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Month: April 2022

Greater insight drives IoT adoption

Posted on 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.

Rite-Hite showcases safety solutions at Intralogistica

Posted on by David Priestman

Rite-Hite, one of the leading manufacturers of loading bay and health and safety equipment, will showcase some highlights of its complete range of solutions for warehouse and logistics environments at Intralogistica Italia, Milan on 3rd-6th May 2022 (Pad.10 Stand C15-D20).

As an expert in loading bay safety solutions, Rite-Hite will display and demonstrate a range of its products that can be utilised inside, outside and around any loading bay environment, to ensure every angle is covered. These include its world-renowned Global Wheel-Lok (pictured), designed to secure any type of trailer to the loading bay, preventing well-known incidents such as vehicle creep and accidents caused by a vehicle leaving its bay too early. It will also demonstrate how the Global Wheel-Lok can be connected and integrated with its robust and versatile Dok-Guardian Safety Barrier to ensure full-time safe operation at the loading dock.

Also on the stand, Rite-Hite will showcase its intelligent LED warning Safe-T Signal system, which can be used to clearly detect and communicate traffic within a busy warehouse environment. It will also show its TS-2000 Trailer Stand, designed to fit most trailers that come into the loading dock with a static load capacity of 227kN, and its innovative Flex Neck LED Dock Lights, which offer enhanced flexibility when lighting a trailer or container at the loading dock.

Thorsten Mauritz, Marketing Manager (Europe) at Rite-Hite, says Rite-Hite is more than just a ‘products’ business: “We take a holistic approach with our clients and our leading range of solutions are proven to improve safety, security, productivity, energy savings and environmental control within any logistics environment.

“Italy is an important market for us, and Intralogistica provides the ideal opportunity for us to further connect with the market and meet with new and existing partners and customers to discuss their needs, and further grow our presence in the region.”

Rite-Hite showcases safety solutions at Intralogistica

Posted on by David Priestman

Rite-Hite, one of the leading manufacturers of loading bay and health and safety equipment, will showcase some highlights of its complete range of solutions for warehouse and logistics environments at Intralogistica Italia, Milan on 3rd-6th May 2022 (Pad.10 Stand C15-D20).

As an expert in loading bay safety solutions, Rite-Hite will display and demonstrate a range of its products that can be utilised inside, outside and around any loading bay environment, to ensure every angle is covered. These include its world-renowned Global Wheel-Lok (pictured), designed to secure any type of trailer to the loading bay, preventing well-known incidents such as vehicle creep and accidents caused by a vehicle leaving its bay too early. It will also demonstrate how the Global Wheel-Lok can be connected and integrated with its robust and versatile Dok-Guardian Safety Barrier to ensure full-time safe operation at the loading dock.

Also on the stand, Rite-Hite will showcase its intelligent LED warning Safe-T Signal system, which can be used to clearly detect and communicate traffic within a busy warehouse environment. It will also show its TS-2000 Trailer Stand, designed to fit most trailers that come into the loading dock with a static load capacity of 227kN, and its innovative Flex Neck LED Dock Lights, which offer enhanced flexibility when lighting a trailer or container at the loading dock.

Thorsten Mauritz, Marketing Manager (Europe) at Rite-Hite, says Rite-Hite is more than just a ‘products’ business: “We take a holistic approach with our clients and our leading range of solutions are proven to improve safety, security, productivity, energy savings and environmental control within any logistics environment.

“Italy is an important market for us, and Intralogistica provides the ideal opportunity for us to further connect with the market and meet with new and existing partners and customers to discuss their needs, and further grow our presence in the region.”

Transportation costs drive regional divide

Posted on by David Priestman

New research shows that business is feeling the effects of inflation, geopolitical tension, port congestion and transportation costs in dramatically different and regionally specific ways, with those in South America and Africa facing a more negative business outlook.

The study, conducted by Economist Impact, surveyed executive-level participants representing businesses in 26 major countries across the globe. The research was commissioned by DP World, global logistics company and a key participant in the World Logistics Passport.

In South America and Africa, executives have a more negative outlook on the impact of transportation costs on business outlook – even when compared to other developing countries.

For example, 42.5% and 49.5% of executives surveyed in South America and Africa respectively identified higher transport costs as the top limitation for increasing exports. This compared to 19.9% for those in China, 27.5% in India and 25% in the UAE.

Mahmood Al Bastaki, General Manager of the World Logistics Passport, said: “This new data tells us that different countries and regions are having remarkably different experiences of the same supply chain pressures. With export prospects for businesses in South America and Africa more likely to be impacted by rising transport costs, the private sector is in need of solutions that will help increase efficiencies and lower these costs to help ease inflationary pressures.”

Improvements in port and logistics infrastructure are cited as a key route to trade growth – for imports in particular. Nearly one in three (31.7%) business leaders across the identified markets indicated that improved port and logistics infrastructure are drivers of import growth.

Both hard and soft port and logistics infrastructure are part of this important driver of growth – with trade routes, technologies and streamlined partnerships being examples of soft infrastructure. For example, over half (55.7%) of executives said that their company had either implemented digital solutions to enable seamless movement through customs and border control in 2021 or planned to do so in 2022.

Improved customs processes have been shown to be important in helping speed the flow of goods and keep trade moving and reducing time-to-trade – therefore boosting cost efficiency.

And while the end of globalisation has been heralded as an expected consequence of geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing, the research revealed that companies are instead further diversifying their global trade networks rather than retrenching or regionalising – presenting opportunities for markets able to capitalise on diversifying procurement strategies.

Nearly one in two (47.9%) executives around the world are seeking more diversity of supplier base regardless of location, with approximately three in five executives (59.2%) saying that choosing suppliers and markets based on the lowest possibility of being caught in a geopolitical dispute is ‘absolutely critical’.

This has been a boon for economies such as WLP members Vietnam and Mexico, which even pre-pandemic had benefitted from increased diversification of manufacturing bases due to geopolitical tensions.

Al Bastaki continued: “Despite the headwinds out there for all to see, there are opportunities for countries to boost trade. In particular, these can be found through investment in trade solutions that help facilitate faster movement of goods, such as improved soft infrastructure and digital solutions.

“Additionally, countries that are part of growing trade networks and already have the soft infrastructure to service new markets will be in a better position to capitalise on the diversification of suppliers.”

Transportation costs drive regional divide

Posted on by David Priestman

New research shows that business is feeling the effects of inflation, geopolitical tension, port congestion and transportation costs in dramatically different and regionally specific ways, with those in South America and Africa facing a more negative business outlook.

The study, conducted by Economist Impact, surveyed executive-level participants representing businesses in 26 major countries across the globe. The research was commissioned by DP World, global logistics company and a key participant in the World Logistics Passport.

In South America and Africa, executives have a more negative outlook on the impact of transportation costs on business outlook – even when compared to other developing countries.

For example, 42.5% and 49.5% of executives surveyed in South America and Africa respectively identified higher transport costs as the top limitation for increasing exports. This compared to 19.9% for those in China, 27.5% in India and 25% in the UAE.

Mahmood Al Bastaki, General Manager of the World Logistics Passport, said: “This new data tells us that different countries and regions are having remarkably different experiences of the same supply chain pressures. With export prospects for businesses in South America and Africa more likely to be impacted by rising transport costs, the private sector is in need of solutions that will help increase efficiencies and lower these costs to help ease inflationary pressures.”

Improvements in port and logistics infrastructure are cited as a key route to trade growth – for imports in particular. Nearly one in three (31.7%) business leaders across the identified markets indicated that improved port and logistics infrastructure are drivers of import growth.

Both hard and soft port and logistics infrastructure are part of this important driver of growth – with trade routes, technologies and streamlined partnerships being examples of soft infrastructure. For example, over half (55.7%) of executives said that their company had either implemented digital solutions to enable seamless movement through customs and border control in 2021 or planned to do so in 2022.

Improved customs processes have been shown to be important in helping speed the flow of goods and keep trade moving and reducing time-to-trade – therefore boosting cost efficiency.

And while the end of globalisation has been heralded as an expected consequence of geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing, the research revealed that companies are instead further diversifying their global trade networks rather than retrenching or regionalising – presenting opportunities for markets able to capitalise on diversifying procurement strategies.

Nearly one in two (47.9%) executives around the world are seeking more diversity of supplier base regardless of location, with approximately three in five executives (59.2%) saying that choosing suppliers and markets based on the lowest possibility of being caught in a geopolitical dispute is ‘absolutely critical’.

This has been a boon for economies such as WLP members Vietnam and Mexico, which even pre-pandemic had benefitted from increased diversification of manufacturing bases due to geopolitical tensions.

Al Bastaki continued: “Despite the headwinds out there for all to see, there are opportunities for countries to boost trade. In particular, these can be found through investment in trade solutions that help facilitate faster movement of goods, such as improved soft infrastructure and digital solutions.

“Additionally, countries that are part of growing trade networks and already have the soft infrastructure to service new markets will be in a better position to capitalise on the diversification of suppliers.”

Global Materials Handling joins Toyota network

Posted on by David Priestman

Toyota Material Handling UK (TMH UK) has appointed a new addition to its national dealer network. Saint Helens-based Global Materials Handling Ltd became the official Toyota dealer for the north west of England when managing director Andy Evans (pictured right) put pen to paper at a signing ceremony at the company’s premises at Haydock attended by TMH UK’s managing director, Nick Duckworth (pictured left), and dealer manager, Robert Wright.

Established in 2010, Global Materials Handling is the fastest-growing independent forklift dealer in the UK’s north west. Joining the Toyota dealer network means that the company can now offer the full Toyota range of intralogistics solutions as well as used Toyota forklift trucks and warehouse equipment, service, parts, a range of flexible and highly competitive finance and rental packages as well as operator training.

Andy Evans, who prior to forming Global Materials Handling, began his career with Birchwood Mechanical Services, commented: “When I was with Birchwood the first forklift truck that I ever sold was a Toyota, so I am very excited to have joined the Toyota network once again.

“Global Materials Handling provides a personalised, local service tailored to our clients’ business needs. The combination of a local dealership supported by an internationally recognised manufacturer such as Toyota means that we can deliver excellent levels of service support to all of our clients – regardless of whether they operate a single truck or the largest fleet.”

Duckworth added: “Toyota has a dedicated, strategically positioned dealer network and we are extremely pleased to welcome Global Materials Handling as part of our network. Global has developed an impressive business in the region and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the company.”

Global Materials Handling joins Toyota network

Posted on by David Priestman

Toyota Material Handling UK (TMH UK) has appointed a new addition to its national dealer network. Saint Helens-based Global Materials Handling Ltd became the official Toyota dealer for the north west of England when managing director Andy Evans (pictured right) put pen to paper at a signing ceremony at the company’s premises at Haydock attended by TMH UK’s managing director, Nick Duckworth (pictured left), and dealer manager, Robert Wright.

Established in 2010, Global Materials Handling is the fastest-growing independent forklift dealer in the UK’s north west. Joining the Toyota dealer network means that the company can now offer the full Toyota range of intralogistics solutions as well as used Toyota forklift trucks and warehouse equipment, service, parts, a range of flexible and highly competitive finance and rental packages as well as operator training.

Andy Evans, who prior to forming Global Materials Handling, began his career with Birchwood Mechanical Services, commented: “When I was with Birchwood the first forklift truck that I ever sold was a Toyota, so I am very excited to have joined the Toyota network once again.

“Global Materials Handling provides a personalised, local service tailored to our clients’ business needs. The combination of a local dealership supported by an internationally recognised manufacturer such as Toyota means that we can deliver excellent levels of service support to all of our clients – regardless of whether they operate a single truck or the largest fleet.”

Duckworth added: “Toyota has a dedicated, strategically positioned dealer network and we are extremely pleased to welcome Global Materials Handling as part of our network. Global has developed an impressive business in the region and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the company.”

Ferag shows efficient fulfillment technology at LogiMAT

Posted on by David Priestman

Intralogistics specialist Ferag, based in Hinwil, Switzerland, is presenting its combined Skyfall pouch sorting solution and automated storage system at this year’s LogiMAT trade fair in Hall 3, Stand C05. By directly connecting storage to the pouch sorter the entire system improves throughput and increases efficiency. Ferag is also giving a live demonstration of the Denisort Compact modular vertical sorter with downstream transport robot.

The focus of the presentation by Ferag AG at this year’s LogiMAT in Stuttgart will be on the #perfectmatch. The company will show that, even when multiple applications are involved, the right combination of existing intralogistic solutions can offer customers clear added value. In particular, the demonstration will be geared to the e-commerce and retail areas, but interesting innovations will also be presented for the B2B and 3PL sectors as well.

Skyfall accelerates the overall order fulfilment process

Visitors to the company’s booth will be mesmerized by the insights into the highly powerful Skyfall pouch sortation system. The system allows Ferag to demonstrate its role as an innovator and an integrator. Current concepts are optimised with the addition of flexible new approaches.

As a response to the sharply increased demands of modern distribution centres, the combination of well-known storage solutions and reliable overhead conveyors has also proven to be successful for higher loads and product volumes. In particular, increasing product diversity (SKUs), more detailed order structures, accelerated delivery and return processes and constant cost pressure in e-commerce present major challenges for service providers.

Ferag offers a direct connection from the sorter and buffer system to any storage system and a sophisticated order picking principle known as wave picking. The public will learn more about this #perfectmatch at Ferag’s presentation in Hall 3, Stand C05.

Modular, efficient and practical

The Denisort Compact logistics solution provides highly efficient sorting services for incoming goods, order picking, shipping, the integrated return process and cross-docking. Of all the flexible tray sorter’s advantages, on first inspection the system’s modular design stands out. The standard modules provide a compact form that can be expanded with any additional elements. This concept enables quick assembly of pretested modules and thus immediate commissioning of the system.

In particular, an evaluation of the sorting system’s performance reveals improved efficiency. The induction station can be operated automatically and combined with feeder belts. But the area where the #perfectmatch is most obvious is the unloading area. The sorted containers are immediately sent to the next station by an automatic guided vehicle (AGV), which visitors to the trade fair in Stuttgart will be able to see for themselves in person.

Ferag shows efficient fulfillment technology at LogiMAT

Posted on by David Priestman

Intralogistics specialist Ferag, based in Hinwil, Switzerland, is presenting its combined Skyfall pouch sorting solution and automated storage system at this year’s LogiMAT trade fair in Hall 3, Stand C05. By directly connecting storage to the pouch sorter the entire system improves throughput and increases efficiency. Ferag is also giving a live demonstration of the Denisort Compact modular vertical sorter with downstream transport robot.

The focus of the presentation by Ferag AG at this year’s LogiMAT in Stuttgart will be on the #perfectmatch. The company will show that, even when multiple applications are involved, the right combination of existing intralogistic solutions can offer customers clear added value. In particular, the demonstration will be geared to the e-commerce and retail areas, but interesting innovations will also be presented for the B2B and 3PL sectors as well.

Skyfall accelerates the overall order fulfilment process

Visitors to the company’s booth will be mesmerized by the insights into the highly powerful Skyfall pouch sortation system. The system allows Ferag to demonstrate its role as an innovator and an integrator. Current concepts are optimised with the addition of flexible new approaches.

As a response to the sharply increased demands of modern distribution centres, the combination of well-known storage solutions and reliable overhead conveyors has also proven to be successful for higher loads and product volumes. In particular, increasing product diversity (SKUs), more detailed order structures, accelerated delivery and return processes and constant cost pressure in e-commerce present major challenges for service providers.

Ferag offers a direct connection from the sorter and buffer system to any storage system and a sophisticated order picking principle known as wave picking. The public will learn more about this #perfectmatch at Ferag’s presentation in Hall 3, Stand C05.

Modular, efficient and practical

The Denisort Compact logistics solution provides highly efficient sorting services for incoming goods, order picking, shipping, the integrated return process and cross-docking. Of all the flexible tray sorter’s advantages, on first inspection the system’s modular design stands out. The standard modules provide a compact form that can be expanded with any additional elements. This concept enables quick assembly of pretested modules and thus immediate commissioning of the system.

In particular, an evaluation of the sorting system’s performance reveals improved efficiency. The induction station can be operated automatically and combined with feeder belts. But the area where the #perfectmatch is most obvious is the unloading area. The sorted containers are immediately sent to the next station by an automatic guided vehicle (AGV), which visitors to the trade fair in Stuttgart will be able to see for themselves in person.

Technology to cut workplace injuries

Posted on by David Priestman

A revolutionary Artificial Intelligence [AI] based wearable technology that helps employees avoid physical injury at work is being rolled out across the UK by Stanley, one of the leading providers of innovative technology in the workplace.

The wearable technology, which has been developed by Soter Analytics and is being implemented in the UK by Stanley, comes as two integrated products  – Soter Coach and Soter Task.

Soter Coach delivers personalised coaching to workers using a wearable device and provides recommendations via a mobile app. It directly challenges the traditional classroom style of manual handling training by identifying, addressing, and monitoring unsafe movement and posture whilst carrying out everyday activities as part of an employee’s role.

Using Soter Coach, a typical worker improves their ergonomic safety by reducing the hazardous back and shoulder movements they make by up to 55%.

Soter Task  is an AI-driven vision processing technology to assess ergonomic risk within tasks in minutes and on-the-go. This cloud-based solution combines video captured through a mobile application with AI-driven data analysis to accurately measure risk movements in the workplace, and help with ​implementing tools that keep workers safe. In this way it allows employees to manage their own physical wellbeing and helps businesses reduce the risk of injury.

Graham Sharp, MD of Stanley, said: “Workplace injuries are on the rise, meaning the use of AI tech and wearable devices will be increasingly important over the coming years to help reduce this risk. Combined with litigation claims and worker shortages, using the small wearable device to improve business productivity, reduce company absenteeism and create a safer and healthier workplace makes for a compelling proposition.

“The intuitive system also allows for real-time learning and improvement, providing personalised coaching to encourage behaviour change. So, for example, if the wearer moves awkwardly or dangerously, the device provides feedback via audio or vibration.”

The new devices are already being trialled successfully with a global energy company which is now looking at rolling them out comprehensively across its business.

Dail Wiens, Head of Partnerships at Soter Analytics, said: “It’s exciting to be working with Stanley. With our aligned consumer-centric goals, this collaboration brings together a powerful combination of leading products, broad technical expertise, and strong customer relationships, all dedicated to the same cause, to protect the well-being of employees.”

 

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