manufacturing industry.”

Armando Gonzalez , Business Leader AMR/Robotics at Bosch Rexroth, said: “The signing of this North American strategic channel agreement with Geek+ is another milestone in the cooperation between our two companies. We applaud Geek+’s brand concept, professionalism, and reliable products and solutions. From cooperation in product development to cooperation in the channel market, we firmly believe that our two companies’ innovativeness and expansion strength will be increased. We will work together to create more competitive world-class products and a complete ecological experience.”

In the future, Geek+ will continue to implement its ecosystem-enabling strategy and work closely with partners to promote the overall intelligent transformation of supply chain operations around the world, empowering global customers to respond quickly to market demands and promote business growth.

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