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Day: 14 September 2022

Sphera to acquire AI SCRM expert

Posted on by David Priestman

Sphera, a leading global provider of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance and risk management software, data and consulting services, has entered into an agreement to acquire riskmethods, a Munich, Germany-based, award-winning software company specialising in supply chain risk management (SCRM).

Founded in 2013, riskmethods’ software as a service (SaaS) solution harnesses cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI), big data and machine learning to protect its customers’ supply chain networks. Its software platform collects supplier data and real-time information, distinguishes critical signals from “noise” and provides users with detailed status of suppliers, so they can prevent business disruption risk before it materializes and achieve supply chain transparency.

“riskmethods’ cloud-based software identifies, analyzes and helps mitigate all types of supply chain risk, including monitoring sustainability practices and ESG compliance in the supply chain. Their innovative approach to SCRM bolsters Sphera’s capabilities in offering a Scope 3 emissions monitoring and reporting solution and furthers our mission of creating a safer, more sustainable and productive world,” said Paul Marushka (pictured), Sphera’s president and CEO. “And their presence in Europe and the US reinforces our ability to serve our expanding global customer base.”

The company’s SCRM software solution is a robust tool for managing risk in increasingly complex supply chains, as well as handling ever-expanding regulatory compliance. With global companies operating in a world of disruption and turbulence—pandemics and climate change, to name a few—riskmethods offers real-time SCRM solutions that enable businesses to proactively manage potential supply chain risks and comply with emerging operational and ESG regulations.

“For the last 10 years, riskmethods has been empowering businesses to master supply chain risk and create reliable supply networks,” said Heiko Schwarz, riskmethods’ CEO and founder. “Adding our advanced AI and machine-learning SCRM software solution to Sphera’s product portfolio will enable us to further our reach across the globe and help even more customers manage supply chain risk. We are excited to join the Sphera family of leading ESG software, data and consulting solutions.”

Kelly Wannop, Managing Director at Blackstone, said, “Blackstone’s 2021 investment in Sphera reflected our conviction in Sphera’s ESG mission and growth. The planned acquisition of riskmethods further demonstrates our commitment to helping Sphera expand their operational ESG solutions.” Eli Nagler, a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone, continued, “We are excited to welcome riskmethods to Sphera and eager to extend their SCRM solutions to even more customers.”

Sphera to acquire AI SCRM expert

Posted on by David Priestman

Sphera, a leading global provider of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance and risk management software, data and consulting services, has entered into an agreement to acquire riskmethods, a Munich, Germany-based, award-winning software company specialising in supply chain risk management (SCRM).

Founded in 2013, riskmethods’ software as a service (SaaS) solution harnesses cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI), big data and machine learning to protect its customers’ supply chain networks. Its software platform collects supplier data and real-time information, distinguishes critical signals from “noise” and provides users with detailed status of suppliers, so they can prevent business disruption risk before it materializes and achieve supply chain transparency.

“riskmethods’ cloud-based software identifies, analyzes and helps mitigate all types of supply chain risk, including monitoring sustainability practices and ESG compliance in the supply chain. Their innovative approach to SCRM bolsters Sphera’s capabilities in offering a Scope 3 emissions monitoring and reporting solution and furthers our mission of creating a safer, more sustainable and productive world,” said Paul Marushka (pictured), Sphera’s president and CEO. “And their presence in Europe and the US reinforces our ability to serve our expanding global customer base.”

The company’s SCRM software solution is a robust tool for managing risk in increasingly complex supply chains, as well as handling ever-expanding regulatory compliance. With global companies operating in a world of disruption and turbulence—pandemics and climate change, to name a few—riskmethods offers real-time SCRM solutions that enable businesses to proactively manage potential supply chain risks and comply with emerging operational and ESG regulations.

“For the last 10 years, riskmethods has been empowering businesses to master supply chain risk and create reliable supply networks,” said Heiko Schwarz, riskmethods’ CEO and founder. “Adding our advanced AI and machine-learning SCRM software solution to Sphera’s product portfolio will enable us to further our reach across the globe and help even more customers manage supply chain risk. We are excited to join the Sphera family of leading ESG software, data and consulting solutions.”

Kelly Wannop, Managing Director at Blackstone, said, “Blackstone’s 2021 investment in Sphera reflected our conviction in Sphera’s ESG mission and growth. The planned acquisition of riskmethods further demonstrates our commitment to helping Sphera expand their operational ESG solutions.” Eli Nagler, a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone, continued, “We are excited to welcome riskmethods to Sphera and eager to extend their SCRM solutions to even more customers.”

Manifest Vegas boasts full conference programme

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Manifest Vegas 2023 has so much planned that it couldn’t fit all of its content into a two-day programme! The conference programme will officially kick off at noon on January 31st 2023 with three half-day tracks running between 13.00 and 17.00: Intelligent Infrastructure, Maritime & Ports,  and Sustainability.

Manifest’s Intelligent Infrastructure Forum will give attendees the opportunity to hear about key issues across Mobility, 5G, Connectivity and City Infrastructures. Fortune Business Insights predicts that the Smart Infrastructure Market will reach US$434.16bn by 2028, and the leaders that are spearheading this shift will be at Manifest. The list of confirmed speakers includes the Autonomy Institute, Prompt Global, Velodyne Lidar, the State of Michigan, CALSTART, Embark Trucks and Waabi.

Maritime & Ports Symposium will build on the necessary conversations the show began at its 2022 event – gathering hundreds of attendees to learn the ins and outs of Ocean Freight, Big Data & IoT, Data Sharing, Visibility, Risk & Security, and Port Innovations. According to CNBC roughly $30bn in trade is on vessels anchored off the East and West Coast of the USA, and the situation is similar in Europe. There is clearly no slowing down of these bottlenecks and Manifest will address the major pain points (and solutions) disrupting the industry.

The Sustainability Summit will combine thought leadership from shippers, carriers, associations, technology leaders, investors and other ecosystem players to discuss key ESG issues across organisations; from Procurement and Supplier Relations to Transportation, Warehousing and Packaging. With regulation, investment and customers demanding a more sustainable world, the Manifest community recognises the importance of these conversations. Investors are following suit, having allocated approximately $64bn in total funding to cleantech businesses in 2021, and this figure is expected to surpass $100bn in the next few years.

Visit www.manife.st to view the full list of speakers that are participating in the Pre-Show programming. By registering VIA THIS LINK, Logistics Business readers receive an additional $200 off the current registration price! Tickets grant access to Manifest’s entire program.

Manifest will offer unparalleled access to a comprehensive gathering of entrepreneurs, investors and executives from BCOs/Shippers. The event will bring together over 3,000 executives on January 31st – February 2nd, 2023 at Caesars Forum, Las Vegas.

Manifest Vegas boasts full conference programme

Posted on by David Priestman

Manifest Vegas 2023 has so much planned that it couldn’t fit all of its content into a two-day programme! The conference programme will officially kick off at noon on January 31st 2023 with three half-day tracks running between 13.00 and 17.00: Intelligent Infrastructure, Maritime & Ports,  and Sustainability.

Manifest’s Intelligent Infrastructure Forum will give attendees the opportunity to hear about key issues across Mobility, 5G, Connectivity and City Infrastructures. Fortune Business Insights predicts that the Smart Infrastructure Market will reach US$434.16bn by 2028, and the leaders that are spearheading this shift will be at Manifest. The list of confirmed speakers includes the Autonomy Institute, Prompt Global, Velodyne Lidar, the State of Michigan, CALSTART, Embark Trucks and Waabi.

Maritime & Ports Symposium will build on the necessary conversations the show began at its 2022 event – gathering hundreds of attendees to learn the ins and outs of Ocean Freight, Big Data & IoT, Data Sharing, Visibility, Risk & Security, and Port Innovations. According to CNBC roughly $30bn in trade is on vessels anchored off the East and West Coast of the USA, and the situation is similar in Europe. There is clearly no slowing down of these bottlenecks and Manifest will address the major pain points (and solutions) disrupting the industry.

The Sustainability Summit will combine thought leadership from shippers, carriers, associations, technology leaders, investors and other ecosystem players to discuss key ESG issues across organisations; from Procurement and Supplier Relations to Transportation, Warehousing and Packaging. With regulation, investment and customers demanding a more sustainable world, the Manifest community recognises the importance of these conversations. Investors are following suit, having allocated approximately $64bn in total funding to cleantech businesses in 2021, and this figure is expected to surpass $100bn in the next few years.

Visit www.manife.st to view the full list of speakers that are participating in the Pre-Show programming. By registering VIA THIS LINK, Logistics Business readers receive an additional $200 off the current registration price! Tickets grant access to Manifest’s entire program.

Manifest will offer unparalleled access to a comprehensive gathering of entrepreneurs, investors and executives from BCOs/Shippers. The event will bring together over 3,000 executives on January 31st – February 2nd, 2023 at Caesars Forum, Las Vegas.

COTRA optimises vehicle logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

COTRA Autotransport AG will be relying on INFORM’s IT solutions at its vehicle logistics centre in Studen in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. This is the first time that the vehicle logistics systems developed by the global software company from Aachen will be used in Switzerland – following successful projects in seven other European countries, as well as the USA, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Chile. The digitalisation and optimisation project aims to ensure full transparency of all vehicle logistics processes, greater efficiency based on algorithmically optimised work sequences, and improved flexibility with customers.

As a specialist for vehicle logistics and vehicle transport, COTRA in Switzerland counts among its customers not only car manufacturers but also dealerships, second-hand dealers, vehicle subscription services and other companies, providing these with a very broad range of upstream and downstream services. At its vehicle logistics centre in Studen alone, the company processes over 50,000 new and used vehicles annually. This includes handling the return of used hire cars, company, leased and subscription vehicles, as well as inspections, technical and optical preparation, maintenance, and customer-specific PDI (pre-delivery inspections), customs clearance, cleaning, storage and transport of vehicles. The new systems from INFORM, which are based on operations research and artificial intelligence, are set to make complex logistics processes even more flexible and transparent.

Individual workflows tailored to customer requirements

According to Hartmut Haubrich, Vehicle Logistics Director at INFORM: “Vehicle logistics in general and the high-growth used car market in particular are known for having to meet customer requirements that often change at very short notice. In many cases, our customers need to be able to map new process steps for all vehicles of a particular manufacturer or for specific models within just a matter of days. Our algorithms are designed for dynamic process planning and optimisation in real time.”

At COTRA, the SYNCROTESS vehicle logistics system will, in the near future, take care of the optimised allocation of vehicle movements to employees, selection of parking spaces and the sequencing of selected tasks in the workshop. Vehicle movements or the unloading of trains are, for example, planned according to priority, availability of required resources, and impact on adjacent processes. If, say, an employee drives a vehicle from A to B within the parking space, this person is next assigned a task (where possible) that begins close to the last parking spot so as to minimise walking distances. A variety of other optimisation logics are integrated into the system, while COTRA can also configure and implement its own workflows at any time. Each task is documented by the employees themselves using a mobile application, which ensures that transparent data is available for subsequent planning, as well as controlling, billing, and communication with customers.

Future-proof and resilient

With over 180,000 vehicles transported each year, around 45 percent of all cars on Swiss roads have, at some stage, passed through the hands of COTRA’s more than 250 employees. According to Remo Sollberger, Operations Manager of the Vehicle Logistics Center in Studen: “One of our unique selling points is that we’ve been making all of our customers’ individual requirements a reality for 55 years. Changing customer requirements motivated us to rethink our processes and systems and to consistently drive digitalisation forward. This is how we came into contact with INFORM GmbH and, after a pilot project, we were satisfied that their SYNCROTESS solution was the one for us. Once it is implemented, we’ll be in a position make our processes even more customised, dynamic, and transparent to plan, control, and analyse. This allows us to create even more significant added value for our customers and supports our forward strategy in vehicle logistics.”

COTRA optimises vehicle logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

COTRA Autotransport AG will be relying on INFORM’s IT solutions at its vehicle logistics centre in Studen in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. This is the first time that the vehicle logistics systems developed by the global software company from Aachen will be used in Switzerland – following successful projects in seven other European countries, as well as the USA, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Chile. The digitalisation and optimisation project aims to ensure full transparency of all vehicle logistics processes, greater efficiency based on algorithmically optimised work sequences, and improved flexibility with customers.

As a specialist for vehicle logistics and vehicle transport, COTRA in Switzerland counts among its customers not only car manufacturers but also dealerships, second-hand dealers, vehicle subscription services and other companies, providing these with a very broad range of upstream and downstream services. At its vehicle logistics centre in Studen alone, the company processes over 50,000 new and used vehicles annually. This includes handling the return of used hire cars, company, leased and subscription vehicles, as well as inspections, technical and optical preparation, maintenance, and customer-specific PDI (pre-delivery inspections), customs clearance, cleaning, storage and transport of vehicles. The new systems from INFORM, which are based on operations research and artificial intelligence, are set to make complex logistics processes even more flexible and transparent.

Individual workflows tailored to customer requirements

According to Hartmut Haubrich, Vehicle Logistics Director at INFORM: “Vehicle logistics in general and the high-growth used car market in particular are known for having to meet customer requirements that often change at very short notice. In many cases, our customers need to be able to map new process steps for all vehicles of a particular manufacturer or for specific models within just a matter of days. Our algorithms are designed for dynamic process planning and optimisation in real time.”

At COTRA, the SYNCROTESS vehicle logistics system will, in the near future, take care of the optimised allocation of vehicle movements to employees, selection of parking spaces and the sequencing of selected tasks in the workshop. Vehicle movements or the unloading of trains are, for example, planned according to priority, availability of required resources, and impact on adjacent processes. If, say, an employee drives a vehicle from A to B within the parking space, this person is next assigned a task (where possible) that begins close to the last parking spot so as to minimise walking distances. A variety of other optimisation logics are integrated into the system, while COTRA can also configure and implement its own workflows at any time. Each task is documented by the employees themselves using a mobile application, which ensures that transparent data is available for subsequent planning, as well as controlling, billing, and communication with customers.

Future-proof and resilient

With over 180,000 vehicles transported each year, around 45 percent of all cars on Swiss roads have, at some stage, passed through the hands of COTRA’s more than 250 employees. According to Remo Sollberger, Operations Manager of the Vehicle Logistics Center in Studen: “One of our unique selling points is that we’ve been making all of our customers’ individual requirements a reality for 55 years. Changing customer requirements motivated us to rethink our processes and systems and to consistently drive digitalisation forward. This is how we came into contact with INFORM GmbH and, after a pilot project, we were satisfied that their SYNCROTESS solution was the one for us. Once it is implemented, we’ll be in a position make our processes even more customised, dynamic, and transparent to plan, control, and analyse. This allows us to create even more significant added value for our customers and supports our forward strategy in vehicle logistics.”

Thermo King launches three breakthrough refrigeration systems

Posted on by David Priestman

Thermo King, a leader in transport temperature control solutions, has unveiled three new breakthrough models of the Advancer trailer refrigeration solutions: the multi-temperature Advancer Spectrum (pictured), the Advancer AxlePower energy recovery system and the electric, engineless Advancer-e.

“From the outset, Thermo King’s ambition behind Advancer has been to move beyond incremental enhancements and to create trailer refrigeration systems that feature innovation never before seen on the market,” said Colm O’Grady, trailer product leader at Thermo King. “Our goal has been to develop even more sustainable refrigeration technologies, enable our products to fit alternative power sources, reduce energy consumption to the lowest possible levels, and to use this innovation to reduce the total cost of ownership of our products for our customers. The technology behind the expanded Advancer portfolio makes these goals a reality.”

The three new trailer refrigeration systems expand the market-leading Thermo King Advancer A-Series portfolio, renowned for its performance, temperature control, unrivalled system efficiency and fleet connectivity.

Advancer Spectrum

Advancer Spectrum: new level of performance in multi-zone temperature configurations, with precise temperature management and reduced fuel and operational costs.

The new Advancer Spectrum features a 48V DC mild-hybrid technology now available for temperature configurations of two distinct zones during the same journey, with precise temperature management and set point control.

Advancer Spectrum introduces a new level of performance to the multi-temperature trailer Advancer A-Series, fastest temperature recovery and pulldown, and highest refrigeration capacity on the market. Advancer Spectrum delivers up to 30% savings on fuel costs compared to the market average. The units’ architecture also lowers service interval rate of up to 30% and reduces unscheduled maintenance by up to 60%.

The new, custom-designed remote evaporators bring additional capacity to the remote zone, maximising the flexibility and efficiency of customers’ operations. Combined with the all-new Advancer multi-temp controller, customers are able to precisely manage the temperature while gaining real-time insight into how the unit is running, how the temperature zones are performing and how much fuel the unit is using.

Advancer Spectrum is the first multi-temperature trailer unit on the market offering complete transparency of fuel levels and consumption. Customers can access the fuel consumption and other data both on the unit and remotely via telematics, enabling them to optimise their fleet more innovatively.  Fleet intelligence is standard, as Advancer Spectrum comes included with 2 years of full, two-way telematics connectivity service.

The Advancer Spectrum’s unrivalled system efficiency significantly lowers customers’ CO2 footprint with engine emissions substantially lower than the maximum allowed by latest NRMM Stage V emission standards. The Whisper Pro version offers sound levels meeting the PIEK enforced standards, thus complying with the most stringent noise-regulations for quiet, inner-city deliveries at any time of day and night. Advancer Spectrum units are also compatible with alternative power source solutions like the AxlePower or Envirodrive.

Advancer AxlePower

Advancer AxlePower: capturing lost energy from the axle into a low or zero-emission, autonomous power source for the refrigeration unit.

Advancer AxlePower’s smart energy generating system delivers the power needed to run the trailer refrigeration unit by converting energy recovered by the trailer’s axle during the vehicle’s routine operation. Developed in partnership with BPW, a leader in running gears and mobility services for transport, the Advancer AxlePower is a fully integrated, tractor independent system that combines BPW’s ePower axle with Thermo King refrigeration unit and battery storage technology.

The system stores the energy generated while the vehicle is rolling or braking in a high voltage battery and reuses it to power the refrigeration unit – enabling fully electric, low or zero-emission and autonomous trailer refrigeration. The battery pack, depending on the configuration, provides an average of five hours of refrigeration unit autonomy to cover stationary operations. Featuring smart power management that controls the engagement and disengagement of the generators, Advancer AxlePower also minimises the resistance on the tractor and provides the driver and fleet manager with real-time performance visibility to avoid ‘charge anxiety’.

The possibility to capture and reuse energy makes the Advancer AxlePower system an ideal solution to future-proof and increase the sustainability of all types of trailer journeys. With silent running and no CO2 emissions from the refrigeration unit when operating from the battery-pack, this technology allows customers to sustainably run long-haul and inner-city deliveries, including in Ultra-low Emission Zones (ULEZs) and low noise urban areas.

Advancer-e

Advancer-e: the all-electric, engineless, emission-free trailer refrigeration unit.

Designed to accelerate the realization of carbon neutral trailer fleets, the Thermo King Advancer-e incorporates an engineless and electric architecture with all the features that make the Advancer A-Series the most efficient trailer refrigeration systems in the market. Advancer-e is power-agnostic and compatible with all major engine-alternative power sources including the Advancer AxlePower, Frigoblock’s Envirodrive alternator and inverter technology, Thermo King’s battery EnergyPack, and shore-power when stationed at the depot.

With its fully electric architecture, one Advancer-e unit can reduce a trailer fleet’s carbon footprint by up to 10 tonnes of CO2 per year. Advancer-e is compatible with any tractor for inner-city deliveries or for long-haul assignments when combined with the right power technology solution available from Thermo King. The flexibility of the Advancer-e enables transport companies to be more than a step ahead of changing low-emission legislation. Combined with the same A-Series controller and intuitive telematics, the Advancer-e delivers sustainability advantages and temperature control efficiency – top strategic priorities for many transport companies making the move toward full electrification.

All Thermo King Advancer units are manufactured in the Thermo King’s state-of-the-art and carbon-neutral (ISO 14064-1) production line in Galway, Ireland.

Thermo King launches three breakthrough refrigeration systems

Posted on by David Priestman

Thermo King, a leader in transport temperature control solutions, has unveiled three new breakthrough models of the Advancer trailer refrigeration solutions: the multi-temperature Advancer Spectrum (pictured), the Advancer AxlePower energy recovery system and the electric, engineless Advancer-e.

“From the outset, Thermo King’s ambition behind Advancer has been to move beyond incremental enhancements and to create trailer refrigeration systems that feature innovation never before seen on the market,” said Colm O’Grady, trailer product leader at Thermo King. “Our goal has been to develop even more sustainable refrigeration technologies, enable our products to fit alternative power sources, reduce energy consumption to the lowest possible levels, and to use this innovation to reduce the total cost of ownership of our products for our customers. The technology behind the expanded Advancer portfolio makes these goals a reality.”

The three new trailer refrigeration systems expand the market-leading Thermo King Advancer A-Series portfolio, renowned for its performance, temperature control, unrivalled system efficiency and fleet connectivity.

Advancer Spectrum

Advancer Spectrum: new level of performance in multi-zone temperature configurations, with precise temperature management and reduced fuel and operational costs.

The new Advancer Spectrum features a 48V DC mild-hybrid technology now available for temperature configurations of two distinct zones during the same journey, with precise temperature management and set point control.

Advancer Spectrum introduces a new level of performance to the multi-temperature trailer Advancer A-Series, fastest temperature recovery and pulldown, and highest refrigeration capacity on the market. Advancer Spectrum delivers up to 30% savings on fuel costs compared to the market average. The units’ architecture also lowers service interval rate of up to 30% and reduces unscheduled maintenance by up to 60%.

The new, custom-designed remote evaporators bring additional capacity to the remote zone, maximising the flexibility and efficiency of customers’ operations. Combined with the all-new Advancer multi-temp controller, customers are able to precisely manage the temperature while gaining real-time insight into how the unit is running, how the temperature zones are performing and how much fuel the unit is using.

Advancer Spectrum is the first multi-temperature trailer unit on the market offering complete transparency of fuel levels and consumption. Customers can access the fuel consumption and other data both on the unit and remotely via telematics, enabling them to optimise their fleet more innovatively.  Fleet intelligence is standard, as Advancer Spectrum comes included with 2 years of full, two-way telematics connectivity service.

The Advancer Spectrum’s unrivalled system efficiency significantly lowers customers’ CO2 footprint with engine emissions substantially lower than the maximum allowed by latest NRMM Stage V emission standards. The Whisper Pro version offers sound levels meeting the PIEK enforced standards, thus complying with the most stringent noise-regulations for quiet, inner-city deliveries at any time of day and night. Advancer Spectrum units are also compatible with alternative power source solutions like the AxlePower or Envirodrive.

Advancer AxlePower

Advancer AxlePower: capturing lost energy from the axle into a low or zero-emission, autonomous power source for the refrigeration unit.

Advancer AxlePower’s smart energy generating system delivers the power needed to run the trailer refrigeration unit by converting energy recovered by the trailer’s axle during the vehicle’s routine operation. Developed in partnership with BPW, a leader in running gears and mobility services for transport, the Advancer AxlePower is a fully integrated, tractor independent system that combines BPW’s ePower axle with Thermo King refrigeration unit and battery storage technology.

The system stores the energy generated while the vehicle is rolling or braking in a high voltage battery and reuses it to power the refrigeration unit – enabling fully electric, low or zero-emission and autonomous trailer refrigeration. The battery pack, depending on the configuration, provides an average of five hours of refrigeration unit autonomy to cover stationary operations. Featuring smart power management that controls the engagement and disengagement of the generators, Advancer AxlePower also minimises the resistance on the tractor and provides the driver and fleet manager with real-time performance visibility to avoid ‘charge anxiety’.

The possibility to capture and reuse energy makes the Advancer AxlePower system an ideal solution to future-proof and increase the sustainability of all types of trailer journeys. With silent running and no CO2 emissions from the refrigeration unit when operating from the battery-pack, this technology allows customers to sustainably run long-haul and inner-city deliveries, including in Ultra-low Emission Zones (ULEZs) and low noise urban areas.

Advancer-e

Advancer-e: the all-electric, engineless, emission-free trailer refrigeration unit.

Designed to accelerate the realization of carbon neutral trailer fleets, the Thermo King Advancer-e incorporates an engineless and electric architecture with all the features that make the Advancer A-Series the most efficient trailer refrigeration systems in the market. Advancer-e is power-agnostic and compatible with all major engine-alternative power sources including the Advancer AxlePower, Frigoblock’s Envirodrive alternator and inverter technology, Thermo King’s battery EnergyPack, and shore-power when stationed at the depot.

With its fully electric architecture, one Advancer-e unit can reduce a trailer fleet’s carbon footprint by up to 10 tonnes of CO2 per year. Advancer-e is compatible with any tractor for inner-city deliveries or for long-haul assignments when combined with the right power technology solution available from Thermo King. The flexibility of the Advancer-e enables transport companies to be more than a step ahead of changing low-emission legislation. Combined with the same A-Series controller and intuitive telematics, the Advancer-e delivers sustainability advantages and temperature control efficiency – top strategic priorities for many transport companies making the move toward full electrification.

All Thermo King Advancer units are manufactured in the Thermo King’s state-of-the-art and carbon-neutral (ISO 14064-1) production line in Galway, Ireland.

Narrow Aisle further commits to US market

Posted on by David Priestman

Following the announcement in June of a significant investment in its distribution capacity across the USA, South and Central America, Narrow Aisle Ltd – the UK-based manufacturer of Flexi Truck space-saving intralogistics solutions – has made a further major financial commitment to the US market that will see production output from the company’s facility in Houston, Texas, increase appreciably over the next three years.

John Maguire, managing director of Narrow Aisle Ltd, commented: “America has long been one of the most important markets for the Flexi Truck’s range of VNA trucks and we believe that there is huge potential to grow Flexi Truck sales in the US even further. We aim to make the Flexi Truck available to many more customers in North America as our increased production capacity is brought to bear.”

The Flexi Truck’s iconic articulated design delivers safe and highly space and throughput efficient operation within narrow aisle storage units. Furthermore, because Flexi Trucks can be used to load and unload delivery vehicles and transport palletised loads directly to and from their pallet location, ‘double handling’ is eliminated and fewer types of forklift are required. As a result, materials handling costs can be reduced by up to 50%.

Models in the Flexi Truck range are adapted for the US market by the use of three- or four-stage quad masts which, when lowered, allow the trucks to be driven into the back of a waiting semi-trailer to retrieve or deposit pallets straight off a dock. The product is ideally suited to working in loading docks and within narrow aisle stores, which means less trucks are required to move more pallets.

Manufactured to meet the globally recognised ISO/TPS quality standards using tier one components, well over 15,000 Flexi Truck machines have been supplied to users in more than70 different countries worldwide.

Narrow Aisle further commits to US market

Posted on by David Priestman

Following the announcement in June of a significant investment in its distribution capacity across the USA, South and Central America, Narrow Aisle Ltd – the UK-based manufacturer of Flexi Truck space-saving intralogistics solutions – has made a further major financial commitment to the US market that will see production output from the company’s facility in Houston, Texas, increase appreciably over the next three years.

John Maguire, managing director of Narrow Aisle Ltd, commented: “America has long been one of the most important markets for the Flexi Truck’s range of VNA trucks and we believe that there is huge potential to grow Flexi Truck sales in the US even further. We aim to make the Flexi Truck available to many more customers in North America as our increased production capacity is brought to bear.”

The Flexi Truck’s iconic articulated design delivers safe and highly space and throughput efficient operation within narrow aisle storage units. Furthermore, because Flexi Trucks can be used to load and unload delivery vehicles and transport palletised loads directly to and from their pallet location, ‘double handling’ is eliminated and fewer types of forklift are required. As a result, materials handling costs can be reduced by up to 50%.

Models in the Flexi Truck range are adapted for the US market by the use of three- or four-stage quad masts which, when lowered, allow the trucks to be driven into the back of a waiting semi-trailer to retrieve or deposit pallets straight off a dock. The product is ideally suited to working in loading docks and within narrow aisle stores, which means less trucks are required to move more pallets.

Manufactured to meet the globally recognised ISO/TPS quality standards using tier one components, well over 15,000 Flexi Truck machines have been supplied to users in more than70 different countries worldwide.

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