Handling Network Aug Sept 2016

aug/sept J u n e 2016 2004 €4.95 inc. VAT Vol. XVV Issue 4

The Irish Magazine for the Materials Handling, Warehousing & Logistics Sectors

Featuring: - News and views - Viewpoint USA - HSA Safety File - Advice: RTITB - Case Studies - UKWA Column - New Products - Awards: UKWA / IFOY - Agri & Plant - LCV & HGV News - Warehousing - Education - Supply Chain

Preview:

review II

Hubtex at CEMAT & IMHX 2016

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contents August/September 2016 The Irish Magazine for the Materials Handling, Warehousing & Logistics Sectors

Volume XVV Issue 4

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47

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Viewpoint USA

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Safetyfile: HSA

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Review: CEMAT II

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Case Studies

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Column - UKWA

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Product

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Tech - EiraTech

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Awards I - UKWA

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Awards II - IFOY

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Preview: IMHX 2016

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Finance: 10 Tips

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Agri & Plant

44

Education - Training

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Networkings

50 Annual Subscription Rate €40 - Overseas €53 - See Order Form on page 48 Published by:

Fleet Publications, D’Alton Street,

Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Ireland F12 E7P2

Editor:

Jarlath Sweeney – jarlath@fleet.ie

Contributors:

Johanna Parsons, Paul White, Leonard Allison,

Howard Knott, Donal Dempsey, Tim Casterton

Rob Van Dieten UKWA/AIWA, HSA, IEA, RTITB Advertising:

Leonard Allison

Administration:

Denise Owens

Design & Layout: Crackerjack Design House Contact Details: Telephone: 00353 94 9372826 Email: handlingnetwork@fleet.ie

WHO GETS HANDLING NETWORK? Handling Network - the magazine of the Irish Handling & Distribution Industry - is produced bi-monthly by specialists in the materials handling sector, with contributions by experts on topics of special interest to its readership.

Handling Network is distributed on controlled circulation; addressed to key personnel in Ireland’s top companies and organisations. Recipients include Company Directors, Purchasing Managers, Warehouse & Logistics Managers, Plant & Production Engineers, Transport Managers, Safety Officers and other relevant personnel.

Areas covered include forklift trucks, warehouse logistics, racking, storage & distribution, commercial vehicles, plant & equipment finance, lifting gear, loading bay and conveyor systems...together with information on health and safety issues.

Additional copies of Handling Network are available on annual subscription basis see form on page 48 of this issue.

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in Handling Network, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for the veracity of claims made by advertisers, manufacturers or contributors or for opinions expressed.

Copyright for all material contained in this magazine remains with the publishers.

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Aug/sept 2016

news

Fastway Couriers saves up to €2 million per year with Zetes

Supply Chain identification and mobility solutions provider Zetes has recently implemented its fully managed systems for Fastway Couriers to maximise device uptime, and remove the burden of mobile device management from Fastway’s IT department. The solution includes managed services and a new pool of Honeywell CN51 mobile terminals for Proof of Delivery/Collection. Thanks to the new solution, IT staff are released

from the administrative tasks related to device management, with each courier gaining up to 1 hour a day equating to nearly €2 million savings annually.

Global express delivery company Fastway operates in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. The Irish branch comprises up to 400 courier franchises and authorised drivers. Previously, mobile device management was handled in-house by Fastway’s IT department. Should a fault arise with a driver’s terminal, it had to be shipped to the UK for maintenance, taking up to 2 to 4 weeks before it was returned. In the absence of buffer stock, couriers had to resort to paper-based run sheets, leading to lost productivity and errors.

To solve the problem, Zetes proposed a fully managed services solution, which includes access to its

web portal, user helpdesk support, maintenance, staging, device reconfiguration and dispatch, and a swapout service. The latter provides the replacement of the faulty hardware on the same day or following day. Also, all drivers have been equipped with the latest generation Honeywell CN51 mobile terminal for parcel pickup and delivery.

“Zetes integrated the rollout of our new terminals in just over a month without any major disruption to our teams. The IT department is now relieved of all the administrative tasks related to device management and can focus on our other IT projects,” explained Danny Hughes, Chief Technology Officer at Fastway Ireland.

“As for our couriers, they adopted the new process immediately and quickly appreciated its benefits.”

30,000th Combilift handed over at CeMAT Haslinger Stahlbau, one of Europe’s major steel construction companies, was the proud recipient of the 30,000th Combilift to roll off the production lines in Monaghan. The Combilift C14000 was officially handed over during the recent CeMAT materials handling and logistics trade fair in Hannover, Germany.

Managing Director Arno Sorger accepted the new model on behalf of the company, established in 1949 and headquartered in Feldkirchen in Southern Austria. Haslinger Stahlbau also has facilities in Vienna, Munich and Dresden in Germany, and Dunavecse in Hungary.

Haslinger Stahlbau’s construction projects include production facilities, logistics centres, aircraft hangars, bridges and sports complexes, as well as industrial power plants. The company processes around 40,000 tonnes of steel annually to realise these projects - with this figure continuing to rise - and the new C14000 is its

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eighth Combilift. A variety of models from a 4 tonne capacity Combi-CB counterbalance design truck, and 8, 12 and 14 tonne models from the Combi-C Series are in operation across its sites in the three countries to ensure safe and productive handling and storage of what are often very heavy loads.

Combilift has some way to go to catch up to Haslinger Stahlbau’s longevity, but in terms of growth and success in the materials handling sector it has certainly made its mark since it was established in 1998. Impressive year-on-year growth has enabled what started as a small company offering a niche product to now be a major global name.

Combilift MD Martin McVicar

commented: “The amount of customisation featured in every model we produce makes the total of 30,000 units manufactured to date a very impressive achievement and I would like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the Combilift team in Monaghan. But of course thanks must also go to customers such as Haslinger Stahlbau who put their faith in our products time and again, and thus enable us to continue to be the market leader in our manufacturing segment.”

Aug/sept 2016

news

Three Irish companies enter Trailer Innovation Award 2017 Dennison Trailers, SDC Trailers & Thermo King have entered new technical developments in four of the seven categories within the Trailer Innovation Award 2017.

Since 2002, these Innovation prizes are awarded every two years and presented at Europe’s biggest commercial vehicle exhibition, the IAA CV Show in Hannover, in September.

Innovations of all types and size (component, material, detail solution, system solution) are welcome, provided they apply to trailers, semi-trailers or bodies and not directly to motor vehicles. Prototypes and complete solutions are equally eligible, provided they are not more than two years old.

The international Trailer Innovation jury consisting of 14 top journalists from leading European trade journalists including Fleet Transport, set simple criteria: that the contribution made by the innovation increases efficiency in

road freight transport. Does it deliver significant benefits to vehicle operators, for example in enhanced security, faster processing or lower weight? And what are the economic benefits? How significant are the technical improvements? Minor updates and facelifts do not win Trailer Innovation Awards.

Seventy-three entries from manufacturers, service providers and suppliers from the trailer industry from eight countries have participated in this year’s round of the traditional competition, held every two-years, which consists of seven categories: Concept; Chassis; Body; Components; Safety; Environment & Smart Trailer Dennison Trailers (Naas & Lancaster) has entered its latest Goose-Neck Sliding-Bogie trailer in the Chassis category, while SDC Trailers puts forward its new Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) semi-trailer in the Concept class, as premiered at

the CV Show 2016 in Birmingham, wearing the colours of Eddie Stobart, its first customer for the hybrid type system. Galway headquartered Thermo King has no less than four innovations submitted, two in Components and two more in the Enviromement categories.

Details of these cannot be revealed in advance of their collective debuts at the IAA in Hannover. Two further entries have been entered jointly with sister brand Frigoblock.

The official announcement of the winners and presentation of the prizes will be made on Friday 23 September at the Convention Center in Hannover during the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show 2016. Since incepection, VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie), the main organisers of the exhibition, is the cooperation partner of Trailer Innovation.

UKWA guests dig deep for Transaid Guests at this year’s United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) Annual Lunch & Awards event for Warehousing and Third Party Logistics, which was held recently at London’s Dorchester Hotel, raised over £9,000 for Transaid – the international development charity.

Thanking the UKWA members for their generosity, Transaid’s CEO Gary Forster described how over 6,000 African drivers had been trained by Transaid, and that the implementation of more efficient supply chain management systems had seen the amount of wasted essential medicines and supplies drop significantly across the African continent.

UKWA adopted Transaid as its official charity in 2013. The Association’s Chief Executive, Peter Ward, commented: “Transaid has done, and continues to do, an excellent job in building local skills and knowledge to make transport safer, cheaper, cleaner and more effective, ensuring better access to the essentials for everyday life across Africa.”

Over 400 executives from leading supply chain businesses as well as suppliers to the sector attended the UKWA Annual Lunch & Awards for Warehousing & 3PL for 2016, which is an event widely regarded as one of the most important and enjoyable occasions in the logistics industry’s year.

Meanwhile later that evening at the Grosvenor Hotel nearby, an additional £17,000 was raised for Transaid at the annual Motor Transport Awards, thanks to the generosity of the 1,600 guests, and some superb prizes donated by sponsors.

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Aug/sept 2016

news

Munich Fair is new IFOY Partner

Next year’s International Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY Award) Test Days will take place from March 2-9, 2017 in Munich, hosted by the Messe München trade fair company at its exhibition site. From 2017, the test week and the award ceremony for the international intralogistics award will take place in Munich every two years, alternating with the CeMAT fair in Hannover in the intervening years. Messe München

organizes transport logistic, bauma and IFAT exhibitions.

In a purposedesigned testing facility, all nominated forklift trucks, order picking vehicles, shuttles, high-bay and narrow aisle trucks, as well as reach trucks and special-purpose vehicles, will be rigorously put through their paces over the course of seven days by testers, scientists and, finally, each and every jury member. The winners will be announced during the IFOY Gala Dinner on the opening day of the transport logistic event in Munich.

Hiab geared up for World Crane Championships 2016 Cargotec company Hiab, is almost ready for the second running of it’s World Crane Championship Finals, which will be held at the IAA CV Show in Hannover, Germany on 25 September.

Qualification rounds are on-going to determine best crane operators from 16 different countries. One finalist from each country will then be challenged to manoeuvre a HIAB crane equipped with the renowned HiPro steering system through a series of obstacles, at a best possible time. At the IAA, the finalists get the first opportunity to operate the new HIAB X-HiPro 232, due for launch during the exhibition. The winner of the finals takes away a €5,000 travel cheque and €20,000 towards the purchase of a new HIAB crane - and the title of World Crane Champion 2016.

“The World Crane Championship is back, bigger than ever: hundreds of skilled operators have been taking part in the qualification rounds around the world. I expect the finals to be very tough, as the most skilled operators around the world come together to compete with our fantastic HIAB cranes,” explained Sebastian Poccard, Hiab’s Senior Vice President for Sales & Service.

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In addition, there will be a special exhibition showcasing the nominated stackers, warehouse trucks and intralogistics solutions at the next transport logistic, which will take place on the grounds of Messe München from May 9 to 12, 2017. With this strategy, the international trade fair for logistics, mobility, IT and supply chain management aims to raise its profile in the exhibition segment for intralogistics, offering visitors the opportunity to gain insights into the advantages and benefits of the world’s best intralogistics vehicles.

The IFOY recognises the year’s best materials handling vehicles and intralogistics solutions. The award winners are selected each year by a 24-member jury made up of experts from 16 countries, including representation by Ireland from Fleet Transport and sister publication Handling Network.

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FULL OF ENERGY

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viewpoint news USA

On the Watch for Rising Warehousing Costs

By IBISWorld Procurement Research Analyst, Ian Buchanan

Warehouse operators can mitigate growth in their key operational costs by staying abreast of market trends and planning for purchases now.

Labour Costs Wages are a key cost for warehousing providers, which require a significant amount of labour to handle and manage inventory. Labour usage generally fluctuates throughout the year, increasing during the holidays as demand for consumer products strengthens. During the holiday season, warehouse operators hire temporary workers to help cope with these increased workloads. In the three years to 2016, temporary warehouse staffing has been increasing in price at an estimated average annual rate of 3.1%, and it is forecast to continue doing so during the three years to 2019. Consequently, operators that regularly hire temporary staffing to help during periods of high demand should expect temporary staffing costs to rise each year (though, buyers can make early arrangements to hire temporary staff to lock in lower rates before prices begin to peak). Also, general wages for warehouse operators have been relatively stable, rising at a slow annualized rate of about 0.3% during the past three years, and they are expected to increase at an average annual rate of only 0.1% during the next three years. Stable wages will make it easier for operators to budget and better prepare for seasonal cost spikes.

Equipment and Material Costs Because industrial firms and vendors of consumer products such as retailers and wholesalers regularly use warehouses to store inventory or raw materials, growth in consumer

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spending and industrial production drives warehouse usage up. According to IBISWorld, during the three years to 2019, consumer spending is forecast to increase at an annualized rate of 3.1%, while industrial production is anticipated to rise at an average annual rate of 2.2%. To better prepare for the resulting increase in warehouse usage, operators will need to assess whether or not their machinery and equipment is in working order and if they have an adequate supply of materials such as wood pallets.

Warehouses generally make heavy use of forklifts to assist in product and material handling, so they may need additional forklifts to cope with the anticipated increase in warehouse usage. IBISWorld projects that forklifts will increase in price at an annualized rate of 3.4% during the next three years. Consequently, warehouse operators that expect to need new forklifts in the near future should look to purchase sooner rather than later to avoid steeper costs. Alternatively, warehouse operators can choose to rent forklifts. During the past three years, forklift rental prices have remained fairly steady, only growing at an estimated annualized rate of 0.3%; however, the price of renting a forklift is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of 1.3% during the three years to 2019. Because prices are expected to rise more rapidly in the future, operators that can rent now rather than later will be able to avoid higher costs. While renting a forklift offers warehouse operators some immediate cost savings, rentals may only be practical solutions for buyers with short-term needs, such as coping with seasonal demand spikes. Operators with long-term needs for additional forklifts are likely better off purchasing.

Similarly, warehouse operators may need to replace or acquire additional pallet trucks. Due to stronger construction and manufacturing activity, demand for pallet trucks is anticipated to strengthen. As demand for pallet trucks rises, suppliers of this equipment will face less competitive pressure. Consequently, the price of pallet trucks is forecast to increase at an annualized rate of 3.7% during the three years to 2019. Warehouse operators that are looking to purchase pallet trucks should expect costs to grow as the period progresses. As such, operators should purchase now or lock in a supply contract with current prices to avoid higher future costs.

As warehouse usage rises, warehouse space will decline. To combat this, warehouse operators will increasingly use wood pallets to store and stack products and materials more efficiently. As a result, the ramp up in warehouse usage will drive higher demand for wooden pallets. Increased demand will, in turn, allow pallet suppliers to raise prices at a projected average annual rate of 2.9% during the three years to 2019. To avoid steeper prices, warehouse operators that anticipate their need for wooden pallets to increase in the coming years should look to purchase pallets soon or enter a supply contract in order to avoid higher prices.

With increasing warehouse activity on the horizon and key operating costs for warehouse providers expected to rise, operators should seek to make necessary purchases now. When possible, locking in lower rates by signing supply contracts for material, equipment or maintenance services can help operators secure reduced rates and curb the expected rise in operating costs.

Aug/sept 2016

news

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Aug/sept 2016

news

The Original.

Linde Hydrostatic Drive

Linde Material Handling Excellence at work

Ahead Through Precision Linde’s launch of the first hydrostatic transmission in 1958 marked a milestone in the history of forklift engineering. Many features have been enhanced and optimised in the meantime. However, one thing that hasn’t changed is the leading international position held by Linde hydrostatic drive.

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Aug/sept 2016

news

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Aug/sept 2016

safety file

Managing risks from forklifts at work!

Forklift trucks can be dangerous: they account for 25% of injuries at work. Many workplace accidents involve people being hit or run over by forklift trucks, (typically when the forklift is reversing),because the driver did not see them.

Owing to their size and weight, injuries resulting from forklifts are generally very serious. Accidents involving them are often caused by poor supervision and a lack of training.

Training: legislation requires that persons shall not work, nor be required to work, on, at or with any machine unless they have been fully instructed as to the dangers arising in connection therewith and the precautions to be observed and has received a sufficient training in work at the machine.

Employers need to familiarise themselves with the risks that their employees face and create when using Forklift Trucks (FLT) for work or when working in the vicinity of these vehicles. Employers have a legal duty to effectively manage the risks and prevent avoidable harm at work.

Vehicle manoeuvres and reversing continue to be the main activities most involved in vehicle deaths in the workplace.

Following satisfactory completion of training, the employee should be given written authorisation to operate the type or types of truck for which all three elements of training have been successfully completed.

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The training of lift truck operators may be broken down into three stages:

n Basic training – the basic skills and knowledge required for safe operation; n Specific job training – knowledge of workplace and experience of any special needs and handling attachments; n Familiarisation training – operation on the job under close supervision.

n Accessing or egressing the vehicle n

Working at height from raised forks, using a non-integrated platform or worryingly from some other ad-hoc arrangement

Guidance: To help Employers get to grips with Forklift Risk Management, the HSA has produced two (2) instructional Videos and accompanying factsheets. These can be accessed from HSA’s YouTube channel at http://www. youtube.com/user/HSAchannel/videos and www.vehiclesatwork.ie Topics covered:

n Forklift Pre Checks n Forklift Safety

Where can I find further information?

Falls from Forklift Trucks, even from a relatively low height can result in serious injuries, yet most falls are easily preventable. The majority of falls involving FLT’s occur whilst people are:

Further information and guidance can be found in the HSA's 'Code of Practice for Rider-Operated Forklifts: Operator Training and Supplementary Guidance'.

Forklift Operator Pre-Use Checks sheets are available at www.vehiclesatwork.ie or by contacting 1890 289 389

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aug/Sept 2016

review

CeMAT 2016 Hannover, Germany Part II Review At CeMAT 2016, “Smart Supply Chain Solutions” was the motto for the biennial event. The exhibition closed its gates at the Hannover Messe with substantial growth in the number of foreign visitors. From 31 May to 3 June, roughly 1,000 exhibiting companies from 44 countries presented solutions for efficient and intelligent management of logistics chains. During the four days of the show, visitors witnessed that the intelligent warehouse is already reality. “CeMAT demonstrated once again that it is the only fair in the world with such a high density of product innovations already in practical use. This secures CeMAT’s leading status within the intralogistics industry. The internationality of exhibitors and visitors is unique. The topics software and Industrie 4.0 took centre stage in the presentations of practically all exhibitors,” said Dr. Andreas Gruchow, Member of the Managing Board at Deutsche Messe.

Continuing the reportage from the event as a follow-up to the report featured in sister publication Fleet Transport.

New Combilift Container Tilter Straddle Carrier Multiple solutions for bulk loading and offloading were plain to be seen at CeMAT. Combilift’s Straddle Carrier range (Combi-SC) offers companies handling containers and out of gauge loads an alternative and much more cost effective and efficient option compared to reach stackers and mobile cranes. Even with relatively low throughput, the Combi-SC offers a very quick return on investment, and its operational benefits have won over an increasing number of distribu-

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tion, shipping and haulage companies around the world.

Since the first Combi-SC was launched, Combilift designers have been busy developing variants to cover more applications. The latest of these is a model designed specifically for the needs of the recycling industry and scrap yards. The Combi-SC Tilter, premiered, is a one machine solution for two specific and differing applications: offloading and tipping bulk materials where a container needs to be tipped to 75°, and loading bulk where containers need to be upended to 90°.

Strong response to Flexi range “It was our best ever CeMAT,” said John Maguire, Sales & Marketing Director at Narrow Aisle Ltd, the manufacturer of the Flexi series

of articulated forklift trucks, in reporting strong interest in its range of products and services from visitors to its stand.

“CeMAT has always been a successful show for us and this year was no different. We met some very senior people from diverse industries - many of whom were at the show to discuss their plans for the implementation of major handling systems,” he continued.

According to John, visitors from the grocery sector were particularly keen to learn about Narrow Aisle’s new FlexiPiCK - an order picking system that allows over 1000 cases per hour to be picked by one operator.

The Flexi StorMAX system, another recently-launched concept in space saving storage solutions from Narrow Aisle, also attracted plenty of attention from the German audience.

Intelligent Innovations for Intralogistics 4.0 from Jungheinrich

aug/Sept 2016

review

At its expansive outdoor and indoor display, Jungheinrich showcased numerous innovations and product improvements in the material handling, warehousing and material flow sector.

Under the EXPO Canopy (Pavilions 33 & 34 plus the open-air site) visitors were able to get a first-hand look at how these new technologies are contributing to improved productivity, greater energy efficiency and enhanced safety.

The central theme was “Connecting with your Business” with an array of integrated solutions and intelligent assistance systems. The highlights include the new Jungheinrich easyPILOT remote control system which supports manual order processing performed using ECE horizontal order pickers.

At its ‘Safety’ Pavilion, Jungheinrich debuted new technologies which improve warehouse safety and help prevent accidents, such as StartSafe a capability for digitally conducting and documenting a preliminary visual

Hubtex at CeMAT

and technology check of the stacker’s functions before starting it up, as well as the expanded Call4Service App. Another highlight was the new series 5 order picker and tri-lateral stacker, with a special test course set up to test the EKX 514-516 narrow-aisle forklift - winner of the International

Forklift Truck of the Year 2016 Award.

New Hubtex Fourway Sideloader Scores with allround visibility User-friendliness and energy savings are two benefits associated with the DQX Hubtex, a new generation of fourway sideloaders for outside use which received a world premiere at CeMAT. The first vehicle of the new series is the DQ 45 X, featuring a highly ergonomic cabin, a new steering system, and various driving modes making for maximum user friendliness and energy efficiency with a load capacity of up to 4.5 tonnes.

Users of the new fourway sideloader can choose between different driving modes. The new eco-mode makes for particularly energy-saving operation. Due to an intelligent vehicle control system, the pumps are provided with only that quantity of energy for cooling that is needed for the fulfilment of work. This saves fuel, while the noise level of the vehicle is also clearly reduced. The new engine is an exhaustreduced and noise-optimised turbo engine which meets the criteria of the emissions standard Tier 4 final/Euro Stage III B. Compared to the previous engine the emissions are down by 30 percent.

Umka - New generation of lithium-ion batteries Umka attracted much attention from technical specialists, dealers and producers of industrial electric vehicles, as KBK Europe GmbH introduced an Umka LTO battery powered by SCiB. The uniqueness of this battery resides in a lithium-titanate compound that has never been used before in this field of technology.

“Umka has a new generation of lithium-ion batteries. Improved specifications will not only extend the scope of application for electric industrial vehicles and trucks, but also provide a serious economic effect due to savings on maintenance costs and energy consumption. A remote monitoring feature that will optimize the process of equipment operation will also contribute to lowering costs, and thus in turn may seriously change the approach to business in this industry,”noted Sergey Ivanov, CEO of the manufacturing company.

The new generation of battery leaves most widespread gel, lead-acid and even lithium-ion accumulators far behind in all key parameters: it has 6 times more resource (20 000 charge/discharge cycles), is 30% more efficient, and charges 30 times faster (20 minutes).

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney

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www.masterlift.ie

Masterlift LTD, Claregalway, Co Galway. Tel: 091 753599 Email: anna@masterlift.ie Masterlift LTD, Rathcoole, Co Dublin. Tel:01 4580190 Email: sonia@masterlift.ie

Celebrating 30 years as Ireland’s leading forklift supplier for new and refurbished forklift sales, service, parts, rental & training The worldwide success of BRAVI PLATFORMS as a producer of mobile platforms has very personal origins: it is deeply rooted in the history of the owner, Pierino Bravi, and in his deep knowledge of the installation sector.

By the early 90s, BRAVIISOL was already one of the most important Italian companies in this sector.

New challenges, new ideas Efficiency and productivity are a must in the BRAVI Company, but this was not always possible when it came to working at height. Tired of wasting time, energy and money to assemble, go up and down tower scaffolds and ladders, Bravi decided it was time to change the way of working. If the market does not offer suitable methods, the solution is simple: invent new ones!

From humble beginnings in 1985 Masterlift was founded by Dermot and Anne Carroll. Dermot had previously worked for Nissan Ireland as a sales executive, covering Dublin and the West of Ireland.

Dermot and Anne decided to have a go at starting their own business and the rest as they say is history.

Masterlift Ireland has become the leading forklift and material handing supplier in Ireland today.

The reason for which they were designed, therefore, is at the origin of the uniqueness of the BRAVI products. The years dedicated to the development of products, the on-going selection of components and continuous listening to customers and their needs, did the rest. Machines were designed first with the end-user in mind, and then developed also for the demanding rental market. Today, the range of BRAVI platforms is characterized by versatile, robust, and extremely reliable machines, allowing the user to comfortably, easily, and safely handle a wide range of work applications.

Masterlift was founded on the simple principle of providing quality products and service at a competitive price. For 30 years our goal at Masterlift has been to bring to all our customers excellent product and quality service.

Over the years the company has grown in all areas. Masterlift is very proud to be distributors for Bravi, Hyundai, Combilift, JCB, Mariotti, Kalmar and Midac equipment. These names are all global brand leaders in the forklift and material handling industries. It has taken a long time to acquire these worldwide brands, but now Masterlift can provide the perfect solution to any material handling requirement.

BRAVI platforms: the simplicity that makes your life easier!

Masterlift is the total solution for sales, service, rental and parts. It is our combination of placing the right product in the right situation backed by guaranteed after sales service and customer care that keep Masterlift Ireland’s number one.

Masterlift are very proud to be Irish distributors for Bravi equipment

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www.masterlift.ie

Masterlift LTD, Claregalway, Co Galway. Tel: 091 753599 Email: anna@masterlift.ie Masterlift LTD, Rathcoole, Co Dublin. Tel:01 4580190 Email: sonia@masterlift.ie

Aug/sept 2016

news case study I

WMS reboot delivers on accuracy, throughput and savings

Evans Vanodine is a UK manufacturer of janitorial and livestock protection chemicals, exporting to over 60 countries globally with four overseas factories. It has adopted Indigo’s warehouse management system (WMS) software at its Lancashire warehouse to improve operational efficiency and customer service.

With its previous paper based system, pickers had been unable to check stock availability, so time was often wasted searching for out-of-stock goods, and roughly 20 percent of deliveries were shipped incomplete.

The company chose Indigo’s WMS because of its easy integration with Infor’s ERP system, real world functionality, and Indigo’s promise to “go

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live”on time and within budget.

Systems Director Anthony Evans explained: “We have over 2,000 finished good SKUs which could be located in any of the 3,500 pallet spaces in the warehouse. Now we know exactly where all stock is located, and what quantity is available for sale in real time. Once a customer places an order, we know straight away whether we can fulfil all their requirements and can inform them accordingly.”

Since implementing the WMS, successful “on-time in-full first-time” delivery rates have improved from 80 percent to 98 percent.

Data quality has also improved. Many customers place large orders with multiple products which may not all be immediately available. “Now,” said Anthony, “we can decide together with the customer whether to send the order partially complete or wait for all the items to be available.”

Each product gets a unique identification number as soon as it comes off the production line, supporting efficient stock rotation, and allowing track and trace throughout the supply

chain and onto the end customer.

“The system is automatically updated on a continuous basis with stock allocations, ensuring any orders in the pool do have stock available to promise, avoiding incomplete shipments and disappointed customers,” he added.

The automated system also helps cope with demand peaks, such as during outbreaks of diseases when the firm has unprecedented demand for specialised disinfectants and needs to ship huge volumes very quickly. “We have managed to increase business levels and shift more stock without having to work 24 hour shifts, which was a requirement we had envisaged previously, before implementing Indigo.”

Previously pickers would have had to work overtime to meet periods of high demand, but now they are managed as part of usual operations, across two standard shifts. The company has estimated its ability to avoid overtime labour costs and manage warehouse operations across just two shifts has saved well in excess of £100,000 over the past two years.

Throughput has increased by an estimated 10 percent, and stock order and delivery accuracy levels are 99.7 percent.

“We wanted to be able to differentiate ourselves with a superior customer service and have achieved that goal.

Having the ability to tell customers in advance exactly what will be on their order is definitely a competitive advantage and our growth rates are a testament to this,” concluded Anthony.

Aug/sept 2016

news case study II

Automated packing doubles productivity for Asda

Prominent British chain Asda has installed an automated packing and dispatch system from Axiom GB at its facility within Clipper Logistics’ warehouse in Nottinghamshire, UK. The system has doubled Asda’s order throughput of its online George. com homeware merchandise without increasing the footprint of the original operation.

The growth of Asda’s homeware e-commerce business prompted the decision to automate. Nathan Bower, Senior Manager for Asda Stores explained: “There were a number of

factors we had to take into consideration when choosing a partner for this project.

“More than ever before we recognise the importance our customers place on having a high value service at low cost, which is why we’ve improved our packaging and service to provide even more protection to their products during transit.”

The Asda homeware business operates over three floors on the Clipper site. Pickers sign into the warehouse management system and get a group of prioritised orders with a box sized for each pick.

Each box is then assigned a unique label which is scanned at various stages throughout the packing process.

Axiom designed the software for the automated system using a combination of standard software for conveyor and automation control, integration and business logic software for the Manhattan interfaces, and MetaPack for dynamic label generation.

Once each order has been picked, all the filled boxes travel by conveyor through a check weigh on the ground floor to ensure pick accuracy. Then quality control checks are undertaken to see if additional protective packaging is required.

Boxes are then placed back onto a conveyor to be taken automatically to two B+ lidding machines, dealing with different sized boxes. These measure the highest point of the goods inside each box, and then score and fold down the sides of the box to make it the appropriate size.

Finally a lid is glued on and the box continues along a conveyor to the two labelling machines.

Integration between MetaPack and Axiom software ensures that the correct label is applied to each box, as the two labelling machines work in tandem to process the swiftly moving boxes. All online purchases are either delivered to a customer’s home address, or click and collect orders are sent to the customer’s nearest store.

The boxes destined for home delivery travel by conveyor and are then boom loaded directly into the trailers waiting in the loading bays.

Those marked for click and collect travel through to a final sortation process, where a sorter allocates the packages into chutes representing Asda’s eleven regional depots.

From there the packages are sent to individual stores for collection.

“We worked closely with Axiom to finish the project within the tight deadlines we needed to meet,” stated Nathan.

“Because it’s a relatively small company the senior team at Axiom is very accessible - you deal with the same directors from tender through to design, installation and commissioning.

They completely owned the project end to end.

“As a result our productivity has now moved on massively – we process twice as much volume as before in the same amount of footage.”

Text: Johanna Parsons www.handling-network.com

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aug/sept 2016 A

logistics column The long term implications of Brexit will remain opaque for some time but, whatever the fall-out from June’s vote, the companies in the warehousing and third party logistics sectors will lead the way when it comes to ensuring that Britain remains open for business, says Peter Ward, CEO of UKWA - the United Kingdom Warehousing Association.

Open for business Anyone that hadn’t spent most or all of the previous night staring at their television set as the European Union (EU) Referendum results were announced, awoke on the morning of June 24 to a world that seemed very different.

A vote to leave the EU was not what we – or most of the pundits - were expecting. Indeed, UKWA polls have consistently shown a clear preference among members to remain.

It looks inevitable that this momentous decision by the UK public will have serious global implications, bringing new challenges for British businesses and particularly for those within our industry.

Many of our members trade across Europe and have enjoyed the benefits of ‘logistics sans frontiers’ for 40 years, with goods entering and leaving our country freely.

My hope now is that as new trade agreements are forged, there is no return to red tape and complex customs regulations that prove burdensome and costly for UKWA members.

As usual the devil will be in the detail, and we will work hard on behalf of our members to ensure that those negotiating Britain’s exit fully understand the ramifications for our industry.

Whatever one’s personal view of the Referendum outcome, one thing looks certain: there is no going back.

We must now hold our nerve and plan for the future, not take a small island

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introspective view, but instead look to further develop Britain’s place on the global platform.

Global platform The UKWA is already taking steps to help members to do just that and this month I am delighted to be able to announce two exciting initiatives designed to enable members to extend their international commercial reach.

Firstly, we have reached an agreement for UKWA to take control of and re-energise the IFWLA – the International Federation of Warehousing and Logistics Associations.

Formerly an organisation for logistics trade associations from different countries to co-operate and promote best practice, IFWLA is being restructured to create a powerful new gateway to global businesses.

IFWLA now embraces all those members of national associations as well as other logistics companies in regions where national associations do not exist.

In essence this has created a massive logistics business-to-business network of thousands of contacts and tens of thousands of warehouse and distribution centre locations across every continent.

The second important opportunity for members to look beyond Europe,

is a UKWA logistics industry trade mission to China.

The five-day trip, which takes place this October, includes a stand within the dedicated UKWA Pavilion at the China International Logistics & Transportation Fair (CILF), site visits, business matching meetings and a number of networking dinners and other high profile receptions.

The CILF is held in Shenzhen on 12-14 October and, this year, the China International Internet & E-Commerce Expo will run alongside it. An annual show, the Fair attracts many thousands of visitors from across China and the Far East.

Visit – www.ukwa.org.uk - for further details on both the China trip and the new IFWLA. Excellence rewarded Many of the most senior practitioners from the logistics industry gathered in London recently for UKWA’s Awards for Warehousing 2016.

I am delighted to say that it was, once again a most enjoyable event but, more importantly, the quality of the winning entries highlighted the professionalism and dedication that runs through Britain’s warehousing and logistics industries.

So, while the long-term implications of Brexit will remain opaque for some time, whatever the fall-out from June’s vote I am confident that the companies in our sector will lead the way when it comes to ensuring that Britain remains open for business.

Total Material Handling Solutions • • • • •

Forklift Sales (New & Used) Nationwide Aftersales on all truck types Logistics Systems Driver Training Short & Long Term Truck Rental

www.jungheinrich.ie

Ashbourne Truck Centre, Ballymadun, Ashbourne, Co. Meath, Ireland Tel: 00353 18350573 Josef: 0035387 255 66 77 Sarah J: 0035386 255 66 77 Web: www.ashbournetruckcentre.com

New Unused Faymonville MAX built Trailers, in stock. 3specifi axle with lifting floor section, idealstep for loading small machines onto neck ofdelivery, trailer, New Faymonville trailers available, to customers cations, New MAX 4-axle frame extendable, in stock for immediate safe, quick and easy toon operate.

Trailertimes. comes with Double flip rampsoption with for hydraulic side shift, rear ramps, steer axle, greaser, 4-axle step frame available short delivery hydraulic or aluminium two out rear riggers, steer axles. winch is optional, can have steel grid or timber flooring, also available in extendable version.

New Unused Faymonville 3 +available, 4 axle low loader withNew body structure.

Full width double flip ramps, MAX Flat trailers, fixed and extendable version available, only 6 New Schmitz Cargobull tippers in stock, both lengths choice with steel grid or timber flooring, rear steer axles, greaser,tonnes body empty, can extend width height, sliding roof. optioninfor steerand axles. of colours, immediate delivery.

Large selection of second hand trailers also in stock, ready for work, DoE’d and serviced.

aug/sept 2016

product

‘Cool Truck’ from Hyster

To maintain efficiency for demanding recycling and waste applications, Hyster now offers a forklift truck specifically designed to prevent the common problem of engines overheating due to dust, dirt and debris.

Known as the “Cool Truck”, this special forklift is based on the Hyster H4.0-5.5FT range and is designed to overcome the difficult environments found throughout recycling and refuse processing operations.

“When operating standard forklift trucks in the waste and recycling industry the radiators can easily get clogged up causing unnecessary downtime,” said David Reeve, Industry Manager, Counterbalance Solutions for Hyster.

“This is not only frustrating, it also costs businesses money in lost production and can lead to other problems.”

With capacities from 4-5.5 tonnes, the Cool Truck has been specially engineered for recycling centres or waste processing plants, where there may be large amounts of debris and dirt in the environment or bales of dusty materials to be transported.

“Firstly, we had to reduce the amount of debris entering the engine compartment and getting stuck on the transmission or in the radiator,” David explained, adding that baling wires can also get trapped and even damage the fins on the radiator fan.

“As a first line of defence, we

developed a fully enclosed frame and vented hoods, side panels and radiator covers to reduce the vacuuming of dirt and debris from the floor into the engine compartment,” added David.

“But it’s the radiator that is the really clever part.”

Every 20 minutes, the Combi Cooler radiator fan changes direction for 20 seconds, blowing out the unwanted dust collected whilst sucking air in.

This keeps the truck running longer, minimises radiator clean-outs, and helps the truck to stay cool even in high ambient operating temperatures.

Furthermore, the Combi Cooler radiator cools both engine coolant and transmission oil.

The Hyster Cool Truck also offers an optional Load Weight Display which makes lifting heavy or awkward loads easier, saving time, improving efficiency and increasing reliability for the end user.

“Bales of waste or recycled materials can have non-standard dimensions and weights. If left outside, the bales can also absorb rain water resulting in additional weight,” adds David. “So to reassure drivers, we have built in load weight indicators.”

New Yale pedestrian stacker series Yale Europe Materials Handling is launching a new pedestrian stacker series that promises to deliver a range of customer benefits including excellent through-mast visibility and precise load lifting controls.

The Pedestrian Stacker MS10-16 series supersedes the current MS series, and introduces a number of new features including redesigned controls along with a lifting and carrying capacity of up to 1.6 tonnes.

“Our new truck follows the Yale philosophy of designing around the operator’s needs. The result is a highly controllable and agile pedestrian stacker suitable for a range of user heights and experience levels. In what is an extremely competitive sector, the definitive Yale values of reliability, ser-

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viceability, ergonomics, productivity and low cost of ownership set our stacker series apart,” explained Ron Farr, Yale Manager for Warehouse Products.

The new MS10-16 series is ideal for businesses operating within smaller facilities where manoeuvring space is limited. Thanks to robust construction and broad usability, the MS10-16 series reinforces the competitive edge of Yale in storage rooms of supermarkets, small scale warehouses and cold stores operating to -30°C, industrial manufacturing, retail operations (such as DIY

stores) and assembly operations.

“The Yale MS10-16 series is engineered to be easy to service while the durable design and low energy consumption keeps the ongoing running costs under control.”

aug/sept 2016

product

Kalmar introduces new lithium-ion battery technology

For its 5-9 tonne electric forklift truck range Kalmar has introduced more efficient, emissions-free lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology, which brings significant advantages over traditional lead-acid batteries for electric forklift equipment.

Li-ion batteries can be fast-charged

during breaks in work, significantly improving the productivity of forklifts.

They also eliminate the need for frequent battery changes as well as costly additional batteries and the associated equipment required to replace them. Because charging is emissions-free, the batteries can be

charged anywhere in the facility, removing the need for expensive acidprotected charging areas. Furthermore, Li-ion batteries last three to five times longer than lead-acid batteries, are cooler and waste less energy in overcharge.

According to Peter Ivarsson, Director Sales and Marketing, Forklift Trucks at Kalmar, the advantages are many: “Our electric forklift trucks already offer savings from fewer and shorter standstills, faster and simpler maintenance, and longer service life.

The new Li-ion battery technology makes them even more attractive as investment. This improvement is a great example of how we support our customers’ operational and environmental goals through developing costeffective and sustainable solutions.”

New Cat 816K Landfill Compactor Building on the established performance, durability, and reliability that the model 816 has demonstrated since 1972, the new Cat 816K landfill compactor is designed with heavy-duty main structures that support multiple life cycles.

The new K Series model features a fuel-efficient Cat C7.1 ACERT engine, single-lever steering, pressurised cab, and wheel/tip options that provide extended service life. Available Cat COMPACT Technologies, such as Compaction Control, further enhance compaction performance and consistency by providing accurate compaction values and 3D mapping.

The foundation of the 816K’s purpose-built design is its massive, robotically welded main structures, featuring a full box-section rear frame that resists torsional shock and twisting forces, heavy-duty steering cylinder mounts to efficiently transmit steering loads into the frame, and an axlemounting design that is optimised for

increased structural integrity.

Three new wheel and tip configurations allow matching the 816K to the application. The Paddle Tip reduces weight and provides high performance with reduced fuel burn. The Plus Tip provides increased side-slope stability, and the Combination Tip provides an effective compromise of performance, fuel economy, and side-slope stability.

The C7.1 ACERT engine meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final/Euro Stage IV emissions standards with advanced technologies that do not interrupt the machine’s work cycle. An engine-

idle-shutdown system saves fuel by eliminating excess idling.

The operator’s environment is kept clean via filtered air that pressurises the cab, and temperature is maintained with an automatic climate-control system. The cab is isolation-mounted to reduce vibration, and operator comfort is enhanced with an air-suspension seat or the available Cat Comfort Series III seat. Back-lighted membrane switches have LED indicators and ISO identification, and a standard rearview camera system enhances operator awareness.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney www.handling-network.com

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Aug/sept 2016 a

news tech

EiraTech launches its latest robot - EiraBot v4 *Allows people work at the speed of robots rather than having robots work at the speed of people

EiraTech, the Dublin based innovator of robotics solutions for warehouses and e-fulfilment centres, has launched EiraBot v4, the latest version of its award winning robot.

“EiraBot v4 is now one of the best performing, most efficient and safest AGV robots on the market, and this, coupled with our ‘easy to deploy, easy to reconfigure’ model, is sure to appeal to systems designers, and e-fulfilment and 3PL operators,” explained Alexey Tabolkin CEO EiraTech. “These improvements in performance and safety features allows EiraBot to work right up to its industrial capacity, offering the best solution for e-fulfilment centres of all sizes. By isolating the repetitive processes that can be done more efficiently by robots, it enables people to work at the speed of the robots, rather than having the robots work at the speed of people.”

The new EiraBot boasts significant improvements, to make it among the best performing automated guided vehicles (AGVs) on the market. These include:

n Twice the acceleration performance - significantly increasing the efficiency of the robots; n Improvements to suspension, for the smoothest operation under loads; n Additional on board camera for clearer positioning/centring under racks thus ensuring greater stability; n Increased battery life; n 30% reduction in robot height, meaning more space for storage on the racks; n Enhanced safety features, including safety switch, safety bumper and additional proximity sensors.

The new EiraBot plays a central role in EiraTech’s solution for automation in warehouses, distribution centres and e-fulfilment centres. A ‘goods to person’ solution - literally finding and bringing the correct goods, in the correct order, for pickers to fulfil orders for dispatch - EiraTech eliminates 70% of personnel time wasted walking

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and searching for items, achieves 99.9% accuracy while simultaneously increasing ‘picks’ by sixfold.

Every EiraTech solution comes complete with its own fleet of ‘EiraBots’ - its award winning AGV robot - as well as flexible shelving racks designed to accommodate goods of all sizes, an easily integrated ordering management software and WiFi communications system. The EiraTech system requires no built infrastructure - like rails or conveyors - to operate, leading to greatly reduced deployment times and costs for operators, as well as increased flexibility for expansion, contraction, or even moving premises.

EiraTech Robotics Fact Sheet

n EiraBot v.4: Height: 280mm Weight: 120 kg Lifting capacity: up to 500kg (or 350kg at maximum speed) Maximum speed: 14km/h Runtime per charge: Full shift at max capacity without a charge. n Shuttle racks: Shuttle racks design to accommodate goods of all sizes and shapes by removing cells. n Picking stations. n Charging stations - to which EiraBots will automatically return to recharge. n Security fencing. n Server. n Software: including the Robotics Handling system, integration software and big data analysis reporting. n Communications: own dedicated WiFi network .

How the EiraTech Solution Works The EiraTech solution targets the 70% of a picker’s time that is wasted walking around a warehouse or searching for an item.

n Orders are transmitted from the Warehouse Management System to the EiraTech system. Orders can

be consolidated or processed sequentially.

n The Robot Handling System dispatches the EiraBots to retrieve the racks that hold the items being ordered. n When the rack arrives at the picking station the picker is guided by a light system as to which cell location the item required is in. n The picker scans the item to confirm it is the correct item and then places the item for packing on a pick by light rack. Once the item is scanned the EiraBot will bring the rack back to its allocated position.

The EiraTech Difference

n No major infrastructure changes or installations required and can operate within any existing warehouse environment. n Scalable and flexible which means you get what you need for the short term and then let the system grow with the operation eliminating any wasted capacity. n Easily transferred so it can be moved and or adapted when required. n Robotics as a Service model enables fast growing operations, with limited capital resources, to capitalise on the technology that was previously just available to larger operators.

Robotics in Supply Chain Automation and E-Fulfilment

n Explosive growth in Internet retailing. n Ease of purchase creates increased demand. n Consumer demand for ever shorter delivery times. n Demand for efficiency, accuracy and faster turnaround from retailers n Robotics and automation resolve these issues. n 74% of companies surveyed will adopt robotics in the supply chain within the next 6-10 years (Source: MHI Report 2016).

Text: Rob Van Dietan

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advice news

Risks increased by unaccredited ‘in-house’ forklift training, warns RTITB

Many employers are choosing to purchase or deliver in-house forklift training, unaware that unlike accredited training, this may not comply with the required legal or best practice standards. Opting for in-house training could unnecessarily increase the risk of a workplace incident, explains RTITB (The Road Transport Industry Training Board).

“Companies offering in-house training are taking a big risk and may be compromising safety and compliance,” warned Laura Nelson, Managing Director for RTITB, a leading UK workplace transport training regulatory body. “Unfortunately, it can often seem like everything is ok until there is an incident. Only then, when the details are being looked at in much more detail, do the issues and failings of in-house training become apparent.”

Accredited training is externally verified and confirmed as meeting the legal requirement for ‘adequate training’. “Even if the in-house forklift training programme includes delivery of a course by an RTITB registered instructor, this does not by default provide training at a legally compliant level,” explained Laura. Likewise, companies using accredited training organisations to deliver an ‘in-house only’ certificate are also not providing training at an independently verified standard.”

“RTITB accreditation of a company enables the business to deliver training that is compliant with relevant legislation and Codes of Practice,” she said, explaining that in the event of an incident, RTITB accreditation also means businesses and their employees can prove high quality training has

been provided and that appropriate safety measures have been taken. And in turn reduce costs and improve efficiencies in their business.”

Accredited training offers a clear record of what was covered in the training and the duration of the training, as well as information to confirm that testing took place under the proper conditions. Conversely, in-house courses may not cover all of the required topics for skilled operation and safety and in addition, the testing process cannot be guaranteed to have been administered correctly and fairly.

In the event of an accident, in-house training may not have the protection of a clear audit trail demonstrating that they have done what is required by law.

“Some companies may be delivering what, on the surface, appears to be a good level of in-house training, but without independent accreditation, how can you be absolutely sure that your instructor is still competent and delivering training as he/she was trained to?” stated Laura. “A benefit of accredited training is that training providers are annually audited this helps prevent the bad habits and shortcuts that may otherwise creep in over time, and reassures companies of the quality of the training delivered.”

Annual audits carried out by RTITB on all accredited training providers

help to monitor compliance and identify any areas for improvement.

To further promote safety and efficient operation, accredited training is usually delivered over a longer period of time than standard in-house training.

All the approved RTITB course material ensures in-depth theory and practical lessons which increase driver confidence and responsibility.

“As well as supporting legal compliance and helping to decrease the number of workplace incidents, accredited workplace transport training has been shown to increase both operator accuracy and productivity,” said Laura in explaining that accredited training has also been found to contribute to a reduction in operator and truck downtime, as well as helping to reduce stock damage. Maintenance requirements are also minimised thanks to correct equipment usage.

“We want companies to know both the potential risks of in-house training as well as the benefits of accredited training so that they can choose the training that provides the safest workplace transport operation possible,” concluded Laura.

For more information, or to find out about becoming accredited to deliver materials handling equipment training, visit www.rtitb.co.uk.

www.handling-network.com

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Aug/sept 2016 a

awards news I

3PL & Warehousing excellence rewarded at UKWA Awards 2016

Leading companies and individuals across the warehousing and third party logistics (3PL) sectors were honoured at the annual United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) Awards 2016 ceremony, which was held recently at London’s Dorchester Hotel. Over 450 UKWA members and their guests, together with suppliers to the warehousing industry, attended the lunchtime event. In the post-lunch raffle over £9,000 was raised for Transaid - the UK based international transport development charity.

Peter Ward, CEO of the UKWA welcomed the event’s celebrity host, Nick Hewer, the PR expert and advisor to Lord Alan Sugar on the popular television programme, The Apprentice, who presented a total of nine awards.

During his address Mr. Hewer spoke of his long association with Alan Sugar and their work together in the Astrad computer business and satellite TV before the days of The Apprentice.

The winners of the 2016 UKWA Awards are as follows: Best New Warehouse Member: Bullet Express 25 years ago Bullet Express started as a courier company with one van. The company now has over 100 vehicles and equipment with an annual turnover in excess £10m.

Bullet continues to grow and recently acquired a new warehouse facility that offers seven times the pallet storage capacity of its existing unit. The company’s goal is to be storing over 20,000 pallets by the end of this year.

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Junior Manager of the Year Award: Daniel Radford, B&H Worldwide

promoted to the post of Warehouse Manager, and since then, has gone on to make a considerable impact on the effective running of Aztek’s warehouse operation. The judges were influenced by the words of Aztek’s founder, Stuart Charter, who praised Tomasz for the way he has embraced the ethos of working safely, efficiently and effectively, whilst at the same time creating a positive and enjoyable atmosphere for his warehouse team.

Junior Manager of the Year Award: Daniel Radford, B&H Worldwide

Environment Award: The Finishing Line

Incorporated in 1987, The Finishing Line handles much of the magazine volume that is finished in the UK. A common promotional feature of the magazine industry is “value added gifts” on the front cover. By highlighting the opportunity to re-use these gifts and working with publishers to do so, The Finishing Line estimates that during 2016 over three million magazines and gifts will be diverted from landfill - the equivalent of a saving of 522.4 tonnes of CO2 – undoubtedly a most significant and successful application of the kind of ‘Green’ thinking the judges sought in this category.

Daniel Radford has been working as a valued member of the B&H organisation for the last six years. He joined the company as a member of the team that handles B&H’s Qantas account and rose through the ranks to the position of Team Leader for UK and Europe.

Daniel has been in his current role for 15 months and his day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing inventory control at four B&H offices in London, Miami, Singapore and Sydney. In the view of judges, Daniel demonstrates outstanding personal and professional qualities and his progress at B&H Worldwide confirms his leadership potential.

Warehouse Manager of the Year: Tomasz Pietrak-Owazany, Aztek Logistics Ltd

Tomasz Pietrak-Owazany started with Aztek Logistics Ltd in December 2013 as a warehouse operative. By the following August he had been

Technical Innovation Award: The Warehouse Auditor

The Warehouse Auditor App was released to the market in March 2016.

A paperless system, it is a unique combination of service and software for measuring and managing continual warehouse or distribution centre improvement. Against a shortlist of

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awards news I

some very technical entries, the judges recognised The Warehouse Auditor as a highly valuable and relevant tool to help UKWA members and the warehousing sector to continuously improve standards.

Training & Education Award: Colin Snape

Three companies were shortlisted for the UKWA Training & Education Award – Import Services Ltd, Elddis Transport Ltd and Maxim Logistics Group. All three were acknowledged to have delivered exemplary programmes for Training and Education, and all received a special recognition of excellence in this area.

However, the main Award went to Colin Snape to acknowledge the special achievement and huge progress made for the industry with the development of new apprenticeship standards. As the employer chair of the Supply Chain Trailblazer group, Colin’s personal determination and hard work has delivered new apprenticeship standards for Warehouse Operatives, LGV Drivers, and Traffic Office Operators, all tailor-made for the industry. He has led the negotiations with the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, aligning industry apprenticeship standards to a more appropriate funding cap. The logistics industry is grateful for Colin’s help in creating a framework to bring new young talent into our industry.

Young Employee of the Year Award: Abbie McGuffie, Peel Ports The success of Peel Ports’ multi-user warehousing offer is down to the organisation’s Mersey Cluster team and a rising star within this group

is Abbie McGuffie, Multiuser Warehouse Contracts Executive. A spokesman for Peel Ports’ commented: “Abbie’s skills, competence and commercial acumen is an inspiration within our organisation, she is a natural leader who sets the standard for others within her team. Her unique skillset has a direct and measurable impact on the success of our multiuser warehousing offer.” In short, Abbie is an excellent role model who has already produced results that point to a bright future – precisely the attributes the judges were looking for.

Voiteq Customer Service Award: The adjudicators sought evidence of customer insight and a customer focused culture within the organisation. All three finalists were able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of customer needs as well as effective ways of measuring the results of their services and customer satisfaction, but the overall winner was Voiteq, which is a leading global provider of voicedirected work solutions. The judging panel was particularly impressed by testimonials from the company’s clients praising Voiteq’s detailed attention to customer needs and ongoing focus on customer service excellence.

Warehouse Company of the Year: Miniclipper Logistics Ltd In making their decision, the adjudicators looked for evidence of a highly professional, well-motivated, and well-led company that embraces new technology, displays a sensitive and proactive approach to environmental issues and the surrounding community and is both profitable and expanding.

The winner, Miniclipper Logistics, has evolved from a groupage haulier to a full service 3PL and the company’s warehousing business is currently growing at a rate of 38 percent a year.

The company’s clients are fulsome in their praise of Miniclipper. For example, the MD of GMG Colour, a customer for three years, said: “We can absolutely rely on them as our

warehouse and logistics partner to do what they say they are going to do, when they say they are going to do it, and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.”

Chairman’s Award: Michael Pepper, Great Bear Distribution Michael Pepper has spent a long and successful career within the logistics and supply chain sector. He has held senior positions at some of the largest companies in the industry and for the last 20 years has been responsible for sales and marketing of Great Bear Distribution’s warehouse and transport logistics markets.

A former chairman of the Bonded Warehousing Association and a long time member of UKWA’s management board, Michael is a true professional, whose many friends in the industry value his broad experience, good humour and helpful and genial approach to business.

“Michael is a fine example of all that is good about our industry, and it is fitting that we can recognise his successful career and contribution to logistics with this Award,” said UKWA Chairman, Tony Mohan.

This year UKWA received a record number of entries in all categories and the finalists and overall winners were chosen by UKWA Chairman, Tony Mohan; Lloyd Arkill, Editor of UKWA’s Warehouse newsletter; Mark Millar, international author and supply chain expert; and UKWA’s CEO, Peter Ward.

Commenting on the successful awards event, Peter Ward said: “The UKWA’s Awards are established as symbols of achievement in the 3PL sector and emphasise the importance of logistics within today’s economy. The high number and quality of the entries we received underlines the professionalism that runs through the modern logistics industry.”

Jungheinrich UK Ltd, was the main sponsor of the event, with individual Awards sponsored by Handling & Storage Solutions Magazine, Weightmans; Bito Storage Systems Ltd, Toyota Material Handling UK, RSA Insurance and Perry Appleton Group, ID Systems UK Ltd, Aisle-Master Ltd, Hoppecke Industrial Batteries Ltd, Hörmann UK Ltd and Multimodal Exhibition.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney

www.handling-network.com

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awards news II

International Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) 2016 Awards (Part II) Global intralogistics leaders awarded for innovation and customer focus Jungheinrich wins in two categories After weeks of extensive testing by experts from the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML), and intensive jury consultations, Jungheinrich was selected as a winner in two categories of the IFOY 2016 Awards competition - for the world’s best Warehouse Truck highlifter and the world’s best Special Vehicle. The German company was the only finalist to receive an award in two categories.

Nominees in the IFOY 2016 competition included offerings from Crown, BYD, Jungheinrich, SSI Schaefer, STILL and Toyota.

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Crown earns third IFOY Award with RT 4000 Series pallet trucks

93% efficiency. This new technology saves energy and, thanks to Floor Pro, the narrow-aisle forklift can also be used efficiently on uneven warehouse floors. The EKX achieves maximum efficiency when combined with the Jungheinrich Warehouse Navigation assistance system, which drives the very narrow aisle truck to the next storage position semi-automatically.

EJQ 325 awarded as best ‘Special Vehicle’

EKX 516 awarded as best ‘Warehouse Truck highlifter’

Jungheinrich received the first IFOY Award in the category of ‘Warehouse Truck highlifter’ for its new EKX 516 Very Narrow Aisle High Rack Stacker/ Order Picker. This man-up vehicle is able to lift loads of up to 1,600 kg and reach heights of up to 18 metres. The high level of innovative features was cited as the main reason for the judges’ decision. “By introducing the new EKX 5 series Jungheinrich has set a new benchmark in the high rack stacker segment,” said the jury in its statement.

Unique features are the modular platform concept, lightweight design, passive vibration damping system and synchronous motor technology, giving

raise and lower the load offers forward reach, tilting, side shift with a large range and fine adjustment to enable the precise positioning required for assembly and disassembly purposes.

The EJQ 325 was the winner in the ‘Special Vehicle’ category. This custom product from the Jungheinrich special-build vehicle line was specially developed for Deutsche Bahn to accommodate ICE train railcar wheelsets and the wheelset changer.

The solution is based on standard Jungheinrich components. Experts on the jury emphasized the precision in particular: “A combination like this exhibits the use of extremely sophisticated technology and has never before been realised for industrial trucks in this way. What’s really special is the option of being able to operate the truck from two opposite positions.”

Once again, the experts from the Fraunhofer IML Institute rated the customer benefits of the Jungheinrich solution as very high in the innovations check, because the vehicle is specifically tailored to individual complex requirements and operating conditions.

The all-wheel drive enables outstanding vehicle manoeuvrability so that the operator can safely transport the 2.5-tonne ICE train wheelsets even in confined spaces. The mast used to

Crown, one of the world’s largest material handling companies, achieved victory in the coveted International Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) Award programme for the third time. Crown’s RT 4000 Series of rider pallet trucks took the title in the “Warehouse Trucks Lowlifter” category.

Over the IFOY testing period earlier this year, the independent jury of internationally respected trade journalists was impressed by the customer benefits delivered by the RT 4020 stand-up rider pallet truck. The IFOY test report stated that “the Crown RT 4020 is ideal for users with very limited operating space who need high productivity.

The pallet truck’s narrow design is, for example, perfect for pallet put-away in very confined spaces. The transverse operator platform provides good visibility in both directions.”

According to the Jury, the deciding factor was the extremely high productivity in tight spaces. “A compact design for the level of performance, important ergonomic features and, in particular, a range of safety features are implemented into this machine in an excellent fashion.”

The Crown RT 4020 stand-up rider pallet truck has a load capacity of up to 2,000 kg. Thanks to a chassis width of just 780 mm, its manoeuvrability and performance is ideal for fast-paced dock work, even in very confined spaces.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney

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Aug/sept 2016 a

preview news

IMHX 2016 – UK & Ireland’s biggest ever intralogistics event IMHX 2016, the essential intralogistics event for supply chain professionals, which is taking place from 13-16 September 2016 at the NEC Birmingham, is predicted to be the biggest ever.

Sponsored by leading financial services provider Investec, this free-toattend event is the ultimate materials handling supermarket, connecting buyers with suppliers - with all the latest products and services on show.

“The continuing growth of internet retailing means supply chain operators face even greater pressure as customers demand faster delivery times – and of course need a connected supply chain that can also handle returns quickly. In response to this, for the first time IMHX 2016 will feature a dedicated Supply Chain IT Village where providers will be on hand to help visitors meet these challenges – and discover the latest e-commerce solutions. It’s an indication of how relevant this is to current needs that it is already attracting a lot of interest,” commented Rob Fisher, Director of Informa Exhibitions’ Materials Handling Group and IMHX organiser.

The United Kingdom Warehouse Association (UKWA) Pavilion, alongside the Automated Handling Systems Association (AMHSA) Pavilion will feature prominently. Following its debut in 2013, the seminar programme also returns, with top speakers from across the industry lined-up in the busy programme of events within the three-day exhibition. Further details on www.imhx.org Ahead of the highly anticipated event, a number of the leading exhibitors have detailed what will be on show: BITO A highlight of IMHX 2016 is sure to be found on BITO Storage Systems’ stand (9F80) with the launch of an innovative driverless intralogistics

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transport solution that does not require any permanent fixtures - making it easy to implement, adapt or remove. LEO LOCATIVE is a ‘low-level’ Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) that simply follows red tape laid on the floor, which can be added to or removed whenever required. It does not require a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or a central control computer. This makes LEO an agile, user-friendly option for all kinds of order picking operations – and it is particularly useful for e-commerce, order picking peaks and assembly processes.

Also on BITO’s stand will be the company’s new EQ range of collapsible containers.

Briggs Equipment

Two stands will showcase Briggs Equipment’s unique engineering and equipment capabilities. Stand 10H50 in Hall 10 will focus on its expertise with Yale and Hyster equipment. Meanwhile in Hall 12 on stand 12S95, Briggs is to highlight its engineering expertise and wider capabilities.

Briggs will officially launch the new Yale MX counterbalance forklift at the show. Designed to deliver hardworking performance in a variety of 2.0-3.0 tonne capacity applications, it is especially well-suited to secondary distribution, wholesale, retail, light manufacturing and rental. Also featured on its stand will be a reach truck and three-wheel electric forklift from Yale’s warehouse equipment range, plus a 2.5 tonne Hyster Spacesaver and Hyster diesel forklift with cab. They will be joined by Hyster’s Cool Truck, which features unique technology for the waste/recycling sector including a reverse fan to keep the engine clear of debris.

Doosan For all your requirements in one place: products, services, design, innovation, support and after-sales - Doosan is the leading innovator.

Doosan doesn’t just sell trucks, it provides the complete package, ensuring customers are the number one priority. Showcasing 16 trucks live on the stand, Doosan provides visitors with the chance to experience the latest forklift truck innovations first hand.

The stand will be laid out in different zones, with staff members on hand to guide visitors around the stand,

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explaining the different stages and introducing customers to ‘The Doosan Way’. This pathway allows visitors to interact with specific trucks dependent on their requirements, and understand the latest product developments, leading onto a live Fleet Management System with an interactive display, followed by dedicated After-Sales area.

Translift Bendi

stand (11R61) will include the Translift Bendi Premium and Translift Drexel.

“The Translift team is looking forward to IMHX 2016 and frantically preparing for what will be our biggest show stand to date, and where we plan to showcase all of the new product line up,” commented Simon Brown, Translift Managing Director. “It has been interesting to note that while we have been making a few core strategic changes, the industry has been rife with rumours, so we are looking forward to welcoming all visitors to the Translift stand, and of course to the ever popular live music After Show Party.”

Jungheinrich With the theme ‘Jungheinrich Intralogistics. Your Connection to a World of Solutions,’ the company will showcase how leading businesses across industries as diverse as manufacturing, warehousing, transportation and logistics, retail and wholesale are boosting operating efficiency and throughput, improving safety, increasing energy savings, reducing total cost of ownership and ramping up productivity thanks to Jungheinrich technology.

The main stand will feature a section dedicated to safety, showcasing a number of new technologies and assistance features that improve warehouse safety, help prevent accidents and reduce the cost of damaged goods.

For over 50 years, Translift Bendi has been waging a war on wasted storage space with the continual development and introduction of innovative products and solutions.

New for 2016 is a premium range of Bendi articulated forklifts, the complete range of HUBTEX world class products, a versatile VNA truck that operates in aisles of under 1.5m, and a new low cost space saving solution.

New products being showcased on

Space on the main stand will also be dedicated to efficiency. Jungheinrich will highlight how the company is leading the way in improving intralogistics efficiencies with solutions that increase throughput, maximise truck fleet utilisation and optimise the effectiveness of personnel.

There is also an area dedicated to Jungheinrich’s Integrated Energy Solutions which enable multi-shift operation with no battery change for the lowest energy consumption, a reduced carbon footprint and increased productivity.

Live demonstrations of Jungheinrich’s state-of-the-art Automated Pallet Mover and the new Very Narrow Aisle EKX 5 Series will be another feature of the show. The EKX 5 is the winner of the 2016 International Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) award and visitors will be able to get hands-on experience of it at IMHX.

UKWA Prominently located within Hall 9 of the NEC, the UKWA Pavilion will showcase the products and services offered by UKWA’s members and associate members.

Companies exhibiting as part of the Pavilion include The Rack Group, AMH, Total Logistics, Gideon Hillman Consulting, SEC, Filplastic, Lenze, Indigo Software, DAI and Harting.

Key UKWA personnel will be present throughout IMHX to discuss recent and future initiatives – which include a logistics industry trade mission to China, details of which are available at www.ukwa.org.uk.

With over 650 member companies, UKWA is the ‘Voice of the Logistics Industry’. It is the UK & Ireland’s leading trade association dedicated to the third party logistics sector, and its members control in excess of 100 million square feet of warehousing space from over 2,000 locations.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney

www.handling-network.com

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Aug/sept 2016 a

finance news

Ten Key Management Issues

Following on from our economic recovery, we are now entering uncertainty due to Brexit. There is more than ever a need to concentrate on key issues in the management and development of businesses. Ten significant areas will be dealt with over forthcoming issues covering as follows: n Cash Flow n Financial Information n Communication n Plan n Controls n Bank Support n Seek Help n Learn from competitors n Aim for Success n New Opportunities/ New Methods

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Cash Flow

Financial Information

The lifeblood and financial decisions of many businesses pre-recession were based on higher turnover, customers paying on time and suppliers extending credit without issue. In order to survive the recession companies needed a cash flow forecast covering one/two years ahead, broken down per month, as well as weekly cash flow planning. A cash flow forecast demonstrates at current turnover what cash receipts are likely to be, and with current business costs, expenditure for paying suppliers, employees, finance houses and the Revenue over the next twelve to twenty four months. This cash flow planning shows what level of overdraft is required, or if a term loan is required? Can cash out-lays be reduced (for example reducing all business costs and extending lease payments on assets)? Cash Flow planning is a crucial tool in business survival.

In order to run a business you need to know accurately current financial information. Monthly management accounts are vitally necessary, especially when turnover is decreasing and rates are being pressurised downwards. Management accounts should highlight key areas in the business, so that you can view individual types of work or customers to see the profit or loss associated with that work. Ask your accountant to benchmark your costs against others in your industry, identify where wastage is occurring and how the business can be more productive.

Communication Part of the panic around the past recession was due to lack of communication and this third section outlines best practices regarding communica-

aug/sept 2016

finance tion with staff, customers, suppliers and banks. Staff want to know that the business is financially strong and progressive and that their jobs are secure. They directly affect costs and productivity, and have a major role to play in business success. Suppliers need to have confidence in the company’s ability to pay, and customers need to have security of service.

Regardless of how competitive the Irish warehousing industry is, your customer has a vested interest in your business.

Banks need to know you have accurate information to hand and can make changes that will keep your business developing and financially strong.

Plan

It used to be the norm to have business plans that spanned the next five years. However during the recession the planning process may not have extended beyond the current financial year, and most businesses were looking at one to three months.

In the current economic climate a business must have a plan and a means of review, so that a structure exists for all concerned to work towards. Successful businesses plan ahead, whether this is for growth or contraction, and they tend to review and alter this plan regularly as economic factors change.

Controls Business

Controls and financial information tend to go hand in hand. In boom periods controls tend to be lax with a blind eye turned to acceptable losses. Staff can be hard to find, and work practices and procedures are sometimes allowed to drift. When businesses are profitable and cash plentiful, there isn’t a perceived need to take action. Competitive tenders for equipment, and the need for insurance often are never even considered. Control over spending on overheads tends to be poor, with an absence of policies to cut out waste, and a lack of credit control resulting in an increased overdraft or invoice

discounting rather than tackling the underlying issues. The current economy has made all warehousing firms review what is purchased, from whom, and for how much. Article five will detail ten key business controls required for eliminating waste.

Bank Support

Financial Institutions made massive profits during the Celtic Tiger era by supporting large developers and the associated spin off of domestic and commercial mortgage holders.

Everybody thought they could get rich quickly (and some did) but ultimately the risk attached to this policy came back to haunt all concerned as real value was not being created. In the process we eroded our competitive

Seek Help

Many businesses fail to reach maximum potential due to the inability of the owner to seek help. This article will outline ten key areas where help is available, ranging from your accountant to suppliers, customers, bank manager and staff.

Learn from Competitors:

Most people will assume only successful competitors will be looked at, but this article looks at both the positive and negative aspects of your competitors and what benefits your business can gain from looking at how they operate. Again ten key attributes will be looked at, how you can gain this information and best use you can put it to.

Aim For Success

advantage re low cost/high tech manufacturing. In the early 1980s we had a highly educated, hardworking bright workforce where status was achieved by educational qualifications. By 2006 status was bestowed on the developer whose biggest attribute was his gambling skills. In the years ahead the banks will have to work for their profits. They are now interested in cultivating business from small to medium sized enterprises that will ultimately make up the backbone of their revenue and profit. Accurate timely information and the ability to manage a business in a changing economic environment reduces bank risk and increases a bank manager’s ability to assist your business.

Currently businesses - and especially warehousing firms - are looking at uncertain volumes. Set your targets higher and review how current economic conditions can actually benefit your business. This article looks at ten K.P.I.s (key performance indexes) to highlight how your business can be successful and compete against multinational logistics firms.

New Opportunities/ New Methods

All firms are now looking at what their core business is and how their business can develop. This is actually giving rise to opportunities as the competitive nature of warehousing and the entrepreneurial nature of such companies means that manufacturing and distribution firms are asking warehousing firms to take over more of the logistics functions, thereby giving customers a better quality of service and greater flexibility. This article looks at 10 opportunities available to these businesses.

Text: Donal Dempsey www.handling-network.com

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aug/sept 2016

agri & plant

Whale-sized tyre pressure issue

Did you know that a blue whale’s lung capacity is 5000 litres? In comparison, humans can only manage a meagre six litres on average. As you can imagine, the power at which both creatures exhale is very different. Why are we telling you this, you ask? Here is a hint: when vehicles with large tyres suffer blowouts, the consequences are far more severe than a bicycle tyre blowout. It’s therefore imperative that tyre pressures are properly monitored on large vehicles.

Here, Peter Tillotson, Business Development Manager of tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) expert TyrePal, discusses how a TPMS can benefit crane hire companies.

“Construction sites, unlike smooth motorways and highways, pose a veritable catalogue of threats to tyres.

Vehicles that must traverse these kinds of terrain on a regular basis are at serious risk of punctures. Cranes have some of the biggest tyres around and thus the consequences of blowouts are severe.

When crane hire companies rent out vehicles, they normally come with an experienced operator. However, even with proper care and experience, the harshness of construction sites often takes its toll.

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The usual suspects Uneven, steep and inconsistent terrain makes for interesting driving, especially when the vehicle is a 100 tonne crane. When tyres are underinflated, more of the surface area comes into contact with the ground.

This causes the tyre to heat up and if unmanaged, can cause blowouts.

Similarly, over-inflation can create oval shaped tyres and shorten wear time. Because crane tyres are so large, it is difficult to tell by sight alone whether they are properly inflated. This is when problems arise.

It’s not just the type of ground that causes issues at construction sites. By their very nature, sites are littered with sharp objects that are very good at finding their way into tyres.

Nails, screws and glass are just some of the common culprits. If these penetrate tyre walls, when the underinflated tyres come into contact with hard road surfaces, tyre temperature increases. Before you know it, a blowout has occurred.

Consequences So your crane has had a blowout and is stranded at the side of the road. At the very best, a new tyre, maintenance and recovery are going to cost in the region of €1200. However,

there could be far more serious consequences.

We’ve spoken to plant hire companies that have horror stories about crane tyre blowouts. One such story involves cars written off after taking the full force of a crane tyre blowout. Luckily no one was injured in this incident, but if pedestrians were next to the crane, the outcome would have been a lot more severe.

Another story involves a crane losing control after a blowout and colliding with a lamp post, bringing it down in the middle of the road and damaging cars. The insurance claim against the crane hire company ran into the hundreds of thousands.

Prevention is better than cure Vehicles operating in difficult terrains, like construction sites, are particularly susceptible to tyre problems.

Cranes and other heavy-duty vehicles are designed with rugged tyres, but this doesn’t prevent blowouts.

By using a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), crane hire companies reduce maintenance costs, risks to human life and insurance claims.

The associated costs when a crane suffers a blowout can be considerably large. If a TPMS manages to prevent one blowout from happening, the system instantly pays for itself.”

Text: Rob Van Dietan

www.handling-network.com

news

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Honouring progress in Light Commercial Vehicles for 25 Years The International Van of the Year Jury is a non-profit-network of independent Editors and Journalists from leading publications and web platforms, representing 25 countries across Europe and Russia. Each year they honour the best new Light Commercial Vehicle with the unique and prestigious title of International Van of the Year (IVOTY). That means: 25 years of

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testing, measuring and objective criticism. Offering expertise to improve the product and the sector in general. Always looking for the challenge, always looking for the best choice in Light Commercial Vehicles. For you, for your daily work, for your company’s success! International Van of the Year: Boosting your Business!

See more: Van-of-the-Year.com

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Das Praxismagazin für Nfz-Fuhrpark und Lagerlogistik Reportage Bunt hier: Mehr Lagereffizienz bei Zufall S. 6

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www.logistra.de · leserservice@huss-verlag.de

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aug/sept 2016

LCV

Renault LCV’s conform to Euro 6 emission requirements ………

Renault, Europe’s number one bestselling LCV brand for the 18th consecutive year, has now introduced Euro 6-compliant engines for the Kangoo, Trafic and Master. By offering Euro 6 engines, Renault is conforming to legislation change that will be effective from September, while reaffirming its commitment to

innovation and the environment.

The Renault LCV range consists of the Kangoo small van – comprising Kangoo, Kangoo Maxi and all-electric Kangoo Van Z.E – the Trafic, as well as the larger Master. A comprehensive range of factory and approved LCV conversions are also available to order.

The all-electric Twizy Cargo is also a

part of the LCV line-up – a unique way of transporting smaller items around urban environments.

In order to conform to Euro 6 legislation, Renault has reduced the amount of NOx (Nitrous Oxides) produced by the Renault Kangoo’s engines with the addition of a NOx trap.

By utilising a SCR system and AdBlue with the Euro 6 engines, the award-winning Renault Trafic is more powerful than its Euro 5 predecessors by 5 hp. Power units encompass the single turbo dCi 95 and dCi 120 engines, together with the twin turbo ENERGY dCi 125 and ENERGY dCi 145 engines.

The Euro 6 Master, which also uses the combination of SCR system and AdBlue, boasts engines that are 5-10 hp more powerful (depending on version) than their Euro 5 equivalents.

………While Fiat Professional introduces innovative Euro 6 drivetrain for Ducato & Doblò For the September 2016 introduction of Euro 6 engine emission technology, FIAT Professional has taken a different yet significantly innovative route to meet the legislation. On the Ducato van range it exclusively employs a Low Pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation system (LPEGR) to lower NOx emissions without the complexity, added weight and additional costs associated with using emission additives, such as AdBlue.

LPEGR functions by channelling exhaust gasses away after the DPF, cooling them through a low-pressure EGR cooler and then recirculating them in advance of the turbo charger.

The LPEGR solution is ideal for goods transportation and camper vans where simplicity, reduced weight and low running costs are important.

As is the trend nowadays, engine downsizing is taking effect at FIAT

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Professional, with the Ducato benefiting from the introduction of a new 2.0-litre 115hp MultiJet II LPEGR engine to replace the current Euro 5, 2.3-litre MultiJet 110hp. In addition, the top-of-the-range 3.0-litre 180hp has also been replaced by a new 180hp 2.3-litre MultiJet II Power LPEGR, resulting in a considerable improvement in fuel efficiency and emissions. Meanwhile the core 2.3-litre MultiJet 130hp and 150hp engines also adopt FIAT Professional’s exclusive LPEGR technology.

Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) is currently offered on people carrier/ minibus versions using an AdBlue liquid urea solution to convert nitrogen oxides (NOx) to non-harmful gases.

Meanwhile, the fourth-generation FIAT Professional Doblò Cargo builds

on its class-leading characteristics by offering a full range of Euro 6 compliant engines - including secondgeneration turbo diesel engines, namely a 1.3-litre MultiJet II 95hp and a 1.6-litre MultiJet II 105hp. Both are available in new “EcoJet” versions to offer an improvement in fuel efficiency (12% & 15% respectively) and emissions levels thanks to the use of Start&Stop, low rolling-resistance tyres, low-viscosity oil, an ‘intelligent’ alternator, a variable-displacement oil pump and a new aerodynamic pack.

The new 1.6-litre MultiJet II 120hp is now the flagship engine of the Doblò line up.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney

aug/sept 2016

HGV

Magnificent Seven ride-in for Irish Truck of the Year 2017

Fourteen examples from seven truck brands in the long-haul and distribution sectors are in contention for the fourteenth annual Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year Awards in association with Corcra. The winner in each category will go forward for the final vote to win the overall title for 2017.

Tractor-units and medium to heavy distribution rigid trucks were supplied

by DAF Trucks, Iveco, MAN, Mercedes-

Benz, Renault Trucks, Scania and Volvo Trucks for assessment and test drives by the expert judging panel over two days at Johnstown Estate, Enfield, County Meath.

“This year’s focus is on flagship tractor-units and distribution trucks within the 12-15 tonnes and 18-26 tonnes GVW,” explained Jarlath Sweeney, Editor, Fleet Transport magazine. “All the trucks entered feature up-to-the-minute technology, and our analysis will centre on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), cab-ergonomics and aftersales back-up provided by the brands through their dealer network,” added Jarlath. * Corcra specialises in fleet management and communications provision.

Fleet Transport Irish Truck of the Year 2017 - Nominated Trucks/Models: DAF Trucks - XF.510 & CF.310 Iveco - Stralis 560 Hi-Way & Eurocargo 180.25 MAN - TGX 26.500 & TGM 18.250 Mercedes-Benz - Actros 1545 & Antos 2540 Renault Trucks - T520 Comfort & D320 Optifuel Scania - R580 BlueStream Volvo Trucks - FH.540 GTL, FL 512.210 & FE 818.280z

TOTALKARE at RWM 2016 RWM 2016, Europe’s premier exhibition for resource management professionals, which opens its doors for three days at the NEC Birmingham on Tuesday, 13 September, will see one of the latest Dennis Eagle refuse collection vehicles helping to demonstrate the capabilities of TOTALKARE. Ideal for lifting vehicles of all sizes, the TOTALKARE range offers the perfect solution for both private and public sector workshops where efficiency, safety and reliability are key considerations.

James Radford, the company’s Sales & Marketing Director, explained: “At the RWM exhibition we will once again be showcasing the capabilities of our cable-free lifts that boast a lifting capacity of 7,500kg and are suitable for handling many types of vehicles. The lifts are widely used by many operators of refuse collections vehicles and it is fitting that one of the world’s largest manufacturers of these vehicles will be helping us to showcase their capabilities to the wider industry at RWM.” The ever-popular S6CF cable-free lifts on show at the NEC in Birmingham

A galvanised version of the TOTALKARE fixed post lift at a previous RWM exhibition

are typically used as a set of six on multi-axle vehicles to distribute the load evenly. The lack of cables reduces the risk of trips and falls, as well as the possibility of incurring accidental damage that can increase operating costs.

Alongside the company’s mobile column lifts, TOTALKARE will also be showcasing fixed post lifts. On show will be a 25T model with a 9m lift capability.

The fixed post lift range is available for both floor and recessed installa-

tion, in capacities of between 16T and 33T. The lifts can also be galvanised for outdoor installation or use in washbays or other wet environments without compromising on reliability, longevity or performance.

As well as showcasing lifts and support services, visitors to stand 5T100-W101 can also get a close up look at the company’s extensive range of ancillary equipment, including transmission jacks and support stands.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney www.handling-network.com

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Rail Freight – more containers carried and new opportunities arising

Dublin Port bound containers

The last full year has seen increases in rail freight carried on the rail network in Ireland in several areas, with a 3% increase in container traffic and pulpwood traffic up by 8%. Results for the first half of 2016 are even more encouraging, with container traffic already showing a 6% improvement over the same period of 2015, whilst bulk goods are 10% ahead following a slight dip in 2015 due to market forces affecting the export volumes of zinc and lead ore. This builds on progressive year-on-year increases seen in the rail freight sector over the last few years.

Quays are key It is no coincidence that almost all rail freight in Ireland is linked into the import and export supply chain with both Dublin and Waterford Ports playing key parts with their direct rail to quayside links. In July 2011 the Dublin Port Company opened its 1.6km spur to serve the Alexandra Basin quays – a major investment that now sees daily use with both inbound and outward movements of intermodal container trains serving the West of Ireland. The port also handles the bulk load zinc and lead ore trains that originate from Navan at the specialised rail connected unloading terminal accessed from the Alexandra Road tramway. The Port of Waterford has rail connected quays at Bellview and these are utilised by regular intermodal trains to Mayo and for the loading of imported steel rail. The four rail sidings at the port

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are straddled by large gantry cranes that can off load containers direct from ship to train. Refrigerated containers can also be handled at the terminal with power connections being available.

A further two ports are keen to reactivate and develop currently mothballed rail freight facilities. The Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) has secured a €3m award of European Union funding for development of a new east jetty. This award also includes €800,000 to fund a detailed engineering study to build a business case to reopen the 25-kilometre long railway line from the port to Limerick for freight traffic. It is around 15 years since the mothballed rail link was last used commercially. During 2015 the railway has seen activity with vegetation clearance taking place so that the formation and 84 structures (bridges, level crossings etc) along the route can be examined and tested for safety in a detailed study. The EU funding project is called Connecting International Sea Cargo to the Irish Rail Network (CISCIRN). SFPC has repeatedly made clear that it considers the restoration of this railway as absolutely vital for the continued €50m development of the Foynes deep water Dublin - Mayo bound port and the intermodal for IWT Shannon Estuary in general. It is a part of the ambitious SFPC ‘Masterplan Vision 2041’ that aims to boost the economic potential of the

port and surrounding area.

Further north, the Port of Galway has included the reinstatement and development of rail freight sidings in its development plan. Stage 3 of the plan states that the rail investment is required to ‘enable freight and cargo to be efficiently transported to and from the harbour resulting in positive road traffic and environmental benefits.’ At the time of writing, the Port of Galway is still waiting for an official decision from An Bord Pleanála on the proposed multi million euro harbour extension plan. The planning application for the €126 million worth port expansion project was submitted in January 2014 - two and a half years ago.

Infrastructure Investments Increases in the volume of freight carried and future projected freight flows have required improvements to terminal infrastructure over the last 5 years. The catalyst was the decision by Port of Dublin to invest in its 1.6km spur to the Alexandra Basin quayside as this then permitted International Warehousing & Transport (IWT), a Dublin based company, to increase the numbers of train it operated between the port and Ballina. IWT had commenced transportation of containers by rail from Dublin in August 2009 with the twice weekly service loading on Alexandrea Road – a far from satisfactory situation. When the Alexandra Basin spur opened

aug/sept 2016

rail

M50 bypass - Dublin to Ballina container train - these trains will carry a 50% extra payload later in 2016

and, to date, is the longest commercial freight train to operate over the Iarnród Éireann network.

Iarnród Éireann expect to commence operation of the longer trains on a regular basis later in 2016.

These longer trains bring enhanced environmental benefits – currently moving freight by rail instead of road reduces emissions up to 75% per unit, and longer trains could see emissions reduced to as little as one-tenth of the road equivalent.

Locomotives and wagons – to keep freight rolling

in July 2011 loading and unloading was transferred to the purpose built facility without delay. The number of trains operated for IWT has increased dramatically over the intermediate 5 years, with up to seven weekly departures being handled and an equivalent number of arrivals. The increased number of trains being run put a strain on the Ballina freight yard, so that in turn was expanded in the same year with the reinstatement of the Crossmolina siding by Iarnród Éireann.

In Autumn 2012, IWT, having acquired ‘Ballina Logistics and Storage Ltd’, invested in a container storage yard adjacent to the Iarnród Éireann freight yard at Ballina from where it operates a 24/7 round-the-clock service in the Mayo area. In anticipation of further increases in bulk and container traffic, Iarnród Éireann provided new holding sidings at Claremorris in Autumn 2015.

Viability of rail improved

To further improve the reliability of rail freight services, Iarnród Éireann has been running a refurbishment programme to fully overhaul their class 071 General Motors diesel electric locomotives. The work has included engine and bogie overhauls and body repairs. Plans are now being developed to re-engineer the more powerful class

During 2016 Iarnród Éireann operated three trial trains aimed at increasing the payload of individual freight trains by up to 50%. The first trial on Monday 15th February was to prove the haulage capacity of the powerful class 201 diesel locomotives on the long gradients westbound from Dublin.

On this occasion a 1296 tonne laden train was successfully hauled from Dublin to Sallins up the prevailing gradient of between 1 in 85 and 1 in 140. This was followed a few weeks later with a loaded pulpwood train of 365m in length with a trailing load of 1134 tonnes being run Dublin Bulk between Waterford Handling Terminal and Limerick. Finally, on Monday 27 June an 201 locomotives with more reliable intermodal service trial was operated environmental friendly diesel engines. from Dublin Port (North A feasibility study has now been Wall) to County Mayo completed and the contract for this in the North West of work is expected to be awarded during Ireland. Until now early 2017. trains on this route have To provide further capacity on been operated with a trains, a programme of overhauling maximum of 18 wagons stored ‘flat wagons’ used for the (36 TEUs) and this trial carriage of shipping containers is also has now pushed the being undertaken.

These wagons had limit up to 27 wagons been stored at locations around the (54 TEUs). The train, network for a few years and are now operated on behalf of required due to current and future IWT, was 440 metres increases in levels of rail freight. long with a trailing load of 1,110 tonnes

A full load, containers from Dublin to Mayo

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18 wagon timber train

Current and future traffic flows Iarnród Éireann currently operate two types of freight services, intermodal and bulk. The intermodal services convey maritime containers up to 45’ in length and 8’6” high on routes between Ballina, County Mayo and the ports of Dublin and Waterford. The Dublin services are operated for IWT and trains run Mondays to Saturdays in both directions, with a second service scheduled to operate in each direction one day per week – a total of 14 services per week. Much of the IWT traffic is for the soft drinks factory based in County Mayo.

Services to and from Waterford are operated for DFDS Logistics and presently operate twice weekly in each direction as a part of their low carbon ‘supply chain’ giving sea connections to and from Rotterdam and the rest of Europe at the Bellview terminal.

Customers taking advantage of the DFDS services to transport products for export include a manufacturer of health care products with factories based in Castlebar and Swinford – it is one of the largest employers in the county. Its products are exported to global markets including Europe, US and Japan.

The Donegal fishing industry is also using capacity on the trains between Waterford and Ballina.

Bulk trains carrying pulpwood for Coillte operate between County Mayo (Ballina and Westport) to Waterford’s Sally Park Yard and from here they are transferred onward to the nearby Smartply factory. A high proportion of

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the Smartply product is exported.

These trains operate around three times weekly for Coillte.

A future expansion of rail services to serve the Coillte factory (Medite) at Clonmel could be a possibility.

The other bulk flow operated presently is for Boliden from the Tara Mines near Navan. From here two or three loaded zinc or lead ore trains are operated each weekday to the Bulk Handling Terminal at Dublin Port. At the Bulk Handling Terminal, wagons are mechanically tipped to transfer the ore directly into the storage bunker for loading onto the ship by conveyor.

Iarnród Éireann is always looking for suitable new freight flows that could be rail hauled. One bulk product that has become important in the UK is biomass for fuelling power stations. The recent trials to lengthen freight trains in Ireland could see rail becoming the Green all the way to Dublin IWT intermodal

preferred mode of transport for this traffic in Ireland soon. With more than one potential customer entering this market, Iarnród Éireann is keen to show what can be achieved to transport ‘green fuel’ by a greener mode. This is

an exciting development with expected significant volumes being moved by rail. Scrap metal is not currently transported by rail, however the bulk transportation of this to Waterford Port for export in box wagons could possibly be considered in the future.

The supermarket distribution chain relies on rail in both the UK and in mainland Europe and a similar venture in Ireland could be advantageous to these companies. Tesco in the UK is a key user and its counterpart in Ireland could find a similar venture beneficial.

Other supermarket chains using rail for distribution are Sainsbury’s, which moves bottled water by rail, the Co-Operative, Waitrose, Morrisons, and Marks & Spencer, with trains for the latter conveying clothing in containers that are transformed into giant wardrobes using a hanger system invented by DHL. Whilst Cork presently doesn’t have any freight services, it would neither be onerously expensive or that difficult to utilise the Horgans Quay, situated adjacent to Cork Kent station, to cater for any potential in this field.

Bright future for rail freight With freight volumes already increasing year on year and the prospect of new customers requiring high volumes of trains, it is likely that locomotives and wagons that are currently stored will be overhauled and brought back into service again, and sidings extended to accommodate the longer trains. Times are without doubt starting to get more interesting for Irish Rail’s Freight Division!

Text: Tim Casterton

a uAgu/g s e/ sp et p 2t 0 21 06 1 6

warehousing news

Landgard eG - Just keeps on growing’

As with many dedicated businesses, we do not always appreciate the hard work behind the scenes that makes the business a success. The specialist world where fresh cut flowers and pot plants are traded and distributed is one such business. Recently Handling Network visited the Landgard Co-operative warehouse and auction rooms at the Veiling Rhein-Maas (VRM) near Venlo on the German/Dutch border to see how they manage - and also on how the business just keeps on growing.

The Veiling (auction) Rhein-Maas is a member of the Landgard eG Group. It’s a co-operative, 100% owned by the 3,200 individuals and small companies that grow the flowers, plants and produce that Landgard markets and distributes throughout Germany and beyond. While the Veiling is well established in the Netherlands, the Veiling Rhein-Maas is the first of its kind in Germany, although it’s only a few hundred metres inside the Dutch border. Nevertheless, as a business Landgard eG Group generated over €1.8 billion last year.

From mid-to-late afternoon, the trucks arrive into the VRM with that day’s fresh flowers and pot plants loaded on industry standard trollies.

The trollies are unloaded, the products are graded, listed for auction, and moved throughout the 190,000 sq. metre warehouse by a conveyor chain set into the warehouse floor that stretches for over 10 kilometres.

The volume counted in trollies varies throughout the year, with the lowest

number handled per day at around 5,000. However, in Spring this peaks to reach between 13,000-14,000 trollies per day. For its part of the handling operation, VRM ensures sensitive consignments are handled correctly, for example: temperature controlled products.

The real business begins the following morning when the buyers

arrive for the auction at 06.00 hrs.

They take their seats in the auction hall which resembles a university lecture theatre, and allows the buyers to view the produce as it passes through the hall on trollies. Each of the 608 seats is fitted with a monitor and keypad allowing any of VRM’s 1,600 buyers who attend to enter their bids with the auctioneers.

Central to the whole process are the auction clocks. There are eight clocks in total, four for fresh flowers and four for pot plants.

The auctioneers offer the lots for sale remotely, and as the clock begins to wind down, the price displayed in cents begins to drop.

When the buyers feel the price is right they enter their bids and hope to be successful. Though the auction hall is relatively

quiet, the pace is equal to that of a stock exchange trading floor - with a similar level of stress.

The pressure for both sellers and buyers is quite staggering, and while there are significant profits to be made, there are also consequential losses to endure. What increases the tension is that once the auction is over, any of the flowers, plants or produce not sold will be destroyed - nothing remains in the warehouse overnight.

Once a trade is complete the trollies are tagged and immediately moved to one of VRM’s 147 loading docks. From here the buyers must immediately arrange a transporter to collect for onward delivery throughout Germany, Scandinavia, the Benelux or further east. As soon as the goods are dispatched, the next day’s products begin to arrive, and so begins another day at the Veiling.

The Landgard Group has over fifty high profile locations throughout Germany. This includes thirty-three Cash & Carry outlets for specialist retailers of horticultural products and for garden centres. To service these locations Landgard operates an in-house transport company named Fresh Logistics System (FLS), which runs a fleet of forty-nine trucks and temperature controlled semi-trailers, and employ around 250 people. As a dedicated logistics company, the Landgard eG Group is experienced not only in the transport and handing of flowers and produce, but also being able to ensure return of the specialised trollies.

Demand for its services has increased, a result of which has seen FLS embark on a fleet replacement and expansion programme with thirty-four new trucks arriving by end of 2016. The new arrivals will leave FLS well placed to handle any further growth in the sector.

Text: Paul White

www.handling-network.com

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logistics

Brexit and the Logistics Industry

Verona Murphy

While the UK’s split from the European Union (EU) may have slipped from the headlines, the ramifications of the Brexit vote are still an urgent concern for Irish logisticians.

The UK faces two years of negotiation with the remaining 27 Member States of the EU to decide on the small print of the myriad issues that will affect us all. But with our unique geographical and trade relationships with the UK and mainland Europe, Irish logistics businesses have an awful lot at stake.

Speaking from Dail Eireann in between meetings with Ministers, Verona Murphy, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association commented that: “Irish hauliers are going to be at the biggest disadvantage of anyone throughout Europe.”

Ms. Murphy gave a stark warning: “There has already been a severe impact on the industry,” adding that

Irish transport operators stand to bear the brunt of further changes. She said that Brexit related exchange rate fluctuation wiped some 15 percent off some members’ bottom lines overnight, and that this has been compounded by the Government’s unexpected repeal of the 42 tonne GVW derogation on

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HGVs which has struck an additional 8 percent off some operators’ margins.

The big problem is that with so much Irish trade going through the UK, any punitive bureaucracy and charges that the mainland EU negotiators force into a UK trade deal will unavoidably seep into the Irish supply chain. So Irish operators must hope that the message being lobbied by its trade bodies is echoed by the Government, to make their case heard at the EU negotiation table.

Likewise, Freight Transport Association Ireland is concerned with this development. Neil McDonnell, General Manager said: “It now falls to the Irish Government to ensure that Ireland maintains the free movement, commercial, legal and social arrangements with Northern Ireland and Great Britain that it has enjoyed since 1922.”

“The UK is Ireland’s largest mutual trading partner and FTA Ireland will do all it can to support this objective.

Nothing will change immediately, despite the current market turmoil, and we will be working hard in the coming months to make the transition as smooth as possible for our members.”

Verona Murphy is evidently working hard too, to champion the case of IRHA members. Meanwhile Irish warehousing businesses are represented by the All-Ireland Warehousing Association’s affiliate, the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA).

Its Chief Executive Peter Ward has pledged that UKWA will arrange “from the top” Ministerial meetings for members to ensure that the industry is included and consulted in Britain’s exit negotiations.

Another industry perhaps less well represented by trade associations is Final Mile Delivery which is currently benefiting from the boom in e-commerce.

John Tuohy, CEO of leading delivery firm Nightline Group says that Irish

consumers will this year account for the fastest rate of e-commerce growth of any EU Member-State, mostly with UK-based retailers.

He shares the fears of many that more regulations, Customs clearance and charges will spell costly delays.

And he warned: “Such a hold-up will be compounded by the fact that the UK will be outside the EU’s single market VAT regime, and the fact that even a country as near as ours will be designated an international market with associated higher shipping tariffs.”

Nevertheless, John reported some positivity: “Since the Referendum, we’ve actually seen a tremendous increase in the volume of goods bought John Tuohy

from UK retailers by Irish consumers, buoyed by the strengthening of the Euro against the Pound. We can be reasonably optimistic therefore, for the moment.”

“In the long-term, I would like to think that common sense will prevail. The merits of free and open trade between our two countries and throughout the wider EU are clear to everyone,” added John.

The fall-out from Brexit will be something of an ongoing saga, but it seems that businesses from every link of the supply chain are united by a desire to smooth the flow of goods.

And it feels good to be backed by trade bodies that are in it for the long haul.

aug/sept 2016

logistics

Robotic Growth for TGW Automated materials handling firm TGW Logistics has acquired the German robotics company CHM Automatisierungstechnik. CHM constructs and builds specialist machinery such as gantry robots and picker arms, as well as special conveyor equipment.

CHM will now be 100 percent subsidiary of TGW, known as TGW Robotics. Its expertise in robotic

controls and the development of buckling arm robots in particular will be of value to TGW as these technologies are key for the palletising of cartons in production areas.

TGW recently expanded its Northern Europe operations headquarters by opening a second building in Market Harborough, in the UK. This is to accommodate anticipated growth.

“Our UK operation was established in 2007 with just three employees,” began Managing Director of TGW Logistics Northern Europe, Andy Smith (pictured). “Today, we employ around 200 people and over the next few years we expect that figure to increase to over 500.”

In Ireland, TGW has a team of mobile engineers

that service the automated handling systems used by pharmaceutical, office supplies and book distributors in the country, supported when required by additional resources from the UK. The company’s future strategy includes plans to increase its presence in Ireland in order to develop new projects and to offer innovative upgrades, enhancements and refurbishments to a wide range of businesses seeking to improve on their current logistics solution.

Text: Johanna Parsons

IMPACT to create impact at IMHX CAT Lift Truck distributor Impact, returns to IMHX 2016 at the NEC, Birmingham (13/16 September) to showcase its comprehensive product line-up, including the show debut of a new 8-10 tonne Carer heavy duty electric forklift range.

On stand 10H27 OS2, the company will feature 12 trucks, as well as displaying a Konecranes 45-tonne container reach-stacker outside the hall, welcoming delegates as they enter the exhibition. Nine forklifts from CAT lift trucks product line will be on display, including examples from both the warehouse and counterbalance range.

Details of a new cold-store cab for CAT reach trucks, and enhanced cold-store protection for its 48V electric forklift range will also be revealed.

Italian manufacturer Carer - for which Impact is also sole distributor will display its new A80 8-10 tonne electric truck.

The versatile articulated truck that does it all Reduce costs Double storage space Increase productivity Indoor/Outdoor operation AC electric or LPG 2,500kg capacity Lift heights to 15m 5 year/5,000 hours warranty

Aisle-Master Ltd, Co Monaghan, Ireland • www.aisle-master.com info@aisle-master.com • T: 047 80500

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aug/sept 2016

education

‘Is your Trainer trained?’

With regard to the annual Health & Safety Authority’s (HSA) ‘Injury in the Workplace’ league tables, transport, warehousing and storage have always featured unfortunately higher in the rankings than anyone would like.

Accepting that a number of these injuries can be attributed to the regular hazards of manual handling, slips, trips and falls, a high number are attributed to incidents involving powered mechanical handling equipment, and this figure is one that deserves some attention.

Although powered handling does in most cases eliminate the need for manual handling, which all can agree is beneficial, we are increasingly reliant on forklifts, stackers and powered pallet trucks which, according to the HSA, account for some 25% of these accidents. The machines themselves are not inherently dangerous which leads us to look at the operator, the environment, and the training.

It’s arguable that in today’s workplace the status of forklifts and powered handling equipment has been elevated to that of road going vehicles.

The equipment is subject to an annual inspection by a competent person, or a six month inspection if used to lift persons. Before beginning a period of work all operators must complete a pre-use check, and importantly each operator must be trained by a competent person to conduct that pre-shift check. In addition a suitable fault reporting and rectification structure should be in place.

While all of this is well meaning and necessary, it does create difficulties for employers, and the problem centres around the phrase ‘competent person.’ What exactly deems a person competent is somewhat difficult to

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define, as the whole area of training in this subject is by and large unregulated.

Unlike for example driving instruction, where the Road Safety Authority regulate and monitor all trainers through the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) programme.

This does not mean that the training delivered for example by the equipment manufacturer is not of value - in fact the opposite would be the norm. However, this training is often centred on the manufacturer’s specific models which is fine if that is what you use.

If a decision is taken to bring the training in-house, it is quite normal that the longest serving staff member becomes by default the trainer. If this is the case then some questions should be asked. What experience do they have of the subject matter, and what teaching or training qualifications do they hold which entitles them to instruct others?

This was highlighted by the HSA at a recent seminar in Dublin. The panel was asked “can you clarify if a Forklift Driving Licence needs to be renewed every three years or five years?” The reply from the HSA was: “While training must be provided, there is no such thing in this jurisdiction as a Forklift Licence or Ticket.” The

Authority accepts that this is a hot topic and is currently working to develop a framework that will come under the Quality Qualifications of Ireland (QQI).

If warehouse or product handling staff are permanent employees, and are properly instructed to operate a particular make of forklift or pallet truck, then there should be no issue once the make and model of the equipment remains the same. However, if the equipment changes, even on a temporary hired-in basis, then this creates a need for training.

That said, a greater issue may be created for companies that employ temporary staff or staff from employment agencies. This practice does create a need for training, even if the temporary person has a ‘forklift driving licence’, and has been trained.

The employer needs to be satisfied that they are trained on the make and model intended for use.

Training suitable members of your staff to train others could deliver an immediate return on that investment.

Apart from having complied with the recommended regulations and guidelines in the event of an accident or injury in the workplace, proper

instruction in the operation of your equipment makes sense. Do you really want an untrained staff member changing the LPG bottle on the forklift, or trying to put a pallet truck on charge when they really don’t know what they are doing? It might be better to talk to the HSA about training before an event occurs - than to have to talk to them afterwards.

Text: Paul White

Aug/sept 2016 a

freight news

Logistics play their part in major sporting events

As Andy Murray raised the Wimbledon men’s singles trophy, the logistics industry was celebrating too. Another successful year of supplying the tournament was recorded with around 27,000 kilos of strawberries and 7,000 litres of cream, not to mention the balls, nets, bottles of water and countless other items that made it all happen.

Portugal’s Euro 2016 win that followed wouldn’t have happened either without the transport and logistics industry delivering everything from goal posts to hot dogs. Members

Bibby’s Green credentials honoured by FTA Bibby Distribution - a long-standing member of the Freight Transport Association’s Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme (LCRS) - has been rewarded for its efforts in reducing carbon across its operations.

The company received FTA’s LCRS Leadership in Carbon Reduction Award sponsored by Bridgestone, which was presented at the Multimodal Awards ceremony in Birmingham. Judges said Bibby was leading the way with its diverse range of initiatives and a commitment to share best practice.

Rachael Dillon, FTA’s Climate Change Policy Manager, said Bibby had consistently shown a strong commitment to reduce carbon emissions across its fleet.

“The LCRS scheme helps its members record, report and reduce emissions and Bibby has demonstrated

of the Freight Transport Association (FTA) - the UK & Ireland’s biggest muti-faceted transport trade body played their part.

Ballymena-based FTA member Blair International transported the Northern Ireland team’s equipment to its training camp in France in preparation for the Euro 2016 championships - and back again. And dozens of others provided an important link in the supply chain.

Commenting on the behind-thescenes contribution by the supply chain sector, Christopher Snelling, FTA’s Head of National & Regional Policy, said: “This summer’s sports tournaments are a fantastic illustration of how logistics delivers absolutely everything, from the

smallest tennis ball to the enormous replica trophy that appeared on the pitch at the end of the Euro 2016 Final.

“The importance of logistics to the supply chain cannot be underestimated. Sun lotion, flip-flops, ice cream, beach towels - all the summer essentials reach us thanks to logistics.

Without it, the shops would be empty and our cupboards would be bare,” he added.

how this can be achieved across a wide range of customer contracts. The company has collaborated with others to develop innovative decarbonisation actions and share best practice,” said Ms Dillon.

Bibby Distribution uses a variety of initiatives to cut emissions and fuel consumption including the development of a new type of milk collection vehicle that uses less diesel, and dual-fuel vehicles. The company has also implemented advanced processes such as the use of ‘virtual warehouses’ to optimise route planning, and bespoke driver training, to drive carbon reduction at every level of the business.

Further information on the Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme can be found at: http://www.fta.co.uk/policy_ and_compliance/environment/logistics_ carbon_reduction_scheme/index.html Photo shows (left to right) presenter John Sergeant, FTA Chief Executive David Wells, Jonathan Rose of Bibby Distribution and Robert Jervis, Director of Multimodal.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney

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networkings

2016 Mondello Truck Show evolves into Festival of Entertainment

*Calor extends title sponsorship Manager, Mondello Park.

Speaking at the launch of the Mondello Truck Show, Damien Shirkie, Calor, commented: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Mondello Truck Show. As our economy continues to recover, exports are hugely important to Ireland’s enterprises. Trucks are key in bringing Irish products to market every day.

Keeping transport costs low, while also reducing emissions, is a key focus for Irish businesses. We are seeing more and more business coming from fleet managers who need a reliable and efficient energy solution. Calor and our partners in Mercury Fuel Systems, are looking forward to highlighting our offering at Mondello.”

Also new for 2016 is the third running of Ireland’s Best Truck Driver Competition, hosted by Fleet Transport and sponsored by Enprova, which will be held at the Show for the first time.

For 2016, the Mondello Truck Show evolves into a ‘Festival of Entertainment’ with plenty of activity both on and off the track, across the entire weekend. Sponsored once again by Calor, in association with Mercury Fuel Systems, the annual two day gathering of all things trucks will take place at Mondello Park on 3/4 September next.

This year the organising team at Mondello Park is keen to promote the move to expand and grow the Show both in the paddock and on track, building on an already impressive line-up including Truck Racing, Driving

Competitions, Time-Attack, Trade Stands, and a huge display of Ireland’s finest trucks and fleets. Calor will conduct a series of demonstrations on the advantages of the Calor LPG/Diesel Dual Fuel system as a viable alternative fuel for fleet operators, through its technology partner, Mercury Fuel Systems.

“The 2016 Mondello Truck Show is not only an event for truck enthusiasts, it is also very much family orientated.

We plan to turn the weekend into a “Festival of Entertainment, which will keep kids and adults alike entertained,” stated Roddy Greene, General

Hermes, the consumer delivery specialist, has played a key role in transporting more than 5,000 boxes of clothes and medical supplies across the UK for shipment to displaced families and refugees in Syria and Iraq.

The company is supporting Samara’s Aid Appeal in its role as the charity’s official logistics partner for 2016.

Since being launched two years ago, Samara’s Aid Appeal has sent

Hermes supporting initiative to help displaced families in the Middle East a total of 46 articulated trucks and containers carrying clothes, shoes, bedding, toiletries and essential medical equipment to war torn countries in the Middle East. Donated items, which are dropped off during

appeals at a variety of collection points around the country, are collected by Hermes before being transported to a warehouse in Worthing, where they are loaded onto containers for onward distribution.

Doosan Global Business Forum 2016 in Scotland

eminent economists and CEOs of multinational enterprises gather to gain valuable insights on the global business environment. This year’s event was held alongside The Open Championship, which was staged at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland, from July 14 – 17, 2016.

Lord William Hague, former British Foreign Secretary, Professor Joseph Stiglitz and other distinguished speakers

and guests gathered to assess the world economy and discuss geopolitical risks.

Presentations were also delivered on the infrastructure development outlook in Asia and implications of the new climate regime on the infrastructure sector. In his special remarks, Lord William Hague shed light on geopolitical risks that particularly require global attention and their impact on the world economy.

Founded in 2012, the Doosan Global Business Forum has become an annual event in which global leaders including

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Text Jaralath Sweeney

oct / nov 2 0 1 5

Edbro centenary steals the show at Tip-ex 2016

At the International Exhibition Centre in Harrogate, England, this year’s Tip-ex & Tank-ex show proved to be as popular as ever with many leading manufacturers, body builders and operators attending the UK & Ireland’s only event dedicated to the tipping industry. As always, JOST was present, promoting the industry leading Edbro tipping cylinders, as well as its range of fifth wheels, landing legs, couplings and axle systems.

Of particular interest was Edbro’s centenary celebrations which marked 100 years since Maurice Edwards developed the first ever hoist to be powered by a truck engine.

Edbro is now one of the world’s leading manufacturers for lightweight heavy-duty on-vehicle hydraulic systems, with over 75 percent of cylinders, all built in Britain, exported around the world.

The product range includes front end, underbody and ejector cylinders, waste handling equipment and customised hydraulic kit solutions. The popularity of the brand was evident at the show by the large number of vehicles which were sporting Edbro tipping gear.

To help celebrate the occasion the outside stand was manned by tipping vehicles of all vintages, all of which were sporting their original Edbro gear. Not only did this prove the ‘Fit & Forget’ promise that is delivered with every cylinder, it was also a real treat for all the enthusiasts who attended.

New 300 Series Unimog flagship from Mercedes-Benz The Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 318, the light-duty utility vehicle with eleven tonne permissible gross vehicle weight, enjoys a top-class reputation especially in the municipal sector.

The compact and fuel-efficient allwheel-drive implement carrier has also proved its worth many times over in other areas of application, such as construction, agriculture, forestry and the energy sector. To fill the product gap between U 318 and U 423, Mercedes-Benz now offers the 170 kW (231 hp) Unimog U 323, a new top-ofthe-line model from the mid-size class (300 Series).

The Unimog U 323 is not only more powerful than the U 318, it is also available in 3000-millimetre and now also 3600-millimetre wheelbases, with maximum permissible gross

vehicle weights of 13.8 and 14.0 tonnes respectively. It is not just versatile, it is also fuel efficient and suitable for off-road use. With its long wheelbase and larger platform, it can cope with heavy payloads. In addition to being more powerful, the U 323 also comes with a host of optional extras already valued by U 423 customers, such as AutomaticShift, a transmissiondriven PTO (which can be used to power crane bodies or high-pressure pumps) and several hydraulic options.

Equipped with a tilting platform, front loader, or swap body such as a water tank, the U 323 demonstrates its talents as a work/transport vehicle.

aob

TOPCLIPS

To view our top videos: From the print edition, just type the website address shown into your Internet browser address bar. In our Online Edition, just click on the pic.

2016 – Renault ALASKAN global reveal: drones and on-board cameras

http://www.handling-network. com/2016-renault-alaskan-globalreveal-drones-and-on-boardcameras/

Series 1 Land Rover reborn Timelapse film

http://www.handling-network. com/series-1-land-rover-reborntimelapse-film/

‘Hands off’ driving on motorways could soon be a reality

http://www.handling-network. com/hands-off-driving-on-motorways-could-soon-be-a-reality/ www.handling-network.com

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49

Aug/sept 2016

supply chain

IEA Supply Chain Ireland Seminar Munster Picture shows a new centre piece built for the DFDS Ro-Ro Ferry Primula Seaways. The vessel was cut in two and this 30 metre long piece has been inserted in the middle and gives a capacity increase of 820 lane metres to 4700 lane metres.

The IEA Supply Chain Ireland (SCI) seminar, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Little Island, Cork on 16 June, drew an attendance of over sixty and followed up on the launch some weeks previously of the Association’s Southern Regional Council.

This Council, which is chaired by Alan Fehily, who is Indirect Procurement Lead at DePuySynthes, has a membership drawn from all sectors of the export business located in the Munster Region. It has been established to represent the concerns and opportunities within the region. Speaking at the SCI event, Alan Fehily said: “The Irish Exporters Association is positioned at the forefront of the transport and logistics sectors, and facilitates collaboration between private industry and the public sector. Ireland’s competitiveness is dependent on an efficient Supply Chain, and through our SCI initiative, we strive to facilitate companies based on the island of Ireland, across all sectors, to grow, develop, become educated and compete as a leading player in the global Supply Chain.”

Significant regulatory development concerns applying mainly in the Pharma and Medicines sectors were addressed by Ciaran Brady, Director at PLS Pharma, a leading pharmaceutical consultancy and training organisation, and by George O’Kelly of Crest Solutions, an industry leader in the

50

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provision of machine vision solution systems to the highly regulated, high volume manufacturing and packaging environments. Howard Knott, Consultant to the IEA, spoke about the strengths and weaknesses of the Supply Chain infrastructure and services in the Munster region, and how the Port of Cork developments at Ringaskiddy and elsewhere in the Cork Harbour area will give service operators in all modes new opportunities to drive competitiveness in their local Supply Chain.

Introduction of VGM requirement Topping the list of concerns of the participants at the event was the imposition on 1 July of the requirement that all ISO containers shipped must have a pre-declared and verified gross weight prior to being taken aboard a vessel – the implementation of the SOLAS VI rules. Capt. Declan Black, who leads in this area at the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport (DTTAS) Marine Survey Office confirmed that there would be no delay in implementation of the new rules. It is likely though that for the first three months of their operation, regulators are likely to give shippers a little bit of slack, as systems at manufacturers’ premises, and those at Distribution Centres and Ports are fully brought up to speed.

There was some focus in the discussion on the requirements in relation to shippers of part-container loads, which are just as rigorous.

In these cases, the Forwarder or Consolidator who assembles the container loaded with a number of consignments will be the one declaring the Verified Gross Mass (VGM), but it is up to the shippers of the cargo to give him the VGM for each consignment. In the event of any error being detected, the responsibility remains with the shipper.

Captain Black also advised the meeting that it is now likely that similar VGM rules will be introduced for trailers, containers and other equipment shipped aboard Ro-Ro ships. This follows a number of recent incidents in which the stability of Ro-Ro vessels was compromised by under-declaration of cargo weight.

At the time of writing there have been no significant reports of shippers experiencing difficulties in meeting the requirements of the new VGM regime. However, there have been wide variations in the charges which different third party operators have levied to undertake the weighing on behalf of shippers. In one example in Rotterdam, the published weighing charge has been as high as €163 per container. Shippers should ensure that they know in advance what charges they will face and what options they may have, to have, the weighing done elsewhere.

Brexit It is clear that the planned departure of the United Kingdom from the EU will have significant effects on the Supply Chains of Irish exporters and importers. The Irish Customs Service within the Revenue Commissioners has already done a significant amount of work in preparation for Brexit. One major issue is how and when the UK authorities will implement the Union Customs Code which is currently being implemented through the EU. Full upgrade of the UK systems and implementation of the Code would greatly ease the problems to be faced by traders.

The next IEA Supply Chain Ireland seminar will take place in Claremorris, County Mayo on 12 October and there will be a significant focus on the emerging Brexit issues.

Text: Howard Knott

Fleet Transport Awards

Awards 2017

years

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The leading Awards Programme for the Irish Road Transport and Haulage Industry.

• Irish Haulier of the Year 2017 • Irish Truck of the Year 2017 • Green Commercial of the Year 2017 Date: Thursday 13 October 2016 Venue: Citywest Hotel, Dublin.

BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT For further information telephone Orla or Denise on +353 94 93 72819 or email: awards@fleet.ie Business associates, clients, partners and friends are all welcome to attend the Fleet Transport Awards 2017 and Gala Dinner, which will take place on Thursday 13 October 2016 at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin.

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YOUR LIGHTWEIGHT LIFTING PARTNER HAS ARRIVED Calor’s lightweight LPG cylinder is a versatile energy solution for every situation. Unlike diesel, it gives lower emissions and is perfect for use indoors. Unlike electricity, it’s perfect for use outdoors, where even steep gradients won’t hold it back.

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