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Tag: vna

Taxi for Pallet Storage

Posted on by David Priestman

Moffett Automation was founded in 2017 with a small, dedicated team and a vision for innovation and global impact, writes Shane Clarke.

“Since those early days our ambitions have driven remarkable growth: today, we are proud to employ over 100 talented professionals who contribute to our expanding portfolio of industry-leading solutions. Our engineering excellence has garnered significant recognition, highlighted by the 2022 Manufacturing Supply Chain Awards. This momentum continued in 2023 when Ernst & Young honored our Managing Director, Sam Moffett, with the prestigious ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award in Ireland. Building on this achievement, Sam was subsequently nominated as an International Entrepreneur of the Year contender in 2024.

“As our expertise and reputation have grown, so too has our global reach. Our Moffett Taxi Systems (pictured) have been implemented in over 20 locations worldwide, establishing our presence as a trusted partner in automation on an international scale. Each system reinforces our commitment to excellence and demonstrates our ability to deliver high-quality, cutting-edge technology solutions that meet the evolving needs of the warehouse and logistics industries. Our global footprint continues to expand as we work with partners and clients across multiple sectors and territories, ensuring that our solutions remain at the forefront of efficiency and reliability.

“Our fully automated warehouse storage solutions are powered by our highly regarded four-directional Moffett Taxi pallet shuttle. This system revolutionizes warehousing by optimizing space, reducing manual labor, and increasing operational efficiency. We take great care to understand the unique needs of each customer, designing and implementing bespoke pallet storage solutions that align perfectly with their requirements. Our customer-centric approach ensures that each solution maximizes productivity and streamlines operations.

Seamless movement

“The Moffett Automation VTUs (Vertical Transfer Units) allow our taxis to move seamlessly in all directions. These VTUs enable the taxis to travel between multiple levels, ensuring that any taxi can carry any pallet to any storage space within the system. This innovative flexibility eliminates bottlenecks and enhances the overall efficiency of warehouse operations. Our customers benefit from a system that not only optimizes storage capacity but also delivers unparalleled speed and reliability.”

Each Moffett Taxi is engineered to handle heavy pallet loads of up to 1500kg, demonstrating its robust and durable design. The system is also built to withstand challenging environments, operating efficiently in temperatures as low as -25°C, making it ideal for a wide range of industries, including food storage and pharmaceuticals. The taxis boast an operational period of 8 hours in ambient storage conditions and 6.6 hours in chilled storage, ensuring that they maintain high performance levels even in the most demanding settings.

“Our cutting-edge software plays a crucial role in the functionality and reliability of our automation systems, adds Clarke. “It enables remote monitoring and control, allowing for real-time adjustments and preventative maintenance. Key features include automated heat sensor monitoring, motor deceleration and acceleration adjustments, and remote operation. This guarantees rapid response to any technical issues, minimizing downtime and preserving system integrity.

Pallet Taxi

“One of the defining aspects of Moffett Automation is our commitment to in-house manufacturing. The Moffett Taxis, VTUs, and conveyors are built at our factory in Ireland, giving us the control to maintain the highest standards of quality and innovation.

“Looking forward, Moffett Automation remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of warehouse automation. Our ongoing investment in research and development ensures that we continue to lead the industry with pioneering solutions. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, engineering excellence, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, we are shaping the future of automated storage and logistics on a global scale.”

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Hiab Delivers Truck-Mounted Forklift Number 75,000

 

Automated ULD Storage System at Jordan Airport

Posted on by David Priestman

Aviation Handling Services Jordan Ltd. (AHS) uses state-of-the-art technology from Lödige Industries at its newly developed Cargo Terminal at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Kingdom of Jordan. As a provider of air cargo terminal solutions, Lödige Industries was contracted to provide the client an automated solution for handling import and export shipments into and out of the Kingdom of Jordan. The project started in February 2022 and was finished in July 2024.

Lödige Industries designed, manufactured and delivered a customised automated storage system with a capacity of 136 Unit Load Devices (ULDs). This includes an Elevating Transfer Vehicle (ETV), the newest in the Kingdom of Jordan, which ensures reliable, fast and efficient storage and retrieval processes. The ETV is guided on rails and transports with its lift the ULDs vertically and horizontally at the same time. A tailor-made conveyor system of powered roller decks is used for efficient and safe transport between different work areas. Here, elevating workstations (EWS) ensure optimised processes during build-up and break-down. Lödige Industries also equipped the terminal with a cargo control system to interface with the client cargo management system as well as additional mobile terminal equipment, including mobile workstations and mobile workstation movers (formerly slave pallets and slave pallet movers).

To ensure smooth operations for AHS/Menzies, Lödige Industries provides maintenance support. The new terminal spans 8,000 square meters, featuring a Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) racking system with 2,400 skid positions, capable of accommodating a diverse range of single shipments and storing pallets of varying sizes and weights. Additionally, approximately 4,000 square meters of space in front of the warehouse airside can be efficiently utilized for GSE and ULD, providing ample room for freighter handling. The handling capacity is expected to increase to 60,000 tons per year. The facility supports the regional operations of AHS/Menzies and Menzies Global Network.

“The fully equipped new freight terminal enables AHS to automate its ULD handling to a large extent and ensures a high throughput of cargo for long-term growth at the Queen Alia International Airport,” says Guy Walker, Managing Director of Lödige Systems Middle East. “As the leading supplier, we were able to meet all of the customer’s requirements ranging from design and production to commissioning and maintenance from a single source.”

“We are pursuing a long-term growth plan and have therefore chosen a reliable and powerful system from Lödige Industries to equip our new cargo terminal,” says Dominique Ceulemans, Managing Director at AHS Jordan. “The high level of automation allows us to handle cargo quickly, efficiently and safely thus achieving the high-quality service we want to offer our customers.”

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ULD Moveability

 

Combilift Renews Sponsorship of Gaelic Football Team

Posted on by David Priestman

Combilift, the world’s leading manufacturer of multi-directional forklifts and straddle carriers, is proud to announce the renewal of its sponsorship with the Monaghan Ladies Gaelic Football Team for another three years. This extension underscores Combilift’s commitment to supporting local sports and fostering community spirit.

Monaghan Ladies Gaelic Football has been a cornerstone of sporting excellence in the region, promoting athleticism, teamwork, and community engagement. Combilift’s renewed sponsorship will provide essential funding to support the team’s activities, including training programs, equipment, Programmed S&C Support, GPS and Sports Science, Performance Analysis, and Video Analysis. This partnership aims to enhance the development of players at all levels and strengthen the team’s presence in national and international competitions.

Martin McVicar, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Combilift expressed his enthusiasm for the renewed partnership: “We are thrilled to continue our support for the Monaghan Ladies Gaelic Football Team. Their dedication, hard work, and passion for the sport resonate with Combilift’s values. We look forward to their continued success and growth over the next three years.”

Team manager, Darren Greenan, also shared his appreciation: “The Monaghan Ladies are delighted that Combilift has chosen to renew their sponsorship partnership for the next 3 years. This financial support helps create the best possible environment for our intercounty players, boosts the team profile, and allows management the resources to prepare the teams to the higher levels expected. We strive to make intercounty football an attractive opportunity for girls in the county, and this goes a long way to helping us reach this goal.”

This announcement comes with great excitement as the Monaghan Senior Ladies take on Down this Sunday in the Ulster Intermediate Final in Clones – We hope to see you there!

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Combilift announces €40 million investment in new manufacturing facility

 

Home Fitness Warehouse Automated

Posted on by David Priestman

The retail company Sport-Tiedje is automating its new logistics centre with driverless transport systems from ek robotics. In Osterrönfeld near Rendsburg, nine transport robots from the VARIO MOVE series and four fully automated VNA MOVE narrow-aisle forklift trucks will optimize the home fitness expert’s transport and warehouse processes.

A small sports store in the center of Schleswig has developed into Europe’s leading home fitness specialist over the past decades. Sport-Tiedje GmbH employs around 700 people in 10 European countries. Due to the company’s strong growth, the previous central warehouse in Büdelsdorf reached its capacity limits. The dimensions of the new central warehouse in Osterrönfeld near Rendsburg are correspondingly future-oriented: Over 51,000 m² of warehouse space offers room for order picking, storage and handling of goods. The driverless transport system from Hamburg-based manufacturer.

North German partnership

ek robotics ensures efficient warehouse automation with decades of high availability. The automated guided vehicle fleet comprises nine vehicle models from the modular VARIO MOVE L series, which are responsible for linking incoming goods, order picking and outgoing goods. The high-bay warehouse will also be operated automatically in future and will contribute to an efficient material flow between the areas. The four fully automated narrow-aisle stackers will store and retrieve pallets precisely in the high-bay warehouse with 30 aisles and a length of 80 m each. “The AGV from ek robotics will support the staff on site and significantly improve processes in the central warehouse,” says Christian Grau, Managing Director of Sport-Tiedje.

AGV

Warehouse Automated

ek robotics is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and system integrators of innovative high-tech transport robotics for production and warehouse logistics. At five locations worldwide (Hamburg, Germany, headquarters), Reutlingen (Germany), Milan (Italy), Prague (Czech Republic) and Buckingham (UK), the transport robotics specialist with over 300 employees creates intelligent, networked and flexible transport solutions for the fully automated, internal material flow of its globally active customers.

Read more here:

ek robotics’ New Commissioning & Layout Engineer

 

Lux Good with Aisle Master

Posted on by Keith McKinley

JCC Lighting is part of the Leviton Group and is a market leader in cutting edge LED technology, which can enable homes and businesses to tackle rising energy costs and reduce CO2 consumption. When the company moved into its new main UK distribution centre in Lux Park in Chichester at the end of 2022, it was a chance to start with a blank canvas when it came to the choice of materials handling equipment for the 60,000ft² warehouse.

Warehouse Manager Steve Chapman had experience of using articulated trucks at the previous site in Bognor, but welcomed the opportunity to switch to the Aisle Master brand, from the Irish manufacturer Combilift. “I had admired many aspects of these trucks such as the overall build, the ergonomics and the track record of reliability, and following demos, our team of operators were also very positive. So together with John Kelley of our MHE suppliers Mexmast and taking into account the racking configuration, we worked out the best Aisle Master models for the new set up, which accommodates 7,250 pallet spaces.”

The current combination of three ride-on Aisle Masters and one stand-on AMOP (Order Picker) model has proved to be ideal for operational requirements. These comprise a mix of pallet handling – placing and picking to the full racking height of 7.5m – order picking and replenishment. “We have a heavy workload here,” said Steve. “We devan 2 containers a day on average which equates to around 120 pallets or 500 – 1000 cartons, which are brought to the goods-in area before being taken to racking with the ride-on trucks.”

With 2000 ground floor pick locations and around 100 replenishments required daily, the AMOP model has been particularly beneficial according to Chapman. “The low floor height and single step access to this order picker avoids the need for the operator to have to continually climb in and out of the cab, so from an ergonomic and H&S point of view it is superb and reduces the risk of trips, strain and fatigue. What’s more, compared to a seated truck, it’s half a minute faster per pick or replenishment task – so on a daily basis that’s around 1.5 hours of extra productivity!”

In keeping with a company that has recently achieved carbon neutrality, JCC’s trucks are all electric powered. With lift capacities of 2,000kgs, they work in aisle widths which vary from 2200mm to 3300mm, to accord with the 4’, 5’ or 6’ pallets, which weigh from around 300kg to 1,000kg. Non marking tyres and red halo safety lighting were fitted at Steve’s request: “we get a lot of customers visiting and these keep the warehouse looking smart and ensure the safety of pedestrians.” Other features such as mast mounted cameras and fork level indicators were added to make it easier for operatives to pick accurately at height.

Driver feedback was an important consideration when choosing the Aisle Masters, and they scored highly on comfort and ease of operation. Jakub Zuber, who spends most of his working day on the AMOP is impressed. “The steering and joystick operation is very smooth and sensitive and leaves you feeling totally in control.”

Chapman sums up: “By investing in these trucks we aim to ensure the smooth running of handling and picking operations as our business continues to grow. We have had no issues around reliability, unlike our previous fleet, and we have 100% peace of mind as Mexmast looks after maintenance, and John Kelley and Colin Harding of Combilift are on hand whenever we may need any further support. All in all it has been a successful project.”

High Performer in High-rack Warehouses

Posted on by David Priestman

Soon to be launched on the market, the Linde V modular is a new, powerful player for high-rack warehouses. The truck offers a load capacity of 1.2 tons and is an ideal option for warehouse operators who aim for even more effective goods picking on various different racking levels. Some of its key features includes the ability to reach picking heights of up to 14.5 meters, a visibility-optimized triplex mast with or without free lift, a comfortable driver’s cab, and a high level of safety thanks to improved stability, a new type of Linde personal protection system, and special lighting solutions. Another advantage is its design as a modular system and the large number of variants and equipment options available. The chassis, mast and cab can be perfectly customized to application-specific requirements. The new trucks will be launched for sale at the LogiMAT trade show in Stuttgart at the end of April.

With increasing frequency, both large and small high-rack warehouses are reaching their capacity limits: “Online retailing demands high goods availability and fast deliveries,” says Anna Keilbach, Senior Product Manager for VNA Trucks and Vertical Order Pickers, explaining one of the reasons for the larger inventory. Another aspect is the desire for greater individualization and the associated growing number of product designs. However, as more storage space becomes needed, many operators prefer to increase the height of their racking systems instead of building new warehouses due to the high cost of floor space – especially in metropolitan areas. “As a consequence, this requires vertical order pickers with conducive working heights and performance capability,” the product manager states.

Performance makes the difference

The new Linde V modular is designed to meet precisely these requirements. For the first time, drivers will be able to reach picking heights of up to 14.5 meters from the platform – 2.5 meters more than before. In addition, the new truck offers a 22 percent increase in lifting speed and a 20 percent faster lowering speed – resulting in time savings when raising or lowering the cab, which has a positive impact on productivity. To meet the varying conditions in the warehouse, the triplex mast is available in two versions: The mast featuring a free lift is suitable for warehouses with diverse ceiling heights. Two lateral lifting cylinders instead of one centrally positioned lifting cylinder ensure optimized visibility. In the variant without a free lift, the mast extends faster because there are no deceleration phases during mast transitions. Added to this is the very good mast visibility provided by the design.

New features for enhanced safety

Along with the Linde V modular, Linde MH is going to launch its own personal protection system (PPS), which will be used in all VNA equipment from Linde MH in the future. The new Linde PPS meets all the requirements of DIN standard 15185-2, which prohibits the simultaneous presence of people and vehicles in narrow aisles and prescribes special protective measures in the event that this should happen accidentally nevertheless. Equipped with a laser scanner at the front between the load wheels and at the rear on the drive side, the Linde PPS detects people in a protective zone of up to nine meters. As soon as a person enters the area monitored by the scanner, an alarm sounds and the vehicle comes to a safe stop. Additional warning fields ensure that the order picker’s speed is reduced even before the protective zone is reached, so as to enable the smoothest possible braking process. In the transfer aisle, the Linde V modular can be operated alongside other vehicles due to its safety equipment. Here, the warning fields of the laser scanners provide assistance as well by throttling the travel speed when obstacles appear.

LED stripes provide even better visibility for the vehicles. Located at the front and rear of the lift mast, they ensure optimum distribution of light at close range. In the direction of travel, the stripes emit white light; at the rear, they shine red. Pedestrians and other forklift drivers can thus see from a distance in which direction the truck is moving.

User-friendliness is a top priority

It’s no secret that picking goods is one of the most physically demanding jobs in the warehouse environment. The Linde V modular effectively supports the picker in this regard by means of various features. First and foremost: the spacious driver’s cab, which allows plenty of freedom of movement. Added to this is the soft floor mat, which cushions vibrations and prevents fatigue. The ergonomic control panel can be mounted on the load side, the mast side or on both sides. Recently, this choice has also been extended to the positioning of the color display, which shows the driver all relevant information. This includes speed, lift height, residual capacity and steering angle, as well as other information from optional features such as Linde’s warehouse navigation system. Optionally available tilting barriers give the driver 50cms of additional reach when retrieving goods from the rack. The auxiliary lift function is another helpful feature: At the push of a button, the forks move down a defined distance so that the driver can deposit the packs of goods retrieved from the rack as easily as possible.

Narrow Aisle Announces Record Turnover

Posted on by David Priestman

Narrow Aisle Ltd, manufacturer of the Flexi Truck range of VNA articulated warehouse truck-based intralogistics solutions, has announced that in the financial year to December 2022, it recorded a global turnover of £31.6 million – the highest in the company’s history.

This is up from the £25.5 million achieved in 2019 – the year when the company was the subject of a buyout by members of its senior management team.

Narrow Aisle’s Chairman, Jim Porter, said: “Our employees have delivered another outstanding year of results. We are seeing the positive outcome of our long-term strategic focus on continually increasing our market share and growing key overseas markets such as India and the Americas.”

Jim Porter continued: “Our success in the United States, where we have signed distribution agreements with Dallas and Houston-based companies who are among the USA’s top independent material handling equipment suppliers and rental businesses, means that we can look ahead with confidence from a position of strength.”

He added: “Despite the global economic uncertainty created by events that nobody could have foreseen we have made excellent progress towards our various goals since 2019 by taking a long-term view and making strategic investments in our business while remaining agile and adaptable.”

The Flexi Truck’s iconic articulated design delivers safe and highly space- and throughput-efficient operation within narrow aisle storage units. Material handling costs can be reduced by up to 50 per cent thanks to the Flexi’s ability to load and unload delivery vehicles and transport pallets directly to and from their location within the storage unit. By eliminating this need for ‘double handling’ from the intralogistics process, Flexis allow users to reduce the number and type of lift trucks that they require.

With its headquarters, design and manufacturing facilities in the UK, Narrow Aisle Ltd manufactures each model in the Flexi Truck range to the globally recognised ISO and TPS quality standards using predominantly tier-one Europe-made components. In the region of 12,000 Flexi Truck machines have been supplied to distributors and users in over 80 countries worldwide since the articulated truck concept was pioneered by Narrow Aisle Ltd in 1990.

Narrow Aisle Announces Board Restructure

Posted on by David Priestman

Narrow Aisle Ltd, manufacturer of the FLEXI Truck range of very narrow aisle (VNA) intralogistics technology, ­­has announced a restructure of its board as it prepares to drive global development in 2023 and beyond.

With effect from 1 April 2023, Narrow Aisle’s current Group Finance Director, Donald Houston, will take up the position of Managing Director of all Narrow Aisle Group companies. He succeeds John Maguire, who will continue as an Executive Director of the business with responsibility for international development.

Narrow Aisle’s Chairman, Jim Porter, said: “We are pleased to confirm Donald’s appointment. Donald joined Narrow Aisle in January
2019 as part of the management buyout team and has helped the Group’s growth and success over recent years. John Maguire has played a huge part in establishing Narrow Aisle as a market leader and is an integral part of the company’s future.”

As part of the re-organisation Mike Hawkins has joined Narrow Aisle as Group Sales and Marketing Director. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, Mike comes to the company from KION Group where he was Director, Intralogistics.

Jim Porter commented: “Mike has been in the industry for 38 years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience which we believe will help to develop our business both in the UK and globally, not just in the area of VNA but also by developing our capability to provide full Intralogistics solutions.”

He added: “We are committing further investment across the business to drive penetration in a number of overseas markets. For example, we recently announced a major financial commitment to the USA that will see production output from our facility in Houston, Texas, increase appreciably over the next three years.”

Manufactured to the globally recognised ISO and TPS quality standards using predominantly tier-one German-made components, over 12,000 Flexi Truck machines have been supplied to distributors and users in more than 70 different countries worldwide since the articulated truck concept was pioneered by Narrow Aisle Ltd in 1990.

The Flexi Truck’s iconic articulated design delivers safe and highly space and throughput efficient operation within narrow aisle storage units. Furthermore, because Flexi Trucks can be used to load and unload delivery vehicles and transport palletised loads directly to and from their pallet location, ‘double handling’ is eliminated and fewer types of forklift are required. As a result, materials handling costs can be reduced by up to 50 per cent.

 

25 Years of Materials Handling Innovation

Posted on by David Priestman

It’s going to be a busy few months on the exhibition circuit for Irish materials handling specialist Combilift. It will be using the ProMAT event in March to kickstart celebrations to mark the company’s 25th anniversary. Amongst the many and varied exhibits that are always a feature of Combilift’s trade fair appearances, the 75,000th truck to roll off the production lines will also be on show. This model, with its special livery, will take centre stage at the booth and will be formally handed over to the customer during the show. An evening of entertainment and dinner for guests is also planned at a location close by the McCormick Place show venue.

As testimony to Combilift’s tireless R&D department, five new products will be launched throughout the year at various European trade fairs and in-house at the global HQ and manufacturing facility in Monaghan. The first of these will be unveiled at LogiMAT in April in Stuttgart. These will all feature the groundbreaking technology and innovation that has been a hallmark of Combilift products since the first C4000 multidirectional model first appeared on the market in 1998. More information on these new developments will be released in due course.

Further exhibits will of course represent the dozens of solutions that Combilift now offers for the safe, space saving and productive handling of long products, pallets and oversized loads. These will include multidirectional forklifts, sideloaders, pedestrian stackers and Aisle Master narrow aisle articulated trucks, all of which will be able to be seen live in action.

“We are looking forward to marking this company milestone at events and in person with our customers, dealers, sales personnel, representatives from the international trade press and of course our workforce,” said Combilift CEO and co-founder Martin McVicar. “Their loyalty and support has been pivotal in enabling us to achieve the amazing level of growth and success that we have experienced during the last 25 years. We’re not going to rest on our laurels though – you can expect more innovation from us in the next few decades to come!”

ProMAT: Booth # N6936. LogiMAT: Hall 9. 9B45

Stobart chooses Flexi Trucks for beverage handling

Posted on by David Priestman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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