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Tag: automation

Forever Proof Robotics

Posted on by David Priestman

Robotics solutions can answer a lot of questions for logistics operators. Exotic’s Rémy Malchirand explains why.

Issues facing warehouse operators include supply chain volatility, increasing labour costs, difficulty finding workers and a lack of flexibility. Warehouse availability, scalability in the face of rising land costs and development limitations, as well as unprecedented economic challenges are also causing disruption as we head into 2023.

As such, retailers are unable to forecast and anticipate growth, and don’t know how to adapt their supply chain to rapidly evolving customer demand – particularly during seasonal peaks.

To adapt to these evolving challenges, a more flexible approach is needed. While automation isn’t a new concept in the UK, traditional automation is sized on anticipated volume of orders based on a long period of time. As a result, legacy technology and equipment is no longer enough to support the warehouse environment of today.

Whereas robotics deployment can significantly enhance the warehouse and logistics environment. A recent Gartner report, ‘Emerging technologies: smart robot adoption generates diverse business value’, highlighted that robots used to replenish retail stores demonstrate quantifiable results in 72% of use cases – the highest percentage among industries. The analyst firm forecast in the report that by 2030, 80% of humans will engage with robots daily, and for many, this may be in the workplace.

Automation in warehousing is no longer a smart addition but is an essential component for sustainable growth. That’s where systems such as Exotec’s retail and ecommerce order picking solution, Skypod, can bring real benefits to businesses – enabling productivity and storage density while remaining flexible and adaptable to customers’ needs.

Safe support for people

As well as needing to overcome external challenges, warehousing operators need to create an environment that enables human workers to operate safely, bolsters productivity and accuracy while maximising resources. For many businesses, human labour is dwindling because of the nature of warehouse work.

In fact, according to Gartner’s report, 66% of supply chain organisations say that labour availability constraints are the primary driver behind their investments in robotics. By implementing robotic solutions, the ‘mundane’ work is handled by robots to allow human workers to take on more customer-centric roles that take less of a physical toll. The result is often a significant reduction in staff turnover.

Working side by side with human operators, Skypod robots operate as a fleet, identifying and collecting totes from storage and delivering them to operators, helping them to prepare orders faster. Robots are constantly assigned new tasks programmed to prioritise the most urgent orders. ASTAR software synchronises the robots, which can carry up to 30kg moving up to four metres per second.

Robotics solution

The short supply and high cost of land are also impacting retailers wishing to expand their ranges to keep up with consumer demand, keep shelves stocked and eCommerce orders fulfilled. Building an entirely new warehouse can be prohibitively expensive, so integrating robots that make the very most of existing space is paramount.

Exotec provides dense storage for any given floorspace, using the height of a warehouse of up to 12 metres. This reduces the need for larger sites at a great cost to businesses, while reconfiguring existing spaces to be as optimised as possible. The Skypod system is therefore ideal for new sites or can be adapted to maximise the available space in existing sites to increase throughput and productivity by up to five times over manual operations – without compromising reactivity.

Importantly, robotic solutions are also energy efficient. The Skypod solution uses up to 80% less energy compared to traditional automation, which is in part because energy is consumed only when a robot is performing a task. In comparison, systems requiring power and/or electromechanical equipment in the rack can mean poorer reliability, higher levels of maintenance and more complex design and installation. This not only reduces the ability to scale and expand, but results in more power consumption,

Retailers looking to stay relevant are aware that they must improve, streamline, and automate warehousing operations to inject greater efficiency, safety and flexibility. Robotic solutions are an adaptable, effective and efficient way to ensure that the warehouse isn’t just future proof – it’s forever proof.

Scalable solution for optimised pallet handling

Posted on by David Priestman

Fluctuating demand and a shortage of skilled workers pose mounting challenges for many companies. In order to translate multi-layered requirements into efficient, optimised logistics structures, companies need flexible logistics systems that work together perfectly. SSI Schaefer offers a solution in the form of an intelligent combination of space-saving pallet channel storage with an SSI Orbiter channel shuttle and automated guided vehicles (AGV) – a solution that also provides a gradual entry into automation.

In parallel, the system guarantees 24/7 availability of goods, helping compensate for the ongoing labour shortage. Operators can start with a manually operated SSI Orbiter environment and then introduce a control system with manually operated ground conveyors, gradually integrating AGVs as needed.

Volume-optimised storage solution

Increasing time and cost pressures are another reason companies are considering process automation for their warehouse logistics and production supply. This is where volume-optimised channel storage systems for pallets come in. Thanks to high storage density, they require less logistics space than static racks or conventional floor block storage.

Johan Kagerö, Global Product Line Manager at SSI Schaefer, is familiar with other benefits of this combination: “The solution doesn’t require a large initial investment – it can grow as the company develops, making it especially attractive for small and medium-sized enterprises. Thanks to the high volume utilisation rate, customers get more storage capacity in the warehouse, can systematically adjust their resources to the daily order volume and can significantly increase their throughput.”

Keeping costs and processes under control

The turnkey combination of SSI Orbiters and AGVs is especially practical where SKU variance is low, particularly in the food and beverage industry. In addition to a space-saving design, which allows easy integration with the stock system, the channel shuttles can potentially save significant energy. Manually operated bin stackers can be integrated flexibly to cover temporary peaks.

The combination with AGVs offers additional advantages providing basic transport capacity, reducing the error rate and ensuring material flow consistency thanks to continuous availability, even in a three-shift operation.

“This is especially important in countries experiencing critical shortages of skilled workers and high labour costs,” emphasises Kagerö. “Staff can instead be deployed more efficiently in regular operations and assigned to plan further process optimisation.”

Software-supported interplay

SSI Schaefer offers the system solution together with a warehouse control system (WCS), which handles the coordination of transport orders. In addition to the channel shuttles, a fleet controller is coupled to this system to control the AGV network, with optional fleet management for manually operated ground conveyors. For example, in the storage process, transport orders are first generated via the host, which sends the orders to the WCS.

When the transport order is transferred to the fleet control system, resources are automatically aligned with priorities. The transport order is then assigned to a vehicle according to the retrieval strategy, prioritisation, sequencing or bundling rules and the AGV availability. The AGV picks up the loading unit and transports it to the storage cube. The specially tailored WCS ensures that the assigned destination rack is already equipped with a channel shuttle to eliminate waiting time. Once the transport order is completed, feedback is simultaneously sent to the host, and the vehicle is now available for its next deployment.

Greater flexibility and performance

“Using the WCS we offer gives operators even greater flexibility,” adds Kagerö. “The software offers options such as applying FIFO/FILO (first in, first out/first in, last out) handling principles, performing sequencing and using KPIs for further performance optimisation.”

Interface compatibility with all common customer systems and their interface technologies also guarantees flexibility. With this foundation, integrating a WCS-supported combination of SSI Orbiters and AGVs is possible not only in greenfield environments with a high degree of design freedom – integration even into existing (brownfield) structures poses no difficulty. This allows companies to gradually switch from manual processes to partially automated processes at reasonable cost. Other warehouse areas, such as static racks, mobile rack systems, vertical lift modules or conveying systems, can also be integrated flexibly to create a tailored logistics solution.

One partner

SSI Schaefer supplies the entire system as a turnkey solution from a single source. This eliminates the need for complex coordination of different systems and risks. “The intelligence the software includes is what makes our solution so special,” adds Kagerö.

“The solution lets our customers adapt their intralogistics to up-to-date requirements at any time. That makes it ideal for a kanban approach to production supply, for equipping and supplying production lines and for use at the interface between outgoing goods and truck loading, for example.”

SSI Schaefer says it offers operators a comprehensive portfolio of services from a single source, through implementation and beyond, and its Customer Service & Support (CSS) helps ensure continuous system availability. This allows companies to upgrade their intralogistics step by step with transparent costs. This can be achieved with additional channel shuttles and automated guided vehicles. A WCS takes most control tasks off their plate and handles them automatically. Thanks to the Schaefer Maintenance Philosophy (SMC), customers can fully rely on SSI Schaefer’s skilled experts for maintenance, too.

 

 

Locus Robotics attracts $117m funding

Posted on by David Priestman

Locus Robotics, a leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for fulfilment and distribution warehouses, has attracted more than $117m (£97.6m) in Series F funding, led by Goldman Sachs Asset Management and G2 Venture Partners. As part of the financing, Mark Midle, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs, and Zach Barasz, Partner, G2 Venture Partners, will join the Locus Board of Directors, bringing their unique industry perspectives and insights to further guide Locus’s next stage of growth and global expansion.

“Locus has established itself as an innovative, high-quality market leader for flexible automation in the massive warehouse fulfilment and distribution market,” said Midle at the announcement of the funding. “Our investment reflects our view that Locus has the product offering and the operational excellence required to meet and exceed the market challenges posed by today’s dynamic economic environment.”

“This new round of funding marks an important inflection point for Locus Robotics as we look toward our next stage of growth, and we strategically chose to bring in investors with a wealth of experience in both public and private markets to advise us as we continue our journey,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics. “As the rapid digital transformation of the supply chain continues, warehouses increasingly seek flexible, intelligent robotics automation to improve productivity and grow their operations, despite ongoing labour shortages and exploding order volumes.”

Funding partner “thrilled”

The Locus warehouse execution platform disrupts large-scale warehouse fulfilment and distribution with an industry-leading, intelligent, and dynamically scalable robotics-driven solution. Locus delivers 2-3x productivity by seamlessly coordinating both human labour and AMRs to dramatically improve order fulfilment efficiency and workplace ergonomics, while lowering operational costs.

“Locus is clearly a winner in the flexible warehouse robotics space, and the consistency with which the Locus team has executed is extraordinary,” said Barasz. “We are thrilled to be investors in Locus Robotics, and to partner with the leading warehouse execution company in making global supply chains faster, more cost-effective, and more resilient and sustainable.”

With more than 230 sites under contract around the world – some having as many as 500 LocusBots per site – the Locus solution efficiently and seamlessly orchestrates the operation and management of multiple robot form factors, and provides forward-looking, real-time business intelligence, critical for optimising productivity, proactively managing labour, and managing costs.

“By 2026, 75% of large enterprises in product-centric businesses will have adopted some form of intralogistics robots in their warehouse operations,” said Dwight Klappich, Analyst, Gartner. “The lower price of entry and faster time to value of robotics opens the market to more companies that can justify automation … as companies adopt robotics, most organisations will expand and scale their use of robotics within the enterprise, leading to fleet growth.”

“As order volumes continue to increase and labour shortages persist worldwide, robotics automation is now a must-have for warehouse operators,” said Ash Sharma, Managing Director, Interact Analysis. “Locus is uniquely positioned as a leader in digital transformation in this enormous global market as warehouse operators increasingly focus on scalability, fast ROI, and ease of deployment.”

Flexible and scaleable solutions

Locus partners with the world’s leading warehouse operators to create a powerful synergy that speeds deployment and delivers powerful, actionable business intelligence to optimise warehouse productivity, cost management, and labour management.

“Our five-year partnership with Locus has enabled DHL to deliver more resilient, flexible, and scalable supply chain solutions to our customers to support faster delivery, improve operational efficiency, and reduce employee workloads,” said Sally Miller, CIO of DHL Supply Chain North America. “In that time, Locus’s ability to integrate groundbreaking technologies into our operations seamlessly and in a targeted way has been a tremendous success for our customers’ supply chains.”

In September 2022, Locus reached a major milestone with its industry-first 1 billionth pick. It took Locus 1,542 days to pick its first 100 million units and just 40 days for the last 100 million picks. Locus robots now average more than three million picks per day around the world.

Locus counts more than 90 customers worldwide, including CEVA Logistics, DHL, Material Bank, Boots UK, GEODIS, Ryder, Verst Logistics, Radial, and others, who are consistently doubling and tripling their fulfilment productivity, with near-100% accuracy, using the Locus solution.

Also participating in the Series F round were Stack Capital Group, Next47, Stafford Capital Partners, HESTA, Newton Investment Management North America, Gray’s Creek Capital, Silicon Valley Bank, Hercules Capital, Inc., BOND, and Scale Venture Partners.

Indonesian cement manufacturer installs palletiser

Posted on by David Priestman

PT SemenTonasa ‘s plant on the island of Bali has commissioned BEUMER Group to supply a palletising system for 40 and 50kg bags. This enables the manufacturer to accelerate processes and relieve its personnel of heavy physical work. Installation and commissioning is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2022.

PT Semen Tonasa is part of Semen Indonesia Group, the largest cement manufacturer in Southeast Asia. In Indonesia alone, the group has a market share of more than 50%. At its Celukan Bawang plant on the island of Bali, employees stack the 40 and 50kg cement bags on pallets, which are then fed into the packaging system.

Reliable palletiser

A forklift truck takes the palletised and packaged stacks and loads them onto the loading spaces of the trucks. For the personnel, this is not only physically very strenuous, but also takes a lot of time. In order to accelerate this process and relieve the personnel, PT Semen Tonasa has commissioned BEUMER Group to supply a layer palletiser.

The cement manufacturer has opted for the palletiser of the system supplier, because the system exactly complies with the required technical specifications. Very good stack quality and reliability are characteristics of the palletiser. A multi-program interface includes all common packing patterns, and can be individually adjusted to the different requirements of the building materials industries.

Global influences such as delivery bottlenecks, shortages of raw materials and logistics problems continue to massively disrupt the supply chains. Nevertheless, the system provider will be able to send the machine to the customer in seven months. The target is to install and commission the machine in the third quarter of 2022.

www.beumer.com

 

TGW presents new range of robotics

Posted on by David Priestman

Expanding its expertise in robotics, the TGW Logistics Group has revealed a comprehensive range of mobile robots called Quba. Described by TGW as intelligent and versatile, the  robots can transport totes, cartons and pallets autonomously and handle a wide range of tasks, including supplying packing or returns workstations as well as automatic palletising and depalletising stations.

TGW says it looks at mobile robotics from a holistic perspective and, through systematic process automation, provides answers to current challenges such as the increasingly difficult search for new employees, rapidly changing consumer behaviour or the dynamic development of e-commerce.

Family of solutions

The Quba family is made up of AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) and AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles). Intelligent TGW software handles fleet management and controls the robots both individually and as a network.

“Mobile robots are a key technology for high-performance, flexible and future-proof intralogistics,” emphasises Harald Schröpf, Chief Executive Officer of the TGW Logistics Group. “By expanding our range in the area of driverless transport systems, TGW now offers a full package of high-performance door-to-door solutions that can also be integrated seamlessly into existing systems, both on a software and on a mechatronic level.”

TGW and SAFELOG: a strategic partnership

Recently, SAFELOG and TGW signed a strategic partnership agreement to foster their close collaboration. SAFELOG’s AGVs are already in use at many customer locations and have proven their reliability, whether in the automotive industry, machine engineering, production or intralogistics. Users benefit from scalable automation, high availability and short project times.

“We are very happy to have gained TGW, one of the leading general contractors in intralogistics, as a partner,” affirms SAFELOG Managing Director Mathias Behounek. “That shows that mobile robots are no longer an innovation project, but rather a tried and trusted mass market technology.”

Schröpf adds: “Our partnership with SAFELOG, one of the leading AGV specialists, opens up new possibilities for mobile robotics in intralogistics. Our customers will benefit from efficient, reliable and high-performance door-to-door solutions.”

Customer references

The advantages afforded by the Quba family have won over not only the Swiss coffee machine manufacturer Thermoplan, but also the workwear specialist Engelbert Strauss. For over a year now, mobile robots have been supplying the workstations at its CI Factory in Schlüchtern with goods.

The fashion company put its trust in TGW once again for its dispatch centre system in Biebergemünd: 26 Quba robots handle the autonomous transport of totes to the returns workstations there.

www.tgw-group.com

Bergzeit expands operations with Fortna

Posted on by David Priestman

With rising shipping volumes and continued expansion of the product range, Bergzeit GmbH based in Otterfing, Bavaria, is tackling its steady rise with logistical know-how by expanding its warehouse and shipping capacities. This leading online supplier of mountain sports equipment, part of the South Tyrolean Sportler AG, has commissioned Fortna with developing the logistics concept together with implementation support.

A high-performance shuttle warehouse is at the core of the new processing system, which was integrated during ongoing operations, and features more than 57,000 new bin locations and an intelligent batch picking system. The new ergonomic goods-to-person workstations also ensure optimised workflows. The new systems were integrated during ongoing operations and were successfully put into operation in September 2022, notwithstanding the various negative factors affecting the logistics industry at present.

Founded over 20 years ago, Bergzeit has established itself as the leading online supplier of mountain sports equipment. More than two million customers can choose from a range of over 40,000 articles from over 500 brands. Two stores in the south of Munich complement the successful web shop. In 2017, a new building in Otterfing housed the administration and logistics functions, with the support of Fortna already in place.

Increased capacity for Bergzeit

“We had been steadily growing for years, and in the meantime had reached our limits in terms of logistics capacity. On top of that, since the COVID pandemic, many people have shifted their sporting activities to the outdoors,” explains Holger Cecco-Stark, Head of Projects & CSR, Bergzeit. “We needed a sustainable solution for the resulting increase in shipping volume and stock. Fortna had already taken our future requirements into account in the 2017 design concept, which was the best reason for us to start the new expansion phase with our tried-and-tested team in place.”

The available property for the Bergzeit company headquarters had already been utilised to the maximum for the new building in 2017. As anticipated five years ago, it was therefore now necessary to create additional capacity within the existing building in the current project phase. With a growth forecast up to 2025 as a projection, the Fortna team developed a phased solution for the integration of a compact shuttle warehouse with up to 3,000 double cycles/hour, capable of processing 800 shipments/hour.

Over the course of the project, the excellent cooperation and exchange with the Otterfinger community deserve particular mention. “Together, we achieved a perfect balance between capacity and dynamic performance, allowing the available space of 2,000 sq m to be used to its full height. With over 57,000 additional bin locations in the shuttle warehouse, Bergzeit has doubled the total capacity in the warehouse and will remain competitive in the long term,” says Project Manager Andreas Spitzki, Senior Manager, Fortna.

More effective shipping

Fortna has designed a goods-to-person order picking solution for more efficient shipping. The solution considers the individual requirements of each order type (single item or multiline orders, different sized cartons as well as shipment in bags). It enables powerful sequencing and ensures, where possible, the consolidation of a wide range of different items such as textiles, hard goods and bulky goods.

Items are picked into containers and then transported to new ergonomic workstations via a conveyor loop. They are scanned and distributed to as many as 21 different destinations to make up the shipment. On account of the many different types of shipments processed manually, the ergonomic adjustability of work areas is paramount for the individual set-up of workstations and employees’ occupational health. The experts from Fortna were key brainstorming partners for Bergzeit in terms of processes, from the initial concept and the drawings in 3D to the test setup and the implementation of the new workstations.

“Creating additional capacity and making the most of the existing potential was our top priority,” concludes Holger Cecco-Stark. “Together with Fortna, we have ensured that our new logistics operations enable us to adapt flexibly to ever-changing demands and are in the best possible position for future growth.”

www.fortna.com

Bagging and palletising solutions optimise workflow

Posted on by David Priestman

Packaging and robotic automation company RMGroup has supplied bagging and palletising solutions to Dumfries-based building materials and aggregates supplier J&J Currie. The investments, which were made to increase efficiencies and reduce labour costs, included a MB-400 manual bagging machine and a robot palletiser, followed by a BB-215 bulk bagging machine.

J&J Currie, which supplies an extensive range of sand and decorative gravels, began its search for a manual bagging system and robot palletiser earlier in 2022, principally to alleviate manual handling labour requirements and their associated costs. Having secured a number of quotes for the required solutions, the company found RMGroup’s equipment prices to be more competitive and placed an order.

The installation of the initial system, required to pack and bag all types of aggregates, consisted of a MB-400, RMGroup’s most popular bagging machine and a ABB IRB 460 palletising robot, which was installed to automate the palletising. The MB-400, capable of filling pre-made bags up to 400 bags an hour, comes complete with a 5m 3-tonne hopper, rubber trough conveyor feed belt, electronic load cell bag clamp, weigh indicator, 4m filled bag conveyor complete with guide panels, and a SH1000 continuous heat sealer.

More recently, J&J Currie also purchased RMGroup’s complete bulk-bagging system, the BB-215, the installation of which occurring within three weeks of the order being placed. RMGroup’s bulk bagging machine is designed to work with a variety of products, including the most abrasive. The robust FIBC filling machine includes a large 15-tonne capacity hopper, belt conveyor and a separate filling frame, and can fill over two bulk bags a minute.

“The systems that we’ve installed from RMGroup more than meet our expectations, helping to increase efficiencies in the yard, while reducing our labour overheads,” said J&J Currie’s managing director, Russell Currie. “It also means that we can save on material costs, as these machines weigh everything out so we know that the customer is getting what they pay for. RMGroup were excellent in providing regular updates throughout the purchase of all equipment and the installations themselves were quick and trouble-free – the BB215 was installed in a day, and after a morning of testing we were up and running!”

Kevin Humphreys, RMGroup’s sales manager, added: “J&J Currie is a great business to work with and we are delighted that they are benefiting from having the bagging and palletising systems installed. All aspects of order fulfilment, from project management to delivery and installation were seamless from our side, which all makes for a happy customer. We look forward to providing them with our expertise again in the future.”

 

 

Black Friday: “Automate to overcome warehouse strains”

Posted on by David Priestman

With Black Friday fast approaching, logistics companies and warehouse operators are bracing themselves for higher order volumes and demands for fast delivery. Despite predicted cuts in Britons’ holiday spending due to the rise in cost of living, there will still be a spike in demand and expectation of rapid delivery that will put strain on warehouses.

On top of this, businesses are struggling to hire workers so they can keep up with sales. However, this is no longer a problem solely caused by peak sales season, but an issue warehouses face year-round that is exacerbated during this period.

Keith Fisher, President of Honeywell Warehouse Automation, comments on what is causing the strain on warehouses and what they can do to cope:

“According to recent research, it is now common for warehouses to be faced with labour challenges year-round rather than just the holiday season – from dealing with an aging workforce to attracting, training and retaining the right talent to address both ongoing and wildly variable seasonal requirements. This is leading to a consistent shortfall of workers in warehouses to help keep up with demand. Furthermore, the expectations of the consumer for faster delivery, and the rise of e-commerce and flash sales only add to the pressures on warehouse workers throughout the year – creating a situation where any day or week can see similar demand to a holiday period.

“Due to these pressures, warehouse operators are looking for new ways of operating efficiently. If they are yet to do so, warehouses will have to automate processes not only to thrive, but endure the strains put on warehouses during the holiday season. By automating processes, warehouse operators can hope to alleviate the pressures of staffing shortages both year-round and during the holiday period. We are increasingly seeing automation and digital technologies expand into new warehouse operations, from voice-integrated picking robots to automated guided vehicles moving goods between warehouse zones.

“The goal of warehouse automation systems shouldn’t necessarily be to just shift tasks from workers to automated systems as much as it is to scale capacity by augmenting human talent. This includes upskilling and refocusing employees towards higher-level, more challenging tasks, while leaving time consuming tasks to automated devices. In this way, businesses can hope to mitigate the challenges of staffing shortages in the holiday season, and in the peaks in demand experienced year-round.”

Case study: efficient labelling for packages

Posted on by David Priestman

Etra Oy wanted to optimise labelling in its huge logistical centre in Finland, specifically for packages of bolts and screws it offers in all available sizes. Its huge stock of pre-printed labels kept growing along with its offering, and increased labelling efficiency became a necessity. In response, Brady helped Etra to optimise a huge stock of pre-printed labels.

Integrated high volume full colour label printer

Brady proposed the VP750 Label Printer that can quickly print huge volumes of high definition full-colour paper labels. The capabilities of the printer enable many on-site package label design options, both to identify and trace the contents of the package, and for marketing and branding purposes. Pictures, logos, barcodes, serial numbers and colours can easily be included.

Brady also supplied a number of rolls with custom-sized labels that fit any of Etra’s screw and bolt packages. These are easily recognised by the printer and the software Etra uses to avoid label design errors.

In addition, Brady technical experts supported the installation of the VP750 Label Printer and integrated it with Etra’s ERP-system and existing workflow. When bolts or screws are repackaged, their number and type per box are entered in the system, along with the number of boxes, and these data can be reused to print the labels on the VP750. A label rewinder was added to the printer and neatly printed label rolls can easily be inserted in Etra’s existing label applicator.

Racks of labels replaced by a few blank rolls

A small number of custom-sized labels on rolls, perfectly fit for the VP750 Label Printer, now replace huge stocks of labels with different pre-prints in Etra’s logistical centre. Operators no longer need to search for the right label.

After checking label size, any pre-designed data is easily and quickly printed with great accuracy on full-colour labels with the VP750 Label Printer. Adding colours and changing the look of a label is much easier and faster than before. The VP750 Label Printer brings highly practical flexibility in label design and implementation to the workspace.

 

Manifest celebrates women in LogisticsTech

Posted on by David Priestman

Manifest Vegas will host a Women’s Lunch to celebrate women in LogisticsTech in partnership with DHL Supply Chain, Daimler Truck North America, Food Logistics and Supply and Demand Chain Executive on 2nd February, 2023, at Caesars Forum. Manifest is the only event that brings together industry executives, top venture investors, cutting edge startups and technology leaders that strive to find solutions to critical logistics & supply chain disruptions – while identifying breakthrough technologies.

Gartner research says that women in all supply chain roles dropped from 41% in 2021 to 39% in 2022, and at the most senior levels there was also a 2% drop. This is a worrisome trend in the opposite direction from previous years – where between 2016 and 2021 it rose from 35% to 41%. In its report “Diversity Wins”, McKinsey & Company asserts that companies with greater gender diversity have higher likelihoods of positive financial performance. The report also asserts that the diverse perspectives of women can help challenge legacy-focused mindsets, embrace innovative automation technologies and adapt to shifting regulatory mandates and industry trends faster.

The women’s lunch will welcome Katie Date, Leader of the Women in Supply Chain Initiative at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, who will discuss the importance of diversity in the supply chain and what she has learned talking to leaders of some of the largest supply chains in the world. Also joining the stage will be Alicemarie Geoffrion who is President of Packaging for DHL Supply Chain and was just named one of the Top 100 Women in Supply Chain by Supply Chain Digital. Geoffrion is also a member of the World Economic Forum and the community looks forward to being inspired by her story.

“We are thrilled to host two brilliant supply chain minds at our second annual Women’s Lunch. Their experience, insights and stories will undoubtedly resonate and add value to a discussion that will never really be over until we achieve real equality at the highest levels of the supply chain industry,” said Courtney Muller, President of Manifest.

Manifest’s commitment to diversity doesn’t end with the Women’s Lunch. The importance of including different perspectives from the LogisticsTech community can be seen throughout the entire Manifest Vegas speaker line-up which can be viewed on the website. While it is called a Women’s Lunch, both women and those that support them are invited to attend.

Manifest is organised by the same team that created InsureTech Connect, Blueprint, HR Transform and The Future of Logistics Tech Summit. Manifest will offer unparalleled access to a comprehensive gathering of entrepreneurs, investors and executives from BCOs/Shippers. Next year’s event will bring together over 3,000 executives on 31st January – 2nd February 2023 at Caesars Forum, Las Vegas.

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