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Month: June 2023

Clark Expands Sales Network in Spain

Posted on by Keith McKinley

With Grupo NC/Ontieleva, Clark has brought a new contract partner for Spain on board. Ontieleva is taking over the sales activities for Clark Europe in the province of Valencia. With this strategic step, Clark wants to further expand its sales activities on the Spanish market.

Grupo NC/Ontieleva, founded in 1995 with its headquarters in Ontinyent and a branch in Beniparrell near Valencia, specialises in the sale, rental, maintenance, and repair of materials handling vehicles. Today, the company employs a total of 20 people in sales, workshop, vehicle and spare parts warehouse and administration.

Ontieleva offers its customers the complete Clark range of services. In addition to the sale of all forklift classes and warehouse technology vehicles, this also includes the Clark spare parts and accessories supply. An extensive range of services including rental and financing as well as a comprehensive service for Clark new and used materials handling vehicles rounds off the range of services.

”We are delighted to welcome Ontieleva to our team. In Ontieleva we have found an excellent partner with sound know-how in the field of materials handling vehicles for the province of Valencia. With Ontieleva, customers in the region will have another competent partner at their side in the future,” says Rolf Eiten, President & CEO at Clark Europe.

“We are very pleased to have been able to conclude a cooperation agreement with Clark Europe, one of the world’s leading companies in the field of materials handling vehicles. This partnership is an important step in our strategy to offer our customers comprehensive and high-quality solutions for their logistics processes,” explains Javier Niñerola, Managing Director Grupo NC/Ontieleva. “Clark has an extensive range of powerful and safe materials handling vehicles that can be used in a wide variety of industries and applications. In addition, Clark provides us with excellent technical support with regular product training. This enables us to offer our customers a highly qualified service. We are convinced that the cooperation will pay off for both sides and that together we can expand our market position in the Spanish market.”

Since the forklift was invented by Eugene Clark in Buchanan, Michigan (USA) in 1917, CLARK has been one of the worldwide market leaders in the materials handling vehicles business. With more than 100 years of experience in the materials handling vehicles sector and over 1.4 million forklifts sold worldwide, the CLARK brand, which is proud of its roots in America, is associated with modern and robust product design, progressive, sophisticated technology and excellent customer service. Since 2003, CLARK has been part of the South Korean Young An Group based in Bucheon and offers a complete product portfolio consisting of forklifts with electric power or internal combustion engines and load capacities of 1.5 to 8 tons, narrow-aisle forklifts, warehouse equipment and an extensive range of services.

CLARK Material Handling International (CMHI) with its head office in Bucheon, South Korea, is currently represented worldwide at more than 480 locations in over 90 nations. The operations are managed at four headquarters around the world. Production is assembled according to European quality standards at plants in Korea, the United States, Vietnam and China. With 180 Clark dealers in 60 countries, CLARK Europe GmbH is one of four subsidiaries of CMHI and serves the regions of Europe, the Middle East and Africa from its headquarters in Duisburg, Germany.

Clark Expands Sales Network in Spain

Posted on by David Priestman

With Grupo NC/Ontieleva, Clark has brought a new contract partner for Spain on board. Ontieleva is taking over the sales activities for Clark Europe in the province of Valencia. With this strategic step, Clark wants to further expand its sales activities on the Spanish market.

Grupo NC/Ontieleva, founded in 1995 with its headquarters in Ontinyent and a branch in Beniparrell near Valencia, specialises in the sale, rental, maintenance, and repair of materials handling vehicles. Today, the company employs a total of 20 people in sales, workshop, vehicle and spare parts warehouse and administration.

Ontieleva offers its customers the complete Clark range of services. In addition to the sale of all forklift classes and warehouse technology vehicles, this also includes the Clark spare parts and accessories supply. An extensive range of services including rental and financing as well as a comprehensive service for Clark new and used materials handling vehicles rounds off the range of services.

”We are delighted to welcome Ontieleva to our team. In Ontieleva we have found an excellent partner with sound know-how in the field of materials handling vehicles for the province of Valencia. With Ontieleva, customers in the region will have another competent partner at their side in the future,” says Rolf Eiten, President & CEO at Clark Europe.

“We are very pleased to have been able to conclude a cooperation agreement with Clark Europe, one of the world’s leading companies in the field of materials handling vehicles. This partnership is an important step in our strategy to offer our customers comprehensive and high-quality solutions for their logistics processes,” explains Javier Niñerola, Managing Director Grupo NC/Ontieleva. “Clark has an extensive range of powerful and safe materials handling vehicles that can be used in a wide variety of industries and applications. In addition, Clark provides us with excellent technical support with regular product training. This enables us to offer our customers a highly qualified service. We are convinced that the cooperation will pay off for both sides and that together we can expand our market position in the Spanish market.”

Since the forklift was invented by Eugene Clark in Buchanan, Michigan (USA) in 1917, CLARK has been one of the worldwide market leaders in the materials handling vehicles business. With more than 100 years of experience in the materials handling vehicles sector and over 1.4 million forklifts sold worldwide, the CLARK brand, which is proud of its roots in America, is associated with modern and robust product design, progressive, sophisticated technology and excellent customer service. Since 2003, CLARK has been part of the South Korean Young An Group based in Bucheon and offers a complete product portfolio consisting of forklifts with electric power or internal combustion engines and load capacities of 1.5 to 8 tons, narrow-aisle forklifts, warehouse equipment and an extensive range of services.

CLARK Material Handling International (CMHI) with its head office in Bucheon, South Korea, is currently represented worldwide at more than 480 locations in over 90 nations. The operations are managed at four headquarters around the world. Production is assembled according to European quality standards at plants in Korea, the United States, Vietnam and China. With 180 Clark dealers in 60 countries, CLARK Europe GmbH is one of four subsidiaries of CMHI and serves the regions of Europe, the Middle East and Africa from its headquarters in Duisburg, Germany.

Hai Robotics Opens UK Office in Northampton

Posted on by David Priestman

Hai Robotics, a worldwide leader in Autonomous Case-handling Robot (ACR) systems in warehouses, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its maiden UK office at Vulcan Works, a new space for creative and digital businesses in Northampton.

Since establishing its European headquarters in the Netherlands in late 2021, Hai Robotics has quickly developed a reputation for revolutionising warehouse automation throughout the region, undertaking more than 30 projects across Europe and four in the UK. This growth is further bolstered by partnerships with UK companies including Logistex, Breathe Technologies and Invar Group.

The new office at Vulcan Works in Northampton will house the sales, solutions, implementation, testing, after-sales support, PR and marketing functions of Hai Robotics UK Ltd. The team will be fully supported by the company’s European HQ in the Netherlands.

“Launching our inaugural UK office signifies a critical milestone for Hai Robotics and underscores our enduring commitment to this vibrant market,” declared Damien Skinner, Country Manager of the UK & Ireland. “Our decision to establish ourselves at Vulcan Works was driven by a multitude of factors. Northampton’s strategic location in the heart of the UK’s ‘Logistics Golden Triangle’—Bedford-Birmingham-Nottingham—ensures our close proximity to customers and site references. Additionally, the comprehensive facilities at Vulcan Works, which feature beautifully restored spaces, well-equipped meeting rooms with flexible booking options, provide an environment conducive for growth and innovation. Above all, the flexibility and security offered by Vulcan Works are paramount in fuelling our progressive journey.”

Recently, Hai Robotics proudly unveiled a ground-breaking project in the UK, joining forces with Logistex to optimise John Lewis Partnership’s new e-commerce distribution centre in Fenny Lock, Milton Keynes. The project is centred around the deployment of a picking solution powered by Hai Robotics’ innovative ACR robots and HaiPort workstations, which also provide flexibility and scalability for future expansion. Hai Robotics initiatives have seen the successful implementation of 160 ACR robots. In addition, the company has solidified its presence in the market by securing two more substantial contracts, further contributing to its growth trajectory.

“We are thrilled to welcome Hai Robotics to Vulcan Works,” added Centre Manager of Vulkan Works, Garrick Hurter. “To have a global company who is at the forefront of such impressive digital technology and forward-thinking automation choose our space as a location for its first UK office is a real coup.

“This is a prime example of the type of business we want to attract to the centre – a company who is looking to grow and expand with a digital or creative focus. We know that Hai Robotics will really flourish here, not just thanks to our wonderful facilities that are conducive to productive, collaborative working, but also through our additional business support events and workshops and prime location.”

ACR systems provided by Hai Robotics deliver highly efficient Goods-to-Person solutions that blend perfectly within the warehouse environment. Notably, these systems can increase storage density by an astonishing 80 to 400 per cent and enhance worker efficiency by three to four times, outperforming traditional warehouse automation solutions. Moreover, ACR robots can reach impressive heights of up to 10 metres, making them a game-changer in warehouse operations.

Certified by UKCA and CE, Hai Robotics‘ revolutionary ACR systems are all set to bring about a seismic shift in the UK’s warehouses and logistics centres, promising extraordinary benefits that set the company apart from the rest, reshaping the future of logistics in the UK.

Hai Robotics Opens UK Office in Northampton

Posted on by David Priestman

Hai Robotics, a worldwide leader in Autonomous Case-handling Robot (ACR) systems in warehouses, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its maiden UK office at Vulcan Works, a new space for creative and digital businesses in Northampton.

Since establishing its European headquarters in the Netherlands in late 2021, Hai Robotics has quickly developed a reputation for revolutionising warehouse automation throughout the region, undertaking more than 30 projects across Europe and four in the UK. This growth is further bolstered by partnerships with UK companies including Logistex, Breathe Technologies and Invar Group.

The new office at Vulcan Works in Northampton will house the sales, solutions, implementation, testing, after-sales support, PR and marketing functions of Hai Robotics UK Ltd. The team will be fully supported by the company’s European HQ in the Netherlands.

“Launching our inaugural UK office signifies a critical milestone for Hai Robotics and underscores our enduring commitment to this vibrant market,” declared Damien Skinner, Country Manager of the UK & Ireland. “Our decision to establish ourselves at Vulcan Works was driven by a multitude of factors. Northampton’s strategic location in the heart of the UK’s ‘Logistics Golden Triangle’—Bedford-Birmingham-Nottingham—ensures our close proximity to customers and site references. Additionally, the comprehensive facilities at Vulcan Works, which feature beautifully restored spaces, well-equipped meeting rooms with flexible booking options, provide an environment conducive for growth and innovation. Above all, the flexibility and security offered by Vulcan Works are paramount in fuelling our progressive journey.”

Recently, Hai Robotics proudly unveiled a ground-breaking project in the UK, joining forces with Logistex to optimise John Lewis Partnership’s new e-commerce distribution centre in Fenny Lock, Milton Keynes. The project is centred around the deployment of a picking solution powered by Hai Robotics’ innovative ACR robots and HaiPort workstations, which also provide flexibility and scalability for future expansion. Hai Robotics initiatives have seen the successful implementation of 160 ACR robots. In addition, the company has solidified its presence in the market by securing two more substantial contracts, further contributing to its growth trajectory.

“We are thrilled to welcome Hai Robotics to Vulcan Works,” added Centre Manager of Vulkan Works, Garrick Hurter. “To have a global company who is at the forefront of such impressive digital technology and forward-thinking automation choose our space as a location for its first UK office is a real coup.

“This is a prime example of the type of business we want to attract to the centre – a company who is looking to grow and expand with a digital or creative focus. We know that Hai Robotics will really flourish here, not just thanks to our wonderful facilities that are conducive to productive, collaborative working, but also through our additional business support events and workshops and prime location.”

ACR systems provided by Hai Robotics deliver highly efficient Goods-to-Person solutions that blend perfectly within the warehouse environment. Notably, these systems can increase storage density by an astonishing 80 to 400 per cent and enhance worker efficiency by three to four times, outperforming traditional warehouse automation solutions. Moreover, ACR robots can reach impressive heights of up to 10 metres, making them a game-changer in warehouse operations.

Certified by UKCA and CE, Hai Robotics‘ revolutionary ACR systems are all set to bring about a seismic shift in the UK’s warehouses and logistics centres, promising extraordinary benefits that set the company apart from the rest, reshaping the future of logistics in the UK.

IFOY Test Report: Computed MyoGraphy by Predimo

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The latest submission in the IFOY Award finalists to come under the microscope ahead of the announcement ceremony later this week is Computed MyoGraphy by Predimo.

Computed MyoGraphy is a tool for evaluating workplaces in terms of ergonomics and process efficiency. The unique technology is based on a digital human twin that allows you to look inside the human body and recognise what each individual muscle is doing. For the first time, it is thus possible to indicate overload as a key figure. The resulting advice reduces sick days and thus helps to counteract the shortage of skilled workers.

IFOY category: Start-up of the Year

IFOY Test Report

Computed MyoGraphy is composed of a hardware part and a software part. The hardware part consists of 17 IoT sensors that are worn over the work clothes with Velcro straps. These sensors are needed to record the movement of the worker. Based on the data thus obtained, a cloud application calculates the activity of each muscle and the load on the joints. In the visualisation software, these loads can be analysed to derive ergonomic recommendations. In combination with fully automated process and material flow tools or simple productivity verifications, precise key figures for ergonomics and productivity can thus be defined.

Due to the amount of data, ergonomics can also be correlated with productivity for the first time and it is shown that ergonomic workplaces automatically lead to personnel working faster. In intralogistics, the application is particularly useful in picking or packing areas.

Previous ergonomics analyses are based on a view of the human body and cannot look inside the body. This means that they cannot describe the overload as a key figure, but only approximately. With the help of certain joint angles, an attempt is made to describe this key figure: for example, working above shoulder height is bad, an inclination of the upper body of more than 30° is unergonomic. However, according to the current state of science, it is known that these currently common findings do not correspond to the real load. It often happened that previous ergonomic workplace optimisations did not lead to a reduction in lost workdays, but rather increased process efficiency or reduced picking errors, for example.

With Computed MyoGraphy, it is possible to define overload as a key figure that has a direct influence on lost work days, thus enabling a “real” ergonomic analysis. In the area of process analysis, state-of-the-art tools are used that can be used without integration into the IT structure. This gives Predimo a unique selling point in the field of health/ergonomics that is unparalleled anywhere else in the world.

IFOY test verdict: Computed MyoGraphy is a tool for evaluating workplaces in terms of ergonomics and process efficiency. The technology is based on a digital human twin that allows you to look inside the human body and see what each individual muscle is doing. This makes it possible for the first time to indicate overload as a key figure. With Computed MyoGraphy, fixed values and full transparency are available from which measures can be derived that really help and with which an ROI can be determined. Mainly in combination with process analysis, this results in insights that increase health, well-being, and productivity. The resulting recommendations reduce sick days and thus counteract the shortage of skilled workers. Health insurance companies are required to provide financial support for the analysis. The amount of support depends on the number of insured employees of the respective health insurance company and other factors in the company.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: In the foreground of the market relevance estimated by Predimo itself is the constantly increasing shortage of skilled workers. This is to be counteracted, especially in the field of logistics, with the help of the product Computed MyoGraphy. This is realised by a recording of the motion sequence of the employees, which is used as input data in a complete digital twin of the human motion (muscle) and skeletal (bone) apparatus for an evaluation of the body loads. By optimising processes regarding to less body-straining procedures, the health of the workforce is sustainably promoted. Sickness and absenteeism can thus be reduced.

Customer benefit: Both for the companies and their employees, the process flow can be optimised, occupational health and safety is effectively supported and, at the same time, an increase in performance is usually achieved. An analysis of the individual body loads is here the basis for an evaluation of the current processes. This analysis is carried out by Predimo as a service provider and offers the very great advantage that detailed results are obtained for the areas of health, occupational safety, process design and performance evaluation, which can reveal valuable optimisation potential for both the employee and the company.

Novelty / Innovation: The innovative leap consists, on the one hand, in the construction of an extensively complete digital twin of the human bone and muscle apparatus, which, in conjunction with adapted simple measurement sensors, permits a comprehensive and detailed load analysis of the human body. The data required for this is obtained via the sensors directly during the process and then analysed. The unique selling point here is that the analysis is virtually placed inside the body and the effects on the musculoskeletal system are examined directly.

Functionality / Type of implementation: For the measurement, only a few sensors need to be installed on the test person and these are little disruptive during the workflow. Then the digital twin with the test data is activated via a software tool. The analysis of the results requires solid expertise and is carried out here by Predimo as a service provider.

Verdict: Predimo’s Computed MyoGraphy is primarily a newly constructed digital twin of the human bone and muscle apparatus. This, in turn, is linked to movement data recorded by acceleration sensors from the person to be analysed in the course of his or her operational activities. The result – manually evaluated by experts – is a load profile of the employee’s musculoskeletal system. Furthermore, the risk potential is analysed, a structured process analysis of the activity is carried out, and a performance evaluation is performed.

Market relevance Ø
Customer benefit ++
Novelty / Innovation ++
Functionality / Type of implementation +
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not present]

IFOY Test Report: Computed MyoGraphy by Predimo

Posted on by David Priestman

The latest submission in the IFOY Award finalists to come under the microscope ahead of the announcement ceremony later this week is Computed MyoGraphy by Predimo.

Computed MyoGraphy is a tool for evaluating workplaces in terms of ergonomics and process efficiency. The unique technology is based on a digital human twin that allows you to look inside the human body and recognise what each individual muscle is doing. For the first time, it is thus possible to indicate overload as a key figure. The resulting advice reduces sick days and thus helps to counteract the shortage of skilled workers.

IFOY category: Start-up of the Year

IFOY Test Report

Computed MyoGraphy is composed of a hardware part and a software part. The hardware part consists of 17 IoT sensors that are worn over the work clothes with Velcro straps. These sensors are needed to record the movement of the worker. Based on the data thus obtained, a cloud application calculates the activity of each muscle and the load on the joints. In the visualisation software, these loads can be analysed to derive ergonomic recommendations. In combination with fully automated process and material flow tools or simple productivity verifications, precise key figures for ergonomics and productivity can thus be defined.

Due to the amount of data, ergonomics can also be correlated with productivity for the first time and it is shown that ergonomic workplaces automatically lead to personnel working faster. In intralogistics, the application is particularly useful in picking or packing areas.

Previous ergonomics analyses are based on a view of the human body and cannot look inside the body. This means that they cannot describe the overload as a key figure, but only approximately. With the help of certain joint angles, an attempt is made to describe this key figure: for example, working above shoulder height is bad, an inclination of the upper body of more than 30° is unergonomic. However, according to the current state of science, it is known that these currently common findings do not correspond to the real load. It often happened that previous ergonomic workplace optimisations did not lead to a reduction in lost workdays, but rather increased process efficiency or reduced picking errors, for example.

With Computed MyoGraphy, it is possible to define overload as a key figure that has a direct influence on lost work days, thus enabling a “real” ergonomic analysis. In the area of process analysis, state-of-the-art tools are used that can be used without integration into the IT structure. This gives Predimo a unique selling point in the field of health/ergonomics that is unparalleled anywhere else in the world.

IFOY test verdict: Computed MyoGraphy is a tool for evaluating workplaces in terms of ergonomics and process efficiency. The technology is based on a digital human twin that allows you to look inside the human body and see what each individual muscle is doing. This makes it possible for the first time to indicate overload as a key figure. With Computed MyoGraphy, fixed values and full transparency are available from which measures can be derived that really help and with which an ROI can be determined. Mainly in combination with process analysis, this results in insights that increase health, well-being, and productivity. The resulting recommendations reduce sick days and thus counteract the shortage of skilled workers. Health insurance companies are required to provide financial support for the analysis. The amount of support depends on the number of insured employees of the respective health insurance company and other factors in the company.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: In the foreground of the market relevance estimated by Predimo itself is the constantly increasing shortage of skilled workers. This is to be counteracted, especially in the field of logistics, with the help of the product Computed MyoGraphy. This is realised by a recording of the motion sequence of the employees, which is used as input data in a complete digital twin of the human motion (muscle) and skeletal (bone) apparatus for an evaluation of the body loads. By optimising processes regarding to less body-straining procedures, the health of the workforce is sustainably promoted. Sickness and absenteeism can thus be reduced.

Customer benefit: Both for the companies and their employees, the process flow can be optimised, occupational health and safety is effectively supported and, at the same time, an increase in performance is usually achieved. An analysis of the individual body loads is here the basis for an evaluation of the current processes. This analysis is carried out by Predimo as a service provider and offers the very great advantage that detailed results are obtained for the areas of health, occupational safety, process design and performance evaluation, which can reveal valuable optimisation potential for both the employee and the company.

Novelty / Innovation: The innovative leap consists, on the one hand, in the construction of an extensively complete digital twin of the human bone and muscle apparatus, which, in conjunction with adapted simple measurement sensors, permits a comprehensive and detailed load analysis of the human body. The data required for this is obtained via the sensors directly during the process and then analysed. The unique selling point here is that the analysis is virtually placed inside the body and the effects on the musculoskeletal system are examined directly.

Functionality / Type of implementation: For the measurement, only a few sensors need to be installed on the test person and these are little disruptive during the workflow. Then the digital twin with the test data is activated via a software tool. The analysis of the results requires solid expertise and is carried out here by Predimo as a service provider.

Verdict: Predimo’s Computed MyoGraphy is primarily a newly constructed digital twin of the human bone and muscle apparatus. This, in turn, is linked to movement data recorded by acceleration sensors from the person to be analysed in the course of his or her operational activities. The result – manually evaluated by experts – is a load profile of the employee’s musculoskeletal system. Furthermore, the risk potential is analysed, a structured process analysis of the activity is carried out, and a performance evaluation is performed.

Market relevance Ø
Customer benefit ++
Novelty / Innovation ++
Functionality / Type of implementation +
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not present]

IFOY Test Report: NIMMSTA Light Tag

Posted on by Keith McKinley

As we enter the week when the IFOY Awards are handed out in Dortmund (on Thursday June 22nd), we continue our look at all of the 2023 finalists and share the verdict from the IFOY test conducted during the evaluation by an expert jury in March. Our next entry is the Light Tag pick-by-light solution from NIMMSTA GmbH.

The NIMMSTA Light Tags represent a completely new approach to a pick-by-light solution that achieves up to 80% more efficiency without integration effort and in combination with the NIMMSTA Industrial Smart Watch.

IFOY category: Special of the Year

IFOY Test Report

NIMMSTA had set up a shelf at its booth where visitors to IFOY TEST DAYS could try their hand as a picker. So what could be more natural than putting on one of the company’s hand straps and getting started? The task for visitors was to pick five products. Without assistance from NIMMSTA’s system, it took the tester 112 seconds. But it can be even better. With support from the Light Tags, the time could be reduced to 74 seconds.

The approach to the solution is completely new, because the “Light Tags” contain only battery-powered LEDs (battery life: three to five years) that light up in different colours and patterns. All the logic is in the NIMMSTA wearable, which personnel wear directly on their bodies. This combination makes all intralogistics processes digital and more efficient.

Via Bluetooth, a position is assigned once to each light tag in the NIMMSTA app. The light tag is then attached to the corresponding storage location with an adhesive strip. As soon as the picker is sent to position 1 via the NIMMSTA smart watch and the picker approaches position 1 within a radius of 10m, the smart watch and the light tag light up in the same colour and pattern. Based on the Freehand workflows and the pick-by-light solution with the light tags, the processes run up to 80% more efficiently, because the storage location is additionally immediately visually recognisable for the personnel. In the process, the wearable creates the conditions for up to a 50% percent increase in efficiency and the light tags contribute up to 30%.

Remarkably, no integration effort is required to use the system. Alternative pick-by-light systems are complex and costly to implement, both on the software side and the electronics or wiring at the racks. NIMMSTA’s pick-by-light solution is simple and smart: the intelligence is not in the display system, but in the industrial smart watch, which only addresses the corresponding light tag. With the help of this solution, processes can be transformed into freehand workflows.

IFOY test verdict: The potential for the solution in intralogistics and production is considerable. The provider’s goal is to optimize not just one process step, but the entire value chain. The focus is on creating more efficiency for the user, increasing process quality, and consequently securing the user’s productivity and growth. At the same time, however, the working environment of the personnel in intralogistics and production is to be improved.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: With increasing turnover figures in the mail order business, the topic of picking efficiency is gaining in importance. With the combination of “Industrial Smart Watch” with scanner as well as the “Light Tags”, NIMMSTA offers a cost-efficient solution to achieve a significantly higher picking speed than with handgun scanners when manually assembling consignments of goods. The market relevance is particularly high for small and medium-sized warehouses (in SMEs) where no investment in automation solutions is planned. However, the solution also scales into large warehouses and can pay for itself within 4 to 8 months.

Customer benefit: In addition to the 50% increase in efficiency already measured in customer applications using the wearable, the light tags are expected to improve search time at the shelf by a further 30% while reducing picking errors. Since the battery-operated light tags are only stuck to the shelf and integrated into the system with a one-time scan, setup is extremely simple and also very cost-effective compared to other solutions.

Novelty / Innovation: The combination of wearable with a pick/put-by-light solution without cabling effort and with very simple installation can be considered as a special novelty, which promises high efficiency increases in manual picking with very low investments and costs at the same time.

Functionality / Type of implementation: In terms of functionality, great importance was attached to simple usability in all relevant processes. Starting with the quick installation by simple sticking and one-time booking in the system, over the stringent user guidance via wearable and display of the next product by the light tags in the colours of the picker up to the replacement of the AAA batteries after the 3 to 5 years’ runtime in the tags for uninterrupted operation. The high battery life is achieved through extremely low-power communication strategies between the light tags and the wearable, and because no data processing takes place in the tags. By concentrating all intelligent functions in the wearable and via its cloud connection, a wide variety of other processes (goods receipt booking, inventory, stock transfer) can be added.

Verdict: The NIMMSTA pick-by-light solution enables a significant increase in efficiency of manual picking and putting processes, innovatively implemented through a technically simple display technology for the shelves in the warehouse that can be easily integrated by sticking and scanning. Due to the high level of user-friendliness, the comprehensive connection to a wide range of warehouse management systems and the very short payback period of usually a few months, the system is considered to have very high market potential.

Market relevance ++
Customer benefit ++
Novelty / Innovation +
Functionality / Type of implementation ++
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available]

IFOY Test Report: NIMMSTA Light Tag

Posted on by David Priestman

As we enter the week when the IFOY Awards are handed out in Dortmund (on Thursday June 22nd), we continue our look at all of the 2023 finalists and share the verdict from the IFOY test conducted during the evaluation by an expert jury in March. Our next entry is the Light Tag pick-by-light solution from NIMMSTA GmbH.

The NIMMSTA Light Tags represent a completely new approach to a pick-by-light solution that achieves up to 80% more efficiency without integration effort and in combination with the NIMMSTA Industrial Smart Watch.

IFOY category: Special of the Year

IFOY Test Report

NIMMSTA had set up a shelf at its booth where visitors to IFOY TEST DAYS could try their hand as a picker. So what could be more natural than putting on one of the company’s hand straps and getting started? The task for visitors was to pick five products. Without assistance from NIMMSTA’s system, it took the tester 112 seconds. But it can be even better. With support from the Light Tags, the time could be reduced to 74 seconds.

The approach to the solution is completely new, because the “Light Tags” contain only battery-powered LEDs (battery life: three to five years) that light up in different colours and patterns. All the logic is in the NIMMSTA wearable, which personnel wear directly on their bodies. This combination makes all intralogistics processes digital and more efficient.

Via Bluetooth, a position is assigned once to each light tag in the NIMMSTA app. The light tag is then attached to the corresponding storage location with an adhesive strip. As soon as the picker is sent to position 1 via the NIMMSTA smart watch and the picker approaches position 1 within a radius of 10m, the smart watch and the light tag light up in the same colour and pattern. Based on the Freehand workflows and the pick-by-light solution with the light tags, the processes run up to 80% more efficiently, because the storage location is additionally immediately visually recognisable for the personnel. In the process, the wearable creates the conditions for up to a 50% percent increase in efficiency and the light tags contribute up to 30%.

Remarkably, no integration effort is required to use the system. Alternative pick-by-light systems are complex and costly to implement, both on the software side and the electronics or wiring at the racks. NIMMSTA’s pick-by-light solution is simple and smart: the intelligence is not in the display system, but in the industrial smart watch, which only addresses the corresponding light tag. With the help of this solution, processes can be transformed into freehand workflows.

IFOY test verdict: The potential for the solution in intralogistics and production is considerable. The provider’s goal is to optimize not just one process step, but the entire value chain. The focus is on creating more efficiency for the user, increasing process quality, and consequently securing the user’s productivity and growth. At the same time, however, the working environment of the personnel in intralogistics and production is to be improved.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: With increasing turnover figures in the mail order business, the topic of picking efficiency is gaining in importance. With the combination of “Industrial Smart Watch” with scanner as well as the “Light Tags”, NIMMSTA offers a cost-efficient solution to achieve a significantly higher picking speed than with handgun scanners when manually assembling consignments of goods. The market relevance is particularly high for small and medium-sized warehouses (in SMEs) where no investment in automation solutions is planned. However, the solution also scales into large warehouses and can pay for itself within 4 to 8 months.

Customer benefit: In addition to the 50% increase in efficiency already measured in customer applications using the wearable, the light tags are expected to improve search time at the shelf by a further 30% while reducing picking errors. Since the battery-operated light tags are only stuck to the shelf and integrated into the system with a one-time scan, setup is extremely simple and also very cost-effective compared to other solutions.

Novelty / Innovation: The combination of wearable with a pick/put-by-light solution without cabling effort and with very simple installation can be considered as a special novelty, which promises high efficiency increases in manual picking with very low investments and costs at the same time.

Functionality / Type of implementation: In terms of functionality, great importance was attached to simple usability in all relevant processes. Starting with the quick installation by simple sticking and one-time booking in the system, over the stringent user guidance via wearable and display of the next product by the light tags in the colours of the picker up to the replacement of the AAA batteries after the 3 to 5 years’ runtime in the tags for uninterrupted operation. The high battery life is achieved through extremely low-power communication strategies between the light tags and the wearable, and because no data processing takes place in the tags. By concentrating all intelligent functions in the wearable and via its cloud connection, a wide variety of other processes (goods receipt booking, inventory, stock transfer) can be added.

Verdict: The NIMMSTA pick-by-light solution enables a significant increase in efficiency of manual picking and putting processes, innovatively implemented through a technically simple display technology for the shelves in the warehouse that can be easily integrated by sticking and scanning. Due to the high level of user-friendliness, the comprehensive connection to a wide range of warehouse management systems and the very short payback period of usually a few months, the system is considered to have very high market potential.

Market relevance ++
Customer benefit ++
Novelty / Innovation +
Functionality / Type of implementation ++
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available]

Beumer Expands UK Customer Base

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Codept, the logistics integration specialist backed by Beumer Group, has signed a new UK customer, Kammac Limited. Kammac is one of the UK’s fastest growing fulfilment businesses, with 10 fulfilment sites already, with plans to expand to twice that number. Kammac will be using Codept’s platform to help its B2B and new D2C e-commerce customers onboard faster and to deliver a robust and scalable integration solution that the market demands.

“Kammac is an excellent addition to our stable of UK based 3PLs“, says Felix Ostwald, co-founder of Codept. “Its expertise and experience are clear through its rapid growth, and the investment to support its growth in the burgeoning D2C market underscores its commitment to this market.”

Codept brings businesses together, giving both retailers and logistics partners immediate access to real-time information. Through its scalable integration platform, the logistics start-up seamlessly connects online retailers with logistics service providers. 3PLs quickly onboard new merchants in no time and streamline operations – it only takes a single connection. With one easy-to-use interface, Codept reduces the IT effort for merchants’ onboarding by up to 80 per cent. 3PLs can start shipping knowing their contracts will be upheld, and e-tailers can carry on selling knowing their orders will get fulfilled. “With this single connection, we can streamline our customers’ integration processes. Costs and lead times can be optimised”, Codept’s other co-founder Jonas Grunwald explains. “Our platform closes the gap between ERP, warehouse management and shop systems, creating frictionless processes.”

Using the Codept platform Kammac can speed up merchant onboarding by more than half and reduce IT costs by up to 80 per cent. The fulfilment process is also significantly streamlined. Ged Carabini, COO of Kammac, states: “We are growing so rapidly in the Direct-to-Consumer arena, and Codept provides an ideal technology platform to support this growth.”

Codept, founded in 2019 by Felix Ostwald and Jonas Grunwald, was supported from the outset by Berlin-based Beam GmbH – the company builder, which is a spin-off of the Beumer Group. The logistics start-up is also developing from a platform provider to a technology partner for e-commerce companies, logistics companies, shop and ERP systems as well as warehouse management systems.

Beumer Expands UK Customer Base

Posted on by David Priestman

Codept, the logistics integration specialist backed by Beumer Group, has signed a new UK customer, Kammac Limited. Kammac is one of the UK’s fastest growing fulfilment businesses, with 10 fulfilment sites already, with plans to expand to twice that number. Kammac will be using Codept’s platform to help its B2B and new D2C e-commerce customers onboard faster and to deliver a robust and scalable integration solution that the market demands.

“Kammac is an excellent addition to our stable of UK based 3PLs“, says Felix Ostwald, co-founder of Codept. “Its expertise and experience are clear through its rapid growth, and the investment to support its growth in the burgeoning D2C market underscores its commitment to this market.”

Codept brings businesses together, giving both retailers and logistics partners immediate access to real-time information. Through its scalable integration platform, the logistics start-up seamlessly connects online retailers with logistics service providers. 3PLs quickly onboard new merchants in no time and streamline operations – it only takes a single connection. With one easy-to-use interface, Codept reduces the IT effort for merchants’ onboarding by up to 80 per cent. 3PLs can start shipping knowing their contracts will be upheld, and e-tailers can carry on selling knowing their orders will get fulfilled. “With this single connection, we can streamline our customers’ integration processes. Costs and lead times can be optimised”, Codept’s other co-founder Jonas Grunwald explains. “Our platform closes the gap between ERP, warehouse management and shop systems, creating frictionless processes.”

Using the Codept platform Kammac can speed up merchant onboarding by more than half and reduce IT costs by up to 80 per cent. The fulfilment process is also significantly streamlined. Ged Carabini, COO of Kammac, states: “We are growing so rapidly in the Direct-to-Consumer arena, and Codept provides an ideal technology platform to support this growth.”

Codept, founded in 2019 by Felix Ostwald and Jonas Grunwald, was supported from the outset by Berlin-based Beam GmbH – the company builder, which is a spin-off of the Beumer Group. The logistics start-up is also developing from a platform provider to a technology partner for e-commerce companies, logistics companies, shop and ERP systems as well as warehouse management systems.

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