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Tag: Transport

Electric motorbikes optimised for mobile workforces

Posted on by Keith McKinley

CAKE, the Swedish maker of premium lightweight, electric motorbikes, has launched CAKE :work; a new series of powerful and durable electric utility vehicles designed and developed for professional applications such as delivery drivers (food and parcel), craftsmen, and service professionals.

With the launch of the :work series, CAKE will speed up the transition to sustainable cities and facilitate significant cuts in emissions by offering solutions and opportunities for businesses striving to develop environmentally sustainable and more efficient services and logistics. The new series of professional-grade electric two wheeled vehicles addresses several urgent challenges facing metropolitan areas worldwide.

Globally there are two billion fossil fuel-driven vehicles on the road that emit five gigatons of CO2 annually – driving climate change. To date, more than 150 cities worldwide have announced restrictions on combustion engine transportation. Innovation and investment in sustainable transportation must happen at haste, to navigate tighter emissions targets and restrictions on fossil-fuelled vehicles.

“The CAKE :work series offers the immediate potential of moving last-mile deliveries and mobile workforces away from traditional solutions for urban transportation, clearly exceeding the efficiency of both cars and bicycles, making this initiative our single most important contribution to date in speeding up the process towards a zero-emission society,” says Stefan Ytterborn, founder and CEO of CAKE.

“Any industry that handles large volumes of short-haul transportation of both people and goods understands the daily struggle with traffic jams, parking fines, and the need to find both economical and sustainable fossil fuel-free vehicles. At CAKE, we truly believe that the future for last-mile deliveries will be electric and run on two wheels.”

CAKE for professionals

Designed and developed in close collaboration with different professional user groups, the new :work series builds upon CAKE’s three existing platforms: Kalk (high performance off road), Ösa (modular utility bike), and Makka (urban commuter).

Optimising power, reach, efficiency, and capacity, the adjustments and reinforcements specific to the :work series include an increased range that allows the bike to run for the full working day, and power support which enables workers to power electronic tools or regulate the temperature of food delivery boxes, for example.

Additionally, :work has an increased towing capacity as well as a more compact design, such as narrower handlebars, allowing riders to more easily weave between cars. That will allow riders to modify and customise their machines in more than one hundred different configurations to suit their type of work.

The :work series is built to endure the demands of the working professional, offering a low total cost of ownership and, as a result, increased profit margins. Additionally, much like the other series, they are designed to have minimum impact on the environment. This makes it an ideal solution for last-mile deliveries (an industry which is expected to be worth over $200bn by 2027), the e-commerce delivery sector (growing by more than 78% in 100 of the world’s largest cities), and food deliveries, which are predicted to grow by 60%.

The bikes

Makka :work – the lightweight and agile urban shuttle comes in two new models (45km/h and 25km/h). Now with more peak power, up to 110km range and new accessories to carry more loads. The new Makka model comes with external power outlets, allowing users to supply off-grid power to electric gadgets as well as heavy-duty power tools like grinders, drills, and more.

Ösa :work – the powerful workbench and towing truck on two wheels. Comes in three models, with top speeds of 90, 45 and 25km/h, with more peak power, up to 160km range, and new trailers to haul loads of up to 1,500 litres. As with the original Ösa, these bikes can also supply off-grid power to heavy-duty tools and gadgets through the bike’s battery system.

Kalk :work – the efficient outbound explorer. Its 18” off-road tires and unique :work ride modes makes for a bike ideal for surveillance, service, patrolling or similar, to reach remote places through rough terrain. The new Kalk :work is street-legal and comes with a new rack to bring work tools or gear along.

All bikes come with new :work ride modes, adapted for professional user needs. They also come with custom ride modes, available to customise directly in the CAKE Connect App.

A wide range of new accessories have been added, as well as new pre-configurations. Among the highlights are the rear and front carrier, together carrying loads of up to 150kg. The new big Carla Cargo trailer pulls loads of up to 150kg and the compact Fårö trailer carries up to 50kg of weight.

 

75% of logistics professionals see room for improvement

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Transporeon and Adrian Gonzalez, President of Adelante SCM and Founder of Talking Logistics, just published the Transportation Pulse Report 2022. In light of the capacity shortages and delays within global logistics due to the COVID-19 crisis, the report identifies solutions for rebuilding trust in the supply chain. It combines quantitative insights from more than 280 shippers, carriers and 3PLs with the opinions of industry experts. A rising number of logistics professionals (25% compared to 18% in 2020) believe that there exists “very large” room for improvement in the way transportation processes are designed and managed. Another 48% of respondents see “large” room for improvement (compared to 47% in 2020).

More specifically, respondents consider the biggest room for improvement to reside in the physical (68%) rather than the digital supply chain (32%). “It’s obvious,” comments Dr. Thomas Lieb, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, former CEO of DB Schenker and member of Transporeon’s Advisory Board “it’s currently the physical supply chain that is causing all the headaches, which is why building trustful and reliable relationships with your supply chain partners, having real-time visibility, and taking care of your people are so important.”

Overall trust among trading partners is low with more than half of participants “agreeing” or “strongly agreeing” that “you can’t be too careful when dealing with people across your supply chain”. This coincides with the problems identified in digital supply chains: 58% of respondents state that the lack of transparency and data sharing among trading partners was in need of fixing. Almost half of the respondents also state that a lack of real-time visibility was a problem.

Hermann Ude, former CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, Member of the Board of Deutsche Post and today Chairman of Transporeon’s Advisory Board notes that “The response is more sharing of data and information, as well as joint optimization. All of these solutions that are available now, like real-time freight visibility and Transporeon’s Trust Center, are valuable because they provide transparency, they are an investment in building more trust. Having everyone looking at the same data will enable joint optimization, which was not possible in the past.”

This opinion was also mirrored in the answers of the survey respondents who stated that “Matching demand with capacity more efficiently” was the highest priority for them in 2022. “Enabling greater visibility to real-time demand, rates & capacity” and “Eliminating manual & paper-based processes” were their second and third priorities. Reducing the carbon footprint also became more important since 2020.

Further results of the study show that the integration of technology and logistics was strengthened within the last year. Software still matters, but the platform approach has become even more important with 77% of respondents stating that size and scope were “very important” or “important” criteria when selecting a TMS or logistics service provider.

Industry expert Adrian Gonzalez summarizes: “What we do know is that very large opportunities for improvement still exist in transportation, and that to achieve them, the logistics industry needs to become more data-driven, and there needs to be greater transparency of data across all stakeholders.”

CLICK HERE to access the full Transportation Pulse Report 2022

DB Schenker improves Bulgarian network with Transmetrics AI

Posted on by David Priestman

Transmetrics, a state-of-the-art AI platform developed exclusively for the supply chain, has announced that its artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have been employed by DB Schenker, a global leading logistics provider, to adopt a new approach for the leader’s domestic land transport in Bulgaria. One of the key aspects of the project was achieving faster transit times for groupage shipments and improved vehicle utilisation.

This significant change in the company’s Bulgarian setup successfully involves AI methods such as neural networks, Bayesian models, and stochastic optimisation. In addition, the implementation of modern processes has been carefully developed to meet ever-growing customer expectations and to benefit the supply chains within the country and beyond.

The changes involve new international connections as the company’s branch office in Sevlievo, North Central Bulgaria, becomes a transportation hub for the country and several European and Caucasus trade lanes.

In order to achieve that, Transmetrics and DB Schenker worked closely together to configure multiple network scenarios and run various ‘what-if’ simulations. Based on different demand growth projections and various network parameters, the powerful AI algorithms could measure the efficiency and resilience of numerous network setups’. Comparing these, the project teams identified the best possible way to adjust the network infrastructure and the most optimal linehaul plan.

“This project is a solid milestone for Transmetrics as it ensures that our proprietary AI algorithms can provide the right tools to power-up strategic logistics planning,” said Dimitar Pavlov, Head of Business Development at Transmetrics. “With ever-increasing demand, it is important to rely on data-driven business decisions, and we are thankful to DB Schenker for the opportunity to work together on such an exciting project.”

“We are confident that by completing this project, using AI and new simulations, and taking into consideration the requirements of the market, we have significantly improved our network setup in Bulgaria,” added Zoran Lazoroski, Managing Director of DB Schenker in Bulgaria and North Macedonia. “We have optimised our internal traffic and domestic lines to be much more efficient, in many different aspects, including reducing our ecological footprint.”

TX Logistik expands Swedish intermodal services

Posted on by Keith McKinley

TX Logistik AB, Swedish subsidiary of the German TX Logistik AG, is expanding its domestic intermodal services in Sweden. As of 31st January 2022, the rail logistics company, which is part of the Mercitalia Group (Gruppo FS Italiane), will add a further connection between Trelleborg and Eskilstuna, around 100km west of Stockholm, to its network.

The new block train will be operated as a company train for the Austrian full truckload specialist LKW Walter. The new connection is a further milestone for LKW Walter for the expansion of combined transport on the European continent.

Four round trips per week are planned. Up to 38 units can be loaded onto one train and most of the units will be trailers. The trains will run between the port in Trelleborg and the combined transport terminal in Eskilstuna, one of the most important hinterland terminals in Sweden. The route runs via Frövi and the transit time will be about seven hours.

TX Logistik is responsible for traction, terminal handling and customer service. In Trelleborg, LKW Walter uses the ferry connections to and from Rostock and Travemünde. By shifting transports from the road to the new route, both companies are taking part in a further reduction of CO2.

TX Logistik is experiencing sustained high demand for freight transport by rail. The company foresees potential for further growth above and beyond this in transports on the north-south axis and within Sweden. TX Logistik is already one of the most important providers of combined rail freight transport in the Scandinavian country. For the retail chain Coop, for example, TX Logistik transports food products 20 times a week between Bro (near Stockholm) and Malmö.

The rail logistics company also supplements the domestic network in Sweden with the national line between Trelleborg, Malmö and Eskilstuna. The line currently operates seven round trips per week as an open train system.

Atlantic Pacific purchases Freedom Logistics

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Atlantic Pacific Group has acquired Freedom Logistics UK Ltd, effective from 19th January 2022.

Freedom Logistics is a Heathrow-based international logistics supplier that predominantly has been providing air freight, warehousing and logistics services for 15 years.

In support of global logistics and niche services, including specialising in temperature controlled cool-chain services, Freedom operates from its own warehousing unit in Feltham, with the ability to collect and deliver using its own vehicles.

Atlantic Pacific Group Chairman Ashley Nichols commented: “We are delighted to welcome the Freedom Logistics team to our group. Strategically, this is a great fit for all group members, which enables us to extend our air freight services to better support many of our specialist verticals.

“The experience and specialist knowledge that Freedom provide within the cool-chain sector will be of great benefit to our existing customers, especially the many we have in the Food industry.”

Freedom Logistics Managing Director Chris Houghton added: ”Joining the Atlantic Pacific Group is a great opportunity for us. Gaining access to the group’s buying power, worldwide network and global service offering, while maintaining our dedicated and personal approach to customers, should open up a host of opportunities for our existing clients.”

Chris Houghton will continue to lead Freedom Logistics, as he has done since the company was formed in 2007.

 

White paper: collaborative action supports circularity

Posted on by Keith McKinley

To help tackling both the climate crisis and other environmental challenges such as water use and waste generation, DHL has published the new white paper “Delivering on Circularity”, which takes a profound look at how circular economies can help with these challenges.

The signs of climate change and environmental damage are becoming increasingly visible. The growing amount of waste further threatens the health of our natural ecosystems and the people who live and work in them. Societies and businesses are called upon to contribute to a more sustainable future, with the core of sustainability being to ensure that global production and consumption behaviours are compatible with environmental goals.

“Simply put, circularity is about the 5Rs: Reduce, Repair, Resell, Refurbish and Recycle,” says Katja Busch, Chief Commercial Officer at DHL. “The transition toward a circular economy is built on the redesign of supply chains. Innovative logistics solutions can help drive circularity; they are a key enabler to facilitate both the physical and data flows. Especially when it comes to optimizing production volumes and materials, extending product lifecycles, launching novel use models, or developing new solutions for end-of-life recycling.”

Environmental impact

The most significant impact on pushing for circularity might come from the fashion and consumer electronics industries. Industry leaders are already actively participating in the paradigm shift toward circularity, announcing ambitious targets and launching a wide range of initiatives.

The potential positive impact that circularity in these two industries can have is significant. Around 20% of produced garments are never used, and smartphones are often exchanged after just two or three years. Both combined sectors contribute to more than 6% of the global Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

To produce electronic devices, many non-renewable resources such as rare earth and metals are needed. In addition, the industries are responsible for substantial land use (more than the area of Germany and Switzerland combined), water consumption (equivalent to 40% of US citizens’ annual water consumption), and waste generation (equal to approximately 50% of Europeans’ annual waste). With 80% of emissions of an average fashion or consumer electronics item accruing during production, extending the product lifetime as much as possible is imperative.

“The shift toward circular consumer behaviours is a critical driver of a successful transition to circularity,” says Carsten Lützenkirchen, Senior Vice President at DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation. “Consumer behaviours increase the number of goods that flow back into the cycle and signal demand to brands for circular products. And the trend towards more sustainable demand is growing.

“Novel circular business models not only diversify product and service portfolios but have a positive effect on customer engagement. It is a classical win-win situation in which sustainability drives growth and innovation.”

Potential for net-zero

“The circular economy aims to reimagine the way that goods produced, sold, and used today are recycled into the raw materials of tomorrow,” adds Busch. “To realise the full potential of the concept and institutionalize the model, we need innovative solutions and technologies. Of course, it is more complex to set up supply chains for on-demand production or recycling cycles and to manage the massive data flow, but in order to jointly achieve our ambitious environmental targets, it needs to be addressed.

“We at DHL are looking forward to partnering with circularity’s stakeholders by serving as an enabler for the new physical and data flows within the supply loop.”

Along the product’s value chain, DHL identified three core enablers and 10 building blocks that allow for a successful transition from supply chains to supply loops. These range from innovative materials and design to on-demand production, smart product returns, reusable packaging, new use concepts, and asset collection and recycling.

Above all, circular consumer behaviour must be incentivised. Additionally, supply chains must be redesigned, and visibility and orchestration enabled to make circularity feasible. A concerted effort among all players can make the transition toward circularity successful and rewarding.

In terms of emission savings, circularity seems to be a comparably convenient and impactful way to reduce emissions. Achieving 50% circularity saves as many GHG emissions as if all streaming users worldwide stopped watching video content for five years.

Collective stakeholder action needed

If all stakeholders take on their responsibilities and accelerate a mutually reinforcing loop, circularity can become a reality. While the successful transition toward circularity is undoubtedly a shared responsibility and effort, logistics players are the natural backbone.

Circularity changes the way materials and products move – from a straight line to a regenerative circle – and efficiently managing the flow of goods is what logistics is all about.

 

VisionTrack makes senior appointment

Posted on by Keith McKinley

VisionTrack, a leading AI video telematics and connected vehicle data specialist, has appointed Richard Kent as Vice President of Global Sales to help drive growth internationally and build on its market-leading position in the UK.

The company is expected to further increase its global footprint during 2022, following the launch of a new operation in the US last year, so is expanding its business development team to support these plans.

In his new position, Kent will be responsible for targeting enterprise opportunities across all international regions. He will draw upon more than 20 years of experience in senior business development roles, most recently as Enterprise Accounts Director at Trimble for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Kent will also use his extensive knowledge of the North American marketplace to support the scale-up and sales growth of VisionTrack Inc.

Richard Lane, Commercial Director of VisionTrack commented: “Despite a challenging 12-months, we have achieved significant growth in the UK, US and globally, with comprehensive plans for further expansion and product innovations in 2022. Richard will be a fantastic addition to our team, and we look forward to him making a strong contribution to our international ambitions this year.”

Preparing for the Mobility Package

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The new additions to the Mobility Package regulations will come into effect in February 2022, and a leading European digital trucking company, Girteka Logistics, says it is ready.

Even despite the pandemic-related challenges that have still not lost their relevance in the road freight transport industry, the new regulations are set to make very significant changes to how cargo travels on the road in Europe. The upcoming changes are part of the whole Mobility Package, which addresses several key areas in the European Union’s (EU) road transport system, not exclusive to road freight transport services.

With the deadline looming, and as logistics providers began to prepare for the enforcement of the Mobility Package, it was clear that the changes would make the industry better for its most crucial cog in the gears, namely the drivers, and more complicated for the industries’ representatives to organise road transport processes.

The biggest change will be the fact that drivers will now have the option to return to either their country of residence or the place where a road freight transport operated is based every four weeks, with the truck having to come back to the place where the operator is based every eight weeks.

Upcoming changes

As mentioned above, the key change is that drivers will now have the option to return to either their place of residence or their truck company‘s base, while the truck will have to return to the country of registration every eight weeks. The European Commission has also looked into the rules of cabotage operations, as well as working and employment conditions for those who are behind the wheel on Europe’s roads.

Cabotage operations would be restricted to three operations maximum per seven days, with a cool-off period of at least four days. The individual Member States would be able to shorten the cool-off period and to increase the period as to which maximums cabotage operations are allowed to happen.

In terms of rest and driving conditions and rules, while they have applied since August 2020, will only add to the complexity of the incoming shift in the EU‘s regulatory base. For one, drivers will now have to take their weekly rest periods of 45 hours in proper accommodation facilities, rather than the truck cabin.

While it is a definitive improvement to the working conditions of the drivers, the issue is the lack of accommodation facilities throughout Europe, as well as current facilities hardly being able to accommodate the number of drivers and semi-trailers themselves.

That is not the only criticism that the Mobility Package has received, as the EC itself concluded a study to determine how would “the compulsory return of the vehicle to the Member State of establishment every eight weeks and the application of cabotage quotas on international combined transport operations,“ affect the industry with a particular focus on emissions.

The study concluded that the new regulations would impact the environment negatively and would increase the emissions of the industry going forward.

“We are ready”

While uncertainty followed the industry for the past few years, mainly due to the pandemic, there were hopes that the newest regulations would be delayed – alas, they will go through in February 2022. Nevertheless, as companies prepared to adapt to the changes related to the package, some of the uncertainty was cleared up.

“Firstly, to be closer to our customers in Western Europe, we will open a base in Poznan, Poland, which should be fully operational by the end of 2022. The base has required a lot of investment in human and other resources, as we will have to refurbish it to satisfy our needs, and to ensure that the base will provide as much comfort for our drivers as possible,” commented Mindaugas Paulauskas, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Girteka Transport.

Secondly, according to the CEO of one of the Girteka Group companies, the requirement to return the trucks and drivers to their base of operations or country of residence every eight and four weeks, respectively, will require the company to hire more drivers, which is no easy feat considering the rampant shortage of drivers across Europe.

“We have worked for years to ensure that Girteka Logistics remains an attractive employer for our current and potential colleagues, as we look to proactively solve the driver issue and so far we have been successful in doing so, as none of our trucks are standing still at our base,” continued Paulauskas.

According to the executive, the newly-placed cabotage restrictions will also be challenging for carriers and shippers, as already, there was a widespread shortage of capacity throughout Europe due to the mentioned driver shortage, as well as manufacturers struggling with their own supply chain issues, resulting in a deficit of new trucks globally.

“We also have to consider that if trucks and drivers need to return to their bases after a certain number of weeks on the road, these processes have to be monitored closely in order to not only avoid fines but to also ensure that we keep our high standards of services, despite any changes to the regulations,” concluded Paulauskas.

However, according to another Girteka Group executive, prices for transport services will rise directly because of the Mobility Package.

Impacting the volatile pricing environment

Coming into the year, carriers faced a difficult operating environment, as prices for fuel, and other raw materials, have continued to climb, while other operating expenses increased as well. The Mobility Package will not ease the situation, and on the contrary, make it only worse.

“The Mobility Package, which will see the light of day in February 2022, will bring even more instability and a more volatile pricing environment, leading to even higher transport prices in Europe,” stated Pavel Kveten, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Girteka Logistics European Business Area.

As Kveten expressed, the new regulations will come into effect in a difficult environment for carriers, as in addition to the past year’s difficulties continuing into 2022, a new COVID-19 variant could provide even more instability in the next coming months.

Still, the source of the potential price increases “is the fact that trucks and drivers, on separate timelines, will have to return to their locations of registration and/or residence, possibly imbalancing trade lanes across the continents. Certainly, fuel, planning, and other operating expenses will once again grow, which will proportionately increase the prices for services in the EU,” continued the COO.

“I have full confidence that our preparation work will enable us to continue offering the highest quality of services to our customers, despite the possible uneasiness we had expected for the upcoming months,” assured Kveten.

BIFA award winners crowned

Posted on by David Priestman

The winners of the BIFA Freight Service awards 2021 have been announced by Matt Dawson, this year’s host of the British International Freight Association’s 2021 Freight Service Awards.

Dawson said that all the winners demonstrated a clear understanding of overcoming last minute challenges to achieve success, which reminded him of his own final mile, or last minute, delivery to Jonny Wilkinson in 2003, who then scored a drop goal that enabled England to win the Rugby World Cup.

There were many outstanding entries for the 2021 Awards, which were presented at the Brewery in London, despite a year beset by multiple operational difficulties and uncertainties caused by the pandemic and EU Exit.

A raffle held in aid of international development charity, Transaid, raised £3,600, whose CEO Caroline Barber (pictured) also made a presentation of Transaid’s work.

In the Air Cargo Services category, which was sponsored by IAG Cargo, Kerry Logistics triumphed over fellow finalists Maltacourt, Pentagon, and Uniserve Group.

Winner of the Ocean Services Award, sponsored by Port Express, was Allseas Global Logistics, which overcame strong challenges from fellow finalists NNR Global Logistics, and Vikstar.

Ace Forwarding took first place in the Project Forwarding category, sponsored by Peter Lole Insurance Brokers, ahead of fellow finalists AsstrA UK Ltd, LV Logistics, and Ucargo LLP.

In the Specialist Services category, newly sponsored by Newage, the winner was Your Special Delivery Service Ltd, whilst the other finalists included B&H Worldwide Ltd, Cargo Overseas Ltd, and Kerry Logistics.

Brunel European was revealed as the winner of the Supply Chain Management category, sponsored by BoxTop Technologies, seeing off strong competition from fellow finalists Hemisphere Freight Services Ltd, Noatum Logistics Ltd, and Uniserve.

Scooping first place in the Cool & Special Cargoes category, sponsored by American Airlines Cargo was JCS Livestock which overcame excellent entries from fellow finalists, Evolution Forwarding Ltd, and United Worldwide Logistics.

Hemisphere Freight Services literally went the extra mile to win the Extra Mile Award, sponsored by Descartes, ahead of the entries from fellow finalists Evolution Forwarding Ltd, Pentagon, and Unsworth UK.

Victorious against fellow finalists Aramex (UK) Ltd, Espace Europe Ltd, and Reliable Shipping Ltd, Unsworth UK triumphed in the Staff Development category, which was sponsored by Albacore Systems.

In the returning European Logistics category, which was sponsored by TT Club, the winner was Killick Martin & Company, with the other finalists being Espace European, Simarco Worldwide Logistics, and Unsworth UK.

Winner of the Apprentice of the Year category, which was sponsored by Seetec Outsource Training was Herbie Cobby (Geodis Freight Forwarding), who beat the other finalists, which were Matt Vick (John Good Logistics), Joshua Boswell (Geodis Freight Forwarding), Bobby Lowe (NVO Consolidation), and Thomas Low (OIA Global).

Meanwhile, Laura Hobby from FS Mackenzie impressed the judges with her passion for the industry to win the Young Freight Forwarder category, which is sponsored by Virgin Atlantic Cargo. Fellow finalists were Ronan Kitchin (Aramex UK); Milos Bogovac (ZenCargo), Corey Chambers (Ital Logistics) and Jamie Halliday (Tudor International Freight).

Finally, BIFA Director General, Robert Keen presented a Special Recognition Award for services to the international freight industry, as well as charitable activities, to Gordon Day, who, after retiring from the industry following a very successful career, is now a stalwart of the London Freight Club and well known to many BIFA members.

Keen, commented: “After a truly extraordinary and very challenging two years, it was great to meet in person to celebrate excellence across the freight forwarding industry, with awards that are now in their 33rd year, and justifiably regarded as the most prestigious in the sector.

“Once again, BIFA was delighted with the range of entries received from BIFA Members that managed to take the time to document their achievements while continuing to manage their businesses through incredibly trying times, which is a testament to their tenacity.

“I congratulate all the companies and individuals that won each category, as well as those that were shortlisted as finalists.

“I would also would like to recognise the support and contribution of the sponsors to the running of the competition this year. Representatives from the category sponsors gave their time to carry out judging and the selection of winners for each award.”

CEVA to operate Polish hub for fast-growing e-retailer

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Continuing the expansion of its global eCommerce business, CEVA Logistics has won a five-year contract with ABOUT YOU, one of Europe’s fastest-growing fashion platforms. CEVA will manage a new 40,000 sq m fulfilment operation in Wrocław-Magnice, Poland, using its automation and technology capabilities to deliver greater productivity and shorter lead times for ABOUT YOU’s eCommerce activities.

Under the terms of the long-term deal, the CEVA Logistics contract logistics team in Poland will be responsible for managing the new highly automated and technology-driven facility that will provide ABOUT YOU with the responsive logistics needed for its international expansion.

In addition, the facility will bring business and economic benefits to local communities. Approximately 1,000 employees are currently being recruited and trained to support the warehouse’s 24-hour operations. By strategically locating the new fulfilment distribution centre in Wrocław-Magnice in southwestern Poland, CEVA Logistics can easily serve ABOUT YOU’s customers across numerous countries. ABOUT YOU and CEVA are committed to operating the new facility in a sustainable manner, with numerous solutions being implemented at the greenfield site, including solar panels for clean energy.

Peder Winther, managing director for Europe, CEVA Logistics, said: “eCommerce continues to be a crucial catalyst in the fashion and apparel market segment. Our team’s industry expertise combined with our strong eCommerce and contract logistics capabilities will improve ABOUT YOU’s customer service through improved order fulfilment and shorter delivery lead times. The Wrocław-Magnice site will showcase leading innovation and technology deployments as our team of roughly 1,000 employees delivers greater efficiency and value to ABOUT YOU’s customers.”

 

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