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Month: January 2023

100 Nikola Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Ordered

Posted on by David Priestman

Nikola Corporation, a global leader in zero-emissions transportation, energy supply and infrastructure solutions, and IVECO, the brand of Iveco Group that designs, manufactures, and markets heavy, medium, and light-duty trucks, have announced a Letter of Intent for an order of 100 Class 8, heavy-duty Nikola Tre hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) from GP JOULE, a system provider for integrated energy solutions based in Reussenkoege, Germany. The Nikola Tre FCEVs in the European 6×2 variant will be manufactured by the joint venture between Nikola and Iveco Group at the site created in Ulm, Germany.

Thirty of the initial 100 Nikola Tre FCEVs are expected to be delivered to GP JOULE within 2024. This will be followed by the delivery of the remaining 70 vehicles in 2025, with the possibility for GP JOULE to acquire them through GATE – Green & Advanced Transport Ecosystem – Iveco Group’s all-inclusive electric truck rental model. IVECO will provide the essential maintenance and service functions. GP JOULE will make the 100 Nikola trucks available to its customers in transport and logistics. The order is subject to GP JOULE’s successful application for KsNI funding, Germany’s program to support the acquisition of vehicles with alternative, climate-friendly powertrains. Furthermore, starting in 2026, GP JOULE and Iveco Group have agreed to market additional FCEVs to customers in Europe. GP JOULE will provide them with 100% green hydrogen via their hydrogen refuelling station network.

Michael Lohscheller, President and CEO, Nikola Corporation, said, “The order from GP JOULE will be an example of how the Nikola Tre FCEV can further support commercial customers in Germany in their transition towards zero-emissions several years ahead of other OEMs, which helps to achieve the goal of decarbonising the transportation sector.”

Andre Steinau, Managing Director at GP JOULE HYDROGEN, declared: “100% renewable energy for all, this is what drives us. Together with Nikola and IVECO, we offer our customers all the components for climate-neutral heavy-duty transport from a single source: from the production and purchase of green hydrogen to the hydrogen filling stations to the fuel cell trucks and service that meet their needs. This is the easy entry into emission-free freight transport.”

Simone Olivati, President, Financial Services, Iveco Group commented: “We are very pleased by the choice of GP JOULE and that with this agreement, thanks to our innovative GATE rental model, we will bring hydrogen mobility to customers in Germany and progress on the decarbonisation of road freight transport. GATE is dedicated to meeting the needs of both battery and hydrogen fuel cell electric commercial vehicle customers, initially serving both the IVECO and Nikola brands. This agreement is a chance to start offering our comprehensive service based on a pay-per-use formula that will allow customers access to the propulsion of tomorrow.”

Nikola Corporation is globally transforming the transportation industry. As a designer and manufacturer of zero-emission battery-electric and hydrogen-electric vehicles, electric vehicle drivetrains, vehicle components, energy storage systems, and hydrogen station infrastructure, Nikola is driven to revolutionize the economic and environmental impact of commerce as we know it today. Founded in 2015, Nikola Corporation is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.

 

DB Schenker to Deploy MAN eTrucks

Posted on by David Priestman

DB Schenker, one of the world’s leading logistics service providers, has signed an agreement with commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus to become the first customer to adopt the new MAN eTruck. DB Schenker will add 100 new MAN low liner and swap body trucks to its fleet by 2026. The first vehicles are to be handed over in the first half of 2024.

Cyrille Bonjean, Head of Land Transport at DB Schenker Europe, said: “We want to build up practical experience with e-trucks as early as possible. In this way, we can quickly create an offer for the business community to make supply chains more climate-friendly. That’s why it was important for us to receive the first MAN eTrucks. This brings us another step closer to our goal to be net zero on the road in land transport by 2040.”

“DB Schenker and MAN are embarking together on the road to an electric future. We are very pleased to have our first customer for the new eTruck. Demand in the market for this all-electric vehicle is already enormous. The topic is now really taking off, partly because more and more of our customers are setting extremely ambitious decarbonization targets. This has a direct impact on logistics chains. However, we will only succeed in achieving a sustainable mobility turnaround in heavy goods traffic with the appropriate political support. Among other things, this relates to the rapid development of the charging infrastructure and also the further design of the funding framework for the acquisition of electric trucks,” said Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus.

eTruck from Munich

The first MAN eTrucks will be produced in a small series in the first half of 2024 on the production line at the company’s headquarters in Munich. With the signing of the agreement, DB Schenker is the first pilot customer for these eTrucks. The logistics service provider wants to gain practical experience with the product as early as possible. This also includes setting up its own charging infrastructure, intelligent route planning, and other digital services from MAN Digital Solutions such as eManager, ServiceCare, and MAN Driver App. DB Schenker is therefore supported by 360° consulting from MAN Transport Solutions, including route analysis, charging strategy, charging infrastructure planning, and energy demand optimization.

The first MAN eTrucks for DB Schenker in 2024 will be volume semitrailer tractors, so-called ultra-semitrailer tractors. The reduced semitrailer height of around 950 mm makes it possible to transport volume trailers with an interior height of 3 meters electrically. The other electric trucks to be delivered in 2025 and 2026 are planned as ultra-semitrailer tractors and swap body trucks.

 

DB Schenker to Deploy MAN eTrucks

Posted on by David Priestman

DB Schenker, one of the world’s leading logistics service providers, has signed an agreement with commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus to become the first customer to adopt the new MAN eTruck. DB Schenker will add 100 new MAN low liner and swap body trucks to its fleet by 2026. The first vehicles are to be handed over in the first half of 2024.

Cyrille Bonjean, Head of Land Transport at DB Schenker Europe, said: “We want to build up practical experience with e-trucks as early as possible. In this way, we can quickly create an offer for the business community to make supply chains more climate-friendly. That’s why it was important for us to receive the first MAN eTrucks. This brings us another step closer to our goal to be net zero on the road in land transport by 2040.”

“DB Schenker and MAN are embarking together on the road to an electric future. We are very pleased to have our first customer for the new eTruck. Demand in the market for this all-electric vehicle is already enormous. The topic is now really taking off, partly because more and more of our customers are setting extremely ambitious decarbonization targets. This has a direct impact on logistics chains. However, we will only succeed in achieving a sustainable mobility turnaround in heavy goods traffic with the appropriate political support. Among other things, this relates to the rapid development of the charging infrastructure and also the further design of the funding framework for the acquisition of electric trucks,” said Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus.

eTruck from Munich

The first MAN eTrucks will be produced in a small series in the first half of 2024 on the production line at the company’s headquarters in Munich. With the signing of the agreement, DB Schenker is the first pilot customer for these eTrucks. The logistics service provider wants to gain practical experience with the product as early as possible. This also includes setting up its own charging infrastructure, intelligent route planning, and other digital services from MAN Digital Solutions such as eManager, ServiceCare, and MAN Driver App. DB Schenker is therefore supported by 360° consulting from MAN Transport Solutions, including route analysis, charging strategy, charging infrastructure planning, and energy demand optimization.

The first MAN eTrucks for DB Schenker in 2024 will be volume semitrailer tractors, so-called ultra-semitrailer tractors. The reduced semitrailer height of around 950 mm makes it possible to transport volume trailers with an interior height of 3 meters electrically. The other electric trucks to be delivered in 2025 and 2026 are planned as ultra-semitrailer tractors and swap body trucks.

 

Completion of M25 London Logistics Facility

Posted on by David Priestman

Goodman has completed its latest high-specification sustainable London logistics space facility at Purfleet Commercial Park in Essex.

Situated in a prime position at the heart of the M25 and A13 corridors, Purfleet 343 provides easy access to London and the South East, with excellent freight links and proximity to three international ports. Ideally suited for same day delivery, the high-quality facility is located just 16 miles from Central London, placing customers in easy reach of 21 million consumers within a two-hour HGV drivetime.*

Purfleet 343 is the largest warehouse available for occupation within the M25 and with an 18m clear internal height, offers customers the ability to maximise storage capacity, increase productivity and provide for future growth. Its ‘chill store’ ready building envelope also makes it suitable for both chilled and ambient storage, benefitting customers from a wide range of industries including the logistics, FMCG and food production sectors.

In line with Goodman’s focus on sustainability, the high-specification unit is built to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ specification and boasts an A+ (-3) Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), generating more energy than the base building consumes. Other features include a 995kWp solar PV system to service customers’ operational needs, infrastructure for electric vehicle fleets, rainwater harvesting and smart metering – all helping to achieve energy and cost savings as well as support customers’ sustainability goals.

Customers will benefit from access to a large local talent pool, with more than 35,000 people working in logistics**, while also joining the likes of Tesco, Unilever, DHL, Ocado and Amazon in operating nearby.

George Glennie, Development Director at Goodman, said: “Having sustainable warehouses located close to consumers is key to optimising supply chain efficiency. Purfleet 343’s benefits go beyond its prime location. By investing in sustainable technology and offering additional features such as 4MVA, this facility is highly adaptable to suit a customer’s specific business needs and is future-ready for evolving innovation.”

Purfleet 343’s sustainability features extend beyond the building itself to help support the health and wellbeing of the people working there. Set within a landscaped environment, there are outdoor seating areas, a running track, and footpaths and cycleways connected with the local area.

Goodman’s latest facility forms part of its focus on London and the South East, with the ability to deliver up to 2.5 million sq ft of industrial and logistics space in the region. Other recent investments include Crossways Commercial Park in Dartford and London Brentwood Commercial Park in East Horndon.

Completion of M25 London Logistics Facility

Posted on by David Priestman

Goodman has completed its latest high-specification sustainable London logistics space facility at Purfleet Commercial Park in Essex.

Situated in a prime position at the heart of the M25 and A13 corridors, Purfleet 343 provides easy access to London and the South East, with excellent freight links and proximity to three international ports. Ideally suited for same day delivery, the high-quality facility is located just 16 miles from Central London, placing customers in easy reach of 21 million consumers within a two-hour HGV drivetime.*

Purfleet 343 is the largest warehouse available for occupation within the M25 and with an 18m clear internal height, offers customers the ability to maximise storage capacity, increase productivity and provide for future growth. Its ‘chill store’ ready building envelope also makes it suitable for both chilled and ambient storage, benefitting customers from a wide range of industries including the logistics, FMCG and food production sectors.

In line with Goodman’s focus on sustainability, the high-specification unit is built to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ specification and boasts an A+ (-3) Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), generating more energy than the base building consumes. Other features include a 995kWp solar PV system to service customers’ operational needs, infrastructure for electric vehicle fleets, rainwater harvesting and smart metering – all helping to achieve energy and cost savings as well as support customers’ sustainability goals.

Customers will benefit from access to a large local talent pool, with more than 35,000 people working in logistics**, while also joining the likes of Tesco, Unilever, DHL, Ocado and Amazon in operating nearby.

George Glennie, Development Director at Goodman, said: “Having sustainable warehouses located close to consumers is key to optimising supply chain efficiency. Purfleet 343’s benefits go beyond its prime location. By investing in sustainable technology and offering additional features such as 4MVA, this facility is highly adaptable to suit a customer’s specific business needs and is future-ready for evolving innovation.”

Purfleet 343’s sustainability features extend beyond the building itself to help support the health and wellbeing of the people working there. Set within a landscaped environment, there are outdoor seating areas, a running track, and footpaths and cycleways connected with the local area.

Goodman’s latest facility forms part of its focus on London and the South East, with the ability to deliver up to 2.5 million sq ft of industrial and logistics space in the region. Other recent investments include Crossways Commercial Park in Dartford and London Brentwood Commercial Park in East Horndon.

Consolidated Fork Truck Services Examination

Posted on by David Priestman

Leading specialists in material handling solutions, B&B Attachments provides CFTS (Consolidated Fork Truck Services) accredited ‘Thorough Examination’ inspections as part of its service offering. Its team of fully qualified service technicians, located throughout the country, are trained to perform Thorough Examination, and provide UK companies with legislation compliance.

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) were introduced to place duties and responsibilities on people and companies who own, operate, or have control over lifting equipment.

The LOLER Regulations require that all lifting operations involving lifting equipment must be properly planned by a competent person and carried out in a safe manner. It also requires that all equipment used for lifting is fit for purpose, appropriate for the task, and suitably marked, with its maintenance recorded and defects reported. LOLER also states the requirement for Thorough Examination and Inspection, which are key requirements of the regulations.

A Thorough Examination is a detailed examination of the lifting equipment by a competent person to detect any defects that are, or might become, dangerous. Methods of the examination includes visual examination, functional checks, and measurements of wear. Equipment owners must ensure lifting equipment (including lifting accessories) undergoes a regular Thorough Examination by a competent person within the specified timescale.

Fork Truck Services

B&B’s attachment specialists have been fully trained and certified by CFTS to provide Thorough Examinations for forklift attachments. They have practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of lifting equipment, enabling them to detect defects or weaknesses and assess how critical they are in relation to the safety and the continued use of the attachment.

B&B’s trained specialists will attend your site and carry out a full inspection of your attachment(s) and leave you with a detailed report of the Thorough Examination. If repairs or maintenance are identified, B&B offers a competitive maintenance service, backed up by its dedicated parts division, to ensure repairs are completed quickly and to the highest standards. B&B also carry out inspections on all its rental attachments, so you can rest assured that your attachment(s) are safe and compliant.

Forklift attachments must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every 12 months, and often more frequently (every 6 months) depending on conditions of use. Or in accordance with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person.

Consolidated Fork Truck Services Examination

Posted on by David Priestman

Leading specialists in material handling solutions, B&B Attachments provides CFTS (Consolidated Fork Truck Services) accredited ‘Thorough Examination’ inspections as part of its service offering. Its team of fully qualified service technicians, located throughout the country, are trained to perform Thorough Examination, and provide UK companies with legislation compliance.

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) were introduced to place duties and responsibilities on people and companies who own, operate, or have control over lifting equipment.

The LOLER Regulations require that all lifting operations involving lifting equipment must be properly planned by a competent person and carried out in a safe manner. It also requires that all equipment used for lifting is fit for purpose, appropriate for the task, and suitably marked, with its maintenance recorded and defects reported. LOLER also states the requirement for Thorough Examination and Inspection, which are key requirements of the regulations.

A Thorough Examination is a detailed examination of the lifting equipment by a competent person to detect any defects that are, or might become, dangerous. Methods of the examination includes visual examination, functional checks, and measurements of wear. Equipment owners must ensure lifting equipment (including lifting accessories) undergoes a regular Thorough Examination by a competent person within the specified timescale.

Fork Truck Services

B&B’s attachment specialists have been fully trained and certified by CFTS to provide Thorough Examinations for forklift attachments. They have practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of lifting equipment, enabling them to detect defects or weaknesses and assess how critical they are in relation to the safety and the continued use of the attachment.

B&B’s trained specialists will attend your site and carry out a full inspection of your attachment(s) and leave you with a detailed report of the Thorough Examination. If repairs or maintenance are identified, B&B offers a competitive maintenance service, backed up by its dedicated parts division, to ensure repairs are completed quickly and to the highest standards. B&B also carry out inspections on all its rental attachments, so you can rest assured that your attachment(s) are safe and compliant.

Forklift attachments must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every 12 months, and often more frequently (every 6 months) depending on conditions of use. Or in accordance with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person.

Temperature-controlled Trailers for Biscuits

Posted on by David Priestman

DHL Supply Chain today announces the introduction of 32 new temperature-controlled trailers to its Burton’s Biscuits fleet, each fitted with Carrier Transicold Vector® HE 19 units. The new units were specified by DHL and will support its GoGreen plan with fuel and energy savings, while increasing the efficiency of the Burton’s Biscuits operation.

The 32 new units replace older assets and combine all-electric technology with a new multi-speed engine design, delivering up to 30% fuel savings over the previous model. The system’s fully hermetic scroll compressor and economiser provide a 40% increase in refrigeration capacity during temperature pull-down, as well as a 50% reduction in refrigerant escape, saving energy across the renewed fleet.

When plugged into the electrical grid on standby, the new system is also 19% more efficient, translating into reduced diesel, maintenance and electricity costs. In addition, the units significantly reduce sound pollution.

DHL Supply Chain is a long-standing strategic partner of Burton’s Biscuits, supporting the business’ international and domestic growth. DHL will operate the new trailers from Burton’s Biscuits sites in Llantarnam, South Wales and its central distribution hub in Liverpool, delivering across the UK.

Temperature-controlled Trailers

Bob Naylor, Vice President, Core Transport, DHL Supply Chain, says: “We are committed to continually improving the service we provide to our customers, investing in innovative solutions and enhancing operations for their benefit. By introducing these new units into the Burton’s Biscuits fleet, we’re supporting both our internal sustainability agenda and that of the customer through reducing fuel consumption, with 30% savings.”

Des Bull, Customer Supply Chain Director at FBC Companies which owns Burton’s Biscuits, says, “As a business we are always looking at how we can limit our environmental footprint in our operations, and the diesel and energy savings our fleet is making by replacing existing trailers with these new models is one of the steps forward towards this. The new units also deliver strong efficiency benefits, particularly in their improved cooling capacity, and we’re delighted by the advancements they’re providing.”

Temperature-controlled Trailers for Biscuits

Posted on by David Priestman

DHL Supply Chain today announces the introduction of 32 new temperature-controlled trailers to its Burton’s Biscuits fleet, each fitted with Carrier Transicold Vector® HE 19 units. The new units were specified by DHL and will support its GoGreen plan with fuel and energy savings, while increasing the efficiency of the Burton’s Biscuits operation.

The 32 new units replace older assets and combine all-electric technology with a new multi-speed engine design, delivering up to 30% fuel savings over the previous model. The system’s fully hermetic scroll compressor and economiser provide a 40% increase in refrigeration capacity during temperature pull-down, as well as a 50% reduction in refrigerant escape, saving energy across the renewed fleet.

When plugged into the electrical grid on standby, the new system is also 19% more efficient, translating into reduced diesel, maintenance and electricity costs. In addition, the units significantly reduce sound pollution.

DHL Supply Chain is a long-standing strategic partner of Burton’s Biscuits, supporting the business’ international and domestic growth. DHL will operate the new trailers from Burton’s Biscuits sites in Llantarnam, South Wales and its central distribution hub in Liverpool, delivering across the UK.

Temperature-controlled Trailers

Bob Naylor, Vice President, Core Transport, DHL Supply Chain, says: “We are committed to continually improving the service we provide to our customers, investing in innovative solutions and enhancing operations for their benefit. By introducing these new units into the Burton’s Biscuits fleet, we’re supporting both our internal sustainability agenda and that of the customer through reducing fuel consumption, with 30% savings.”

Des Bull, Customer Supply Chain Director at FBC Companies which owns Burton’s Biscuits, says, “As a business we are always looking at how we can limit our environmental footprint in our operations, and the diesel and energy savings our fleet is making by replacing existing trailers with these new models is one of the steps forward towards this. The new units also deliver strong efficiency benefits, particularly in their improved cooling capacity, and we’re delighted by the advancements they’re providing.”

PD Ports Adds Weekly Europe Service

Posted on by David Priestman

PD Ports is delighted to have secured an additional weekly sailing between Rotterdam, Botlek and Teesport thanks to continued collaboration with shipping line A2B-online.

The expansion of the service, which will start from the end of January, will increase sailings on the route to four times per week and increase the total number of containers handled via the route to 40,000 per year, further demonstrating how Teesport acts as the UK’s Northern gateway for international trade.

Building on a long-standing partnership that dates back to 2014, the commitment to an additional vessel call reinforces the confidence that global shippers have in Teesport, and PD Ports.

Kim Catterick, General Manager – Key Accounts at PD Ports, said: “This is fantastic news for PD Ports and for the wider Tees Valley region as it demonstrates how resilient our business, and businesses across the River Tees, are to the current challenges facing the UK economy.

“The addition of another weekly sailing means that we can now provide more opportunities for shippers to import and export their goods to and from Europe whilst taking advantage of our extensive service offering as a reliable trading partner. We look forward to continuing our relationship with A2B and seeing how the business continues to develop.”

This particular service has been connecting Europe and the UK successfully since 2018, in addition to a bi-weekly Moerdijk to Teesport service that sees an extra 12,000 containers imported annually.

Michael van Keulen, Operations Director at A2B-online, praised continued positive collaboration for the success and expansion of the service calls. He said: “After already successfully operating a LoLo container service between Rotterdam, Botlek and Teesport since 2018, this expansion is the next logistical step but it wouldn’t be possible without the good cooperation from our partners at PD Ports. This additional sailing will increase the total capacity on this route to 40,000 containers a year which enables us to serve the growing demand of our large and loyal customer base.”

The news of an additional weekly service comes just a month after PD Ports, owner and operator of Teesport, also announced a brand new weekly service from the Baltics.

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