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Category: Latest News

Diomaster Floorblock Labelling Solution Released

Posted on by David Priestman

inotec UK, has expanded its warehouse identification range with its new Diomaster 250 PC Floorblock TRANS HUW (Diomaster Floorblock) labelling solution. Developed by inotec in France and now available in the UK, the protective Diomaster Floorblock labelling system is ideal for warehouses which print their own labels on-site.

inotec specialises in warehouse solutions, barcode security and RFID labelling.

The Diomaster labelling solution is a high-quality blank polycarbonate label cover protecting self-made labels which are fixed to the floor within a solid cast aluminium frame (Floorblock).

Logistics facilities which handle frequently changing stock items and stock layouts, often face the issue of own-printed labels not being sufficiently durable. The Diomaster label solution allows users to place their printed labels inside a 2-3 millimetre recess within the aluminium Floorblock which is screwed to the floor.

The polycarbonate Diomaster cover sits on the top of the label and adds extra protection from foot and truck traffic in the warehouse, as well as potential daily wear and tear. This ensures complete protection for the efficient readability of labels. Not only can the label under the Diomaster cover be easily replaced as and when required but also, the Floorblock unit can be easily unscrewed and repositioned.

David Stocker, sales director at inotec UK comments: “The Diomaster Floorblock solution is a great addition to our warehouse labelling product range. The combination of the label cover with the aluminium label holder creates a robust system for warehouse identification marking – even when printing your own labels on-site.

“Damaged or unreadable labels cause operational delays which can have significant financial implications. If labels can’t be scanned or locations found, it can cause serious disruption in the supply chain. The Diomaster labelling solution prevents this to ensure warehousing identification performs at an optimum level. We are now able to offer this cost-effective and long-lasting labelling solution to all our UK customers.”

For more innovations in the logistics sector you can browse the latest issue of Logistics Business here

Logistics Property a Major Contribution to UK economy, Report Reveals

Posted on by David Priestman

Activities taking place inside logistics buildings owned and managed by Prologis in the UK are making a major contribution to the UK economy, according to a report compiled by independent advisory firm, Oxford Economics.

The study’s economic impact model found that activities carried out by customers operating across the entire Prologis UK portfolio, which includes 22 Prologis Parks in the Midlands, South East and London, make a significant contribution to the national economy, with goods flowing through the buildings equivalent to approximately 2.6% of UK GDP1.

The study is the second to be conducted by Oxford Economics – the first being published in 2017. This year, as well as providing UK-specific data, the report provides an interesting snapshot of the growth of Prologis’ global estate, which today spans 19 countries and covers almost 1 billion sq. ft. In 2017, the company’s global estate covered 684 million sq. ft. The ‘Future Flow of Goods’ study also reveals that customers operating within Prologis warehouses in the UK employ 32,500 direct employees2.

Robin Woodbridge, head of capital deployment at Prologis UK, said: “This global study confirms the importance of the logistics sector to economies around the world, not least here in the UK, where the value of goods flowing through the buildings on our industrial parks have an estimated economic value equivalent to 2.6% of UK GDP.

“The study also comes at a critical time, with the volume of goods ordered online in the UK increasing significantly during the pandemic, pushing demand for logistics services to unprecedented levels. Based on the demand we are currently seeing for warehouse and other distribution facilities; we expect the economic contribution of our estate and its activities to continue to increase.”

A separate study published by the Centre for Retail Research has revealed that online retail sales in the UK are higher than in any country in Continental Europe. The study estimates that total online retail sales in the UK will rise to £99.3 billion in 2020, up from £76 billion last year. It also estimates that while some contraction is expected in 2022, online retail sales in the UK will remain high.

Robin Woodbridge said: “There has been a seismic shift in the nation’s shopping habits during the pandemic and many experts believe that things are unlikely to return to pre-COVID levels. This has led to a spike in demand for logistics space. To avoid a shortfall in the future, we’re already working hard to identify land and property suitable for conversion or development in the areas where it is most needed, for example, areas earmarked for industrial logistics development in London.”

Prologis’ estate in the UK covers more than 26 million  sq. ft. Many of its buildings are purpose-built to meet customers’ needs and are leased to SME’S or large household names such as Tesco, Sainsburys and Amazon. Among its key industrial property assets is the UK’s premier rail-connected logistics park at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT).

Prologis appointed Gavin Quinn earlier this month to strengthen its London market.

1  Based on 2019 data, as per the Oxford Economics report.

2 The study defines ‘direct employees’ as jobs and activities that are directly attributable to Prologis warehouses.

 

Port of Amsterdam Set for New Rail System

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The Port of Amsterdam has announced the construction of a new railway line. The  port will be working with GPS Group, a storage and logistics provider, and VARO Energy a downstream energy company active in North West Europe.

This investment is the next step in GPS’s strategic partnership with VARO. VARO, on the other hand, will support GPS in maximising opportunities across its markets and will continue to play a vital role in the logistics provider’s ambitious expansion plans.

The new railway line and ethanol storage tanks are set to connect to 17 Class 1 tanks in the Port of Amsterdam, the world’s largest trading and blending hub for gasoline and its components. The Port of Amsterdam, which GPS has worked closely with in the developments of its plan, is a partner and important supporter of the project, which is a great fit with its own strategic objectives relating to sustainability improvements.

The new development will expand and secure GPS’ future at the Port of Amsterdam site and will provide a more environmentally friendly alternative mode of transport. In addition, this new logistics option will provide greater flexibility to the supply chain of VARO and an important transport alternative to respond to variations of the Rhine’s water levels. The project constitutes an important upgrade to the port infrastructure that will see the storage and blending facilities of GPS connect with the main railway system of The Netherlands and Europe.

The new infrastructure is the latest development in GPS’ ambitious plans at the Port to continue to grow its facilities at the site and boost value added services. Last year the business expanded its Class 1 certified storage capacity from 148,500 m3 to 282,500 m3, allowing it to scale up its capabilities and fulfil growing demand for its services. The latest phase sees the new state-of-the-art facility upgraded once again to just under 300,000 m3 storage with the addition of the railway line aiming to support growing production needs especially for biofuels and gasses. The expansion is partly being financed through increased debt following a successful refinancing by GPS Amsterdam. The increased debt has been provided by existing lender NIBC and new lender Hamburg Commercial Bank AG.

 

Eric Arnold, CEO at GPS, says: “This is an important investment that will open up a whole range of new possibilities to support both our client’s and our own further expansion plans, especially in the important focus area of ESG, where we aim to continue to identify more environmentally friendly logistics alternatives for our clients and sustainable business cases in growth segments such as biofuels and gases.”

 

“It is the second expansion investment in our Amsterdam terminal in under a year and represents our commitment to unlocking the full potential of the site with truly world-class assets that help our clients thrive in a changing environment. VARO and the Port of Amsterdam are important partners in this project and in our future growth plans.”

 

Roger Brown, CEO of VARO Energy, comments: “This is yet another important step forward in our strategic partnership with GPS, which I believe shows the commitment from both sides to the success of the Amsterdam Terminal both today and for many years into the future. VARO already plays an important role in delivering renewable biofuels to its customers across Europe. This expansion of the Amsterdam terminal facilities significantly increases our ability to blend and distribute such renewable fuels in line with VARO’s overall growth strategy in this sector.”

Recycling Firm invests in Hiab Multilifts

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Three new Hiab MULTILIFTS have been bought by Yorkshire-based waste management firm Sonoco Recycling as part of its ongoing modernization programme.

The hookloaders join a 15-strong fleet which operate across Halifax collecting and redistributing commercial paper and cardboard waste for recycling.

Brian Rhodes, logistics and procurement manager for Sonoco Recycling said: “We have a fleet of vehicles dedicated to the collection of waste paper and cardboard – nine of these are hookloaders.

“We have seen an increase in the number of requests for smaller collections from SMEs as businesses implement new recycling strategies to improve their carbon footprint and save money,” he said.

“To manage this increase in demand we have invested in three Hiab MULTILIFTS because we know they’re one of the most reliable brands in the market. One driver can travel up to 50,000km a year, so it’s really important that we have equipment that keeps moving.

“Thanks to the build quality of the MULTILIFTS hookloaders, we have fewer issues with the equipment. This means less downtime which keeps my customers and my team of drivers happy, because they also want to finish on time.”

Dek Butler, MULTILIFT specialist for Hiab UK said: “Recycling and waste management is a sector which demands high-performance equipment. Our multilift hookloaders are built to perform so waste management is a key sector for us.

“I’m confident Sonoco’s three new hookloaders will help it manage its growing customer base in the region. We’re proud to be a valued supplier for a globally-recognised company.”

Earlier this year Hiab announced the launch if the MULTILIFT Optima 15S and MULTILIFT Optima 25S hooklifts for two and four axle trucks to complete its MULTILIFT Optima product range.

Sustainability has arrived in Supply Chain Management

Posted on by David Priestman

Sustainability in supply chain management remains a hot topic despite the Covid-19 pandemic.The results of a recent study by consulting firm Miebach Consulting GmbH suggest that a successful turnaround towards sustainability can be achieved if consumers first rethink and transform this new way of thinking into action and demand.

Nevertheless, according to Thorsten Gensmer, Director, Miebach Consulting, companies should not sit back: “Those who think ahead now and lay the foundation for sustainable business activities can profit greatly from the newly developing market. Collective actions with a complete cradle-to-cradle approach are necessary for greater climate protection goals in the supply chain. The high level of planned initiatives shows that this can already be worthwhile now! ”

These are the results of the current sustainability study by Miebach Consulting. In mid-2020, the international supply chain consultancy examined which strategies and measures companies are taking to make supply chains sustainable – and to what extent sustainability and corporate goals can be combined.

277 companies took part in the global online study, including an unusually high proportion of managing directors (18%), which illustrates the importance and strategic significance of the topic.

The motivation for sustainability

With regard to the most recent and the next planned initiative, the majority of respondents cited an improvement in efficiency with an average of 14%, or a cost reduction with an average of 15% as motivation. This is followed by topics such as CO2 reduction (7%), green packaging or the reduction of plastics in general (7%). Sustainable measures based on ecological or social motivation, such as employee health and safety (1%) or environmental protection (1%), are rarely mentioned.

Sustainability in supply chain management is gaining in importance

The surveyed companies have implemented an average of 16 sustainability initiatives in their companies. For the future, however, the surveyed companies plan to almost double (+97%) the number of sustainable initiatives already implemented within the next few years. This suggests that sustainability in supply chain management will gain in importance.

High resource input and complexity discourage

In general, sustainable initiatives are considered less attractive if they require a high level of resource input, such as the development of reverse logistics, which is rated at just 4.2 out of 10 points. Even already complex topics, such as network planning, which is rated 4.6, are perceived as less important. Therefore, resource-saving and relatively simple measures are generally preferred.

Miebach is a gloabl supply chain consultancy firm, operating in over 20 offices and has developed its presence in the UK in the last few years.

Sustainability has arrived in Supply Chain Management

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Sustainability in supply chain management remains a hot topic despite the Covid-19 pandemic.The results of a recent study by consulting firm Miebach Consulting GmbH suggest that a successful turnaround towards sustainability can be achieved if consumers first rethink and transform this new way of thinking into action and demand.

Nevertheless, according to Thorsten Gensmer, Director, Miebach Consulting, companies should not sit back: “Those who think ahead now and lay the foundation for sustainable business activities can profit greatly from the newly developing market. Collective actions with a complete cradle-to-cradle approach are necessary for greater climate protection goals in the supply chain. The high level of planned initiatives shows that this can already be worthwhile now! ”

These are the results of the current sustainability study by Miebach Consulting. In mid-2020, the international supply chain consultancy examined which strategies and measures companies are taking to make supply chains sustainable – and to what extent sustainability and corporate goals can be combined.

277 companies took part in the global online study, including an unusually high proportion of managing directors (18%), which illustrates the importance and strategic significance of the topic.

The motivation for sustainability

With regard to the most recent and the next planned initiative, the majority of respondents cited an improvement in efficiency with an average of 14%, or a cost reduction with an average of 15% as motivation. This is followed by topics such as CO2 reduction (7%), green packaging or the reduction of plastics in general (7%). Sustainable measures based on ecological or social motivation, such as employee health and safety (1%) or environmental protection (1%), are rarely mentioned.

Sustainability in supply chain management is gaining in importance

The surveyed companies have implemented an average of 16 sustainability initiatives in their companies. For the future, however, the surveyed companies plan to almost double (+97%) the number of sustainable initiatives already implemented within the next few years. This suggests that sustainability in supply chain management will gain in importance.

High resource input and complexity discourage

In general, sustainable initiatives are considered less attractive if they require a high level of resource input, such as the development of reverse logistics, which is rated at just 4.2 out of 10 points. Even already complex topics, such as network planning, which is rated 4.6, are perceived as less important. Therefore, resource-saving and relatively simple measures are generally preferred.

Miebach is a gloabl supply chain consultancy firm, operating in over 20 offices and has developed its presence in the UK in the last few years.

UK logistics Sector Deals Increase in Q3 of 2020

Posted on by David Priestman

In Q3 deal activity in the UK logistics sector increased, despite year-to-date deal volume being significantly lower than the previous year.

Transaction volumes in the UK logistics sector in Q3 increased by 12.5%, with a quarter of deals being cross border, according to the latest report from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP.

The ‘UK & Ireland M&A Update – Q3 2020’ report revealed that nine deals were completed from July to the end of September 2020 (eight in Q2 2020), with deal value ‘jumping off the scale’ in Q3 thanks to two significant transactions.

Aggregate disclosed deal value in the third quarter sat at £1.452 billion, £1,321 billion higher than the value recorded between April and June 2020 (£131 million). This value was driven by the £900 million acquisition by Advent International of the Hermes Parcelnet and Hermes Germany operations from Otto Group, together with the £420 million acquisition by Compania Logistica de Hidrocarburos CLH S.A. of 15 storage terminals from Inter Terminals Limited, with these larger deals reflecting the appetite for market leadership and opportunity for operational performance benefits in scale.

Interestingly, trade deals in Q3 made up two-thirds of transactions, with private equity in the UK and US continuing to show interest in the domestic market, such as the recent acquisitions by Advent International and Palatine Private Equity’s investment in NRG Fleet Services Ltd. The high level of available ‘investment ready’ funds across private equity means investors are actively engaged, searching out both niche and disruptive growth opportunities.

The report also highlighted that the BDO Logistics FTSE Index bounced back to levels 11% ahead of where the index started in July 2019, reflecting the recent recognition of the sector’s role at the forefront of keeping the economy moving. In comparison, the FTSE All Share Index was down 22% over that period.

Jason Whitworth, M&A partner at BDO LLP (pictured), explained: “There remains a strong sense of caution across the market. However, there are signs that trade buyers and investors are starting to see opportunities to generate value, and this is reflected in an increase in Q3 M&A activity. Although deal volume to date, at 33 deals, is significantly down on the previous year’s 47 deals, there continues to be strong activity from key operators.”

He added: “As with previous downturns, there has to be a degree of vigilance as the economic impact of the pandemic continues to unfold. However, operators are proving to be exceptionally robust and resilient as they adapt, with a number delivering strong growth. What is encouraging is that market sentiment shows there is still appetite for acquisitions in the forthcoming months, particularly to support the changing demands of the economic landscape and the opportunities and challenges it presents

UK logistics Sector Deals Increase in Q3 of 2020

Posted on by Keith McKinley

In Q3 deal activity in the UK logistics sector increased, despite year-to-date deal volume being significantly lower than the previous year.

Transaction volumes in the UK logistics sector in Q3 increased by 12.5%, with a quarter of deals being cross border, according to the latest report from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP.

The ‘UK & Ireland M&A Update – Q3 2020’ report revealed that nine deals were completed from July to the end of September 2020 (eight in Q2 2020), with deal value ‘jumping off the scale’ in Q3 thanks to two significant transactions.

Aggregate disclosed deal value in the third quarter sat at £1.452 billion, £1,321 billion higher than the value recorded between April and June 2020 (£131 million). This value was driven by the £900 million acquisition by Advent International of the Hermes Parcelnet and Hermes Germany operations from Otto Group, together with the £420 million acquisition by Compania Logistica de Hidrocarburos CLH S.A. of 15 storage terminals from Inter Terminals Limited, with these larger deals reflecting the appetite for market leadership and opportunity for operational performance benefits in scale.

Interestingly, trade deals in Q3 made up two-thirds of transactions, with private equity in the UK and US continuing to show interest in the domestic market, such as the recent acquisitions by Advent International and Palatine Private Equity’s investment in NRG Fleet Services Ltd. The high level of available ‘investment ready’ funds across private equity means investors are actively engaged, searching out both niche and disruptive growth opportunities.

The report also highlighted that the BDO Logistics FTSE Index bounced back to levels 11% ahead of where the index started in July 2019, reflecting the recent recognition of the sector’s role at the forefront of keeping the economy moving. In comparison, the FTSE All Share Index was down 22% over that period.

Jason Whitworth, M&A partner at BDO LLP (pictured), explained: “There remains a strong sense of caution across the market. However, there are signs that trade buyers and investors are starting to see opportunities to generate value, and this is reflected in an increase in Q3 M&A activity. Although deal volume to date, at 33 deals, is significantly down on the previous year’s 47 deals, there continues to be strong activity from key operators.”

He added: “As with previous downturns, there has to be a degree of vigilance as the economic impact of the pandemic continues to unfold. However, operators are proving to be exceptionally robust and resilient as they adapt, with a number delivering strong growth. What is encouraging is that market sentiment shows there is still appetite for acquisitions in the forthcoming months, particularly to support the changing demands of the economic landscape and the opportunities and challenges it presents

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