5 October, 2023

DS Smith Launches R&D, Innovation Centre

Posted on 5 October, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

DS Smith, leading provider of sustainable, fibre-based, packaging, today announces the launch of its global Research & Development (R&D) and Innovation Centre, ‘R8’. The new facility is an industry-first and allows DS Smith, its customers, and partners to accelerate the research and development of radically new packaging fulfilment solutions.

Located near Birmingham in the UK, the R8 facility includes a 4,000m2 pilot hall, four laboratories, conditioning chambers, an ideation and design studio, prototyping areas, and collaboration spaces. As well as being the home of DS Smith’s Group Innovation and R&D teams, it is intended to spearhead research in manufacturing, maximising on the growing demand for sustainable packaging, and the innovation needed to deliver it.

Stefano Rossi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Packaging Division, DS Smith, said, “our customers are some of the world’s most iconic FMCG brands, online retailers, and industrial players, so innovation and sustainability are very high on their agenda. Our global R&D and Innovation Centre will facilitate the collaboration that we know is needed to solve some of the industry’s biggest challenges.

“We will be partnering with customers to help them transition to the circular economy by focusing on novel packaging solutions that deploy new materials and technologies. Nothing is off the table – we have designed the hub to encourage scrutiny of existing ways of working and explore all the possibilities, especially for service-based offerings in the packaging supply chain.”

With R8, DS Smith has created a collaboration space that allows it to cover the whole innovation spectrum under one roof: from early technology and material development, ideation, and concept development, testing and product development, through to prototyping and customer pilots.

Projects will be informed by key industry drivers rooted in sustainability, supply chains, and data. Smart packaging for tracking and monitoring the supply chain, alternative natural resources in papermaking, reusable fibre-based packaging and technologies, and advanced barrier technology for food and industrial applications, are all areas for exploration.

Among the leading-edge technologies at R8 is a modular Pilot Line, inspired by the automotive industry and developed in Italy, which uses robots to make boxes from multiple components, and fill them at high speed.

Rossi added, “we believe in sharing expertise to help customers reduce waste, streamline production, and increase sustainable productivity. At the heart of this is a solid commitment to reducing plastics, paving new pathways for alternative fibres, and designing out waste altogether.”

Sustainability is integral to the DS Smith business model, which is inherently circular, and is supported by the DS Smith Now & Next Sustainability Strategy. This ambitious plan focuses on the sustainability challenges the world faces today, as well as those that will impact on future generations, empowering the business to lead the transition to a low carbon, circular economy.

In support of Now & Next and DS Smith’s commitment to the Circular Economy, the R8 facility is carbon neutral. It has been designed for both re-use and deconstruction, and uses reconditioned furniture, solar panels, and air-sourced heat pumps.

Workwear Specialist Chooses Daifuku Miniload System

Posted on 5 October, 202325 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Portwest, a fast-growing online workwear company, has appointed global materials handling specialist Daifuku to design and install an automated storage system (AS/RS) at its distribution centre in Barnsley UK.

Due to go live by summer 2024, the warehouse automation system is expected to more than double handling capacity, thereby enabling Portwest to meet anticipated demand for its products, which include high viz jackets, PPE kit and safety gloves.

Based on proven technology adopted by brands such as Coca-Cola, Nike, Netto, UNIQLO and Honda, Daifuku’s planned AS/RS solution will facilitate the fulfilment of full carton orders and also replenish the linked goods-to-person system, which is also being introduced at the Barnsley location.

Currently in development, the AS/RS system comprises four high bay aisles serviced by four automated twin-fork mini-load cranes. High density racking will create more than 76,000 unique locations within the upgraded facility, significantly improving the efficiency of the 15,000 sqm warehouse.

Harry Hughes, CEO of Portwest explained why they selected Daifuku as their automation partner: “The introduction of this mini-load system is a major step forward for our UK operation, which is faced with a huge opportunity to increase sales throughput without moving to new warehouse premises. This will be achieved by embracing tried and tested automation technology, which will further improve service levels, enabling us to support our online customers in even more ways.”

Russell Hutchinson, UK sales manager at Daifuku, added: “This is a key project for us as it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the e-commerce sector in the UK and its adoption of leading-edge automation to remain competitive.

“We are also pleased to have secured this project despite tough competition from other warehouse automation suppliers. We pride ourselves on the highest quality machinery and technology, which is matched by our open, honest and transparent approach to our customers.”

Portwest employs approximately 5,500 people across 130 countries. Headquartered in Ireland, the company was established in 1904 and remains a family-owned business which is currently managed by the third generation of the Hughes family. A global company, Portwest has already introduced Daifuku automation technology into one of its warehouse operations in Spain.

Last Mile Deliveries Partnership

Posted on 5 October, 20237 August, 2025 by David Priestman

ShipStation, a cloud-based ecommerce shipping solution, announces that it has partnered with leading independent parcel carrier, Yodel for last mile deliveries across the UK. This new partnership sees Yodel join ShipStation’s carrier services platform, enabling new and existing ShipStation merchants to choose Yodel as their carrier of choice for domestic deliveries.

By joining ShipStation’s platform, more SMEs will be able to access Yodel’s flexible delivery services, including Yodel’s Xpect service where customers receive a two-hour delivery window on the morning of their delivery, along with the carrier’s Xpress service. The quick and easy integration provides greater choice and convenience to SMEs as they look to streamline their delivery operations and enhance their delivery experience to meet the changing demands of consumers.

Matthew Trattles, VP of SMB Revenue at Auctane, ShipStation’s operating brand said: “At ShipStation we’re always looking to add innovative carriers to our platform that empower our SME merchants with the tools to grow their business and drive exceptional delivery services. Yodel suits our needs perfectly, as they’re one of the most prominent carriers in the UK, known for their excellent customer service, comprehensive nationwide coverage and for providing great value to merchants. We look forward to working with them to provide existing and new merchants with more choice and convenience when it comes to domestic deliveries.”

Mike Antwoon, Sales Director at Yodel said: “Our new partnership with ShipStation in the UK allows us to provide clients with easy and direct access to our delivery service via a simple integration. Our variety of services places us in a strong position to provide delivery options for businesses of all sizes. From standard deliveries to more specialised requirements, we provide greater flexibility and control when it comes to shipping. We’re excited to be working with ShipStation to serve the needs of their growing clients and create the best delivery experience for consumers.”

Mobile Robots Complete Pilot Project

Posted on 5 October, 202325 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Oceaneering International, Inc. announces that its Oceaneering Mobile Robotics (OMR) business successfully completed a pilot project using its omnidirectional UniMover™ O 600 and UniMover™ D 100 underride robots at the ZEISS facility in Jena, Germany, in cooperation with Ingenics Consulting.

The pilot specially tested the mobile robot systems’ manoeuvrability, and obstacle avoidance features, as well as proved specific behaviours at the building’s fire doors. The project demonstrated OMR’s underride mobile robot capabilities and enabled Ingenics Consulting and ZEISS Group to assess their suitability for inclusion in the new, state-of-the-art facility currently under construction in Jena.

Installation, integration, and operation of the underride mobile robots occurred within a three-day period, during ongoing production at the current ZEISS Group facility in Jena. The trial seamlessly ran for one week alongside existing manual logistic processes.

ZEISS Group sought to gain preliminary experience with mobile robots in a dynamic environment that includes both automated transport and manual traffic. Responsible for developing the logistic processes in the new facility, Ingenics Consulting approached OMR on behalf of the ZEISS Group.

“In the planning of the new high-tech site in Jena, it was important for us to address the planned changes and use of innovation for ZEISS at an early stage and to involve the relevant partners,” said Benjamin Lehnort, Senior Project Engineer, Ingenics Consulting. “Through the ongoing communication with OMR in this pilot project, we were able to give the employees at ZEISS in Jena an impression of a mobile robotics system and, as a project team, gain valuable information for the further planning of the building and internal transport. Conducting the pilot in an operational area was particularly important to us in order to get as close as possible to the future environmental conditions.”

Lutz Lippmann, Project Manager, Carl Zeiss AG, said: “The project’s overarching objective was two-fold. We sought to introduce mobile robotics to our multiple business units and to test the underride robots in a dynamic environment with extensive manual transport, thereby assessing the optimal functionality of the mobile robot system. We are delighted that the pilot not only met but exceeded our expectations, with OMR successfully operating the mobile robots in our existing facility.”

Hendrik Hörisch, Branch Manager, Oceaneering Mobile Robotics GmbH, said: “We were able to show that our mobile robots for autonomous transport can be integrated into during an operational logistics process within a very short time without interrupting production or making structural changes to the building thanks to our infrastructure-free navigation technology. Furthermore, we were able to successfully give the employees of Carl Zeiss AG insight into the possibilities of mobile robotics and share an outlook on the potential logistical innovations at the ZEISS high-tech location in Jena.”

The planned new building in Jena serves as ZEISS’ founding location and the second-largest facility worldwide. ZEISS is constructing a building on 80,000 square meters where all development units, as well as a large part of the locally based production and administrative departments, will be located. The new location’s modernity and openness matches the high-tech and science-oriented city of Jena, due to the systems developed and manufactured there.

ZEISS Group’s new facility features state-of-the-art technology that will be used to transport dedicated material trolleys from the logistics area to the production areas on two levels. Integration of the OMR underride technology focuses on providing a flexible, reliable solution that improves efficiency in production and logistics.

OMR’s innovative underride mobile robots are equipped with infrastructure-free navigation based on BlueBotics’ Autonomous Navigation Technology (ANT). Within this one-week demonstration, ZEISS’ facility benefited from mobile robots equipped with the latest navigation technology backed by OMR’s 30+ years of experience in designing, manufacturing, and implementing autonomous mobile robotic solutions.

Mobility Company opts for Mitsubishi Forklifts

Posted on 5 October, 202325 July, 2025 by Keith McKinley

By any measure, CareCo is a genuine success story. Built on energy, innovation and a keen attention to detail, the company’s continued expansion has seen it grow from a small family business operating from a barn to pole position as the UK’s leading whole-range supplier of mobility aids. An expanding fleet of lift trucks has been instrumental in that process, supplied and supported by the local Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks distributor.

Overcoming dual challenges

The challenges facing CareCo were two-fold as relocated from its previous showroom-warehouse in Brentwood to a purpose-designed facility incorporating 100,000 sq ft of warehouse space in Braintree. The first was to coordinate the movement of stock from a series of different locations in the Brentwood area. This was achieved seamlessly with the help of the local Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks distributor who supplied the most appropriate handling equipment on short-term rental.

The second was to identify precisely the right equipment to ensure the new warehouse would operate with optimum efficiency. That resulted in a fleet comprising two Mitsubishi VELiA low level order pickers (LLOPs), two Mitsubishi PREMiA power pallet trucks (PPTs), one Mitsubishi SENSiA reach truck, two Mitsubishi EDiA electric counterbalance trucks plus four Aisle Masters.

All the trucks were supplied on time and in stylish CareCo house livery.

“Meeting a hard deadline of early May was a real challenge,” explains Joe Bronze, local distributor for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks. “The international shortage of components means that virtually all new forklift and warehouse trucks are on extremely long leads times. We had to be really creative, using a range of different models from our rental fleet to bridge the gap and ensure CareCo were able to commence operations right on schedule.”

Huge range handled with ease

With more than 200 employees, the company offers an exceptionally wide range of products that play an essential role in daily life, helping its customers maintain their independence by managing medication, using the bathroom and getting dressed in the morning.

“We supply everything from a mobility scooter to the rubber tips that go on the ends of walking sticks,” explains CareCo Head of Operations Steve Robinson. “It’s a huge range that calls for specialised storage and handling systems but our truck fleet handles it with ease.

“The Mitsubishi VELiA low level order pickers are used mainly to pick larger items such as wheelchairs, rollators and bath lifts from the lower racking. The power pallet and counterbalance trucks are used to run stock away from assembly lines – where it’s held for checking – before being taken to the intake lanes for the racking.

“That’s where the Aisle Masters take over, operating in the narrow aisle section of the warehouse, putting stock away and feeding pickers in the assembly area. They also work in the bulk racking aisle alongside the Mitsubishi SENSiA reach truck which also feeds a mezzanine floor where smaller items such as spare parts for the service team are stored. Plus we have a scissor-lift that is used for order picking as well as for essential maintenance work.”

At a second CareCo distribution facility in Leeds, CareCo also have four additional trucks – also supplied by their local Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks distributor: two Aisle Masters, a Mitsubishi VELiA low level order picker and a Mitsubishi EDiA electric counterbalance truck that keep the goods moving.

Nimble and exceptionally reliable

“The trucks have been excellent,” says Steve Robinson. “The Mitsubishi low level order pickers and power pallet trucks are really nimble and all the trucks have been exceptionally reliable. We’ve had absolutely no issues at all.

“On the service side, the team are fantastic. They’ve been with CareCo from the start and have proved themselves time and again. We had a minor issue with the speed of the low level order pickers and they adjusted them immediately to suit our particular working environment. The team are genuinely on the ball and their response times are outstanding.”

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