Compact helpers for storing and transporting goods

Linde Material Handling is making it easier to maneuver in confined spaces in logistics, retail and production with new compact double stackers and a pallet truck. All vehicles are optionally equipped with an active foot protection guard to prevent injuries. The pallet truck offers an ergonomic lift for order picking that is gentle on the back and knees.

“In settings such as supermarkets, warehouses or production environments, space is almost always an issue. The compact design of the new Linde double stackers offers a significant advantage for short- to medium-distance transportation, as well as for tasks such as truck loading and unloading, order picking, and the restocking of supermarket shelves,” says Marc Castro, Senior Strategy and Portfolio Manager for Warehouse Trucks at Linde Material Handling.

The Linde D06 to D10 models, which can simultaneously move loads of 0.6, 0.8 or 1.0 tons on the free lift and an additional 1.0 ton on the initial lift, are available with different battery versions to suit specific requirements. In versions equipped with a compact lithium-ion battery, the distance between the chassis and fork face (l2 dimension) is notably reduced: The Linde D06 has a length of just 592 mm. The latest addition to the range is the Linde D08 M double stacker with a mono-mast. This model offers a load capacity of 0.8 tons on the free lift and 1.0 tons on the initial lift, with a lift height of 1,590 mm. Its compact design, enabled by the inclusion of a compact lithium-ion battery, makes it an ideal choice for settings such as retail environ­ments, where it can be used for transporting goods from the storage area to the sales floor and for stocking shelves. The mono-mast provides an extended view of the load and the truck’s surroundings, enabling the driver to work more efficiently and safely. All vehicles in the new double stacker series feature a five-point contact configuration with a centered drive wheel, ensuring optimal stability when driving over uneven ground or ramps. The special Linde OptiLift mast control allows operators to precisely control the lifting speed via a lever on the tiller head.

Pallet truck model designed with a special focus on ergonomics

Stacker

The new pedestrian pallet truck Linde T16 L has been developed to improve comfort when picking orders in e-commerce or when restocking shelves in supermarkets. The ergonomic lift is designed specifically with these requirements in mind. Controls on the tiller and on the sides of the truck allow the forks to be raised to a maximum working height of 675 millimeters, enabling the operator to place the goods on the truck in a position that is gentle on the back.

Both the double stackers and the pallet truck are extremely compact, measuring only 1,742 mm in length (l1 dimension) and 720 mm in width. This makes them even more maneuverable than their predecessors. The vehicles are available with either lithium-ion or lead-acid battery power options. The lithium-ion batteries, in turn, are offered tray based or as compact version, the latter allowing for a particularly compact truck design. The powerful drive motor provides ample power and provides up to 20 percent climbing ability. The latest addition to the safety features is the optional active foot protection guard. It senses contact and automatically stops or stops and reverses the truck. Standard features include the low chassis skirt, which prevents the operator’s feet from being trapped under the truck, and the low-set tiller arm, which ensures that the operator is at a safe distance from the truck. For added convenience, the autolift function is available. This equipment option automatically lowers the forks during loading or automatically lifts the forks when removing parcels from the pallet on the forks, thus saving the operator time. 

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Hurricane Milton Shakes Global Supply Chains

Hurricane Milton has brought significant disruptions to Florida’s logistics networks, affecting everything from port operations to road and rail transportation. With logistics at the heart of global supply chains, the storm has created ripple effects that are likely to be felt across industries for weeks, if not months. Understanding the recovery process from Milton requires looking at the logistical systems in place, how they have responded to past disruptions, and what steps are necessary for a full recovery.

Port Closures and Supply Chain Disruptions

Florida’s ports are critical nodes in the global logistics network, particularly for imports of petroleum, construction materials, and consumer goods. Hurricane Milton forced the closure of key ports like Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, and Manatee, halting the flow of essential goods. This has led to immediate shortages, particularly in fuel, and delays in construction projects as materials like steel and cement are stuck offshore or rerouted through less efficient ports.

Port closures are especially disruptive to logistics because they act as choke points in supply chains. When one or several ports shut down, the entire flow of goods is interrupted. In this case, goods bound for the southeastern U.S. and even broader markets across the country are facing significant delays. The global shipping industry, already under strain from other disruptions, now faces rerouting challenges and extended lead times as ports in Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama handle diverted shipments.

While smaller ports like Port Miami and Port Everglades are expected to resume normal operations within 1-2 weeks, larger ports like Tampa Bay may take 4-6 weeks to fully reopen for large cargo ships. This timeline is consistent with past recoveries, such as after Hurricane Irma, when it took weeks for normal port activity to resume.

Fuel Supply Chain Issues

Logistics within the fuel industry has been particularly affected by Hurricane Milton. With Florida ports closed to large tankers, the distribution of fuel to gas stations and other consumers has been delayed. This creates a bottleneck not only for the energy sector but also for road transportation, which depends on fuel for trucks to deliver goods across the region.

Restoring the fuel supply chain is critical for the broader logistics sector. Without fuel, trucking companies cannot meet delivery schedules, and supply chains for essential goods like food, medicine, and consumer products face even greater delays. Past hurricanes, such as Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Harvey, showed that fuel shortages can persist for weeks after the storm passes, especially when large ports remain closed.

Given that many gas stations are already running low on supplies, it is expected that fuel distribution will gradually improve over the next 2-3 weeks. However, full restoration of the fuel supply chain may take up to six weeks, as the largest tankers are only allowed to dock once safety inspections and infrastructure repairs are completed at major ports.

Transportation and Inland Logistics Challenges

The inland transportation network—comprising highways, railroads, and distribution hubs—is facing significant disruptions due to Hurricane Milton. Flooded roads and damaged rail lines have created delays in moving goods from ports to warehouses, factories, and retail locations. Trucking companies are reporting major delays, with some routes completely blocked due to flooding, which mirrors the disruptions seen after past storms like Hurricane Florence.

Road Flooding

Logistics companies are responding by rerouting shipments to neighboring states or by using alternate transportation modes, but this comes with increased costs and longer delivery times. The rail network, crucial for moving bulk goods like steel, chemicals, and agricultural products, is also facing delays as assessments of track damage are carried out.

The recovery of Florida’s transportation network is expected to follow a staged approach. Road repairs and rail line assessments are already underway, but it could take 2-4 weeks for most major routes to reopen. Full restoration, particularly for more remote or heavily damaged areas, could take up to 6 weeks.

Global Supply Chain Disruptions

Florida’s ports are integral to global trade, particularly in connecting the U.S. with Latin America and parts of Asia. The closure of these ports due to Hurricane Milton has already created significant delays in the global supply chain. Companies that rely on just-in-time delivery of goods, such as retailers and manufacturers, are particularly vulnerable to these delays, which are expected to ripple through the global supply chain for up to three months.

International companies are rerouting shipments to other ports along the Gulf and East coasts, but this is straining those ports’ capacities and leading to higher costs for freight handling. The automotive, electronics, and consumer goods industries, which depend on the seamless flow of components and finished products, are likely to experience delays in both production and distribution. Similar supply chain disruptions were seen after Hurricane Katrina, when global supply chains took months to fully recover from the impact on Gulf Coast ports.

Shiftmove Expands into France with Acquisition

The acquisition of Optimum Automotive will enable Shiftmove, which was formed in 2023 from the merger of the two fleet management market leaders Avrios and Vimcar, to expand into France – Europe’s largest fleet market. 

Optimum Automotive, currently operates heavily in France, Portugal, Spain and Africa, has 107 employees, 7,500 customers and 200,000 vehicles under management.

Together, the two companies employ over 350 people and support more than 18,000 corporate customers with more than 550,000 vehicles under management. Users of the software solutions come for example from industries such as construction, technical support, healthcare, production and administration.

The acquisition is a strong signal of consolidation and digitalisation of the European fleet and mobility management market.

Shiftmove’s unique combination of software and telematics solutions enable small and medium-sized companies as well as large companies, such as Hotpoint UK Appliances, Actavo, All Saved, DB Schenker, McMakler and flaschenpost.de, to manage their vehicle fleets more economically and decisively drive the transformation to low-emission mobility. By automating previously time-consuming, manual processes and carrying out detailed data analyses, companies can use the modern software solutions to save costs and resources and plan the switch to alternative drive types in a targeted manner.

Francine Gervazio, CEO of Shiftmove (pictured below) , says: “We have the clear vision that more than one million vehicles will be managed via our cloud-based software solutions by 2027.

Shiftmove CEO - Francine

“The pressure on companies is growing enormously: increasingly stricter sustainability regulations and sharply rising costs for fuel, insurance and repairs require rapid action. With a powerful combination of top-edge software and telematics we are making the management of vehicle fleets as simple and efficient as possible, helping companies to increase their competitiveness and meet their sustainability goals.”

“With more than 10 million commercial vehicles, France is the largest fleet market in Europe. The digitalisation potential of the industry is immense. Only one in three European companies currently uses fleet management software to manage their own vehicle fleet.”

Daniel Vassallucci, CEO and Founder of Optimum Automotive, adds: “The acquisition by Shiftmove takes Optimum Automotive to the next level of growth, with the aim of becoming the European market leader for integrated telematics and software solutions for corporate fleets. Our product portfolios complement each other perfectly and form a strong, state-of-the-art offering for our more than 18,000 joint fleet customers across Europe.”

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Podcast: How AI is Revolutionising Transport & Logistics

In this episode of Logistics Business Conversations, host Peter Macleod is joined by two experts from Aptean—Manog Tseung, Senior VP of Product Strategy, and Martin Parker, Director of Transportation Solutions—to discuss the game-changing role of AI in transport and logistics. They delve into how artificial intelligence is being applied to streamline operations, from advanced route optimization and predictive maintenance to automating warehouses and enhancing supply chain visibility.

With AI driving efficiency, reducing costs, and improving sustainability, this conversation uncovers how businesses can leverage these innovations to stay ahead in the fast-evolving logistics landscape. Whether you’re involved in logistics or just interested in the future of transport, this episode provides practical insights and a look at how AI is shaping the next era of the industry.

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Asda Invests in new Bio-LNG Refuelling Stations

Asda is investing in two new Bio-LNG (liquefied natural gas) refuelling facilities, as the retailer continues to make progress towards reducing overall carbon emissions.

Working closely with Gasrec – a major fuel provider for commercial vehicles in the UK – the new refuelling facilities in Warrington and Dartford now mean Asda has thirteen fully operational Bio-LNG stations strategically located across the UK.

With over 780 vehicles, Asda operates the largest fleet of LNG fuelled trucks in the UK, with this type of fuel a leading, lower carbon alternative to diesel. Through the new infrastructure, Asda will continue its efforts to decarbonise its operations, aiming to achieve net zero operations by 2040.

Earlier this year, Asda revealed in its annual ESG report it had reduced operational carbon emissions (scope 1 & 2) in 2023 by 41% since 2015, with a target to achieve a 50% reduction by 2025.

John Rogerson, Central Fleet Operations Manager at Asda, said: “LNG trucks are currently the leading alternative fuel option for operators like ourselves and with over 780 LNG vehicles, we operate the largest fleet of LNG fuelled trucks in the UK. Our continued investment in a UK-wide LNG distribution network forms an essential part of our objective to reduce overall carbon emissions across our operations, and towards building a sustainable business for the future.”

James Westcott, Chief Commercial Officer of Gasrec, says: “We have forged a strong relationship with Asda and it’s a real pleasure to be able to deliver these two latest facilities for them, as they continue to expand their growing gas fleet and invest in a cleaner and greener fuel source.

“As one of the UK’s largest retailers, Asda understands the urgency in the need to cut emissions from its fleet as we all work towards a more sustainable transport sector. Bio-LNG remains a leading alternative to diesel for long-haul operations and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.”

This investment comes after Asda recently launched a new sustainability-linked enhancement to its Supply Chain Finance scheme in partnership with HSBC UK. Launching in January 2025, the facility will see the retailer use financial incentives to encourage better sustainability practices within its supply chain.

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New Logistics Concept Delivers Faster, Reduces Emissions

With the help of Movianto, a service provider specialising in pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics the American medical device company Cook Medical implemented a new logistics and distribution concept in the UK. “This has enabled us to shorten delivery times for our customers and reduce our carbon footprint at the same time,” says Eamonn Barry, Director of Customer Support and Distribution, EMEA at Cook Medical.

Cook Medical had previously served the UK market directly from Germany, where the company operates its own European distribution centre in Baesweiler near Aachen. From there, orders of British customers were flown to the UK and then delivered nationwide. “Cook Medical is now using our warehouse in Bedford as a national logistics centre and from here can deliver significantly more orders during the next day than before,” says David Evans, Managing Director of Movianto UK. “To this end, we ensure a continued supply of devices for customers, which Cook Medical can call off for delivery the next working day.”

Movianto packs the customer’s orders in special cardboard boxes with Cook branding. In order to minimise the volume during transport and to reduce waste, a number of 17 packaging sizes are kept in stock.

The products are stored at controlled room temperature in Movianto’s multi-user warehouse in Bedford. If stocks need to be replenished, this is done by road. Before, the goods had been flown from Baesweiler into the UK. “Because now there are stocks in two warehouses, namely in Bedford and in Baesweiler, the ability to deliver has increased,” says Evans. “If one warehouse was unable to deliver, the other would step in.”

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DP World to Expand London Gateway Port

Global logistics giant DP World has today announced a £1bn expansion of London Gateway to make it Britain’s largest container port within five years in a boost to the volume and resilience of international trade.

DP World will increase capacity of London Gateway’s port by building two new shipping berths, taking the total to six berths able to receive the world’s largest container ships. The site will also see a second rail terminal added to handle the expected increase in containerised trade.

By the end of the decade, the full quayside stretching more than 2.5km in length will be able to simultaneously receive six vessels, each more than 400 metres long, and boast Europe’s tallest quay cranes at the height of the Big Ben.

The expansion will create a further 400 permanent new jobs, in addition to the 1,200 currently employed at the site, and is the culmination of a rapid growth plan for the Thames Estuary hub which opened in 2013 and has been a catalyst for economic regeneration in south Essex.

The expansion will take the total invested by DP World at London Gateway to more than £3bn, converting the site of a former oil refinery into one of the UK’s largest and most important logistics hubs. The site has most recently seen the addition of a £350m fourth berth, the first to be powered entirely by electricity, and which will soon accept its first ship.

DP World has established Europe’s largest logistics park, employing 1,500 workers, as a counterweight to the Midlands-based ‘golden triangle’ of UK logistics. Tenants at the park benefit from storage, warehousing and distribution services linked to excellent rail freight and motorway connections, and quick access to the important consumer market of London and the South East. Fast-track planning consent enables businesses to erect new facilities in response to demand.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at DP World said: “DP World London Gateway will help make Britain’s trade flow in the future by connecting domestic exporters with global markets and delivering vital supply chain resilience for the whole economy. I am proud of this major investment which underlines DP World’s long-term commitment to the UK.”

Ernst Schulze, Chief Executive Officer for Ports & Terminals at DP World UK, said: “As this commitment demonstrates, London Gateway’s location and transport infrastructure are ideally placed for expansion. With extra capacity comes the reliability and supply chain resilience so important to our customers and consumers, especially in uncertain times such as the pandemic and disruption due to geopolitical events.”

Subject to planning approval and regulatory requirements, the expansion is expected to significantly increase the volume of trade at the port which currently handles approximately nearly 2 million TEU annually.

DP World plays an increasing role in the UK economy, employing 5,500 workers across a wide portfolio of logistics services. As well as owning London Gateway and operating Southampton’s container terminal, it is also a major logistics provider, offering customers bespoke services in warehousing, transport and port-centric logistics across a wide variety of sectors, such as automotive and perishables. Three quarters of imported containerised perishable goods are handled at London Gateway and its sister port in Southampton.

In addition to its hubs at Southampton and London Gateway, DP World’s offer includes logistics, forwarding and European transport capabilities, all of which are being integrated into the company’s global network.

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Goods Security During Storage and Transport

Inventory shrinkage causes significant financial losses in the retail segment. This is often the result of theft or misappropriation. According to the British Retail Consortium, customer theft caused a cost of around £1.8 billion to the UK retail sector between 2022 and 2023.

In Germany, according to the EHI Retail Institute, inventory shrinkage in German retail trade amounted to around 4.1 billion euros in 2023. Thefts are also increasing in warehouses and on transport routes. This development presents major challenges for the retail trade, according to Wanzl, and requires security strategies to be continuously adapted – starting with logistics.

Protect your inventory: effective protection against theft

In order to minimise losses, logistics companies rely on a variety of security measures:

1. Access gates: Access gates ensure that only authorised persons have access to the goods warehouse. When combined with metal detectors, they provide an additional layer of security by preventing the unauthorised removal of goods. The detectors can detect even the smallest concentration of metal on the body of the person entering the building or security area through the access gate. If the amount of metal previously detected changes by the time the person leaves, the passage is closed.

2. Roll cage with tracking system: The location of a roll cage can be monitored continuously if it is equipped with a tracking system. This ensures that no roll cages are lost or leave the storage area without authorisation. This system is a valuable tool for fleet management and allows transport routes to be analysed and potential logistical deficits to be identified. It provides insight into the total number of roll cages in the fleet and their location. It also makes it easier to plan service intervals and maintenance work, which can help to optimise the total cost of ownership.

3. Fully enclosed roll cages: Wire mesh parcel roll cages provide an effective barrier against potential thieves, including ‘tarpaulin slashers’. This type of theft, which is used for easily accessible pallet goods on trucks, is hampered by the sturdy mesh structure. Additional security is provided by a padlock, which protects the roll cages against unauthorised access. For extremely valuable goods, opaque roll cages with sheet metal panelling are recommended. They not only offer privacy from prying eyes, but can also be equipped with an electronic lock to provide greater security.
At an individual level, each solution contributes to goods security, protects goods from unauthorised access and minimises shrinkage. However, combining all three elements significantly increases security in logistics.

A comprehensive security strategy that includes technological and organisational measures is needed to manage inventory shrinkage in logistics. The continuous implementation and enhancement of these technologies is also crucial for effectively counteracting the growing threats in the area of warehouse and logistics security.

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Cyber Security Risk for Supply Chain Software

BlackBerry Limited has revealed new research exposing the magnitude of software supply chain cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the UK public sector. More than half of UK IT decision-makers across healthcare, education and government organisations received notification of an attack or vulnerability in their supply chain of software in the last twelve months. Worryingly, it took more than two in five of organisations more than a week to recover.

The survey of 200 IT decision-makers and cybersecurity leaders across the UK comes at a time when critical infrastructure attacks are increasing, particularly those targeting government, education and healthcare industries. As such, the latest BlackBerry analysis drew insights from almost a quarter of the total UK survey respondents across government, education and healthcare to identify the procedures their organisations have in place to manage the risk of security breaches from software supply chains.

The latest findings show that operating systems (38%) and web browsers (17%) continue to create the biggest impact for public organisations. Following a software supply chain attack, public sector IT leaders confirmed a high level of impact in terms of financial loss (71%), data loss (67%), reputational damage (67%), operational impact (50%) and intellectual property loss (38%).

Software supply chain blind spots contradict security measures

UK organisations across government, healthcare and education confirmed having strict security measures in place to prevent attacks in their software supply chain, including data encryption (51%), training for staff (49%), and multi-factor authentication (34%). Meanwhile, almost three in five (58%) public sector IT leaders believe their software supplier’s cybersecurity policies are comparable or stronger (38%) than those implemented at their organisation. Furthermore, 96% of respondents were confident in their suppliers’ ability to identify and prevent the exploitation of a vulnerability within their environment.

Yet, when it comes to the collection of evidence that attests to a supplier’s level of software security to underpin this level of trust, less than half (47%) of IT decision-makers in the public sector said they ask for confirmation of compliance with certification and Standard Operating Procedures. Meanwhile, even fewer ask for third-party audit reports (38%) and evidence of internal security training (32%).

Additionally, more than half (51%) of respondents had, in the last 12 months, discovered unknown participants within their software supply chain that they were not previously aware of, and that they had not been monitoring for security practices.

Enabling more impactful software supply chain inventories

Encouragingly, many UK IT decision-makers confirmed they perform an inventory of their software environment in near-real time (15%) or every month (28%). However, almost two in five (39%) respondents only complete this process every 1-3 months, while almost one in ten say they complete this process every 3-6 months (9%) or once a year (9%).

However, companies were prevented from more frequent monitoring by several factors, including limited visibility across their software supply chain (53%), as well as a lack of technical understanding (49%), effective tooling (38%) and skilled talent (38%). More than a fifth (21%) also identified a lack of funding as a challenge preventing more frequent monitoring. As such, more than two-thirds (68%) said they would welcome tools to improve the inventory of software libraries within their supply chain and provide greater visibility to software impacted by a vulnerability.

“Our latest research comes at a time when cyber-attacks against the UK public sector are increasing in both volume and sophistication,” said Keiron Holyome, VP of UKI & Emerging Markets at BlackBerry. “As such, pressure is increasing to address software supply chain security vulnerabilities, which is a key focus for the UK Government’s ‘Code of Practice for Software Vendors’, given the huge risk they pose to the services that UK citizens rely upon daily.

“While it’s positive to see more organisations within the public sector proactively monitoring their software supply chain environment,” continued Holyome, “visibility remains a key issue that IT leaders must tackle or risk exposing vulnerabilities for cybercriminals to exploit. Ultimately, how an organisation monitors and manages the security of their software supply chain must rely on more than just trust. Modern AI-powered Managed Detection and Response (MDR) technologies can provide 24×7 threat coverage, empowering IT teams across the public sector to tackle emerging threats in their software supply chain and navigate complex security incidents with enhanced visibility and confidence.”

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Custom Ball Tables and Transfer Units

Alwayse Engineering Ltd has entered a strategic partnership with Rapid Racking Ltd, a British specialist in shelving and racking solutions, to integrate its precision range of ball transfer units into custom tables for roll-on/roll-off capability.

This collaboration between the two UK businesses aims to reduce the risk of physical strain and fatigue for warehousing and logistics workers when loading and unloading shelves, particularly when handling heavy items.

The integration of Birmingham-based Alwayse Engineering’s 3016 series ball transfer units into Rapid Racking’s tables also offers enhanced customisation and flexibility for warehousing operators. They can be introduced during the design stage for new storage systems, as well as to improve the efficiency of existing installations.

The ball tables will be available across Rapid Racking’s Rapid 1 workbench range and are available in 1830x760mm and 1830x915mm tables.

“We are thrilled to partner with Rapid Racking and begin integrating our ball transfer units into their custom tables,” said James Turner, Head of UK and Ireland Sales at Alwayse Engineering. “Poor manual handling is one of the biggest causes of workplace injury, so finding a safe, efficient and repeatable way to improve processes was a key driver behind the partnership.”

Tom Ellis, Head of Product & Services at Rapid Racking Ltd, added: “We are always on the lookout for innovative ways to help make our customers’ lives easier. The integration of Alwayse ball tables into our racking units will deliver a step-change in workplace safety and productivity. Our team is very excited at the opportunity of partnering with another UK business that shares our vision of transforming the warehousing industry.”

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