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Month: June 2025

First Freight Train via UK East-West Rail

Posted on by David Priestman

Maritime Transport, one of the UK’s leading providers of integrated road and rail freight logistics, has launched a new rail freight service connecting DP World Southampton with its Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton (SLPN).

Maritime Intermodal Six arrived in Northampton on 16th June – the first freight train to enter service at Maritime’s 35-acre SRFI, and the first to operate the full length of the newly reinstated section of East West Rail (EWR) between Oxford and Bletchley.

Part of a government-backed programme to re-establish a strategic rail corridor between Oxford and Cambridge, the reinstated Oxford-Bletchley route restores vital east-west connectivity across central England and offers a practical alternative to traditionally congested north-south routes. The introduction of Maritime’s latest service on the newly reopened stretch is a milestone for the UK rail freight sector, unlocking new cross-country options for domestic and containerised cargo, and bringing nationally significant infrastructure into operational use to support regional economic growth.

Operated by DB Cargo UK, the service runs five days a week, with a capacity of up to 68 TEU per train, and provides a new, direct inland link to one of the UK’s busiest deep-sea ports. The service has been supported by Network Rail’s Track Access Discount Scheme, an important initiative to promote modal shift and encourage new rail freight business, whereby relevant access charges are waived for six months whilst new traffic is being established.

The launch follows two additional paths introduced by Maritime in recent weeks, linking DP World London Gateway with its rail terminals at Hams Hall and Doncaster (iPort). Two further services are scheduled to follow, connecting London Gateway and the Port of Felixstowe with Northampton as part of a three-phase expansion programme to increase low-carbon rail capacity across the company’s national network.

Maritime’s SRFI at Northampton forms part of a wider £200 million infrastructure investment by SEGRO and connects directly to the West Coast Main Line via the Northampton Loop. Network Rail’s modern design of the railway junction allows trains to move between the main line and interchange at speeds of up to 40mph instead of a standard 5mph – getting freight trains on their way faster and reducing impact on other trains on the network. Formally integrated into the national rail network earlier this year, the SRFI sits at the heart of a major logistics hub adjacent to Junction 15 of the M1.

John Bailey, Managing Director – Intermodal, Maritime Transport, said: “The arrival of our first service via EWR is an important step in expanding UK rail freight capacity, providing businesses with a direct, low-carbon route from Southampton to the heart of the UK’s golden logistics triangle. This development demonstrates how infrastructure and private-sector investment can deliver a more efficient and sustainable supply chain, while easing pressure on a congested road network.”

Roger Neary, Chief Sales Officer, DB Cargo UK, added: “Having recently operated the first locomotive into SEGRO Northampton Gateway to ‘prove’ the infrastructure, DB Cargo UK is proud to once again be partnering with its long-standing and strategic customer on this significant inaugural flow into Northampton Gateway. Not only does this new flow facilitate additional capacity into this important region of the country, it will do so in a sustainable manner utilising new Network Rail infrastructure and – crucially – funding, delivering benefits to Maritime Transport and their own customers alike.”

Brian Paynter, Capital Delivery track director, Network Rail, said: “Seeing both this new rail connection to Maritime’s SRFI and the East West Rail route in commercial freight use for the first time are huge moments in both projects. Opening up this economically important rail route will give much more flexibility for our freight operators greatly improving connectivity across the country, while benefiting the environment through taking HGVs off roads – providing a lasting legacy for communities and business.”

Kate Bedson, Senior Director, National Markets, SEGRO, commented: “We’re excited to see real momentum building at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton, marked by the completion of the rail freight terminal infrastructure, the arrival of the first train and the completion of Yusen Logistics’ new facility – the first warehouse to be constructed on the park. Each freight train can remove up to 76 HGVs from the road with a consequential reduction in carbon emissions, making this a crucial step towards more sustainable logistics. With rail freight contributing £1.7 billion to the economy, this milestone is not only a shot in the arm for growth, it also supports a greener, more efficient supply chain.”

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Container Wheels System Simplifies Handling

Posted on by David Priestman

The handling of loaded containers in tight spaces has always been a logistical challenge. Now, the Norwegian equipment supplier Wee.no is launching ContainerWheels 2-in-1: A patented system designed to make container transport quicker, safer, and more flexible.

Rune Wee, Head of Product Development at one of Norway’s largest online equipment suppliers, Wee.no, is launching a new transport system for loaded containers. The system, named ContainerWheels 2-in-1, offers a simple yet powerful solution for lifting and towing containers without the need for heavy machinery or permanent infrastructure. Following two years of product development and testing, the system from Wee.no has now been granted patent protection in 45 countries.

Robust and practical

ContainerWheels 2-in-1 consists of two galvanized modules and a front drawbar. Each module features dual solid wheels and a manual crank-lift mechanism. The units slide into the container’s forklift pockets, allowing users to lift the container approximately 15 cm off the ground. Once elevated, the container can be towed with a forklift, car, wheel loader, or tractor.

The system will initially be available in two models, capable of handling loads of 10 and 20 tonnes, respectively.

Inventor and product developer at Wee.no, Rune Wee, explains: “ContainerWheels 2-in-1 is designed to meet the requirements of companies that frequently move or reposition containers in ports, warehouses, construction sites, storage facilities, or recycling stations. The system is both robust and practical to utilize, and is constructed to handle uneven terrain during transport.

“What began as a practical idea is now a fully realized product with global potential. We’re excited to introduce this solution to international users, and believe that the new system will transform logistics for many companies globally,” concludes Wee, Head of Product Development at Wee.no. Watch this clip to see the syswtem in use.

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Smallest Safety Laser Scanner on the Market

Posted on by David Priestman

The new ultra-compact RSL 200 safety laser scanner from Leuze can be integrated effortlessly and used flexibly to safeguard danger zones and access points on narrow production lines, automated guided vehicles and robots.

Minimum size, maximum safety

In industrial automation, efficiency and safety must go hand in hand: People, machines and processes must be reliably protected without impairing production processes. However, space is limited in narrow production lines, on automated guided vehicles and robots. This is where the new ultra-compact RSL 200 safety laser scanner from Leuze scores points: claimed to be the smallest safety laser scanner on the market, it can be integrated effortlessly and used flexibly to safeguard danger zones and access points.

Safety laser scanners are increasingly in the limelight in almost every industry. This is because the versatile devices are indispensable in many cases to ensure the highest safety standards for the protection of people. Thanks to configurable protective and warning fields, they can be used very flexibly for danger zone and access guarding – for both stationary and mobile applications. A typical area of application is protecting a machine’s dangerous working ranges against access and the presence of persons. Laser safety scanners are also ideal for safeguarding autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and driverless transport systems, also known as automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

Maximum safety in the smallest space: The future of laser scanners

Modern safety laser scanners have to meet a wide range of requirements at once: Besides their main task of safely shutting down machines or systems, they must not impair machine availability or lead to unnecessary downtimes. In addition, laser scanners are expected to have an impressive operating range and scanning angle, while the system operator takes safety classifications in accordance with Type 3, SIL 2 and PLd as given. The system operator must also be able to rely on convenient configuration and diagnostics, which can be carried out effortlessly and intuitively via various interfaces such as Bluetooth, USB or Ethernet TCP/IP. Last but not least, modern safety laser scanners are selected based on their device size. That’s because increasing automation is making spatial efficiency ever more important in many production environments. Systems are becoming more complex, while the space available for safety technology is shrinking. There is often little room for this, especially in mobile use on AGVs.

Innovative solutions are needed to meet these challenges. The ‘Sensor People’ from Leuze are setting new form factor standards with their advanced safety laser technology that keeps the user as the number one priority. The ultra-compact RSL 200 safety laser scanner is currently the smallest device on the market. It combines state-of-the-art LiDar technology in a minimal space of just 80 x 80 x 86 millimeters. This makes it easy to integrate even in extremely confined spaces, whether in stationary or mobile applications.

Simple installation

The compact safety scanner from Leuze gives the user more options for simple and more flexible installation, especially in confined environments, thanks to its space-saving mounting bracket or connection technology. The right mounting accessories are key to quick integration: That’s why Leuze has developed its own innovative mounting bracket for the RSL 200 to provide effortless fastening and allow the safety laser scanner’s scan level to be aligned horizontally and vertically. Simple servicing is also ensured: The RSL 200 can be replaced quickly and easily with just four screws, and the sensor parameters can be transferred from the old to the new sensor via a memory card without any sensor knowledge required.

Connections and cables must not cause any obstacles either. Rotatable M12 connections on the RSL 200 laser scanner allow extremely flexible cable routing for I/Os, power supply and data transmission. These are essential criteria, particularly for use on small AGVs. The Sensor People also offer a new mobile diagnostics app that allows status information to be conveniently retrieved even if the laser scanner is installed in locations that are difficult or impossible to access.

Aligned to every requirement

For a safety laser scanner to work optimally, its ‘inner’ values are also important. For example, the scanning angle must be large enough to reliably fulfill the application-specific safety task, e.g., to completely cover blind spots or hard-to-see zones behind machines or conveyor belts. It must also be able to safeguard small omnidirectional AGVs/AMRs in every direction – for example, the RSL 200 from Leuze offers a 275-degree scanning angle at an operating range of three meters. The large scanning angle allows the user to ensure all-round protection with just two diagonally positioned devices, even taking mounting tolerances into account.

32 switchable sets of protective and warning fields enable the AGV/AMR user to continuously adjust the speed and direction of travel. The monitored areas can thus be optimally adapted to curved paths, different speeds and various load conditions.

The next generation of safety laser scanners begins with the RSL200. Thanks to its ultra-compact dimensions, it can be easily integrated even in extremely confined spaces, whether stationary or mobile. Advantages such as the innovative, space-saving mounting bracket and rotatable M12 connections also help here. Plus the mobile diagnostics app from Leuze lets system operators retrieve all status information via Bluetooth conveniently and at any time, even if the laser scanner is installed in an inaccessible or difficult-to-access location.

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Jacky Perrenot Acquires ArrowXL Home Delivery

Posted on by David Priestman

ArrowXL, one of the UK’s largest and longest established two-person home delivery specialists, has been acquired by the Jacky Perrenot Group, a Pan-European logistics and transportation business with a turn-over of €1.2bn. Under the terms of the deal the existing ArrowXL Senior Executive Management Team will remain, operating the business as usual with all 2025 operational investment plans continuing.

The acquisition is the Jacky Perrenot Group’s first move into the UK and will enable retail customers to access other geographies utilising its expertise in 2-person delivery and its network of existing operations in over 170 sites in France, Spain, Portugal and Benelux. The Group has over 80 years of experience, a fleet of more than 10,000 vehicles and 10,000 employees. With a strong focus on ESG, it has pioneered the use of new technologies in its fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles utilising CNG, 100% electric and hydrogen and is committed to sustainable development.
This acquisition will enable ArrowXL to leverage the Jacky Perrenot Group’s rapidly expanding B2C expertise through JP HOME, its dedicated B2C brand.

JP HOME consolidates the capabilities of four companies acquired since 2018 under a unified offering. ArrowXL will capitalize on this proven expertise and established network to further enhance its value proposition.

Charlie Shiels, CEO at ArrowXL said: “I am delighted with this news and couldn’t have hoped for a better new owner that will bring future security for our people and our business. It is clear to us that the Jacky Perrenot Group shares similar values with ArrowXL with a strong commitment to sustainable development and to delivering the best service in the marketplace. They are a significant European company with huge ambitions and all parties are genuinely excited for the future. ”

Mathew Deering, Chairman at ArrowXL, said: “ArrowXL attracted a lot of interest from both UK and international buyers due to the strength of its team, infrastructure and client base alongside its reputation for high levels of service. It has been a pleasure working with a very committed and capable Management team, our owners and funders towards this transaction over the last 12 months.
There is no doubt that in Jacky Perrenot Group, we have found the right home for the business, with the resources and strategic focus to keep Arrow at the forefront of its industry for years to come.”

Philippe Cuoc, CEO of the Jacky Perrenot Group, said: “We welcome everyone at ArrowXL into our family and assure them of our intention to support the business with continued investment to further strengthen their industry leading status. We are excited to now own an established operation in the UK which is the largest and most vibrant ecommerce market in Europe which we believe will be of great benefit to our customers. We announced our ambitions two years ago to create an International Bulky B2C European solutions, and today, with ArrowXL, part of the JP group, we have a powerful combination that brings us closer to this target”.

Philippe Givone, Chairman of the Jacky Perrenot Group, said : I am proud of this acquisition — a partnership built on shared values: our relentless focus on customer proximity and satisfaction, and deep trust in our teams. It will strengthen both organizations, marking a key milestone in our international growth strategy.”

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Hidden Dangers of Cargo Fires

Posted on by David Priestman

The industry bodies of the Cargo Integrity Group expand on their concerns relating to cargoes that can catch fire and cause significant damage and casualties under certain conditions. Circumstances created by an alignment of mistakes, oversights, or failed controls can turn a minor incident into a major event.

Following its identification of ‘cargoes of concern’, the Cargo Integrity Group (the Group) now focuses on the issues that may commonly compromise safety by initiating or proliferating fire under certain conditions.

It is recognized that many of the cargoes in this category, labelled ‘reactive hazards’ already fall within the scope of Dangerous Goods regulations. These regulations start from the premise that the transport of Dangerous Goods is prohibited – except in accordance with the details of the regulations.

However, incidents still occur too frequently; as the judge in one casualty litigation explained, disasters are only infrequent due to a “lack of a similar perfect storm of events, and simple good fortune”. All that is required is an alignment of mistakes, oversights, or failed controls. The Group is at pains to explain the dangers associated with these cargoes and emphasize strongly that only reliance on robust diligence or precise emergency response prevents many minor incidents becoming major casualties.

Furthermore, the Group is generating greater awareness overall and urges attention to the need for stringent compliance with mandatory regulations, such as the IMDG Code, and adoption of industry good practices, such as found in the CTU Code.

Such cargoes with reactive hazards include:

Calcium Hypochlorite, a powerful oxidiser, prone to rapid decomposition. In low concentrations, the chlorine content is used as a water cleanser and disinfectant, such as household bleach and swimming pool maintenance. Decomposition – taking place constantly at a very slow rate – is accelerated by higher temperatures and by contamination. The latter can be unpredictable since it necessitates rigorous controls over the raw materials used and the entire manufacturing process.

Charcoal concerns include among others charcoal that is intended for burning on barbecues, shisha pipes etc – sometimes having been treated with accelerants to assist ignition. There has been lengthy debate at IMO to fashion a revised safety framework for transport by sea, that will become mandatory from January 2026. This will remove an unreliable test regime and require that charcoal is always declared as a DG.

Cotton and Wool, Fishmeal and Krill and Seed cake are perhaps less in the public eye, but also prone to self-heating and fire, where integrity and care are required both to ensure compliance and maintain safety during transport.

Lithium ion battery hazards are becoming known, but many are emergent, not least as science advances global energy transition. Many incidents to date have involved new batteries; the hazards will only multiply with age and deteriorating condition. While this will challenge the recycling industry, the reality is that all these products, whether new, used, in use, damaged or end of life, will impact the transport and storage industries for decades to come.

The Group calls for continued and thorough research into all the hazards presented by lithium ion batteries and dependent devices. Apart from fire, incidents have revealed risks from toxic gases and vapour cloud explosions that can be critical in transport and storage.

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Mosca Malaysia Celebrates Grand Opening of New Facility

Posted on by David Priestman

Maschinenfabrik Gerd Mosca (MGM) proudly marks a major milestone with the official grand opening of its new manufacturing facility in Malaysia, located at No. 6, Jalan Maju Cemerlang 2, Taman Perindustrian Maju Cemerlang, Ulu Tiram. The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Malaysia, Dr. Peter Blomeyer, officiated the opening ceremony, highlighting the strengthening economic ties between Germany and Malaysia and the importance of the commitment of German companies to investment, employment and vocational training in Malaysia.

As a subsidiary of Mosca GmbH, a global supplier of strapping and end-of-line packaging systems, MGM continues to expand its footprint across Asia, one strap at a time, while remaining true to the values of its family-owned German heritage.

“Malaysia has been a strategic milestone in our family company’s journey toward internationalization. With today’s inauguration of our new production facility, we are building on that legacy – and sending a strong signal for sustainable growth, collaborative partnerships, and entrepreneurial foresight across borders” said Timo Mosca, Corporate CEO of Mosca Group.

A Journey from Small Shop Lot

MGM’s journey in Malaysia began in a small lot in 2009, expanded to a medium-sized facility in 2013, and has now culminated in the launch of its most advanced manufacturing site in 2025 —marking a new chapter in the company’s history.

“From day one, we have focused on empowering local talent and growing alongside our community,” said Witold Nowak, Director of MGM. “Today, we are proud to be recognized not only as a technology leader in the end-of-line packaging industry, but also as a reputable employer that values and nurtures its people.”

Technology That Leads Sustainably

As part of Mosca’s global engineering roadmap, the new facility introduces the region’s most advanced strapping machines — engineered for durability, speed, and energy efficiency. Mosca has led the transition from conventional heat-sealing units to its high-performance ultrasonic SoniXs sealing technology. This innovation enables a highly sophisticated and energy-efficient sealing process, significantly reducing environmental impact while maintaining precision and reliability.

Local Talent, Global Standard

One of MGM’s proudest achievements is its consistent investment in Malaysian talent across all levels — from shop floor technicians to senior management. The new facility brings tangible economic benefits to the region, including job creation, supply chain development, and technology transfer. With this milestone, MGM not only strengthens its position in the Asia-Pacific market but also reaffirms its long-term commitment to Malaysia and its people.

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Samsara Reports Q1 Financial Results

Posted on by David Priestman

Samsara, the pioneer of the ‘Connected Operations Platform’, has announced its Q1 FY26 financial results, reporting $366.9 million in revenue, representing 32% year-over-year growth. This quarter reflects Samsara’s momentum and success in delivering innovation and a proven ROI for its customers, concluding the quarter with $1.54 billion in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). The company also furthered its success in empowering frontline workers and transforming physical operations, having expanded its $100k+ customer count by 154, an increase of 35% year-over-year.

Sanjit Biswas, CEO and Co-Founder at Samsara, comments: “We’re also broadening our integration with OEM telematics. We established an integration with Mobilisights, the data-as-a-service division of Stellantis. Stellantis is one of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers that covers brands including Alfa Romeo, Citroen, DS Automobiles, FIAT, Jeep, Opel, Peugeot, and Vauxhall. We expect that the integration will enable over 14 million vehicles to connect directly to Samsara’s Connected Operations Platform without the need for additional hardware.”

Sanjit Biswas, CEO

“We delivered a strong first quarter of the new fiscal year with Q1 revenue of $366.9 million, growing 32% year-over-year in constant currency,” added Biswas. “In today’s uncertain macro environment, we are partnering with our customers to help them get more out of their labour, resources, and assets. Our AI-powered platform delivers a clear and fast ROI for our customers and improves the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of their operations.”

“Samsara’s Q1 performance reflects the growing demand for our AI platform and its critical role in strengthening operations,” said Amit Vyas, Chief Revenue Officer at Samsara. “It’s rewarding to see our technology not only making a significant difference in reducing costs for our customers, but also how much frontline workers love and value it. We are energized by this moment and remain focused on delivering innovative solutions to the world of physical operations.”

Solving Critical Challenges with an AI-Powered Platform

Samsara’s platform is essential for organizations looking to reduce costs through enhanced safety cultures and improved efficiency. Its AI-powered platform directly addresses complex, widespread challenges felt by customers, including high safety risks and drains on productivity caused by poor visibility and asset downtime. The company continues to strengthen its platform with key innovations that improve operations:

Advanced AI Safety Features: New Intelligent Safety Inbox and AI-powered Insights for smarter risk identification and coaching, along with enhanced positive recognition tools (Streaks & Milestones, Personalized Kudos, Shared Visibility) deliver improved safety outcomes and boost employee engagement.

AI-Powered Maintenance: Fueled by Samsara’s massive data set, capabilities such as fault code insights, real-time vehicle diagnostics, pre-populated work orders, paperless Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs), and customizable maintenance alerts support improved uptime and longer asset lifetimes.

Expanded OEM Integrations: Partnerships with Hyundai Translead, Stellantis (Mobilisights), and Rivian streamline fleet management by bringing vehicle data directly into Samsara’s platform.

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Trailer Loading Automation Made Accessible

Posted on by David Priestman

Automated trailer loading systems (ATLS) are often considered the domain of large-scale manufacturing facilities and distribution centres operating shuttle runs between a factory and warehouse. However, new solutions offering more cost and capability options and zero trailer modifications mean a much wider range of businesses stand to benefit – such as those operating in Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) applications where 3PLs will often send any available trailer to transport goods. Tomi Korhonen, Managing Director, Actiw Oy – part of the Joloda Hydraroll Group, explains.

A report by STIQ recently confirmed a rule of thumb that automation needs to deliver return on investment (ROI) in three years or less for a business case to compete with manual flows. In the world of logistics, this is not unique to automated trailer loading systems (ATLS). However, ATLS are proving a good example of how access to automation is changing. Labour shortages, rising operational costs and high throughput demand are universal challenges regardless of size or sector – so while not every business is ready to invest in full automation, or has the business case to make it immediately viable, the majority are under pressure to do more, faster. A greater variety of solutions with different price points and capabilities is helping open up the benefits of automated pallet handling to a far wider range of companies – but they may not be aware.

Expanding the definition of ROI

The benefits of an automated trailer loading system are vast: reduced loading times lead to higher throughput and operational cost savings, in addition to improved safety, accuracy and consistency. However, many logistics operators are still early on in their automation journey. Labour shortages, safety concerns, and rising operational costs may be accelerating interest in automated solutions, but hesitancy remains due to cost, space constraints, and operational rigidity – all of which influence their viability for certain use cases. While the throughput of pallets is high, constrained warehouse footprints, semi-automated or manual upstream operations (such as delivering directly to a customer that uses a forklift truck to unload pallets), or a large distance between two facilities, can make full-scale automation – and the required modifications to existing infrastructure and trailer fleets – more difficult to justify.

It is also the case that ROI in automation isn’t the same for every use case and vertical. While throughput is a key factor, there are many other value drivers that need to be considered – particularly in specialised environments. In cold chain logistics, for example, reducing damage to trailers can be just as critical as speed. In sectors where contamination must be avoided, the quality control offered by automation becomes a central advantage. Safety is another major factor: dock areas are among the most hazardous in the warehouse, and reducing human intervention here can have a significant impact.

What’s needed is a middle ground: solutions that offer a range of costs and capabilities for more businesses to introduce automation into their pallet loading and unloading processes and receive a fast return on their investment.

Filling the market gap

There’s a clear gap in the market for compact, low-commitment automated trailer loading systems that can enable businesses to increase their daily loading capacity without requiring extensive modifications to existing site and fleet infrastructure. New developments are beginning to fill that gap.

Modular, bolt-on systems now exist that allow for a wide range of pallet types and complex load patterns (manual or automated), and integrate with all standard docks. These approaches reduce upfront cost while still improving efficiency, productivity, and safety. The new LoadMatic Lite from Actiw, a subsidiary of the Joloda Hydraroll Group, is capable of loading full, standard, non-modified trucks and trailers in just six minutes. Pallets are staged at the rear or side of the dock using forklifts, electric pallet stackers, or AGVs, queued, and then loaded in one shot with precision.

The price point typically comes in at one-third of the cost of traditional ATLS. Pilot simulations have demonstrated ROI in as little as 13 months – making automated trailer loading systems an increasingly accessible strategy, and allowing more businesses to transition to automation as they grow.

For many companies, trailer loading has remained unchanged for decades. But faced with workforce challenges, rising demand, and a general requirement to achieve more with less, automation is necessary for all businesses to help improve reliability, safety, and resilience. But, of course, only if it is financially viable. For most companies, this means an ROI in less than three years. A broader range of solutions and price points are now available so that growing businesses don’t need to dive straight into fully automated systems but can begin to reap the benefits and evolve their operations over time. In doing so, they build a more sustainable foundation for future automation and competitive advantage.

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Poor Visibility is Leading Cause of Fulfilment Chaos

Posted on by David Priestman

A global fulfilment provider, driven by technology, for high growth omni-channel brands – investigated the most common issues that eCommerce retailers are facing in the current market regarding poor visibility in customer service.

By analysing its own first-party customer service data, and highlighting commonalities and categories from 30,000+ tickets, over the last 12 months, the team was able to draw insights on how omnichannel brands can measure fulfilment and logistics performance via its customer service requirements.

Lee Thompson, CEO at fulfilmentcrowd, added: “eCommerce retailers should seek to implement global fulfilment that leverages technology for better visibility. Trusted by 250+ omnichannel brands, our platform is the backbone for resolving and preventing customer service pain points, empowering brands to scale, grow, and expand globally”.

Lee Thompson, FulfilmentCrowd

Unveiling some year-over-year trends in service-related fulfilment issues as the eCommerce landscape has grown, Chelsea Banister, Head of Customer Operations at fulfilmentcrowd, added: “Our data shows that the majority of conversations (78%) that we have with clients relate to order queries or issues. Other common categories raised included custom orders (9%), inventory transfers (4%), products (3%), and returns (2%). Conversations related to rework and task requests, charges and billing, setup and configuration, and API and integration made up less than 5% of conversations combined.

fulfilmentcrowd’s Chelsea Banister

“The data also revealed that, generally, ticket volume peaks in Q4 (October to December), likely reflecting peak eCommerce season challenges. Throughout the year, we tend to have the most customer service conversations with our Health and Beauty partners – in this sector, we are having regular conversations around how to best manage batch control for items that expire. Other common themes in our recent customer service conversations across all sectors include aspects related to US tariffs, our B2B capabilities, and AI.”

When issues arise, the team also suggests using data analytics to pinpoint recurring issues, consistently review your supply chain for weak spots, and conduct a post-mortem meeting with your team to discuss lessons learned.

Technology can also play a key role in this – Austin Waddecar, Chief Product Officer at fulfilmentcrowd, added: “In many cases, fulfilment chaos is the result of poor visibility. If you don’t know where your stock is or what stage an order is at, how can you fix a problem? Technology is your best friend here. Use it to your advantage. Investing in the right technology can save you time, money, and a whole lot of customer complaints – and that’s where we come in.

“A few examples of our tech solutions include real-time tracking, inventory management software, and shipping rules automation. With real-time tracking, you’ll also notice a huge decrease in customer service enquiries in terms of WISMO (where is my order) / WISMR (where is my return) if you offer a self-service solution. Your team will then have more time to spend on those complex issues that don’t always have an immediate fix.

“Inventory management software can help to reduce stockouts and overselling with better forecasting tools, and shipping rules automation can optimise your shipping rules to avoid delays and errors.”

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Pitacs Enhances ecommerce with ERP & WMS

Posted on by David Priestman

Heating products and electrical cable distributor Pitacs Ltd has selected Forterro’s ERP and Warehouse Management Solution, Orderwise Cloud, to drive automation, improve operational efficiency, enhance ecommerce and support the next stage of the company’s digital transformation.

Founded in 1990, Pitacs is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers and distributors of heating products and electrical cables, with brands including luxury, sculptural heating AEON, trade favourite Ultraheat, Pitacs Heating, Pitacs Cable, TIME Cable and TIME LED.

The business had been using different systems from different vendors for ERP and WMS for many years, but with increasingly disparate processes and mounting inefficiencies, the company recognised the need for a modern, integrated ERP platform.

“Orderwise Cloud gives us a fully connected solution to replace multiple disjointed systems,” said Farrukh Lodhi, Finance Manager, Pitacs. “Our teams had been coming up against challenges around accessing data, making key business decisions and driving automation across each department.

“Orderwise solves these challenges by delivering one single solution which has the functionality and tools to continue to drive the business forward. We’re excited about the potential of the platform to support our ongoing ecommerce growth and position us as a more agile, responsive organisation.”

With ambitions to expand its ecommerce capabilities, Pitacs was looking for a trusted solutions partner with a proven track record of delivering similar projects and working with companies in the same sector. Orderwise Cloud offers the tools and functionality to support these goals while unifying all departments into a single, easy-to-use system.

“Pitacs is a forward-thinking business that needed a scalable, flexible solution to match its growth ambitions,” said Tom Price, Director, Forterro. “Orderwise Cloud gives them the visibility and control they need to streamline operations and deliver on their digital transformation journey.”

Orderwise Cloud is a powerful ERP solution designed for distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and manufacturers. It helps businesses optimise workflows, connect processes, and improve warehouse management. Built on Amazon Web Services (AWS), it provides a secure, future-proof infrastructure with scalable access from anywhere.

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