9 January, 2023

AGV System for Irish Chemical Industry

Posted on 9 January, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

ek robotics has announced an automation and logistics deal with Chemco Group. The company will realize the automation of the central warehouse in Dublin with three different types of transport robots.

Chemco Ireland Limited is a comprehensive chemical solutions provider. They work in partnership with some of the world’s largest companies, providing expertise, world-class efficiency, and transparent operations. With the goal of making the intralogistics processes in the central warehouse in Dublin more cost-efficient, the family-owned company chose an automated guided vehicle (AGV) system from ek robotics. In 2024, a transport robot fleet of nine AGVs will be used in the central warehouse. Four SMART MOVE narrow-aisle trucks, three VARIO MOVE and one HEAVY MOVE as well as another VARIO MOVE for the new building at the Dublin site will be responsible for the automated storage and retrieval of goods in the existing racking system in a three-shift system with transfer heights of 10 meters.

“We were looking at ways to make our warehouse logistics more cost-efficient, while maintaining our smooth and quality distribution and storage for our clients. We decided that automation was the way to go, and we had discussions with ek robotics. Since then, we haven’t looked back and we’re looking forward to the implementation of the Automated Guided Vehicles”, says Jamie McDonald, Operations Manager at Chemco. Graham German, Project Director at ek robotics UK, said: “This project has been a completely collaborative partnership and we have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Chemco to reach the perfect automated solution. We expect all our trucks to arrive on site at Chemco in around a year’s time at the end of 2023, with the fully automated operation commissioned and in action towards 2024.” Chris Price, Managing Director of ek robotics UK, added: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Chemco. We love challenges, which is why we wanted to get involved in the chemical industry – something we haven’t done before in the UK business – whilst also working with an excellent company such as Chemco. “We’re glad that Chemco have not only chosen automation, but they’ve also chosen to partner with ek robotics. This is another great step forward for our business.”

About ek robotics

ek robotics is the world’s leading manufacturer and system integrator of innovative high-tech transport robotics for production and warehouse logistics. At five locations in Europe (Rosengarten, Germany, headquarters), Reutlingen (Germany), Milan (Italy), Prague (Czech Republic) and Buckingham (UK), the transport robotics specialist with more than 300 employees creates intelligent, networked and flexible transport solutions for the fully automated, in-plant material flow of its global customers. With 60 years of experience in design, development, manufacturing, integration, turnkey delivery, and support throughout the entire lifecycle of automated guided vehicles (AGVs), ek robotics is among the technical elite in this fast-growing industry of the future.

AGV System for Irish Chemical Industry

Posted on 9 January, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

About ek robotics

Last Mile Delivery Trends for 2023

Posted on 9 January, 20237 August, 2025 by David Priestman

As UK last mile delivery firms begin to move towards the end of peak period, business owners will already be thinking long and hard about what changes they are going to make to ensure the continued growth of their firms in 2023.

Dan Richards, Chief Commercial Officer at logistics technology expert, Wise, has put together a shortlist of the key trends which will define the sector over the next twelve months.

He said: “Dealing with the implications of Brexit, a chronic shortage of self-employed drivers and the ongoing cost of living crisis, last-mile parcel delivery businesses have shown incredible resilience in recent years. However, as we move into 2023, there are a range of areas that these businesses will focus on to ensure their continued success amongst a difficult economic landscape.”

Retention

“We know from working closely with hundreds of delivery business owners that managing their workforce, recruiting and retaining self-employed delivery drivers, takes up an inordinate amount of their time and focus. With the shortage of subcontractor drivers not set to suddenly change, extra emphasis will be placed on retaining existing drivers and so companies which are able to create an efficient and rewarding self-employment experience for their drivers will thrive.

Efficiency

“The ongoing cost of living crisis and inflation has affected every business and every individual, but for businesses which need to run and maintain fleets of vehicles, it has been particularly difficult. In 2023, not only will delivery firms look to cut back on any extra costs around their workforce management or documentation, but their drivers will also look for more cost-effective solutions around their accountancy and tax needs.

Technology

“Over the last handful of years, more and more parcel delivery firms have harnessed technology to save time on laborious processes such as onboarding, workforce management or even managing payments. However, as the use of software becomes more of a necessity, delivery companies that truly embed this into their processes and bring their drivers on this journey with them will gain a competitive edge.”

Wise is a specialist technology company that provides free software to over 250 UK delivery companies, helping them to save time, money and stress on everything from recruiting and onboarding drivers to managing payroll.

Last Mile Delivery Trends for 2023

Posted on 9 January, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Dan Richards, Chief Commercial Officer at logistics technology expert, Wise, has put together a shortlist of the key trends which will define the sector over the next twelve months.

Retention

Efficiency

Technology

Ecolog Makes Senior Appointment

Posted on 9 January, 202331 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Ecolog International, a leading global provider of integrated services and logistics solutions for life support, supply chain, energy and healthcare industries, announced the appointment of Juan Chaparro as Executive Chairman of the Board, as of 01 January 2023.

With over 30 years’ experience as an executive in supply chain management, procurement and sourcing, having worked for globally recognized companies such as Zara (Inditex), Esprit and Primark, Mr. Chaparro brings a wealth of expertise in complex logistics management in fast-paced environments as well as the B2C focus. This aligns with Ecolog’s vision and growth strategy and makes him a valuable addition to the leadership team.

Commenting on his new role, Juan Chaparro said, “Ecolog is a unique organization with distinguished history and the potential to help improve all aspects of the lives of the people it serves, from water and sanitation to catering, healthcare and the wider environment. Its people-driven focus and family-like culture, both internally and externally, are among the many reasons I am excited to be joining.”

Mr. Chaparro’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as Ecolog progresses with expanding its service offering into customized healthcare solutions, clean water and renewable energy as well as sustainable food technologies. With projects in both emerging and established markets catering to various institutional clients, Ecolog is set to leverage its scale and footprint to also provide direct services to consumers.

“This is an exciting phase of the company’s development, investigating how we can mobilize our most valuable asset – our people and their skills – to grow their abilities and expand our capacity to assist more people in more ways. I am eager to contribute in my new role and honoured to lead our incredible team towards new heights of success”, said Juan Chaparro.

About Ecolog

Ecolog International is a global provider of integrated services and sustainable solutions tailored to the needs of diverse range of customers in the humanitarian, healthcare, energy, mining and infrastructure industries. Incorporated over two decades ago in Germany, with the footprint in nearly 40 countries, the company’s service portfolio includes life support, supply chain management, construction, engineering, healthcare and environmental services. Driven by the passion to serve people and communities, Ecolog has an extensive experience in providing fast response solutions, integrated and complex logistics as well as mission-critical operations.

Spare Parts Warehouse Stores 10,000 Tyres

Posted on 9 January, 2023 by Keith McKinley

A spare parts warehouse in Lugo, Spain of Recambios FRAIN, a leader in the parts sector for all types of vehicles, has the capacity to store more than 10,000 tyres thanks to the storage systems installed by AR Racking.

The warehouse has, on the one hand, adjustable pallet racking in which not only larger volume tyres are stored stacked on pallets, but also other types of products and accessories marketed by Recambios Frain; and, on the other, Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) pallet racking, where the tyres are stored directly on the structure itself. Overall, more than 10,000 tyres of varying height and width. The racking has been fitted in such a way that it allows both pallet and picking operations.

The combination of both systems provides the customer versatility and adaptability to the different volumes, direct access to the goods as both are selective systems and high-density storage thanks to the reduced width of the aisles with the incorporation of VNA racking. The project was completed in just 30 days from initial contact to the delivery and final assembly of the storage systems.

Recambios Frain started operating in 1992 and has not stopped growing since, thanks to the extensive range of products that it offers the market. According to Francisco Dorado, assistant general manager at the company, “with this 7,000 m2 warehouse we were looking to improve the organisation and handling agility and increase the number of units of some of our 500,000 references”. With a workforce of over 140 employees, Recambios Frain offers technical management services, diagnosis, rental space, industrial supply and B2B e-commerce.

“AR Racking’s adjustable pallet racking systems are solutions that can be adapted to all types of products, spaces and operations. They are also easily combinable and adaptable to changing needs”, explained Ricardo García, AR Racking Sales Representative.

About AR Racking:

AR Racking is part of the Arania Group, an industrial group of companies with extensive experience and scope, and with a multi-sectoral activity based on the transformation of steel that dates back more than 80 years. AR Racking provides the market with a wide range of solutions with high certified quality standards and a comprehensive project management service. AR Racking’s industrial storage systems stand out for their innovation, reliability and optimum efficiency.

Spare Parts Warehouse Stores 10,000 Tyres

Posted on 9 January, 2023 by David Priestman

About AR Racking:

China Zero Covid: Supply Chain Impact

Posted on 9 January, 202331 July, 2025 by David Priestman

What supply chain impact will there be from China’s ending of Covid restrictions? Jochen Freese, Chief Commercial Officer, Forto, comments:

“While it is undeniable that the supply chain will be affected if Covid rates continue to grow in China, it is important to remember that the current period – between Christmas and the Chinese New Year – is a quiet time for Asia-Europe trade. Covid is hitting China at a time of low demand which means that even if companies lack workers, they can still fulfill orders.

“I also believe that it might not turn out as bad as everyone is predicting. Despite the high incidence rate in China and the seasonal factors mentioned, Forto has moved more volumes from Asia to Europe in December 2022 and January 2023 than we did for the same period a year before. We moved 17% more volume from China and 50% more from Vietnam.

“However, there is no doubt that now is the time for companies to diversify their supply chain. They can do so by adding production sites within or outside of China, as Apple has done, or try out different trade lanes or transport modes so as to avoid the negative effect of possible port closures. We have had customers, for example, adding rail to their usual sea freight and realizing the advantages of fast, reliable and reasonably priced transport.”

Forto is the first European digital freight forwarder specializing on the Asia-Europe trade lane. Forto has 5 offices in Greater China (Hong Kong, Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin), 2 offices in Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh) and one office in Singapore. Forto employs more than 150 people in Asia and around 800 people globally.

China Zero Covid: Supply Chain Impact

Posted on 9 January, 2023 by David Priestman

What supply chain impact will there be from China’s ending of Covid restrictions? Jochen Freese, Chief Commercial Officer, Forto, comments:

Logistics Property Firm Appoint Poland MD

Posted on 9 January, 202331 July, 2025 by David Priestman

The Accolade group, which invests in premium industrial and logistics property, has a new addition to its team. Jarek Wnuk, with his more than 21 years of experience in the commercial property sector, is the new Managing Director for Poland. He has previously worked for international real estate agency and global investment and development companies.

“I’ve been following the success Accolade have had in building a portfolio of modern industrial parks for a long time now. In terms of industrial, logistics, and manufacturing infrastructure, the Polish market is one of the fastest growing in Europe. With that in mind, I consider the consolidation and development of Accolade’s position in that market a significant challenge which I’m looking forward to immensely.” said Jarek Wnuk, who, in his role as Managing Director for Poland, will be responsible for managing Accolade‘s activity in Poland as well as the development of the project portfolio and finally for the preparation and implementation of fundraising activities.

“From a strategic perspective, Poland is a very important market with huge potential and I believe that Jarek’s extensive experience in the commercial property sector will be an enormous plus for us,” remarked Accolade Group CEO, Milan Kratina. Accolade owns 26 logistics parks in Poland, the total leasable area of which is approaching 1.5 million m². The group has so far invested nearly 28 billion CZK (over a billion EUR) in Poland and are planning to plough a further 12 billion CZK (around half a million EUR) into Polish activities.

Before joining Accolade, Jarek Wnuk was General Manager and a member of the board at private equity firm Bluehouse Capital. Previously, he held senior management positions at logistics and property companies Goodman and King Sturge. Jarek Wnuk graduated from the Faculty of Finance and Banking at the Warsaw School of Economics, along with completing a year of study at the College of Estate Management in Reading.

Accolade Holding, a.s. operates in six European countries, where it invests in modern and sustainable infrastructure for global e-commerce, manufacturing and logistics brands. It owns a network of 45 BREEAM-certified industrial parks in the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovakia, guaranteeing a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach. The group has now completed 2.6 million m2 of commercial properties, which it leases to almost 260 tenants worldwide. More than 8 million m2 are in the pipeline.

Accolade also invests in brownfield redevelopment. Their share in the company’s portfolio is currently around one third. A building in the redeveloped compound of Strojírny Cheb became the first project in the Czech Republic to receive the Outstanding grade and a record score of 90.68% according to the BREEAM global sustainability rating. In 2014, the group established the Accolade Industrial Fund (Accolade Fund SICAV p.l.c.), an industrial real estate fund open to qualified investors, of whom it now has over 2,800. The value of the fund’s portfolio has exceeded 1.4 billion EUR. It has ranked as the best performing real estate fund in the Czech Top Real Estate Funds ranking several times in a row. In 2017, the group bought the operator of the second busiest airport in the Czech Republic, Brno-Tuřany, and is preparing a polygon near Stříbro to serve as a research centre for the development and certification of autonomous driving vehicles.

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