King’s Award for Cardboard Innovation

PALLITE® Group has been honoured with the first ever King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation 2023. The company was one of only 148 organisations in the UK to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise, on Friday 21st April.

Employing 70 people, Wellingborough, Northants-based PALLITE® was set up in 2008 and manufactures sustainable products for warehouse storage, logistics, protective packaging and void fill from honeycomb paper cardboard.

Previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, the new name reflects Charles’ desire to continue to recognise outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 57th year, is one of the most prestigious business awards in the country, with successful businesses able to use the emblem to promote their products and services as the best in their business sector for a five year period.

Easy to install

“To receive this award is an incredible honour and a real reflection of the hard work the entire team has invested. PALLITE® was setup on the premise of a simple paper pallet, a sustainable alternative to the more traditional pallets on the market. Innovation has always been a key driver for the business, developing new product solutions for existing applications using our honeycomb paper cardboard. Our current product range includes protective packaging, shipping crates, pallets and most recently, our award-winning PIX® warehouse storage solutions,” said David Rose, European Sales Director.

“We provide easy to install storage units for large ecommerce fulfilment centres allowing them the flexibility to adjust the size and quantity of storage compartments relative to fluctuations in stock. All our PIX® units are constructed using the same honeycomb paper cardboard. One unit can be built in a matter of minutes with anything from 3 up to 400 picking compartments. We’ve seen such incredible interest and uptake in PIX® both nationally and internationally, requiring us to open our doors in 2022 on an additional manufacturing facility in Milwaukee, to meet the USA and Canadian demand. We have orders from across Europe all the way to Australia,” he added.

High Performer in High-rack Warehouses

Soon to be launched on the market, the Linde V modular is a new, powerful player for high-rack warehouses. The truck offers a load capacity of 1.2 tons and is an ideal option for warehouse operators who aim for even more effective goods picking on various different racking levels. Some of its key features includes the ability to reach picking heights of up to 14.5 meters, a visibility-optimized triplex mast with or without free lift, a comfortable driver’s cab, and a high level of safety thanks to improved stability, a new type of Linde personal protection system, and special lighting solutions. Another advantage is its design as a modular system and the large number of variants and equipment options available. The chassis, mast and cab can be perfectly customized to application-specific requirements. The new trucks will be launched for sale at the LogiMAT trade show in Stuttgart at the end of April.

With increasing frequency, both large and small high-rack warehouses are reaching their capacity limits: “Online retailing demands high goods availability and fast deliveries,” says Anna Keilbach, Senior Product Manager for VNA Trucks and Vertical Order Pickers, explaining one of the reasons for the larger inventory. Another aspect is the desire for greater individualization and the associated growing number of product designs. However, as more storage space becomes needed, many operators prefer to increase the height of their racking systems instead of building new warehouses due to the high cost of floor space – especially in metropolitan areas. “As a consequence, this requires vertical order pickers with conducive working heights and performance capability,” the product manager states.

Performance makes the difference

The new Linde V modular is designed to meet precisely these requirements. For the first time, drivers will be able to reach picking heights of up to 14.5 meters from the platform – 2.5 meters more than before. In addition, the new truck offers a 22 percent increase in lifting speed and a 20 percent faster lowering speed – resulting in time savings when raising or lowering the cab, which has a positive impact on productivity. To meet the varying conditions in the warehouse, the triplex mast is available in two versions: The mast featuring a free lift is suitable for warehouses with diverse ceiling heights. Two lateral lifting cylinders instead of one centrally positioned lifting cylinder ensure optimized visibility. In the variant without a free lift, the mast extends faster because there are no deceleration phases during mast transitions. Added to this is the very good mast visibility provided by the design.

New features for enhanced safety

Along with the Linde V modular, Linde MH is going to launch its own personal protection system (PPS), which will be used in all VNA equipment from Linde MH in the future. The new Linde PPS meets all the requirements of DIN standard 15185-2, which prohibits the simultaneous presence of people and vehicles in narrow aisles and prescribes special protective measures in the event that this should happen accidentally nevertheless. Equipped with a laser scanner at the front between the load wheels and at the rear on the drive side, the Linde PPS detects people in a protective zone of up to nine meters. As soon as a person enters the area monitored by the scanner, an alarm sounds and the vehicle comes to a safe stop. Additional warning fields ensure that the order picker’s speed is reduced even before the protective zone is reached, so as to enable the smoothest possible braking process. In the transfer aisle, the Linde V modular can be operated alongside other vehicles due to its safety equipment. Here, the warning fields of the laser scanners provide assistance as well by throttling the travel speed when obstacles appear.

LED stripes provide even better visibility for the vehicles. Located at the front and rear of the lift mast, they ensure optimum distribution of light at close range. In the direction of travel, the stripes emit white light; at the rear, they shine red. Pedestrians and other forklift drivers can thus see from a distance in which direction the truck is moving.

User-friendliness is a top priority

It’s no secret that picking goods is one of the most physically demanding jobs in the warehouse environment. The Linde V modular effectively supports the picker in this regard by means of various features. First and foremost: the spacious driver’s cab, which allows plenty of freedom of movement. Added to this is the soft floor mat, which cushions vibrations and prevents fatigue. The ergonomic control panel can be mounted on the load side, the mast side or on both sides. Recently, this choice has also been extended to the positioning of the color display, which shows the driver all relevant information. This includes speed, lift height, residual capacity and steering angle, as well as other information from optional features such as Linde’s warehouse navigation system. Optionally available tilting barriers give the driver 50cms of additional reach when retrieving goods from the rack. The auxiliary lift function is another helpful feature: At the push of a button, the forks move down a defined distance so that the driver can deposit the packs of goods retrieved from the rack as easily as possible.

High Performer in High-rack Warehouses

Soon to be launched on the market, the Linde V modular is a new, powerful player for high-rack warehouses. The truck offers a load capacity of 1.2 tons and is an ideal option for warehouse operators who aim for even more effective goods picking on various different racking levels. Some of its key features includes the ability to reach picking heights of up to 14.5 meters, a visibility-optimized triplex mast with or without free lift, a comfortable driver’s cab, and a high level of safety thanks to improved stability, a new type of Linde personal protection system, and special lighting solutions. Another advantage is its design as a modular system and the large number of variants and equipment options available. The chassis, mast and cab can be perfectly customized to application-specific requirements. The new trucks will be launched for sale at the LogiMAT trade show in Stuttgart at the end of April.

With increasing frequency, both large and small high-rack warehouses are reaching their capacity limits: “Online retailing demands high goods availability and fast deliveries,” says Anna Keilbach, Senior Product Manager for VNA Trucks and Vertical Order Pickers, explaining one of the reasons for the larger inventory. Another aspect is the desire for greater individualization and the associated growing number of product designs. However, as more storage space becomes needed, many operators prefer to increase the height of their racking systems instead of building new warehouses due to the high cost of floor space – especially in metropolitan areas. “As a consequence, this requires vertical order pickers with conducive working heights and performance capability,” the product manager states.

Performance makes the difference

The new Linde V modular is designed to meet precisely these requirements. For the first time, drivers will be able to reach picking heights of up to 14.5 meters from the platform – 2.5 meters more than before. In addition, the new truck offers a 22 percent increase in lifting speed and a 20 percent faster lowering speed – resulting in time savings when raising or lowering the cab, which has a positive impact on productivity. To meet the varying conditions in the warehouse, the triplex mast is available in two versions: The mast featuring a free lift is suitable for warehouses with diverse ceiling heights. Two lateral lifting cylinders instead of one centrally positioned lifting cylinder ensure optimized visibility. In the variant without a free lift, the mast extends faster because there are no deceleration phases during mast transitions. Added to this is the very good mast visibility provided by the design.

New features for enhanced safety

Along with the Linde V modular, Linde MH is going to launch its own personal protection system (PPS), which will be used in all VNA equipment from Linde MH in the future. The new Linde PPS meets all the requirements of DIN standard 15185-2, which prohibits the simultaneous presence of people and vehicles in narrow aisles and prescribes special protective measures in the event that this should happen accidentally nevertheless. Equipped with a laser scanner at the front between the load wheels and at the rear on the drive side, the Linde PPS detects people in a protective zone of up to nine meters. As soon as a person enters the area monitored by the scanner, an alarm sounds and the vehicle comes to a safe stop. Additional warning fields ensure that the order picker’s speed is reduced even before the protective zone is reached, so as to enable the smoothest possible braking process. In the transfer aisle, the Linde V modular can be operated alongside other vehicles due to its safety equipment. Here, the warning fields of the laser scanners provide assistance as well by throttling the travel speed when obstacles appear.

LED stripes provide even better visibility for the vehicles. Located at the front and rear of the lift mast, they ensure optimum distribution of light at close range. In the direction of travel, the stripes emit white light; at the rear, they shine red. Pedestrians and other forklift drivers can thus see from a distance in which direction the truck is moving.

User-friendliness is a top priority

It’s no secret that picking goods is one of the most physically demanding jobs in the warehouse environment. The Linde V modular effectively supports the picker in this regard by means of various features. First and foremost: the spacious driver’s cab, which allows plenty of freedom of movement. Added to this is the soft floor mat, which cushions vibrations and prevents fatigue. The ergonomic control panel can be mounted on the load side, the mast side or on both sides. Recently, this choice has also been extended to the positioning of the color display, which shows the driver all relevant information. This includes speed, lift height, residual capacity and steering angle, as well as other information from optional features such as Linde’s warehouse navigation system. Optionally available tilting barriers give the driver 50cms of additional reach when retrieving goods from the rack. The auxiliary lift function is another helpful feature: At the push of a button, the forks move down a defined distance so that the driver can deposit the packs of goods retrieved from the rack as easily as possible.

Ecommerce DC Deploys Array of Automation

John Lewis’ new e-commerce distribution centre in Fenny Lock, Milton Keynes, UK, features an array of automation technology. Robotics and Automation supplier Logistex was chosen earlier this year to implement its warehouse execution system to optimise the systems.

The multi-phase project will initially see Logistex deploy its Warehouse Execution System, Reflex, which will orchestrate the picking of orders across multiple zones of the Fenny Lock DC and provide full integration with conveyors, robots and automated bagging machines.

Future phases will include the deployment of an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) tote-to-person (TTP) picking solution based on Hai Robotics’ ACR robots and HaiPort workstations.

Tony Gruber, MD Logistex, said: “We are delighted to be working with John Lewis on this strategically important initiative. It combines all of our key capabilities in one project, solution design, the deployment of our Reflex WES platform in a multi-agent robotic-based automation environment & complete project life cycle support. We look forward to a successful project and an enduring relationship with John Lewis”.

John Munnelly, Head of Distribution, John Lewis Partnership (JLP), added: “This is an exciting partnership which will transform our Fenny Lock site, as we look for new and innovative ways on how to best serve our customers.”

Damien Skinner, Country Manager of UK & Ireland, Hai Robotics, said:

“We are thrilled JLP and Logistex have found the right solution with Hai Robotics’ HaiPick, which can reach up to 10m for picking and storing. We look forward to working with them on this project and expanding our partnership. One of the reasons why HaiPick was the right fit for the Logistex solution is because it is highly flexible and suitable to be deployed in existing sites. Next to that, the solution is rapidly scalable and is designed with plans for expansion in mind. HaiPick is fully CE and UKCA compliant and can be deployed relatively quickly. We will be working closely together with Logistex to achieve successful deployment for John Lewis through a joint testing methodology.”

Hai Robotics HaiPick systems can increase storage density by 80 to 400 percent while improving worker efficiency by 3 to 4 times. In addition, ACR robots can reach up to 10m high (32.8 ft). Compared with existing, especially traditional warehouse automation solutions, Hai Robotics‘ UKCA certified solutions can deliver extraordinary benefits for warehouses and logistical centres in the UK. The HaiPick systems provide more flexibility in terms of future expansion, exponentially increase operational efficiency, require less implementation time and are more cost-effective.

 

Ecommerce DC Deploys Array of Automation

John Lewis’ new e-commerce distribution centre in Fenny Lock, Milton Keynes, UK, features an array of automation technology. Robotics and Automation supplier Logistex was chosen earlier this year to implement its warehouse execution system to optimise the systems.

The multi-phase project will initially see Logistex deploy its Warehouse Execution System, Reflex, which will orchestrate the picking of orders across multiple zones of the Fenny Lock DC and provide full integration with conveyors, robots and automated bagging machines.

Future phases will include the deployment of an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) tote-to-person (TTP) picking solution based on Hai Robotics’ ACR robots and HaiPort workstations.

Tony Gruber, MD Logistex, said: “We are delighted to be working with John Lewis on this strategically important initiative. It combines all of our key capabilities in one project, solution design, the deployment of our Reflex WES platform in a multi-agent robotic-based automation environment & complete project life cycle support. We look forward to a successful project and an enduring relationship with John Lewis”.

John Munnelly, Head of Distribution, John Lewis Partnership (JLP), added: “This is an exciting partnership which will transform our Fenny Lock site, as we look for new and innovative ways on how to best serve our customers.”

Damien Skinner, Country Manager of UK & Ireland, Hai Robotics, said:

“We are thrilled JLP and Logistex have found the right solution with Hai Robotics’ HaiPick, which can reach up to 10m for picking and storing. We look forward to working with them on this project and expanding our partnership. One of the reasons why HaiPick was the right fit for the Logistex solution is because it is highly flexible and suitable to be deployed in existing sites. Next to that, the solution is rapidly scalable and is designed with plans for expansion in mind. HaiPick is fully CE and UKCA compliant and can be deployed relatively quickly. We will be working closely together with Logistex to achieve successful deployment for John Lewis through a joint testing methodology.”

Hai Robotics HaiPick systems can increase storage density by 80 to 400 percent while improving worker efficiency by 3 to 4 times. In addition, ACR robots can reach up to 10m high (32.8 ft). Compared with existing, especially traditional warehouse automation solutions, Hai Robotics‘ UKCA certified solutions can deliver extraordinary benefits for warehouses and logistical centres in the UK. The HaiPick systems provide more flexibility in terms of future expansion, exponentially increase operational efficiency, require less implementation time and are more cost-effective.

 

Samsara Launches Sustainable Fleet Management Solution

Samsara Inc. (NYSE: IOT), the pioneer of the Connected Operations™ Cloud, today introduced its Sustainable Fleet Management solution. This evolution of Samsara’s existing fuel efficiency and electric vehicle (EV) offerings is designed to empower customers with additional data-driven insights so they can reduce emissions, jumpstart electrification, and meet their sustainability goals.

Policymakers around the world are launching zero-emission vehicle programs and setting emissions reduction targets that directly impact commercial fleets across a number of industries. Additionally, fuel costs and growing social and investor demands for more sustainable operations are influencing leaders to better track and report on their progress toward these milestones and in some cases, accelerate fleet electrification. This complex transition will require long-term planning, foresight, and data-driven decisions. Not to mention, every organization will have its own unique challenges depending on its size and business objectives.

“Electric vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce environmental impact knowing that transportation is a leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions across the globe. With the right technology infrastructure, it is possible in various operations to do this without compromising your supply chain,” explained Tim Campbell, Managing Director and Commercial Vehicle Decarbonization Consultant at Campbells Consultancy. “Commercial fleet electrification has yet to reach an inflection point but with increased regulatory incentives and reporting requirements, preparedness for this operational shift remains critical.”

Samsara’s Sustainable Fleet Management solution is designed to support customers along every step of their journey toward more sustainable operations. New and enhanced features announced today include:
• Fuel & Energy Hub, acting as the one-stop shop for mixed fuel fleets – including Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), EV, and hybrid vehicles – to ensure their drivers and assets perform optimally to support sustainability goals. With this new dashboard, operations leaders can visualize an entire fleet’s performance while gathering actionable insights into fuel economy, cost, and consumption to direct change with confidence and precision. Fuel & Energy Hub is now available in open beta.
• Sustainability Report, allowing customers to visualize their fleet emissions and monitor output across sites and vehicles to pinpoint improvement areas. This report also provides insight into current and predicted fleet emissions over time, so customers can set more accurate targets and track progress against their sustainability goals. Sustainability Report is now available in open beta.
• Charge Control, combatting driver range anxiety by managing real-time EV charging at scale and easily identifying charging issues. Now, customers can create custom charging profiles by groups or by individual vehicles and receive notifications for irregularities. Charge Control will be available in open beta this summer.
• EV Suitability Report, providing customers with a tailored list of ICE vehicles within their fleet that are most suitable for EV transition. As an evolution of Samsara’s existing Fleet Electrification Report, this new report now includes assessment for all vehicle types and allows customers to configure electrification criteria for advanced recommendations. EV Suitability Report is now generally available.

Samsara customers can now leverage these features alongside the platform’s existing Fuel & Energy Report, Driver Efficiency Report, Idling Events Report, Fleet Benchmarks Report, and more.

“At M Group Services, we’re committed to achieving a 50% reduction in direct carbon emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero before 2050,” said Shaun Stephenson, Interim Managing Director at M Group Services Plant & Fleet Solutions. “Samsara helps us achieve those goals, giving us the data and tools we need to shift to more eco-friendly energy sources and empowering our drivers to be more aware of their impact on the environment.”

Today, Samsara also released its annual Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report titled “Building a safer and more sustainable world.” This report details its progress to date and the principles that guide the company’s ESG commitments, including transparency and accountability, data-driven solutions, and empowering its people and communities.

“To provide an accurate assessment of their ESG momentum, organizations need a simple way to analyse data points across their entire operations. We’re hearing this more often from our customers as they look for technology partners to track and report progress toward these goals,” said Jeff Hausman, Chief Product Officer at Samsara. “With this new solution, we’re able to provide our customers with fuel economy, vehicle utilization, and emissions insights that will help them better understand their opportunity for improvement, and take action.”

Journey of Sustainable Packaging

With the packaging industry eagerly anticipating the first interpack in six years, Hugo Beck – a world leading specialist in horizontal film packaging machines, flowpack and paper packaging machines as well as automation solutions – is welcoming visitors to its stand to see at first hand the significant improvements in machinery for sustainable packaging, including a brand-new solution for paper packaging.

Since the last interpack in 2017, Hugo Beck has invested heavily in introducing new film and paper packaging machines, as well as in improvements to existing machines and capabilities.
These advances will be showcased on the Hugo Beck stand, which will take visitors on a journey through the options available in paper and film packaging. Hugo Beck promises ‘the highest flexibility for today’s markets and tomorrows.’

A key focus will be on the ability to deliver sustainable packaging concepts and resource-saving machine technology. This includes futureproofing customers’ packaging processes through the integration of flexible, fully automated packaging machines, which help to reduce material consumption, drive greater efficiency and improve recyclability.

On the Hugo Beck stand (Hall 11, Stand G39)

– The Hugo Beck stand is highlighting individual packaging solutions for diverse industries and products. A brand new flexo paper packaging solution will be introduced to the market as a cost-effective entry model and a space-saving machine solution. As a hybrid variant of the company’s flexo machine series for paper and film the machine can be changed between packaging materials within minutes, making it perfect for a number of industries from e-commerce and logistics through to many others.

– The paper e-com fit for paper packaging, which is ideal for e-commerce applications, automatically adapts the size of shipping bags to the varying length and width of products. Different product sizes up to 200 mm tall can be packaged in a jumble using a minimum amount of paper. The precisely fitting paper bags feature two sewn sides plus a glued top overlap. As such, it opens up new possibilities for sustainable shipping packaging for the e-commerce, mail order and logistics sectors when it comes to direct dispatch of individual goods, packing groups of products or meeting the complex requirements of returns packaging.

– The flowpack X is a modular solution for air-tight film packaging and paper packaging. Easily adjusted to process varying packaging materials with a short changeover, and capable of coping with the most diverse heat and cold-sealable paper-based packaging materials and films with different thickness, the flowpack X enables optimum functionality for manufacturers seeking sustainable packaging materials. Offering air-tight film packaging, it is perfect for pharmaceutical or medical technology, but the flowpack X provides customers across multiple industries with ultimate flexibility and security when working with a variety of packaging materials.

– The continuous servo X Form Fill and Seal machines are capable of material savings of 60-70% through minimal use of film targeting diverse industries. Minimising the use of packaging material in the first place is a key requirement for sustainability. The servo X machine series is designed to ensure film use is as efficient as possible while delivering a consistently high, or even increased, output across all types of machine-compatible films, such as mono-material films, recycled content films and bioplastics. The amount of film required is reduced by simply using the company’s extremely tight packaging technology, which delivers a precision fit of the film and hardly any film waste during production. The environmental profile of film packaging can also be optimised by making it as thin and light as possible. Packaging machines from Hugo Beck process extremely thin packaging and shrink films starting from only 7 µm.

SEW-EURODRIVE is exhibiting Hugo Beck’s latest flowpack X for paper packaging, which is available with complete machine automation solutions from SEW-EURODRIVE on request. The selected drive and automation components from SEW-EURODRIVE have been expanded specifically due to Hugo Beck‘s sustainability requirements and now include components such as energy storage units and stepper drives. The use of an intelligent energy management system and the replacement of pneumatic drives with electromechanical drives significantly and measurably reduces energy requirements and makes compressed air unnecessary.

The use of an energy storage unit, in conjunction with the software modules from SEW-EURODRIVE, leads to stabilisation of the power supply and bridging of short-term voltage dips, to reduced peak loads as well as to controlled stops in the event of longer power failures. This means that the machine can also be used when the power grid is not stable or even when a power failure is expected.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to interpack, to see the huge strides we’ve made in terms of product development since the last show,” commented Timo Kollmann, Managing Director of Hugo Beck. The world has changed a lot over the past six years, with an increased focus on sustainability and significant growth in sectors such as e-commerce. Our latest solutions help customers to meet their challenges in terms of increased sustainability while still delivering on the key requirements for effective packaging such as protection and preservation of products.”

 

Webinar: Engineering Risk out of Insurance Transactions

Insurance of freight is about managing risk. Listen and learn about the Redkik revolution of the logistics insurance industry. The panel – Chris Kalinski of Redkik and Tom Ptacek of Lockton Industries, moderated by Editor Peter MacLeod, discuss how insurance calculation predictions and rates per mile are now possible, as is integration with transport management and brokering platforms. Freight insurance is becoming a variable, rather than a fixed cost. Marine risk insurance is the oldest in the world but has come a long way since Lloyds began.

Watch the 30 minute webinar here or choose from all our recent podcasts and webinars here.

Redkik is a global Insurtech company with the mission to transform and improve the insurance industry for all parties within logistics and transportation. Redkik’s platform eliminates the need for annual and complex policies. Through Redkik’s embedded integration with licensed cargo insurance providers, transport intermediaries can offer their customers on-demand per-shipment, customized cargo insurance when their freight is booked.

“Redkik has enjoyed expanding to the Asian market with ERGO; they have been nothing but knowledgeable in supporting this partnership and imminent launch across Asia. Redkik’s technology and ERGO’s well established insurance capabilities has led to a transformative partnership that will change the way we think of cargo insurance,” said Chris Kalinski, CEO and founder of Redkik.

“ERGO is excited to partner with Redkik. We want to transform the way Marine Cargo business is done in our region and offer instant quotes and issuance of the certificate of insurance to our customers in seconds,” said Karl-Heinz Jung, Chief Executive of ERGO Singapore.

This SaaS solution for cargo insurance is now available for transport intermediaries to distribute in Singapore and will soon expand through the rest of Asia. This follows a successful launch in the US in 2021 and Europe and Brazil in 2022.

Webinar: Engineering Risk out of Insurance Transactions

Insurance of freight is about managing risk. Listen and learn about the Redkik revolution of the logistics insurance industry. The panel – Chris Kalinski of Redkik and Tom Ptacek of Lockton Industries, moderated by Editor Peter MacLeod, discuss how insurance calculation predictions and rates per mile are now possible, as is integration with transport management and brokering platforms. Freight insurance is becoming a variable, rather than a fixed cost. Marine risk insurance is the oldest in the world but has come a long way since Lloyds began.

Watch the 30 minute webinar here or choose from all our recent podcasts and webinars here.

Redkik is a global Insurtech company with the mission to transform and improve the insurance industry for all parties within logistics and transportation. Redkik’s platform eliminates the need for annual and complex policies. Through Redkik’s embedded integration with licensed cargo insurance providers, transport intermediaries can offer their customers on-demand per-shipment, customized cargo insurance when their freight is booked.

“Redkik has enjoyed expanding to the Asian market with ERGO; they have been nothing but knowledgeable in supporting this partnership and imminent launch across Asia. Redkik’s technology and ERGO’s well established insurance capabilities has led to a transformative partnership that will change the way we think of cargo insurance,” said Chris Kalinski, CEO and founder of Redkik.

“ERGO is excited to partner with Redkik. We want to transform the way Marine Cargo business is done in our region and offer instant quotes and issuance of the certificate of insurance to our customers in seconds,” said Karl-Heinz Jung, Chief Executive of ERGO Singapore.

This SaaS solution for cargo insurance is now available for transport intermediaries to distribute in Singapore and will soon expand through the rest of Asia. This follows a successful launch in the US in 2021 and Europe and Brazil in 2022.

Low-cost Power Source Forklift Users Can’t Ignore

In the race to reduce their carbon footprint, many forklift truck users are ignoring a power source that would allow them to cut emissions, save money and avoid costly grid issues: LP Gas.

“Right now, the focus is on electric forklifts, and with good reason,” explains Stewart Gosling of Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks UK. “They are quiet, clean and come with a lot of integrated safety features. It’s why the award-winning Mitsubishi EDiA range is deservedly in such great demand.

“But, the price of electricity has rocketed in recent months, just as diesel costs did when the tax relief on red diesel was removed. By contrast, the one fuel source that has remained stable is LP Gas, making it the most economical solution for many different applications.”

Stage 5 Mitsubishi GRENDiA LP Gas counterbalance is a clean winner

Recently, one international transport specialist examined every option (including electric) and eventually opted for LP Gas – in this case a fleet of Mitsubishi GRENDiA counterbalance trucks – because of the high demands they place on the trucks, including extended shifts.

The company’s decision was also greatly influenced by GRENDiA’s green credentials. It is Stage 5 compliant and comes with a three-way catalytic converter and engine management system that combines to ensure ultra-low emissions and industry-leading fuel economy. The customer’s other concern when considering a switch to electric was the additional space required for charging operations.

“This would be less of an issue with Li-ion batteries, but that technology can raise different issues,” adds Stewart. “Some sites simply don’t have sufficient power supply to facilitate the high energy loads required for large numbers of Li-ion recharging points or can only do so at extra cost.

“The cost of electricity itself is an increasingly significant factor in areas where tariffs are particularly high. We have customers with multi-site operations who have gone for a hybrid approach, installing Mitsubishi electric trucks on some sites but LP Gas ones where the electricity tariff was unacceptably high. The lesson in all this is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution… but there is every chance that a low-emission, fuel-efficient LP Gas truck could be the answer or an important part of it.”

Subscribe

Get notified about New Episodes of our Podcast, New Magazine Issues and stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter.