July 2026

Laser safety system targets growing narrow-aisle warehouse risks

Posted on 23 July, 202623 July, 2026 by Will Priestman

As warehouse operators continue to maximise storage density, narrow-aisle operations are becoming increasingly common. While these layouts improve space utilisation, they also create new safety challenges for forklift operators, particularly where long or irregular loads protrude into travel aisles. Technology designed to detect potential collisions before they occur is becoming an increasingly important part of warehouse safety strategies.

In response to these challenges, HUBTEX has introduced its patented Clear Aisle Assist, a laser-based assistance system designed to identify protruding loads, warn operators and automatically reduce vehicle speed where necessary.

HUBTEX multidirectional sideloaders are frequently used in narrow-aisle warehouses, where vehicles operate within guidance systems with very limited safety clearance, often less than 100 millimetres on each side. While this helps maximise storage capacity, it can also restrict the driver’s visibility.

The risk increases when long goods are stored at an angle or when neighbouring loads are unintentionally moved during retrieval, leaving materials protruding into the aisle. These obstacles may not be visible from the operator’s position, particularly on the engine side of the vehicle, increasing the likelihood of collisions that can damage forklifts, racks or stored goods.

To help reduce these risks, Clear Aisle Assist uses Lidar laser sensors to monitor vertical danger zones alongside warehouse racking. Sensors mounted on the vehicle scan both forward and reverse travel, allowing the system to detect protruding loads regardless of the direction of travel.

The monitored area automatically adjusts according to factors including vehicle speed, lift height and configuration, enabling the system to focus on relevant collision risks without requiring additional input from the operator.

The system is designed to complement, rather than replace, existing personnel protection technology by providing additional protection against loads extending into travel aisles.

If an obstacle is detected, the system first issues a warning to the driver. If required, it automatically reduces the vehicle’s speed to help avoid a collision or lessen its impact.

Our aim was to develop an assistance system that actively supports the driver without adding extra burden… The Clear Aisle Assist recognises dangerous situations early and can, if needed, not only warn but also automatically reduce the vehicle’s speed.

states Michael Röbig, Head of Product Management at HUBTEX.

The Clear Aisle Assist system is now available for the company’s PHOENIX series of multidirectional forklifts and complements existing personnel protection scanners by detecting goods protruding into warehouse aisles.

Further details will be presented at the upcoming LogiMAT exhibition.

Unlocking Scarce Space with Automated Loading

Posted on 23 July, 202623 July, 2026 by David Priestman

In an ideal world, manufacturing and distribution operations would be based in state-of-the-art, energy efficient facilities. The reality, of course, is that top quality space is at a premium and few organisations can afford the cost and risk associated with relocating to new, modern locations and must squeeze as much value as possible from existing sites.

As Wouter Satijn (pictured, below) Chief Revenue Officer, Joloda Hydraroll, explains, automation within unloading and loading processes can transform the use of existing space, improving productivity up to fourfold and delivering essential operational agility.

Space Premium

Almost half (47%) of warehouse occupiers expect to expand within 12 months, yet with space, both production and warehouse, at a premium across the UK and Europe, achieving this goal is far from straightforward. Adding space is becoming ever more expensive, not least because new energy performance standards in the UK are expected to leave upwards of 50% of warehouses unlettable by 2030.

With companies understandably seeking more modern, energy-efficient facilities to meet ESG goals, reduce operational costs and embed new technological solutions, the cost of usable space is inevitably rising. But do organisations really need as much space as they think? Slick factory operations have maximised efficiency, using IoT and zero touch processes to cut costs and improve productivity. Warehouse operations are also increasingly automated, with companies leveraging AGVs, conveyors and real-time information to improve agility.

It is the continued reliance on manual loading and unloading processes that is acting as a serious constraint to efficient operations. With significant space demanded to stack goods in transit, as well as fleets of forklifts requiring both parking and charging areas, transforming this aspect of operations could deliver far more value without adding expensive space.

Automated Loading and Unloading

Replacing manual processes and minimising the use of forklift trucks with automated loading technologies radically reduces the time taken to load and unload and, as a result, allows organisations to completely redesign processes with a focus on space efficiency. The rapid movement of goods significantly reduces the volume of storage space required on site, while the reduced reliance on forklifts frees up space previously used for forklift storage and charging. With rapid turnaround of trucks, there is less need for space for lorries to park up and wait to unload or load, freeing up external space.

The potential changes are significant, with the adoption of automated trailer and container loading systems, including slipchain, moving floor and trailerskate, reducing load time from 45 minutes to under five minutes. By reducing loading bay bottlenecks, this adoption of automated loading processes is enabling organisations to double, triple, even quadruple output from the same factory. Organisations previously constrained by the physical limitations of old buildings can leverage this additional space to explore further areas of innovation, such as AGVs, without fears of forklift related accidents or the associated grime and dirt that can damage robotic technology.

Warehouse operations can be transformed, with the way space is used completely reconsidered. The options are compelling – from creating dedicated space for more effective returns handling to introducing innovative promotional packing processes to support short run, events themed marketing campaigns.

Driving Continual Improvement

Automation within the loading bay also addresses the lack of visibility associated with manual loading operations. Removing the information black hole currently constraining innovation between otherwise highly efficient manufacturing and logistics processes supports real-time decision making that can further optimise space utilisation. For example, trucks can be reallocated to different bays to maximise fill rates.

It also provides essential business agility. Organisations can seamlessly handle the expansion of SKUs associated with growth, short run promotions or new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR) without needing to expand beyond the existing footprint.

Conclusion

Pressure on warehouse and factory space is predicted to continue for the foreseeable future and the ability to achieve expansion goals without the cost, risk and upheaval associated with obtaining additional production or warehouse facilities offers immediate value for money. And, for those organisations looking to relocate in response to changing business goals or the need for more energy efficient warehouse locations to affordably meet ESG targets, there is a chance to reconsider just how much space is required and minimise costs.

By overhauling loading and unloading operations, replacing slow manual processes with highly efficient automated technologies, companies create an opportunity to reconsider space requirements to meet both current and predicted business needs. Rather than endure the constraint placed on businesses by expensive, even unavailable warehouse and production facilities, organisations can now optimise the space to prioritise production and revenue generation, and embed essential operational flexibility throughout the business.

New Fujairah Port Terminals for UAE

Posted on 22 July, 202622 July, 2026 by David Priestman

As the Iran War continues to heavily restrict access through the Strait of Hormuz, DP World has reached an agreement in principle with the Fujairah Ports Authority, under a 50-year concession, to develop two new terminals on the UAE’s east coast. The Al Rugaylat container and multi-purpose terminal, and the Dibba General Cargo terminal both lie on the safe Eastern coast of the UAE. The development will expand DP World’s UAE capacity and gateway network, giving customers greater choice, flexibility, and connectivity across regional and global trade routes.

The project will establish a new deep-water trade gateway on the UAE’s east coast, capable of handling the latest generation of Ultra Large Container Vessels. Al Rugaylat is designed to handle up to 2.5 million TEU annually, alongside 1.7 million tonnes of general cargo and 190,000 Car Equivalent Units (CEUs), while Dibba will add up to 3.6 million tonnes of annual general cargo capacity.

The new terminals build on Fujairah’s growing role as a global maritime hub. Positioned on the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah is poised to become a leading centre for maritime services, and the development of ports and logistics zone will bring further investment, employment and long-term economic opportunity to the emirate.

Once operational, the development will increase DP World’s total container handling capacity in the UAE from 19.4 million TEU to almost 22 million TEU, while significantly expanding general cargo and Ro-Ro capability.

Connected to Jebel Ali through DP World’s inland logistics network, the new terminals will be integrated with Jafza, extending DP World’s end-to-end supply chain across the UAE and enabling customers to move cargo more efficiently between ports, logistics hubs and end markets. Development will be delivered in phases, with construction expected to take approximately 24 to 30 months from commencement.

H.H. Sheikh Saleh Bin Mohamed Al Sharqi, Chairman, Fujairah Ports Authority, said:

“The partnership with DP World marks an important milestone in Fujairah’s continued development as one of the region’s most important maritime gateways. The Al Rugaylat and Dibba terminals will bring world-class operating capability, expanded capacity and new investment to the emirate. We look forward to working with DP World to deliver a project that will benefit customers, communities and the UAE’s wider economy.”

H.E. Essa Kazim, Chairman, DP World, said: “The UAE has been at the heart of DP World’s story for more than four decades, and this investment reflects our confidence in its future as one of the world’s leading trade and logistics hubs. Building on the strength of Jebel Ali, this development deepens our commitment to the UAE and reinforces the country’s strategic role in global trade.”

Yuvraj Narayan, Group Chief Executive Officer, DP World, said:

“Fujairah strengthens what Jebel Ali already delivers — a single, global integrated platform for moving goods across global supply chains and within the UAE and beyond. With Jebel Ali operating at high utilisation, this development provides the additional capacity to support long-term growth. For cargo owners, it means greater flexibility, more choice and stronger supply chain resilience.”

H.E. Capt Mousa Murad, Managing Director, Fujairah Ports Authority, said: “This development will add significant new capability to Fujairah’s port infrastructure and enhance the range and quality of services we can offer to cargo owners and logistics customers. By combining Fujairah’s strategic location with DP World’s operating expertise, we aim to deliver modern, efficient terminals that support regional trade flows, strengthen connectivity and meet the highest international standards.”

Supply Chain needs a Single, Secure AI Agent

Posted on 22 July, 202622 July, 2026 by An Industry Expert

“The swivelling must stop!” says Jonah McIntire, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Trimble, who argues that the supply chain needs a single, secure AI agent to rule them all.

There’s no question that our global supply chain is powered by data. Increasingly intelligent tech solutions pull, analyse and act on this massive amount of data from a multitude of sources.

For the past 40+ years, the transportation and logistics industry has settled into an inefficient status quo, struggling to sort through fragmented data with a swivel-chair workflow, hopping between sources. Today, in order to keep freight moving, a typical coordinator has to manually shift between scores of disconnected databases, legacy enterprise solutions and tracking platforms, wasting valuable time and mental capacity just shuffling through to find what they need.

This time can be utilised in a much more productive, fulfilling way. And the industry has come up with an initial solution that on the surface seems more efficient: an army of specialised AI micro-bots that can handle some of those manual, repetitive tasks.

While it’s clear that AI is the defining technology to transform the way it moves freight around the world, the current approach of creating isolated, separate AI tools for each individual task from manual order entries to negotiations needs to be evaluated and refined. Our co-ordinators’ chairs haven’t actually stopped swiveling between screens yet – they are ready for a more efficient approach.

What businesses need is a single AI agent that can help us swiftly and reliably navigate and make sense of this complex and chaotic ecosystem, managed securely from a single pane of glass, wiping out the swivel chair workflow once and for all…

Supercharging AI

Despite all that’s wrong with our current approach to AI tools, it’s easy to see how and why the industry has got to this point. In the internet’s early days, users were accustomed to having to track down information via curated web link directories. It was similar to the experience of using a phone book, or a reference library, clicking through a digital maze of subcategories to find what was needed.

Thankfully, this architecture has evolved significantly over the decades, but it isn’t all that different from the way businesses use AI agents today. Organisations are still required to identify the right agent for each task, provide the appropriate prompts and coordinate the next steps between systems. This approach remains inefficient.

A single, elite agent that brings a unified experience to users, owning the entire execution layer. Instead of a user needing to navigate all their disconnected tools, the agent can take the businesses’ natural-language directive and identify the right agent and data across a vast enterprise ecosystem to get the job done.

Single, safe agent

The true power of AI in logistics doesn’t come from a tool that can write emails, answer questions, or translate text. It comes from a system’s ability to act autonomously on high-stakes execution across multiple platforms and data sources, simultaneously.

One common supply chain task that would benefit from the true power of AI? The resolution of a single problematic shipment – typically requiring the extraction of account histories from a TMS, cross-referencing a Google Sheet for spot rates, pulling in web data for current market information and then documenting a new routing strategy within a fleet management software.

Many of these fragmented workflows extend beyond transport planning and into the yard, where disconnected systems, manual processes and poor visibility continue to create costly bottlenecks. Logistics Business recently explored this issue in depth with Gerry Daalhuisen, Senior Director at Transporeon, in the podcast Why the Yard is Still Logistics’ Biggest Blind Spot. The discussion examines why yards remain one of the least digitised parts of the supply chain, the hidden costs of outdated processes, and how greater visibility and orchestration can dramatically improve efficiency and safety. Listen to the episode here: Logistics Business Conversations Podcast

Right now, businesses can do this with a small fleet of AI agents but think of how much easier and faster this would be with a truly powerful agent that can execute this entire chain of commands across disparate platforms at the same time. This single, supercharged AI agent can move much faster than both human operators and traditional software, unlocking unprecedented efficiency. However, this efficiency comes with important security requirements that absolutely must be airtight.

Uncompromising security

An AI agent’s safety measures must scale with its operational velocity and access. For a unified agent to reach its full potential, it needs to be able to not only access, but also interact with, live business data and internal servers. In an environment like this, even a small lapse in security could create a corporate liability.

Currently, today’s most common consumer-grade AI tools are, at their very foundation, unfit for logistics. In the supply chain, logistics teams need solutions that come with comprehensive audit trails, granular user logging and strict cost controls. The last thing businesses want is a consumer-grade bot burning through thousands of dollars in token usage without accountability.

Wild spending isn’t the only threat. Primitive AI solutions that have lacked proper security oversight have been known to go on secretive “side quests” in an attempt to complete a task that they may have been blocked from due to security controls. These uncontrolled autonomous architectures have installed unauthorised software on host machines, creating new API connections and more in a bid to bypass security protocols in order to complete a task.

In a live operational context, this type of uncontrolled autonomy is unacceptable, presenting avoidable risks. True enterprise safety means enforcing boundaries that cannot be compromised. A powerful agent must operate under strict cost ceilings, complete visibility, explicit user-permission constraints and bulletproof data security.

Realising next-gen AI

The creation of a safe, unified AI structure is not just a promise of the hype cycle; it’s the inevitable future reality for the global transportation and logistics industry.

Because of the supply chain’s massive scale and low margins, shippers and fleets should not settle for consumer-facing solutions that need to catch up to the industry’s heavy-duty needs for complex and specialised tools.

By pairing top-of-the-line enterprise security with raw operational dominance in a single, next-generation AI agent, businesses can finally break down the fragmented workflows of the past to create a hyper-connected, high-velocity future for the global supply chain.

For more on Listen to our Logistics Business Conversations Podcast episode with Jonah here.

Intra-Log Expo Expands in São Paulo

Posted on 22 July, 202622 July, 2026 by David Priestman

INTRA-LOG Expo South America 2026, a trade show focused on intralogistics, warehouse automation and supply chain operations, will take place Sept. 15-17th at Expo Center Norte’s Blue Pavilion in São Paulo. Free registration is open for logistics, automation, supply chain, warehouse, distribution, engineering and IT professionals.

The event is entering its third edition with expanded exhibition space and a broader program for companies evaluating technologies that move, store, track and manage goods inside industrial, retail, e-commerce and distribution operations. The 2026 edition has doubled its footprint compared with last year, with 95% of exhibition space sold, and is expected to gather more than 400 national and international brands and more than 8,000 visitors. Logistics Business will be exhibiting, for the first time.

INTRA-LOG Expo was launched in 2024 and drew 4,600 qualified visitors and 200 brands in its first edition. In 2025, attendance rose 35% to 6,228 visitors, with 250 Brazilian and international brands. The 2026 edition will also host the debut of Label & Pack Expo, a parallel event dedicated to industrial packaging, labels, tagging, printing, traceability and technologies applied to the logistics chain.

“When we created INTRA-LOG Expo, there was a clear gap in the market,” said Cassiano Facchinetti, managing director of INTERLINK Exhibitions, which organizes the event in partnership with Grupo IMAM. “Companies in intralogistics and automation were taking part in several industry events, but they did not have a dedicated environment to discuss what happens inside operations. The show grew because the market needs a focused place to compare technologies, see equipment and systems in operation, speak with specialists and make better decisions.”

Robotics, automation and live demonstrations

The 2026 program reflects the growing role of robotics, artificial intelligence, connectivity and automated distribution systems in logistics operations across Latin America. At least 20% of exhibitors are from outside Brazil, mainly from Asia, as global technology providers use the event as an entry point into the regional market.

The Robotics & Automation Summit will convene manufacturers and providers of robotic solutions to discuss market growth and applications in warehouses, manufacturing, distribution centers and e-commerce operations. Topics will include autonomous mobile robots, automated guided vehicles, mobile robots, robotic arms, autonomous material handling, automated picking and automated storage systems.

“Robotics is moving from isolated projects to the core of productivity, safety and scalability strategies,” Facchinetti said. “The Summit was created to connect global suppliers with the companies that are now assessing how these technologies can work in real logistics operations.”

A 600-square-meter Arena Tech will feature live demonstrations and equipment interaction. The free conference hub will offer technical sessions led by exhibitors, giving decision-makers in logistics, supply chain, operations, manufacturing, technology, maintenance, engineering and procurement the opportunity to assess solutions in operation.

INTRA-LOG Forum to recognize operational innovation

The third INTRA-LOG Forum will present practical cases involving automation, artificial intelligence, robotics and operational excellence. The 2026 edition will also introduce INTRA-LOG Smart Solutions Honors, a recognition program for CEOs and directors whose companies have developed advanced projects in intralogistics and automation.

“We want the INTRA-LOG Forum to go beyond technical discussion,” said Eduardo Banzato, director of Grupo IMAM and ambassador of INTRA-LOG Expo. “Brazilian logistics has professionals and companies making important transformations that often happen outside the spotlight. Smart Solutions Honors was created to recognize leaders who are changing operations in practice, with impact on productivity, service, safety and competitiveness.”

Label & Pack Expo debuts alongside INTRA-LOG

Label & Pack Expo will run simultaneously with INTRA-LOG Expo in 2026, creating a combined platform for automation, traceability, sustainability and high-performance printing in the packaging chain. The event will feature solutions for industrial packaging, labeling, traceability, digital and flexographic printing, industrial automation, RFID, IoT, artificial intelligence and technologies for controlling and managing products, pallets, packages and cargo.

The exhibitor lineup includes Serralgodão, Robopac, Packing Group, Isoflex, Signode, José Braulio Paletes, CD Embalagens, Polibras, Valgroup, Z-Pisa, Emplaca, D&A Print and Colátio, among others.

Label & Pack Expo will also host the Label & Pack Congress, with content curated by the Brazilian Packaging Association, known as ABRE, and Projeto Pack. The program includes three mornings of sessions on packaging as a logistics strategy and on how the packaging industry is preparing for circularity, competitiveness and future supply chain demands. The congress will also host the launch of ABRE’s Transport Packaging Guide.

Companies scheduled to present cases include Syngenta, Termotécnica, Bosch, Exxon Mobil and Lord Embalagens.

“Label & Pack Expo was created as a business-oriented environment for live demonstrations, direct access to specialists and practical discussions on automation and traceability,” Facchinetti said. “The packaging sector needed a dedicated and structured event, and that is the gap we intend to address.”

Why Brazil matters

For INTERLINK Exhibitions, the integration of INTRA-LOG Expo and Label & Pack Expo reflects a shift in how companies evaluate logistics efficiency. Brazil brings together industrial scale, large transportation networks, logistics operators, e-commerce platforms, retail, manufacturing and growing demand for technologies that can improve productivity and reduce operating costs.

“Brazil is a gateway to Latin America and a laboratory for complexity,” Facchinetti added.

“Companies that can apply technology here are better prepared to operate in other markets across the region. At the same time, Brazilian companies are developing competitive solutions, and international companies are looking at São Paulo as a starting point for growth in Latin America.”

Amazon Business Reaches $60 Billion in Sales

Posted on 21 July, 2026 by David Priestman

Amazon has announced that Amazon Business reached $60 billion in annualized gross sales in Q2, supplying 11 million organizations worldwide with business purschases.

Organizations of all sizes — from hospitals and schools to factories and hotels — use Amazon Business to buy what they need to operate. Since launching in the U.S. in 2015, Amazon Business has grown to serve organizations across 11 countries, including hundreds of thousands of small business customers. In the first half of this year, more than 1.8 million new organizations joined Amazon Business, further accelerating that momentum – organizations including Citi, United Service Organizations, Marriott International and Carnival Corporation.

“Amazon Business has made it easier for our teams to get what they need, when they need it,” said Scott Thompson, vice president, logistics, North America, at Carnival Corporation.

“Procurement tasks that used to take hours — searching across vendors, routing approvals, reordering supplies — can now be done in minutes. It’s a better experience for our team members, and we’re looking forward to building on that with Amazon Business as we find new ways to improve how we work.”

In the past year, Amazon Business has introduced new tools and offerings designed to make buying for work easier and smarter — supporting growth for more than 11 million organizations and reaching $60 billion in annualized gross sales in Q2 — including:

· Launching new AI-powered tools to help organizations discover savings

· Expanding business-relevant selection through a network of millions of sellers

· Offering everyday low prices, business-only pricing, and quantity discounts

· Deploying fleets of delivery trucks across the U.S. purpose-built to make business deliveries

· Adding new benefits to Prime Business membership

“Organizations of all sizes trust Amazon Business for vast selection, everyday value, and fast, reliable delivery — and that trust is reflected in our continued growth,” said Shelley Salomon, worldwide vice president of Amazon Business. “As organizations look to do more with less, we’re inventing new ways to help them save time and money — and reinvest in growing their business.”

Business buyers today value a personalized, intuitive experience. Amazon Business has introduced a set of AI-powered tools designed to meet that expectation — helping organizations find ways to save money and make smarter buying decisions. Amazon Business Assistant answers questions in real time to offer account support and offers suggestions on how to buy more efficiently based on past purchases. Read more of our coverage here.

Savings Insights suggests ways a business can save money by analyzing their spending and suggesting options like bulk discounts or repeat ordering. Spend Anomaly Monitoring alerts teams when purchases look unusual — helping catch mistakes or overspending. Organizations are finding these tools enable their teams to identify savings and catch issues early.

From Beakers to Bananas

Whether it’s a school that needs laboratory beakers and break room bananas, a manufacturer sourcing everything from welding equipment to office shelving, or a mechanic looking for car parts and paper towels, customers have been clear that they want to buy more of what they need from fewer places. Business-relevant selection lets them consolidate suppliers instead of managing dozens of separate accounts and orders. Today, Amazon Business customers have access to hundreds of millions of products worldwide — nearly 30% more items compared to last year — with strong selection growth in categories like repair tools, office furniture, and fresh groceries. This growing selection is powered by a network of millions of sellers worldwide, many of which are small and medium-sized businesses. As that selection continues to grow, Amazon Business is giving organizations simpler ways to navigate it, like Guided Buying to direct employees to preferred products and the Alexa for Shopping Assistant to quickly find and evaluate products.

When organizations spend less on the things they need, they have more to put back into their business. Amazon Business offers everyday low prices, business-only pricing, and quantity discounts on millions of products starting at just two units of the same item. In 2025, Amazon Business-specific discounts saved organizations more than $1 billion worldwide, from school districts stocking up on classroom supplies to hotel chains replenishing linens and cleaning products. Organizations can also save through Subscribe & Save for recurring purchases and private brands products like Amazon Basics that give businesses quality selection at low prices.

Trucks designed for business deliveries, from bulk orders to everyday supplies

Leveraging Amazon’s fulfillment network to meet the unique delivery needs of business customers, Amazon Business made more than half a billion deliveries worldwide last year. Now, the company is investing further in delivery designed specifically for organizations. In 13 states across the U.S., Amazon Business started rolling out dedicated, branded delivery trucks designed for organizations. Built for how businesses receive deliveries — from loading docks and office buildings to university campuses and mailrooms — these trucks offer scheduled delivery windows, palletized bulk and parcel delivery, and consolidated drop-offs. The result is faster, more predictable, and more flexible delivery for business customers. What’s more, the trucks run on compressed natural gas, which produces fewer emissions than traditional diesel trucks.

Automation From Small Parts to Pallets

Posted on 21 July, 202621 July, 2026 by David Priestman

Growth needs structure: with a fully automated distribution centre built as a greenfield project, Eisenhart Laeppché GmbH in Wilhelmshaven (Germany) is laying the foundation for further growth. Jungheinrich is delivering an integrated complete solution comprising an automated miniload warehouse, an automated pallet warehouse and modern warehouse management software.

Eisenhart Laeppché GmbH, a wholesaler and manufacturer of rolling bearings and linear technology based in Wilhelmshaven, has commissioned Jungheinrich to plan and build a new, fully automated distribution centre.

Rising order volumes in the small-parts segment had increasingly pushed the previous manual order picking to its economic limits. At the same time, the company wanted to make its workstations more ergonomic and improve its processes for the long term. With the new building, Eisenhart Laeppché GmbH is responding to these requirements and creating additional capacity for further growth.

An integrated automation solution from a single source

At the core of the solution is an automated miniload warehouse with 14,904 container storage locations in double-deep storage. Three STC 2B1A stacker cranes handle the fully automated storage and retrieval of the containers, combining high travel dynamics with an energy-efficient drive concept for powerful operation.

The miniload warehouse is complemented by an automated very narrow aisle (AutoVNA) warehouse for pallets with 3,870 storage locations. Two automated EKX 516ka narrow-aisle trucks ensure precise and efficient processes in the high-bay racking. The system is housed in an in-house building with a usable height of 9.7 metres.

A total of six ergonomically designed picking workstations based on the goods-to-person principle, four for containers and two for pallets, ensure efficient and employee-friendly processes.

Jungheinrich’s scope of delivery also includes the complete conveyor systems for containers and pallets, the higher-level control system including visualisation, and the Jungheinrich Warehouse Management System (WMS) for the end-to-end control of all storage and material flow processes. The racking system and workstation equipment complete the solution.

The system is designed for growth from the outset: the miniload warehouse can be expanded by two further aisles, and the automated very narrow aisle warehouse by up to three additional EKX 516ka trucks. This gives Eisenhart Laeppché a dependable reserve of performance and capacity.

A long-standing partnership as the foundation

The decision in favour of Jungheinrich is based on a long-standing, trusting collaboration and a convincing concept phase delivered by Jungheinrich Material Flow Consulting.

“Given our growth, we were reaching the economic and organisational limits of our previous manual order picking. The new automated solution gives us considerably more efficient processes, creates additional capacity, noticeably shortens lead times and at the same time improves working conditions for our employees,” says Hendrik Laeppché, Managing Director of Eisenhart Laeppché GmbH.

Klaus-Peter Wolters, Head of Technical Sales at Jungheinrich, adds:

“Eisenhart Laeppché faced the challenge of handling rising order volumes in the small-parts segment both economically and ergonomically. With our integrated solution combining a miniload warehouse and an automated very narrow aisle warehouse, we deliver the performance and scalability needed for further growth, together with high energy efficiency.”

Commissioning is scheduled for Q2 2027.

Ocado Leases Final DC at Stoke Central

Posted on 21 July, 202621 July, 2026 by David Priestman

Indurent, developer, owner and operator of industrial and logistics space across the UK, has fully let its Stoke Central warehousing park after agreeing a new 15-year lease with Ocado, the online grocery retailer.

Ocado has taken the scheme’s final available unit, C55, which spans over 55,000 sq ft. Park Stoke Central is a 530,000 sq ft industrial and logistics space and part of the 300-acre Festival Park development in Stoke-on-Trent. The development was delivered in two phases between 2020 and 2023.

Located close to the A500, Indurent Park Stoke Central provides connectivity to the national motorway network, enabling occupiers to serve customers efficiently across the UK.

C55 has been delivered to a high sustainability specification, achieving a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and EPC A certification. The building also incorporates rooftop solar PV and EV charging infrastructure, which Ocado will use to house, maintain and charge its growing fleet of electric delivery vehicles.

George Goldsmith, Senior Asset Manager at Indurent, commented:

“Securing Ocado as the final tenant at Indurent Park Stoke Central is a significant milestone for the scheme and reflects the continued strength of demand for high-quality industrial and logistics space in strategically located markets. Reaching full occupancy across the park demonstrates the appeal of modern, sustainable buildings with excellent connectivity, and reinforces our commitment to delivering space that meets the evolving needs of our customers.”

Danny Kennedy, Senior Property Strategy and Development Manager at Ocado Retail commented:

“We are always looking for ways to support our growing customer base whether that is identifying new sites or maximising the capacity of our current infrastructure. Confirming the new spoke at Stoke is a great example of this, and it will enable us to deliver to even more customers. While work has only just started, we expect the site will be up and running later this year, creating hundreds of new jobs in the process.”

Viking Partnership Extended

Posted on 21 July, 202621 July, 2026 by David Priestman

DX has announces the expansion of its strategic partnership with Viking Direct UK, a large distributor of workplace supplies and equipment, in a new, multi-year contract. The contract builds on the highly successful and close relationship the two businesses have already established.

Under the terms of the new contract, DX, which was awarded ‘Trusted Partnership Status’ by Viking in 2025, will be responsible for the next-day delivery, across the UK, of the hundreds of thousands of Viking customer orders placed each year. Both sides have committed significant investment into the partnership over the past few years. This has been across dedicated facilities and dedicated personnel, including embedded DX teams within Viking’s operations.

Even more significantly, DX and Viking have established very close communications between the two organisations. This close level of engagement has helped to create a culture that has promoted and rewarded problem-solving, innovation, and greater efficiencies. The net result has been increased performance levels, record customer satisfaction for Viking, and a reduction in operational costs.

Andy Renshaw, Logistics Director at Viking, commented:

“DX feels like a true partner to Viking rather than simply another supplier. What sets DX apart is not just service performance, but the way the relationship works when there is an issue to solve or an opportunity to improve. There is transparency, agility and a motivation to adapt on both sides. DX’s depot managers and our own team treat each other as colleagues solving the same problem rather than two businesses managing each other. That’s not something you can impose. It has to be built, and you can see it in how impressively people on both sides actually behave.”

Ian Truesdale, Chief Executive Officer of DX, commented:

“DX and Viking have established a highly effective and close relationship, and we’re delighted to see our partnership continue to grow. It has been extremely productive because both sides take their commitment to high customer standards very seriously and are willing to engage openly and transparently with each other. We look forward to further years of successful collaboration and development.”

Viking Direct UK is a supplier of office supplies, stationery, furniture and ink and toner for businesses of every size. With over 35 years of experience, the company aims to deliver reliable products, competitive pricing and fast UK-wide delivery to keep workplaces running smoothly.

UK-India Trade Requires Resilient Freight Network

Posted on 21 July, 202621 July, 2026 by David Priestman

The UK and India reached the culmination of long negotiations as the new free trade agreement between the world’s 5th and 6th largest economies comes into effect. The agreement will deliver major benefits to exporters in both countries, estimated at an eventual £25bn boost in bilateral trade, by reducing or removing tariffs on almost all goods exports, writes Rashid Abdulla, DP World CEO & MD, Europe (pictured below).

“Some businesses will see sweeping reductions. The UK’s largest food and drink export, whisky, will benefit from a Indian tariff cut from 150% today to 40% over the next 10 years, while the tariff faced by UK car manufacturers’ on exports to India will fall below 10%. The majority of current UK exports to India will ultimately be tariff free. UK suppliers will also gain access to the Indian central government procurement market, worth tens of billions a year.

“For key Indian export sectors, like textiles and fishing, tariffs on the goods they send to the UK will also be cut, giving UK consumers more choice and cheaper prices on the high street. This is good news for people and businesses in both countries – trade powers economies. Reducing tariffs and freeing international trade boosts prosperity.

“Negotiating, signing and ratifying free trade agreements is the first step to boosting trade. Delivering on their potential requires reliable, resilient trade networks with capacity to spare. The logistics assets and networks that underpin the ability of economies to trade reliably and in increasing volumes are especially important when goods need to cover significant distances to reach their intended markets.

“The UK and India already trade goods and services worth £48bn a year. Boosting this trade requires innovative, ambitious businesses seeking to export to distant markets, served by the major freight handling and transport infrastructure they need to do so successfully. As a country grows the volume of its trade, so it needs more facilities, modes and routes to service that trade with the speed and reliability that cargo owners require.

“For small or medium sized enterprises, some who may be exporting into a new market for the first time, the prospect may seem daunting. However, the UK has the trade infrastructure in place, a developed network of routes, and the business expertise available to ensure the reduction of tariffs is an opportunity that is taken.

“DP World has now invested more than £6bn in our network of UK assets, as we believe in this country’s potential to continue growing as a global trading power. Our ports, logistics and marine services network is connecting UK importers and exporters with domestic and international markets.

“Enhanced trade capacity makes the UK better able to respond and adapt to trade shocks, elevates its role in connecting European trade more widely, and brings it closer to global markets. In India too DP World is a major investor that handles one quarter of the national container trade. We integrate ocean, air, road and rail transport in India with free zones, warehousing and forwarding to make trade simple and boost supply chain resilience. A container leaving the UK from London Gateway on one of the world’s largest container ships can reach our terminals in Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Chennai or Cochin in little more than three weeks. Our new container terminal at Tuna-Tekra in Gujarat is scheduled for completion next year.

“Supply chain resilience around the world is now in greater focus than perhaps ever before. When routes and networks are disrupted by global events and geopolitics, exporters need logistics expertise to adapt and ensure their goods reach the markets they are destined for, safely and on schedule.

“In a market as large and complex as India, inconsistent fulfilment can quickly erode distributor confidence and weaken customer relationships. Businesses that cannot maintain operational continuity may find themselves losing market share not because of product quality, but because of an inability to deliver reliably at scale.

“This is where integrated logistics and market access expertise become strategically important. Exporters need customs coordination, market access advisory and established operational infrastructure – regulatory expertise and end-to-end logistics execution help them reduce administrative friction, maintain supply chain visibility and secure resilient distribution networks.
India is forecast to become the world’s 3rd largest economy in the coming years.

“Increasing trade with India and with the world’s other major economies is a long-term opportunity for the UK. Investment that has been made already and is still ongoing can support the businesses who will generate rising exports and spread the benefits of growth to every part of the country.

“The start of a major free trade agreement is an exciting moment brimming with economic potential, and for businesses and employees across the UK we hope to see repeated many more times in the coming years.”