Subscribe

Tag: forklift technology

Bosch announces innovative forklift collision warning system

Posted on by David Priestman

Forklifts and other industrial trucks have become essential work equipment in logistics and warehousing. However, the risks associated with using forklifts are often underestimated. According to data from the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), more than 13,500 accidents resulting in personal injury and involving forklift trucks were reported in 2020 alone.

To avoid accidents, the drivers must constantly have the entire area around the forklift in view while driving and manoeuvring. Many drivers are under constant stress, which impairs their performance and often leads to driving errors. This is in addition to health problems from constantly turning their heads while driving backwards.

A new multicamera-based collision warning system from Bosch helps minimise the risk of accidents and reduce stress for drivers by improving the general view around the entire vehicle and actively warning the driver of impending collisions.

“With this system, we are making an important contribution to improving the level of safety when using forklifts and reducing the health-related strains for the drivers,” says Stefan Schenk, who is responsible for the Off-Road operating unit at Robert Bosch GmbH.

Multicamera system with active warning feature

The new assistance system comprises four compact near-range cameras and a control unit that creates an all-around view of the vehicle’s surroundings and displays this to the forklift driver on a monitor. Depending on the driver’s current information requirements, different views can be selected and shown on a display in full-screen format or in a split-screen layout. Additionally, the driver can choose from a variety of viewing modes like overlay of the driving trajectory or virtual camera panning.

The visual assistant presented at LogiMAT 2019 already ensures good all-round view even in blind spots, when the driver’s view is blocked by the load on the fork. With the expansion, the system now additionally warns of stationary or moving objects in the vicinity of the vehicle in dangerous situations with a colour marking on the monitor and an audible signal.

To achieve this, three characteristic and particularly dangerous driving scenarios were identified and corresponding use cases for the warning feature were derived. When driving in an aisle or past rows of shelves, the forklift driver is shown anyone kneeling, standing, or moving in front of or alongside the vehicle. If the system detects that a junction is approaching, it switches to intersection mode and additionally warns the driver of people or vehicles approaching from the side. A further benefit of the new assistance system is the warning feature that assists the driver when handling storage items. The detection is then aimed at people moving relative to the vehicle at a distance of 4m.

Object recognition with neural networks

To enable the system to reliably detect impending collisions and only provide warnings for relevant accidents risks, two analysis methods, object detection and object recognition, are combined. With object detection, the system logic decides whether or not an object is relevant to the collision warning on the basis of characteristic movements. With object recognition, the decision is made based on the shape of the object. To do this, the image of the object is automatically compared to stored image patterns.

“This is done by what are known as neural networks, a software architecture from the field of artificial intelligence, which are trained to recognise specific visual patterns. Merging the two measurement principles ensures that the three situations with a potentially critical accident risk are fully covered by the collision warning and both stationary and moving objects, for example, are detected,” says Schenk.

Ultrasonic sensor technology for working platforms

Bosch launched two versions of the 24V ultrasonic sensor system for near-field monitoring of the working area at the beginning of January. The ultrasonic sensors can be used to secure blind spots, such as a work cage on aerial work platforms. Although both 24V systems feature identical hardware, there are differences when it comes to the processing of the sensor data and thus the functional scope of the different versions.

While the basic system simply measures the distance of a specific obstacle, the high-end solution also features object localisation. Bosch designs assistance systems and functions for industrial trucks, but also for other industrial and off-highway applications, such as construction, agricultural, and municipal vehicles, to be tailor-made for their specific applications.

Hoppecke helps tackle rising MHE energy costs

Posted on by David Priestman

Once again, businesses that rely on materials handling equipment (MHE) must get to grips with rising energy costs. Against a backdrop of global supply issues, new legislation and spiralling energy prices, Hoppecke is offering to help UK businesses that rely on MHE to mitigate against rising costs.

As many businesses consider switching from IC engine trucks to an electric-powered fleet, as part of its free energy audit offer, Hoppecke will assess their operation and how it uses equipment to determine the key cost savings to be made using the latest battery technology.

Meanwhile, new UK government legislation, introduced on 1st April 2022, has seen all non-agricultural businesses banned from using red diesel to power their machines, also leading to bigger energy bills. This comes at a time when unprecedented global increases in the cost of white diesel, and in turn LPG gas, are set to send energy costs spiralling ever higher.

Gus Whyte, Sales Director UK and Ireland at Hoppecke, says: “Standard lead acid batteries will suit some operations, whilst others will benefit from lithium-powered systems or other battery technologies that require regular opportunity charging. However, the big issue is recharging and electricity supply costs.

“The world energy market is changing from week to week so we’ve no idea about likely increases. Therefore, irrespective of the technology you choose, it’s vital to appreciate the costs involved in recharging batteries.”

Two key considerations govern the recharging of electric MHE: the amount of power the machine draws during operation and the charger’s percentage of inefficiency. With lithium batteries and regular opportunity charging, the amount of energy returned determines the cost of this energy replacement. It’s also influenced by the kilowatt unit cost of electricity when drawn from the AC mains supply.

Accessing low-cost energy will keep costs down. This means using off-peak time electricity, usually available between 22.00 and 06.00, to your advantage. It’s important because it can cost 28-32% less than electricity consumed at peak rate.

Employing the latest technology also helps to reduce energy bills. For example, Hoppecke say its high efficiency TCHF smart charger is 23% more efficient than a standard low frequency charger, whilst adding the company’s Trak-Air system delivers a further 11% efficiency.

For added flexibility, there’s the TCHF and TCHF Trak-Air system weekly planner. This allows charges to be pre-set individually for every day of the week. No matter what time the charger is connected to the battery, it only operates within the pre-set times, enabling businesses to benefit from full use of lower cost electricity.

Whyte adds: “After the challenges of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic this is an especially difficult time for logistics businesses. We’re committed to helping them really understand their energy needs so they can invest in an MHE fleet that will deliver efficiencies as well as key cost savings.”

New Linde trucks offer state-of-the-art performance

Posted on by David Priestman

New powerful electric tow tractors and platform trucks from Linde Material Handling are now flexing their muscles. Equipped with extensive safety features, improved driving comfort and powerful drive technology, the towing machines and transport vehicles ensure enhanced throughput rates for automotive and steel producers, at airports and wholesale markets or in traffic-calmed areas.

Electric tow tractors, whose design is reminiscent of light trucks, are extremely powerful despite their small dimensions and therefore indispensable in many applications where, for example, they pull heavy trailers loaded with machine components or pieces of luggage over longer distances, or reliably transport large numbers of vegetable crates along narrow aisles. Great driving comfort for operators as well as fast and safe goods handling are the predominant requirements placed on this vehicle class. And Linde MH has once again achieved significant improvements with regard to precisely these parameters.

The new electric tow tractors in the Linde P120 to P350 series are designed for towing capacities of 12, 18, 25, 30 and 35 tonnes. For the P250 model there is an additional choice between a short or long wheelbase version. The Linde W20 and W30 platform trucks are capable of moving two and three tons of payload respectively or, alternatively, six tons of towing load. Here, too, there are options regarding the length of the wheelbase.

The entire series has been completely revised in terms of performance and ergonomics, resulting in significant potential benefits for users. “For example, the vehicles are even more enduring when transporting over long distances, which provides a boost in efficiency,” says Sandra Karras, Product Manager Warehouse Technology, highlighting one of the product benefits. In addition, both the platform trucks and the tow tractor variants are equally agile and safe to manoeuvre, and they use either lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries as energy storage medium.

Powerful on gradients

Thanks to their powerful electric motors, the vehicles master ramps, underpasses with gradients and long distances quickly and reliably at driving speeds of up to 25km/h. In addition, the overall vehicle design takes into account the regulations and standards that apply in highly sensitive airport environments.

The improved ergonomics are aimed at providing the driver with the best possible support and thus make goods transport even more productive. The spacious cabin with wide, non-slip entry, large display, comfortable seats, air conditioning and lighting, as well as many other equipment features, offers a perfect working environment. Additional windows in the doors and roof provide the driver with the all-round visibility that is so important, especially on difficult terrain. The doors are electronically monitored so that the towing machine only starts up when they are closed.

To prevent unintended acceleration on sloping terrain or ramps, the driver can activate the automatic speed reduction at the push of a button. Other safety equipment includes a protective grille for the rear window, emergency stop switches on the right- and left-hand side at the rear of the vehicle, a solid metal shield at the front of the vehicle, double mirrors on the doors and lighting solutions such as the Linde BlueSpot. All these features pay off in terms of high driving comfort and safe operation.

Driving comfort taken to a new level

The fully suspended and fully damped sports chassis is another feature that ensures driving pleasure. “Everyone who got behind the wheel of one of the new electric transporters was thrilled by the completely new driving experience,” Karras enthuses and recommends taking a test drive. She highlights the fully encapsulated, maintenance- and wear-free brake system as a particularly service-friendly feature which reduces the maintenance outlay. Last but not least, the greater variety of models and equipment options offers economic benefits: Oversizing is avoided, while at the same time high performance is available whenever needed.

Beverage industry raises a glass to warehouse automation

Posted on by David Priestman

The beverage industry is undergoing a prolonged period of significant change that is making warehouse automation a highly attractive option for companies of all sizes across the sector, says Paul Freeman, Head of Logistics Solutions, Toyota Material Handling

With increasingly fickle consumers demanding new brands and flavours all the time, drink manufacturers are continuously looking to add to their product offerings. As a result, across the beverage industry, SKU numbers have proliferated noticeably in recent years and this has left many manufacturers and distributors struggling to find the space needed to store growing ranges within their existing warehouses and distribution centres.

The need to make the most of every available square foot of storage capacity and move more inventory around the building with optimum efficiency has made the idea of automating key intralogistics functions such as the transportation of loads and the retrieval and put-away of pallets within racking schemes, more and more attractive to beverage distributors and manufacturers alike.

And the case for automation has been further strengthened by the fact that the additional labour that would traditionally have been recruited to safely and cost-effectively handle the rising stock levels within beverage warehouses and DCs, is becoming difficult and costly to attract. Indeed, a recent survey found that nearly half of beverage distributors consider the shrinking labour pool to be the biggest threat to the smooth running of their supply chains.

Of course, like other sectors, the beverage industry is also dealing with the fall-out from the pandemic and the surge in e-commerce sales. Consumers have become used to buying drinks – particularly alcohol ­- online and having their orders delivered the same day, but this type of order fulfilment operation requires totally different storage and picking strategies to those deployed for fulfilling replenishment stock orders for supermarkets and other retail outlets.

Space constraints

The space constraints generated by the need to hold more SKUs and the shorter pick times and quicker throughput rates needed to meet the delivery expectations of internet shoppers added to the fact that the labour crisis is leaving companies with little alternative but to hire inexperienced warehouse personnel, have heightened the risk of the kind of accidents and damage to equipment, building infrastructure and stock – not to mention the injuries to workers.

So, both soft and alcoholic drink manufacturers and distributors are under growing pressure to optimise storage solutions to make the most of the people and space they have available. Increasingly, this means deploying some form of automation.

Automating those aspects of the warehousing operation that follow a predictable pattern makes a lot of sense and relatively recent developments in automation technology have seen the emergence of flexible and scalable products that deliver a notably faster return-on-investment compared to the type of often costly fixed assets that, at one time, were considered central to any automated warehouse project.

These days adopting automation no longer requires every aspect of the warehouse or distribution centre to be automated – just the parts of it that will benefit most and, as a result, this sophisticated technology is within financial reach of SMEs as well as the biggest players.

So, introducing warehouse automation has become a multi-phased project and by applying a systematic approach to identify the most common intralogistics functions and  aspects of the material flow process, systems can be designed that fit the user’s needs and drive productivity, efficiency and lower overall supply chain costs.

Improved safety

Despite the noteworthy efforts over many years of such respected organisations as the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA), the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) and the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) to shine a spotlight on the often devastating consequences of lift truck accidents, the number of workplace accidents involving forklifts remains obstinately high.

Indeed, according to the Health and Safety Executive, a worker in the transport and distribution sector suffers a serious injury as a result of an incident involving a lift truck every single day of the year.

Forklifts colliding when entering or leaving an aisle, trucks overturning and machines  colliding with pedestrians within a warehouse or other industrial site, are among the most common type of accidents recorded.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, responsibility for the mishap is initially deemed to lie with the truck operator. And, in a beverage warehouse where palletised loads of glass bottles are often handled, the risk to forklift operators and pedestrian personnel of serious injury from, for example, a dropped pallet of wine cases, is significant.

Obviously any possibility of driver-error is removed by the introduction of automation, such as driverless forklift technology.

Automated driverless forklift trucks follow the route around the warehouse that they have been programmed to follow, so the likelihood of an automated truck damaging either the warehouse building, the storage system within it or the load being carried is virtually zero. This built-in safety functionality also means that the risk of the equipment causing injury to warehouse personnel working in the same area as an automated forklift is minimal.

Cost saving

A recent study by Logistics UK showed that in 2019, 79,000 EU nationals left the UK logistics industry – around 7,000 of whom were lift truck drivers.

The exodus is thought to have gathered pace over the past 18 months and, with the Covid crisis adding high rates of staff absenteeism to the mix, the number of qualified lift truck operators in the UK is estimated to be down by some 25 per cent on the figure needed to run the nation’s forklift fleet.

The widening gap between supply and demand, means that warehouse workers’ wages are rising. In November 2020 the average warehouse worker’s salary advertised on online job-search engine Adzuna was £19,995 per annum. By November 2021 the remuneration for order pickers was up 8 per cent year-on-year. Over the same period, vacancies for warehouse jobs were up 143%.

Given that human labour is already one of the most significant costs associated with running a warehouse the handsome financial packages that are now required to tempt warehouse staff are prompting more and more logistics companies to seek new ways of providing the same service levels with less staff.

For many, this means switching to automation. AGV’s – such as Toyota’s Autopilot series – offer several benefits in addition to delivering lower labour costs, including reductions in product and building infrastructure damage and increased productivity. These notable advantages bring a rapid return on investment. Toyota’s automated forklifts (AGV’s), for example, deliver a typical ROI period of between 12 and 36 months.

Production efficiency

With manual handling technology that relies, to a large extent, on the ability of people to perform their tasks safely, efficiently and without mishap, problems with inventory tracking, picking, receiving and put-away can interrupt the flow of goods through a warehouse with alarming – and costly – regularity. But with automated handling systems goods reach their destination within the store on time every time.

Of course, manual – and often repetitive – tasks use up staff resources and effort and ensuring they are completed properly can waste a lot of valuable management time. As a result, focus can be lost and key tasks may fail to receive the attention that they should. This is when mistakes happen. And, when mistakes creep in at any stage of the intralogistics process there is a real likelihood that the entire process will suffer, to the obvious detriment of the business.

Automating repetitive manual warehouse functions gives management the comfort of knowing that the flow of materials through the store will continue uninterrupted, leaving them free to focus on other matters that require their expertise.

In addition to reliable production flows, automation also reduces the kind of damage to goods that is unavoidable with any process involving human labour; delivers greater order picking accuracy; makes more efficient use of the available storage space; and, cuts the (rising) cost of employing increasingly hard to find workers.

Toyota Material Handling has successfully delivered more than 270 automated projects featuring over 1,000 automated guided vehicles across Europe. We work with our customers to determine the specific challenges they face and tackle them one step at a time. Breaking the process down into small modules gives clients essential scalability and means that, if they wish to, customers can partially automate their processes while retaining the option to introduce more automated technology as future demands change.

 

 

Combilift promises “lots to discover” at LogiMAT

Posted on by David Priestman

In spite of Covid, product development at Combilift has continued at its usual fast pace, so there are a great deal of new things to look out for at LogiMAT as the company takes part in one of its first major trade fairs for a couple of years. The show’s motto – “smart, sustainable, safe” – ties in perfectly with the dozen exhibits on the 200 sq m stand, all of which were designed with these very specific attributes in mind.

Eleven of the models on show are electric, reflecting the move towards more sustainable and emission-free materials handling across many industry sectors. These include 3- and 4-wheeled sideloaders, multidirectional trucks, a selection of the ever growing range of pedestrian operated stacker trucks, and the Aisle Master range of narrow aisle articulated forklifts.

Combilift CEO and Co-Founder Martin McVicar said: “Over 60% of the trucks we manufacture are now electric, with availability in almost all models across our range, and more and more of our customers are switching to electric power.”

Following the virtual launches of the Combi-XLE and the Combi-MR4 this year, visitors will have the opportunity to see these machines up close and live for the first time. The demo area reserved on the stand for the Combi-MR4 will showcase the extraordinary manoeuvrability of this 4-wheel electric-powered multidirectional reach-truck, which incorporates Combilift’s new Dynamic 360° steering. This enables seamless directional change of this extremely agile forklift while on the move and allows it to work in forward, sideward and crab steer mode for speedy operation. For maximum use of low level space in racking systems, the configuration of two drive wheels at the rear and two sets of smaller dual front wheels provides a platform height as low as 380mm.

For visitors to LogiMAT looking to operate forklifts that not only enable vast space and cost savings, but that are also smarter, more sustainable and safer, Combilift recommends a visit to its stand.

Stobart chooses Flexi Trucks for beverage handling

Posted on by David Priestman

Eddie Stobart Contract Logistics has upgraded the materials handling equipment at a UK site in Magna Park, Lutterworth, with the introduction of state-of-the-art Flexi Truck articulated very narrow aisle (VNA) forklift technology.

Eddie Stobart has operated articulated trucks across its UK business for several years and the new Flexi Truck models will be deployed to service one of the company’s long-standing beverage industry accounts.

The new models have a lift height of 13.2m and, thanks to the Flexi Truck’s HiVIS lift mast, CCTV system, lift height selectors and specially developed integrated tilting and side shifting fork carriage, mast deflection when tilting is eliminated. This means that even at the highest lift heights pallet movement is fast and hugely efficient.

The trucks, which are built in the West Midlands by Narrow Aisle Ltd, have been supplied with a high-definition LCD CCTV system to ensure that the operator has a clear view of the load and the racking when retrieving and putting away pallets at height.

Like all models in the latest Flexi Truck digital range, the trucks can perform safely both inside and outside the warehouse pallet racking. This feature eliminates double handling and means that a single Flexi will do the work of two trucks: it unloads or loads from the goods-in zone like a counterbalanced truck and operates within the VNA aisleways without needing costly guidance systems or pick and deposit stations at the end of an aisle.

A dedicated battery power charging and changing system has been installed to provide round-the-clock operation at minimum energy cost. Being a food grade warehouse means the elimination of diesel and LP gas-powered forklifts is a significant benefit.

The fleet is supported by a detailed service level agreement to operate on three-shift, seven-day availability.

Narrow Aisle’s managing director, John Maguire, commented: “Eddie Stobart seek to continuously improve operational efficiencies and the decision to invest in Flexi Truck articulated lift ruck technology is part of that commitment.

“Eddie Stobart recognise the operational benefits that articulated truck-based intralogistics solutions offer and see Flexi Truck as an articulated truck brand they can trust.”

STILL products score double success

Posted on by David Priestman

In voting for “Product of the Year”, readers of German trade publication materialfluss have twice opted for products or logistics concepts from the Hamburg-based intralogistics expert STILL.

It was the third time that materialfluss called on its readers to vote for the Product of the Year. The search was on for products and projects that either have a special technical feature, whose market success in 2021 speaks in favour of an award or whose product has a special influence on the industry. Entries were accepted in a total of 14 categories.

STILL GmbH came out on top in the ‘Warehousing and Order Picking Technology’ category as well as ‘Logistics, Logistics Real Estate and Transport’ category, and is one of the top three in these categories, all of which are deemed winners according to the competition’s statutes.

The STILL OPX iGo neo

In the warehouse and order-picking technology category, STILL entered the OPX iGo neo autonomous order picker (pictured) with its new intelligent assistance systems such as Easy Protect, which virtually guarantees efficiency and safety.

The STILL OPX iGo neo follows its operator every step of the way and, in autonomous mode, adapts its travel path, speed and stopping positions to the task at hand and its environment. It also brakes automatically at cross aisles and reacts situationally to obstacles and people.

The OPX iGo neo is the first order picker to be equipped with a comprehensive pedestrian protection system (PPE) with safety laser scanners.

Reorganisation at Siemens

A manufacturer-independent intralogistics concept developed by STILL Intralogistics Consulting for Siemens is the second nomination with which the Hamburg-based company took part in the materialfluss reader survey in the logistics, warehouse real estate and transport category and was awarded a prize.

With this concept, the picking performance at Siemens WKC (Chemnitz plant for combination technology) was increased by 150%. To achieve this, an intralogistics area that could not be expanded was modified in the course of the project to accommodate the goods previously stored in another warehouse as well as the picking activities. The challenge was to increase the pallet capacity by 40%, the capacity for small load carriers by 240% and, at the same time, the picking performance by 110%, while maintaining the same floor space.

Another goal of the reorganisation was to install a logistics system on the existing floor space that was tailored to the customers’ needs and at the same time more efficient. To ensure efficient use of space, the STILL experts opted for a high-bay pallet warehouse combined with an AutoStore system.

After joint planning by STILL Consulting and Siemens WKC, the STILL and Dematic sales teams took over. STILL supplied the platform and racking system, while Dematic focused on installing the AutoStore system and the conveyor technology.

The two awards were presented virtually to Frank Müller, Senior Vice President Sales & Service Steering STILL EMEA, on 16th March. “I am delighted to receive these awards. After all, they are awarded by a particularly critical jury – namely the readers of the trade magazine materialfluss,” Müller emphasised in the run-up to the award ceremony.

“I am particularly pleased, however, that the continuing high level of innovation of our STILL employees has been recognised in this way. The readers’ vote shows us very clearly that we are on the right track with our development work and our independent consultancy services. I would like to sincerely thank the readers of materialfluss for this confirmation.”

 

Fronius offers smart network solution for battery chargers

Posted on by David Priestman

Digital networking is taking great leaps forward in intralogistics, including in the operation of electric forklift trucks. In Charge & Connect, Fronius Perfect Charging offers a software solution that networks the charging infrastructure and enables industrially secure data transfer in real time. Users benefit from greater transparency and control of the entire charging infrastructure, giving them the power to boost the efficiency of their intralogistics.

Monitoring and managing the processes involved in charging traction batteries poses a challenge for many forklift truck operators. They often lack an overview of truck availability and current power consumption, particularly in the case of large fleets. Charge & Connect is the intelligent solution from Fronius: networking Selectiva battery chargers makes it possible to log and analyse all the relevant charging data and visualise it in a clearly arranged dashboard. The result? A range of options for users to boost intralogistics performance and reduce costs.

Cross-location, central overview

Charge & Connect displays information such as the state of charge of the connected batteries, energy consumption and the battery charger status. The user benefits from a central overview across several locations and can see where charging processes can be improved. Extensive analysis functions make it possible to find and rectify operating and application errors.

Real-time status monitoring

This software solution from Fronius Perfect Charging also helps operators to reduce downtime among their forklift truck fleets. For instance, if the charging infrastructure develops an error or fault, Charge & Connect will automatically send a push notification to the contact saved in the system. A detailed description of the error including step-by-step instructions on how to rectify it mean problems can be addressed before they result in expensive downtime or lifecycle costs.

Sustainable cost optimisation

The system also collates statistics that can be opened and viewed at any time, providing added benefits. Data from the networked charging infrastructure is analysed in the system and presented in an informative way. The statistics can be used to see whether the ideal number of traction batteries is being used, whether potential savings could be made, etc. The long-term view showing battery charger performance also helps to ascertain whether and when expensive load peaks occur. This data can be used to introduce optimisation steps and reduce energy costs.

 

Toyota extols safer logistics at seminar 

Posted on by David Priestman

Toyota Material Handling is the sponsor of a brand new feature at the Health & Safety Event 2022 – this year’s largest gathering of professionals responsible for running safe and efficient workplaces (NEC, Birmingham, 5-7 April 2022). The Safer Logistics Theatre will be an expert-led, free-to-attend seminar programme featuring a range of high profile speakers who will provide valuable insights into maintaining an optimal health and safety regime within the warehouse and across the supply chain.

For example, at noon every day throughout the exhibition Toyota’s Paul Mulcahy (pictured) and Keith Smith will host a session dedicated to the importance of good mental wellbeing.

Mulcahy and Smith will describe the processes that Toyota implemented to help team members through the pandemic period and go on to explain how poor mental health can be linked to physical accidents in the workplace.

Some of the advances in technology and product design that are playing an important role in cutting accident rates across the logistics industry will also be outlined.

Mulcahy comments: “Toyota has always been at the forefront of the development of new and advanced safety solutions. For example, as long ago as 1999 we launched our iconic SAS – System of Active Stability. Regarded as one of the most important safety developments in the material handling industry, the Toyota SAS dramatically reduces the risk of truck tip-overs by detecting unsafe operating conditions.”

As well as the opportunity to listen to some high quality educational presentations, those attending the Safer Logistics Theatre seminars will earn CPD points.

Toyota will also showcase models from its extensive range of handling solutions, including hand- and powered-pallet trucks, tow tractors and counterbalance forklift trucks at the Health & Safety Event.

Among the products on display on stand 4/H150 will be the recently launched 1600kg capacity Toyota BT Levio LWI160 – the first-ever purpose-designed lithium-ion powered pallet truck (PPT).

When developing this new model Toyota’s engineers removed the battery compartment that is a standard feature on traditional lead-acid battery-driven PPTs. The result is a smaller and lighter PPT, which, because there is no battery compartment to lift or lower, is exceptionally energy efficient, and delivers maximum uptime and reduced CO2 emissions.

Toyota will also demonstrate the health and safety benefits that its I_Site fleet management system brings to any environment where lift trucks are in operation.

The I-Site package features a range of tools to ensure maximum on-site safety. One such device is the system’s ability to make sure that the truck automatically goes into creep speed after a collision and can only go back to full capacity after being checked by a technician or re-set by an authorised person. The system also controls forklift access to make sure only trained drivers can operate machines, while unique driver profiles can also be created for increased safety.

Mulcahy says: “Successful warehousing and order fulfilment is all about maximising efficiency and productivity, but those joint aims should never be achieved at the expense of safety, which is why Toyota is constantly working to develop new and better safety technologies that reduce lift truck accidents.”

 

Flash Battery celebrates strong 2021 revenue

Posted on by David Priestman

Flash Battery’s revenues for 2021 amounted to €17.3m, up 25% on the previous year, meaning that the company has consolidated its leadership role in the production of lithium batteries for industrial machines and electric vehicles.

With 2020 having seen a 5% growth in revenues despite a slowdown in production in the first half of the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2021 the company, based in Sant’Ilario d’Enza (Emilia-Romagna, Italy), also registered a significant increase of 16% in new hires, bringing the total number of employees to 65, more than a third of whom are involved in R&D activities.

Marco Righi, CEO of Flash Battery, SAID: “2021 was a very important year for us. While results include a significant increase of 25% in foreign revenues, what stands out above all is a series of factors that have enabled us to reinforce our development strategies on the domestic front, but also on international markets, where we are already present in 54 countries.”

Among the elements underlined by Righi are the opening of the new headquarters (150 workstations, investment of €7.5m), significant investments in research, participation in major European Union electrification projects, and the forging of new commercial partnerships in several European countries characterised by the highest levels of dynamism in their approach to electric power conversion.

“Last year,” explains Righi, “we joined BEPA (the Batteries European Partnership Association), an entity that brings together more than 170 industrial companies, universities and research institutes committed to attaining the goals set out at the end of 2020 by the European Commission in the context of the Horizon Europe Programme. This grouping will pour more than €925m into research and innovation projects in the battery sector. At the same time, Flash Battery has established several prestigious partnerships with highly experienced powertrain system integrators active in the main markets.”

Primary among these are Atech in Germany, Efa France in France and Q-Tronic in Benelux. “Along with Italy,” says Righi, “these three markets are fundamental to the progress of the industrial electric transition, especially considering that together they account for more than 80% of the entire European market for the electrification of industrial machinery and electric vehicles.”

“Our prospects for development,” continues the CEO, “are very much linked to foreign markets, both directly and indirectly. Indeed, 35% of our output is currently directed abroad. However, if we consider that the batteries supplied to Italian customers are installed in machines and vehicles that will be exported all over the world, we can say that more than 80% of Flash Battery’s production is internationally oriented.”

Flash Battery was recognised as the best under-40 enterprise in Emilia-Romagna in 2021. But looking to the future, 2022 is of particular importance, as the company will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its founding by Marco Righi and Alan Pastorelli, now Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

“The electrification market is constantly evolving,” says the CEO. “In recent years we have seen an increasing number of industries willing to take the decisive step towards the electrification of vehicles, machines and processes. Up till five years ago, we would never even have dreamed of electrifying an excavator or an agricultural machine, whereas today, in conjunction with the broad field of logistics, we have developed several electric prototypes in the construction and agricultural sectors, to name but a few.

“As we celebrate our 10th anniversary,” concludes Righi, “we are committed to developing new prototypes of lithium batteries for the electrification of increasingly larger vehicles and machines, combining high performance with a reduction in the environmental footprint of high-powered engines.”

Subscribe

Get notified about New Episodes of our Podcast, New Magazine Issues and stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter.