Disruptions in the Supply Chain Affect the Automotive Industry

The automotive industry’s reliance on its supply chain running smoothly is important to ensure the consistent production of vehicles for consumer and corporate demand, especially considering that most vehicles can contain between 15,000 and 25,000 component parts.

Chris Thompson, Operations Director at Electrix International, a global supplier of stainless steel electrical enclosures, has offered some expert insight into the supply chain issues facing the automotive industry, including the impacts it has and posing some potential solutions.

Reduction in workforce

One significant concern in the automotive industry is the significant shortage of laborers and workforce. In fact, an ABB survey of around 600 global industry experts found that skills shortages of talented laborers were of the greatest concern in North America, with 56% of experts outlining it as a problem. 48% also stated that new skills were required to adjust to the fast-changing landscape of the industry, with more needing to be done to attract people to join the industry.

Technology shortage

One significant issue within the automotive supply chain is the shortage of key technological components, like semiconductors, that go into vehicle production. These inventory shortages increase delivery lead times, and the scarcity of parts has forced manufacturers to raise costs, meaning final prices for consumers are even higher than before.

In fact, the cost of a new car in 2024 is now an average of $48,759, which could increase further should these delays increase. Not only does this have an impact on new car purchases but also on the aftermarket industry, as it affects repair and maintenance services being unable to work on vehicles with replacement parts.

Geopolitical and naturally occurring phenomena

It’s not just physical issues that can affect the supply chain, as the wider landscape of the world can have a huge impact on the automotive industry. Geopolitical developments that automotive manufacturers have no control over can cause interruptions in the flow of goods and materials. For instance, Volvo and Tesla had to suspend manufacturing due to the conflict in the Red Sea in early 2024. Conflicts and tensions between countries affect trade and tariffs placed on materials like steel and aluminum, which in turn raises costs for manufacturers. The knock-on effects can have huge implications in the long term.

In addition to geopolitical situations, naturally occurring phenomena and disasters can also contribute to production and supply chain issues for the industry. Whether it’s hurricanes, wildfires, or earthquakes, they’re unpredictable in their very nature and can be hugely disruptive to production facilities and transport networks. The knock-on effect leads directly to supply shortages and delays in production.

How does the industry respond to these challenges?

The automotive industry has been forced to create and implement strategies to deal with these challenges, with one solution being to diversify supply chains, which involves reducing their reliance on single-source suppliers. This means establishing strategic partnerships with multiple suppliers, as well as investing in localized production facilities, and making the most of emerging technologies to streamline and optimize operations.

This creates more flexibility in managing the supply chain to react quickly to the impact of disruptions and continuing with processes despite unforeseen circumstances. The market and industry are constantly evolving, so staying on the cusp of new strategies can avoid major disruptions.

Disruptions within the supply chain have emerged as a significant challenge for the automotive industry, whether it’s geopolitical tensions or natural disasters. The challenges posed to the market have impacted everything from the production of new vehicles to increased costs of units to materials and affecting consumer demand. This is why it’s so crucial for the industry to explore proactive solutions to mitigate these risks and build a stronger risk management strategy.

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Disruptions in the Supply Chain Affect the Automotive Industry

The automotive industry’s reliance on its supply chain running smoothly is important to ensure the consistent production of vehicles for consumer and corporate demand, especially considering that most vehicles can contain between 15,000 and 25,000 component parts.

Chris Thompson, Operations Director at Electrix International, a global supplier of stainless steel electrical enclosures, has offered some expert insight into the supply chain issues facing the automotive industry, including the impacts it has and posing some potential solutions.

Reduction in workforce

One significant concern in the automotive industry is the significant shortage of laborers and workforce. In fact, an ABB survey of around 600 global industry experts found that skills shortages of talented laborers were of the greatest concern in North America, with 56% of experts outlining it as a problem. 48% also stated that new skills were required to adjust to the fast-changing landscape of the industry, with more needing to be done to attract people to join the industry.

Technology shortage

One significant issue within the automotive supply chain is the shortage of key technological components, like semiconductors, that go into vehicle production. These inventory shortages increase delivery lead times, and the scarcity of parts has forced manufacturers to raise costs, meaning final prices for consumers are even higher than before.

In fact, the cost of a new car in 2024 is now an average of $48,759, which could increase further should these delays increase. Not only does this have an impact on new car purchases but also on the aftermarket industry, as it affects repair and maintenance services being unable to work on vehicles with replacement parts.

Geopolitical and naturally occurring phenomena

It’s not just physical issues that can affect the supply chain, as the wider landscape of the world can have a huge impact on the automotive industry. Geopolitical developments that automotive manufacturers have no control over can cause interruptions in the flow of goods and materials. For instance, Volvo and Tesla had to suspend manufacturing due to the conflict in the Red Sea in early 2024. Conflicts and tensions between countries affect trade and tariffs placed on materials like steel and aluminum, which in turn raises costs for manufacturers. The knock-on effects can have huge implications in the long term.

In addition to geopolitical situations, naturally occurring phenomena and disasters can also contribute to production and supply chain issues for the industry. Whether it’s hurricanes, wildfires, or earthquakes, they’re unpredictable in their very nature and can be hugely disruptive to production facilities and transport networks. The knock-on effect leads directly to supply shortages and delays in production.

How does the industry respond to these challenges?

The automotive industry has been forced to create and implement strategies to deal with these challenges, with one solution being to diversify supply chains, which involves reducing their reliance on single-source suppliers. This means establishing strategic partnerships with multiple suppliers, as well as investing in localized production facilities, and making the most of emerging technologies to streamline and optimize operations.

This creates more flexibility in managing the supply chain to react quickly to the impact of disruptions and continuing with processes despite unforeseen circumstances. The market and industry are constantly evolving, so staying on the cusp of new strategies can avoid major disruptions.

Disruptions within the supply chain have emerged as a significant challenge for the automotive industry, whether it’s geopolitical tensions or natural disasters. The challenges posed to the market have impacted everything from the production of new vehicles to increased costs of units to materials and affecting consumer demand. This is why it’s so crucial for the industry to explore proactive solutions to mitigate these risks and build a stronger risk management strategy.

read more

Transportation costs drive regional divide

 

Digital twins help postal and logistics companies plan for the future

Outside of fantasy novels, nobody has a crystal ball to see into the future. However, postal services and logistics companies are building digital twins to achieve just that. Powered by data-driven virtual models that can simulate real-world operations, digital twins are allowing the sector to predict the future and plan for it.

Alexandra Ballestrem, Key Account Director, and Roosmarijn Schopman, Proposition Manager at Prime Vision, explore how digital twins are providing unparallelled foresight in logistics operations.

Reducing uncertainty

Postal and logistics processes are beholden to a multitude of factors, many of which are outside the control of a business. With customer expectations regarding speed of delivery at an all-time high, maintaining service levels during operational shocks is a constant challenge, as nobody knows what’s coming next. Consequently, companies are looking for tools to mitigate uncertainty and assist in contingency planning.

Mature logistics operations are highly automated. Whenever a parcel or letter travels through a sorting centre, it is photographed, scanned and tracked by a wide array of equipment. This generates masses of data, which can be stored and analysed to offer insights into an operation. Increasingly, postal and logistics companies are using these data streams to build digital twins.

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object, or in this case, a process. By feeding real-world data into bespoke mathematic models that accurately reflect operations, owners of a digital twin can simulate how changing parameters can affect their business. With the masses of data required to drive the system already available from existing automation equipment, a digital twin allows almost limitless experimentation with minimal risk. While no crystal ball, it enables businesses to conduct effective contingency planning, and possibly more.

Digital Postage Twins

Take, for example, an increase in parcel or letter volumes. The key question is, are existing processes flexible enough to effectively manage this higher volume between current facilities? If not, is investment in a new sorting centre, equipment or staff required? Using a digital twin, businesses can feed increased parcel and letter volumes into the models, testing operations to get an answer. A new sorting centre will require at least five years to offer return on investment (ROI), so having a data driven system to properly inform the decision is invaluable.

Unforeseen breakdowns are another event that can be modelled and mitigated by a digital twin. With postal services operating 20 to 80 hubs in a country depending on size, what would happen if one were to go down? This can be replicated in the digital twin and the effects observed. More than that, it allows businesses to proactively plan and strategize to keep downtime and delivery delays to a minimum. Using the simulation, operators can find the best way to spread volumes and reduce the impact, rather than carrying out a time-consuming postmortem after the event.

The virtual world exerting physical control

While these scenarios focus on sortation, digital twins have plenty more possibilities. Simulations can be carried out to test how to use available floorspace within a warehouse and discover new efficiencies. Companies using robots can replicate their entire fleet digitally and find ways to optimise movement within a facility. If the data is available, delivery vehicles can be included to predict how goods could travel between different sorting centres for processing.

With coverage over an entire operation, a digital twin can actively influence the physical world and open the door to dynamic sorting and self-organising logistics. By creating a virtual counterpart of letters, parcels and pallets, the digital twin can make automatic decisions to adjust pick-ups, inbound goods, sorting and outbound deliveries to improve the speed, quality and flexibility of logistics processes. As a result, users can improve service while lowering operating and capital expenditure.

A proven partner for digital twins

Accessing the benefits of a digital twin is no easy task. First of all, a business must record as many physical events as possible via equipment in its facility. This helps to build a complete data set and deliver accurate predictions. With data collected and stored, a knowledgeable expert must turn customer process parameters and factors into working mathematical models and software. An analytical dashboard is also required to present results.

 

Digital twins

Prime Vision is an expert in building digital twins from the ground up. Its computer vision systems, analytical software, data storage solutions and robotics are embedded in the sortation process from start to finish, providing customers in its install-base with the data required to build an accurate simulation. Its digital twins are even compatible with products from other vendors, ensuring widespread coverage. The company specialises in seamlessly integrating its automation products with existing customer infrastructure.

In all cases, Prime Vision can flexibly unite sporadic sources of data to build a functional and impactful digital twin. Its research and development engineers are adept at translating physical operations into working software models and providing an accurate digital representation of unique customer processes. This can be hosted within a customer environment or by Prime Vision, either at a premises or on the cloud.

For postal or logistics companies looking to take a proactive approach to contingency planning, a digital twin is essential to make the right predictions and decisions. By partnering with an expert like Prime Vision, these businesses have no need of a fortune teller to secure efficiency and future resilience.

More from Prime Vision:  https://primevision.com/the-letterverse-digital-twins-help-postal-and-logistics-companies-plan-for-the-future/

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New Heavy Cushioned Packaging made from 100% Recycled Material

SEE® has expanded its Sealed Air® brand ProPad paper cushioning system with the launch of its new ProPad Coiler Sustainable Cushioning Solution to meet customer demands for sustainability and automation.

Made from 100% recycled paper and designed to be recycled* using kerbside services, the ProPad Coiler provides operators with a robust alternative to foam and film packaging options. High density paper coils can be quickly produced to protect heavy-duty goods.

Sustainable Cushioning Solution

Oliver Kammler, Portfolio Marketing Director, EMEA at SEE explains: “Automotive, machinery and appliance supply chains often have heavy cushioning requirements. This has meant businesses have sometimes had to choose between product protection and packaging sustainability. We developed ProPad Coiler to overcome this and support companies to maximise product protection and contribute towards hitting their sustainability goals.”

Combined with the Sealed Air® brand ProPad cushioning system, operators can quickly and easily create paper coils on demand in varying sizes and densities, according to the size and weight of the packaged product.

“The ProPad Coiler allows operators to choose between 3 pre-set coil tightness settings, with the coils secured by glue dot technology, added Oliver. “Consistently tight paper coils can be produced to streamline their placement in boxes and enhance overall protective cushioning performance.

“The complete ProPad system and Coiler removes any inefficiencies and issues caused by unravelling paper coils to save operators time and resource. This helps address labour challenges and avoid delays and bottlenecks in the packaging area.

Sustainable Cushioning Solution

The ProPad Coiler can be used to produce paper coils in diameters ranging from 30cm to 61cm, with adjustments made every 2.54cms. Coils are available in a natural kraft paper.

Oliver concluded: “The development of the new ProPad Coiler complements a system that’s easy to load and maintain. It’s a versatile solution that’s designed to enhance productivity and uptime through seamless switching between different sized paper coils, cushioning pads and batch coils.”

*Degree of recyclability of the final package depends on the scope and availability of appropriate recycling facilities.

Find out more: https://www.sealedair.com/products/protective-packaging/paper-cushioning-system#-tab

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Decarbonisation of shipping could create up to four million green jobs

  • Decarbonisation of the global maritime industry could support the creation of up to four million green jobs by 2050.
  • Demand for e-fuels is set to scale to over 500m tonnes by 2040, requiring additional 2TW of renewable energy generation capacity and £3.2 trillion of infrastructure investment.
  • This significant capital investment will see most green jobs created during the 2030s, to support renewable energy capacity building.
  • Majority of jobs likely to be distributed in the Global South, where conditions are optimal for the production of green fuels.
  • Based on Green Jobs and Maritime Decarbonisation, new analysis by the Global Maritime Forum and Arup.

Copenhagen, 9 May 2024 – The Global Maritime Forum has revealed the immense economic potential presented by the decarbonisation of shipping. New analysis, commissioned by the Global Maritime Forum and conducted by Arup, projects that the maritime sector’s transition to e-fuels could support up to four million new green jobs by 2050, double the number of seafarers serving globally today. Job creation will be seen across the three main phases of the supply chain: renewable energy generation, hydrogen production and e-fuel production.

The shipping industry is currently responsible for 3% of global CO2 emissions, equivalent to the annual emissions of Japan. As the backbone of the global economy – responsible for 80% of global trade – the industry has faced enormous pressure to rapidly decarbonise. In 2023, the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s member states agreed an end date to fossil fuel consumption “by or around” 2050.

Achieving this target will require large volumes of scalable zero emission fuels, a significant share of which will be e-fuels based on hydrogen. Projections show that shipping’s demand for e-fuels could rapidly scale to over 500 million tonnes by 2040, rising to 600 million tonnes by 2050. Meeting such demand could require an additional 2TW of renewable energy generation capacity, and 1TW of hydrogen production capacity by 2050.

Maritime transition is a trillion-dollar market opportunity

The analysis, titled Green Jobs and Maritime Decarbonisation, focuses on renewable energy and fuel production linked to e-fuels, adopting an illustrative scenario where e-fuels become the energy source for international shipping. In this scenario, up to £3.2 trillion of investment is required to support the development of renewable infrastructure, hydrogen production, and fuel production facilities for e-ammonia for shipping.

This significant capital investment will have a dramatic impact on the creation of green jobs across the supply chain. It also has the potential to create immense benefits to the wider economy, furthering climate action, whilst also supporting the development of renewable energy projects and the uptake of green hydrogen across other sectors.

Jesse Fahnestock, Director of Decarbonisation, at Global Maritime Forum, said: “This research marks a critical first step in exploring the fundamental role maritime decarbonisation will play in the creation of green jobs within the energy sector. The analysis demonstrates the sheer scale of the potential to create large numbers of highly-skilled green jobs, in this instance driven by a single fuel. Many of these jobs will also be transferable to other sectors – supporting further decarbonisation beyond shipping.”

Creating green jobs across the supply chain

Providing shipping decarbonisation keeps track with the IMO’s ‘striving indicative checkpoints’, the new data provides an outline of the growth of green jobs from the 2020s through the 2040s for each of the main areas of the supply chain – renewable energy generation, hydrogen production and e-fuel production.

Due to the rapid scaling of e-fuel uptake during the 2030s, it’s predicted that this decade will see the creation of the most green jobs across each area of the supply chain – an upper bound range of between 1m and 4m jobs worldwide. This will be supported by over £2.2 trillion of capital investment in the development renewables and infrastructure, and a huge build-out of energy and fuel capacity – 1,500GW of renewable energy generation, 800GW of green hydrogen, and 530Mtpa of green ammonia.

Job numbers are likely to be smaller in the 2020s and ultimately reduce in the 2040s, as capital investment reduces. A large proportion of these jobs, however, will be transferable to other sectors and will ultimately support the development of wider renewable energy capacity; aiding decarbonisation efforts across other sectors.

Jeremy Anderson, Director of Just Transition and Sustainable Transport at International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), said: “The creation of new green jobs can help address economic inequalities between the Global North and Global South. However, green jobs must also be good jobs, with decent working conditions, labour rights, and a strong voice for workers.”

More attention required to map green jobs potential in maritime 

As trillions of capital investment gets funnelled into green fuels for the maritime sector, stimulating the creation of green jobs can help countries transition away from fossil fuels, whilst providing a direct, quantifiable contribution to a country’s economy.

Investments in the Global South in particular, where climate provides the greatest conditions for e-fuel production, have shown to contribute significantly toward higher job creation, relative to an equivalent investment in a country in the Global North. This suggests a higher potential for developing countries to leverage investments towards wider green job creation.

Connor Bingham, Project Manager at Global Maritime Forum and author of Green Jobs and Maritime Decarbonisation, said: “The huge levels of investment will impact all corners of the globe, helping many countries around the world provide opportunities to workers negatively affected by the transition away from more carbon-intensive industries. It’s vital that we further explore the different geographic implications, particularly in the Global South, to ensure we can unlock the enormous potential for economic growth across nations.”

The Global Maritime Forum calls for further research and analysis on the role of other future fuels, beyond e-fuels, in the creation of quality green jobs, as well as building a stronger understanding of the different geographical implications relating to the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.

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Decarbonisation of shipping could create up to four million green jobs

  • Decarbonisation of the global maritime industry could support the creation of up to four million green jobs by 2050.
  • Demand for e-fuels is set to scale to over 500m tonnes by 2040, requiring additional 2TW of renewable energy generation capacity and £3.2 trillion of infrastructure investment.
  • This significant capital investment will see most green jobs created during the 2030s, to support renewable energy capacity building.
  • Majority of jobs likely to be distributed in the Global South, where conditions are optimal for the production of green fuels.
  • Based on Green Jobs and Maritime Decarbonisation, new analysis by the Global Maritime Forum and Arup.

Copenhagen, 9 May 2024 – The Global Maritime Forum has revealed the immense economic potential presented by the decarbonisation of shipping. New analysis, commissioned by the Global Maritime Forum and conducted by Arup, projects that the maritime sector’s transition to e-fuels could support up to four million new green jobs by 2050, double the number of seafarers serving globally today. Job creation will be seen across the three main phases of the supply chain: renewable energy generation, hydrogen production and e-fuel production.

The shipping industry is currently responsible for 3% of global CO2 emissions, equivalent to the annual emissions of Japan. As the backbone of the global economy – responsible for 80% of global trade – the industry has faced enormous pressure to rapidly decarbonise. In 2023, the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s member states agreed an end date to fossil fuel consumption “by or around” 2050.

Achieving this target will require large volumes of scalable zero emission fuels, a significant share of which will be e-fuels based on hydrogen. Projections show that shipping’s demand for e-fuels could rapidly scale to over 500 million tonnes by 2040, rising to 600 million tonnes by 2050. Meeting such demand could require an additional 2TW of renewable energy generation capacity, and 1TW of hydrogen production capacity by 2050.

Maritime transition is a trillion-dollar market opportunity

The analysis, titled Green Jobs and Maritime Decarbonisation, focuses on renewable energy and fuel production linked to e-fuels, adopting an illustrative scenario where e-fuels become the energy source for international shipping. In this scenario, up to £3.2 trillion of investment is required to support the development of renewable infrastructure, hydrogen production, and fuel production facilities for e-ammonia for shipping.

This significant capital investment will have a dramatic impact on the creation of green jobs across the supply chain. It also has the potential to create immense benefits to the wider economy, furthering climate action, whilst also supporting the development of renewable energy projects and the uptake of green hydrogen across other sectors.

Jesse Fahnestock, Director of Decarbonisation, at Global Maritime Forum, said: “This research marks a critical first step in exploring the fundamental role maritime decarbonisation will play in the creation of green jobs within the energy sector. The analysis demonstrates the sheer scale of the potential to create large numbers of highly-skilled green jobs, in this instance driven by a single fuel. Many of these jobs will also be transferable to other sectors – supporting further decarbonisation beyond shipping.”

Creating green jobs across the supply chain

Providing shipping decarbonisation keeps track with the IMO’s ‘striving indicative checkpoints’, the new data provides an outline of the growth of green jobs from the 2020s through the 2040s for each of the main areas of the supply chain – renewable energy generation, hydrogen production and e-fuel production.

Due to the rapid scaling of e-fuel uptake during the 2030s, it’s predicted that this decade will see the creation of the most green jobs across each area of the supply chain – an upper bound range of between 1m and 4m jobs worldwide. This will be supported by over £2.2 trillion of capital investment in the development renewables and infrastructure, and a huge build-out of energy and fuel capacity – 1,500GW of renewable energy generation, 800GW of green hydrogen, and 530Mtpa of green ammonia.

Job numbers are likely to be smaller in the 2020s and ultimately reduce in the 2040s, as capital investment reduces. A large proportion of these jobs, however, will be transferable to other sectors and will ultimately support the development of wider renewable energy capacity; aiding decarbonisation efforts across other sectors.

Jeremy Anderson, Director of Just Transition and Sustainable Transport at International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), said: “The creation of new green jobs can help address economic inequalities between the Global North and Global South. However, green jobs must also be good jobs, with decent working conditions, labour rights, and a strong voice for workers.”

More attention required to map green jobs potential in maritime 

As trillions of capital investment gets funnelled into green fuels for the maritime sector, stimulating the creation of green jobs can help countries transition away from fossil fuels, whilst providing a direct, quantifiable contribution to a country’s economy.

Investments in the Global South in particular, where climate provides the greatest conditions for e-fuel production, have shown to contribute significantly toward higher job creation, relative to an equivalent investment in a country in the Global North. This suggests a higher potential for developing countries to leverage investments towards wider green job creation.

Connor Bingham, Project Manager at Global Maritime Forum and author of Green Jobs and Maritime Decarbonisation, said: “The huge levels of investment will impact all corners of the globe, helping many countries around the world provide opportunities to workers negatively affected by the transition away from more carbon-intensive industries. It’s vital that we further explore the different geographic implications, particularly in the Global South, to ensure we can unlock the enormous potential for economic growth across nations.”

The Global Maritime Forum calls for further research and analysis on the role of other future fuels, beyond e-fuels, in the creation of quality green jobs, as well as building a stronger understanding of the different geographical implications relating to the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.

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Next phase of St. Modwen Park Burton Commenced

St. Modwen Logistics, one of the UK’s leading logistics developers and managers, and a Blackstone portfolio company, has commenced the final phase of activity at St. Modwen Park Burton, which will see the delivery of five high-quality logistics units totalling c. 400,000 sq ft.

Earlier this year, Blackstone announced that from July 2024, St. Modwen Logistics’ portfolio of assets will become part of Indurent, a new pure play UK logistics champion. The business will have more than 200 assets totalling 26 million sq. ft of logistics space.

The buildings at St. Modwen Park Burton range from 38,000 to 175,000 sq ft in size and will be built to St. Modwen Logistics’ industry-leading Swan Standard, a holistic set of guidelines to ensure sustainable construction. All units will be rated BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and will obtain either EPC A or A+ certifications. In addition, each building unit will offer Grade A office accommodation, vehicle charging points and rain water harvesting as standard, whilst units B79 and B173 will come equipped with rooftop solar PV to offset the operational energy usage of the office space.

This most recent phase of development will bring the total space at St. Modwen Park Burton to just under 1 million sq ft, with completion due early next year. Existing customers at the scheme include Hellmann Logistics, London City Bond, Keylite Roof Windows and Supply Technologies. St. Modwen Park Burton is also part of a larger 175-acre mixed-use scheme being delivered by St. Modwen, which includes more than 600 new homes as part of the urban extension to the south of Burton. The development also includes a retail centre as well as a large 160-acre woodland which is accessible to businesses on the park and the local community.

The quality and flexibility of units on offer will support both growing local businesses and blue-chip manufacturing and distribution companies looking to take advantage of the scheme’s fantastic transport links. The scheme offers direct access to the A38, with 90% of the UK population within a four-hour drive. 1,500 jobs will be created at the site, rendering it a key employment hub for the region.

Winvic Construction Ltd is the principal contractor for the scheme, having delivered other high-quality new units at the nearby St. Modwen Park Derby and St. Modwen Park Tamworth. St. Modwen has appointed the Birmingham offices of Knight Frank and Savills to market the units.

Rob Richardson, Development Director at St. Modwen Logistics said: “Having already successfully delivered more than 600,000 sq ft of prime logistics space at St. Modwen Park Burton, this latest phase of activity will further support local businesses and inward investors in accessing the industrial workspace and warehousing they need across Staffordshire.

“The site’s exceptional sustainability features and prime location, accessible to 90% of the UK population within 4 hours, make it an ideal logistics scheme for a diverse range of occupiers.”

Danny Nelson, Director of Industrial, Distribution and Logistics, added: “We’re delighted to be working with St. Modwen Logistics yet again to deliver five industrial facilities in Burton. Our companies have built a strong relationship over many years due to our aligned sustainability and quality values; the design ensures the offices will be operationally Net Zero Carbon and we will achieve at least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain. The team is looking forward to the 44 weeks of construction and handing over the scheme in February 2024.”

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DHL to support the rollout of bp pulse’s EV charging network in the UK

DHL Supply Chain has been appointed by bp pulse in a new warehousing and transport contract. bp pulse is bp’s electric vehicle (EV) charging business. It is one of the leading rapid and ultra-fast public EV charging networks in the UK and aims to grow its network of public EV charging points by 2030 to over 100,000 worldwide.

Through the new deal, DHL will be responsible for storing EV chargers and ancillary equipment including critical parts, substations, wiring and cabling at its Ryton warehouse which will act as a national logistics centre for bp pulse. Equipment will be despatched from Ryton and delivered to locations across the country, with a secondary site in Belfast servicing Northern Ireland. By consolidating EV assets across these two sites, DHL will support bp pulse in streamlining its operation for greater efficiency.

Leveraging digital solutions including telematics, DHL will provide real-time tracking and monitoring of deliveries, while coordinating with relevant parties such as electrical suppliers, councils and franchises to ensure smooth and efficient charger installations.

Paul Mason, Vice President Operations, Manufacturing Logistics, DHL Supply Chain UKI said, “bp pulse is delivering charging infrastructure at pace, and our specialist logistics service and the scale of our network gives us both the expertise and capacity to support its EV network roll-out.

“With first-rate training, safety protocols and digital systems in place, we are committed to delivering an effective and reliable service to bp pulse, to optimise its operation.”

DHL has introduced training and compliance processes to ensure the safe handling, storage and transport of EV chargers in line with bp pulse’s safety policy. This includes adherence to independent auditing standards set out by ISNetworld. In addition, DHL drivers have obtained ADR qualifications ensuring they are permitted to handle certain EV chargers which are classed as dangerous goods. Two-person delivery processes are also in place across DHL’s bp pulse operation, to guarantee specific training in lifting and handling EV equipment is followed at all times.

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DHL to support the rollout of bp pulse’s EV charging network in the UK

DHL Supply Chain has been appointed by bp pulse in a new warehousing and transport contract. bp pulse is bp’s electric vehicle (EV) charging business. It is one of the leading rapid and ultra-fast public EV charging networks in the UK and aims to grow its network of public EV charging points by 2030 to over 100,000 worldwide.

Through the new deal, DHL will be responsible for storing EV chargers and ancillary equipment including critical parts, substations, wiring and cabling at its Ryton warehouse which will act as a national logistics centre for bp pulse. Equipment will be despatched from Ryton and delivered to locations across the country, with a secondary site in Belfast servicing Northern Ireland. By consolidating EV assets across these two sites, DHL will support bp pulse in streamlining its operation for greater efficiency.

Leveraging digital solutions including telematics, DHL will provide real-time tracking and monitoring of deliveries, while coordinating with relevant parties such as electrical suppliers, councils and franchises to ensure smooth and efficient charger installations.

Paul Mason, Vice President Operations, Manufacturing Logistics, DHL Supply Chain UKI said, “bp pulse is delivering charging infrastructure at pace, and our specialist logistics service and the scale of our network gives us both the expertise and capacity to support its EV network roll-out.

“With first-rate training, safety protocols and digital systems in place, we are committed to delivering an effective and reliable service to bp pulse, to optimise its operation.”

DHL has introduced training and compliance processes to ensure the safe handling, storage and transport of EV chargers in line with bp pulse’s safety policy. This includes adherence to independent auditing standards set out by ISNetworld. In addition, DHL drivers have obtained ADR qualifications ensuring they are permitted to handle certain EV chargers which are classed as dangerous goods. Two-person delivery processes are also in place across DHL’s bp pulse operation, to guarantee specific training in lifting and handling EV equipment is followed at all times.

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Mezzanine Specialist given King’s Enterprise Innovation Award

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the only awards to have the imprimatur of the monarch. Hi-Level Mezzanines, (who design and installs mezzanine floors for top brands including Amazon, Ocado, Tesco, ASOS, Next and DPD) won an Innovation award, with extremely tough competition – across the whole of the UK, only 59 awards for innovation were granted this year.

“The King’s Awards for Enterprise in Innovation celebrates the success of exciting and innovative businesses which are leading the way with pioneering products or services,” the Department for Business said.

The firm’s King’s Award for Enterprise win recognises its “outstanding business performance and commercial success” following the invention of a piece of high-performance engineering software called IQD (Intelligent Quote Designsuite).

A £1 million innovation

IQD evaluates multiple mezzanine design options for Hi-Level Mezzanines’ clients, selects the best option, simulates a design and calculates a quotation – all within a matter of minutes. It has also been expanded to become an integral part of every stage of the firm’s operations.

It has transformed customer service by delivering fast quotes, creating 2D and 3D models, tracking live projects and planning installations so they hit every project deadline, while Hi-Level Mezzanines’ turnover has doubled in the past five years. IQD is the result of ten years of innovation and more than £1 million investment.

Extremely proud

Angus Whiteman, Managing Director, said: “Hi-Level Mezzanines is honoured to accept The King’s Award for Enterprise in the category of Innovation. This accolade is a distinguished acknowledgment of our steadfast commitment to continuous development, and we are extremely proud to have been selected among such esteemed competition.”

Mr Whiteman, who has been invited to a reception with the King at Windsor Castle in the summer, added: “The award acknowledges the exceptional contributions made by our remarkable team whose diligence, expertise and unwavering efforts have been instrumental in propelling us to this remarkable milestone. For over three decades our business has been based in Hampshire and we take immense pride in our ability to contribute to both our local community and the wider manufacturing, warehousing and logistics industries.

“As we celebrate this fantastic achievement we reaffirm our dedication to the principles of innovation that serve as the cornerstone of our business. Looking ahead, we strive to continue our pursuit of excellence, driving us toward even greater accomplishments in the future.”

The award also recognises Hi-Level Mezzanines as a beacon of good practice through its support of local and national charities, its value engineering to minimise use of steel to reduce environmental impact, its donation of 1,000 trees to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and its status as an Employee Owned Trust, securing the future of the business and generating a deeper level of pride, ownership and commitment among employees.

Installing a mezzanine gives a business extra space, from beer storage for a brewery to room for the latest automation at an Amazon warehouse. Hi-Level Mezzanines has secured more than 300 projects over the past year alone, as forward-looking logistics, retail and manufacturing clients install mezzanines to make the most of their existing vertical space and avoid the costs and inconvenience of moving premises as they grow.

The company has 25 staff based in Petersfield, Hampshire, and has been operating for 33 years.

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