Subscribe

Tag: Materials Handling

Clark expands sales network in southern Germany

Posted on by David Priestman

With Habeko GmbH & Co. KG, forklift manufacturer Clark Europe has brought a new sales partner on board for Baden-Württemberg. The experienced materials handling vehicles specialist, based in Weissach im Tal in the Rems-Murr district, is taking over the sales and service of Clark materials handling vehicles in the greater Stuttgart area.

“We are delighted to have found in Habeko a partner with sound know-how in the materials handling vehicles business who will provide competent and comprehensive support to our customers in the Stuttgart region,” says Rolf Eiten, President & CEO, Clark Europe. “With this strategic partnership, we have expanded our sales network in the south of Germany even further.”

Habeko can look back on almost 40 years of company history. In 1983, Peter Hail and his wife Marlies founded Etex GmbH. The company’s core business was the trade in automotive and commercial vehicle spare parts and their export to the Near and Middle East. Due to increasingly difficult political and economic conditions in these regions, the two company founders sought new business fields in Germany. This entrepreneurial reorganisation resulted in Habeko GmbH in 1987.

Initially, the focus of the new company was on the trade in wheels and castors for industrial trucks as well as for vehicles used for internal transport. In the course of time, the areas of storage and operating equipment, transport equipment, pulling aids, mini-lifts and materials handling vehicles were added as new business areas. In 2008, Dipl. Ing. (FH) Dirk Hail, son of the company founders, took over the management of the 100% owner-managed family business as managing partner. Today, Habeko employs a total of 10 people in administration, sales, service and spare parts.

“We are also looking forward to working with Clark, a manufacturer whose name stands for robustness and solid technology in the materials handling vehicles sector,” says Dipl. Ing. (FH) Dirk Hail about the partnership with Clark Europe. “Clark products are an ideal fit for Habeko and our customer base. We see ourselves excellently positioned for the future, so we are approaching the new task and challenge with great enthusiasm.”

Toyota extols safer logistics at seminar 

Posted on by David Priestman

Toyota Material Handling is the sponsor of a brand new feature at the Health & Safety Event 2022 – this year’s largest gathering of professionals responsible for running safe and efficient workplaces (NEC, Birmingham, 5-7 April 2022). The Safer Logistics Theatre will be an expert-led, free-to-attend seminar programme featuring a range of high profile speakers who will provide valuable insights into maintaining an optimal health and safety regime within the warehouse and across the supply chain.

For example, at noon every day throughout the exhibition Toyota’s Paul Mulcahy (pictured) and Keith Smith will host a session dedicated to the importance of good mental wellbeing.

Mulcahy and Smith will describe the processes that Toyota implemented to help team members through the pandemic period and go on to explain how poor mental health can be linked to physical accidents in the workplace.

Some of the advances in technology and product design that are playing an important role in cutting accident rates across the logistics industry will also be outlined.

Mulcahy comments: “Toyota has always been at the forefront of the development of new and advanced safety solutions. For example, as long ago as 1999 we launched our iconic SAS – System of Active Stability. Regarded as one of the most important safety developments in the material handling industry, the Toyota SAS dramatically reduces the risk of truck tip-overs by detecting unsafe operating conditions.”

As well as the opportunity to listen to some high quality educational presentations, those attending the Safer Logistics Theatre seminars will earn CPD points.

Toyota will also showcase models from its extensive range of handling solutions, including hand- and powered-pallet trucks, tow tractors and counterbalance forklift trucks at the Health & Safety Event.

Among the products on display on stand 4/H150 will be the recently launched 1600kg capacity Toyota BT Levio LWI160 – the first-ever purpose-designed lithium-ion powered pallet truck (PPT).

When developing this new model Toyota’s engineers removed the battery compartment that is a standard feature on traditional lead-acid battery-driven PPTs. The result is a smaller and lighter PPT, which, because there is no battery compartment to lift or lower, is exceptionally energy efficient, and delivers maximum uptime and reduced CO2 emissions.

Toyota will also demonstrate the health and safety benefits that its I_Site fleet management system brings to any environment where lift trucks are in operation.

The I-Site package features a range of tools to ensure maximum on-site safety. One such device is the system’s ability to make sure that the truck automatically goes into creep speed after a collision and can only go back to full capacity after being checked by a technician or re-set by an authorised person. The system also controls forklift access to make sure only trained drivers can operate machines, while unique driver profiles can also be created for increased safety.

Mulcahy says: “Successful warehousing and order fulfilment is all about maximising efficiency and productivity, but those joint aims should never be achieved at the expense of safety, which is why Toyota is constantly working to develop new and better safety technologies that reduce lift truck accidents.”

 

Virtual showroom offers warehouse solutions

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Businesses seeking to increase efficiency and safety in their warehouses and distribution centres by creating a more visual and informative workplace are invited to visit Brady’s Virtual Showroom. The 24/7 digital facility offers a number of solutions and tools to help organise your workplace in a more efficient and safer way.

Brady’s Virtual Showroom features identification solutions for rack labelling, inspection management, forklift access controls, lean 5S labelling, lockout procedure writing, floor marking, hazard communications, pipe marking, arc flash assessments, and spill control.

Brady describes it as “a new digital experience in exploring identification and safety solutions for warehouse and logistics”.

Ferag provides intralogistics solution to fashion group

Posted on by David Priestman

Fashion group s.Oliver is taking another major step in its growth strategy by opening a logistics centre in Dettelbach in 2024 with a hub function for the whole of Europe. As general contractor, Ferag AG is responsible for the overall coordination of intralogistics and the automated handling of the ordering and returns processes.

A European hub for around 60 million goods per year in online retail is being built in Dettelbach in Lower Franconia, Bavaria. The German fashion company s.Oliver plans to locate the entire logistics processing of its B2C business at this site. The reorder process and the supply of self-managed areas for the B2B sector are also to be integrated, according to a group release. The new logistics centre is a consistent next step in s.Oliver’s growth strategy and a reaction to the significantly increased demands on automated processes in e-commerce retailing.

Maximum process reliability

A key project with significant dimensions has begun for Ferag AG with the start at the beginning of January 2022. Several teams will work exclusively on this project for almost two years. More than 16km of conveyor systems will be supplied. They will run on three levels, connect several halls and ensure seamless process handling.

Ferag’s proven pouch sorter system Skyfall is loaded with 125,000 pouches and ensures all steps in the ordering and returns processes: receiving goods from the hanging garment warehouse; fully automated pouch loading with prepared returns; dynamic buffering for efficient material flow and on-time availability of goods; automatic pouch emptying and distribution of picked and sorted goods to packing stations; delivery of goods for shipping.

In addition to the impressive technological solution, Ferag also convinced those responsible at s.Oliver with its proactive input of its own flexible approaches and their feasible implementation in the existing concept.

“In addition, Ferag recognised and understood the importance and scope of the project for our company,” stated Dennis Prandl, Director Global Logistics Service Centre at s.Oliver, explaining why Ferag was awarded the contract. Ensuring a high degree of automation is a key requirement. Another is unrestricted flexibility. The concept must be able to react quickly to the demands of the market. Finally, s.Oliver wants to guarantee its customers maximum delivery capability and raise its service level so that goods ordered by 3 p.m. are shipped the same day.

Perfect coordination

To ensure a successful project, the coordination of all parties involved becomes a key task. Ferag assumes responsibility as integrator and organises cooperation with supplier companies, including major ones such as Heber Fördertechnik GmbH & Co. KG (container conveyor technology, outgoing goods sortation), MHart Srl (overhead conveyor technology) and Westernacher Business Management Consulting GmbH (SAP system).

Asked about the major challenges, Ferag project manager Fabian Schulz names the exact assembly planning and the on-time provision of all components. The final phase of the project then involves integrating all the mechanical and digital components, including some new developments, into a functioning overall system.

Ferag has started the project in Dettelbach with enthusiasm and a huge quantity of expertise. The fashion group’s logistics centre is scheduled to open in February 2024.

 

WOF Summit 2022 takes place in Vienna

Posted on by David Priestman

Visit WOF Summit 2022, the most innovative and informative logistics congress, which will take place this coming May at the Marriott Hotel in Vienna. Get the most up-to-date market insights into logistics, transportation and supply chain management. Discover newly available solutions and meet with industry peers for your competitive advantage, all while supporting a good cause at the WOF Connect & Charity evening gala.

Supply Chain and Logistics are evolving as we go, and the recent global developments prove that the industry needs to prepare for the unpredictable. Oil and gas prices are skyrocketing, other commodities follow closely, inflation is at an all-time high and transport costs have risen steeply. Economic and ecological aspects now go hand in hand, more than ever before. How can Green Deal initiatives not only save the planet, but create supply chain security and ease cost pressures? Green Washing was yesterday, today only results count!

Digitalisation, if implemented in a smart way, is another competitive advantage, not only for the booming E-Commerce sector, but for all aspects in the supply chain. Join the discussion with leading industry experts about pragmatic best practices solutions that support your business even in an unpredictable global environment.

Despite all the technological developments, logistics is still a people focused business, and the whole industry is fighting for the smartest minds. The organisers of WOF Summit Vienna 2022 have teamed up with top logistics and supply chain universities in the CEE region to get insights from supply chain students on their visions and expectations from the market in order to create a roadmap for the logistics leadership of tomorrow.

At WOF Summit Vienna 2022, networking is not just having a coffee with another interesting participant, but is powered by the innovative 1to1 Meeting Scheduler for all participants. Pre-arrange your most valuable business meetings with a few clicks in the two weeks before the event, and have the best industry discussions for your personal needs.

On top of this, take part in the WOF Connect & Charity evening programme which is not only about networking, but also about connecting business with charity to help those who need it most. Let’s make a difference at WOF Summit Vienna 2022, where a portion of selected ticket proceeds, and 50% of the evening charity sponsorship package will go to Österreichischen Krebshilfe, towards helping cancer patients and their families.

Whether it is Trucking, Air and Sea Freight, Warehousing, Intermodal Solutions, E-Commerce, Last Mile Challenges or overall Digitalisation and Environmental aspects in the Supply Chain – with top speakers and up to 500 visitors, you will definitely meet the right high-profile counterpart for your business success at the WOF SUMMIT VIENNA 2022.

Do not miss your chance to be part of this essential logistics event and its stimulating programme on 4th and 5th of May 2022, at Marriott Hotel, Vienna.

German steel company adds magnetised reach stacker

Posted on by David Priestman

Sigma Weiterverarbeitungs GmbH & Co KG, a steel manufacturing company based in south-western Germany, has accepted delivery of a new Konecranes reach stacker for its flame cutting plant in Dillingen, Saarland, near the French border. The order was booked in March 2021 and started operation on-site the following November.

Well-established in the German steel industry, Sigma provides sheet metal, slabs, plates, coils and wire rod to customers who process the steel further for use in a wide variety of products. With its headquarters in Dillingen, it also has operations in Düsseldorf and a sales office in Metz, in north-eastern France. The flame cutting plant in Dillingen needed new equipment that could move sheet metal both inside its facility and outside, in its storage yard. Konecranes has provided a reach stacker with magnets fitted for this purpose.

“The low height of a reach stacker means we can easily use it indoors around other mill equipment, while its speed and manoeuvrability make it easy to move our products around our site,” says Florent Muller, Managing Director of Sigma. “We’ve operated a Konecranes forklift for some years, and it’s clearly increased our productivity, while Konecranes have provided excellent technical support. Now, two Konecranes lift trucks give us even better flexibility and efficiency as we serve our customers.”

“Konecranes have a solid long-term relationship with Sigma,” says Hans-Jürgen Haupt, West Germany Area Sales Manager for Konecranes Lift Trucks. “Their trust has given us an excellent opportunity to provide high-quality products tailored for their specific requirements in a competitive industry. Local agent Jungbluth have worked closely with Sigma and us throughout the whole process. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with both companies long into the future.”

The new reach stacker in Dillingen is a Konecranes SMV 4636 TC5, a sturdy 46-tonne machine that can lift loads up to a height of 12.5m. It features a traverse with four magnets that make direct contact with the sheet metal, all controlled by hydraulics. The truck features an OPTIMA cabin for comfort and visibility, a strong box-type chassis and a wide drive axle with a long wheelbase for high stability and safe handling. A Stage V low-emission engine, reduced fuel consumption and low noise levels minimise environmental impact.

 

Burton switches to electric Toyota forklifts

Posted on by David Priestman

Burton Roofing Merchants Ltd – a leading supplier of roofing materials to both the construction trade and the public – is replacing the diesel-powered Toyota counterbalance trucks in operation across its 13 UK depots with electric-powered models also from the Toyota range.

The decision to switch from a diesel to electric fleet was prompted by concerns over the rising price of fuel following the announcement that the Government is planning to prohibit the use of red diesel in forklift trucks.

In the March 2021 budget The Chancellor of the Exchequer revealed his intention to withdraw the right to use red diesel from companies operating in a number of sectors and user groups – including transport and logistics. In effect this means that transport and logistics firms will no longer be able to purchase or use red diesel (which gets its name because it is literally coloured with a red dye to allow it to be identified and prevent its use in road vehicles) to fuel diesel-powered forklift trucks. The new rule will come into effect from 1st April 2022.

Jordan Edge, Burton Roofing Merchants’ Group Transport Manager, comments: “From April 1st 2022 companies like us that operate large diesel-powered IC engine lift truck fleets, face a significant increase in their materials handling equipment (MHE) running costs. This coming price rise coupled with our constant efforts to reduce Burton’s environmental impact – both globally and locally – led us to consider alternatives to diesel-driven MHE.”

Burton has operated Toyota equipment for over 25 years and had no hesitation in turning to Toyota Material Handling for advice.

A fuel cost analysis was undertaken at each of Burton’s 13 sites. Based on the current price of diesel and electricity, the figures showed that over a five-year period, electric trucks represented a considerably more cost-effective option.

Initially, Burton introduced new electric trucks at two of its depots in the south of England. Such has been the success of these models that the company is now in the process of rolling out electric counterbalance machines at all UK facilities.

Depending on each depot’s size and workload, between two and five machines are in operation – although every model supplied will have the same specification to allow equipment to be transferred between Burton’s facilities if required.

The model specified is the Toyota Traigo 80 8FBMT30. This four-wheel counterbalance truck offers a nominal 3,000kg lift capacity and is designed for heavy-duty applications.

The Toyota Traigo 80 delivers long operating times in indoor operations such as pallet racking or outdoors in a yard – an important consideration for Burton who work the trucks for extensive periods.

During a typical day at each depot the machines undertake a range of tasks both inside the storage facility and outside in the yard space.

Edge adds: “The trucks are having a very positive impact on our business. They work externally for long periods of the day and have proved equally as effective as our old diesel trucks – even in extreme weather conditions. And, because they are slightly smaller than the diesel trucks they have replaced, the new Toyota electrics have an advantage when working within confined spaces. The switch from diesel to electric has allowed us to reduce our operating costs and has helped to make our business more ‘green.’”

 

SSI Schaefer’s IKEA picking solution nominated for IFOY Award

Posted on by David Priestman

Flat Pack Picking is a unique, automated turnkey system solution, from a single source. The concept, developed by SSI Schaefer in partnership with Inter IKEA Intralogistics, IKEA Purchasing Services GmbH, has been successfully trailed in Germany and is now nominated for this year´s IFOY (International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year) Award.

The unique automated turnkey system solution has been developed to ensure safe, efficient, and volume-optimized palletizing of heavy and bulky items, typical for the furniture sector. The picking module with gantry robots can facilitate efficient handling of an extremely diverse range of items, freeing employees from non-ergonomic tasks and features a high degree of scalability.

“The development of the Flat Pack Picking solution, designed specifically for the furniture industry, is an example of how we at SSI Schaefer continuously innovate to support companies within various markets. We strive to address industry issues and to increase efficiency while improving the working conditions of warehouse personnel”, explains Notker Steigerwald, Head of Business Unit Logistics Solutions at SSI Schaefer.

“Innovating for increased efficiency, accuracy and sustainability is at the core of our mission at IKEA Intralogistics. The development and successful implementation of the Flat Pack Picking solution in Dortmund is a great example of how technology can support these ambitions, for instance by enabling a shift from manual to more value-added tasks for our co-workers”, says Julien Weiß, Automation & Design Leader, Inter IKEA Intralogistics at IKEA Purchasing Services GmbH.

The concept has been nominated for the IFOY Award 2022 and will undergo the three-stage IFOY audit during the IFOY Test Days on March 18–23, 2022.

The Flat Pack Picking solution

The solution is at the forefront of technology and IKEA is the first furniture retailer to automate the picking of large products in the field of customer distribution. By installing the Flat Pack Picking solution it will be possible to create a more ergonomic work environment for co-workers and increase the overall productivity of customer distribution units.

Four automatically replenished picking robots will pick for the customer distribution operations. The solution will serve as a pre-pick function to bring heavy products to co-workers. One of the biggest benefits is the modularity of the system. This enables an easy implementation. It is a combination of proven industrial solutions in the market that are customized to IKEAs needs.

 

Reach truck training goes online

Posted on by David Priestman

RTITB’s innovative eTruck UK online eLearning program can now be used to train reach truck operators, as well as counterbalance lift truck operators, in less time.

The eLearning solution is designed for novice theory training. It enables businesses to save up to two days per operator, per course, freeing-up Instructors to deliver more practical training. This helps to get more trained operators quickly and safely into warehouses and address current skills shortages.

“When we launched eTruck UK for novice forklift operator training at IMHX in 2019, there was no way of knowing that the demand for eLearning would quickly grow due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Laura Nelson, Managing Director for RTITB, the leading accrediting body for workplace transport training. “However, our goal remained the same. We want to digitalise parts of operator training to save businesses time and money without compromising safety or standards.

“Many organisations have added eLearning into their ongoing operator training already. Now, they can train reach truck operators with eTruck, as well as those using counterbalance lift trucks.”

eTruck is an award-winning digital storytelling platform, developed by MA-System in Sweden. It is only available in the UK and Ireland from RTITB. It enables novice reach truck and lift truck operator theory training to be delivered completely online.

eTruck also introduces several key concepts relating to practical skills and knowledge. For example, pre-use inspections, load types, racking, and more. By focusing on readiness for practical training as well as delivering theoretical knowledge, this eLearning can reduce a novice course for three people by two days.

Novice reach truck or lift truck operator training candidates can use the unique solution to learn at their own pace online, at any time. This enables training to be completed outside of working hours or in designated learning time at work. Instructors’ time is also freed up, making them available to deliver more practical training and get skilled operators into the workplace more quickly.

“Finding time for operator training has always been hard, but it is especially difficult now where supply chain staff are scarce, and budgets are tight. eTruck helps solve this,” explains Nelson. “On top of significant benefits to the business, from standardising training through to lowering costs, eTruck is a real gamechanger for training candidates too.”

With eTruck, candidates learn by following a story that tackles genuine issues relating to safety in a more interesting and engaging way. The system allows candidates to learn at their own pace. More complex themes, such as the effects of an operator’s actions and decisions, can be communicated effectively via the story and virtual tutors. Research has shown that facts delivered via a story are 20 times more likely to be remembered and that this approach to training caters to a wider range of learning styles.

eTruck is available with lifetime licenses both for those delivering in-house training and for training providers. Reach truck and lift truck operator theory courses using eTruck can be booked via RTITB Accredited Training Providers.

CLICK HERE to learn more

B&Q updates NDC with automated tote shuttle solution

Posted on by David Priestman

Logistex has completed a £10m project for B&Q at its Distribution Centre in Worksop, UK. The solution brings together a range of technologies including a pallet decant system, Goods To Person (GTP) stations, a tote shuttle system, and robotic palletisers. The system is operated by Wincanton on behalf of B&Q and represents a long-term strategic alliance between the two companies.

Due to significant growth plans, B&Q needed to increase its Worksop site capability to 2,100,000 cases dispatched per week. Working closely with B&Q, the Logistex Solution Design Engineers developed a solution that would meet these expansion needs whilst also improving site efficiency. Simulation and emulation were used to prove performance and minimise risk to the operation.

The decant process efficiency was increased by 86% with the addition of 16 automatically fed pallet decant stations. These ergonomically designed stations are used to decant palletised cases of product to totes, after which they are conveyed to a shuttle system for storage. The Savoye X-PTS shuttle system consists of 54,000 tote storage locations, serviced by 140 shuttles and 10 high speed lifts. The X-PTS has a combined throughput capability of 4,000 totes in and 4,000 totes out per hour.

Four Goods To Person (GTP) stations are serviced via the X-PTS, with each GTP station having its own tote sequence buffer to guarantee maximum throughput whatever the order size. Each GTP station operates at a pick rate of in excess of 800 cases per hour which is a threefold increase on the existing trolley pick system performance.

Order totes picked at the GTP station are returned to the X-PTS to await completion of the order. Once complete, order totes are released to a robot palletiser system capable of palletising in excess of 1,000 totes per hour.

The X-PTS is also used as a replenishment buffer for additional picking areas in the warehouse.

The new decant, X-PTS and palletiser solution is controlled by the Logistex warehouse management and control system, LWS Reflex, to guarantee continuous high performance, high availability, and local support.

This project showcases the successful partnership between Logistex and Savoye which has already resulted in further new project orders.

Jerry Woodhouse, Chairman at Logistex, says; “The new B&Q Tote Handling System has been a great project to be involved in. The principal stakeholders of B&Q, Wincanton, Logistex and Savoye have all worked together with a phenomenal can-do attitude to successfully deliver the project despite the challenges presented by the Covid Pandemic. The Savoye tote shuttle system integrated by Logistex and controlled by our WMS LWS Reflex has enabled B&Q to significantly upscale the operational capabilities of their NDC at Worksop.”

 

Subscribe

Get notified about New Episodes of our Podcast, New Magazine Issues and stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter.