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Automation Technology the Key in Ecommerce

Posted on by David Priestman

Geodis VP of Engineering, Antoine Pretin, says that technology is rapidly becoming a key success factor in ecommerce logistics. Speaking at the Deliver Europe conference in Amsterdam, Pretin said automation is better than manual handling because costs are controlled after installation, whereas labour costs can rise, as they are now, thereby impacting the running costs of the warehouse.

“Automation increase accuracy and quality,” he said. “In automated distribution centres you need a strong and stable team, but less training and management. Square metre optimisation is achieved by using the full height of the building.” Employee satisfaction can also be good, he argued, as automation and robots are considered to be both fun and safe.

“The length of a third party logistics operator’s contract must match the investment and payment for technology,” he advises, “or you can rent robots. Larger DC system integrations can take two years to complete as materials handling suppliers are very busy.”

Pretin says that shared user warehouse facilities are very challenging. His preference is for standardisation, i.e. all Geodis warehouses would be the same, with the same technology. “I prefer to have one AMR or AGV supplier, so they can be moved from site-to-site if required.” There are around 250 suppliers currently.

ROI

“It’s all about customer-orientated solutions,” he emphasised, “we start with an understanding of what the customer does, then design the facility and project accordingly. Offering flexibility is important in ecommerce, for example in being able to reduce the number of cartons.”

What about the return on investment of automation? “Automation prices are rising. ROI varies depending on the number of shifts operated. But when you can’t hire staff there’s no alternative to automation and AMRs. I expect costs to fall as we get to mass uptake.”

 

Reduce Packaging Innovation Day

Posted on by David Priestman

CID23, the 10th edition of CMC Innovation Day, took place last Thursday, June 22nd. Organized annually by CMC Packaging Automation, a company in the portfolio of KKR Global Impact Fund and supported by Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, this event has become a tradition in the on-demand packaging sector. The event was held at CMC’s headquarters in Città di Castello (PG), Italy.

The focus of the event was on nurturing talent within the company, providing a day of study and in-depth analysis to showcase innovations in an industry that has persevered despite recent challenges and discovered opportunities for growth and improvement. The keyword for the day was ‘REDUCE’: reducing waste and minimizing impact while maintaining efficiency and production performance.

CID23 attracted over 150 guests from five continents, representing major eCommerce companies and logistics players. It served as a platform for sharing ideas and best practices regarding the challenges and opportunities in sustainable logistics.

CMC’s initiative demonstrates the importance of establishing a business model that engages and collaborates with the outside world, drawing from new experiences to grow and stay relevant. The underlying theme of the event was the inseparable link between technological and ecological innovation. Leading companies in their respective sectors, including Geox, Kering, Urban Outfitters, and General Motors, shared valuable insights, highlighting the value of automation in B2B and B2C business processes to enhance overall efficiency and performance optimization.

Alessandro di Rita, Head of Engineering at Kering, stated: “Our long-standing strategic partnership with CMC has proven instrumental in achieving our sustainability goals. Thanks to on-demand packaging technology, we have significantly reduced emissions and improved production times, contributing to environmental preservation and achieving greater operational efficiency. CMC Packaging Automation ensures quality and aligns with our brand, providing maximum product protection during transportation. Our continued investment in this partnership showcases the trust we place in CMC to develop even more innovative and efficient solutions for the future”.

Alessandro de Marco, B2C Logistics Manager at Geox, commented: “The international and cross-cutting context in terms of product type and operational area provided an extraordinary opportunity, not only as a testimonial but also to realize that we are key players in addressing the current market and eco-sustainability challenges”.

Brian Horton, Supply Chain Director at Urban Outfitters stated: “It was great being able to share the journey of designing and launching our new highly automated facility that will leverage CMC Genesys. It was also great listening to other customers and industry colleagues regarding their current, but common challenges in the marketplace. My biggest takeaway was simply the reminder that the world’s resources are limited so the importance of Sustainability in packaging and subsequently all across the supply chain, must be a focal point moving forward”.

Francesco Ponti, CEO of CMC, said: “Through innovation and research, CMC Packaging Automation aims to become the global 3D packaging leader, with the ambitious goal of finding new solutions for sustainability. The success of CID23 confirms our ongoing commitment to meeting customer needs and driving innovation in the 3D packaging sector. We will continue to invest in our resources, expertise, and technologies to maintain our leadership position and offer increasingly advanced and sustainable solutions. We are delighted with the attendance and the growing interest and awareness of the importance of our industry. The Innovation Day is a strategic event that cannot be missed”.

Pedro Godinho Ramos, Director of Global Impact at KKR, stated: “Days like CID are a testament to CMC’s ingenuity and pursuit of excellence in sustainability and customer service and are an occasion to celebrate all that our people have achieved. We are extremely grateful for the 150 partners that joined us and follow the journey and all there is to come”.

An innovation strategy rooted in sustainability, supported by numbers, as demonstrated by CMC’s inaugural Sustainability Report, exclusively presented during CID23, showcasing the company’s key accomplishments and future ESG objectives.

In this manner, CMC has raised the bar for innovation, positioning itself as a prominent player in the industry, with the aim of creating a more resilient and future-oriented sector. As part of the event, the complete range of on-demand packaging machines was unveiled, including the new Hybrid Advance and Envelope on-demand products. With this cutting-edge technology, CMC solidifies its position as the unrivaled leader in 3D packaging, capable of automating customized secondary packaging, whether it be boxes, bags, or envelopes.

Through these efforts, CMC remains dedicated to leading the way in innovation within the packaging industry, embracing sustainable solutions that align with global market needs. The CID23 presents an invaluable opportunity to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and collectively shape the future of sustainable packaging and logistics alongside our customers.

Based in Città di Castello (PG), CMC Spa is a private company engaged in the design, production, and sale of innovative solutions and high-tech machinery for mailing, graphic art, e-commerce, and logistics. Founded in 1980, the company has dedicated itself to developing strategies that could transform it into the leading provider of technologies, services, components, and professional technical training. CMC has always been attentive to promptly respond to the changing market demands with creative projects and tailor-made solutions. With the exponential growth of e-commerce reshaping the shipping industry, CMC now assists retailers and logistics companies in optimizing the order fulfillment process and using sustainable, robust, highly personalized, and secure packaging through its popular and award-winning 3D packaging technology, which perfectly adapts to the content of the package.

Smyths Toys Adopts right-size Auto-Packaging

Posted on by David Priestman

Leading toy retailer, Smyths Toys, has implemented Sparck Technologies’ advanced right-size auto-boxing packaging systems to boost throughput for its ecommerce business, installing three Sparck CVP machines at its distribution centre in Corby, Northamptonshire.

Sparck Technologies has provided Smyths Toys with three of its market-leading ‘fit-to-size’ CVP packaging systems – two CVP Impack machines, each capable of forming and sealing up to 500 tailor-made cardboard boxes per hour, along with its latest high-capacity model, the CVP Everest, which can create up to 1100 right-sized boxes every hour.

Smyths Toys has over 100 stores in the UK and a busy website offering an extensive range of toys for all ages, from baby and preschool products to outdoor items and gaming.

The introduction of Sparck Technologies’ CVP auto-boxing machines is part of a major investment into state-of-the-art warehouse automation at the toy retailer’s Corby fulfilment centre, aimed at increasing capacity and improving sustainability. The move will see over 70% of orders packed automatically by Sparck’s CVP machines,

Commenting on the decision to invest in high-speed fit-to-size packaging technology, Stephen Kearney, Warehouse Manager at Smyths Toys, says: “We believe in automation and have invested in advanced technologies where we can see it will bring significant results. We needed to increase throughput for our fast-growing online business and the most obvious means of achieving the performance required, particularly for peak, was to leverage the speed and efficiency of right-size packaging technology.

“Importantly, these packaging systems are highly flexible, capable of producing tailor-made packages at speed, whilst being able to cater for single or multi-item orders with differing product profiles,” he says. “We could also see how fit-to-size packaging would help us further improve our position on sustainability through optimising package size and removing the need for void fill. Sparck’s CVP technology offered us the flexible solution that we were looking for.”

To optimise throughput and minimise waste all three CVP machines supplied to Smyths Toys have dual induct stations and double corrugate feeders for 600 mm and 800 mm card. Advancing environmental performance, paper tape is used for sealing packages, aiding the recycling of cardboard. Installation of the three machines took place in October 2022 in readiness for peak season.

Jo Bradley, Business Development Manager for Sparck Technologies in the UK, says: “We are delighted to be working with one of Europe’s most respected toy retailers and we look forward to developing a close partnership with Smyths Toys, supporting its growth objectives for the future.”

With the capability to tailor-make up to 1,100 boxes per hour, for multiple or single item orders, the CVP Everest and CVP Impack packaging systems offer automated solutions for ecommerce operations challenged by increasing order volumes and growing demands for sustainable packaging solutions. With installations across Europe, the US and Canada, the CVP Automated Packaging Solutions effortlessly create, fill, fold and label each parcel in one seamless process – reducing package volumes by up to 50%, cutting cardboard usage by 30% and eliminating the need for void fill.

Sparck Technologies is a global leader in the design and fabrication of advanced, fit-to-size automated packaging systems for high-volume ecommerce applications – award-winning sustainable packaging solutions that eliminate excessive packaging. We aim to make every parcel our clients send out a brand ambassador for their business. Based in Drachten, The Netherlands, Sparck Technologies supplies some of the world’s largest retail and industrial brands, supporting their ecommerce channels in multiple geographies with market-leading engineering know-how that combines innovation, reliability and unbeatable performance.

Nuremberg LogisticCity: Recycled Paper, not Plastic

Posted on by David Priestman

The LogisticCity in Nuremberg is the logistics centre of the Hoffmann Group, which was put into operation at the end of 2021. As a market-leading partner for quality tools, the company supplies over 135,000 customers worldwide. The increased output of the highly automated LogisticCity led to the evaluation in use of protective void fill cushioning materials. To meet the new requirements of the packaging process, Papier Sprick supplied the PaperJet cushioning system, a demand-oriented and efficient solution.

120,000 different catalogue items, 80 packing stations and up to 40,000 packages per day ‒ the LogisticCity presents complex demands on a packaging solution. Before the LogisticCity was built,
Hoffmann Group used foil cushions as padding material. Junior Project and Process Manager Jonas Karg remembers: “The topic of filling or cushioning material was a puzzle that had to be reassembled. From employees to upper management, everyone was involved in the project.”

Several impulses shifted the decision in the direction of recycled paper: The innovative idea behind the LogisticCity was to be carried forward in the area of sustainability. “The desire for a more eco-friendly packaging material was also expressed by customers,” says Karg. In addition, regulatory requirements for importing plastic foil to other countries influenced the decision-making process. At FACHPACK in September 2019, before the finalization of the LogisticCity, Hoffmann Group and Papier Sprick engaged in dialog for the first time.

The very next month, the first test setups were carried out at the established Nuremberg site, which were expanded into the building of LogisticCity in April 2020. Paper- and foil-based solutions from various manufacturers were put to the test in practice and evaluated by employees based on feedback sheets, among other criteria. Papier Sprick submitted the PaperJet, an extremely fast system for the production of paper cushions.

The test clearly highlighted the advantages of the PaperJet over the film solution and other paper-based materials. “Initial scepticism about the paper solution was quickly dispelled. The employees favoured the PaperJet and preferred to work at these stations,” says Michael Scholz, Team Leader Logistics Small Packaging.

Jörg Kaschny, Field Sales Manager of Papier Sprick’s, was on hand to advise from the start of the test phase. “This reliable service was very valuable for us,” says Karg. “With Mr. Kaschny, we have a single point of contact who takes care of all matters.” The test setups were accompanied by training sessions for packaging. Here, Kaschny informed the employees about cushioning and packing options, carton sizes and the workflow. Scholz emphasizes, “This gave our employees an understanding of the material and cushioning with paper.”

By integrating the PaperJet, the work process was comprehensively optimized. Today, a total of 80 machines are placed in the small and large packaging departments. In the small packaging
department, the PaperJet produces cushions in a dispenser at the packing table, while in the large packaging department, the employees remove the cushion directly from the machine. The central preproduction of foil cushions and subsequent distribution to the packing stations has thus been replaced.

“Packing is now much more versatile than before,” says Scholz. The freely selectable cushion lengths allow for precise void fill. “The short set-up time is a crucial point which makes the PaperJet so attractive. We currently change the material pallet per workstation about every 3 to 4 weeks. This means a considerable timesaving compared to the previous 1 to 2 roll changes of foil material per day,” says Karg. This is achieved thanks to the ComPackt endless pallet in space-saving fanfold format, which offers 7,600 meters of recycled paper in a small footprint. “For an ergonomic workplace, our in-house perforated plate was integrated into the container solutions on request, so that all necessary materials are placed directly and ergonomically within reach at the packing station,” adds Karg.

The Hoffmann Group does not only pursue the goal of sustainability in the selection of the cushioning material. “Every year, we generate 600 tons of paper waste, the majority of which comes from incoming goods,” explains Karg. Previously, the waste was collected in several presses, which were then picked up separately for disposal. Now the waste paper is pressed in the company’s own bailing compactor.

These bales can be used by Papier Sprick to produce more paper for the PaperJets used in the LogisticCity. This is done at the Papier Sprick paper mill in Diemelstadt and provided through the
regular material deliveries. The result of the cooperation between the Hoffmann Group and Papier Sprick is thus not only a modern, efficient packaging solution, but also a sustainable recycling
management.

Sports Retailer Relies on Efficient WMS

Posted on by David Priestman

The international distributor of sportswear and equipment Sportisimo s.r.o. is launching the Warehouse Management System PSIwms and the Material Flow Control PSImfc from PSI. With a focus on the agile implementation method, the order was placed directly via the PSI App Store.

PSIwms includes extensive functions for handling the logistics processes in the Sportisimo’s distribution centre located in Ostrava, Czech Republic. It takes into account the specifics of both the e-commerce market and stationary retail. The preconfigured Omnichannel release enables efficient implementation and flexible customization and will support the Omnichannel processes as well as a proprietary system. The launch of the first, pilot phase was scheduled for January 2023 and has been completed on time.

PSI Polska is also responsible for the delivery of the Material Flow Control System PSImfc to manage the miniload automated small parts warehouse with 11 aisles and with a capacity of over 300,000 cartons and over 6,000 meters of conveying systems. The project also includes the development of complex batching needed to orchestrate automation of picking process.

“With the solution from PSI, we have the opportunity to optimize our automated warehouse and meet our business needs”, explains Paweł Waler Supply Chain Director at Sportisimo. He adds: “PSI convinced us with the implementation time and the leap in efficiency in all logistics processes. In addition, the agile implementation method offers cost distribution over time as well as flexible software development.

Aliaksei Siparau, Board advisor and former CFO/COO complements at Sportisimo: “Right from the beginning of the project, PSI was able to deliver the running real prototypes which we could use for testing to speed up production deployment significantly. All lightning fast, including automation interfaces. In the first quarter of 2023 PSI has already delivered the solution for the miniload and Pick Tower and we are really glad about the results”.

Sportisimo is a European retail company and one of the leading distributors of sports apparel and equipment from the world’s most popular sports brands. In addition to online sales in 25 countries, the retailer runs over 200 brick-and-mortar stores in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania.

With over 400 employees in Poland, PSI Polska already counts renowned retail chain companies such as LPP, CCC and Empik among its customers. Moreover, PSIwms replaced the previous warehousing systems at Empik, CCC and Asmet.

The PSI Group develops its own software products for optimizing the flow of energy and materials for utilities (energy grids, energy trading, public transport) and industry (metals production, automotive, mechanical engineering, logistics). The industry-specific products, which are built from standard components, are sold both directly and via the cloud-based PSI App Store and can also be customized by customers and partners themselves. PSI was founded in 1969 and employs more than 2,200 people worldwide.

Multimodal Service Via Czechia Office

Posted on by David Priestman

As a next step toward reinforcing their value proposition to new markets, Samskip continues the expansion of its ‘multimodal customer care’ model in Czechia and Slovakia. The new office and regional Business Development Manager will empower Samskip and local shippers to effectively connect and discuss how to embed the multimodal way of transport into their supply chains which in many cases rely on the use of trailers.

The recent expansion of Samskip’s presence in Poland was the starting point for the roll out of this initiative in the region. Customers that partner with Samskip value their Pan-European network which focuses on the UK and Ireland, while reaching all the way from Portugal up to Iceland and Northern Norway. Samskip’s fleet of 10.974 x 45 ft high cube pallet wide containers offer fit-for-volume solutions which minimize the uncertainties of capacity that customers might encounter in their supply chains. Opening an office in Prague supports Samskip’s focus on customer centricity and will ensure that our team will be as close to our customers as possible.

Filip Chajęcki, General Manager Central Eastern Europe, said: “In Czechia and Slovakia, we want to develop partnerships with shippers that are keen to explore the sustainability benefits and opportunities that Samskip offers their supply chains. Our existing customers already appreciate the high level of care and agile support offered by our teams, and we look forward to making it our trademark in this region as well. With our high level of care and use of digital solutions, we make the switch to multimodal transport as easy as possible.”

Sustainability and digitalization continue to be at the core of Samskip’s values. Putting these values into action, Samskip offers a range of solutions that optimize our customer experience. These include the “MySamskip” customer portal which enhances visibility and makes the order process quick and efficient. Our sustainability goals are in part supported by the increased use of the biofuels by its fleet of ships, and the investment Samskip has made toward the development of its zero-emission hydrogen powered vessels which will be added to their fleet in 2025.

The team in Gdansk will work as a hub for customer service and operations for the Central Eastern Europe region. As part of Samskip’s customer centricity culture, customer service in Poland will be supported by local speaking colleagues for Czechia and Slovakia to foster care and easy collaboration with our customers.

IFOY AWARD 2023 Winners Announced

Posted on by David Priestman

The winners of the IFOY AWARD 2023 have been chosen. Representatives of AGILOX, Crown, DS AUTOMOTION, HUNIC and STILL accepted the international intralogistics award from the laudators at the Award Night in the DortmunderU.

Jungheinrich took home two of the trophies, also known as the “Oscars of intralogistics”. A laudatory speech was given by: Dr. Johannes Söllner (Managing Director, Geis Industrial Services), Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael ten Hompel (Executive Director, Fraunhofer IML), Steffen Bersch (Chairman of the Board, VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association), Thomas Westphal (Mayor of the City of Dortmund), Bettina Baumann (Founder of Baumann Paletten), Udo Schmidt (Vice President Europe, Cascade Europe) and Peter Trapp (CIO, HGK Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln).

The International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) AWARD, which is held under the patronage of Dr. Robert Habeck, Federal Minister of Economics and Climate Protection, is known worldwide. In 2023, 21 companies with 23 products and solutions were finalists in the 11th round of the award – more than ever before.

“The jury made one of its toughest decisions in April, sending a signal for more technology in logistics. Already during the IFOY TEST DAYS, the outstanding level of this year’s finalists was evident, some of whom are streets ahead of their competitors on the market in terms of innovation and customer benefits. Their products and solutions will be the future benchmark for modern distribution centres,” says Anita Würmser, Executive Chairwoman of the IFOY jury.

The IFOY AWARD in the category “Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV/AMR)” was won by AGILOX with the AGILOX ODM. The omnidirectional dolly mover is a smart logistics robot for small load carriers. Thanks to X-Swarm Technology, the floor dolly solution autonomously finds the fastest route through the production or logistics environment. Among other things, the jury highlighted the autonomous functions for avoiding obstacles on the route very positively.

The winner in the category “Warehouse Truck highlifter” was Crown with the SP 1500 order picking truck, which scores points for performance, efficiency and ergonomics. The IFOY Innovation Check emphasises the “unique ergonomics with very many configuration options developed from studies directly at customers’ premises”. It also highlights “the use in different aisle widths, a unique individually adjustable operation as well as the excellent field of vision”.

In the “Intralogistics Software” category, DS AUTOMOTION took home a trophy for its ARCOS vehicle software. The IT makes it possible for the first time to have AGV and AMR fleets drive variably zone-based between fixed lane guidance, lane guidance with flexible avoidance as well as free navigation with a single flexible vehicle software (plannable autonomy). According to the jury, in combination with cooperative navigation, which enables the robots to take coordinated evasive action, the manufacturer offers a very efficient solution that can also integrate vehicles from other manufacturers via the VDA 5050 interface.

A total of five young companies competed for an award in the “Start-up of the Year” category this year. In the close race, HUNIC convinced the jurors in the end with the SoftExo Lift. The passive exoskeleton is an extremely lightweight yet effective lifting and carrying aid. Skilled workers are supported by up to 21% when lifting and carrying loads. The body is relieved of up to 50%. In addition, incorrect movements are pointed out to the user. According to the jurors, the great innovative leap lies in the design of the exoskeleton exclusively from elastic materials.

Jungheinrich won in the “Special of the Year” category with its “addedVIEW fork camera”. The fully digital fork camera with barcode scanning reduces storage and retrieval errors. It prevents incorrectly recorded goods or storage locations in the Warehouse Management System (WMS) and thus unplanned search times, returns or loss of goods. The camera reads barcodes directly at the storage location, compares them with the specifications of the WMS and marks correct and incorrect compartments in colour as the vehicle passes. Acknowledgement is made at the steering wheel. Although the individual technologies are not new in themselves, “the combination in this exemplary implementation is to be regarded as highly innovative”, according to the jury’s verdict.

Jungheinrich also took home a second trophy. Flexible, fast, efficient: with the PowerCube, Jungheinrich secured the win in the “Intralogistics Robot” category. In this automated compact tote storage system, access is possible from below, allowing for easier maintenance and variable ceiling heights. The jury highlighted several innovations, including the tote loading weight of 50kg and a quick-charge function for round-the-clock operation of the robots without downtime.

Intralogistics supplier STILL won one of the coveted awards for the EXH 16 in the ‘Warehouse Truck lowlifter’ category. The truck is part of the EXH 14-20 Plus series-hand-guided lowlifters and derivatives with additional lift for order-picking applications. The compact design together with the new functional tiller head and the resulting improvements in terms of operation and driving characteristics are classified as “undoubtedly new” by the IFOY Innovation Check. The EXH thus shows that innovations have not yet found their end in this vehicle class.

The IFOY AWARD honours the most innovative intralogistics products and solutions of the year. It has established itself as an indicator of cost-effectiveness and innovation and is regarded as the outstanding international innovation award in intralogistics due to its technical expertise. The basis of the decision is the three-stage audit–consisting of the IFOY test protocol comprising around 80 criteria, the scientific IFOY Innovation Check and the jury test. The decisive factor is that the nominees are not compared with each other, but with their competitor devices on the market.

During the IFOY TEST DAYS on the occasion of the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS in Dortmund in March, all nominees went through the IFOY audit. For the fourth year in a row, numerous potential buyers were once again on hand at the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS. The winners of the IFOY AWARD are chosen annually by an international jury of trade journalists.

The IFOY AWARD is sponsored by the German Conveyor Technology and Intralogistics Association and the Robotics + Automation Association within the VDMA. IFOY partners are Messe Dortmund and the world’s leading forklift attachment manufacturer Cascade. The IFOY AWARD’s pallet partner is CHEP, a world market leader in the pooling of pallets and containers. Logistics partner is LTG. Trailer partner is Fliegl Fahrzeugbau.

The application phase for the IFOY AWARD 2024 starts on 1st August 2023.

 

 

Innovations to Orchestrate End-to-End Supply Chain

Posted on by David Priestman

At its annual customer community conference Kinexions, Kinaxis Inc., a leading provider of supply chain management solutions, unveiled new product innovations spanning the end-to-end supply chain. Delivered during the Day One keynote, these innovations aim to empower businesses with the transparency, control and agility they need to navigate today’s volatile business landscape.

“The days of the cascaded flow of information passed down between teams are long behind us,” said John Sicard, President and CEO at Kinaxis. “Today, CEOs and boards of directors are demanding their supply chains operate in real time and with one view of information across planning and execution. The innovations we announced today make it easier for teams to collaborate and make decisions, as well as narrow the gap between planning and execution, to create both resiliency and efficiency at scale.”

End-to-End Supply Chain Orchestration

The product innovations unveiled include:
• Enterprise Scheduling, the first and only scheduling tool on the market to allow companies to create and manage a globally integrated production scheduling strategy that accounts for all plant layouts. Leveraging industry best practices, Enterprise Scheduling allows companies to orchestrate production across sites and create a comprehensive, feasible and efficient manufacturing schedule.
• Supply Chain Execution (formerly MPO) capabilities, including transportation management, order management and returns management, are now integrated with Supply Chain Planning, eliminating the siloes that exist between planning and execution. These new capabilities will empower businesses to drive supply chain orchestration from plan through delivery across all horizons, whether managing multi-year or down-to-the-second execution.
• Sustainable Supply Chain, a new solution that allows companies to embed emissions factors (including Scope 3 emissions) directly into RapidResponse® to design scenarios that will estimate, project and simulate supply chain related CO2e in real time. Not only does Sustainable Supply Chain create visibility into emissions data, but it also empowers planners to understand its impact in seconds.
• New intuitive features within Demand.AI, an advanced application within Planning.AI, will allow companies to better understand how both internal and external factors are influencing demand for their products and be able to quickly adjust plans to take advantage of these changes. Planning.AI is an analytical approach and part of the Kinaxis RapidResponse platform.

“Kinaxis has continually been on the cutting edge of what is needed and possible for supply chains,” said Robert Kugel, SVP and Research Director at Ventana Research. “The introduction of Enterprise Scheduling, Sustainable Supply Chain, and new AI capabilities for Demand Planning, are major improvements for companies. It furthers their ability to have transparency, control, and agility within their supply chains, equipping them with that they need to manage today’s disruptions.”

In addition to Planning.AI, Kinaxis is working to bring future innovation to supply chains as the only supply chain management company and industry partner of the National Science Foundation AI Institute for Advances in Optimisation (AI4OPT).

“Supply chains are growing increasingly larger, and they are expected to be more resilient and sustainable than ever before,” said Pascal Van Hentenryck, Director of AI4OPT. “As a leader in the field, Kinaxis is ideally positioned to understand these fundamental challenges through their RapidResponse technology. Kinaxis, in collaboration with AI4OPT, is exploring how the fusion of machine learning and optimisation may bring a step change in capabilities for the next generation of supply chain management systems.”

Pascal Van Hentenryck is the A. Russell Chandler III Chair and Professor, and the associate chair of innovation and entrepreneurship in Technology at the H. Milton Steward School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Everyday volatility and uncertainty demand quick action. Kinaxis® delivers the agility to make fast, confident decisions across integrated business planning and the digital supply chain. People can plan better, live better and change the world. Trusted by innovative brands, we combine human intelligence with AI and concurrent planning to help companies plan for any future, monitor risks and opportunities and respond at the pace of change. Powered by an extensible, cloud-based platform, Kinaxis delivers industry-proven applications so everyone can know sooner, act faster and remove waste.

IFOY Test Report: STILL PXV

Posted on by David Priestman

The second IFOY Award 2023 entry for STILL is its PXV vertical order picker. We take a closer look at it as we race towards Thursday’s winner announcement in Dortmund.

The PXV vertical order picker inspires with performance, reach height, safety and comfort in a new dimension. Whether in wide or narrow aisle warehouses, employees can pick loads at working heights of up to 14.5m.

IFOY category: Warehouse Truck “highlifter”

IFOY Test Report

With its PXV, STILL launches a new generation of high-lift order pickers that fits into the current development. Megatrends such as urbanisation, increasing e-commerce and retail logistics require more storage space, but there is no room to expand warehouses. The gain lies in storage densification, i.e., narrower aisles and higher storage.

With the successor to the EK-X, STILL is literally reaching for higher ground. With a reach height of 14.5m, the new high-lift order picker makes it 2.5m higher than its predecessor. A plus that in practice corresponds to two storage levels. To enable this gripping height, the chassis has been modified. The design is much stiffer and features stronger profiles. The new, V-shaped chassis can be better adapted to the width of the cab and improves steering behaviour.

In addition to more efficient use of space and higher storage density, STILL engineers have addressed ergonomics and operator comfort. A significant improvement can be found in the lift mast. There, the central free lift cylinder has been replaced by two cylinders positioned behind the mast profiles. The operator’s view is thus significantly better. As an option, the free stroke can even be dispensed with. With this unique option, a triple mast reaches the highest position much faster  ̶  without interruptions and with significantly more comfort for the operator. Especially in combination with the iGo pilot navigation assistance system, this can provide significant benefits in practice.

The display is also new, at least for the high-lift order pickers. STILL has already used it on the MX-X and RX series, increasing uniformity and ease of use. In the IFOY test, the display is mounted on the mast side of the truck. If desired, the display can also be mounted on the fork side.

During the driving impression, the IFOY test team noticed that the PXV is much smoother to operate compared to the EK-X. The truck vibrates less, is quieter and this gives additional safety during operation. In addition, the truck lifts faster and is easier to position. The new silver-grey colour scheme of the cabin also makes the workplace seem much more spacious. The PXV is faster and easier to position on the induction wire. The display helps with colour coding and good signalling. Lifting and lowering speeds are higher.

The IFOY truck has a Li-ion battery and the integrated easy charging system for quick and easy connection of the stacker to the charger. Compared to the previous model, the number of practical storage options has increased. There is even an integrated waste bin. The outward-sloping doors, already familiar from the EK-X, make it easier for order pickers to pick deeper into the racks. On the PXV, the doors are reinforced and available for retrofitting.

Unique to this type of truck is the ability to activate the main and initial strokes simultaneously. This allows for higher throughput. Thanks to the easy-touch function, the initial lift can be activated with just one touch of a button. The fork then automatically lowers to a pre-set level while the picker is already picking the next order.

IFOY test verdict: The STILL PXV is a comfortable truck that can be easily adapted to changing conditions. The truck is quieter, more powerful and offers a more comfortable workplace than its predecessor. The improved visibility on the mast side is unique for high-lift order pickers, while the free-lift models provide faster and jerk-free operation without mast transitions.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: The ever-increasing shift towards e-commerce and goods handling in the retail sector in general are leading to increasingly greater storage heights and increasing demands on the performance of order-picking tasks. The STILL PXV achieves new records with its characteristics to meet these requirements, which means that it is highly relevant to the market.

Customer benefit: Maximising handling performance, comfort and flexibility is what STILL’s new PXV stands for, leaving hardly any wish unanswered. The unique maximum picking height of 14.5m for the model without free lift opens up new possibilities in terms of warehouse height and thus space utilisation. Flexible use across warehouses is also possible with variants with free lift, to name just one of the numerous configuration options. With the large dimensions, customers can still benefit from the high travel and lifting speeds for high-performance operation. In addition, the STILL assistance systems, iGo pilot navigation and safety can further optimise time savings while ensuring a high level of safety in the workflow.

Novelty / Innovation: The main innovation with the PXV is simply the technical data, which sets new standards for order pickers and thus broadens the horizon for warehouse design. The highly efficient operation at this picking height is unique on the market. In addition, the innovations lie in the implementation of assistance systems, which considerably simplify compartment approaches, make driving and lifting movements safer and order picking more comfortable.

Functionality / Type of implementation: With the proper finish of the entire machine, STILL lives up to its reputation and shows with the PXV that development has not yet come to an end. The configuration options of the model series are diverse and go as far as aspects of sustainability, whereby the trucks can be prepared accordingly for refurbishing so that configuration changes are easily possible. A regenerative lowering movement is standard, in addition to a variety of options that are available.

Verdict: An order picker with new maxima that can compete at the top of this category.

Market relevance +
Customer benefit ++
Novelty / Innovation +
Functionality / Type of implementation +
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available]

 

IFOY Test Report: STILL EXH 16

Posted on by David Priestman

Ahead of this Thursday’s IFOY Award winner announcement in Dortmund, we turn our attention to the STILL EXH 16 pallet truck.

The EXH 14-20 Plus series consists of hand-guided low lift pallet trucks as well as derivative products with additional lift for order picking applications and comes with a unique tiller head with integrated display in two versions. The special tiller head design enables intuitive handling for every operator.

IFOY category: Warehouse Truck “lowlifter”

IFOY Test Report

With the EXH 14-20 Plus series, STILL introduces the latest edition of its electric pallet truck range. The development of the new series was focused on the operator. The operating concept is completely revised and the EXH 14-20 Plus series now features a unique tiller head with integrated display in two versions. The so-called MMI (Man-Machine-Interface) is the interface between the operator and the truck and thus the linchpin in daily operation.

The EXH 14-20 Plus series includes several pedestrian stackers with a load capacity of 1.4 to 2.0 tonnes. The IFOY stacker is an EXH 16 with a load capacity of 1.6 tonnes. The integrated lithium-ion battery enables up to 80mm shorter front dimensions and significantly smaller turning radii and aisle widths. The L2 dimension is just 429mm. Thanks to the compact dimensions, the driver retains optimum visibility. Even in confined spaces, such as retail stores. In addition, the compact dimensions improve the manoeuvrability of the truck, which is now even easier to operate.

EXH forklifts are equipped with mechanical steering as standard. Despite this mechanical steering, the long and low-lying tiller enable easy operation. During the IFOY test, the power and speed of the newcomer were convincing. The truck has a high acceleration capacity, both without and with load. The driving speed is quite snappy at 6.1km/h. Those who want to work more quietly and economically can double-click the turtle button to select turtle mode or STILL’s Blue-Q optimisation program.

The unique design of the tiller head is a true eye-catcher. The operating elements have been given a new and modern design. Extra-large buttons support intuitive operation, no matter how big one’s hands are. Even when wearing work gloves, simple and effective one-handed operation remains a breeze for both left- and right-handed operators. STILL plans to use the new controls in future trucks as well. There, the concept will bring additional benefits, such as even better proportional control. This is less relevant for electric pallet trucks.

The EXH 16 has three driving modes as standard: turtle mode, Blue Q and high performance. For each mode, the most important information is automatically displayed on the brand-new colour display integrated into the tiller head. This means that the display follows the driver at every turn and provides a clear view of all important data under all conditions. This means that the driver is always informed about the battery charge status, the operating hours or the respective driving program. The optional touch display (not available on the IFOY test truck) revolutionises operation. Drivers are used to operating smartphones by touch these days, and the touch display now bridges the gap to equipment with stock technology.

Smart fork markings make forklift positioning easier and contribute to high productivity. For even smoother operation  ̶  also on uneven floors and around obstacles  ̶  the pallet truck can be equipped with three running wheels in the fork tip. In doing so, OptiSpeed automatically adjusts the truck’s speed to the angle of the tiller. Safe manoeuvring is thus possible under all conditions. The standard crawl speed button also enables safe operation even in the tightest of spaces. An active optional foot stop ensures that the pallet truck automatically changes direction on contact with the feet. This means that the operator always remains unharmed.

IFOY test verdict: The EXH 14-20 Plus series features a unique tiller head with integrated display in two versions. The special design of the tiller head enables intuitive operation for any operator. Numerous small innovations combine to bring great progress. The compact truck is immensely powerful, fast and quiet. It is also easy to recharge between uses thanks to Li-ion technology.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: Handling goods and the internal transport of pallets includes a very wide field of application, whereby the Still EXH 16 can be seen as having great market relevance. The EXH 16 exemplifies an improvement of such products in terms of ergonomics and functionality, and it is therefore obvious that it represents a primary alternative in the market for new and replacement purchases.

Customer benefit: The Still EXH 16 offers the user more flexibility and functionality in terms of operation, field of vision and safety. Operation via the new tiller head is intuitive and comfortable for different hand sizes. The display integrated in the tiller head in two different versions provides information as well as the possibility to use different driving programs, which can be adapted to the operator on the one hand and to the transport task on the other hand, and to adjust the battery life accordingly. The very compact design through integrated Li-Ion technology leads to an improvement in manoeuvrability and ensures optimal visibility even for smaller persons.

Novelty / Innovation: The compact design together with the new functional tiller head and the resulting improvements in terms of operation and driving characteristics are undoubtedly to be regarded as new. The EXH thus shows that even in this type of vehicle, innovations have not yet come to an end.

Functionality / Type of implementation: With many details and configuration options, the EXH 16 shows that it is without doubt at the top of this vehicle class. The functionality can be ordered with several variants of design details and can thus be optimally adjusted for the customer. Moving pallets is a piece of cake with the EXH 16, while at the same time offering a high level of safety. The overall impression of the implementation on the unit appears flawless.

Verdict: The EXH 16 impresses with its outstanding further development in this vehicle class. Its market lead is significant.

Market relevance +
Customer benefit ++
Novelty / Innovation +
Functionality / Type of implementation ++
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available]

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