Motorized Roller for Pallets and Heavy Loads

The EPS-AS1 roller by Rulmeca is the ideal solution for motorizing roller conveyors for heavy loads (up to 1500 kg) integrated into transport systems, even in industrial environments and can be installed in conveyors that are part of complex logistics systems.

Its compact design takes advantage of the volume inside the roller tube to position the gear motor assembly. This solution allows for considerable space savings following the removal of the external gear motor unit from the motorized roller conveyor and guarantees better weight distribution of the structure by eliminating the cantilevered mass of the gear motor itself.

Assembly can also be carried out a few centimeters from the ground, which allows the creation of roller conveyors with an extremely low loading surface, promoting easier loading and handling of materials.

The most common applications for this type of roller conveyor are linked to the handling of pallets, crates and containers for heavy loads, but these structures are also very well suited to handling objects of regular or irregular shape, such as those frequently used:

– in the airport sector;
– in the production, packaging and automation sector;
– in distribution and storage centres;
– in the beverage industries.

Heavy Load Carrier

EPS- AS1 is the answer to the profitability and productivity needs of warehouses and all work environments that require roller conveyors for handling heavy loads, capable of guaranteeing the use of the right handling technology with maximum flexibility.

The product, with its unique patented design, is the result of Rulmeca‘s know-how and experience in the world of pallet/heavy load transport. EPS-AS1 is an oilless motorized roller, driven by a three-phase asynchronous motor coupled to a robust planetary gearbox. EPS-AS1 has an IP54 protection rating, which allows it to be installed in environments exposed to dust and humidity.

Thanks to the wide range of sizes proposed, it is possible to organize the flow of goods according to the most particular needs and space requirements. The EPS-AS1 roller can be used in a frequency range between 20 Hz and 60 Hz. Torque loss generally does not exceed 5%. The company is exhibiting at LogiMAT Stuttgart, Hall 1, stand D07.

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Rulmeca Motorized Pulleys Suitable for Light and Heavy Duty Conveyors

 

Pallet Protection and Stabilisation

Berry’s commitment to sustainability will take centre stage on its stand at this year’s LogiMAT exhibition, to be held at the Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre, Germany, from 19th to 21st March, as the company highlights its ability to assist customers in meeting both regulatory mandates and sustainability objectives through recyclability, advanced light weighting and the incorporation of recycled materials in its films’ production.

Berry’s range of high-performance pallet protection solutions, comprising its technically advanced stretch hoods and stretchwrap films, is suitable for an assortment of products and end-markets including logistics, construction materials, chemicals, and food and beverage. Highlights include the company’s stretch hood and Bontite® films which have options to incorporate its Sustane® range of recycled polymers. Sustane polymers are backed by EUCertPlast certification, offering customers peace of mind regarding the authenticity and quality of the recycled materials.

As one of Europe’s most experienced manufacturers of stretch hoods, Berry offers a wide variety of stretch hood films ranging from ultra-high elasticity to general purpose films and options to include a level of recycled content. For the protection of especially heavy or irregular shaped loads, Berry’s heavy duty stretch hood films can provide extra levels of protection, particularly for products stored outdoors.

Having such variety allows users to select a film that aligns with their functional, economic and sustainability goals. Additionally, stretch hoods may offer a quicker application process with potential material savings, making them a cost-effective and efficient packaging solution. Importantly, the films are recyclable at their end of life.

Pallet Protection

For those using stretchwrap films to secure their pallet loads, Berry’s innovative Bontite® stretchwrap film is suitable for high-speed and high-volume applications and delivers up to 300% stretch while offering excellent puncture and tear resistance for effective load containment in many different environments. Select Bontite films are now available with 30% recycled content sourced from Berry’s Sustane® range of recycled polymers.

In addition to Bontite, Berry’s ultra-high-performance Stratos® film also delivers up to 300% stretch and has the ability to achieve exceptional film strengths at reduced thicknesses allowing users to minimise packaging and maximise cost-efficiencies. In a successful case study performed by Berry, their 11.4µm Stratos film showed a 44.6% reduction in plastic used per year when compared to a traditional 23µm cast stretch films. Importantly, these lighter weights were achieved without compromising on stability, strength, and protection.

Both Bontite and Stratos films come in a wide range of specifications for which the thicknesses and blends can be adjusted to suit application demands. In addition, Berry can incorporate UV-stabilisers and barriers for enhanced product protection. By offering a comprehensive range of solutions, Berry is able to devise an appropriate solution while addressing customers’ sustainability goals, whether that be to improve recyclability, reduce material consumption or incorporate recycled content.

The Berry stand will demonstrate the company’s ability to offer a one-stop shop for high-performance pallet protection solutions, emphasising the crucial balance between sustainability and performance. Berry will be exhibiting on stand A41 in Hall 4.

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Beumer supplies individual packaging solutions

 

Pallet Protection and Stabilisation

Berry’s commitment to sustainability will take centre stage on its stand at this year’s LogiMAT exhibition, to be held at the Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre, Germany, from 19th to 21st March, as the company highlights its ability to assist customers in meeting both regulatory mandates and sustainability objectives through recyclability, advanced light weighting and the incorporation of recycled materials in its films’ production.

Berry’s range of high-performance pallet protection solutions, comprising its technically advanced stretch hoods and stretchwrap films, is suitable for an assortment of products and end-markets including logistics, construction materials, chemicals, and food and beverage. Highlights include the company’s stretch hood and Bontite® films which have options to incorporate its Sustane® range of recycled polymers. Sustane polymers are backed by EUCertPlast certification, offering customers peace of mind regarding the authenticity and quality of the recycled materials.

As one of Europe’s most experienced manufacturers of stretch hoods, Berry offers a wide variety of stretch hood films ranging from ultra-high elasticity to general purpose films and options to include a level of recycled content. For the protection of especially heavy or irregular shaped loads, Berry’s heavy duty stretch hood films can provide extra levels of protection, particularly for products stored outdoors.

Having such variety allows users to select a film that aligns with their functional, economic and sustainability goals. Additionally, stretch hoods may offer a quicker application process with potential material savings, making them a cost-effective and efficient packaging solution. Importantly, the films are recyclable at their end of life.

Pallet Protection

For those using stretchwrap films to secure their pallet loads, Berry’s innovative Bontite® stretchwrap film is suitable for high-speed and high-volume applications and delivers up to 300% stretch while offering excellent puncture and tear resistance for effective load containment in many different environments. Select Bontite films are now available with 30% recycled content sourced from Berry’s Sustane® range of recycled polymers.

In addition to Bontite, Berry’s ultra-high-performance Stratos® film also delivers up to 300% stretch and has the ability to achieve exceptional film strengths at reduced thicknesses allowing users to minimise packaging and maximise cost-efficiencies. In a successful case study performed by Berry, their 11.4µm Stratos film showed a 44.6% reduction in plastic used per year when compared to a traditional 23µm cast stretch films. Importantly, these lighter weights were achieved without compromising on stability, strength, and protection.

Both Bontite and Stratos films come in a wide range of specifications for which the thicknesses and blends can be adjusted to suit application demands. In addition, Berry can incorporate UV-stabilisers and barriers for enhanced product protection. By offering a comprehensive range of solutions, Berry is able to devise an appropriate solution while addressing customers’ sustainability goals, whether that be to improve recyclability, reduce material consumption or incorporate recycled content.

The Berry stand will demonstrate the company’s ability to offer a one-stop shop for high-performance pallet protection solutions, emphasising the crucial balance between sustainability and performance. Berry will be exhibiting on stand A41 in Hall 4.

read more

Beumer supplies individual packaging solutions

 

500,000th UK-made Forklift Donated

The 500,000th forklift from the factory producing Hyster® lift trucks in Northern Ireland has been donated to a local branch of FareShare, the UK’s longest running food redistribution charity.

Representatives from FareShare, based in Mallusk, visited the Craigavon plant on 6th March to receive the handover of the new truck – a Hyster J1.6XNT three-wheel electric lift truck. Stewart Murdoch – Senior Vice President, Managing Director, EMEA and Darren Johnston, Craigavon Plant Manager for Hyster Europe presented the truck, which features a panel containing the name of every current employee at the manufacturing plant, to Roisin Colohan, Operations Manager, representing FareShare. The special event was also attended by Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon Council Alderman Margaret Tinsley, and Roger Wilson the Chief Executive of Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon Council. In Northern Ireland, FareShare is part of local charity Homeless Connect which has been operating the project for thirteen years.

Commenting on the handover, Declan McKillop, Head of Operations at Homeless Connect, said “We are absolutely delighted that FareShare has been chosen to receive the half millionth forklift truck. The Hyster truck will play a vital role at our depot in Mallusk in helping us to redistribute good quality surplus food to over 170 local charities, community groups, schools, homeless hostels, and foodbanks that we support every week.”

FareShare provides Northern Ireland’s largest food redistribution network. Last year it distributed 669 tonnes of food, equivalent to 1.6 million meals to 179 charities, community groups and schools throughout Northern Ireland. Over 35,000 people each year benefit from FareShare food. The donated truck will be used in warehouses, based in Newtownabbey, where food items for redistribution are stored.

Half a million Hysters

The truck will be supported by UK and Ireland Hyster dealer Briggs Equipment, which will provide free-of-charge training and servicing during the warranty period.

“Giving back is something that is incredibly important to our whole team,” says Darren Johnston. “Supporting a great cause that benefits those in our local community seemed the ideal way to celebrate the milestone of manufacturing half a million trucks on our production lines. The Hyster electric lift truck we have donated is highly reliable, efficient, and operator friendly, giving FareShare and Homeless Connect equipment they can depend on, so that they can continue the great work they do to help people.”

Stewart Murdoch adds: ‘For more than 40 years of successfully operating in Northern Ireland, we are proud to continue to play a strong part in the local Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon community and to have achieved this landmark milestone of 500,000 lift trucks produced at our Craigavon facility is simply wonderful. The long-term success of our organisation is down to the passion, commitment and dedication shown by our incredible workforce and I would like to thank them all for the positive contribution that they make to both our company and the wider community. It is an absolute privilege to have my tenure with the company coincide with this landmark milestone in our continuing history in Craigavon.”

The facility in Craigavon, around 30 miles from Belfast, officially opened in 1981 and has grown to be the largest volume forklift plant in the UK, manufacturing thousands of electric, diesel, and LPG forklifts each year for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It employs hundreds of people from the local area and has extended its factory in recent years to incorporate new automation and sustainability innovations.

Read more

UK Food Sharing Charity Working with Logistics Partners

 

Book Order Fulfilment by Robots

Locus Robotics, a global leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for fulfilment warehouses, has partnered with leading online Australian book retailer, Booktopia, to enhance its customer order fulfilment processes at its new customer fulfilment centre at South Strathfield in Sydney.

The strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in Australia’s e-commerce landscape, as Booktopia becomes one of the first companies in the country to leverage the power of Locus AMRs to significantly optimise its order fulfilment processes, enabling a reduction in handling time and faster delivery to customers.

Locus Robotics‘ cutting-edge AMR technology will propel Booktopia’s fulfilment operations into the future, increasing efficiency, accuracy, and speed within its new distribution centre. The partnership aims to enhance Booktopia’s existing capabilities while meeting the ever-increasing demands of the online retail landscape. Locus Robotics’ adaptable and intelligent robots have begun seamlessly navigating the warehouse floors, working collaboratively with human counterparts to ensure timely and precise order processing.

State-of-the-art customer fulfilment centre

Rick Faulk, CEO, Locus Robotics, said: “This partnership reflects Booktopia’s innovative forward-looking view of robotics and automation technology. Booktopia is uniquely positioned to optimise its fulfilment processes and seamlessly scale for growth using our powerful AMR solution. We are thrilled to partner with a leader in Australian e-commerce as they push boundaries through fulfilment automation.”

David Nenke, CEO, Booktopia said: “Our partnership with Locus provides the technology that enables us to take a significant step forward with our customer fulfilment operations and support our overarching commitment to delivering a first class experience for customers looking to buy books and gifts. The Locus team shares our dedication to operational excellence through their cutting-edge capabilities and desire to put the customer first. Thanks to technology like this, we have been able to deliver an even better service for our customers including through the busy festive retail period at the end of 2023.”

This collaboration underscores Booktopia’s commitment to investing in state-of-the-art solutions to support its future aspirations across its ANZ operations and cement its role as a leader in Australia’s e-commerce and logistics landscape.

read more

5000 Locus AMRs Deployed by DHL

 

More Turmoil for Shipping?

Geopolitical upheaval and legislative change: More turmoil for shipping ahead.

There’s no such thing as a typical week for shipping. Global routes form a delicate web, and disruption is to be expected. From inclement weather to economic headwinds, disruption rarely makes global headlines, as contingency planning by shippers and carriers usually shields consumers from its effects. Notable exceptions include the period following COVID-19 lockdowns, when the whole globe felt the impact of port congestion and skyrocketing shipping costs. Recent events appear similarly momentous, putting global shipping in a precarious position and highlighting endemic issues.

When lightning doesn’t just strike once

Rather than a single lightning strike, current shipping disruption can be attributed to a barrage of unforeseen geopolitical and climatic developments. Currently, attacks by Houthi rebels are disrupting shipping in the Suez Canal, which usually accommodates roughly 12% of annual world trade and 30% of all global container traffic. Meanwhile, across the globe, an ongoing drought in the Panama Canal continues to restrict shipping capacity.

The result? Shippers are experiencing significant delays, and freight costs are skyrocketing again. For example, Transporeon data shows that container shipping prices from Asia to Europe have recently spiked by 300%. And with no end to disruption in sight, this may just be the start! But geopolitical upheaval is just one of many sources of disruption facing the European maritime transportation sector, with two important legislative changes coming into force.

Introducing the EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Designed to reduce shipping emissions by encouraging carriers to invest in sustainably-fuelled vessels, the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) came into force at the start of 2024. Shipping companies are now obliged to buy permits for a portion of their emissions (gradually increasing to 100% by 2027) for all inbound, outbound and transhipment vessel movements. LNG and other ‘sustainable’ fuels are exempt from EU ETS. However, these are currently used in less than 1% of maritime transportation, and it’s likely to take decades to build capacity. So, in the short term, most carriers will view EU ETS as a ‘cost of doing business’. An extra ‘ETS/fuel surcharge’ will most likely be passed onto shippers.

The end of CBER

In April, the EU will make another significant legislative change by discontinuing the 2009 Consortia Block Exemption Regulation (CBER), which allowed shipping companies to cooperate in consortia. CBER was introduced to improve service availability and market options for shippers, intended to drive down the price of maritime transportation. However, the pandemic exposed its flaws (limited oversight and information-sharing), which allowed larger carriers to consolidate and potentially exploit loopholes. This led to higher prices and reduced service options for shippers – and ultimately to the exemption’s demise.

The full implications of ending CBER aren’t clear yet. Shipping consortia will need to carefully assess whether their current cooperation agreements are compatible with general EU antitrust rules when offering joint services or sharing slots, capacity and data. However, some speculate that we could see reduced competition (and therefore capacity). Container shipping is very capital-intensive, and there’s a high barrier for carriers to add new services to a line, particularly when collaboration is limited. However, there’s also a clear expansion opportunity for carriers who already have a strong market position.

If disruption is a given, how can shippers prepare?

Ask any shipper, and they’ll tell you that delays aren’t always inherently problematic. However, a mismatch between their expectations (i.e. the timely arrival of cargo) and reality (i.e. delays) can have serious repercussions in the form of resource misallocation and unnecessary costs. These are ultimately passed onto consumers when problems stack up – so everyone loses.

Unfortunately, ‘unexpected’ delays are far too common in maritime transportation. The problem isn’t that delays happen ‘too suddenly’ for shippers to act, but that there’s a lack of information-sharing within the industry. Shippers routinely lack regular updates on the status of their freight, and if freight has been booked via a third party, tracking information is often completely unavailable.
Maritime transportation suffers from endemic data fragmentation. For instance, to track freight, shippers currently have to ‘call’ different carriers’ APIs individually for each vessel. The technology to fix this problem already exists. In recent years, it has been widely implemented across other transportation modes – to the point where real-time visibility is now becoming standard practice for road freight.

In maritime transportation, the key to minimising disruption lies in increasing cross-industry collaboration and boosting the data maturity of shippers and carriers. Ideally, early impact identification and analysis require shippers to have access to a single source of truth with data from all carriers. Though data fragmentation can’t be fixed overnight, shippers can already implement technologies that offer improved visibility into the location of freight and enable them to predict where future disruption might occur. The bottom line? Shippers can’t control the climate. Or geopolitics. Or legislative changes. But they can control how they respond to disruption.

by Lena von Fritschen, Director Market Intelligence at Transporeon, a Trimble Company.

Read more…

Industry View: Secure Your Supply Chain Now to Beat Disruption

 

More Turmoil for Shipping?

Geopolitical upheaval and legislative change: More turmoil for shipping ahead.

There’s no such thing as a typical week for shipping. Global routes form a delicate web, and disruption is to be expected. From inclement weather to economic headwinds, disruption rarely makes global headlines, as contingency planning by shippers and carriers usually shields consumers from its effects. Notable exceptions include the period following COVID-19 lockdowns, when the whole globe felt the impact of port congestion and skyrocketing shipping costs. Recent events appear similarly momentous, putting global shipping in a precarious position and highlighting endemic issues.

When lightning doesn’t just strike once

Rather than a single lightning strike, current shipping disruption can be attributed to a barrage of unforeseen geopolitical and climatic developments. Currently, attacks by Houthi rebels are disrupting shipping in the Suez Canal, which usually accommodates roughly 12% of annual world trade and 30% of all global container traffic. Meanwhile, across the globe, an ongoing drought in the Panama Canal continues to restrict shipping capacity.

The result? Shippers are experiencing significant delays, and freight costs are skyrocketing again. For example, Transporeon data shows that container shipping prices from Asia to Europe have recently spiked by 300%. And with no end to disruption in sight, this may just be the start! But geopolitical upheaval is just one of many sources of disruption facing the European maritime transportation sector, with two important legislative changes coming into force.

Introducing the EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Designed to reduce shipping emissions by encouraging carriers to invest in sustainably-fuelled vessels, the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) came into force at the start of 2024. Shipping companies are now obliged to buy permits for a portion of their emissions (gradually increasing to 100% by 2027) for all inbound, outbound and transhipment vessel movements. LNG and other ‘sustainable’ fuels are exempt from EU ETS. However, these are currently used in less than 1% of maritime transportation, and it’s likely to take decades to build capacity. So, in the short term, most carriers will view EU ETS as a ‘cost of doing business’. An extra ‘ETS/fuel surcharge’ will most likely be passed onto shippers.

The end of CBER

In April, the EU will make another significant legislative change by discontinuing the 2009 Consortia Block Exemption Regulation (CBER), which allowed shipping companies to cooperate in consortia. CBER was introduced to improve service availability and market options for shippers, intended to drive down the price of maritime transportation. However, the pandemic exposed its flaws (limited oversight and information-sharing), which allowed larger carriers to consolidate and potentially exploit loopholes. This led to higher prices and reduced service options for shippers – and ultimately to the exemption’s demise.

The full implications of ending CBER aren’t clear yet. Shipping consortia will need to carefully assess whether their current cooperation agreements are compatible with general EU antitrust rules when offering joint services or sharing slots, capacity and data. However, some speculate that we could see reduced competition (and therefore capacity). Container shipping is very capital-intensive, and there’s a high barrier for carriers to add new services to a line, particularly when collaboration is limited. However, there’s also a clear expansion opportunity for carriers who already have a strong market position.

If disruption is a given, how can shippers prepare?

Ask any shipper, and they’ll tell you that delays aren’t always inherently problematic. However, a mismatch between their expectations (i.e. the timely arrival of cargo) and reality (i.e. delays) can have serious repercussions in the form of resource misallocation and unnecessary costs. These are ultimately passed onto consumers when problems stack up – so everyone loses.

Unfortunately, ‘unexpected’ delays are far too common in maritime transportation. The problem isn’t that delays happen ‘too suddenly’ for shippers to act, but that there’s a lack of information-sharing within the industry. Shippers routinely lack regular updates on the status of their freight, and if freight has been booked via a third party, tracking information is often completely unavailable.
Maritime transportation suffers from endemic data fragmentation. For instance, to track freight, shippers currently have to ‘call’ different carriers’ APIs individually for each vessel. The technology to fix this problem already exists. In recent years, it has been widely implemented across other transportation modes – to the point where real-time visibility is now becoming standard practice for road freight.

In maritime transportation, the key to minimising disruption lies in increasing cross-industry collaboration and boosting the data maturity of shippers and carriers. Ideally, early impact identification and analysis require shippers to have access to a single source of truth with data from all carriers. Though data fragmentation can’t be fixed overnight, shippers can already implement technologies that offer improved visibility into the location of freight and enable them to predict where future disruption might occur. The bottom line? Shippers can’t control the climate. Or geopolitics. Or legislative changes. But they can control how they respond to disruption.

by Lena von Fritschen, Director Market Intelligence at Transporeon, a Trimble Company.

Read more…

Industry View: Secure Your Supply Chain Now to Beat Disruption

 

Baltic Sea Development Includes Klaipeda

Friday March 1st marked the date when Samskip took the next step in its strategic Baltic Sea development by increasing service capacity and adding the port of Klaipeda to its network.

The extended service follows the successful establishment of Samskip’s dedicated Baltic Sea shortsea service in November 2023. Since its kick-off, the Samskip Baltic Sea service has aimed to provide a market-leading scheduling reliability, supported by good customer experience.

As part of the extended Baltic Sea service, Samskip will increase capacity by deploying two 803 TEU container vessels on the trade route and add the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda to the fixed-day weekly sailing schedule which connects the UK and the Netherlands with Finland and the Baltic States.

Klaipeda Port

In addition, Samskip will relocate its UK port of call from Hull to the neighboring Humber port of Immingham. This move further guarantees schedule integrity, allowing for even smoother connectivity with Samskip’s owned truck fleet based in Immingham for ‘last mile’ deliveries.

The newly extended service is in answer to customer demand for a reliable shortsea service in Finland and the Baltic States combined with a strong focus on Customer Centricity. These two core values are now available to Lithuanian exporters who can benefit from market-leading transit times between Lithuania and the UK. Samskip vessels will depart from Klaipeda every Saturday morning to arrive three days later in Immingham on Tuesday morning.

Samskip Regional Director – Baltic Sea, Johan van der Pijl, said: “Service, reliability and the continuous enhancement of our customers experience have been and will remain our core values in this corridor. Fueled by the shortsea expertise in our DNA, our dedication to these values has driven Samskip to deliver market-leading reliability and customer experience since the kick-off of our Baltic Sea service last November. We are excited to roll out these customer focused values to the Lithuanian market. Adding our own truck fleet based in Immingham, we are able offer customers a care-free and seamless door-to-door transport experience.”

read more

Immingham Training Facility Aims to Reduce Forklift Accidents

 

 

Battery Technology with Accelerated Throughput

EnerSys® (NYSE:ENS), a global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, announces an advancement in thin plate pure lead (TPPL) battery technology with the introduction of an optional Accelerated Throughput Package (ATP)* for select NexSys® TPPL batteries.

NexSys® TPPL batteries equipped with the new ATP offer a significant increase in daily energy throughput compared to standard NexSys® TPPL batteries – making them ideal for harder-running,
higher-reaching Class 1 and 2 equipment applications formerly requiring battery changing. This additional energy capability provided with the ATP upgrade is achieved via improved thermal
management that enables faster, more efficient energy uptake during brief charging periods such as operator breaks, shift changes or any period of non-use.

Battery Technology

Harold Vanasse, Senior Director of Marketing, Motive Power Global at EnerSys, explains, “Switching from battery changing to opportunity charging significantly alters battery selection. With changing, the battery is removed from equipment and recharged separately, over an extended period of time. This means the critical factor is overall energy storage capacity – determining how long equipment can work before needing a battery change. Opportunity charging equipment during breaks and other brief intervals adds energy intake efficiency as a consideration to maintain charge levels. Our TPPL technology, known for its high charging efficiency is further enhanced with the ATP, providing accelerated recharging without compromising the maintenance-free experience synonymous with our NexSys® battery line. NexSys® TPPL with ATP is particularly suited for applications requiring additional energy capabilities to support high-volume, multi-shift operations.”

EnerSys® will feature NexSys® TPPL with the new ATP upgrade at their upcoming trade shows: Intermodal (Booth M010) in Sao Paulo, Brazil from March 5-7, 2024, and LogiMAT (Booth 10B09) in Stuttgart, Germany from March 19-21, 2024.

Read more

EnerSys Launches Wireless AGV Charger

 

Optimizing the Expansion of Automation

As warehouse logistics become increasingly automated with a mixed portfolio of devices, robots and systems, the need to connect and orchestrate the various solutions is ever more urgent.
Consequently, the very latest multi-agent orchestration (MAO) technology, SnapControl, will be one of the main features at this year’s MODEX 2024 – at booth #A12509.

Developed by warehouse management technology innovator, Synergy Logistics, SnapControl offers a device-agnostic and unified approach to automation, seamlessly connecting all warehouse devices and robots in real time. It is suitable for both new (greenfield) and existing (brownfield) automated portfolios.

Synergy Logistics’ Chief Product & Delivery Officer, Smitha Raphael, said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to highlight SnapControl to visitors at this year’s MODEX event. By uniquely interpreting bi-directional communication between machines and advanced WMS, SnapControl facilitates efficient and accurate decision-making, which are critical components of the second wave of automation recognized by leading industry analysts.”

Multi-agent orchestration

The virtues of SnapControl have already been tested rigorously by a rapidly expanding US online retailer, resulting in a sixfold increase in productivity over the first few months of implementation. Having invested in a new 300,000 sq. ft warehouse, featuring automated mobile robots (AMRs), carton right-sizing equipment, and automated packaging systems, the retailer required a MAO that could generate real-time data and make smart decisions from those integrations, with little or no human involvement.

For this e-tailer, the return on investment (ROI) in automated resources has amounted to labour savings of over half a million dollars. On average, the company now saves over $40,000 per week, with an impressive investment payback period of just 23 weeks.

Raphael added: “Not all MAOs are the same, because while most providers can integrate with a host of software and robotics vendors, a simple connection is as far as it goes. A true MAO platform, such as SnapControl, is the conductor of the orchestra. It provides the why and where, while connecting and controlling all devices at once, for a complete 360-degree picture of your operation.”

Raphael and her colleagues are also offering practical 30-minute demonstrations at Booth #A12509 of the highly flexible and award-winning SnapFulfil WMS – showcasing how it can be changed or modified in minutes without custom code for quick and easy implementation and a rapid response to evolving fulfillment demands.

Read more

SnapControl – Warehouse Automation Connectivity

 

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