Brother UK Opens New Market Opportunity

Business technology solutions provider Brother UK has partnered with ECS Global to help the business better support its customers across retail, healthcare, transport and logistics. The partnership, which launched in October 2023, will see ECS Global make the full Brother print portfolio available to the company’s existing and prospective customers.

The agreement covers the Brother PJ range of mobile printers and RJ range of rugged portable devices, alongside the TD line of desktop labelling printers and TJ industrial printer range.
ECS Global, which works with 40,000 clients across 20 time zones, provides an innovative cloud-based media communication suite that helps businesses manage all of their communication channels, from impactful and colourful point of sale, all formats of digital signage, and interactive media displays, through one design suite.

The partners say that the breadth of Brother’s product range, from mobile and desktop to industrial print devices, will enable ECS customers to unlock efficiencies in consumables across their operations without having to compromise on their print hardware.

The new partnership follows the announcement that Brother UK is aiming to double sales across its specialist printing services (SPS) business, which supplies industrial, desktop and mobile printers used for everything from food safety labelling to Auto-ID in warehousing.

Market Opportunity

Over the last two years, Brother UK has partnered with major Auto-ID resellers and vendors in the UK, as well as specialist partners BarcodeGenie and Planglow, to create new routes to market and develop tailored solutions for the retail and food hygiene markets respectively.

Ged Cairns (pictured), head of SPS business category at Brother UK, said: “There is growing demand among businesses across supply chain, retail and hospitality to digitise their day-to-day operations and we have built a strong product proposition to take advantage of this buoyant market.

“Our new partnership with ECS Global will serve to strengthen our position and provide clients with the broadest range of print devices available from a single vendor. In addition to consistent device management and deployment tools, businesses will benefit from simplifying their consumables ordering, service, support and user training. The firm has a significant footprint in the UK and has seamlessly deployed our solutions with customers already, so we’re looking forward to supporting ECS Global with their current and prospective customers moving forward.”

Derek Buchanan, chief executive officer at ECS, said: “When Brother approached us with a partnership proposal, we knew it would be a great opportunity to work with such an instantly recognisable brand, offering the full range of print solutions our customers need. They can now choose devices for each section of their operations from the same vendor to meet any level of print type and volume, which will simplify their administration, boost their workflow efficiencies and help reduce costs.”

Brother UK Opens New Market Opportunity

Business technology solutions provider Brother UK has partnered with ECS Global to help the business better support its customers across retail, healthcare, transport and logistics. The partnership, which launched in October 2023, will see ECS Global make the full Brother print portfolio available to the company’s existing and prospective customers.

The agreement covers the Brother PJ range of mobile printers and RJ range of rugged portable devices, alongside the TD line of desktop labelling printers and TJ industrial printer range.
ECS Global, which works with 40,000 clients across 20 time zones, provides an innovative cloud-based media communication suite that helps businesses manage all of their communication channels, from impactful and colourful point of sale, all formats of digital signage, and interactive media displays, through one design suite.

The partners say that the breadth of Brother’s product range, from mobile and desktop to industrial print devices, will enable ECS customers to unlock efficiencies in consumables across their operations without having to compromise on their print hardware.

The new partnership follows the announcement that Brother UK is aiming to double sales across its specialist printing services (SPS) business, which supplies industrial, desktop and mobile printers used for everything from food safety labelling to Auto-ID in warehousing.

Market Opportunity

Over the last two years, Brother UK has partnered with major Auto-ID resellers and vendors in the UK, as well as specialist partners BarcodeGenie and Planglow, to create new routes to market and develop tailored solutions for the retail and food hygiene markets respectively.

Ged Cairns (pictured), head of SPS business category at Brother UK, said: “There is growing demand among businesses across supply chain, retail and hospitality to digitise their day-to-day operations and we have built a strong product proposition to take advantage of this buoyant market.

“Our new partnership with ECS Global will serve to strengthen our position and provide clients with the broadest range of print devices available from a single vendor. In addition to consistent device management and deployment tools, businesses will benefit from simplifying their consumables ordering, service, support and user training. The firm has a significant footprint in the UK and has seamlessly deployed our solutions with customers already, so we’re looking forward to supporting ECS Global with their current and prospective customers moving forward.”

Derek Buchanan, chief executive officer at ECS, said: “When Brother approached us with a partnership proposal, we knew it would be a great opportunity to work with such an instantly recognisable brand, offering the full range of print solutions our customers need. They can now choose devices for each section of their operations from the same vendor to meet any level of print type and volume, which will simplify their administration, boost their workflow efficiencies and help reduce costs.”

FEFPEB at International Pallet Meeting

The European Federation of Wooden Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB) presented its work on packaging waste and other key issues to global colleagues at the Interpal conference, which was held in Montreal in October.

The event, which is held once every four years, sees members of the international wooden pallet and packaging business discuss developments concerning the industry. It was co-hosted this year by the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) and the Canadian Wood Pallet and Container Association (CWPCA).

FEFPEB presented its recent work, including its key involvement in the development of new Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR) regulations, and central role in the future circular economy in Europe. The organisation took part in discussions about other current topics, including sustainability in the supply chain, increasing reuse, and trends in global wood markets; and attended the important Global Forum meeting of delegates representing the sector in regions of the world including North America, Asia, and Europe.

Secretary general Fons Ceelaert presented FEFPEB’s awareness campaign Packaging from Nature, which was launched in Europe in 2011 to promote the benefits of using wood for packaging and pallets. The campaign is evolving, with the launch of a new logo and a revamp of the information on its websites.

FEFPEB President Rob van Hoesel, who also attended the Interpal conference, said: “FEFPEB was proud to represent our European membership at Interpal. As one of the world’s most naturally sustainable businesses, the global wooden pallet and packaging sector has an increasingly important role to play in the development of circular supply chains, and in Montreal we were able to share FEFPEB’s industry leading work with our international colleagues.

“The occasion also allowed us to learn from others and work together to progress our shared agenda for an even more innovative, sustainable, and profitable pallet and packaging business for the future.

FEFPEB at International Pallet Meeting

The European Federation of Wooden Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB) presented its work on packaging waste and other key issues to global colleagues at the Interpal conference, which was held in Montreal in October.

The event, which is held once every four years, sees members of the international wooden pallet and packaging business discuss developments concerning the industry. It was co-hosted this year by the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) and the Canadian Wood Pallet and Container Association (CWPCA).

FEFPEB presented its recent work, including its key involvement in the development of new Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR) regulations, and central role in the future circular economy in Europe. The organisation took part in discussions about other current topics, including sustainability in the supply chain, increasing reuse, and trends in global wood markets; and attended the important Global Forum meeting of delegates representing the sector in regions of the world including North America, Asia, and Europe.

Secretary general Fons Ceelaert presented FEFPEB’s awareness campaign Packaging from Nature, which was launched in Europe in 2011 to promote the benefits of using wood for packaging and pallets. The campaign is evolving, with the launch of a new logo and a revamp of the information on its websites.

FEFPEB President Rob van Hoesel, who also attended the Interpal conference, said: “FEFPEB was proud to represent our European membership at Interpal. As one of the world’s most naturally sustainable businesses, the global wooden pallet and packaging sector has an increasingly important role to play in the development of circular supply chains, and in Montreal we were able to share FEFPEB’s industry leading work with our international colleagues.

“The occasion also allowed us to learn from others and work together to progress our shared agenda for an even more innovative, sustainable, and profitable pallet and packaging business for the future.

How AI Can Transform Intralogistics

There are many safety and efficiency gains to be experienced with the help of artificial intelligence, especially if technology is allowed to coexist with humans – as Kardex states in its new publication.

Despite the complexity, initial operating costs, and resource-intensive implementation, AI has emerged as a crucial Industry 4.0 solution. AI can help companies meet challenges linked to increased customer demands, new and existing needs for streamlined logistics, and labour shortages.

In the publication “Warehouse Insights: 4 Ways AI Transforms Intralogistics”, Kardex, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of vertical storage systems and customised warehouse solutions, takes a deep dive into key elements of AI technology that will no doubt transform intralogistics.

It concludes that AI can help reduce costs while maintaining or even increasing productivity. For example, AI-powered automated storage and retrieval systems, which process and detect patterns in large amounts of data, can determine the optimal placement of items and predict purchase needs. There are also great opportunities for AI in predictive maintenance.

AI and warehouse staff

It is also highlighted that AI and humans can advantageously coexist, not least to ensure optimal security. Robots can perform tasks that are considered dangerous and demanding for humans and AI can monitor storage spaces and equipment to identify potential safety risks. At the same time, warehouse staff are freed up for more dynamic roles.

There is still a lack of knowledge among industrial companies about how they can benefit from AI. This is where Kardex wants to guide.

“We have a deep understanding of the distinct challenges faced by our customers. By closely monitoring inventory challenges and staying up to date with the latest technology trends, we continuously adapt our solution to ensure that our customers’ facilities always stay at the forefront of innovation.” Says Debra Grimwood, Marketing Manager at Kardex UK.

Kardex installs and services both simple, scalable solutions and large, fully automated flows for customers in e-commerce, electronics, production, automotive and the food industry.

Read “Warehouse Insights: 4 Ways AI Transforms Intralogistics” here.

How AI Can Transform Intralogistics

There are many safety and efficiency gains to be experienced with the help of artificial intelligence, especially if technology is allowed to coexist with humans – as Kardex states in its new publication.

Despite the complexity, initial operating costs, and resource-intensive implementation, AI has emerged as a crucial Industry 4.0 solution. AI can help companies meet challenges linked to increased customer demands, new and existing needs for streamlined logistics, and labour shortages.

In the publication “Warehouse Insights: 4 Ways AI Transforms Intralogistics”, Kardex, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of vertical storage systems and customised warehouse solutions, takes a deep dive into key elements of AI technology that will no doubt transform intralogistics.

It concludes that AI can help reduce costs while maintaining or even increasing productivity. For example, AI-powered automated storage and retrieval systems, which process and detect patterns in large amounts of data, can determine the optimal placement of items and predict purchase needs. There are also great opportunities for AI in predictive maintenance.

AI and warehouse staff

It is also highlighted that AI and humans can advantageously coexist, not least to ensure optimal security. Robots can perform tasks that are considered dangerous and demanding for humans and AI can monitor storage spaces and equipment to identify potential safety risks. At the same time, warehouse staff are freed up for more dynamic roles.

There is still a lack of knowledge among industrial companies about how they can benefit from AI. This is where Kardex wants to guide.

“We have a deep understanding of the distinct challenges faced by our customers. By closely monitoring inventory challenges and staying up to date with the latest technology trends, we continuously adapt our solution to ensure that our customers’ facilities always stay at the forefront of innovation.” Says Debra Grimwood, Marketing Manager at Kardex UK.

Kardex installs and services both simple, scalable solutions and large, fully automated flows for customers in e-commerce, electronics, production, automotive and the food industry.

Read “Warehouse Insights: 4 Ways AI Transforms Intralogistics” here.

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