Labelling Range Upgraded to meet Linerless Demand

Business technology solutions provider Brother UK has upgraded its range of professional desktop label printers to be compatible with linerless labels, helping partners to meet customers’ sustainability, productivity and cost-efficiency goals.

The new TD-4550D and TD-4420D models are compatible with linerless labelling media, which doesn’t use the non-recyclable glassine lining typically used to protect labelling medium, while offering the fastest print speed of its class at up to 8ips.

Linerless compatibility will help users of the TD-4 range, including food industry, warehousing and retail businesses, to boost sustainability by reducing waste to landfill from discarded backing.
Partners can also help businesses to gain new efficiencies with the upgraded TD-4 line’s linerless operability. The number of labels users can print from one roll increases with linerless, as the thickness of the label is effectively halved without backing paper. This enables users to save time replenishing rolls in devices, and to buy replacement rolls less frequently.

The new TD-4 models will help resellers supporting customers in the food industry with sustainable labelling solutions for applications such as nutrition and allergen labelling for food preparation and distribution, in compliance with legislation including Natasha’s Law.

The devices are also suited to help retailers, where labels are frequently removed and replaced such as with price markdowns. Warehousing and logistics operations can also use the TD-4 range to achieve a more sustainable way to manage Auto-ID systems. Linerless labels also improve health and safety by removing potential slip hazards by taking the backing out of the equation.

Other features include compatibility with the LabelSuite™ design software. The TD-4550D has 203dpi resolution, 8ips print speed and prints up to 104mm width, while the TD-4420D has a resolution of 300dpi, prints at 6ips and widths of up to 108mm. Both devices also have label width detection, auto cut feature and are USB, WiFi and Bluetooth compatible.

Ged Cairns, head of specialist printing solutions (SPS) at Brother UK said: “Many businesses across warehousing, retail and food service sectors are re-appraising their approach to labelling and looking at how they can invest in upgrading to linerless-enabled printing fleets. Our upgraded TD-4 range will help partners to tap into this demand, as businesses seek to enhance productivity, make sustainability gains, reduce waste, and improve health and safety.

“The TD-4 range delivers on linerless capability while offering the full suite of features expected by customers, including fast print speeds and convenient connection options. Continuously investing in, and advancing, our specialist labelling print technology demonstrates how we live for the label.”

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Dana Delivers 1,000th Transmission for Kalmar Reachstackers

Dana Incorporated today announced that the company has supplied the 1,000th Spicer® HVT2 powersplit transmission for Kalmar® Eco Reachstackers used in port logistics operations worldwide.

Kalmar has configured the transmission in its lineup of high-efficiency reachstackers since 2015. Testing on equipment in real-world port operations has shown that Kalmar Eco Reachstackers equipped with the Spicer HVT2 reduces fuel consumption by up to 40% while improving productivity by up to 10% when compared with equipment using conventional transmissions.

“The energy transition is a journey, but OEMs and equipment buyers are collaborating with Dana to integrate solutions that assist in reducing their carbon intensity today,” said Jeroen Decleer, President, Off-Highway Drive and Motion Systems for Dana Incorporated. “Our collaboration with Kalmar demonstrates how the Spicer HVT2 contributed to reduced fuel consumption and the associated greenhouse gas emissions in a plug-and-play solution that fits within current vehicle design envelopes.”

Spicer HVTs play an integral role in supporting Kalmar reachstackers at major ports around the world, including Australia, Belgium, China, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Italy, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States.

Driving Superior Performance and Fuel Efficiency

Spicer HVTs significantly reduce fuel consumption by decreasing engine speeds throughout the duty cycle and at idle when speeds can drop to as low as 600 rpm. Application analysis demonstrates the possibility of further savings without compromising performance through engine downsizing.

The Spicer HVT2 handles up to 235 kW (315 HP) of input power for reachstackers, empty container handlers, and other port material-handling applications. Dana also offers the Spicer HVT1, engineered for 80 to 115 kW (110 to 155 HP) of power input for mid-sized applications such as agriculture and construction telehandlers.

Leading the Decarbonization of Port Equipment

As global ports face stricter government regulations mandating lower emissions, Dana’s drive and motion solutions for reachstackers, empty container handlers, terminal tractors, and large automated guided vehicles (AGVs) provide superior performance, durability, safety, and reduced-carbon operation.

Dana supports the development of electrified mobile port equipment with the Spicer Electrified™ eSP502 e-Transmission, a dual-motor, two-speed powershift transmission providing superior performance at maximum efficiency in a compact package.

Its dual-motor concept enables the use of one or two motors depending on the duty cycle, providing superior efficiency, reducing system costs, and helping vehicles reach higher travel speeds. The eSP502 features a transmission integrated with Dana TM4™ motors, inverters, and a driveline controller in a completely electrified system solution.

In addition to the eSP502, Dana also offers highly engineered Spicer Electrified e-Axles and e-Hub drives, offering port equipment OEMs a range of drivetrain options depending on packaging, duty cycle requirements, and user preferences.

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Kalmar celebrates delivery of its 1,000th medium-range G-generation forklift truck

 

Dana Delivers 1,000th Transmission for Kalmar Reachstackers

Dana Incorporated today announced that the company has supplied the 1,000th Spicer® HVT2 powersplit transmission for Kalmar® Eco Reachstackers used in port logistics operations worldwide.

Kalmar has configured the transmission in its lineup of high-efficiency reachstackers since 2015. Testing on equipment in real-world port operations has shown that Kalmar Eco Reachstackers equipped with the Spicer HVT2 reduces fuel consumption by up to 40% while improving productivity by up to 10% when compared with equipment using conventional transmissions.

“The energy transition is a journey, but OEMs and equipment buyers are collaborating with Dana to integrate solutions that assist in reducing their carbon intensity today,” said Jeroen Decleer, President, Off-Highway Drive and Motion Systems for Dana Incorporated. “Our collaboration with Kalmar demonstrates how the Spicer HVT2 contributed to reduced fuel consumption and the associated greenhouse gas emissions in a plug-and-play solution that fits within current vehicle design envelopes.”

Spicer HVTs play an integral role in supporting Kalmar reachstackers at major ports around the world, including Australia, Belgium, China, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Italy, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States.

Driving Superior Performance and Fuel Efficiency

Spicer HVTs significantly reduce fuel consumption by decreasing engine speeds throughout the duty cycle and at idle when speeds can drop to as low as 600 rpm. Application analysis demonstrates the possibility of further savings without compromising performance through engine downsizing.

The Spicer HVT2 handles up to 235 kW (315 HP) of input power for reachstackers, empty container handlers, and other port material-handling applications. Dana also offers the Spicer HVT1, engineered for 80 to 115 kW (110 to 155 HP) of power input for mid-sized applications such as agriculture and construction telehandlers.

Leading the Decarbonization of Port Equipment

As global ports face stricter government regulations mandating lower emissions, Dana’s drive and motion solutions for reachstackers, empty container handlers, terminal tractors, and large automated guided vehicles (AGVs) provide superior performance, durability, safety, and reduced-carbon operation.

Dana supports the development of electrified mobile port equipment with the Spicer Electrified™ eSP502 e-Transmission, a dual-motor, two-speed powershift transmission providing superior performance at maximum efficiency in a compact package.

Its dual-motor concept enables the use of one or two motors depending on the duty cycle, providing superior efficiency, reducing system costs, and helping vehicles reach higher travel speeds. The eSP502 features a transmission integrated with Dana TM4™ motors, inverters, and a driveline controller in a completely electrified system solution.

In addition to the eSP502, Dana also offers highly engineered Spicer Electrified e-Axles and e-Hub drives, offering port equipment OEMs a range of drivetrain options depending on packaging, duty cycle requirements, and user preferences.

read more

Kalmar celebrates delivery of its 1,000th medium-range G-generation forklift truck

 

Staff Retention and Tech Issues for Warehouse Operations

Manhattan Associates Inc. (NASDAQ: MANH) today announced the findings of its 2024 ‘State of Warehouse Operations’ research in association with Vanson Bourne, highlighting the current challenges and key opportunities ahead for the sector. The full report can be read here.

As the global economy continues to recalibrate after a series of macro-economic and geopolitical events shook it to its core, procurement and supply chain professionals continue to face unique challenges. From labour retention and engagement and environmental concerns to technological advancements, raw material shortages, and the challenge presented by elevated consumer expectations across a myriad of channels, the forces shaping supply chain commerce are strong and varied.

Vanson Bourne interviewed 2,000 supply chain professionals in Spring 2024 across Australia, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. Respondents included both senior management and operational staff, and came from the manufacturing and production, logistics, pharmaceuticals, retail, automotive and CPG sectors.

In terms of the overriding challenges, almost all respondents (97%) believe their warehouse operations IT infrastructure requires at least some modernisation. 84% reported facing difficulties with staff retention, while 73% said the volume of goods passing through warehouses had increased over the past 12 months, exacerbating the problems they were already facing.

However, organisations also remained hopeful about the future, with 75% and 72% expecting Generative AI and robotics (respectively) to play a positive role in improving job satisfaction and functions, through reducing manual operations/increasing automation, and by streamlining workflows and reducing paperwork. As organisations look at ways to simplify operations, meet increased demand and enhance staff experiences, continuous supply chain innovation will be required to tackle emerging risks, while taking full advantage of new opportunities simultaneously.

Below are three key takeaways from the report aimed at helping supply chain professionals to plan a path to future successes:

1. Warehouse operations are becoming more challenging for organisations and ensuring staff feel listened to, engaged and valued is important. A sizeable number of respondents cited staff-related challenges including recruiting/training short-term workers (41%) and ensuring productivity (40%) have grown significantly over the last 12 months.
2. 28% of organisations surveyed highlighted that outdated IT hardware and software was the most pressing challenge they are currently facing. That adds up to a significant amount of fiscal and technological drag for almost a one in three of the companies surveyed.
3. 26% of respondents said they are struggling to manage orders from different channels while 23% said that they were finding it difficult to meet heightened customer expectations on turnaround times.

Henri Seroux, Senior Vice President, EMEA at Manhattan Associates commented: “Warehouses are at the heart of a unified supply chain and centre of the fulfilment universe. Tackling the challenges highlighted in the report are key to the long-term competitiveness and success of companies. The findings underline the importance of looking forward and continuing to incorporate new technologies like micro services and Generative AI, future-proofing supply chains and allowing them to become revenue and customer service drivers in their own right.

“Ultimately, a more unified supply chain strategy creates efficiency, and that in turn creates sustainability, both in terms of economics and environment. And that can only be a good thing for P&Ls as well as the planet,” Seroux finished.

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Integrated Tech Will Help Solve Driver and Skills Shortages, Says Survey

 

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