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Tag: Intralogistics

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

Intralogistics experts present hybrid talk series

Posted on by David Priestman

“Thesen am Tresen – The STILL Logistics Talk” is the title of a talk series for investment decision-makers and logistics enthusiasts developed by the Hamburg-based intralogistics company STILL. The first round of talks will be held during the German Logistics Congress in Berlin from October 20 to 22.

STILL will turn the gourmet restaurant “Hugos” at the Berlin Hotel “InterContinental” into a recording studio during the 38th edition of the congress of the German Logistics Association (BVL).  For 40 minutes each in a total of five talks, logistics experts from industry, trade, logistics services and science will discuss provoking theses that are of concern to them today and in the future. The discussions at the bar will revolve around the topics of globalisation, digitalisation, the environment, automation and security, and will be hosted by the logistics journalists Anita Würmser and Thilo Jörgl.

For those interested who are not attending the congress, the sessions will be broadcast live on the internet. Those who cannot watch the free live streams will have the opportunity to watch them afterwards on the STLL website. Through this hybrid format, STILL aims to make this valuable content accessible to a wider audience.

“We will discuss the megatrends in the field of logistics in an innovative format that people are familiar with from television. We are delighted that decision-makers from the most important industries and renowned scientists have accepted our invitation to share their knowledge publicly in an entertaining format,” states Frank Müller, Senior Vice President Brand Management / Sales & Service Steering STILL EMEA. Researchers from TU Dresden, Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg, the Fraunhofer IFF in Magdeburg and the Fraunhofer IML in Dortmund are those who have accepted the invitation. Representatives from Warsteiner, Hermes Fulfilment, FIEGE, DB Schenker, SICK, BLG Logistics and logistics experts from KION and STILL are among those on the panel from the business world.

Thesen am Tresen – The STILL Logistics Talk at a glance

Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 11.00-11.40 CET – Globalisation

Can we manage without China? How Covid is changing value chains.

Andrea Eck, Member of the Board of Management, BLG Logistics

Christine Mezger-Behan, Vice President Logistics System, KION ITS EMEA

Ralf Düster, Member of the Executive Board, Setlog Holding

Anita Würmser (host)

 

Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 15.00-15.40 CET – Climate and Environment

Everything but exhaust fumes: Here’s what the forklift truck of the future will look like.

Rolf Beckmann, Director Engineering, FIEGE Group

Daniel Küster, Supply Chain Director, Warsteiner Group

Prof. Dr. Thorsten Schmidt, Chair of Technical Logistics, TU Dresden

Frank Müller, Senior Vice President Brand Management & Sales & Service Steering STILL EMEA

Thilo Jörgl (host)

 

Thursday, October 21, 2021, 11.00-11.40 CET – Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence

The warehouse is dead. Long live the warehouse! How artificial intelligence is changing logistics.

Tobias Zierhut, Senior Vice President – Mobile Automation, KION Group

Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael ten Hompel, Executive Director, Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML, Dortmund

Anita Würmser (host)

 

Thursday, October 21, 2021, 3:00-3:40 CET – Automation

A digital dump is still a dump: How to avoid automating the wrong way.

Kevin Kufs, CEO, Hermes Fulfilment

Prof. Dr. Julia Arlinghaus, Director, Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF, Magdeburg

Marina Hein, Vice President International Key Account Solutions, KION ITS EMEA

Thilo Jörgl (host)

 

Friday, October 22, 2021, 11.00-11.40 CET – Safety/Research

Mostly cloudy: How cloud applications prevent accidents in the warehouse.

Erik Wirsing, Vice President Global Innovation, DB Schenker

Andreas Höll, Technical Industry Manager, Sick

Prof. Dr. Alice Kirchheim, Chair of Logistics Systems Technology, Helmut Schmidt University Hamburg

Ansgar Bergmann, Technology & Innovation – CTR, Project Manager CTO, STILL

Thilo Jörgl (host)

 

 

IFOY 2021 finalists complete successful test camp

Posted on by David Priestman

At the IFOY Test Days in Dortmund, 17 nominees for the International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY Award) underwent five days of multi-stage testing. Never before have so many products and solutions been in the final for the “Oscars of intralogistics”, and that despite the corona pandemic. Almost 600 participants followed the IFOY Test Days over five days.

New developments from arculus, Cargotec Engineering, HAI ROBOTICS, Hänel, H+E Produktentwicklung, HHLA Sky, BMW subsidiary idealworks, Interroll Group, NIMMSTA, OPPIDUM TIC, Still, SYNAOS, Volume Lagersysteme and WAKU Robotics were all present in the test arena in Hall 4 of the IFOY partner Messe Dortmund.

From March 22 to 26, the nominees in the ninth round of the competition were critically tested by an official tester, a team of researchers and the international jury, some of whom were digitally connected. Representatives of the 14 manufacturers received the “Best in Intralogistics” certificates for their nominees from Gordon Riske, Chairman of the Board of the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association.

In the Test Camp Intralogistics, almost 100 logistics experts from industry, trade and logistics services tested this year’s finalists as well as nominees from previous years in the 8,400 square metre hall. From forklifts and warehouse technology equipment to AGVs and software, specials and solutions from five start-ups, a total of more than 30 products and solutions were available in the test arena.

At the beginning of the three-stage IFOY audit for the nominees was once again the practice-oriented IFOY test by Dutch intralogistics expert Theo Egberts. He compared the finalists with the relevant solutions and equipment in the competition. The industrial trucks went through standardised driving and functional tests, including the IFOY test protocol comprising more than 80 criteria, which takes into account factors such as sustainability, economy, safety and ergonomics of the nominees.

In the second part of the audit, researchers conducted the IFOY Innovation Check. Scientists from Fraunhofer IML and the Technical Universities of Munich and Dresden assessed the nominees in terms of market relevance, customer benefits, type of execution and degree of innovation. The audit was concluded by the assessment of the 26 jurors and their approved advisors. The jury members, trade journalists from all continents, were presented with all the results of the IFOY Test as well as the IFOY Innovation Check for the voting.

A novelty this year was the live test of the VDA 5050 interface. The world premiere of the so-called AGV Mesh-Up of the VDMA Association for Materials Handling and Intralogistics took place as part of the Test Camps Intralogistics. On an action area, the participating experts were able to watch various AGVs from different manufacturers that drove under a uniform control system and communicated in a common data language. The project was set up by a group of AGV users and manufacturers under the coordination of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) and the VDMA Association for Materials Handling and Intralogistics. The manufacturers arculus, DS Automation, the KION Group with the Still brand, Safelog, Siemens and SSI Schäfer were represented in this test.

In order to protect all participants from infection with the coronavirus, a comprehensive safety and hygiene concept was developed for the IFOY Test Days 2021 and published on www.ifoy.org. All participants made rapid antigen tests. To give foreign intralogistics experts who could not travel due to the corona pandemic the chance to give an insight into the IFOY Test Days, the IFOY Award organisation developed a digital concept consisting of live streamings and short videos about the nominees. They were put on the IFOY Award social media channels.

Neither the participants of Test Camp Intralogistics nor the nominees will find out who has won an IFOY Award during the IFOY Test Days. They will have to wait until the IFOY Award Night, the date of which will be announced in due course.

New Intralogistics Sales Director

Posted on by David Priestman

After announcing the brand merger of its operational units (Alstef, BA Systems, BA Healthcare and Glidepath) in September 2020, the newly formed – Alstef Group – continues its evolution,
welcoming Uwe Klärner to head its Intralogistics division sales team.

Uwe, a German-born mechanical engineer, brings extensive global experience from the materials handling industry. He began his career in conveyor assembly for global supply chains solution
provider, Savoye, taking on multiple roles including Project Manager, Sales Manager followed by Business Development Manager – Europe. In 2011, he created his own end-of-line packaging
solutions company, which he further expanded, then sold six years later to Ranpak Automation, where he then took up the role of Global Sales Director.

Uwe now joins Alstef Group, where he is leading the sales team of Intralogistics division and will steer the sales strategy, under the responsibility of Nicolas Breton, Chief Executive Officer. “It is a
real pleasure for us to welcome Uwe, whose expertise will enable Alstef Group to accelerate its growth as a major player in global materials handling”, states Nicolas.

This appointment is part of the wider Alstef Group strategy to build a stronger global presence. “I am very happy to join a rapidly growing company. With the commitment and ability of our teams
to adapt to market changes and even provoke them, we are equal to our ambitions. The adventure is exciting and has only just begun!”, says Uwe.

WITRON wins “Bavaria Best 50” Award

Posted on by David Priestman

The year 2021 is a special year for WITRON. Founded in 1971 by Walter Winkler (pictured above) and his wife Hildegard, the company has been an innovation driver and mastermind in the design, realization, and operation of efficient automated logistics centers as well as a reliable employer in the region for 50 years. And to kick off the anniversary year, there was a special award from the Bavarian State Government.

Selected from almost 8,000 medium-sized companies in Bavaria, WITRON belongs to one of “Bavaria’s Best 50. The award, usually presented in the course of an award ceremony in Munich, was received by the family company from Parkstein shortly before Christmas together with a video message in the mail.

The sponsor of the award is the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy. Together with an independent jury, this institution selects and evaluates especially fast-growing mid-sized companies in Bavaria for the nomination. Decisive for this nomination was the sustainable success of the company as well as the striking growth figures of WITRON. Last year alone, almost 500 additional staff members were hired worldwide, bringing the total number of employees to 4,500. More than 100 trainees started their professional career at WITRON in 2020. And WITRON continues to grow – especially in the IT area. The company founder sees the technological and competitive advantage of WITRON’s solutions geared towards retail and distribution logistics, as well as the high level of customer trust, and the reliable implementation of customer projects as the basis of success for the continuous growth.

“This award is a very positive signal not only for us as a company and employer, but also for our region. We are very proud to be among Bavaria’s best mid-sized companies – this is a clear sign that diligence and years of commitment are rewarded,” says company founder Walter Winkler.

Last year WITRON celebrated its 25th anniversary of being present on the North American market.

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