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DHL Supply Chain Passes 500 Million Picks using AMRs

Posted on by David Priestman

Locus Robotics, a leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for fulfillment warehouses, has announced that its valued customer, DHL Supply Chain reached the milestone of 500 million picks accomplished using Locus’ innovative LocusBot robots. This achievement underscores the transformative impact of Locus’ AMR technology on productivity and operational efficiency at an unprecedented scale.

The historic 500 millionth pick occurred on May 18, 2024, at DHL’s Toledo, Spain facility, where a LocusBot retrieved a consumer home goods product. While it took 2.5 years for DHL to reach the first 10 million picks, the next 100 million picks were accomplished in just 28 months. Remarkably, the last 100 million picks took a mere 154 days. Attaining this milestone exemplifies the power of human-robot collaboration and the exponential growth of the technology, with LocusBots seamlessly augmenting DHL’s human workforce to deliver unparalleled performance.

“At DHL, we are relentlessly focused on driving innovation and operational excellence through our Accelerated Digitalization strategy aimed at deploying automated solutions at scale,” said Sally Miller, Chief Information Officer at DHL Supply Chain. “Locus Robotics has been a trusted partner in this effort and this milestone achievement underscores the improved productivity, accuracy, and employee ergonomics we’ve enjoyed across our global network.”

With LocusBots deployed at more than 35 DHL-managed sites worldwide, the partnership between the two companies continues to thrive, setting new benchmarks for efficiency and performance in the logistics industry.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this momentous achievement with our esteemed partner, DHL Supply Chain,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics. “Their unwavering commitment to innovation and their trust in our LocusBot solution have been instrumental in attaining this remarkable milestone. We are proud to play a pivotal role in DHL’s ongoing success and look forward to many more milestones as we continue our collaboration.”

Locus Robotics’ multi-bot solution incorporates powerful and AI-driven, intelligent AMRs that operate collaboratively with human workers, dramatically improving productivity while reducing labour requirements compared to traditional fulfillment systems. This award-winning technology helps solve challenges faced by companies across multiple industries, including labor shortages, inefficient processes, and the need to meet ever-increasing throughput demands.

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Locus picks 230m units during holiday peak

 

Implementation of Racking at Swedish Sports Warehouse

Posted on by David Priestman

Rudells Lagerinredningar, official distributor of AR Racking in Sweden, is proud to announce the successful completion of a key racking installation project for the new MM Sports warehouse in Gothenburg. This project has been efficiently and professionally carried out, meeting the very highest quality and safety standards.

The warehouse, covering 7000 m², has been fully equipped with pallet racking, with a capacity for 7560 pallets. The installation was completed in 4 weeks, with a team of 4 people, led by Erik Rudell from Rudells Lagerinredningar. This implementation was crucial for MM Sports, one of the largest suppliers of dietary supplements in the Nordic region.

MM Sports, based in Gothenburg, Sweden, has stood out in the market since its beginnings in 2002, offering a wide range of products from sportswear through to high quality supplements. Its commitment to quality, service and fast delivery has been key to its success.

The project at the new warehouse of MM Sports presented specific challenges which were addressed with adapted solutions. The racking, with 10.5 metre-high structures, was designed to support loads of up to 650 kg on the first level and 400 kg on the remaining levels. Back stops were installed for pallets on all levels, as well as protections for the uprights and frames, ensuring the safety and integrity of the stored goods.

Implementation of Racking

“The close collaboration between AR Racking, our distributor Rudells Lagerinredningar and the end customer, MM Sports, was key to the successful completion of this project. We are committed to offering storage solutions that meet our customers’ specific needs and that guarantee maximum efficiency in their logistics operations”, said Alberto de la Puente, project leader from AR Racking.

AR Racking is part of Grupo Arania, an industrial group of companies with extensive experience and scope, and with a multi-sectoral activity based on the transformation of steel that dates back more than 80 years. AR Racking provides the market with a wide range of solutions with high certified quality standards and a comprehensive project management service. AR Racking’s industrial storage systems stand out for their innovation, reliability and optimum efficiency.

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Development of Modern Warehouse in Sweden

 

Turnkey Solution Maximises Space at new Warehouse

Posted on by David Priestman

Launched in 1989 as an export freight forwarder, impressive and consistent organic growth combined with several strategic acquisitions has seen Hemisphere Freight Services Ltd evolve in to one of the UK’s largest, independently owned supply chain solutions specialists.

To keep pace with demand for the extensive range of logistics services it provides, Hemisphere recently announced the addition to its property portfolio of a 243,000 sq ft new-build warehouse facility within the Port One Logistics Park development, which is located just outside Ipswich.

And, following a competitive tender process, Toyota Material Handling was awarded the contract to oversee the design and build of the new unit’s racking and storage scheme from start to finish. In addition, Toyota has supplied the fleet of forklift trucks that operates within the new unit and will provide ongoing truck service and maintenance support to ensure that the machines always deliver optimum performance.

“The fact that Toyota could provide a turnkey solution that included supplying a full range of materials handling equipment, designing and constructing our racking system and project managing the installation through the build cycle was very attractive,” explains Hemisphere Freight Services Ltd Director, Craig Perrin. “The term ‘one-stop-shop’ is something of a cliché, but Toyota really did take care of everything. Working with a single-source supplier has several distinct advantages. For example, having one point of contact allowed us to reduce the amount of management time we had to dedicate to the project considerably.

“But, perhaps more importantly, dealing with a ‘turnkey’ partner for the handling equipment and the racking instead of two independent companies, means there is no possibility of an ‘issue’ arising because of a disagreement or misunderstanding between the racking and forklift providers during the fit-out phase of the installation or, indeed, at some point in the future,” Perrin adds.

After consulting with the company’s operations management to get a full understanding of the client’s needs, Toyota decided that a very narrow aisle (VNA) racking configuration – which achieves maximum storage space by simply narrowing the facility’s aisle widths – was clearly the best option for Hemisphere Freight. Toyota was able to design a VNA racking cube that provided a staggering 1800 more pallet locations than any of the other schemes put forward during the tender process by cutting out ‘dead space’ and carefully considering the ideal location within the racking scheme for lift trucks to move between aisles.

“Essentially, Hemisphere Freight wanted a storage system that maximises the new site’s pallet capacity and delivers the flexibility required to cope with the different weight, size and shape of the products that its clients need to store,” says Chris Tarrant, Toyota Material Handling UK’s Storage Solutions Specialist.

The new racking scheme not only meets the company’s present requirements, but it has been designed to be compatible with any significant changes in the nature of the goods stored at the facility without the need to make potentially costly and time-consuming remedial work. Each individual bay on every level within the storage scheme is 3.6 metres wide. This allows an infinitely variable combination of standard-size or Euro-size pallets to be put away within each bay and means costly ‘dead space’ is eliminated throughout the store.

“The design and installation of pallet racking is a significant part of Toyota’s business, but unlike companies whose sole focus is on racking and shelving systems we are not motivated by the need to sell the biggest quantity of metal or make money from the future supply of spare rack parts or racking repairs,” explains Tarrant. “Our single incentive is to deliver the optimum solution for the client. This means getting the ideal number of aisles and the most appropriate aisle widths for the type of products stored and the materials handling equipment deployed and ensuring transfer aisles are sited in the best place,” he adds.

The VNA racking is served by a fleet of Toyota Vector VCE150A articulated man-up combi trucks. Part of Toyota’s extensive range of very narrow aisle warehouse machines, the Vector VCE150A model’s clear open fronted design makes it an ideal machine for pallet handling in high-density warehouses and distribution centres, such as Hemisphere Freight’s new facility.

The forklift’s unique articulated steering system provides excellent manoeuvrability both outside the aisles and, importantly, during the aisle transfer process. In fact, the VCE150A’s ability to pick up and turn pallets in areas where space is highly restricted means it is the only VNA model on the market capable of transferring pallets between the aisles at Hemisphere Freight and therefore the only VNA forklift that enables the extra pallet space delivered by Toyota’s clever racking scheme to be utilised to maximum effect.

Fleet management

The VNA truck fleet is connected to Toyota’s I_Site fleet management tool. I-Site uses Telematics technology to enable each truck to become a communications device capable of transmitting valuable data regarding a forklift’s performance to Hemisphere Freight Services’ management team. For example, any underutilised vehicles or unused capacity will be flagged up so trucks can be swapped around to improve their usage rate and ensure maximum efficiency.

The solution also includes the Toyota Navigation System. This links to Hemisphere Freight’s WMS and provides semi-automated positioning for trucks, maximizing speed to location within the operation and reducing errors in the location of pallets. Hemisphere Freight Services takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously. The company is committed to reducing carbon in the supply chain and, with all the electricity needed to operate the site generated by PV solar panel roofing, the new warehouse will be one of the first carbon neutral logistics facilities in East Anglia.

This meant that energy efficiency was a significant influence on the choice of lift trucks for the new store. Powered by lithium-ion batteries Toyota’s VCE150A delivers class-leading energy performance. The trucks can operate at high intensity for up to five hours on a single hour’s recharge and the power supply can be topped up by simply plugging in to any of the compatible chargers.

This more efficient charging regime means there is no requirement for battery change and removes the need for a dedicated battery charging room. The key benefits that come with this are the freeing up of additional storage space and the environmental benefits of zero emissions and reduced CO2 emissions especially combined with solar energy.

Perrin sums up: “Opening this additional warehouse will enable us to store more products, fulfil orders more efficiently and generally take the headache of logistics away from our clients by providing first-class infrastructure and logistics services that are backed up by a brilliant team of logistics experts. We are determined to play an active part in the growth of the warehousing sector and help drive industry standards up for the benefit of existing and future customers.”

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Industry View: Getting Full Value from Very Narrow Aisle Layouts

 

Hörmann Transdek launch range of Scissor Lifts

Posted on by David Priestman

A new range of scissor lifts has been launched by Hörmann Transdek which are ideal for loading bay areas, especially in the retail sector where space can be restricted. The new range provides a fast, efficient, and safe way to load and unload trailers with bed heights up to 1590 mm. Suitable for serving vehicles at traditional docks or level access bays, Hörmann Transdek scissor lifts can also be used for moving goods between split levels in factories and warehouses.

Serving both internal and external locations, the unique low profile design scissor lifts are primarily designed to be surface mounted which means there is no need for expensive pits or civils works on site. This reduces costs and unnecessary disruption for the customer and allows for rapid installation, which can be achieved in under one day. The range is available in two sizes: 6 or 9-cage variants offering lifting capacities of up to 3000 Kg, covered pod options can also be provided for external applications.

The lifts are fitted with a gas sprung heavy duty bridge plate which ensures safe and precise bridging between the platform and the trailer, whilst a hydraulic, fixed lead-on ramp with a low gradient provides easy, safe access at ground level. The lifts are operated via a simple set of hand-held controls, from either ground level or within the platform to offer greater flexibility for any application.

CE marked and built in conformity with EN1570 and the Machinery Directive, Hörmann Transdek scissor lifts are built for a lifetime of robust and safe operation. Designed with operator safety as a priority, a range of safety features have been incorporated, including a curtain to prevent access under the platform when it is in a raised position, electronic safety edges fitted around the lift table, a sliding personnel gate and fall protection gates with robust locking mechanisms.

James MacDonald, Business Development Manager for Hörmann Transdek comments, “Our new range of UK manufactured scissor lifts simply remove the headaches logistic professionals face when it comes to lifting and moving goods around their network. They provide a rugged, safe and reliable operation whether loading/unloading vehicles or lifting goods between split levels. Their rapid installation together with their optimal flexibility offer logistics and warehousing operators a truly cost-effective solution for their material and goods handling needs.

“Whilst we expect that the majority of scissor lifts that will be supplied into the market will be surface-mounted, with our unique design we can easily install these into existing pits to accommodate every application. At Transdek we provide the engineering skills and project management expertise to facilitate any site-specific needs and deliver tailored solutions as required, our doors are always open, and we actively encourage clients to visit our UK factory to further see how we can help them.”

To demonstrate the fast and effective operation of the Hörmann Transdek scissor lift the company has produced a short video which is available to view here.

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New Scissor Lift Table Adds Value and Peace of Mind

 

Average Warehouse Loses from Hidden Productivity Killer

Posted on by David Priestman

StayLinked’s research report, titled ‘Dropped Sessions – The Hidden Productivity Killer’, is the first to explore the impact of dropped sessions with those directly involved in warehouse operations: the warehouse worker. Dropped sessions occur when the connection is lost between a worker’s mobile device and the warehouse management system (WMS). The report reveals that over 30% of workers experience a dropped session at least once per hour. Each worker incurs an average of 50 minutes of lost productivity per day resolving dropped sessions. The average cost of dropped sessions per worker, per day is £13.02. For a warehouse with 50 workers this equates to £650.91a day and £162,727.61 a year.

In the majority of warehouses, dropped sessions are deemed to be a standard occurrence that workers simply endure. However, the impact goes further than simply productivity. Workers often lose all access to the workflow task they were in the process of completing, which can include the associated data. Resolving the issue often requires them to login again and repeat the task – or even swap their device for a new one – increasing the risk of missed service level agreements (SLAs) and financial penalties.

“Dropped sessions cost warehouses significant amounts in lost profitability. That’s what this report, which is the first look at the impact of dropped sessions from a warehouse worker’s perspective, tells the market,” said Justin Griffith, chief technology officer, StayLinked. “It also reveals that warehouse operations managers are not fully aware that dropped sessions are a single identifiable problem that is impacting efficiency, driving up hidden costs, and eating away at the bottom line.”

These hidden costs around dropped sessions don’t just affect warehouse workers. For example, StayLinked’s report reveals that 33% of warehouse workers said they need to enlist the help of costly and valuable IT support to regain connectivity.

“Warehouse managers may have overlooked dropped sessions as being a prolific productivity killer because ‘dropped sessions’ is not a term used by warehouse workers when experiencing connection issues,” continued Griffith. “Workers refer to program crash, black screen, system crash, power failure, glitch, mobile device outage, and many other descriptions, which makes it challenging for warehouse managers to identify dropped sessions as being the major cause of workflow disruptions.”

The report also revealed that warehouse managers and workers alike often regard dropped sessions as ‘inevitable’, ‘part of the job’ and ‘that’s just how terminal emulation (TE) software works’ – terminal emulation software is used by over half of warehouses around the world. Worryingly, for mobile device manufacturers, 47% of respondents believe that dropped sessions are caused by the hardware.

“Our report shows the importance of raising awareness among warehouse operations managers that dropped sessions shouldn’t be a regular daily disruption to worker productivity, and are not caused by the mobile device hardware,” added Griffith. “The deployment of the right TE software delivers session persistence by enabling the worker’s workflow session to reside on a resident server and not on the worker’s mobile device. This ensures that if connectivity issues arise, connectivity to the WMS and the resulting data is not lost, even in 5G and private-5G network environments.”

“I don’t think any supply chain organisation or warehouse operator can afford not to address dropped sessions. For the average warehouse employing 50 workers, their bottom line could be boosted by over £160,000,” stated Griffith. “From our calculations if dropped sessions were eliminated throughout the entire industry £700 million could be saved.”

A copy of the report: ‘Dropped Sessions – The Hidden Productivity Killer’, can be downloaded here

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Navigating the Loading Bay’s Hidden Risks

 

Bulldoor Addresses Extreme Weather Challenges

Posted on by David Priestman

Union Industries, a leading manufacturer of bespoke high-speed industrial doors, has helped LoneStar Leeds Limited, a provider of precision engineered components, sealing technologies and specialised coatings and plating reduce costs and improve efficiency through the triple installation of its Bulldoor.

Union Industries was first approached by LoneStar in 2023 and was subsequently tasked with providing solutions for site enhancement projects at its facilities, primarily on doorways frequently accessed by forklift trucks for deliveries and stock movement. The three Bulldoors were designated for deployment across LoneStar’s two sites in Leeds.

Headquartered in the West Midlands, UK, and employing more than 1,000 people across 13 sites, LoneStar Group has proven itself in global logistics. It utilises a worldwide network of its own manufacturing and distribution operations, as well as primary supply sources, to supply and support customers in America, Europe, the Middle East, Central and South East Asia and Australia with precision engineered components

The primary objective was to mitigate heat loss within the premises, thereby reducing energy expenditure and improving the company’s ECG performance. The existing roller shutters and sectional overhead security doors, characterised by slow operational speeds, often remained open, resulting in substantial heat dissipation and increased energy consumption, especially during harsh weather conditions.

Union Industries developed tailored solutions for each opening, including reducing the opening size of a large doorway to curtail heat loss while maintaining optimal clear opening sizes to suit LoneStar’s requirements. Additionally, it crafted a door to fit within tight spatial constraints without compromising operational functionality. Importantly, all three doors seamlessly integrated with existing security measures, ensuring comprehensive site security post working hours.

Like other doors in their range, Bulldoor also benefits from Union’s simple yet proven ‘Crash Out and Auto-Reset’ facility, in case of vehicle impact to the bottom beam, thus ensuring minimal downtime and repair costs.

Rob Howe, Technical Sales Engineer at Union Industries, said: “We take pride in delivering tailored solutions that address our clients’ unique challenges. The successful installation of our Bulldoors at LoneStar underscores our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.”

Gemma Juniper, HR & HSE Manager at LoneStar Leeds, said: “The installation of Union’s doors was a pivotal step in our journey toward environmentally focused improvements across our company portfolio. The comprehensive heat loss payback report highlighted not only the potential cost savings but also the tangible benefits of enhanced energy efficiency.”

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Union Industries increases stock levels

 

Plastic Recycling Targets Set

Posted on by David Priestman

goplasticpallets.com has reaffirmed its position as the responsible plastic pallet company after smashing its long-term recycling targets two years ahead of schedule. The business exceeded its original goal to recycle more than 1,500 tonnes of plastic by 2025, and now plans to hit 5,000 tonnes by the end of the decade.

The Eastbourne-based company – one of the UK’s leading providers of sustainable plastic pallets and boxes – has been on a long-term mission to create responsible supply chains through a number of initiatives. This included the launch of a first-of-its-kind recycling scheme in 2019, which aims to help other businesses recycle plastic by collecting and transporting it from the UK to its recycling centre in Belgium.

The original target was to recycle 1,500 tonnes of plastic by the end of next year, which was surpassed by the end of 2023. In response to this success, goplasticpallets.com is now committed to recycling a whopping 5,000 tonnes by 2030 – and they have already made great strides in the first half of 2024. This year alone, the company has recycled 74 tonnes, bringing the overall total to 1,591, the equivalent of 280 truckloads.

As part of its commitment to promote a circular economy, goplasticpallets.com promises to collect and recycle all plastic pallets and boxes at the end of their service lives – regardless of who supplied them. In addition, 93% of the innovative products the business supplies are made from 100% recycled plastic.

Jim Hardisty, Managing Director of goplasticpallets.com, said: “It is clear that our commitment to sustainability has resonated deeply within our industry and beyond. Surpassing our initial recycling targets ahead of schedule is a testament to the collective efforts of our team, partners, and customers, who share our vision for a more responsible and sustainable future. Looking ahead, we are not just raising our targets; we are raising the bar for what is possible in plastic recycling. Our new goal of 5,000 tonnes by the end of the decade is ambitious, but with the continued support and dedication of everyone involved, we are confident in our ability to achieve it and drive meaningful change in supply chains across the UK.”

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Industry View: Plastic Pallet Supplier Looks to the Future

 

Registration Now Open for AntwerpXL 2024

Posted on by David Priestman

Easyfairs has officially opened registration for this year’s exclusive AntwerpXL (AXL) event at the Antwerp Expo in Belgium, taking place from 8 October to 10th 2024. This year is expected to be bigger and better than ever, with over 80% of the exhibition space already sold and over 94% of last year’s attendees expressing their intent to return. The premier conference and exhibition is a key maritime and logistics event dedicated exclusively to the breakbulk, project cargo, heavy lift and Ro-Ro sectors. Responding to our attendees’ survey last year, we have extended the opening hours and added a closing party for even more networking opportunities.

Last year, AXL attracted over 3,800 members of the breakbulk community from 66 countries. This event provides a unique opportunity for attendees to showcase innovative technology, overcome industry challenges and build relationships based on trust. Participants have the chance to network, create valuable connections and learn from industry leaders, making it a vital event for those involved in the breakbulk, project cargo and heavy lift sectors.

This year’s exhibition will welcome several industry giants, including S&P Global, Rebel Group and Hitachi Energy, who will drive the main deck conference stage programme. The panels will delve into critical sectoral issues and key topics, including decarbonisation, fuels of the future, market updates, trends and strategies for attracting the next generation of professionals. These sessions are key for anyone looking to drive progress and innovation within their business.

The 2024 edition will also focus more on the RoRo market. “With the industry facing multiple challenges, including port congestion, fire hazards surrounding electric vehicles, and permitting challenges, AXL is the perfect opportunity for the sector to come together to try and address these,” explains Margaret Dunn, AXL’s portfolio director.

“We look forward to welcoming car, high and heavy and other vehicle manufacturers to the show. Across the three days, they will have the time they need to discuss their current environmental, geopolitical and regulatory concerns and build relationships with RoRocarriers and ports across the globe.”

A special drinks reception will also be hosted at the event for the AXL 40 Under 40 campaign winners, celebrating their significant contributions and underscoring AXL commitment to nurturing the next generation of industry innovators and leaders. The AXL 40 under 40 accolade honours the best, brightest, and bravest young professionals who have demonstrated exceptional potential or achieved remarkable success, positioning them as the rising stars of the breakbulk and heavy lift industry.

This year, attendees can also participate in the 54th Business Run, a unique event that combines running, networking, and charity. Participants can choose between a 4K or 9K run around the beautiful city of Antwerp, making it an excellent opportunity to give back while forging valuable connections.

The logistics manager from ArcelorMittal commented on AXL success in 2023: “We met all the right people at the right time; it was great quality, and we will definitely be attending this year’s event.” The logistics manager from Ferrum NV agreed, “We enjoyed attending AXL and will definitely be coming back this year; it was a great networking event.”

Register here for more information and to visit or Exhibit at AXL 2024

AXL was first held in 2019 and quickly became a key event in the maritime and logistics calendar. After its successful inaugural edition, the exhibition continued to grow despite interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returning stronger in subsequent years. The event is strategically located in Antwerp, home to one of the largest ports in Europe, making it an ideal venue for an exhibition focused on breakbulk and project cargo. AXL returns in 2024 to bring the breakbulk community together again to showcase innovative technology, overcome industry challenges, and build trust-based relationships.

Venue Antwerp expo Opening times:

08 October 2024 16:00 – 20:00
09 October 2024 10:00 – 20:00
10 October 2024 10:00 – 16:00

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Bigger & Better: AntwerpXL ’23

 

Automation Lifecycle Management

Posted on by David Priestman

Joe Morris (pictured) played a pivotal role in the success of TJ Morris, trading as Home Bargains. In this interview, by Kirsty Adams, he discusses his new company, ARMS Innovations, which is revolutionising the approach to asset lifecycle management. We also cover important trends impacting UK retail.

Where did the idea for ARMS Innovations come from?

Joe Morris (JM): “TJ Morris was an early adopter of automation. I’m an engineer who came from a robotics background and was eager to introduce automation when I joined my brother’s business as Operations Director in 2000. To me, ‘owning’ the automation — managing the engineers who maintained the equipment ourselves — was crucial. It meant that we, rather than the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), had full visibility of the system data. This ethos has heavily influenced the ARMS Innovations approach.

“The ARMS Innovations story begins with the software —a task management system—developed by Jonathan Lane, who, at the time, was the Engineering Manager at the Amesbury TJ Morris site.
Jonathan created software solutions and a system that, instead of sending errors to a control room, triaged them automatically, directly to the engineers. Once digitised, a new engineer, via mobile handset, has all the information required to carry out their job, as efficiently as an engineer that has worked with the equipment for 10 years or more.”

And how did it help improve the TJ Morris Operation?

JM: “Digitising tasks enables efficiency improvements of 10-20% in automation, control room, facilities, cleaning, contractor, and operational functions. The total labour saving for TJ Morris was £1,800,000 per annum, per site. The continuous improvement journey, over time, brings a 5-10% improvement in system availability. For TJ Morris the 5% improvement achieved equated to £170 million per year in extra capacity. Fully digitising these tasks is a big job, but there is big payback and benefits. Following the success of the system at TJ Morris, we launched ARMS Innovations in 2022. Now, the system is being rolled out to warehouse operators, including major UK retailers. We also provide the onsite engineering teams for customers.”

What trends are significantly impacting the UK retail sector?

JM: “E-commerce has added instability to retail operations. It demands perfection, which adds a lot of pressure to the operation and demands very high system availability. You need to have the people and systems in place to get it right the first time. That’s why you automate, that’s why you have no option but to digitise. A second trend is the loss of ready and keen labour. Prior to Brexit the retail industry became complacent, the abundant supply of labour made it much easier. But many of those people have now left the UK, labour costs are rising rapidly, driven by double digit minimum wage inflation, so the only way to get the product out of the door is to automate.”

Ok, what about the early adopters who are eager to extend the life of their assets?

JM: “The typical life of an automated distribution centre is 15-20 years. If you can extend this by 5-10 years, you can achieve a 30-50% extra return on investment. Early adopters of automation are facing this challenge now. Current investors in automation will face this challenge in the future. They need to think about it now. As well as its software, ARMS has developed a documented process for asset lifecycle management, the ARMS QMS (Quality Management System), to cover all of the process required to design, build and operate a highly automated distribution system.”

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Witron to Design and Build DC for Fast-Growing UK Retailer

 

Certifications Enhance Trade and Compliance

Posted on by David Priestman

Third-party logistics (3PL) provider Kammac has been awarded both the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and the Fulfilment House Due Diligence Scheme (FHDDS) certifications, underscoring the company’s commitment to secure, efficient, and compliant supply chain services.

The AEO certification, endorsed by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), aims to improve international supply chain security and trade efficiency. Recognised in over 70 countries, certification holders work together to reduce customs restrictions and enhance cross-border trade operations.

As an AEO certified company, Kammac now benefits from prioritised customs procedures, enabling faster and more efficient import and export processes, including filings, inspections, and clearances.

“Achieving AEO status following HM Revenue and Custom’s (HMRC) rigorous six-month approval process marks a significant milestone for us,” said Leanne Lidell (pictured), Director of Compliance at Kammac. “The certification ensures simplified customs clearances and priority handling, meaning we can offer our customers more streamlined and reliable logistics services.”

In response to the needs of a long-standing global beverage client, Kammac initially attained AEO certification for its Wavertree site. Since then, all 15 sites have been included, further enhancing collaboration with global customers who require AEO status. The company joins its sister companies within the Elanders Group in 2023 who also are AEO certified, providing a powerful network to existing and new clients.

“With our global footprint, our AEO certification facilitates seamless collaboration with fellow members, strengthening the service we can offer to clients,” said Lidell. “This certification bolsters logistics, particularly vital for UK-bound goods amidst the post-Brexit landscape.”

Alongside AEO, Kammac’s commitment to ensuring compliance across its operations has been further underscored with certification gained under the Fulfilment House Due Diligence Scheme (FHDDS). This not only demonstrates Kammac’s adherence to stringent UK regulations but also signifies its capability to legally store goods for non-EU sellers, thus expanding its market reach and enhancing business opportunities.

Ged Carabini, CEO at Kammac, is delighted with the potential these certifications provide. “Achieving both AEO status and the FHDDS scheme gives our clients the confidence that Kammac delivers the highest quality service,” he said. “These certifications not only show our commitment to compliance but also signify our ongoing investment in supporting global supply chains for our clients, further strengthening Kammac’s role within the Elanders Group.”

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Advanced Supply Chain awarded EU AEO certification

 

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