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Day: 2 August 2022

634AI signs agreement with Musashi to deploy AMRs

Posted on by David Priestman

634AI, the Israeli developer of Maestro, an AI-enabled control tower for indoor mobility management, and Musashi Seimitsu, a global tier-1 auto part manufacturer, have signed an agreement to deploy 200 Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), powered by Maestro, across Musashi Seimitsu’s 35 manufacturing facilities worldwide.

634AI’s Maestro powered AMRs will be used to automate Musashi Seimitsu’s intralogistics operation and increase the safety and efficiency of activity on its manufacturing floors.

Musashi Seimitsu, a global transmission gear manufacturer, is a major shareholder in 634AI. After two years of testing 634AI’s Maestro in live manufacturing facilities in Japan, Musashi Seimitsu will be rolling out 634AI’s AMRs under the management of Maestro over the next four years.

634AI is part of the SixAI family, helping to bring advanced technology and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) into traditional industries. SixAI products are designed to improve productivity and better serve people around the world. Established by Israeli entrepreneur Ran Poliakine, the company solves manufacturing and distribution shortcomings by providing solutions that raise productivity and lowers costs.

SixAI introduces technology integration in legacy industries and acquires companies in both local and international markets, mainly in the fields of AI, robotics, green energy, cyber and fintech. SixAI has a strategic partnership with the Japanese corporation Musashi Seimitsu.

Maestro is 634AI’s proprietary AI-powered centralised control tower that enables effective and harmonised indoor operations. Maestro offers a constant visual mapping of the entire floor, ensuring hazards and obstacles are recognized and prevented. Alongside 634AI’s AMRs, Maestro can track raw material movements, provide productivity and utilization data of forklifts as well as provide safety alerts for forklift drivers, and even navigate the movement of heterogeneous AMR fleets.

With Maestro, Musashi Seimitsu plans to have a more automated intra logistics operation and better coordinated activity, where man-driven forklifts, employees, and robots can operate in sync and with greater safety.

Musashi Seimitsu’s global presence includes manufacturing facilities in Japan, Germany, US, Canada, India, China, Brazil, Mexico, Hungary, Spain, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Isaku Takeshi, Managing Executive Officer of Musashi Seimitsu, said: “We have been heavily investing in automation and AI capabilities over the past few years, with a vision to create a more humane workplace where people no longer carry out tedious, repetitive, unrewarding tasks. We believe 634AI’s distinct approach for industrial floor management and control allows, for the first time, people and machines to effectively work side by side in a much safer environment.  We look forward to a fruitful deployment across our global manufacturing sites.”

Oren Levy, CEO of 634AI, said: “Maestro’s global deployment with Musashi Seimitsu is a major leap forward for our company. It is a mark of trust and confidence in our ability to deliver an effective logistics automation solution in a real, busy industrial environment. Our computer vision-based AMRs powered by a central floor management brain and collaboration with Musashi confirm the distinct advantages of our technology in complex, dynamic industrial environments, and point the way forward for the rest of the industry.”

634AI signs agreement with Musashi to deploy AMRs

Posted on by David Priestman

634AI, the Israeli developer of Maestro, an AI-enabled control tower for indoor mobility management, and Musashi Seimitsu, a global tier-1 auto part manufacturer, have signed an agreement to deploy 200 Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), powered by Maestro, across Musashi Seimitsu’s 35 manufacturing facilities worldwide.

634AI’s Maestro powered AMRs will be used to automate Musashi Seimitsu’s intralogistics operation and increase the safety and efficiency of activity on its manufacturing floors.

Musashi Seimitsu, a global transmission gear manufacturer, is a major shareholder in 634AI. After two years of testing 634AI’s Maestro in live manufacturing facilities in Japan, Musashi Seimitsu will be rolling out 634AI’s AMRs under the management of Maestro over the next four years.

634AI is part of the SixAI family, helping to bring advanced technology and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) into traditional industries. SixAI products are designed to improve productivity and better serve people around the world. Established by Israeli entrepreneur Ran Poliakine, the company solves manufacturing and distribution shortcomings by providing solutions that raise productivity and lowers costs.

SixAI introduces technology integration in legacy industries and acquires companies in both local and international markets, mainly in the fields of AI, robotics, green energy, cyber and fintech. SixAI has a strategic partnership with the Japanese corporation Musashi Seimitsu.

Maestro is 634AI’s proprietary AI-powered centralised control tower that enables effective and harmonised indoor operations. Maestro offers a constant visual mapping of the entire floor, ensuring hazards and obstacles are recognized and prevented. Alongside 634AI’s AMRs, Maestro can track raw material movements, provide productivity and utilization data of forklifts as well as provide safety alerts for forklift drivers, and even navigate the movement of heterogeneous AMR fleets.

With Maestro, Musashi Seimitsu plans to have a more automated intra logistics operation and better coordinated activity, where man-driven forklifts, employees, and robots can operate in sync and with greater safety.

Musashi Seimitsu’s global presence includes manufacturing facilities in Japan, Germany, US, Canada, India, China, Brazil, Mexico, Hungary, Spain, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Isaku Takeshi, Managing Executive Officer of Musashi Seimitsu, said: “We have been heavily investing in automation and AI capabilities over the past few years, with a vision to create a more humane workplace where people no longer carry out tedious, repetitive, unrewarding tasks. We believe 634AI’s distinct approach for industrial floor management and control allows, for the first time, people and machines to effectively work side by side in a much safer environment.  We look forward to a fruitful deployment across our global manufacturing sites.”

Oren Levy, CEO of 634AI, said: “Maestro’s global deployment with Musashi Seimitsu is a major leap forward for our company. It is a mark of trust and confidence in our ability to deliver an effective logistics automation solution in a real, busy industrial environment. Our computer vision-based AMRs powered by a central floor management brain and collaboration with Musashi confirm the distinct advantages of our technology in complex, dynamic industrial environments, and point the way forward for the rest of the industry.”

Could Autumn peak be riskier than usual?

Posted on by David Priestman

84% of UK businesses are planning on moving from JIT to Just-in-Case supply chain models. But what will this mean for pre-Christmas planning, asks Matt Whittaker (pictured), Commercial Director at Bis Henderson Space.

Many retailers depend for their profits on the ‘golden quarter’ – the season running roughly from Halloween through to the January sales, and including, besides Christmas, Bonfire night, Black Friday and other excuses for conspicuous consumption. To meet demand, many businesses require space for warehousing, order picking and dispatch over and above their normal needs. Depending on the trade and the characteristics of the supply chain, the requirement may be short and sharp or more ‘shouldered’ over several months – and may be extended by the need to accommodate and process returns – but in a tight warehousing market companies will have to act now to secure the space they need.

Unfortunately the coming season is more than usually difficult to predict and companies are reluctant to commit, lest the ‘golden quarter’ turns out to be fool’s gold. There are real uncertainties on the demand, supply and logistics sides of the equation.

On the demand side, the ‘cost of living crisis’ is becoming a reality. Will this result in a general tightening of belts, or will consumers enjoy one last splurge? They could of course do both – cutting back on eating out, for example, reducing hospitality trade demand, but investing more in entertaining at home and thus buying more groceries. (Another unusual variable is the small matter of the football World Cup – if England or Wales enjoy a good run this could have a significant impact on consumption patterns).

Supply side problems are well known – the Ukrainian war, Chinese lockdowns hitting semiconductor (and many other) production lines, unusual weather impacting harvests, and logistics problems, at scales from international container shipping, through Channel port disruption, to internal factors from driver shortages, through fuel prices, to rail strikes.

A recent study by Retail Economics for ‘Retail Week’ suggested that while inflation will ensure that the value of consumer goods sold in this year’s ‘golden quarter’ will increase, volumes – which are what matter for warehousing – will be down, compared with 2021, by anywhere between 2% (food and groceries) to 13% (electricals) in every sector except health and beauty (a modest 0.2% rise). Although the comparison is with a particularly buoyant largely post-lockdown Q4 2021, that doesn’t mean the volumes of goods in the system which need warehousing, is necessarily lower – this year’s goods, now with luck on the High Seas, were often ordered back in the Spring.

A recent survey by SAP reveals 84% of UK businesses, manufacturing and retail, are planning to move from Just-in-Time to Just-in-Case supply models, likely increasing demand for warehousing as they stockpile critical inputs as and when they are obtainable (or affordable) and increasing competition for quality space. Meanwhile, as we have reported previously, most new-build space recently has been snapped up, especially but not solely by e-commerce firms, even before completion.

So predicting a company’s need for short-term space over the golden quarter, and then securing it, could be a nightmare. But we suggest a number of principles that businesses faced with this quandary should follow – and not just this year.

Firstly, it is almost never advisable to scale permanent warehousing and associated capacity for a single seasonal peak (although there are firms that have successive peaks, perhaps in different lines, for which this may not be true). But generally, the business is committing to a continuing expense which for much of the year is not producing a return. It might also be claimed that excessive space availability simply encourages lax inventory management, which can have a negative impact on cash-flow and even stock redundancy.

Second, it’s vital that businesses contract for the right type of space. Storing pallet loads in a bulk store, or even in the container in the yard, may be reasonable when they arrive in August, but if they can’t be accessed to pick and dispatch on demand as the orders come in over the Autumn, there are likely to be lost sales. Facilities that enable efficient, perhaps automated, picking and packing, are more costly so it’s financially sensible to restrict hiring these facilities to when they are needed, at peak.

Thirdly, location is key. Bulk storage and distribution, perhaps somewhere in the Midlands, works very efficiently in times of normal, steady demand. At peaks, and especially when sales may be fashion or trend driven, a model which holds more stock closer to the end user, whether retail store or e-commerce consumer, may be much more appropriate. But again, this isn’t necessarily a facility that makes sense to operate all year round. Seriously high fuel costs, and driver shortages, are also impactful considerations in peak season distribution planning.

Using an independent warehouse space consultancy that has extensive in-house expertise – and a wide network of contacts with available space – can pay significant dividends. An experienced, well-connected consultancy can help a business ‘right size’ its warehousing needs to meet seasonal patterns of supply and demand.

Through tapping into an ‘off-grid’ database of unused or underutilised warehousing space, suitable available facilities can be found on a short-term rental basis – ranging from bare sheds to shared, fully serviced DCs. And, short-term rates can often be highly competitive.

Creating a flexible space strategy for a potentially difficult Autumn peak season is a great way to mitigate risk.

Could Autumn peak be riskier than usual?

Posted on by Keith McKinley

84% of UK businesses are planning on moving from JIT to Just-in-Case supply chain models. But what will this mean for pre-Christmas planning, asks Matt Whittaker (pictured), Commercial Director at Bis Henderson Space.

Many retailers depend for their profits on the ‘golden quarter’ – the season running roughly from Halloween through to the January sales, and including, besides Christmas, Bonfire night, Black Friday and other excuses for conspicuous consumption. To meet demand, many businesses require space for warehousing, order picking and dispatch over and above their normal needs. Depending on the trade and the characteristics of the supply chain, the requirement may be short and sharp or more ‘shouldered’ over several months – and may be extended by the need to accommodate and process returns – but in a tight warehousing market companies will have to act now to secure the space they need.

Unfortunately the coming season is more than usually difficult to predict and companies are reluctant to commit, lest the ‘golden quarter’ turns out to be fool’s gold. There are real uncertainties on the demand, supply and logistics sides of the equation.

On the demand side, the ‘cost of living crisis’ is becoming a reality. Will this result in a general tightening of belts, or will consumers enjoy one last splurge? They could of course do both – cutting back on eating out, for example, reducing hospitality trade demand, but investing more in entertaining at home and thus buying more groceries. (Another unusual variable is the small matter of the football World Cup – if England or Wales enjoy a good run this could have a significant impact on consumption patterns).

Supply side problems are well known – the Ukrainian war, Chinese lockdowns hitting semiconductor (and many other) production lines, unusual weather impacting harvests, and logistics problems, at scales from international container shipping, through Channel port disruption, to internal factors from driver shortages, through fuel prices, to rail strikes.

A recent study by Retail Economics for ‘Retail Week’ suggested that while inflation will ensure that the value of consumer goods sold in this year’s ‘golden quarter’ will increase, volumes – which are what matter for warehousing – will be down, compared with 2021, by anywhere between 2% (food and groceries) to 13% (electricals) in every sector except health and beauty (a modest 0.2% rise). Although the comparison is with a particularly buoyant largely post-lockdown Q4 2021, that doesn’t mean the volumes of goods in the system which need warehousing, is necessarily lower – this year’s goods, now with luck on the High Seas, were often ordered back in the Spring.

A recent survey by SAP reveals 84% of UK businesses, manufacturing and retail, are planning to move from Just-in-Time to Just-in-Case supply models, likely increasing demand for warehousing as they stockpile critical inputs as and when they are obtainable (or affordable) and increasing competition for quality space. Meanwhile, as we have reported previously, most new-build space recently has been snapped up, especially but not solely by e-commerce firms, even before completion.

So predicting a company’s need for short-term space over the golden quarter, and then securing it, could be a nightmare. But we suggest a number of principles that businesses faced with this quandary should follow – and not just this year.

Firstly, it is almost never advisable to scale permanent warehousing and associated capacity for a single seasonal peak (although there are firms that have successive peaks, perhaps in different lines, for which this may not be true). But generally, the business is committing to a continuing expense which for much of the year is not producing a return. It might also be claimed that excessive space availability simply encourages lax inventory management, which can have a negative impact on cash-flow and even stock redundancy.

Second, it’s vital that businesses contract for the right type of space. Storing pallet loads in a bulk store, or even in the container in the yard, may be reasonable when they arrive in August, but if they can’t be accessed to pick and dispatch on demand as the orders come in over the Autumn, there are likely to be lost sales. Facilities that enable efficient, perhaps automated, picking and packing, are more costly so it’s financially sensible to restrict hiring these facilities to when they are needed, at peak.

Thirdly, location is key. Bulk storage and distribution, perhaps somewhere in the Midlands, works very efficiently in times of normal, steady demand. At peaks, and especially when sales may be fashion or trend driven, a model which holds more stock closer to the end user, whether retail store or e-commerce consumer, may be much more appropriate. But again, this isn’t necessarily a facility that makes sense to operate all year round. Seriously high fuel costs, and driver shortages, are also impactful considerations in peak season distribution planning.

Using an independent warehouse space consultancy that has extensive in-house expertise – and a wide network of contacts with available space – can pay significant dividends. An experienced, well-connected consultancy can help a business ‘right size’ its warehousing needs to meet seasonal patterns of supply and demand.

Through tapping into an ‘off-grid’ database of unused or underutilised warehousing space, suitable available facilities can be found on a short-term rental basis – ranging from bare sheds to shared, fully serviced DCs. And, short-term rates can often be highly competitive.

Creating a flexible space strategy for a potentially difficult Autumn peak season is a great way to mitigate risk.

IFOY Award application phase begins

Posted on by David Priestman

Which current solutions and products are among the best in intralogistics? As of now, suppliers of new products can once again apply for the International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY AWARD). A total of 12 categories covering all areas of intralogistics are up for election in the eleventh edition of the award for 2023.

In addition to forklift trucks, robots, warehouse technology equipment and special vehicles, autonomous mobile robots (AMR/AGV), shuttles, cargo bikes, drones, cranes, software and apps, as well as holistic warehouse projects that have already been implemented for customers, are also eligible to apply. In addition, outstanding technical details or components are awarded, such as ergonomic innovations, safety solutions or automation components. In the category “Start-up of the Year”, newly founded companies with functional prototypes can apply for an IFOY AWARD again this year.

The deadline for applications is 30th October, 2022. Applications can only be submitted via the Internet at www.ifoy.org. The conditions of participation can be requested from the IFOY office.

The IFOY AWARD has established itself as an indicator of cost-effectiveness and innovation and is considered the definitive innovation award in intralogistics due to its professional expertise. The jury, which includes the editors-in-chief of leading international logistics media, makes its decisions independently, according to transparent criteria and on the basis of professional expertise.

IFOY TEST DAYS in March 2023

Those nominated by the jury will undergo the three-stage IFOY Audit at the IFOY TEST DAYS, consisting of the IFOY Test, the scientific IFOY Innovation Check and the jury test. The decisive factor is that the nominees are not compared with each other, but with their competitor solutions on the market.

The IFOY TEST DAYS will also take place next year as part of the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS at Messe Dortmund. It will open its doors to the trade public on 29th and 30th March, 2023. The IFOY TEST DAYS will begin two days earlier – on the afternoon of 27th March with the first functional tests. On 28th March, the IFOY finalists will undergo the scientific IFOY Innovation Check and present their innovations to the jury of trade journalists – including Logistics Business’ own Peter MacLeod representing the UK – who will travel from 19 countries around the globe.

The TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS is a test event with an accompanying congress. From forklifts and warehouse technology to AGV/AMR and logistics robots to software – at TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS everything revolves around hands-on testing of selected innovations and new developments in warehouse and material flow technology. Decision-makers from industry, trade and the service sector with a concrete interest in innovation and investment have the opportunity to extensively test the exhibits themselves on 10,000 sq m of hall space and to obtain information from experts about the decisive trends.

The sponsors of the IFOY AWARD, which is under the patronage of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, are the German Association for Materials Handling and Intralogistics and the Robotics + Automation Association within the VDMA. IFOY partners are Messe Dortmund and the world’s leading forklift attachment manufacturer Cascade. The IFOY AWARD’s pallet partner is CHEP, the world market leader in the pooling of pallets and containers. Logistics real estate partner is GARBE, logistics service partner is LTG and trailer partner is Fliegl Fahrzeugbau.

At a glance: The IFOY AWARD categories 2023

  1. Counter Balanced Truck: Counterbalanced forklift truck
  2. Heavy Load Forklift: Container forklift, heavy load forklift over eight tonnes
  3. Special Vehicle: Special vehicle construction as well as forklifts and vehicles for special tasks (drones, cargo bikes, truck-mounted forklifts)
  4. Warehouse Truck highlifter: Warehouse technology equipment from the 2nd racking level upwards such as high rack, narrow aisle and reach trucks, pedestrian-controlled high lift trucks, order pickers etc.
  5. Warehouse Truck lowlifter: Warehouse equipment up to about the first racking level, such as pedestrian-controlled low-lift trucks, tugger trains, order-picking equipment etc.
  6. Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV/AMR): Shuttle (systems), automated guided vehicles, automated or predominantly automated industrial trucks in the context of the possible applications.
  7. Robot: Robots or robot-supported solutions for intralogistics applications such as picking robots, palletising and depalletising robots, cobots, robots for the automatic unloading and loading of trucks, etc.
  8. Intralogistics Software: Apps and intralogistics system or software solutions in the context of application possibilities, such as warehouse management systems, forklift control systems, driver assistance systems, fleet management systems, etc.
  9. Integrated Warehouse Solution: A holistic warehouse concept successfully implemented for a customer.
  10. Special of the Year: Components or technical details that significantly improve economic efficiency, sustainability or the physical or psychological conditions for the user, such as ergonomic innovations, safety assistance solutions, automation solutions, drive technologies, forklift attachments etc.
  11. Crane and Lifting Technology: Cranes for various areas of application, such as gantry and bridge cranes, bracket and wall-mounted travelling cranes, slewing cranes, suspension cranes, light cranes, etc. Lifting technology for various applications, such as chain and rope hoists, winches, magnetic and vacuum lifters, lifting tables and working platforms, etc.
  12. Start-up of the Year: Innovative prototypes or functional developments (intralogistics products, software, vehicles or components) of newly founded companies will be awarded.

 

IFOY Award application phase begins

Posted on by David Priestman

Which current solutions and products are among the best in intralogistics? As of now, suppliers of new products can once again apply for the International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY AWARD). A total of 12 categories covering all areas of intralogistics are up for election in the eleventh edition of the award for 2023.

In addition to forklift trucks, robots, warehouse technology equipment and special vehicles, autonomous mobile robots (AMR/AGV), shuttles, cargo bikes, drones, cranes, software and apps, as well as holistic warehouse projects that have already been implemented for customers, are also eligible to apply. In addition, outstanding technical details or components are awarded, such as ergonomic innovations, safety solutions or automation components. In the category “Start-up of the Year”, newly founded companies with functional prototypes can apply for an IFOY AWARD again this year.

The deadline for applications is 30th October, 2022. Applications can only be submitted via the Internet at www.ifoy.org. The conditions of participation can be requested from the IFOY office.

The IFOY AWARD has established itself as an indicator of cost-effectiveness and innovation and is considered the definitive innovation award in intralogistics due to its professional expertise. The jury, which includes the editors-in-chief of leading international logistics media, makes its decisions independently, according to transparent criteria and on the basis of professional expertise.

IFOY TEST DAYS in March 2023

Those nominated by the jury will undergo the three-stage IFOY Audit at the IFOY TEST DAYS, consisting of the IFOY Test, the scientific IFOY Innovation Check and the jury test. The decisive factor is that the nominees are not compared with each other, but with their competitor solutions on the market.

The IFOY TEST DAYS will also take place next year as part of the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS at Messe Dortmund. It will open its doors to the trade public on 29th and 30th March, 2023. The IFOY TEST DAYS will begin two days earlier – on the afternoon of 27th March with the first functional tests. On 28th March, the IFOY finalists will undergo the scientific IFOY Innovation Check and present their innovations to the jury of trade journalists – including Logistics Business’ own Peter MacLeod representing the UK – who will travel from 19 countries around the globe.

The TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS is a test event with an accompanying congress. From forklifts and warehouse technology to AGV/AMR and logistics robots to software – at TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS everything revolves around hands-on testing of selected innovations and new developments in warehouse and material flow technology. Decision-makers from industry, trade and the service sector with a concrete interest in innovation and investment have the opportunity to extensively test the exhibits themselves on 10,000 sq m of hall space and to obtain information from experts about the decisive trends.

The sponsors of the IFOY AWARD, which is under the patronage of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, are the German Association for Materials Handling and Intralogistics and the Robotics + Automation Association within the VDMA. IFOY partners are Messe Dortmund and the world’s leading forklift attachment manufacturer Cascade. The IFOY AWARD’s pallet partner is CHEP, the world market leader in the pooling of pallets and containers. Logistics real estate partner is GARBE, logistics service partner is LTG and trailer partner is Fliegl Fahrzeugbau.

At a glance: The IFOY AWARD categories 2023

  1. Counter Balanced Truck: Counterbalanced forklift truck
  2. Heavy Load Forklift: Container forklift, heavy load forklift over eight tonnes
  3. Special Vehicle: Special vehicle construction as well as forklifts and vehicles for special tasks (drones, cargo bikes, truck-mounted forklifts)
  4. Warehouse Truck highlifter: Warehouse technology equipment from the 2nd racking level upwards such as high rack, narrow aisle and reach trucks, pedestrian-controlled high lift trucks, order pickers etc.
  5. Warehouse Truck lowlifter: Warehouse equipment up to about the first racking level, such as pedestrian-controlled low-lift trucks, tugger trains, order-picking equipment etc.
  6. Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV/AMR): Shuttle (systems), automated guided vehicles, automated or predominantly automated industrial trucks in the context of the possible applications.
  7. Robot: Robots or robot-supported solutions for intralogistics applications such as picking robots, palletising and depalletising robots, cobots, robots for the automatic unloading and loading of trucks, etc.
  8. Intralogistics Software: Apps and intralogistics system or software solutions in the context of application possibilities, such as warehouse management systems, forklift control systems, driver assistance systems, fleet management systems, etc.
  9. Integrated Warehouse Solution: A holistic warehouse concept successfully implemented for a customer.
  10. Special of the Year: Components or technical details that significantly improve economic efficiency, sustainability or the physical or psychological conditions for the user, such as ergonomic innovations, safety assistance solutions, automation solutions, drive technologies, forklift attachments etc.
  11. Crane and Lifting Technology: Cranes for various areas of application, such as gantry and bridge cranes, bracket and wall-mounted travelling cranes, slewing cranes, suspension cranes, light cranes, etc. Lifting technology for various applications, such as chain and rope hoists, winches, magnetic and vacuum lifters, lifting tables and working platforms, etc.
  12. Start-up of the Year: Innovative prototypes or functional developments (intralogistics products, software, vehicles or components) of newly founded companies will be awarded.

 

London Gateway sets volume record

Posted on by Keith McKinley

DP World has, for the first time, handled more than one million TEU in six months at London Gateway, a record for the port as the provider of smart logistics solutions continues to make major investments in the UK’s infrastructure.

Between January and June, London Gateway saw throughput of 1,013,000 TEU, a 10% increase on the previous best half-yearly performance set in the second half of last year. This performance contributed to a record volume of cargo for DP World’s ports in the UK, with a combined total of 1,937,000 TEU when factoring in throughput at Southampton, Britain’s second largest container terminal.

DP World – which operates ports, terminals and logistics businesses on six continents – announced last year a further £300m investment in a new fourth berth at London Gateway, which will lift capacity by a third when it opens in 2024. Globally, the company reported a strong volume performance for the first six months of the year, with throughput growing by 2.7%.

Group Chairman and Chief Executive of DP World, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said: “Over the last 10 years, £2bn has been invested in the UK. London Gateway is one of the UK’s largest privately funded investment projects of the last 30 years and is set to grow further as part of Thames Freeport. Over the next 10 years around £1bn of further investment has been earmarked for the UK, making it our largest investment outside the Middle East.”

Ernst Schulze, UK Chief Executive of DP World, said: “This record performance illustrates our capacity to expand customer choice by introducing new sailings while continually improving our capability to deliver first-class services for all existing customers. We expect our UK business to continue to grow, fuelled by our rapidly expanding port-centric logistics park at London Gateway, one of the biggest facilities of its kind in Europe.”

“Operating two ports means we offer unrivalled flexibility and choice to customers. Volumes can be switched quickly and easily between locations, giving customers more control over their supply chains and increasing security of supply for critical goods coming into the UK. No other logistics business can offer this level of flexibility and certainty,” Schulze added.

The performance in the first half of the year was driven by a new international service, in addition to strong throughput from existing customers. Goods imported and exported – which saw strong growth in the first half of the year – included coffee, tea and clothing.

London Gateway sets volume record

Posted on by David Priestman

DP World has, for the first time, handled more than one million TEU in six months at London Gateway, a record for the port as the provider of smart logistics solutions continues to make major investments in the UK’s infrastructure.

Between January and June, London Gateway saw throughput of 1,013,000 TEU, a 10% increase on the previous best half-yearly performance set in the second half of last year. This performance contributed to a record volume of cargo for DP World’s ports in the UK, with a combined total of 1,937,000 TEU when factoring in throughput at Southampton, Britain’s second largest container terminal.

DP World – which operates ports, terminals and logistics businesses on six continents – announced last year a further £300m investment in a new fourth berth at London Gateway, which will lift capacity by a third when it opens in 2024. Globally, the company reported a strong volume performance for the first six months of the year, with throughput growing by 2.7%.

Group Chairman and Chief Executive of DP World, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, said: “Over the last 10 years, £2bn has been invested in the UK. London Gateway is one of the UK’s largest privately funded investment projects of the last 30 years and is set to grow further as part of Thames Freeport. Over the next 10 years around £1bn of further investment has been earmarked for the UK, making it our largest investment outside the Middle East.”

Ernst Schulze, UK Chief Executive of DP World, said: “This record performance illustrates our capacity to expand customer choice by introducing new sailings while continually improving our capability to deliver first-class services for all existing customers. We expect our UK business to continue to grow, fuelled by our rapidly expanding port-centric logistics park at London Gateway, one of the biggest facilities of its kind in Europe.”

“Operating two ports means we offer unrivalled flexibility and choice to customers. Volumes can be switched quickly and easily between locations, giving customers more control over their supply chains and increasing security of supply for critical goods coming into the UK. No other logistics business can offer this level of flexibility and certainty,” Schulze added.

The performance in the first half of the year was driven by a new international service, in addition to strong throughput from existing customers. Goods imported and exported – which saw strong growth in the first half of the year – included coffee, tea and clothing.

Soracom customers gain satellite IoT connectivity

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Astrocast, a leading global nanosatellite IoT network operator, and Soracom, a global provider of advanced IoT connectivity, have partnered to embed the Astrocast Satellite IoT (SatIoT) solution into the Soracom platform. This collaboration enables Soracom to offer integrators and end customers blended IoT connectivity options that comprise satellite and cellular connectivity.

Since 85% of the globe has zero cellular coverage, Astrocast’s SatIoT solution will provide a key component to Soracom’s 20,000 plus customers across the world; with devices in areas where cellular coverage does not reach. Organisations can access Astrocast SatIoT by subscribing to the Soracom platform, taking advantage of the seamless, secure integration to a choice of cloud services. They will be able to make use of Soracom’s blended connectivity options or SatIoT alone.

Astrocast’s cost-effective global SatIoT will enable Soracom’s customers to derive more value from their IoT investments. An array of organisations and use cases – of all sizes and types – will benefit from SatIoT connectivity. This range includes Smart Agriculture, preventive maintenance and asset tracking.

Satellite IoT Solution Requirements

When Soracom was searching for a satellite IoT provider, several factors were important. Of note, this included global coverage, the cost model, the power efficiency of devices that would connect to the SatIoT network and, very importantly, the ease of operation of the Astrocast SatIoT platform and its integration into the Soracom solution.

Global coverage: From truly remote locations to goods in transit, SatIoT needs to deliver global connectivity that complements the existing cellular network options.

Affordability: IoT operations are incredibly cost sensitive. Whether a business is looking to deploy ten devices or hundreds of thousands of devices, tiny differences in cost, performance and lifetime will fundamentally change the return on investment (ROI).

Power consumption: The efficiency of power consumption has a direct impact on device battery life. With devices typically located in remote and inaccessible locations, it is crucial to maximise battery life, because making replacements or repairs is often impractical and unaffordable. A low power SatIoT solution will radically extend the life of a device – with batteries typically lasting between five and ten years.

Bidirectional communication: Two-way communication is essential both to underpin innovative IoT applications and enable changes to the way the device operates. For example, a business can send a short message to change a device’s operating parameters – reducing the number of times each day a temperature recording is taken, from once an hour to just twice a day, would reduce power consumption, and extend battery life further.

Effective integration: To ensure SatIoT’s commercial viability on the Soracom platform requires seamless integration, ensuring organisations can gain transparent access to IoT data irrespective of the underlying network. Astrocast’s proven API ensured a rapid interface development, enabling Soracom to add the SatIoT connectivity option for its customers.

Kenta Yasukawa, CTO, Soracom, says: “This is only the beginning of our journey with Astrocast. The power of IoT to transform operations is indisputable. What has been achieved to date is compelling; but there is so much more that can be achieved together. With an affordable and accessible IoT platform, Soracom’s addition of Astrocast SatIoT will transform the ease with which integrators and businesses of all sizes can explore the power of SatIoT. We want to work together with Astrocast, and our clients, to accelerate innovation by combining our joint depths of insight, and knowledge of IoT; with the expertise of individuals on the ground that are developing and using IoT for the integrators and customers that we work for. This way, we can ensure the most effective deployment of IoT.”

“With 83% of organisations claiming to have improved efficiency by introducing IoT technology, it is little wonder that IoT solutions have the potential to generate $4-11 trillion in economic value by 2025,” says Fabien Jordan, CEO and Co-Founder, Astrocast. “This is the first time a well-established communication provider like Soracom is expanding its global reach with satellite connectivity. Furthermore, there is a significant pent up demand across many industries for IoT deployments across the 85% of the globe that currently has zero cellular coverage.

“The availability of cost-effective, low power, bidirectional satellite technology is providing new opportunities for an array of organisations and use cases. The accessibility of the Soracom platform with Satellite IoT will give many integrators and organisations a chance to explore and develop a new dimension to their IoT platform.”

 

Soracom customers gain satellite IoT connectivity

Posted on by David Priestman

Astrocast, a leading global nanosatellite IoT network operator, and Soracom, a global provider of advanced IoT connectivity, have partnered to embed the Astrocast Satellite IoT (SatIoT) solution into the Soracom platform. This collaboration enables Soracom to offer integrators and end customers blended IoT connectivity options that comprise satellite and cellular connectivity.

Since 85% of the globe has zero cellular coverage, Astrocast’s SatIoT solution will provide a key component to Soracom’s 20,000 plus customers across the world; with devices in areas where cellular coverage does not reach. Organisations can access Astrocast SatIoT by subscribing to the Soracom platform, taking advantage of the seamless, secure integration to a choice of cloud services. They will be able to make use of Soracom’s blended connectivity options or SatIoT alone.

Astrocast’s cost-effective global SatIoT will enable Soracom’s customers to derive more value from their IoT investments. An array of organisations and use cases – of all sizes and types – will benefit from SatIoT connectivity. This range includes Smart Agriculture, preventive maintenance and asset tracking.

Satellite IoT Solution Requirements

When Soracom was searching for a satellite IoT provider, several factors were important. Of note, this included global coverage, the cost model, the power efficiency of devices that would connect to the SatIoT network and, very importantly, the ease of operation of the Astrocast SatIoT platform and its integration into the Soracom solution.

Global coverage: From truly remote locations to goods in transit, SatIoT needs to deliver global connectivity that complements the existing cellular network options.

Affordability: IoT operations are incredibly cost sensitive. Whether a business is looking to deploy ten devices or hundreds of thousands of devices, tiny differences in cost, performance and lifetime will fundamentally change the return on investment (ROI).

Power consumption: The efficiency of power consumption has a direct impact on device battery life. With devices typically located in remote and inaccessible locations, it is crucial to maximise battery life, because making replacements or repairs is often impractical and unaffordable. A low power SatIoT solution will radically extend the life of a device – with batteries typically lasting between five and ten years.

Bidirectional communication: Two-way communication is essential both to underpin innovative IoT applications and enable changes to the way the device operates. For example, a business can send a short message to change a device’s operating parameters – reducing the number of times each day a temperature recording is taken, from once an hour to just twice a day, would reduce power consumption, and extend battery life further.

Effective integration: To ensure SatIoT’s commercial viability on the Soracom platform requires seamless integration, ensuring organisations can gain transparent access to IoT data irrespective of the underlying network. Astrocast’s proven API ensured a rapid interface development, enabling Soracom to add the SatIoT connectivity option for its customers.

Kenta Yasukawa, CTO, Soracom, says: “This is only the beginning of our journey with Astrocast. The power of IoT to transform operations is indisputable. What has been achieved to date is compelling; but there is so much more that can be achieved together. With an affordable and accessible IoT platform, Soracom’s addition of Astrocast SatIoT will transform the ease with which integrators and businesses of all sizes can explore the power of SatIoT. We want to work together with Astrocast, and our clients, to accelerate innovation by combining our joint depths of insight, and knowledge of IoT; with the expertise of individuals on the ground that are developing and using IoT for the integrators and customers that we work for. This way, we can ensure the most effective deployment of IoT.”

“With 83% of organisations claiming to have improved efficiency by introducing IoT technology, it is little wonder that IoT solutions have the potential to generate $4-11 trillion in economic value by 2025,” says Fabien Jordan, CEO and Co-Founder, Astrocast. “This is the first time a well-established communication provider like Soracom is expanding its global reach with satellite connectivity. Furthermore, there is a significant pent up demand across many industries for IoT deployments across the 85% of the globe that currently has zero cellular coverage.

“The availability of cost-effective, low power, bidirectional satellite technology is providing new opportunities for an array of organisations and use cases. The accessibility of the Soracom platform with Satellite IoT will give many integrators and organisations a chance to explore and develop a new dimension to their IoT platform.”

 

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