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Day: 14 October 2025

Automation Ecosystem

Posted on by David Priestman

A new European test and demo centre for warehouse automation solutions, run by industry experts, is being prepared. David Priestman attended the launch event.

Noah’s Ark famously contained two of a kind of every species on earth (apart from the unlucky unicorns, who were too much trouble, apparently). This is the concept behind a Dutch-based automation incubator project called InnoScale. Seeking to empower the future of warehouse technology, founders Peter Skov and Pascal van Beek will shortly open a demo and test centre in the Netherlands that will showcase two providers of each type of automated technology available in modern warehousing now and in the coming years.

The innovation centre, effectively a micro distribution centre test house, will be a permanent facility, much more than a sales showroom. Open 250 days per year its precise Dutch location will be confirmed imminently. For a six-figure Euro investment new entrants to the European single market can be launched via the InnoScale site and set-up, which includes all the necessary support. “It’s an ecosystem,” Skov tells me. “We’re looking for 20 investing innovation partners to come on board. It will be a place where buyers and sellers can meet and we can do the matchmaking, as well as attend events like LogiMAT together.”

Double Dutch Hub

With the backing of the Holland International Distribution Council (HIDC/NDC), providing overseas support for Dutch inward investment initiatives, InnoScale is aimed at solving the need for greater automation in materials handling and warehousing, necessary because of the shortage of labour and storage space in Europe. The first stacker crane picking in the warehouse was sixty years ago. Now most automation technology is over twenty years old, like shuttles and AGVs. “The lights out warehouse is coming,” Skov (pictured, below) declares. “The Netherlands can be a hub for robotics. We’ll offer two of every type of automation technology and software at our centre.”

Skov, brings vast experience gained from an extensive career with Nissan (that brought him from his native Denmark) and CEVA Logistics, whereas his partner, van Beek (pictured, below), also comes from a pedigree background, primarily with Nedloyd and DHL. The objective of the automation solutions that will be on offer from the innovation centre is not to try to solve a problem that is not there, but to maximise the usage of automation to optimise processes. Nearly all products can now be picked well by robots. AI is just one tool to analyse data for improvements.

Beyond Dealership

The InnoScale ecosystem is based on the concept of partnership. Commercial support will be provided for investing companies, many from Asia and North America, in order to make products viable for European markets and develop a business strategy. The support partners will help provide certification, legal services, accounting and payroll, recruitment, marketing, sales support, lead generation, assembly, technical implementation and after sales support. Ad-hoc usage of these key back-up services provides flexibility.

“It’s low-risk entry,” Skov states. “Traditional entry to the European market can mean capital investment of over €20 million. But with this its €100,000-€500,000 Euro. Initially ten innovation partners will be brought in as we scale up.” Eventually the goal is to open similar innovation centres in the USA and Asia-Pacific.
Buyers visiting the innovation centre will be able to demo and test systems and develop a plan to invest in automation. With the supporting partners everything is in place to do business. Customers will benefit from the facility being a one-stop-shop, not wedded to one OEM supplier and that the technology and partners will change regularly over time, adapting the solutions demonstrated.

Bridge Making

Third party logistics companies like DHL and Geodis have their own, closed research and development test centres and are rolling out the same technology and automation across their DCs. But is an open approach better? InnoScale is signing-up innovation partners, including start-ups, now. Companies including Boston Dynamics, Meili Robots, Optioryx, Odin, Lullu, Percipio and Prolog are already on board. “I’m a bridge-maker,” Skov concludes. “I bring companies together from across the world.” Watch this space for further developments.

Warehouse Management Innovation and Resilience

Posted on by David Priestman

Manhattan Associates Inc. has announced that CEVA Logistics has chosen to deploy Manhattan Active® Warehouse Management and Manhattan Active® Order Management. CEVA Logistics will use these powerful cloud-native tools as part of a global strategy aimed at establishing a future-ready, tech stack capable of better addressing the shifting and varied needs of its international customer base.

As technology advances and the limitless appetites of end-consumers continue to grow, the supply chain needs of CEVA’s customers are constantly evolving. The rate of change, and need to deliver flexible, scalable and resilient solutions to a varied portfolio of global customers meant it required a warehouse and order management system capable of meeting these shifting, often fluid, demands.

Active Warehouse Management

Chris Walton, SVP of global contract logistics, CEVA Logistics, said:

“CEVA’s commitment to our customers requires agility to respond to needs, to continuously innovate and to grow alongside them. The ability to add new technologies plays a major role in how we do this and, at the same time, how we drive our business forward. So, this latest deliverable on our longer-term strategy ensures we are perfectly placed to accelerate the deployment of the latest advances in data, AI, wearables, cobots and other solutions for the maximum benefit to our customer, while also driving maximum efficiency into all aspects of our global operations.”

Eric Clark, CEO, Manhattan Associates, added: “Manhattan and CEVA place innovation and customers at the core of everything we do, so the business philosophy and synergy between both our companies was clear from the start. We look forward to providing CEVA with the technology innovation needed to stay ahead of competitors, react to global events and turn challenges into opportunities in the fast-moving world of third-party logistics and supply chain.”

Uzbekistan Multimodal Terminal Investment

Posted on by David Priestman

DP World has entered into a joint venture with Tashkent Invest, a subsidiary of the Tashkent City Administration, to develop and manage a state-of-the-art multimodal logistics terminal near the Uzbek capital.

The partnership marks a significant step in advancing Uzbekistan’s logistics infrastructure and its ambition to become a regional trade hub. The new terminal in the Yangi Avlod Special Industrial Zone, located in the Yangihayot region of Tashkent will enhance connectivity, efficiency, and trade facilitation across Central Asia, contributing to Uzbekistan’s economic diversification and industrial growth.

Under the agreement, Tashkent Invest will contribute 15% of the joint venture’s equity capital. DP World will hold the remaining 85%. The total investment in the project is over US $288 million across 3 phases.

The joint venture company, DP World Tashkent LLC, will oversee the development of an international transport and logistics hub on a site covering approximately 82 hectares within the Special Industrial Zone. Once fully operational, the Tashkent Multimodal Logistics Terminal will include a rail connected dry port for containers and covered cargo, customs clearance zones, vehicle storage areas, truck parking, and Grade A warehouses and cross-docking facilities.

Phase one covers the construction of a 150,000 TEU a year rail terminal and 63,000 sqm warehouse complex by end 2026/2027. Additional 163,000 sqm warehousing capacity is planned in subsequent phases depending on demand.

The terminal will be supported by its own dedicated freight railway station, accelerating cargo handling and delivery and helping reduce logistics costs. The hub will have direct access to Uzbekistan’s national rail network, major highways, and Tashkent International Airport, allowing efficient multimodal cargo transfer between road, rail, and air.

Located within a special industrial zone, the project also benefits from customs and tax incentives, ensuring the smooth integration between logistics operations, manufacturing, and export processing.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting Uzbekistan’s vision of becoming a major logistics and trade hub in Central Asia. The Tashkent Multimodal Logistics Terminal will bring world-class infrastructure and smart logistics capabilities to the region, improving the efficiency of supply chains and supporting businesses across industries.”

“The agreement initiates the development of a transport and logistics hub, which will significantly increase the capital’s production and export potential. The partnership with DP World, a recognized global expert in logistics and port management, will provide an opportunity to introduce modern technologies in Tashkent and attract large investors. With its world-class infrastructure, Tashkent will become even more convenient for both local and global businesses,” said Shavkat Umurzakov, mayor of Tashkent.

DP World’s investment in Uzbekistan builds on its global expertise in logistics and infrastructure development. The Tashkent terminal will serve as a vital link between Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, facilitating efficient cargo movement through DP World’s integrated global network.

By leveraging its strategic location and multimodal design, the project will play a pivotal role in reducing logistics costs, enhancing supply chain reliability, and boosting trade competitiveness for Uzbekistan and the broader region.

Logistics Asset Tracking Business Launched in UK

Posted on by David Priestman

Postrack, a European GPS asset tracking specialist, is targeting the UK marketplace for the first time as part of the company’s international growth strategy. As part of its plans, Postrack has established a new UK business that will deliver advanced asset management solutions for a wide range of applications across road transport, warehousing, international freight and containerisation.

“Our comprehensive portfolio of asset tracking solutions is proven to deliver improved operational efficiency, reduced costs and enhanced utilisation, as well as preventing theft, loss or misuse,”

explains Niclas Holm, Founder and CEO of Postrack.

“Our success in Scandinavia and across mainland Europe means we are well-placed to help both end-user operators and technology providers in the UK.”

Postrack’s battery-powered solutions are suitable for both indoor and outdoor tracking, providing end-to-end visibility for a wide range of unpowered and powered assets, including containers, trailers, vehicles, last-mile delivery cages, as well as high-value cargo and temperature-controlled produce. With a battery life of up to 20 years, advanced capabilities, and an IP68 or IP69K rating, these devices are ultra-rugged, reliable, and functional, even in the harshest operating conditions.

Scandinavian logistics giant, PostNord, uses Postrack devices on thousands of containers, which has led to a significant improvement in utilisation and a 24% cut in rental costs. Meanwhile, NTEX, a pan-European trailer operator, has achieved 100% visibility over its more than 1,200 European trailers, resulting in reduced downtime, operational costs, and environmental impact.

“Postrack lets customers know where their assets are, have been, and how they move, all of the time. We work closely with them to ensure they reach their full operational potential through smarter, data-driven decisions. We are already seeing a significant amount of interest within the UK, so we are excited about the opportunities that exist in this new market. We also have several developments planned for the remainder of the year that will significantly enhance our product range and partner network,”

adds Niclas Holm.

With offices in Sweden, the Netherlands and the UK, Postrack delivers fully managed, end-to-end asset tracking solutions for industries ranging from road transport and logistics to construction, waste management and agriculture. The company was founded in 2008 and is committed to helping customers and partners optimise asset utilisation, reduce operational costs, and enhance security.

Edge-to-cloud Solutions for Deploying Robots

Posted on by David Priestman

eInfochips, an Arrow Electronics company and a provider of product engineering and digital transformation services, has announced a strategic collaboration with InOrbit.AI, specialists in AI-powered robot orchestration. This collaboration combines eInfochips’ extensive expertise in edge-to-cloud robotics development and integration with InOrbit Space Intelligence, a robust, vendor-agnostic robot operations platform to deliver seamless, scalable, and optimized solutions for a variety of industries.

This collaboration addresses the growing demand for large-scale autonomous mobile robot (AMR) deployments in warehouses, industrial hubs, large factories, and other indoor environments. Bolstered by the eInfochips Robotics Center of Excellence, the collaboration provides a comprehensive solution for the full robotics stack, including hardware design, power and motor control, sensor fusion, edge AI, functional safety and security, and digital twin. The InOrbit Space Intelligence platform complements this by offering critical tools for large-scale observability, real-time incident management and operations, multi-vehicle orchestration and continuous performance optimization. Together, the companies will enable businesses to deploy diverse AMR fleets, increasing flexibility and achieving true operational scale.

This integrated solution is designed to significantly reduce complexity and time-to-market for businesses looking to automate repetitive tasks like material handling, goods delivery, cleaning, and sorting. It offers a single pane of glass to manage and monitor entire fleets across multiple locations and geographies, helping ensure seamless operation and maximum efficiency.

“We’re excited to collaborate with InOrbit to offer our customers comprehensive robotics deployment services at scale,” said Barrie Mullins, assistant vice president, eInfochips. “By combining our edge-to-cloud design expertise with InOrbit’s powerful Space Intelligence platform, we’re significantly reducing the time-to-market for businesses looking to deploy and manage AMR fleets.”

“eInfochips’ deep understanding of robotics and global integration capabilities makes them an ideal partner for InOrbit,” said Florian Pestoni, founder/CEO, at InOrbit.AI. “This collaboration is a critical step in making advanced multi-vendor, multi-site deployments a reality. By combining our strengths, we’re empowering enterprises across industries to optimize their physical operations, ensuring that people and robots work better, together”

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