TUGBOT 2 to launch at IMHX

At IMHX, TUGBOT is launching TUGBOT 2, which it describes as “the perfect solution for your intralogistics processes”.

No matter which type of cart, trolley, dolly or wheeled vehicle your company uses to move materials from point A to point B, the versatile TUGBOT autonomous mobile robot can pull anything on four or more wheels. Relying on an industrial-grade range of flexible and plug-and-play mechanical grippers TUGBOT solved the last obstacle to enable automation at global scale of intralogistics processes that use manually pulled wheeled vehicles.

No need for metal adapters, no need to purchase new carts or make any physical modification in your cart or facilities.

At IMHX, TUGBOT 2 – the world’s only AMR that can pull any cart – will be launched. TUGBOT 2 is a safe and flexible AMR that solves a world problem in automating intralogistics processes as it is able to latch to nearly all types and shapes of carts with up to 600kg using its flexible range of mechanical grippers.

TUGBOT is a Portuguese company focused in the design and manufacture of AMRs (autonomous mobile robots) to automate intralogistics and material handling processes that use carts, trolleys or dollies.  Visit the company at Stand 5G05 to meet TUGBOT 2.

TUGBOT 2 to launch at IMHX

At IMHX, TUGBOT is launching TUGBOT 2, which it describes as “the perfect solution for your intralogistics processes”.

No matter which type of cart, trolley, dolly or wheeled vehicle your company uses to move materials from point A to point B, the versatile TUGBOT autonomous mobile robot can pull anything on four or more wheels. Relying on an industrial-grade range of flexible and plug-and-play mechanical grippers TUGBOT solved the last obstacle to enable automation at global scale of intralogistics processes that use manually pulled wheeled vehicles.

No need for metal adapters, no need to purchase new carts or make any physical modification in your cart or facilities.

At IMHX, TUGBOT 2 – the world’s only AMR that can pull any cart – will be launched. TUGBOT 2 is a safe and flexible AMR that solves a world problem in automating intralogistics processes as it is able to latch to nearly all types and shapes of carts with up to 600kg using its flexible range of mechanical grippers.

TUGBOT is a Portuguese company focused in the design and manufacture of AMRs (autonomous mobile robots) to automate intralogistics and material handling processes that use carts, trolleys or dollies.  Visit the company at Stand 5G05 to meet TUGBOT 2.

CDS is here – and this time, it’s for real

Martin Meacock, VP of Product Management at Descartes, talks about the implications of CDS on the end of CHIEF.

With a global pandemic, chaos at the borders, an HGV driver shortage and ensuing supply chain chaos, compounded by political uncertainty, inflation and a fuel and energy crisis – it’s fair to say UK business has had a challenging few years. And that’s not to mention Brexit.

Since exiting the EU, UK traders have weathered the introduction, delay and ultimate abandoning of some of the rules and regulations for importing goods into the UK. They’ve adopted the new, full controls on exports in the other direction and adapted to new processes laid out by the Northern Ireland Protocol. To add to the disruption, the way UK Customs declarations should be filed is changing and a new customs declaration system (CDS), will take over from the legacy CHIEF.

After the best part of four years, HMRC has finally set dates, and the deadlines are looming. Going by the current schedule, CHIEF will be withdrawn in two stages:

  1. After 30 September 2022, you won’t be able to make import declarations on CHIEF.
  2. After 31 March 2023, you won’t be able to make export declarations on CHIEF.

Lack of preparedness

HMRC recently sent letters to 220,000 GB VAT registered traders and although not all of them will be importers and or exporters, and many will use the services of a broker or forwarder, this communication is indicative of the lack of awareness – and lack of preparedness – for the impending move. An estimated 4,200 companies made customs declarations in 2017. That figure’s only increased post-Brexit, with a number of new players entering the intermediary market from consulting and the IT world.

While some traders were early adopters (and Descartes was the first company to get its customers onto the new system way back in 2018) a huge number have yet to make the switch.

Fear of the new system as well as scepticism about HMRC and trade readiness has been understandable – as too the expectation of further delays based on precedent – yet, the consequences of inaction are now speeding dangerously close to becoming a reality. It seems it’s taken the announcement of two final deadlines to spur the remainder into action – to find out exactly what’s required – and to many that’s come as a shock.

From the latest data requirements and processes, to the sheer scale of the challenge associated with new systems and software; the move from CHIEF to CDS is far from straightforward. CDS is a dramatic shift away from the previous ways of working in CHIEF, right from the way the customs declaration looks, to the new data needed.

HMRC has tried to introduce some simplifications. For example, a blanket document code to declare that no prohibitions or restrictions apply “999L” has been temporarily introduced under CDS to speed up onboarding. And, like other software houses, Descartes continues to make changes to ease the process; however nothing can replace the time necessary to learn a new system and there is nothing like real user experience to drive improvement.

“Companies will need significant help to make the change”

Training and education are essential as is access to test systems to ensure organisations understand the new processes and steps required. In recent weeks, Descartes has seen an exponential increase in companies engaging to be ready for CDS, showing a new hunger for education and training that we expect to increase as we move ever closer to the end of CHIEF.

Changes are also necessary to ensure that brokers are able to act efficiently on behalf of traders, including where traders must ensure they have set up their duty deferment accounts properly, digitally allowing brokers to use them on their behalf and ensuring they have put new direct debit mandates in place.

Brokers will also be looking to get more specific instructions from importers, not only regarding any prohibitions or restrictions but also with regard to the trading relationship between buyer and seller, and whether any considerations have to be made about the valuation of the goods being imported.

For die hard customs geeks this is nothing new, but CDS has brought this back into focus with specific declaration elements and the risk of a broker being considered jointly liable for any customs debt, if they are unable to prove they received specific instructions and are acting under a ‘direct representative’ status.

With all the pressure on resources to reach the maximum efficiency, automation is key part of CDS. But unless companies have already put in place the level of integration or master data required, then it might be too late to benefit.

Reality bites

There is a great deal of source information available. HMRC has provided documents, such as declaration completion guidance; while systems providers such as Descartes have created online training courses, videos and other online guides as well as further technical solutions to guide users without making decisions for them. But those who have left it until now hoping for individual attention are going to find it difficult and it may be impossible to receive the attention they would prefer. With just a few months to go, group sessions from software providers on how to use the software, or external training organisations who can provide more generic CDS guidance are now the most likely to help.

And while both software providers’ and HMRC’s support teams have been bolstered in anticipation of the surge of questions and enquiries, it’s inevitable that there will be delays in responding, which is why self learning and education is going to be vital.

Time critical

It’s never been more important for declarants to understand the requirements to submit the customs declarations they need to, and be aware of changes in the codes used or information required.

If you choose to use a broker rather than submit your own declarations there are still five steps that should be taken:

  • Register for a Government Gateway account if you do not already have one;
  • Apply for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number if you do not already have one;
  • Register for the Customs Declaration Service via www.gov.uk/hmrc/cds-get-access . This will allow you to obtain your Import VAT and Postponed VAT statements as well as authorise declarants to use your deferment, cash or security accounts;
  • Choose which payment method to use and ensure you have set up the correct Direct Debits or authorisations;
  • Set up a process to ensure your broker has clear instructions and information about your consignment. For example – the incoterms, awareness for all values, the location information, and nature of transaction information.

Traders using brokers should also be prepared for the fact that the type of evidence and data they receive today will change – the old CHIEF prints just don’t exist anymore, the C88 is dead and the data is structured differently.

Conclusion

So even if there is a further delay to CHIEF decommissioning, or perhaps you only submit export declarations, it remains vital to take action today and be CDS ready; even if you do not plan to go live immediately you can both get on the front foot and take advantage of any dual-running possibilities.

Over time of course, CDS will become the new normal. Until then, let’s not fool ourselves that it’ll be a smooth ride, it’s a bumpy road to progress.

CDS is here – and this time, it’s for real

Martin Meacock, VP of Product Management at Descartes, talks about the implications of CDS on the end of CHIEF.

With a global pandemic, chaos at the borders, an HGV driver shortage and ensuing supply chain chaos, compounded by political uncertainty, inflation and a fuel and energy crisis – it’s fair to say UK business has had a challenging few years. And that’s not to mention Brexit.

Since exiting the EU, UK traders have weathered the introduction, delay and ultimate abandoning of some of the rules and regulations for importing goods into the UK. They’ve adopted the new, full controls on exports in the other direction and adapted to new processes laid out by the Northern Ireland Protocol. To add to the disruption, the way UK Customs declarations should be filed is changing and a new customs declaration system (CDS), will take over from the legacy CHIEF.

After the best part of four years, HMRC has finally set dates, and the deadlines are looming. Going by the current schedule, CHIEF will be withdrawn in two stages:

  1. After 30 September 2022, you won’t be able to make import declarations on CHIEF.
  2. After 31 March 2023, you won’t be able to make export declarations on CHIEF.

Lack of preparedness

HMRC recently sent letters to 220,000 GB VAT registered traders and although not all of them will be importers and or exporters, and many will use the services of a broker or forwarder, this communication is indicative of the lack of awareness – and lack of preparedness – for the impending move. An estimated 4,200 companies made customs declarations in 2017. That figure’s only increased post-Brexit, with a number of new players entering the intermediary market from consulting and the IT world.

While some traders were early adopters (and Descartes was the first company to get its customers onto the new system way back in 2018) a huge number have yet to make the switch.

Fear of the new system as well as scepticism about HMRC and trade readiness has been understandable – as too the expectation of further delays based on precedent – yet, the consequences of inaction are now speeding dangerously close to becoming a reality. It seems it’s taken the announcement of two final deadlines to spur the remainder into action – to find out exactly what’s required – and to many that’s come as a shock.

From the latest data requirements and processes, to the sheer scale of the challenge associated with new systems and software; the move from CHIEF to CDS is far from straightforward. CDS is a dramatic shift away from the previous ways of working in CHIEF, right from the way the customs declaration looks, to the new data needed.

HMRC has tried to introduce some simplifications. For example, a blanket document code to declare that no prohibitions or restrictions apply “999L” has been temporarily introduced under CDS to speed up onboarding. And, like other software houses, Descartes continues to make changes to ease the process; however nothing can replace the time necessary to learn a new system and there is nothing like real user experience to drive improvement.

“Companies will need significant help to make the change”

Training and education are essential as is access to test systems to ensure organisations understand the new processes and steps required. In recent weeks, Descartes has seen an exponential increase in companies engaging to be ready for CDS, showing a new hunger for education and training that we expect to increase as we move ever closer to the end of CHIEF.

Changes are also necessary to ensure that brokers are able to act efficiently on behalf of traders, including where traders must ensure they have set up their duty deferment accounts properly, digitally allowing brokers to use them on their behalf and ensuring they have put new direct debit mandates in place.

Brokers will also be looking to get more specific instructions from importers, not only regarding any prohibitions or restrictions but also with regard to the trading relationship between buyer and seller, and whether any considerations have to be made about the valuation of the goods being imported.

For die hard customs geeks this is nothing new, but CDS has brought this back into focus with specific declaration elements and the risk of a broker being considered jointly liable for any customs debt, if they are unable to prove they received specific instructions and are acting under a ‘direct representative’ status.

With all the pressure on resources to reach the maximum efficiency, automation is key part of CDS. But unless companies have already put in place the level of integration or master data required, then it might be too late to benefit.

Reality bites

There is a great deal of source information available. HMRC has provided documents, such as declaration completion guidance; while systems providers such as Descartes have created online training courses, videos and other online guides as well as further technical solutions to guide users without making decisions for them. But those who have left it until now hoping for individual attention are going to find it difficult and it may be impossible to receive the attention they would prefer. With just a few months to go, group sessions from software providers on how to use the software, or external training organisations who can provide more generic CDS guidance are now the most likely to help.

And while both software providers’ and HMRC’s support teams have been bolstered in anticipation of the surge of questions and enquiries, it’s inevitable that there will be delays in responding, which is why self learning and education is going to be vital.

Time critical

It’s never been more important for declarants to understand the requirements to submit the customs declarations they need to, and be aware of changes in the codes used or information required.

If you choose to use a broker rather than submit your own declarations there are still five steps that should be taken:

  • Register for a Government Gateway account if you do not already have one;
  • Apply for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number if you do not already have one;
  • Register for the Customs Declaration Service via www.gov.uk/hmrc/cds-get-access . This will allow you to obtain your Import VAT and Postponed VAT statements as well as authorise declarants to use your deferment, cash or security accounts;
  • Choose which payment method to use and ensure you have set up the correct Direct Debits or authorisations;
  • Set up a process to ensure your broker has clear instructions and information about your consignment. For example – the incoterms, awareness for all values, the location information, and nature of transaction information.

Traders using brokers should also be prepared for the fact that the type of evidence and data they receive today will change – the old CHIEF prints just don’t exist anymore, the C88 is dead and the data is structured differently.

Conclusion

So even if there is a further delay to CHIEF decommissioning, or perhaps you only submit export declarations, it remains vital to take action today and be CDS ready; even if you do not plan to go live immediately you can both get on the front foot and take advantage of any dual-running possibilities.

Over time of course, CDS will become the new normal. Until then, let’s not fool ourselves that it’ll be a smooth ride, it’s a bumpy road to progress.

Northwood on a roll with SnapFulfil WMS

A leading manufacturer & supplier of hygienic paper products has successfully made the transition from pen-and-paper driven warehousing to next-level digital technology after investing in an advanced cloud-based WMS.

The Northwood Companies operate across the hygienic sector in the UK and Europe. Northwood is the leading supplier of parent reels into the paper hygiene market and has grown to become one of today’s leading UK converters in the tissue market with brands including Rhino Kitchen Towel, Hush, Freedom, Raphael, North Shore and Whisper.

This fast-growing business is in the mid stages of a three-year SaaS deal with SnapFulfil for an initial three UK sites, progressing to between 40-45 users as implementations are phased in.

Its 400,000 sq ft Oldham operation was onboarded as a proof of concept with system training and go-live testing handled remotely (due to Covid-19 social distancing and travel restrictions) thanks to SnapFulfil’s ease of integration and solutions-based approach.

Northwood’s Oldham Site Manager, Steve Roche, says: “I’m very pleased with the SnapFulfil system with significantly improved visibility of exactly where we are with the finished goods area of the site. Stock accuracy is now excellent and I am also using the system to manage part pallets which has always been a difficult part of the operation.”

Phase 2 of the project was Northwood’s 350,000 sq ft consumer production plant in Birmingham – which handles kitchen and toilet roll lines for the UK retail market – in order to ramp up and pivot to meet the volatile retail demands brought on during the pandemic. Speedy integration and implementation were even more crucial, while part automating the pallet process and full RF output also facilitated little-to-no disruptions.

Northwood IT Director, Steve Whitehouse, explains: “SnapFulfil works seamlessly with our existing SAP and production recording systems and its configurability and flexibility brings a high tech, yet simple to use and develop platform. Stock location and picking speed for goods out are noticeably better controlled.

“Most recently we have implemented Snapfulfil WMS in our new, state-of-the-art and considerably larger Telford distribution centre at 500,000 sq ft, which will see us utilising more of the SnapFulfil algorithmic functionality for optimising inventory and stock management.

“The platform allows us to progressively phase in the solution to improve workflows and manage productivity. That’s the beauty of the cloud model – the heavy lifting has already been done and we know in advance what’s coming and how best to handle it.”

 

Northwood on a roll with SnapFulfil WMS

A leading manufacturer & supplier of hygienic paper products has successfully made the transition from pen-and-paper driven warehousing to next-level digital technology after investing in an advanced cloud-based WMS.

The Northwood Companies operate across the hygienic sector in the UK and Europe. Northwood is the leading supplier of parent reels into the paper hygiene market and has grown to become one of today’s leading UK converters in the tissue market with brands including Rhino Kitchen Towel, Hush, Freedom, Raphael, North Shore and Whisper.

This fast-growing business is in the mid stages of a three-year SaaS deal with SnapFulfil for an initial three UK sites, progressing to between 40-45 users as implementations are phased in.

Its 400,000 sq ft Oldham operation was onboarded as a proof of concept with system training and go-live testing handled remotely (due to Covid-19 social distancing and travel restrictions) thanks to SnapFulfil’s ease of integration and solutions-based approach.

Northwood’s Oldham Site Manager, Steve Roche, says: “I’m very pleased with the SnapFulfil system with significantly improved visibility of exactly where we are with the finished goods area of the site. Stock accuracy is now excellent and I am also using the system to manage part pallets which has always been a difficult part of the operation.”

Phase 2 of the project was Northwood’s 350,000 sq ft consumer production plant in Birmingham – which handles kitchen and toilet roll lines for the UK retail market – in order to ramp up and pivot to meet the volatile retail demands brought on during the pandemic. Speedy integration and implementation were even more crucial, while part automating the pallet process and full RF output also facilitated little-to-no disruptions.

Northwood IT Director, Steve Whitehouse, explains: “SnapFulfil works seamlessly with our existing SAP and production recording systems and its configurability and flexibility brings a high tech, yet simple to use and develop platform. Stock location and picking speed for goods out are noticeably better controlled.

“Most recently we have implemented Snapfulfil WMS in our new, state-of-the-art and considerably larger Telford distribution centre at 500,000 sq ft, which will see us utilising more of the SnapFulfil algorithmic functionality for optimising inventory and stock management.

“The platform allows us to progressively phase in the solution to improve workflows and manage productivity. That’s the beauty of the cloud model – the heavy lifting has already been done and we know in advance what’s coming and how best to handle it.”

 

STILL welcomes 64 new apprentices and students

Intralogistics company STILL is welcoming 64 new apprentices and students to its headquarters in Hamburg and its seven branches throughout Germany in September 2022. The new recruits are starting their training and study periods in six apprenticeships and three dual study programmes. For the first time, STILL is also supporting the dual course of study in ‘Computer Engineering & IT Engineering’.

The STILL training team welcomes new recruits to the company with the traditional Welcome Day at the Hamburg head office and via video streaming to all branches. The newcomers are given a comprehensive impression of the company, its products and its philosophy and get to know each other at the final barbecue. In the coming weeks, first insights into the different professional and learning environments, team-building activities, briefings on the current safety and prevention standards as well as a one-week forklift construction seminar will follow.

Innovators of tomorrow

“The training of qualified new talent has seldom been as important as it is at the moment,” emphasises Jan Wehlen, training manager at STILL. “We need competent, smart and innovative skilled employees to successfully meet future business challenges ranging from energy and sustainability to new technologies in the field of automation and robotics.

“At STILL, we are very aware of this responsibility – but also of the great opportunity for qualified specialists to help shape the future of our company and the industry as a whole. Accordingly, training young talent is a top priority for us.”

STILL has already proven many times in recent years that this is not an empty promise – with an excellent training programme, committed trainees and a wide range of qualification opportunities. STILL regularly receives awards for the high quality of its training. As part of the ‘Hamburg’s best training companies’ certification, STILL was awarded the top score of 5 stars for the seventh time in 2020. The company’s own retention rate also speaks for itself: all 36 graduates of the class of 2022 have been offered a job or a postgraduate position at STILL.

Post-pandemic challenges

Despite its excellent reputation as a training company, the recruitment of new trainees and students presented the company with major challenges for the first time. “We clearly noticed during the application phase that career and study counselling at schools only took place to a limited extent in the past two years. As a result, many young adults today are inadequately prepared for their choice of career,” explains Wehlen.

“We are all the more pleased that we were able to award our apprenticeships and study places to highly motivated young people, whom we are now supporting on their exciting and eventful journey into intralogistics.”

35 new trainees in Hamburg

At STILL’s head office in Hamburg, the training period has begun for 29 apprentices in six different professions – from mechatronics and industrial mechanics to industrial clerk. For the first time, one of them is a female trainee in construction mechanics.

“Unfortunately, female apprentices are still rare in technical professions,” says Wehlen. “We are all the more pleased to welcome a female apprentice in construction mechanics for the first time this year and hope that we can inspire more young women to take up technical jobs in the future.”

Furthermore, six young adults are starting their dual studies. In addition to “Electrical Engineering and Information Technology” and “Mechatronics”, there is also the “Computer Engineering & IT Engineering” course of study for the first time. Here, students at the Nordakademie learn to address the complex issues of the digitalised economy, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things – skills that will not exclusively be indispensable for the intralogistics industry in the future.

With the start of the 2022 training year, STILL will be training a total of 204 young talents at nine locations across Germany in seven different apprenticeships and nine dual courses of study. The full range of training opportunities can be found at www.still.de/karriere.

STILL welcomes 64 new apprentices and students

Intralogistics company STILL is welcoming 64 new apprentices and students to its headquarters in Hamburg and its seven branches throughout Germany in September 2022. The new recruits are starting their training and study periods in six apprenticeships and three dual study programmes. For the first time, STILL is also supporting the dual course of study in ‘Computer Engineering & IT Engineering’.

The STILL training team welcomes new recruits to the company with the traditional Welcome Day at the Hamburg head office and via video streaming to all branches. The newcomers are given a comprehensive impression of the company, its products and its philosophy and get to know each other at the final barbecue. In the coming weeks, first insights into the different professional and learning environments, team-building activities, briefings on the current safety and prevention standards as well as a one-week forklift construction seminar will follow.

Innovators of tomorrow

“The training of qualified new talent has seldom been as important as it is at the moment,” emphasises Jan Wehlen, training manager at STILL. “We need competent, smart and innovative skilled employees to successfully meet future business challenges ranging from energy and sustainability to new technologies in the field of automation and robotics.

“At STILL, we are very aware of this responsibility – but also of the great opportunity for qualified specialists to help shape the future of our company and the industry as a whole. Accordingly, training young talent is a top priority for us.”

STILL has already proven many times in recent years that this is not an empty promise – with an excellent training programme, committed trainees and a wide range of qualification opportunities. STILL regularly receives awards for the high quality of its training. As part of the ‘Hamburg’s best training companies’ certification, STILL was awarded the top score of 5 stars for the seventh time in 2020. The company’s own retention rate also speaks for itself: all 36 graduates of the class of 2022 have been offered a job or a postgraduate position at STILL.

Post-pandemic challenges

Despite its excellent reputation as a training company, the recruitment of new trainees and students presented the company with major challenges for the first time. “We clearly noticed during the application phase that career and study counselling at schools only took place to a limited extent in the past two years. As a result, many young adults today are inadequately prepared for their choice of career,” explains Wehlen.

“We are all the more pleased that we were able to award our apprenticeships and study places to highly motivated young people, whom we are now supporting on their exciting and eventful journey into intralogistics.”

35 new trainees in Hamburg

At STILL’s head office in Hamburg, the training period has begun for 29 apprentices in six different professions – from mechatronics and industrial mechanics to industrial clerk. For the first time, one of them is a female trainee in construction mechanics.

“Unfortunately, female apprentices are still rare in technical professions,” says Wehlen. “We are all the more pleased to welcome a female apprentice in construction mechanics for the first time this year and hope that we can inspire more young women to take up technical jobs in the future.”

Furthermore, six young adults are starting their dual studies. In addition to “Electrical Engineering and Information Technology” and “Mechatronics”, there is also the “Computer Engineering & IT Engineering” course of study for the first time. Here, students at the Nordakademie learn to address the complex issues of the digitalised economy, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things – skills that will not exclusively be indispensable for the intralogistics industry in the future.

With the start of the 2022 training year, STILL will be training a total of 204 young talents at nine locations across Germany in seven different apprenticeships and nine dual courses of study. The full range of training opportunities can be found at www.still.de/karriere.

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