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Day: 9 April 2026

Connecting Machine Health to Boost Production & Supply Chain Reliability

Posted on by Will Priestman

Efficient manufacturing and maintenance practices are increasingly critical for logistics operations, where delays or equipment failures in production can ripple across supply chains. Manufacturers and logistics providers alike are looking for ways to reduce unplanned downtime, improve throughput, and ensure that production schedules align with distribution and delivery timelines. Integrating maintenance insights with operational data is becoming a key focus to keep goods moving predictably.

Traditionally, maintenance and production systems operate separately, leading to over- or under-serviced machines and difficulty measuring how maintenance impacts output.

Addressing this challenge, Nulogy, a provider of manufacturing operations software, has launched Nulogy Maintenance, a computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) designed to connect machine health directly with plant performance data.

The system consolidates maintenance and production into a single ecosystem. Maintenance orders are automatically triggered by machine condition, usage data, and operator requests rather than fixed schedules, while work is prioritised based on asset criticality and live line impact.

For logistics-focused manufacturers, integrating maintenance and production data can have a direct impact on supply chain reliability. Machines that run predictably help ensure on-time shipments, reduce bottlenecks in warehousing, and improve overall distribution efficiency. By connecting plant performance to maintenance activity, companies can better align production with customer demand and logistics planning.

Unplanned downtime doesn’t just disrupt your shift; it hits your costs, your output, and your customers. Nulogy Maintenance gives us the visibility to stay ahead of it. We know what our machines need, when they need it, and we can see exactly how that’s improving our performance,

said Bennett Bishop, Director of Operations & Finance, Ice Industries.

By sharing maintenance and production data in one system, manufacturers can track how service activity directly impacts output. The solution is available natively within Nulogy’s Manufacturing Operating System (MOS) and integrates with existing ERP and MES systems, enabling manufacturers to extend and enhance current technologies.

The power of Nulogy Maintenance lies in its connectivity with every other aspect of the manufacturing lifecycle… When maintenance and production share the same data, manufacturers can stop reacting and start preventing. Plants that run reliably are plants that grow.

said Bill Ryan, CEO of Nulogy.

Hundreds of sites globally, including Ice Industries, Louisiana Fish Fry, Autoliv, Summit Packaging Solutions, and McCloskey International, already operate on Nulogy’s MOS. With over 20 years supporting co-packing, contract, and discrete manufacturing operations worldwide, Nulogy continues to help manufacturers, packers, and brands run operations more predictably across their supply chain networks.

Automated central warehouse strengthens production supply

Posted on by Will Priestman

Jungheinrich is automating the material handling operations of FFG Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft mbH (FFG). A fully automated high-bay warehouse in silo design will form the logistical backbone for a future-proof production supply at the new Plant 3 site.

Hamburg/Flensburg – Jungheinrich has been awarded a contract by FFG to establish an automated central warehouse in Flensburg. The defence vehicle manufacturer is scaling its in-house production capacities long term with this project, which is part of the strategic development of Plant 3.

With around 1,400 employees worldwide and more than 150 years of tradition, FFG is an internationally established high-tech company in defence technology. The company combines in-house development and production, vehicle modernisation, MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) and global customer service. Customers in more than 40 countries rely on vehicle technology “Made in Flensburg”.

With Plant 3, FFG is creating the foundation for efficient scaling of its in-house manufacturing. In future, vehicle platforms such as WiSENT, ACSV, TAHR and others will be produced here. The new building enables a structural realignment and further growth at the site.

Silo high-bay warehouse with more than 19,000 pallet spaces

As general contractor, Jungheinrich is delivering a turnkey, end-to-end solution. The centrepiece of the project is a four-aisle pallet high-bay warehouse in silo design with 19,152 storage spaces. The warehouse covers a footprint of around 2,220 square metres and reaches a height of 30 metres.

Four single-mast stacker cranes from Jungheinrich subsidiary MIAS will handle the fully automated storage and retrieval of pallets. With a system performance of around 110 double cycles per hour, the warehouse is designed for highly efficient production supply in two-shift operation.

The Jungheinrich scope of supply includes the MIAS stacker cranes with control system Programmable Logic Control (PLC) and visualisation, the complete pallet conveyor technology also including control and visualisation, the silo racking system with roof and wall cladding, fire protection doors, as well as the Jungheinrich Warehouse Control System (WCS) for central control of all material flow processes.

“The automated high-bay warehouse system designed by Jungheinrich sets new standards in material logistics at FFG, and simultaneously creates a strong foundation for efficient material handling processes,” says Detlef Vogel, Head of Logistics at FFG. “Jungheinrich impressed us with a technically compelling overall solution, a very thorough project design and a collaborative partnership.”

Commissioning of the system is scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.

TMS Platforms Tackle Last Mile Delivery challenges

Posted on by Will Priestman

The logistics industry continues to face significant challenges in last mile delivery, where traditional route planning tools often lose visibility once shipments leave the depot. This “execution black box” can lead to costly errors, missed service requirements, and real-time disruptions. Analysts estimate that these inefficiencies cost operators £7 – £11 ($10 – $15) per failed delivery, drive the majority of customer support calls, and expose companies to potential regulatory fines. In the United States alone, McKinsey & Company reports that poor logistics handoffs account for up to $95 billion annually, or 13%–19% of total logistics costs.

Addressing these challenges, a new generation of cloud-native platforms is emerging to monitor and manage the complete delivery lifecycle, from order intake through proof of delivery, in a single environment. One such platform, introduced recently by Bluerock TMS has introduced its Last Mile Distribution solution to the market, a cloud-native platform that manages the complete delivery lifecycle from order intake through proof of delivery in this single environment.

The product is the company’s first publicly available offering in last mile distribution. Previously working with a limited group of pilot customers, Bluerock is now bringing the solution to the broader market. The platform aims to address a gap that has long plagued the logistics industry: most route planning tools stop at dispatch, leaving execution unmanaged and creating what Bluerock calls an “execution black box”.

Loading errors, missing service constraints and real-time disruptions turn execution into a black box, driving 60% to 70% of inbound customer support calls and exposing companies to regulatory penalties of up to $50,000.

Most platforms stop at route generation. The moment freight moves, visibility is gone… Ours monitors and adjusts operations across planning, depot, field execution and customer visibility as conditions change.

said Rico van Leuken, CEO of Bluerock TMS.

The solution combines an AI explainable planning agent, a best-in-class routing algorithm, and a full support for engine-agnostic planning. Operational capabilities include a fully integrated Mobile Dispatching Application for pre-dispatch loading compliance, a Driver App with configurable task sequences, a live trip monitor, IoT-based temperature monitoring and a white-labeled customer visibility portal. The platform runs on Amazon Web Services and connects to existing enterprise resource planning and warehouse management systems via standardized REST APIs (Application Programming Interface).

Based on customer data and industry research, early adopters have achieved a 96% to 98% first-time delivery success rate, compared with an industry average of 88% to 92% cited by multiple logistics benchmarking studies, along with an 18% reduction in total transport costs,

said Wim Mues VP Sales & Marketing of Bluerock TMS.

BlueRock aim this platform at three main distribution segments:

  • High-value retail, where complex two man deliveries require skilled installation, precise scheduling, and where every delivery is a direct extension of the brand experience
  • B2B warehouse distribution, where operators manage high stop counts, mixed loads and tight service level agreements on thin margins.
  • Healthcare and pharma, where Good Distribution Practice compliance and item-level traceability are required.

With increasing customer expectations and regulatory pressures, solutions that provide end-to-end visibility in last mile logistics are becoming essential for operators seeking both operational efficiency and service reliability. Platforms like Bluerock’s are part of a growing trend toward intelligent, fully integrated delivery management systems that aim to transform the last mile from a cost center into a controlled, data-driven process.

Airline Details Sustainability Progress in 2025

Posted on by Will Priestman

As sustainability pressures continue to reshape global logistics, air cargo operators are under increasing pressure to help shippers reduce emissions, improve carbon reporting and offer greener transport solutions across international supply chains.

Against this backdrop, Cathay has published its Sustainability Report 2025, outlining progress in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), waste reduction and operational efficiency as it looks to strengthen its role in lower-carbon freight transportation.

Ronald Lam, Chief Executive Officer of Cathay, said:

This year marks a meaningful milestone for Cathay as we celebrate ‘80 Years Together’ with Hong Kong. At the heart of this journey is our drive for sustainability leadership.

SAF Expansion to Support Greener Air Freight

A major focus of the report is Cathay’s continued investment in sustainable aviation fuel, regarded as one of the most practical near-term solutions for reducing emissions in long-haul aviation and air freight. Cathay states SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by more than 80% compared with conventional jet fuel, depending on feedstock and production method.

During 2025, Cathay became a launch investor in the US$150 million oneworld BEV Fund and committed to a co-investment agreement with Airbus worth up to US$70 million to accelerate SAF technology development.

Its Corporate SAF Programme also expanded to 17 global partners, with committed SAF usage increasing by nearly 180% year-on-year.

The initiative enables freight and corporate customers to contribute towards SAF use on Cathay and Cathay Cargo flights while receiving verified emissions reduction documentation to support Scope 3 carbon reporting.

Benefits for Logistics Customers

For logistics providers and cargo shippers, increased SAF adoption offers several benefits as environmental regulations and ESG reporting demands continue to rise.

By improving access to SAF-backed freight services, carriers such as Cathay can help freight forwarders and shippers reduce the reported carbon footprint of air cargo shipments, supporting wider sustainability targets and customer reporting requirements. Cathay notes its programme is specifically designed to help customers reduce Scope 3 emissions linked to cargo transportation.

The airline added that Cathay Cargo has been proactively working with cargo partners since 2022 to expand SAF adoption across its network.

For many global manufacturers and retailers, this creates greater opportunity to decarbonise premium and time-sensitive freight movements that would otherwise be among the most carbon-intensive parts of their logistics operation.

Operational Sustainability Improvements

Beyond fuel, Cathay also reported further progress in reducing waste and improving circularity across operations.

Passenger-facing single-use plastics were reduced to an average of 1.7 pieces per passenger during 2025, with more than 50% of remaining in-scope items now sourced from recycled plastics.

The airline has also expanded its inflight water bottle recycling programme across Hong Kong and eight additional airports, helping improve recycling rates across its wider network.

Ronald Lam added:

Decarbonising aviation is a critical yet complex mission. Despite the challenges ahead, we are supporting the development of a robust SAF value chain through strategic investments and collaborations. Together with like‑minded organisations, we are channelling the necessary support and capital to help scale SAF innovation over the long term

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