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Tag: Materials Handling

Interroll receives large South Korea order

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Interroll has received a large order for delivery to a South Korean e-commerce company. It comprises the delivery of Interroll’s Modular Conveyor Platform (MCP), which is designed for highly efficient and flexible material-flow processes. The contract amounts to a lower double-digit million Swiss franc figure.

The new order comes after Interroll received other large orders from the same customer in 2018 and 2019 as well as a previous first and smaller order in 2017.

Based on the customer’s specifications, Interroll will deliver a complete conveyor platform that includes Interroll MCP modules, high-performance diverters, belt conveyors and transfers as well as roller conveyors and belt curve spiral lifts. The solution covers a total length of 4.8km of conveyor technology at one of the customer’s distribution centres in South Korea. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2022.

“The installation will support the further continuous growth of this successful customer,” says Dr. Ben Xia, Interroll Executive Vice President and Head of Operations Asia. “We are proud to continue contributing to the productivity of their distribution centres with our proven material-handling solutions.”

Report: COVID “no obstacle” to AMR growth

Posted on by David Priestman

Leading publisher and consulting firm STIQ (Styleintelligence) has published this year’s STIQ AGV and AMR Robotics report. The report features charts, data, insights, and analysis, as well as an executive summary, and is interspersed with quotes from industry leaders to give a comprehensive picture of the world of automated guided vehicles (AGV) and autonomous mobile robots (AMR).

Despite the initial downturn in activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, growth began to return in the second half of 2020 and accelerated through 2021. Several AMR vendors suggested that the pandemic had actually acted as a catalyst for further automation. Geek+ is bullish on its growth forecast and has suggested that the conversation about automation has shifted from ‘should I automate?’ to ‘how can I not?’

Highlights include:

  • An overview of the AGV and AMR landscape, including business models, segmentation, and technologies.
  • The consequences for growth from supply chain disruptions and talent sourcing issues.
  • The evolving profile of AGV and AMR customers and the vendors who serve them.
  • COVID-19’s impact on acceptance of robotics, including in new settings, such as in hospitals and schools.
  • Varying perspectives among industry experts on whether very high growth levels will continue in 2022.

CLICK HERE to download STIQ’s full AGV & AMR Robotics report 2021 for free.

SICK advances mobile machine guidance

Posted on by David Priestman

With the launch of its LiDAR-LOC 2 solution, SICK has made it easy to teach mobile machines virtual paths in order to enhance, expand, or replace physical floor-based guidance systems that use taped lines or 2D-codes.

The SICK LiDAR-LOC 2 is the first step in a major upgrade programme for SICK’s LiDAR Localisation-on-Contour software, which uses data from SICK 2D LiDAR sensors or safety scanners to create a reference map based on the contours of shop floors and warehouses and guide automated transport, stacking and loading systems. The upgrade lays the foundations for users, machine builders and developers to progress from localisation, using LiDAR position and orientation data, to being able to integrate full navigation to control the movement of all kinds of automated guided vehicles, carts, forklifts, or service robots.

Virtual Line Guidance

The SICK LiDAR-LOC 2 is a virtual line guidance system designed to enhance the physical line or code-reading systems of all kinds of automated mobile robots. It creates a virtual path to bridge a gap in a broken tape on the floor, or to add a deviation from the current line-guided path without having to go to the time and expense of laying down new lines or bar codes.

Simply teach the vehicle the route by moving it along the desired path, then refine the uploaded map data using the SICK visualisation software tool via an easy-to-follow graphic user interface. The system automatically patches the existing reference map or can merge the data with the existing map.

Neil Sandhu, SICK’s UK Product Manager for Imaging, Measurement, Ranging and Systems, explained: “While the original LiDAR-LOC provided an option for expert developers and integrators to use the raw data for navigation, in addition to the localisation information, the LiDAR-LOC 2 upgrade is based on a desire to make it much quicker and easier to use data from sensors to tell a mobile vehicle how to get from ‘A to B’.

“As a result, it promises to save the development time and cost, machine space and wiring complexity involved in integrating navigation, because separate software and controls are not needed. In the case of our first LiDAR-LOC 2 release, managers of mobile vehicle fleets using line or code guidance can much more easily alter vehicle paths or optimise their routes. Stoppages because of breaks in a line can be avoided, especially in high-traffic areas.”

Increased Fleet Availability

The SICK LiDAR-LOC 2 reduces fleet downtime from vehicle stoppages due to missing lines or codes. New routes can be commissioned without stopping the vehicle. Additionally, users can use analytical functions in the system to optimise vehicle routes, for example, by detecting where tape is no longer needed and can be removed. The system also offers a progression for users to dispense eventually with floor-based guidance and adopt a completely contour-based navigation system.

Enabled by LiDAR-LOC software running on a SICK Sensor Integration Machine, the SICK LiDAR-LOC 2 can be retrofitted to already-installed scanners. It can be integrated with SICK line sensors or 2D-code readers, as well as with encoders for motion control and odometry.

Major Platform Upgrade

The upgraded SICK LiDAR-LOC 2 solution achieves improved accuracy up to ≤ 10mm. In addition to the SICK Sensor Integration Machines, it can now be installed on third party controllers with common operating systems including Windows, Linux, Ubuntu and Raspberry Pi OS Lite. New APIs for streaming and configuration have been introduced for UDP, REST and COLA2.

Linde takes pride in 2021 awards

Posted on by David Priestman

In reflecting on its seven awards received in 2021 and more than 80 accolades picked up over the last three decades, intralogistics specialist Linde Material Handling (MH) recognises this achievement as the result of its ongoing innovative strength and wealth of ideas produced for the benefit of its customers.

All the prizes that have been awarded to the company since the mid-1980s can now be seen in a dedicated “Awards” section on the corporate website, assigned to the categories of Brand, Product/Innovation, Design and Communication.

For almost 120 years, the name Linde (Material Handling) has stood for reliable technology, intelligent solutions and innovative products that offer users measurable added value. “Our entire workforce is committed to the success of our customers who benefit from our team’s great passion and innovative strength,” said Stefan Prokosch, SVP Brand Management Linde Material Handling.

“That’s why the Linde brand and our technical concepts, vehicle design and communication have won countless awards. We are particularly proud of these accolades because they are proof that our customers appreciate our commitment to offering the highest possible level of efficiency, safety, ergonomics and sustainability. With the new Award section on our homepage, we are making this success transparent for all visitors.”

2021 – another award-winning year

One of the most coveted awards in the material handling industry in Germany once again went to Linde MH in 2021. On behalf of the VerkehrsRundschau magazine, an independent market research institute surveyed a representative number of purchasing decision-makers from the transport and logistics sectors about the best-known brands.

Right back in 2002, when Springer Fachmedien München GmbH and the publishing house Heinrich Vogel offered the Image Award for the first time in the category “Forklift trucks, Handling and Warehouse Technology”, Linde MH won the coveted prize. Since then, the competition in this category has been held at different intervals. The constant, however, is the goods handling specialist, who has always emerged as the winner since then.

The VerkehrsRundschau editorial team commented on the latest results as follows: “When it comes to forklift trucks, pallet trucks, order pickers and so on, no manufacturer is as well regarded as Linde Material Handling.”

Linde MH also continued its successes of recent years in the 2021 readers’ poll carried out by publishing house ETM. For the 10th time, the company won the “Best Brands” award offered by the publications trans aktuell, lastauto omnibus, FERNFAHRER and eurotransport.de, which recognises innovative products and services from the transport and logistics industry. But it was not only in terms of brand image that Linde MH was able to impress customers and experts.

In the “materialfluss PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 2021” readers’ poll, the automated Linde R-MATIC reach truck took first place in the Industrial Trucks category. Moreover, the access authorisation system “Linde Safety Guard: Door Control” emerged victorious in the Identification Technology category. The competition, which was launched in 2020, is decided via online voting.

A large number of awards have been received over the past few decades. The various types fill a large glass showcase in the reception area of Linde MH’s headquarters in Aschaffenburg. Among them is the Business Superbrands Award, which is given by Superbrands Germany, the world’s largest brand evaluation organisation, who has listed Linde MH as one of the top companies in its industry since 2020.

Other prizes have been awarded in honour of innovations. One example is the “Best Practice Innovations” award from Logistra magazine, which belongs to the Huss publishing house. In this instance, an award was given in 2014 for the practical viability and innovative concept of the company’s fuel cell technology, and another was awarded in 2020 for Linde’s latest IC counterbalance trucks.

In the same year, the judges of the Fork Lift Truck Association (FTLA) were impressed by the ergonomic steering wheel of the Linde N20 C low-lift order picker and presented it with the coveted “Award for Excellence” in the “Ergonomics” category.

Increasingly, assistance and personal protection systems are becoming the focus of awards. One example is the “interactive warning vest for the protection of persons in in-warehouse traffic”. This solution, which is unique in the industry, received the 2021 Industry Award, presented by WirtschaftsWoche and DEKRA, in the category “Safety at Work”.

And the list of successes still does not end there: “interairport Europe 2019 Excellence Award”, “Öko Globe” and “MM Logistik Award” are further examples.

Added to this is the large number of accumulated design awards: Over the years, Linde MH has won as many as 10 “reddot” and 12 “iF Product Design” awards. Linde MH received its first iF Design Award in 1985 for the legendary 351 series forklift model in the henceforth typical Porsche industrial design.

In 2018, the roadster version of the Linde E20 R to E35 R electric forklift range was honoured with the prestigious French industrial design award Observeur du Design, which is presented annually by the design association Agence pour la promotion de la création industrielle (APCI). The German Design Award followed in 2019, presented in recognition of the exceptional forklift model designed without an A-pillar, which offers even better visibility of the driving area and load.

Last, but not least, Linde MH proved its creativity in terms of communication and marketing and was found to be worthy of a corresponding award. In particular, the StaplerCup, a championship in which forklift drivers can demonstrate their skills and promote occupational safety, has earned the company numerous prizes over the years – including the “Best of Business (BoB)”, “ECON”, “DPRG”, “Galaxy” and “PR Report Award Gold” awards.

Not so hard to handle

Posted on by Keith McKinley

No matter how difficult a product is to store and pick, improvement can always be found, says Edward Hutchison, Managing Director of BITO Storage Systems.

Some items are more difficult to pick than others. Often these items are stored the way they always have been. But that is never an excuse not to investigate how storage efficiency and picking productivity can be improved. Many operations that have straightforward pallets and cases also deal in irregular shapes and outsizes that present their own challenges. Some operations deal only in items that are difficult to store and, more particularly, difficult to pick.

Picking individual or multiple sheet material from racking is a good example. One recent application involved installing a roller-tracked location solution that combines standard BITO components and specially designed parts in a ‘letter-box’ style rack (pictured), where sheets can be picked either individually or in a collection. The racking allows multiple sheets to sit in a location that has sufficient clearance to allow air to be blown in via a hose to raise a delicate, thin single sheet to allow it to be picked individually.

Garment and apparel is a fast growing ecommerce sector requiring a mix of solutions, from hanging garment conveyors to shoe box storage and shelving for folded garments. The latter, while not presenting an obviously awkward storage challenge, can often create a problem where polythene covered individual garments easily slip out of a shelf. BITO created an essentially simple solution to this issue with modules of shelving designed to fit neatly between two uprights on the ground level of a racking structure. The shelves have a divider with a vertical return at the pick face to create a retained location that can hold a pile of individual, polythene wrapped garments securely, preventing them from sliding around during picking, while providing a gap that is wide enough to make an easy pick.

Providing locations for large and outside pallets and goods, which many facilities block stack on floors, is another route to improved storage and picking. Handling can be made easier by adding a bottom rail in the rack to lift the larger pallets off the floor and creating a rack location with a higher first beam level will make it easy to store and pick bulky, outsized items.

Sometimes odd shaped items are stored in stillages that, being heavy themselves, are often block stacked on floors. Placing stillages in a racking system however gives better utilisation of the total space and also allows use of the full height of the warehouse. A system comprising racking designed with a rail on each side of the uprights, running from front to back, will allow lift truck drivers to place a stillage in a fashion similar to a single-deep drive-in rack. This is a far more space efficient solution than using beams to rest stillages on, as is done in a traditional pallet-style rack.

More and more unusually sized items are being moved from the warehouse floor into racking, where they are better protected and can be more easily located, picked and handled. Even 6-tonne gas turbine engines can be racked, as demonstrated by an award-winning project that included an impressive three-level high gas turbine engine rack, providing 72 locations, served by a wire-guided side loader. This was created from a bespoke BITO design, using standard beams and uprights, enables engines weighing up to 6-tonnes, and stored on 1-tonne pallets to be located on the first beam level as well as ground level. The top-level locations can hold up to 4-tonnes. In this instance, the client had never previously racked engines, and it was also the heaviest pallet that BITO has ever stored.

If you think your product is too difficult to store in a better way, think again. With the right expertise, experience, and access to a broad range of storage systems and state of the art techniques, there will always be a way to improve your operation.

Yale brings “Technology that moves” to LogiMAT

Posted on by David Priestman

Yale Europe Materials Handling is returning to the largest logistics expo in Europe, LogiMAT, set to take place in Stuttgart from 31 May – 2 June. Yale will be showcasing a wide variety of materials handling products and solutions under the theme ‘Technology that moves’, on Stand D31 in Hall 9.

“LogiMAT 2022 will be our first physical trade show in three years, and there isn’t a more fitting location to present our plans for the future,” said Timo Antony, Area Business Director Central Europe at Yale. “We’re looking forward to meeting with individuals in-person again, connecting with customers and telling them what we’ve been working on since the last time we met.”

In the three years since the previous LogiMAT, Yale has undergone an exciting business transformation, which will be demonstrated for the first time in Stuttgart.

On display will be a range of warehousing trucks as well as logistics innovations, combining technology and design to provide tailored solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.

Yale will reveal its new Series N ICE counterbalance truck for the very first time. Built on Yale’s modular and scalable platform, the Series N can easily be configured to match unique requirements, raising the bar for success in almost all applications and environments.

Visitors will also be able to learn more about the Yale UX Series for low intensity warehouse operations, which launched in 2020. Yale is keen to speak with warehouse managers to demonstrate how its UX products can benefit their operations.

A key element of the LogiMAT display will be lithium-ion technology. Yale will enhance its materials handling product offering with the recently launched SUNLIGHT lithium-ion batteries as a power solution for customers.

“There will be a lot of exciting announcements from Yale in the coming 12 months, and LogiMAT is set to kick-start a bright and prosperous chapter for our company, our dealers, and our customers old and new,” concluded Antony.

STILL supports local children’s groups

Posted on by Keith McKinley

This year once again, the Hamburg-based company STILL is taking on social responsibility in the city and supporting the equal participation of Hamburg’s children and young people in education, culture and social interaction.

The company has donated €5,000 each to the local projects Mittagskinder Foundation (pictured), Kultur Palast Hamburg Foundation and the Wilhelmsburg Production School, and has also given around 1,500 chocolate Advent calendars to the three institutions as well as the Hamburger Tafel and the Arche in Hamburg-Billstedt.

Equal opportunities, rights, integration, education and a warm meal at least once a day – unfortunately, for many children and young people in Hamburg this is not a matter of course. Therefore, the commitment of social projects that work to give all children and young people a fair chance to have these things is all the more valuable.

“The past year was challenging on many levels. This is particularly true for young people,” explains Frank Müller, brand manager at the Hamburg-based intralogistics company STILL.” That is why it is particularly important to us this year to show them that we care about them and that we stand up for them and their future.”

And so he took the opportunity to visit all three projects in person and present them with the STILL donation cheque for €5,000.

STILL has been supporting the Mittagskinder Foundation and the Kultur Palast Hamburg Foundation for many years. Since last year, there has also been a cooperation with the Wilhelmsburg Production School.

At the Mittagskinder Foundation, around 200 Hamburg children regularly receive a healthy lunch, the shelter of a community, educational support and assistance with their homework. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many families have also been supported with shopping vouchers.

The Kultur Palast Hamburg Foundation has been bringing children and young people of different nations together in music and dance projects for 40 years, promoting cultural understanding and integration.

The Wilhelmsburg Production School is particularly committed to equal access to education. Here, young people are trained and qualified for the transition to the labour market after leaving school. To this end, the project offers product-oriented learning, among other things, in the five vocational fields of metal, wood, catering, retail and hairdressing.

“Thanks to STILL’s support, we have been able to expand the opportunities for digital learning at our facility,” reports Sabine Haugg, managing director BI Beruf und Integration Elbinseln gGmbH. “We are very happy about this, because being able to work confidently with digital media and tools opens up further opportunities for the pupils on the labour market.”

In addition to its ongoing support for the future, STILL is particularly keen to make children’s eyes shine in the days before Christmas. For this, the company donated around 1,500 chocolate Advent calendars to the Mittagskinder Foundation, the Kultur Palast Billstedt Foundation, the Wilhelmsburg Production School, the Arche Hamburg and the Tafel Hamburg. The sweet surprises for the Christmas season were distributed just in time for 1st December.

“We have around 100 children and young people who are looking forward to Christmas full of excitement. It is wonderful that STILL makes the waiting a little sweeter,” Annalisa Hesse, director of the Arche in Billstedt, is pleased to say. “Thank you very much for your support.”

“I can still remember the great joy and excitement of opening a little door every morning in the days before Christmas,” says Müller. “If we can do our small part to make this delight possible for children, we are happy to do so from the bottom of our hearts.”

Cargotec-Konecranes merger seeks competition clearance

Posted on by Keith McKinley

In order to secure approvals to complete their previously announced merger, Cargotec and Konecranes are in active dialogue and cooperation with the relevant authorities to consider ways to mitigate concerns raised by the competition authorities.

Cargotec and Konecranes submitted a remedy package to the European Commission comprising a commitment to divest Konecranes’ Lift Truck business and Cargotec’s Kalmar Automation Solutions. The proposed divestitures would eliminate overlaps between the parties’ Container Handling Equipment businesses but allow the combined company to combine others and continue to be a strong player in all aspects in container handling equipment.

Cargotec and Konecranes understand that the EC will now examine the proposed remedy package and may conduct a customary market testing.

In a statement, Cargotec and Konecranes have said are confident that the proposed remedies appropriately address the concerns raised by the EC. Should clearance be obtained based on the offered remedy package, the merger would proceed comprising of Konecranes’ Industrial Equipment and Service businesses as currently operated, Cargotec’s MacGregor and Hiab businesses as currently operated, as well as the operations of Konecranes’ Port Solutions and Cargotec’s Kalmar businesses other than the areas subject to remedy discussions.

Cargotec and Konecranes are confident that the future company will create customer value within container handling industry with its wide product and lifecycle service offering, as well as development and innovation capabilities.

The divestments, if made in line with the proposed commitments, will not change the industrial logic behind the combination of Cargotec and Konecranes. The companies will announce the expected high-level financial impact of the proposed remedies once information is available on the exact scope and possible ancillary arrangements relating to the possible remedy divestments in due course.

The final decision on possible divestitures of any businesses as well as possible terms and conditions thereof will be confirmed only after the EC’s review and market testing process, as well as further proceedings with the other competent authorities. The possible divestitures are further subject to various local legal requirements. Cargotec and Konecranes have started an assessment of possible external buyers in order to identify the best alternatives to satisfy the authorities’ requests and to support the future development of these businesses.

Further announcements on the approval processes will be made in due course once further decisions on possible material approval conditions and possible divestitures are made.

Cargotec and Konecranes remain confident that the merger will be completed by the end of H1/2022. Until all merger closing conditions are met and the transaction completed, both companies continue to operate fully separately and independently.

Konecranes launches Battery as a Service

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Konecranes has launched Battery as a Service (BaaS), a breakthrough innovation in both technology and business model to facilitate financing and support our customers of the E-VER range of Li-Ion powered electric forklift trucks.

Through this service, Konecranes provides chargeable, upgradable and remotely monitorable Li-ion batteries to its BaaS users. This will allow the customers to purchase an E-VER electric heavy forklift without battery and to choose the best battery set up that suits their needs. The battery is subscribed to a monthly fee, based on its actual usage which can be monitored in real-time at yourKonecranes.com customer portal (the battery becomes an OPEX). This continuous monitoring guarantees the optimal performance of the battery.

The launch of Konecranes BaaS makes the purchase decision much easier and represents a better balance between the capital expenditure (CAPEX) and the operating expenditure (OPEX) which is also more comparable to the LCC distribution of a diesel engine powered lift truck.

BaaS also represents a future-proof solution to long-existing challenges such as battery degradation, battery renewal, battery upgradability and lower resale value. This service keeps the machine resale value independent from the battery degradation.

Batteries can be renewed when the rental agreement comes to an end or if needed by the renter during the hire period.

The innovation of vehicle-battery separation and battery subscription has come true. The successful launch of BaaS is another significant milestone for Konecranes Lift Trucks.

Michelin appoints new MD for UK & Ireland

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Michelin Tyre plc has appointed John Howe as Managing Director for the UK & Ireland, with effect from 1st January 2022. He will also hold the role of B2C Sales Director, with responsibility for the company’s car, motorcycle and bicycle markets.

Howe, 41, brings 25 years of service within the company, having begun his career in the warehouse of Solideal UK, before continuing with the business through a series of acquisitions first by Solideal International, Camoplast, Camso and then finally Michelin in 2018.

He has a wealth of experience in the tyre industry at all levels, having initially worked as a warehouse operative and mobile service technician, before becoming an Area Sales Manager and later General Manager for Solideal International. During seven years at Camso, between 2013 and 2020, Howe progressed from Commercial Director to UK Managing Director, and finally Original Equipment Aftermarket Director for the EMEA region.

Since February 2020 he has worked directly within Michelin, spending his first 18 months as Global Program Manager within the agriculture, construction and materials handling markets, where he was responsible for helping the 10 regions globally Go to Market in the most effective way. Most recently he has been Global Business Development & Corporate Account Manager for these same three sectors, heading a team responsible for Michelin’s largest international key accounts.

Commenting on his new role, Howe said: “I’m excited about the opportunity to evolve the business here in the UK & Ireland, whilst also respecting the legacy of Michelin. The market is getting more dynamic all the time, and I want to ensure Michelin remains a true pioneer – with, around and beyond tyres.”

Howe will be based in Stoke-on-Trent and replaces Chris Smith as Managing Director, who recently moved to Michelin’s international headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France, to take over the role of Global Marketing Director long distance transportation.

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