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Month: July 2022

Transaid puts the focus on public transport gender equality

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Transaid has completed a major three-year project helping to broaden the understanding of the challenges faced by young women and girls as users of public transport in less accessible parts of three major African cities. It also looked at the steps which could be taken to help improve their opportunities for work in what is a highly gendered transport environment.

Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), and implemented jointly with Durham University, it saw research teams formed in Abuja, Nigeria; Cape Town, South Africa; and Tunis, Tunisia.

These teams then engaged with female commuters to gather detailed information on the challenges faced when accessing public transport. In all three countries this research proved crucial, leading to the development of safe transport charters around the primary forms of public transport in each city – including minibus taxis and commercial buses.

Edward O’Connor, Programmes Support Manager at Transaid, says: “We developed and rolled out a guiding document for transport associations and transport operators to address, with a gender lens, the challenges faced by female passengers.

“For example, in Cape Town, where minibus taxis are widely used, this took the form of a concise guide which outlined commuter rights, the responsibilities of transport associations, and included contact numbers for reporting complaints, particularly in relation to gender-based violence. This was done in combination with gender-based violence awareness and sensitisation sessions which we carried out directly with male drivers on taxi ranks in the city periphery.”

The other focus of the project was around implementing skills training for women working in the transport sector, largely developed using Transaid’s experience in implementing transport management systems. Due to Covid-19, this training for Tunis comprised a mixture of remote and in-person sessions, including guest speaker inputs from Peter Robinson, Director – Bus Development, at Go-Ahead, and Sara Youssoufi, Manager of Operations from ALSA (Morocco), a major passenger transport operator.

Explaining the importance of the training, O’Connor adds: “We know that if transport management generally improves, it can lead to improved maintenance and better operations. And if this can be achieved, then it can lead to a positive impact for the user’s experience – particularly with regards to safety.”

One female transport worker who took part in the workshops in Cape Town, commented afterwards: “As black women in the industry we are quite invisible, and it was nice to see women standing up and seeing how intelligent they are and how many ideas they have.”

Another, the daughter of a minibus taxi owner, said: “Before being involved in this project, I didn’t have an interest in the industry as it was always connected to violence, but now I feel a sense of cohesion and belonging.”

Transaid also worked with a local film crew to create a short film addressing women’s safety concerns when using motorcycle taxis. Developed in three languages, the 11-minute film equips passengers with the points to consider before choosing this form of public transport.

Caroline Barber, CEO of Transaid, says: “Women in many parts of Africa face real discrimination in the transport sector, both as passengers and as employees. This affects their wider access to work, education and training in every sector, making this one of the most important projects we’ve delivered in recent years.

“The timing of this work, starting just before the pandemic, really tested the agility of our team to deliver multiple practical interventions across different countries within a relatively short timeframe. Despite this, we’re really pleased with the progress we made and the many different groups and communities we were able to positively impact.”

This project was made possible with the support of local partners, including the Ministry of Transport, Al HOSN Energy Consulting, Sustain Consulting and Tounissiet in Tunis; Sokoto University, the University of Jos and Girls Voices Initiative in Nigeria; and the University of Cape Town, Sonke Gender Justice and the SANTACO in South Africa.

Transaid puts the focus on public transport gender equality

Posted on by David Priestman

Transaid has completed a major three-year project helping to broaden the understanding of the challenges faced by young women and girls as users of public transport in less accessible parts of three major African cities. It also looked at the steps which could be taken to help improve their opportunities for work in what is a highly gendered transport environment.

Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), and implemented jointly with Durham University, it saw research teams formed in Abuja, Nigeria; Cape Town, South Africa; and Tunis, Tunisia.

These teams then engaged with female commuters to gather detailed information on the challenges faced when accessing public transport. In all three countries this research proved crucial, leading to the development of safe transport charters around the primary forms of public transport in each city – including minibus taxis and commercial buses.

Edward O’Connor, Programmes Support Manager at Transaid, says: “We developed and rolled out a guiding document for transport associations and transport operators to address, with a gender lens, the challenges faced by female passengers.

“For example, in Cape Town, where minibus taxis are widely used, this took the form of a concise guide which outlined commuter rights, the responsibilities of transport associations, and included contact numbers for reporting complaints, particularly in relation to gender-based violence. This was done in combination with gender-based violence awareness and sensitisation sessions which we carried out directly with male drivers on taxi ranks in the city periphery.”

The other focus of the project was around implementing skills training for women working in the transport sector, largely developed using Transaid’s experience in implementing transport management systems. Due to Covid-19, this training for Tunis comprised a mixture of remote and in-person sessions, including guest speaker inputs from Peter Robinson, Director – Bus Development, at Go-Ahead, and Sara Youssoufi, Manager of Operations from ALSA (Morocco), a major passenger transport operator.

Explaining the importance of the training, O’Connor adds: “We know that if transport management generally improves, it can lead to improved maintenance and better operations. And if this can be achieved, then it can lead to a positive impact for the user’s experience – particularly with regards to safety.”

One female transport worker who took part in the workshops in Cape Town, commented afterwards: “As black women in the industry we are quite invisible, and it was nice to see women standing up and seeing how intelligent they are and how many ideas they have.”

Another, the daughter of a minibus taxi owner, said: “Before being involved in this project, I didn’t have an interest in the industry as it was always connected to violence, but now I feel a sense of cohesion and belonging.”

Transaid also worked with a local film crew to create a short film addressing women’s safety concerns when using motorcycle taxis. Developed in three languages, the 11-minute film equips passengers with the points to consider before choosing this form of public transport.

Caroline Barber, CEO of Transaid, says: “Women in many parts of Africa face real discrimination in the transport sector, both as passengers and as employees. This affects their wider access to work, education and training in every sector, making this one of the most important projects we’ve delivered in recent years.

“The timing of this work, starting just before the pandemic, really tested the agility of our team to deliver multiple practical interventions across different countries within a relatively short timeframe. Despite this, we’re really pleased with the progress we made and the many different groups and communities we were able to positively impact.”

This project was made possible with the support of local partners, including the Ministry of Transport, Al HOSN Energy Consulting, Sustain Consulting and Tounissiet in Tunis; Sokoto University, the University of Jos and Girls Voices Initiative in Nigeria; and the University of Cape Town, Sonke Gender Justice and the SANTACO in South Africa.

Perfect retrofit recipe for Almi

Posted on by David Priestman

To form resilient value chains to uphold delivery commitments to customers, you need high-performance intralogistics. Almi, the spice specialist based in the Upper Austria region, commissioned TGW Logistics Group to update its warehouse in Oftering. The TGW experts implemented the project in record time – during ongoing operation and despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Everyone’s got to eat! For Almi, a manufacturer of spice blends, the truth reflected in this proverb is a curse and blessing at once. It’s a blessing because the company, whose strategy is focused on diversification and internationalisation, has experienced constant growth since its founding in 1931. From dilettante to dedicated, gourmets at every level in 62 countries enjoy foods seasoned with high-quality Almi products – from asparagus soup to organic chicken. The Upper Austrian company earns approx. €132m in sales per year, with almost 90% of the products being exported.

Retrofit during live operation

However, success in the food industry has its price. Customers get hungry even on holidays. This means that, unlike other industries in which production shuts down during vacation periods, Almi cannot afford lengthy breaks. This poses major time management challenges for larger-scale construction or modernisation projects.

This was also true of the retrofit of the automated tote warehouse with approximately 10,000 storage locations. To continue to uphold delivery commitments and lay the foundation for future growth, the family-owned enterprise ruled out the prospect of expanding its facilities. “Sustainability is of great importance to Almi. We do not want to pave over more green areas, so we decided from the beginning to optimise the existing facility so that we will be well equipped for the future,” reports Stefan Lackinger, Almi’s Production Manager.

In 2006, Almi built a warehouse on a parcel of land of approx. 28,000 sq m, with the contract going to TGW. The heart of the system is the automatic mini-load warehouse with three aisles, tote buffer, and carton, tote and pallet conveyor systems on three levels. To boost the performance of the intralogistics, the system was equipped with energy-efficient conveyor technology. However, Almi did not rest on its laurels. In 2017, the seasoning specialist commissioned TGW to update the warehouse management system (WMS).

Together into a green future

Almi was very pleased with how the update went. As a result, Almi selected TGW as a partner of choice to join it on the path to a green future. The initial impulse came from the TGW retrofit experts, who presented a concept made up of multiple components: changing out a storage and retrieval machine, replacing the mechatronics of the Commissioner lifting beam system, updating three transfer carriages and one belt-driven lift, and implementing new control technology.

The retrofit specialists offered Almi proactive suggestions after seeing in the documentation that a few components were outdated. There was a danger that if they broke down, they would become more expensive or not available at all. TGW put together multiple variants, from which Almi selected one. “In the retrofit area, each project is customer-specific – therefore, experience is of tremendous importance,” emphasises Josef Fritz, Sales Project Manager at TGW.

Mustang E+ energy-efficient storage and retrieval machines

A portion of the investment, which was in the mid-six figures, was designated to replacing the storage and retrieval machine. TGW provided a Mustang E+ storage and retrieval machine of the latest generation. Its advantages: it weighs less than older units and, unlike them, has a state-of-the-art control system and does not require anti-oscillation technology. This makes it possible to save energy.

The world of retrofitting is, in theory, similar to good food: even the best recipe may not turn out so delicious if the cook is inexperienced. TGW looks back on more than half a century of experience, with the retrofit area in particular experiencing strong growth. The system integrator now handles five times as many retrofit projects annually as it did ten years ago – and proceeds systematically for each project. “A system downtime would be a disaster for any supply chain manager,” emphasises Markus Kammerhofer, Director of Sales Retrofit at TGW.

Over the years, TGW has compiled a list of seven success factors:

  • Consider the lead time and start early enough
  • Choose experienced partners and project managers
  • Develop a structured plan
  • Integrate specially developed retrofit solutions
  • Create a comprehensive functional specification
  • Clearly define migration phases
  • Intensive employee training

Planning and preparation as success factors

The first meeting was held in early 2021, while in the summer, the team drafted a project plan, with the functional specifications following. The experts then defined the migration steps and the tight schedule. The timeline set the bar high for all those involved. The objective: executing the entire project around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays to reduce the standstill to a minimum.

The TGW specialists arrived on December 21 and stayed at Almi until January 7, 2022, working every day except New Year’s Eve. However, the tight schedule was not the only challenge.

“All steps up to the go-live on January 7 had to be planned in detail,” says Fritz. Nevertheless, it was not possible to fully complete the project by January 6 as the plan had originally called for. However, this was not the fault of TGW. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide supply chain bottlenecks, the hardware was not replaced until April – at the weekends.

Energy savings of up to 20%

Despite the difficulties encountered, the projects were successfully completed in late April 2022. Lackinger, the Almi Production Manager, is highly satisfied with the result. He reports that the retrofit boosted system availability, while also lowering the cost of spare parts for maintenance work. The company’s green logistics strategy is also taking an important step forward – compliance with the ISO 50002 energy audit being just one example.

“Energy savings of up to 20% are now possible in intralogistics. In the past, unneeded braking energy of the storage and retrieval machine was simply lost. Now we feed it directly back into the grid. Thanks to the modernisation done by our partner TGW, we look to a greener future with confidence.”

 

Perfect retrofit recipe for Almi

Posted on by David Priestman

To form resilient value chains to uphold delivery commitments to customers, you need high-performance intralogistics. Almi, the spice specialist based in the Upper Austria region, commissioned TGW Logistics Group to update its warehouse in Oftering. The TGW experts implemented the project in record time – during ongoing operation and despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Everyone’s got to eat! For Almi, a manufacturer of spice blends, the truth reflected in this proverb is a curse and blessing at once. It’s a blessing because the company, whose strategy is focused on diversification and internationalisation, has experienced constant growth since its founding in 1931. From dilettante to dedicated, gourmets at every level in 62 countries enjoy foods seasoned with high-quality Almi products – from asparagus soup to organic chicken. The Upper Austrian company earns approx. €132m in sales per year, with almost 90% of the products being exported.

Retrofit during live operation

However, success in the food industry has its price. Customers get hungry even on holidays. This means that, unlike other industries in which production shuts down during vacation periods, Almi cannot afford lengthy breaks. This poses major time management challenges for larger-scale construction or modernisation projects.

This was also true of the retrofit of the automated tote warehouse with approximately 10,000 storage locations. To continue to uphold delivery commitments and lay the foundation for future growth, the family-owned enterprise ruled out the prospect of expanding its facilities. “Sustainability is of great importance to Almi. We do not want to pave over more green areas, so we decided from the beginning to optimise the existing facility so that we will be well equipped for the future,” reports Stefan Lackinger, Almi’s Production Manager.

In 2006, Almi built a warehouse on a parcel of land of approx. 28,000 sq m, with the contract going to TGW. The heart of the system is the automatic mini-load warehouse with three aisles, tote buffer, and carton, tote and pallet conveyor systems on three levels. To boost the performance of the intralogistics, the system was equipped with energy-efficient conveyor technology. However, Almi did not rest on its laurels. In 2017, the seasoning specialist commissioned TGW to update the warehouse management system (WMS).

Together into a green future

Almi was very pleased with how the update went. As a result, Almi selected TGW as a partner of choice to join it on the path to a green future. The initial impulse came from the TGW retrofit experts, who presented a concept made up of multiple components: changing out a storage and retrieval machine, replacing the mechatronics of the Commissioner lifting beam system, updating three transfer carriages and one belt-driven lift, and implementing new control technology.

The retrofit specialists offered Almi proactive suggestions after seeing in the documentation that a few components were outdated. There was a danger that if they broke down, they would become more expensive or not available at all. TGW put together multiple variants, from which Almi selected one. “In the retrofit area, each project is customer-specific – therefore, experience is of tremendous importance,” emphasises Josef Fritz, Sales Project Manager at TGW.

Mustang E+ energy-efficient storage and retrieval machines

A portion of the investment, which was in the mid-six figures, was designated to replacing the storage and retrieval machine. TGW provided a Mustang E+ storage and retrieval machine of the latest generation. Its advantages: it weighs less than older units and, unlike them, has a state-of-the-art control system and does not require anti-oscillation technology. This makes it possible to save energy.

The world of retrofitting is, in theory, similar to good food: even the best recipe may not turn out so delicious if the cook is inexperienced. TGW looks back on more than half a century of experience, with the retrofit area in particular experiencing strong growth. The system integrator now handles five times as many retrofit projects annually as it did ten years ago – and proceeds systematically for each project. “A system downtime would be a disaster for any supply chain manager,” emphasises Markus Kammerhofer, Director of Sales Retrofit at TGW.

Over the years, TGW has compiled a list of seven success factors:

  • Consider the lead time and start early enough
  • Choose experienced partners and project managers
  • Develop a structured plan
  • Integrate specially developed retrofit solutions
  • Create a comprehensive functional specification
  • Clearly define migration phases
  • Intensive employee training

Planning and preparation as success factors

The first meeting was held in early 2021, while in the summer, the team drafted a project plan, with the functional specifications following. The experts then defined the migration steps and the tight schedule. The timeline set the bar high for all those involved. The objective: executing the entire project around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays to reduce the standstill to a minimum.

The TGW specialists arrived on December 21 and stayed at Almi until January 7, 2022, working every day except New Year’s Eve. However, the tight schedule was not the only challenge.

“All steps up to the go-live on January 7 had to be planned in detail,” says Fritz. Nevertheless, it was not possible to fully complete the project by January 6 as the plan had originally called for. However, this was not the fault of TGW. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide supply chain bottlenecks, the hardware was not replaced until April – at the weekends.

Energy savings of up to 20%

Despite the difficulties encountered, the projects were successfully completed in late April 2022. Lackinger, the Almi Production Manager, is highly satisfied with the result. He reports that the retrofit boosted system availability, while also lowering the cost of spare parts for maintenance work. The company’s green logistics strategy is also taking an important step forward – compliance with the ISO 50002 energy audit being just one example.

“Energy savings of up to 20% are now possible in intralogistics. In the past, unneeded braking energy of the storage and retrieval machine was simply lost. Now we feed it directly back into the grid. Thanks to the modernisation done by our partner TGW, we look to a greener future with confidence.”

 

ORBIS showcases sustainable packaging at FachPack

Posted on by David Priestman

At this year’s FachPack, ORBIS Europe is presenting sustainable and durable transport packaging solutions for different industries (September 27th-29th in Nuremberg, hall 6, booth 316). That includes PlastiCorr, the first reusable brown box replacement for automated packaging lines as well as plastic pallets in a new design for the food and beverage industry. More show highlights are the UN-certified dangerous goods boxes IonPak (pictured) and foldable large containers (FLCs) such as the GitterPak and XXLPaks for automotive and industrial applications.

“Sustainability has become an important part of today’s supply chains. Reusable transport packaging follows the circular economy concept – in manufacturing, use and recycling. By making the switch to reusables, companies can reduce their environmental impact significantly. We will highlight all that at our FachPack booth,” says Christian Hemming, Technical Director EMEA at ORBIS Europe.

The PlastiCorr reusable plastic box is a direct replacement for corrugated fibre boxes with identical functionality and enhanced features. This sustainable solution works seamlessly with existing automated packaging lines and is ideal for food, beverage and FMCG applications. When compared to conventional single-use boxes, the patented design of PlastiCorr allows the plastic boxes to be reused over 70 times. In that way, companies reduce water and energy consumption, the amount of solid waste as well long-term costs.

Security and cleanliness with plastic pallets

In the area of food and beverage transportation, ORBIS showcases two of its reusable plastic pallets in a new design: the German Pallet (1180 x 1265 mm) and the Spanish Pallet (1120 x 1420 mm). Both are designed to convey rigid packaging, such as glass and plastic bottles or aluminium and steel cans in a secure way.

The new flow-through hygienic design allows for improved automated and manual washing. At the same time, the pallets’ two-piece snap-fit design with double wall thickness pallets blocks makes them more durable to handling impacts. These pallets can be combined with layer pads and top frames to create secure, stable unit loads for transport.

The dangerous goods container IonPak is UN-approved to transport solid dangerous goods (Packing Group II), such as lithium-ion batteries, and certified in accordance with RID/ADR (UN4H2/UN50H). The customised packaging consists of a robust foldable large container with European standard footprints (1200 x 800 / 1200 x 1000 / 1600 x 1200 mm) and a custom inner packaging solution optimised to protect dangerous goods. At the booth, ORBIS will feature a customer version of the IonPak.

For use in automotive and other manufacturing industries, ORBIS is showcasing the foldable large containers (FLC) GitterPak and XXLPaks. With a 900kg weight capacity and a European standard footprint of 1200 x 800 mm, the GitterPak is a sustainable, rust-free and foldable alternative to steel gitterboxes. The robust wall design allows for secure stacking of containers (1+5 static, 1+2 dynamic).

The XXLPak containers in extended length are designed to transport even long and hard-to-fit components. The inch footprints are compatible with European standard footprints (approx. 1600 x 1200 mm / 2000 x 1200 mm). All FLCs are manufactured from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) using a structural foam-moulding process for increased durability.

ORBIS showcases sustainable packaging at FachPack

Posted on by David Priestman

At this year’s FachPack, ORBIS Europe is presenting sustainable and durable transport packaging solutions for different industries (September 27th-29th in Nuremberg, hall 6, booth 316). That includes PlastiCorr, the first reusable brown box replacement for automated packaging lines as well as plastic pallets in a new design for the food and beverage industry. More show highlights are the UN-certified dangerous goods boxes IonPak (pictured) and foldable large containers (FLCs) such as the GitterPak and XXLPaks for automotive and industrial applications.

“Sustainability has become an important part of today’s supply chains. Reusable transport packaging follows the circular economy concept – in manufacturing, use and recycling. By making the switch to reusables, companies can reduce their environmental impact significantly. We will highlight all that at our FachPack booth,” says Christian Hemming, Technical Director EMEA at ORBIS Europe.

The PlastiCorr reusable plastic box is a direct replacement for corrugated fibre boxes with identical functionality and enhanced features. This sustainable solution works seamlessly with existing automated packaging lines and is ideal for food, beverage and FMCG applications. When compared to conventional single-use boxes, the patented design of PlastiCorr allows the plastic boxes to be reused over 70 times. In that way, companies reduce water and energy consumption, the amount of solid waste as well long-term costs.

Security and cleanliness with plastic pallets

In the area of food and beverage transportation, ORBIS showcases two of its reusable plastic pallets in a new design: the German Pallet (1180 x 1265 mm) and the Spanish Pallet (1120 x 1420 mm). Both are designed to convey rigid packaging, such as glass and plastic bottles or aluminium and steel cans in a secure way.

The new flow-through hygienic design allows for improved automated and manual washing. At the same time, the pallets’ two-piece snap-fit design with double wall thickness pallets blocks makes them more durable to handling impacts. These pallets can be combined with layer pads and top frames to create secure, stable unit loads for transport.

The dangerous goods container IonPak is UN-approved to transport solid dangerous goods (Packing Group II), such as lithium-ion batteries, and certified in accordance with RID/ADR (UN4H2/UN50H). The customised packaging consists of a robust foldable large container with European standard footprints (1200 x 800 / 1200 x 1000 / 1600 x 1200 mm) and a custom inner packaging solution optimised to protect dangerous goods. At the booth, ORBIS will feature a customer version of the IonPak.

For use in automotive and other manufacturing industries, ORBIS is showcasing the foldable large containers (FLC) GitterPak and XXLPaks. With a 900kg weight capacity and a European standard footprint of 1200 x 800 mm, the GitterPak is a sustainable, rust-free and foldable alternative to steel gitterboxes. The robust wall design allows for secure stacking of containers (1+5 static, 1+2 dynamic).

The XXLPak containers in extended length are designed to transport even long and hard-to-fit components. The inch footprints are compatible with European standard footprints (approx. 1600 x 1200 mm / 2000 x 1200 mm). All FLCs are manufactured from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) using a structural foam-moulding process for increased durability.

Gebhardt expands management

Posted on by David Priestman

The Gebhardt Intralogistics Group, headquartered in Sinsheim, Germany has welcomed two new members to the management team. This change is necessary to maintain strong company growth and meet the challenges of the market, optimally positioning the company for the future. Volker Nicolai has been appointed the new Managing Director of Sales and Service. Kevin Stadler will be responsible for Human Resources and Finances as Managing Director. With these positions, Gebhardt strengthens its current management consisting of Fritz and Marco Gebhardt and Reinhold Himmelhan.

Gebhardt Intralogistics Group has been on the market for 70 years and is proud of the many years of continuous growth. Fritz and Marco Gebhardt and Reinhold Himmelhan reflect happily on the successful past and made the company a reliable and innovative intralogistics provider.

Fritz and Marco Gebhardt explain the motivation behind the expansion: It was an important step “to ensure this development continues and to best position the company for the future, as well as to expand the market position further.”

Nicolai is no stranger to the company. He began his Gebhardt career in 1993, taking a short hiatus as Head of Project Management at ICM Airport Technics GmbH from 2005 – 2012. Since then, he has led the International Sales team.

“Gebhardt is more than just an employer to me. It is a long-standing connection, both professionally and personally. I am looking forward to the new task and am thankful for the trust they have put in me,” explains Nicolai, pleased about the new position as Managing Director of Sales and Service.

In December 2006, Stadler started his professional career at Gebhardt after successfully completing his industrial engineering degree at the University of Applied Sciences in Mannheim. Over the years, he has gained professional experience in many areas, primarily in controlling, finance, and human resources, and he looks forward to bringing his expertise to the management team. “In this position, I will do my part to ensure that Gebhardt continues to be at the forefront of intralogistics providers and remains an interesting, sought-after employer in the region and other locations,” comments Stadler.

“With Volker Nicolai and Kevin Stadler, we welcome two skilled professionals in their field and long-time employees to the management team. With this step, we are focusing on continuity and continued positive development. Intralogistics is facing great challenges, whose solutions we want to actively shape with the expanded management and the entire Gebhardt team,” Marco Gebhardt concludes.

Gebhardt expands management

Posted on by David Priestman

The Gebhardt Intralogistics Group, headquartered in Sinsheim, Germany has welcomed two new members to the management team. This change is necessary to maintain strong company growth and meet the challenges of the market, optimally positioning the company for the future. Volker Nicolai has been appointed the new Managing Director of Sales and Service. Kevin Stadler will be responsible for Human Resources and Finances as Managing Director. With these positions, Gebhardt strengthens its current management consisting of Fritz and Marco Gebhardt and Reinhold Himmelhan.

Gebhardt Intralogistics Group has been on the market for 70 years and is proud of the many years of continuous growth. Fritz and Marco Gebhardt and Reinhold Himmelhan reflect happily on the successful past and made the company a reliable and innovative intralogistics provider.

Fritz and Marco Gebhardt explain the motivation behind the expansion: It was an important step “to ensure this development continues and to best position the company for the future, as well as to expand the market position further.”

Nicolai is no stranger to the company. He began his Gebhardt career in 1993, taking a short hiatus as Head of Project Management at ICM Airport Technics GmbH from 2005 – 2012. Since then, he has led the International Sales team.

“Gebhardt is more than just an employer to me. It is a long-standing connection, both professionally and personally. I am looking forward to the new task and am thankful for the trust they have put in me,” explains Nicolai, pleased about the new position as Managing Director of Sales and Service.

In December 2006, Stadler started his professional career at Gebhardt after successfully completing his industrial engineering degree at the University of Applied Sciences in Mannheim. Over the years, he has gained professional experience in many areas, primarily in controlling, finance, and human resources, and he looks forward to bringing his expertise to the management team. “In this position, I will do my part to ensure that Gebhardt continues to be at the forefront of intralogistics providers and remains an interesting, sought-after employer in the region and other locations,” comments Stadler.

“With Volker Nicolai and Kevin Stadler, we welcome two skilled professionals in their field and long-time employees to the management team. With this step, we are focusing on continuity and continued positive development. Intralogistics is facing great challenges, whose solutions we want to actively shape with the expanded management and the entire Gebhardt team,” Marco Gebhardt concludes.

European Pallet Association appoints co-presidents

Posted on by David Priestman

The General Assembly of the European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL), held on 24 June 2022 in Zurich, has elected Dirk Hoferer and Jarek Maciążek as the new Presidents of EPAL. They will lead EPAL for the next three years as Co-Presidents. They have both been Vice Presidents of EPAL and have been active on behalf of EPAL Deutschland and EPAL Polska on the Board in recent years and contributed to the steady growth of the EPAL European pallet pool through their considerable personal commitment.

“I am looking forward to take on the responsibility for the continued positive development of EPAL with my Co-President Jarek Maciążek,” says Dirk Hoferer. “We have been involved with all of EPAL’s key projects for over ten years on the EPAL Board and Presidium and will continue our close collaboration as Presidents of EPAL. One of the key areas of our work will be to extend and further improve the significance of the open EPAL exchange pool for the circular economy, climate protection and the sustainability goals of retail and industry.”

With Maciążek and Hoferer, EPAL now has two highly experienced representatives of the pallet industry at the helm. For many years, Maciążek was on the board of the Polish company PalettenWerk, one of the largest pallet producers in Europe. Hoferer is the owner and Managing Director of the German company Treyer Paletten GmbH, one of the first EPAL licensees.

“EPAL’s strength lies in the direct involvement of companies who, as licensees, are active producers and repairers of EPAL pallets and EPAL box pallets,” explains Maciążek. “This allows us to ensure that every decision EPAL takes on the organisation of the EPAL European pallet pool is in line with the interests of our customers from the retail and industrial sectors who rely on the EPAL European pallet pool for goods and transport logistics. This will be the yardstick for the work of Dirk Hoferer and myself during our time as Presidents of EPAL.“

Hoferer and Maciążek are following Robert Holliger who led EPAL as its President from 2010 to 2022 over four terms in office. During this time, the number of EPAL Euro pallets produced rose from approximately 65 million per annum to more than 100 million in 2021.

“The EPAL Euro pallet pool developed into the largest open pallet exchange pool in the world while Robert Hollinger was in office,” say Hoferer and Maciążek. “Our aim is to follow this successful path and to establish EPAL as a modern association and an essential element of sustainable goods and transport logistics. On behalf of the EPAL Board and members of EPAL, we would like to thank Robert Holliger for his generous commitment to EPAL over many years.”

As EPAL Vice-Presidents, Maciążek and Hoferer had a close and confidential working relationship with Holliger over the years. The election of Hoferer and Maciążek thus ensures continuity in both EPAL’s work and the organisation of the EPAL Euro pallet pool. Holliger has been appointed as an honorary member and honorary president of EPAL by the EPAL General Assembly.

European Pallet Association appoints co-presidents

Posted on by David Priestman

The General Assembly of the European Pallet Association e.V. (EPAL), held on 24 June 2022 in Zurich, has elected Dirk Hoferer and Jarek Maciążek as the new Presidents of EPAL. They will lead EPAL for the next three years as Co-Presidents. They have both been Vice Presidents of EPAL and have been active on behalf of EPAL Deutschland and EPAL Polska on the Board in recent years and contributed to the steady growth of the EPAL European pallet pool through their considerable personal commitment.

“I am looking forward to take on the responsibility for the continued positive development of EPAL with my Co-President Jarek Maciążek,” says Dirk Hoferer. “We have been involved with all of EPAL’s key projects for over ten years on the EPAL Board and Presidium and will continue our close collaboration as Presidents of EPAL. One of the key areas of our work will be to extend and further improve the significance of the open EPAL exchange pool for the circular economy, climate protection and the sustainability goals of retail and industry.”

With Maciążek and Hoferer, EPAL now has two highly experienced representatives of the pallet industry at the helm. For many years, Maciążek was on the board of the Polish company PalettenWerk, one of the largest pallet producers in Europe. Hoferer is the owner and Managing Director of the German company Treyer Paletten GmbH, one of the first EPAL licensees.

“EPAL’s strength lies in the direct involvement of companies who, as licensees, are active producers and repairers of EPAL pallets and EPAL box pallets,” explains Maciążek. “This allows us to ensure that every decision EPAL takes on the organisation of the EPAL European pallet pool is in line with the interests of our customers from the retail and industrial sectors who rely on the EPAL European pallet pool for goods and transport logistics. This will be the yardstick for the work of Dirk Hoferer and myself during our time as Presidents of EPAL.“

Hoferer and Maciążek are following Robert Holliger who led EPAL as its President from 2010 to 2022 over four terms in office. During this time, the number of EPAL Euro pallets produced rose from approximately 65 million per annum to more than 100 million in 2021.

“The EPAL Euro pallet pool developed into the largest open pallet exchange pool in the world while Robert Hollinger was in office,” say Hoferer and Maciążek. “Our aim is to follow this successful path and to establish EPAL as a modern association and an essential element of sustainable goods and transport logistics. On behalf of the EPAL Board and members of EPAL, we would like to thank Robert Holliger for his generous commitment to EPAL over many years.”

As EPAL Vice-Presidents, Maciążek and Hoferer had a close and confidential working relationship with Holliger over the years. The election of Hoferer and Maciążek thus ensures continuity in both EPAL’s work and the organisation of the EPAL Euro pallet pool. Holliger has been appointed as an honorary member and honorary president of EPAL by the EPAL General Assembly.

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