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Day: 17 June 2024

Ardian Negotiating to Acquire Majority Stake in Alstef

Posted on by David Priestman

Ardian, a private investment house, has announced it has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire a majority stake in Alstef Group, a leading provider of automated and robotic solutions for the airport, logistics and parcel sorting markets, alongside the Group’s management team and 260 employee shareholders. As part of this transaction, the founders (Pierre Marol and Jean-Luc Thomé) and Future French Champions, the joint venture between Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Bpifrance, will also reinvest in the company.

Founded in 1961 and headquartered near Orléans in France, Alstef Group is an established player in the design, integration and supply of equipment and proprietary software for intelligent handling solutions. For over a decade, the Group has experienced double-digit growth and rapid international expansion, supported by the acquisition of Glidepath, an airport-baggage and parcel-handling company in 2020, and parcel sorting company SNS in 2023. The Group has a global presence, with 16 subsidiaries around the world and systems installed in 93 countries. It is one of the world leaders in airport baggage sorting and has a blue-chip customer base in the intralogistics and parcel sorting markets.

Its collaborative approach is well-suited to complex operational environments and modernization projects. Its commitment goes beyond the provision of solutions: All teams are actively involved in design, planning, procurement and innovation to ensure the optimum delivery of its projects with minimal disruption to existing operations or environmental impact.

Alstef Group’s robust business model is based in particular on its asset-light strategy, its ability to maintain critical systems for its customers over the long term, and its presence in three complementary segments: baggage handling, intralogistics and parcel sorting. Support from Ardian’s Expansion team will enable the company to accelerate its international development and growth ambitions.

“Alstef Group’s outstanding positioning is underpinned by an excellent management team that has consistently delivered a culture of innovation and a customer-focused approach. This ethos is an asset for continuing to develop the business. We look forward to working with the Alstef Group team to expand the group’s presence and continue its growth in its target markets,” said Maxime Sequier, Managing Director for Expansion at Ardian.

“We are delighted to become Alstef Group’s new partner for the next phase of its development. We have every confidence in the management team and will use our expertise and access to the Ardian platform to support the group’s growth,” added Arnaud Dufer, his colleague.

“We are delighted to welcome Ardian as a majority shareholder to support us in the next stages of our development. This transaction recognizes the expertise we have developed over more than 60 years and the success of the strategy we have implemented at Alstef Group to date. Ardian’s support will help to accelerate a new chapter in our history as we pursue our international growth ambitions,” said Pierre Marol, President and co-founder of Alstef Group.

“It is with great determination that we embark on this new stage in our development, and we are confident that this partnership with Ardian will enable us to achieve our objectives quickly and efficiently. The common values we share, including our commitment, trust, know-how and a sustainable and socially conscious approach to our activities, will be the driving force behind our success. This is the beginning of a fruitful and lasting collaboration that will create value for our employees, our customers and our shareholders,” added Nicolas Breton, CEO of Alstef.

The completion of the transaction is subject to the legal usual conditions and the approval of the relevant regulatory authorities.

read more

B2A Technology Becomes Alstef Group

 

Ardian Negotiating to Acquire Majority Stake in Alstef

Posted on by David Priestman

Ardian, a private investment house, has announced it has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire a majority stake in Alstef Group, a leading provider of automated and robotic solutions for the airport, logistics and parcel sorting markets, alongside the Group’s management team and 260 employee shareholders. As part of this transaction, the founders (Pierre Marol and Jean-Luc Thomé) and Future French Champions, the joint venture between Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Bpifrance, will also reinvest in the company.

Founded in 1961 and headquartered near Orléans in France, Alstef Group is an established player in the design, integration and supply of equipment and proprietary software for intelligent handling solutions. For over a decade, the Group has experienced double-digit growth and rapid international expansion, supported by the acquisition of Glidepath, an airport-baggage and parcel-handling company in 2020, and parcel sorting company SNS in 2023. The Group has a global presence, with 16 subsidiaries around the world and systems installed in 93 countries. It is one of the world leaders in airport baggage sorting and has a blue-chip customer base in the intralogistics and parcel sorting markets.

Its collaborative approach is well-suited to complex operational environments and modernization projects. Its commitment goes beyond the provision of solutions: All teams are actively involved in design, planning, procurement and innovation to ensure the optimum delivery of its projects with minimal disruption to existing operations or environmental impact.

Alstef Group’s robust business model is based in particular on its asset-light strategy, its ability to maintain critical systems for its customers over the long term, and its presence in three complementary segments: baggage handling, intralogistics and parcel sorting. Support from Ardian’s Expansion team will enable the company to accelerate its international development and growth ambitions.

“Alstef Group’s outstanding positioning is underpinned by an excellent management team that has consistently delivered a culture of innovation and a customer-focused approach. This ethos is an asset for continuing to develop the business. We look forward to working with the Alstef Group team to expand the group’s presence and continue its growth in its target markets,” said Maxime Sequier, Managing Director for Expansion at Ardian.

“We are delighted to become Alstef Group’s new partner for the next phase of its development. We have every confidence in the management team and will use our expertise and access to the Ardian platform to support the group’s growth,” added Arnaud Dufer, his colleague.

“We are delighted to welcome Ardian as a majority shareholder to support us in the next stages of our development. This transaction recognizes the expertise we have developed over more than 60 years and the success of the strategy we have implemented at Alstef Group to date. Ardian’s support will help to accelerate a new chapter in our history as we pursue our international growth ambitions,” said Pierre Marol, President and co-founder of Alstef Group.

“It is with great determination that we embark on this new stage in our development, and we are confident that this partnership with Ardian will enable us to achieve our objectives quickly and efficiently. The common values we share, including our commitment, trust, know-how and a sustainable and socially conscious approach to our activities, will be the driving force behind our success. This is the beginning of a fruitful and lasting collaboration that will create value for our employees, our customers and our shareholders,” added Nicolas Breton, CEO of Alstef.

The completion of the transaction is subject to the legal usual conditions and the approval of the relevant regulatory authorities.

read more

B2A Technology Becomes Alstef Group

 

Why You Must Consider Logistics Early in Your Project

Posted on by David Priestman

Logistics is an important cornerstone of every industry, with statistics indicating that 2.7 million logistics roles accounted for an estimated 8.2% of total employment in the UK. With it being such a prominent factor of the economy in the country, it should be something that’s at the forefront of business minds.

Wincanton, logistics partner and expert in the field, outlined that logistics within the construction industry alone has been criticised for being “poorly planned, uncoordinated, disruptive, and wasteful.” Experts believe in integrating logistics as a key factor in delivering a smooth-running project, with the benefits showing why it should be considered and planned in the early stages.

Improved scheduling with better quality

Whether it’s delays in the delivery of materials required for a project or a lack of the appropriate equipment or machinery, downtime can have a huge impact on when your project is delivered. Data taken from nPlan’s analysis of project delays found that a staggering near quarter of all projects end up being delivered more than 250 days late.

Integrating logistics from an early point in project planning can improve efficiency in scheduling. This way, you can guarantee that your labourers and workforce have the correct materials and tools to get started and deliver results to deadlines. This means less delays and downtime from the workforce onsite, in addition to staying within budget.

By improving the scheduling process, more time can be allocated towards stocking materials while placing greater emphasis on enhancing the quality of workplace life for labourers. This not only helps to streamline the project timeline but also ensures that it stays on schedule.

Cost saving and procurement

Planning logistics in the early stages of the project means significant cost savings across the board. Wincanton’s research found that as high as six per cent of a project’s total value is made up of logistics. While this might not seem like much, for bigger infrastructure projects that can reach £1 billion, this would equate to £60 million dedicated to logistics.

This is where integrated approaches to logistics can help to save on costs. Research has shown that this approach could save 20% through consolidating delivery costs, as well as limiting the over-ordering that can occur on projects. Not only can these streamlined logistics approaches save costs on delivery and the amount of materials ordered, but they can also help remove the hidden costs that occur during the procurement phase. Especially when integrated earlier in the planning process, local suppliers can be contacted and used to ensure that all costs and spending are kept within regions to help local economies.

Sustainability and accountability

Industries putting sustainability and holding themselves accountable for their carbon footprint is a huge conversation that has made its way into logistics. Clients want to be assured that their projects are green-focused to maintain positive perceptions from customer and their partners.

Integrating logistics in a timely fashion before the beginning of the project can help not only reduce the number of vehicles travelling and delivering to sites but also allow you to evaluate how your deliveries are carried out. This could be done by exploring other delivery methods rather than trucks and road vehicles, opening possibilities of rail, water, and other methods that could be greener and result in less carbon emissions.

Alternatively, it can allow projects to review the type of fleets used for these deliveries and how the fuel utilised could help further reduce the environmental impact on residents and communities in the area. This could be done by using electric vehicles (EVs) or naturally occurring compressed or liquified gases (CNG and LNG, respectively).

Project visibility and reporting

Planning for logistics and partnering with specialists can ensure end-to-end visibility across the supply chain. This offers:
• Full visibility on what materials, items, and equipment have been ordered, when they’re due to arrive, where they are in transit, and if there are any issues or delays.
• Updated compliance data with route information, which can be used to engage with local communities and their standards.
• Reporting data that can range from the emissions produced from your logistics, inventory onsite, and total vehicle movements to help make informed decisions at every project stage.
• Tracing and tracking of every component and product to ensure every item arrives at its target location.

read more

Complete or Phased Approach to Warehouse Automation?

 

Why You Must Consider Logistics Early in Your Project

Posted on by David Priestman

Logistics is an important cornerstone of every industry, with statistics indicating that 2.7 million logistics roles accounted for an estimated 8.2% of total employment in the UK. With it being such a prominent factor of the economy in the country, it should be something that’s at the forefront of business minds.

Wincanton, logistics partner and expert in the field, outlined that logistics within the construction industry alone has been criticised for being “poorly planned, uncoordinated, disruptive, and wasteful.” Experts believe in integrating logistics as a key factor in delivering a smooth-running project, with the benefits showing why it should be considered and planned in the early stages.

Improved scheduling with better quality

Whether it’s delays in the delivery of materials required for a project or a lack of the appropriate equipment or machinery, downtime can have a huge impact on when your project is delivered. Data taken from nPlan’s analysis of project delays found that a staggering near quarter of all projects end up being delivered more than 250 days late.

Integrating logistics from an early point in project planning can improve efficiency in scheduling. This way, you can guarantee that your labourers and workforce have the correct materials and tools to get started and deliver results to deadlines. This means less delays and downtime from the workforce onsite, in addition to staying within budget.

By improving the scheduling process, more time can be allocated towards stocking materials while placing greater emphasis on enhancing the quality of workplace life for labourers. This not only helps to streamline the project timeline but also ensures that it stays on schedule.

Cost saving and procurement

Planning logistics in the early stages of the project means significant cost savings across the board. Wincanton’s research found that as high as six per cent of a project’s total value is made up of logistics. While this might not seem like much, for bigger infrastructure projects that can reach £1 billion, this would equate to £60 million dedicated to logistics.

This is where integrated approaches to logistics can help to save on costs. Research has shown that this approach could save 20% through consolidating delivery costs, as well as limiting the over-ordering that can occur on projects. Not only can these streamlined logistics approaches save costs on delivery and the amount of materials ordered, but they can also help remove the hidden costs that occur during the procurement phase. Especially when integrated earlier in the planning process, local suppliers can be contacted and used to ensure that all costs and spending are kept within regions to help local economies.

Sustainability and accountability

Industries putting sustainability and holding themselves accountable for their carbon footprint is a huge conversation that has made its way into logistics. Clients want to be assured that their projects are green-focused to maintain positive perceptions from customer and their partners.

Integrating logistics in a timely fashion before the beginning of the project can help not only reduce the number of vehicles travelling and delivering to sites but also allow you to evaluate how your deliveries are carried out. This could be done by exploring other delivery methods rather than trucks and road vehicles, opening possibilities of rail, water, and other methods that could be greener and result in less carbon emissions.

Alternatively, it can allow projects to review the type of fleets used for these deliveries and how the fuel utilised could help further reduce the environmental impact on residents and communities in the area. This could be done by using electric vehicles (EVs) or naturally occurring compressed or liquified gases (CNG and LNG, respectively).

Project visibility and reporting

Planning for logistics and partnering with specialists can ensure end-to-end visibility across the supply chain. This offers:
• Full visibility on what materials, items, and equipment have been ordered, when they’re due to arrive, where they are in transit, and if there are any issues or delays.
• Updated compliance data with route information, which can be used to engage with local communities and their standards.
• Reporting data that can range from the emissions produced from your logistics, inventory onsite, and total vehicle movements to help make informed decisions at every project stage.
• Tracing and tracking of every component and product to ensure every item arrives at its target location.

read more

Complete or Phased Approach to Warehouse Automation?

 

GAC to Acquire Ship Agency Business

Posted on by Keith McKinley

GAC Group, a leading provider of shipping, logistics and marine services in the Asia-Pacific market, has entered into an agreement with Quadrant Pacific to acquire its agency business, formerly its network partner in New Zealand. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in the company’s long-standing presence in the region.

Since its establishment in 2008, GAC New Zealand has operated in partnership with Quadrant Pacific. With this acquisition, GAC New Zealand is set to elevate its operations by directly managing ship agency services at all ports across the country.

“We are excited to take this next step in our journey in New Zealand,” said Scott Henderson, Managing Director for GAC Australia and GAC New Zealand. “Quadrant Pacific has been an invaluable partner over the years, and we appreciate the opportunity to integrate their expertise into our operations. This acquisition aligns with our commitment to delivering top-notch service to our customers across all sectors of the market.”

Director of Quadrant Pacific, Alistair Skingley says: “QPL and GAC have enjoyed a strong relationship, with QPL acting as Agent in New Zealand for GAC for over 16 years. This agreement will allow us to focus on our core business areas of domestic and international shipping, cargo management and logistics, while providing continuity to our customers with the support of one of the largest global agency networks.”

“The acquisition of Quadrant Pacific agency assets in New Zealand underscores GAC’s strategic focus on enhancing our capabilities and presence in markets where customers need us,” says Daniel Nordberg (pictured below), GAC’s Group Vice President – Asia Pacific & Indian Subcontinent. “This move solidifies our position as a leading provider of comprehensive shipping solutions in the country and the wider Australasia.”

The acquisition will be finalised by 1 July 2024, with integration of agency staff members from Quadrant Pacific into GAC New Zealand’s operations.

Henderson adds: “We look forward to welcoming the talented team from Quadrant Pacific and working together to drive success in the market.” With a wider network and enhanced capabilities, this strategic development bolsters GAC’s ability to provide comprehensive shipping services that meets the evolving needs of its customers.

read more

GAC opens four new logistics offices in North America

 

DHL Supply Chain Passes 500 Million Picks using AMRs

Posted on by David Priestman

Locus Robotics, a leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for fulfillment warehouses, has announced that its valued customer, DHL Supply Chain reached the milestone of 500 million picks accomplished using Locus’ innovative LocusBot robots. This achievement underscores the transformative impact of Locus’ AMR technology on productivity and operational efficiency at an unprecedented scale.

The historic 500 millionth pick occurred on May 18, 2024, at DHL’s Toledo, Spain facility, where a LocusBot retrieved a consumer home goods product. While it took 2.5 years for DHL to reach the first 10 million picks, the next 100 million picks were accomplished in just 28 months. Remarkably, the last 100 million picks took a mere 154 days. Attaining this milestone exemplifies the power of human-robot collaboration and the exponential growth of the technology, with LocusBots seamlessly augmenting DHL’s human workforce to deliver unparalleled performance.

“At DHL, we are relentlessly focused on driving innovation and operational excellence through our Accelerated Digitalization strategy aimed at deploying automated solutions at scale,” said Sally Miller, Chief Information Officer at DHL Supply Chain. “Locus Robotics has been a trusted partner in this effort and this milestone achievement underscores the improved productivity, accuracy, and employee ergonomics we’ve enjoyed across our global network.”

With LocusBots deployed at more than 35 DHL-managed sites worldwide, the partnership between the two companies continues to thrive, setting new benchmarks for efficiency and performance in the logistics industry.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this momentous achievement with our esteemed partner, DHL Supply Chain,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics. “Their unwavering commitment to innovation and their trust in our LocusBot solution have been instrumental in attaining this remarkable milestone. We are proud to play a pivotal role in DHL’s ongoing success and look forward to many more milestones as we continue our collaboration.”

Locus Robotics’ multi-bot solution incorporates powerful and AI-driven, intelligent AMRs that operate collaboratively with human workers, dramatically improving productivity while reducing labour requirements compared to traditional fulfillment systems. This award-winning technology helps solve challenges faced by companies across multiple industries, including labor shortages, inefficient processes, and the need to meet ever-increasing throughput demands.

read more

Locus picks 230m units during holiday peak

 

DHL Supply Chain Passes 500 Million Picks using AMRs

Posted on by David Priestman

Locus Robotics, a leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for fulfillment warehouses, has announced that its valued customer, DHL Supply Chain reached the milestone of 500 million picks accomplished using Locus’ innovative LocusBot robots. This achievement underscores the transformative impact of Locus’ AMR technology on productivity and operational efficiency at an unprecedented scale.

The historic 500 millionth pick occurred on May 18, 2024, at DHL’s Toledo, Spain facility, where a LocusBot retrieved a consumer home goods product. While it took 2.5 years for DHL to reach the first 10 million picks, the next 100 million picks were accomplished in just 28 months. Remarkably, the last 100 million picks took a mere 154 days. Attaining this milestone exemplifies the power of human-robot collaboration and the exponential growth of the technology, with LocusBots seamlessly augmenting DHL’s human workforce to deliver unparalleled performance.

“At DHL, we are relentlessly focused on driving innovation and operational excellence through our Accelerated Digitalization strategy aimed at deploying automated solutions at scale,” said Sally Miller, Chief Information Officer at DHL Supply Chain. “Locus Robotics has been a trusted partner in this effort and this milestone achievement underscores the improved productivity, accuracy, and employee ergonomics we’ve enjoyed across our global network.”

With LocusBots deployed at more than 35 DHL-managed sites worldwide, the partnership between the two companies continues to thrive, setting new benchmarks for efficiency and performance in the logistics industry.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this momentous achievement with our esteemed partner, DHL Supply Chain,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics. “Their unwavering commitment to innovation and their trust in our LocusBot solution have been instrumental in attaining this remarkable milestone. We are proud to play a pivotal role in DHL’s ongoing success and look forward to many more milestones as we continue our collaboration.”

Locus Robotics’ multi-bot solution incorporates powerful and AI-driven, intelligent AMRs that operate collaboratively with human workers, dramatically improving productivity while reducing labour requirements compared to traditional fulfillment systems. This award-winning technology helps solve challenges faced by companies across multiple industries, including labor shortages, inefficient processes, and the need to meet ever-increasing throughput demands.

read more

Locus picks 230m units during holiday peak

 

Implementation of Racking at Swedish Sports Warehouse

Posted on by David Priestman

Rudells Lagerinredningar, official distributor of AR Racking in Sweden, is proud to announce the successful completion of a key racking installation project for the new MM Sports warehouse in Gothenburg. This project has been efficiently and professionally carried out, meeting the very highest quality and safety standards.

The warehouse, covering 7000 m², has been fully equipped with pallet racking, with a capacity for 7560 pallets. The installation was completed in 4 weeks, with a team of 4 people, led by Erik Rudell from Rudells Lagerinredningar. This implementation was crucial for MM Sports, one of the largest suppliers of dietary supplements in the Nordic region.

MM Sports, based in Gothenburg, Sweden, has stood out in the market since its beginnings in 2002, offering a wide range of products from sportswear through to high quality supplements. Its commitment to quality, service and fast delivery has been key to its success.

The project at the new warehouse of MM Sports presented specific challenges which were addressed with adapted solutions. The racking, with 10.5 metre-high structures, was designed to support loads of up to 650 kg on the first level and 400 kg on the remaining levels. Back stops were installed for pallets on all levels, as well as protections for the uprights and frames, ensuring the safety and integrity of the stored goods.

Implementation of Racking

“The close collaboration between AR Racking, our distributor Rudells Lagerinredningar and the end customer, MM Sports, was key to the successful completion of this project. We are committed to offering storage solutions that meet our customers’ specific needs and that guarantee maximum efficiency in their logistics operations”, said Alberto de la Puente, project leader from AR Racking.

AR Racking is part of Grupo Arania, an industrial group of companies with extensive experience and scope, and with a multi-sectoral activity based on the transformation of steel that dates back more than 80 years. AR Racking provides the market with a wide range of solutions with high certified quality standards and a comprehensive project management service. AR Racking’s industrial storage systems stand out for their innovation, reliability and optimum efficiency.

read more

Development of Modern Warehouse in Sweden

 

Implementation of Racking at Swedish Sports Warehouse

Posted on by David Priestman

Rudells Lagerinredningar, official distributor of AR Racking in Sweden, is proud to announce the successful completion of a key racking installation project for the new MM Sports warehouse in Gothenburg. This project has been efficiently and professionally carried out, meeting the very highest quality and safety standards.

The warehouse, covering 7000 m², has been fully equipped with pallet racking, with a capacity for 7560 pallets. The installation was completed in 4 weeks, with a team of 4 people, led by Erik Rudell from Rudells Lagerinredningar. This implementation was crucial for MM Sports, one of the largest suppliers of dietary supplements in the Nordic region.

MM Sports, based in Gothenburg, Sweden, has stood out in the market since its beginnings in 2002, offering a wide range of products from sportswear through to high quality supplements. Its commitment to quality, service and fast delivery has been key to its success.

The project at the new warehouse of MM Sports presented specific challenges which were addressed with adapted solutions. The racking, with 10.5 metre-high structures, was designed to support loads of up to 650 kg on the first level and 400 kg on the remaining levels. Back stops were installed for pallets on all levels, as well as protections for the uprights and frames, ensuring the safety and integrity of the stored goods.

Implementation of Racking

“The close collaboration between AR Racking, our distributor Rudells Lagerinredningar and the end customer, MM Sports, was key to the successful completion of this project. We are committed to offering storage solutions that meet our customers’ specific needs and that guarantee maximum efficiency in their logistics operations”, said Alberto de la Puente, project leader from AR Racking.

AR Racking is part of Grupo Arania, an industrial group of companies with extensive experience and scope, and with a multi-sectoral activity based on the transformation of steel that dates back more than 80 years. AR Racking provides the market with a wide range of solutions with high certified quality standards and a comprehensive project management service. AR Racking’s industrial storage systems stand out for their innovation, reliability and optimum efficiency.

read more

Development of Modern Warehouse in Sweden

 

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