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Tag: logistics

Jaylo’s logistics platform now at full capacity

Posted on by Keith McKinley

After a commissioning period, the specialist transport and logistics services company Jaylo is now operating its new 17,000 sq m logistics platform in Tudela (Navarra, Spain) at full capacity. AR Racking has equipped the innovative logistics centre with its storage systems.

The installation integrates Jaylo’s facilities with those of its customer SKF, a company specialised in the design and manufacture of bearings for the automotive sector. Its first intralogistics division project, Jaylo did not hesitate to count on AR Racking as its trusted partner to optimise the space of the logistics platform, which is now at full capacity.

AR Racking installed, on the one hand, adjustable pallet racking, providing 2,700 new positions for pallets and 2,200 new positions for half pallets. And, on the other, FIFO live pallet racking, resulting in 2,160 new positions for half pallets. In total, a storage capacity of 7,060 new positions for pallet loads, occupying 4,250 sq m of the total area of the warehouse. Thanks to these storage solutions, Jaylo can supply and collect the finished product at the request of its customer SKF 24 hours a day.

“It is a strategic project for us because we can directly and immediately improve the competitiveness of one of our most important customers,” explained David García Osta, Jaylo Director. He added: “AR Racking knew how to put all its experience and know-how at our service during the design, planning and installation phase. The deadlines were also strictly met, which was an advantage in a project that involved the participation of both companies and teams.”

The combination of both storage systems has given Jaylo a logistics platform that fully optimises the space as well as enable time and resource savings in handling goods.

The adjustable pallet racking area provides direct and immediate access to products, while the FIFO live pallet racking facilitates perfect stock rotation and fast movement of the unit loads. To guarantee the correct positioning of the half pallets of the live pallet racking systems, the structure has been fitted with lateral guide wheels, ensuring a maximum lateral movement of 15 mm in the descent of the loads down the conveyor. This means that the driverless AGV forklifts can satisfactorily collect all the unit loads.

“It was clear to us that Jaylo needed a logistics proposal with both plenty of storage capacity and fast handling. We are fully confident that, with the solutions installed, the performance of the platform will be immediate”, said Xabier Rica, AR Racking Sales Representative.

Click here to watch the video

 

Oakland International embraces RFID technology

Posted on by Keith McKinley

One of the first UK chilled FMCG consolidators to invest in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) despatch technology, Oakland International has installed state-of-the-art RFID technology throughout its Bardon operation, working alongside traditional barcodes where individual cases are barcoded and the pallet is RFID tagged.

RFID technology identifies tagged objects using radio waves and is capable of automatically reading hundreds of barcodes per second without line of sight, compared to a standard barcode system which requires sight and manual, individual scanning. RFID technology supported with quality software development provides greater accuracy through the removal of human error on missed or duplicated barcode scans.

Oakland International Group Innovation Officer Lindsay Winser explained: “RFID technology means we are now able to provide more accurate data for our customers including showing when goods pallets left the warehouse and confirming which bay they left from, the vehicle they were loaded onto and the time loaded.

“Whilst manual barcode systems can also provide some of this information, it is the automation and removal of human error which makes this information so precise, giving our customers enhanced confidence in our ability to deliver correctly. Tagged pallets cannot exit bays without being read and warning alarms are triggered if pallets pass through an incorrect bay or are removed from a bay once marked as loaded.”

Having surveyed and tested numerous systems, the one chosen by Oakland is able to provide directional path information, for the most accurate bay confirmation. Different tag sizes were also rigorously tested to ensure readability and optimum positioning. Printer heads have also been upgraded to enable the onsite printing of the RFID tags and RFID readers are now installed in each bay with a viewing tablet to show the operator the status of each tag in their vehicle load.

Staggeringly, due to the complexity of the RFID system, after only five months it is fully operational from initial concept feasibility to installation, with the equipment IP rated for use within chilled environments where condensation from cold can be problematic. The software will continue to be developed and amended, as Oakland fine tunes the new information and integrates the functionality with additional technology as it comes online, including CCTV and vehicle recognition.

Chief Operating Officer Lee Whiting added: “RFID is yet another indicator for our customers that Oakland International remains an innovator and forward thinking FMCG consolidator at the forefront of an industry known to be slow to adopt to technological change that some other sectors more readily embrace.

“RFID technology provides our customers with added confidence that we have the most robust and evidenced delivery system, with the added benefit of a receipt tagged pallet should they adopt the same technology.”

Investigating RFID technology as an option for its transport fleet to offer a fully monitored closed-loop solution, Oakland International operates 24-hours/7 days a week and is a D2C/B2C/B2B specialist in contract packing, storage, picking, food distribution and a brand development support provider for ambient, chilled and frozen food to the retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets in the UK, Ireland and via its partner in Spain.

 

Iberia Maintenance deepens relationship with DHL

Posted on by Keith McKinley

DHL Supply Chain Iberia and Iberia Maintenance have signed a contract through which DHL will manage the internal logistics of spare parts and components for Iberia Maintenance at its La Muñoza hub in Madrid and also at the Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suarez and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat airports.

In addition to this contract, DHL provides Iberia Maintenance with global distribution of these spare parts when the need arises at any of the customer airline’s destinations around the world.

This contract with DHL also includes the logistics of Iberia’s IT and aircraft supply warehouses, where a large part of the elements necessary for the in-flight service are managed.

The new agreement also continues the solid relationship that Iberia and DHL have maintained for years, with Iberia Maintenance providing maintenance, repair and overhaul services for DHL’s fleet of engines since 2008. Specifically, Iberia Maintenance has serviced more than 113 RB-211 engines used in the Boeing B757s of DHL’s subsidiaries DHL Air UK and Blue Dart at its engine workshop in Madrid.

In the new contract signed by Iberia Maintenance and DHL, DHL Supply Chain’s mission will be to ensure the supply of material on demand for Iberia Maintenance technicians, and to reinforce the logistical design to ensure the reliability and visibility that this supply chain requires to optimise planning and improve the availability of the aircraft.

All this within a redefinition of the pre-existing logistics processes and with a strong focus on continuous and exhaustive stock control and inventory and material movement management, carried out by DHL with advanced digitalization tools, which will allow operations to adapt to the demand of Iberia Maintenance’s different business units in a timely manner, with the maximum quality and efficiency of service required in this complex environment.

Iván González Vallejo, Maintenance Strategy and Supply Chain Director, says: “This strengthened partnership will guarantee real-time traceability of parts moving through our system, complete inventory accuracy and the integration of the freight forwarding activity that DHL has been developing for the last three years for Iberia Maintenance.”

Matilde Torquemada, Business Development Director of DHL Supply Chain in Spain, explains: “It is an honour and a source of pride that a company like Iberia Maintenance, a benchmark in quality and customer commitment, has placed its trust in DHL to guarantee its spare parts logistics, a critical area in which DHL Supply Chain can provide enormous experience. This is a long-term agreement in which DHL provides rapid implementation with seamless transition and business continuity in these value-added services for the airline’s MRO operations, providing agile execution and centralised logistics decision making.”

Among other advantages, this new agreement allows Iberia Maintenance to integrate the interface of this logistics operation with its transport control tower, which reinforces the precision in the inventory of key parts for Iberia Maintenance’s maintenance and repair operations and guarantees real-time knowledge of the complete traceability of the components, knowing at all times where they are and their arrival times at their destination.

BIFA issues advice on Delayed Declaration Scheme

Posted on by David Priestman

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is advising its members to be very careful with any business that they are offered from traders that have taken advantage of HMRC’s Delayed Declaration Scheme, but which have not taken out a CFSP authorisation in their own right and are now trying to find a Customs Agent to undertake the work required to complete the process.

BIFA Director General, Robert Keen, says that UK importers that took advantage of the scheme at the beginning of this year now have until 25th June to complete customs formalities for declarations delayed from early January, and many are looking for help from a BIFA member that has a CFSP authorisation to make a supplementary declaration under the scheme.

“We are reminding members that if they take on this work, it is their CFSP authorisation being used and they may have to pay any duties and VAT on behalf of the importer. So, it is essential that they ensure that their customers’ paperwork is in order and completely accurate, and if it is not, our advice is to not accept the responsibility.”

The UK Government introduced the Delayed Declarations scheme following the end of the Brexit transition period, giving businesses importing into the UK up to 175 days to complete their customs declarations.

Any business that took advantage of this opportunity at the start of January this year, now has a deadline of 25th June (or 175 days from the original import) to make the declaration.

Keen adds: “Whilst the Government has extended the scheme to defer declarations to 31st December 2021 on a rolling basis, it is important that any BIFA members undertaking this work on an importer’s behalf remains vigilant and ensures that they have all the information required to make an accurate supplementary declaration and that they don’t miss the first and subsequent deadlines.

“Any mistakes could be costly as, despite the ability to use direct representation, the authorised agent is still considered to be the owner of the procedure and responsible for a timely submission of correct declarations.

“Finally as payment will need to be made against the Deferment Account of the CFSP authorisation, we are reminding our members to consider the impact of potentially large sums that become due and the ability of the client to meet their obligations.”

ICTSI to run eco-friendly rail operations in Brazil

Posted on by Keith McKinley

ICTSI Rio Brasil is expanding its logistics support services in Brazil, adding rail logistics to its operations with the long-term lease of Floriano Intermodal Terminal in Barra Mansa, Rio de Janeiro.

To run this operation, ICTSI Rio formed a new company – IRB Logística – to take over the operations of the terminal from Multitex Logistica starting on 1 July 2021. IRB Logística will offer sustainable cargo handling, transport, and storage services to the economic, industrial, and production centres in Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo.

“We are excited for IRB Logística to commence operations and look forward to coordinating closely with our sister company to improve synergy in the regional supply chain. While ICTSI Rio’s and IRB Logística’s operations are independent from one another, we share the common goal of driving economic growth in the region by providing more efficient, seamless, and value-added solutions across the entire logistics chain,” said Roberto Lopes, ICTSI Rio Chief Executive Officer.

Located in an industrial cluster some 150km away from the Port of Rio de Janeiro, the intermodal terminal mainly handles containerised cargo and steel products, which are better suited for rail tranport, for industries in the South Fluminense region.  It can accommodate up to 70 train wagons and features a yard for storage and container stuffing, as well as a covered area for storage of finished products.

The 3.4-hectare port is 100% solar-powered and operates a fleet of cargo handling equipment that runs on electricity – operational aspects that align perfectly with the sustainability strategy of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. across its global portfolio.

IRB Logística will assume operations of Floriano Intermodal Terminal on 1st July 2021.

Dangerous goods platform now covers more modes

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The dangerous goods portal INFr8, first established for the air freight industry to digitally exchange dangerous goods information along the supply chain, has now been expanded to include more modes of transport. Starting immediately, the automated creation of dangerous goods documents for sea cargo (IMO declaration) and road transports (ADR accompanying documents) is also possible. Furthermore, rail transports (RID documents) will be integrated into the system this quarter.

“Thanks to the positive reaction from the air freight industry and the increasing demand from other transport sectors, we have expanded the scope of our platform,” explains Dakosy’s authorised officer Dirk Gladiator. Currently, most modes of transport pass on dangerous goods documents manually, and data needs to be re-entered at each transfer point.

The knowledge gained through the process of digitalisation of air freight, which led to enormous simplifications, can be transferred to road, rail, and sea transports. Gladiator clarifies: “In air freight, multiple entries were made by the consignors and the forwarders/dangerous goods declarants as well as the airlines/handling agents. Analysis shows that without digitalisation, ten to twelve percent of dangerous goods shipments cannot be flown out as planned, 80% of which is due to documentation errors. “The latter can be largely avoided by digitalising the paper-based processes,” confirms Gladiator.

Using the platform, the complex dangerous goods declarations are exchanged between the transport participants entirely electronically. One of the most important features is the integration of all the different dangerous goods databases: IATA, IMDG, ADR and RID. “By entering the UN number, the associated dangerous goods data is validated. In cases of restrictions and limitations, this makes it possible to intervene at an early stage,” says Gladiator.

Furthermore, INFr8 integrates the automated creation and revision of shipping labels. According to Gladiator, this function is vital, since the printing of inaccurate shipping labels leads to higher costs and, along with documentation errors, is one of the main reasons for shipments being delayed. The platform’s additional features include alerts, a document cloud, and customised statistics. Users can be integrated regardless of their technical capabilities. Access options are available via EDI interface as well as a web application. There is also a mobile app for notifications in the event of disruptions.

The INFr8 dangerous goods platform was launched at Frankfurt Airport. It is now used by representatives from the entire air freight transport chain. These include the airline Lufthansa Cargo, the handling agent LUG, consignors Siemens Healthineers and Merck Group, and forwarders DB Schenker and Geis Group.

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa undergoes digital transformation

Posted on by David Priestman

As part of an on-going programme of digital transformation at its bottling plants, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) is collaborating with pricing and rebate management experts Flintfox, and Microsoft to modernise how it uses technology. The collaboration will help the bottling giant retire legacy solutions, to better manage pricing and overcome existing challenges at all stages of the supply chain.

Trade Revenue Management and the RMx pricing engine provide CCBA with the ability to manage advanced pricing and promotions, reduce operating costs and monitor margins. By extending the capability of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and integrating with existing e-commerce and sales force automation platforms, Flintfox will enable real-time hyper-speed pricing and help deliver accurate pricing across the supply chain.

The collaboration between Microsoft and Flintfox helps CCBA to accelerate its digital transformation journey, via seamless digital systems that enable the entire business to operate as one.

Flintfox EMEA Director Mark Conway said: “It’s an exciting time to be working with CCBA, as they bring their digital transformation vision to life via Microsoft Dynamics 365 and set out on a path of accelerated growth. Our intelligent solutions will reduce operating costs, create productivity gains and future-proof operations. What’s more, we will provide real-time pricing accuracy across CCBA’s channels and deliver significant, measurable ROI to the business.”

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Chief Information Officer Joshua Motsuenyane said: “Because CCBA was born out of a merger of different companies, there are a number of infrastructure redundancies, supply duplications, and lines of accountability that were blurred. We needed to perfect the overall business’ ability to operate as one and improve pricing transparency and visibility.

“Flintfox and Microsoft helped us strategise how to better manage advanced pricing, promotion management, and complex supply chain pricing, as well as provide a roadmap for the future. This integration with Flintfox and Microsoft modernises the way we use technology across our entire IT landscape and allows us to completely retire legacy systems.”

Conway concluded: Intelligent, next generation price optimisation, supported by advanced machine learning isn’t just a long-term vision for supply chain pricing in manufacturing. It’s here and now. We’re looking forward to collaborating with CCBA to continually drive digital transformation that remains bleeding edge and provides a continued competitive advantage for the business.”

Gavin Holme, consulting services director, Microsoft South Africa said: “Flintfox’s Trade Revenue Management and RMx pricing extended the capabilities of our Finance and Operations solutions, enabling CCBA’s digital transformation. With Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, and Azure, CCBA will achieve their goal to unify operations and intelligently adjust processes in real time.”

Toyota uses 100% renewable electricity

Posted on by David Priestman

In the run-up to World Environment Day on Saturday 5th June, Toyota Material Handling Europe has confirmed that it uses 100% renewable electricity in its European operations as of 1st April 2021. The switch involves every single one of the organisation’s European entities and represents a significant advancement towards its ambitious sustainability goals. On its own, it achieves 15% of the required progress towards the 2030 target of net zero emissions from operations.

Toyota Material Handling Europe has announced that all its operations across Europe now source 100% of their electricity renewably, with no associated CO2 emissions.

This transition was finalised as of 1st April 2021, but is the result of continuous efforts since 2018, since when Toyota Material Handling Europe has steadily grown its proportion of electricity that comes from renewable sources. It covers all entities and locations: five factories, 21 national sales companies, three head office facilities in Sweden, and several warehouses.

This is the single highest-impact project Toyota Material Handling Europe has completed on its road to net zero emissions so far. When it started tracking sustainability data in 2012, it calculated that CO2 emissions from electricity represented 15% of its total emissions.

“Switching to 100% renewable electricity is a major milestone on our sustainability journey,” said Ernesto Domínguez, President and CEO Toyota Material Handling Europe, speaking ahead of World Environment Day on 5th June. “As well as setting targets for the future, it’s equally important that we take environmental action now. Switching to renewable electricity is a concrete achievement that makes a measurable difference and helps secure our status as the partner of choice for customers who are committed to reaching zero emissions.”

How was the switch achieved?

Renewable electricity is certified through the issue and purchase of Guarantees of Origin (GOs), which track units of energy produced from sustainable sources. Each GO receives a unique number and is then cancelled on a central registry when the corresponding amount of electricity is bought and used – thereby avoiding ‘double counting’ of GOs and ensuring each one makes a real contribution to the renewable energy market.

Toyota Material Handling Europe breaks down its 100% renewable electricity usage into three categories:

  • 95% is obtained by working with local electricity providers through renewable electricity contracts. The providers supply proof that they cancel GOs equivalent to the amount of electricity that is bought.
  • Toyota Material Handling Europe will buy and cancel GOs via brokers separate from electricity providers to account for a residual 4% where local solutions aren’t available.
  • The final 1% of electricity is generated by on-site solar panels at various European facilities.

Sustainable principles in practice

Sustainability is at the heart of Toyota Material Handling Europe’s corporate culture and priorities. Switching to renewable electricity is one of more than 200 projects it is currently investing in to drive energy-efficiency and reduce emissions. Together, these projects have enabled the entire European organisation to reduce its CO2 emissions by 29% since 2012. The energy programme enabled a 10% reduction in energy spend, contributing to both environmental and financial sustainability.

Other major contributing factors include a company programme to achieve ISO 50001 certification in all entities by 2025, and the establishment of the first zero-emissions factory in the sector, which was completed in 2020 a decade ahead of schedule. The facility in Mjölby, Sweden, is powered by renewable electricity, district heating and liquid biogas, making it zero-carbon in terms of both on-site activities and the energy it sources from suppliers. By achieving this, it sets an example of new, future-proofed production systems that make sustainability and commercial growth one and the same.

The next milestones on Toyota Material Handling Europe’s sustainability journey include completing the certification of energy management systems across all entities and working closely with customers and suppliers to support each other in reducing emissions and building net-zero supply chains.  We encourage all our business partners to join Toyota Material Handling Europe in making the switch to 100% renewable electricity.

Safecube launches asset tracking solution

Posted on by Keith McKinley

French company Safecube, born from a joint venture between Michelin, Sigfox France and Argon & Co in 2019, is launching its new LocaTrack asset tracking solution with IoT technology.

Safecube continues its development in the supply chain ecosystem by providing visibility on transport flows and now assets by leveraging digital innovations such as IoT.

Its initial solution proposed real-time visibility on multimodal flows with an IoT approach. Michelin was the first to use Safecube’s IoT service.

Today, the company is diversifying by creating an asset tracking solution, LocaTrack. This solution will track and monitor assets, while the first Safecube solution provides visibility over supply chain flows.

Almost two years after the launch of its first flow tracking solution, Safecube expertise has expanded to include asset tracking.

The purpose is to offer a global view of the fleet using an intuitive interface for monitoring assets activity. Thanks to trackers positioned on assets and connected to the Sigfox 0G network, it is now possible to know in real-time the exact location of a trailer, a pallet or an industrial tool. Geolocation, asset tracking, fleet maintenance management, etc., The benefits involved are multiple.

This platform integrates directly into the customer’s information system. It allows to track the assets, to monitor their condition (full, empty, cold, hot, etc.) and to optimise their management in a simple way. Safecube’s objective behind this new solution is to make asset tracking and monitoring more accessible and affordable.

“This solution is the logical next step in our goods tracking solution. By democratising asset tracking, especially for non-motorised assets, we are enabling logistics and industrial players to better exploit their assets. “says Waël Cheaib, CEO of Safecube.

The Sigfox 0G network is one of the key differentiators for Safecube, offering low bandwidth to retrieve just the data needed for the visibility issues specific to the supply chain. It allows low energy consumption, a longer tracker life (up to several years), and a low cost.

“How can IoT be a game-changer in supply chain applications? Firstly, by providing visibility beyond company borders,” says Patrick Cason, General Manager of Sigfox France. “In the past, end-to-end visibility was limited by the cost of the solutions needed to capture relevant and valuable data. The return on investment was simply not achievable. Technology like Sigfox is a game-changer because it captures relevant data at minimum cost.

“Secondly, by making it possible to capture this significant data, in the right place and at the right time, in a simple way, without impacting the declared infrastructures or installing a new one. You can’t handle what you can’t measure! LocaTrack allows companies to detect the reality of their business to make informed & relevant decisions.”

Safecube has chosen to maximise the security of the entire data recovery process. The architecture of the Sigfox 0G network and its data transmission protocol from the trackers to the platform has reinforced security.

The company has chosen Microsoft Azure services including Azure IoT Hub for its platform. Azure is not only a flexible and highly available infrastructure, but it is also strongly secured: Each datacentre is physically protected by multi-layered protection, with end-to-end security, from Network, Servers and applications, to data encryption.  Therefore, this infrastructure secures the data transmitted to the end customer.

The LocaTrack solution is already being deployed with several large industrial companies. Today, LocaTrack is part of a larger project to diversify Safecube’s solutions. A new chapter for the company.

Construction of Skandia Gateway on track

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The film “Skandia Gateway” shows how it will soon be possible for the world’s largest ship to enter the Port of Gothenburg fully loaded and provide increased efficiency and less climate footprint.

The fairway needs to be deepened to 17.5m if the world’s largest ocean-going vessels are to be able to call at the Port of Gothenburg fully loaded. This will prove crucial if Swedish industry is to have greater access to the world in the future. The Skandia Gateway project is already underway and construction is scheduled to begin during the first quarter of next year.

“We are keeping to the timetable and looking forward to breaking ground. At the moment we are working with technical solutions, calculations, risk analyses, and other preconstruction work. The environmental permit process is taking place in parallel at the Land and Environment Court. We hope to secure an environmental permit in time for commencement of construction at the beginning of next year,” said Jan Andersson, Skandia Gateway Project Manager at the Gothenburg Port Authority.

The permit application was submitted to the Land and Environment Court just before Christmas 2020, and during the spring additional documentation will be provided as necessary.

“Everything is proceeding according to plan and no unexpected opinions or objections have emerged. We are looking forward with confidence to seeing how the process will unfold as we move on to the main hearing,” said Kristina Bernstén, Skandia Gateway Sub-Project Manager, Environment, at the Gothenburg Port Authority.

Skandia Gateway has three funding bodies: the Swedish Transport Administration, the Swedish Maritime Administration, and the Gothenburg Port Authority. The port is responsible for the cost of reinforcing the quays and dredging the docks.

“We aim to build sustainably, which means that financial and environmental considerations are our first priority. We are choosing the construction materials carefully and we are conscious of the fact that the quays need to be fit for purpose for many generations to come. To ensure this, the focus in our technical solutions is firmly on life-cycle cost analyses with a 100-year horizon. A higher investment cost initially will be outweighed by lower maintenance costs over time,” said Jan Andersson.

A film has been made to show the need and the importance of having a deeper port area if Swedish industry is to develop in the future. The film explains the work behind increasing the depth of the docks and the fairway from the current 13.5m to 17.5m. Dredging 6km of fairway will result in the removal of 12 million cubic metres of clay. At Skandiahamnen, the existing terminal and 1.2km of quays will be reinforced to allow two ocean-going vessels to load and discharge at the same time.

The first phase in the construction of Skandia Gateway is scheduled for completion in 2026.

Click here to watch the film

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