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Month: April 2025

Returnable Packaging Reduces Costs, Boosts Efficiency

Posted on by David Priestman

With rising labour, fuel and packaging costs, many companies today are seeking solutions that deliver lower logistics costs. Returnable transport packaging (RTP) solutions from Loadhog – including durable plastic containers, reusable pallet lids and sturdy transport dollies – enable you to secure savings that really add up.

Short payback

Loadhog’s solutions avoid the ongoing costs of buying single-trip packaging. By replacing cardboard packaging with rugged plastic containers, you not only reduce your packaging costs within a short payback period but also provide better protection for your goods, slashing the cost of damaged items. In addition, the containers are designed to boost productivity. They feature handles and grip points that enable ergonomic handling, while the attached lid containers allow fast and easy access to goods without the need for time-consuming opening and resealing.

For pallet loads, Loadhog has developed the award-winning Pallet Lid – available in UK, Euro and Half Euro sizes – as an alternative to stretch wrap. The reusable plastic lid features retractable straps and an integrated tensioning mechanism to secure the load. It not only eliminates the cost of single-use stretch wrap, but also secures labour savings – taking an average of just 20 seconds to secure a load, compared to 180 seconds for shrink wrapping – to give a typical return on investment of less than 12 months.

Loadhog’s various containers – along with foldable sleeves for bulky items – can be stacked on the company’s Dolly Max wheeled platform and secured with a Pallet Lid to create a rolling container system. With its mix-and-match design, Loadhog’s Dolly Max is the most versatile rolling container system on the market, providing flexibility for your supply chain. And, with Dolly Max units simply wheeled from vehicles into delivery points, you avoid the need for a pallet truck, saving even more.

Better vehicle fill

In addition to reducing packaging costs, RTP can secure transport savings in terms of both fuel and labour. The Pallet Lid enables double stacking of loads to optimise use of space in delivery vehicles, thereby reducing the number of journeys and the fuel required. Using the Dolly Max system instead of traditional roll cages also improves use of vehicle space. With 64 Dolly Max units fitting in a 40 ft trailer – compared to just 45 roll cages – vehicle fill is increased by over 40%.

In fact, the sheer weight of metal roll cages often means that loading capacity is reached before a vehicle is full, so the savings can be even greater. There are savings when it comes to return journeys too, as Dolly Max is designed for fast deconstruction and space optimisation. With containers nesting, sleeves folding and the Dolly Max frame featuring castor cups for stable stacking, the return ratio is typically 3/1.

Security is another area in which savings can be achieved, in terms of safeguarding both goods and packaging assets. Loadhog offers sealing, labelling, tracking and branding options for its entire RTP range.

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New Tech Service to Automate Warehouse Inventories

Posted on by David Priestman

Telefónica Tech, Telefónica’s digital business unit, and Dexory, robotics and data intelligence company, have announced their alliance to promote automated warehouse management.

Both companies will combine their technological capabilities to digitally transform the logistics sector with an innovative service that combines Telefónica Tech’s IoT connectivity and its integration capabilities with Dexory’s AI-powered digital twin platform DexoryView.

DexoryView uses fully autonomous robots to gather vast amounts of data from warehouses. The robots use advanced optical cameras and LiDAR sensors. These sensors allow Dexory’s robots to measure distances and map spaces and are capable of scanning up-to 10,000 locations per hour.

The data gathered by the robots is analysed in real-time and visualised on the DexoryView platform thanks to Telefónica Tech’s IoT connectivity, providing powerful and accurate information of the inventory accuracy as well as suggestions on optimising the warehouse space. The robots deployed in the warehouse capture data in real time on the status, volume, dimensions and location of the items, using identifiers and barcodes.

Automate Warehouse Inventories

In addition, thanks to its integration capabilities and specialisation in the industrial sector, Telefónica Tech will be in charge of integrating this service with the customers’ Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) to synchronise and comprehensively manage all warehouse operations (location of materials, stock management, task and resource planning, goods in and out, demand planning, etc.).

Alfredo Serret, Global Director IoT at Telefónica Tech, explains: “The alliance with Dexory allows us to strengthen our portfolio of digital services for the industrial sector, which plays a key role in the country’s competitiveness. This service, which combines Dexory’s robotic technology and AI with our IoT capabilities, will enable logistics, distribution and manufacturing companies to simplify the warehouse inventory process by providing them with real-time visibility and accurate data”.

Oana Jinga, Chief Commercial and Product Officer and Co-Founder at Dexory, says: “As in all areas of business, data is key to driving businesses forward. With DexoryView, warehouse operators and managers are able to tap into rich data that will help them strategically guide their businesses forward and unlock new opportunities for them. Partnering with Telefonica Tech will allow Dexory to scale our solutions quickly in the Spanish market and unlock the power of real-time data in warehouses across the region.”

Total control and optimisation of operations

The launch of this service will revolutionize the daily activity of the logistics sector, which will move from having outdated inventory reports to automating the process to have total control of what happens in warehouses and be able to identify inefficiencies and optimize operations. Connected autonomous robots will reduce inventory errors and provide companies with more accurate data on which to base better business decisions. They will also speed up the search for empty locations so that space can be managed more efficiently and will also shorten the time taken to investigate and resolve problems such as the search for lost objects or the detection of erroneous product references.

The warehouse inventory automation service will help the sector to accurately forecast demand, stock and capacity, and will guarantee greater safety by delegating to robots many of the higher-risk tasks that employees have previously performed.

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Logistics Sector Best for Online Experience

Posted on by David Priestman

Transport and logistics brands have been named as one of the best for online experiences, according to new research. Brand communications agency Warbox analysed 1,000 UK websites using Google’s PageSpeed Insights tool and Core Web Vitals to reveal the 14 sectors that offer the best – and worst – online experiences.

Transport and logistics websites take 175 milliseconds to respond to interactions – well within the recommended 200 milliseconds. However, transport and logistics websites have an average performance score at 72 – anything between 50-89 needs improvement according to Google.

Elsewhere, the research revealed that despite online retail being hotter than ever, with around £30m spent by Brits on fashion items last year, fashion brands have the worst online experiences with the lowest average performance score of 55. The sector’s websites are also slow at responding to interactions taking an average of 321 milliseconds. The research comes as customers are increasingly abandoning sites with slower speeds and a poor UX, but they are willing to pay 80% more for a good online experience.

The research also revealed the sectors offering the worst online experience. Mark Fensom, director at Warbox said: “In 2025, if your website’s UX isn’t up to scratch, visitors have plenty of alternatives. Websites do need to look pretty but this shouldn’t be prioritised over functionality or accessibility, otherwise you risk being penalised by Google and visitors. The data reveals that fashion websites are slower to react to interactions, which is in part the reason why websites are lagging behind. Speed matters and not just for brands trying to outpace competitors. Slow sites, which I’m sure everyone has experienced, are frustrating especially when you’re in the middle of an action.”

How can brands level up their websites?

The research also includes expert insights into how brands can improve their online experience for customers:
• Make sure you’re website is mobile friendly as Google indexes websites mobile-first
• Reduce page bloat by compressing files or shortening scripts
• Have a clear site structure and intuitive navigation to improve the performance of your most important pages
• Optimise any AI chatbots or interactive features for your website and test it on a staging site
• Colour contrast is a key aspect of accessibility guidelines, so make sure your website colours enhance the readability of text.

Methodology

Warbox used five core metrics from Google’s PageSpeed Insights tool to compile an average index score for each industry analysed, based on the UK’s top 100 websites based on traffic figures by sector. Each of the five metrics are outlined in the glossary above and were given an equal weighting to determine an industry score out of 500 for each.

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Life Sciences and Healthcare Logistics Enhanced

Posted on by David Priestman

DHL Group has announced a strategic investment of €2 billion over the next five years to enhance its logistics capabilities in the life sciences and healthcare sector. This investment supports the Group’s ‘Strategy 2030’ and reinforces DHL’s commitment to helping healthcare customers grow, innovate, and serve patients more effectively worldwide. With 50% of the investment allocated to the Americas, 25% to Asia Pacific, and 25% to the EMEA region, DHL is expanding its global footprint to deliver integrated, faster, more reliable, and patient-centric logistics solutions wherever healthcare companies operate.

The investment will focus on enhancing high-quality infrastructure and technology across all logistics touchpoints – from storage, order fulfillment, and distribution to global shipping and last-mile delivery – creating even more resilient, scalable, and responsive supply chains for customers. A significant part of the investment will be allocated to establishing new cross-divisional GPD-certified Pharma Hubs for multi-temperature shipments lanes, expanding cold chain capacity in existing facilities, commissioning new temperature-controlled vehicles, and enhancing both passive and active packaging solutions to ensure sustainable delivery.

As the demand grows in critical areas such as clinical trials, biopharma, and cell and gene therapies, DHL is also investing in high-quality, specialized cooling infrastructure to accommodate low and ultralow temperature ranges. Additionally, the Group will implement cutting-edge IT systems that provide end-to-end visibility, ensuring product integrity, regulatory compliance, and confidence for healthcare providers and their patients.

With its new sector brand DHL Health Logistics, the Group consolidates its life sciences and healthcare expertise under one unified umbrella. This creates a seamless, end-to-end experience for customers, simplifying the management of complex, cross-border supply chains with confidence, agility and high quality service. The approach is designed to meet the needs of pharmaceutical, biopharma, and medical customers who require agile, connected logistics solutions that go beyond traditional service lines.

“Similar to DHL Group’s purpose of ‘Connecting people, improving lives’, our strategic investment in life sciences and healthcare is driven by our customers’ mission: delivering essential, often life-saving products to people in need,” said Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Supply Chain. “We’re building high-quality, integrated logistics solutions that are as innovative and reliable as the products our customers create – ensuring that patients everywhere receive the right treatment, at the right time, with complete confidence.”

DHL Group has long been a partner in life sciences and healthcare logistics, contributing over EUR 5 billion in global revenue in 2024. With an additional EUR 5 billion in projected incremental revenue by 2030, DHL Group is scaling its operations to match the fast-evolving needs of the industry and its end-users – healthcare professionals and patients alike.

Through this strategic investment, DHL Group is not only reinforcing its commitment to the life science and healthcare sector but also demonstrating a profound dedication to patient care by ensuring the efficient and reliable delivery of essential pharmaceutical products, clinical trials and cell and gene therapies. This approach positions DHL Group at the forefront of the industry, fully equipped to tackle challenges and seize opportunities in a rapidly transforming market.

Currently, DHL Group operates nearly 600 sites, hubs, and warehouses across close to 130 countries dedicated to life sciences and healthcare logistics, encompassing a total of more than 2,5 million square meters of temperature-controlled warehouse space. Building on this extensive network, our customers benefit from a comprehensive portfolio of fully integrated solutions. In addition to infrastructure investments, DHL Group has recently acquired CRYOPDP, a leading specialty courier focused on clinical trials, biopharma, and cell and gene therapies, to further strengthen its capabilities in this segment and expand the potential of its Pharma Specialized Network as part of the overall investment strategy.

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Footwear Retailer Makes Shipping Products Easy

Posted on by David Priestman

Sarkany, one of the retailers in Argentina’s footwear sector, has integrated Mecalux’s Easy WMS warehouse management system into its Buenos Aires distribution centre. Thanks to this software from the intralogistics group, the brand has gained full traceability and control over its 83,500 SKUs, which it ships to Uruguay, Chile, Miami, and clients worldwide.

“We were looking for a flexible and scalable solution that would enable us to efficiently oversee our three sales channels — retail, e-commerce, and wholesale — from a single platform,” says Matías Livoti, Operations Manager at Sarkany. The company, which designs, manufactures, and sells footwear, handbags, perfumes, and accessories, has improved its logistics operations significantly. It can now ship 3,500 daily orders — 34.6% more than before.

Digitalization through Easy WMS has enhanced several areas of Sarkany’s logistics processes, particularly inventory control, where recorded discrepancies have decreased by 50%. Additionally, the software’s Multi-Carrier Shipping Software module coordinates the packing and labeling of the brand’s luxury shoes to streamline distribution. It integrates with carriers such as SHIPNOW, providing them with the necessary documentation.

With over 60 stores in South America, Argentina’s top footwear retailer has digitalized its logistics operations to streamline the supply of its three sales channels. The company has reduced inventory discrepancies by 50% and gained complete control over the flow of orders for its shoes, handbags, perfumes, and accessories.

“Picking is faster and more organized, and we have full control over the order flow across all our sales channels. This has optimized our operations and improved customer service,” says Livoti. Easy WMS comprehensively manages Sarkany’s logistics processes, including goods receipt, cross-docking, picking tasks, order fulfillment, and packaging.

With the Mecalux software, Sarkany’s warehouse operations are efficient and organized. The company has reduced its error rate from 7% to 2%. Sarkany is ready to adapt easily to market demand shifts while continuing to provide quality service to customers who proudly walk in its shoes.

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Why a Reliable Fulfilment Partner is Essential

Posted on by David Priestman

With the rise of social commerce it is essential to have a reliable fulfilment partner, writes James Coleman, Business Development Director at Prolog Fulfilment.

Social media platforms are more than just places to connect with friends and share updates. They have become dynamic marketplaces where brands can engage with customers directly, foster relationships and drive sales. According to Shopify, estimates show that the global value of social commerce will reach about $2.9 trillion by 2026. As this trend continues to grow, brands are increasingly recognising the need for a reliable fulfilment partner to ensure seamless operations and customer satisfaction.

The dynamics of social commerce

Unlike traditional e-commerce, which typically relies on dedicated websites or marketplaces, social commerce integrates shopping experiences directly into social media platforms, allowing brands to reach consumers where they already spend significant time. User engagement platform Storyly, believes that social commerce is changing how brands connect with people, shifting not only how we sell, but also how we buy online. They predict that this year we will see even more sophisticated integration, such as live shopping events and direct purchases from user-generated content. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have introduced features such as ‘Shop Now’ buttons and shoppable posts, transforming static content into interactive shopping experiences. These functionalities enable consumers to browse products, read reviews, and complete purchases without leaving their social feeds.

It’s important to note that social commerce isn’t just about making sales, but about lead generation and the wider growth of a brand. For the B2B market, LinkedIn is probably the most popular platform allowing sales professionals to connect with clients and engage them in discussion, eventually using social selling solutions, such as LinkedIn Sales Navigator. Both individuals and B2B clients prefer retailers and brands with whom they already have an existing relationship. Posting meaningful content and engaging in sincere discussions rather than just selling products or services will help retailers and brands to build a positive reputation amongst their audience.

The role of a fulfilment partner

Realising the full potential of social commerce requires a strategic approach to logistics and fulfilment. Partnering with a reliable fulfilment provider enables businesses to streamline operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and capitalise on the growth opportunities presented by social commerce. An experienced logistics partner will provide brands with specialised expertise in warehousing, inventory management, and shipping logistics. This expertise is invaluable for businesses navigating the complexities of fulfilling orders across multiple sales channels, including social media platforms.

James Coleman

At Prolog, we work with B2B and DTC brands providing them with a tailored and scalable omnichannel fulfilment solution that allows them to deliver their goods reliably and efficiently, maintaining high service levels, fostering customer loyalty and positive brand reputation. We provide our clients with a flexible solution that can expand seamlessly, handling high-demand periods with flexible staffing and shipping solutions, and scalable warehouse capacity to accommodate high-demand periods such as seasonal releases, limited-edition launches, and demand spikes caused by viral products. Without the ability to flex operations efficiently, brands risk stockouts and delivery delays.

Addressing sustainability concerns

As consumers become increasingly eco-conscious, brands face pressure to adopt sustainable practices including environmentally conscious packaging and logistics operations. The challenge lies in balancing eco-friendly initiatives with operational efficiency. Fulfilment providers must align with these values, offering sustainable packaging solutions and reducing carbon footprints within their networks. At Prolog, we’ve been committed to sustainability for over seven years and are now proudly certified as carbon neutral. As a responsible organisation, we recognise the importance of minimising our environmental impact and will continue to do so through key initiatives, innovative technologies, and strategic goals.

The importance of getting returns right

We all know that returns are an operational challenge for retailers, but with 1 in 5 online purchases returned today, it’s a challenge that brands need to get right! Research from Manhattan Associates indicates that a difficult returns process leads to brand abandonment, with 40% of shoppers ceasing to purchase from a brand following a negative return experience.

A smart fulfilment strategy must include an efficient returns process that minimises waste, and protects brand reputation. At Prolog, we handle each return quickly and effectively to optimise revenue and customer satisfaction, ensuring that all good stock is available to resell as soon as possible. We work with our clients to create tailored returns policies that reflect their business needs, allowing for simple exchanges, restocking, or store credits.

Adding value

Offering product customisation can enhance the social commerce experience even further, allowing consumers to use a product configurator that features a wide range of customisation options, allowing them to personalise their latest purchase. Our customisation service allows clients to add a personal touch to their products, such as engraving, labelling, or including personalised notes, adding extra value and enhancing customer satisfaction.

For brands, the integration of social commerce into the e-commerce ecosystem presents exciting opportunities to engage with consumers in new and meaningful ways. However, as the digital marketplace continues to evolve, investing in a robust fulfilment strategy will be essential for staying competitive and meeting the demands of today’s omnichannel consumer.

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SSI Schaefer Hits Group Revenue of €2.0bn

Posted on by David Priestman

The SSI Schaefer Group, a family-owned company with a history of over 85 years and an international solution provider for all areas of intralogistics, recorded a 4.8% increase in sales to EUR 2.0 billion in the 2024 financial year, based on preliminary figures. This growth was mainly driven by a significant increase in sales of 14.8% in the Logistics Solutions division and the consistently positive performance of the Customer Services division.

The positive development in the largest division, Logistics Solutions, was due, among other things, to a well-selected portfolio mix that enabled the division to serve different market needs and thereby successfully complete customer projects. In addition, the largest order intake for an individual project in the history of SSI Schaefer had a positive impact on the order intake at group level, which, at EUR 2.0 billion, was 18.7% higher than in the previous year. By contrast, the difficult market environment and weak demand, particularly from the automotive sector, were noticeable in the Products & Equipment and Plastics divisions. Overall, the SSI Schaefer Group reports a significantly positive group result on a preliminary basis.

Milestone project with Coop

A significant milestone in the 2024 financial year was the completion of the fully automated SSI Case Picking system for Coop, a leading food retailer in Sweden. A key requirement for this was the successful cross-location collaboration between the Logistics Solutions and Customer Services divisions and with the core suppliers. The project marks the Group’s largest logistics solution to date, in which 95% of all picking processes are automated.

Strategically, the Group continued to focus on strengthening its innovative capabilities last year with the aim of playing a key role in shaping the digital and sustainable transformation of the intralogistics industry. One example of this is the development of the FastBots Solution, which is based on a fleet of high-performance robots that flexibly operate between the warehouse and workstations. It was presented for the first time at the international trade fair for intralogistics and process management, LogiMAT, in Stuttgart in March 2025. In addition, the implementation of the sustainability strategy was consistently continued and the SSI Schaefer Group’s responsibility towards the environment and society was documented in its third sustainability report.

“Despite the persistently challenging market environment and a reluctance to invest, the SSI Schaefer Group has made significant progress in all key performance indicators and has largely achieved the targets set for the 2024 financial year. Now we want to use the tailwind and push ahead with our initiatives focusing on customer value, growth, innovations, and project governance to continue our course of sustainable profitability,“ says Peter Edelmann, CEO of the SSI Schaefer Group. “The SSI Schaefer Group has successfully continued on its chosen path and – true to our central target of customer satisfaction – has made great strides. In the current financial year, we will continue to focus on not only being a reliable partner for our customers, but also on meeting their needs as best as possible, far beyond their immediate requirements.“

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10 Million Vinyl Records Shipped from Warehouse

Posted on by David Priestman

DP World has shipped over 10 million vinyl records from its Bicester facility, the UK’s largest distribution warehouse for music and video products, since opening in August 2023.

Powered by semi-autonomous ‘picking’ robots, developed by Locus Robotics, the warehouse has become the epicentre of physical music distribution in the UK, playing a key role in the ongoing ‘vinyl revival’. Moving independently all across the warehouse following worker input, the robots ensure a seamless blend of automation and manual precision.

Handling more than 70% of all physical music and 35% of home entertainment products sold in the UK, the 270,000 sq. ft facility distributed upwards of 20 million units across all product lines in its first year. It supplies some of the world’s largest retailers, including Amazon and HMV, as well as more than 400 independent record stores. The DP World facility at Bicester has also seen significant growth in e-commerce sales, distributing approximately 2 million units direct to customers in 2024.

Neil Lander, Business Development Director, EMEA – DP World Logistics, said: “The milestone shipment of Bicester’s 10-millionth vinyl record is testament to the work of our team to help support the revival of Britian’s physical music and home entertainment sector. With over 80 semi-autonomous ‘pick robots’, we have built a highly scalable and efficient operation, and we are very excited to continue supporting the UK’s thriving physical music industry, especially as we approach Record Store Day on 12 April.”

Christopher Crellin, CFO of Sony Music UK, said: “Fans love consuming music in multiple ways, especially on vinyl. DP World’s state-of-the-art facilities are industry-leading and play a crucial role in supporting physical formats as an integral part of an artists’ career, which strengthens the music ecosystem for all.”

David Sharpe, COO at Universal Music UK, said: “DP World developed an incredibly impressive facility in record time, and are now operating with near-perfect service levels. Their quick delivery and impeccable work has been a real driving force behind the UK’s much-celebrated vinyl resurgence.”

With vinyl sales continuing to grow year-on-year, DP World’s Bicester warehouse has become a key part of Britain’s physical music supply chain, facilitating the ongoing ‘vinyl revival’. Since opening in August 2023, it has distributed 10.5 million records, 13 million CDs and 8 million DVDs, with further growth expected across all three product types in 2025.

In addition to its hubs at Southampton and London Gateway, DP World’s end-to-end solutions include logistics, forwarding and European transport capabilities, all seamlessly integrated into the company’s global network. Operating in 78 countries, DP World handles 10 per cent of global containerised trade, driving supply chain efficiency worldwide.

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Intralogistics Energy Supply is Underestimated

Posted on by David Priestman

Automation in intralogistics has developed rapidly in recent years. More and more companies are relying on autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and driverless transport systems (AGV) to leverage efficiency potential. Processes are becoming more flexible, material flows optimized and manual work reduced. In theory, this means continuous availability and maximum productivity. But in practice, an unforeseen hurdle quickly becomes apparent: The energy supply.

While investments in automation are usually aimed at increasing throughput, the way in which robots are charged often leads to unexpected bottlenecks. Charging breaks mean downtime, charging zones take up valuable space and when fleets of different manufacturers are used, the infrastructure becomes increasingly complex. “Many companies initially underestimate the impact that the charging strategy has on the efficiency of their automation,” explains Julian Seume, Director Wiferion – a PULS business unit. “It’s not just about supplying the robots with energy – the way in which they are charged determines how smoothly and economically an entire material flow functions.”

Downtime and space consumption: an often overlooked cost factor in intralogistics

If companies only realize during operation how strongly charging processes influence the efficiency of their AMR fleets it is already too late. Conventional charging concepts rely on vehicles moving to charging zones independently after a certain operating time and remaining there for a longer period of time. This results in idle times that are often not fully included in the original planning. It becomes particularly problematic in highly frequented environments, such as in e-commerce or in production logistics, where delays can quickly affect the entire supply chain.

In addition to downtime, charging zones are an often overlooked cost factor. Any space used for charging is not available for value-adding processes. “In many warehouse and production environments, space is a scarce commodity. Companies need to ask themselves whether they really want to use this space for charging their vehicles – or whether there are better ways,” says Seume.

Another problem arises when several robots from different manufacturers are in use. As many manufacturers use their own charging systems, a separate infrastructure must be set up for each technology. This not only increases installation costs, but also makes scaling the fleet more complex and expensive.

How companies can strategically integrate energy supply into their automation

Anyone investing in a larger AMR fleet or wanting to expand existing systems should not only focus on the energy supply when bottlenecks occur. Choosing the right charging strategy can determine whether automation is economically viable.

One way to maximize the productivity of the robot fleet is to integrate charging into the ongoing process. Instead of taking robots out of operation for long periods of time, the energy consumption is spread over many short charging intervals. For example, vehicles can recharge their batteries during short stops at transfer stations or picking stations. This strategy, also known as in-process charging, prevents unnecessary downtime and ensures that the vehicles remain ready for use almost continuously. “In-process charging makes it possible to charge the robots whenever they are stopped for a short time anyway – at a transfer station, for example. This drastically reduces downtimes and ensures more efficient use of the fleet,” explains Seume.

A recent study by MHP – A Porsche Company has shown that companies that rely on an optimized charging infrastructure can increase the productivity of their driverless transport systems by up to fifty percent. In addition, companies that have integrated charging into their processes have been able to reduce the size of their fleets, as no additional vehicles had to be kept available for charging breaks.

Another important aspect is scalability. If you want to develop your automation flexibly, you should opt for a charging solution that works across all manufacturers at an early stage. Different charging systems from different providers make it difficult to integrate new vehicles into an existing fleet. A standardized infrastructure, on the other hand, makes it possible to operate heterogeneous fleets with the same charging infrastructure, which reduces operating costs and increases long-term flexibility. “Many of our customers have found that their old charging infrastructure is becoming an obstacle to growth. Those who rely on a cross-manufacturer solution avoid these problems and remain flexible in the long term,” says Seume, highlighting the problem.

When it is worth switching to a new charging strategy

Many companies that initially started with smaller AMR fleets are faced with the question of whether they should adapt their charging infrastructure after a certain period of operation. One car manufacturer, for example, found that its planned fleet expansion could not be realized without a more efficient charging infrastructure. The existing solution with permanently assigned charging zones led to increasing bottlenecks and unnecessary idle times.

By switching to a process-integrated charging system, the company was not only able to increase the operating time of the robots by more than thirty percent, but also free up valuable space that was previously reserved for charging stations. As no additional space was required for charging, parts of the storage areas could be used for additional production capacity. At the same time, maintenance costs were significantly reduced as mechanical contacts were no longer used. “There is a clear point at which companies realize that they need to rethink their charging infrastructure. This usually happens when the fleet grows and inefficient charging processes can no longer be ignored,” says Seume.

Such experiences show that the right charging strategy is not just a technical optimization, but a business decision with long-term effects. Anyone investing in a new AMR fleet today should be aware that the charging infrastructure is just as crucial to success as choosing the right vehicles and control systems.

The energy supply is decisive for automation success

Automation is not an end in itself, but should make processes more efficient and economical. If you don’t think strategically about energy supply from the outset, you risk bottlenecks and unnecessary operating costs negating the expected efficiency gains. Companies that rely on seamless charging integration benefit from maximum uptime, lower space costs and greater flexibility when scaling their AMR fleets. “The right charging strategy is not just a question of technology – it is a decisive factor for the economic success of an automation project,” emphasizes energy expert Seume. Choosing the right charging strategy should therefore receive just as much attention as the selection of the robots themselves.

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Assessment Tool Boosts Labelling Efficiency

Posted on by David Priestman

Business technology solutions provider Brother UK has launched a new labelling self-assessment tool designed to help warehouse and logistics customers identify opportunities to streamline processes and boost efficiency. The tool features 11 questions and takes just five minutes to complete. Once submitted, businesses instantly receive a comprehensive report outlining their strengths, areas for improvement and practical advice on enhancing labelling processes.

Customers will fall into one of four categories based on their responses: Labelling Expert, Almost Optimised, Exploring Efficiency or Just Getting Started. These categories help determine the most relevant next steps for improving labelling workflows and prioritising process optimisation in the warehouse. For customers that fall into the ‘Just Getting Started’ category, or those unsure of where to begin, Brother recommends conducting a labelling process audit. This helps map out current workflows, access equipment setup, identify pain points and highlight clear areas for improvement.

Those in the ‘Almost Optimised’ and ‘Exploring Efficiency’ categories may already have a solid foundation but still face challenges such as hardware downtime or mislabelling errors. In these cases, Brother recommends evaluating the current equipment setup to ensure it’s fit for purpose. This includes assessing whether there are enough print stations, mobile printing solutions or the right hardware to meet warehouse demands. Integrating solutions like on-body mobile printers, forklift-mounted devices or mobile workstations enables at-location label printing, reducing disruption and minimising error.

For businesses already operating at a high level of optimisation, Brother suggests levelling up by prioritising data monitoring, staying up to date with the latest industry developments, improving responses to warehouse downtime and drawing on expert advice to identify best-in-class labelling solutions tailored to specific needs. To support this, Brother offers a range of advanced labelling technologies designed to enhance operational efficiency.

The RJ mobile print range can be mounted to a forklift truck for at-location printing in the warehouse, saving workers time previously lost walking back and forth to a stationary printer. This type of optimisation can yield substantial cost savings over time, such as boosting the speed of picking, packing and delivering products.

Brother has also recently refreshed its TD-2D and TD-4D range of professional desktop label printers to help improve productivity and cost-efficiency. The compact mobile devices can be used on crowded packing benches and are compatible with accessories such as tablet holders, creating an end-to-end solution and improving workflow efficiencies. A battery pack and carry handle is also available to support on-the-go operations.

Brother’s TJ range of industrial label printers is built for purpose, backed by a market-leading 5-year warranty that ensures long-term reliability and support for operations with high-volume labelling requirements.

Simon Brennan, senior business manager (SPS) at Brother UK, said: “Labelling inconsistencies can cause serious issues for warehouse and logistics operations, from delivery mix-ups to lost time correcting errors. Research shows businesses lose up to £6,000 and 347 working hours per operator each year due to inefficient labelling, with every disruption costing up to 23 minutes in lost focus. Our new self-assessment tool helps businesses think about where they might be losing valuable time and money, and what steps they can take to improve. At Brother we live for the label and our experts are ready to support customers in finding labelling solutions that boost both efficiency and reliability.”

Resellers can direct their customers to the five minute assessment here, helping them find out where their labelling setup stands and how they can start unlocking new efficiencies in the warehouse.

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