New Logistics Robotics Specialist aims to Shape Future

The launch has been announced of a new UK-based robotics and automation company which is focused on the design and build of sustainable robotic load handing and parcel sortation solutions for logistics warehouses, parcel handling facilities, manufacturing sites and e-commerce fulfilment centres.

With its headquarters in Chorley, Lancashire, Rainbow Dynamics offers a range of state-of-the-art supply chain robot technology including:

• A mid-market autonomous mobile robot suitable for an almost limitless range of applications, from transporting a product during the manufacturing process between assembly-line workstations, to sorting foodstuffs into the most efficient shop-ready picking sequence before they leave a grocery DC.

• A robotic pallet and roll-cage handling forklift with a 1,500 kg load capacity. Rainbow Dynamics’ robotic lift truck eliminates the need for a dedicated worker to transport roll cages and palletised loads around the loading bay – thereby freeing up personnel for other more profitable duties within the store.

• A flexible automated storage and retrieval shuttle designed for picking and putting-away palletised loads within high density racking schemes. The pallet shuttle makes maximum use of the storage space available within a building and delivers ultra-efficient throughput speeds and picking accuracy. Its modular design makes it ideal for those warehouses that operate within B-2-B supply chains.

In addition, a brand-new product – a tote-handling goods-to-person order picking system based on Rainbow Dynamics’ pioneering ‘RackBot’ technology, will be introduced later this year.

All component parts used in the manufacture of Rainbow Dynamics’ original equipment are made in Europe and conform to the required CE standards.

At present original equipment is manufactured abroad, but Rainbow Dynamics plan to start assembling products in-house at the earliest opportunity. Indeed, the company expects to announce the opening of a new UK assembly facility within the current year.

Rainbow Dynamics’ founder and CEO, Alfred Chen, has an ambitious vision and positive plans for the growth and development of the company. He comments: “We have an impressive product portfolio and are adding to it all the time. We are focused on the new generation of innovative and low CapEx autonomous mobile robot technology. Rainbow Dynamics’ robots do not require any costly fixed infrastructure, which means they are scalable and gives them the flexibility to adapt to the user’s changing requirements. And, because they are straightforward to commission and install, they are easily introduced within existing storage facilities.”

He continues: “This is a great time for Rainbow Dynamics to start up in the UK supply chain robotics market. For many reasons – not the least of which is the sustained impact that the shortage of lift truck operators and general warehouse personnel is having on logistics companies’ ability to recruit experienced and reliable staff, there is a real appetite throughout the logistics industry for robotic handling solutions.

“It isn’t just the biggest players that are embracing the technology. Due to developments in both hardware and software the benefits of robotic solutions are within financial reach of SME businesses too. And, with our ‘Robots as a Service’ (‘RaaS’) finance option, users can minimise their upfront investment commitment and incorporate ongoing maintenance and service regimes into an agreed monthly fee.”

Chen adds: “The early feedback we have had about our technology has been extremely encouraging and with the new innovative solutions that we will be launching over the coming months, I fully expect Rainbow Dynamics to be at the forefront of shaping the future of logistics robotics for many years to come.”

read more

Box-moving robot aims to enhance warehouse operations

 

New Logistics Robotics Specialist aims to Shape Future

The launch has been announced of a new UK-based robotics and automation company which is focused on the design and build of sustainable robotic load handing and parcel sortation solutions for logistics warehouses, parcel handling facilities, manufacturing sites and e-commerce fulfilment centres.

With its headquarters in Chorley, Lancashire, Rainbow Dynamics offers a range of state-of-the-art supply chain robot technology including:

• A mid-market autonomous mobile robot suitable for an almost limitless range of applications, from transporting a product during the manufacturing process between assembly-line workstations, to sorting foodstuffs into the most efficient shop-ready picking sequence before they leave a grocery DC.

• A robotic pallet and roll-cage handling forklift with a 1,500 kg load capacity. Rainbow Dynamics’ robotic lift truck eliminates the need for a dedicated worker to transport roll cages and palletised loads around the loading bay – thereby freeing up personnel for other more profitable duties within the store.

• A flexible automated storage and retrieval shuttle designed for picking and putting-away palletised loads within high density racking schemes. The pallet shuttle makes maximum use of the storage space available within a building and delivers ultra-efficient throughput speeds and picking accuracy. Its modular design makes it ideal for those warehouses that operate within B-2-B supply chains.

In addition, a brand-new product – a tote-handling goods-to-person order picking system based on Rainbow Dynamics’ pioneering ‘RackBot’ technology, will be introduced later this year.

All component parts used in the manufacture of Rainbow Dynamics’ original equipment are made in Europe and conform to the required CE standards.

At present original equipment is manufactured abroad, but Rainbow Dynamics plan to start assembling products in-house at the earliest opportunity. Indeed, the company expects to announce the opening of a new UK assembly facility within the current year.

Rainbow Dynamics’ founder and CEO, Alfred Chen, has an ambitious vision and positive plans for the growth and development of the company. He comments: “We have an impressive product portfolio and are adding to it all the time. We are focused on the new generation of innovative and low CapEx autonomous mobile robot technology. Rainbow Dynamics’ robots do not require any costly fixed infrastructure, which means they are scalable and gives them the flexibility to adapt to the user’s changing requirements. And, because they are straightforward to commission and install, they are easily introduced within existing storage facilities.”

He continues: “This is a great time for Rainbow Dynamics to start up in the UK supply chain robotics market. For many reasons – not the least of which is the sustained impact that the shortage of lift truck operators and general warehouse personnel is having on logistics companies’ ability to recruit experienced and reliable staff, there is a real appetite throughout the logistics industry for robotic handling solutions.

“It isn’t just the biggest players that are embracing the technology. Due to developments in both hardware and software the benefits of robotic solutions are within financial reach of SME businesses too. And, with our ‘Robots as a Service’ (‘RaaS’) finance option, users can minimise their upfront investment commitment and incorporate ongoing maintenance and service regimes into an agreed monthly fee.”

Chen adds: “The early feedback we have had about our technology has been extremely encouraging and with the new innovative solutions that we will be launching over the coming months, I fully expect Rainbow Dynamics to be at the forefront of shaping the future of logistics robotics for many years to come.”

read more

Box-moving robot aims to enhance warehouse operations

 

Rise in Shipping Rates has little impact on Port Congestion

Recent rises in ocean freight rates in response to increased shipping demand has thus far had little impact on global port congestion, according to data released today by supply chain visibility and collaboration platform Beacon.

Shipping rates continue to rise globally, causing concern for port congestion (a combination of vessel anchor and dwell time) in the world’s largest ports. However, aside from the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan (China), the world’s largest container port, the knock- on effects of surging demand for ocean freight have not yet been uniformly experienced across ports in Asia, North America, and Northern Europe.

The Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan has seen a dramatic increase in congestion between April and May 2024, escalating from 4.6 to 8.7 days, while other major ports show varying levels of impact. A detailed analysis of 40 ports across Asia revealed that 22 reported increases in congestion in May compared to April. The average increase for these ports was 6.4 hours. In North America, out of 9 analysed ports, only 3 (Charleston, Oakland, and Houston) showed month-on-month increases between April and May. In Northern Europe, 5 of 11 analysed ports reported MoM increases, with Hamburg experiencing the largest rise at just over 10 hours.

Fraser Robinson (pictured below), CEO of Beacon, said: “While the increase in freight rates is contributing to port congestion globally, the impact varies significantly across different regions and ports. The global logistics landscape continues to evolve, requiring ongoing monitoring and adaptive strategies to mitigate the effects of congestion and maintain efficient supply chain operations. That is why supply chain visibility and collaboration is more important now than ever, to help minimise the impact of external threats and improve overall supply chain efficiency.”

Fraser Robinson, Beacon CEO

A detailed data breakdown follows, including a list of the top 5 ports with the largest increase in congestion between April and May. You can also download the full report here.

Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan

The Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan saw port congestion nearly double between April and May 2024, escalating from 4.6 to 8.7 days. This sharp increase continues a trend of worsening congestion at the port this year . As a critical node in global supply chains, the increased congestion at Ningbo-Zhoushan underscores the port’s perpetual struggle with high traffic volumes.

An analysis of 40 ports across Asia revealed that 22 reported increases in congestion in May compared to April. The average increase for these ports was 0.3 days or 6.4 hours. Excluding Ningbo-Zhoushan from the analysis, the average increase drops to below 2 hours, indicating relatively stable conditions across most Asian ports. On a quarterly basis, only 13 out of the 40 analysed ports reported increased congestion.

In North America, out of 9 analysed ports, only 3 (Charleston, Oakland, and Houston) showed MoM increases between April and May. Quarterly comparisons indicate that only Charleston and Norfolk experienced congestion increases in Q2 compared to Q1, with Norfolk’s rise likely linked to diverted traffic from the nearby Baltimore bridge incident.

Northern European ports have seen a more pronounced increase in congestion. Out of 11 analysed ports, 5 reported MoM and QoQ increases. Hamburg experienced the largest rise, with congestion increasing by 0.4 days or just over 10 hours between April and May. Southampton (UK) showed a significant upward trend, with congestion up by 25% from the previous quarter, averaging 1.4 days this quarter.

read more

Port Congestion Review

 

Subscribe

Get notified about New Episodes of our Podcast, New Magazine Issues and stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter.