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Tag: safety

Dedicated safety products for the supply chain

Posted on by David Priestman

Conveying goods from one provider to its customers involves working often with machineries or at height. These actions go from picking in a warehouse to loading and unloading a truck, train or plane, whether manually or with robotic assistance. Each step includes safety hazards, each step is subject to maintenance works. Fallprotec says it provides solutions for every moment.

Automated racking systems are now a widespread feature in warehouses all over the world, with goods being stored at heights up to 40m. The maintenance of the racks includes work at height. Fallprotec’s Securail Pro is a secure option for both types of work. Its unique profile has high inertia that enables up to 6m spam between supports, making it adaptable to every racking configuration.

Fallprotec says it is ideal for securing zones with low fall clearance and can be used as a fall arrest system with up to two users between brackets. Occupying little space, it fits easily inside the structure and can be bended to follow the configuration of the hall.

The loading of goods is another station that involves risks, for the transported goods as well as for the person involved in the process. To counteract it, Fallprotec has installed its SafeAccess monorail system on several loading bays all over the world. The SafeAccess is an undeformable fall arrest rail system. When installed in overhead configuration, it is the most suitable system when the fall clearance is low, for instance during loading.

This rail can be used for petrochemical industries as it is ATEX certified for potentially explosive atmospheres. The aluminium rail is protected by a high-quality powder coated surface treatment that resists to a marine environment.

Depending on the site configuration, SafeAccess can be combined with a Flexbow jib. The Flexbow is a standardised outrigger jib designed to secure loading bays and machinery. As the lifeline can also be installed high over the user, it is suitable for enhancing safety in vast storage and loading halls.

Last but not least, as the logistics sector is an increasingly robotised one, the maintenance of its automated equipment is an ever-returning key topic. In addition to the already mentioned rail systems, Fallprotec also provides vertical solutions adapted to all machineries, big or small. The company has developed a range of ladders with integrated fall arrest rail suitable for the maintenance of robotic tipping arms, pickers and AGVs. For instance, the SafeLadder is a secure alternative to traditional access ladders. The user, equipped with a harness, is directly connected to the fall arrest rail which is integrated into the access ladder upright.

The fall arrester VIA 4 fitted with energy absorber follows the user effortlessly and locks instantly in case of a fall. Various SafeLadder types and accessories are available to fit any situation: temporary SafeLadder, telescopic SafeLadder and traversing SafeLadder along a SafeAccess rail. A variant of the Securail Pro, the MastLadder, uses the same rail profile while fitting it with rigid rungs to create a ladder with minimum space occupation.

Fallprotec has installed its safety solutions worldwide with several industrial companies and logistics integraters such as Total and Stow. All Fallprotec products for logistics will be introduced in Birmingham at the IMHX tradeshow on booth 5C90.

 

Pyroban brings automation, power, and purpose to IMHX

Posted on by David Priestman

Explosion protection safety company Pyroban is heading to intralogistics show IMHX 2022 in Birmingham, UK, with Ex Solutions for AGVs, AMRs, robots, and a wide range of other materials handling and plant equipment.

“Pyroban has exhibited at every single IMHX in the show’s history, presenting explosion protection solutions for lift trucks. In this time, the materials handling landscape has changed,” says Darren Boiling, Materials Handling Sales Manager for Pyroban. “Automation, sustainability, energy costs, and business purpose are now high on the agenda for decision makers. At IMHX, we’re addressing how these topics influence businesses operating with potentially explosive atmospheres.”

ATEX AGVs, AMRs and automated robots

Pyroban will address the myth that ATEX (with UKCA marking) AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), and robots don’t exist. It is possible to safely “Ex” convert some of the latest technologies that will be on show at IMHX (Stand 5E40) for hazardous area operations where automation is also required, or equipment such as carousels .

“Unlike the ATEX forklift conversions we are known for, complex machines like AGVs or AMRs can be optimised with a ground-up approach where we work closely with the OEM at product design and assembly level,” says Boiling.

Pyroban has experienced growing demand for AGVs and AMRs in some “zoned” hazardous area operations where flammable material is handled. Paint tins, aerosols, IBCs, or drums full of solvents can all be moved by AGVs, AMRs, or robots, subject to a thorough risk assessment.

It was this growing trend that led Pyroban’s Managing Director Steve Noakes, the Convenor of the Standards Committee responsible for EN1755 (the standard specifically written for industrial trucks operating in potentially explosive atmospheres), to lead the committee and produce an update which now includes requirements specifically for driverless trucks (i.e. AGVs or AMRs).

Power choices in hazardous areas

For traditional forklifts, there are also more power choices than ever before and businesses are increasingly looking to reduce energy costs and improve their environmental performance. Businesses with Zone 1, 2, 21 or 22 areas are no different, and many have already turned to electric materials handling equipment, including waste companies, chemical firms, food and drink businesses, and supermarkets storing flammable aerosols.

“At IMHX, we will be sharing the latest updates on power options including the facts about Stage V ATEX forklifts and the first ever solutions for LPG forklifts working in Zone 2 hazardous areas,” says Boiling. “In addition, we will be highlighting the facts about the ATEX certification requirements for lead acid batteries and talking about the ignition risks when using lithium-ion in hazardous areas.”

Gas detection rental to bridge ATEX forklift gap

Pyroban will also address what businesses can do to bridge safety gaps that may occur due to extended OEM forklift production lead times.

“Over the last few years, forklifts are not being delivered to Pyroban fast enough which has led to an inevitable knock-on effect to the availability of ATEX (with UKCA marking) compliant forklifts for our customers,” says Boiling. “We responded to safety concerns by offering Gascheka Zone 3 on a rental basis.”

Gascheka Zone 3 is a bolt-on gas detection system designed specifically for mobile equipment, and was previously only available to buy outright from Pyroban.  Now, Pyroban is supporting the industry by offering the gas detection system for short periods. The units can be fitted to equipment of any age in just a few hours including warehouse equipment, forklifts, vans, cranes, access platforms, and people transporters.

“If hazardous area operations cannot source a new or used ATEX compliant forklift in time, and when ceasing the operation isn’t an option, under an ATEX 1999/92/EC or DSEAR (in the UK) risk assessment, they may consider that installing the Pyroban Gascheka Zone 3 system on existing standard trucks is an acceptable interim solution,” confirms Boiling.

Protecting people, their investment, and our environment

2022 marks 50 years of one clear purpose for Pyroban – keeping people safe in hazardous areas.

“Throughout our history, Pyroban’s technical integrity and support has been second to none in the conversion of lift trucks and power systems for use in hazardous areas,” says Boiling, who has been with the company for nearly 35 years. “Our customers rely on us to keep them safe in their daily operations and we have a great team which follows the principles of five solid foundations to deliver on our purpose.

“We design for safety and performance, build with premium quality, and deliver a low total cost of operation (TCO). Lifetime support and care programmes reinforce the customer experience alongside pro-active advice and consultancy from the very beginning,” says Darren explaining that there is still significant market education to do about ATEX and the risks of using MHE equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres for end users, OEMs and dealers.

 

 

XPO receives BRCGS ‘AA’ accreditation for Arla facility

Posted on by Keith McKinley

XPO Logistics, a leading global provider of freight transportation services, has again received BRCGS ‘AA’ accreditation for satisfying rigorous safety and compliance standards at the Arla Foods Ltd dairy plant in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Arla Foods, a centuries-old dairy cooperative, is the largest supplier of fresh milk and cream in the UK.

XPO earned its initial BRCGS accreditation for Aylesbury in 2021, after being awarded a contract by Arla Foods to store and deliver over 14 million litres of milk per week to retailers in South East England. The two companies then expanded their relationship to include a distribution centre in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, where XPO manages transport. XPO received BRCGS accreditation for Hatfield in 2021, and recently completed the 2022 audit.

Dan Myers, managing director, transport – UK and Ireland, XPO Logistics, said: “The Arla brands stand for food quality and safety, and their reputation is built upon that. Arla and XPO strive for the best standards recognised by the BRCGS ‘AA’ accreditation. We focus on this crucial goal as a joint team effort.”

BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance) was founded in 1996 to harmonise safety standards across the supply chain. BRCGS global benchmarks for food safety, consumer product safety, packaging materials, storage and distribution, ethical trading and other standards help assure consumers that products are safe, legal and of high quality.

XPO provides technology-enabled transport solutions for customers across a range of sectors in Europe, including chilled and ambient food and beverages, retail, trade and industrial goods, and e-commerce, as well as world-class events, such as the Tour de France.

“We must innovate for a safer supply chain”

Posted on by David Priestman

So say TT Club and ICHCA which, with the support of TOC Europe, are emphasising their message by launching an inaugural Safety Village at the upcoming conference and exhibition in Rotterdam between 14th and 16th of June. The first of its type, the exhibition space will be dedicated to how innovation can lead to a safer supply chain.

Recent widespread disruption to global supply chains and the consequent pressures on freight transport capacity and cargo handling facilities requires a corresponding focus on safety measures throughout the system. As the success of the TT Club Innovation in Safety Award programme, operated by ICHCA International, has proved, there have been numerous ground-breaking innovations with multiple applications aimed at reducing these safety risks. However, the two organisations are keen to raise the awareness of the need for continuous development of the ways that we manage safety.

Featuring a meeting area and presentation facilities, the TT Club Safety Village will be the venue for workshops and panel sessions throughout the three days of the TOC Europe event. It will also provide opportunities for companies to showcase their innovative safety devices, processes and products. All aimed at championing safety in the supply chain and developing new solutions to managing risks.

Peregrine Storrs-Fox, Risk Management Director at leading international freight transport insurer TT Club, comments: “It has been TT’s consistent mission to increase the levels of safety across myriad operational functions that constitute the global supply chain. We are keen to encourage every type of innovation from securing loads on all modes of transport to the correct handling of dangerous materials, and from safer working practices and equipment in cargo handling facilities to avoidance of vehicle collisions and fire prevention.

“Providing a focal point for discussion and promotion of such innovations at a leading industry forum such as TOC Europe will be a further benefit to the cause of safety that TT can provide.”

ICHCA International, the representative body for cargo handling operators across the globe, has run TT Club’s Innovation in Safety Award since its inception and is passionate about sharing innovation and learning across the industry. CEO Richard Steele points out, “In the recent past, our efforts together with TT Club have helped promulgate safety innovations including Hapag Lloyd’s Cargo Patrol that detects suspected misdeclared dangerous goods; terminal automation advances from Kunz and Yardeye in cooperation with CSX Terminals; VIKING Life-Saving’s fire suppressant systems, as well as safety devices developed by PSA International and Cargotec.

“Yet these represent just the tip of the iceberg. We were thrilled to see so many innovative ideas put forward for this Award. A digest of these will be available at the Safety Village and we hope it will help to inspire many other projects in the future.”

Representatives of both TT Club and ICHCA will be present in the Village at TOC Europe and invitations to attend the workshops and presentations will be issued in the near future.

 

 

 

 

Forklift accidents are a global concern

Posted on by David Priestman

Unfortunately, no matter where you go in the world, forklift-related workplace accidents are far too common. Recent events from around the globe demonstrate this unsettling fact.

  • In the United Kingdom, a reversing forklift at a goat milk producer struck and killed a woman, resulting in a £200,000 fine.
  • In Canada, the Minister of Labour is investigating the death of a worker struck by a forklift at an Ontario steel company.
  • In Singapore, 3 out of 20 workplace fatalities so far this year have involved forklifts.

In the UK, forklifts account for more workplace accidents than any other machine, and 57% of all people injured by forklifts in the UK are pedestrians. In the US, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that if companies implement more stringent safety and training policies, forklift accidents could be reduced by 70%.

As the statistics and recent forklift accidents attest, any workplace that requires pedestrians to work near mobile equipment, like forklifts, must take pedestrian safety seriously and implement protective measures to keep their workers safe.

Keeping workers safe

SEEN Safety has addressed the persistent global issue of pedestrian safety head-on with its world-class IRIS-860 sensor. Through cutting-edge technology, their sensors have improved workplace safety for countless pedestrian workers around the globe who work in close proximity to forklifts and other mobile equipment.

SEEN works with companies in various industries where people and material handling machines work closely together – such as distribution centres, manufacturing, and logistics warehouses. They make sensors designed to detect when an employee has entered a critical area around mobile equipment like forklifts or wheel loaders. If a worker enters the area behind reversing equipment, the IRIS-860 sensor will audibly alert the driver to their presence.

SEEN’s sensors are simple to use. With the IRIS-860 sensor, workers do not need a complicated battery-operated transponder. Instead, the sensor identifies workers by transforming one of the most commonly used pieces of personal protective equipment, the high visibility vest, into part of an active safety system that is immediately effective and easier to implement than other options on the market.

The hard work of detection is done by SEEN’s infrared sensors, which work well beyond what an optical camera can ‘see’ in the visible light spectrum. SEEN deliberately uses infrared for detection, it is extremely reliable regardless of dust & dirt, weather and variable lighting – conditions commonly encountered in materials handling operating environments. Failure to detect reliably may be ok if people aren’t close to the machine when it’s operating, but it’s crucially important when a person enters the high risk zone behind a reversing machine.

In addition the sensors can be configured to meet the requirements of a specific worksite. Often, the operator is focused on their load which is usually in front of them creating a blind spot behind the machine, this is the area where pedestrian collisions can be the most catastrophic. SEEN’s sensors are designed to be configured to target that area precisely and reliably, focusing on the detections that really matter and minimising nuisance alerts.

The system is effortless to use, requiring zero specialist knowledge to install or set up, and always offers reliable protection, regardless of conditions. The sensors are also significantly more cost-effective than other alternatives, making it possible to spread them across your entire mobile equipment fleet.

 

New free guide to loading bay safety

Posted on by David Priestman

Rite-Hite, a leading manufacturer of industrial health and safety equipment, has published a new free guide to Loading Bay Safety, giving facilities managers a comprehensive overview of industrial regulations, technological advances and trends, and best practice advice for ensuring safety across every angle of any loading bay environment.

To address one of the most dangerous areas of any warehouse, manufacturing facility or processing plant, the guide takes an in-depth look at the biggest safety risks and threats posed in and around the loading bay. It examines vehicle creep and forklift dangers to the risks associated with poor communication – and how these threats can be prevented by taking a solutions-led approach to safety, harnessing a range of equipment and safety systems that already exist.

It also explores the future of the logistics industry and the latest trends towards increased automation, smart equipment and technology and the continuing shift towards a fully digital future, and how these advancements can have a truly positive impact on the industry.

Thorsten Mauritz, Marketing Manager (Europe) at Rite-Hite, says safety in and around the loading bay cannot be compromised: “All senior executives within the logistics industry are trying to balance increasing efficiencies throughout their operation and processes with the uncompromising need for safety, one can never come at the expense of the other, and this is a real challenge.

“This is leading to safety equipment providers taking a holistic approach to safety that should be considered at a solutions level. For almost 60 years, Rite-Hite has been recognised as an expert in loading bay safety. We assess every hazardous area, creating robust and practical safety solutions that enable people to work with the highest level of protection and productivity.

“From the parking bay floor to the loading dock ceiling, we’ve got every angle covered.”

CLICK HERE to download a free copy of the guide

 

Saving costs with intelligent door opening system

Posted on by David Priestman

Wherever high-speed doors are installed in production and goods distribution centres, customers will benefit from the new Door Control module offered as part of Linde Material Handling’s (MH) innovative Safety Guard assistance system. The intelligent control system enables communication between industrial trucks and infrastructure, thus avoiding above all, high costs due to collision damage.

High-speed doors can be found in businesses of all sizes and in all industrial sectors. They enable the rapid passage from indoor to outdoor areas and at the same time help to maintain constant temperatures in production and logistics buildings, protect workers from unhealthy drafts, deter the entry of birds and unauthorised persons and prevent contamination.

However, the positive effects of high-speed doors are partially diminished by the fact that they are repeatedly subject to damaging incidents, including those involving industrial trucks. One example in this context is the collisions that occur when the roller shutters are not yet fully open at the time that entry is attempted. In most cases, this only leads to property damage, but these instances can add up to considerable costs if rolling doors and forklifts are in need of repair or transported goods are damaged.

“A single accident can quickly result in costs in the five-digit euro range,” Fabian Zimmermann, Product Manager Safety Solutions, recalls from practical experience. “Drivers are often under pressure to meet deadlines or their minds are simply elsewhere and therefore not paying attention,” says the expert, citing possible causes of collision damage.

“Using the Safety Guard Door Control, our customers can now effectively defuse this accident-prone area and thus avoid costs and disruptions to their operations,” says Zimmermann, describing the benefits of the new safety feature.

Forklift speed is adjusted as needed

Like the Linde Safety Guard assistance system, the new Door Control function is based on ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. The truck communicates with the building infrastructure via high-frequency radio waves. When a truck approaches a rolling door, its travel speed is gradually reduced and the door opens automatically. To accomplish this, the intelligent system determines the distance between the permanently installed units on the forklift and the high-speed door to within 10cm. After passing, the door closes again and the forklift driver can continue on at the usual speed.

To prevent the door from being triggered by passing forklifts or to prevent neighbouring doors from opening, the size and shape of the zones around it (spherical or rectangular) can be adjusted to suit the specific needs. Yet another advantage of this technology is that the doors are only open for as long as necessary.

Bosch announces innovative forklift collision warning system

Posted on by David Priestman

Forklifts and other industrial trucks have become essential work equipment in logistics and warehousing. However, the risks associated with using forklifts are often underestimated. According to data from the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), more than 13,500 accidents resulting in personal injury and involving forklift trucks were reported in 2020 alone.

To avoid accidents, the drivers must constantly have the entire area around the forklift in view while driving and manoeuvring. Many drivers are under constant stress, which impairs their performance and often leads to driving errors. This is in addition to health problems from constantly turning their heads while driving backwards.

A new multicamera-based collision warning system from Bosch helps minimise the risk of accidents and reduce stress for drivers by improving the general view around the entire vehicle and actively warning the driver of impending collisions.

“With this system, we are making an important contribution to improving the level of safety when using forklifts and reducing the health-related strains for the drivers,” says Stefan Schenk, who is responsible for the Off-Road operating unit at Robert Bosch GmbH.

Multicamera system with active warning feature

The new assistance system comprises four compact near-range cameras and a control unit that creates an all-around view of the vehicle’s surroundings and displays this to the forklift driver on a monitor. Depending on the driver’s current information requirements, different views can be selected and shown on a display in full-screen format or in a split-screen layout. Additionally, the driver can choose from a variety of viewing modes like overlay of the driving trajectory or virtual camera panning.

The visual assistant presented at LogiMAT 2019 already ensures good all-round view even in blind spots, when the driver’s view is blocked by the load on the fork. With the expansion, the system now additionally warns of stationary or moving objects in the vicinity of the vehicle in dangerous situations with a colour marking on the monitor and an audible signal.

To achieve this, three characteristic and particularly dangerous driving scenarios were identified and corresponding use cases for the warning feature were derived. When driving in an aisle or past rows of shelves, the forklift driver is shown anyone kneeling, standing, or moving in front of or alongside the vehicle. If the system detects that a junction is approaching, it switches to intersection mode and additionally warns the driver of people or vehicles approaching from the side. A further benefit of the new assistance system is the warning feature that assists the driver when handling storage items. The detection is then aimed at people moving relative to the vehicle at a distance of 4m.

Object recognition with neural networks

To enable the system to reliably detect impending collisions and only provide warnings for relevant accidents risks, two analysis methods, object detection and object recognition, are combined. With object detection, the system logic decides whether or not an object is relevant to the collision warning on the basis of characteristic movements. With object recognition, the decision is made based on the shape of the object. To do this, the image of the object is automatically compared to stored image patterns.

“This is done by what are known as neural networks, a software architecture from the field of artificial intelligence, which are trained to recognise specific visual patterns. Merging the two measurement principles ensures that the three situations with a potentially critical accident risk are fully covered by the collision warning and both stationary and moving objects, for example, are detected,” says Schenk.

Ultrasonic sensor technology for working platforms

Bosch launched two versions of the 24V ultrasonic sensor system for near-field monitoring of the working area at the beginning of January. The ultrasonic sensors can be used to secure blind spots, such as a work cage on aerial work platforms. Although both 24V systems feature identical hardware, there are differences when it comes to the processing of the sensor data and thus the functional scope of the different versions.

While the basic system simply measures the distance of a specific obstacle, the high-end solution also features object localisation. Bosch designs assistance systems and functions for industrial trucks, but also for other industrial and off-highway applications, such as construction, agricultural, and municipal vehicles, to be tailor-made for their specific applications.

Safe legs in safe hands

Posted on by David Priestman

When a forklift collides with a racking leg, the consequences can be severe. At the very least, there will be damage to a load or the aisle will be closed off for inspection, costing the business time and money. At worst, it could bring down the racking it supports and cause significant damage and disruption, as well as threaten the safety of personnel working in the area.

Established in the US 1998, Sentry Protection Products develops impact resistant and collision awareness equipment for use in commercial environments that help reduce or eliminate such risks. Logistics Business spoke exclusively to Sentry’s CEO James Ryan at the recent MODEX trade show in Atlanta, where his company had just launched the adaptable Column Sentry FIT product.

Logistics Business (LB): What are the benefits of Column Sentry FIT above those of the existing Column Sentry product?

James Ryan (JR): We brought out our original column protector in 1998, and so as much as we’ve sold them for years and years, we’ve also seen their shortcomings, one of which was that in two sides the products is incredibly flexible, but if you have a seam between two sides you’ve got two sides that are stiff. Everyone whose came behind us have done the same thing, and so we sought to create a product that would protect columns on all four sides by presenting an equal face. When we did that we also created a four-part modular system that also could grow or shrink to fit exactly the column. So we created that and called it the Column Sentry FIT because it was literally a good fit.

With this extension feature, we are continuing to make it a modular product, so that we can continue to extend the sizes. Many people are now having larger columns because they want longer spans, or they want to support crane systems and things that are going to need a bigger column – we’re seeing more and more columns that are 200-300 [mm] or 300-400 size. In doing this with our modular piece, the extension piece immediately goes to 350, expandable to 400, expandable to 450, and then we can add a second modular piece in there and continue to grow that piece. As soon as we do that, it can grow to 500.

LB: How is warehouse safety improved by this?

JR: Anytime you have a hotspot in your warehouse where forklifts are going to be travelling, we’re seeking to find ways to cushion things, to reduce injuries, to reduce worker downtime [and] equipment downtime. It’s primarily people, but it’s all those things that make your operation slow down or quit. With rack products, it happens all the time, you have to shut down an entire aisle, or if one of the racks has collapsed, then you’re going to have to shut down an entire part of the plant. Adding inexpensive cushions, we feel that’s a great way of safeguarding yourself from those types of… not just equipment damage, but all the things around it such as clean-up and injuries and all things that are bad. We’ve concentrated on everything that makes it a hard spot, and tried to make it a soft spot.

LB: Where do Sentry’s strengths lie in comparison to your competitors?

JR: One of the things we stress is that we don’t sell a lot of different products, we sell products that make a difference. And where we differ from some of our competitors is, whenever you’re looking to create a brand new product, you’re looking for the customer’s pain points, what they are suffering from, and we’re addressing those needs. [If] customers say this creates injuries, then we do whatever it takes to solve those problems. Those that come after us tend to say, hey, I can make something that looks like that or I can cut the cost, and typically you’re going to be shaving in order to bring down costs and sometimes that means you get a good price point for a product. But where we differ is our products are high quality because we went straight to the customer, looked at their needs, worked with them and invented something [which] addressed those needs.

LB: What is the culture and ethos that has helped build the success of Sentry?

JR: As in any business, everything is a people business. One of the most satisfying things I had in the 24 years we’ve been around is the relationships that we have created and thrived on. We find that not only in the products we sell, but that our customers bring us ideas and they sometimes bring complaints. Some of our products are second-generation products, and we wouldn’t do that of everything was great. People say, hey, we have an issue here or I ran into this kind of problem. So having that sort of relationship with our customers and resellers allows us to get freeflow of information to say this is where you’re doing things great ,but I also like to hear this is what you’re doing wrong. And when we find what we are doing wrong, that’s the next idea to help us to do it better. We’re already on our fifth generation with Collision Sentry.

LB: As a US-based company, how have you sought to expand your international sales?

JR: We’ve concentrated our international growth efforts on finding customers who really share the same values. We concentrated early not only on North America, but Western Europe and the UK because we share the same values – safety is a big issue. A well developed industrial base that appreciates these types of things. We will continue to try to grow into those types of areas. It’s much easier if I bring a product to market that appeals to someone who values safety. We’ve tried to expand primarily to well developed countries and peoples who will do that.

LB: How have you found doing business in Europe?

JR: We went through a lot of fits and starts. We started the business in 1998, and we were already trying to exhibit and sell our products on the continent and the UK since 2000. We were a very young, small company. We ‘ve had different levels of success in different places  and again it’s as different as the people are. We go throughout Europe, and you can’t say one market is the same as another market. Even though they share currency and an open market, it doesn’t mean the people are the same. So we had some areas where we had great initial success, because they were open to trying new things, but that haven’t necessarily turned out to be our best markets, because other areas that were a little bit harder to convince are solid now, because they believed in it and bought over and over again.

Ironically, we’ve had more issues with the UK simply because we’ve gone through different resellers in the UK. They had great initial interest and all, but I didn’t get the follow-through. So we’re on our second or third generation of resellers who are there and we may even go to the market directly with some e-commerce sites to address that.

LB: Thank you very much for talking with Logistics Business.

https://www.sentrypro.com/column-sentry-fit/

CLICK HERE to watch a video of Column Sentry FIT

Warehouse safety around the globe

Posted on by David Priestman

Designed-in safety, increased levels of driver training, and implementation of operational guidelines have reached such maturity that it is easy to forget that the forklift is still a significant cause of workplace injuries and accidents. In addition, the demands placed on forklift operators to perform with greater haste and efficiency means both goods and personnel are vulnerable to damage caused by sudden braking, driver blind spots and unstable loads.

One company aiming to herp reduce damage and injury in the warehouse is GenieGrips, an Australian manufacturer of products aimed at ensuring forklift loads are safe, secure and stable. At the recent MODEX trade event in Atlanta, Logistics Business caught up with Louise Inglese, Founder & CEO of GenieGrips Pty Ltd, to find out more about her growing international business.

Logistics Business (LB): Why is it important for GenieGrips to be at exhibitions such as MODEX?

Louise Inglese (LI): It is a very long flight! But we know we have to come to expos to promote our products because you need to demonstrate it for people to really get it. I could send a brochure, but it’s never going to be the same. When we’re face to face, people get to feel it and touch it and get the full sense of how safe they are and how solid they are, their quality

The expos themselves are a really good opportunity to build relationships. I might see the same customer I saw two years ago, and then I get to see them again, and it’s almost like a drip feed process – they see me again, they see me again… So they know we’re going to be around. If I went to one expo and then didn’t turn up to the next one, they’d be wondering why I wasn’t there and they’d be thinking “oh, there’s something wrong with GenieGrips now”. So you have to be seen face to face.

LB: Being based in Australia, how do you conduct your international business?

LI: We have a warehouse in LA in the US, and we know we need to have a local presence like that. We work with FreeCall numbers both here in the US, in Europe and in the UK, and we have a warehouse in the Netherlands. Obviously, because of Brexit, we have also had to set up a warehouse in the UK because we could no longer service that market out of the Netherlands. The paperwork was too much; it was much easier for us to set up a third warehouse in the UK, than to service that market from the Netherlands.

LB: What are your aspirations for Genie Grips?

LI: 90% of our business is export, with only 10% of our sales in Australia. 75% of that 90% are our US customers, and that was an easy market for us to come into because there is no language barrier. The safety standards in the US are similar to those in Australia, so they get the safety side of it. Now we have a bigger challenge when we go into Europe, because we have a language barrier. So it’s great to do those expos, but we really need to get a bigger market share in Europe because we haven’t tapped that market successfully enough as yet.

LB: Do you see yourself as an international operation?

IB: Yes, it’s just a bigger market share. With only 25 million people in Australia, that’s nothing compared to the populations on the other continents, so having that presence internationally and those warehouses, that’s where we need to keep going. We would like to get more into South America, and also into the Middle East and Africa as well.

LB: What are the benefits of GenieGrips vs. rival products?

IB: Because we manufacture our products ourselves in Melbourne, we have complete control over the quality. We can change designs, develop new products, and the more customers we get, the more [challenges they are having] and wanting to talk to us about solving. That way we’re able to develop more products. So we started with the Mats, then we had a customer who wanted the Caps, so we worked with them to develop that. Then we had a customer saying they wanted the Cushions for the uprights. So, the more we talk, the more products we develop. Then, this year at MODEX we have the new Stik-It Pads, because people wanted a product that sat inside the actual footprint of the tyne itself.

Some of our rivals make [their products] out of plastic. Now rubber is such a unique compound to use. It wears well, it’s softer, it copes with harsher weather, it copes with higher and lower temperatures, so having that rubber base of our products is what keeps us ahead of our competitors.

LB: Are you affected by risks that come with international shipping?

LI: Shipping has been a challenge over the past couple of years, and it’s our pain, being an Australian manufacturer, that we have to allow for shipping into our costings and times, etc.

LB: What is the company’s commitment to customer service?

IB: We’re a family business, and our parent company has been going for over 40 years, so we have all that experience behind us. As Australians, we love customer service, so that’s our #1 priority. We also have FreeCall numbers in each country, so that enables customers to ring directly and always have someone to talk to. So, even in our sleepy hours we have an answering service that makes it possible for us to call back as soon as we wake up.

LB: Thank you for talking to Logistics Business, and good luck with your future plans.

 

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