18 minute read
NEWS
LOGISTICS UK CELEBRATES SUCCESSFUL RETURN OF ITS TRANSPORT MANAGER CONFERENCE SERIES
Logistics UK is celebrating the successful return of its ever-popular Transport Manager conference series for 2021, with almost 1,500 delegates attending this year’s series, following last year’s virtual alternative as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The series consisted of 11 live events at venues around the UK and an additional well-attended online virtual conference. Sponsored by Bridgestone Tyres and Brigade Electronics, the conferences highlighted key issues for anyone involved in running vehicle fleets and provided professional advice to help delegates remain compliant and up to speed on the latest legislative developments. As well as a compliance update, key topics discussed included logistics in urban centres, low emission vehicles and working safely with alternative fuels.
Katia Yakovleva, Logistics UK’s Head of Events, comments: “We are delighted to have seen the return of our in-person Transport Manager Conference series and enjoyed meeting so many delegates faceto-face once again. It has been a challenging 18 months for operators and our Transport Manager conferences provide attendees with the peace of mind that they are equipped with the information they need moving forward.
“We are thrilled with the success of this year’s conference series and it was wonderful to see nearly as many attendees as prior to the pandemic in 2019, demonstrating operators’ commitment to remain compliant throughout such uncertain times. Our final event, held early in December in Coventry, was once again a very popular event, with more than 230 delegates registered. The Transport Manager series will be back in 2022 to deliver the next set of crucial compliance updates and we look forward to seeing both new and familiar faces there.”
Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, including its groundbreaking research into the impacts of COVID-19 on the whole supply chain, please visit logistics.org.uk
WAREHOUSE IMPACT PROTECTION SPECIALIST SEES STRONG GROWTH IN UK AND OVERSEAS MARKETS IN 2022
A strong warehouse and logistics sector will continue to drive growth for industrial workplace safety and impact protection solutions in 2022, says Susy Keating, managing director at Brandsafe.
She anticipates the UK industrial market will be ‘buoyant’ over the next 12 months as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic and activity remains busy, particularly in the face of a warehousing industry that will see the UK require an extra 92 million sq. ft. of warehousing space over the next three years - the demand for online grocery sales alone will account for 7.1 million sq. ft. of this additional space*.
Developments in this fast-paced sector will continue to ‘surge’ ahead with cost-effective products such as safety barriers, bollards, column protectors, safety cages and flexi delineators increasingly specified for both new build and upgrade projects, delivering improved levels of premises safety. 2021 has seen strong trading levels for Brandsafe, with work for Amazon among other customers contributing to success in providing bespoke industrial workplace safety solutions for major warehouse and logistics centre infrastructure projects across the UK and Europe.
The company sees the trend among logistics and distribution centre operators for added value solutions increasing over the next 12 months as they step up their investment programmes.
With billions of pounds worth of investment being directed into UK warehouse and storage facilities, the need to maintain best practice around health and safety in constantly evolving distribution and fulfilment environments remains paramount, said Susy Keating.
She added: “Keeping people and property safe and secure must always be a priority as businesses look to expand their activities in the coming months. For the warehousing sector this is obviously critical, so we will see new products and applications coming forward to support this fast-paced industry, delivering the highest levels of performance and operational integration.”
With quality, highperformance products at the forefront of industrial building design and specification, there will be discernible growth for workplace safety and associated impact protection solutions across all regional markets.
“There are effective solutions out there to ensure that safety and protection within buildings should never be overlooked or ignored regardless of geographical location and reach - it’s a matter of designing in these products as part of a holistic approach to operational effectiveness,” Susy Keating said.
Part of IWS Group, Brandsafe specialises in bespoke designed impact protection systems and solutions for distribution centres, warehouses, and manufacturing and production facilities. The company’s product range combines the versatility and high visibility of polymer with the inherent strength and cost-effectiveness of steel. Its unparalleled project and consulting expertise offers an unrivalled solution for companies looking to put safety first. More at www.brandsafeprotection. com * https://www. savills.co.uk/research_ articles/229130/315446-0
LOADEX 100
ON-BOARD EXCAVATOR WEIGHING SYSTEM
The benchmark for accuracy in difficult conditions and terrains
T: +44(0)1453 733300 | info@rdstec.com | www.rdstec.com
YALE LOOKS AHEAD TO LOGIMAT 2022 WITH ‘TECHNOLOGY THAT MOVES’
• Yale Europe Materials Handling is looking forward to returning to the international logistics trade show LogiMAT at Stuttgart Messe from 31 May – 2 June. • The materials handling expert will be showcasing the latest in proven lift truck technology on Stand D31 in Hall 9. • Lithium-ion technologies will be a key aspect of the display, and teasing the future of Yale materials handling solutions.
Yale Europe Materials Handling is excited to return to the largest logistics expo in Europe, LogiMAT, set to take place in Stuttgart from 31 May – 2 June. Yale® will be showcasing a wide variety of materials handling products and solutions under the theme ‘Technology that moves’, on Stand D31 in Hall 9.
“LogiMAT 2022 will be our first physical trade show in three years, and there isn’t a more fitting location to present our plans for the future,” said Timo Antony, Area Business Director Central Europe at Yale. “We’re looking forward to meeting with individuals in-person again, connecting with customers and telling them what we’ve been working on since the last time we met.”
Forward thinking logistics
In the three years since the previous LogiMAT, Yale has undergone an exciting business transformation, which will be demonstrated for the first time in Stuttgart.
On display will be a range of warehousing trucks as well as logistics innovations, combining technology and design to provide tailored solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.
Yale is proud to be revealing its new Series N ICE counterbalance truck for the very first time. Built on Yale’s modular and scalable platform, the Series N can easily be configured to match unique requirements, raising the bar for success in almost all applications and environments.
Visitors will also be able to learn more about the Yale UX Series for low intensity warehouse operations, which launched in 2020. Yale is keen to speak with warehouse managers to demonstrate how its UX products can benefit their operations.
New battery offering
A key element of the LogiMAT display will be lithium-ion technology. Yale will enhance its materials handling product offering with the recently launched SUNLIGHT lithium-ion batteries as a power solution for customers.
“There will be a lot of exciting announcements from Yale in the coming 12 months, and LogiMAT is set to kick-start a bright and prosperous chapter for our company, our dealers, and our customers old and new,” concluded Timo.
For more information on the extensive range of materials handling equipment from Yale go to www.yale.com.
IVECO AND PLUS ANNOUNCE AUTONOMOUS TRUCKING PILOT IN EUROPE AND CHINA
IVECO, the commercial vehicles brand of CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNHI / MI: CNHI), joined Plus (formerly Plus. ai), a global provider of selfdriving truck technology, as their European partner for the launch of a pilot in Europe and China, to begin the validation and integration of Plus’s autonomous trucking technology with IVECO’s latest-generation S-WAY heavyduty truck.
This first joint trial will test and demonstrate the performance of Plus’s integrated system in the IVECO S-WAY across a wide range of environments and driving conditions. This level of comprehensive testing, using both the driver-in (i.e., with driver on board) PlusDrive solution and Level 4 autonomous driving technology, will help gather data and validate the design integral to S-WAY autonomous production.
Marco Liccardo, designated Chief Technology & Digital Officer of Iveco Group, said: “As the only autonomous trucking technology company that has already started delivering a commercial product to customers in the heavy-haulage sector, Plus has developed a clear and compelling strategy to launch a driver-in solution first and then a Level 4 autonomous truck. This is in line with our customer-centric view of a more automated and safe truck aiming at improving productivity and reducing operating costs.”
“We have always emphasized the need for expansive testing to validate that an autonomous driving system is able to handle diverse weather, terrains, and driving scenarios. This pilot will accelerate our efforts to start production of autonomous trucks that combine Plus’s production- ready, high performance, fullstack Level 4 autonomous driving technology with IVECO’s deep engineering expertise and focus on safety and sustainability,” said Shawn Kerrigan, COO and Cofounder of Plus.
CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI / MI: CNHI) is a global leader in the capital goods sector with established industrial experience, a wide range of products and a worldwide presence. Each of the individual brands belonging to the Company is a major international force in its specific industrial sector: Case IH, New Holland Agriculture and Steyr for tractors and agricultural machinery; Case and New Holland Construction for earth moving equipment; Iveco for commercial vehicles; Iveco Bus and Heuliez Bus for buses and coaches; Iveco Astra for quarry and construction vehicles; Magirus for firefighting vehicles; Iveco Defence Vehicles for defence and civil protection; and FPT Industrial for engines and transmissions.
More information can be found on the corporate website: www. cnhindustrial.com
Tuf-Lok ring grip pipe and tube couplings are rugged, heavy duty, self-aligning and self-grounded couplings with a high end pull. They can be used for almost any application where pipe or tube ends need to be connected. The Tuf-Lok self-aligning couplings install quickly and easily with little effort.
Features
• Self-aligning • Self-grounding • High pressure rated • Full vacuum rated • Stainless or mild steel • Usable on thin or thick wall pipe or tube • Low cost • Reusable • Absorbs vibration • Externally leakproof
Tuf-Lok (UK)
Tel: +44 (0) 1706 822512 Email: sales@tuflok.co.uk • www.tuflok.com
VANDERLANDE SUCCESSFULLY DELIVERS ITS LARGEST PROJECT IN RUSSIA FOR LEROY MERLIN
Vanderlande has successfully delivered its largest project on Russian soil to date, with the installation of its first ADAPTO shuttle-based automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) for Leroy Merlin, one of Russia’s largest DIY (do it yourself) retailers. The system has been installed inside an innovative new regional distribution centre named ‘North Star’. This has been constructed in the Moscow area and has the capacity to supply over 200 hypermarkets in Russia and Kazakhstan.
Leroy Merlin is part of the ADEO Group, which ranks first in Europe (and third in the world) as a supplier to DIY outlets. It has 464 stores in 12 countries, offering customers a wide range of quality products in the home, interior, building materials, repairs and garden segments. Vanderlande’s innovative ADAPTO system is facilitating Leroy Merlin’s rapid growth, with even quicker delivery of goods to hypermarkets, as well as efficiently managing the growing volume of online orders. The Vanderlande solution consists of pallet infeeds and outfeeds together with palletising, de-palletising and clearing workstations with operator positions. Two ADAPTO modules complete the solution with a total system capacity of 7,400 trays inbound and 7,400 trays outbound per hour. A total of approximately 75,000 storage locations are integrated within the highly automated solution, which is controlled by Vanderlande’s VISION software. The new warehouse commenced operations in May 2021.
“It was a considerable challenge to launch such a significant project during the COVID-19 restrictions,” says Ivan Korotkov, Leroy Merlin Russia Supply Chain Leader & ADEO Warehouse Automation Expert. “Nevertheless, we were able to overcome all difficulties and now we are ready for this latest stage in the development of our logistics.”
“I am very pleased that Leroy Merlin and Vanderlande have worked successfully together to bring this project over the line,” says Terry Verkuijlen, Vice President Warehouse Solutions at Vanderlande. “Despite some difficulties we faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our dedication remained unabated. I am convinced that our FASTPICK solution will enable Leroy Merlin to keep growing at a rapid pace, while remaining competitive.”
FROM POWDERS TO FIBERS, WE EMPTY THE BAG
Dynamic Air BulkBuster bulk bag unloaders provide the solution for effectively emptying large bulk bags and getting the material where you want it in your process. Safety is always a primary concern when handling and maneuvering extremely heavy and cumbersome bulk bags. Dynamic Air takes every precaution to ensure a safe and dust-free operation. A heavyduty framework provides the ultimate in stability and operator safety. Operator efficiency is also maximized due to the simplicity of our designs and ease of operation when lifting, positioning and emptying every bulk bag. Every material has different handling characteristics. Some materials gravity feed easily, but most do not. That is why all bulk bag unloaders need to be engineered for your material. Our many styles and proven designs give us a big advantage in meeting your special process requirements.
https://www.dynamicair. com/products/bagunloaders. html
Dynamic Air Ltd. Milton Keynes, United Kingdom + 44 1908 622344 sales@dynamicair.co.uk www.dynamicair.com
VICTORIA PLUM INVESTS IN NEW TOYOTA FORKLIFT FLEET
Online bathroom retailer Victoria Plum has optimised its intralogistics processes by investing in a new fleet of more than 50 electric-powered Toyota lift trucks.
Including state-of-the-art reach and counterbalance models as well as powered pallet trucks and order pickers, the trucks will be deployed at the company’s 277,000 sq ft distribution centre in Doncaster.
During extensive trials Victoria Plum looked for equipment that would cut running costs, improve fleet utilisation and, most importantly, achieve high levels of safety and lift truck operator comfort.
Victoria Plum’s operations director, Andy Svenson, said: “As a business, Victoria Plum is fully committed to keeping its workers and the workplace safe. We have implemented various programmes aimed at preventing accidents, encouraging safe behaviour and promoting wellbeing amongst our staff. Forklift truck safety is therefore a priority across our Doncaster distribution centre.”
The new forklift fleet will be supplied on a contract rental agreement that includes service and maintenance support.
In addition, regular review meetings will be held to consider any improvements to processes or changes to the make-up of the fleet as well as the way trucks are deployed at the Doncaster site. This will highlight any aspects of Victoria Plum’s materials handling operation that could be further enhanced.
Data for each review will be provided by Toyota’s I_Site technology, which is a feature of Victoria Plum’s new machines.
I_Site is designed to optimise the performance of every size and type of forklift fleet. The technology enables trucks to become communications devices capable of transmitting valuable data regarding a forklift’s performance to a central information hub. If required, I_Site can also provide data on a truck operator’s efficiency.
Receiving this data from connected vehicles will give Victoria Plum’s distribution centre management team a better understanding of their intralogistics operation and the power to take more control over it.
As part of the agreement, Toyota will supply a battery changing station along with spare batteries and a battery management system to ensure that the fleet consistently delivers the most energy efficient and productive performance levels.
Andy Svenson added: “Establishing a robust forklift battery management regime will prolong battery lifetimes and help us avoid the cost of buying additional batteries during the contract period.”
Toyota’s Marc Nicholson commented: “Victoria Plum recorded a record 46 per cent increase in sales to £103m for the year to February 2021 and the business continues to expand at pace.
MAGNIFICENT MILESTONE AS 750,000TH JCB ENGINE COMES OFF THE LINE
JCB is celebrating a major milestone for its awardwinning engine.
The 750,000th engine has just come off the line at JCB Power Systems in Derbyshire where production first began in 2004.
Engine production was extended to India in 2011- helping to power JCB to the landmark figure.
JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “750,000 engines is quite some milestone when you consider that we only started manufacturing 17 years ago. So much has been achieved over that time with our engines including two world land speed records. With the development of our new hydrogen motor, there is so much more to come and the future for our engine business looks very bright.”
More than half of the 750,000 engines have been made at JCB Power Systems which produces a range from 55-212kW. The engines are used to power JCB’s products as well as those of customers producing equipment as diverse as road sweepers, screeners and crushers and barges.
JCB India’s Delhi plant currently manufactures around 48 engine variants for the Indian market and for export.
Among the highlights of the past 17 years of engine production was a Queen’s Award for International Trade for JCB Power Systems in 2016 honouring a 325% growth in third party sales.
If you would like to subscribe to receive a regular copy of the digital edition of Bulk Solids Today magazine, you can subscribe on our website www.bulksolidstoday.co.uk
Other Valves Fight Friction, We Designed it Out
Unlike other valves that seal with friction, Posi-flate’s unique butterfly valve uses an inflatable seat to seal with air pressure. Thus it requires less torque and a smaller actuator, resulting in lower cost. Plus, the seat automatically compensates for wear, providing longer life. Some users have reported over six million cycles and the valves are still going strong.
• Less friction • Low torque • Low maintenance • Lower actuator costs • Longer valve life • More reliable
BULK BOX, TOTE AND BIN FILLER
Flexicon’s Basic Filler for bulk boxes, totes, bins or other intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) loads bulk solid materials free of dust, at low cost.
The unit’s fill head can be raised or lowered using a forklift and secured with clevis pins to minimise the clearance between the rectangular dust hood and the opening of IBCs ranging from 1220 to 1980 mm tall.
A fill head port can be vented to a filter sock to contain displaced dust, or to a central bag house that causes a clear flexible skirt to vacuum-seal against the container’s exterior, increasing dust containment effectiveness.
Performance can be enhanced by a vibratory deck to densify and stabilise the material during filling, and/or load cells that signal a PLC when to stop the flow of material by stopping a conveyor or closing a rotary valve or slide gate once a programmed weight is gained.
Rated for loads up to 2945 kg, the frame is offered in carbon steel with durable industrial coating, with stainless steel material contact surfaces, or in all-stainless construction to industrial or sanitary standards.
It can be integrated with Flexicon mechanical or pneumatic conveying systems, or the user’s upstream process equipment or storage vessels.
Flexicon also manufacture dust-free IBC tippers, as well as bulk bag fillers, drum fillers, bulk bag dischargers, flexible screw conveyors, tubular cable conveyors, pneumatic conveying systems, bulk bag conditioners, bag dump stations, weigh batching and blending systems, and engineered plant-wide bulk handling systems with automated controls.
For information contact Flexicon Europe Ltd, +44 (0)1227 374710, sales@flexicon.co.uk, www. flexicon.co.uk
SELF-ALIGNING COUPLINGS
Tuf-Lok ring grip couplings are low cost, heavy-duty self-aligning couplings for either high pressure, to 150 psig, or full vacuum rated applications. Utilized in all industries where pipe ends need to be connected, they are ideal for pneumatic conveying systems as well as gas and liquid applications. These couplings install quickly and easily, reducing installation costs. They are available in 2-inch (50mm) through 10-inch (250mm) pipe sizes and are made for use on plain end pipe or tube, regardless of pipe or tube wall thickness..Other features include self-grounding, vibration resistant, leak-proof, with an extremely high end pull for difficult applications. No machining or grooving is required to maintain pipe integrity. Every coupling becomes a union, providing easy, low-cost maintenance when piping components need replacement. Standard gasket materials are available to meet special design conditions, such as food grade, higher temperatures or special chemical resistant applications. Tuf-Lok UK Phone: +44 (0) 1706.822512 E-mail: sales@tuflok.co.uk
www.tuflok.com
