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Month: February 2024

Mobile Robotics: Flexible Success

Posted on by David Priestman

About a year after signing a strategic partnership agreement with the German mobile robotics specialist SAFELOG, the interim results for TGW Logistics are positive. Customers are increasingly mindful of integration competence, security technology and process stability, which is why more and more businesses are putting their trust in solutions provided by these two companies.

Top quality at an attractive price: for workwear specialist Engelbert Strauss, this fundamental principle applies not only to their production of professional clothing, but also to their intralogistics. The German company was one of the first customers to invest in a new solution from TGW Logistics for its dispatch centre system in Biebergemünd: over two dozen mobile robots from the Quba series will independently transport totes to the workstations in the returns area.

Key technology for future-proof intralogistics

From Engelbert Strauss to the Swiss coffee machine manufacturer Thermoplan: numerous companies are putting their trust in the competence of TGW Logistics in the area of mobile robotics. Because the systems integrator defined the solutions as “a key technology for high-performance, flexible and future-proof intralogistics” according to CTO Christoph Wolkerstorfer, the company entered into a strategic partnership with SAFELOG in November 2022. The Quba family mobile robotics portfolio is made up of both AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) and AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles). The difference between the two categories has become increasingly blurry, for which reason TGW Logistics consolidates the portfolio under the term “mobile robotics.”
The flexible and versatile robots can transport totes, cartons and pallets, and handle a variety of tasks, including supplying production, packing or returns workstations as well as automatic palletising and de-palletising stations.

Flexible and scalable automation

Over a short span of time, TGW Logistics sold roughly 200 mobile robots from the Quba family as part of various projects; Stefan Riegler, Head of Business Development Mobile Robotics at TGW Logistics says there are multiple reasons behind this. For one thing, Riegler feels that more and more businesses are recognising the potential of mobile robots to provide a flexible and scalable automation answer to such challenges as labour shortages or scarcely predictable consumer behaviour, not to mention that they suit the tendency toward lower initial investments.

For another thing, TGW Logistics’ more than five decades of intralogistics experience makes the company a reliable partner when it comes to integration competence and security. “A crucial point in projects is often the evaluation of the processes to be automated. We see it as our main task to push technology back into the background, rethink existing processes and performance, and bring system availability and process stability to the foreground,” says Riegler. SAFELOG Managing Director Mathias Behounek agrees: “Customers need experienced, competent experts for large and complex integration projects. That’s the case at TGW Logistics and SAFELOG.”

Autonomous mobile robots

Reliability also plays a central role, according to Riegler. The TGW Future Private Foundation owns TGW Logistics, standing behind it and providing stability: the intralogistics specialist may not be sold, and two thirds of its profits remain in the company to be reinvested. Meanwhile, owner and managing director Michael Wolter stands behind SAFELOG and places great value in organic growth. Venture capitalists are not involved in the company. “Many customers shy away from doing business with a start-up that may be hoping to be bought up as soon as possible by the highest bidder,” says Riegler.

Another important factor, alongside a competitive market price, is trust. Before experts from TGW Logistics start talking about the technology, they analyse the process together with the customer. The question of “AGV or AMR?” is resolved by conducting a process analysis. This is not a question of faith, insists Riegler. He operates on the assumption that, in addition to the success factors already mentioned, IT competence will be what separates the wheat from the chaff in the future. This is not limited to expert knowledge of the mobile robots themselves, but also includes data analysis and simulations of complete systems.

Connection to existing systems is also possible

To the eyes of Alexander Leitner, Senior Vice President of Innovation & Technology at TGW Logistics, mobile robotics is not a cure-all and will not be in the future either, but it is nevertheless an important component of high-performance door-to-door solutions: “A great advantage of smart robotics systems is not only their flexibility and easy scalability, but also that they can be integrated into existing fulfilment centres after the fact.” From TGW Logistics’ and SAFELOG’s point of view and in terms of technology, the world of mobile robotics revolves around certain trend topics:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): The use of AI will make mobile robots even more efficient and autonomous in the future. The versatile robots make decisions independently, and those decisions go beyond merely avoiding obstacles. Thanks to machine vision, they will recognise objects faster and assess situations better, all without time-consuming programming work. AI can also be used as a basis for smart charging, since it regards the fleet as a whole rather than considering each component separately. This means that the overall system is only called upon to perform the specific activities required at any given time.

• Interoperability: This is a central topic in the mobile robotics market. The ability of mobile robots from different manufacturers to communicate with one another, e.g. via the VDA 5050 interface, is an important factor for the success of a system.

• Cyber security: This range of topics plays an important role, particularly considering recent attacks on the IT infrastructures of large logistics companies. Mobile robots are finding ever more frequent use in critical infrastructures, and it is therefore important to make sure that they are as well protected against cyber attacks as possible.

Read similar news:

TGW presents new range of robotics

 

eBook on Warehouse Safety & Innovation

Posted on by David Priestman

Logistics Business magazine, in association with Sentry Protection Products, have produced a new digital issue / eBook about racking impact protection, warehouse safety & innovation. In this 6-page special, Editor Peter MacLeod interviews Sentry’s CEO and Founder Jim Ryan and a key USA customer about the company’s products and applications, including the Collision Sentry Multi-Zone warning system, that has undergone a successful trial.

Read the eBook here now

“I’m looking forward to getting more of those in the facility because so far it’s been very successful in a very high-traffic area,” the American customer concluded.

Warehouse safety solutions provider Sentry Protection Products is going from strength to strength. Peter MacLeod, the editor of Logistics Business magazine, spoke to its founder, Jim Ryan, to hear about its growth plans. Sentry Protection Products is a company that always catches the eye at trade shows around the world. In an age when a lot of attention is focused on digital solutions, its deliberately conspicuous range of yellow warehouse column protection products certainly stand out. They serve as a reminder that, despite what the headlines might lead you to believe, not all personnel in warehouse jobs have been replaced by robots, and that the forklift truck is still very much a workhorse without which no logistics facility can operate.

As the industry strives to do everything faster, better and cheaper, we must never take our eyes off workplace safety. Sentry sees the business of safety growing, and long may that be the case.

Warehouse Safety & Innovation

Sentry Protection Products is a leading provider of innovative, impact resistant products for industrial applications. Manufactured in the United States and Europe and sold worldwide, the award winning, patented product line includes Column Sentry®, Rack Sentry®, Concrete Wrap™, Park Sentry®, Corner Sentry™ and Collision Sentry®. Sentry is headquartered in Lakewood, Ohio, USA.

See the previous eBook here:

eBook on Warehouse Impact Protection

Mermaid Container Ship Delivered

Posted on by David Priestman

CMA CGM Group, a global player in maritime, land, air, and logistics solutions, has taken delivery of the CMA CGM MERMAID (pictured), the first container ship delivered in a series of 10 new 2,000 TEU container ships powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which will be progressively deployed in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

These new container ships, with an original design aimed at improving their energy efficiency and environmental performance, will join the fleet of around 620 vessels, including more than 30 already powered by alternative energies. These ships will emit up to -20% CO2 compared to a similar-sized ship with a conventional maritime fuel design (very low sulfur oil).

The container ship delivered is part of CMA CGM‘s fleet renewal program, in which the Group has invested more than $15 billion. It brings the Group one step closer to meeting its objective of Net Zero Carbon by 2050. By 2028, nearly 120 ships will be powered by low-carbon energies. These ships, with a different line and architecture from conventional container ships, were designed in close collaboration with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, a French company located in Saint-Nazaire and globally recognized for its ship design and construction expertise.

The Danish engineering firm Odense Marine Technique (OMT) further converted the concept into an industrial prototype. CMA CGM entrusted the construction of the ships to Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD), located in South Korea. Number one in the world for performance, the shipyard manages every stage of container ship assembly. Finally, GTT, a French company and expert in technologies for the maritime transport and storage of liquefied natural gas, worked closely on the project for the design and conception of the gas chain and storage tank with total capacity of 1,053 m3.

This close collaboration between the shipowner, engineering firm, equipment supplier, and world-renowned manufacturer has has provided a concrete response to the need for innovation in naval architecture and has given rise to a new model of container ship, with profoundly renewed profile and technical characteristics.

Adapting for better fuels

Determined to optimize energy efficiency in all its activities, CMA CGM decided to resize this new series of ships. One of the original characteristics of the design is the ratio of 204.29 m long to 29.6 m wide to improve the ships’ hydrodynamic and aerodynamic performance.

They are also the first ships in the CMA CGM fleet with superstructures at the front. Thus, placed at the front, the bridge and accommodations ensure better aerodynamic performance and higher loading capacity compared to a conventional architecture. A new, almost inverted straight bow with an integrated bow bulb also offers better hydrodynamic performance to reduce fuel consumption by 15% per trip.

On-board energy mix to reduce the carbon footprint

These ships are powered by LNG, a lower-carbon energy source than conventional fuel, which reduces sulfur oxide emissions by 99%, nitrogen oxide emissions by 92%, and fine particles by 91%. When cooled to -161°C, LNG powers a 12-megawatt MAN engine. These dual-fuel ships can also carry biogas (-67% eq. CO2) produced from bio-waste and are convertible to e-methane (-85% eq. CO2) produced from decarbonized hydrogen.

The 10 new container ships will also be equipped with an alternator coupled to the main propulsion engine, which will provide the energy needed to power the onboard electrical installations once at sea. The latest outstanding innovation in this new generation of container ships is one of the most powerful fuel cells aboard a ship. It is on track to be mounted on the last of the series which is scheduled for delivery in January 2025. As the fuel cell is powered by hydrogen with an energy capacity of 1MW, this ship will have zero emissions when berthed.

A model with abundant technologies designed to maximize energy efficiency and environmental performance, the ships are finally also more comfortable and pleasant for their crew with modern interiors and booths.

Container Ship Delivered

Delivered progressively between February 2024 and January 2025, the ten new vessels will transport goods over short distances, mainly in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Between April and July, six of the series will join the Intra-Northern-Europe line to serve the Baltic and Scandinavian ports from the hubs of Hamburg and Bremerhaven. Four other ships will join the Intra-Mediterranean line between the end of September and the end of November.

Capable of carrying 45’ containers which can be loaded on trailers, these ships offer a more energy-efficient alternative to road transport in Europe and the Mediterranean region. The CMA CGM MERMAID will embark on its voyage to Northern Europe from Busan in South Korea.

Read similar news:

CMA CGM Group acquires GEFCO

Staples Deploy AI-Powered Picking Robots

Posted on by David Priestman

In the pick and place robot market, RightHand Robotics, a supplier of autonomous AI robotic picking solutions for order fulfillment, announces a multi-year agreement with Staples Inc., etailer of workspace products and solutions. The agreement allows Staples to deploy and install the company’s RightPick™ item-handling system to automate operations for higher service levels and Next-Day Delivery to over 98% of the U.S.

Managing an industry-leading distribution and fulfillment network with various levels of AI and automation, Staples has long been an innovator in the U.S. market. “We have always valued automation, and we see it as the future of eCommerce picking,” said Amit Kalra, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Staples. “After evaluating other solutions, the RightPick system met our high performance and reliability standards, picking items with different shapes, packaging, sizes, and weight.”

Picking Robots

The RightPick system is an autonomous item-handling robot powered by advanced hardware, sensor suite, and RightPick AI software designed for a wide range of end-to-end warehouse tasks. It offers damage-free picking across a broad range of items and provides industry-leading performance, reliability, throughput, and safety. Through close collaboration with Staples, RightHand Robotics developed new features that have nearly doubled the range of items that a RightPick station can handle while reducing the number of required interventions by 80%. These advancements have far-reaching implications beyond the Staples brand, benefiting a wide range of industries and applications.

Brian Owen, CEO of RightHand Robotics, shared, “Our RightPick system sets a new standard in the flexibility, autonomy, and reliability of warehouse robotics. We’re thrilled that Staples recognized the benefits of using our technology to further enhance their automation strategy. It’s great to team up with an established industry leader to optimize their fulfillment operations.”

Read similar news:

Autonomous Robotic Piece-Picking System

Sub-2 Hour UK Rapid Paint Delivery

Posted on by David Priestman

Award-winning decorating merchant Dulux Decorator Centre has today announced its partnership with last-mile, on-demand delivery network Gophr, to expand its new Rapid, sub-2-hour, delivery service on paint, tools and accessories for its customers across the UK.

Dulux Decorator Centre operates in over 230 stores across the UK and online. It introduced its Rapid delivery offering in November 2022, and recently won a British Coatings Federation award for Customer Service. The Gophr partnership, one of several that the decorating merchant is announcing to grow its delivery choices for customers, will help expand the availability of sub-2 hour deliveries six days per week to almost three-quarters (71%) of its UK customer base. Additionally, a 90-minute turnaround will be available in city centres.

The new relationship falls under the remit of ‘Gophr Trades’ – a specialist delivery service provided by Gophr for the construction and DIY industries, as well as larger construction and related trade businesses. The rapid delivery options are a response from Dulux Decorator Centre to the ever-changing needs of tradespeople, who are increasingly recognising that same-day, express, delivery can save them both time on site and money on fuel.

Rapid Paint Delivery

Graham Smith, Strategic Account Director at Gophr, said: “The growing demand for our ‘Trades’ service is indicative of its quality and the value it can add for our partners and their customers. We would like to extend a very warm welcome to Dulux Decorator Centre and its customers as the latest to join our delivery network. We can’t wait to make their working lives easier with our swift and reliable deliveries.”

Guy Butterworth, Managing Director of Dulux Decorator Centre, added: “For us, customer satisfaction is key. Our Customers across the industry are putting increased value on efficiency, time, and convenience. And now more than ever, tradespeople are looking for a wide range of delivery options that work around their schedule – ordering online for collection and delivery to home or project locations is now just as important as visits to store. So we are very pleased to partner with Gophr to support us in expanding our new, and enhanced, Rapid delivery service to more of our customers nationwide, in addition to our multiple existing delivery and collection options”.

Read similar news:

New Batteries and Chargers Cut Emissions for Paint Manufacturer

 

RFID MOT Station at MODEX

Posted on by David Priestman

Clustag, an RFID-based technology solution for distribution centres and warehouses, a Trademark of Rielec, has announced that it will be presenting its patented MOT Station at MODEX 2024. The premier experience trade show for the supply chain industry, MODEX 2024 will take place between 11-14 March in Atlanta, Georgia. A full demonstration of the MOT Station will be available at Clustag’s booth B10005.

Clustag’s MOT Station is designed to provide the best reliability and flow data on the market. It can be fully integrated into processes and aggregates three key pieces of data: RFID identification, case volume and case weight during operation to improve the inventory management process. The technology can scan the contents of cases with dimensions up to 800x600x400mm, scanning 400 tags per case at speeds of up to 1,000 cases per hour. The RFID station has been UL-certified and CE-marked.

Clustag solutions are designed to prevent unwanted external readings and feature integral RF signal shielding. The MOT Station increases the accuracy of shipments and reduces losses, in addition to reducing additional costs and operating time. By scanning RFID tags in an enclosed space, the station can be used at full power – ensuring an accurate, reliable reading of all inventory.

In addition, Clustag also provides regular support on their systems so that high quality is maintained throughout the product life cycle. The RFID MOT Station allows integrators to install a solution that is robust, safe and requires only a specialised installer to deploy.

MOT Station

MODEX 2024 will mark the first time the MOT Station has been demonstrated to the public.

Manolo Reguart, Director of Strategy and Business Development, Clustag said: “The MOT Station can transform a business’s supply chain operations, driving inventory accuracy up to 99.92% and delivering reliable and robust warehouse automation. In a fast-moving environment, real-time inventory accuracy is vital. We hope attendees will share our enthusiasm for the potential of this device and its benefits when implemented in supply chains. We cannot wait to demonstrate the use case of our product at MODEX 2024”

Optimization Software Implemented

Posted on by David Priestman

Inform, the Aachen, Germany-based optimization specialist, is expanding its business relationship with AUTO1 Group, a digital automotive platform for buying and selling used cars. Following a pilot of INFORM’s vehicle Yard Management System (YMS) in 2022, AUTO1 Group and INFORM expanded the solution to a total of ten locations throughout Europe by the end of 2023. The system supports AUTO1 Group by providing end-to-end transparency and more efficient processes in the parking areas of the production centers. In addition, in 2023 AUTO1 Group and INFORM turned their focus from the optimization of parking areas to the optimization of work flows within the production centers.

AUTO1 Group offers consumers and professional car dealers across continental Europe a fast and easy way to buy and sell cars. AUTO1 Group has created a strong European production footprint with ten internal facilities to refurbish used cars for its Retail brand Autohero, the leading online shop for used cars for consumers in Europe. Internalizing the production of used cars allows Autohero to fully control each step of the process, including quality control, reconditioning, cleaning, as well as capturing photos and videos to ensure excellent car quality. AUTO1 Group currently has an internal production capacity of up to 179,900 vehicles per year at full capacity at their production centers across Europe.

Working with INFORM has been a success, according to Karol Niznik, Vice President Logistics & Production of AUTO1 Group: “The Yard Management Software has helped to improve our processes, giving us transparency of all vehicles at our sites at all times. It is therefore only logical to take the next step with INFORM. We expect similar improvements in the production centers by using the Workshop Optimization System.”

The process of refurbishing used cars is particularly challenging as a high variety of different makes and models from different build years goes through the process. Each car brings a high level of complexity to the production center in terms of resources required, spare parts, and scheduling. As a result, it is a complex task to estimate how much time will be needed to repair a specific vehicle at a given time, and adjustments to the schedule are inevitable. INFORM’s Workshop Optimization Software is designed to help with that. “With our Workshop Optimization Software, it is made clear who is working on what and at which workstation. The goal of the software is to automatically adjust the optimized schedule if any changes need to be made in the refurbishment process,” explains Hartmut Haubrich, Director of Vehicle Logistics at INFORM.

According to Haubrich, completed projects with other partners show up to 20 per cent higher productivity in the workshop. “We’re constantly working on optimizing our processes in the production centers in order to prepare vehicles in the most efficient way, which is essential for high customer satisfaction,” says David Len, Director Production Europe of AUTO1 Group.

A special feature of the INFORM system are mathematical algorithms based on operations research and artificial intelligence. They can calculate processes in real time, taking into account company-specific planning parameters, and automatically assign tasks to suitable resources.

Clark Europe Introduces New Management

Posted on by David Priestman

Clark Europe GmbH, based in Duisburg, has expanded its management team. With this step, the industrial truck manufacturer wants to set the course for the upcoming generational change in good time.

In addition to his role as Director of Sales and Marketing, Stefan Budweit will assume responsibility for operations management as COO (Chief Operating Officer) with immediate effect. Budweit has been with Clark Europe since 2012 and can look back on more than 30 years of national and international experience in the field of material handling. Before joining Clark Europe, he worked as a key account manager for Toyota and Jungheinrich, among others. Budweit started his career at Clark Europe as Business Development Manager. Here he was responsible for the strategic orientation and further development of Clark Europe. As Regional Sales Manager in Scandinavia and parts of Germany, he was also instrumental in expanding the sales activities of the forklift specialist.

Thomas Bach has also joined the management team as Director of R&D and Purchasing with immediate effect. Bach started his career at Clark Europe as a development engineer in 2015 after completing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Here he demonstrated his skills in the design and development of industrial trucks and warehouse technology. In 2020, he took over as team leader of the design and development department, where he coordinates development and design projects, among other things. He also manages the collaboration with international suppliers and develops the product strategy and planning in coordination with Clark’s global plants in the USA, Korea, Vietnam and China.

“With the new strategic positioning of our management team, we have optimally equipped ourselves for the future so that we can meet future challenges and the increasing demands of our customers even better,” explains Rolf Eiten, President & CEO of Clark Europe, to whom the Sales and Finance divisions continue to report directly.

Development of Modern Warehouse in Sweden

Posted on by David Priestman

AR Racking, global supplier of industrial storage solutions, is proud to announce the successful outcome of its association with the respected Swedish distributor, Rudells Lagerinredningar, in the implementation of the innovative, modern warehouse for Pretec in Kungälv. This joint project has culminated in the creation of a highly efficient and adaptable space to manage more than 6,000 pallets and store Pretec’s extensive range of products.

“We are delighted to share the success of this project with our partner, Rudells Lagerinredningar. The efficient implementation of Pretec’s new warehouse shows our shared commitment to excellence in storage solutions”, said Alberto de la Puente, AR RACKING Area Manager for the Nordic Countries.

In this strategic collaboration, AR Racking and Rudells Lagerinredningar cooperated closely in the planning and execution of the design of the warehouse. More than 6,000 spaces for pallets courtesy of AR Racking have been integrated with key accessories such as collision protection, vehicle transit protection and label holders, raising operational safety and efficiency standards.

Erik Rudell, Sales Director, said “We are delighted to have been part of this significant project. The delivery and installation of high-quality storage solutions reflect our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.”

Modern Warehouse

Rudells Lagerinredningar is proud to have supplied and installed the storage solutions with high quality, speed and precision, complying with all the applicable regulations and standards. The collaboration with Pretec was a positive experience, and Erik Rudell wishes Pretec a successful future in its new and expanded warehouse.

With approximately 17,000 items, of which more than 3,000 are products in stock, Pretec’s new warehouse represents a customised storage capacity to ensure fast and efficient deliveries. The company hopes to continue collaborating with Rudells Lagerinredningar and AR Racking in the future.

February 2024

Posted on by David Priestman

The February ’24 issue of Logistics Business magazine: 84 pages of exclusive content spanning the international supply chain and warehousing sector. We have exclusive features on fashion industry logistics, returns management, shipment safety, air cargo operations, trailer manufacturing, loading bay equipment and a merger, ecommerce with voice picking, ethical AI and TMS, SaaS, warehouse sensors, inventory, stock data & asset location, recruitment, advanced forklift batteries, AGVs & AMRs, VNA trucks, grocery materials handling automation, warehouse floors, automated storage, roller conveyors, racking optimisation, high-speed cold store doors, safety protection products and packaging automation.

Plus hard-hitting interviews, site visits and case studies with Doddle, FedEx, Red Bull, Koerber, Joloda, Sick, Kardex, Dematic, Inform, Mitsubishi, CMC and Jungheinrich.

Our digital issues can be read in any language, or listened to. Simply click on the ‘Freeflow reader’ graphic near the top right corner of each editorial page.

To browse all our recent issues click here.

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