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Month: May 2022

Toyota delivers turn-key automation projects

Posted on by David Priestman

Toyota Material Handling UK has announced the establishment of a systems integration division dedicated to designing and delivering turn-key automated storage and handling projects.

Toyota Logistics Solutions Integration (LSI) will develop systems based on the most appropriate technology for each client’s specific requirements, which means that designs are not restricted to products within the Toyota portfolio.

Luis Sullivan, Head of Systems Integration within LSI, says: “Toyota is one of the world’s most trusted brands and is known for the exceptional build quality of its industrial products. But the equipment selected for every LSI solution is proposed on its own merit to provide tremendous productivity gains and the lowest total cost of ownership.

“We describe the LSI approach as ‘technology agnostic’. We respect the specific character of each project and offer end-to-end automated solutions designed to fit a client’s business. This means that we approach each project thinking ‘what does this customer need?’ rather than ‘what products can Toyota offer this customer?’“

LSI designs systems based on the latest automated picking and storage technologies, state-of-the-art sorters, conveyors, autonomous robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). All the necessary control software is also provided – from single modules that connect to a client’s existing IT infrastructure to a fully-built central management system.

LSI oversees an automation project from commission to sign off, while Toyota’s team of highly qualified and experienced service engineers provide fast and efficient ongoing after-sales support and system maintenance.

Toyota expects the UK market for automated handling and storage system to continue its upward trajectory as more companies seek to optimise their intralogistics processes and improve operational robustness through automation.

Paul Freeman, Head of Logistics Solutions at Toyota Material Handling UK, comments: “The need to make the most of every available square foot of storage capacity and move more inventory around the warehouse or distribution centre building with optimum efficiency has made the idea of automating key intralogistics functions increasingly attractive.

“Brexit and the pandemic have made it increasingly difficult to attract warehouse personnel and, as a result, we have seen our customers go from zero automation to at least partial automation within their businesses.

“Toyota is the largest manufacturer of forklift trucks in the world, but the role of our solutions integration operation is to identify scalable material handling systems, innovative software and automation engineering to deliver unique solutions that help our clients become leaders in their industries.”

 

Toyota delivers turn-key automation projects

Posted on by David Priestman

Toyota Material Handling UK has announced the establishment of a systems integration division dedicated to designing and delivering turn-key automated storage and handling projects.

Toyota Logistics Solutions Integration (LSI) will develop systems based on the most appropriate technology for each client’s specific requirements, which means that designs are not restricted to products within the Toyota portfolio.

Luis Sullivan, Head of Systems Integration within LSI, says: “Toyota is one of the world’s most trusted brands and is known for the exceptional build quality of its industrial products. But the equipment selected for every LSI solution is proposed on its own merit to provide tremendous productivity gains and the lowest total cost of ownership.

“We describe the LSI approach as ‘technology agnostic’. We respect the specific character of each project and offer end-to-end automated solutions designed to fit a client’s business. This means that we approach each project thinking ‘what does this customer need?’ rather than ‘what products can Toyota offer this customer?’“

LSI designs systems based on the latest automated picking and storage technologies, state-of-the-art sorters, conveyors, autonomous robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). All the necessary control software is also provided – from single modules that connect to a client’s existing IT infrastructure to a fully-built central management system.

LSI oversees an automation project from commission to sign off, while Toyota’s team of highly qualified and experienced service engineers provide fast and efficient ongoing after-sales support and system maintenance.

Toyota expects the UK market for automated handling and storage system to continue its upward trajectory as more companies seek to optimise their intralogistics processes and improve operational robustness through automation.

Paul Freeman, Head of Logistics Solutions at Toyota Material Handling UK, comments: “The need to make the most of every available square foot of storage capacity and move more inventory around the warehouse or distribution centre building with optimum efficiency has made the idea of automating key intralogistics functions increasingly attractive.

“Brexit and the pandemic have made it increasingly difficult to attract warehouse personnel and, as a result, we have seen our customers go from zero automation to at least partial automation within their businesses.

“Toyota is the largest manufacturer of forklift trucks in the world, but the role of our solutions integration operation is to identify scalable material handling systems, innovative software and automation engineering to deliver unique solutions that help our clients become leaders in their industries.”

 

New free guide to loading bay safety

Posted on by David Priestman

Rite-Hite, a leading manufacturer of industrial health and safety equipment, has published a new free guide to Loading Bay Safety, giving facilities managers a comprehensive overview of industrial regulations, technological advances and trends, and best practice advice for ensuring safety across every angle of any loading bay environment.

To address one of the most dangerous areas of any warehouse, manufacturing facility or processing plant, the guide takes an in-depth look at the biggest safety risks and threats posed in and around the loading bay. It examines vehicle creep and forklift dangers to the risks associated with poor communication – and how these threats can be prevented by taking a solutions-led approach to safety, harnessing a range of equipment and safety systems that already exist.

It also explores the future of the logistics industry and the latest trends towards increased automation, smart equipment and technology and the continuing shift towards a fully digital future, and how these advancements can have a truly positive impact on the industry.

Thorsten Mauritz, Marketing Manager (Europe) at Rite-Hite, says safety in and around the loading bay cannot be compromised: “All senior executives within the logistics industry are trying to balance increasing efficiencies throughout their operation and processes with the uncompromising need for safety, one can never come at the expense of the other, and this is a real challenge.

“This is leading to safety equipment providers taking a holistic approach to safety that should be considered at a solutions level. For almost 60 years, Rite-Hite has been recognised as an expert in loading bay safety. We assess every hazardous area, creating robust and practical safety solutions that enable people to work with the highest level of protection and productivity.

“From the parking bay floor to the loading dock ceiling, we’ve got every angle covered.”

CLICK HERE to download a free copy of the guide

 

New free guide to loading bay safety

Posted on by David Priestman

Rite-Hite, a leading manufacturer of industrial health and safety equipment, has published a new free guide to Loading Bay Safety, giving facilities managers a comprehensive overview of industrial regulations, technological advances and trends, and best practice advice for ensuring safety across every angle of any loading bay environment.

To address one of the most dangerous areas of any warehouse, manufacturing facility or processing plant, the guide takes an in-depth look at the biggest safety risks and threats posed in and around the loading bay. It examines vehicle creep and forklift dangers to the risks associated with poor communication – and how these threats can be prevented by taking a solutions-led approach to safety, harnessing a range of equipment and safety systems that already exist.

It also explores the future of the logistics industry and the latest trends towards increased automation, smart equipment and technology and the continuing shift towards a fully digital future, and how these advancements can have a truly positive impact on the industry.

Thorsten Mauritz, Marketing Manager (Europe) at Rite-Hite, says safety in and around the loading bay cannot be compromised: “All senior executives within the logistics industry are trying to balance increasing efficiencies throughout their operation and processes with the uncompromising need for safety, one can never come at the expense of the other, and this is a real challenge.

“This is leading to safety equipment providers taking a holistic approach to safety that should be considered at a solutions level. For almost 60 years, Rite-Hite has been recognised as an expert in loading bay safety. We assess every hazardous area, creating robust and practical safety solutions that enable people to work with the highest level of protection and productivity.

“From the parking bay floor to the loading dock ceiling, we’ve got every angle covered.”

CLICK HERE to download a free copy of the guide

 

Mosca Direct appoints UK Sales Director

Posted on by David Priestman

Arron Widdowson has been promoted to the role of UK Sales Director for Mosca Direct Limited and will oversee all sales activity for the UK business.

Widdowson has been with Mosca for nine years and has excelled in his role as Growth Manager. He brings considerable industry understanding, customer-focussed experience and Mosca product knowledge which will continue to prove beneficial in supporting current and future customers alike.

Mosca says the new role offers Widdowson an exciting challenge to further develop his skills and an opportunity to help shape, manage and develop the UK sales team.

Widdowson will also be part of the leadership team for Mosca Hub NE working alongside Managing Director Gaye Tate and Operations, Finance & IT Director Catherine Curcic. He will also take an active role in strategic, management and organisational plans and decisions for the wider business.

 

Mosca Direct appoints UK Sales Director

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Arron Widdowson has been promoted to the role of UK Sales Director for Mosca Direct Limited and will oversee all sales activity for the UK business.

Widdowson has been with Mosca for nine years and has excelled in his role as Growth Manager. He brings considerable industry understanding, customer-focussed experience and Mosca product knowledge which will continue to prove beneficial in supporting current and future customers alike.

Mosca says the new role offers Widdowson an exciting challenge to further develop his skills and an opportunity to help shape, manage and develop the UK sales team.

Widdowson will also be part of the leadership team for Mosca Hub NE working alongside Managing Director Gaye Tate and Operations, Finance & IT Director Catherine Curcic. He will also take an active role in strategic, management and organisational plans and decisions for the wider business.

 

Fast modular flow sorting system from FATH

Posted on by Keith McKinley

FATH Components has announced the arrival of its Flowsort automated diverting units, said to herald a new era of affordable, flexible sorting in conveying, handling and logistics

As the intralogistics industry continues to expand at pace, one of the challenges faced by conveyor line designers and systems integrators – never mind the customers themselves – is where to pitch a plant design or upgrade in terms of its capacity. Overly ambitious predictions can cost lots of money with valuable equipment purchased, installed and maintained whether it is used or not and overly cautious planning can strangle a rapidly growing business at a critically early point in its growth. With the arrival of its new Flowsort products, FATH states that it can help customers solve the dilemma by offering a new solution which is affordable, simple to install and set up, and can grow easily as a business expands.

Flowsort is a modular sorting and diverting product that has been designed from the outset to provide users in the intralogistics business with that most elusive combination of advantages – the benefits of speed, low investment cost, low running costs and scaleability.

“Some think of Flowsort as a ‘Pay as you go’ solution for users who need to invest in greater throughput only when the demand actually increases,” says FATH UK Managing Director David Hayes. “Flowsort helps obviate the need to second guess growth rates by allowing users to purchase and install additional conveying and diverting capacity only when they actually need it. And when they do, Flowsort installation is swift and straightforward.”

The company, based in Aldershot, UK reckons that for every mammoth intralogisitics centre in the UK there are many smaller, more localised or specialised sorting centres that are much more difficult to design processing and handling systems for. It is these users that FATH says it is targeting with Flowsort because put simply, it allows an intralogistics business to start sensibly and grow smoothly with an affordable, flexible solution that is fully modular and is also – critically – a simple ‘Plug and play’ system too.

Unlike many alternative solutions, Flowsort is an open platform in terms of both software and hardware integration: it means that Flowsort modules can be seamlessly incorporated into a wide range of belt or roller conveying systems. They can be added swiftly and effortlessly says FATH, thanks to the simplicity and range of units offered. Further, the fact that Flowsort can be retrofitted and introduced into existing lines at almost any point (and without interrupting productivity) is cited as another key advantage.

Designed and manufactured in Holland, Flowsort modules can be combined in a variety of ways to offer gentle package diverting in conveyor systems with widths between 400mm and 1050mm. FATH states that the footprint of the Flowsort modules is minimal, so users benefit from higher performance conveying and sorting without taking up significant floorspace. Further, because the Flowsort units run on 24V, energy efficiency is also high, helping users be more productive whilst using less power.

Three types of standard Flowsort diverting units are offered, Single Line Diverters (SLD), Double Line Diverters (DLD) and ZigZag Diverters (ZZ). Because the units are modular, users can expand throughput capacity quickly, easily and cost efficiently by simply adding extra modules as demand increases. The Flowsort rollers can rotate through 180° in just 0.3/sec, allowing a completely customisable outfeed direction. FATH claims a sorting rate of up to 6,000 PPH for the units, which can safely handle boxes, packages or envelopes of between 50g and 35kg.

Fast modular flow sorting system from FATH

Posted on by David Priestman

FATH Components has announced the arrival of its Flowsort automated diverting units, said to herald a new era of affordable, flexible sorting in conveying, handling and logistics

As the intralogistics industry continues to expand at pace, one of the challenges faced by conveyor line designers and systems integrators – never mind the customers themselves – is where to pitch a plant design or upgrade in terms of its capacity. Overly ambitious predictions can cost lots of money with valuable equipment purchased, installed and maintained whether it is used or not and overly cautious planning can strangle a rapidly growing business at a critically early point in its growth. With the arrival of its new Flowsort products, FATH states that it can help customers solve the dilemma by offering a new solution which is affordable, simple to install and set up, and can grow easily as a business expands.

Flowsort is a modular sorting and diverting product that has been designed from the outset to provide users in the intralogistics business with that most elusive combination of advantages – the benefits of speed, low investment cost, low running costs and scaleability.

“Some think of Flowsort as a ‘Pay as you go’ solution for users who need to invest in greater throughput only when the demand actually increases,” says FATH UK Managing Director David Hayes. “Flowsort helps obviate the need to second guess growth rates by allowing users to purchase and install additional conveying and diverting capacity only when they actually need it. And when they do, Flowsort installation is swift and straightforward.”

The company, based in Aldershot, UK reckons that for every mammoth intralogisitics centre in the UK there are many smaller, more localised or specialised sorting centres that are much more difficult to design processing and handling systems for. It is these users that FATH says it is targeting with Flowsort because put simply, it allows an intralogistics business to start sensibly and grow smoothly with an affordable, flexible solution that is fully modular and is also – critically – a simple ‘Plug and play’ system too.

Unlike many alternative solutions, Flowsort is an open platform in terms of both software and hardware integration: it means that Flowsort modules can be seamlessly incorporated into a wide range of belt or roller conveying systems. They can be added swiftly and effortlessly says FATH, thanks to the simplicity and range of units offered. Further, the fact that Flowsort can be retrofitted and introduced into existing lines at almost any point (and without interrupting productivity) is cited as another key advantage.

Designed and manufactured in Holland, Flowsort modules can be combined in a variety of ways to offer gentle package diverting in conveyor systems with widths between 400mm and 1050mm. FATH states that the footprint of the Flowsort modules is minimal, so users benefit from higher performance conveying and sorting without taking up significant floorspace. Further, because the Flowsort units run on 24V, energy efficiency is also high, helping users be more productive whilst using less power.

Three types of standard Flowsort diverting units are offered, Single Line Diverters (SLD), Double Line Diverters (DLD) and ZigZag Diverters (ZZ). Because the units are modular, users can expand throughput capacity quickly, easily and cost efficiently by simply adding extra modules as demand increases. The Flowsort rollers can rotate through 180° in just 0.3/sec, allowing a completely customisable outfeed direction. FATH claims a sorting rate of up to 6,000 PPH for the units, which can safely handle boxes, packages or envelopes of between 50g and 35kg.

Retrofit dock leveller offers fastest solution

Posted on by David Priestman

Nordock, Inc. has introduced a unique dock leveller aimed squarely at the retrofit market. The Nordock TLH Retrofit is a horizontal-storing, telescoping-lip dock leveller that is ideal for docks that need an immediate solution to eliminate end-loading problems and a complete seal. It also happens to be the only retrofit telescoping-lip dock leveller offered in North America.

Perfectly suited for docks that need to upgrade their operations without major installation hassles, the TLH Retrofit offers all the advantages of a horizontal, telescoping-lip leveller in a convenient retrofit package. Sized perfectly for the most common pit size (with other sizes available), this leveller can usually be installed in existing pits without the need for cutting or extensive concrete work.

The list of advantages is long, and the benefits are obvious for any warehouse manager who needs to level up their operations:

  • Retrofit Capability: The TLH easily retrofits into a standard pit, which means you don’t have to cut a new pit anywhere you have standard-size pit leveller rusting in place.
  • Eliminate End-Loading Issues: Precisely position and extend the telescoping lip to the truck to keep it from damaging goods on end loaded trailers. Precious cargo is better protected, and shippers will notice.
  • A Better Seal: Docks will seal better in loading position (great for cold storage!) and an optional bumper to bumper foam seal under leveller provides a full 360° seal. Lost energy is lost profit.
  • Safety First & Foremost: Eliminate the dock-to-truck gap preventing injuries and reducing forklift damage or getting stuck, taking care of your people and equipment.
  • Eliminate Vehicle Restraint Issues: Traditional hinged-lip levellers can interfere with the vehicle restraint in a low-dock situation when the lip is down. Our telescoping lip eliminates that.
  • Cost Savings: The telescoping lip lets you extend the lip onto a truck that is “end loaded” or “cubed out” without damaging the goods. This means you don’t lose time or labour cost to manually unload the first pallet before a forklift can be used.
  • Faster Flow of Freight: All these advantages help the pace of dock operations and your dock’s throughput, increasing revenues.

End-loading issues plague lots of older docks, with lost energy and wasted time leading the way. As a fast install with a lifetime of savings ahead of it, Nordock says its TLH Retrofit 8’ offers a major lifetime return on investment upgrade.

CLICK HERE to watch a video.

Retrofit dock leveller offers fastest solution

Posted on by David Priestman

Nordock, Inc. has introduced a unique dock leveller aimed squarely at the retrofit market. The Nordock TLH Retrofit is a horizontal-storing, telescoping-lip dock leveller that is ideal for docks that need an immediate solution to eliminate end-loading problems and a complete seal. It also happens to be the only retrofit telescoping-lip dock leveller offered in North America.

Perfectly suited for docks that need to upgrade their operations without major installation hassles, the TLH Retrofit offers all the advantages of a horizontal, telescoping-lip leveller in a convenient retrofit package. Sized perfectly for the most common pit size (with other sizes available), this leveller can usually be installed in existing pits without the need for cutting or extensive concrete work.

The list of advantages is long, and the benefits are obvious for any warehouse manager who needs to level up their operations:

  • Retrofit Capability: The TLH easily retrofits into a standard pit, which means you don’t have to cut a new pit anywhere you have standard-size pit leveller rusting in place.
  • Eliminate End-Loading Issues: Precisely position and extend the telescoping lip to the truck to keep it from damaging goods on end loaded trailers. Precious cargo is better protected, and shippers will notice.
  • A Better Seal: Docks will seal better in loading position (great for cold storage!) and an optional bumper to bumper foam seal under leveller provides a full 360° seal. Lost energy is lost profit.
  • Safety First & Foremost: Eliminate the dock-to-truck gap preventing injuries and reducing forklift damage or getting stuck, taking care of your people and equipment.
  • Eliminate Vehicle Restraint Issues: Traditional hinged-lip levellers can interfere with the vehicle restraint in a low-dock situation when the lip is down. Our telescoping lip eliminates that.
  • Cost Savings: The telescoping lip lets you extend the lip onto a truck that is “end loaded” or “cubed out” without damaging the goods. This means you don’t lose time or labour cost to manually unload the first pallet before a forklift can be used.
  • Faster Flow of Freight: All these advantages help the pace of dock operations and your dock’s throughput, increasing revenues.

End-loading issues plague lots of older docks, with lost energy and wasted time leading the way. As a fast install with a lifetime of savings ahead of it, Nordock says its TLH Retrofit 8’ offers a major lifetime return on investment upgrade.

CLICK HERE to watch a video.

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