April 2022

WOF Summit promises latest market trends

Posted on 22 April, 2022 by Keith McKinley

Ahead of the WOF SUMMIT, which takes place in Vienna on 4^th-5^th May, we caught up with Chief Commercial Officer of the WOF Group Christoph Grasl and asked him about this inaugural event.

Christoph Grasl has more than 25 years of experience in freight and logistics. He started his carrier in freight forwarding at Vienna Airport in 1996. In the year 2000, he switched from Austria to Hungary and developed an SMB forwarding company within nine years to one of the top players in the Hungarian logistics market. During this period he also finished his MBA in logistics and supply chain at Danube University.

From 2009 he became MD of one of the leading air and sea cargo forwarders in Austria and had the Regional Director role for Central Eastern Europe. Finally, he was promoted to Chief Commercial Officer on the global corporate level. In a short break from the logistics industry, he did his second master’s studies in real estate management and started a property development company. From 2022 he is back in the logistics industry as Chief Commercial Officer of the WOF Group following his passion to connect people.

Logistics Business (LB): Tell us about the WOF SUMMIT and the whole idea behind it.

Christoph Grasl (CG): It all started with the vision of a handful of logistics experts from all over the world to create a new innovative platform for the logistics and supply chain industry. Our slogan ‘Explore The World Of Freight In The Heart Of Europe’ is a perfect description of what we create and where our focus lies. With the WOF EXPO in Bratislava last year, we set our first milestone and out of this experience and the valuable customer feedback we designed the WOF SUMMIT Vienna 2022.

Even that is not just another logistics congress in Austria, but the first-ever with a truly regional approach for Central Eastern Europe. We have top industry speakers not only from Austria, Germany and the CEE countries but even from overseas like India and the United States. Furthermore, the optimal networking atmosphere for all our visitors is essential for us.

LB: What is innovative about your event and how does it differ from rivals?

CG: At WOF SUMMIT, networking is not just having a coffee with another interesting participant but is powered by the innovative 1to1 Meeting Scheduler. So, all our visitors can pre-arrange their most valuable networking meetings already online two weeks before the event. As we set it up as a hybrid event, this is also valid for our virtual guests from all over the world.

Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, the WOF SUMMIT Vienna 2022 is the only logistics and supply chain event in Austria with a truly regional approach and covers the whole Central Eastern Europe. This combined with an exclusive exhibition area, a VIP networking area, the top keynotes and panel discussions and the evening gala WOF Connect & Charity, make our summit a unique experience for all logistics and supply chain friends.

LB: Why should companies come to WOF SUMMIT? How will WOF SUMMIT Vienna 2022 help businesses to thrive in current unpredictable times?

CG: Everybody who deals with transport, logistics and supply chain will find personal value at the WOF SUMMIT. We have the latest market insights, trends and best practice examples in digitalisation, e-commerce and green deals. You can touch base with sustainability trends in logistics real estate, be part of the digital air cargo revolution and feel the resilience of global supply chains in the actual shaky ocean freight markets. We have a deep dive in e-commerce also for business start-ups and offer solutions in the last mile distribution.

Last but not least, logistics is still a people’s business, so we teamed up with leading Universities in CEE and discuss with high potential the logistics leadership roles of the future. This and much more you can experience at the WOF SUMMIT Vienna 2022.

LB: The inevitable part of WOF SUMMIT Vienna 2022 will be the gala night WOF Connect & Charity, please tell us more about it.

CG: WOF Connect & Charity festive evening will be an absolute highlight of the two days of inspiration, learning, and knowledge sharing at the event. The importance of this unique evening stems not only from the strong focus on networking as WOF Connect & Charity is also about giving. Building on the success of the first charitable event during the WOF EXPO 2021 in Bratislava last year, this year we will look beyond our fundraising borders with Österreichische Krebshilfe.

The Austrian Cancer Aid, founded in 1910 under the personal auspices of the Emperor, supports approx. 30,000 cancer patients and relatives in their 66 cancer centres in Austria. Österreichische Krebshilfe will be an important part of this special evening. You will experience a combination of networking, good music and dance, inspirational people and stories, and of course an ultimate foodie experience. An evening from which you will emerge inspired and energised.

We are looking forward to seeing you all at the WOF SUMMIT Vienna 2022!

To find out more in information and get your ticket, CLICK HERE

Samsara publishes inaugural ESG report

Posted on 22 April, 2022 by Keith McKinley

Samsara Inc., a pioneer of the Connected Operations Cloud, has published its inaugural Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report titled Building a Safer and More Sustainable World. Samsara’s report details its progress to date and the principles that will guide the company’s ESG commitments, including transparency and accountability, data-driven solutions, and empowering its people and communities.

Samsara’s ESG report describes how Samsara governs and operates the company with integrity and ethics, and how it supports, empowers, and keeps employees safe. It shares how Samsara measures the environmental impact of its own operations, and the impact its Connected Operations Cloud is having on the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of its customers’ operations.

“Our customers are vitally important to the global economy, and even small shifts in their operations can dramatically reduce their environmental impact and improve the lives of employees,” said Sanjit Biswas, co-founder and CEO of Samsara. “Everything we do is in support of the people serving the world. Building technology-based solutions that make the world’s operations safer and more sustainable is one of the most important things we can do for society.”

Key highlights from the ESG report include:

Transforming customer operations: With Samsara, customers have reduced safety incidents, saved hundreds of thousands of gallons in fuel, and reduced their emissions through improved fuel efficiency and vehicle electrification. In a recent survey of customers, 90% agreed that Samsara has helped improve employee safety within their organization. In the last fiscal year alone, approximately 240 million cumulative hybrid and electric miles were logged on Samsara’s Connected Operations Cloud.

Commitment to carbon neutrality: Samsara has committed to staying carbon neutral. Over two years ago, the company started tracking its carbon footprint and made investments to remove and offset emissions to achieve carbon neutrality. Samsara invested in several innovative carbon offset projects to help ensure that its customers can immediately rely on a carbon-neutral Connected Operations Cloud to help better meet their sustainability goals.

Sustainable operations and a net-zero carbon footprint by 2040: Samsara’s long-term goal is to reach net-zero for its Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 2040. To reach that goal, the company has committed to set near- and long-term company-wide emission reductions in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Samsara’s upcoming new headquarters will be the first cross-laminated timber (CLT) building in San Francisco, and the first multi-story CLT building in California. CLT structural panels offer dimensional stability that is superior to conventional framing, with a significantly smaller carbon footprint. The building has been awarded LEED Gold certification, and all improvements made by Samsara will meet LEED Gold standards or higher.

Supporting and empowering employees: Samsara offers a wide range of programmes to support its employees and ensure they have a safe and healthy work environment, as well as avenues to serve their communities. Samsara’s employee resource groups empower diverse communities within the company and provide a venue to develop new ideas with unique perspectives. In 2021, Samsara published its inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) report and will continue bringing a diversity of skills, backgrounds, and perspectives to the company. In addition, the Samsara for Good program matches employee cash donations to non-profit organizations to support the broader community.

Upholding strong and sound corporate governance: Samsara structures its Board of Directors and supporting committees to ensure ethical decision making and clear accountability. Samsara is committed to responsible innovation and applies its guiding principles to its decision-making processes and product development. The company reviews and discusses sustainability, ethics, and privacy issues in light of broader changes to technology and society, and fosters informed discussion across stakeholders.

“Improving sustainability, making a positive social impact, and running our company with integrity will continue to guide our path forward,” said Adam Eltoukhy, general counsel of Samsara. “This year’s ESG report marks our next step in transparency, and puts a stake in the ground on our journey to build a safer and more sustainable world.”

Samsara has a growing opportunity to support ESG progress for physical operations companies, as its solutions further the safety and sustainability of their operations. Samsara customers span mission-critical industries, including transportation, wholesale and retail trade, construction, field services, logistics, utilities and energy, government, healthcare, education, manufacturing, food and beverage, and more.

The ESG report can be found at www.samsara.com/company/esg.

MiTek Mezzanine Systems appoints new MD

Posted on 22 April, 202231 July, 2025 by Keith McKinley

Having sold the company he helped create to MiTek in 2017, Scott Chambers, Managing Director of MiTek Mezzanine Systems, has taken the decision to retire.

“It was always my intention to step down when the time was right,” said Chambers, “and, with the company at the top of its game, that time has come. We have just had our best year ever, with turnover double that of our nearest competitor.”

Taking the reins as Managing Director is Matt Loveday (pictured), formerly Operations Director and a member of the MiTek team since 2005. “In collaboration with our MiTek colleagues in North America, I’m delighted to hand over to Matt Loveday,” said Chambers. “Everyone in the industry who knows him will know that he’s the right man for the position. He’s driven in upholding our reputation for excellent quality, continuous innovation and business integrity.”

Loveday, who began his new role after the Easter break, commented: “I’m thrilled to be leading the company in what is an exciting period of growth for us. With the support of our strong team, I’m confident we can capitalise on the fantastic opportunities we face. Scott’s shoes are difficult to fill,” he continued, “as everyone at MiTek and many people across the industry know that he’s been a fantastic leader for this company over several decades.”

MiTek Mezzanine Systems, which has been a UK market leader for mezzanine floors for the past six years, began life as Mezzanine International in 1991. Chambers worked with fellow partners Keith Loveday (Matt’s father) and John Porter to grow the business and became Managing Director in 2014. The company set up a German operation, Mezzanine Europe GmbH, in 2016. Both the UK and European businesses were acquired by MiTek, a Berkshire Hathaway company, in 2017.

Having worked in the mezzanine sector since the age of 24, Chambers admits that he will miss the buzz of fast-paced business. “I have genuinely loved working in the mezzanine floor industry. Anyone who knows me knows the passion and love I have for this business and I will miss it hugely.”

Chambers, who served as President of AMHSA (the Automated Material Handling Systems Association) from 2019 to 2021, plans to buy a second racehorse, play more golf and spend time with his new granddaughter.

“We are sad to bid farewell to Scott,” said Loveday, “and we are so grateful for his contribution to the success of the company. We are in such a great position, with the rise in both e-commerce and logistics automation driving our growth and strong support from MiTek underpinning global expansion. With our order size last year averaging £1m, our aim to dominate in Europe is credible and the future is only positive.”

MAFI partners with Wajax in Canada

Posted on 22 April, 202225 July, 2025 by David Priestman

German logistics equipment manufacturer MAFI Transport-Systeme GmbH will work exclusively with Wajax to distribute its state-of-the-art terminal tractors, trucks, and trailers in Canada.

MAFI, based in Baden-Württemberg, is the original pioneer of the now famous RoRo (roll-on roll-off) technology used at seaports, and remain a leading terminal tractor provider that specialises in equipment for logistical tasks.

MAFI’s diverse terminal tractor line and container industrial trailers provide the ultimate convenience and safety and can be configured for off-road use at shipping terminals, railyards, container facilities, and satellite yards.

A new exclusive relationship in Canada with equipment provider Wajax will see MAFI increase its presence in Canadian markets. Wajax has been at the heart of Canadian industry for over 160 years and is one of the country’s premier material handling equipment providers.

“I am very pleased to announce that Wajax is the exclusive MAFI dealer for all of Canada,” said Brian Kolthof, Vice President of Material Handling at Wajax. “We have been searching for a world-class manufacturer and MAFI’s line up of high-quality terminal tractors and trailers fits well with our other lines of equipment.”

Wajax will add a comprehensive range of MAFI equipment next to an already extensive product offering from the likes of such brands as PowerBoss, Columbia, Bulmor, Hyster, and Yale. In addition, Wajax will also be able to assist MAFI customers in Canada with any after-sales support they might require.

MAFI partners with Wajax in Canada

Posted on 22 April, 2022 by David Priestman

German logistics equipment manufacturer MAFI Transport-Systeme GmbH will work exclusively with Wajax to distribute its state-of-the-art terminal tractors, trucks, and trailers in Canada.

Coles Liquor automates supply chain with Relex

Posted on 21 April, 2022 by David Priestman

Australian retailer Coles Liquor has partnered with Relex Solutions to implement its Living Retail platform across its 931 stores.

The Relex solution will service Coles Liquor’s Liquorland, First Choice Liquor Market and Vintage Cellars stores as well as five distribution centres throughout Australia, driving improved availability for Coles Liquor customers through supply chain planning and AI driven replenishment.

Relex’s AI-based supply chain planning provides multi-channel inventory visibility and long-term planning horizons, to support better availability.

“Relex has a proven track record of helping retailers master the intricacies of each retail category’s specific inventory management needs,” says Coles Liquor General Manager Transformation and Supply Chain, Genevieve Hawkins.

“This is an exciting and important investment for Coles Liquor, which will materially improve our ability to have the right stock in the right place for suppliers, shops and customers.

“It will drive greater operational efficiency across our business and is a key element of our strategic drive to be a truly omnichannel business.”

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Coles with this expansion into Coles Liquor – I’m confident that we will provide value to Coles Liquor today and into the future,” says Mikko Kärkkäinen, CEO at Relex Solutions.

“This also marks an important step in our continued Australia expansion, and we are excited to strengthen our presence in Australia even further this year.”

Coles Liquor automates supply chain with Relex

Posted on 21 April, 202229 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Australian retailer Coles Liquor has partnered with Relex Solutions to implement its Living Retail platform across its 931 stores.

Relex’s AI-based supply chain planning provides multi-channel inventory visibility and long-term planning horizons, to support better availability.

“This is an exciting and important investment for Coles Liquor, which will materially improve our ability to have the right stock in the right place for suppliers, shops and customers.

“It will drive greater operational efficiency across our business and is a key element of our strategic drive to be a truly omnichannel business.”

“This also marks an important step in our continued Australia expansion, and we are excited to strengthen our presence in Australia even further this year.”

TIP acquires Ryder‘s trailer business

Posted on 21 April, 2022 by Keith McKinley

TIP Trailer Services, a portfolio company of I Squared Capital and one of the leading trailer leasing, rental, maintenance and repair providers across Europe and Canada, has signed a deal to acquire the trailer leasing and maintenance business of Ryder Ltd. Ryder Ltd is a leading provider of commercial vehicle rental, contract hire, maintenance, and dedicated delivery solutions in the UK.

TIP will integrate Ryder assets and contracts from its mobile maintenance services division into its existing business in the UK, enriching its fleet with around 3,550 additional trailers and expanding the number of workshops in the UK to 18, which will now include a site in Lichfield and two parking locations in Shepshed and Manchester. The completion of the transaction is expected to take place in June 2022.

Announcing details of this latest acquisition, Bob Fast, TIP President and CEO, said: “Acquiring the trailer leasing and maintenance business of Ryder Ltd is another key milestone in our growth path. It increases our UK & Ireland footprint, allowing us to improve service offering and infrastructure in areas where we have gaps today. It will increase our service offering to customers, expand and diversify our customer base in the UK.”

David Hunt, Vice President & Managing Director – FMS Europe, Ryder Ltd, adds: “With TIP we have found a great partner to guarantee a successful future for the mobile maintenance services part of our business. The acquisition will ensure continuation of the business, no disruption to customers and business partners along with providing 133 Ryder UK employees with continuity of employment.”

“Over the next months, both companies will work on the fleet integration to manage a smooth transition with customers and suppliers,” says Michael Furnival, TIP Vice President UK and Ireland Region. “A significant portion of the Ryder Ltd mobile maintenance services employee base are mobile technicians which will be a great addition to TIP’s maintenance and repair business. We are delighted to welcome the mobile maintenance services staff of Ryder UK into the TIP family.”

TIP acquires Ryder‘s trailer business

Posted on 21 April, 2022 by David Priestman

Greater insight drives IoT adoption

Posted on 21 April, 202229 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Greater supply chain insight and improved cost efficiency are the top drivers behind IoT adoption among today’s transport businesses, recent research by Inmarsat, a world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, has revealed.

A significant proportion (71%) of transport respondents stated that greater supply chain insight is a key driver behind their adoption of IoT technologies, while cost efficiency (59%) and greater automation (53%) followed. Despite these benefits, many transport organisations continue to face several key barriers when deploying IoT – with a lack of in-house skills, a lack of turnkey/off-the-shelf solutions and security implications in the deployment phase (36%, 23% and 23%, respectively) chief among them.

Despite the accelerating speed of IoT adoption over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, improvements are still needed to draw the optimum benefits from the technology. Unreliable connectivity, inadequate data strategies, and a lack of skills are hampering many businesses’ ability to reap the rewards of IoT.

Around half of those seeking cost efficiencies or greater supply chain insight (51% and 48%, respectively) felt their investments met or surpassed their expectations – yet for those with a formal IoT strategy in place, these figures were notably higher, at 81% and 65% respectively.

Equally, a higher proportion of organisations not struggling with connectivity challenges also achieved greater cost efficiencies and greater supply chain insights (both 69%). Yet, 13% of transport organisations suffer from a lack of consistent and reliable connectivity post-deployment, hindering their ability to achieve the same.

The IoT skills barrier is also hampering transport organisations’ efforts to achieve their IoT ambitions. In those without a formal IoT strategy in place, this is particularly acute. A large proportion of this group continues to struggle due to a lack of in-house skills in their IoT projects, particularly post-deployment (55%). In organisations with a formal IoT strategy this reduced to 15%, showing they are better equipped with the skills needed to solve issues uncovered during IoT deployment.

Steven Tompkins, Director of Market Development at Inmarsat Enterprise, said: “It is promising to see that the transport industry sees the clear value in IoT to deliver transparent, real-time oversight of its supply chain as well as increasing operational efficiencies. Adoption of IoT technologies has huge potential to deliver these benefits, however both investing in the right connectivity mix and having fit for purpose data management strategies in place is crucial to be able to acquire data in a timely manner and get it into the hands of the right decision makers for best effect.”

Commenting on the findings, Mike Carter, President of Inmarsat Enterprise, said: “The efficiency gains and cost savings IoT can deliver, in addition to the benefits of greater supply chain insight, paints a clear picture as to why most organisations are pursuing IoT. But to get the optimum benefits from their IoT deployments, organisations must ensure they have all the right skillsets and connectivity requirements in place. The research shows that organisations struggling to implement the right connectivity strategies are lagging behind their peers, and those with a formal IoT strategy are better placed to reap the benefits of optimised and more sustainable operations.

“We can see that too many businesses still struggle to deploy IoT projects due to unreliable, insecure, or poor connectivity. This is where satellite IoT connectivity can play a key role. Some of the most valuable data often hails from the hardest to reach places, so investing in effective collection, storage and analysis of that data is crucial to successful IoT strategies.

“Inmarsat ELERA, our industry-leading narrowband network, is ideally suited to the rapidly evolving world of IoT. The billions of devices being connected every year are benefitting from global reach, extraordinary resilience, and the fastest speeds, along with the smallest, lowest-cost terminals in their class. ELERA is inspiring new possibilities and enabling organisations from all sectors to access IoT anywhere. It will be a catalyst for the next wave of world-changing technologies, so organisations looking to accelerate their IoT deployments need look no further than Inmarsat and our global partner ecosystem – the widest of any satellite provider – to solve their IoT connectivity needs.”

As part of the research, Inmarsat is also offering businesses the opportunity to measure their IoT readiness versus the respondents in the survey, using a free IoT maturity tool.

CLICK HERE to use the IoT Maturity tool and download the full report – Industrial IoT in the Time of Covid-19.

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