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Tag: Materials Handling

KNAPP UK makes senior appointment

Posted on by David Priestman

Logistics automation provider, KNAPP UK Ltd, has appointed Marc Shaw as the company’s new Head of Business Development.

Having worked in the construction, manufacturing and engineering sectors for over 20 years, Shaw brings a wealth of commercial experience at senior management and board level to his new role. Educated to postgraduate level in Engineering, Shaw initially ran his own construction business. Then he moved into process engineering, where he has held increasingly senior sales roles across a range of industries including food & beverage, plastics & chemicals, metals & minerals and FMCG.

“We are delighted to welcome Marc to our company,” commented Craig Rollason, Managing Director of KNAPP UK. “With his experience in delivering technical projects and dealing with global customers through key account management, I’m confident that he will be a real asset.”

Shaw is based at KNAPP UK’s headquarters in Chalgrove, Oxfordshire, where he will be leading a team of 10 people focused on business development. “I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone in the wider KNAPP family and existing customers,” said Shaw, “as well as developing strategies to win new business for KNAPP’s market-leading portfolio of solutions.”

 

Combilift promises “lots to discover” at LogiMAT

Posted on by David Priestman

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

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

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

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

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

TVH strengthens position with new HQ building

Posted on by David Priestman

TVH – a global parts specialist for lift trucks, industrial vehicles, construction and agricultural machinery –officially opened the doors of ‘The Hub’, its brand-new main office in Waregem, Belgium on 31st March.

In the presence of 200 guests, CEO Dominiek Valcke (pictured) inaugurated the new building. “With this state-of-the-art office building, we can now employ even more people and easily introduce visitors to our services,” says Valcke.

In April 2019, TVH started the preparatory works for the construction of a new main building. This new 13,000 sq m building, named ‘The Hub’, is the sleek, bright and contemporary solution to the impending lack of space that TVH was experiencing because of its rapid growth. In its design, great attention was paid to comfort, ergonomics and efficiency. Numerous CO2 sensors, temperature sensors and controls, ensure a pleasant indoor climate, and the many sound-absorbing materials also contribute to comfort.

Strong growth

TVH has more than 5,000 employees worldwide, with Belgium alone accounting for more than 2,500 colleagues; a number that continues to grow each year. To accommodate the growing workforce, additional workplaces had to be created.

“The growth that TVH has experienced in recent years entailed a strong increase in the number of employees. We didn’t just create more office space with The Hub. We can now also support our employees better with extra meeting rooms, an auditorium, a new company restaurant, a showroom and an extensive meeting centre,” says Valcke. “This additional space is certainly not an unnecessary luxury, since we are looking for more than 250 new colleagues to strengthen TVH, in Waregem alone.

TVH Experience Center

The pièce de résistance can be found on the ground floor of the new main building: the TVH Experience Center.

“This unique 1,500 sq m visitor centre primarily serves as a location to familiarise local and international visitors, such as customers, suppliers, associations, schools and applicants, with the offer, services, atmosphere and working method of TVH,” says Facility Manager Luc Rasschaert.

“And thanks to its interactive nature, TVH Experience Center is much more than just a showroom. Visitors can play games and test their driving skills with a virtual lift truck in a warehouse, for example.”

 

ek robotics sponsors BTCC team

Posted on by David Priestman

Charlie Martin has joined ROKiT MB Motorsport as its Official Development Driver for the 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, as part of an exciting new partnership with ek robotics – an industry leader in transport robotics.

Charlie brings a wealth of GT and endurance experience to the team, including in BMW machinery in the revered Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race, the Nurburgring Endurance Series (NLS) and ADAC GT4 Germany.

In 2021, Charlie enjoyed domestic success in the Britcar Endurance Championship – taking her Praga R1 to class victory at Silverstone before claiming three further podium finishes throughout the season.

Charlie’s new role is just one element of an exciting new partnership with ek robotics that will see her test the team’s BMW 330e M Sport – run by 15-time BTCC champions WSR. Boasting more than 50 years of experience across the entire life cycle of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), ek robotics has installed more than 1,000 systems and delivered over 10,000 vehicles all across Europe.

As the BTCC enters an exciting new era as it switches to hybrid power, ROKiT MB Motorsport is preparing for its third year in the championship and is delighted to be working alongside both Charlie and ek robotics in 2022. With ek robotics committed to empowering change throughout its industry – be that through adopting greener business processes or fostering inclusivity across its workforce – these principles of equality and opportunity underpin the partnership.

“I’m really excited to team-up with ROKiT MB Motorsport alongside my valued partners, ek robotics,” Charlie said. “The BTCC is the UK’s most prestigious racing championship so it is a real privilege to work with one of its most successful outfits. To be given the opportunity to work with the team and get behind the wheel as the BTCC embarks on its greenest season yet is a fantastic opportunity for me.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone at ek robotics. This is a brilliant opportunity and they’ve helped to make it possible – it’s a pleasure to work with them and I’m really pleased to continue that partnership with this exciting news.”

Mark Blundell, Sporting Director of ROKiT MB Motorsport, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Charlie and ek robotics to the team. Charlie is a true professional and her new role with her in the team will help as she explores future on-track opportunities as well. Empowering a diverse and inclusive culture in our team is very important to me and I know that is a passion which ek robotics share equally.

“Together we are delighted to be opening up this opportunity for Charlie to help take the next step in her career. Charlie is a truly inspirational character and her ambition and enthusiasm will be a great asset to the team.”

Chris Price, UK Managing Director of ek robotics, concluded: “Everyone at ek robotics is delighted to share this news today as we mark another first in the British Touring Car Championship. We share a lot of principles with the ROKiT MB Motorsport team and have enjoyed working with Charlie already, so to support in making this opportunity possible is very important to us.

“As an organisation, equality and inclusion run through every element of our work and that is reinforced via this partnership. It is great to see the BTCC adopting hybrid power in the 2022 season and the push for greater sustainability in our work is a mission we all share.”

Stobart chooses Flexi Trucks for beverage handling

Posted on by David Priestman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Toyota acquires viastore

Posted on by David Priestman

The shareholders of viastore Group, a leading international provider of intralogistics systems, intralogistics software and supporting services, have today (31st March 2022) signed an agreement to sell all shares in the company to Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO).

With its three business units, viastore completes TICO’s range of products and services and will enable an integrated intralogistics offering and customer-specific solutions in the future – from forklifts to fully automatic sorting systems. Together with TICO, viastore will continue to actively pursue its growth strategy.

The new partnership provides viastore with access to the customer portfolio of a leading global engineering group and long-term growth prospects for all three business areas. The parties have agreed not to disclose further details of the transaction, which is still subject to antitrust approval and is expected to close in the third quarter.

Over the past 50 years, the viastore Group has developed into a leading international intralogistics expert. With its three business units – Intralogistics Systems, Intralogistics Software and Supporting Services – viastore is a system integrator for the manufacturing industry and other industries and offers integrated, automated intralogistics solutions.

In recent years, the company has embarked on a successful growth course and, as one of the few companies in the industry worldwide, has consistently relied on software services as an elementary part of its business model. Today, the material flow specialist is present in 17 countries with around 600 employees. For the 2021 financial year, the Group reported sales of around €140m.

Dynamic growth prospects in automation

TICO is a listed Japanese engineering company and a global leader in its field. It operates in three business areas: Automotive (manufacture of vehicles and components), Textile Machinery and Material Handling (Toyota Material Handling Group (TMHG) – forklifts, warehouse technology and lifting platforms and Toyota Advanced Logistics Group (TALG) – automated integration logistics).

TICO has set itself the goal of further strengthening its global competitiveness and offering its customers a comprehensive range of products and services in the field of intralogistics. In 2017, TICO acquired Vanderlande (Netherlands), one of the world’s leading general contractors for airports, warehouse and parcel logistics process automation solutions, as well as Bastian Solutions (USA), a leading North-American system integrator.

Under the roof of TALG viastore becomes part of an alliance of established, strong intralogistics brands. All three brands, Bastian, Vanderlande and viastore, are among the top 20 intralogistics brands worldwide. They have already successfully established themselves independently on the international market and are now pooling their know-how and innovative strength.

Analysts expect significant growth in the global market for material handling solutions in the coming years. By 2026, they forecast a compound annual growth rate of around 8% and an increase in industry revenue to US$354bn, up from US$195bn in 2018. Against the background of a growing demand for integrated solutions in the field of material handling, viastore is tapping into long-term growth potential through the partnership with TICO and its cooperation with Toyota Material Handling Europe.

Besides a broader approach to the market – especially in the area of small- to mid-sized automation projects – both companies will benefit from their individual strengths e.g. in the fields of Warehouse Management Systems, Automated Storage/Retrieval Systems, forklift trucks and Automated Guided Vehicles and create added value through a combined offering.

Partnership characterised by continuity

The partnership with TICO is characterised by continuity. viastore will continue to actively pursue its strategic development and will operate as an independent unit under the roof of Toyota Advanced Logistics Group (TALG) in the future. Brand, business areas, locations and management will be maintained. The management team consisting of CEO Philipp Hahn-Woernle, CFO Anja Zschernig and the COOs Dr. Harald Goebel and Thomas Hibinger will continue to lead the company.

Philipp Hahn-Woernle, CEO of viastore, said: “In the context of a growing demand for integrated solutions in the field of material handling, TICO has recognised the potential of viastore and presented a vision that is strategically compelling for both sides. In TICO, we have found a partner who appreciates the value of our brand and capabilities and will support the company in its long-term global growth trajectory.

“As an independent unit under the roof of Toyota Advanced Logistics, we will continue our successful course and open up new potential and long-term stability for our customers and employees by belonging to a successful group of companies.”

Norio Wakabayashi, Senior Executive Officer of TICO, added: “The viastore GROUP is a successful company with an outstanding market position. Its complementary business areas make viastore a perfect match for TICO to be able to offer customers an integrated intralogistics solution in the future.

“I am very pleased to welcome the outstanding team of viastore, which strengthens our know-how in the market for intralogistics and expands our family of companies through the addition of another highly recognized intralogistics brand.”

Cranfield expert-led seminar sessions at IMHX 2022 

Posted on by Keith McKinley

World-renowned specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield, has been named as the Academic Partner of the International Materials Handling Exhibition 2022 (IMHX). As IMHX 2022’s Academic Partner, Cranfield University will play a role in this year’s speaker programme which will run alongside the three-day exhibition of materials handling and intralogistics solutions, this Autumn (September 6-8, 2022) at the NEC, Birmingham, UK.

With two conferences at this year’s IMHX – The Logistics Conference 2022 and The Logistics Solutions Conference – sessions will be expert-led. They will feature a range of high-profile speakers chosen for their ability to provide valuable insights into achieving optimal performance within warehouse, fulfilment and distribution centre environments as well as across the wider supply chain.

The Logistics Conference 2022 will take the theme ‘Sustainability – People, Innovation & Infrastructure and Technology’, while in The Logistics Solutions Conference many of the advances in technology and product design that are driving efficiency gains throughout the logistics sector will be up for discussion.

IMHX 2022 Group Director Rob Fisher commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with such a respected organisation as Cranfield University. The presentations will deliver fresh insights into the ways supply chain strategies are shifting to meet the myriad challenges presented by changing consumer buying patterns, environmental issues and the ongoing workforce crisis.

“Along with Crown Lift Trucks and Intelligent Energy, Cranfield is also a sponsorship partner of the IMHX 2022 Sustainability Zone. This dynamic new feature will provide visitors to IMHX with insights into what is now a core competency for most businesses.”

Cranfield’s Professor Michael Bourlakis (pictured), Director of Research for Cranfield School of Management and the Director of the Centre of Logistics, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, commented: “Logistics and supply chain operations have been hit by a series of major impacts over recent years. There is also a pressing need to ensure sustainability in every sense. These factors mean that it has never been more important to embrace strategic change and improvements across the industry.”

The UK’s premier logistics solutions and intralogistics technology event, IMHX showcases developments in technology and the latest storage and materials handling solutions from some of the world’s most innovative and influential manufacturers and suppliers.

IMHX 2022 is co-owned by Informa and the UK Materials Handling Association (formerly BITA – the British Industrial Truck Association) and the event enjoys cross-industry support from the UK’s leading logistics industry associations and trade bodies, including Automated Material Handling Systems Association (AMHSA), the UK Materials Handling Association (UKMHA), and the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA).

Oceaneering chooses BlueBotics navigation technology

Posted on by David Priestman

Oceaneering International has chosen BlueBotics, S.A, to provide navigation technology for its line of industrial autonomous mobile robots.

“Our goal is to unlock the full potential of mobile robotics and enable widespread adoption in all industries,” said Henny Bouwmeester, Vice President and General Manager of Oceaneering Mobile Robotics. “To achieve this, our technology offering needs to be accessible, easy-to-use, and flexible to accommodate our client’s needs.

“BlueBotics, with its proven technology that requires little to no additional infrastructure, will be an integral part of our solution stack and is highly complementary to our product and service offerings.”

“We are delighted to partner with Oceaneering, one of the leading AGV producers in North America and Europe,” said Dr. Nicola Tomatis, CEO of BlueBotics. “With our customer-focused approach, proven ANT navigation technology, and close technical support, we see strong synergies between our companies, and we look forward to helping Oceaneering’s team bring numerous successful ANT driven vehicles to market.”

RightHand adds Vanderlande as a charter member

Posted on by David Priestman

RightHand Robotics, a leader in data-driven, autonomous robotic picking solutions for order fulfilment, has partnered with Vanderlande, a global market leader for future-proof logistic process automation in the warehousing, airports, and parcel sectors, to deploy piece-picking robots to meet the demands of general merchandise warehouses and distribution centres on a global scale.

In doing so, Vanderlande has added the RightHand Robotics award-winning RightPick item handling system to its Smart Item Robotics (SIR) portfolio of technologies, following the company’s strategy to accelerate the use of robotics in warehousing.

“The market wants integrated robotics that work, so we’ve tested the world’s leading robot solutions,” says Terry Verkuijlen, Vanderlande’s Vice President Warehouse Solutions. “Our findings showed that RightHand Robotics’ use of gripper technology, vision systems and software algorithms is the best fit for automated general merchandise warehouses.”

After testing several of the world’s leading robot-picking solutions, Vanderlande ultimately selected the RightHand Robotics solutions for its best-in-class features and capabilities, and because they are successfully functioning in warehouses today. As labour shortages continue to increase, the partnership will benefit Vanderlande’s customers as advanced automated picking becomes ubiquitous in an ever-demanding order fulfilment climate.

“We are pleased to be included with the Smart Item Robotics (SIR) portfolio of technologies,” said Leif Jentoft, CSO and Co-Founder at RightHand Robotics. “Warehouses are under increasing pressure to accelerate order fulfilment as ecommerce orders continue to rise. We look forward to helping Vanderlande meet the needs of customers worldwide and are honoured to meet their standards for advanced automated picking.”

The collaboration is managed as part of the RightHand Robotics Partner Integrator program, the company’s flagship strategic partnership initiative that makes it easier for end customers to adopt the RightPick platform while still working with their preferred automation suppliers. The program was launched to align business goals of system integrators, OEM technology providers, certified robot integrator partners, and other related sales alliance members. The program offers strategic, commercial, and technical engagement such that companies can develop and build comprehensive solutions that are Powered by RightHand Robotics RightPick piece-picking technology.

 

Yale Pedestrian Pallet Truck introduced for low intensity applications

Posted on by David Priestman

Yale Europe Materials Handling continues to bring innovative solutions to the materials handling market as it launches the Yale MP16UX Pedestrian Pallet Truck.

For customers with intermittent or low intensity logistics operations who want the benefits of a very efficient truck at an affordable price, the Yale MP16UX offers the ideal solution in a slimline package.

“Ideal for retail stores and last-mile delivery, the Yale MP16UX meets the need and makes the move,” explained Eva Nachtergaele, Solutions Manager EMEA at Yale. “For back-of-store operations requiring intermittent use of materials handling products, our latest pedestrian pallet truck offers a reliable truck combined with low energy consumption, making it an incredibly attractive offering.”

The pedestrian pallet truck is designed to be slimline, lightweight, and easily manoeuvrable, all while offering stability when handling goods.

Low energy consumption

To reduce operator fatigue during a shift, the Yale MP16UX features a longer tiller arm with easily accessible butterfly controls, requiring less effort for the user to move loads.

The battery offers up to 12 hours shift life, accommodating store opening times. The fork options mean it will be able to handle common pallet sizes used in EMEA, lifting them up to 120mm. Spring-loaded castors improve lateral stability as the truck manoeuvres from A to B, and its soft lowering ensures loads are handled with care from start to finish.

“The competitive energy consumption and long shift life of the Yale MP16UX is a key selling point of our latest pedestrian pallet truck,” said Nachtergaele. “Customers can be sure that this product is ready to work efficiently and effectively whenever it is required. It is compact and efficient – but importantly, at an affordable price with low cost of ownership.

“Our research suggests over 50% of the market is looking for a truck with this offering, and the Yale MP16UX is ready and waiting to deliver.”

 

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