Subscribe

Month: June 2022

IFOY FINALIST FOCUS: NAiSE TRAFFIC by NAiSE

Posted on by Keith McKinley

On the day the IFOY Award winners are named at BMW World in Munich, we look at the last of the finalists – NAiSE TRAFFIC by NAiSE in the Start-up of the Year category.

IFOY category: Start-up of the Year

Description

The NAiSE solution is essentially a manufacturer-independent control system for AGVs/AMRs with the unique feature that the entire intralogistics mixed operation is included in both traffic control and order distribution. This is made possible by the NAiSE RTLS localization network, which was developed and patented in-house: Radio sensors in the hall infrastructure enable precise localization and simultaneous near-real-time communication of and between the traffic participants (people, forklifts, tugger trains, AGVs/AMRs), using ultra-wideband technology that enables robust and reliable localization even in difficult industrial environments. The transparency gained from this enables the central software to do much more than the essential guidance control of AGVs/AMRs: due to past localization data, traffic analyses can be carried out on a regular basis, making conflict zones recognizable to the user, e.g. by means of heat maps. The bottlenecks and traffic jams in the flow of goods resulting from the conflict zones can then be solved playfully in the software by creating traffic zones. For seamless integration into the environment, gates are also controlled and fire alarm systems are integrated. Through the generic order interface, the integrated order manager receives the transport orders and transmits them to the appropriate participants as configured by the operator.

Summary

NAiSE TRAFFIC is the world’s only traffic and order management software for all participants in intralogistics. An elementary feature is that through the patented localization network (NAiSE RTLS) the entire mixed operation, consisting of people, forklifts, tugger trains and also AGVs/AMRs, is included in the traffic control and thus a more efficient and safer material flow in the warehouse and in production can be ensured.

CLICK HERE to watch a video.

IFOY TEST REPORT

NAiSE Traffic is the world’s only software for traffic and order management that includes all participants in the intralogistics process. The patented Real-Time Localisation System (RTLS) network includes all “traffic participants” in the traffic control and thus ensures the safe, efficient flow of materials in logistics and production.

To demonstrate its software, NAiSE is switching live from the test hall in Dortmund to the future factory “Arena 2036” at the Stuttgart headquarters. MAiSE will clearly demonstrate the functionality, added value and philosophy of its manufacturer-independent control system for industrial transport robots in material flow using diagrams, dashboards and heat maps. In contrast to VDA 5050, which is currently very popular and makes life easier for master controllers in particular, NAiSE follows a completely different way of thinking when it comes to traffic control. The Stuttgart-based company also integrates non-robots: people, forklifts, the pallet trucks – regardless of whether they are VDA-5050-compliant or not. NAiSE emphasises that it does not want to draw a line under VDA 5050, because the hybrid state, i.e. humans and robots, will still exist in warehouses and production for a long time to come. In addition, they do not want to take away the manufacturers’ intellectual property (IP), as they put it, that is their USP. At the manufacturer Omron, for example, this is the high degree of autonomy of the robots.

Despite all the really well-designed screen displays, NAiSE cannot do without “grounding”. In the perhaps 50 square metre test field we enter, there are three areas: In one, an AMR from Omron drives around, then there is an encounter zone, and in a third area, a VDA-5050-compliant transport robot, which is not specified in more detail at first glance, acts. And to make matters worse, a colleague with his sack truck keeps getting on my nerves, venturing into the area frequented by several participants for demonstration purposes. The tester also gets mixed in.

But how exactly does the guidance system work? In the self-developed, patented localisation network NAiSE RTLS, radio sensors in the hall infrastructure enable precise localisation and near-real-time communication of and between the traffic participants. Ultra-wideband technology (UWB) is used here, with the help of which objects can be located robustly and reliably even in difficult industrial environments.

The highlight of this is that regular traffic analyses can be carried out using localisation data from the past, which, for example, show conflict zones on the basis of heat maps. One can then resolve the bottlenecks and congestion in the flow of goods resulting from the conflict areas almost playfully by creating traffic zones. For seamless integration into the environment, gates are also controlled and fire alarm systems are integrated. Through the generic order interface, the integrated order manager receives the transport orders and transmits them to the appropriate participants as configured by the operator.

NAiSE also already has something to show: At Continental in Ingolstadt, for example, the material flow could be increased by 30 per cent, according to the company. But the system is also in productive use in China, in Germany still in Schwenningen am Neckar and at the automotive supplier Vitesco in Rheinböllen, a division of Continental.

IFOY Test Verdict

NAiSE Traffic is not only interesting because of the integration of really all potential “participants” in the warehouse, i.e. not only AGV or AMR, but also people and hand pallet trucks in mixed operations: the traffic and order management software also shines with the USP that it iteratively supports the person responsible for operations in adapting the material flow to the ever-changing circumstances. In the software tool, a bird’s eye view of the processes can be taken at any time and problem areas can be identified at an early stage with the help of analysis options.

IFOY INNOVATION CHECK

Market relevance: The NAiSE TRAFFIC software handles traffic and order management for various conveyor systems in intralogistics. Especially against the background of VDA 5050, the use of different vehicle systems at one location is on the rise. The software claims to be able to control the joint use of traffic areas by employees, industrial trucks with drivers, driverless transport vehicles and also autonomous mobile robots (AMR) within buildings, especially with localisation elements based on UWB technology. This task of traffic control is of outstanding importance for the efficient and safe realisation of transport processes for intralogistics, so that the market relevance of the solution is to be assessed as high

Customer benefit: The benefit for the user results from the possibility of being able to use different vehicle systems, whether manually guided or classically automated or autonomously controlled, on mixed-use routes. This makes it possible for the user to avoid conflicts in vehicle operation even with little effort. In particular, NAiSE TRAFFIC should be able to reliably prevent unsolvable mutual obstructions, so-called blockages, at intersections and at pick-up or drop-off points. NAiSE TRAFFIC cannot be used to further optimise the use of routes, as the respective decisions regarding the movements of the individual road users only become visible to the software through localisation.

Novelty: The consistent independence from individual providers is attractive, but is already offered by other software providers. In combination with the own UWB localisation system, however, a degree of novelty is achieved, as any vehicles and persons can be localised, provided they are each equipped with a UWB device.

Functionality / type of implementation: The functionality could be well understood on the simple test setup. The updating of the localised road users appears to be quite fast. Nevertheless, it has to be evaluated that the functionality is only given if all participants are equipped with a UWB localisation device and that this requirement can be safely realised in the daily operational routine. Compared to conventional software solutions for traffic and order management, the graphical user interface with the layout representations based on point clouds is solved differently. For regular users, however, this implementation does not appear to be suitable for ergonomic reasons, as intuitive orientation is not easy.

Verdict: Even against the background of VDA 5050, both the market relevance and the customer benefit are to be rated as high. The technologies used and the associated innovation, together with the implementation, can be described as good.

market relevance ++
customer benefit +
novelty +
functionality / type of implementation Ø
[++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / – – not available]

For an overview of all the finalists, visit www.ifoy.org

CLICK HERE to find out more about NAiSE TRAFFIC – the world’s only traffic and order management software.

IFOY FINALIST FOCUS: NAiSE TRAFFIC by NAiSE

Posted on by David Priestman

On the day the IFOY Award winners are named at BMW World in Munich, we look at the last of the finalists – NAiSE TRAFFIC by NAiSE in the Start-up of the Year category.

IFOY category: Start-up of the Year

Description

The NAiSE solution is essentially a manufacturer-independent control system for AGVs/AMRs with the unique feature that the entire intralogistics mixed operation is included in both traffic control and order distribution. This is made possible by the NAiSE RTLS localization network, which was developed and patented in-house: Radio sensors in the hall infrastructure enable precise localization and simultaneous near-real-time communication of and between the traffic participants (people, forklifts, tugger trains, AGVs/AMRs), using ultra-wideband technology that enables robust and reliable localization even in difficult industrial environments. The transparency gained from this enables the central software to do much more than the essential guidance control of AGVs/AMRs: due to past localization data, traffic analyses can be carried out on a regular basis, making conflict zones recognizable to the user, e.g. by means of heat maps. The bottlenecks and traffic jams in the flow of goods resulting from the conflict zones can then be solved playfully in the software by creating traffic zones. For seamless integration into the environment, gates are also controlled and fire alarm systems are integrated. Through the generic order interface, the integrated order manager receives the transport orders and transmits them to the appropriate participants as configured by the operator.

Summary

NAiSE TRAFFIC is the world’s only traffic and order management software for all participants in intralogistics. An elementary feature is that through the patented localization network (NAiSE RTLS) the entire mixed operation, consisting of people, forklifts, tugger trains and also AGVs/AMRs, is included in the traffic control and thus a more efficient and safer material flow in the warehouse and in production can be ensured.

CLICK HERE to watch a video.

IFOY TEST REPORT

NAiSE Traffic is the world’s only software for traffic and order management that includes all participants in the intralogistics process. The patented Real-Time Localisation System (RTLS) network includes all “traffic participants” in the traffic control and thus ensures the safe, efficient flow of materials in logistics and production.

To demonstrate its software, NAiSE is switching live from the test hall in Dortmund to the future factory “Arena 2036” at the Stuttgart headquarters. MAiSE will clearly demonstrate the functionality, added value and philosophy of its manufacturer-independent control system for industrial transport robots in material flow using diagrams, dashboards and heat maps. In contrast to VDA 5050, which is currently very popular and makes life easier for master controllers in particular, NAiSE follows a completely different way of thinking when it comes to traffic control. The Stuttgart-based company also integrates non-robots: people, forklifts, the pallet trucks – regardless of whether they are VDA-5050-compliant or not. NAiSE emphasises that it does not want to draw a line under VDA 5050, because the hybrid state, i.e. humans and robots, will still exist in warehouses and production for a long time to come. In addition, they do not want to take away the manufacturers’ intellectual property (IP), as they put it, that is their USP. At the manufacturer Omron, for example, this is the high degree of autonomy of the robots.

Despite all the really well-designed screen displays, NAiSE cannot do without “grounding”. In the perhaps 50 square metre test field we enter, there are three areas: In one, an AMR from Omron drives around, then there is an encounter zone, and in a third area, a VDA-5050-compliant transport robot, which is not specified in more detail at first glance, acts. And to make matters worse, a colleague with his sack truck keeps getting on my nerves, venturing into the area frequented by several participants for demonstration purposes. The tester also gets mixed in.

But how exactly does the guidance system work? In the self-developed, patented localisation network NAiSE RTLS, radio sensors in the hall infrastructure enable precise localisation and near-real-time communication of and between the traffic participants. Ultra-wideband technology (UWB) is used here, with the help of which objects can be located robustly and reliably even in difficult industrial environments.

The highlight of this is that regular traffic analyses can be carried out using localisation data from the past, which, for example, show conflict zones on the basis of heat maps. One can then resolve the bottlenecks and congestion in the flow of goods resulting from the conflict areas almost playfully by creating traffic zones. For seamless integration into the environment, gates are also controlled and fire alarm systems are integrated. Through the generic order interface, the integrated order manager receives the transport orders and transmits them to the appropriate participants as configured by the operator.

NAiSE also already has something to show: At Continental in Ingolstadt, for example, the material flow could be increased by 30 per cent, according to the company. But the system is also in productive use in China, in Germany still in Schwenningen am Neckar and at the automotive supplier Vitesco in Rheinböllen, a division of Continental.

IFOY Test Verdict

NAiSE Traffic is not only interesting because of the integration of really all potential “participants” in the warehouse, i.e. not only AGV or AMR, but also people and hand pallet trucks in mixed operations: the traffic and order management software also shines with the USP that it iteratively supports the person responsible for operations in adapting the material flow to the ever-changing circumstances. In the software tool, a bird’s eye view of the processes can be taken at any time and problem areas can be identified at an early stage with the help of analysis options.

IFOY INNOVATION CHECK

Market relevance: The NAiSE TRAFFIC software handles traffic and order management for various conveyor systems in intralogistics. Especially against the background of VDA 5050, the use of different vehicle systems at one location is on the rise. The software claims to be able to control the joint use of traffic areas by employees, industrial trucks with drivers, driverless transport vehicles and also autonomous mobile robots (AMR) within buildings, especially with localisation elements based on UWB technology. This task of traffic control is of outstanding importance for the efficient and safe realisation of transport processes for intralogistics, so that the market relevance of the solution is to be assessed as high

Customer benefit: The benefit for the user results from the possibility of being able to use different vehicle systems, whether manually guided or classically automated or autonomously controlled, on mixed-use routes. This makes it possible for the user to avoid conflicts in vehicle operation even with little effort. In particular, NAiSE TRAFFIC should be able to reliably prevent unsolvable mutual obstructions, so-called blockages, at intersections and at pick-up or drop-off points. NAiSE TRAFFIC cannot be used to further optimise the use of routes, as the respective decisions regarding the movements of the individual road users only become visible to the software through localisation.

Novelty: The consistent independence from individual providers is attractive, but is already offered by other software providers. In combination with the own UWB localisation system, however, a degree of novelty is achieved, as any vehicles and persons can be localised, provided they are each equipped with a UWB device.

Functionality / type of implementation: The functionality could be well understood on the simple test setup. The updating of the localised road users appears to be quite fast. Nevertheless, it has to be evaluated that the functionality is only given if all participants are equipped with a UWB localisation device and that this requirement can be safely realised in the daily operational routine. Compared to conventional software solutions for traffic and order management, the graphical user interface with the layout representations based on point clouds is solved differently. For regular users, however, this implementation does not appear to be suitable for ergonomic reasons, as intuitive orientation is not easy.

Verdict: Even against the background of VDA 5050, both the market relevance and the customer benefit are to be rated as high. The technologies used and the associated innovation, together with the implementation, can be described as good.

market relevance ++
customer benefit +
novelty +
functionality / type of implementation Ø
[++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / – – not available]

For an overview of all the finalists, visit www.ifoy.org

CLICK HERE to find out more about NAiSE TRAFFIC – the world’s only traffic and order management software.

Inmarsat launches push-to-talk communications

Posted on by David Priestman

Global Beam Telecom, Cobham Satcom and Inmarsat have launched a new Push-To-Talk (PTT) offering, BGAN PRISM PTT+, in partnership with Hytera. This complete satellite-enhanced connectivity solution, now available through Hytera mobile radios, will help businesses overcome coverage redundancy and operational downtime associated with traditional radio systems.

This new unified network solution combines leading expertise in satellite connectivity, radio systems (LMR/DMR) and cellular devices (3G/LTE) to create a unique PTT offering that will accelerate advanced connectivity adoption among businesses in the Middle East.

Supported by Inmarsat’s BGAN service – powered by the company’s unparalleled, global ELERA (L-band) satellite network – the solution provides industry-leading reliability of 99.9%+ uptime and enables seamless radio over internet protocol (IP) capabilities. It will ensure businesses have access to real-time communications and telemetry capabilities, increasing their visibility of operations and the safety of remote workers and assets.

Mike Carter, President of Inmarsat Enterprise, said: “In this new partnership, Inmarsat is proud to build on our longstanding relationships with Global Beam Telecom and Cobham Satcom, by welcoming Hytera into the fold. This collaboration will be a game-changer for remote workers in the Middle East. It will combine top-of-the-range hardware and software with the best connectivity to provide a new, unmatched PTT service for customers.

“The expertise and technological strength in ELERA, Inmarsat’s industry-leading narrowband network, makes us the perfect connectivity partner to power this new PTT solution. Combined with the immense capabilities of our collaborators, this partnership will keep remote workers safe and connected wherever they are, even in the most remote locations.”

The sophisticated solution will transform customer experience across three key areas: coverage, interoperability, and capability. Incorporating satellite coverage provides exceptional network resilience, enabling seamless switching between radio and satellite while sustaining constant coverage anywhere in the world. Enhanced interoperability will allow for a range of communication methods to mix and connect effortlessly and encourage cross entity transmission, while digitalisation will provide enhanced end-user capabilities such as conversation recall, replay, and expanded data-analysis possibilities.

The unique BGAN PRISM PTT+, one of Global Beam Telecom’s integrated connectivity solutions, features Inmarsat’s highly-reliable ELERA capabilities and brings together hardware components from Cobham’s EXPLORER 323 Terminal and EXPLORER Mobile Gateway, Hytera’s lightweight but robust digital two-way radio (PD505) and professional Digital Mobile Radio (MD785i). The partnership provides the ultimate offering, supplying real-time GPS, telemetry, and PTT capabilities to create a consistent solution for businesses.

Shabeer Mohammad, Managing Director at Global Beam Telecom said “We are looking forward to sharing BGAN PRISM PTT+ with our customers. As the system integrator, configuring the expertise of the four companies – all of which boast years of experience in their respective fields – provided us the perfect opportunity to bring the ultimate flexible connectivity solution to enterprise customers.”

Stanley Song, Deputy General Manager of Hytera Overseas Sales Department and Sales Director of Hytera MENA, said: “Following the successful completion of our two-phase testing process, we have established a solution that is exceptionally well-suited to the Middle East. With robust hardware – capable of withstanding temperatures up to 60°C – combined with the durability of Inmarsat’s global BGAN offering, we are able to provide customers with the most impressive solution currently on the market, ensuring the ultimate safety and operational efficiency of their fleets.”

Henrik Nørrelykke, Vice President and Head of Critical Communications at Cobham Satcom, said: “We are excited to help bring this powerful and very cost-effective platform to customers across the Middle East. By building on existing terrestrial infrastructure, it enables enterprise customers to enhance their operations by adding the extensive capabilities of satellite connectivity without the need for significant CAPEX investment. This allows them to prioritise the day-to-day expenses of quality operations and implement a more scalable business model in the long-term.”

Inmarsat’s ELERA network is the world’s most reliable satellite network for IoT and secure narrowband connectivity. ELERA offers more global spectrum than any L-band provider, with its recently launched I-6 F1 satellite (and I-6 F2 launching in Q1 2023) making the best use of the available spectrum and providing 50% more capacity per beam.

 

 

Inmarsat launches push-to-talk communications

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Global Beam Telecom, Cobham Satcom and Inmarsat have launched a new Push-To-Talk (PTT) offering, BGAN PRISM PTT+, in partnership with Hytera. This complete satellite-enhanced connectivity solution, now available through Hytera mobile radios, will help businesses overcome coverage redundancy and operational downtime associated with traditional radio systems.

This new unified network solution combines leading expertise in satellite connectivity, radio systems (LMR/DMR) and cellular devices (3G/LTE) to create a unique PTT offering that will accelerate advanced connectivity adoption among businesses in the Middle East.

Supported by Inmarsat’s BGAN service – powered by the company’s unparalleled, global ELERA (L-band) satellite network – the solution provides industry-leading reliability of 99.9%+ uptime and enables seamless radio over internet protocol (IP) capabilities. It will ensure businesses have access to real-time communications and telemetry capabilities, increasing their visibility of operations and the safety of remote workers and assets.

Mike Carter, President of Inmarsat Enterprise, said: “In this new partnership, Inmarsat is proud to build on our longstanding relationships with Global Beam Telecom and Cobham Satcom, by welcoming Hytera into the fold. This collaboration will be a game-changer for remote workers in the Middle East. It will combine top-of-the-range hardware and software with the best connectivity to provide a new, unmatched PTT service for customers.

“The expertise and technological strength in ELERA, Inmarsat’s industry-leading narrowband network, makes us the perfect connectivity partner to power this new PTT solution. Combined with the immense capabilities of our collaborators, this partnership will keep remote workers safe and connected wherever they are, even in the most remote locations.”

The sophisticated solution will transform customer experience across three key areas: coverage, interoperability, and capability. Incorporating satellite coverage provides exceptional network resilience, enabling seamless switching between radio and satellite while sustaining constant coverage anywhere in the world. Enhanced interoperability will allow for a range of communication methods to mix and connect effortlessly and encourage cross entity transmission, while digitalisation will provide enhanced end-user capabilities such as conversation recall, replay, and expanded data-analysis possibilities.

The unique BGAN PRISM PTT+, one of Global Beam Telecom’s integrated connectivity solutions, features Inmarsat’s highly-reliable ELERA capabilities and brings together hardware components from Cobham’s EXPLORER 323 Terminal and EXPLORER Mobile Gateway, Hytera’s lightweight but robust digital two-way radio (PD505) and professional Digital Mobile Radio (MD785i). The partnership provides the ultimate offering, supplying real-time GPS, telemetry, and PTT capabilities to create a consistent solution for businesses.

Shabeer Mohammad, Managing Director at Global Beam Telecom said “We are looking forward to sharing BGAN PRISM PTT+ with our customers. As the system integrator, configuring the expertise of the four companies – all of which boast years of experience in their respective fields – provided us the perfect opportunity to bring the ultimate flexible connectivity solution to enterprise customers.”

Stanley Song, Deputy General Manager of Hytera Overseas Sales Department and Sales Director of Hytera MENA, said: “Following the successful completion of our two-phase testing process, we have established a solution that is exceptionally well-suited to the Middle East. With robust hardware – capable of withstanding temperatures up to 60°C – combined with the durability of Inmarsat’s global BGAN offering, we are able to provide customers with the most impressive solution currently on the market, ensuring the ultimate safety and operational efficiency of their fleets.”

Henrik Nørrelykke, Vice President and Head of Critical Communications at Cobham Satcom, said: “We are excited to help bring this powerful and very cost-effective platform to customers across the Middle East. By building on existing terrestrial infrastructure, it enables enterprise customers to enhance their operations by adding the extensive capabilities of satellite connectivity without the need for significant CAPEX investment. This allows them to prioritise the day-to-day expenses of quality operations and implement a more scalable business model in the long-term.”

Inmarsat’s ELERA network is the world’s most reliable satellite network for IoT and secure narrowband connectivity. ELERA offers more global spectrum than any L-band provider, with its recently launched I-6 F1 satellite (and I-6 F2 launching in Q1 2023) making the best use of the available spectrum and providing 50% more capacity per beam.

 

 

Interview: Baoli is growing in different markets

Posted on by David Priestman

The industrial truck manufacturer Baoli EMEA, part of the KION Group, aims to become one of the top suppliers in the entry-level segment in all 53 countries where it is currently represented with its products. That is the plan. At present, however, the markets are still developing very differently.

While Baoli is already very prominent in Italy, its market share in France and Austria is still modest. Olivier Le Bozec, Baoli country manager in France, and his counterpart in Austria, Roman Tahetl, talk about how the brand is developing in their markets.

Q: How has the market in the entry-level forklift segment developed in your area of responsibility in the recent past?

Olivier Le Bozec (OLB): In France, this market in particular is growing very dynamically. According to my estimates, the entry-level industrial truck segment has at least doubled in the past 12 months.

Roman Tahetl (RT): In Austria, the total market for industrial trucks rose from 8,473 to 11,922 vehicles last year. The Asian suppliers, who mainly cover the market for entry-level industrial trucks, grew by around four percent last year.

Q: What do you estimate is Baoli’s percentage share of these markets?

OLB: We currently have a market share of around 0.5%. At first glance, that does not sound like a very significant share, but it is a very respectable figure for France. After all, Baoli has only been seriously in business there for four years and development is still in its early stages. But I am pretty sure that we will grow very quickly in France.

RT: In Austria, we will soon reach a market share of 1.5%. That is very impressive considering that we only entered the Austrian market with Baoli in January 2022. In just a few months, we were already able to demonstrate impressively that the “Baoli model” works very well in Austria.

Q: How has the Baoli dealer network in your country developed over the past 12 months?

OLB: We have acted very stringently in the past months and trained our dealers and their sales staff very intensively. Fortunately, we have succeeded in winning six new dealers for Baoli in France.

RT: We were also very successful in acquiring dealers in Austria and are now working successfully with eight dealers. After starting from scratch at the beginning of 2022, this positive development is very, very pleasing.

Q: How many new dealers do you want to acquire for Baoli in your country in the next 12 months?

OLB: We still have a great need, and I hope that at least 12 new dealers will join us in the next few months. Demand is very high, especially in the north of France. Benoit Pasquier, a new sales professional, is currently working on developing the material handling market for Baoli.

RT: We would like to start our business in Austria with 10 dealers to begin with – so we still need two more – and then to observe whether this will be sufficient. In addition, we will take a close look at the regions and analyse where we have further demand.

Q: In your opinion, what are the reasons for dealers in your country to decide to work with Baoli?

OLB: Baoli’s clear structures, loyalty and consistency are certainly the most important reasons for a positive decision.

RT: In Austria, all dealers want to have one brand under contract if possible. In this way, we gain small dealers in particular, who are enabled by this contract to build up their own fleet. But the price and discount structure are also important for this decision. All dealers receive the same discount from us and a sufficiently large sales area. As all dealers in Austria know each other very well and constantly exchange information, there is no significant competition or price war among them.

Q: Is it important for your dealers that Baoli is part of the international KION Group?

OLB: In my experience, the reputation of the KION Group plays an important role in the dealers’ decision to choose our company. For example, KION offers the guarantee that spare parts will be available for more than a decade. In addition, the umbrella organisation guarantees very comprehensive quality control.

RT: I can only confirm that: Being part of the KION Group is an important argument for most dealers to work with Baoli. There are corresponding guarantees – and that is a very important factor in my eyes.

Q: How do your dealers react to the new Baoli vehicles?

OLB: In France, the dealers are first positively surprised by the high-quality of the vehicles manufactured in China, and then very impressed by the trucks. They keep telling us that Baoli vehicles have a very good chance of being successful in our market – the entry-level industrial truck segment.

RT: Unfortunately, we are not yet that far along in Austria. Our dealers are still very cautious in their assessment of the vehicles and want to examine and test them extensively first. However, I am also firmly convinced that we will develop BAOLI into one of the leading brands in the entry-level segment in this country.

Q: So, your dealers are primarily convinced by the quality of the components installed?

OLB: They definitely are. Especially because we use proven components that are used by many forklift manufacturers. The Doosan engines which BAOLI installs, for example, underline the very high-quality standard of the brand. With these high-quality supplier products, our forklifts need to fear no comparison.

RT: Unfortunately, my answer to this question is not as clear as that of my French colleague. As we have only been active in the Austrian market for a few months, I think it is still too early to make a realistic statement here.

Q: Do you consider the current supply of Baoli vehicles to be sufficient?

OLB: At the moment, the range can certainly be expanded to cover all conceivable requirements. However, since Baoli is planning an extensive expansion of its product portfolio, this situation will quickly improve significantly.

RT: I would answer this question in exactly the same way. I, too, am of the opinion that the current range of vehicles will not be sufficient in the long run and should be supplemented – but that has already been planned.

Q: How do your dealers rate the price/performance ratio of Baoli vehicles?

OLB: Our prices have increased over the past year and a half due to the well-known import costs and raw material costs increase because of the worldwide economic situation. However, we must always keep one thing in mind – and we also communicate this to our customers: Baoli forklifts offer significantly more quality and service in the entry-level segment than other suppliers. Anyone who buys a Baoli forklift always buys a comprehensive after-sales service as well.

RT: In Austria, the price/performance ratio of Baoli forklifts is considered very positive according to my experience so far.

Q: Do you see any approaches to optimising cooperation with Baoli dealers?

OLB: Improvements are always possible. The Baoli vehicles could be presented more prominently in the showrooms of our partners in order to anchor our brand even more firmly in the minds of our customers.

Q: Mr. Le Bozec, Mr. Tahetl – thank you for this very interesting interview and for your assessment of the markets in which you operate.

Interview: Baoli is growing in different markets

Posted on by David Priestman

The industrial truck manufacturer Baoli EMEA, part of the KION Group, aims to become one of the top suppliers in the entry-level segment in all 53 countries where it is currently represented with its products. That is the plan. At present, however, the markets are still developing very differently.

While Baoli is already very prominent in Italy, its market share in France and Austria is still modest. Olivier Le Bozec, Baoli country manager in France, and his counterpart in Austria, Roman Tahetl, talk about how the brand is developing in their markets.

Q: How has the market in the entry-level forklift segment developed in your area of responsibility in the recent past?

Olivier Le Bozec (OLB): In France, this market in particular is growing very dynamically. According to my estimates, the entry-level industrial truck segment has at least doubled in the past 12 months.

Roman Tahetl (RT): In Austria, the total market for industrial trucks rose from 8,473 to 11,922 vehicles last year. The Asian suppliers, who mainly cover the market for entry-level industrial trucks, grew by around four percent last year.

Q: What do you estimate is Baoli’s percentage share of these markets?

OLB: We currently have a market share of around 0.5%. At first glance, that does not sound like a very significant share, but it is a very respectable figure for France. After all, Baoli has only been seriously in business there for four years and development is still in its early stages. But I am pretty sure that we will grow very quickly in France.

RT: In Austria, we will soon reach a market share of 1.5%. That is very impressive considering that we only entered the Austrian market with Baoli in January 2022. In just a few months, we were already able to demonstrate impressively that the “Baoli model” works very well in Austria.

Q: How has the Baoli dealer network in your country developed over the past 12 months?

OLB: We have acted very stringently in the past months and trained our dealers and their sales staff very intensively. Fortunately, we have succeeded in winning six new dealers for Baoli in France.

RT: We were also very successful in acquiring dealers in Austria and are now working successfully with eight dealers. After starting from scratch at the beginning of 2022, this positive development is very, very pleasing.

Q: How many new dealers do you want to acquire for Baoli in your country in the next 12 months?

OLB: We still have a great need, and I hope that at least 12 new dealers will join us in the next few months. Demand is very high, especially in the north of France. Benoit Pasquier, a new sales professional, is currently working on developing the material handling market for Baoli.

RT: We would like to start our business in Austria with 10 dealers to begin with – so we still need two more – and then to observe whether this will be sufficient. In addition, we will take a close look at the regions and analyse where we have further demand.

Q: In your opinion, what are the reasons for dealers in your country to decide to work with Baoli?

OLB: Baoli’s clear structures, loyalty and consistency are certainly the most important reasons for a positive decision.

RT: In Austria, all dealers want to have one brand under contract if possible. In this way, we gain small dealers in particular, who are enabled by this contract to build up their own fleet. But the price and discount structure are also important for this decision. All dealers receive the same discount from us and a sufficiently large sales area. As all dealers in Austria know each other very well and constantly exchange information, there is no significant competition or price war among them.

Q: Is it important for your dealers that Baoli is part of the international KION Group?

OLB: In my experience, the reputation of the KION Group plays an important role in the dealers’ decision to choose our company. For example, KION offers the guarantee that spare parts will be available for more than a decade. In addition, the umbrella organisation guarantees very comprehensive quality control.

RT: I can only confirm that: Being part of the KION Group is an important argument for most dealers to work with Baoli. There are corresponding guarantees – and that is a very important factor in my eyes.

Q: How do your dealers react to the new Baoli vehicles?

OLB: In France, the dealers are first positively surprised by the high-quality of the vehicles manufactured in China, and then very impressed by the trucks. They keep telling us that Baoli vehicles have a very good chance of being successful in our market – the entry-level industrial truck segment.

RT: Unfortunately, we are not yet that far along in Austria. Our dealers are still very cautious in their assessment of the vehicles and want to examine and test them extensively first. However, I am also firmly convinced that we will develop BAOLI into one of the leading brands in the entry-level segment in this country.

Q: So, your dealers are primarily convinced by the quality of the components installed?

OLB: They definitely are. Especially because we use proven components that are used by many forklift manufacturers. The Doosan engines which BAOLI installs, for example, underline the very high-quality standard of the brand. With these high-quality supplier products, our forklifts need to fear no comparison.

RT: Unfortunately, my answer to this question is not as clear as that of my French colleague. As we have only been active in the Austrian market for a few months, I think it is still too early to make a realistic statement here.

Q: Do you consider the current supply of Baoli vehicles to be sufficient?

OLB: At the moment, the range can certainly be expanded to cover all conceivable requirements. However, since Baoli is planning an extensive expansion of its product portfolio, this situation will quickly improve significantly.

RT: I would answer this question in exactly the same way. I, too, am of the opinion that the current range of vehicles will not be sufficient in the long run and should be supplemented – but that has already been planned.

Q: How do your dealers rate the price/performance ratio of Baoli vehicles?

OLB: Our prices have increased over the past year and a half due to the well-known import costs and raw material costs increase because of the worldwide economic situation. However, we must always keep one thing in mind – and we also communicate this to our customers: Baoli forklifts offer significantly more quality and service in the entry-level segment than other suppliers. Anyone who buys a Baoli forklift always buys a comprehensive after-sales service as well.

RT: In Austria, the price/performance ratio of Baoli forklifts is considered very positive according to my experience so far.

Q: Do you see any approaches to optimising cooperation with Baoli dealers?

OLB: Improvements are always possible. The Baoli vehicles could be presented more prominently in the showrooms of our partners in order to anchor our brand even more firmly in the minds of our customers.

Q: Mr. Le Bozec, Mr. Tahetl – thank you for this very interesting interview and for your assessment of the markets in which you operate.

Pitney Bowes sending technology generates 25% savings

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Pitney Bowes Inc., a global shipping and mailing company that provides technology, logistics, and financial services, has launched its next-generation franking machine, SendPro Mailstation, in the UK. Already a best seller in the US due to its ease-of-use and compact size, SendPro Mailstation is perfect for organisations looking to drive down costs and simplify their sending.

For UK businesses, SendPro Mailstation generates savings of up to 25% on postage and, if choosing to have ink supplied by popular Pitney Bowes service AutoInk, up to 70% on ink. The integrated 4.3” full-colour touchscreen helps users print postage from the device directly onto their envelopes or labels.

Businesses enjoy the user experience and easy set-up, also valuing access to postage discounts. Monica Mistry from FirstFord Ltd said: “We found SendPro Mailstation quick and easy to install – we were connected and printing postage on our first letters within just a few minutes. The intuitive prompts on the touchscreen make it very straightforward to select the right postage. Now, our clients receive their communications in a timely, professional way and we’re saving time and money.”

Sian Evans from Excel Engineering stated: “There are so many different postal rates it can be complicated and expensive to send mail and parcels. SendPro Mailstation makes it simple. Because it connects using wifi we know the rates are always 100% accurate and we are up-to-date, and it saves us money, too. It makes life a little bit easier for us as a small business.”

Debbie Anderson from Roger Budge Electrical Engineers, said: “Printed mail is a critical communications channel for us: we regularly send out contracts, invoices, installation and maintenance reports and customer letters through the post, but the costs can really add up. SendPro Mailstation helps us keep these costs down by giving us access to savings. It’s intuitive and straightforward to use, and it makes us more efficient and productive, freeing up our time to focus on growing the business.”

Ryan Higginson, Vice President and UK/ROI Country Leader, Pitney Bowes said: “SendPro Mailstation is a game-changer for UK businesses looking to save money but not compromise on feature-rich office sending technology. With over 100 years’ experience, serving 750,000 businesses and facilitating the sending of billions of mail pieces across the world, Pitney Bowes has an unrivalled perspective into mailing and shipping. Inspired by our customers and driven by this insight, our talented design team brought this innovation to life. We’re delighted that UK organisations can experience SendPro Mailstation for themselves.”

The latest in its award-winning family of SendPro technologies, SaaS-based SendPro Mailstation comes with a subscription to companion application SendPro Online. Ideal for businesses shipping parcels, SendPro Online extends SendPro Mailstation’s functionality by providing insight such as proof of delivery and parcel tracking.

With UK parcel volume expected to reach between 7.5 and 8.5 billion in 2026, SendPro Online delivers savings of up to 75% on parcel shipping through Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide. Complementary to SendPro Mailstation, SendPro Online also offers insight on ink status, wireless connection strength, postal balance and spend history, as well as the ability to print return address labels. Together, the solutions give businesses a complete picture of mailing and shipping status and spend, in real-time, while generating significant cost savings.

SendPro Mailstation’s sophisticated functionality, intuitive features and business benefits, all specifically designed to improve office sending, include:

  • Access to the most up-to-date postage rates and automated rate update, eliminating the need for trips to the Post Office
  • Pay the lowest postage prices with Mailmark
  • Intuitive, easy to use, full-colour 4.3 inch/11 cm touchscreen
  • Proactive support through touchscreen notifications and how-to guides.
  • Repairs and replacements included with franking ink as standard
  • Presets to accelerate mail processing
  • Built-in scale to weigh all mailings, ensuring the correct postage every time
  • Compact and quiet, suitable for workplaces of all sizes
  • Improved planning and predictability of ink costs with AutoInk

One of the most popular sending technologies ever launched by Pitney Bowes in the US, SaaS-based SendPro Mailstation was named a finalist for the 2020 SaaS Awards and has received a Bronze IDA Design Award.

CLICK HERE to watch a video.

Pitney Bowes sending technology generates 25% savings

Posted on by David Priestman

Pitney Bowes Inc., a global shipping and mailing company that provides technology, logistics, and financial services, has launched its next-generation franking machine, SendPro Mailstation, in the UK. Already a best seller in the US due to its ease-of-use and compact size, SendPro Mailstation is perfect for organisations looking to drive down costs and simplify their sending.

For UK businesses, SendPro Mailstation generates savings of up to 25% on postage and, if choosing to have ink supplied by popular Pitney Bowes service AutoInk, up to 70% on ink. The integrated 4.3” full-colour touchscreen helps users print postage from the device directly onto their envelopes or labels.

Businesses enjoy the user experience and easy set-up, also valuing access to postage discounts. Monica Mistry from FirstFord Ltd said: “We found SendPro Mailstation quick and easy to install – we were connected and printing postage on our first letters within just a few minutes. The intuitive prompts on the touchscreen make it very straightforward to select the right postage. Now, our clients receive their communications in a timely, professional way and we’re saving time and money.”

Sian Evans from Excel Engineering stated: “There are so many different postal rates it can be complicated and expensive to send mail and parcels. SendPro Mailstation makes it simple. Because it connects using wifi we know the rates are always 100% accurate and we are up-to-date, and it saves us money, too. It makes life a little bit easier for us as a small business.”

Debbie Anderson from Roger Budge Electrical Engineers, said: “Printed mail is a critical communications channel for us: we regularly send out contracts, invoices, installation and maintenance reports and customer letters through the post, but the costs can really add up. SendPro Mailstation helps us keep these costs down by giving us access to savings. It’s intuitive and straightforward to use, and it makes us more efficient and productive, freeing up our time to focus on growing the business.”

Ryan Higginson, Vice President and UK/ROI Country Leader, Pitney Bowes said: “SendPro Mailstation is a game-changer for UK businesses looking to save money but not compromise on feature-rich office sending technology. With over 100 years’ experience, serving 750,000 businesses and facilitating the sending of billions of mail pieces across the world, Pitney Bowes has an unrivalled perspective into mailing and shipping. Inspired by our customers and driven by this insight, our talented design team brought this innovation to life. We’re delighted that UK organisations can experience SendPro Mailstation for themselves.”

The latest in its award-winning family of SendPro technologies, SaaS-based SendPro Mailstation comes with a subscription to companion application SendPro Online. Ideal for businesses shipping parcels, SendPro Online extends SendPro Mailstation’s functionality by providing insight such as proof of delivery and parcel tracking.

With UK parcel volume expected to reach between 7.5 and 8.5 billion in 2026, SendPro Online delivers savings of up to 75% on parcel shipping through Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide. Complementary to SendPro Mailstation, SendPro Online also offers insight on ink status, wireless connection strength, postal balance and spend history, as well as the ability to print return address labels. Together, the solutions give businesses a complete picture of mailing and shipping status and spend, in real-time, while generating significant cost savings.

SendPro Mailstation’s sophisticated functionality, intuitive features and business benefits, all specifically designed to improve office sending, include:

  • Access to the most up-to-date postage rates and automated rate update, eliminating the need for trips to the Post Office
  • Pay the lowest postage prices with Mailmark
  • Intuitive, easy to use, full-colour 4.3 inch/11 cm touchscreen
  • Proactive support through touchscreen notifications and how-to guides.
  • Repairs and replacements included with franking ink as standard
  • Presets to accelerate mail processing
  • Built-in scale to weigh all mailings, ensuring the correct postage every time
  • Compact and quiet, suitable for workplaces of all sizes
  • Improved planning and predictability of ink costs with AutoInk

One of the most popular sending technologies ever launched by Pitney Bowes in the US, SaaS-based SendPro Mailstation was named a finalist for the 2020 SaaS Awards and has received a Bronze IDA Design Award.

CLICK HERE to watch a video.

Clark introduces mono-mast high-lift pallet truck

Posted on by David Priestman

Clark has expanded its product range in the area of pallet trucks with another lift truck. The new WS10Mi is a high-lift truck with mono-mast and initial lift.

The WS10Mi is one of the entry-level models in the world of high-lift trucks. Thanks to its mono-lift mast and its maximum load capacity of up to 1000kg (1200kg initial lift), the areas of application of this nimble warehouse helper are many: The vehicle is suitable for transport over short distances, for stacking applications up to a lifting height of 1955mm or also as a mobile, ergonomic work table. The WS10Mi comes into its own especially when used on uneven floors, smaller ramps or weighing equipment, as the WS10Mi effortlessly overcomes inclines thanks to its initial lift (115mm).

The compact design of the high-lift truck also allows it to be used in space-critical work areas, for example in narrow racking aisles. The length of the truck including the back of the forks (l2) is just 600mm. Only a small amount of force is required to steer the manoeuvrable lift truck. This conserves the operator’s strength and relieves him of his workload. Due to the low vehicle weight of 520kg (including battery) and the resulting lower ground load, the vehicle can also be used on intermediate levels.

Safe and ergonomic load handling

The handle-optimised vehicle drawbar enables precise operation of all travel and lifting functions. In addition, the mono-lift frame offers the best possible view of the fork tips. The operator always keeps an overview and can position the unit safely and precisely as well as thread it unerringly into pallets. Like all models in the WS10 range, the WS10Mi has a low-slung vehicle frame to protect the operator’s feet and those around the vehicle.

The WS10Mi is equipped with maintenance-free block batteries and a built-in charger. This allows the battery to be recharged at any 230v socket. This increases availability and simplifies handling. The vehicle display informs the operator about the battery charge level as well as the operating hours driven.

 

Clark introduces mono-mast high-lift pallet truck

Posted on by David Priestman

Clark has expanded its product range in the area of pallet trucks with another lift truck. The new WS10Mi is a high-lift truck with mono-mast and initial lift.

The WS10Mi is one of the entry-level models in the world of high-lift trucks. Thanks to its mono-lift mast and its maximum load capacity of up to 1000kg (1200kg initial lift), the areas of application of this nimble warehouse helper are many: The vehicle is suitable for transport over short distances, for stacking applications up to a lifting height of 1955mm or also as a mobile, ergonomic work table. The WS10Mi comes into its own especially when used on uneven floors, smaller ramps or weighing equipment, as the WS10Mi effortlessly overcomes inclines thanks to its initial lift (115mm).

The compact design of the high-lift truck also allows it to be used in space-critical work areas, for example in narrow racking aisles. The length of the truck including the back of the forks (l2) is just 600mm. Only a small amount of force is required to steer the manoeuvrable lift truck. This conserves the operator’s strength and relieves him of his workload. Due to the low vehicle weight of 520kg (including battery) and the resulting lower ground load, the vehicle can also be used on intermediate levels.

Safe and ergonomic load handling

The handle-optimised vehicle drawbar enables precise operation of all travel and lifting functions. In addition, the mono-lift frame offers the best possible view of the fork tips. The operator always keeps an overview and can position the unit safely and precisely as well as thread it unerringly into pallets. Like all models in the WS10 range, the WS10Mi has a low-slung vehicle frame to protect the operator’s feet and those around the vehicle.

The WS10Mi is equipped with maintenance-free block batteries and a built-in charger. This allows the battery to be recharged at any 230v socket. This increases availability and simplifies handling. The vehicle display informs the operator about the battery charge level as well as the operating hours driven.

 

Subscribe

Get notified about New Episodes of our Podcast, New Magazine Issues and stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter.