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Tag: logistics

Diffusion Alloys plans centre for excellence at Teesport

Posted on by Keith McKinley

PD Ports has granted a new long-term lease to Diffusion Alloys at Teesport Commerce Park, allowing for the construction of a new £1.5m coating facility and centre for excellence.

Diffusion Alloys, an established global leader in diffusion coatings for large components, has occupied its current site at Teesport Commerce Park for over 18 years and now, thanks to the new lease, is accelerating plans to build a new, 8,000 sq ft warehouse on site that will boost processing capability and create 20 new, sustainable jobs over the next two years.

This investment is the latest in a string of developments welcomed to Teesport Commerce Park following PD Ports’ success in securing two waste-to-energy plants to the Tees Valley in conjunction with Wentworth Clean Power, projects worth a cumulative £660m.

PD Ports Group Property Director, Michael McConnell, welcomed the further investment at Teesport Commerce Park: “PD Ports is delighted to have granted Diffusion Alloys a new long-term lease that will enable them to continue to grow their business and build a brand new production facility in line with growing demand.

“Projects such as Diffusion Alloys’ centre for excellence and the Wentworth Clean Power waste-to-energy plants really highlight the trust and confidence that large-scale business have in the Tees Valley thanks to our expertise, our strong-skills base and our unrivalled connections to global markets.

“We very much look forward to continuing to support Diffusion Alloys as they bring their new facility to fruition over the longer-term.”

Diffusion Alloys Managing Director, Lisa Randall, explained that an anticipated significant rise in demand for its specialist services over the next 10-20 years was the driving force behind the decision to expand the company’s Tees-based capabilities and headquarter its centre for excellence at Teesport Commerce Park.

“We are delighted to be not only extending our lease at Teesport Commerce Park, but also investing further to build a new facility on site,” said Randall. “The new factory and centre for excellence site will enable the company to support the build out of hydrogen generation technology from within the UK.

“The decision is testimony to our dedicated and hard-working staff in Teesside who have been instrumental in making this investment possible.”

PD Ports, owner and operator of Teesport, directly invested over £17m in infrastructure and developments across the Tees Valley during 2020, building on the £1bn of investment the port operator has attracted in the last decade.

 

AliExpress bolsters logistics ecosystem

Posted on by David Priestman

AliExpress, part of Alibaba Group and one of the world’s largest online retail marketplaces, has introduced innovative logistics solutions in partnership with Cainiao, Alibaba’s logistics arm. Ahead of the world renowned 11.11 Global Shopping Festival, this enables the Company to offer X-day delivery guarantee and an enhanced service to millions of customers.

The upgrades, consisting of China domestic selection warehouses, automated sorting centres, overseas warehouses, increased weekly chartered flights, as well as last-mile self-pickup network, help create one of the world’s most robust cross-border e-commerce ecosystems. These new additions significantly speed up the dispatch time needed for shipments from China to overseas customers.

Riding on this momentum and the triple-digit growth in AliExpress’s key markets, Brazil, Spain and France in 2020, the company plans to further increase its investment in innovative technology to support its global and local logistics.

“Shoppers worldwide have come to expect efficient delivery,” said Wang Mingqiang, general manager of AliExpress. “Through our ongoing innovations and strategic partnership with Cainiao, we have enhanced our cross-border e-commerce ecosystem. We can now help our sellers deliver popular products within an incredibly efficient delivery time to Europe and Latin America. As we implement this enhanced supply chain network ahead of the 11.11 Global Shopping Festival, we are thrilled to be delivering goods faster and more reliably with no additional cost for our valued customers.”

In the past year, the number of packages received and delivered by AliExpress’ ecosystem logistics partners has increased by 100%. In response to the rising needs through partnership with Cainiao, five selection warehouses have been established in China for sellers to pre-stock their AliExpress products, thus significantly reducing the dispatch time, along with nine domestic automated sorting centres and 80 chartered flights in average every week, AliExpress now offers 10 working days delivery for selected cross border orders made in Spain and France, 12 working days for Brazil and five working days for South Korea.

There are plans to roll-out the initiatives in more European markets. Between 11th and 30th November, AliExpress will have more than 300 chartered flights in total to ensure customers receive their package on time.

Since 2020, AliExpress and Cainiao have also actively developed overseas warehouses to enhance the capacity and efficiency of cross-border logistics networks. By utilising these warehouses, local delivery in Spain and France can be achieved in three days and seven days for the rest of Europe. Over the next year overseas warehouses will largely be upgraded with a strong emphasis on local logistics.

On last-mile delivery, a network of over 20,000 self-pickup service points has been launched in Spain, France, Poland and Russia, combining AliExpress-branded lockers powered and operated by Cainiao, as well as collection points powered by local partners. These lockers offer a fluid shopping experience for consumers, who can freely and quickly pick up their AliExpress orders in automatic lockers. This is a practical solution that offers greater flexibility and security.

Additionally, AliExpress will introduce an ‘on-time guarantee’ in Spain and France ahead of the 11.11 Global Shopping Festival. This service will be applicable for any orders shipping from China domestic selection warehouses, as well as Cainiao overseas warehouses, and AliExpress will automatically reimburse US$1 coupon per order in case of late arrival of the packages.

AliExpress has continued to improve its delivery service with a logistics strategy that grows stronger every year. The latest upgrades came just in time for the 11.11 Global Shopping Festival to bring customers around the world a delivery guarantee with a much shorter timeline. AliExpress will be allocating more resources to support its business roadmap, a key element of the roadmap is recruiting more local merchants onto the platform.

Enhancing the network of overseas warehouses and self-pickup lockers for a better customer experience are one of the key business objectives for AliExpress in the coming years.

Maersk provides end-to-end logistics to Danish Crown

Posted on by Keith McKinley

A.P. Moller – Maersk has signed a global end-to-end logistics agreement with Danish Crown from 2021.

The three-year end-to-end agreement covers all Danish Crown’s business units, delivering solutions on ocean services, inland logistics and cold chain logistics. Access to the digital supply chain platform Tradelens, which is underpinned by blockchain technology, is also a core part of the agreement.

Vincent Clerc, A.P. Moller – Maersk Executive Vice President and CEO Ocean and Logistics, commented: “We are excited to be chosen as Danish Crown’s main logistics company. The food supply chain is highly demanding, but we will work hard to provide fast, reliable and dynamic supply chain solutions to Danish Crown as a modern end-to-end logistics company with fully controlled assets.”

Danish Crown is one of the world’s largest exporters and the number one supplier of pork in Europe. The Danish Crown Group is also the largest meat-processing company in Europe, and Danish Crown Beef is a key player in the European beef market, while the group’s trading company ESS-FOOD sells and distributes fresh and frozen foods worldwide. The agreement finally includes DAT-Schaub, which is a global market leader in casings for sausage production across the World.

With a significant export to Asia and a growing business in both North and South America it is key for Danish Crown to ensure a flexible and resilient supply chain to support their business needs and meet their sustainability targets.

Jais Valeur, Group CEO of Danish Crown, added: “There is no doubt that Maersk is at the leading the sustainability transition within container logistics, which very much aligns with our own ambitions to become the world´s most sustainable meat supplier in 2030. Maersk is a natural choice for Danish Crown, as our customers will expect that we are able to undertake the responsibility of all business activities in the food supply chain right from the Danish farmer to the dinner tables in Shanghai, Tokyo or New York.”

As one of the largest food exporters in the world, Danish Crown values an active partnership with a logistics leader such as Maersk, that can accelerate its business and reduce complexity.

Valeur concluded: “Through sheer business size and its extensive network, Maersk can offer a reliability in our supply chains which our customers are increasingly demanding. At the same time, we will get a partner in Maersk who understands and priorities the importance of an active collaboration in our daily business. This close collaboration is key and will ultimately service our customer’s needs into account.”

 

Geek+ launches highest logistic robot

Posted on by David Priestman

Geek+, a global AMR leader, has launched the RoboShuttle RS8-DA, an 8m-high flexible arm robot. The highest in the industry, the new robot will enable customers to maximise the use of their warehouses.

RoboShuttle is a safe, efficient, and flexible high-density solution that solves the complex logistics scenarios brought on by the rise in e-commerce and the need for systems that can optimise precious warehouse space intelligently. Compatible with 8m-high racks, and totes, cartons, or boxes of varying width, the robot can improve space utilisation by a factor of five.

Liu Kai, Co-founder and VP of smart warehouse products at Geek+, says: “With e-commerce and warehouse rental spikes, businesses need a flexibility and space utilisation that traditional automation does not provide. Our engineering teams are continuously developing innovative solutions to meet this demand and allow our clients to remain competitive while providing a safe working environment to their employees.”

Built on a slim and robust chassis design, flexible doorframe, and double deep telescopic fork arms, the robot can navigate narrow aisles and reach a maximum height of 8145mm. Using its fork arms, the robot can access the inventory rows of varying depth placed as low as 285mm and as high as 7,820mm, targeting horizontal as well as vertical warehouse space.

Equipped with an intelligent depth camera and high precision sensors, the robot can adjust its arms to pick boxes of varying sizes, optimising overall shelf space. The storage location can also be allocated according to the size of the box, improving inventory organisation. Connected to the WMS and driven by intelligent algorithms, the robot autonomously transfers up to eight totes to and from the workstation, automating picking, replenishment, reverse logistics, and inventory checking processes.

Liu Kai, adds: “As a long-term automation partner with strong R&D capabilities, we see it as our responsibility to facilitate various transitions that a business might be facing using flexible robotics. Our AMR solutions are uniquely tailored to meet industry-specific challenges that logistics operators are facing today.”

Cutting-edge Verona logistics park gets funding

Posted on by Keith McKinley

International real estate firm Hines has finalised a major investment in a new state-of-the-art logistics project in Verona, Italy as part of a joint venture with a major international private equity player. At completion, the project is expected to require an investment of up to €300m via the Vicus I fund managed by Prelios SGR.

The logistics park in Vigasio, in the province of Verona, will be developed over two phases; the first, requiring an investment of €120m, will lead to the construction of four buildings over an area of 200,000 sq m by 2023. The second, will involve a further investment of up to €180m. Upon construction completion, the site will seek LEED Gold certification, in accordance with the highest international environmental sustainability and energy efficiency criteria.

The Vigasio area is home to many major international companies and represents a strategic hub connecting Italy and Northern Europe (Germany and Austria) along the A22 Autostrada del Brennero, carving itself out as an ideal logistics hub. In the coming years, an additional motorway exit is scheduled to open in front of the Vigasio logistics park further maximising transportation access and efficiency.

The transaction is part of Hines’ broader logistics strategy throughout Europe to deliver first-class buildings and services for logistics customers. In Italy, the firm has developed a platform of over 380,000 sq m, which, in addition to the Vigasio logistics hub, includes the investments made in Bologna in the Castel San Pietro area, and in Northern Italy with three properties in Tortona, Brescia and Montichiari. In light of the transactions year to date, Hines is on track to deploy €1bn of capital in the logistics sector in Italy by the end of 2022.

The logistics market continues to represent an asset class of great interest for Hines due to multiple factors including strong growth in demand, e-commerce development trends, a vacancy rate standing at just 2.1% in Italy along with attractive rates of return. Additionally, logistics in the North East of Italy continues to grow in importance and an increasing number of multinational tenants are choosing this location which currently covers 15% of the total square metres leased nationwide.

Mario Abbadessa, Senior Managing Director & Country Head of Hines in Italy, says: “We have great interest in the industrial and logistics asset class and aim to become a statement player in Italy in this fascinating sector. Our target is to invest €1bn in industrial and logistics by the end of 2022 and our investment philosophy is underpinned by innovation.

“With this transaction we are further expanding our logistics platform in the North East area, and over the coming months we will continue to focus on both logistics parks and last-mile logistics across the main Italian cities.”

FedEx grows to meet Saudi Arabia demand

Posted on by David Priestman

FedEx Express has announced its transition to a direct-serve presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to meet the country’s growing international shipping demands. The company will invest more than SAR1.5bn (c.US$400m/€345m) into the country’s economy over the next 10 years through talent management and local operations and infrastructure.

This investment will reaffirm the company’s commitment to the country’s non-oil economic growth, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, and the ‘National Industrial Development and Logistics Program’ which seeks to increase non-oil exports to more than SAR1tr (c. US$266bn/€230bn).

FedEx Express has been facilitating trade in Saudi Arabia since 1994, offering international solutions and connectivity through local service providers, most recently through SAB Express. This announcement and the company’s direct presence in the country will further help local businesses trade with ease and expand their reach into the more than 220 countries and territories FedEx serves.

Jack Muhs, regional president of FedEx Express Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa, said: “Our customers will be able to take advantage of FedEx digital tools and a wider service portfolio. This strategic expansion in the Kingdom will help Saudi-based businesses connect to new markets and customers around the world, supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to diversify the national economy.

“In addition to our commitment to the Saudi economy, we see FedEx Express playing an important role in developing the small and medium enterprise environment in Saudi Arabia, which forms the backbone of the economy, and represents 99% of Saudi Arabia’s private sector.”

FedEx Express will continue to work closely with SAB Express to provide pickup, delivery, and customs clearance services across the country.

Sheikh Salah Al Bluewi, chairman of SAB Express, said: “We’re happy to continue supporting FedEx Express in Saudi Arabia with their growth journey, and join them in playing a critical role in developing Saudi Arabia’s logistics infrastructure, in line with the country’s coordinated efforts and strategy in diversifying the economy. The logistics sector is a key contributor towards employment, investment, and overall economic growth in our nation.”

Under Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom is committed to increasing its total air cargo capacity. With nearly 50 years of experience, specialised services, and advanced technology solutions, FedEx will support the trade requirements of the healthcare, e-commerce, technology, energy, aerospace, automotive, and petrochemical sectors.

The Information Factory launches Business Intelligence as a Service

Posted on by David Priestman

The Information Factory, an independent software vendor specialising in the logistics sector, has launched Business Intelligence as a Service, an end-to-end, fully managed data reporting and analytics system, available on a subscription basis and operating with cloud based technology.

Logistics is a data driven industry with many complex moving parts requiring monitoring and measuring in order to keep on top of costs, revenue and performance. The pressure on margins, time, customer expectation, service standards and shipment sensitivity increases the need to have oversight across the whole logistics process plus a detailed view on individual elements and support activities.

When harnessed effectively data helps people to improve decision making, identify problems (and solutions), optimise processes and identify trends & opportunities. This is what The Information Factory provides with its new Business Intelligence as a Service. The system connects to the client’s data sources, integrates the data into a secure cloud based warehouse & transforms it into simple to use dashboards, visualisations and detailed reports tailored to company and department KPIs.

The benefits of this service based approach to business intelligence / analytics can be classified in three main categories:

Customer/user experience. The end-to-end approach means that the complete package is provided, all the way from data extraction to reporting and ongoing support. Reports are customised to individual requirements, easy to use and need little user training. Data consulting is also provided to help customers make the best use of their data.

Business insights. Consolidating and managing data from different sources enables ‘one version of the truth’ to be created across the company. More people can access data and the insights it delivers when transformed into reports, charts and dashboards.

Productivity: Business Intelligence as a Service automates the analytics process, improves data quality and delivers at speed. This significantly reduces the time, money and resources needed to be spent manually producing reports.

Robert Jordan, CEO of The Information Factory, says: “We’ve built on our 15+ years of developing tailor-made data driven solutions to offer Business Intelligence as a Service specifically for the logistics, postal, parcel and ecommerce sectors. It’s a market we are very  familiar with and we’re excited at the opportunity to help even more businesses to harness the potential of their data.”

Logistics company encourages rewilding

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Warehousing and logistics providers Johnston Logistics UK is supporting its sustainability policy by allowing green spaces to blossom. The grassy areas, spread around Johnston Logistics UK’s 130-acre site in Norfolk, have been encouraged to grow with plants and foliage that support local wildlife.

As part of its focus on enhancing sustainability, Johnston Logistics is allowing its outdoor spaces to grow to benefit both the environment and its staff and visitors.

It has made changes including minimising its mowing routine and allowing plants to flower to create nectar for bees and other pollinators.

“We’re making the most of our green areas by encouraging nature to take over,” says Jane Bull, Head of Compliance for Johnston Logistics UK. “We’ve seen big improvements already including in our lagoon which is flourishing and has already welcomed back ducks and other visitors.”

Allocating green spaces for nature gives a number of benefits, including providing habitat for insects and wildlife, capturing CO2, reducing emissions by not mowing or using pesticides, improving biodiversity and encouraging native wildflowers.

Greener spaces also benefit Johnston Logistics UK’s employees as they are associated with better physical, social and mental health.

“It seems everyone is experiencing benefit from our re-wilding project,” continues Bull. “Whilst plants, birds and animals are clearly benefitting, it’s lovely to hear the insects buzzing and see the wildflowers blossoming again. Many staff have commented how it makes the working environment much more serene and tranquil.”

The Norfolk-based operation provides a full range of services including warehousing, supply chain logistics, contract packing, pick and pack and e-commerce fulfilment. With over 40 years’ experience, Johnston Logistics UK is trusted by major supermarkets, leading brands and growing companies alike to deliver their third-party logistics.

“Going wild has been a big success but we’re not finished yet. By encouraging the right species of native plants, we can encourage even more wildlife to re-enter our site and breathe life into our environment,” concludes Bull.

Sensor manufacturer benefits from uniform IT infrastructure

Posted on by David Priestman

Sensor technology manufacturer elobau GmbH & Co. KG fully commissioned the PSIwms warehouse management system from PSI Logistics GmbH in August 2021. This will increase efficiency and transparency in warehousing for production supply and shipping. The close functional networking with the PSIpenta ERP system also reduces interfaces. The resulting integrated IT infrastructure opens up additional optimisation potential. PSIwms replaces the previous systems.

Founded in 1972, elobau is one of the leading international suppliers of non-contact sensor technology and operating elements in mechanical engineering. Around 1,400 pallet storage locations are managed at the logistics centre in Leutkirch to ensure on-time production supply and processing of shipping orders.

As a central automation system, elobau also uses a state-of-the-art AutoStore cube with 30,000 container storage locations. The direct connection of the programmable logic controller to PSIwms and new processes optimised for AutoStore ensure a significant increase in system performance and efficiency of up to 20% compared to the old system. An external warehouse is also integrated into the warehouse management and process control via the multisite capability.

PSIwms controls the management of incoming goods and storage locations, the piece-precise order picking and, via transport kanban from the AutoStore system and high-bay warehouse, the demand-oriented provision of components in production.

“The result is a sustainably improved and significantly efficient workflow with a high level of process transparency,” sums up elobau Logistics Manager Matthias Gromer. “In addition, PSI Click Design allows user interfaces to be optimally adapted to individual requirements. Despite the complex processes, we benefit from a clear IT infrastructure.”

Scan Global Logistics takes first step into UK

Posted on by David Priestman

The Nordic-based logistics forwarder Scan Global Logistics (SGL) has purchased Horizon International Cargo Limited, a traditional air and ocean forwarder headquartered in the UK. SGL says becoming present in the second-largest market in Europe is a strategic move pivotal to its long-term strategy and the continued development and expansion of the European part of the organisation.

The ink is barely dry on the latest acquisition agreement with the New Zealand freight forwarder, Orbis Global Logistics Limited before SGL sets foot in the UK. The acquisition will allow SGL to pursue new business opportunities and offer notable commercial synergies to its customers worldwide through an improved position in key trade lanes. Besides, three common denominators will strengthen the logistics offers of the expanded organisation: Strength in air freight, customer-centricity, and matching cultural identity.

Nigel Davies, Horizon International Cargo’s Chairman, comments: “From the outset, the cultural fit between our two companies was very evident. This, combined with the synergies of our respective operational footprints, makes a perfect platform to take advantage of the exciting opportunities ahead. We very much look forward to our future with SGL, remaining every bit as focused on providing customers with the dedicated service, care, and flexibility they have come to expect from Horizon over the years.”

Up to this point, Scan Global Logistics has not had a presence in the UK. The infrastructure and the 150 Horizon staff located in five countries will remain unaltered and play an essential role in expanding the company’s presence in key verticals retail, pharma healthcare, aid & relief.

Expanding global footprint

Horizon also fills a significant gap in expanding SGL’s global footprint, as Ragnar Dalen, EVP Corporate Development, expands: “The new locations are important pillars in our strategic growth plans, not only in the UK but also in the rest of the world. Horizon’s offices in Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, and the USA will further strengthen our existing setups and help us reach our goals in these countries.”

He continues: “Furthermore, we are excited to help our customers uncomplicate the increased complexities in the aftermath of Brexit through the vast experience of Horizon’s import and export customs departments.”

A strong cultural fit is an essential step in SGL’s acquisition strategy. Allan Melgaard, Group CEO, explains how the evident fit will strengthen the expanding family in several locations: “To ensure there is a cultural fit between our organisations, we perform an extensive cultural DNA study before concluding the process. In the case of Horizon, the cultural match is unquestionable. Also, our shared belief of the customer in focus provides the best possible basis for a successful amalgamation of the two companies.”

 

 

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