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Tag: forklifts

Mobility Company opts for Mitsubishi Forklifts

Posted on by Keith McKinley

By any measure, CareCo is a genuine success story. Built on energy, innovation and a keen attention to detail, the company’s continued expansion has seen it grow from a small family business operating from a barn to pole position as the UK’s leading whole-range supplier of mobility aids. An expanding fleet of lift trucks has been instrumental in that process, supplied and supported by the local Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks distributor.

Overcoming dual challenges

The challenges facing CareCo were two-fold as relocated from its previous showroom-warehouse in Brentwood to a purpose-designed facility incorporating 100,000 sq ft of warehouse space in Braintree. The first was to coordinate the movement of stock from a series of different locations in the Brentwood area. This was achieved seamlessly with the help of the local Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks distributor who supplied the most appropriate handling equipment on short-term rental.

The second was to identify precisely the right equipment to ensure the new warehouse would operate with optimum efficiency. That resulted in a fleet comprising two Mitsubishi VELiA low level order pickers (LLOPs), two Mitsubishi PREMiA power pallet trucks (PPTs), one Mitsubishi SENSiA reach truck, two Mitsubishi EDiA electric counterbalance trucks plus four Aisle Masters.

All the trucks were supplied on time and in stylish CareCo house livery.

“Meeting a hard deadline of early May was a real challenge,” explains Joe Bronze, local distributor for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks. “The international shortage of components means that virtually all new forklift and warehouse trucks are on extremely long leads times. We had to be really creative, using a range of different models from our rental fleet to bridge the gap and ensure CareCo were able to commence operations right on schedule.”

Huge range handled with ease

With more than 200 employees, the company offers an exceptionally wide range of products that play an essential role in daily life, helping its customers maintain their independence by managing medication, using the bathroom and getting dressed in the morning.

“We supply everything from a mobility scooter to the rubber tips that go on the ends of walking sticks,” explains CareCo Head of Operations Steve Robinson. “It’s a huge range that calls for specialised storage and handling systems but our truck fleet handles it with ease.

“The Mitsubishi VELiA low level order pickers are used mainly to pick larger items such as wheelchairs, rollators and bath lifts from the lower racking. The power pallet and counterbalance trucks are used to run stock away from assembly lines – where it’s held for checking – before being taken to the intake lanes for the racking.

“That’s where the Aisle Masters take over, operating in the narrow aisle section of the warehouse, putting stock away and feeding pickers in the assembly area. They also work in the bulk racking aisle alongside the Mitsubishi SENSiA reach truck which also feeds a mezzanine floor where smaller items such as spare parts for the service team are stored. Plus we have a scissor-lift that is used for order picking as well as for essential maintenance work.”

At a second CareCo distribution facility in Leeds, CareCo also have four additional trucks – also supplied by their local Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks distributor: two Aisle Masters, a Mitsubishi VELiA low level order picker and a Mitsubishi EDiA electric counterbalance truck that keep the goods moving.

Nimble and exceptionally reliable

“The trucks have been excellent,” says Steve Robinson. “The Mitsubishi low level order pickers and power pallet trucks are really nimble and all the trucks have been exceptionally reliable. We’ve had absolutely no issues at all.

“On the service side, the team are fantastic. They’ve been with CareCo from the start and have proved themselves time and again. We had a minor issue with the speed of the low level order pickers and they adjusted them immediately to suit our particular working environment. The team are genuinely on the ball and their response times are outstanding.”

Yale Launches Outdoor Reach Truck

Posted on by David Priestman

Yale Lift Truck Technologies has launched a new Outdoor Reach Truck, which it says applies smart design to meet the operational needs of logistics businesses. The Yale MRO16-20 will reliably support warehousing and distribution applications which incorporate both indoor and outdoor storage and handling areas.

“The materials handling industry is evolving, and so are the challenges that come with it for our customers,” says Gianbattista Scaramuzza, Senior Product Strategy Manager, Warehouse Products at Yale Lift Truck Technologies. “With the new Outdoor Reach Truck, we’re using tried and tested design and technology to provide a solution for industries where outdoor storage and activities are increasingly becoming an extension of the warehousing and intralogistics operations.”

The Yale MRO16-20 is positioned to aid the streamlining of vehicle-to-warehouse movements by combining the functionality of two traditional trucks into one product.

The multipurpose MRO16-20 Outdoor Reach Truck can handle goods as a counterbalance truck would and reach up to 7.5m in height, allowing operators to perform both functions with just one forklift.

Scaramuzza explained: “The Yale MRO16-20 enables warehouse managers to consolidate their fleet. Combining the use of Super Elastic tyres with the design philosophy of a reach truck, this new outdoor reach truck is ideal for sites with mixed indoor and outdoor applications.”

Smooth Transition

The Outdoor Reach Truck is designed to transition from outdoor movement of goods to indoor stacking and picking. One of the main features of the Yale MR016-20 is the Super Elastic tyres, which offer a comfortable ride for the driver and place less stress on the truck’s components.

The MRO Series is available with a number of configurable options to tailor it to its working environment. An example is the optional air suspended seat, where operators can enjoy high levels of comfort that could increase overall productivity.

Customers can choose between a lead-acid or a lithium-ion battery to power their MRO Series Outdoor Reach Trucks.

Telescopic forks are also available as an option, allowing the loading and unloading of lorries to take place all from one side and giving warehouse planners additional options thanks to dual deep lay outs.

The Yale MRO16-20 trucks can be fitted with Pedestrian Awareness Lights to warn people that a reach truck is in the area, while the Side Red Line system alerts others of their proximity to the truck. A working light assists visibility in dark environments, helping productivity and the easy handling of goods.

“We understand that uptime and productivity are essential in warehousing and intralogistics. We believe that this multi-functional concept, with the use of Super Elastic tyres and other key features, will prove to be very useful for businesses needing to operate both indoors and outdoors,” added Scaramuzza. “Yale is continually evolving to meet the challenges of the industry and the needs of its customers. The launch of the Yale MRO16-20 is part of that evolution.”

Transparent Dialogue for Customer Satisfaction

Posted on by David Priestman

Reliable, fast and competent customer service along with a strong customer satisfaction focus have always been hallmarks claimed by Still.

With innovative, digital solutions, forward-looking and individual service and a high level of solution expertise, the Hamburg-based intralogistics specialist ensures customer satisfaction and the maximum availability and efficiency of their material handling fleets. Close dialogue with customers and transparent satisfaction indicators such as the Net Promoter Score (NPS) enable STILL to continuously evaluate and optimise their services.

Availability is a central issue of fleet management in intralogistics – and a prerequisite for high customer satisfaction. After all, the smooth, reliable and increasingly optimised operation of industrial trucks is a crucial factor when considering the total cost of ownership.

As a result, aspects such as customer orientation and service are becoming important differentiators in global competition. STILL, the Hamburg-based expert for customised intralogistics solutions, has been committed to the maxim of customer focus ever since the company was founded more than 100 years ago. And to this day, the claim to be the most customer-focused supplier in the industry is firmly anchored in the company’s objectives. For good reason: Investing in an industrial truck is, after all, a long-term purchase and the equipment is usually in use for many years. Reliable and competent service during the time of use is an important guarantee for consistent availability and a partnership on an equal footing. “Customers often tell us that our excellent service is a key factor in their decision to choose STILL as their partner for intralogistics challenges,” explains Frank Müller, Senior Vice President STILL Brand Management.

Indispensable even in the digital age: personal contact STILL offers a comprehensive service network, more than 3,500 service technicians throughout EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and a wide range of smart service tools, also for predictive maintenance and vehicle-independent fleet management – but personal contact with the customer remains essential for long-term customer satisfaction. “From years of experience, we know how important it is for our customers to have a contact person who can be reached personally for all questions regarding vehicles, maintenance, repairs and further developments of their fleet,” explains Frank Müller. “Continuous dialogue is also essential for us to provide our customers with competent advice and to develop solutions tailored precisely to their needs for their individual intralogistical challenges.”

To objectively assess how satisfied customers really are with STILL’s products, solutions and services and to identify any areas that may need improvement, STILL has been conducting customer satisfaction surveys in all business segments continuously for more than twelve years. Following contact with STILL employees, services or products, such as a repair, customers are asked about their experiences and satisfaction in a structured telephone interview. In addition to service, the survey also covers product-specific areas such as new equipment, used equipment and rental. “The customer satisfaction survey is an important evaluation tool for us, as it assesses the work of our sales and service organisation directly and at first hand. I am all the more pleased that in the area of service, especially the aspects of service quality, response time and competence of the technicians are always rated very positively,” says Müller.

Transparent key figures ensure highest customer satisfaction The most important component of the customer satisfaction survey is the evaluation of the likelihood of customers recommending the company to others. For this purpose, STILL is using the NPS system. It was developed around 20 years ago and has since been used by leading companies around the world. The NPS is collected separately as part of the telephone customer surveys in all STILL business segments and provides information on a scale of zero to ten about how likely customers are to recommend STILL to others. The result of the evaluations is a score between -100 and +100, with an NPS greater than zero already representing a positive assessment.

In the past twelve months alone, STILL has conducted more than 23,000 such interviews across all business segments in 20 countries throughout EMEA – with results that impressively demonstrate that STILL more than lives up to its own claim: In the service segment, the NPS in the EMEA region currently totals a very good 59.7 (with around 18,000 interviews conducted in this segment). This clearly shows that the vast majority of customers would recommend STILL’s service to others.

Naturally, it is always best to receive praise. Nonetheless, STILL also sees critical customer reactions as a valuable opportunity. If criticism or dissatisfaction is expressed during an interview, the respective business unit is contacted personally by its regional contact person. The point of criticism is discussed in detail and a solution is found together. “Dealing with criticism in a solution-oriented way is essential for this,” explains Müller. “And in the process, we repeatedly find that it is often only minor adjustments that need to be made to resolve dissatisfaction and turn a critical customer into a satisfied multiplier.”

Yale Add-ons Help Optimise Warehouse Safety

Posted on by David Priestman

Yale Lift Truck Technologies has launched two specially engineered operator assistance options to support warehouse safety and intralogistics operations. Available via its Special Products Engineering Department (SPED), the Reverse Speed System and Dynamic Pedestrian Awareness Lights, can be fitted to selected Yale® electric lift truck models and may help to optimise operational safety and efficiency.

“Yale Lift Truck Technologies is focused on producing technology-enabled lift trucks for warehouse and intralogistics operations that support productivity, efficiency, and reduced costs,” says Robert O’Donoghue, Vice President Marketing and Solutions EMEA, Yale Lift Truck Technologies. “Intralogistics operations can stay competitive, by adopting the latest technologies. The new forklift add-on solutions provide a way for warehouses to specify reliable equipment that is designed to meet their application and operators’ requirements.”

The patent-pending Reverse Speed System is available for Yale electric lift trucks, which are well suited to indoor warehouse operations. As an operator assistance option, it is suitable for use in warehouses across many industries, such as food distribution, beverage manufacturing, or auto parts distribution. However, it may be particularly useful where high numbers of temporary or agency staff are employed, such as in retail and e-commerce warehouses, or third-party logistics (3PL) operations.

The system includes a sensor next to the rear drive handle, which detects when a hand is positioned on the handle. When the sensor is activated, it allows the truck to reach full reverse speed. If the sensor is not activated the reverse speed is limited to 2 km/h. Holding the handle encourages the operator to look in the direction of travel whilst reversing which is standard practice and important for keeping clear of pedestrians and objects in the path of travel. When the sensor is activated, the forward speed is limited to 8 km/h to minimise operator bypass of the system.

“Warehouses may find that the Reverse Speed System can help to enhance efficiency and productivity, keeping lift trucks and the operation moving, whilst supporting safety,” says Robert. “Certain operations may also benefit from the new Dynamic Pedestrian Awareness Lights option.”

These compact LED lights can be front and/or rear mounted on most Yale electric forklifts, and are direction activated. They work in a similar way to ‘spot’ pedestrian lights, except that they display a dynamic, repeating, “progressively flashing” blue arrow pattern on the floor. This pattern provides visible indication to nearby pedestrians or truck operators that a lift truck is approaching, as well as indicating what direction it is approaching from.

“Fast paced intralogistics operations may have a high number of pedestrians who could potentially benefit from this solution,” says Robert. “Equally, it may be useful in warehouses where there are blind corners, cross aisles, or unloading operations with sub-optimal visibility conditions.”

This option may also support operational efficiency as it helps minimise the risk of disruption due to potential incidents. It may also help minimise the risk of damage to stock and infrastructure, and the associated costs.

For intralogistics operations and warehouses that operate lift trucks outdoors, either in loading or storage areas, Dynamic Pedestrian Awareness Lights can also be supplied with selected Yale internal combustion forklifts. However, operations must take into account the fact that LED lights can be completely invisible in brightly lit conditions, such as in daylight.

“Yale Lift Truck Technologies is continually responding to ever-changing market conditions and demands,” adds Robert. “This is one example where we have provided solutions for the differing needs of our warehouse customers.”

Yale and its network of Dealer Partners are focused on customer success and supporting productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in the fast-changing intralogistics industry. Both new add-ons are available to order from independent Yale dealers internationally.

Yale Appoints new Warehouse Sales Director

Posted on by David Priestman

Yale Lift Truck Technologies has appointed Ron Farr to a new role as Director, Warehouse Sales – EMEA, helping to continue to drive the brand’s focus on the intralogistics industry.

In his role, Farr will support the independent Yale Dealer Partners across the region in providing customers with the right materials handling solutions to meet their operational requirements. The creation of this new position demonstrates the importance Yale places on developing its capabilities and solutions for the fast-evolving warehouse sector.

“I’m excited about this new position because my entire life has been about warehouse trucks, and I see customer engagement with a warehouse machine as slightly different to that of the counterbalance truck,” says Farr, who has worked for the organisation for almost 25 years.

“In my new role, I am looking forward to helping our dealers to realise new opportunities, so that our warehouse customers can experience and benefit from our technology-enabled lift trucks,” he continues. “We understand the issues that warehouses face, and have solutions to help meet these challenges. Our aim is to support productivity, efficiency, and reduced costs, as well as providing the excellent service and support that dynamic intralogistics operations rely on.”

Farr has worked in a number of roles throughout his career, including as a Draftsman, a Technical Manager, and in Sales. All his roles have been related to warehouse equipment, giving him a high level of insight and expertise that will benefit customers and dealers alike.

Yale Lift Truck Technologies leverages over a century of material handling experience and substantial investment in innovation to bring the most advanced technology-driven lift truck solutions to market. The company offers a full line of award-winning lift trucks, including reach trucks, order pickers, very narrow aisle trucks, pallet jacks and trucks, pallet stackers, tow tractors and counterbalanced forklifts, as well as powerful operator assist solutions, proven robotics and a wide range of power sources to help customers adapt to today’s demanding supply chain. Yale and its independent dealer network support these solutions with comprehensive after-sales service, parts, financing and training.

Podcast: Automation: The Future of Your Warehouse

Posted on by David Priestman

The fourth episode of our Podcast series, ‘Logistics Business Conversations’, is now available to listen to on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Acast, Google Podcasts, Amazon Audible, YouTube, and all other podcast distribution platforms – just search for ‘Logistics Business Conversations’.

Warehouse Automation is in vogue at the moment due to labour shortages and costs, but the issues are more complex than that. Learn from industry leader Jungheinrich, who provide the full spectrum of materials handling products. What is the future of robotics and forklift trucks? Peter MacLeod talks to Jungheinrich UK MD Paul Lynam and Director of Projects Spencer Goss about customer needs and future trends.

Listen anytime on your preferred platform or by clicking here. Watch our recent Webinars or listen to any of our Podcasts here.

Jungheinrich UK is a leading material handling solutions provider. It is a subsidiary of Hamburg based Jungheinrich AG which employs 19,000 colleagues around the world. Jungheinrich provides a holistic range of products and services in terms of equipment & solutions, warehousing and material flow engineering. Jungheinrich is leading the way with the latest technology including Lithium-Ion batteries and warehouse automation.

The company’s Logistics Systems division offers warehouse concept design and material flow analysis, project management, installation of pallet racking and shelving right up to semi and fully automated warehouse solutions such as Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems as well as Autonomous Mobile Robots and Automated Guided Vehicles.

Jungheinrich UK is headquartered in Milton Keynes and has a large warehouse, workshop and regional head office in Warrington. Jungheinrich currently employs over 750 staff in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of which almost 500 are working in the Customer support & Aftersales sector.

Jungheinrich celebrates its 60 year anniversary in the UK in 2023. This landmark helps highlight a wealth of experience at the forefront of materials handling solutions and, more than ever, instils the confidence that the company can find the perfect solution for any application.

IFOY Test Report: STILL EXH 16

Posted on by Keith McKinley

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

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

IFOY category: Warehouse Truck “lowlifter”

IFOY Test Report

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IFOY Innovation Check

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

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

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

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

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

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

IFOY Test Report: Sentics ORTLS

Posted on by Keith McKinley

With just a few days to go before the IFOY Award winners are announced in a glittering ceremony in Dortmund on June 22nd, we look at the optical real time locating system (ORTLS) from Sentics GmbH.

The start-up Sentics has developed and launched the first optical, AI-based real-time location system for industrial applications. The complementary software products significantly increase safety and efficiency in intralogistics.

IFOY category: Start-up of the Year

IFOY Test Report

Sentics optical real-time localisation system is based on infrastructure sensors installed in the industrial environment. The sensor system detects and localises relevant objects such as forklifts, people or machines and makes this information available for numerous applications. Real-time analysis of the locations and movement profiles of people and industrial trucks enables critical situations to be detected at an early stage and accidents to be prevented by means of warnings and automated reduction of travel speed. With the help of a targeted configuration of the driving strategy, users can also preventively reduce the driving speed in hazardous areas. Conversely, industrial trucks can continue to operate with high productivity if there are no people or other obstacles in the travel area.

The localisation system can also be used for autonomous transport systems, which can currently only be operated with limited productivity due to the challenges of mixed traffic with manual vehicles and people. For this purpose, information about all driving areas is provided in real time and made available to the fleet managers of the autonomous transport vehicles. An analysis of historical movement profiles also enables safety and productivity to be increased.

Alternative real-time localisation systems are based on additional technical devices (transponders) that must be worn by people or installed on industrial trucks. Besides the administration and maintenance effort (issuing to employees and visitors, recharging batteries, replacing defective devices, etc.), these systems have a disadvantage for security applications. If a person is not wearing the transponder or if it is defective, then that person cannot be protected. Sentics’ system does not require any additional technical devices. Thus, there can be no failures in the condition of the system. At the same time, the system is scalable in any way, because compared to transponder solutions, devices are not limited.

IFOY test verdict: In German companies, there were about 32,000 reportable accidents with industrial trucks in 2020, 10 of which ended fatally. This is according to statistics from the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). Sentics’ optical, AI-based real-time localisation system provides a solution that can help improve these figures. In addition, collaborative concepts can be implemented by integrating people, manually operated and autonomous machines – an aspect that should not be underestimated against the background that forecasts assume further growth in the AGV/AMR sector.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: The field of in-process identification technologies and their applications will be of great importance in the future in even more digitalised and automated industrial and commercial environments. Sentics not only offers a camera-based, i.e., optically working solution, but also shows safety-relevant applications of the technology, which make an amortisation possible over multiple benefits. This area of occupational safety is emphasised by Sentics itself. Certainly, the feasibility of occupational safety measures with other applications (identification, tracking & tracing) is of particular importance.

Customer benefit: The product and the applications shown offer multiple customer benefits by implementing parallel functionalities. On the one hand, the localisation of automated devices (AGVs, AMRs, etc., which themselves use localisation technology) and non-automated objects (humans, forklifts, etc.) is combined. The objects do not necessarily have to be equipped with their own devices. If control interventions such as speed reduction are to be implemented, the objects are equipped with their own hardware.

Novelty / Innovation: Optical recognition using computer vision methods is well known but is not yet widely used for comparable applications. The combination of localisation, recognition of people and active intervention in the controls is a good innovation leap.

Functionality / Type of implementation: The integration of automated technology and manual process participants in a closed system shows very good potential for implementation and is an important step into the future world of networked Industry 4.0. Especially the implementation with relatively simple cameras and the avoidance of wearables or other devices for the people participating in the process offers many advantages. The combination of several sensors in a defined environment and the joint use of their data (sensor fusion) is an intelligent solution for the multiple use of the technology employed in several applications.

Verdict: Nice application for camera-based detection and localisation of moving objects. Can neatly increase safety, but can also be used for rule-based actions for control. With this, the forklift learns to “see around the corner”! Certainly in the future, much more innovative goals are achievable with the system (detection of specific containers and load).

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

IFOY Test Report: Jungheinrich addedVIEW

Posted on by Keith McKinley

As we move closer towards the moment when the IFOY Awards are handed out in Dortmund on June 22nd, we continue our look at all of the 2023 finalists and share the verdict from the IFOY test conducted during the evaluation by an expert jury in March. Our next entry is the second from Jungheinrich AG, its addedVIEW fork camera with barcode scanning.

The Jungheinrich addedVIEW fully digital fork camera with barcode scanning reduces storage/retrieval errors in the warehouse. It prevents incorrectly recorded goods or storage locations in the warehouse management system (WMS) and thus unplanned search times, returns or loss of goods.

IFOY category: Special of the Year

IFOY Test Report

In technical terms, the device is the first fully digital fork camera in series production, with full HD resolution, broadband automotive Ethernet data transmission and software for transferring the results to any WMS. For the Jungheinrich WMS, the product is equipped with additional intelligence that, with the help of coloured overlays in the camera image, makes it possible to recognise whether the correct or incorrect barcode is located in front of the fork as it passes by. In addition, an acknowledgement button is located near the steering wheel. This keeps the forklift driver’s hands on the controls of the industrial truck. The driver does not have to reach for the scanner, scan and put the mobile device back every time.

Scanning on-site at the storage compartment and/or the goods avoids scanning incorrect barcodes from a list at the rack foot, ensuring the WMS always receives correct data and avoiding incorrect deliveries. The high-resolution, digitally enhanced image allows labels to be read at high altitudes, bypassing the need to unstack incorrect merchandise.

By scanning with the fork-mounted camera, the location of the goods movement and the location of the scan coincide. This drastically reduces putaway/retrieval errors. Examples include putting away wrong goods but scanning the “right” barcode expected by the WMS, or taking out wrong goods but scanning the “right” barcode expected by the WMS. The camera, data transmission, image processing, forwarding to the WMS and, as in the case of Jungheinrich, the WMS itself were all newly developed or expanded – into an integrated series solution.

IFOY test verdict: The integrated series solution is unique on the market, because the addedVIEW fork camera with barcode scanning gets to the root of a previously unsolvable basic problem in logistics and offers a practical and effective solution. The previously described problem of incorrect storage is particularly pronounced in reach trucks, as mix-ups can occur in high-bay warehouses due to the large number of uniform storage locations and the low clarity in the upper rack levels. Depending on the type, 20-40% of reach trucks have tine cameras, are connected to a WMS via a radio data terminal and use handheld scanners for posting. These industrial truck operators will benefit from the innovation. But forklift drivers will also benefit from the image quality and the ergonomic acknowledgement function on the steering wheel.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: The management of goods on pallets or similar in larger warehouses with the help of reach trucks and barcodes concerns a very large area of logistics, which is why the market relevance is considered to be high. The presented digital camera-based system represents an enormous step towards the improvement of such systems, as errors are largely eliminated, positioning is supported and a large time-saving potential is associated with it.

Customer benefit: Users of the addedVIEW fork camera benefit in a very direct way from this system, which goes well beyond the camera itself by integrating it into the warehouse management system (WMS). Manual barcode scanning is no longer necessary, as direct identification of the barcodes is made possible by the high resolution of the camera. The comparison with the WMS, implemented in the background, provides direct information about the correctness of the goods or storage location. Thus, faulty storage or retrieval is reduced to a minimum or can be practically excluded. Furthermore, there are no wrong trips or unnecessary times in which incorrectly stored goods have to be searched for. All in all, this can result in a significant increase in the efficiency of the warehouse system for the user.

Novelty / Innovation: The integrated solution of a digital camera presented by Jungheinrich combines visual use with the possibility of scanning barcodes and processing them in the WMS for the first time in the field of material handling equipment. Although the individual technologies do not represent a novelty in themselves, the combination in this exemplary implementation is to be regarded as highly innovative. The challenges in the development, which in some respects reside in the details, were systematically solved. One example is the realised data transmission via the automotive Ethernet cable, which was applied to the variable geometry of the mast and which, with a total length of 30m, nevertheless guarantees a safe and fast transmission.

Functionality / Type of implementation: The components of the implemented system appear in a very robust design and thus meet requirements for durability in operation. The camera is mounted on the inside of the fork, which makes damage unlikely. Likewise, the transmission cable appears to be more than able to withstand the constant bending loads due to its specially developed design.

Verdict: The addedVIEW fork camera is convincing in every respect. Its market lead is clear.

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

IFOY Test Report: Crown SP 1500

Posted on by Keith McKinley

With just a few weeks to go until the IFOY Awards are handed out in Dortmund on June 22nd, we continue our look at all of the 2023 finalists and share the verdict from the IFOY test conducted during the evaluation by an expert jury in March. Our next entry is the SP 1500 series order picker from Crown.

Category: Warehouse truck “highlifter”

IFOY Test Report

The SP 1500 is Crown’s latest high-lift order picker. It offers a load capacity of up to 1,250kg, driving speeds of up to 12km/h and a maximum lift speed of 0.71m/s at lift heights of up to 11.2m. To meet market demands, Crown redesigned the entire platform ̶ based on feedback from 250 customer surveys worldwide. The result is greater comfort, better handling, and more customisation options for users. The only element in the cab that has not changed is the Gena system, although the display now runs a new generation of software.

Thanks to the Work Assist Rail, numerous customised solutions allow the operator to set up the workstation entirely as desired. In the current configuration, however, this is only possible with tools. The safety doors that provide access to the booth have been renewed and are now easier to operate. The cab itself is 150mm higher so that even tall operators do not feel trapped as quickly or hindered by peripheral equipment attached to the Work Assist.

For the first time in high lift trucks, Crown offers the option of a dual configuration that allows the operator to control the truck from either side of the cab. The controls feature active sensing: When the right-hand control unit is gripped, the left-hand unit will be automatically activated. Thanks to the clever positioning of the controls, all hydraulic functions can be operated in a single movement. The steering wheel is tiltable and can be adjusted and operated in both horizontal (European) and vertical position (standard in the USA). The two control units on the mast side are also height-adjustable. Also new are the bright LED lights on the sides of the cabin contours. These illuminate the picking positions in the often dark aisles and give the operator an even better view of the goods.

During the IFOY test drive, it is obvious that visibility is optimised to an unprecedented degree on the SP 1500. A standard centre window, unique to these trucks, provides unsurpassed downward visibility even from great heights. Two large viewing windows are also present on the fork side, while the cab floor features grilles that provide optimal visibility without requiring the operator to leave the safe contours of the truck. For the first time on high-lift order pickers, Crown has also included a panoramic skylight that also optimises upward visibility.

The IFOY test team would have liked to have seen the central lift cylinder also replaced with two cylinders recessed into the mast for even better visibility during the extensive visibility optimisation. According to Crown, this will be considered in a future optimisation. In addition, a central cylinder that is up to 100mm shorter than the previous one would be sufficient now.

Another improvement expected in future forklift models, especially in Europe, is a footplate that acts as a dead man’s switch as a whole. At present, the SP 1500 is equipped with a large dead-man’s button, which is also much more convenient than that of its predecessor.

Another innovation is found under the battery cover. In addition to 24V units, Crown now supplies the SP 1500 with 48V batteries (from 432Ah to 960Ah). For example, for application situations where a higher residual capacity is required or a longer operating time is needed. The 48V batteries significantly increase the truck’s performance and enable, among other things, high-performance lifting. Here, the lifting speed increases to up to 0.71m/s. The standard lifting speed is already 0.58m/s, which is well above the market average. Another standard feature is regenerative lowering of the mast for greater energy efficiency.

IFOY test verdict: The SP 1500 high-lift order picker is the new standard for efficient order picking. Visibility and clarity are industry-leading and bring the greatest benefits. But the numerous customisation options to configure the workstation entirely according to your needs are also unique.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: With the SP 1500, Crown is setting new standards within order picking applications, which are increasing due to more and more demands. Increasing requirements for performance, efficiency and ergonomics in e-commerce and retail are therefore leading to high market relevance.

Customer benefit: Using the completely new model, the performance data of the SP 1500 can convince all across the board. With a lift height of over 10m at high travel and lifting speeds, a clear increase in performance can be expected. The unique ergonomics with a large number of configuration options, which were developed from studies conducted directly at the customer’s premises, are another key feature. The different aisle widths, the uniquely individually adjustable operation and the excellent field of vision are particularly worthy of mention. This without a doubt increases comfort for customers while at the same time ensuring a high level of safety during order-picking.

Novelty / Innovation: In addition to the increased performance characteristics, Crown is showing some innovative features that have a high degree of novelty in this area. Due to the high lift height, regenerative lowering could be used sensibly for the first time to increase energy efficiency, whereby low conversion efficiency is to be expected due to the hydraulic-electric-generative solution. A very impressive feature is the operator’s area, which provides the right adjustability for every body size and ensures visibility of all vehicle boundaries even at maximum lift height thanks to the viewing openings in the floor and the centre window.

Functionality / Type of implementation: The SP 1500 delivers what it promised on paper and appears in an outstandingly solid design. In every respect, it offers adjustment possibilities that promise comfortable work and even address the different needs of the European and American markets. For example, the steering wheel can be switched between vertical and horizontal in the simplest way, which underlines the universality of the truck with this exemplary detail.

Verdict: Crown’s SP 1500 convinces in every respect and is ahead in the market comparison.

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

 

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