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TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS concludes successfully

Posted on by David Priestman

Fifty-one innovations, 950 participants over six days, daily highlight tours and a top-class congress programme with panel discussions – the IFOY TEST DAYS and the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS came to a successful end on Wednesday evening in Dortmund.

Fourteen products and solutions from 12 companies nominated for an International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year Award (IFOY AWARD) underwent six days of multi-level testing. Among them were new developments from Cargotec Engineering, Jungheinrich, Locus Robotics, Magment, NAiSE, Noyes Technologies, robominds, SICK, SSI SCHÄFER, STILL, stow robotics and SYNAOS.

These and numerous other companies took the opportunity to present their total of 51 innovations to potential customers at the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS from March 21 to 23. The B2B visitors – most of them in management positions in logistics, industry and trade – travelled to the Ruhr metropolis for hands-on testing as well as intensive networking discussions without the hustle and bustle of the trade fair in the more than 10,000 square metre hall of IFOY partner Messe Dortmund. From forklift trucks and warehouse technology equipment to AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), software, specials and robotic solutions, numerous devices and solutions were available in the test arena.

The talks revolved primarily around the topics of innovation and sustainability. The IFOY organisation also made sustainability a principle and took a number of measures to effectively conserve resources. The focus was on reusability and recycling, the use of regenerative energies and, above all, the fundamental renunciation of equipment that was not absolutely necessary. The declared aim was to launch a new, sustainable event format in logistics.

The congress programme celebrated its premiere this year with prominent panel discussions on the trend topics of innovation management, Intralogistics 4.0 and VDA 5050. The keynote on the opening day was given by the internationally renowned logistics researcher Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael ten Hompel (Fraunhofer IML) on the topic of “How innovations change logistics”.

From March 18 to 23, the nominees in the 10th round of the competition were critically analysed by an official tester, a team of researchers and the international IFOY jury. On Tuesday, representatives of the total of 12 manufacturers received the “Best in Intralogistics” certificates from the hands of Steffen Bersch, the new Chairman of the Board of the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association.

The IFOY audit for the nominees again consisted of three parts again this year. First, all the trucks underwent the IFOY test conducted by Dutch intralogistics expert Theo Egberts. In this process, the finalists in each category are not compared with each other, but with the relevant equipment in the competition. The industrial trucks underwent standardised driving and functional tests, including the IFOY test protocol comprising more than 80 criteria, which takes into account factors such as sustainability, cost-effectiveness, safety and ergonomics of the nominees.

In the second part of the audit, researchers conducted the IFOY Innovation Check. Scientists from the Dortmund Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML), the Chair of Technical Logistics at the University of Dresden, the Chair of Materials Handling Material Flow Logistics at the Technical University of Munich and the Stuttgart Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA assessed the nominees in terms of market relevance, customer benefits, type of design and degree of innovation. The audit was concluded by the assessment of the 25 jurors and their approved advisors. The jury members – trade journalists from all continents, with the UK represented by Logistics Business News Editor Peter MacLeod –  were handed all the results of the IFOY test as well as the IFOY Innovation Check for the voting.

The TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS also included a revival of the AGV Mesh-Up initiated by the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association and its member companies. Following the world premiere of the first live test of the VDA 5050 communication interface in the previous year, the 2022 test scenario was relaunched and once again gave B2B visitors the opportunity to observe the functions of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) for themselves and to exchange ideas with developers and scientists. This year, not only some new manufacturers participated in the AGV Mesh-Up, but also extended functionalities of the communication interface were presented. Participants in the AGV Mesh-Up were the companies DS AUTOMOTION, ek robotics, Fraunhofer IML, incubed IT, Omron Electronics, SAFELOG, Siemens and SYNAOS.

Neither the participants of the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS nor the nominees will be told who has won an IFOY AWARD during the IFOY TEST DAYS. They will have to wait until the IFOY AWARD Night on June 30, 2022, which will take place this year in Munich.

 

IFOY awards “Best in Intralogistics” certificates

Posted on by David Priestman

At the end of the IFOY TEST DAYS (March 18 to 23) on the grounds of Messe Dortmund, the award organisation again presented the “Best in Intralogistics” certificates of the year 2022.

Representatives of a total of 12 companies got the certificates in Hall 3. Cargotec Engineering, Jungheinrich, Locus Robotics, Magment, NAiSE, Noyes Technologies, robominds, SICK, SSI SCHÄFER, STILL, stow robotics and SYNAOS are allowed to present the coveted seal. This year, the certificates were presented by Steffen Bersch, the new Chairman of the Board of the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association.

The well-known “Best in Intralogistics” seal was introduced four years ago and is intended to document visibly to the outside world the high degree of innovation of the devices and solutions nominated for an IFOY AWARD that have successfully passed the IFOY test.

“Once again in 2022, only innovations with this certificate have successfully passed the three-part IFOY audit with our hard, independent intralogistics test,” emphasises Executive Jury Chairwoman Anita Würmser.

The IFOY Audit 2022, which was conducted for the second time this year on the premises of the IFOY partner Messe Dortmund, lasts a total of six days. It includes various test series, whose results support the total of 25 jury members – renowned logistics trade journalists from all over the world – in their decision on the winners. In the IFOY Award, the nominees in a category are never compared with each other, but always with currently comparable products and solutions on the market. This ensures that the performance values and the innovation gap can be assessed objectively.

The first part of the IFOY audit is the scientific IFOY Innovation Check, which is carried out by the Dortmund Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML), the Chair of Technical Logistics at the University of Dresden, the Chair of Materials Handling Material Flow Logistics at the Technical University of Munich and the Stuttgart Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA. The experts give assessments of the finalists in terms of market relevance, customer benefits, type of execution, and degree of innovation. In addition, the scientists verify the innovations stated by the manufacturers in the test hall and evaluate in an extensive technology comparison whether they are innovative further developments, new compositions or genuine innovations.

The second part of the IFOY audit is the practice-oriented IFOY test by Dutch trade journalist Theo Egberts. He measures the hard facts and compares them with the relevant competitor units. The appliances undergo individually tailored driving or functional tests, including the IFOY test protocol, which comprises around 80 criteria and determines, among other things, the appliances’ economy and energy efficiency, sustainability, safety and ergonomics. To avoid falsification of the test results by external influences such as lighting, weather conditions or aisle widths, the on-site test hall creates identical environmental conditions for all candidates.

The third part of the audit is the assessment of the finalists by the jurors and their approved advisors. The jury members form an opinion from the IFOY Innovation Check, the IFOY test results and their own test experiences and then vote.

Who will be the winner in 2022 will remain a well-kept secret for a few weeks – even for the manufacturers. It will only be revealed during the festive IFOY AWARD ceremony, which will take place on June 30, 2022, in Munich.

 

Russian judges excluded from IFOY jury

Posted on by David Priestman

In light of the actions taking place in eastern Europe, the IFOY organisation is showing unity with Ukraine by excluding Russia from participation in the IFOY AWARD.

Representatives of Russia on the jury and advisory board will be relieved of their duties until further notice, which means that Anton Mizunov (editor-in-chief of Skladskoj Komplex) and Vladimir Antonov (Editor-in-Chief of Sklad i Technika), both active and well-respected journalists within the IFOY community, have been suspended from the advisory team.

The IFOY organisation issued the following statement:

Russian jurors will no longer be able to vote on winners or participate in IFOY AWARD events. This will initially affect the IFOY TEST DAYS with the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS from March 21 – 23, 2022 in Dortmund, as well as the award ceremony on June 30, 2022, in Munich. Visitors and exhibitors from Russia will also be excluded from attending.

We will decide on the exclusion of Russian manufacturers from the IFOY AWARD 2023 in good time before the application phase begins in August 2022.

This decision has not been easy for us, yet we consider it to be of no alternative to send a signal against this unprecedented war of aggression against Ukraine. We explicitly emphasise at this point that this step does not change the respect for the jurors, media, applicants, and visitors who have represented Russia in the IFOY AWARD committees. We have highly appreciated their competence and cooperation in the IFOY network. We personally ask them for their understanding and hope that we will meet again soon in peace.

The IFOY (International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year) AWARD is the largest independent, international intralogistics competition. The jury now includes twenty-five judges from 19 countries on all continents.

MOSCA honoured as TOP 100 innovator

Posted on by David Priestman

The continuous development and improvement of products and services is part of everyday business at MOSCA. This focus on innovation has been honoured in the TOP 100 competition by naming the company one of Germany’s most innovative medium-sized companies in 2022. The award recognises new developments in the field of digitalisation, including a virtual showroom for the intralogistics industry.

Manufacturing companies place many different demands on end-of-the-line machinery: from securing fragile goods for transport with a minimal amount of packaging, to solutions that firmly hold together loads weighing several hundred kilos. MOSCA develops new strapping machines and end-of-line systems designed to meet these challenges.

This focus on product innovations has been recognised with the Top 100 Innovator 2022 seal from competition organiser compamedia. This award honours companies from the German SME sector that stand out regarding their innovations. Competition mentor Ranga Yogeshwar will present the seal at an official ceremony on 24 June in Frankfurt.

Award winner MOSCA is currently focusing its innovative strength on complex, digitalised industrial applications. “MOSCA has gained a reputation as an innovation leader since the company was founded in 1966,” explains MOSCA CEO Timo Mosca (pictured). “But developing new products and services is not an end in itself for us. We strive to simplify production environments and daily operations for our customers, for example by machines that operate fully automated or that save electricity and other resources.

“MOSCA stands for innovations with added value and we are happy that this is being made public through the TOP 100 Innovator Award.”

MOSCA’s award-winning innovations include a virtual showroom that enables customers from the intralogistics sector to get a live, close-up look at machines and applications via their web browser. MOSCA is planning to implement this application for other industries as well.

The machine manufacturer is also working with partners on the vision of a digital production line. An edge computing module developed by MOSCA is already processing performance data from high-end machines at a decentralised location and transferring this information to the cloud for evaluation.

Federal Minister assumes IFOY patronage

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany´s Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, has taken over patronage of the International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) AWARD.

The IFOY AWARD is considered the most authoritative international innovation award in intralogistics. For the past ten years, companies from all over the world, ranging from top intralogistics providers to innovative start-ups, have been sending their new developments and innovations to compete for the award, which is also known as the “Oscar of intralogistics”.

These include new forklift models and warehouse technology equipment, as well as driverless transport vehicles, robots, automation solutions or holistic warehouse solutions – for short, everything the intralogistics industry has to offer in terms of future technologies.

The election by the jury, which includes internationally renowned trade journalists and the leading logistics media, is preceded by an extensive audit with nomination and test cycles. On the occasion of the IFOY TEST DAYS, which will take place this year from March 18 to 23 at the Messe Dortmund exhibition centre, the devices and solutions nominated for the finals undergo individually tailored driving or functional tests, including the IFOY test protocol comprising around 80 criteria and the scientific IFOY Innovation Check. In addition, the judges and their advisory teams from the economy will travel to assess the finalists themselves before casting their vote.

As part of IFOY TEST DAYS 2022, TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS will take place for the third time. From March 21 to 23, under the motto “Spot on Innovation”, additional exhibitors as well as a B2B trade audience interested in innovation are admitted to the test hall. This year, the topic of e-mobility in the fully automated warehouse of the future is high on the agenda. The number of participants is limited.

The trophies will be awarded on June 30, 2022.The location for the awards ceremony will be announced shortly. Until then, the result will remain a secret – both for the finalists and for the public.

 

STILL celebrates two IFOY nominations

Posted on by David Priestman

Hamburg-based intralogistics expert STILL has been nominated for the final round of the IFOY Award 2022 with two entries.

Once the members of the IFOY jury choose the winners of this year’s IFOY Award in Dortmund between 18th and 23rd March, STILL will be represented with two entries in the categories “Special of the Year” and “Integrated Warehouse Solution” in the competition for the coveted intralogistics trophies.

Both of the entries from STILL GmbH passed the IFOY pre-selection with flying colours and were nominated for the final round in Dortmund in March. One of these is the innovative STILL ‘Descent Speed Regulation’ (DSR) assistance system, which makes journeys with the new LXT 120-350 and LXW 20-30 series of platform trucks and tractors from the Hamburg-based intralogistics provider even safer.

When driving downhill with a load, DSR adjusts the speed of the vehicles – either manually or automatically, depending on the configuration level – to a value that protects it from dangerous situations. This unique system supports the driver for safe travel on ramps and at the same time increases handling performance.

The assistance system is available in the DSR Basic, DSR Eco or DSR Premium versions. While the driver still has to activate the system manually in the Basic version so that it reduces the speed to a previously set maximum value, the system in the Eco version activates automatically when driving down a slope and brakes the vehicle to a predefined value. With DSR Premium, the assistance system automatically regulates the vehicle speed when driving downhill depending on the slope and the load being towed.

The “Hase Project”

The expansion of the automated warehouse at Hase Safety Group AG (pictured), a producer of work gloves based in the Frisian town of Jever, is another flagship project with which STILL has entered the race for the coveted prizes. During this warehouse expansion, the STILL industrial trucks were replaced by automated, more powerful equipment with telescopic forks and the existing racking system was expanded to 10,000 pallet spaces.

All Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) now navigate safely and autonomously through the warehouse. The resulting optimisation of the driving course is made possible by rotating laser scanners on the vehicles, which permanently measure the distances to the reflectors installed in the warehouse. In addition, three MX-X very narrow aisle trucks and six EXV-SF high lift stackers of the latest generation were fitted with the iGo Systems automation kit from STILL.

Winners kept secret until award ceremony

“This year we are once again taking part in the international IFOY Award with two promising and highly competitive entries,” explains Torsten Wiecker, Vice President Brand Management STILL EMEA at STILL, and adds: “Both the innovative new development of the safety-enhancing assistance system and the successful expansion and optimisation of the Hase Safety Group’s automatic warehouse have the potential to rank high in the favour and esteem of the international jury of experts.”

However, the nominees will have to wait a while longer before hearing “And the winner is ….” again. The winners of the contest will remain a secret until the final IFOY Award Night on 30th June in the BMW World in Munich.

About IFOY

The IFOY Award (International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year Award) is presented annually as a recognition of outstanding performance in intralogistics. It is supported by the IFOY organisation and an international jury of renowned trade journalists representing the leading logistics media in the respective markets. The UK is represented on the jury exclusively by Logistics Business’ news editor Peter MacLeod, a founding member of the IFOY jury when the awards were established a decade ago.

The IFOY organisation says it evaluates according to transparent criteria, independently and on the basis of professional expertise. The award is intended to document the performance and innovative strength of the intralogistics industry and aims to contribute to the competitiveness and public image of the entire industry. The IFOY Award is sponsored by the Association for Materials Handling and Intralogistics within the VDMA (German Engineering Federation) and is under the patronage of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection.

BIFA award winners crowned

Posted on by David Priestman

The winners of the BIFA Freight Service awards 2021 have been announced by Matt Dawson, this year’s host of the British International Freight Association’s 2021 Freight Service Awards.

Dawson said that all the winners demonstrated a clear understanding of overcoming last minute challenges to achieve success, which reminded him of his own final mile, or last minute, delivery to Jonny Wilkinson in 2003, who then scored a drop goal that enabled England to win the Rugby World Cup.

There were many outstanding entries for the 2021 Awards, which were presented at the Brewery in London, despite a year beset by multiple operational difficulties and uncertainties caused by the pandemic and EU Exit.

A raffle held in aid of international development charity, Transaid, raised £3,600, whose CEO Caroline Barber (pictured) also made a presentation of Transaid’s work.

In the Air Cargo Services category, which was sponsored by IAG Cargo, Kerry Logistics triumphed over fellow finalists Maltacourt, Pentagon, and Uniserve Group.

Winner of the Ocean Services Award, sponsored by Port Express, was Allseas Global Logistics, which overcame strong challenges from fellow finalists NNR Global Logistics, and Vikstar.

Ace Forwarding took first place in the Project Forwarding category, sponsored by Peter Lole Insurance Brokers, ahead of fellow finalists AsstrA UK Ltd, LV Logistics, and Ucargo LLP.

In the Specialist Services category, newly sponsored by Newage, the winner was Your Special Delivery Service Ltd, whilst the other finalists included B&H Worldwide Ltd, Cargo Overseas Ltd, and Kerry Logistics.

Brunel European was revealed as the winner of the Supply Chain Management category, sponsored by BoxTop Technologies, seeing off strong competition from fellow finalists Hemisphere Freight Services Ltd, Noatum Logistics Ltd, and Uniserve.

Scooping first place in the Cool & Special Cargoes category, sponsored by American Airlines Cargo was JCS Livestock which overcame excellent entries from fellow finalists, Evolution Forwarding Ltd, and United Worldwide Logistics.

Hemisphere Freight Services literally went the extra mile to win the Extra Mile Award, sponsored by Descartes, ahead of the entries from fellow finalists Evolution Forwarding Ltd, Pentagon, and Unsworth UK.

Victorious against fellow finalists Aramex (UK) Ltd, Espace Europe Ltd, and Reliable Shipping Ltd, Unsworth UK triumphed in the Staff Development category, which was sponsored by Albacore Systems.

In the returning European Logistics category, which was sponsored by TT Club, the winner was Killick Martin & Company, with the other finalists being Espace European, Simarco Worldwide Logistics, and Unsworth UK.

Winner of the Apprentice of the Year category, which was sponsored by Seetec Outsource Training was Herbie Cobby (Geodis Freight Forwarding), who beat the other finalists, which were Matt Vick (John Good Logistics), Joshua Boswell (Geodis Freight Forwarding), Bobby Lowe (NVO Consolidation), and Thomas Low (OIA Global).

Meanwhile, Laura Hobby from FS Mackenzie impressed the judges with her passion for the industry to win the Young Freight Forwarder category, which is sponsored by Virgin Atlantic Cargo. Fellow finalists were Ronan Kitchin (Aramex UK); Milos Bogovac (ZenCargo), Corey Chambers (Ital Logistics) and Jamie Halliday (Tudor International Freight).

Finally, BIFA Director General, Robert Keen presented a Special Recognition Award for services to the international freight industry, as well as charitable activities, to Gordon Day, who, after retiring from the industry following a very successful career, is now a stalwart of the London Freight Club and well known to many BIFA members.

Keen, commented: “After a truly extraordinary and very challenging two years, it was great to meet in person to celebrate excellence across the freight forwarding industry, with awards that are now in their 33rd year, and justifiably regarded as the most prestigious in the sector.

“Once again, BIFA was delighted with the range of entries received from BIFA Members that managed to take the time to document their achievements while continuing to manage their businesses through incredibly trying times, which is a testament to their tenacity.

“I congratulate all the companies and individuals that won each category, as well as those that were shortlisted as finalists.

“I would also would like to recognise the support and contribution of the sponsors to the running of the competition this year. Representatives from the category sponsors gave their time to carry out judging and the selection of winners for each award.”

IFOY 2022 Finalists revealed

Posted on by David Priestman

The finalists for the worldwide IFOY AWARD 2022 (International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year) have been determined. The judges admit 14 products and solutions from 12 manufacturers to the competition for the most innovative intralogistics products and solutions from a total field of 29 entrants in the 10th staging of the competition.

“The nominees reflect where the journey of intralogistics is heading in the future: in addition to forklifts and warehouse technology, automated, integrated solutions, software and autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for high-performance warehouses play a central role. The final round with top-class international finalists will be very exciting,” emphasises Anita Würmser, Chairwoman of the IFOY jury.

The intralogistics specialists Cargotec Engineering, Jungheinrich, Locus Robotics, Magment, NAiSE, Noyes Technologies, robominds, SICK, SSI SCHÄFER, STILL, stow robotics and SYNAOS want to win one of the trophies.

The company Cargotec Engineering from Ireland is allowed to enter the final in 2022 with the MOFFETT E5 25.4 NX. The new development is the latest addition to the all-electric truck-mounted forklift series and part of the second generation of the world’s first all-electric truck-mounted forklift. The truck is also available with four-way steering (multidirectional). Its main advantage fits the times: emission-free customer deliveries.

The intralogistics supplier Jungheinrich has secured two final places. In warehouse technology, the Hamburg-based company is moving into the final round with the ERD 220i electric high-lift truck. Due to the lithium-ion battery concept, the dimensions of the double-deck stacker are ultra-compact for the simultaneous transport of two pallets. In addition to smart features that make everyday work much easier, the fixed platform in particular offers high side protection from three sides and plenty of space for the driver.

The jury also gave the EKS 215a from Jungheinrich the green light. The driverless transport vehicle with a lifting height of up to six metres is the first AGV from the Hanseatic company that was developed for purely automated use in logistics and production. The integrated safety concept enables smooth use in inventory environments where there is also manual traffic. The Hamburg-based company also developed a 24-volt energy concept with automatic charging function.

US manufacturer Locus Robotics has reached the final round in Dortmund with its Locus Robotics AMR Solution. The solution consists of a platform that uses proprietary optimisation algorithms and real-time operational performance data to coordinate workers and AMRs. According to the manufacturer, customers achieve a return on investment (ROI) within six to eight months and a two- to threefold increase in productivity through the Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model.

The Unterhaching-based start-up Magment reached the final with dynamic wireless charging for intralogistics vehicles. The company developed a wireless charging infrastructure for the electrification of industrial floors. Based on the patented magnetizable concrete in combination with special winding and casting technologies, robust inductive charging plates are produced that enable loss-free charging while driving. This reduces or even completely eliminates the charging pauses of industrial trucks.

Also nominated as a start-up was NAiSE TRAFFIC, a manufacturer-independent traffic and order management software from NAiSE in Stuttgart. The elementary feature of this application is that the patented localisation network (NAiSE RTLS) includes the entire mixed operation – i.e. all persons and vehicles in the warehouse – in the traffic control and analysis, thus ensuring a more efficient and safer material flow.

The third start-up in the final is called Noyes Technologies. With NoyesStorage, the Munich-based company launched the first robotics-powered, ultra-dense, automated and highly flexible nano-logistics system for urban logistics. The goal is to solve complex problems sustainably through simple approaches: To this end, the technology is reduced to what is necessary and attention is paid to a high degree of standardisation and modularisation. Thanks to the modular structure, areas as small as ten square metres can be used for the system.

The company robominds also comes from Munich: it is in the final with the AI-based robobrain.NEUROS (Neural Robotic Operating System) – an industrialised operating system for intelligent robotics. The credo of the robotics specialists is: parameterise and configure instead of programming. The basic principle: on the industrialised operating system, every function of the robotic components becomes a skill, i.e. an application – easy to obtain via the robominds Skill Store, individually adaptable or to develop yourself thanks to the robominds Skill SDK.

The jury nominated the sensor specialist SICK with PACS (PAllet Classification System), a Deep Learning-based pallet identification system. The development was triggered by a customer’s challenge that employees in goods receiving have to manually determine whether incoming pallets belong to a pallet pool and have a deposit. With the new solution, users can easily automate this previously manual process based on a modular kit of hardware and software.

SSI SCHAEFER made it into the final round with the IKEA Project Flat Pack Picking. With Flat Pack Picking, the manufacturer offers an automated and turnkey system solution for the efficient and volume-optimised palletising of large items that are typical for the furniture trade. The order-picking module with gantry robots enables efficient handling of a heterogeneous range of articles and is characterised by high scalability.

In the same category, STILL is in the running for a trophy with the automated warehouse extension at Hase Safety Workwear. The Hamburg-based company expanded the facility to a total of 10,000 pallet spaces. At the same time, existing STILL industrial trucks were replaced with automated and more powerful trucks with telescopic forks. Optimised driving courses also contributed to the increase in performance.

The Hanseatic company also successfully applied for the Special of the Year category with DSR (Descend Speed Regulation). This is a three-stage assistance system for trailers and tuggers that makes it easier for the driver to descend safely – especially with heavy trailer loads. The system regulates – manually or automatically – the speed of the vehicle to a value that can protect against dangerous situations.

With e.scala, the company stow robotics, part of the Belgian stow Group, is in the final round. This is a standardised, robot-based goods-to-person storage and picking system for small and medium-sized applications. With a robot that moves three-dimensionally in the cube via rails and a patented ramp system, it replaces all the classic components of an automated storage system. This makes a realisation time of only three months possible. Further advantages: a low investment and low running costs.

SYNAOS is also looking forward to the final with its SYNAOS IMS – Vehicle Localization solution. With this, the position of manually controlled industrial trucks can be displayed – among other things thanks to a sensor kit with camera. For this purpose, SYNAOS uses state-of-the-art computer vision technology to enable its accurate and robust tracking system, which can be easily installed and scaled. Instead of UWB or LIDAR, the Visual Odometry technology known from robotics is used.

The 26-member jury from 20 countries will make the decisions in the competition, also known as the “Oscar of intralogistics”, after the IFOY TEST DAYS from 18th – 23rd March at Messe Dortmund.

In Hall 3, all finalists will go through the three-stage IFOY audit. In the IFOY test, experts determine the key figures of the finalists in a standardised procedure. In the IFOY innovation check, scientists assess the innovative value of the nominated devices and solutions. The innovation check is carried out by specialists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML), the Chair of Technical Logistics at the University of Dresden and the Chair of Materials Handling, Material Flow and Logistics (fml) at the Technical University of Munich. For the first time, an expert from the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA) is also part of the research team. At the end of the IFOY TEST DAYS, jurors from all continents travel to the Ruhr region to test or inspect the nominees on site.

The international jury consists of trade journalists from leading logistics media. Peter MacLeod, News Editor of Logistics Business, is the sole UK representative on the IFOY Jury, having been a member of the original Jury when the event was established 10 years ago.

Among other things, innovation value, technology, ergonomics and handling, safety, marketability, design and customer benefits as well as economic efficiency and sustainability are evaluated. An important principle is that the finalists are not compared with each other in their respective categories, but with their competitors on the market.

The trophies will be awarded on 30th June. Details on the venue will be published soon. Until then, the result will remain a secret – both for the finalists and for the public.

Test Camp Intralogistics for B2B guests

Not only the jurors have the opportunity to test the finalists on site, but also intralogistics decision-makers from industry, trade and logistics services. Under the motto “Spot on Innovation and Business”, the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS with the IFOY finalists, IFOY partners and internationally renowned manufacturers is open to a limited number of B2B trade visitors as a 2G-Plus event. The sustainable, innovative event format on a total area of 9,800 sq m has been extended from two to three days to offer participants even more time for test drives and intensive technical discussions with company representatives.

Between 21st and 23rd March, guests can not only take part in guided highlight tours. For the first time, there will also be panel discussions on the trend topics of innovation management, intralogistics 4.0 and VDA 5050, featuring well-known executives from the logistics and intralogistics sectors. The VDMA is also preparing a new edition of the live test of the VDA 5050 communication interface as part of the AGV Mesh-Up.

2022 Finalists at a glance

Cargotec Engineering
MOFFETT E5 25.4 NX

Jungheinrich
EKS 215a
ERD 220i

Locus Robotics
Locus Robotics AMR Solution

Magment
Dynamic wireless charging for intralogistics vehicles

NAiSE
NAiSE TRAFFIC

Noyes Technologies
NoyesStorage

robominds
robobrain.NEUROS

SICK
PACS (PAllet Classification System)

SSI SCHAEFER
IKEA Project Flat Pack Picking

STILL
DSR (Descent Speed Regulation)
Automated warehouse extension at Hase Safety Workwear

stow robotics
e.scala

SYNAOS
SYNAOS IMS – Vehicle Localization

Logistics UK’s David Wells awarded OBE

Posted on by Keith McKinley

David Wells, Chief Executive of business group Logistics UK, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list, for services to transport and logistics.

Wells, 56, who has been in charge of the organisation for the past six years, has been recognised for his transformational work which has established the business group as one of the largest and most important in the UK, raising the voice and impact of the sector at a critical time to help make Brexit work and keeping Britain’s economy moving during the Brexit transition and the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I am truly honoured to receive this OBE after an unprecedented period of challenge and change for our sector,” he said.  “I have always said that our industry shows resilience unlike any other, and that has been demonstrated time and again during my time as Chief Executive.  I am indebted to all our amazing members and their staff, as well as the team at Logistics UK, for the support and commitment which they have shown to keep goods moving, despite the challenges posed by Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, skills shortages and other unforeseen circumstances. This award is for them too.”

Mr Wells has successfully initiated and pursued a strategy to ensure that Logistics UK represents the entire logistics sector, collaborating, challenging and championing logistics with policy makers, and speaking to the media with one voice. Under his leadership, the organisation, which represents more than 19,000 members across the whole logistics sector, and moves the goods and services critical to everyone, has dramatically raised its profile and impact with decision makers and influencers in business, politics and the media.

Driven by his leadership and influence with opinion formers, Logistics UK achieved unprecedented recognition for logistics employees as key workers at the start of the pandemic. Among a host of recent important policy wins for members, the business has successfully lobbied for higher funding for the new LGV apprenticeship standard, which will enable more people to enter the industry, as well as campaigning for the interests of the sector to be recognised in the UK/EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA).

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our team, and the backing of our members, I am so proud to see the recognition and influence which the logistics industry is now rightfully starting to achieve at all levels of government and in the media.  This visibility will also be key to ensuring that our industry continues to attract the brightest and best talent in the years ahead.”

Married with two sons, Wells was recently appointed as Chair of the Trustees of a Suicide Prevention charity in his hometown of Eastbourne. Supported by local churches, the organisation offers counselling and support to those in crisis or considering suicide. “The past two years have been challenging financially for most charities; however, our support base has stepped up and our workers and volunteers are meeting the ever-increasing daily demand for our life-saving support.”

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc.

Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.

Logistics Business wishes to add its congratulations to David.

UgoWork wins software & technology providers award

Posted on by David Priestman

UgoWork, a Canadian energy solutions provider specialising in lithium-ion batteries for industrial trucks, has won Food Logistics’ 2021 Top Software & Technology Providers Award. This award honours software and technology providers that ensure safe and UL approved, efficient and reliable global cold food and beverage supply chains.

UgoWork helps organisations with manufacturing and warehousing challenges to reduce operational costs through improved efficiency in their material handling operations. Here are some key features:

  • Fast and easy charging: Universal charging infrastructure with automotive-grade connectors to power Class I, II and III industrial trucks
  • 24/7 support: Cloud-connected batteries enable constant remote monitoring of their state of health to ensure optimal uptimes
  • Energy as a service (EaaS): UgoWork’s flexible financing programmes and pay-per-use plans offer peace of mind including the replacement and recycling of lithium battery packs

“Energy as a Service is not new in terms of concept, but needed a technological shift to make it happen in the material handling market,” explained Philippe Beauchamp, President and CEO of UgoWork. “When we launched our lithium-ion battery several years ago, it was clear that our customers did not want batteries. They wanted a turnkey solution where the provider would take 100% responsibility of uptime of the systems and bring complete peace of mind for their operations. We introduced the industry with a battery infrastructure and IoT system that allows just that – and we top it off with a level of technical support that is unmatched in the industry.”

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