July 2022

GRYN launches global carbon footprint calculator

Posted on 22 July, 2022 by Keith McKinley

Calculating the carbon footprint of supply chains is for instance in the EU a legal requirement from 2023. The problem: manufacturers, suppliers, freight forwarders and other service providers involved have no or insufficient insight into the associated data. GRYN provides transparency here with its open platform based on artificial intelligence. GRYN is launching a network that allows all players in the logistics market to analyse the CO2 emissions for which they are responsible.

GRYN offers a one-stop solution that is open to all sides. In the network, manufacturers and shippers, shipping companies, airlines, parcel service providers and other partners can link their parameters via interfaces (APIs). With its AI platform, GRYN generates high-quality supply chain and sustainability data from this and provides reportings. This way, suppliers and carriers finally gain insight into the data and automated data management. Thanks to global benchmarks and suggestions for improvement, companies can systematically reduce their CO2 emissions.

The EU regulation, which will be in place from 2023, applies to companies with 250 or more employees and thus to 55,000 companies. The regulations and the GRYN solution come up against a highly fragmented and inefficient €350bn market with structural deficits; especially technologically:

The top five haulers in the EU (road) represent less than 5% of the market

50% of trucks drive half-empty (EU)
33% of truck journeys take place empty (EU)
400,000 companies registered in the EU own only ten or fewer trucks

GRYN founder and CEO Oliver Ritzmann (pictured) has been active in the logistics sector for a long time. Sustainability is close to his heart. Within the competition, he sees GRYN in pole position. On the start in the European market, he says: “We connect manufacturers and suppliers with forwarders and service providers in a unique technology. We see strong market opportunities in this, especially since the growth potential is enormous. Our goal is to become the world’s largest network for sustainable logistics.

“Something has to happen! After all, worldwide freight transport accounts for 8% of global CO2 emissions, and including logistics locations, the figure is as high as 11%. At the same time, transport demand is set to triple, which would double emissions by 2050. To ensure that this does not happen, GRYN offers its platform. With our automatic reports, the data and suggestions for improvement, forwarders and carriers become more efficient. Suppliers can thus digitally map the entire value chain. This not only reduces their CO2 emissions, but also makes them more competitive.”

GRYN is now launching its platform – and thus tackling the “proof of concept”. This PoC- phase is supported by two leading global companies. The goal is to welcome more than 6,000 members to gryn.ai by the end of the year. Large logistics companies that want to directly share emissions with all customers via gryn.ai to automate reporting are already on board for the launch of the platform.

Through GRYN Community data, GRYN will use artificial intelligence to anonymously aggregate GRYN Members in the next phase to achieve consolidation effects through network optimisation. Through mode switching, for example from road to rail, or load optimisation, CO2 can be saved to a considerable extent.

In addition, GRYN ZERO will be launched in late summer of this year to give all transport service providers and shippers the opportunity to offer CO2-neutral transports through offsetting. Here, too, GRYN is building on an innovative certificate chain and a carbon pricing standard in logistics.

GRYN launches global carbon footprint calculator

Posted on 22 July, 2022 by David Priestman

The top five haulers in the EU (road) represent less than 5% of the market

50% of trucks drive half-empty (EU)
33% of truck journeys take place empty (EU)
400,000 companies registered in the EU own only ten or fewer trucks

Young Logistics Professionals Award winners announced

Posted on 21 July, 2022 by Keith McKinley

FIATA (the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations) and TT Club, the international freight transport insurer, have revealed this year’s regional winners of the Young Logistics Professionals (YLP) Award 2022.

The 2022 regional winners are:

Region Africa and Middle East: Ruvimbo Gukwe, SFAAZ, Zimbabwe – Dissertation: Growth by COVID

Region Americas: Karina Daniela Perez Perez, CIFFA, Canada – Dissertation: Resilient Solutions: The Future of Freight Forwarding and Logistics

Region Asia-Pacific: Avishkar Srivastava, FFFAI, India – Dissertation: Sustainability through efficiency Decarbonising trade lanes through sustainable logistics

Region Europe: Maximilian Druschler, DSLV, Germany – Dissertation: Logistics’ crucial role in the battle against the UN Global Issues

FIATA Director General, Dr Stéphane Graber, shared his congratulations to the four regional winners: “The YLP Award is of outmost importance for FIATA. It aims at developing the youth’s interest in the industry but also the soft skills that are crucial in the daily work of our demanding sector. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all the YLP Award 2022 candidates and most particularly to the four regional winners for their impressive dissertations. They have managed to put into words complex processes of the global supply chain while taking into account diverse parameters. The future of logistics is in the youth’s hands, and I could not be more proud.”

“All four regions were represented by a variety of impressive entries and the judges were struck by the high incidence of projects requiring close consideration of environmental factors and prioritising sustainability,” says Mike Yarwood, Managing Director Loss Prevention, TT Club and Chair of the Panel of Judges. “Multimodal solutions were to the fore and in addition to medical supplies, cargoes featured included insecticides, rail tracks, military ordinance, drilling rods and a satellite. We never tire of reading about the innovative approaches to logistical challenges employed by our young professionals. TT Club as ever is both proud and encouraged by the high levels of competence portrayed throughout the sector and is committed to maintaining its longlasting support for the awards.”

Both FIATA and TT Club are thrilled to continue recognising the inspirational and dynamic minds of the young logistics professionals’ community. As we slowly move away from the pandemic, FIATA and TT Club are looking forward to returning to the physical competition format. This year and if the conditions allow, the four regional winners will present their dissertations at the FIATA World Congress in Busan, South Korea, during a dedicated session with the final judging and announcement of the YLP Global Winner 2022. This will be a wonderful opportunity for the regional winners to fully immerse themselves in the freight forwarding community and meet their counterparts in Korea’s marine capital city.

Young Logistics Professionals Award winners announced

Posted on 21 July, 2022 by David Priestman

The 2022 regional winners are:

Region Africa and Middle East: Ruvimbo Gukwe, SFAAZ, Zimbabwe – Dissertation: Growth by COVID

Region Americas: Karina Daniela Perez Perez, CIFFA, Canada – Dissertation: Resilient Solutions: The Future of Freight Forwarding and Logistics

Region Asia-Pacific: Avishkar Srivastava, FFFAI, India – Dissertation: Sustainability through efficiency Decarbonising trade lanes through sustainable logistics

Region Europe: Maximilian Druschler, DSLV, Germany – Dissertation: Logistics’ crucial role in the battle against the UN Global Issues

First Hydrogen agrees UK fleet trials

Posted on 21 July, 202231 July, 2025 by David Priestman

First Hydrogen, the developer of zero emissions vehicles and green hydrogen production, is collaborating with the AHFC (the UK Aggregated Hydrogen Freight Consortium). The announcement coincides with confirmation that First Hydrogen’s two demonstrator hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicles (LCV) are on schedule for testing and on-road commissioning starting in late July 2022 in the UK.

The commissioning integrates First Hydrogen’s two MAN eTGE vehicles with the First Hydrogen FCE1 fuel cell propulsion system. The vehicles are expected to be delivered in Q4 this year ready for potential customer real-world usage trials in early 2023.

Managed by Element Energy, the AHFC is a partnership between leading hydrogen industry and mobility companies, including Air Products, Anglo American, Hyundai, Toyota and BOC. The consortium works together with large UK fleet operators to accelerate the commercial roll out of fuel cell vans and trucks and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

So far, 10 fleet operators have expressed interest in trialling First Hydrogen’s vehicles in their real-world operations, to experience the range and operational flexibility benefits hydrogen offers. These fleets comprise major operators from industries, including telecoms, express delivery, national utilities and national infrastructure companies; a national UK supermarket chain; a national vehicle breakdown and recovery association; an ambulance fleet; and a national fleet leasing group. The fleet trials will operate across multiple UK locations from West London, Birmingham and Sheffield, to Tees Valley and Aberdeen.

First Hydrogen and Element Energy expect to release more details on the AHFC van programme later this year.

Steve Gill, CEO of First Hydrogen Automotive, says: “Our proposal has received quite a response. We are excited to work with Element Energy and to bring our technology directly to fleet companies, demonstrating the benefits of fuel cell powered light commercial vehicles. It is a great opportunity for us to generate customer interest in our vehicles and gain first-hand customer and driver feedback to contribute to our bespoke vehicle development programme.”

William Darby, Principal Consultant, Element Energy, stated: “After hearing about the First Hydrogen van product, we knew this would spark a lot of interest from our van operator group. We are looking forward to working with First Hydrogen to ensure the trial meets the needs of each operator, whilst also providing First Hydrogen with the information and support it needs to continue developing the product.”

First Hydrogen agrees UK fleet trials

Posted on 21 July, 2022 by David Priestman

First Hydrogen and Element Energy expect to release more details on the AHFC van programme later this year.

Hörmann equips Panattoni shed at Borehamwood

Posted on 21 July, 2022 by David Priestman

Panattoni, Europe’s largest developer of logistics property, has completed the second stage of its development at Borehamwood.

Phase 2 of Panattoni Park Borehamwood 159 is 159,000 sq ft, being situated inside the M25 and just 2 miles from the nearest junction. Borehamwood 159 is also located outside the low emission zone and the London Lorry Control Scheme.

Rated BREEAM ‘Very Good’, the built-to-suit logistics space features 15m clear internal height compared to the typical 10m internal height allocation in London and 43 HGV parking spaces. Hörmann UK supplied full loading bays with safety and operational equipment including dock buffers, dock lights and traffic lights, plus sectional level access doors and fire exit doorsets.

The installation consists of a total of 20 loading bays and six level access bays, with the loading bays comprising Hörmann SPU F42 sectional doors with HTL-2 dock levellers, featuring a one metre telescopic lip which provides an optimal range loading platform. This enables precise bridging for a variety of vehicle types and, says Hörmann, a guarantee of fast, efficient, and most importantly safe loading and unloading.

Eighteen ‘single bay’ and 2 DSS-G ‘double/euro bay’ dock shelters have been installed to provide protection from the elements for both operatives and goods, helping to reduce heat loss during loading and unloading operations.

Other elements of the Hörmann UK loading system include reinforced Dock Bumpers, which are constructed from recycled tyre rubber with 15mm-thick steel faceplates. The buffers are designed to minimise any potential damage to the bay in the event of a vehicle making direct contact with the building. Traffic lights and dock lights complete the loading bays offering the highest standards in safety and operational efficiency during the docking and loading processes.

With the Panattoni site achieving an impressive EPC A rating, each loading and level access bay has been fitted with a robust Hörmann sectional door featuring double glazed vision panels, providing excellent thermal insulation with an impressive overall U-value of between 1.1 and 1.3 Wm2.K. Stucco textured profiles deliver a durable and resilient finish to withstand the external elements, while rubber draught seals to the edges of the leveller’s help support the minimisation of heat loss during loading and unloading operations.

The provision of 11 STU steel fire exit doorsets, installed through the warehouse and offices, completes an impressive range of products supplied by Hörmann UK, all chosen for their quality construction and the impressive service offered by the company.

Hörmann equips Panattoni shed at Borehamwood

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

Panattoni, Europe’s largest developer of logistics property, has completed the second stage of its development at Borehamwood.

Used pallet demand soars as supply chains cut costs

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

The used wooden pallet industry is reporting a large uplift in enquiries from supply chain users, as the prices of inputs including raw materials and transport have increased.

According to members of the National Association of Pallet Distributors (NAPD), demand has risen to “unparalleled levels” – up to 70% higher and from further afield than usual – as businesses seek to reduce costs of manufacturing, packaging, and delivery of goods.

Saleh Hijazi, press officer for NAPD, said: “The used wooden pallet business is experiencing heavy growth in demand from existing and new customers. This is being driven by a shortage of pallets and pallet timber in Western Europe, particularly in the Benelux region, diverting reused pallets and pushing prices up here in the UK. This has been further compounded by severe inflation in energy, transport, and other input costs.

“Reuse is helping to ease these issues – and is a central part of the circular economy, too. Wooden pallets are one of the most sustainable parts of a supply chain already, and repair and reuse of these has an increasingly important part to play in helping businesses fulfil their environmental obligations.

“While this challenging period continues, we are advising our customers that forward planning is more important than ever and we are working closely with them to fulfil the increases in orders.”

Used pallet demand soars as supply chains cut costs

Posted on 21 July, 2022 by David Priestman

The used wooden pallet industry is reporting a large uplift in enquiries from supply chain users, as the prices of inputs including raw materials and transport have increased.

“While this challenging period continues, we are advising our customers that forward planning is more important than ever and we are working closely with them to fulfil the increases in orders.”

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