Electric Forklift Evolves

Hyster has launched the E2.2-3.5XN2, a 2,000 – 3,000kg capacity cushion tyre, electric lift truck series that builds upon the success of the established XN models to provide high performance, minimal downtime, and reduced total cost of operation in tough indoor applications.

The XN2 series provides operations with the flexibility to pick the best electric power source and performance configuration for their requirements, along with ergonomic features and simplified service. The result is a lift truck that delivers the productivity required by manufacturers and distributors to keep paper and packaging, automotive, agriculture, and other products moving.

Operations can select their XN2 trucks with the Intelimatch configuration that provides smooth, efficient performance or opt for the Duramatch specification that delivers a boost in energy efficiency of up to 20% and higher performance. Operations can also select from a variety of battery types, including purpose-built Hyster® lithium-ion batteries engineered specifically for seamless integration and greater efficiency. To match operational requirements, users can choose from multiple box sizes and other battery chemistries in addition to modular Hyster lithium-ion power, including lead acid and thin plate pure lead batteries.

“While no two operations are exactly alike, constant pressure to do more with less is a common theme, from keeping equipment costs in check to gaining more productivity from a limited pool of experienced lift truck operators,” said Lauren Grady, Global Product Manager, Hyster.

“The new XN2 lift truck models set the bar higher, with the ergonomics, visibility and performance demanding applications require, while empowering operations to configure the right solution for their unique requirements.”

The XN2 series features the largest through-mast window in its class – 34% larger than the previous model – and the Duramatch configuration provides up to 65% faster lift and lower speeds compared to leading competitors. Clear sightlines and a near-zero turn radius help operators to effectively navigate tight spaces as they push to meet high productivity targets. Additionally, suspended and air ride seat options reduce the shock and vibrations transmitted to the operator, enhancing operator comfort, confidence and productivity throughout a shift. Intuitive controls and a flip-up armrest also aid operators in avoiding fatigue.

Fully sealed wet brake axles require 20% less service over the life of the truck when compared to the previous model, helping to reduce total cost of ownership and limit maintenance-related downtime. When service is required, the truck is designed to help technicians quickly access trouble areas and service the truck.

The wireless monitoring tier of the Hyster Tracker telemetry system is standard on the XN2 series, alongside a touch screen display that provides easy access to critical information such as speed and battery life, and enables users to calibrate performance. Operations looking to further support their safety initiatives can add the optional Hyster Dynamic Stability System or Hyster Reaction pedestrian awareness camera to help reinforce lift truck operating best practices.

Personalised Driver Coaching with Custom Avatars

Motive, an AI platform for physical operations, has announced AI Coach, an AI-powered avatar designed to automatically deliver personalised, high-quality feedback to drivers at scale using AI-generated coaching videos. Managers can choose from preset avatars or custom avatars that replicate their face and voice using AI to bring a familiar presence to every coaching video.

Driver coaching is critical but hard to scale — especially where rising insurance costs, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency scrutiny, and ongoing Driver Certificate of Professional Competence requirements add pressure. Safety managers often oversee hundreds or thousands of drivers, and yet some managers spend less than one-third of their time on actual people management, including coaching sessions. Even when coaching does occur, consistency and accuracy are difficult to maintain, and without timely, personalised feedback, unsafe behaviour repeats.

Gaps in driver coaching put organisations at risk of preventable incidents… But driver coaching only works if it is accurate and trusted by drivers. AI Coach uses high-precision AI to automatically send personalised coaching videos, which can greatly reduce manager workload while improving safety and driver engagement.

said Nyanya Joof, Regional VP of UK Markets at Motive.

Previously, we spent several hours reviewing incidents and doing one-on-one coaching long after the fact… With Motive’s AI Coach, automatic personalised coaching comes from a familiar face and helps us provide feedback at a scale we didn’t think was possible. Always reliable and accurate, AI Coach helps us keep our drivers safe and reduce our incident rate.

said Adam Fox, Operations Manager at Beeline.

Custom AI Avatars Can Dramatically Cut Coaching Feedback Time

AI Coach delivers automatic, personalised AI-generated coaching videos each week through the Motive Dashboard and Driver App. Coaching videos deliver positive reinforcement to recognise where the driver did well, as well as actionable feedback to support continuous improvement in driver safety and performance.

With AI Coach, UK customers can:

  • Deliver Customisable AI-Generated Coaching: Choose from a number of pre-generated avatars or record a custom avatar to provide personalised video messages that increase engagement and retention.
  • Provide High Impact Feedback: Provide drivers personalised feedback in a fraction of the time—helping reduce risk and reinforce safe behaviours sooner. Automated text messages and push notifications also remind drivers to watch their weekly feedback recaps, reducing manual follow-ups.
  • Scale Coaching Across the Fleet: Deliver high-quality, consistent coaching to every individual driver, group of drivers, or company-wide, without adding headcount.
  • Count on Reliable Footage for Effective Coaching: Motive’s AI detects unsafe driving behaviours with up to 99% accuracy, giving managers reliable, actionable insights they can trust to coach effectively.

AI Coach is designed to automatically select the safety events that have the highest impact on a driver’s score and are the most severe, to give drivers context on what they can do to improve and why it matters. It’s embedded within Motive Workforce Management, the company’s centralised AI-powered platform that digitises and automates critical workforce processes. Workforce Management unites managers, people, documents, and timecards in one place — eliminating silos and providing a complete workforce view. With Workforce Management, teams can reduce manual tasks, integrate training, uncover risks faster, streamline compliance, and manage driver qualifications. Soon, it will provide coaching on fuel, spend, and more.

Optimising Medical Device Logistics

The timely delivery of medical devices to healthcare facilities is of the utmost importance for the health and well-being of patients. Mecalux recently supported Gerresheimer, an innovative systems and solutions provider and a global partner for the pharma, biotech and cosmetic industries, in optimising its medical device logistics operations in the US. As part of the production and logistics capacity expansion of its Peachtree City plant, Gerresheimer commissioned two automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RSs) for pallets from Interlake Mecalux. This dual investment responds to the sharp increase in demand for medical supplies and strengthens the company’s automation-driven growth strategy.

Expanding our Peachtree City plant is a key step towards strengthening our presence in the US and being even closer to our customers in the healthcare industry

says Tobias Gebhard, Global Head of Smart Factory Automation for Medical Systems at Gerresheimer. The project has created over 400 new jobs, added state-of-the-art cleanrooms, commissioned highly automated production lines and fully modernised our internal logistics setup.

The ambitious expansion plan for the Peachtree City plant has marked a turning point in logistics management. After years of operating with manual processes, Gerresheimer decided to automate its material flows to achieve greater precision, safety and efficiency — critical factors in the medical industry.

In an environment where every component must be handled with the utmost care, automation adds a new level of control and reliability

says Gebhard

Interlake Mecalux’s Easy WMS warehouse management system tracks the movement of more than 30 medical device SKUs from the production lines. The software assigns each item a location based on its demand level and sends specific instructions to the stacker cranes for transport. This ensures that all devices are immediately available when needed, while maintaining comprehensive, real-time control over every stored unit.

This project, the result of close collaboration between Gerresheimer and Interlake Mecalux, lays the foundation for a more innovative and efficient logistics model ready to support the company’s sustained growth in the highly demanding medical industry.

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