11 August, 2022

New tesa tape with sustainable features

Posted on 11 August, 2022 by Keith McKinley

tesa is expanding its range of packaging tapes with sustainable features with the launch of the new tesa 60412 Recycled PET packaging tape. This offers businesses in food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce and logistics, that typically rely on filmic (for example, polyvinyl chloride – PVC) packaging tapes, a more sustainable alternative.

Designed with sustainability in mind, the tesa 60412 Recycled PET packaging tape includes a number of features to help minimise its environmental footprint. To reduce the consumption of virgin plastic, used PET products including bottles have been recycled and used as a raw material for the tape. 70% of the polyethylene (PET) that makes up the backing comes from post-consumer recycling (PCR). The tape supports the circular economy and can be disposed of in standard paper recycling bins and recycling processes. It also features an innovative waterborne acrylic adhesive system.

The tesa 60412 Recycled PET Packaging tape is ideal for light and medium weight packaging applications of up to 30kg and is suitable for manual and automatic dispensers. It has a robust, abrasion-resistant backing and reliably consistent, pressure-sensitive, acrylic adhesive. This guarantees strong adhesion on recycled cardboard as well as low noise unwind. Its high tensile strength puts its performance on a par with PVC or biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) tapes. Users can also showcase their brands and advertising with ease as the tape can be printed with most types of ink systems.

“Sustainability is an increasingly important focus for businesses, and many are looking to make as many incremental changes as possible to help reach their goals. Our latest 60412 Recycled PET packaging tape has been engineered to minimise its impact on the environment, while maximising on adhesion performance. By choosing a more sustainable packaging tape, customers can step closer to their targets and we at tesa are proud to help them on that journey,” said Andreas Walkembach – Head of Industrial Trade & Converting Europe at tesa.

OPEX to exhibit automation solutions at IMHX

Posted on 11 August, 2022 by Keith McKinley

OPEX Corporation, a global leader in automation for almost 50 years, is introducing leading-edge warehouse automation technology to attendees of IMHX on 5-9 September at the NEC Birmingham.

This will be OPEX’s first time exhibiting at IMHX and the first time the company’s Sure Sort robotic sorting system will be on display at a trade show in the UK.

“Sure Sort is a scalable and cost-effective alternative to traditional put-wall sorting,” said Nicolas Dewit, Director of Business Development for Europe, Middle East, and Asia (EMEA), OPEX Warehouse Automation. “It is an ideal e-Commerce solution for micro-fulfilment centres, retail stores, and distribution centres that demand a small footprint, high accuracy, speed, and high productivity in a system that does not increase labour.”

Sure Sort robotic delivery vehicles, iBOTs, quickly and accurately process up to 2,400 items each hour with as little as three operators, and have the ability to recharge as they travel through the system. Sure Sort will be on display at IMHX 2022 Stand 5D115 where attendees can interact with OPEX operators to better understand how the system can benefit their business.

Used by leading retailers, 3PLs, and distributors for order handling, cross-docking, and parcel sorting, Sure Sort will be installed in several leading UK companies, including Boux Avenue, a part of the Theo Paphitis Retail Group, and third-party logistics company Torque.

OPEX offers a suite of modular, flexible systems that can be customised and easily adapted to meet evolving business needs, including Perfect Pick, an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) that dramatically improves speed, efficiency, and reliability.

IMHX 2022 attendees can experience Perfect Pick HD through a virtual reality tour of a warehouse in which they will pick items using an Oculus headset and guided by OPEX experts.

Ideal for e-Commerce fulfilment and micro-fulfilment, Perfect Pick reduces reliance on labour to pick and ship orders in a system that stores inventory securely in self-contained units. High-density racking increases throughput, reliability, and effectiveness while optimising a warehouse’s space with a fleet of iBOTs that access every storage location in the warehouse aisle horizontally and vertically and deliver inventory directly to a workstation, eliminating the need for complicated conveyor systems or transfer equipment.

With generations of industry expertise and a proven track record developing first-class automation capabilities and advanced engineering, OPEX says it continuously reimagines automation technology to help clients solve their most significant business challenges. For nearly five decades, OPEX has served as a trusted partner, collaborating closely with clients to develop customised, scalable solutions.

Sparck unveils print-on-demand e-Commerce packaging

Posted on 11 August, 202231 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Sparck Technologies, a leading manufacturer and provider of automated packaging solutions, will be showcasing its newly-introduced flexible print-on-box capability for its advanced ‘fit-to-size’ packaging systems at IMHX 2022, 6th – 8th September, NEC Birmingham, UK (stand 5F112).

e-Commerce businesses can now customise e-Commerce packages with colourful images and individual messages, as well as save costs, reduce shipment volumes, and boost packaging performance with automated ‘right-size’ packaging.

Visitors to stand 5F112 will be able to explore options to some of the most pressing e-Commerce challenges around packaging and fulfilment: from growing capacity in a tight labour market, cutting fulfilment costs and hitting peak targets, to eliminating oversized packaging, tackling rising cardboard costs and introducing brand-enhancing customer-friendly packaging.

Jo Bradley, business development manager for Sparck Technologies in the UK, says: “e-Commerce businesses are facing a ‘perfect storm’ of increasing order volumes coupled with fast-diminishing labour availability. Cost pressures too, along with mounting consumer concerns over excessive packaging, are leading to a significant rise in interest in automated solutions that can boost productivity at peak. These future-focused businesses are looking for systems that can cut waste, reduce ‘shipped air’ in transport, and provide capacity for further expansion.”

With the capability to tailor-make up to 1,100 packages per hour, for multiple or single item orders, the CVP Everest and CVP Impack packaging systems offer automated solutions for e-Commerce operations challenged by increasing order volumes, labour shortages and growing demands for sustainable packaging solutions. With installations across Europe, the US, and Canada, the CVP Automated Packaging Solutions effortlessly create, fill, fold and label each parcel in one seamless process – reducing package volumes by up to 50%, cutting cardboard usage by 30% and eliminating the need for void fill.

A new feature at the show is ‘print-on-demand,’ available with both the CVP Impack and CVP Everest models. Custom messages, logos, and branding can be individually tailored for each and every package. The ability to print directly onto packages offers tremendous opportunities for enhanced branding and individualisation of the package, giving the customer a more personalised experience.

Sparck Technologies will also be unveiling a comprehensive suite of data products and analytical tools designed to help businesses understand and optimise packaging performance on their CVP machines – ranging from real-time monitoring to complete performance reporting.

R-LOGITECH reports record results

Posted on 11 August, 2022 by Keith McKinley

R-LOGITECH S.A.M., a subsidiary of Monaco Resources Group S.A.M. and one of the leading international port infrastructure operators to the natural resources industry, has issued its first half 2022 earnings update for the period January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022.

R-LOGITECH reports that revenue and earnings rose significantly in H1 2022. This performance came despite worldwide supply-chain challenges, inflationary pressures, ongoing COVID-19-related restrictions in China and the conflict in Ukraine. Specifically:

Revenues increased by more than 40% to €557.1m (H1 2021: €394m)

Adjusted EBITDA rose by more than 15% to €75.6m (H1 2021: €65.3m)

Cash and cash equivalents amounted to €76.6m (H1 2021: €95.5m) and unutilised long-term working capital lines to a further €27m

Operational and ESG Highlights:

Successful integration of newly acquired terminals at the Port of Hanko, Finland and Port La Nouvelle in France, where our subsidiary Euroports has been appointed exclusive operator under a 40-year concession

Implementation of bulk berth extension in Sierra Leone

Earnings driven by a strong increase in volumes from new and existing port terminal clients across multiple commodities and regions, as well as an excellent performance from the Company’s specialist logistics division

Ongoing roll-out of initiatives Group-wide aimed at reducing the Company’s carbon footprint, with the commitment to implement sustainability principals that follow the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)

Frédéric Platini, CEO of R-LOGITECH, said: “We are very pleased with the performance of the business in the first half where we have benefited from a strong performance by our port terminals and specialist logistics business across all regions. Looking forward to the second half of the year, whilst watchful of the macroeconomic environment, we expect to further grow our revenues with new and existing customers, particularly in Europe and emerging markets.

“In addition to maintaining our excellent financial performance and our focus on delivering a world class service to our customers, we remain committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations in line with agreed global benchmarks.”

Croatia-Czechia cargo rail service established

Posted on 11 August, 2022 by Keith McKinley

For the first time, a regular train connection between Rijeka, Croatia, through Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (AGCT), and Paskov in Czechia has been established.

Emmanuel Papagiannakis, AGCT chief executive officer, commented: “The Czech market is one of the most important markets in Europe with a significant manufacturing hub and consumer market. Currently, there are multiple regular weekly block trains between Rijeka, Serbia, Bosnia and Hungary with extensions for Slovakia. We appreciate that Maersk has launched this initiative adding direct rail services to Czechia. This also confirms the growing significance of AGCT as a gateway for Central Europe and Southeast Europe.”

Launched in May, the Maersk rail service runs up to two times per week. The rail service is operated by ČD Cargo Adria, a subsidiary of Czech freight operator ČD Cargo, the largest railway transport provider in Czechia and one of the major rail operators on the Trans-European Network corridor including Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Poland and now expanding in Croatia.

ContainerPort Group expends despite challenges

Posted on 11 August, 2022 by Keith McKinley

ContainerPort Group, a top-10 drayage provider in the United States, announced its owner operator network grew by nearly 20% during the second quarter of 2022, pushing the burgeoning CPG fleet to more than 1,300 strong.

While much of the industry continues to face trucking capacity challenges, CPG’s driver-facing teams continue to build its network with a focus on comprehensive compensation plans that include four-figure sign-on bonuses, 24/7 support services, and state-of-the-art technology.

“Our Driver Resources and Driver Recruiting & Onboarding teams are committed to understanding what owner operators need from a trucking company partnership, and consistently work to make driving for CPG a best-in-class experience on and off the road,” said Joey Palmer, President of CPG, who oversees company-wide growth with a focus on team building and employee engagement.

Applications from owner operators seeking to join the CPG fleet surged in April 2022 and continued to swell into May and June, with the overall driver count climbing each week. Nearly a third of these applicants joined the CPG team.

VP of Driver Experience Jason Schmelmer shared some background on the surge in applications: “One of the first things we did was conduct a comprehensive audit of our driver compensation. Based on those findings, we adjusted our compensation approach to help us stand out,” he said. “We now offer a top-of-the-market compensation package for drivers. Combined with our Discount Marketplace and access to DrayPal, our custom mobile app for drivers, we have compelling reasons for owner operators to apply here.”

The Driver Services team has implemented numerous programmes to help boost retention and bring CPG drivers to the terminal for support. During the first and second quarter, the team conducted in-person driver Town Halls at multiple terminals to gather feedback and understand what else drivers needed to be successful on the road. They have also reintroduced Pit Stops – a semi-monthly event where drivers are invited to stop by the terminal for a free lunch, a gift item, and a moment to reconnect with the team on the ground.

Drivers are also periodically surveyed electronically, and their feedback shows that CPG’s focus on safety is one of the factors that contributes to their decision to drive with the company.

“We’re proud to know that our drivers value safety and want to stay with a carrier that prioritises safe driving habits,” said Schmelmer. “Our number one core value as an organisation is ‘safety first’ and our fleet takes this to heart. They want to get home safe every single night, and we are offering the education and tools to help them do so.”

The results of these collective efforts are resonating across the organisation, as noted by Palmer: “Being a people-first organisation, CPG prioritises a respectful, safety-focused, and rewarding workplace where our owner operators have access to competitive compensation and exceptional benefits options. Our focus on fair treatment of drivers, 24/7 safety, and operational excellence attracts owner operators who want a reputable partner.”

“We know that external market forces had an impact on our numbers, but it was heartening for us to see that referrals count as the primary source of new drivers. The fact that our existing network is encouraging their connections to join the CPG family tells us that we are focusing on the right things– a top-notch compensation package, productivity-focused technology tools and 24/7 support services,” added Schmelmer.

As CPG continues to grow its trucker community and improve relationships with existing operators across their network, current and incoming data depicts a strong outlook for growth in Q3 as well.

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