Automate-X provides rapid, flexible warehouse automation for ANZ markets.
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MHD Supply Chain Solutions magazine is recognised by the Australian Supply Chain Institute, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Australia, the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia and the Singapore Logistics and Supply Chain Management Society.
As we close out the year with our final edition, it’s important to acknowledge the transformative shifts occurring within our industry.
This year has been marked by significant developments that underscore the resilience and adaptability of our sector. From strategic appointments at major logistics firms to the unveiling of new facilities and innovative programmes, these initiatives reflect a proactive response to evolving market demands.
For instance, DHL’s leadership changes in the Asia-Pacific region signal an investment in talent and strategy that aligns with the growing complexities of logistics. Similarly, the announcement of Toll’s facility construction represents not just growth for the company but also a commitment to enhancing operational capabilities to better serve customers. These initiatives highlight the importance of strategic planning and investment in infrastructure to navigate the dynamic landscape of supply chain management.
The increasing focus on sustainability is a key theme this year, exemplified by Coles’ recent unveiling of a new distribution centre in Kemps Creek. This facility not only highlights the company’s commitment to eco-friendly practices but also incorporates advanced technology to enhance its supply chain operations.
strategy that can drive efficiency and enhance corporate responsibility. Amazon’s introduction of the Delivery Service Partner programme in Australia showcases how businesses can leverage local resources and expertise to improve service delivery. This initiative not only creates opportunities for small entrepreneurs, but also reinforces the idea that collaboration within the industry can lead to innovative solutions.
As we reflect on these stories, a crucial narrative emerges: our industry is not merely responding to challenges but actively shaping its future. The past year has been a testament to our collective ability to innovate, adapt, and collaborate in the face of uncertainty.
Looking ahead, let us continue to embrace these principles. By prioritising innovation, sustainability, and collaboration, we can build a more resilient and forward-thinking industry that not only meets the needs of today but anticipates the demands of tomorrow.
Together, we can navigate the complexities of the supply chain landscape and ensure that our sector thrives in the years to come.
without written permission of the publisher. The Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published. The opinions expressed in MHD are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.
These steps illustrate that sustainability is not merely an add-on but a core component of business
Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to what the Editor, MHD Supply Chain Solutions
With their famous advanced manufacturing technologies and innovative energy solutions, Toyota forklifts have been a leader in quality, reliability and durability for more than 60 years. That’s why when you choose to partner with Toyota Material Handling, you’re choosing not only the World’s number one forklift brand*, you also get the ongoing support of Australia’s most dedicated service and parts network, and that’s just part of the Toyota Forklift Advantage.
*#1 Forklift brand worldwide. DHF Intralogistics online 2023.
14
Automate-X client-centric warehouse automation solutions using Geek+ robotics technology
18 Logical Outlook on automation and data shaping the industry
23 Körber integrates MercuryGate TMS, enhancing supply chains
49 Cradlepoint transforms logistics operations using 5G technology
52 Amazon DSP empowers Australian entrepreneurs with logistics support
20 Heli enhances client’s operations with lithium-ion forklifts
26 Toyota’s walkie stacker improving safety and efficiency
46 Jungheinrich provides solutions to Toll Group
29 Komatsu partners with BHD for customised storage solutions
33 Komatsu implements Swisslog AutoStore, boosting efficiency and sustainability
36 Ferag’s doWarehouse unifies logistics systems, enhancing efficiency
40 Adaptalift expands reach, diversifies products, and enhances customer service
43 Addverb Australia transforms industries with automation, and flexible software solutions
54 SCLAA reviewing 2024 and plans for 2025
55 ASCI’s courses and exams
57 People on the Move
58 Product Showcase
Coles has opened its second Automated Distribution Centre (ADC) as part of its more than $1 billion investment in technology-led innovation.
The Kemps Creek ADC was recently opened by Coles Group Chairman James Graham and Coles Group CEO Leah Weckert.
Located 40 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD, the ADC has been designed to provide better availability for customers and create safer, more efficient outcomes for team members and suppliers.
The site spans 187,000 square metres, which is the equivalent size of around 25 rugby league fields. With a building size of 66,000 square metres, it’s one of the biggest automated distribution centres in the world.
Once operating at capacity, the Kemps Creek facility will service 229 New South Wales and ACT stores, with the site able to process more than four million cartons per week, the equivalent of 32 million products sold in stores. Over the course of a year, this is around 1.6 billion sales units.
It is part of the company’s single biggest capital investment in its 110-year history.
The first ADC opened in Redbank, Queensland in May last year and has since processed more than 140 million cartons, with customers in Queensland and Northern New South Wales seeing a 20 per cent improvement in availability compared to other stores.
The new DC steps up Coles investment into the state of NSW with the company also investing in its MilkCo facility at Erskine Park, and online Customer Fulfillment Centre at Wetherill Park.
Kemps Creek and Redbank ADCs form the two parts of a $1 billion plus investment in technology-led innovation for a more efficient, sustainable, and safer supply chain.
Coles is also investing around $400 million across two online Customer Fulfillment Centres, one in Wetherill Park, NSW and the other in Truganina, VIC.
Chief Executive Officer Leah Weckert said she was proud of all the work the team had put into the opening of Coles’ second ADC.
“Today marks a key milestone on our roadmap to enhance our supply chain and improve our operating efficiency, with a world-class facility that will deliver improved availability for our NSW customers,” she said.
“We have seen great improvements
in availability for our customers in Queensland and Northern New South Wales following the opening of Redbank ADC in Queensland last year – and I’m excited to see this second ADC bring these same benefits to NSW.
“This facility also delivers a stepchange for the safety of our team, with the elimination of around 16 million kilograms of manual handling every week.”
Coles Group Chairman James Graham AM said he was pleased to see this major investment in Coles’ supply chain come to fruition.
“Over 4,400 people contributed more than 1.8 million working hours to building the site, installing the automation and getting the system ready for operation – it is an achievement that everyone should be very proud of.”
The Kemps Creek ADC is fitted with 3.5-megawatt solar solution on the roof, which is among the largest rooftop solar solution in the Coles network, with the Coles Group to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy by the end of FY25.
To minimise food waste, edible food that can’t be processed to the stores will be donated to Coles’ community partners Foodbank and SecondBite. ■
To address the rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape, fashion 3PL Radial partnered with Dematic to implement an advanced Bin-to-Picker AMRs solution with intelligent software, designed to significantly reduce order processing times and operational costs. The result is enhanced supply chain efficiency, allowing Radial to meet customer demands swiftly and accurately.
With improved inventory management, increased order accuracy, and higher customer satisfaction, Radial enjoys a scalable, robust fulfilment system that adapts to market changes and seasonal peaks, setting a new standard in e-commerce fulfilment.
Learn more at dematic.com
Australia Post and IKEA have announced a new strategic partnership, entering into a three-year agreement to further expand IKEA’s delivery footprint in Australia.
With ten stores located in six states and territories Australia-wide, the Swedish retailer’s focus on omnichannel retailing through e-commerce and remote selling channels has sparked exponential parcel growth over the past five years, with more than 500,000 parcel orders being fulfilled in FY24.
Under the new multi-million-dollar deal, Australia Post becomes IKEA’s primary eCommerce fulfilment partner for small and medium parcels, accounting for approximately 65 per cent of the company’s total number of parcel orders.
With 23 per cent of all IKEA Australia parcel orders delivered to areas outside the reach of metro stores, Australia Post will support the expansion of IKEA deliveries across its network, reaching
most regional and remote parts of Australia.
The widespread Australia Post collection points across Australia will also benefit IKEA customers, who will be able to pick up their IKEA parcel orders from locations such as their local Post Office.
“Australia Post is proud to be chosen as IKEA Australia’s trusted delivery partner. With our robust infrastructure and efficiency for customers, we have built the largest delivery network in the country,” says Australia Post CEO and Managing Director, Paul Graham.
“We look forward to supporting the continued growth as they expand their customer reach in Australia through our extensive delivery capabilities.”
“As an omnichannel retailer, our goal is to bring IKEA to more people, in more ways and in more places, making it easier and more convenient than ever before for Australians to shop with us
to create homes they love,” says Mirja Viinanen, IKEA Australia CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer
“We’re famous for our flatpack furniture. However, what our customers don’t always realise is much of the IKEA home furnishing range is available to them in a parcel via the post. Partnering with Australia’s largest delivery provider allows us to greatly enhance our accessibility for our customers in this way.
Australia Post is projected to deliver over 250,000 IKEA parcels each year under the agreement, offering both Parcel Post and Express Post delivery options for customers across the country. Sustainable delivery solutions also underpin the partnership, with Australia Post operating the country’s largest electric delivery vehicle fleet, contributing to IKEA Australia’s ambition to offer zero-emission deliveries.
The three-year partnership launched this October. ■
DSV A/S (“DSV”) has signed an agreement with Deutsche Bahn to acquire 100 per cent of Schenker AG (“Schenker”) and its affiliates in an all-cash transaction. The transaction values Schenker at DKK 107 billion on an Enterprise Value basis.
The acquisition of Schenker is a transformative transaction for DSV. DSV and Schenker will have a combined revenue of DKK 293 billion (based on pro-forma 2023 full-year financials) and a joint workforce of around 147,000 employees across more than 90 countries.
The combination of the two businesses will create economies of scale and provide a unique offering for our customers, with the addition of highly skilled employees, an enhanced global network, comprehensive solutions and digitalised products and services.
The commercial and operational fit between all three divisions of DSV
and Schenker will provide strong opportunities to develop the combined business in the coming years, which in turn will contribute to growth, job creation and strong financial returns.
“This is a transformative event in DSV’s history, and we are very excited to join forces with Schenker,” says Jens H. Lund, CEO, DSV.
“With the acquisition, we bring together two strong companies, creating a world-leading transport and logistics powerhouse that will benefit our employees, customers and shareholders.”
“The sale of DB Schenker to DSV marks the largest transaction in DB’s history and provides our logistics subsidiary with clear growth prospects,” says Richard Lutz, CEO, Deutsche Bahn.
“It has been important for us to find a strong partner for Schenker and a long-term home for the employees of the company.”
“DB Schenker is one of the most
DB Schenker has a global footprint and is utilising technology to drive added value for customers.
powerful and innovative teams in transportation and logistics with more than 150 years of experience, ” says Jochen Thewes, CEO of Schenker.
“The recent years have been the most successful in our company’s history and we have proven that DB Schenker is fit for the future. We are excited about the future prospects of the combined business. Together with DSV, our goal is to transform the industry and build a truly global market leader with joint European roots for the best of our employees and our customers.” ■
Amazon Australia has invested $490 million in opening two new fulfilment centres (FC) in Western Sydney with both opening in early 2026.
Once the Horsley Park-based facilities are operational, Amazon Australia says it will create more than 1000 local jobs, ranging from entry-level roles with on-the-job training, to skilled roles in areas such as operations, HR, engineering and workplace health and safety.
“Amazon Australia’s investment in two new facilities in Western Sydney will expand our operational footprint in this area, which will provide customers with wider selection and faster delivery,” says Amazon Australia Operations Manager, Sandra McNeil.
“We are committed to improving selection and delivery speed as demand continues to grow, as well as being dedicated to giving back to the
communities in which we operate.”
New South Wales Premier, The Hon. Chris Minns; Planning Minister, The Hon. Paul Scully MP; Minister for Roads, The Hon. John Graham, MLC; Amazon Australia Country Manager, Janet Menzies; and Goodman General Manager, Western Sydney Developments, Stephanie Partridge broke ground on one of the new fulfilment centres today at Goodman and Brickworks’ Oakdale East Industrial Estate in Horsley Park.
This purpose-built FC, which is targeting completion in early 2026, will be around four and a half times the size of the Opera House (80,000 sqm) and has capacity to hold up to 1.6 million large items sold on Amazon.com.au such as garden equipment, furniture and flat screen TVs.
Construction of the site has commenced, which will generate an additional 3000 jobs during
“Today we’re not only announcing job creation, but we’re also recognising the result of great collaboration with planning authorities and administrators to boost the Western Sydney economy,” says Jason Little, CEO Australia, Goodman Group.
The second FC, located also in Horsley Park, is a fit out of an existing building. The 33,400 sqm site, which will have the capacity to hold up to 600,000 larger items – is set to open later this year and will have created an additional 500 construction jobs once it has been completed. ■
Woolworths has revealed plans for its first Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) in Western Australia, which will be located in Mirrabooka, Perth North to serve an increasing demand for online grocery orders from Perth’s growing population. The CFC will be dedicated to filling online orders for home delivery and Direct to Boot, with its team of personal shoppers hand-picking products from shelves and fridges inside the 7800sqm warehouse, which will be modelled on a large-scale supermarket without customers.
While Woolworths stores will continue to pick and pack online orders, the new CFC will boost the retailers’ eCommerce capacity, increasing next-day fleet delivery capacity by more than 50 per cent across the greater Perth metro area, meaning more customers will be able to book an order window
that suits them best.
Woolworths Managing Director eComX, Sally Copland said: “We’re delighted to announce WA’s first Customer Fulfilment Centre, which will help us better meet the needs of Perth’s growing population for fast and convenient online groceries.”
The $23.8 million development received state planning approval last week, with initial projections forecasting construction to commence by early 2026 and be operational in 2027. The CFC is expected to create approximately 150 new jobs through construction, with more than 400 jobs in the area for personal shoppers, management roles and home delivery drivers upon completion.
While Woolworths’ home delivery trucks will carry orders from the site to customers’ doorsteps, the development will also include 12 Direct to Boot
parking bays for local customer orders to be collected on-the-go.
The unveiling of the new CFC comes as Perth’s population continues to grow, with the city forecast to become Australia’s third largest city after Sydney and Melbourne by 2050.
The site is located at Alexander Drive, providing good connectivity to Reid Highway, Mitchell Freeway and Tonkin Highway. The addition of the Mirrabooka facility will bring Woolworths’ total number of CFCs across Australia to eight.
The facility is being built on a greenfield site, which is part of a larger industrial subdivision led by Hesperia.
The project is targeting a 5-Star Green Star Rating from the Green Building Council Australia, with a range of sustainability features including zero carbon operating energy, EV charging, sustainable materials, natural lighting and solar panels. ■
The new Brooking Channel Bridge in Western Australia’s Kimberley Region will open to traffic on 13 November.
The $107 million project, jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments, has seen the replacement of an ageing single-lane bridge with a much stronger dual-lane structure.
The project is the first to be delivered under the Western Australian Government’s Kimberley Resilience Program.
The new 127-metre bridge features two lanes, allowing travel in both directions. It is capable of supporting large loads, including road trains and heavy goods vehicles. A new footpath has also been constructed on the bridge to allow easier access for pedestrians.
The Fitzroy Bridge Alliance, comprising
Georgiou, BMD and BG&E worked closely with Main Roads to deliver the project in less than nine months, ensuring its completion prior to the onset of wet season. This followed the successful, expedited delivery of the New Fitzroy River Bridge, which opened six months ahead of schedule in December 2023.
“The New Brooking Channel Bridge is an important addition to Great Northern Highway, building a more resilient supply chain in the northwest of Western Australia,” says Catherine King, Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister.
“The resilience of our supply chains, particularly in the Kimberley, is of the utmost importance to our Government,” says Rita Saffioti, WA Transport Minister.
“After the catastrophic floods in late
2022 and early 2023, replacing the ageing Brooking Channel Bridge was identified as a key project, and its delivery will provide greater certainty during emergency events.”
“The importance of completing this vital project cannot be overstated. The new channel bridge will ensure that the people of the Kimberley get the fuel, food and other supplies they need,” says Glenn Sterle, Senator for Western Australia.
“It will provide resilience for the Kimberley supply chain along with a safe transport option for the people of Kimberley. It will help the Kimberley’s thriving tourism industry.
“This is an example of what can be achieved when the Federal and State Governments work together – delivery of infrastructure on time and on budget.” ■
Automate-X delivers rapid, scalable automation solutions in ANZ markets, focusing on flexibility, client-centric partnerships, and seamless integration of Geek+ technology.
In today’s logistics landscape, speed and efficiency have become nonnegotiable.
With consumer expectations continuously evolving, businesses now face the need for rapid solutions that deliver immediate results.
To remain competitive, companies must not only embrace change but do so with agility.
The demand for swift, seamless implementation is driving the sector to new heights, as businesses of all sizes seek emerging technology to stay ahead in a rapidly shifting market.
This is where Automate-X enters the equation – a fresh yet ambitious player in the Australian and New Zealand warehouse automation, and logistics markets.
With a commitment to adaptability and customer-focused service, Automate-X is attracting attention from businesses large and small. Its unique selling proposition lies in its commitment to delivering agile, clientcentric solutions designed to foster longterm success.
Unlike traditional providers, Automate-X prioritises flexibility, tailoring its automation technologies to meet the specific needs of each client.
capabilities, Automate-X delivers transformative, flexible solutions
that align with each client’s unique operational requirements.
“Taking a customer-centric approach to problem-solving, combined with deep knowledge of the available technologies, is essential,” says Marcel Van Niekerk, Director of Sales at Automate-X.
“This is critical in a highly competitive, cutthroat industry, where offering clients a competitive edge is key.
“We enable clients to leverage these technologies in a controlled and structured manner, reducing risk and avoiding massive CAPEX expenses while driving results.”
Before its conception, the Automate-X team saw an opportunity in a market where technology has advanced but hasn’t been utilised yet.
Despite there being numerous players in the sector, Marcel explains that many have continued doing things the same way for years.
“The team believed there was room to bring in emerging technologies, particularly within the manufacturing, warehouse automation, and logistics spaces, with a fresh perspective and renewed energy,” he says.
“One of the unique challenges is that people are often reluctant to change,
change now? For Australia and New Zealand to stay competitive in this space, it’s essential to adopt emerging technologies and leverage what’s available.”
Automate-X’s Geek+ solutions, including Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and RoboShuttles, are crafted to deliver rapid deployment and returns on investment (ROI).
Unlike traditional automation that often requires extensive planning, fixed structures, and prolonged implementation, Geek+ technology enables Automate-X to achieve installations in as little as three months.
“Automate-X’s implementation of Geek+ solutions in the AU and NZ markets shows what’s possible in a short duration,” says Dave Ching, Sales Director, ANZ & SEA at Geek+.
“We’re excited to see how they continue to drive efficiency and innovation for our clients.”
Being able to quickly deploy Geek+ not only reduces operational downtime but also allows clients to transition to advanced automation without halting ongoing processes.
One factor in ensuring such efficiency is Automate-X’s strategy of involving project teams early in the process. By engaging these teams during the latter stages of the sales phase, Automate-X addresses design, and functionality needs specific to each client.
This proactive approach reduces the risk of redesigns or delays during implementation, making the deployment process seamless and aligned with client expectations from the outset.
By offering scalable, non-bolted solutions, Automate-X allows clients to add or modify automation components with minimal structural changes, an advantage for businesses with dynamic
or growing operational requirements.
This adaptability is especially beneficial for small- and mediumsized enterprises, as it provides a costeffective pathway to incrementally expand automation capabilities without substantial capital investments.
In addition to speed and scalability, Automate-X’s solutions offer operational flexibility across diverse warehouse environments.
For example, AMRs can be deployed in a variety of configurations to meet specific picking and packing needs, while RoboShuttles are suitable for highdensity storage and retrieval.
The ability to seamlessly integrate these technologies in hybrid configurations allows Automate-X to address unique client challenges, whether related to space constraints, labour shortages, or shifting operational demands.
“As a system integrator, we’re able to bring together a range of different technologies rather than just providing a single solution,” says Ben Haughey, Director - Operations, Automate-X.
“I believe adaptability is key in this rapidly evolving market, where technology is constantly advancing. It’s essential to consistently offer the best solution for our customers from the options available.”
The company is currently advancing six goods-to-person automation projects across Australia and New Zealand. Each project leverages solutions such as PopPick, RoboShuttle, and the AMR P-series, are selected and adapted to address the unique operational needs of each client.
These implementations focus on enhancing operational efficiency, accelerating order fulfillment, and supporting scalability while meeting specific client demands in logistics and manufacturing.
Ben says that Automate-X’s approach begins with a thorough analysis of client needs. This can include assessing order volume, warehouse layout, and business growth forecasts, allowing them to propose tailored solutions that maximise space utilisation and minimise operational disruptions.
“To develop tailored solutions, Automate-X begins by gaining a comprehensive understanding of each customer’s business,” says Ben.
“In some cases, the ideal technology is immediately apparent. In others, they may identify multiple viable options and prioritise based on deployment timelines, offering solutions that can be implemented quickly if immediate operational changes are critical.
“This approach ensures that clients
receive a solution that fits both their current needs and long-term goals.”
As an early adopter of Automate-X’s solutions, Shiperoo has harnessed cutting-edge automation to redefine fulfillment and elevate service quality.
Shiperoo is a tech-powered company driven by an ambitious team, offering specialised multichannel fulfilment and end-to-end returns management for retailers in Australia and New Zealand.
With advanced robotics and proprietary AI-powered software,
Shiperoo offers same-day shipping readiness and seamless end-to-end returns management, providing retailers with enhanced efficiency and full visibility in its supply chain operations.
When Shiperoo set out to scale its fulfillment operations at an accelerated pace, Automate-X’s flexible and rapiddeployment solutions proved invaluable.
This partnership empowered Shiperoo to keep up with customer demands using a system that scales effortlessly, requiring minimal downtime, so operations can run smoothly without missing a beat.
These challenges may not have been Shiperoo’s alone, but they are hurdles for its retail partners – and Shiperoo saw the
immediate value. This collaboration has allowed Shiperoo to expand rapidly, now operating additional fulfillment centres in Sydney to support growing demand.
“They approached the market with a technology-first mindset, focusing on innovative software, hardware, and robotics to create a game-changing solution for retailers,” says Paul Phillips, Solutions Lead at Automate-X.
“This approach validated its business model, which they’ve now successfully replicated in Sydney and are ready to scale with new clients.
“By implementing the project in phases, Shiperoo expanded capacity without disrupting daily operations, enabling seamless growth in response to market demand.”
Ultimately, Automate-X’s automation solutions provided Shiperoo with a seamless transition, bypassing manual processes and moving directly to an advanced, automated setup.
“We trusted Automate-X to deliver speed and reliability – and they
Co-Founder and COO of Shiperoo.
“Their team worked closely with us, ensuring a smooth transition and invaluable support. Automate-X’s unique, process-driven and engineeringfocused approach truly sets them apart from others in the systems integration market, proving their capabilities and commitment to excellence at every step .
“We’re thrilled with the positive impact this collaboration has had on our business.”
Automate-X remains committed to innovation, with a focus on expanding its technological offerings and capabilities in the ANZ markets.
As more businesses turn to automation, Automate-X sees ample opportunities for growth and regional success.
“Across industries, one of the most common challenges is labour, especially in the warehouse environment,” says Ben.
“Engaging a younger workforce
commitment is becoming increasingly difficult. This trend is driving a strong push toward automation as companies seek to maintain their competitive edge.”
Automate-X’s goal is to remain at the forefront of intralogistics innovation, helping clients transition to efficient, automated systems that are scalable and future ready.
“Customers are often uncertain about the future and hesitant to commit to rigid technology investments without flexibility,” says Ben.
“They want contingencies – what if their business doubles next year? Or what if they need to pivot to a different market segment? Mobile automation solutions, like those from Geek+, provide that adaptability, allowing businesses to scale and adjust as their needs evolve.”
By delivering agile, customer-centric technologies, Automate-X demonstrates that, even as a young player, it possesses the expertise and adaptability needed to shape the future of warehouse
Peter Jones explains how automation and robotics, along with data, are shaping the industry and becoming useful and accessible tools for SMEs.
Automation and robotics are no longer exclusive to large corporations. These technologies are becoming increasingly affordable and accessible for small- and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs), leading to a new wave of transformation in warehousing and supply chain operations.
“Automation is allowing smaller businesses to stay in their existing facilities by increasing storage density and improving put-away and picking processes,” says Peter Jones, Managing Director of Prological.
This shift is enabling SMEs to transition from manual inventory control to integrated, digital-based systems, improving operational efficiency.
One of the benefits of automation is its ability to optimise space. Traditionally, smaller warehouses face limitations in how much vertical space they can utilise due to the size of mobile materials handling equipment and the need for wide aisles.
“Automation systems are agnostic to height,” says Peter. “This allows businesses to make full use of their floor-to-ceiling storage capacity and enables them to increase cubic metre storage per square metre of footprint.
“We’ve seen this transformation in two recent case studies, both in the apparel sector, where businesses that previously required 3000 sqm of warehouse space can now operate out of just 1500 sqm while maintaining the same product volume.”
While this two-to-one ratio may not quite work out in every environment, it exemplifies the spatial efficiency that automation and robotics can bring to smaller operations.
“In smaller operations, if you’ve got a 1500 sqm warehouse, you might traditionally have six to 10 people in the operation,” he says. “By automating the warehouse, you might only require three or four people.”
For SMEs, reducing the number of staff can translate into financial benefits, strong ROI, and enable increases in sales and/or market share due to the uplift in capability combined with a decrease in operating costs.
Adapting to automation requires a shift in the skillset of the workforce. The transition from manual to automated environments introduces new operational requirements, which can be a challenge for smaller businesses.
“The baseline skillset for operating in an automated environment is quite different from that of a manual one,” says Peter.
Smaller businesses typically employ workers with a broader but lowerlevel skillset compared to larger corporations. This creates a wider gap when transitioning to automation.
“While the headcount may decrease, the personnel that remain will likely need to be upskilled,” explains Peter.
Some workers will adapt to the new environment, while others may find the transition more challenging.
In contrast, larger businesses like Amazon have already embraced automation and hire staff based on the company’s specific needs for these systems.
Peter envisions a future where automation and robotics become the standard across all businesses, part of the operational portfolio, regardless of size.
“There are many more small businesses than large ones, and as the technology becomes more accessible, automation will become the predominant environment for businesses by the end of the decade,” he says.
One trend Peter points out is how smaller, entrepreneurial mechatronics engineers are building small nimble companies who are driving this new wave of innovation in automation.
“Smaller companies are coming up with solutions that even large automation providers are beginning to adopt,” he says, describing a “virtuous circle” of development.
As these smaller companies develop new technologies, larger businesses replicate and scale them, creating a continuous cycle of innovation and improvement.
This ongoing evolution is making automation more accessible and costeffective for businesses of all sizes.
Whether through automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) or robotic picking solutions, these technologies are becoming more widely available and adaptable to a range of industries and operations.
The type of automation deployed often varies depending on the specific needs and stock profile of the business. For smaller operations, ASRS systems are beneficial, allowing goods to be stored in compact spaces and retrieved efficiently.
“Smaller environments lend
themselves to specialised, small-scale ASRS systems,” explains Peter.
These systems use robots to put away and retrieve stock, improving efficiency without requiring large footprints. No fork lift isles, but floor to roof density.
On the software side, warehouse management systems (WMS) and transport management systems (TMS) are being integrated with warehouse control systems (WCS) to manage automation.
Initially, different types of automation required their own software systems, but now suppliers are offering platforms that can manage multiple types of automation.
“At the tier-one level, WMS and automation providers are starting to integrate each other’s systems,” says Peter, predicting further advancements in seamless integration between software and automation in the future.
Automation is not just about robots and machines; data plays a critical role in making these systems work effectively.
“Data is the engine room,” says Peter. “If your data isn’t accurate, your
automation won’t work.”
For businesses looking to transition to automation, it is essential to ensure that data is clean and accurate before beginning the process.
In Peter’s experience, no company has ever had data ready to integrate with automation at the start of a project.
He advises businesses to prioritise cleaning up their datasets, particularly customer, product, and order master files, to ensure a smooth transition to automation.
“Most automation integration issues fail due to incorrect data,” he says.
The growing accessibility of automation and robotics is transforming the landscape for SMEs, offering them the opportunity to increase efficiency, reduce labour costs, and optimise space utilisation.
Peter says these technologies are becoming indispensable for businesses of all sizes as they continue to evolve and become even more cost-effective.
“Proper data management, upskilling the workforce, and designing your system to benefit you today while scaling for tomorrow are the keys to your success. ■
Automation is not just about robots and machines; data plays a critical role in making these systems work effectively.
Top Logistics Australia has enhanced its sustainability and operational efficiency by adopting Heli’s Lithium-Ion electric forklifts.
Jialift, a distributor for Heli Oceania, has helped to transform Top Logistics Australia’s (TLA) material handling operations with Heli’s Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) electric forklifts.
TLA is a transportation company, that has strengthened its commitment to sustainability by incorporating Heli’s allelectric forklift range into its operations.
The company offers logistics and transportation services, including shipment management, manifest handling, customer support, and tools for booking and tracking freight.
Forklifts are essential in logistics operations like those at Top Logistics Australia for efficient loading, unloading, and moving of goods within warehouses and distribution centres.
Heli’s Li-on forklifts, sourced through Jialift, are designed to boost efficiency while also reducing environmental impact.
TLA transitioned from gas-powered forklifts to Heli’s Li-ion electric models.
This shift aligns with TLA’s commitment to environmental responsibility while enhancing operational efficiency.
“With sustainability in mind, TLA made a big step towards change,” says TLA’s Warehouse Manager, George Zhou.
“Moving away from gas forklifts to all-electric solutions, our counterbalance and high-reach forklifts are now from Heli’s Li-ion range.”
These forklifts align well with sustainability goals due to their energyefficient, zero-emission design, reduced maintenance needs, and advanced, recyclable battery technology, offering a more practical and environmentally friendly option than gas-powered and even some other electric and hydrogen alternatives.
These capabilities ultimately make
TLA has experienced productivity gains and environmental benefits.
“We’ve seen a massive increase in productivity,” says George, “TLA runs 24/7 during peak season, so we need forklifts that are in operation all the time.”
“With HELI’s short charging cycle, we’ve achieved this with little to no downtime.”
“With no gases or fumes, we’ve significantly cut down our carbon footprint.”
Before switching to Heli, TLA faced issues with its gas-powered fleet.
“Our previous fleet would make lots of noise and create dust around the warehouse, not to mention the high maintenance costs,” George says.
“We knew it was time to make a change.”
Heli’s Lithium-Ion technology offered TLA an efficient solution.
George highlighted the benefits, including advanced battery technology with fast charging and a plug-and-play system, which helped the team operate more effectively without downtime.
“HELI’s li-ion solutions had superior battery technology, no battery memory issues, and no dust or fumes,” he says.
“The advanced tech specs were a massive selling point for us.”
“It’s truly a way of the future – a sustainable future,” George says.
Though TLA hasn’t measured the exact cost savings, George noted that increased productivity and reduced maintenance make a noticeable difference.
“We wish we’d made the switch sooner,” he added.
Jialift’s partnership with Heli has allowed Australian businesses like TLA to integrate advanced, sustainable forklift solutions into their operations.
With a big focus on accessibility and performance, Heli Oceania strives to create a broader distribution network with more partnerships, like Jialift –to make Heli’s reliable, eco-friendly technology available to the Australian market.
George concluded: “Globally, Heli is a well-known Chinese brand but
Supply chains have been put to the test for a multitude of reasons in 2024. MHD analyses how Körber Supply Chain Software’s innovative solutions and organisation expansion has helped companies grow and thrive.
n a move that reshapes the supply chain software landscape, Körber announced its acquisition of MercuryGate International Inc in
The acquisition expanded Körber’s capabilities by adding a transportation management system (TMS) to the suite of solutions offered, strengthening its position as a supply chain execution solution provider.
Bringing Körber and MercuryGate together enabled customers to benefit from solutions that connect across inbound and outbound supply chain activities, improving cost efficiencies and customer experiences by optimising placement, usage and routing of goods.
Customers could now access a supply chain platform that had visibility across inventory pools, simulation capabilities and more tools to understand ROI across their local and global business.
multimodal optimisation allows Körber customers to manage goods movement from procurement to final delivery.
This acquisition shakes up the supply chain landscape, promising enhanced cost efficiencies, improved visibility, and sophisticated simulation capabilities for evaluating future
82 per cent of workers are motivated by recognition, introducing healthy competition and team collaboration. Slotting.IQ revolutionises inventory management with dynamic algorithms that optimise placement and improve picking efficiency.
“Körber’s Slotting.IQ was developed to give warehouse managers a slotting solution that can handle large, complex, frequently changing product assortments,” says Darren O’Connor, Director of Solution Delivery at Körber Supply Chain Software.
Committed to continual improvement to warehouse innovation, Körber launched new solutions in 2024 to address critical productivity and workflow challenges in modern warehouses across Australia
Gamification and Slotting.IQ were developed based on growing market demand to address worker productivity
engagement by leveraging the fact that
“The technology leverages a rich set of customer data, including item master information, warehouse layouts, and historical pick paths, and applies sophisticated data science techniques and projected future demand to determine the optimal storage locations for each SKU.”
This year also marked a time of leadership enhancement for Körber. The company welcomed Edward Auriemma
Bringing Körber and MercuryGate together enables customers to benefit from solutions that connect across inbound and outbound supply chain activities. Images:
as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), bringing experience from his work at Blue Yonder and Alight Solutions.
Two key executive appointments followed: Tim Moylan as the company’s first Chief Commercial Officer and Beth Hendriks as Chief Technology Officer, joining from the MercuryGate acquisition, both bringing decades of expertise to drive innovation and growth.
“We are delivering resilient operations with enhanced visibility and control that will help our customers innovate to drive growth in their businesses,” says Edward Auriemma, CEO at Körber Supply Chain Software.
“With the addition of Beth and Tim, we can boost our commitment to helping our customers navigate the complexities of modern supply chains with confidence and grow as our customers grow.”
Despite the many changes in how supply chains function, the customer
remains at the centre of any innovation. In 2024, like any other year, Körber set out to leverage its technology and people for the sake of the customer and succeeded.
Over two insight-filled days in May, attendees arrived at Sydney’s Hilton Hotel to hear from Körber’s leadership team, partners and customers at its flagship event, Elevate APAC.
At Elevate APAC, Körber customer Hastings Deering, an equipment supplier and one of the top five Cat dealers in the world, presented a case study on its Warehouse Management System (WMS) journey.
Edward Auriemma, CEO at Körber Supply Chain Software.
units and 27,512 individual SKUs across the Catch and Kmart ranges, exemplifies how Körber’s solutions enable businesses to scale and adapt to growing consumer demands.
Connect to manage new warehousing sites effectively.
Advancements in WMS are now essential for tracking stock availability and managing potential transit disruptions.
Primary Connect’s success in preventing $500 million worth of frozen food from going to waste highlights the critical role that enhanced insight and visibility play in handling unexpected issues that can upend even the best-laid plans.
Mark Danckwerts, Manager of Program Development at Hastings Deering, shared the dealer’s journey in implementing Körber’s WMS in distribution centres around Queensland. In working with Körber to deploy a new WMS, Danckwerts discussed the key benefits, which included improved planning, efficiency, order management and inventory management, as well as the avoidance of large-scale WMS failure risk.
Another example of Körber’s impact was displayed in October, when Catch.com.au opened the doors to its Moorebank Fulfilment Centre to external supply chain leaders.
The 37,000 sqm fulfilment centre showcases one of Australia’s largest deployments of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), featuring 342 AMRs, three automated packaging machines processing more than 800 parcels per hour each, and 5700 racks with 92,000 pick faces.
“The Catch.com.au Moorebank facility demonstrates the transformative power of advanced automation in supply chain operations,” says Anthony Beavis, Managing Director ANZ at Körber Supply Chain Software. “It showcases how businesses can effectively meet the escalating demands of modern consumers through technological innovation.”
The facility, housing 917,000
AMRs will continue to be a gamechanger for retailers, especially for high-throughput operations.
Unlike traditional fixed automation with long ROI periods, AMRs offer flexibility and scalability, allowing businesses such as Catch to adjust to changing demands more easily. This adaptability is particularly valuable in the current economic climate, where long-term forecasts aren’t always reliable, and retailers are increasingly required to scale up and down.
The industry has also recognised Körber’s work with Catch. The project was recently announced as a finalist for the Supply Chain Management award at the upcoming Australia Supply Chain and Logistics Awards night.
Körber has been recognised as a finalist twice in the Supply Chain Management award category – this time for helping Primary Connect use its software and data analytics to prevent frozen food supply shortages.
With Körber’s E3PL Warehouse Management System (WMS) and the Woolworths Data Platform, Primary Connect quickly took control of warehousing operations and stabilised supply chains amid disruptions from the voluntary administration of trucking giant Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics.
Within three weeks of starting the project, Körber’s WMS enabled Primary
Today’s industry leaders don’t view an efficient supply chain as just a logistical necessity – it’s a strategic advantage for organisations under financial pressure. Investing in the right technology as business demands evolve requires both global and local trusted supply chain partners who understand the transformation journey.
In the post-pandemic era, most companies have developed a more nuanced understanding of their stock levels and inventory management. The focus has shifted from simply having stock to knowing exactly where that stock is at any given moment.
The issues that plagued many retailers during the pandemic have eased, but far from subsided, with insufficient stock or excess inventory that arrived too late to meet demand still a challenge within the industry.
Körber’s acquisition of MercuryGate now creates a unified supply chain execution suite that can offer realtime optimisation and collaboration across the supply chain. Customers will benefit from integrated processes across functions, faster and more accurate decision-making and the ability to mitigate risks and disruptions more effectively.
As the supply chain industry continues to change, leaders will ultimately remain focused on one goal: improved customer service. Success in 2025 will be defined by organisations that can forge strong partnerships and collaborations, make datadriven decisions, and create resilient networks that deliver enhanced visibility, agility, and operational excellence across the entire supply chain ecosystem. ■
Waverley Toyota’s new Toyota walkie stacker improves safety and efficiency in its Melbourne workshop, enhancing daily operations with advanced control and visibility.
Melbourne-based Toyota car dealer, Waverley Toyota, has gone in-house to help support its service department, with the purchase of a new Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) walkie stacker, which matches the quality, durability and reliability of the vehicles it sells.
Waverley Toyota has a team of more than 80 staff across separate sales and servicing departments in the eastern Melbourne suburbs of Glen Waverley and Mulgrave, the latter of which recently had a problem with its walkie stacker, which they couldn’t seem to find a solution.
Waverley Toyota General Service Manager, Tony Maroun, has experience with Toyota products, having been the service manager at Waverley Toyota for the past 15 years.
After his incumbent walkie stacker continued breaking down, he looked elsewhere for a replacement. Knowing what to expect from the Toyota brand,
he made an enquiry to TMHA on a Toyota SWE120S walkie stacker.
Through collaboration between TMHA Area Sales Manager Justin Eagleton and Waverley Toyota, the SWE120S deemed suitable, and Waverley Toyota took delivery recently. The new machine will be used by the service department to perform important roles like helping remove tubs from Toyota pick-ups, fitting bull bars and moving heavy barrels around the workshop.
The SWE120S walkie stacker is rated to carry loads of up to 1200kg making it suitable for use in an automotive workshop.
Tony said the staff in his workshop noticed several improvements when driving the new machine compared to their previous non-Toyota model, and that it was a great all-round performer.
Operators noticed that the controls are responsive, the speed control function works well, and the forks fit perfectly when picking up loads.
Tony’s staff says the SWE120S
also holds its charge well for all-day operation.
The unit is suitable for use in an area such as a mechanical workshop – being compact and easy to use while offering considered design features that promote safe usage.
The tiller arm on the unit is designed so that the distance between the operator and forklift is enough to protect their feet while easily viewing the fork tips and load, while the body profile lowers towards the forks to further enhance visibility.
Combined with clear-view masts, this creates the ‘Toyota Totalview’ concept, which ensures the operator has as much visibility as possible both at ground level and when positioning at height.
Owners can program the acceleration, speed and braking characteristics of the machine to suit each driver’s individual needs, helping to ensure the workshop is as safe an environment as possible for workers.
The walkie stacker improves workshop efficiency, enhancing safety and daily operations.
Komatsu, a specialist in earth-moving equipment, partnered with BHD to implement specialised storage solutions in its new fulfilment centre in Melbourne.
Komatsu, a leader in earth-moving equipment, partnered with BHD to implement specialised storage solutions in its new fulfilment centre in Melbourne.
Komatsu’s Melbourne project serves as its first fulfilment centre, which was built to enhance customer service specifically for its construction and utility clients.
The centre is designed for efficient, quick picking, high consolidation –combining multiple orders into a single shipment – and next-day delivery.
Given Komatsu’s role as a manufacturer and distributor of large, heavy earth-moving equipment, robust and reliable storage solutions were essential to support operations at the new centre.
This is where David Seale, QLD State Manager from BHD Storage Solutions came in.
As an Australian company specialising in storage systems, BHD offers a range of products and services
designed to optimise warehouse and distribution centre efficiency.
Komatsu engaged BHD to design and install racking systems tailored to the needs of its Melbourne fulfilment centre.
Hennie Van Der Merwe, General Manager of Warehousing, Komatsu, explained that there was some initial back-and-forth during the project, as BHD familiarised themselves with Komatsu’s commodities and requirements.
“We initially approached them with what we thought we needed and asked for a quote,” says Hennie.
“They would then review and come back with recommendations, explaining if any adjustments were necessary to meet local standards.
“Being an international company, our initial designs aren’t always aligned with Australian standards, but BHD guided us through those requirements.”
Hennie explained that, due to its global experience, Komatsu had specific
feature requests for its racking, such as push-through bars and fire-retardant flues.
All of which, BHD was able to facilitate.
“BHD was incredibly helpful with these customisations, even facilitating local fabrications to meet fire safety requirements,” Hennie says.
“Their team didn’t just provide solutions; they worked closely with us throughout the process.”
Komatsu manages an inventory of 35,000 unique stock keeping units in its Melbourne FC to support its customers.
To store this range, seven specialised racking systems were designed and installed by BHD to meet the demands of Komatsu’s varied products.
“This includes extra-large, oversized racks, standard pallet racks, and specialised configurations for delicate items like glass,” says Hennie.
“Even small-scale racks, akin
to those suited for office use, are custom-engineered and backed by independent engineering approvals to ensure compliance and safety across all configurations.”
To ensure safety and reliability, Komatsu commissioned an independent engineering assessment after installation to confirm that all racking met the necessary standards.
“Komatsu’s racking system complies fully with all industry standards and includes a range of configurations designed to accommodate its extensive variety of parts,” explained Hennie.
Other racks included a mobile racking system supporting up to 4,000 kg, which is used to store motors, gearboxes, and tracks stacked fourhigh, optimising floor space for nonuniform, heavy items.
“They showed us a mobile racking system at their Melbourne warehouse while we were reviewing designs for our Brisbane facility,” says Hennie.
“I was on my way back to Perth but ended up diverting to Melbourne to inspect the system firsthand.
“After seeing it, I was convinced, and we ended up purchasing it.”
This system is an eight-metre-high compact rack capable of holding 15 tonnes per bay.
These racks allow for the storage of large materials, accommodating heavyduty items such as cooling equipment, engines, transmissions, and even rolls of track links.
“We stock these track links in bundles, similar to how you’d store tyres, for our excavators,” says Hennie.
“Each bundle weighs four to five tonnes, so we place them on this rack, open the system to access the materials we need, and then close it up when finished.”
Hennie explained that the mobile rack is a much faster pick system; while it may take about a minute to open-up, that’s minimal compared to block stacking, where finding a part can take up to three hours.
With block stacking, after retrieving a part, everything must be put back, risking lost inventory and complicating inventory control.
“Everyone who visits comments on it – they’ve seen similar racks before, but never on this scale,” says Hennie.
“Many leave saying they’ll install one themselves because they recognise the
improves both accessibility and safety.”
Hennie explained that Komatsu is now considering installing one of these mobile racks in some of its warehouses in Japan.
Apart from the mobile rack, the Melbourne FC also features a pallet racking system up to 10,000 mm high, with six distinct designs for different product shapes and weights.
Additional storage systems include 9,000 mm cantilever racks, hose racks, longspan racks, large parts racks, and CLS racks, enabling Komatsu to organise and access its wide inventory effectively.
Hennie explained that BHD’s racking solutions are empowering Komatsu’s Melbourne fulfilment centre to deliver faster, more efficient, and customer-focused service by enabling high-density storage, streamlined picking, and secure handling of heavy-duty parts.
The fulfilment centre streamlines direct customer orders by consolidating multi-item purchases into a single, efficient delivery, bypassing traditional
large, multi-item order, we ensure that all parts are packed and delivered in a single box and on a single day.
“This is crucial in industries like earthmoving, where customers need all parts at once for timely servicing.”
Ultimately, with BHD’s solutions, Komatsu’s Melbourne fulfilment centre is better equipped to meet customer needs swiftly and reliably.
Reflecting on the partnership, Hennie described the collaboration with BHD as a positive experience.
“We receive a very personal service from David Seale and his team,” he said.
Hennie credits BHD for its honest feedback, sometimes advising against a plan if it’s unsafe, or suggesting alternatives they’ve implemented elsewhere that might work better for Komatsu
“They truly put us as the customer first, understanding our needs and going above and beyond to take care of us,” he said.
“I consider them advisors or consultants; if I have a unique idea or design, I can call them for their input.
“It’s a solid partnership, and I’d say that’s the best way to describe our relationship.” ■
Swisslog’s robots deliver efficient, low-energy warehouse automation, optimising space and reducing picking times seamlessly. Images: Swisslog
Swisslog’s new AutoStore automated warehouse solution for Komatsu is delivering enhanced uptime and energy-efficiency to a new spare parts warehouse in Victoria.
new Swisslog AutoStore gridbased automated warehouse solution is delivering energyefficiency to Komatsu’s new spare parts Fulfilment Centre in Tarneit, Victoria.
The new purpose-built warehouse is designed to store small-to-medium parts for machinery used in the construction sector, a major market for Komatsu in Victoria.
“Construction is a demanding sector, so we required a system with high levels of uptime,” said Komatsu’s General Manager, Warehousing, Hennie Van Der Merwe.
“Seeing AutoStore deliver 99.9 per cent uptime globally, and Swisslog’s local projects regularly seeing higher numbers up to 99.99 per cent, gave us the confidence that we will be able to best serve our customers at all times.”
The AutoStore solution has been highly commended in the Supply Chain Management category of the
2024 Australian Supply Chain and Logistics Awards (ASCLA).
In addition to the construction sector, Komatsu provides essential equipment, technologies, and services to the mining, energy, government, waste, and quarry industries.
The company’s purpose is to create value through manufacturing and technology innovation, to empower a sustainable future where people, businesses, and their planet thrive together. Komatsu specialises in the sale of equipment, and the ongoing support of that equipment via the distribution of spare parts, which is where the new Swisslog solution will provide greater efficiencies, allowing Komatsu to deliver better service to customers.
AutoStore is a unique and simple grid-based automation solution that uses robots and bins to quickly process small parts orders.
It provides better use of available space than any other automated system due to its unique design that enables direct stacking of bins on top of each other and storage of multiple SKUs in a single bin. Over time, the system naturally learns which products have a higher rotation, storing them on the top layer to ensure faster picking times.
Swisslog is one of the world’s leading AutoStore integrators, with hundreds of projects worldwide, backed by support, expertise, and software.
Komatsu’s new facility sought from the outset to achieve a 5-star environmental rating, and the energy-efficiency of the Swisslog AutoStore system was a contributor to minimising total energy consumption of the building to help achieve this rating.
“Each robot in the AutoStore is extremely efficient, using just 0.1kW of energy per hour. Six robots use about the same energy as a toaster,” says Swisslog Head of Sales and Consulting, Sean Ledbury.
This low energy consumption, combined with low maintenance costs makes for a favourable total cost of ownership (TCO).
“With a low investment, AutoStore achieves efficient processing at integrated goods-to-person workstations,” says Sean.
“People don’t need to walk long distances to pick products, the robots deliver goods directly to pick stations to reduce picking times.”
Hennie adds, “The Swisslog solution was highly energy efficient, a key consideration for gaining the building’s 5-star environmental rating.
“It was also a highly compact, space-saving solution, allowing us to consolidate all construction spare parts storage into a single facility, saving valuable real estate space and costs.
“The solution met sustainability criteria, with a low footprint. Assuming the automation solution is operational for a 12-hour day, five days a week, for the full 52 weeks in the year, total annual power consumption would be 3,744 kWh (less than 10 kWh per day).”
Controlling the automation solution is SynQ, a proprietary software developed by Swisslog that stands for synchronised intelligence. It synchronises people, process, and machines for efficient operations. In addition to being a Warehouse Management System (WMS), it performs the task of a WCS (Warehouse Control System), or MFS (Material Flow System), and can seamlessly interact with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and e-shop systems.
Swisslog has developed its own unique AutoStore-SynQ integration, to add further benefits to customers implementing warehouse automation and looking to further optimise performance.
“Swisslog’s SynQ software seamlessly integrated with our own WMS, and together with AutoStore’s in-built software, the system learns from existing performance and orders,
Komatsu’s new AutoStore system delivers 99.9 per cent uptime, ensuring fast and efficient spare parts delivery.
and optimises storage to create further efficiencies to operations,” Hennie says.
The Komatsu spare parts fulfilment centre was part of Swisslog’s standardised AutoStore offering. Standardisation increases efficiency, reduces time-to-market, and allows for the most cost-effective solution.
“Swisslog can then use these standard components, and configure a solution to suit each unique application, which is what we did in close collaboration with Komatsu,” says Ledbury.
Komatsu’s automated warehouse included:
• Accommodation and functionality prepared for click-and-collect, so that construction companies can place an order overnight and pick it up early the next morning before going to site. The solution also featured order buffering, which means that orders could be prepared in advance of being required and set up for click-and-collect later, leading to quicker turnaround times and a more efficient overall system. This was all controlled by Swisslog’s intelligent SynQ software.
• Consolidation. Part of this solution was consolidating during the picking process allowing a more customer focussed solution. Komatsu customers want all parts to be delivered in a single consignment. The picking process applied with SynQ makes picking four orders while simultaneously consolidating to a single consignment possible.
• Increased storage and retrieval efficiency. In addition to using a smaller footprint, the Swisslog
meant Komatsu could reduce the need for additional small parts storage as well as bulk storage of fast-moving parts. The efficiency of retrieval and put-away process allows for efficient replenishment into the Swisslog AutoStore.
“Swisslog’s team had an in-depth technical knowledge of such complex projects and took the time to understand Komatsu’s unique requirements,” says Hennie.
“This high level of expertise and dedication to finding the optimum solution has helped forge a strong relationship between the two companies, and we look forward to expanding this partnership with Swisslog in the future.”
The AutoStore solution is designed to save space, increase efficiency, and allow for future expansion. Advantages include:
• Space saving system. Up to 30 per cent, when compared with other technologies.
• The AutoStore adapts to Komatsu’s growth plans. The Phase 1 grid size is designed to cater for 2027 volume at 17,900 bins, and is expandable to 22,000 bins, plus it can easily be realised during operation.
• Optimal design of the AutoStore in all stages of expansion to the existing building geometry.
• Intelligent order orchestration through Swisslog’s SynQ software.
“Swisslog has built this warehouse automation system with the capacity to expand as Komatsu expands, which aligns with our growth plans, and enables us to ramp up capacity to meet demands,” said Hennie. ■
Developed during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, ferag.doWarehouse software is set to solve industry challenges.
Ferag is a Swiss-based manufacturer, specialises in conveying and processing systems for intralogistics, printing, and e-commerce industries.
In 2023, the company acquired dereOida, who created the doWarehouse software.
The doWarehouse system is a Unified Control System (UCS) that combines key warehouse operations into a single solution.
It integrates Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), responsible for managing inventory and orders; Warehouse Control Systems (WCS), which oversee automated movements; and Warehouse Execution Systems (WES), which handle automation control, order processing, and workflow balancing.
This integrated solution simplifies warehouse operations, eliminating the need for multiple systems, while reducing integration time, risk, and costs.
The system also delivers advanced data analytics that precisely track the time and cost associated with each resource.
These detailed insights enable warehouse supervisors to pinpoint inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and underutilised resources, providing actionable information to enhance productivity.
Additionally, the software automates inventory replenishment based on pre-set criteria, ensuring optimal inventory levels are maintained without the need for manual intervention.
Ever since the acquisition, dereOida’s team has worked as Ferag to continue to further develop the software.
This unique integration of a WMS, a WCS and a WES unifies operations, allowing for flexible integration of both manual and automated systems, regardless of hardware type. Meaning the software is hardware agnostic, so clients are not tied to a single equipment vendor.
Karl Friesenchichler, Head of Ferag’s Asia Pacific division, said the purpose of doWarehouse is to unify these systems into “a single source of truth”.
By consolidating WMS, WCS and WES functionalities, the need for additional solutions is eliminated.
Unlike typical automation vendors that focus on equipment sales, Ferag prioritises operational integration,
ensuring clients benefit from a streamlined approach providing complete control and visibility across the entire warehouse operation.
Most warehouse equipment vendors supply warehouse control software to control and manage their hardware, creating islands of software that don’t communicate to each other.
“In contrast, our value proposition is fundamentally different,” said Karl.
“Our unique value proposition focuses on prioritising the operational framework before introducing hardware solutions.”
Karl said that the idea for the system emerged during the COVID-19 lockdown.
“I started developing this project when I was stuck at home,” he said.
“During the first lockdown, out of boredom, I recognised a problem in unifying a WMS with a WCS and a WES and decided to address it.
“I started working on it as a hobby, and two years later, I was ready to take it to market.”
With the foundational concept of doWarehouse established, the next step was expanding its reach beyond the local market, which led to the strategic acquisition by Ferag.
The system was conceived while Karl was CEO and founder of dereOida, a company specialising in UCS development.
However, dereOida focused mainly on the Australian market, limiting doWarehouse’s growth potential.
Since its acquisition by Ferag, the doWarehouse system has been adopted globally.
“The acquisition has transformed us from a local player to a global contender, facilitating expansion into Europe, the US, and Southeast Asia, with new offices to enhance customer service,” said Friesenchichler.
“Being part of a long-established global organisation like Ferag has allowed us to rapidly distribute our product worldwide while serving our customers locally in many countries. It’s exciting to witness this progress.”
Soon after the development of the software, Friesenchichler needed to grow his team to meet the increasing demand for both the technology and the operational processes.
Starting with 15 employees, Karl has
now expanded the team to about 50, allowing him to scale capacity on a global level.
“As the company expanded its offerings, the internal team and customers needed to adapt to the evolving systems,” he said.
“The additional staff enabled them to take on more projects, increasing capacity and ensuring clients received the expertise needed to implement solutions effectively.
“This growth was essential for scaling operations and deepening understanding of the technology and business processes, especially after merging with Ferag.”
While Ferag’s customer base has enabled doWarehouse to expand globally, the company’s ethos remains focused on local needs.
“The phrase ‘think global, act local’ may sound cliché, but it effectively captures the essence of addressing customer pain points, which are often similar across industries worldwide,” said Karl.
“The key is to develop products that align with a global customer profile while ensuring they have a positive local impact.”
Karl explained that specific local regulatory requirements can be incorporated into the product roadmap when feasible.
“For highly specific requests that pertain only to a single customer, it may be more prudent to reconsider,” he noted.
“Drawing on our extensive experience in operational processes, we can guide customers toward effective solutions that work well across various contexts.”
Karl emphasised that aligning personal and company values is essential for him, which played a major role in the merger between his company and Ferag.
“I’ve always believed that my personal values must align with the company’s values; otherwise, I can’t work there,” he said.
“It’s essential to reflect those values back to the staff and in leadership.
“ A key reason for my decision to join Ferag was the importance placed on values during our discussions about merging the two businesses.”
With a 65-year history and a large market share in warehouse automation,
Ferag has consistently prioritised its customers.
This commitment to customer-centric values is echoed in the words of Karl.
“The core value at Ferag is to be there for customers – being honest and transparent, and always striving to achieve the agreed-upon goals, with profit being a result of that dedication,” he said.
“The culture here emphasises collaboration, mutual respect, and a commitment to our customers.
“This ethos, which we strive to instil in our staff, strongly resonates with my values; we don’t walk away from our customers.”
This commitment to user-friendly solutions has not gone unnoticed by those who matter.
“An essential indicator of our success is the feedback we receive from our customers,” said Karl.
“One of the best statements we’ve heard is that, not only have we implemented our system exceptionally well, but it’s also incredibly easy to use.
“Operators genuinely want to work with and engage with the system we provide.”
However, as the team grew and the product evolved, so did the challenges they faced, particularly regarding time management and the complexity of development.
During the development of doWarehouse, the key challenge for Karl was a lack of time.
Despite that, there were challenges that Karl found to be enjoyable and educational.
For example, after a year of work, the first iteration of the software was scraped after a change in approach, leading to a decision to rebuild from the ground up.
“One obstacle involved integrating artificial intelligence effectively and designing the framework,” said Karl.
“Every decision felt like a tough choice. After 12 months of development, I had a beta version ready, but I questioned whether I would approach it the same way if starting from scratch.
“While unconventional, this decision proved to be the most effective course of action. Now, we have a flexible framework that our developers truly appreciate, making the experience quite rewarding.”
Karl soon knew that the newest iteration was a step in the right direction, once he had confirmed his first client.
“I was confident in the theory behind it, but it wasn’t until it went live with our first customer that I knew it was truly effective,” he said.
“That moment proved the concept; we could confidently expand our reach and scale up our operations.
“It was a significant milestone for us, marked by the success of our initial customer.”
The new iteration resulted in new developments within Ferag’s APAC division based in Sydney.
Ferag’s doWarehouse software simplifies warehouse operations, providing managers with real-time data and streamlined inventory management.
“I had my own business that developed this software, and we already had a team in place,” Karl explained.
“We decided to continue developing the product here in Sydney.
“This decision was very well received by the entire staff.”
Karl envisions Ferag revolutionising automation and internal logistics through intelligent solutions and the integration of machine learning and AI to optimise product sales predictions.
The company is exploring machine learning and AI to analyse public datasets, predicting which products will see rapid sales in the future.
Also, in warehousing and logistics, the pace of product iteration is increasing, driven by competition in robotics and the emergence of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs).
As the industry shifts toward integrating diverse solutions rather than relying solely on proprietary hardware, traditional large system integrators may face challenges.
“Flexibility and product iteration are essential for the future of system integration,” said Karl.
“Implementing exactly what the customer needs will define the new standard in the industry.
“A robust software platform like doWarehouse is crucial for effectively managing this vision, as companies without it, risk being left behind.” ■
Adaptalift Group is extending its reach, expanding services, and ensuring that safety and customer needs remain paramount.
With new premises and acquisitions across Australia, the company is continuing to grow its customer base.
The company’s General Manager –Sales, Adam Duncan, spoke to MHD about his insights into the motivations behind these changes, the company’s dedication to training, and how recent investments are reshaping Adaptalift’s value proposition.
With Adaptalift’s sustained growth, it was only a matter of time before space became a constraint in several of its key locations.
“The decision to build a new branch in Brisbane and relocate to new premises in Sydney addresses this challenge,” says Adam.
“We were running out of space at both current premises in both states, so space was a big restriction on us there. Obviously, it has safety implications as well.”
These new properties are more
than just functional spaces; they are designed to enhance Adaptalift’s capacity to serve its customers and meet increasing demand across the eastern seaboard.
“These property acquisitions are purely related to supporting our growth. We’ve been growing year on year, and we’ve outgrown our facilities in those markets,” adds Adam.
Adaptalift has also expanded its footprint by acquiring two companies, Forkwest in South-West Western Australia and Riverina Lift Trucks (RLT) in regional New South Wales.
Adam highlights that these acquisitions provide a boost in geographical coverage and product diversification.
“To continue growing our business and add more value to our customers, we wanted to expand our geographic reach. We see that as a key part of our growth plan,” he says.
The acquired businesses also enhance Adaptalift’s product range, particularly with telehandlers, broadening its offerings beyond traditional materials
handling equipment.
RLT was a dealer for Manitou and Forkwest for Merlo, both established brands in the telehandler market.
“It was something we offered in our rental fleet, but we didn’t have any existing ability to sell telehandlers. From a product diversification standpoint, this acquisition is a real asset,” explains Adam.
With these recent acquisitions, Adaptalift now offers an expanded range of complementary products. Adam points out that while material handling and telehandlers share similarities, each has unique attributes that appeal to different industry requirements.
“These products increase our overall value proposition by having a more diversified product range, which we can offer to our customers,” says Adam.
Products like Trackmobile and Zephir mobile railcar movers have also allowed Adaptalift to add niche solutions to its portfolio, meeting demand from customers looking for versatile solutions in the rail sector.
“It’s not more of the same – it’s actually a different product, but very complementary to our existing business. This allows us to add even more value to our customer relationships,” adds Adam.
In keeping with its commitment to delivering great customer service, Adaptalift values staff training.
The company’s recent sales conferences provided an opportunity to bring team members together to share knowledge, reinforce company values, and strengthen skills.
“It was as much about connecting as it was about learning. We create an agenda that’s a mix of product training and professional sales training to help improve our people and make them more effective,” says Adam.
Adaptalift conducts OEM training not only for sales teams but also for technicians. This ensures that field technicians are well-equipped to diagnose and fix equipment issues, which enhances service reliability and customer satisfaction.
“The more familiar our technicians are with the equipment, the more quickly they can address issues, improve first-time fix rates, and support our customers effectively,” explains Adam.
A newly appointed technical training manager further underscores the company’s commitment to consistent and advanced training.
“It’s our commitment to making sure that our technicians understand the machinery they’re working on and that they’re always fully up to date,” adds Adam.
As Adaptalift’s product range grows, so does the need for specialised knowledge. To meet this demand, the company has introduced product specialists, with dedicated experts for key brands like Combilift and Kärcher.
“With our breadth and depth of product, it’s hard for a single salesperson to be an expert across all areas, so we provide specialists who understand the products, markets, and
customers in detail,” says Adam.
These specialists work closely with OEMs to ensure Adaptalift is up to date with product development and market needs.
“Our approach is more professional, and we’re able to add more value to the customer by providing detailed, targeted expertise. We’ll continue to specialise to ensure we’re offering the customer the best possible service,” says Adam.
To enhance customer engagement, Adaptalift launched Adaptalift Connect, a mobile app and customer service portal. This platform allows customers to track rented equipment, review service history, monitor costs, and manage service requests.
“It’s akin to an online banking platform where customers have easy access to all the information, they need about their equipment in one place,” says Adam.
Safety is also a priority at Adaptalift, with the introduction of the AiVA pedestrian detection system, which enhances safety by detecting and alerting operators to pedestrians in the vicinity.
“Technology in our equipment is evolving to make it safer and more efficient. Features like pedestrian detection and speed limiting are vital, and many of our customers are now specifically looking for these safety features,” adds Adam.
Adaptalift’s expanding team size, product diversity, and geographic range have been instrumental in helping the company better serve a variety of customers, from blue-chip
corporations to small businesses.
“We service the entire market, and we’re constantly evolving to meet those needs. To keep pace, we’re constantly recruiting and deploying resources,” says Adam.
Adam attributes Adaptalift’s success to a hiring strategy that aligns with market demands.
“Recruitment has become a core competency of our business,” he says, noting that population growth directly impacts demand for Adaptalift’s products, creating a need for steady expansion of resources and workforce.
Adaptalift’s commitment to excellence extends to OEM and technician training. The company works with OEMs to deliver both theoretical and practical training for technicians, allowing them to stay proficient with the latest technologies.
“We make a substantial investment in bringing our technicians off the road for this training, and it’s worthwhile as it ensures they’re fully updated with the products they’re servicing,” says Adam.
Adaptalift stays informed on industry trends through OEM partnerships and regular market research, which allows it to respond swiftly to shifting customer needs.
“To be relevant and to succeed, we need to be across market trends and offer products and solutions that meet those needs,” explains Adam. ■
For a comprehensive fleet review or assistance with expanding your fleet, reach out to the expert team at Adaptalift Group by calling 13 22 54.
Automating food and beverage intralogistics. Swisslog offers a range of solutions including automation designed for energyefficient, sustainable, and cost effective pallet stacking in high bay warehouses.
swisslog.com/vectura
Addverb provides software that complements competitor hardware in a multi-vendor setup. Images: Addverb
Addverb Australia has had a transformative year, marked by expanding maintenance capabilities, growing industry presence, and advancing automation solutions.
As the end of 2024 approaches, it is an opportune time to reflect on the milestones and successes achieved by Addverb Australia over the past year. From enhancing maintenance capabilities to expanding its presence across various industries and cities, the company’s efforts have transformed the logistics landscape for its clients. Looking ahead to 2025, Addverb Australia is poised to make even greater strides by entering new markets, industries, and collaborations.
“2024 has been a remarkable year for Addverb Australia. We’ve not only strengthened our operational capabilities but also expanded our footprint across key cities, ensuring
that we’re right there with our clients when they need us,” says Atit Bhatt, Director, Addverb Australia.
“Our commitment to providing robust maintenance services and flexible automation solutions is setting a new standard in the industry.”
In a fast-evolving market where operational efficiency is critical, the importance of robust maintenance services cannot be overstated. This year, Addverb Australia developed a dedicated maintenance team that ensures prompt and competent service. Businesses increasingly demand local service centres
before committing to automation, and Addverb has addressed this need with full-fledged maintenance capabilities in key cities across Australia, including Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney. These maintenance solutions encompass preventive and breakdown maintenance, on-site support, and 24/7 help desk services. Covering WMS/WES systems, mobile robotics, and both mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, Addverb’s support has become a key differentiator. This capability has particularly resonated with high-demand industries reliant on efficient, seamless operations, providing clients with minimal downtime and disruption.
In 2024, Addverb Australia broadened its reach across various industries, showcasing the versatility of its solutions. Notably, the company made an impact in retail and logistics by providing automation solutions to leading brands, which included:
• Myer, who adopted Addverb’s advanced sortation solutions to enhance logistics efficiency, ensuring timely delivery for outlets and e-commerce orders to meet fast-paced retail demands.
• Maersk, logistics specialist, integrated Addverb’s automation solutions to enhance warehouse efficiency. By combining fixed and flexible automation, Maersk streamlined processes, increased operational agility, and managed workflows for brands like Adidas. These solutions addressed high-complexity inventory needs and large-scale throughput demands, demonstrating Addverb’s adaptability in meeting diverse client requirements.
“By collaborating with industry giants like Myer and Maersk, we’ve demonstrated the versatility of our solutions across retail and logistics,” says Atit.
“It’s rewarding to see how Addverb’s automation systems have helped these businesses enhance their efficiency, reduce downtime, and meet growing demands in a fast-paced environment.”
A critical component of Addverb Australia’s success in 2024 has been the flexibility of its software, which integrates seamlessly with competitor robots. Businesses in an increasingly competitive market require solutions that work across various hardware systems. Addverb’s software-enabled solutions transcended hardware limitations, allowing businesses to optimise operations without complete system overhauls.
One standout achievement in 2024 was finding the optimal balance between fixed and flexible automation systems. Recognising that Australian businesses often operate on short-term warehouse leases, Addverb prioritised
flexible automation solutions that allow scalability and adaptability without requiring permanent infrastructure investments.
For example, Addverb’s solution for Myer addressed global challenges like SKU complexity and return handling by offering a flexible approach that managed large, ever-changing inventories while keeping costs manageable.
Geographical expansion was a focus for Addverb Australia in 2024. Initially operating predominantly in Melbourne, the company established a presence in Brisbane and Sydney, enabling quicker, more accessible client services and reinforcing its commitment to customer support.
As Addverb deepened its experience in the Australian market, it gained valuable insights into local business environments. Shorter warehouse lease periods drove demand for flexible automation, which the company addressed by providing adaptable systems that met clients’ evolving needs.
In 2025, Addverb aims to develop automation solutions for the cold storage industry, particularly in meat and poultry, where harsh environmental conditions pose unique challenges. Addverb is advancing its Multi Pro product for pallet storage ASRS and automated conveyor systems, designed to operate efficiently in low-
as -18°C. These solutions will enable businesses to manage cold chain logistics more effectively, a critical need in food and pharmaceutical sectors.
Addverb plans to build on the flexibility of its software and robots by fostering collaborations with other hardware providers and systems integrators. These partnerships aim to deliver solutions that cater to diverse client needs by leveraging multiple technologies.
In 2025, Addverb will expand into New Zealand, bringing its expertise to a new region and offering innovative automation solutions tailored to the specific needs of local businesses.
“As we look to 2025, our focus will be on expanding into new industries like cold storage, where automation is critical in managing the complexities of low-temperature environments. We’re also excited about entering the New Zealand market, bringing our innovative solutions to a new region and continuing to push the boundaries of automation,” Atit says.
Addverb Australia has made gains in expanding its capabilities, geographic presence, and industry reach. As the company moves into 2025, its focus on entering new industries, building partnerships, and exploring new markets will help continue its growth trajectory. Addverb remains committed to delivering flexible, innovative automation solutions that meet the evolving needs of its clients, setting the stage for another year of progress and success. ■
2 out of 3 warehouses today face unreliable connectivity as a key challenge
Ericsson Private 5G meets current needs for secure, uninterrupted connectivity while enabling the future of Logistics 4.0. With impressive scalability, low and predictable latency, and fast data transfer, it eliminates Wi-Fi dead zones, makes real-time communications and inventory management seamless, and enables autonomous vehicles and robotics. Private 5G connectivity is helping industry leaders like CJ Logistics address dead zones and achieve productivity gains from day one.
Transform your warehouse operations with Ericsson Private 5G. Ericsson.com/logistics
Jungheinrich’s customised racking optimises storage and efficiency. Images: Jungheinrich and Toll.
Jungheinrich has partnered with Toll Group to deliver a warehouse solution tailored to the specific needs of Toll’s new healthcare facility within Melbourne’s Airport Business Park.
Jungheinrich has collaborated with Toll Group to provide a customised
This facility has been designed to support the influenza vaccine production for anchor client CSL Seqirus, who are conveniently located next door. Using cell-based technology, the CSL facility will be one of the only manufacturing sites of it’s kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Jungheinrich’s expertise in providing one-stop-shop warehousing solutions has helped deliver a high-performance facility that supports Toll’s current
Jungheinrich, a specialist in warehouse and automation solutions, took on the challenge of designing a layout suited to Toll’s complex logistical needs.
Loretta Gilbert, Operations Manager at Toll Healthcare, explains the importance of the new facility.
“Our new warehouse at Tullamarine’s Melbourne Airport Business Park is another significant milestone in our commitment to providing comprehensive logistics solutions for the healthcare sector,” she said.
“This facility exemplifies our dedication to delivering high-quality, tailored supply chain solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”
Toll’s new facility needed to accommodate a range of healthcare products with diverse storage and handling requirements, while also meeting stringent safety and regulatory standards.
To address these needs, Jungheinrich provided a racking solution that includes narrow aisle and selective pallet racking, enabling Toll to maximise storage density and optimise material flow within the warehouse.
Ankur Walia, Jungheinrich’s
National Sales Manager of Warehouse Equipment and Automation explained its approach.
“When customers like Toll come to us, we gather insights into their business operations and supply chain challenges,” he said.
“Often, they come with only a general sense of what they need. We leverage our expertise to design a tailored solution for them.
“By understanding Toll’s product profile, storage capacity, and throughput requirements, we can provide the ideal solution, factoring in both immediate needs and future scalability, especially in their 3PL environment.”
The racking is robust and flexible, enabling Toll to adapt to potential changes in product mix and volume – a common challenge in third-party logistics (3PL) environments.
The facility also incorporates fire baffle systems to meet recommended safety standards for storing healthcare products, including those with chemical components.
For Toll, Jungheinrich’s adaptability was a key factor in their decision.
“Working with Jungheinrich within our warehouse spaces provides us with the confidence to continue to innovate, customise, and tailor solutions,” says Loretta.
“This partnership allows us to understand each other more deeply, which in turn creates efficiencies from planning through to execution.”
The healthcare sector demands rapid adjustments to product handling and storage needs, so the warehouse design and delivery required an unusually flexible approach.
Toll requested a phased handover, allowing sections of the warehouse to become operational as they were completed.
While this added cost and logistical complexity, Jungheinrich recognised the importance of meeting Toll’s operational timeline.
“Toll is an important client for us, and we are willing to go the extra mile to accommodate their needs,” said Ankur.
“This meant delivering parts of the
project in stages, even as additional changes came in. Although it cost us more, we ensured that Toll received the flexibility they needed for both their business and their customers’ success.”
Like many industries, warehouse solutions have faced supply chain disruptions, and this project was no exception. Freight delays and shipment hold-ups threatened to delay project milestones.
However, Jungheinrich utilised local stock to bridge the gap, ensuring that the project timeline stayed on track.
This quick response allowed Toll to continue its operations without compromising the facility’s functionality.
Jungheinrich’s one-stop-shop approach was critical to streamlining the project.
“As we continue to grow and expand our footprint, partnerships like the one with Jungheinrich allow us to deliver the high standards our customers demand and help us stay at the forefront of innovation and sustainability in healthcare logistics,” says Loretta.
Their expert project management ensured smooth delivery of the project, overcoming challenges, exceeding expectations, and ultimately building trust with the customer, so that Toll could be able to focus on other priorities during the project.
This integrated approach allowed Jungheinrich to manage all aspects of the installation, ensuring smooth internal communication and reducing the potential for delays and errors.
Jungheinrich’s global presence and reputation were key factors in building Toll’s confidence in the partnership.
Operating in 42 countries and managing about $9 billion AUD in revenue, Jungheinrich brings decades of expertise to each project.
Its ability to handle both global standards and local needs – ensuring compliance with Australian safety standards – helped Toll make its decision on who to engage for the project.
This project marks the beginning of a long-term relationship between Jungheinrich and Toll.
With additional projects potentially in the pipeline, both companies are exploring further ways to collaborate and innovate in warehousing and logistics solutions.
As healthcare and other industries increasingly require custom solutions, Jungheinrich’s experience in creating adaptive, future-proof designs positions it as a valuable partner in the sector.
For Toll, this new Melbourne facility not only represents an investment in logistics but also demonstrates a commitment to high standards in healthcare supply chain management.
“We’re at the start of an ambitious and exciting growth trajectory, and the Tullamarine facility is a milestone on that journey,” says Loretta.
“As we tailor and customise requirements for our customers, this partnership with Jungheinrich gives us the confidence to deliver outcomes anytime, anywhere.”
The warehouse is expected to achieve a five-star Green Star rating, Melbourne Airport’s first, underscoring Toll’s dedication to sustainability.
Through this collaboration, Toll and Jungheinrich have created a model facility that sets a high bar for flexibility, efficiency, and customeroriented solutions in Australia’s healthcare logistics landscape. ■
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Private 5G infrastructure connects smart warehouses, enabling advanced automation, robotics, and real-time operational insights. Image: Anucha/stock.adobe.com
Ericsson’s Private 5G solutions empower warehouses with resilient connectivity, enhancing automation, asset tracking, and operational efficiency.
As warehouses and logistics centres face mounting pressure to improve efficiency and reduce costs, connectivity has become essential for operational success.
Ericsson provides Private 5G solutions that address key challenges in these environments, including network reliability, automation, and asset tracking.
“The desire to automate manual, repetitive, and labour-intensive tasks prompts many smart warehouses and distribution centres to deploy innovative technologies,” says Ian Ross, Head of Private Cellular Networks ANZ for Enterprise Wireless Solutions at Ericsson.
“Private networks provide seamless integration for PDAs, tablets and mobile scanner devices.
“These tools are instrumental in tasks like goods handling, inventory management through barcode scanning, and optimising processes like order processing and real-time reporting.
“Operations teams are also looking toward Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and robotics, that can further speed up fulfillment with precision.”
Traditional Wi-Fi networks often struggle in large warehouses due to coverage limitations and interference. CJ Logistics and Toyota Material Handling have both seen increases in productivity by replacing their Wi-Fi network with private networks as phase one of their private networks rollouts, that included connecting mobile scanner devices and communications technology. Consistent indoor and outdoor coverage with fewer access points than Wi-Fi is simplifying network infrastructure and reducing costs.
This technology enables realtime communication for devices and applications, which is essential, as facilities scale and digital transformation accelerates.
“Ericsson Private 5G, which is
a converged 4G/5G private cellular solution, offers flexible deployment models and best-in-class coverage, mobility, security, and latency necessary for robotics and automated machinery,” says Ian.
Automation technologies, such as robotics and autonomous vehicles, are increasingly used to enhance efficiency and reduce reliance on manual labour.
Ericsson’s Private 5G networks offer the low-latency, high-reliability connectivity required for these systems to operate effectively. This capability supports applications such as robotic picking, inventory cycle counting, and autonomous material handling, enabling warehouses to optimise operations and reduce errors.
“Robotics and automation systems often have requirements in terms of minimum throughput, latency targets, packet loss targets and even packet sequencing,” says Ian.
systems require connectivity across the footprint of the warehouse and at all levels – from the ceiling to the floor.
“5G brings the ability to set and deliver these targets to the different applications that use them, while allowing different types of traffic to co-exist on the one network without impacting or interfering with each other.”
Tracking inventory and equipment in real-time is a common challenge for warehouses. Ericsson’s Private 5G solution uses Ericsson’s Radio Dot System to provide precise location tracking, offering high levels of accuracy.
With visibility into the location of assets and materials, managers can make data-driven decisions to improve workflow efficiency and prevent losses.
“We also find that 5G systems are more adept at providing stable, consistent connectivity through warehousing and logistics environments, with facilities often able to service a substantially reduced number of radios than other technologies, reducing capital costs, wiring, and maintenance needs,” Ian explains.
Reliability is critical for logistics operations, which often depend on uninterrupted connectivity.
Ericsson’s Private 5G networks remain operational even if the connection to cloud management is disrupted, maintaining device connectivity and local workload access. This resilience minimises the risk of
cuts or public network outages.
Warehouses are adopting IoT technologies, which subsequently drives the need for networks that can handle high volumes of connected devices.
Ericsson’s solution can support up to 20,000 devices and cover over 1million m2 of indoor floorspace (plus outdoors), providing the scalability needed for large facilities.
“Ericsson Private 5G is designed to accommodate a large fleet of workers, robots, machines, and sensors – deployed as part of an IIoT strategy – through a single, site-wide communications infrastructure,” says Ian.
“The advanced traffic management features of Ericsson Private 5G can enforce minimum network performance targets and priorities to different applications, ensuring that operationally, critical applications receive priority access to network resources to less important applications.”
A cloud-managed approach simplifies network operations, enabling facilities to scale without requiring specialised technical expertise, automating orchestration and lifecycle management to keep operational complexity low.
“Enterprises don’t need an entire staff of deep cellular expertise to operate networks based on Ericsson Private 5G. Existing technical staff with existing skillsets can largely be leveraged,” says Ian.
“They are provided local administration interfaces to manage day-to-day operations such as
operational capabilities to be delivered by remote systems and remote expert teams working in collaboration.”
IoT connectivity also supports predictive maintenance by collecting real-time data from equipment sensors, allowing warehouse operators to identify potential issues before they lead to breakdowns, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Ericsson’s high-speed, low-latency 5G networks ensure that data from sensors and monitoring devices is transmitted quickly, enabling timely analysis and intervention.
With the rise of connected devices, security is a growing concern in warehousing and logistics.
Ericsson incorporates advanced encryption and zero-trust connectivity to safeguard data and prevent unauthorised access.
The private 5G network’s segmentation capabilities also ensure that critical systems remain isolated, reducing the risk of disruptions caused by cyberattacks.
With private 5G solutions, warehouses and logistics facilities can effectively address critical challenges, from network reliability to automation and asset management.
By providing a scalable and resilient platform, the technology enables operators to optimise workflows and meet the demands of modern supply chains.
As logistics operations continue to evolve, Ericsson’s connectivity solutions are likely to play a key role in enabling the next generation of warehousing and distribution. ■
Vishav Bhattewad, Director of Infinity Red Services.
Business owner, Vishav Bhattewad, shares insights into how Amazon’s Delivery Service Partner program has empowered him to build a successful delivery business.
Vishav Bhattewad, Director of Infinity Red Services, has been working in logistics in Brisbane for 14 years, but he has always wanted to run his own business.
When he saw Amazon’s Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program was expanding to Australia earlier this year, he jumped at the chance to start a business with Amazon’s support.
He knew he had the skills, drive, and experience to be a great business owner.
The program is available to aspiring entrepreneurs, providing a platform for building successful delivery businesses. It was launched in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane in earlier this year.
With Amazon’s support, business owners can leverage its 25 years’ worth of experience in logistics.
The program offers a unique opportunity for owners to take charge of their own fleet, employ local drivers, and benefit from Amazon’s infrastructure.
Vishav explains how the program is different from other ventures.
“In other logistics businesses, you often find that the primary company you work with is not as engaged,” says Vishav.
“The Amazon DSP program is different because you have a dedicated team working closely with you daily.”
This involvement is one of the key features that sets the program apart. For aspiring owners, this level of engagement and support is invaluable, ensuring they aren’t navigating the challenges alone.
Vishav notes that this strong support system has been crucial for his success, especially as the program expanded in a country like Australia, where the land size and complex transport infrastructure present unique challenges.
“Australia’s size is huge, and our transport connections are not simple, especially when it comes to interstate deliveries,” he adds.
“But Amazon has put together a solid support system that’s allowed us to upscale quickly.”
For Vishav, the journey to joining the
program has been rooted in his passion for logistics. Vishav, who comes from a family involved in transportation, says that logistics has always been part of his life.
“My grandfather was a transporter, and my father was too,” says Vishav.
“I’ve been in logistics for nearly 14 years, and I’m always looking for new and improved opportunities in this space.
“The DSP program was one of those opportunities I couldn’t pass up.”
Vishav’s journey into the program began overseas, during a trip to India.
“While I was on holiday in India, I needed to get certain books, and they were delivered through the Amazon DSP program.
“I was amazed by how efficient the system was, especially in a tough demographic like India, where navigation can be tricky. From there, I started researching the program, and when I found out it was launching in Australia, I was ready to apply.”
Success in the program requires more
than just an interest in logistics; it involves managing workflow, teams, and expectations.
Vishav stresses the importance of this skillset for anyone considering joining the program.
“In logistics, being involved includes both operating from an office and managing matters from the backend, and being on your feet, undertaking tasks.”
Vishav says a key skill for succeeding in the program is the ability to manage people effectively. Building a solid team culture is essential to keeping the operation running smoothly.
Vishav highlights that when you have a happy and motivated team, the business thrives.
“If your team is happy to show up every day and give their best, then you know things are working,” he says.
The program empowers Delivery Service Partners to hire and manage their own delivery drivers, offering permanent employment opportunities for dozens of local workers.
This not only helps the business grow, but also contributes to the community by providing jobs and a stable work environment.
While the program offers an exciting opportunity, it requires a fresh approach, particularly for those with prior experience in logistics.
The program’s structure and operations differ from traditional logistics businesses, so DSPs should be be adaptable and open to learning.
Amazon provides the necessary tools and resources to help DSP operators navigate the learning curve, ensuring they can grow their business with confidence.
As the program continues to grow in Australia, entrepreneurs like Vishav are excited about the future.
What helps is that the program gives access to sophisticated delivery technology, which offers a unique opportunity for those looking to build a successful delivery business.
For aspiring DSPs, the message is clear: success comes with dedication, adaptability, and the right mindset. For more information and to apply, go to https://logistics.amazon.com.au/ ■
Learn more about ERP systems with the Australian Supply Chain Institute’s one-day course.
Join the Australian Supply Chain Institute’s (ASCI) upcoming Data Excellence for Effective ERP Systems One-Day Course to learn the processes, tools, techniques and performance measures for achieving and maintaining management data excellence, which will take place on 10 December 2024.
This one-day session will focus on best practice approaches for achieving and maintaining data excellence to support your IBP process and your ERP system. Accurate base data enables valid
communication and action messages throughout the company. Running the company using a computer-based management approach requires not only a functional set of ERP software programs, but also accurate base data.
Accountabilities and cross-functional links will be discussed to enable you to assess the quality of your current processes against world-class checklists. Although participants will receive three checklists. The focus for this class will be the Tom Wallace selfassessment, excel Excel-based tool.
The other two checklists provided free will be the Fundamental checklist and a checklist focused more on behaviours rather than processes.
Relevant performance measures will be presented to ensure companies are using the correct measures and the correct formula.
Classes are conducted from 9am to 5pm Sydney Time, totalling eight training hours. Participants will join via Zoom.
ASCI members can register for $995, while non-members can register for $1395. ■
The Australian Supply Chain Institute encourages you to take the Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution exam before the program is relaunched.
In 2025, the APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) certification program will be relaunched with updated content as part of a regular cadence of job task analysis (JTA) reviews to ensure content is up to date
with the latest industry information. For candidates taking or going to take the CLTD journey, please carefully review the important deadlines below and plan the study.
4 February 2025: system launch
March 2025: CLTD cut score study 31 May 2025: last day to test on the current CLTD content
Prepare for CLTD updates: Key 2025 deadlines to plan your certification journey effectively. Image: KANGWANS/stock.adobe.com
ASCI is offering an instructor-led course in 2025 that will help you move up the career ladder.
The Australian Supply Chain Institute (ASCI) is thrilled to announce that its 2025 Instructor-Led Course Schedule is now published. If you are looking to take your career to the next level in the field of Supply Chain Management, this is the perfect opportunity for you to plan and stay ahead of the curve.
ASCI’s comprehensive course includes the latest industry trends and techniques taught by experienced instructors with years of practical experience. You will learn to apply the latest technologies and methodologies to your business, optimise your operations, and improve your overall supply chain performance.
Enrolling in ASCI’s instructor-led course is an investment in your career and will help you move up the career
Plan your career growth with ASCI’s 2025 Instructor-Led Courses in Supply Chain Management. Image: ASCI
ladder. You will gain valuable skills and knowledge that will differentiate you from your peers and make you more competitive in the job market.
ASCI offers free student membership with full ASCI member discounts. Its course is designed to give students a competitive edge and help them land
your career. Enrol in ASCI’s 2025 Instructor-Led Course and take the first step towards a more prosperous, fulfilling career in Supply Chain Management. ■
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and marketing teams. He most recently served as the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at TechnologyOne, Australia’s largest enterprise SaaS company. Before this, Tim held senior executive leadership positions, including President of the Americas at Microfocus and President of APAC at Infor. He has worked with global enterprise technology companies such as HP and SAP, where he made contributions to, and led growth initiatives across, all sales channels in each role.
roles. He has a mechatronics engineering qualification from UNSW and has worked with all of Swisslog’s warehouse automation ranges in his design engineering experience. Joseph believes involving a technical understanding early in the sales process will deliver benefits to customers. “It’s important not just to look at a solution’s benefits, but to look at the customer’s specific challenges, and their unique site,” he says.
expertise. Most recently, he held the role of Project Engineer/Site Manager, where he was instrumental in the successful implementation of high-bay racking ASRS and supported the installation of AutoStore systems. His diverse background, ranging from process improvement, plant operations, sales engineering and project delivery, combined with attention to detail standards, safety and commercials, will strengthen the delivery capability in Kardex.
Do you have career news to share? Email Mannat Chawla at mannat.chawla@primecreative.com.au to be featured.
Swisslog automated warehouse solutions ‘scalable, flexible Vectura stacker crane for high bay warehouse automation reduces energy consumption of pallet warehouse operations by up to 25 per cent, thanks to features including regenerative energy design for optimal use of cycles. With an outstanding 99.7 per cent availability, and providing a solution reliability with over 50 years of continuous improvement behind it, Swedish-designed Vectura performs equally well in temperatures as low as -30°C in a frozen food warehouse, or in ambient environments as high as +50°C. Proven in more than 600 customer installations, and operating at heights up to 50m, Vectura’s single-mast design reduces cost and uses less space, setting the standard for innovative design for pallet cranes in high-bay warehouses. It achieves very high storage density, with single to multi deep reach, in high buildings and, where land space is limited.
For more information visit www.swisslog.com/en-au
The Bin-to-Picker AMR solution from Dematic streamlines order fulfilment with advanced storage and retrieval, and Goods-to-Person technologies. This system comprises autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that transport storage totes directly to pickers, streamlining the picking process, significantly boosting efficiency, and maximising accuracy. Designed to address labour challenges and rising customer expectations, it offers unparalleled flexibility and scalability. Dematic ensures long-term success with comprehensive support, including maintenance, repairs, and future upgrades. By leveraging their industry expertise and wide range of solutions, Dematic delivers tailored systems that optimise business operations, providing a premium experience for clients and their customers.
For more information, visit www.dematic.com and search for the impressive Radial Europe case study.
The ECE series truck stands out among low-level order pickers due to its innovative features tailored for accessibility, efficiency, and operator comfort. Its height-adjustable steering wheel, known as the “jetPILOT,” ensures accessibility for operators of various heights, making it inclusive for everyone. The operator-oriented working space ensures all necessary equipment, such as scanners, shrink wrap, and documents, are conveniently within reach. Furthermore, the truck can be customised with cutting-edge technology to enable semi-automation in warehouse operations, with the possibility of integrating with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) based on customer requirements. Experience the difference with the ECE series truck today and elevate your warehouse operations to new heights. To learn more about how our innovative features and customisable options can streamline your workflow and enhance operator satisfaction, visit our website.
For more information visit: www.jungheinrich.com.au
ifm Track and Trace Gate is the complete solution for your automated and transparent logistics in your incoming and outgoing goods processes. By directly transferring all goods flows to the IT level, you can organise the inter-locking of production, inventory, and suppliers more efficiently than ever before.
For more information visit www.ifm.com/au/en
