Logistics News ME - May 2018

Country Focus

Warehouses

Trucks

Germany logistics market enjoys global recognition

Demand for quality warehouses on rise

Ford launches new 6x4 Tractor Head series

Connecting trade professionals with industry intelligence

May 2018

Scripting success Thi-Mai Tran, GCC managing director at Alstom, defines success beyond stereotypical gender notions

Contents

Contents

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Website: www.CBNme.com/logistics-news twitter: @logisticsnewsme Facebook: /LogisticsNewsME

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R e a d a l l t h e l at e s t i s s u e s o n I s s u u

Start 10 | News 20 | Op-ed

Maersk Line UAE hosts a day of giving back to the community

Features 24 | Cover story

Alstom executive redefines female leadership in logistics

30 | Warehouses Expectations from a modern-day warehouse

34 | Country focus Germany continues to enjoy a favourable position in the global market

40 | Interview

MAN Truck & Bus invests in stronger customer relations

42 | Event preview Things to look out for at Automechanika 2018

46 | Viewpoint

Matching up to omnichannel market needs

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52 | Supplier News 54 | Diary

Logistics News ME | MAY 2018 | 3

Regional News

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E d i to r ’ s L e t t e r

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A note from the editor

M e h a k Sr i v a s t a v a @mehaksrivastava |

CEO Wissam Younane wissam@bncpublishing.net

Mehak Srivastava

I write my first ever editor’s letter for a magazine with mixed feelings; trepidation at the idea of messing up and exhilaration at the thought of penning down my words.

This month’s edition has been an intriguing one. On the cover we have Thi-Mai Tran, managing director GCC at Alstom, a well-known global integrated transportation solutions provider. Alstom was behind the Dubai tramway system and is currently working on the Dubai metro route 2020.

Tran has been at Alstom for 13 years now, but she boasts of more than three decades of service in the field of transportation. She narrates for us her professional experience, challenges— or even the lack of it—as a woman in an unconventional line of work, and her views on modern day transport means.

From the very first time I met her, I knew she had a passion and fervour about her work that deserved to be translated onto paper— and here we are. I look forward to the feedback we receive on this piece.

For the country focus this time, we narrowed down on the European trade goliath Germany. We spoke to key clients that operate in the German

market, with limelight on their sustainable approaches to trade.

E-commerce expert UPS discusses their solutions such as consolidated delivery points and electric bikes to deliver packages within the city, while Bosch highlights their ‘invented for life’ ethos by adopting sustainable practices such as remanufacturing car components, variable-speed pump drives, and smart lighting systems.

They are all doing their bit for the planet, and we’re proud of it.

Goals such as Dubai Plan 2021 and Saudi Vision 2030 continue to drive traders to put their best foot forward.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed recently unveiled the Vision 2030 Hyperloop Pod at the Virgin Galactic test site in US, while artificial intelligence is the key buzzword for logistics providers, aimed at reducing costs and improving customer service.

This only highlights the potential this region has for advancement. It’s all about being efficient and eco-friendly in today’s world, and I suppose it’s never too late to start doing your bit for Mother Earth. Go green!

Mehak Srivastava Reporter

Director Rabih Najm rabih@bncpublishing.net Group Sales Director Joaquim D'Costa jo@bncpublishing.net +971 50 440 2706

Business Development Director Rabih Naderi rabih.naderi@bncpublishing.net +966 50 328 9818

Editor Paromita Dey paromita@bncpublishing.net Reporter Mehak Srivastava mehak@bncpublishing.net Art Director Aaron Sutton aaron@bncpublishing.net Marketing Manager Mark Anthony Monzon mark@bncpublishing.net Photography Hayder Al Zuhairi Farooq Salik

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Opinions expressed are solely those of the contributors.

Logistics News ME and all subsidiary publications in the MENA region are officially licensed exclusively to BNC Publishing in the MENA region by Logistics News ME. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher.

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Regional News

Regional News A n u p dat e f r o m a r o u n d t h e r e g i o n Investment

RSA Global acquires major stake in Indian logistics company

RSA Global announced a strategic investment into Meesan Logistics at a signing ceremony held in Mumbai, India, in early April.

RSA Global has acquired a majority stake in Meesan Logistics, whereby both companies will develop their joint expansion plans in the Indian market, taking effect immediately. The two entities plan to enhance the entire range of logistics solutions currently offered in India, including contract logistics, freight, road transportation, and on-site logistics. In addition, RSA Global’s clients stand to gain greater access to key markets across India.

10 | Logistics News ME | MAY 2018

This marks RSA Global’s first major step in global expansion by collaborating with an established Indian third-party logistics company, with whom RSA Global will offer services across India.

This collaboration will offer long-term growth for both companies’ customers in the Indian market by combining local expertise and innovation from Meesan with a wealth of skilled labour, capital, rich experience in supply chain operations, and technology offered by RSA Global.

Abhishek Ajay Shah, cofounder and group CEO of RSA Global, said: “This new partnership is a milestone development for RSA Global,

as we merge our experience, valuable human capital, and technology with Meesan Logistics’ reputable position in the Indian market.

Meesan Logistics shares our vision when it comes to technology, quality, health and safety, agile decisionmaking, and our hunger for growth. As of today, this strategic partnership now provides services in eight Indian cities and will offer global reach to our Indian customers. In addition, our Middle East and African customers will have greater, more seamless exposure to the Indian market.”

Gaurav Saluja, CEO, Meesan Logistics India,

said: “We are excited to be partnering with RSA Global to take our company to the next level in offering the most efficient and innovative logistics solutions to our clients. RSA Global embodies our core values focused on maintaining the highest standards of customer service and loyalty, performance development, and environmental sustainability, as well as aligning with our vision for global expansion.

We are confident that our alliance with RSA Global will support the operations and growth of our customers, through solutions that will serve the breadth of India, and beyond.” www.cbnme.com

M ay 2 018 Aviation

Airbus, Zodiac Aerospace to develop cargo sleeping berths

Airbus and Zodiac Aerospace have partnered to develop and market lower-deck modules with passenger sleeping berths.

The modules, which would fit inside the aircraft’s cargo compartments, offer new opportunities for additional services to passengers, improving their experience while enabling airlines to differentiate and add value for their commercial operations.

The new passenger modules will be easily interchangeable with regular cargo containers during a typical turnaround if required.

Moreover, the aircraft’s cargo floor and cargo loading system will not be affected at all, as the passenger module will sit directly on it.

Christophe Bernardini, CEO of Zodiac Aerospace Cabin Branch, said: “We are delighted to work with Airbus

on this new and innovative project, which reaffirms our expertise in lower-deck solutions.

An improved passenger experience is today a key element of differentiation for airlines.”

Geoff Pinner, head of Airbus Cabin and Cargo Programme, said: “This approach to commercial air travel is a step change towards passenger comfort.

We have already received very positive feedback from several airlines on our first mock-ups. We are pleased to partner with Zodiac Aerospace on this project, which will introduce a new passenger experience and add value for airlines.”

Airlines will initially be able to choose from a catalogue of certified solutions by 2020 on A330 for retrofit and line-fit markets.

Offer-ability of sleeper compartments on the A350 XWB airliner is also being studied. The innovation builds on both Airbus’ and Zodiac Aerospace’s experience in producing and integrating lower-deck crewrest facilities.

The data EU-GCC Trade Values

€143bn

European Union’s overall trade with GCC in 2017

54%

Increase in EU-GCC trade in the last decade

€52.6bn UAE’s total trade in goods with the EU

2.3%

UAE’s share in total EU exports EU exports to GCC countries are focused on industrial products (91%), such as power generation plants, railway locomotives and aircraft, as well as electrical machinery and mechanical appliances.

Data shared by European Commission.

Quick news

UPS will increase the number of electric trucks it has in operation in London, following a technological development that allows it to recharge a large number of vehicles simultaneously.

Shipping giant Gulftainer subsidiary GT USA gained exclusive rights to operate and develop the Port of Wilmington for 50 years, in agreement with the State of Delaware, USA.

Continental launched two new tyre technologies, designed to continuously monitor a tyre’s condition and offer situationmatched adaptation of tyre performance to prevailing road conditions.

King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) announced the establishment of the National Academy of Aviation Technology, where 1,000 aircraft technicians and 350 pilots will be trained annually.

Logistics News ME | MAY 2018 | 11

Regional News

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Bahri transports first Saudi Aramco chemical shipment

Bahri transported the first chemical shipment from Aramco Trading Company (ATC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco that trades refined, liquid chemical, and polymer products.

The transportation was carried out via ‘NCC Amal,’ a 45,000DWT Bahri chemical tanker which left Port of Rabigh heading to China.

The shipment, which contains 25,000 tonnes of paraxylene (PX) and 20,000 tonnes of monoethylene glycol (MEG), marks the completion of Phase II of the PetroRabigh Company (PRC) project, which was celebrated at a special ceremony in the presence of Abdullah Aldubaikhi, CEO of Bahri‎, Nasser D Al-Mahasher, CEO of PRC, Ibrahim Q. AlBuainain, CEO of ATC, and other representatives from the three companies.

NCC Amal will transport MEG in addition to the first paraxylene (PX) cargo, which will be sold during its turnaround to the world’s largest PX consumers through S-OIL, a leading company in the lubricant market, established in 1976, and 63.4% of its shares is owned by Saudi Aramco.

Abdullah Aldubaikhi, CEO of Bahri, said: “Bahri enjoys a long-standing relationship with Aramco Trading Company and PetroRabigh Company, and the completion of the Phase II of the PRC project initiated by ATC, PRC, and Bahri Chemicals, represents the success of our sustained partnership with these two leading industry players. We look forward to transporting more chemicals cargo for our clients and partners, and further strengthening our position in this important sector.”

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Investment

KIZAD opens stage for investment opportunities

In collaboration with more than 20 business councils from around the world, Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) brought together more than 500 companies, investors, officials, and diplomats to discuss investment opportunities in KIZAD and Khalifa Port Free Trade Zone (KPFTZ).

The series of exclusive business and networking events culminated in the signing of two memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Abu Dhabi Ports and the Russian Trade and Economic Development Council on one side, and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade on the other. Both agreements aimed at raising awareness among Russian and Chinese companies about the opportunities offered by KIZAD and KPFTZ. Reflecting on the value of such gatherings for potential investors and businesses, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “With a growing number of free zones being launched across the Middle East, differentiation and customer dedication are paramount. More than 130 investors have already trusted us by setting up their home base in KIZAD. We want to

continue creating win-win opportunities for expanding businesses in a wide range of sectors by really listening to their needs.”

Fahad Al Ahbabi, director at the newly launched Abu Dhabi Investment Office, joined forces with ‘KIZAD Business Week’ to provide a detailed overview of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, shedding light on how economic diversification is bringing massive benefits to investors in the UAE and the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

He shared insights about the economic policies driving the emirate’s diversification agenda, stressing that “Gatherings such as ‘KIZAD Business Week’ contribute to the emirate’s strategy for diversification. They help raise awareness, not only about the concrete business opportunities offered by KIZAD and KPFTZ, but also within the emirate of Abu Dhabi and across varied sectors.”

During the panel discussions, participants agreed that diversification remains one of the major drivers for the continued expansion of the UAE economy. In that context, free zones represent one of the key tools to attract foreign direct investments and creating jobs.

‘KIZAD Business Week’ took place from March 18-21, 2018. www.cbnme.com

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Regional News

Transport

RTA awards public bus contracts worth AED465mn

Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai has awarded contracts worth AED465mn ($126.5mn) for the procurement of 316 multi-size buses compliant with the European Emission Standards, featuring Euro 5 and Euro 6 buses. With this, the fleet of RTA buses will rise to 2,085 buses by 2019.

Mattar Al Tayer, directorgeneral and chairman of RTA, commented: “The procurement of the new buses is part of a master plan set out to upgrade mass transit systems in Dubai and keep them aligned with the highest global practices. The plan also calls for providing best-in-class services to mass transit users and keeping abreast with the sustained growth of ridership of these modes. It conforms to RTA’s 14 | Logistics News ME | MAY 2018

endeavours to make public transport the ideal mobility choice of people, and push the share of public transport in people mobility to as much as 30% by 2030.”

These buses are characterised by low-floor access to ease the boarding of People of Determination, advanced services for public transport riders, highend interior finishing, and roomy seats. They also boast of children-designated seats, Wi-Fi service, and USB portals for charging smartphones as well as smart connectivity.

Contracts cover the procurement of 143 deluxe Volvo coaches boasting of luxurious and high-quality standards. These buses will be deployed to cope with the expansion of inter-city bus

service to Abu Dhabi and northern cities. The contract includes 79 double-deck MAN buses to serve urban areas with high-density riders, in addition to 94 medium-size OPTARE buses to serve new communities with the aim of widening the geographical coverage in Dubai and improving occupancy rates.

Inter-city Volvo coaches are fitted with Euro 6 power efficient engines with low carbon emissions. Each bus can accommodate 55 riders and has an automated hydraulic lift for serving People of Determination.

These coaches also offer free internet service, USB portals for charging mobile phones, footrest, and cup holder to provide added convenience to riders.

The double-decker MAN

bus can accommodate 100 riders and is also equipped with free internet service and USB portals for charging mobile phones.

These buses boast of modern design offering improved accessibility between decks, streamlined internal passenger movement, and customised design to serve People of Determination.

The procurement of midsized OPTARE buses is a new initiative marking the debut of this type of buses in RTA’s bus fleet. They are intended to offer a wider coverage of internal areas which are not easily accessible to large buses.

Each bus can accommodate 33 riders and is fitted with free internet service and USB portals for charging mobile phones as well as convenient deluxe seats. www.cbnme.com

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Renault Trucks announces two-year parts warranty Renault Trucks is offering customers a two-year warranty on parts fitted through an authorised Renault Trucks workshop.

Through this two-year warranty, without any restriction on mileage, the manufacturer offers customers both protection and peace of mind.

The warranty applies to Renault Trucks genuine parts, eXchange parts (spare parts re-manufactured in accordance with very strict industrial processes), and all Renault Trucks accessories. The

offer is valid in all countries, at all authorised Renault Trucks workshops.

Commenting on the

Top 5 online

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EU, GCC two-way trade peaks at EUR143bn

warranty offer, Gregoire Blaise, vice president Renault Trucks Middle East, said: “Our two-year war-

ranty on all fitted parts emphasises our confidence in the quality, reliability, and robustness of our Renault Trucks products and the first-class service support delivered by our dealer network.”

Under this warranty, faulty parts will be replaced free of charge by an authorised Renault Trucks workshop. Labour costs and breakdown assistance, if required, are also covered, as are any costs incurred through consequential damage to other components.

Ports

DP World Sokhna welcomes largest bulk cargo vessel Egypt-based DP World Sokhna, a marine terminal of DP World, recently welcomed the largest bulk cargo vessel to ever arrive to the port and enter the Red Sea. Known as a capesize vessel, the M/V Seafarer originally came from Malta carrying steel cargo weighing more than 140,000 tonnes.

Prior to its arrival, DP World Sokhna conducted a bathymetric survey of the port’s topography to ensure its depth relative to sea level was adequate to receive vessels of this size.

Ajay Singh, CEO, DP World Sokhna, said: “As an industry leader, we’re constantly seeking new opportunities to develop the sector for the benefit of trade and industry across the region. Welcoming the largest bulk cargo vessel to ever enter Sokhna Port is the result of fruitful

Executives from DP World and Suez Canal Authority during a presentation for investors in November 2017

cooperation with the Suez Canal Economic Zone. We look forward to continued successful collaborations with industry partners as we further expand our capacity to support the growing volume of trade.”

Operation and commercial teams joined DP World Sokhna managers to celebrate the milestone and welcome the crew of the M/V Seafarer.

Logistics News ME | MAY 2018 | 15

Regional News

Quote Our end goal is to offer tailored industrial and logistic solutions with highly competitive advantages, coupled with world-class infrastructure.�

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports

Saudia Cargo appoints Omar Hariri as new CEO

Omar Hariri has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of Saudi Airlines Cargo Co. Hariri has extensive management experience and various achievements in many of the leadership positions which he has held over the past years in the fields of transportation, supply, and logistics. As the new CEO, he will lead the company and strengthen its current position, in accordance with the transformation strategy which took into account the development of all services provided, the promotion of performance and production, and in addition, strengthened the aspects of security and safety in all stations and facilities to meet the international quality standards.

Saudia Cargo currently is going through important stages of its transformation 2020 program, launched early 2017 in line with the Saudi 2030 vision, aiming to upgrade the various services and sectors and all of its working cadres.

16 | Logistics News ME | MAY 2018

M ay 2 018

Environment

Etihad eliminates 195,000 tonnes CO2 emissions

Etihad Airways announced that it successfully eliminated around 195,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in 2017, thanks to a wide range of fuel-saving initiatives across its network.

Following a number of improvements aimed at enhancing operational efficiencies, Etihad was able to reduce the amount of fuel consumed by its aircraft by over 62,000 tonnes.

The result represents a 3.3% improvement from the year before and is the equivalent of 850 flights between Abu Dhabi and London, according to a statement from the airline.

Flight plan adjustments across the network reduced approximately 900 hours of flying time, leading to a saving of 5,400 tonnes of fuel and eliminating approximately 17,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Last year, Etihad Airways also retired several older aircraft in favour of the

Boeing 787, one of the most fuel efficient commercial aircraft in operation due to its lightweight composite structure. Etihad currently operates 19 Boeing 787s in its 115-strong fleet of passenger and cargo aircraft, which is one of the youngest in the skies at an average age of 5.4 years.

Etihad also strengthened its collaboration with air traffic control providers at many of the major airports to which it operates, in particular in Abu Dhabi, in order to improve the efficiency of many of the descent and approach profiles.

The most fuel-efficient descent maneuvers is known as a ‘continuous descent approach’, whereby the aircraft reduces height gradually, rather than in a stepped manner. With an increase in the number of continuous decent approaches in 2017, a total of 980 tonnes of fuel was saved over the course of the year. www.cbnme.com

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Regional News

Transport

Saudi Crown Prince unveils Vision 2030 Hyperloop Pod

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed with Virgin Group founder, Sir Richard Branson, and Hyperloop One CTO, Josh Giegel

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz unveiled the Vision 2030 Hyperloop Pod at the Virgin Galactic test site in the Mojave desert in the US, stressing on the commitment between the Kingdom and Virgin Hyperloop One to bring hyperloop technology to Saudi Arabia.

Virgin Hyperloop One (VHO), the only company in the world that has built a fully operational hyperloop system, is set to accelerate the realisation of transformative technology and work with Saudi Arabia in becoming a global powerhouse of trade and innovation, said senior executives from VHO who hosted Crown Prince Mohammed at the Virgin Galactic test site.

During the visit, VHO and 18 | Logistics News ME | MAY 2018

Crown Prince Mohammed discussed how the hyperloopenabled transportation sector in Saudi Arabia will stimulate economic growth and diversification of Saudi industries, nurture manufacturing and innovation sectors, and spur job growth in support of the country’s Vision 2030 plan, increasing the GDP 1-2% across the kingdom.

Prince Mohammed remarked: “We are looking forward to advancing the relationship between Saudi Arabia and VHO while we develop innovative transport technologies like hyperloop, accelerating Vision 2030 objectives to transform the Kingdom from a technology consumer to a technology innovator. Hyperloop is the catalyst to enable all fourth

generation technologies to flourish in the Kingdom while creating a vibrant society and thriving economy through visionary cities and high-tech clusters.”

Hyperloop technology can reduce journey times across the Kingdom, exponentially increasing connectivity across not only across Saudi Arabia but throughout the GCC. Travelling from Riyadh to Jeddah would take 76 minutes (currently over 10 hours) utilising the land bridge for both passenger and freight movement, positioning the Kingdom as the gateway to three continents. Travelling from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi would take 48 minutes (currently over 8.5 hours).

Josh Giegel, the co-founder and chief technology officer of Virgin Hyperloop One, said:

“It was an honour to host Crown Prince Mohammed and advance our discussions around the implementation of the hyperloop system and innovation center facility, enabling Vision 2030 to nurture the nation’s entrepreneurial culture, and grow an innovative highlyskilled workforce through meaningful transfers of knowledge and technology.”

CEO Rob Lloyd said: “We have started this journey through VHO partnership with the MiSK Foundation, supporting bright, young Saudi talent through an internship exchange programme at the company’s Innovation Campus in the US. Today’s visit and discussions kick off the next phase that will make VHO a reality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” www.cbnme.com

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DHL to introduce cargo cubicycles in the UAE

DHL is transforming its approach to delivery services by piloting a kinetic energy-based cargo bicycle program for inner-city deliveries in the UAE. The DHL ‘cubicycle’ is a customised four-wheel bike that is designed and able to carry containers with a load of 125kg. The innovative bike aims to reduce emissions by minimising the mileage and time spent on the road by standard delivery vehicles.

The cubicycle will help ease traffic congestion in the UAE and increase the number of stops in comparison to the van.

Geoff Walsh, country manager, DHL in the UAE, said: “DHL Express has already replaced up to 60% of innercity vehicles with cubicycles in some European countries and we are proud to launch and carry forward the same initiative in the UAE. We are confident that this new method of delivery will not only help reduce emissions and improve efficiency, but also increase productivity and efficiency, especially within the more congested inner roads in the city.”

The DHL cubicycle is a part of the overall DHL global environmental protection program ‘GoGreen’ that aims to minimise the impact of business on environment, with a focus on optimising carbon efficiency across all operations. It was developed in the Netherlands and was introduced to the DHL network in 2015.

The bike comes equipped with a number of features, including a reclining seat for the courier, which allows greater comfort, safety, and speed. The cubicycle is also fitted with electric pedal assistance for additional speed and support, making it easy to manoeuvre.

The removable containers on the bike are secure, waterproof, spacious and do not impair the view of other cyclists. They can be equipped with GPS or Internet of Things (IoT) transmitters to facilitate realtime shipment tracking.

Cargo

Emirates SkyCargo launches express spare parts delivery service

Emirates SkyCargo has launched Emirates AOG – a new airfreight product designed for transporting aircraft parts quickly across the globe.

It is built to respond to the needs of airlines wanting to service grounded aircraft by rapidly despatching critical aircraft components unavailable at destination.

The core aim of Emirates AOG is to transport parts on the quickest possible flight connection without compromising on the quality of handling and customer service.

Special features of the new product include a late cutoff time for cargo acceptance at origin – up to four hours prior to scheduled time of departure for shipments weighing less than 100kg; expedited delivery at destination – maximum of 2.5 hours from actual arrival time of the aircraft; track and trace visibility of the consignment during transportation, and priority handling.

Emirates SkyCargo has

also created a unique ‘Must Go’ bag for bulk loading of small AOG shipments.

Designed in a striking red colour, the bag alerts Emirates SkyCargo staff to the urgent nature of shipment ensuring dedicated priority handling for the aircraft part in transit, especially during airside operations.

“Emirates SkyCargo is committed to constantly improving our service levels and introducing new products that can respond to our customers’ needs,” said Nabil Sultan, Emirates divisional senior vice president, Cargo.

“Emirates AOG builds on a number of our strengths – our extensive network spanning over 155 destinations across six continents, our frequency of operations to destinations, as well as our own vast experience in transporting aircraft parts for Emirates’ fleet. With Emirates AOG, customers can be assured of a rapid, efficient, and reliable service to transport parts that can help get their aircraft back into service at the earliest.”

Logistics News ME | MAY 2018 | 19

Op-Ed

M ay 2 018

Opinion

Christian Juul-Nyholm, managing director for Maersk Line UAE, Oman, Qatar and Iran, elaborates on Maersk Line efforts to contribute to a brighter future in Africa

A helping hand With the funds raised this year, we aspire to construct and support three schools in Senegal to improve children’s access to quality education.”

20 | Logistics News ME | MAY 2018

T

o educate a child in Africa— for a better future and equitable opportunities – Maersk Line UAE’s event brought together 3,000 people on February 23, 2018, at Zabeel Park, Dubai for a day of giving back.

Among the attendees were customers and their families, colleagues, and staff from the rest of A.P. Moller – Maersk business units.

This year’s event was a stupendous success – we raised AED500,000, i.e. half a million dirhams or $136,130— that will go a long way towards the cause. With the funds raised this year, we aspire to construct and support three schools in Senegal to improve children’s access to quality education. Helping us in this endeavor is the philanthropic organisation, Dubai Cares. This event also received the patronage from HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai. We are very appreciative of this recognition of our work and the positive impact that it’s bringing about.

Enabling Global Trade Through this yearly event, our goal is to support the development of Africa – a vast continent where different areas are developing at very diverse rates and that holds tremendous potential for the future— thereby enabling global trade. This is only natural since the UAE’s cultural and business ties with Africa are deep rooted. Serving this region reinforces our commitment towards fostering of strong partnerships and robust trade between the Middle East and Africa.

Continued support to Africa From a modest beginning in 2012, the scale and involvement that the event gathers today is humbling. The positive impact that we have been able to bring about in young African children’s lives serves as a constant encouragement to do more. Over the years, some of the causes that we have supported include: • 2012: Provided school supplies to students in Burkina Faso.

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Op-Ed

M ay 2 018

• 2013: Equipped 83 schools in Burkina Faso with sustainable solar panels • 2014: Provided healthcare to 720 children orphaned by Ebola • 2015: Built two IT laboratories of 100 computers in University of Zimbabwe • 2016: Built a school each in Mauritania and Sudan • 2017: Built four schools in Burkina Faso for the benefit of 320 students Extraordinary Engagement – A matter of pride This event is now considered as one of the most engaging corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities that we do in the country. Participating in this event instills a sense of pride and immense goodwill.

“We have partnered with Maersk Line for all their CSR events in Dubai since the very beginning and this is a fantastic opportunity for us to contribute towards a great cause,” says Deepak Lalwani, a customer exporting on the West Africa trade lines from Deepak Commercial Brokerage. “The event not only brings together clients of Maersk Line, but a much wider community of all ages and nationalities. It’s a truly world class event fully organised in-

22 | Logistics News ME | MAY 2018

house and executed flawlessly. Thank you, Maersk Line, for this opportunity and partnership.”

We all agree. The CSR event is an outcome of intensive collaboration. It is impossible not to get smitten by the enthusiasm of all our colleagues, who spend a great deal of time and effort to ensure the success of the event, and our customers who turn up in full force with their families in support of this initiative – this is

one of my favorite days of the year.

With this event getting commendation from customers and their families, our fellow colleagues, the patronage from Her Royal Highness, and our children beneficiaries in the Africa region, we are inspired to continue with our efforts towards this noble cause.

Indeed, when we give back, we can all move forward.

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ON-ROAD EXCELLENCE. OFF-ROAD ENDURANCE.

OUTSTANDING TCO Thanks to 11.2% fuel saving tested by TÜV on the New Stralis, optimised driveline and disk brakes

MODULAR AND MISSION-ORIENTED RANGE New front axle (off road) that guarantee an higher ground clereance Robust chassis for light off-road missions

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Thi-Mai Tran explains why being a woman in the field of transportation was never an issue for her—simply because her zest for work overpowers all else

By Mehak Srivastava Photos by Farooq Salik

E

nergetic, passionate, and industrious are just the words to describe Alstom GCC’s managing director, Thi-Mai Tran. Her words ring with a deep-set zeal for her work, a profession she has been involved in since the beginning of her career now. Her enthusiasm for the transportation industry seems to be unmatched, and it is with definite eagerness that she shares her experience and thoughts on her illustrious career.

Where it all began “I would never have thought when I was younger, that I would one day end up working in the train industry,” reminisces Tran. “As a young girl, I always used to play with electric toy trains owned by my brothers. Our dining room had a sort of a big circuit with trains around, and it was largely considered to be a men’s game. But I was always interested in playing with those trains, and I continued to be interested in this as the years passed by. In fact, I was greatly interested in cars, cranes, and all mechanical types of engines or toys. My parents used to say, ‘we have three boys’, rather than one girl and two boys.”

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Tran began her career in the field of transportation at Lohr Industrie, a French manufacturer of goods transport systems.

“At the age of 25, I had an interview with the president. At that time, it was authorised to say that you wish to hire a male person, something which is not permissible anymore.

“He wanted a young, male, technical-commercial engineer, to coordinate the link between the company headquarters and the factory. Even though I was aware that he wanted a male candidate, I went for the interview.

“I was sitting in a room with a lot of young guys, who regarded me with confused stares. And after one hour in the president’s office, he said to me: okay, you’re hired. And that was a Friday evening, so I asked if I had to come in the next day, and he said yes, and that was that. Of course, when I started, I thought I’d spend three years in the company and then do something else. But that was not the case. I stayed there for 20 years.”

When queried on what made her stay at the company for nearly half of her career, Tran explains that

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C o v e r S to ry

Alstom Solutions Alstom has proposed a number of new solutions, devised to both further the comfort of passengers and simplify procedures for operators, while incorporating modern design principles and making use of technological advancements.

Designed for a collective use and located in the station, Optimet OrbanMap is an intelligent metro map which allows a passenger to visualise at a glance the metro network, its activity, trains position, travel times, service interruptions, and the level of comfort aboard the trains. More so, city life information is obtained from social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Foursquare.

Optimet real-time train occupancy is another solution, aimed at addressing the issue of passenger congestion due to lack of knowing which carriages are empty. Optimet shows the level of occupancy per car through a coloured LED strip (red, orange or green) above the screen doors which stretches all along the platform, as well as on monitors in the station passage ways and/or elevators.

Alstom’s EUR14mn startup company, EasyMile, has manufactured an electric autonomous shuttle called ‘EZ10’; defined as an electric collective shuttle that can accommodate up to 12 passengers, the vehicle is designed to be integrated in an automated road transport systems (ARTS), dedicated to the public transportation application, in private areas or cities.

Launched with Alstom subsidiary NTL, the 100% electric Aptis is essentially a tram on wheels, carrying up to 95 passengers. It features panaromic windows, low-noise levels, smooth access for wheelchairs and strollers, and the option to ‘dock’ at footpaths, allowing passenger comfort.

Acquired by Alstom in late 2016, Nomad Digital Solutions provides passenger and fleet connectivity solutions for the railway industry. Nomad offers Wi-Fi connection solutions as well as entertainment platforms (video, music, and playback) or connected on-board services. It also provides telemaintenance solutions, including Remote Online Condition Monitoring, Reliability Centred Maintenance, Driver Assist, and Power Train products.

HealthHub is another solution from Alstom, which collects data from rolling stock, infrastructure, and signalling systems, and allows predictive maintenance across all assets.

Alstom has equipped more than 50 lines with Automatic Train Operation (ATO) in cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai (China), Lausanne (Switzerland), and Panama, and is equipping 40 others. Alstom is also investing in equipping mainline trains with driving assistance. Driverless rolling stock ensures flexible operation and reduces cost related to operations.

Finally, Mastria is a multimodal supervision solution, which, through planned predictive and automated data analysis is able to generate quick and reliable reports, allowing operators to rapidly offer alternative mobility solutions to commuters, especially useful in case of train delays due to traffic and breakdowns.

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I discovered that in 20 years, I didn’t finish learning all that I needed to learn.” the world of transportation, while expansive at first glance, had so many more details and things to learn about.

“I was only thinking of in terms of scaled down mock-ups, trains, signalling, little hills, because in this business there were hills, tunnels, small cities that you built, constructing a model around the table. The real world was much more different. I discovered that in 20 years, I didn’t finish learning all that I needed to learn. I learnt everything on the industrial, testing, manufacturing, design, HR, quality, test bench, everything that you can need, before joining Alstom.”

It’s a woman’s game too Despite their growing presence, women’s participation in the transport industry is still limited, particularly in certain transport subsectors, such as rail and shipping.

A report titled Innovative gender equality measures in the transport industry, by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, explains that pregnancy and family status have a strong influence on the recruitment and redundancy decisions of employers and can have a negative impact on the career prospects of women working in transport. Employers are particularly concerned about the

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impact of career breaks on workers’ professional life; thus, maternity, childcare, or elderly care can have an adverse effect on the women’s professional careers, as employers regard female workers as being less reliable: it may be unclear for employers whether women will return to their original jobs after taking professional breaks. Moreover, employers tend to feel that it is less worthwhile ‘investing’ in female workers and, as a result, training opportunities and career prospects are considerably reduced for women.

The transport, logistics, and supply chain industry are generally described as an unconventional career choice for women. This prevailing view, highlighted in the 2015 South Australian Freight Council (SAFC) report, is supported by a perception that because the majority of employees in this industry are men, most work in this industry is stereotypically masculine.

Moreover, in the aforementioned industries, women are predominately employed in support functions and occupy managerial roles in the areas of finance, information technology, communications, human resources, business development, procurement, and quality and risk management. Men, on the other hand, are predominantly employed in the technical, operational, and “physical” roles.

“I think this question [of gender difference] came much later in my career, when people started to ask me I felt lonely or out of place,” reflects Tran. “But I didn’t feel anything. Maybe I was so naïve or so disconnected and focused with my work, that it didn’t affect me. And I must say that the colleagues who I worked with didn’t make it a problem.

I saw that I could become a team leader first, then the manager, then the director, then the vice-president— I could be that, without my

gender acting as a hindrance. I didn’t position myself against, I positioned myself with. I was always supportive and on board with my team as they worked. This is something that remains with me even today because it’s not a problem for me to both work with and lead the team. When I joined Alstom, it was with the same type of spirit, which has always led me through the years.”

Tran believes that things are certainly better for women today, not just in the field of transportation, but other industries as well.

The greatest push comes from family and culture itself, and she mentions that she is grateful to her parents for being so supportive of her dreams.

“There is no limitation in the brains and the capability, or the capacity, regardless of the manager being male or female. This awareness has improved over the years. When you look at the statistics, the industry still sees a low percentage of females in this industry, but if you compare it to 50 years ago, it is much better. You had one pilot in the past, now you have several.

“In Alstom today, we aim at having 25% of our total workforce to consist of women by 2025, which is very reasonable. 20 years or even 15 years ago, there was no rationale thinking about that. It was what it happened to be.”

In 2016, Alstom Poland organised its first edition of the Women Forum, an initiative aimed at promoting gender diversity within the company. The company is also looking at adding 1,000 engineers to its India workforce by 2019, with a significant share of women.

Alstom also partners with a number of organisations including WISE, Business in the Community, and STEMNET to help develop awareness in engineering careers for women.

Tran also emphasises the fact that ladies drive more ladies in their teams.

“I think it’s our responsibility, as women, to help and encourage women in the workplace.

Today I have no complaints at all. I believe our male colleagues are also happy to have this balance, because we see it’s less aggressive, smoother, and smarter. We learn from each other and this balance is making smarter project management, better business development, and ultimately efficient transportation.”

Advancing transportation Alstom’s ultimate aim is to provide a railway system that becomes more integrated, more efficient for transport operators, and more attractive for passengers. They strategise to not only to provide rolling stock, services, and maintenance, but to offer sustainable mobility solutions to a world in profound transformation.

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“I must say that my passion and interest [for transportation] has grown even further,” says Tran. “Because I discovered that not only do you work for something that you like, with people you like, but you also work for history. When I say that, I mean you come and develop a transportation system for a country.

And you leave behind something, a legacy, a transport system. There is a metro, tramway, a suburban train, a new city, depot, there are stations, and you work for history. And when you come back years later, you see that this is what you did collectively, and so I always say to the teams— we should be proud of what we made, because we have become a part of history, something that has become a part of the city in which we’re working.”

Tran reveals that the best part of working in a region like the Middle East, and especially a city like Dubai, is the fact that it is an open playground for providers like Alstom, and is very receptive to modern solutions. Alstom delivered the Dubai Tram, the first fully integrated tramway system in the Middle East and 100% catenary-free, which opened in November 2014. The Citadis trams, signalling, and ticketing systems were supplied by Alstom, as was the control centre incorporated in the depot. Alstom equipped the network and trains with its communication-based train control (CBTC) solution, Urbalis.

Alstom is also in charge of the maintenance of the Dubai Tram system for a period of 13 years.

“The Middle East Market is driven by full turnkey for urban projects like tram and metro.

There has been an important focus on the fastgrowing rail transport market in the Middle East, with a government-led push for metros and trams, especially in the UAE. Our clients prefer a turnkey, a global system of transportation, where we can integrate infrastructure, signalling, station, depot, maintenance of the means of transportation, energisation, power supply, stations, including powering the platform screens doors (PSD), the CCTV, and so forth, all in one place.

All this is a single system of transportation, for which Alstom is a turnkey provider. We basically hand over a single key to our client, via which he can control the entire operation.”

Nature is the model Tran takes an interesting take on the basic functionality and thought behind transportation systems. She links the concept of routes, central hubs, and the human factor to examples from natures. She highlights patterns in things like trees, where concentric circles in the cross-section radiate from a centre; leaves with veins and capilliaries, that arise from

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People working on Circle Line project in Singapore.

Photo courtesy of Alstom Transport

Thi-Mai Tran uses examples from nature to explain the concept of transport networks

a central vein; spiderwebs, which like tree rings, emerge from a defined centre; the human skin, with its interconnected ‘paths’ and grooves; and synapses.

“I know this could be difficult to apprehend, but in the future, when someone walks from a location to their car, this is something they can think about,” says Tran. “It is a micro-movement in mobility that they’re doing, in a microsystem in the environment, which becomes a part of the wider transport circulation system.

There are books that discuss sociology of mobility, where they explain the geography and history of urbanisation of all cities in the world, and how they have copied the fundamentals from the nature, but at a human scale.”

She pores over maps of the Paris metro, cycling routes in Dubai, and a simplified global map of air routes. All the maps follow a strikingly similar pattern, with paths emerging from a centralised hub, and snaking its way into human settlements.

“This is what we have to think about, and this is what our thoughts must be,” remarks Tran. “This is what I try to tell our teams as well. What are the thoughts, the added value that we can bring to our clients, bringing them the awareness of what we do. We don’t only design the metro, we reshape, rethink the mobility of the citizens. We give them the freedom to circulate from A to B and B to C, and so forth, in a seamless way.”

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1 – 3 May 2018 www.automechanikaDubai.com

The largest international trade exhibition for the automotive service industry in the wider Middle East Some compelling show figures: 1,955 Exhibitors 30,322 Trade Visitors 25 Official Country Pavilions

57 Exhibiting Countries 136 Visiting Countries 38 International Trade Associations

Register online to visit at www.automechanikaDubai.com/Logistics

Warehouses

Drivers of change Expectations from a modern warehouse have considerably evolved over the years, incorporating technology, sustainability, and worker safety to a greater extent

By Mehak Srivastava

W

e often return to the subject of warehouses in this magazine because it forms an integral part of the logistics and supply chain network. Warehouses are at the heart of the manufacturing, storage, distribution, and transportation cycle— how would trade function without them? Warehouses today have evolved from the mere concept of storerooms, to hubs of business. It is where all begins and culminates.

The modern definition of warehouses Baheej Al Biqawi, CEO, Almajdouie Logistics, says: “Modern warehousing, to us, is one that can connect seamlessly with the rest of the sup-

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ply chain. [It is a] technology enabled space that accommodates changing business, e.g. introducing new categories or tenants. Globally, the best in class companies aim to on-board new warehouse tenants under 45 days and aspire to do first ship in the case of e-commerce in 60-90 days. The main problems we see in this model is the reservation of modern warehousing for those who can afford a costly setup, which they can offset with high transaction volume. Recent news shows that some global players are slashing the on-boarding time and are going after smaller tenants that are not just doing warehousing, and have special needs for branding or fulfilment service level agreements.

Biqawi believes that a modern warehouse is a critical piece in the transportation network; a modern warehouse supports the efforts to streamline the connected supply chain and the flows connected to these facilities.

“A one size fits all solution is no longer viable,” remarks Neil McMaster, general manager – Contract Logistics, GAC Dubai.

“Flexible and tailored services are a must to cater to businesses with different needs. It should be fully equipped to meet the needs of diverse clients from FMCG, food and beverage, fashion, pharmaceutical and more.”

McMaster believes that a modern warehouse, aside from offering storage solutions, should

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be able to provide value-added services (VAS), including co-packing, customising, and promotional packing, customs, municipal, and governmental support activities, as well as bespoke freight and transport solutions.

Expanding e-commerce and same-day delivery models are reshaping warehousing needs. Rising rapid completions of single order, direct-toconsumer fulfillment is forcing supply chains to think differently about location, size, and even warehouse operations.

“If we look at the UAE, the e-commerce sector is growing exponentially from $2.5bn in 2014, to an estimated $10bn by the end of 2018,” explains Edwin Lammers, VP commercial, Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD). “Globally, estimates indicate that 25% of all Chinese retail business last year were online sales. There is therefore a growing demand from retailers, shippers, and logistics companies for more flexibility. This is not only applicable to pure e-commerce players.

Amazon’s distribution network plus their excellent customer service has set expectations that now apply to all retailers. In business we used to say time is money. Looking at the logistics sector, we should add: time and flexibility are money.”

March 2018 saw KIZAD launching the solution to combat this growing change in the supply chain model. KIZAD Logistics City aims to offer warehousing services in a breakthrough payper-use model. which allows potential customers to avoid capital expense, essentially utilising an ‘on-demand’ solution. All facilities at the KIZAD Logistics City can be booked on demand, without the need for long-term lease contracts, with even online warehousing bookings options.

Lammers believes that the most easily explained advantage of an on-demand warehouse is the possibility to avoid capital expense. This can be looked at as a huge competitive advantage, which can become the entire strategy for a company or an activity that supplements existing warehouse networks.

Dynamic warehousing allows retailers to hedge against variables such as regional variability, cost variability, and supplier variability.

He adds: “Shippers can have access to a large network of warehouses and can activate warehousing services from bulk pallet handling to fulfillment in small to large volumes and for relatively short amounts of time on the fly.

Plus, our warehouses are suitable for the thirdparty logistics (3PL) operators to serve the regional markets with on-demand warehousing complementing their services.”

“Effective use of technology can make warehouse operations much more efficient and accurate.”

Neil McMaster, GAC Dubai Customers at KIZAD receive full investor support through Abu Dhabi government entities located at KIZAD’s Taweelah headquarters.

Technology Most warehouses today employ some form of automation, especially when it comes to management systems. GAC uses GACWare, its own in-house designed and developed sophisticated warehouse management system (WMS), across its contract logistics operations. It gives a real-time snapshot of stock levels and issues advance alerts when replenishment is required, thus enhancing the customers’ inventory control and production run management. It is an advanced, flexible system which can easily be adapted for small set-ups and large retail scenarios, acting as an extension to customers’ enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and meeting their distribution demands.

“Effective use of technology can make warehouse operations much more efficient and accurate,” says McMaster. “At GAC Dubai, we use it to manage inventory, giving us a live view of stock availability, and to track order progress.

Further, scan and voice picking both makes our

warehouse more efficient and drastically reduces our use of paper.”

GAC’s proprietary IT solutions extend beyond warehousing operations for freight and shipping.

They also employ a web-enabled transport management system with GPS tracking for efficient route planning, truck scheduling, and real time visibility.

McMaster adds: “Automation plays a key role in our handling of products for our key customer, who is the world’s largest chocolate and confectionery manufacturer, and has demonstrably boosted efficiency, hygiene and accuracy of operations. The automated bagging machine in our VAS operations repacks minichocolate bars received in bulk and customises them for the local and regional markets. We also use handheld tablets in our VAS operations for optimum operational efficiency and accuracy in charges and invoicing.”

Biqawi believes that warehousing hasn’t become as dynamic as it should have, and there are several attempts to revive marketplace dynamics driven by e-commerce, mainly, or retail operations, to account for time of the year and expected volumes coming through the supply chain.

“Almajdouie sees the need for unmanned warehouses, as much as we see a valid need for manned warehouses,” comments Biqawi.

“Technology will allow warehouse operators to act as simple storage facilities, or sophisticated fulfilment centres for high throughput volumes, inbound or outbound, via simple configurations that can be done at a short notice. The cost is prohibitive in most parts of the world to build fully unmanned, or mostly robot powered, warehouses until there is a need to process hundreds of thousands of unique products, amounting to hundreds of thousands to few million units coming in or out. The same result can be accomplished by larger warehouses with bigger teams, but this will emphasise the current inefficiencies in most warehouse operations.”

KIZAD Logistics City stresses on how technology can resolve the complexity of supply chains. Online warehousing bookings are available through KIZAD’s dedicated e-services website on the Maqta Gateway platform and other leading booking platforms like GO DC. Those platforms, underpinned by technologies such as blockchain and data analytics, are said to provide the necessary speed and flexibility towards supply chain optimisation and growth.

In terms of the management system of each of the warehouses, each owner is free to decide what system they want to use.

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Warehouses

“As I mentioned earlier, the rapid expansion of ecommerce in the region and same-day delivery models are revolutionising warehousing needs,” says Lammers. “In addition, with roughly half of the population still under 25, this region is home to one of the world’s youngest and wealthiest populations and some of the world’s highest sustainable growth rates.

With KIZAD Logistics City, we wanted to get ahead of the curve and provide a smart, ondemand, seamlessly connected warehouse hub for everybody, from e-commerce giants to small retailers and entrepreneurs.”

Efficiency and sustainability GAC Dubai’s newest contract logistics facility, at Dubai South, has an environmentallyfriendly cooling plant and advanced building management systems, and uses 100% recycled water, LED lighting with motion sensors, and solar power. It also has black water treatment plants, that recycles water for use in cooling towers. The facility also meets Dubai Green Building Code.

A battery regeneration machine helps restore and prolong the life of batteries of forklift, trucks, and other MHEs. During the monitoring period, the equipment made it possible to avoid a total of 15,769 charging cycles, thereby extending battery life, improving productivity and efficiency, and reducing GAC Dubai’s carbon footprint. This programme also won the company the top spot in the 2017 Chairman’s Awards for HSSE Excellence.

The Pearl Rating System (PRS) is a framework established by The Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities (DPM) of Abu Dhabi for sustainable design, construction, and operation of communities, buildings, and villas. It is unique in the world, specifically tailored to the hot climate and arid environment of Abu Dhabi.

“All our free zone and non-free zone warehouses are Estimada Pearl 2 rating,” explains Lammers. “In addition, all our warehouses have LED lights and sky lights to minimise usage during the day. All these features combined support the goal of developing more energy efficient buildings.”

Worker safety Biqawi sees technology as an important factor to allow their workforce to be safer and more productive. Their safety practices, as highlighted

by Biqawi, include emphasis on ergonomics, level of effort and fatigue management, safety rules for handling different products, ongoing daily training, staffing proportionally safety officers to warehouse associates, and programs that makes every associate a safety ambassador.

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“In business we used to say time is money. Looking at the logistics sector, we should add: time and flexibility are money.”

Edwin Lammers, KIZAD

“Robots today, however, are less to be seen as a substitute, but rather as a supportive and assisting medium for humans.”

Alain Kaddoum, Swisslog Middle East

“We are proud of our safety record and the attention we give to train and maintain our workforce on the best safety practices. This goes hand in hand with our, up to date safety, ISO certificates.”

One of the biggest advantages of automation is cutting out the human error factor and thus improving worker safety. Safety is of paramount importance in the smooth running of a warehouse.

Ensuring employees’ safety, proper management of property and assets, and product integrity, especially for hazardous/dangerous goods, are all vital for uninterrupted operations.

“Work related accidents within the storage and warehousing industry are a key concern for anyone involved in the sector,” remarks Lammers. “Recognising the need to reduce the number of incidents and minimise lost productivity, we have built high-quality warehouses with specifications in line with best international practices, such as dedicated loading yard with ramp access for forklifts; ample on-site parking; fire sprinkler system and integrated fire alarm; lighting in the warehouse storage area; and ample power for AC in all units and cold storage in selected units, among others.

“As part of the Abu Dhabi Ports family, we are proud to say that we have managed to reduce our overall lost time incident (LTI) across our operating units. Since 2014, Abu Dhabi Ports has reduced its overall LTI frequency rate by 86% from 1.43 to 0.19.”

Swisslog Logistics Automation is a company focused strongly on shaping the future of logistics automation and transforming warehouses and distribution centers to achieve maximum efficiency, flexibility, and agility. Using Industry 4.0 and robotics innovation solutions, and analysing client data, Swisslog aims to optimise the performance of the users’ operation, with technologies like conveyor systems, ASRS, AGVs, shuttle systems, monorails, robotics, and warehouse management software.

General manager Alain Kaddoum, Swisslog Middle East, remarks: “It is always our principal priority to provide a safe working environment for our clients and their employees. The laws of many countries make it mandatory for strict safety regulations to be implemented, and this is no different for workplaces in warehouses and distribution centres.”

According to Kaddoum, automation plays a huge role in improving safety.

“Every automated system needs less or no action from workers. With fewer staff around, there is less probability of accidents. Some examples of how our automated systems increase warehouse safety are: pallets need not be moved with manual forklifts, leading to fewer injuries; in an automated high bay or mini-load

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warehouse without human workers, the oxygen concentration can be decreased, which means fewer dangers for fires in the warehouse.”

Other warehouse safety features inculcated

by Swisslog include ensuring that tracks for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are bi-signed and marked on the floor. Mirrors on the walls help AGVs and other vehicles such as forklifts moving around the edges, with additional banisters and signs set up wherever possible.

Swisslog constantly monitors ergonomics for workers during picking, and Kaddoum points out that the company makes considerable investments in testing and developing the most ergonomic picking stations.

Swisslog also assigns the picking zones for deep-freeze or chilled environments, to another zone or deploys robots, so workers don’t have to work in sub-zero temperatures.

“Robots can also support humans with heavy tasks,” continues Kaddoum. “They can carry out activities that are harmful or inefficient for humans. While it is difficult for humans

“Almajdouie sees the need for unmanned warehouses, as much as we see a valid need for manned warehouses.”

Baheej Al Biqawi, Almajdouie Logistics to concentrate on simple picking and correct placement of individual articles over an eighthour shift, robots do not show signs of fatigue even in their twentieth hour of work. Robots today, however, are less to be seen as a substitute, but rather as a supportive and assisting medium

for humans. When robots take on tedious and sometimes simple jobs, people become more satisfied— an important factor in effectively curbing staff-related redundancies and high employee turnover rates.”

Swisslog recently deployed some of their solutions at AMAG Automobil und Motoren AG, the Swiss general importer of Volkswagen, Škoda, Audi, SEAT, and Volkswagen commercial vehicles. Automation meant that the amount of oxygen in both the high-bay and mini-load warehouses was significantly reduced, thereby also allowing AMAG to break new ground in fire safety.

“We also offer up-to-date comprehensive operator and safety training programs to help businesses optimise the use of their warehouse automation systems,” remarks Kaddoum. “Through classroom or hands-on training, their employees can be more efficient, work in a safer environment, as well as improve the long-term performance of the system, quickly resolving errors and preventing downtime.”

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C o u n t ry F o c u s

(Sustainability First) Global business giants UPS, DB Schenker, and Robert Bosch discuss their sustainable approaches to business in Germany and worldwide

By Mehak Srivastava

T

he German economy is the world’s fourth largest and accounts for more than onefifth of the European Union’s gross domestic product (GDP). In the Annual Economic Report published by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Ministry for 2018, the German economy is experiencing a robust cyclical expansion. GDP grew by 2.2% (price-adjusted) in 2017, with the federal government expecting a further rise of 2.4% in 2018.

According to a recent report by Research and Markets, titled Transportation and Logistics Market Insights– Germany, Germany’s logistics market is projected to contribute 21% of the national growth by 2025, when compared to its current 8%, with intralogistics being a key driver. Innovative logistics solutions, automation in material handling, electromobility, digitalisation of chemicals logistics, yard management, and real-time control at refineries are some of the key transformational trends shaping the German logistics market.

Logistics providers for FMCG goods are expanding warehouse space to accommodate just-in-time deliveries. Investments in technologies will have a significant impact on logistics. Truck platooning, semi-autonomous trucks, and digitised cranes will transform freight transport.

“Digitalisation is revolutionising our econ-

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“This (sustainable practices) should happen not just to remain competitive, but also because it’s the right thing to do. That’s sustainability.”

Thomas Zeller, UPS

omy and the world of work,” remarks Brigitte Zypries, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, in the annual report.

“Efficient, nation-wide infrastructure is required if use is to be made of the opportunities offered by digitalisation.”

UPS is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions, including transportation of packages and freight, facilitation of international trade, and deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. With its wide array of services to more than 220 countries and territories, UPS delivers 20 million packages every day. Global revenue for 2017 was $66bn on a total annual volume of 5.1 billion packages and documents.

UPS first entered Europe in 1976, when it established domestic operations in Germany.

UPS has since developed a comprehensive European service portfolio, combining local expertise in each market with UPS’ international strength and high-quality standards.

“Germany’s central geographical position within Europe and its highly developed industries make it a force in European and global trade and one of the key markets for UPS,” says Thomas Zeller, marketing director for UPS Germany. “Germany was UPS’ first market outside North America. We began offering

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domestic small package service there in 1976.

Today, Germany is UPS’ largest single market outside of the US and accounts for a significant portion of our volume in Europe.”

In part due to Germany’s strong exporting economy, UPS has experienced significant growth here and in 2017, growing export volume in Germany by more than 15% compared to the previous year.

Through the European air hub situated at the Cologne/Bonn airport, Germany also serves as the location from where UPS is able to connect Europe to Europe, and Europe to the rest of the world.

Originally established in Stuttgart in 1886

by Robert Bosch, the Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services, employing roughly 400,500 associates worldwide.

Their operations are divided into four key business sectors: mobility solutions, industrial technology, consumer goods, and energy and building technology.

“For years, we have known Germany – our home country – to have a recognised past in terms of trade, culture and history,” comments Volker Bischoff, general manager and vice president, Robert Bosch Middle East. “Germany is known for aspects such as efficiency and effectiveness. The fact that Germany is the largest manufacturing economy in Europe,

and one of the largest in the world, presents us with great opportunities.

“The country is also responsible for approximately one quarter of all European B2C e-commerce turnover. With offices in more than 80 locations across the country, we are able to ensure our work is of the highest degree, creating products and services that spark our enthusiasm.”

The sustainability factor Supply chain sustainability is increasingly recognised as a key component of corporate responsibility. Global companies are today turning to sustainable business practices, especially when it comes to the supply chain.

“We have the general issue of global (out-) sourcing, which shifts service obligations to external providers,” says Andrea Dorothea Schoen, senior manager Carbon Controlling and Consulting, DB Schenker in Essen. “However, responsibility cannot be shifted in the same way as the sourcing company is still the beneficiary of the purchased service. The public and the capital market is sensitive to companies’ responsible behaviour, making sustainability a core subject of business success in terms of risks and opportunities.”

Schoen highlights that Schenker Germany consults its customers on climate issues and helps them to reduce their carbon footprint.

Currently, a central sustainability program is on the verge to be rolled out to which Schenker Germany will also contribute significantly.

Further, DB Schenker recently announced a truck platooning project that they’ve launched with MAN Truck & Bus. Two connected trucks were tested on the A9 freeway between Nuremberg and Munich. While recent months have been occupied with producing the test vehicles and equipping them with the additional technical components required for deploying platooning, the focus is now on intensive training of the drivers for their tasks in the project and ultimately on facilitating integration with DB Schenker’s logistics operations. This will also be the first time that professional truck drivers from DB Schenker will replace test drivers at the wheel. To begin with, the trucks will be operating without any cargo to investigate driving conditions in the daily flow of traffic, and to train the drivers involved in the project in operating the vehicles. The drivers will receive intensive theoretical and practical training from the specialists at MAN ProfiDrive and will practice on a driving simulator.

Once the intensive training phase has been completed, there will be weekly, and then daily test runs. These will be extended to include regular operations with actual cargo during the course of 2018. The platoons will then be deployed up to three times daily between DB Schenker logistics centers in Munich and Nuremberg.

“It is supposed to show the fuel reduction impact but even more so the innovative milestone of this new technology,” adds Schoen.

It has become obvious that the need of the hour is to do your bit for the planet, and more and more companies are extending their commitment to responsible business practices to their value chains, from subsidiaries to suppliers.

Zeller explains how UPS believes that as a global logistics provider, they have a responsibility to conduct business and operations with consideration for their environmental impact.

“What we’re seeing is that everyone up and down today’s supply chain, whether they are customers or providers, is recognising the importance of sustainability,” remarks Zeller.

“Players in our industry need to develop and implement business strategies that meet the needs of their enterprise and their stakeholders, while protecting and enhancing the human and natural resources that will be needed in the future. And this should happen not just to remain competitive, but also because it’s the right thing to do. That’s sustainability.”

Zeller adds that since their operations depend on vehicles and aircraft to a considerable extent, their focus is strongly on making the transportation network as efficient and envi-

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C o u n t ry F o c u s

Bosch CEO Dr Volkmar Denner welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Bosch booth at International Motor Show Germany 2017 // Photo courtesy IAA

ronmentally sound as possible.

One of the key trends in today’s supply chain is the phenomenal growth in e-commerce around the world. E-commerce shipments today already comprise around 50% of UPS’ global package volume, with peaks in business-to-consumer deliveries during major holiday seasons like Christmas and Thanksgiving (in the US). This is a great opportunity, observes Zeller, but it is also a challenge for the transportation and logistics industry to make ecommerce shipping more sustainable.

“The increasing percentage of residential deliveries means that fewer packages per stop are being delivered, and that can mean more fuel and emissions per package delivered. To address this challenge, we continue to develop new ideas to make our operations more efficient, reduce our kilometers driven, and create customer solutions to ship more with less impact.” Some of UPS’ key solutions include UPS Access Point network, which provides a consolidated delivery point – such as a nearby

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convenience store or gas station – for multiple customers in the same neighborhood. Currently, UPS has more than 3,000 such points in Germany and 27,000 such locations across Europe and North America. This service aims to address the challenge of urban logistics by making deliveries more efficient and reducing the need for a driver to make return visits when customers are not at home. By consolidating a number of packages and delivering them to one location, drivers reduce the number of return deliveries and the number of stops they make during their rounds. A study done by the Flanders Institute for Logistics has shown that the collection point model is more sustainable than the home delivery model and can reduce carbon emissions of a package by 60% if consumers retrieve their parcel by car, and by 81% if they retrieve their parcel on foot.

ORION system is another solution in deployment by UPS, currently being used in operations across the US, and is a result of a technology that improves productivity without eliminating jobs.

“Reducing kilometers driven was the primary goal,” explains Zeller. “ORION uses telematics and advanced algorithms to gather and calculate countless amounts of data to provide UPS drivers with optimised routes.”

The technology helps UPS drivers to determine the optimal way to deliver and pick-up packages within a set of stops defined by start time, commit time, pick-up windows, and special customer needs. ORION enables UPS to reduce kilometers driven by more than 160 million kilometers annually, and a reduction of just one mile per driver per day over one year can save UPS up to $50mn.

“Our operations in Germany have actually been an early testing ground for many of our sustainable technological solutions in recent years,” notes Zeller. “One of our greatest success stories has been combining human and electric power by deploying tricycles (conventional and electrically assisted Cargo Cruisers and Cyclo Cargos) in several cities in Germany, following the original pilot project in Hamburg

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in 2012, and we’re now rolling out this concept in other European cities. These tricycles deliver from a container, which is placed at a pre-agreed location in the middle of the delivery area in the city. As such, they replace a local P80 delivery truck, reduce congestion, and they can even operate in pedestrianised zones.”

UPS has also been converting end-of-life diesel vehicles into electric trucks for deployment in Germany and other European cities. UPS currently uses over 70 fully-electric vehicles in Germany. These are predominantly 7.5 tonne category vehicles that have been converted from diesel to fully-electric. And this conversion is done in Germany.

Electromobility and alternative technology vehicles are a priority for UPS. With over 9,000 vehicles worldwide operating using alternative propulsion methods, UPS possesses one of the largest private and most diverse alternative fuel and advanced technology fleets in the entire logistics industry.

The Bosch Group’s strategic objective, com-

ments Bischoff, is to create solutions for a connected life, and to improve the quality of life worldwide with its products and services.

“Our “invented for life” ethos not only applies to our core business, but also extends to the topic of sustainability. We, at Bosch, aim to make energy use more efficient, mobility even safer and more economical, while being eco-friendly.”

For Bosch, sustainability includes socialwellbeing, and in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, they pursue a broad range of these 17 global goals.

“For the Bosch Group, sustainability means securing the company’s long-term success, while at the same time protecting the natural environment for future generations,” continues Bischoff. “In Germany, we are committed to sustainable mobility, particularly within the mobility solutions business sector, as we pursue the vision of low-carbon forms of mobility that is independent of long-term dependence on fossil fuels.”

Bosch is pushing to minimise the environmental impact of both product development and manufacturing activities and are continuously improving environmental protection. For this purpose, Bosch introduced an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001 at all 242 locations worldwide.

Regular audits ensure that the environmental protection measures implemented at the locations are effective and help to achieve the defined targets: By 2020, Bosch aims to reduce their CO2 emissions (relative to added-value) by 35% compared to 2007.

As part of the Bosch eXchange program, used car components are industrially remanufactured. Reconditioned starters, alternators, and ignition distributors, for example, are used in vehicle repairs, and are up to 40% cheaper than the equivalent new parts. Around 2.5 million components are re-installed every year.

Compared to production of new parts, this generates 23,000 tonnes less CO2.

The machine tools used in industrial production at Bosch are equipped with variablespeed pump drives. Unlike standard pumps, these recognise part load operations and break times, for example, and adapt their speeds flexibly to suit the current requirements. This saves drive power from the outset, and also reduces heat build-up— many machines no longer require their own cooling system.

Another of their own developments is the IndraLogic PLC lighting system. This ensures that the light in the production halls regulates itself — dependent on daylight and whether there are people present. This innovative system reduces the energy required for lighting by up to 60%.

“The public and the capital market is sensitive to companies’ responsible behaviour, making sustainability a core subject of business success in terms of risks and opportunities.”

Andrea Dorothea Schoen, DB Schenker

“We at Bosch aim to make energy use more efficient, mobility even safer, and more economical while being eco-friendly.”

Volker Bischoff, Robert Bosch Logistics News ME | MAY 2018 | 37

H e av y V e h ic l e s

When the going gets tough LNME previews a new giant for the construction sector

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he concept behind the SLT is simple: toughness and strength. Almost a sideshow to its mainline model siblings, new SLT range variants of the Actros and Arocs also launched last month. Capable of pulling a gross combination weight of 250T, the SLT heavy haulage range is available with three or four axles. So confident is MercedesTrucks in the SLTs, it is almost pushing fleets to test them to their limits in its launch notes.

“Heavy-duty haulage covers some of the most challenging tasks in the transport industry, moving items such as giant turbines and transformers, marine diesel engines, machinery, boilers, and wind power plants,” says the company. “Heavy-haulage vehicles transport loads of several hundred tonnes, with up to 250t GCW when working solo, and up to 750t GCW when working in a train of up to three tractor units. This can result in tractor/trailer combinations of 50 or even 100m in length, which thanks to sophisticated technology in the new SLT models, nevertheless remain manoeuvrable to the nearest centimetre.”

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Designed to beat the heat While the new Actros and Arocs trucks were originally built at the Mercedes-Benz Wörth truck plant in Germany – the world's largest truck plant - they are specifically developed variants for the Middle East and Africa.

Built to withstand the harsh operating conditions, the new Mercedes-Benz Actros and Arocs were tested in six million km of endurance runs performed by the MercedesBenz Trucks Testing Center based in Abu Dhabi.

The key variants of the new SLT include the Actros SLT 6x4 S tractor unit: wheelbase 3300mm or 3900mm, parabolic springs, BigSpace cab, width 2.5m, maximum permissible Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 40t. There is also the Arocs SLT 6x6 AS all-wheel-drive tractor unit: wheelbase 4200mm, parabolic springs, StreamSpace cab, width 2.3m, maximum permissible GVW of 40t. And completing the line-up is the Arocs SLT 8x8 all-wheeldrive tipper chassis: wheelbase 4850mm, parabolic springs, StreamSpace cab, width 2.3m, maximum permissible GVW of 48t.

When Mercedes-Benz Trucks unleashed the SLT models back in 2014, it described them as the vehicles to complete its so-called A-team, which includes not just the Actros and the Arocs but also the Atego and Antos. The key characteristics from the 2014 launch remain, including the enormous torque required to pull the heavy construction and oil and gas loads it is likely to be pulling in the region.

Packed into the front of the vehicle is the Mercedes-Benz OM 473 six-cylinder in-line

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engine, which is a surprisingly unmodified version of the same engine in the Euro III version of the new Actros and Arocs. Likewise, you get the same feature-set of 15.6l displacement in the engine and a maximum output of 425kW (578 hp) and 2800Nm of torque alone. Mercedes-Benz is also releasing data that shows that it operated at an exceptionally low rated seed at 1600rpm. This translates into vast power in the main operating range, claims the company.

“Around 2500Nm of torque are on tap directly from just above idling speed on all variants,” says Mercedes-Benz Trucks. “This gives rise to unusual flexibility and pulling power – a major benefit above all in heavy-duty haulage.

The engine’s outstanding performance also extends to its spontaneous and powerful response to accelerator movements.”

All that power is transmitted by the Mercedes G 280-16 transmission with the Mercedes PowerShift automatic gearshift. Mercedes-Benz says it has boost the transmission for use on the SLT heavy-haulage vehicle, meaning that its 16 gears have been programmed to close ratios and thus ensuring that the appropriate gear is available at all times.

Given the type of work an SLT will have to endure, it is perhaps reassuring to hear that the SLT benefits from extremely simple operation delivered by steering-column stalk.

Unsurprisingly for a Mercedes-Benz-badged truck, the automatic gearshift delivers on its promise of fast and precise gear changes.

And, again, it is a reassuring aid to difficult uphill driving, especially if you are repeating the same undulating terrain. Mercedes PowerShift 3 also detects when the vehicle is operating in overrun mode on a downhill gradient, maintaining the engaged gear in the interests of a maximum braking effect.

The crawl function of Mercedes PowerShift 3 – which operates in much the same way as on the equivalent Volvo models— with manoeuvring mode facilitates moving off and “centimetre-precise” manoeuvring.

Various drive programmes and driving modes have been tailored specifically to the heavy-haulage vehicle’s areas of operations.

Drivers or diligent fleet managers can preselect the Power or Heavy drive programs on the SLT heavy-haulage to find the right gear shifting set-up. There is also a standard driving mode that is suitable for fuel saving, empty runs or when transporting light loads, for example. A manual driving mode enables drivers to select the gears themselves.

The SLTs feature a distinctive bumper centre section featuring an attachment bracket for

“The key characteristics from Khalfest and EMC agree new the 2014 launch supply deal remain, including Emirates Motor Company the enormous Daimler Commercial Vehicles torque required (EMC - CV) says it is supplying a fleet of new Mercedes-Benz to pull the heavy trucks to Abu Dhabi-based specialist Khalfan construction and oil transport Abdullah General Contracting and Transport Est (Khalfest). and gas loads it is EMC – CV, Mercedes-Benz’s authorised distributor in Abu Dhabi, likely to be pulling said a delivery of 15 6x6 trucks last month was the first part of “a longin the region.” term plan to supply” Mercedesa heavy-duty coupling to be deployed in pushing mode. The SLT has the same bumper corners, side components, headlamps, and radiator grille as its respective base vehicle, meaning that it uses plenty of economically efficient large-series parts. In addition to the cooling system for the engine and Turbo Retarder Clutch, its cooling tower also accommodates the hydraulic system, compressed air tank, and fuel tank.

A reinforced frame is the robust backbone of the new heavy-haulage vehicle.

The longitudinal members are unwelded, consisting of cold-worked fine-grained steel, guaranteeing maximum loading capacity. On the side of the frame there is space for the AdBlue tank. The “catwalk”, a platform behind the cooling tower, provides a safe and convenient means for the driver to walk on the frame in front of the fifth wheel coupling.

The new heavy-haulage vehicle is available with various fifth wheel couplings. An adjustment device is also optionally available to optimise the axle loads according to the given payload. For pushing and towing operations – when in use as part of a heavy-duty train, for example – the new heavy-haulage vehicle can be equipped with attachment brackets for heavy-duty couplings at the front and rear. In this case, a Rockinger 56 E coupling and/or a register coupling at the front is used. The heavy-haulage vehicle is also optionally available with a ballast platform.

Benz and Titan trucks.

Announcing the deal, EMC – CV described Khalfest as an important and strategic customer in the off-road and oil field sector, with powerful multi-wheeled haulage vehicles designed to carry extremely heavy loads across long distances.

“EMC - CV has a long and productive relationship with Khalfan Abdullah General Contracting and Transport Est that spans almost two decades,” commented Bilal Alribi, general manager, EMC – CV. “We are delighted to be able to play a key role in the ongoing success of Khalfest, which helps to meet the transport needs of some of the biggest companies in the UAE.” Owner of Khalfest Khalfan Abduallah Al Mazrouie suggested the deal was a recognition of his company’s “successful partnership” with EMC – CV. “Our long-standing relationship with EMC CV is built on the strong foundations of mutual respect and trust, with both companies providing each other with a solid platform for continued success that helps to drive the country forward,” he added.

Logistics News ME | MAY 2018 | 39

T e c h n o lo gy

The personal approach Franz Freiherr von Redwitz, managing director, MAN Truck & Bus Middle East, discusses the company’s new approach to the market

“

Customers are becoming more and more empowered. They demand more for less and our main challenge is to create proactive and personalised solutions in order to meet their expectations,” says Franz Freiherr von Redwitz, managing director, MAN Truck & Bus Middle East, summing up the challenge facing commercial vehicles makers in the region.

He continues: “Staying on top of the latest developments is a full-time job in itself, encompassing everything from team management to technology, safety, and legislation. Innovation and costs associated with creating digital solutions is something I personally see as one of the major challenges for most of the providers in the commercial vehicle industry.”

MAN is tackling this challenge head-on by instigating a hugely ambitious programme of improving the development and production of its vehicles under the appropriately named PACE2017 programme, while also reshaping itself as a leader in the digitalisation of the industry. It is not all white coats and clipboards either, with the company embarking on the CustomerFirst strategy which ties together customer feedback, importer support, and MAN’s own globally spread expertise to understand and tailor-make products and services on an individual fleet-owner basis. Barely a few years into this overhauling of its approach, the benefits are already being felt.

“MAN significantly improved operating profit in 2017. MAN’s operating profit increased significantly to EUR566mn in 2017,” explains von Redwitz. “Sales revenue growth and the PACE2017 programme for the future at MAN Truck & Bus were strong earnings drivers. Demand for trucks, vans, and buses in the commercial vehicles business area recorded largely positive growth in key regions. Following the

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strong recovery in the previous year, the European commercial vehicles market was unchanged at a high level.”

He continues: “The Middle East has undergone through a challenging period, more specifically different industries have been affected, including commercial vehicles, due to the instability of the region and falling oil prices.

However, I can confidently say that we still keep our high market share in most of the markets in the Middle East due to high level of innovation, the quality of our products and services, as well as our strong customer focus that

provide a distinct advantage. We are also making one step forward in the customer-centricity area by rolling out the CustomerFirst programme for the first time in the Middle East.”

Expanding on the point, von Redwitz informs that MAN Truck & Bus Middle East is preparing to launch the programme this year, following its unveiling at the MAN After-Sales Conference in Muscat in March. He explains that the programme uses customer feedback to continuously monitor the performance of MAN and its importers in the region.

“When introduced, it will be the first time

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that a commercial vehicles manufacturer will systematically record data on customer satisfaction to improve service quality in the region. CustomerFirst has already proven to be successful in other markets for MAN and its partners. It has also been awarded at the German Excellence Awards 2018 in February in the “Products & Services - Customer Support” category.”

Turning to new technology, he says MAN Truck & Bus is moving forward and grouping its digitalisation activities from all areas of the company into one business unit.

“Focusing on its digital future plays an important role in the commercial vehicle manufacturer’s ability to compete tomorrow,” he says. “Many firms that were once successful have been overruled by competitors, and such an evolution may potentially affect the majority of large established companies. The major players are aware of the challenges and importance of digital transformation, but they struggle with developing appropriate strategies and technologies to compete. Therefore, MAN is investing into innovation and new technologies, where some of them have already seen the light of the day. For example, e-trucks are already running on the roads in Europe!”

New milestones The beginning of 2018 has seen the company continue to consolidate its position as a leader in the bus segment in the region, including helping the RTA in Dubai with its need for viable public transport within the city’s increasingly densely populated urban environment.

“This is a significant milestone for us, with 79 double-deckers that will be supplied by MAN Truck & Bus to RTA, in order to serve urban areas with high-density ridership,” von Redwitz enthuses. “The double-deckers can accommodate 100 riders and are also equipped with free internet service and USB ports for charging mobile phones. These buses include modern design offering improved accessibility between decks, streamlined internal passenger movement, and customised design to serve people with special needs.”

MAN has also reached another landmark with the addition of the new MAN Lion’s Coach. It sets a new benchmark in luxury, attractiveness, and efficiency, remarks von Redwitz.

“We are a technology innovator and the new MAN Lion’s Coach that was officially launched at BusWorld in Kortrijk Belgium towards the end of 2017 demonstrates MAN Truck & Bus’ commitment to providing world-class transportation solutions. This is a vehicle that provides excellent total cost of

ownership and will also place fleets at the centre of a transformation towards modern, cleaner, and safer transportation in the Middle East,” he says.

“We had also displayed the new Lion’s Coach for the first time in the Middle East at the UITP MENA Exhibition from April 23-25, at Dubai World Trade Centre. Inspired by the lion, the MAN Lion’s Coach, with its modern yet timeless design, marks the beginning of the new MAN bus design language at the front, rear, and sides.”

As MAN Truck & Bus Middle East’s approach to the market and its vehicles have evolved, so have the markets it serves. The beginning of 2018 saw the introduction of VAT in the GCC, a move intended to help fund the region’s continuing development. Von Redwitz says the company has not yet seen a major difference in fleet demand, despite the introduction of the 5% levy in the market.

“The introduction of a VAT regime marks the beginning of a new era in the history of the GCC economy, where businesses across different industries are affected— including commercial vehicles. The implementation of VAT is a natural part of any sustainable economy’s development. We haven’t seen any significant change since VAT has been embedded into the pricing mechanism of the vehicles,” he comments. “However, I’ve seen some challenges when it comes to complex logistics processes related to vehicle sales, imports, etc.”

In addition to VAT, the UAE is also moving

emission standards beyond Euro III this year.

With MAN, a recognised champion of helping the automotive and fleet sectors become greener and more efficient, von Redwitz is unsurprisingly in favour of the move.

“The new emission standards that have been recently introduced are certainly good for the environment and ‘going green’ initiatives,” he remarks. “The standard is set to play a key role in helping the UAE achieve its emission reduction targets and support the country’s sustainability agenda in line with UAE Vision 2021.”

Looking ahead, von Redwitz is confident that fleet demand will improve, and that MAN Truck & Bus Middle East’s growth will accelerate— as long as it continues to present the right value proposition to its customers.

“The instability of the region and falling oil prices have certainly affected the overall regional demand but I see the situation improving, especially in the long run. Managing costs and the pressure to save more year-over-year is persistent with all companies in the region. However, I can see some rise in demand in the UAE, especially because of the Expo 2020, and therefore creating new opportunities for commercial vehicle sector amongst others,” he says. “The competition is fierce and the demand to reduce the costs of the vehicles has been one of the main challenges that most of the commercial vehicle providers are facing in the region. Our strategic primary driver is providing quality and value, as this can then deliver higher profits and customer satisfaction.”

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Event preview

Automechanika Dubai 2018 Automechanika Dubai’s global influence is highlighted by the presence of 25 country pavilions and 36 international trade associations

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lobal automotive aftermarket manufacturers are gearing up for a period of robust business growth in the Middle East, while new research indicates car sales and the corresponding demand for spare parts and auto services is on an upward trend.

IQR is a Spanish producer of lubricants under the brand name Matrax and is launching its operations in the Gulf region to find new partners, while Autopumps from the UK is testing the regional waters for the supply of its aftermarket parts not only for the automotive industry, but for industrial, agricultural, and marine applications.

Cyprus headquartered ALCO Filters is looking to build on its millions of dollars of revenue generated every year in the Middle East for its vast range of 3,500 filters, after establishing a regional presence years ago.

All three are among the more than 1,900 ex-

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hibitors from 57 countries at the upcoming Automechanika Dubai 2018 trade fair.

As the largest international automotive aftermarket trade show in the Middle East, Automechanika Dubai serves some of largest automotive markets such as Saudi Arabia and Iran. The show also acts as the central trading link for markets that are difficult to reach, connecting the wider Middle East, Africa, Asia and key CIS countries.

The 2017 edition saw the participation of 30,322 trade visitors from 136 countries that sourced the latest products and services, plus 1,955 exhibitors from 57 countries, including leading local and international automotive aftermarket companies. The number of key buyers and decision makers attending the exhibition continues to rise each year, making the show an important source of new business contacts.

Automechanika Dubai 2018 is spread over six product sections of parts and components; electronics and systems; accessories and customising; repair and maintenance; car wash, care and reconditioning; and tyres and batteries.

According to analysts TechSci Research, Middle East sales revenue from engine and car components, systems, tyres, and auto accessories, will surpass the $15bn mark by 2021, compared to approximately $12.4bn in 2017, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%.

That’s welcomed by the likes of ALCO, IQR, and Autopumps, along with the hundreds of other exhibitors making their preparations ahead of Automechanika Dubai’s 16th edition, which will take place from May 1 - 3, 2018 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

According to online data aggregator World’s

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Top Exports, Italy exported $12.5bn worth of auto parts and components in 2016 – 3.5% of total global exports for the year ($360.6bn).

The UAE is among the top 10 markets for high quality and genuine Italian auto parts, and now major players are gearing up for more growth using the Automechanika Dubai exhibition as their launch platform, targeting trade buyers from throughout the wider region. An Italian country pavilion comprising 33 manufacturers will be complemented by 37 standalone Italian exhibitors at Automechanika 2018. Over the last eight years, Italian exhibitor space covered at the three-day event has nearly doubled, from 800sqm in 2011 to 1,500sqm in 2018.

Top returning brands covering the entire spectrum of the automotive aftermarket include Brembo, Dayco, Eni, Ravaglioli, ERA, Fiamm, and Metelli, while UFI Filters, a global leader in filtration technology, is exhibiting for the first time.

The upcoming Dubai Expo 2020 has sparked fresh optimism in the UAE automotive aftermarket, with international manufacturers gearing up for new business opportunities as final preparations fall in place ahead of the global mega event.

The Middle East’s first ever world expo is expected to attract more than 25mn people from across the globe, while a price tag of at least $9bn suggests the host emirate is pulling out all the stops to create state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure.

With $3bn worth of venue-related con-

struction contracts awarded in 2017 alone, the increase of commercial and heavy-duty vehicles along with cars is expected to affect a corresponding rise in demand for spare parts and accessories, tyres and batteries, as well as a host of maintenance and upkeep-related infrastructure and services. The business potential has injected new impetus for international players in the auto services industry.

Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Mega events such as the Dubai Expo 2020 do have a multi-sectoral impact on the region with the increase in expenditure for new infrastructure, support systems, logistics, and commercial facilities.

“The impact is reflected among exhibitors at Automechanika Dubai 2018, many of whom are anticipating an injection of aftermarket products and services demand, with the expected rise of vehicle parc. It may also favourably impact Dubai’s total auto parts trade in the coming years, which in 2016, was worth $10.6bn.”

The annual automotive event will return with its popular Truck Competence initiative, where more than 1,500 exhibitors will showcase their products dedicated to the entire value chain in the truck sector, from truck parts and accessories, to workshop equipment, body repairs and care.

It will also feature the popular Automechanika Academy – a series of seminars, presentations, and workshops about key issues and regulations that affect the automotive aftermarket, and the African Buyer-Seller Meet, connecting suppliers with buyers from the world’s second largest continent.

Mega events such as the Dubai Expo 2020 do have a multi-sectoral impact on the region.”

Ahmed Pauwels, CEO, Messe Frankfurt Middle East

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Event preview

Go Smart

The 18th Airport Show aims to incorporate smart principles, redefining visitor experience at one of the biggest aviation events in the world

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he 18th edition of Airport Show will be held from May 7-9 2018, at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre. This year’s event is expected to see nearly 7,500 aviation professionals and key decision-makers, plus the latest innovations and industry players, all under one roof.

National pavilions from Benelux, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Switzerland, UK, and North America will grace the event.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Airports, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and chairman and CEO of Emirates Group, over the past 17 years the Airport Show Dubai has proven to be the best platform for the global airport industry. It is by far the world’s largest exhibition for airports, their ancillary services, and several other aviation related products.

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Last year, the 10,860sqm exhibition hosted more than 300 exhibitors from 50+ countries, featured eight country pavilions, was visited by more than 7,000 aviation professionals, and facilitated nearly 3,700 business meetings, making it an airport business hub unlike any other.

The conferences, which saw global airport heavyweights take centre stage, welcomed 168 delegates from across the globe.

In keeping with Dubai’s strategy of becoming a Smart City, this year’s event will introduce the cloud-based event management platform Poken. The smart technology, which combines SaaS registration software, NFC enabled smart badges, NFC touchpoints, Visit Connect lead capture app, and intelligence dashboards, drives digital engagement on the show floor to maximise the experience of exhibitors and visitors.

Tools like Visit and Poken by GES touch-

points will be available on every exhibitor stand, media walls, feature areas, and theatres. Visitors can tap their smart badge against any content they are interested in and download at a time to suit them. Exhibitors will not need to create printed marketing collateral and will generate visitor driven leads as well as their own qualified leads.

Daniyal Qureshi, group exhibition director, RX Middle East, says: “We are always eager to explore the latest innovations that enter the events industry to ultimately increase the vibrancy of our visitors’ experience. When we learnt how powerful the Visit and Poken tools were, we just couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to implement them in our planning. We feel the smart exhibition will not only enhance the visitor experience, but also help exhibitors increase their return on investment and give a variety of benefits to us as organisers.”

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Supported by the Dubai Government and private sectors, the 18th edition of the Airport Show will bring even more innovations and features in 2018. Air Traffic Control (ATC) Forum will make its debut this year, a vital discussion given how air congestion has become an important topic due to growth in flight movements, and passenger and cargo volumes. According to projections by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), there will be approximately 1.85 million flights in 2030 per annum to and from the UAE, with over 5,200 daily air traffic movements. Dubai Airports is expected to handle over 100 million passengers by 2020. Aircraft movements in the region will witness a 5.2% annual growth by 2030, according to International Civil Aviation Organisation.

The Global Airport Leaders’ Forum (GALF), organised by CAPA - Centre for Avi-

We are always eager to explore the latest innovations that enter the events industry to ultimately increase the vibrancy of our visitors’ experience.”

Daniyal Qureshi, RX Middle East

ation, will witness global airport leaders discuss key strategic issues and challenges facing airports, as new technologies come online, and tougher regulations create downward pressure on traditional revenue streams. The forum will explore how airports can adapt their business models, implement smart innovations, and embrace collaborative partnerships with airlines to adapt and flourish in the digital age.

Key issues in debate at this year’s event includes smart airports, IT and automation, airport retailing, passenger experience enhancement, airline-airport partnership, airport privatisation, infrastructure financing, airport collaborative decision making (ACDM), robotics in airports, aerotropolis, and air traffic control (ATC).

Speakers include Dubai Airports CEO, Paul Griffiths; Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) director general and CEO of dans, Mohammed Abdullah Ahli; CAPA-Centre for Aviation executive chairman, Peter Harbison; Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s chief data scientist, Eric Tyree; Bahrain Airport Company CEO, Mohammed Al BinFalah; Fraport AG senior executive vice president, Karl-Heinz Dietrich; Oman Airports Management Company CEO, Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed Al Hosni; Pittsburgh International Airport CEO, Christina Cassotis; and Redwater Consulting Group managing director, Anthony Cicuttini.

Airport Show will also see the Women in Aviation conference on May 9, with a strong focus on supporting the GCC governments’ initiative of empowering women in high skilled roles, including aviation. The conference will be attended by inspirational female aviation professionals from within the Arab world and internationally, key aviation officials from across the region, senior women managers working in aviation and aerospace across the Middle East, female students at colleges and universities providing aviation, aerospace and engineering qualifications, and heads of HR at regional aviation businesses and government entities.

Another co-located event at the show includes Airport Security Middle East, which will bring together global and regional aviation, security, government, policy and business leaders and experts, to share their insights and discuss potential risks, regional security projects, and how to successfully implement new security strategies and technologies. The conference will also play an important role in examining regional challenges with regards to airport security, information sharing, digital protection, risk management, screening, and technologies of the future.

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Vi e w p o i n t

Omnipresent business Supply chain experts analyse the ominchannel consumer experience

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onsumers are radically changing the way they shop. The tsunami-like smartphone revolution caught retailers by surprise and has brought with it unpredictable changes that were unforeseeable five years ago.

Consumers no longer use one single channel to shop. They usually mix a number of sources to decide which product they want and where to buy it. Instead of going to a shop on a Saturday afternoon, who hasn’t discovered a nice gadget, gone online to visit the product website, checked a number of forums for consumer reviews, and looked it up on Facebook? Once we choose the product, we search the Internet again to find the best shop to buy it, either online or onsite, and maybe even ask for it to be delivered to an address other than where we live.

The result of adapting the product marketing to this new consumer experience is called omnichannel. Companies need to develop new strategies to communicate and engage with their consumers, offering a consistent message across all of the channels where users access information about their products.

Just as it is happening in the marketing field, big data and the digital revolution are rapidly transforming our supply chains. The access to much more data in real time has revolutionised the way purchasing, sales, transport, and logistics operate. To survive in this new scenario, companies need to adapt to the omnichain.

The way we understand it, the omnichain is a chain that can manage different types of demands by being able to identify every single piece or component with its location and handle it in a differentiated way. In the past, companies designed and optimised their supply chains to fulfill the demands of customers and consumers. If there were different segments of customers with different needs, it made sense to design differentiated supply chains. Today, this distinction has disappeared. Now one multi-supply chain is able to manage all the different customer segments.

In a world in which each part of the supply chain offers so many alternatives and goes beyond the company to connect chains that up until now were independent, the linear value chain turns into a complex system in which any player can change and assume new positions very fast. These inter-connected chains are alive. Similar to neurons, they develop new connections and find shortcuts at an amazing speed, generating multiple flows, and multidirectional exchanges of informa-

Views shared by: Carlos Cordon is the LEGO professor of Supply Chain Management at IMD, where he teaches about leading the Global Supply Chain program and is director of the IMD Global Value Chain Center (VC2020).

Pablo Caballero is global lead of Capability NetworkOperations, part of Accenture Strategy.

Teresa Ferreiro is the VC2020 Research Project Manager. tion. This new universe can no longer be linear, and it evolves towards a more integrated concept, the omnichain.

How does the omnichain affect each of the steps of the value chain?

Making Methods such as 3D printing or digital manufacturing have made it possible for a factory to receive instructions digitally and automatically adapt the production line. As a consequence, the company can make a brand-new item in a very short time frame, shortcutting previous steps, thus sending the order directly to manufacturing rather than involving all the supply chain levels as happened before.

Buying The omnichain increases transparency. Information about the suppliers, prices, contracts, and conditions is updated in real time and through multiple channels. Information can therefore be compared much faster and more options are available.

Moving The real-time information available through

the omnichain makes the supply chain more efficient and faster, preventing bottlenecks.

Planning The huge amount of information provided by the omnichain makes it easier for different players to make faster and more automated decisions. This is key, as it implies that some steps, which previously required human intervention, can now be made automatically.

In addition, it helps anticipate the whole system’s future behaviours.

Service The relationship with the consumer becomes more complex as products evolve from what they used to be; just devices, to an experience.

B2B companies such as Michelin, which traditionally sold products like tyres, are now selling services: the kilometres that you travel with those tyres. The omnichain has dramatically changed the companies’ approach towards consumers.

Design Product design and development is no longer restricted to in-company experts. Consumers now have the opportunity to take an active role. They can introduce modifications to an existing product which can be implemented very fast. Similarly, the amount of connections that the omnichain creates and the way information can now be shared makes it possible for multiple companies to collaborate on the same design.

Product Products are now enhanced with additional digital components and other customised services. The consumer has the chance to interact a lot more, changing the whole consuming experience from linear and one-directional, to non-linear and interactive.

As we have seen, the omnichain turns the existent linear supply chain into a multidimensional chain that goes in every direction, creating new connections. In addition, it allows consumers to step in and share their feedback at any time at any level of production, not only to the retailer once the final product is delivered. The implications of this evolution will affect not only value chains but whole ecosystems that are now in place.

Now it is up to companies to anticipate and adapt to the changes that the omnichain will bring with it.

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C o mm e r ci a l v e h ic l e s

Challenging the norms

Ford Trucks’ new 6x4 Tractor Head series boasts advanced specifications to cement the company’s Middle East business, says its regional MD

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Officials at the 6x4 tractor head launch event in Dubai

W

hen Ford Trucks started its operations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in 2014, the only vision that they had was to reach out to as many customers as possible. With a history that goes back more than 60 years in the Middle East, soon Ford Trucks climbed the ladder of success, boasting of 10 distributors in the region by 2015.

The managing director of Ford Trucks Middle East, Mustafa Caner Sinanoglu, remarks: “The Middle East is one of the most important regions in our export strategies. We are constantly expanding our network in Saudi Arabia and in the UAE, we are adding Fujairah as well in 2018. In Oman, we started in Muscat and later on, we added Sohar and Salalah.

The last dealer that we added was Alghanim Auto in Kuwait; they have already started very strong and I can say that they have grabbed 5% of the market share in the last quarter.”

In the UAE, the company recently entered the 6x4 truck market with its new launch. Its official importer-dealer in the UAE, Al Tayer Motors, launched the new 6x4 Tractor Head, with advanced specifications such as 10mm 500 MPa strong steel chassis, twin clutch, 16-speed ZF manual transmission, and day and sleeper cab options.

The 24-inch tyres provide superior ground

clearance and high traction in extreme and challenging conditions, while the high front axle capacity increases its durability, and the high towing capacity allows transportation of heavy loads.

Sinanoglu points out: “With this 6x4 tractor series, we will gain more market share because when we look at the UAE market, 40% of it is dominated by 6x4 trucks. Until now, we didn’t have this product. Our customers were asking for 24-inch tyres. So, when 24-inch tyres became available with us, we decided to launch our vehicles in the UAE. “We are receiving some really positive feedback from the customers that we have tried on with. We believe that we will be successful very soon in this segment as well. We just had the launch event in Dubai. Other launch events will follow in Oman, Saudi, Qatar, and Kuwait.”

In a statement during the launch event, Ashok Khanna, CEO of Al Tayer Motors, said: “As a truly competitive, viable, and economical alternative, the Ford Trucks 6x4 Tractor Head series are powerful and capable vehicles tailored to meet the specific needs of the UAE market. The 3543T is now equipped with 24-inch tyres in response to the market requirement, and is currently being offered with a

comprehensive warranty that can be extended up to five years.”

Powered by a 12.7l engine, the 6x4 Tractor head is a popular and preferred axle configuration, mainly because of its capacity to move heavy loads and having better grip on off-road conditions such as construction and quarry sites; for delivering power to more tyres— thereby producing better control and overall vehicle operation; and being ideal for long distance haulage.

Offering comfort and exceptional uphill traction, the 2018 6x4 Tractor Head series delivers an impressive 430PS at 1800rpm and 2150Nm of torque between 1000 - 1300rpm.

The optional 600kW Intarder option offered for even tougher conditions brings the total braking capacity to 1,000kW, ensuring that the heaviest loads can be carried safely on even the steepest slopes.

The company promises the vehicles to offer quality and durability with low cost of ownership. Additionally, models such as 1843T tractor, 1833 (4x2), 3543P/M/D (6x4), and 4143M/D (8x4) can be customised with transmission and cabin modules for on-road and off road conditions. Designed for the most demanding environments, with best-in-class sequence and efficiency, an important feature

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Hot Climate Package Hot Climate Package provides comfort in hot and dusty environments with improved A/C and radiator performance, and cabin isolation and filtration. The package was developed over a two-year period of vehicle durability tests in simulated laboratory conditions and also tailored to specific customer expectations through a series of road tests in the region. The Hot Climate Package is offered across the entire product line-up for the UAE. Development process of the new Ford Trucks Series • €150mn invested in the development of Ecotorq engines and new Ford Trucks.

• 750 engineers worked for four years.

• The trucks covered more than two million km of test drive in eight different regions.

• The new Ford Trucks Series was tested in eight countries across three continents, under the world’s toughest conditions, and prepared for the users. in the new Ford Series is the Automated Transmission option. With off-road, rocking, and economy modes, the Automated Transmission option assists drivers in keeping their vehicle sure-footed on virtually any terrain.

Sinanoglu says that Ford Trucks is continually focussed on building long-term relationship with its customers by understanding the true need of each customer and the regional requirements. “It is always Ford Trucks’ aim to provide a unique experience to each customer by finding the right solution based upon their business needs. As a reflection of Ford Trucks’ global aspect, our new series has been designed and developed with consideration of our GCC clients’ needs and market requirements.

“Furthermore, Ford Trucks aims to continue being a true business partner even after the customers’ purchasing. Besides providing wide range of products, we also offer entire service and support benefits at after sales period. Ac-

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Mustafa Caner Sinanoglu, managing director, Ford Middle East

cording to customers’ business needs, we offer both preventive service contract and comprehensive service contracts, which customers can always tailor to their operating requirements.

“Also, fuel consumption is the main DNA of this new series. Amidst the high competition, if you don’t have good fuel consumption figures, you will not be able to sell any trucks. The main aim of our product development engineers was the designing of the engines with high torque levels, helping in lowering the fuel consumption.”

The new Ford Trucks series continues to save after purchase, offering a competitive advantage with 25% reduced maintenance costs. The service periods extended up to 40,000km/800 hours offer will allow the customers to have the most competitive maintenance advantage in the logistics and construction sectors.

In addition to the above, Sinanoglu mentions certain considerations that make the Ford

3543T competitive in the market, including less down time, low fuel consumption, extended warranty, on-site maintenance and repair services – mobile workshop sites increase vehicle uptime, and the Ford Driver Academy focussing on the principles of safe driving under tough working conditions such as hazardous material transportation and construction sites.

He says: “The vehicles will be available in Euro III and Euro V at very competitive prices.

We will also offer a comprehensive after-sales and a maintenance service package. We will continue to offer special discounted prices for the new trucks.

“In 2019, we expect optimistic numbers.

2017 was tough; the UAE business was stable, while Saudi Arabia was affected in terms of volume. But 2018 is different; we are receiving more requests than last year, and our fleets will start getting delivered soon. We are in good shape.”

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TRUCKS

Supplier News

Supplier News

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U p dat i n g yo u o n t h e r e g i o n ’ s s u p p l i e r s

FarEye launches new supply chain visibility suite

Digital logistics platform FarEye launched its new supply chain visibility suite, ORBIT, which allows enterprises to have complete visibility of goods in transit from the plant right through to the final destination.

The suite – a ‘platform for predictability’ for freight movement – enables organisations to customise their logistics processes, integrates with TMS and WMS systems, allows datadriven transporter allocation, digital proof of delivery, and provides live ETA updates for the entire journey.

ORBIT claims to address one of the fundamental issues facing the industry today – greater visibility – and gives businesses the ability to make timesensitive data-backed decisions.

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The suite, which works for reverse logistics as well, also integrates with 3PL (thirdparty logistics) systems to provide full visibility at every step. In addition, the FarEye suite integrates with GPS devices and temperature sensors to alert companies to any potential or actual problems with the goods while in transit, and features item level tracking and event-specific alerts.

FarEye’s Delivery Happiness Dashboards make it possible to track KPIs like vendor performance, bottlenecks in transit etc., enabling data-backed business decisions. The suite also automates logistics processes with mobile applications including digital proof of delivery.

Continental acknowledged for road safety initiative German tyre manufacturer, Continental, has received an acknowledgement award at the Global Infrastructure Congress (GIC) in Dubai for its recent road safety initiative, urging UAE motorists to maintain high alertness levels to promoter safe driving on the roads.

Hosted under the patronage of Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development, UAE, the award was presented by Eng Hassan Al Mansoori, Under Secretary of Ministry of Infrastructure Development UAE to Continental Middle East represented

by Martin Oern, head of finance and Tobias Heilmann, head of human resources.

The official recognition of Continental’s safety initiative comes in line with what the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently highlighted about the fact that poor concentration, inattentiveness and tiredness raise the likelihood of crashes. Continental’s regional road safety initiative reveals how UAE motorists turn to different types of caffeinated drinks to help them maintain concentration and prevent road injuries. According to UAE authorities, road accidents are considered one of the leading causes for death of children in the country.

Commenting on the award, Jose Luis de la Fuente, managing director of Continental Middle East, said: “As road safety con-

tinues to be a major issue in the UAE and worldwide, it boosts our motivation to develop innovative solutions for a safer driving experience, while contributing to our Vision Zero initiative. We are so proud to receive such a highly-esteemed award, and this recognition from GIC confirms our ongoing commitment to raising awareness on road safety among motorists as well as developing not only award-winning but also effective and lifechanging initiatives.”

The award-winning initiative was powered by a study, conducted by YouGov and commissioned by Continental as part of its Vison Zero safety initiative. Endorsed by UAE-based Medical Doctor and DHA-certified Clinical Dietician, Dr Dana Al-Hamwi, Continental’s initiative warned of the dangers of relying on certain types of caffeinated drinks to enhance levels of alertness.

As a frontrunner in automotive technological advancements and road safety, Continental is a dedicated advocate of greater safety on the roads – the company’s global Vision Zero initiative aims to totally eradicate road accidents and achieve zero fatalities, zero injuries, and zero accidents on the roads.

The survey was commissioned by Continental as part of its approach to delivering Vision Zero through enhancing drivers’ knowledge, attitude and awareness. www.cbnme.com

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Swisslog, KUKA announce integrated CarryPick solution Swisslog, in close collaboration with the KUKA Group, claims to strengthen CarryPick by bringing the mobile goods-toperson system in-house.

CarryPick, an automated storage and order fulfilment system, is a flexible, scalable asset for delivering high value to customers in multichannel fulfilment operations.

The CarryPick system’s new KMP600 AGV was developed in close collaboration between KUKA and Swisslog. Synergies have allowed for a number of technical enhancements that make the AGV suitable for use in multiple industries.

The CarryPick solution will be globally supported as part of the KUKA portfolio.

According to Dr Christian Baur, COO Swisslog Group and CEO Swisslog Logistics Automation: “Aside from the distinct advantages of the new system, it also comes with comprehensive service from our global support network. Its stability leads to better results for our customers by reducing downtime and improving Wi-Fi capabilities.”

This new approach will offer Swisslog and KUKA customers the ability to interact with a single supplier, lower risk, and support from a global service network.

“We are now able to perfectly

integrate all components, adapt them quickly to new market challenges and test them in diverse scenarios,” added Dr Baur. “This will yield advantages that will make the new CarryPick system more easily aligned to customer needs.”

With all components of the CarryPick system, from the AGV through software and support, located in-house, Swisslog will be able to further develop the entire solution to meet exact customer requirements. A dedicated team of experts will collaborate closely with the customer, ensuring answers to the most important questions and service assistance are available from a single source.

Swisslog and KUKA also identified software as a critical factor for a seamless and positive user experience.

With a specific CarryPick module within Swisslog’s new SynQ software platform, the customer will no longer need to run several different software systems, reducing the risk of errors and downtime.

The SynQ software offers operational processes specific to Swisslog solutions and customer industry segments, which means that users are able to choose the precise functionality they need.

Agility launches integrated online freight service

Agility announced the launch of Shipa Freight, the first fully integrated online freight service that allows users to get rate quotes and book, pay, and track ocean, and air shipments around the world.

Shipa Freight claims to provide instant, no-obligation rate quotes from the countries that account for 95% of global trade and is said to allow users to manage their international shipments with a simple, easy-to-use tool accessible by desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile app.

Tarek Sultan, CEO, Agility, said: “Shipa Freight is a simple, technology-driven answer for small and mediumsize businesses trying to take the complexity out of their international shipping. It gives them the transparency, flexibility, competitive pricing, and customer service that the industry offers only to multi-nationals and high-volume customers.”

Shipa Freight is backed by Agility’s global network of more than 22,000 employees in 500 branches and over 100 countries. It gives customers the support of a global network and allows small and medium-size companies to access the world’s growing markets. Agility customer support is said to be available 24/7 to help them book and manage their shipments, or to get rates for routes not quoted online.

“Shipa Freight’s digital platform allows users to complete a shipment completely online,” said Toby Edwards, CEO of Shipa Freight. “This includes shipment booking, a range of payment options, and online tracking, which have not been widely available for small and mediumsize businesses until now.”

In a recent Agility survey of 800 SMEs, small and medium-size companies said they needed the complexity taken out of compliance, customs requirements, and crossborder bureaucracy if they were to do more international trade. Shipa Freight is aimed to help customers overcome these issues by providing a compliance database with information on documents required on all trade lanes, helping them navigate the legal and regulatory requirements that are obstacles for many small businesses.

“Shipa Freight is unique among online freight services,” said Sultan. “It offers both air and ocean, including Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) options. It provides users with the ability to manage their freight from start to finish via quote-book-pay-track features and 24/7 customer service. And it makes use of Agility’s existing global network and scale, which means it’s got built-in flexibility, expertise, and deep understanding of how to move freight around the world.”

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The key exhibitions, conferences, and seminars coming up this month

May

1-3

May

1-3

Automechanika Dubai Dubai, UAE Automechanika is the world’s biggest trade fair for the automotive service industry, with visitors and exhibitors from industries such as automotive sport, workshop equipment, tyres and batteries, parts and components, electronics and systems, repair and maintenance, accessories and customising, etc. The Dubai edition is the most sought-after event in this part of the world, with industry experts proclaiming it to be the perfect time to explore new products, find new suppliers, connect with new distributors and wholesalers, while comparing product alternatives. The number of official country pavilions taking part this year is 25, which includes the world’s largest German pavilion for the automotive aftermarket industry.

Multimodal 2018 1-3 May 2018 Birmingham, UK Now in its 11th year, Multimodal is the United Kingdom and Ireland’s recognised freight transport, logistics, and supply chain management event. Attracting nearly 9,500 attendees in 2017, the event is characterised by key vertical sectors, including manufacturing, retail, agribusiness, chemical, automotive, electronics, FMCG, F&B, fashion, pharmaceuticals, construction, aerospace, energy, real estate, recycling, paper/print and perishables, amongst others, whilst horizontally, the show covers all modes of transportation, including sea, road, rail, air, and inland waterways.

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Transport Logistic China Shanghai, China Transport Logistic China is Asia’s leading trade fair for logistics, mobility, IT, and supply chain management, and acts as the business platform for, and the driving force behind China’s logistics and transport industry. With nearly 500 exhibitors from 45 countries and an audience coming from nearly all industrial countries worldwide, it has become one of the most important fairs of its kind in Asia over the last few years. Together with air cargo China, PeriLog – fresh logistics Asia, and China International Logistics Week, Transport Logistic China 2018 promises to act as a great platform for the entire spectrum of logistics products, technologies, and services showcased altogether.

Breakbulk Europe Bremen, Germany For more than a decade, Breakbulk Europe has served as the networking hub for industry professionals who do business in Europe— or would like to. The event provides a dynamic conference, along with a range of educational and training workshops — intensive all-day classes held the day before the exhibition opens— as well as many on-the-floor sessions.

The three-day event brings together exhibitors and sponsors, which include cargo owners, ocean carriers, freight forwarders, ports/ terminals, heavy haulers, equipment companies and more, that are involved in this specialised industry. www.cbnme.com