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Day: 7 March 2025

New Automatic Wheel-blocking System

Posted on by David Priestman

Hörmann UK have introduced a new Automatic Wheel-blocking system (AWB) for the ultimate in loading bay safety. Designed to counter the risk of the premature departure of a vehicle and ‘vehicle creep’ during loading and unloading operations, Hormanns’ AWB detects a reversing vehicle and securely blocks the rear wheel preventing it from moving – helping to eliminate human error and keeping warehouse personnel and drivers safe.

One of the most versatile automated vehicle restraint systems available on the market, the Hörmann AWB is suitable for use with all types and models of vehicles, from small parcel vans to large articulated lorries. Built to withstand the rigorous conditions of busy loading bay operations, it is rugged in its construction, with all the hydraulic and electronic components being contained within a sturdy galvanised housing which provides protection against dirt and adverse weather.

The system provides a working range of 2825mm and a blocking height of 300mm removing any possible collision with mudguards and vehicle trims.To take account of any unevenness on site it is height adjustable by up to 50mm and is available in either left or right-handed versions. It is quick and easy to fit as it only requires a few anchor points.

Once a vehicle is safely positioned at the loading bay the integrated wheel guide can be activated inside the building at the touch of a button. The driver remains within the vehicle with a warning light/traffic light system on the loading bay to indicate when it is safe to move off. The easy-to-use Hörmann AWB controller can be used as a stand-alone solution or integrated into other Hörmann control systems. It can be simply updated and interrogated using mobile data.

Commenting on the new AWB, Phil Thorpe Industrial Division Manager at Hörmann UK said, “The new AWB from Hörmann is what the market would expect, a robust, well-engineered and practical solution to a problem often seen during loading operations. Suitable for all types of warehousing and logistics facilities we see this product playing a key role in improving workplace safety, reducing accidents, and keeping loading operatives safe in what can be a dangerous area. Our AWB system has been designed with ease of installation, operation, and maintenance in mind, all helping our customers to maximise their loading efficiency and ensure that any downtime is kept to an absolute minimum.”

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Advice from Women Working in Logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

With International Women’s Day being tomorrow, Saturday 8th March, we received advice from women working in the logistics sector, including Menzies, Dexory and three of Yodel‘s team.

Women Working in Logistics
Women Working in Logistics
Oana Jinga
Oana Jinga, Dexory

Michalina Zielinska (pictured, left), Shift Manager, Hatfield Sort Centre, says: “Women in logistics should always support and build a positive work environment by actively listening to colleagues and appreciating diverse perspectives. My experience as a woman in in the logistics industry has taught me the importance of being confident and assertive, navigating challenges with resilience, and always seeking to elevate those around me. Remember that your unique perspective as a female in operations can bring valuable insights to the table! Always strive to be a role model for other women entering the field and believe in yourself when opportunities come along.”

Oana Jinga, CC&PO and co-founder at Dexory (pictured right)

“This International Women’s Day we celebrate the women who drive innovation, break barriers and lead with purpose. At Dexory we know diverse leadership isn’t just important – it is essential for shaping the future of business. Empowering women in leadership roles and in STEM careers fosters fresh perspectives, stronger teams and better decision making.

“Where it is widely recognised diversity is essential for innovation, these conversations need to go beyond rhetoric. There is still a growing need to make the industry more attractive and accessible to women and girls. There are many wonderful technological breakthroughs taking place, but it is important women working on these innovations are visible and their achievements are celebrated.”

Juliet Thomson, Chief People Officer, Menzies Aviation, said: “At Menzies Aviation, we understand that diverse leadership drives innovation, enhances decision-making and strengthens company culture. Achieving 25% representation of women in our senior leadership community is an important step, but we recognise there is more work to be done. Diversity is not just a goal, it is a business imperative, and by continuing to break barriers, we can create a future where leadership truly reflects the diversity of our workforce and the communities we operate in. We remain committed to advancing gender equity and building an even more inclusive workplace for all.”

 

Claudia Chirila, Yodel
Lara Piggott, Yodel

Lara Piggott, Director of Planning and Business Control at Yodel, says: “Within our current operational team, there is no gender divide, hard work and results are rewarded, and I’m not treated any differently to my male colleagues. I’m just part of the team. My advice to any other women looking to forge a career in Logistics is to firstly be authentic, it’s something that will stand you apart. Work hard and don’t be afraid to ask for more responsibility with the associated benefits and try to push aside those imposter syndrome niggles. Logistics is a great industry to work in, you won’t regret it.”

Finally, Claudia Chirila, PM Team Manager, Hatfield Sort Centre, commented: “The logistics industry has showed me that not only men but also women can thrive and bring unique perspectives to drive innovation. My advice to other women looking to work in this industry is to be confident, keep learning, and build a strong support network. Persistence and expertise speak louder than any stereotypes, so remember to believe in yourself and never hesitate to take on new challenges. The logistics industry is evolving all the time, and more women are stepping into leadership roles. Our presence is making a difference, so be yourself and show yourself – you can do it!”

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Brighter Battery Technology Future

Posted on by David Priestman

In this article, battery technology leader EnerSys says transitioning to electric equipment can help strengthen sustainability and customer relationships.

With a recent Forbes report revealing 67% of companies plan to hold supply chains accountable for environmental key performance indicators, sustainability has become a critical priority for businesses aiming to align with their customers’ requirements.

For industrial operations that utilise forklift equipment, adopting resourceefficient technologies is an essential step toward achieving these goals and maintaining customer relationships. Advances in battery technologies are changing how companies transform their material handling equipment – becoming more sustainable and strengthening compliance with their customer delivery and sustainability requirements.

Driving Sustainability & Productivity

As recently as a few years ago, forklift equipment with strenuous hours, special attachments and other demanding conditions needed to be powered via combustion, as traditional lead-acid batteries fell short of the energy capability to support them. But recent advancements in battery technology now deliver the performance needed for demanding applications, providing the option
to become more sustainable while improving productivity.

By eliminating combustion equipment, operations can reduce dramatically their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 50% while also eliminating byproducts such as contaminated drivetrain lubricants, filters and coolant. While productivity is improved by replacing LPG tank changing during working times with opportunity charging batteries when equipment is not being used anyway.

LPG tank changes can take up to 15-20 minutes, depending on a variety of factors. That roughly amounts to an additional operator break per shift or 45-60 non-productive minutes per day in a three-shift operation. How many pallet moves or picks would that cost your operation? How much productivity is this costing you when you consider the size of your fleet and working days?

Using routine quiet periods to simply plug-in and recharge your batteries keeps your working time focused on actual work, better positioning you to align on both your customer’s delivery and sustainability goals.

Battery Choices

Picking the optimal battery technology for your forklift operations depends on having the widest breadth of choices; EnerSys says it is the only source of all three major battery technologies for material handling applications – including traditional lead-acid and maintenance-free options.

Battery Technology
Battery Technology

It describes its traditional lead-acid batteries as some of the hardest-working in the industry. From its standard Perfect Plus batteries to its low-maintenance Water Less batteries and hard-running
IRONCLAD batteries, EnerSys says you can expect solid performance and years of productive service life. Powering your electric equipment with its flooded batteries also provides a solid initial step towards sustainability by reducing your GHG emissions by over 50%.

If your operations aim to enhance energy efficiency while eliminating battery maintenance concerns, EnerSys says its NexSys battery portfolio offers two powerful solutions: NexSys Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) batteries and NexSys iON lithium-ion batteries, each tailored to meet the specific energy demands of your equipment. For light and medium-duty applications, NexSys TPPL provides a great maintenance-free option and solid performance. NexSys TPPL batteries are also more energy efficient and can reduce your energy costs and GHG emissions an additional 10% versus traditional flooded lead-acid batteries, according to EnerSys.

In demanding, heavy-duty applications, EnerSys believes the outstanding energy performance of its NexSys iON batteries are a superb fit. With multiple configurations and a dual-cable option for faster recharging, NexSys iON batteries are ready to handle high lifts, long runs, heavy loads and specialised attachments. NexSys iON batteries are the most energy efficient batteries in its
portfolio, reducing GHG emissions an additional 12% versus traditional leadacid batteries.

If reducing water consumption is part of your sustainability requirements, both NexSys TPPL and NexSys iON batteries also eliminate watering – saving up to 676 gallons of water per year for each battery versus traditional flooded lead acid.

Energizing The Future

By investing in electric forklift equipment with advanced battery technologies, supply chains not only fulfill environmental responsibilities, but also help bolster their customer relationships. Thus, deployment of sustainable technologies paves the way for both productive operations and relationships in a world increasingly conscious of environmental impact.

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