Search Results for: pallet

The Salvatori Group has relocated its headquarters to the Aylesham Industrial Estate near Canterbury, Kent (UK).

The move is set to benefit the logistics company, part of freight network Palletways, by improving access to the A2, the port of Dover and Salvatori sites in Rochester and Les Attaques, Calais.

The £5.5m site is state of the art, energy efficient and tailor-made for the Group’s activities including heavy and palletised haulage, cold, ambient and palletised storage, commercial workshops and its newest division, upcycled furniture manufacture.

Over £1.3m has been invested to create one of the most bespoke and energy efficient cold storage facilities in with a total capacity of 2,500 tonnes. The site allows for pallet storage of 10,500 pallet spaces across 103,000 square feet with a further 130,000 sq. of space for ambient storage.

In addition to these new facilities, the Group has also invested in 10,000 sq ft of commercial workshop facilities to house its commercial repair workshops and growing upcycled furniture manufacturing business. 9,000 sq ft of fully air conditioned and modern offices are also based at the site to house the group’s administration, storage and transport operations staff.

The Group has been part of the Palletways network since March 2015. Over the past 21 years Palletways has developed a strategic network of more than 400 depots and 14 hubs and now provides collection and distribution services across 20 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Spain, Slovakia and the United Kingdom.

Seegrid, the pioneer and leader in vision-based autonomous industrial vehicles, has added the Subway Platform displays to its Supervisor product. The displays are designed to reduce downtime in the supply chain by providing subway-style estimated-time-of-arrival (ETA) projections and data collection capabilities at each station where Seegrid’s vision guided vehicles (VGVs) retrieve or deliver materials. The new feature is part of Seegrid Supervisor, the fleet management tool that enables users to remotely connect, monitor, and control their fleet of VGVs.

The Subway Platform concept was developed in coordination with Whirlpool Corporation, which uses Seegrid’s vision guided pallet trucks and tow tractors to help improve safety and efficiency in its manufacturing operations. Supervisor’s ETA projections improve communication and coordination between en route VGVs and their human coworkers.

“Subway Platform allows me to track our automated operations at a glance, wherever I am, without having to run a report. It displays VGV status, so assembly operators know when their materials will arrive,” says Brad St. Louis, senior engineer of the materials department at Whirlpool Corporation’s Clyde division. “Seegrid’s commitment to partnering with Whirlpool to create this valuable solution underscores a dedication to customers and automated solutions that work collaboratively alongside humans.”

Seegrid Supervisor uses web technology inside customer facilities to fill the communication gaps created from machine automation by establishing two-way dialogue between humans and their robotic coworkers. The expansion of Supervisor with Subway Platform is the latest result of Seegrid’s collaboration with customers to develop solutions that ensure flexibility, efficiency, and safety throughout the supply chain.

“Whirlpool Corporation is one of the most respected appliance manufacturers in the world, and we could not be more excited that our VGVs are operating in its manufacturing operations helping complete more orders on a daily basis,” said Jim Rock, CEO of Seegrid. “By using our vision guided vehicles and new tools like Subway Platform, Whirlpool is able to provide efficient deliverables to its customers while reducing overhead costs.”

Seegrid has more than doubled its workforce since 2014, as more companies turn to vision-based technology to replace legacy automation that relies on lasers.

The SPE120XR, SPE120XRD and SWE120XR have joined the BT Staxio P- and W-series from Toyota Material Handling Europe. Equipped with retractable masts, a compact chassis and the ability to handle different types of pallets, the Japanese giant says these models are designed to save space and increase efficiency.

This unique range combines the compactness of a stacker with the flexibility of a reach truck. This results in a versatile solution that can handle any pallet type up to a height of 4.8 metres. The range consists of a pedestrian stacker (SWE120XR), a platform stacker (SPE120XR) and a double pallet handler (SPE120XRD). The short turning radius and the retractable mast make this solution ideal for working in narrow aisles, tight spaces and adaptable to a wide variety of environments, including cold store. The models can also be optionally fitted with a side-shift or fork positioner to increase productivity.

With all driver functions integrated in the handle (driving, lifting, lowering, reaching, tilting, side-shifting and fork positioning) the new models are very easy to operate. Optimised Truck Performance adjusts speed when cornering and the Totalview concept allows for excellent visibility through the mast to the fork tips at any height, offering safe driving conditions. The platform SPE-version with ‘one-touch’ foldable gates and in-height adjustable steering arm further improves driver ergonomics and productivity.

The new stacker range is also highly energy-efficient and available with Lithium-ion battery as an option. This battery technology is ideal for intensive operations thanks to a reduced energy consumption of up to 30%. Furthermore, Lithium-ion provides an exceptional battery life and the option for quick charging at any time – eliminating the need for battery change in multi-shift applications.

“Especially in narrow areas you will benefit from the flexibility, energy efficiency, user-friendliness and high vertical and horizontal performance of the new BT Staxio W- and P- models. These stacker trucks with retractable mast will help you save storage space and increase efficiency”, says Martin Mimer, Product Management Warehouse Trucks at Toyota Material Handling Europe.

The new BT Staxio SPE120XR(D) and SWE120XR will be one of the many products, solutions and technologies that Toyota Material Handling will be presenting during CeMAT 2016 (May 30th to June 3rd). Come and see us in Hanover at Pavilion 32.

Working in the sub-zero world of the cold store demands the highest standards of visibility, reliability and comfort. Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has now developed a brand-new range of cold cabins for its SENSiA reach trucks, which the company says are tailored to work productively and reliably – even in temperatures as low as -35 degrees.

Like every product in the Mitsubishi cold store line-up, SENSiA cold store models have been specified with cold-resistant cabling and waterproofed electrics: protecting against damage from cold and moisture. While SENSiA’s thermostatically controlled heaters protect critical components, its hydraulics have been optimised to perform in the coldest of conditions.

Recognising a reach truck is only as productive as its operator, designers at Mitsubishi looked for ways to do more than keep operators warm in their cabins.

Developed for energy efficiency, each cabin is generously insulated and features a 1700 W heater to ensure the optimum working environment for each operator throughout the longest shifts.

Available on standard chassis reach trucks, cabins are spacious by design. Every element of the operator compartment has been specified to keep it uncluttered: from its intelligent fingertip controls to its folding steering wheel console.

Controls are kept within easy, avoiding unnecessary movement to reduce the risk of operator fatigue. For added control, every cold store model benefits from SENSiA’s intelligent SDS (Sensitive Drive System). Fitted as standard, SDS automatically tailors the truck’s performance to the specific needs of driver and load. As a result, it delivers smooth start and stop movements and agile, stable performance.

Visibility is paramount in any lifting operation. Like every SENSiA reach truck, cold store cabin models offer 360-degree visibility. The cabin’s heated side windows protect against frost, misting and condensation, ensuring exceptional visibility and safe, productive performance.

A clear-view, crash-proof polycarbonate roof – fitted as standard – means operators benefit from maximum upwards views, while being shielded from falling debris of any shape or size.

The cabin’s robust steel frame, which features a reinforced collision guard, offers added protection to operator, bodywork and door when working in tight spaces.

SENSiA is the latest addition to the Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks range of lift trucks dedicated to cold store applications. Other products in the range include VELiA, its low level order picker; electric counterbalance trucks, including the popular EDiA EM and its family of pallet trucks, PREMiA.

Hy-Dynamix™ has launched a new mobile container weighing solution called Hy-Weigh™, which gives digital readouts within ten minutes at point of packing.

The system can weigh containers up to 35 tonnes and uses four corner hydraulic elevation jacks, raising the container in situ and displaying the weight in increments of 50kg via a digital read-out.

Designed by engineers at Hy-Dynamix™ parent company Dyer Engineering, which has a 40-year pedigree in the sector, Hy-Weigh is self-contained on its own specially designed pallet, and its control panel allows for individual corner raising and lowering.

“We have designed a product which is simple, easy to use, and reliable, with no complex software or electronics,” said Graeme Parkins, Managing Director, Hy-Dynamix™.

“Hy-Weigh™ removes the need for dedicated container craneage weighing systems or weighbridges, it is easily deployed and moved around a facility, and we are very proud to say it is manufactured in the UK.”

Hy-Dynamix™ is a new company launched this year by Parkins, who is also Managing Director of parent company Dyer Engineering, which was established in 1977 in County Durham in the North-East of the UK.

In 2013, three years after joining Dyer Engineering as General Manager, Graeme completed a management buyout of the company along with his business partner Richard Bradley. The two continue to maintain and nurture the company’s values of “Smarter, Stronger, Together”, which encourages and builds a culture around innovative ideas to help customers improve their businesses, all delivered within a true team-working ethos.”

The Hy-Weigh™ System was developed in house as part of a range of products to facilitate and handle the moving of containers.

Its sister product Hy-Lifter™ elevates the container and allows skating systems to be attached to the underside to allow easy movement of a container around a facility.

LayerMaster, from B&B Attachments, is a new solution for both layer picking and layer splitting loads. It allows a pallet to be quickly broken down or built up by clamping layers, and can be adjusted for a wide range of products including boxed and frozen goods, glass and plastics containers, tinned products and plastic trays. Very versatile, it can lift up to half of a 2400mm high pallet at a time or, alternatively, just a single layer of boxes, thereby enabling the load to be quickly broken down or built up by clamping single or multiple layers. The open centre version is capable of lifting a full height 2400mm load.

LayerMaster is unique in the way it clamps on all four sides of the product – which means minimal pressure is required to hold the load. Where a number of different layer weights (or product types) are required to be handled, a multi stage valve is supplied as standard to enable up to 3 pressures to be selected, which can be set by B&B’s experienced engineers.

The LayerMaster system is now widely used throughout the fresh produce sector and can be seen at most major supermarket distribution centres. The speed and versatility of the patented system can help businesses reduce time, labour, repetitive strain injury claims and significantly increase safe working practices and productivity.

The market is now changing from height reduction of loads being the norm, to now seeing more and more companies looking to order pick. This new approach is rapidly being applied to more and more applications.

In a traditional operation, the picker will go to a location and transfer goods manually onto another pallet, and then move on to the next location, depending on the picking requirements.

A layer-picking attachment on a forklift truck makes it possible to pick single or multiple layers of products, and allows the user to build up mixed pallets quickly, safely and efficiently with minimal manual labour. In a warehouse or distribution centre, picking usually represents about 25 percent of all labour costs. This type of attachment can typically process orders in excess of 1000 cases per hour, compared to 100-250 cases per hour manually.

A bio-mechanics study, recently commissioned by health & safety specialist, Pristine Condition, in conjunction with Tesco Distribution, has revealed ground-breaking results, and helped the supermarket retailer achieve 60% reduction in manual handling incidents.

The purpose of the study was to objectively and technically measure the manual handling risk reduction when applying Pristine Principles across a number of key Tesco Distribution Centre manual handling tasks.

Using ViSafe wireless motion sensor technology, the study measured movement and muscle activity when undertaking the tasks pre and post Pristine Condition’s manual handling training.

The tests were undertaken across a range of tasks comparing the outputs both before and after Pristine Condition manual handling training. This included the loading and pulling of cages, and loading, unloading and stacking pallets. The results were exceptional. Objective data provided by ViSafe quantified the advantage of Pristine Condition techniques in reducing risk for injury across all tasks assessed as ranging between 35% and 94%, in particular reducing muscle demand by up to 73%.

Tesco Distribution had historically followed the same route as many other companies – following HSE guidance and hierarchy of controls. However, because that approach often fails to properly address the issue of incorrect technique then predictably manual handling incidents were still prevalent, causing injury to colleagues and cost to the business.

Tesco took the initiative to employ Pristine Condition – H&S Specialist and global leader in manual handling – to create a bespoke training programme to address manual handling incidents across their Distribution Centres.

For the first time ever Pristine Condition brought Olympic weightlifting techniques to industry, dispelling many myths and fallacies, and introducing realistic, achievable Principles and control measures.

ACE Exports Ltd, a UK company that has been supplying a range of personal care, grocery and household products to retailers throughout the Caribbean Islands for over 25 years, has outsourced its supply chain process to Midlands-based DK Fufilment Ltd (DKF).

Under the terms of the two year agreement, DKF will be responsible for receiving palletised loads of goods from ACE Exports’ global suppliers and storing the stock at its 165,000 sq ft shared user facility in Coventry.

Orders will be picked and assembled in to containers for onward delivery to the Caribbean on a weekly basis and, at peak times, five container loads a week will be dispatched.

Prior to outsourcing to DKF, ACE Exports had operated three warehouse units in the Black Country region but, by appointing DKF as its logistics partner, ACE has been able to remove this costly fixed overhead from its business model.

“One of the attractions of outsourcing to a third party supply chain solutions specialist like DKF is the flexibility it brings to our business,”
says ACE Export’s Consultant, Steve Tandy.

He adds: “Our Black Country warehouses had to be staffed to a level appropriate to cope with our busiest periods and this meant that when things were less hectic we were paying for personnel that were under utilised. It was a fixed cost that we wanted to lose and outsourcing has allowed us to do so.”

DKF opened its Coventry facility in December 2015.
The site offers three storage chambers and features a combination of wide and narrow aisle pallet racking as well as small parts storage bays and a dedicated pick, pack and re-work area as well as modern office accommodation.

The building is served by a new fleet of Toyota materials handling equipment, including counterbalanced and reach trucks, very narrow aisle trucks and man-aloft high level order pickers.

DKF Fulfilment Ltd’s managing director, Mark Elward, commented: “We are delighted ACE Exports chose to award this business to DKF. DKF will bring industry leading standards and operational excellence to the contract and we look forward to a successful partnership.”

Union Industries, manufacturer of industrial rapid roll doors, has helped specialist cooked chicken manufacturer Benson Park with its recent chill store extension, which includes new state of the art cooking processes.

Benson Park was recently acquired by the well-known Cranswick Group and the project at the Hull site is its first venture in to the cooked chicken sector. The new extension has increased capacity by 30% due to quicker stock intake and has also created new jobs. Capacity has also been increased with a new cooking process, which is far more efficient and incorporates new cooking techniques.

Leeds (UK)-based Union Industries, which designs, manufactures, installs and maintains its own range of fact acting doors, has fitted two Matadoors to help Benson Park to meet its strict temperature control and hygiene standards.

Benson Park is a specialist manufacturer of cooked poultry products for the food industry. It operates from a purpose-built factory that has been designed to produce high quality cooked meat products efficiently and to the best possible safety standards. They supply well known food-to-go manufacturers with chicken in its various forms including cooked, sliced, diced and shredded.

The Matadoor is ideally suited for internal openings with high volume traffic, whether for forklift trucks, pallet trucks or personnel with trolleys and carts. Its fast opening and closing operating cycle ensures that as little of the cold as possible escapes when gaining access, meaning energy savings and cost reductions in refrigeration

In common with the other doors in the range, the Matadoor features Union’s highly-regarded ‘Crash-Out’ damage protection facility which ensures that they remain operable if the bottom beam is hit by a speeding vehicle. This proven system, which has been a central attribute of Union’s doors for over 25 years, drastically reduces repair costs and guarantees minimal down-time if the door is impacted by traffic such as forklift trucks.

Since the launch of model series T20/T25 SP in 2004, Linde Material Handling has sold over 33,000 such pallet trucks worldwide. Linde says that this makes them the clear market leader in the platform pallet truck segment in Europe and also sets a benchmark in the field of intralogistics. Linde will be presenting a number of new, customer-oriented optional features for these successful models at its World of Material Handling (WoMH) 2016 customer event.

Around the world, these platform pallet trucks with two or two-and-a-half tonne load capacity facilitate the loading and unloading of HGVs as well as pallet transfer and order picking. Linde’s unique driving concept is key to the resounding market success: The main load of the transported goods rests on the drive wheel so that braking and acceleration forces are accurately transmitted. In addition, a hydraulic damping system with tilt sensors for the lateral support wheels ensures maximum stability and driver comfort in all situations. Whether cornering, on uneven surfaces or on slopes – the operator has full control of the vehicle and the load at all times.

The new equipment options enhance driver comfort, efficiency and reliability for Linde T20/T25 SP platform trucks even more. The main innovation is the completely decoupled and damped stand-on platform. Platform and steering system form a compact unit, which is decoupled from the chassis. This has led to about 30 percent reduction in jolts and vibrations – both mechanical and human.

With this innovation, Linde takes another step towards the ergonomic unity of man and machine. This is because platform pallet trucks Linde T20/T25 SP feature proven e-Driver technology. This allows the driver to comfortably rest his back by leaning, while standing at a 45 degree angle to the direction of travel and steer the vehicle with one hand, with which he can also control all drive and lift functions. The 45-degree position provides optimum visibility of the route and load in an ergonomic body posture. In this way the driver can concentrate for a long time without getting tired and he is positioned in such a way that his health is not compromised.

LED work lights increase safety

To facilitate working in poorly lit environments, Linde has added LED work lights to its range of optional features. These lights help to make processes safer and more efficient, for example when loading and unloading truck trailers with dark interiors. The light is positioned within the vehicle contour, protected against damage, and can be switched on and off with a single move of the hand.

In addition to process safety and driver comfort, customers particularly appreciate the high uptime and power of the platform pallet trucks. Both are assured by the truck’s 3 kW AC traction motor. Its high torque ensures powerful start up. After less than five metres, the vehicle reaches its maximum speed of 12 km/h. The trucks and their new optional features will make their debut at Linde’s WoMH in Offenbach, Germany which will take place from 9-25 May. Visitors to this customer event will be offered the opportunity to test-drive the vehicles themselves.

Cold Chain Storage Network (CCN) – one of Asia’s leading temperature controlled storage and distribution specialists – has replaced the existing articulated lift truck fleet at its Malaysia facility with 8 new Flexi AC CS articulated forklifts designed and built by Narrow Aisle Ltd.

The fleet of Flexi AC Cold Store (CS) articulated trucks will operate at CNN’s 200,000 square foot multi temperature-controlled warehouse which is located in the Malaysian state of Selangor.

The facility offers chilled, frozen, deep frozen and ambient storage facilities to a host of customers and is one of the largest temperature-controlled storage sites in the region.

The Flexi AC CS fleet will be supplied and maintained by Prestar Marketing, part of Narrow Aisle’s global distributor network.

The truck’s ability to increase conventional pallet storage space by up to 30 per cent compared with reach trucks, combined with its VNA aisle performance in modern power mobile rack systems, has dramatically reduced cold store warehouse logistics costs for many users.

Despite its ultra-compact dimensions, the Flexi AC CS has capacity for loads of up to 2000kg and can lift to over 12 metres, while the truck’s specially designed and conditioned electrical and hydraulic system allows constant change of use between cold and ambient environments.

The Flexi AC CS can also operate continuously at temperatures as low as minus 28°C and only needs to leave the cold store for a battery change as battery charging can take place in the cold store itself if this is what the design of the store dictates.

A fully insulated and heated cab system is available to operators who need high volume pallet throughput.

John Maguire, sales and marketing director Narrow Aisle (pictured, with clients), commented: “This is an important contract from a part of the world that has embraced Flexi articulated forklift truck technology with enthusiasm.

“The trucks will be manufactured by Narrow Aisle and supplied to Prestar – our distribution and service partner – for onward delivery to CCN.

“CCN is one of Malaysia’s largest provider of cold chain, multi-temperature logistics and warehousing and has long been an advocate of the articulated truck concept but was moved to seek a higher quality articulated forklift supplier after experiencing a number of operational problems with a US-sourced articulated lift truck brand that the company had been using.”

Jungheinrich has launched its new EKS 110 vertical order picker. With a one tonne load capacity this completely redesigned truck has a distinctive new look and low-energy LED headlights and reflectors. Having a maximum platform height of 3 metres, the truck supports picking heights of up to 4.6 metres, making it ideal for order picking at up to three levels of racking.

Maximum pick rates – lowest power consumption
The new 3.2 kW drive delivers higher speeds and around five percent greater acceleration. With the optional Drive+ package drivers can even move up a gear, and enjoy dynamic acceleration and speeds of up to 13 km per hour – getting them to the next picking location even faster, thanks to Jungheinrich’s Curve Control assist system that ensures safe cornering.

At the same time energy consumption has been cut. Energy efficient three-phase AC technology and high battery capacity offer long operating times, and for multi-shift operation the EKS 110 now also runs on lithium-ion batteries rated at 240 and 360 ampere hours. The fast charging time achieved with this battery technology means it takes only 30 minutes to reach a 50% charge, and 80 minutes for a 100% charge. For light and medium-duty operations over one or two shifts, Jungheinrich recommends 375, 465 and 620 ampere hour lead-acid batteries and even gives a warranty for two-shift operation without battery replacement – if a battery does not last for two full shifts, Jungheinrich will add a second battery for free.

Perfect communications with WMS
With the optional picking optimisation package using Jungheinrich’s Logistics Interface, the EKS 110 can easily communicate with custom warehouse management systems (WMS), making it easy to send orders to the truck control system. The package includes such features as: drive programme selection for setting travel speed, acceleration and braking behaviour for specific products; truck data query; an additional display in the load direction for displaying WMS information; and a pushbutton on the side to confirm orders quickly and easily.

Ergonomic layout makes for comfortable working
The cabin on the EKS 110 has an ergonomic layout, aiding productivity by making getting in and out, as well as driving and picking, fatigue-free. The optional picking platform does away with the forks while extending the driver platform to facilitate the picking of individual or bulky items. The optimised lowering of the walk-on load section (optional) ensures that the platform, including loading equipment, is lowered to the optimal lowest level – ensuring the lowest possible walk-on access without the pallet ever touching the ground.

Instead of the standard forklift steering, an option is to fit the Jungheinrich JetPilot which offers intuitive and comfortable driving, just like a car. The new LED headlights and general lights further improve visibility. Optional extras include the integrated DayLED daytime running lights for improved visibility in poorly lit halls as well as the Floor Spot system, which significantly reduces the risk of collisions at blind spots by projecting a red dot on the ground around three metres ahead of the truck.

Muller LCS, manufacturer of both innovative equipment and material load containment solutions has launched an economical solution for wrapping pallets with its new RaptorTM HPL high profile turntable stretch wrapper. The Raptor HPL is “an intuitive and reliable wrapper that has the additional benefits of having Muller’s popular branding tool, Logo WrapTM, and a roping device built in”. Logo Wrap, previously only available as an option for the Octopus line of ring stretch wrappers, will promote one’s brand on pallet loads, reduce tampering of product with its one-of-a-kind film, shield product visibility and can be applied anywhere on the load. In addition, Logo Wrap minimalizes waste and labor typically involved with hand-applied stickers and labels and maintains its durability by withstanding the outdoor elements. The roping device feature further ensures greater load containment by tying the load to the pallet.

The heavy-duty, semi-automatic machine, which can wrap up to 35 loads per hour, has an elevated turntable platform (ideal for high debris and harsh environments), intuitive controls and an easy-to-use interface. Furthermore, the patented strain gauge technology allows for electronic film feed and optimised handling on pallet load corners. The turntable also contains a lubrication free power pre-stretch carriage with variable pre-stretch levels from 100% to 300%, guaranteeing users optimal film usage while preventing film breaks and product damage.





Efficient packaging solutions are Antalis Packaging’s main focus for those in the transport, logistics and supply chain management sectors at Multimodal 2016, Stand 819, 10-12 May, NEC Birmingham. Creating bespoke solutions for individual business requirements is core to the offering, helping to improve operational efficiency through packaging automation. Antalis Packaging provide end-to-end automated solutions from void fill and case erectors/closers, through to pallet wrappers, weighing machines and stretch films.

The stand will include live demonstrations of the latest semi-automatic Lantech stretch wrapping machinery, and case erector systems; both of which aim to reduce pack/wrap times within a warehouse environment.

Also on display with the stretch wrapper will be a weigh scale and printer, along with other examples of the equipment and materials included in Antalis Packaging’s extensive range of solutions, which are relevant to various applications across primary, secondary and tertiary packaging.

Martin Styler, Sales Director at Antalis Packaging comments: “Within logistics and supply chain management, it is vital that both packaging consumables and machinery provide effective solutions matched to suit specific requirements, as well as meeting all relevant legislation. By implementing automation into your packaging process, a more adaptable business model is possible, increasing efficiencies and reducing costs associated with damages and returns. Our various packaging experts on the stand will be available to discuss your current output, advise where you can make improvements, speed up your packaging operation and increase overall productivity and profitability.”

Since LPR, the UK division of Europe’s second largest pallet pooling provider, began to manage the pallet pool for Nestlé, it has successfully reduced production line stoppages and manufacturing downtime. Some of the popular brands transported on LPR’s instantly recognisable red pallets include Shreddies, Cheerios, Purina pet food, Nescafé and Nestlé Pure Life spring water.

Adrian Fleming, regional director of LPR UK and Ireland, said it had worked closely with Nestlé to ensure its specific needs were met.

He commented: “We were extremely pleased when, after successfully operating the pallet service for Purina Aintree for seven years and previously working with Cereal Partners, we were asked to take on the entire UK product stream 12 months ago.

“As an FCMG specialist, we’ve been able to provide the best pallets for Nestlé’s product range and have also advised it on every aspect of the logistics journey to improve efficiencies.

“The proof is in the pudding and it’s testament to the unrivalled customer service we provide that our first year has been such a success. We are looking forward to continuing to work together over the next 12 months to further improve efficiencies.”

Dave Thompson, head of supply chain at Nestlé, added: “We’ve been extremely impressed with the professionalism and the level of service provision we have received from LPR in the first year. The customer service team goes out of its way to ensure that our requirements are met and the combination of the one-way trip service and improvements to the quality of pallets used for transportation and storage of Nestlé’s goods has meant we can focus on other key areas of our business. I’ve no doubt that our relationship will go from strength to strength as we continue our partnership.”

Continued expansion saw LPR move its UK and Ireland headquarters to a new base in Studley, Warwickshire, last year. In February 2016, the Ireland team opened two new bases in Dublin and Galway. LPR’s pro-active programme of growth has also seen the company make strategic new appointments to boost its market share and the organisation now has more than 40 personnel in the UK and Ireland.

Port Salford National Import Centre, the UK’s first Tri-modal logistics facility, has opened with the Culina Group as its first occupier.

Great Bear Distribution, now the ambient division of the Culina Group after its acquisition last month, will be managing warehousing and distribution of a range of ambient brands from the showpiece 280,000sq ft. facility.

The new Port Salford facility will be fully branded as Great Bear and offers 45,000 pallet spaces, 30 loading doors, 30,000 sq. ft. of contract packing and 130 trailer parking spaces whilst also creating 280 jobs in the area.

“Port Salford is a truly cutting edge facility, and one that Culina Group and Great Bear are really proud to be initiating”, said Thomas Van Mourik, Culina CEO,

“This development is not just changing the dynamics of UK Transport and Logistics by dramatically improving direct supply chain routes across England and Scotland, but it’s also resulting in significant carbon emission reductions and environmental savings,”

“Port Salford is taking a revolutionary approach to logistics in the UK and it’s our great people who are going the make it a success. These are really exciting times for all of us.”


From the outset General Mills (UK/Ireland) is in situ as a Culina Group / Great Bear client. Its brands such as, Old El Paso, Green Giant, Betty Crocker, and Nature Valley, will be arriving by short sea freight from Europe, saving a significant amount of road haulage miles per year whilst at the same time providing a “future proof” solution to market trends.

Port Salford is a massive investment by Peel Ports Group, which will create 1,600,000 sq. ft. of warehousing. Its unique location will allow direct vessel access from the new Liverpool2 Terminal at the Port of Liverpool, due to open later this year.

This is all part of the bigger global plan by Peel Ports to develop Liverpool as a deep water container terminal and a key Atlantic Gateway.

Warren, a UK carton and graphical board and paper stockist, has responded to the twin challenges of significant sales growth and the changing nature of the UK’s independent haulage sector by taking delivery of its first Warren-branded vehicles.

The new DAF CF curtain-sided 18 and 26T rigids have been taken on long-term rental from local truck supplier Alltruck plc and are liveried with the unmistakable Warren branding that includes Warren’s distinctive rabbit mascot, Starsky.

Operations Director, David Whitaker, explains, “From day one, forty years ago, we were known as a national rather than a regional merchant. Own-vehicle operation was impractical and instead we partnered successfully with a number of independent hauliers throughout the UK to provide customers with the service they required. In recent years a combination of factors has contributed to the fragmentation of national haulage. Very few hauliers provide national groupage services these days and depend instead on pallet networks, which don’t always suit our products or – more importantly – our customers.”

As an ISO14001 certified company, Warren takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. “Given the current controversy surrounding diesel emissions it was essential that we operated new, rather than second-hand, trucks,” commented Dave Whitaker. “Both are Euro6 compliant so meet the latest and most stringent emissions regulations and we do our best to ensure that the vehicles are loaded and routed for maximum efficiency.”

The decision to develop its own transport operation in the Midlands followed the introduction late last year of Warren’s logistics partnership agreement with North-East based Tyneside Express. Warren trunks overnight to Tyneside in order to provide its expanding paper and board customer base in the North East region with an improved next-day service and Warren’s operations team see this as a model that they’re likely to replicate in other parts of the country over the coming months.

Swisslog Warehouse and Distribution Solutions, provider of best-in-class intralogistics solutions, has acquired Power Automation Systems (PAS), the world-wide market leader in pallet shuttle automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). Now with offerings ranging from advanced robotics to fast case shuttles and pallet shuttles, together with KUKA, Swisslog “continues building the Automation Powerhouse chain offering clients compelling solutions”.

Christian Baur, Swisslog CEO of Warehouse and Distribution Solutions, stated “The acquisition of PAS allows Swisslog to expand our product portfolio and offerings with focus to the North American and APAC markets. As the leader in logistics automation, our goal was to offer our clients a new dimension of speed and storage density for pallet warehouses that handle a confined number of SKU’s with high volume, not only in the green field, but also for existing buildings.”

PAS and Swisslog customers will remain top priority throughout the acquisition and leadership change. “The combination of Swisslog and PAS will deliver benefits to our customers greater than the sum of our parts,” said Markus Schmidt, Senior Vice President, Swisslog Warehouse and Distribution Solutions Americas. Continued Schmidt, “Furthermore, Swisslog offers its world class service with our customer support team consisting of 24/7 help desk, remote system monitoring, on-site support, spare parts and system retrofit expansions, and modernizations, which will be of great benefit to PAS’s existing customers.”

Headquartered in Lathrop, CA, the PAS office will immediately serve as the Swisslog Americas West Coast location. In addition, the acquisition is designed to further develop and expand Swisslog’s reach in North America, South America, Asia, and Australia toward end of production line ASRS applications for fast moving goods with a maximum degree of customer satisfaction. “Swisslog and PAS have partnered in the past to provide top notch automation solutions for clients such as Coca-Cola and Sutter Home (Trinchero Family Estates). I am proud that we have attracted Swisslog, a company with a great reputation and global size, so that the PAS solutions can grow to their full potential and expand on the leadership we’ve created,” said Pat Mitchell, inventor, founder, and previous owner of PAS.

ORBIS® Corporation, an international manufacturer of reusable packaging and supply chain optimisation specialist, launched the Pally® at the 2016 MODEX show. The Pally, part pallet and part dolly, transforms traditional material handling methods by seamlessly converting from mobile to static.

The Pally combines the mobility of a dolly with the functionality of a static pallet to enable new and enhanced material handling capabilities. This unique performance results in greater end-to-end supply chain versatility for increased efficiency.

“The Pally is designed to be used at every point of the supply chain,” said Mike Ludka, senior product manager, ORBIS Corporation. “It allows users to easily move goods from the truck to the retail aisle without unnecessary and costly product touches. This next-generation design makes the Pally easy to use and store.”

When mobile, the Pally quickly converts to static mode with a press of the pedal. When static, the rubber braking stabilizers ensure the Pally withstands lateral force, allowing it to be safely stored, displayed or transported. Its patented cam mechanism is designed for many activations.

The Pally comes with fully field-repairable components, such as wheel covers, pop-up locators and casters, extending product life to further reduce trip costs. The corner grips and pop-up locators keep tote loads in place and improve trailer and storage organisation and density. The optional locking handle allows the Pally to be pushed or pulled, and the contoured deck handles and lightweight structure enable ergonomic handling.

For easy warehouse integration, the Pally is designed to interface with standard material handling equipment, including 4-way fork truck* and 2-way hand truck access.

Qimarox has extended its range of material handling components with the Prorunner mk10, a product lift for pallets up to 2,000 kg. The company says the The Prorunner mk10 allows companies to transport up to sixty pallets per hour, ten metres upwards. Qimarox will talk about this product lift at Modex, the popular international trade fair, taking place from today in Atlanta (USA).

This year, Modex says it is responding to the ever-changing market, which requires flexible and innovative logistics processes. “To survive these days, companies need to continuously monitor and optimise their processes. The trick is to choose exactly those products and systems that offer your organisation the most added value from the overwhelming range on offer today,” said the company in a statement.

An example is the Qimarox Prorunner mk10, which is based on the design of the successful Prorunner mk9 pallet lift. The most important difference is that the new Prorunner mk10 features four instead of two columns, which allows “this very robust lift to effortlessly lift loads of up to 2,000kg”.

The Prorunner mk10 can easily bridge any difference in height between 0.40 and 10 metres. Even at a height difference of 10 metres, the lift can still easily transport sixty pallets per hour “with ease”. The Prorunner mk10 is equipped with a lifting platform of 1200 x 1200 mm as standard, so that it can handle not only euro pallets, but also product carriers of different sizes such as block pallets.

The Prorunner mk5 is described as “literally and figuratively the highlight of the fair”. This elegant product lift works according to the time-honoured paternoster principle, which results in a versatile vertical transport system with a capacity of 2,000 products per hour. Because a single elevator system can be used for both upward and downward product flows, the Prorunner mk5 is ideal for vertical sorting, or as a component in storage and order picking systems.

The standard model of this maintenance friendly and sophisticated product elevator is available for the fixed price of only $ 9,250 including infeed and outfeed conveyors.

Besides product and pallet lifts, Qimarox also develops and supplies components for packaging systems. The Highrunner mk7 is an innovative palletiser, which is capable of quickly and efficiently processing products of different shapes and sizes into stable pallets. Qimarox also supplies standardised, modular components for wrapping pallets in foil. New in this range is a machine for wrapping pallets in stretch wraps.

All components are installed, integrated and maintained by trained system partners, so you are assured of a local specialist who speaks your language and may already be familiar with your organisation and processes.