MHD Aug 2021

AUGUST 2021

COVER STORY

THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT FOR THE JOB How Crown Equipment boosted productivity for Vadals Ikon Group

LIFE SCIENCES AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

CBRE on the emerging sector

SUCCEEDING IN A NEW WORLD

Ultimate Kronos Group on challenges and opportunities in the COVID-19 era

MEGATRANS2021 IS HERE A preview to the supply chain event of the year

ReImagine 5 – 8 October 2021

Elevate APAC is coming soon Be inspired, embrace innovation, value knowledge, get networking and charge ahead as an agent of change and transformation.

To learn more, scan the QR code below.

koerber-supplychain.com

MHD FROM THE EDITOR

MHD Supply Chain Solutions CONTACT MHD Supply Chain Solutions is published by Prime Creative Media 11-15 Buckhurst Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205 Telephone: (+61) 03 9690 8766 Website: www.primecreative.com.au

THE TEAM CEO: John Murphy Publisher: Christine Clancy Group Managing Editor: Sarah Baker Editor: Edward Cranswick Journalist: Billy Friend Business Development Manager: Beth Jarvis Design Production Manager: Michelle Weston Art Director: Blake Storey Graphic Designers: Kerry Pert, Madeline McCarty Client Success Manager: Janine Clements

FOR ADVERTISING OPTIONS Contact: Beth Jarvis beth.jarvis@primecreative.com.au

SUBSCRIBE Australian Subscription Rates (inc GST) 1yr (6 issues) for $78.00 2yrs (12 issues) for $120.00 – Saving 20% 3yrs (18 issues) for $157.50 – Saving 30% To subscribe and to view other overseas rates visit: www.mhdsupplychain.com.au or Email: subscriptions@primecreative.com.au

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT MHD Supply Chain Solutions magazine is recognised by the Australian Supply Chain Institute, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Australia, the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia and the Singapore Logistics and Supply Chain Management Society.

HOT PROPERTY

W

ith lockdowns still being imposed across the country, COVID-19 continues to disrupt lives, damage the economy, and ensure a sense of uncertainty in our personal and professional lives.

But the supply chain game must go on. And it does, as the industrial property market shows – with low vacancy rates across the major cities. Not only is there demand for more space for storing, handling, and fulfilling goods but also – as Colliers’ Tim Woolf points out – demand for secondary locations for more agile and flexible delivery, which is why the Newcastle industrial property market is so hot (see page 40).

And it’s not just traditional industrial property in demand. This month, CBRE’s James Jorgensen talked with us about the potential for growth in the ‘Life Sciences’ industrial property market – as demand for highly specific medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities trends upwards (see page 27).

Information about properties and locations is also a hot commodity – and one set for a big boost with the introduction of a National Location Registry spearheaded by not-for-profit organisation GS1. As GS1’s Bonnie Ryan explains, the new registry – developed in concert with business and government – will provide the infrastructure for easy dissemination of crucial location and transport data, thus smoothing out many supply chain wrinkles (see page 45).

But perhaps the hottest property to own right now is a ticket to MEGATRANS2021. This year’s conference theme is ‘Reimagining the Supply Chain’ – and we have everything you need to know in our MEGATRANS2021 SHOWGUIDE (see page 63).

As always, MHD has curated and collected the best of the industry’s ideas and solutions in one place for you.

Edward Cranswick Editor edward.cranswick@primecreative.com.au ARTICLES All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. The Editor reserves the right to adjust any article to conform with the magazine format.

COPYRIGHT MHD magazine is owned by Prime Creative Media.

All material in MHD is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. The Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published. The opinions expressed in MHD are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated.

MHD Supply Chain

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 3

WORLD LEADING

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SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY PALLET ®

THIS ISSUE COVER STORY

10 How Crown equipment is helping local company Vadals thrive

SUPPLY CHAIN

COVER STORY

10

40

15 Körber expands its automated solutions portfolio 45 The new national location registry 52 Adiona Tech optimises Home Delivery Service’s route planning 54 C.H. Robinson on forward-looking software 56 Succeeding in a new world of logistics and distribution

INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY 27 CBRE on life sciences industrial property 48 How uTenant is helping Ron Crouch Transport’s expansion plan

MATERIALS HANDLING 19 A meaty order of Toyota forklifts 31 Vanderlande on end-to-end automation implementation 37 The Leopard Cube dimensioning solution 39 Bonfiglioli on adding logistical value 43 Next generation tyres for material handling reliability

MHD SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS AUGUST 2021

0 or visit crown.com

AUGUST 2021

ISSUE #7 VOLUME 52

AUGUST 2021

COVER STORY

THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT FOR THE JOB

WAREHOUSING

How Crown Equipment boosted productivity for Vadals Ikon Group

23 Dematic’s flexible, low-cost automated solution 33 Scan into warehouse cleaning with Conquest Equipment 34 Microlistics launches its WMS update 50 Engineering the perfect DC 58 The best way to clean a biscuit factory 60 Books flying out the door

LIFE SCIENCES AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

CBRE on the emerging sector

SUCCEEDING IN A NEW WORLD

Ultimate Kronos Group on challenges and opportunities in the COVID-19 era

MEGATRANS2021 IS HERE A preview to the supply chain event of the year

63 MEGATRANS2021

SHOWGUIDE

ON THE COVER

DEPARTMENTS AND REGULARS

Food industry supplier Vadals Ikon Group has boosted its productivity with help from Crown’s forklifts and InfoLink fleet management system.

60

06 Industry news 40 Property Focus 90 Associations 97 Products 98 People on the move MHD AUGUST 2021 | 5

MHD NEWS

Australia’s largest logistics park sells for $1.67 billion

MLP has an estimated value of $4.2 billion once developed.

P

roperty fund manager Logos has tied up its near $1.7bn deal to buy Moorebank Logistics Park from logistics provider Qube.

LOGOS Consortium signed the binding agreement with Qube for Australia’s largest intermodal logistics facility.

Existing partners, Ivanhoé Cambridge, AustralianSuper, and TCorp as well as new partner AXA IM Alts joined LOGOS to deliver the milestone investment.

The 243-hectare site will be developed into industrial infrastructure with 850,000 sqm of

warehouse opportunities.

The site is adjacent to Australia’s largest rail intermodal facilities with direct linkage to Port Botany.

The south-western Sydney Logistics Park offers direct access to the M5 motorway, M7 motorway, and Hume Highway, servicing key freight corridors through New South Wales.

Darren Searle, LOGOS Head of Australia and New Zealand, says changes in consumer behaviour and expectations has forced distributors and retailers to look for longer-term solutions to meet customer demand in food, cold storage, pharmaceutical, freight and distribution.

“Connectivity, efficiency and intermodal capability are critical components of a pre-eminent logistics site, and no site is better equipped to facilitate market-leading levels of scale and automation than the Moorebank precinct,” he says.

MLP is expected to provide over $11 billion in economic benefits over 30 years through improved productivity, reduced business costs, reduced growth in congestion and a better environment.

The $1.67 billion facility has an

estimated value of $4.2 billion once fully developed.

LOGOS plans on deploying the largest array of rooftop solar panels on a single site in Australia to power the automation on-site.

“The site benefits extend far beyond just the tenants. By 2030, MLP is aiming to reduce Sydney and interstate truck travel by 243,000km per day, and lower carbon emissions by the equivalent of removing 11,000 vehicles from the road for a full year,” Darren says.

Paul Digney, Qube Managing Director, says LOGOS is an ideal partner for the Moorebank project.

“We are looking forward to partnering with the LOGOS Consortium to realise MLP as Australia’s leading logistics site and to build on the value of the infrastructure that Qube already built at the precinct,” Paul says.

Anchor tenants Woolworths and Caesarstone Australia have already committed capital to technology and fit-outs.

The transaction is subject to various approvals, including the consent of Moorebank Intermodal Company and the Foreign Investment Review Board.

Cold storage facility to be biggest in Australia

C

old chain logistics company NewCold has loaded another $160 million into its Truganina cold storage facility.

The Netherlands-based company has also partnered with food manufacturer Simplot Australia.

The cash splash brings NewCold’s total investment in Victoria to $460 million. The current facility will more than double in size once construction is complete.

Pallet positions will almost double to 225,000, with 30,000 for chilled and 6 | MHD AUGUST 2021

85,000 for frozen goods. The expanded facility is scheduled to be operational in 2022. Simplot will transition all of its frozen products in 2023.

The cold storage facility will use state-of-the-art technology including automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) to automatically move and store products in the high-bay warehouse.

Simplot Australia Managing Director, Graham Dugdale, says the company was attracted to Newcold’s fully automated ASRS high-bay solution.

“The new facility will ensure Simplot

can continue to efficiently deliver the products that Australia’s leading retail and foodservice customers depend on,” Graham says.

Bram Hage, Founder and CEO of NewCold, says the logistics specialists have delivered at least six new capital projects.

“This momentum confirms a very positive future for customers and an innovation boost for the industry,” he says.

Mobilisation and construction activities started at the end of May.

Paul Brown National Operations Manager, Logistics at Sigma

A Prescription for Success Automation drives a healthy competitive advantage for Sigma.

When planning its new Brisbane and Perth DCs, Sigma Healthcare made the decision to adopt an innovative approach to futurise its picking operations, automating both facilities and eliminating the restrictions of manual handling.

With the integration of an advanced automated Goods-ToPerson (GTP) picking system, Dematic helped Sigma achieve its highest operational efficiency and accuracy rates, as well as improve its service and delivery levels to meet customer needs.

Read more at www.dematic.com/sigma

Scan to read more!

Dematic.com/sigma 02 9486 5555 info.anz@dematic.com

MHD NEWS

$50 million in grants for supply chain resilience

T

he Morrison Government has opened $50 million in grants for improving access to critical products in times of crisis.

Applications are open for manufacturers under the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative.

The scheme was a key part of the Government’s $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy.

Matched grants of between $50,000 and $2 million are available for businesses which can help address supply chain vulnerabilities across medicines and agricultural production chemicals.

Christian Porter, Minister for

Industry, Science and Technology, says COVID-19 has put an emphasis on investing in projects to support supply chain resilience.

“Our initial analysis identified medicines, agricultural production chemicals – such as fertilisers – and personal protective equipment (PPE) as sectors of focus,” he says.

A second round of analysis could see semi-conductors, water treatment chemicals and telecommunications equipment being included in future grant rounds.

“The Morrison Government has already worked side-by-side with industry, offering significant investment

to scale up Australia’s ability to make PPE locally when we needed it most,” Christian says.

“This included providing funding to establish and expand local manufacturing, establishing accredited product testing capabilities, and providing free access to product standards and streamlining regulatory reviews and approvals.”

“Now we want to drive the same success for medicines and agricultural production chemicals.”

Under the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative, over $15 million will be designated to establishing a new Office of Supply Chain Resilience.

Sweet deal for Toll and Mars

A

new fully automated distribution centre (DC) built by Toll for confectionary company Mars has opened in Melbourne’s west.

The Truganina facility uses 17 automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to manage most of the workload.

The AGVs interface with the existing warehouse management system to track product flow from production and storage to dispatch.

The new centre can house 50,000 pallets, holding the equivalent of more than 700 million MARS bars.

The location offers key access points to major infrastructure routes to the Port of Melbourne, regional Victoria and interstate transport routes.

Peter Stokes, Toll Global Logistics President, says automating traditionally manual activity will boost productivity.

“The automation creates a safer workplace and minimises mistakes which can lead to damaged products, providing a better outcome for our customer and ensuring products arrive on supermarket shelves on time and in peak condition,” Peter says.

Chris Georgiou, Supply Chain Director for Mars Wrigley Australia, says the new DC is a core pillar of its business strategy.

17 AGVS are used at Mars’ new distribution centre.

“The introduction of smart technology and automation will support our growth ambitions and underpin our Supply Chain transformation,” he says.

Tony Raggio, General Manager Sales for Dematic says the AGVs receive the required data for automated operations from the warehouse management system.

All the tasks for inbound and outbound pallets movements are then carried out without manual intervention.

“The robust design of our AGVs means they can withstand the typically challenging environment of a warehouse, all whilst providing a 360° safety field of protection with automatic sensors to detect any obstruction,” Tony says.

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 9

MHD COVER STORY

THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT FOR THE JOB Food industry supplier Vadals Ikon Group has boosted its productivity with help from Crown’s forklifts and InfoLink fleet management system. MHD finds out more.

Stephen Ireland, Operations Manager at Vadals.

10 | MHD AUGUST 2021

MHD COVER STORY

With the help of Crown experts, Vadals chose a variety of lift trucks to boost productivity.

A

leading Australian food industry supplier has achieved considerable efficiency gains with the support of Crown’s InfoLink operator and fleet management system, as well as a variety of versatile Crown forklifts.

Vadals Ikon Group, a family-owned business that supplies a growing range of products to butchers, fruit-and-veg stores and supermarkets – among other food industry customers – has operated since 1987. The company recently moved to a new, purpose-built facility in Richlands, south of Brisbane, that incorporates both warehouse space and a showroom.

Vadals has benefitted greatly from brandnew equipment, as well as a dedicated fit-out. At the time the new warehouse was established, Vadals took on Crown’s InfoLink system, which offers increased insight into fleet performance to help get the best out of each piece of materials handling equipment.

“Through using InfoLink, we can now analyse how long a machine is used for each day, week, month – to make sure we’re getting the right productivity out of that machine,” says Stephen Ireland, Operations Manager at Vadals. “It also lets us know whether we need to keep that machine or change for something that would be better used inside the warehouse.

“It helps in being able to show the staff what level of work each individual machine is doing – how long it’s stationary for, how long it’s moving for,” he says. “And it’s also good for battery life. Are we charging it too early? Are we letting it run down too low?

Infolink is excellent for those areas.”

The InfoLink system offers support for safety initiatives with a sophisticated electronic inspection checklist, which Vadals also found to be beneficial in maintaining its

“

We moved into this warehouse 12 months ago using all-new Crown equipment. In that time we’ve picked up 33 per cent in productivity through our new Crown equipment and the set-up of the warehouse.

”

lift trucks, says Stephen.

“Through the InfoLink system, there’s a pre-start-up check that changes the questions, so the guys can’t tick-and-flick – which you see in a lot of warehouses,” he says. “They physically have to go through the process, which helps maintain the machines, meaning we have fewer breakdowns and the Crown equipment lasts longer.”

Stephen adds that the staff have developed a greater sense of ownership over their machines: “They go, ‘This is my machine, this is how it runs, and this is how I’m making sure it runs properly’.”

Crown helped tailor Vadals’ fast-paced warehouse by examining the space, and planning its use effectively, so it could effortlessly handle local and imported products – ranging from packaging, clothing, knives and saws, to a multitude of

Crown provided equipment as well as advice on spatial planning to maximise efficiency.

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 11

MHD COVER STORY

The InfoLink 7” Touch Display. glazes, marinades, and condiments.

“Working with Crown gave us the right equipment that we needed,” Stephen says. “The information they gave us was also invaluable – how to better utilise our machines, how to set up our warehouse to get better productivity out of the machines.”

The business is oriented to manual handling. And with products being picked, stored and despatched, Vadals needed materials handling equipment that would be the right fit for each application. With the help of Crown experts, Vadals chose a variety of lift trucks, including RM Series reach trucks and PC Series rider pallet trucks. Stephen says having the right equipment in the new space helped contribute to a major boost in productivity.

“We moved into this warehouse 12 months ago using all-new Crown equipment,” he says. “In that time, we’ve picked up 33 per cent in productivity through our new Crown equipment and the set-up of the warehouse. The racking and our dock levellers are supplied by Crown. Even the sweeper that we use to sweep the floor was provided by Crown. We’ve found the machines to be reliable and excellent.”

The Vadals team also chose to utilize Crown’s DT Series double pallet stackers, which provided an additional productivity boost.

“Initially we thought we’d only want singles, but after consultation with Crown we went with doubles, and found that – because you can pick two pallets at one time – it’s almost like achieving twice the work” Stephen 12 | MHD AUGUST 2021

says. “That’s where the productivity gain came from, as well as improved movement in the warehouse.”

The efficiency of Vadals’ Crown materials handling equipment has also paid dividends in terms of reducing overall labour costs.

“Once we got here, we found we were getting day’s work done so much quicker,” says Stephen.

“Financially speaking, I would say our savings would be at least $150,000 to $200,000 a year – and that’s through productivity gains. We’ve increased sales but have been able to absorb that increase without adding more staff.” ■

InfoLink is able to effectively track machine usage and productivity.

The InfoLink system provides new insight into the performance and utilisation of connected equipment, people, and processes.

To learn more about how Vadals boosted its productivity through the use of Crown’s high-quality forklifts and innovative InfoLink system, visit www. crown.com/en-au/customer-results.html

MHD COVER STORY

Crown’s design thinking approach studies how operators and forklifts interact to meet worker requirements.

INTRODUCING INFOLINK 7” TOUCH DISPLAY Earlier this year Crown Equipment Corporation, one of the world’s largest material handling companies, introduced a larger, more robust display module for its forklifts equipped with Crown’s InfoLink fleet and operator management system. The InfoLink 7” Touch Display Module enhances the operator experience with greater functionality and an interface designed to simplify onboarding, maximise productivity, and reinforce safety.

The information presented on the adjustable colour LCD display creates a more informative and personalised experience for operators. For example, intuitive and easy-to-read menus and configurable widgets enable operators to customise their screen and receive context-sensitive alerts to increase engagement with the forklift. Three

programmable-performance modes, as well as multiple language support, allow for equipment operation to be tailored to each user.

An operator checklist with images at login helps ensure inspection compliance, while on-screen safety reminders and Dynamic Coaching messaging during operation reinforce operator training and deliver real-time feedback to operators. Built-in wireless connectivity provides access to enterprise networks and allows sharing of real-time data for productivity tracking and preventive service, among many other uses. Wireless firmware downloads ensure new features can be leveraged for additional functionality and accommodate future application requirements as customer needs evolve.

“We believe deployment of any technology must immediately disprove the misperception that it is more complex than the prior solution,” says Kim Stachler, Marketing Connected Product Manager at Crown Equipment Corporation. “This is why our design thinking approach includes studying how operators interact with our forklifts to better understand work context, physiological needs and cognitive requirements. Our new InfoLink 7” Touch Display Module is an example of how we apply learning to facilitate enhanced engagement – leading to elevated productivity and safety levels throughout the entire operation. The module also provides a platform for introducing new InfoLink functionality and capabilities as operations change and evolve.”

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 13

MHD SUPPLY CHAIN

The C200M is a game-changer for small start-up operations of 500 sqm to larger state-of-the-art fulfilment centres that can use it as a modular system for targeted SKUs.

KÖRBER EXPANDS AUTOMATED SOLUTIONS PORTFOLIO As the industry continues to explore autonomous solutions to improve efficiencies and productivity, Körber tells MHD why it’s ahead of the curve and how it has expanded its autonomous solutions range with the very latest developments in robotic technology to the APAC market.

“F

lexibility, adaptability and precision are everything in today’s supply chain,” Nishan Wijemanne, Global Leader Robotics and Managing Director of APAC at Körber Supply Chain tells MHD. Supply chain technology provider Körber, previously Cohesio Group, has made a mark on the Australian and New Zealand logistics, supply chain and retail industries as an early adopter of mobile automation.

In recent years, the leading tech provider has had a series of major wins for some of the region’s largest and well-known organisations, including Catch Group, CEVA Logistics, Officeworks and more.

As the autonomous robot industry develops, Körber remains on the cusp of the latest developments in the industry and has been looking for opportunities to bring the latest developments in autonomous

technology to the APAC market.

This has led the organisation to sign a strategic partnership with BALYO. BALYO is a leading integrator and developer of advanced forklift robots.

Established 14 years ago, BALYO has opened offices in three continents

and deployed more than 500 robots worldwide. Its vision is to enable companies to focus on humans through designing, installing and operating simple and affordable robotic technologies, systems and services.

Launched with the ambition to simplify

Kӧrber will work with BALYO to integrate its range of robotics to overcome challenges associated with full pallets, bulk movements and heavy goods.

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 15

MHD SUPPLY CHAIN robotics, BALYO bridges the gap between traditional material handling equipment (MHE) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). This includes autonomous forklift trucks, tow tractors (for tugging applications), stackers (for floors/low-level pallet movements) and reach-robots (for high racks).

Kӧrber will work with BALYO to integrate its range of robotics to overcome challenges associated with full pallets, bulk movements and heavy goods.

According to Nishan Wijemanne, this partnership is a testament to Kӧrber’s dedication to offering the best solutions to its customer. “Robotics bring a new level of performance to warehousing and logistics. Our expertise combined with BALYO’s unique solutions will empower business around the world to conquer today’s complexities and to evolve with consumer and industry demands,” he says.

A CUTTING-EDGE TOTE-TOPERSON AMR SOLUTION In addition to the BALYO partnership, Kӧrber is also set to roll out an extended depth, tote-to-person robot – manufactured by Geek+.

The C200M AMR is designed to operate in narrow aisles, reach new heights and increase warehouse storage capacity. The robots add efficiency to existing facilities and increase the storage capacity of a manual warehouse by up to 250 per cent.

Pushing the boundaries of what is already available in the goodsto-person (GTP) market, this new solution will bring customers even more value by improving storage capacity and efficiency.

The C200M operates in aisles that are less than one metre wide and uses a telescopic fork to reach two rows of containers from one side of a shelf.

It also connects to other automation solutions such as conveyors or picking and packing AMRs. The C200M is ideal for a number of different businesses, large or small.

“From small start-up operations of 500 sqm, to Australia’s larger stateof-the-art fulfilment centres that can use it as a modular system for targeted SKUs – the C200M is a game-changer.

We also see it as an option for micro fulfilment centres and dark stores,” 16 | MHD AUGUST 2021

The C200M AMR is designed to operate in narrow aisles, reach new heights and increase warehouse storage capacity. It increases the storage capacity of a manual warehouse by up to 250 per cent.

Mario Milton, AMR Solutions Design lead at Kӧrber Supply Chain says.

Providing an alternative to the traditional multi-shuttle ASRS tote systems at a fraction of the cost, the C200M can put away into the tote shelving system and pick directly from totes without having to complete the traditional replenishment tasks that you would ordinarily need to do in a manual or even some automated warehouses.

SUPPORTING AUSTRALIA’S GROWING INDUSTRIES According to Mario, Kӧrber’s dedication to bringing the latest autonomous technology to ANZ is set to accelerate fulfilment capabilities for retailers and logistics providers alike.

“We’ve already had a major e-commerce retailer sign up for the C200M solution at its new distribution centre. In their pursuit of offering the very best in customer service for online shoppers throughout the nation, this solution is critical for their goods receiving process. It allows

them to receive products and have them ready for despatch in 30-45 minutes,” says Rizan Mawzoon, Head of Transformation at Kӧrber Supply Chain.

The solution is ideal for any customer with products that fit into totes. “Apparel, fashion, healthcare, small tools and beauty are some of the categories that work well for the C200M. It’s also a great fit for microfulfilment operations and frontof-store replenishment,” says Ravi Nath, Head of AMR Solutions ANZ at Körber Supply Chain.

Australia’s retailers are in the midst of a unique and challenging transformation, with many shifting their operations to suit a more agile and flexible approach that caters to their growing online consumer base.

“There is no other solution that can be implemented in a short period of time that provides a faster payback. The days of expensive, fixed automation are over, as our customers are looking to expand and grow into the future,” Rizan says. ■

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MHD MATERIALS HANDLING

A MEATY ORDER OF TOYOTA FORKLIFTS An organic food business has changed its entire fleet of material handling equipment to be exclusively supplied by Toyota Material Handling Australia, gaining several efficiencies and advantages.

A

rcadian Organic & Natural Meat Co., located on the New South Wales Central Coast, is a leading supplier of premium-quality certified organic meat and other organic food products.

Recently, Arcadian adopted an entire fleet of materials handling equipment – supplied by Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA).

The new fleet consists of four Toyota LWE180 electric-powered pedestrian pallet jacks with maintenance-free batteries, two Toyota LHM230 Quick Lifter hand pallet jacks, two Toyota 8FBE18 counterbalance 3-wheel electric forklifts, a Toyota 7300 double-deep reach forklift and a Toyota 8FBR16, moving-mast reach forklift for cold storage warehousing.

The LWE180 electric-powered pedestrian pallet jacks and 8FBE18 counterbalance 3-wheel electric forklifts are fitted with the Toyota’s I_Site telematics and fleet management system, which helps fleet and logistic managers understand vehicle status, driver performance, and overall productivity in their material handling operations.

Rounding out the exclusively TMHAprovided fleet is a Huski Construction Equipment SV06ENS E-Series 6000mm electric Scissor Lift for plant maintenance.

The decision to add such a large and comprehensive amount of material handling equipment to its fleet all-atonce didn’t come lightly for Arcadian.

Rick Vella, Chief Operating Officer for Arcadian, says catalysts for such a significant investment in the new material handling equipment fleet included his past experience with TMHA, business expansion, and the unreliability of the preceding fleet.

“My employment history has

Arcadian Organic & Natural Meat Co. has adopted an entire fleet of materials handling equipment – supplied by Toyota Material Handling Australia. included being a warehouse manager for many years in Sydney, so obviously being in charge of the material handling equipment,” says Rick. “I had various different equipment suppliers in that role – but ended up with Toyota, and they were my equipment supplier-ofchoice when I left that role.”

Arcadian Organic & Natural Meat Co. produce retail-ready meat products and supplies to major supermarkets under the Cleavers Organic brand and private labels.

The business’s growth has included a major expansion to its plant operations in West Gosford that has allowed it to expand into other non-meat organic food categories.

“With more space, there was obviously a requirement for more material handling equipment,” Rick says. “When I started with Arcadian,

I reviewed the material handling equipment inventory and I wasn’t happy with the performance of that equipment – it wasn’t meeting my reliability standards.

“So we went through the checklist of our requirements, the number one consideration on our scorecard was reliability and – paired with that – regular servicing and strong customer service.

“Up-front price was one consideration, but when you’re examining suppliers you’ve got to balance the scorecard with a longerterm view.

“It’s about having equipment that you can rely on to perform in the long-term, in order to recover your investment costs. That is just as important as – if not moreimportant than – the initial MHD AUGUST 2021 | 19

MHD MATERIALS HANDLING

upfront purchase price.

Rick says that the lack of reliability and the excessive downtime Arcadian was getting from its old equipment was costing too much and had become unacceptable.

“So, with Toyota being able to assure us of more up-time, that was a big consideration when specifying the new fleet,” he says. “The quality of equipment, the reliability of the equipment and it’s functionality. Yes, they were definitely key factors.”

Rick says the equipment specification process with TMHA was ably assisted by TMHA Area Sales Manager Allan Peacock.

“Allan was very clear and concise,” he says.

“He’s a good operator and it was really easy to deal with him. Easy and seamless, is how I would describe the specification process.”

He says that Allan went above-and-beyond the normal process in helping Arcadian to check the proposed Toyota equipment would be suitable for its tight spaces, and

The reliability of Toyota’s equipment was a key reason for Arcadian choosing it.

20 | MHD AUGUST 2021

“

I consider the I_Site system to be a prerequisite when you’ve got a lot of people working in a factory.

”

also to ensure Arcadian’s operators were comfortable with the equipment, coming as they were from a different brand.

“Allan brought some units out to our site, but other models were on a different order timeline, so he took us out to see them at existing customers’ sites,” Rick says. “So we were able to trial them there, which was a really helpful exercise.”

The addition of the Huski Construction Equipment SV06ENS E-Series 6000mm electric Scissor Lift was specifically requested by the operators. “We had a stock-picker which was good for single-person usage, but a lot of our jobs require two people simultaneously and our production lines are long with narrow aisles,” explains Rick.

“So the Huski scissor lift is perfect for those jobs, it gives extended reach to get into some spots that are quite difficult to access.

This has been fantastic and our team really likes it.”

Yet another advantage that resonates with Rick is Toyota’s strong reputation for safety.

“Particularly because we operate in restricted spaces, the safety features of Toyotas – for instance, the stability system – were a definite advantage and provided peace-ofmind for us.

“We also considered the safety features such as Toyota Forklifts’ System Of Active Stability and Safety which also ties into Toyota’s I_Site fleet management system, which we absolutely rely on in order to help maintain safety, efficiency and accountability in the warehouse,” Rick says. “I consider the I_Site system to be a prerequisite when you’ve got a lot of people working in a factory.”

The manoeuvrability of Toyota’s forklifts was a key factor for Rick in terms of improved safety and practicality. “The 360-degree steering on the counterbalance forklifts makes a big difference in the tight spaces we have,” he says. “And the new Toyota forklifts have a shorter wheelbase. Our real estate is tight, so to have a shorter wheelbase and turning circle is especially handy. It’s made everyone’s life easier.”

Having had its new material handling fleet for more than 12 months, Rick reports virtually no issues to date.

“We haven’t had any bad problems, and that rewards my buy-in to the Toyota brand.

I actually do think it’s great equipment, it’s a great offering.” ■ For more information call Toyota Material Handling Australia on 1800 425 438 or visit www.toyotamaterialhandling.com.au

MHD WAREHOUSING

HIGH FLEXIBILITY, LOW FOOTPRINT David Lamb, Senior Systems Consultant at Dematic, explains a new automated solution for flexible, low footprint warehouse operations.

C

onsumer demand for goods on a global scale is reaching new heights as we move further into 2021. From a boom in e-commerce and a surge in general consumer demand for goods, worldwide supply chains are increasingly challenged to innovate and meet this demand to remain competitive.

For industries, enterprises, and even small businesses, this represents a fantastic opportunity for a revision of technology investments. In countless new examples, businesses are proving that investments in supply chain technology are helping them adapt quickly to market changes and customer demands to stay ahead of their competitors.

For industries looking for an advanced, fully automated solution to streamline storage, picking, and packing warehouse operations with the lowest footprint in the market, AutoStore, empowered by Dematic is the perfect innovative solution.

AUTOSTORE VS. MANUAL WAREHOUSING AutoStore is an automated storage, goods-to-person (GTP) picking and fulfilment solution, designed to maximise warehouse space and minimise manual labour. When compared to a typical manual warehouse operation, AutoStore streamlines the process significantly, creating an efficient picking process with a single operator doing the equivalent work of four to five manual pickers. With AutoStore, the products are brought directly to the operator, working to actively streamline the picking process by reducing warehouse foot traffic and keeping the products close to where they are required to be.

Likewise, replenishment and returns can be effectively streamlined with

David Lamb, Senior Systems Consultant at Dematic.

AutoStore. Items are received directly to a single location for insertion into the system. This is especially beneficial for reverse logistics, considering the burden of the increasing number of customer returns as single units.

In a manual operation, this can be a tedious effort to walk around the warehouse and visit each slot to replenish single units. With AutoStore, the bins are delivered directly to the receiving area, then whisked away by robots for storage. Returns can also be consolidated with existing stock at receiving by delivering specific bins in sequence to the operator.

Storage space and footprint is another key challenge for modern operations.

Whether you lease or buy an existing parcel of land, build new facilities, or make use of existing structures, footprint is expensive. AutoStore has

the highest storage density of any GTP solution in the market. While many happy customers have saved money on a smaller building or parcel of land, others have cleared up to 80 per cent of the footprint from their existing manual warehousing space, and thus avoided having to move altogether.

Furthermore, space savings allow for better utilisation of existing facilities beyond warehousing. Some customers have used newly created space to expand manufacturing or add special areas for value-adding tasks such as kitting or custom build areas.

For example, envisage an operation that needs 300 bays of long span shelving to provide the required storage and SKU selectivity. Now consider the space required for this operation.

There is the products themselves, the steel and shelving of the bays, and MHD AUGUST 2021 | 23

MHD WAREHOUSING be quickly expanded. Additional robots and ports can be available as stockon-hand, ready for the next project or expansion. The grid can also be easily expanded with minimal interruption and progressively filled with bins as SKU and storage demand increases. Therefore, businesses only need to invest in enough capacity to cover the short-term forecast.

AutoStore allows businesses to hold onto their money for later and expand when business reaches growth targets and avoid overcapitalising if it doesn’t.

AutoStore is an automated storage, goodsto-person picking and fulfilment solution.

AUTOMATION FOR A GREENER WAREHOUSE

the clearances between levels, and then there is the ‘empty’ space required for the pickers to walk through the aisles and manoeuvre their equipment. This space is empty from floor to ceiling. This solution would conservatively require 1730 m², including the storage, aisles, and some packing benches. A long-span bay of shelving is typically the equivalent of 20 AutoStore bins. Therefore, our 300 bays represent 6000 AutoStore bins. The space required for 6000 AutoStore bins with GTP ports is just 220m², which is an 87 per cent footprint saving in the storage and packing area.

AutoStore’s flexibility allows it to align with the specific fulfilment challenges a business needs to address. Additionally, in the age of COVID-19, AutoStore allows for excellent social distancing practices, with separation of workers at dedicated ports and no need for workers to walk around and pass each other.

allowing effective decision making and continuous improvement. With Dematic and the AutoStore solution, stock levels are accurate with continuous cyclecounting, pick rates are clear, and fastmoving and slow-moving SKUs are easily identified. Likewise, service levels are measurable and easy improvements often reveal themselves within the data and reporting space. Furthermore, the interface can be tailored to integrate to your chosen ERP or WMS.

A SOLUTION DESIGNED FOR BUSINESS GROWTH Markets and customer expectations change continuously, so business operations must be agile in their response to protect and claim market share.

Despite the impressive analysis that is built into the best forecasting models, the results are still a forecast.

AutoStore is scalable and designed to

WHY CHOOSE AUTOSTORE? In addition to the evident improvements to labour productivity and utilisation of warehouse space, the AutoStore solution can improve ergonomics, stock accuracy, pick accuracy, product security, service levels, and returns processes.

The digitisation of warehouse operations has proven to be a key driver of improvement for the modern warehouse, where real-time reporting provides a new level of insight to the operation. In today’s world, big data is a big asset. There’s a competitive advantage and thus market share on offer for the businesses that can measure what matters, with fact-based insights 24 | MHD AUGUST 2021

Autostore maximises capacity for high density storage.

AutoStore, empowered by Dematic, is also one of the most sustainable warehouse picking solutions on the market. AutoStore uses power regeneration technology with the robots to make AutoStore one of the lowest energy consuming technologies in warehousing. In fact, a turnkey system with 10 robots and a GTP port will consume the same energy as a domestic toaster: 1200 Watts. In addition to saving money, this represents a real opportunity for businesses to promote their green credentials in the market with a tangible example.

All in all, AutoStore is a leading warehouse innovation making intelligent use of space and streamlining picking, packing, and replenishment operations. From upscaling for future growth to gaining valuable insights into warehouse operations to deliver businesscritical improvements, AutoStore is a solution for proactive planning, better productivity, and a selfsufficient warehouse. ■

Handling Solutions in Australia for over 20 years

Combilift’s 60,000th truck delivered

combilift.com/60000

Combilift recently marked a milestone when its 60,000th unit came off the production lines at the company HQ in Monaghan and was shipped to the other side of the world. The customer taking delivery of this special forklift is Metroll, a leading Australian manufacturer and supplier of steel building products including roofing, cladding, rainwater, structural and fencing.

Innovation, Flexibility and Service is the ethos on which Combilift’s success is built and has seen us become the world’s fastest-growing forklift manufacturer, operating in over 85 countries. No other manufacturer in the world can deliver the same level of customisation and adaptability, or cater so effectively to the diverse needs of every individual customer, whether their enterprise is large or small.

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1300 552 422

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MHD INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

LIFE SCIENCES: A NEW FRONTIER FOR THE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY SECTOR? With vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices often on newspaper front pages, we ask CBRE’s James Jorgensen what’s next for Australian life sciences real estate.

T

he life sciences industry – comprising pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, and the like – has increasingly been a focal point of attention given the events of the last year and a half.

That said, expansion of the industry was already well underway pre–COVID, due to large and ageing populations, as well as increased industry activity across the Asia Pacific.

Recently, CBRE published a substantial new report entitled “A New Era of Life Sciences Growth: Opportunities for Occupiers and Investors” – assessing the state of play in APAC’s life sciences real estate sector.

James Jorgensen – Victorian State Director, Industrial & Logistics, for CBRE says that the commercial real estate giant is one of the largest life science property specialists globally, with a large team that specialises solely in the sector across the European, American, and Asian markets. James says that while life science is a less mature sub sector in the Australian property market, CBRE is better positioned than anyone to service this emerging category – through its global networks and the various transactions it has already handled.

He confesses that while the majority of his experience is in the core Industrial & Logistics sector, he and CBRE are very excited to be at the cutting edge of the life sciences area given its societal importance and growth potential.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for CBRE

in the Australian market,” he says.

What really grabbed James’s attention was Charter Hall’s recent $106 million acquisition of GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) life sciences campus at Boronia in Melbourne’s east.

“When we began the campaign earlier this year, we expected the property to fly to a traditional industrial developer – in this case Charter Hall – but with the expectation they would knock the site over and put up standard industrial logistics property, given how that sector’s booming,” he says. “But we quickly realised that that was not going to be the case, and that there is so much in this life sciences sub sector. There was so much interest in the GSK site from other pharmaceutical manufacturers and life science groups because they recognised its highly specialised and valuable infrastructure. Charter Hall quickly recognised that, too.”

Given his general expertise in industrial and logistics real estate, we asked James whether life sciences industrial property historically followed a different pattern – in terms of investment, ownership, and tenancy – and whether this trend might change.

“In the past, it has usually been the occupier who will build and develop their own facility for highly specific purposes,” he says. “But I think this might be where we see a shift in the trend going forward. In the last few years in Australia we’ve seen some big sales and leasebacks of pharmaceutical drug properties. And to return to the recent GSK example, a lot of

James Jorgensen, Victorian State Director, Industrial & Logistics, CBRE. pharmaceutical groups did want to buy the site because this naturally gives them a feeling of controlling their own destiny. But Charter Hall outbid them all and now there is no option for such groups but to be tenants.”

James says that it wouldn’t be surprising if such discrete cases were part of an increasing trend whereby life sciences properties became an even more prized development asset class – with companies like Charter Hall or its equivalents buying up these campusstyle facilities to set up for life sciences.

Much has been made in the media of the need to improve and protect pharmaceutical and medical supply chain sovereignty in wake of COVID19. But how important a factor is this in shaking up the life sciences real estate space?

“It’s a big factor,” James says.

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 27

MHD INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

“

If you’re a big global pharmaceutical player looking to open doors to Australia to manufacture these vaccines, there is hot competition between governments – Victoria and New South Wales in particular – to attract you to set up in their capitals.

”

“We have Commonwealth and State government task forces set up for exactly this purpose. Research into mRNA vaccines is obviously a big deal and potentially lucrative – as well as lifesaving. But it’s not just limited to COVID.” Federal and State governments are looking ahead in terms of health security, and want to be able to produce vaccines on our shore – an agenda they are pushing very hard, he says. “So, if you’re a big global pharmaceutical player looking to open doors to Australia to manufacture these vaccines, there is hot competition between governments – Victoria and New South Wales in particular – to attract you to set up in their capitals.”

And if the government is incentivising such relocations, then the demand for and value of these properties is sure to boom.

But even without COVID and the government funding it provoked, Australia was already a prime location for high-tech pharmaceutical manufacturing, James says.

“Obviously, Australia has a world class healthcare system and already has an established network of elite universities and research institutions,” he says. “This ensures that the country – particularly with the hubs in Sydney’s 28 | MHD AUGUST 2021

Macquarie Park, Parkville in Victoria, and expanding hubs in the other major cities – already has a great comparative advantage in attracting global life sciences companies to our shores, thus underpinning investor-interest in Australian life sciences real estate.”

One potential barrier to growth in the sector, says James, is access to Greenfield sites. “To analogise with the kinds of constraints we see in the traditional industrial real estate sector – two of the major hurdles are planning and zoning issues,” he says. “We’ve still got land supply here in Melbourne, but zoned land is fast running out. For anyone – developers or occupiers – wanting to convert unzoned land into zoned land for life sciences facilities, it is a fairly protracted and risky process, which further complicates the issue. And on the other side, for global pharmaceutical manufacturers who want to own their own site – it’s going to be even more challenging at the moment with the constrained land supply.”

But notwithstanding such barriers, James is keen to underscore just how big this sector could be. “I

The growth of life sciences presents many opportunities for the industrial property sector.

don’t think we know quite how big yet,” he says. “We’re in the early stages here in Australia – but it could be really exciting.”

Yet while the future of the sector is uncertain, James and CBRE are ready to test the waters.

“Charter Hall bought the Melbourne site, and now they’re at the cutting edge of this sector,” he says. “And so are we. Because we’re going to run a pilot leasing program for them. GSK has about two and a half years to exit the site and leave all the infrastructure – and CBRE is commencing a leasing program for it. I can tell you there’s already a lot of interest in it.

“It’s not going to be a normal logistics property that’s advertised online. We have a target list of groups who will be included in an ‘Invite Only’ EOI leasing program. It is a pioneering opportunity for us to discover the depth of this exciting market.” ■ For more information on the state of the life sciences industrial property sector, download CBRE’s new report by visiting www.cbre.com/research-and-reports/ Asia-Pacific-Life-Sciences-Major-Report

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MHD MATERIALS HANDLING

END-TO-END AUTOMATION IMPLEMENTATION Roald de Groot, Managing Director WS ANZ for Vanderlande, says the company’s full control over the design and implementation of its automation solutions yields uniquely valuable results.

V

anderlande has travelled a long way since it got its start refurbishing and manufacturing machines for the textile industry in the southern part of the Netherlands in 1949, says Roald de Groot, Managing Director WS ANZ. “We’ve transformed into a company that today supplies fully automated material handling solutions for airports, parcel companies, and warehouses,” Roald says. “We are now part of the Toyota Industries Corporation and support our customers all over the globe with more than 7000 team members.”

Vanderlande set up an Australian arm in 2012, after working on sorting solutions with an Australian parcel company the year prior – and as of July this year the company has staff based in New Zealand, too.

Vanderlande’s design team prides itself on understanding the full details and processes of its customers – to find the best automation solution that will fit their business case or improve their competitiveness, says Roald.

“As well as designing, we also fully engineer, supply, install, commission, and test the solution,” he adds.

“The majority of the hardware we use – conveyors, sorters, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), among others – are manufactured

by Vanderlande, and the same goes for the key software components of our solutions. This means we really have full control over our delivery and quality and can tailor our solutions to quite unique industries and specifications. In recent years, for instance, we have strongly focused on solutions for the food, fashion,

The AIRTRAX Pocket Sorter in action.

and e-commerce industries.”

And it’s not uncommon, Roald says, for solutions developed with one industry in mind to find applications in another industry.

“It is interesting to see how some ideas cross over from one domain to another,” he says. “For example, developments in our ASRS solutions for warehouses nowadays also find their way into airport solutions for early bag storage. Vice versa – we also see developments originally designed for airport solutions, for example our FLEET program for autonomous guided vehicles, now being implemented into warehouses.”

Roald says that from his perspective Vanderlande offers great value in accommodating recent trends – particularly the boom in e-commerce and the attendant upsurge in returns handling.

“This is especially evident in the fashion market, where the average return rate for fashion items is 30 per cent, and with some companies having to re-handle an amazing 70 per cent of products,” he says. “Our AIRPICK

solution, which uses an AIRTRAX Pocket Sorter, combines efficient picking with flawless automated sortation for individual orders – enabling easy returns processing, because items are handled directly and made automatically available for new customers. Not only can returned goods be seamlessly combined with regular stock, but the returned item can be prioritised and despatched first during order picking.”

Vanderlande is also well placed to accommodate the shortage in supply chain talent with its Smart Item Robotics solution, Roald says. “It is unique because of its utilisation of a robot unit that is able to work harmoniously in the same area as a human operator – smartly picking and packing individual items.”

Roald says that the next frontier for Vanderlande is continuing to think of innovative ways to maximise the power of data. “We are only scratching the surface. If we are able to properly analyse, connect, and interpret data – then we can make a real impact.” ■ MHD AUGUST 2021 | 31

MHD WAREHOUSING

SCAN IN TO WAREHOUSE CLEANING QR codes have become a feature of everyday life. Conquest Equipment is using the technology to help warehouse staff get on the same page for floor and equipment cleaning.

Tim Wakefield, Operations Manager at Conquest Equipment.

T

im Wakefield, Operations Manager at Conquest Equipment, says the company’s Zero Downtime Program on its equipment was born to meet the logistics industry’s thirst for efficiency.

Tim says that cleaning solutions must be unique to the warehouse environment but that – most importantly – Conquest focuses on being within reach of customers to help implement equipment into their operations.

“We go to great lengths to ensure that we get the right floor cleaning solution for each unique application,” says Tim. “It’s not enough to offer quality products – without proper maintenance and care, these tools can quickly lose their value and become ineffective.”

Multiple factors influence warehouse efficiency. Racking and picking solutions, storage, transport, and inventory management are just a few of the myriad processes that make a supply chain tick.

With so much on operators and managers’ plates, Tim says keeping a clean warehouse often isn’t a top priority.

But a clean space can be the difference

between missing and hitting safety and productivity KPIs – and also helps to present the warehouse in a professional light.

“No one notices a clean floor, but people do notice a dirty one,” Tim says.

“First impressions count. We do all the hard yards behind the scenes, so the customer doesn’t have to.”

Dust can cause forklift tyres to spin on the spot and, when airborne, can settle on warehouse stock – devaluing the product. Airborne dust also presents a respiratory hazard for warehouse staff.

“Especially in the food space, reducing dust build-up could be make or break for passing a site audit,” Tim says. “The first impression of a warehouse also impacts partner deals and collaborations.”

Conquest’s account representatives evaluate each site to recommend a cleaning solution fit for the space.

Qualified service technicians, known as Conquest’s ‘Zero Downtime Crew’, then carry out delivery and onboarding.

This includes operator training and daily maintenance instruction.

“Customers meet their local-area service technician at this time,” he says.

“The recommended solution is always backed by the service department, which helps the sales-to-service transition.”

Jade Hamilton, Conquest National Marketing Manager, says the project they have named ‘Conquest QR’ evolved through feedback from customers.

Jade says they identified a trend in the types of enquiries being received. With Zero Downtime in mind, Conquest moved to put a solution in place that made that information more readily accessible.

Hard copies of operating manuals can get misplaced and serial numbers can be difficult to identify. Conquest QR aims to address such queries.

“We’ve got all of those resources

together in one place, right at their fingertips when they’re operating the equipment,” Jade says.

Scanning the QR code with a smartphone takes customers to an easyto-use, web-based interface where they can navigate to the relevant request.

Staff turnover, especially at large organisations, means new operators need to be trained.

“A new operator might not receive sufficient training and handover – the web-based application features content demonstrating how to use and maintain the equipment, safely and effectively.”

Jade notes that sometimes information gets lost in translation between managers who make the purchase, and the operators.

“Conquest QR helps to bridge the gap,” she says. “It prevents Chinese whispers happening, and lessens the risk of unsafe or unproductive work practices. The instructions are right there, at their fingertips.” ■

Conquest evaluates each site before selecting a cleaning solution.

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 33

MHD WAREHOUSING

A NEW WMS FOR NEW TIMES Microlistics’ updated WMS seeks to address supply chain visibility at all levels.

Archival Garcia, Global VP Sales & Marketing at Microlistics, speaks with MHD about the company’s new comprehensive WMS update – what inspired it, and what it addresses.

M

icrolistics is set to release a major update to its Gartnerrated, Tier 1 Microlistics WMS solution suite.

“This release marks a milestone in the evolution of the Microlistics WMS offering, providing access to what in our industry has previously been considered premium capability and functionality, on a flexible and accessible software as a service model,” says Archival Garcia, Global VP Sales & Marketing at Microlistics.

Archival says that the update has been in the works for roughly two years and encompasses core enhancements that have been identified in Microlistics R&D Roadmap, as well as enhancements built for individual customers. “These have been rolled into a consolidated version that every Microlistics customer can now benefit from,” he says.

A NEW UPDATE FOR NEW TRENDS “Microlistics has always been at the forefront of driving speed, accuracy and efficiency in the warehouse – that’s 34 | MHD AUGUST 2021

always been a key deliverable for us and what people principally look for in their WMS,” Archival says. “But one of the big drivers over the last few years has been a desire for enhanced supply chain visibility, and that’s underpinned much of our product development focus over the last couple of years. That has been heightened by COVID-19 and the shift to online shopping – it’s more important than ever that businesses of all sorts know exactly where their goods and inventory are, and what is available to them at what price to their customers.”

Microlistics’ updated WMS seeks to address visibility at all levels, Archival says, but among the most important are: • S ignificant user interface improvements, • I mprovements to the Microlistics Expansion Modules to maximise efficiency, particularly across their Warehouse Insights, Web Portal, 3PL Billing, and omnichannel order management, and • E nhanced connectivity for seamless data exchange between the WMS and third-party applications, webfronts

and marketplaces, and materials handling equipment and robotics.

MICROLISTICS CLOUD While Microlistics has for many years worked with clients to develop bespoke cloud-based deployments, Archival says previously, this has often required a high level of internal IT capability.

“Where Microlistics Cloud comes in is it doesn’t require this of customers because it’s a fully managed service, he says. “We provide all aspects of deployment – the maintenance and the optimisation – so there’s no need for the customer to have their own internal IT capacity to support any of that.”

Among the end-to-end industrygrade managed services provided through Microlistics Cloud are cloud hosting, incident management, continuous deployment, monitoring and alerts, backup and restore, security, and administration.

NEW AND IMPROVED WEB PORTAL Archival says that the Microlistics Web

MHD WAREHOUSING EXPANDING INSIGHTS

Microlistics has developed an intuitive Android RF Graphical User Interface.

Portal has been re-designed and rebuilt from the ground up to accommodate the needs of warehouse operators, providing a seamless online view of logistics operations to customers, suppliers, retail outlets and distribution teams.

“As part of our drive to visibility, our new portal makes it easy for third parties –retail stores or the customers of a 3PL, for instance – to track what’s going on in terms of inventory management and movement,” he says. “For example, many of our customers are 3PLs, and they want to provide their own customers with real time visibility of the inventory they’re holding for them. With the new portal, those customers don’t need a licence to access the WMS – they can simply log on over the internet with a secure username and password and interact with the 3PL in a very intuitive way. This might be inquiring after information or placing orders. But what it’s really about is extending the visibility of what’s available in the warehouse to a broad array of users at a lower cost, with very little training required.”

Microlistics Cloud is a fully managed service for the customer.

Every future implementation of Microlistics WMS will automatically come equipped with a standard suite of Microlistics Warehouse Insights dashboards, says Archival, to unlock valuable WMS information to all users.

“What we’ve seen with this trend towards visibility is a growing awareness of – and demand for – unlocking WMS information to inform decision making,” Archival says. “So, we decided that we would make the essentials available to everyone going forward. I think the key part of the benefit for most customers is actually having the centre set of dashboards that really provide an overview of what’s going on in the warehouse and what’s going on in terms of team performance.”

There are additional tiers for those clients who desire a greater degree of granularity and predictive capability, Archival adds. But every Microlistics WMS user will have access to detailed insights on labour productivity, inbound and outbound trends and performance, warehouse space, inventory levels, stock-movements, and an easy-to-use management console.

IMPROVED INTEGRATION TOOLS FOR EASIER DEPLOYMENT Essential for the omni-channel world is real time communication between two or more platforms, Archival says.

“Customers need to track and manage actual physical movements that’s happening in the real world in real time,” he says. “And because of this we’ve developed new seamless touchpoints to work with third party applications, that means the deployment effort for our customers is minimised. If a customer comes to us and they need help with

Archival Garcia, Global VP Sales & Marketing at Microlistics. some hardware automation for example, we’re able to support them to deploy that hardware faster and at a lower cost, because we have already built streams that are ready to work with a hardware vendor. We’ve done the hard work for them up front.”

EASIER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE Part of Microlistics’ goal with the new update has been to make the WMS easier to use for all workers at all parts of a warehouse, Archival says.

To this end, Microlistics has re-developed their Android RF Graphical User Interface for touchscreen devices.

“It’s completely new, and something we’ve been working on for several years in response to customer demand,” he says. “For people working in warehouses, everyone is using a mobile phone and a touchscreen, so this interface is intuitive and easy to learn. It presents contextual information to help you navigate the warehouse, improves information legibility, and reduces training time.

Most of the transactions that occur in a WMS involve people actually undertaking actions on the warehouse floor. So – where the rubber hits the road is people out there using devices and interacting with goods – and this will really change the experience for them.”

Together with new eLearning materials for the WMS, Archival says that Microlistics’ new WMS update is a comprehensive solution that benefits everyone who interacts with a warehouse – from ground floor operators to upper management to third parties. ■ MHD AUGUST 2021 | 35

AIRPICK Efficient picking and smart returns handling Through patented technology, Vanderlande’s Pocket Sorter offers the fastest process times in its class.

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MHD MATERIALS HANDLING

ENTERING A NEW DIMENSION Measuring and weighing freight incorrectly wastes money and causes flow-on problems down the supply chain. The Leopard Cube dimensioning system is here to help, says Alex Koumaras, Managing Director of Leopard Systems.

A

lex Koumaras, Managing Director of Leopard Systems – which has been an enterprise mobility solutions provider for more than 30 years – says the company focuses on three key capabilities: advice on and provision of enterprise mobility equipment and services; mobile fleet monitoring, management and support; and enterprise grade software solutions.

Leopard combines these core capabilities to streamline processes and mobilise operations in the postal, transport, logistics, supply chain, retail and field service industries.

Leopard Cube, released shortly before the onset of the COVID-pandemic, is uniquely designed to measure the dimensional weight of any freight item, and communicate that data effectively and easily to improve operational efficiency and reduce revenue leakage.

Recently, it received global recognition for bringing quantifiable benefits to its stakeholders and effectively scaling up revenue protection – being named the winner of the Technology Award at the World Post & Parcel Awards 2021.

Alex says that pressure on margins in the freight movement sector has focused attention on the importance of accurate measurements of goods – an essential factor in protecting revenues.

Inaccurate measurement of goods can occur for many reasons, but a common problem for Leopard’s freight transport customers is when the dimensions of goods are incorrectly declared.

“Let’s say one of our freight customers is moving goods for its own shipping customer,” Alex explains. “The shipper might define the size of pallets moved as 1m by 1m by 1m, when in reality it’s actually 1.2m wide, 1.2m long, and 1.4m high. Because the shipper has incorrectly declared the dimensions, our freight customer under-bills the shipper for the

movement of those pallets from point A to point B. If you multiply that slight under-declaration across 2000 pallets or so in a day, you can imagine the scale of the revenue leakage problem.”

By implementing Leopard Cube, Alex says, businesses are able to protect against significant amounts of revenue leakage.

But how does it work in practice?

The freight dimensioning system is a relatively new concept that leverages already existing scanning technology, says Alex.

“We identified that many of our clients and potential clients have already invested in Zebra mobile scanning equipment,” he says. “Our certified legal-for-trade Cube solution combines a practical measuring tape with a powerful cubing application that is deployed to Zebra mobile devices. So, we can leverage that investment in existing technology – and everyone knows how to use a tape measure! The user extends the tape measure and uses the mobile device to capture the measurement, and this data is immediately available in real-time in our cloud environment.”

Information such as date and time stamps for tracking events, GPS coordinates, physical weight and photos of the freight are also captured by Leopard Cube.

Alex adds that because of the real time nature of it – and its instant availability through a Leopard-provided API – information can automatically interface with existing business systems including enterprise transport and warehouse management systems to seamlessly monitor and action transactions.

“This information can be used right away for calculating the volume of freight that will be going on a particular line haul vehicle that evening, and identifying any potential issues,” he says. “For

The Leopard Cube solution combines a practical measuring tape with a powerful cubing application deployed to Zebra mobile devices.

example, certain items might not be able to make it onto a particular truck because of capacity issues. This is particularly important in the context of safety – by ensuring that trucks aren’t overloaded with inappropriate freight volumes.”

Alex notes that Leopard Cube was influenced by feedback from customers with complex system back-ends – and uses the latest in serverless, micro service-based cloud infrastructure, so users don’t have to administer the system themselves. “Providing this managed solution as a service in the cloud meant that it was highly reliable, highly scalable, and one system at least that our customers didn’t need to concern themselves with,” he says.

Alex adds that the ability to scale operations with ease is matched by scalability of spending – with no up-front costs and a simple subscription-based transaction fee.

“As the business grows or changes, the solution can scale up with it and then scale back down again,” he says.

“This might be because of seasonal type activity, such as the usual Christmas rush versus other slower months.” ■ MHD AUGUST 2021 | 37

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MHD MATERIALS HANDLING

ADDING VALUE TO LOGISTICS Bonfiglioli designs, manufactures and distributes drive engineering components to logistics operators around the world. MHD speaks with Danie De Vries, Regional Manager at Bonfiglioli Australia, who says that – despite boasting a large portfolio of industrial equipment and solutions – people remain its most important asset.

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anie De Vries, Regional Manager at Bonfiglioli Australia, says that adding value to gearmotors, drive systems, planetary gearboxes, and inverters remains fundamental to industrial automation.

This philosophy helped secure the company’s recent large grain project with Adelaide-based engineering firm, Kilic Engineering.

1000 tonnes of grain needed to be transported every hour to a 24,000-tonne silo storage. Once ready for loading, the ship at Lucky Bay was loaded at a capacity of 13,800 tonnes per day.

“This project was successful because of the value added by our products,” he says. “If there was a challenge, we were one phone call away. We have distributors in South Australia who could offer support within hours.”

Bonfiglioli’s geared motors were used to drive the large operation.

“We used a series of HDO heavy gearunits for this application,” he says.

The gear-units were chosen because of their high output torque, reliability, and long operating life.

“The HD Series can operate in the harshest environments, as well as explosive atmospheres, with low maintenance costs and long service intervals,” Danie says.

For the large-scale project, a boom conveyor moved the grain from the silos to the shipping vessel.

The long conveyor goes from the land over to the shipping harbor and then into the ship.

“The HD series can be customised to different environments thanks to an extremely wide range of options and a large accessories portfolio,” he adds.

Danie believes that Bonfiglioli’s products are only one half of what the company supplies its clients.

Danie De Vries, Regional Manager at Bonfiglioli Australia (Victoria).

“What we don’t want to supply is just the product – supplying a service, particularly after-sale service, is crucial,” he says.

Condition monitoring is one of the most integral value adds that Bonfiglioli provides its customers, says Danie.

“Here, edge computing generates algorithms to create energy monitoring, dynamic lifestyle monitoring, predictive maintenance, and health assessment for a particular device,” he notes.

The technology provides a solution which constantly monitors the health of a gearbox or a conveyor system, and this helps to combat a common enemy of logistics operations: downtime.

The uptake of condition monitoring software has been slower in Australia than in European markets, Danie says, but more Australian businesses are embracing it in their automated warehouses. “There’s definitely a change in the approach to how people are buying,” he says. “Providing condition monitoring and offering value added services piques customer interest.”

The industry 4.0 revolution has put a

bigger focus on energy efficiency as well as warehouse flexibility for Bonfiglioli. Its new geared motor platform, EVOX, has these two core principles in mind.

The electric motor on the Coaxial gearbox has the highest European rating on efficiency.

The gear unit is designed to handle stocking of different sized products, with different voltages and efficiencies. Danie says EVOX will be available in Australia later this year.

“We haven’t seen a new product like for quite some time - it’s a very exciting time for us,” he says. “It provides flexibility by offering an array of shafting and mounting positions options. Businesses want a drop-in solution, no one wants to go and change a current design to fit the product. The product should adapt to the design.”

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are another product leading the charge as more companies invest in automation.

Danie notes technologically advanced and modular solutions need to be applied to AGVs. “The smart technology makes it much safer to move around the warehouse,” he says. “These units can scan all around them, giving you so much more flexibility.”

As online consumer behaviour shows no signs of letting up, AGVs offer shorter and faster product cycles, reduced labour costs, and an easily expandable system capacity. However, all these notable benefits prove evasive without tailored solutions, Danie says.

Overall, industry 4.0 is front-of-mind as Bonfiglioli moves into the future.

“We need to embrace industry 4.0. Businesses really need tailored solutions and products as they immerse themselves in automation – and that’s what Bonfiglioli is here to provide.” ■ MHD AUGUST 2021 | 39

MHD PROPERTY FOCUS

WHY NEWCASTLE?

Colliers’ Tim Woolf, Associate Director, talks to MHD about why Newcastle is a strong growth area in the industrial property market – and why it will stay that way.

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im Woolf, Associate Director at Colliers, is big on Newcastle as a growth area in the industrial property market.

“There are so many fantastic aspects of Newcastle that make it an attractive place for supply chain and logistics operations – for businesses and their personnel,” he says. “The major road networks, the port, the rail infrastructure – but also the local amenities for people. It’s a fantastic atmosphere, and there are terrific restaurants, beaches, schools and things to do outside of work hours.

It is a great place for companies that want to locate somewhere where their workers will really enjoy living – and that’s a big bonus in terms of retaining talent.”

Tim says that for many decades Newcastle wasn’t seen as a particularly attractive destination – but that it’s rapidly evolved in the last ten years.

“This coincides with some major road upgrades that have

40 | MHD AUGUST 2021

taken place,” he says. “We’ve seen upgrades of the Pacific Highway, near the M1, which has narrowed the transport link between the major Sydney metropolis and Newcastle.

There’s been upgrades to the New England Highway, as well as up north to the Pacific Highway and the construction of the Hunter Expressway. This means Newcastle sits, geographically speaking, at a really good position to feed into the north coast through the Pacific Highway, out west by the New England Highway – which dives off into the Golden Highway – connecting to regional New South Wales.”

The time it takes to reach Sydney from Newcastle has decreased dramatically, he says, making it a more attractive proposition for businesses and for people. He also points out that in 2020 the $3 billion NorthConnex roadway opened, meaning that someone leaving an industrial precinct in Newcastle can avoid traffic all the way to

Greater Melbourne.

But while such infrastructure works have provided a great boost to the region, Tim says that it is thriving also due to strong underlying organic growth.

“It’s gone from being very blue collar 30-40 years ago to now being the largest regional economy in Australia,” he says. “There is a large defence presence, big education, big health, and other industries.

Add on to that Newcastle’s tourism attractions – beaches and sightseeing – and there really is something for everyone.”

Taking all that together, Tim says it’s a natural choice for big businesses looking for more space outside of the major cities, but in a location that is attractive for worker-residents, too.

Tim notes that one of his clients is a major distributor of goods for the hospitality industry, and that they deliver primarily to Metro Sydney and the southern central coast. “But they are looking to find a facility

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

SUPPLY IS TIGHT Although there are some major projects in the foreseeable future, Tim says that there is a diminishing supply of developable land in Newcastle.

“That’s because the current demand has eaten up all the existing supply,” he says. “For example, for the property that I’m advertising in the region, land values have nearly doubled in 24 months. And that’s in the heart of a logistics location, close to the Newcastle CBD and to the population.

There’s not much left to get your hands on now – and it will be a year or so before there is more developmentready land available.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Newcastle boasts strong infrastructure as well as great amenities for logistics workers. here in Newcastle,” he says. “And the reason is because they want somewhere that will attract and keep talent – reliable workers that are going to be happy, and it’s not going to take them a long time to commute to work. There’s also the benefits of the locational characteristics and road infrastructure in the region – easing connections to Sydney, the central coast, and beyond.”

With the rise of e-commerce and the general desire for more flexibility in distribution and fulfilment, Tim says that Newcastle is seeing larger industrial-scale retailers wanting to set up shop. “They might have a larger warehouse in Melbourne or Sydney or Brisbane, and they’re looking for an extra hub in Newcastle – so we’re seeing those secondary hubs being opened up here.”

Newcastle’s attractiveness as a location is set to continue growing, Tim says, because of strong infrastructural advantages.

“We’ve recently had an upgrade to Newcastle Airport in Williamtown, and then just a couple of months back there was an announcement of a funding

upgrade to its runway that will allow international flights into North Asia, the Americas and the Middle East, which will provide further opportunity for international travel – linking Newcastle to the rest of the world,” he says.

He points to Newcastle’s port systems as another factor making the area conducive to major trade and logistics growth. “Newcastle has the largest coal port in the nation,” Tim says. “We’ve got the ability for a deep-water port too – which could accommodate super tankers for international cargo transport. So – from exporting coal and grain, to importing orange pulp from Brazil – we’ve got a real working port here that is a very attractive proposition.”

Tim says that there is considerable interest in Newcastle from large industrial operators looking to set up facilities. But for many of them plans are still in the early stages – and setting up operations in Newcastle will take some time as business cases are developed. Even so, he says that there are already quite a few major players taking up property. And it’s being snapped up fast.

“Our vacancy rate in 2020 was 4.6 per cent in the industrial market, and already it’s down to 3.7 per cent,” he says. “Any new stock that comes on the market is absorbed relatively quickly.

That’s a pretty low vacancy rate – so it really shows the strength and popularity of the market.” ■

There is a diminishing supply of developable land in Newcastle.

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 41

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MHD MATERIALS HANDLING With its advanced tread design, the new XP800 delivers enhanced indoor and outdoor performance.

NEXT GENERATION TYRES FOR MATERIALS HANDLING RELIABILITY Trelleborg discusses its new XP800 tyre, which has been designed for maximum efficiency in medium intensity applications.

T

relleborg Wheel Systems is a global supplier of tyres and complete wheels for off-highway vehicles – including agricultural machines, materials handling, construction vehicles, and other specialty applications.

Recently, we released our next generation forklift tyre, the XP800 range, which gives outstanding performance in medium intensity materials handling applications.

“In today’s multitude of material handling operations, having the right solution is key to maximizing efficiency,” says Luca Sabelli, Product Manager Material Handling at Trelleborg Wheel Systems. “With this aim in mind, we have developed a unique rating system with easy-torecognise labels to help customers effortlessly identify which tyre suits their needs according to the application’s intensity. The XP800 is specifically designed to be the perfect choice for medium intensity applications, delivering a solid performance and minimizing downtime to keep costs under control.”

With its advanced tread design, the new XP800 enhances both indoor and outdoor performance to

ensure maximum productivity. Its innovative design features an extra wide tread and unique profile for minimized vibrations, enhanced handling and excellent stability in indoor applications, while the lateral block design with deep lugs optimises traction in outdoor areas. Its extra deep tread increases tyre longevity for maximum service life.

On the inside of the XP800, a new construction technology features an innovative fibre compound layer along with an optimised tread, to provide outstanding performance in a sustainable way.

The XP800 is available in two

different compounds: multipurpose – a standard black compound to ensure very good wear, rolling resistance and overall performance; and non-marking – a specialized white compound to optimise heat dissipation and keep floors clean and mark-free.

Trelleborg’s XP800 range will include multiple sizes, covering low aspect ratio and 20-inch tyres for more severe applications. ■ Find out more about Trelleborg’s XP800 forklift tyre range by visiting www. trelleborg.com/en/wheels/products-andsolutions/material-handling/forklifttires/solid-resilient-forklift-tires/xp800

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MHD AUGUST 2021 | 43

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MHD SUPPLY CHAIN

The National Location Registry will go live in mid-August.

THE NEW NATIONAL LOCATION REGISTRY This August GS1 is launching a National Location Registry to streamline transport operations and boost supply chain efficiency. MHD talks to Bonnie Ryan, GS1’s Director of Freight, Logistics and Industrial Sectors, to find out more.

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or too long Australian supply chain industry has been hamstrung by insufficient information about important physical locations, says Bonnie Ryan, Director Freight, Logistics and Industrial Sectors at GS1.

“In order for a transport operator to execute a delivery, they not only need to understand where they are picking up something from and where they are delivering it – but they require knowledge about specific parameters around the location,” Bonnie says.

While a driver might know a site’s address, the main entry point for deliveries is not always the same as the entry to the main office, she says.

There may also be other constraints

– such as safety requirements and complex OH&S regulations – and further complications when dealing with complex construction sites, in the CBD for example.

Operators need to know these things, and to that end GS1, in collaboration with industry and Government has spearheaded the creation of a soon-to-be-launched National Location Registry (NLR), where attribute information about physical pickup and delivery locations is digitally stored and accessible to authorised users.

“The NLR is basically a digital registry that enables the storage, enrichment, and retrieval of information about physical locations,”

Bonnie says. “The NLR will contain up-to-date information that will streamline transit of goods between major supply chain and logistics operations – whether it’s information about new road accessibility, where receivers want goods put, the opening hours of particular locations, or health restrictions in force at a location.”

Bonnie says that a major frustration for truck drivers is when they turn up to a location to make a delivery only to find the location isn’t open yet.

Schedules are disrupted, and there are knock-on effects throughout the supply chain.

“Before the NLR there has been no place where transport companies can get this information,” she says.

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 45

MHD SUPPLY CHAIN

Woolworths is one of many stakeholders that GS1 worked with in devising the National Location Registry.

“So, they have to create it afresh every time. To give you an example, a company like Woolworths deals with 100 different transport companies.

So those 100 transport companies all have their own record of all the Woolworths locations – it’s hugely inefficient and leads to massive and unnecessary duplication of work.”

And because each company is concerned only with their discrete slice of the pie, they can’t keep up to date with all the changes that are taking place across the industry. “There’s no easy way of disseminating that information between the locations, owners, and companies – like transport operators – that need that knowledge,” Bonnie says.

HOW WILL IT WORK? The NLR, which will go live midAugust, will be available to registered users, rather than an open forum accessible to all. This is to ensure the integrity and quality of the data that is shared on it, says Bonnie.

“It will be very easy to use,” she says. “The user interfaces are very user friendly, and it will function much as one would expect a modern well-designed website to function. Big companies will of course be able to build API interfaces into the registry so that large volumes of data can be uploaded or downloaded without having to manually key it all in. But it will also cater to smaller transport companies that might just need it to log on and download a particular customer location when they need it.”

46 | MHD AUGUST 2021

Bonnie says that the NLR will have a quiet launch, insofar as it won’t be full of data at the outset. Rather, the NLR provides a framework and infrastructure through which companies can register, be verified, and then upload and make available the information they want to make available to the users they wish to grant access to.

For those accessing the data, they can subscribe to just those locations which they need to keep track of and will receive automatic alerts when changes to location information occur.

IMPROVING SUPPLY CHAIN EFFICIENCY As Bonnie points out, all of GS1’s work is oriented towards industry concerns and needs. “It always starts with a problem that industry wants to solve,” she says. “We’re very practical and goal driven. And we only concern ourselves with solving problems for the benefit of the entire sector – not for individual organisations.”

Creating greater efficiency in the transport network was an obvious objective to pursue, she notes.

“At some point, goods always need to enter the transport network to be picked up from somewhere and delivered somewhere else,” she says. “And that can be a quite complex process. So, when you’re looking at overall supply chain productivity, digitising and making accessible location information is a great opportunity to improve operational efficiency. Having good

information about where you’re going, and the special considerations that attach to a given location, really smooths out the whole transport process.”

Its neutral position as a non-profit association within the industry meant GS1 was well positioned to work with industry and Government to bring about this important initiative for the benefit of all stakeholders.

“We brought competitors to the table to solve a common problem,” she says. “And that’s the real value we bring – helping industry to collaborate in a non-competitive way for a goal that couldn’t be achieved by any one company. Because we are a neutral player and had the support of the Federal Department of Infrastructure and Transport, this meant we could bring industry players together for a mutually beneficial project.”

Government supported the NLR as part of its National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.

A Woolworths spokesperson says it has worked with GS1 from the outset to help bring the NLR to life.

“GS1 has worked to build support with industry and Government to launch a great product that will continue to develop in future,” the spokesperson says. “The NLR will be a key part of the National Freight Data Hub and a good example of GS1 working for whole-of-industry efficiency improvements.

“The registry has the potential to be for supply chains what barcodes were for retail.” ■

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MHD INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

A FIRST-CLASS PARTNERSHIP FOR A FIRST-CLASS EXPANSION PLAN Ron Crouch Transport has grand plans for expanding its national footprint in 3PL services. But as Executive Director Geoff Crouch tells MHD, his company’s relationship with uTenant will be indispensable in securing the industrial properties necessary to achieve its vision.

RCT’s Orchard Hills warehouse in Sydney.

R

on Crouch Transport (RCT) – which specialises in general and dangerous goods freight, warehousing, and thirdparty logistics (3PL) – has steadily grown its presence since its founding in 1978. But seven years ago, the company decided to accelerate its growth strategy and embark on an ambitious expansion project with the goal of becoming Australia-wide in scope, according to RCT’s Executive Director, Geoff Crouch.

“Seven years ago, I’d say we had about 35 or so staff members, whereas today we have 110,” Geoff 48 | MHD AUGUST 2021

says. “We now have substantial sites in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, and of course our original site in Wagga Wagga, however we still have further expansion planned.”

One part of RCT’s success is that it carved out a niche early on as experts in the transport and handling of dangerous goods. But Geoff says that 3PL has become the focal point of the business in the last decade.

And with such rapid expansion, the company needed – and will continue to need – the best warehousing on the best terms available. Which is where uTenant comes in.

Geoff remembers a conversation with uTenant’s Founder Matt Sampson at a conference in 2018 after he recently launched uTenant. They discussed the concepts behind Matt’s new venture, and how uTenant would disrupt the warehousing sector. The two kept in touch, and in 2019 Geoff engaged uTenant’s services to help find a new Sydney warehouse. In conjunction with that and uTenant’s now investment partners Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL), the team were able to source a suitable property at a time when RCT’s requirements were quickly evolving due to expanding customer needs. Since that first transaction with uTenant in Sydney, RCT has worked exclusively with uTenant to source others facilities in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Founder Matt Sampson says, “It is great to see our customers grow and for us to be able to contribute to that success. It’s what makes uTenant so special and it’s why we do what we do.

We are here to serve our customers.

That is our only role.”

“We had an existing one at Wetherill Park with under 2800 square metres,” Geoff says. “The brief we gave them was to find us something of substantially greater size, and that would future-proof our needs – such that we wouldn’t have to go and move again in a short period of time. The property they did source for us has a total floor of 12,500 square metres at Orchard Hills, and we signed a seven-year lease on it. In short –

MHD INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY they achieved the brief, found us a suitable property, with a suitable timeframe, and with suitable excess capacity for our future needs.”

Geoff says that the uTenant team has proven itself in the industrial property sector because they are first class facilitators with substantial knowledge, unparalleled contacts, and a flat fee structure.

“They provide more information, they provide you with a consolidated report, they tap into sources or potential opportunities that might not be online or known publicly yet – and they have such a broad network,” Geoff says. “Anyone can ring up a legacy agent, but uTenant will engage with all the players in the market to find the best property for you.”

The relationship with uTenant will be tremendously important moving forward, says Geoff, as RCT executes on its growth strategy over the next several years.

“We had huge growth through 2020 during COVID,” he says. “For the FY 19/20 our warehousing division

achieved growth of 32 per cent and for FY 20/21 we will achieve further growth of 76 per cent, and our goal is to consolidate on that good work in the years ahead. One of the factors that played into that growth was our acquisition of an Adelaide company called Ag Logistics – and we will be investigating a new site for that part of our operation, because we need a substantially larger building to meet the needs of our customers.”

Geoff says that central to RCT’s mission right now is its continued drive towards a truly national footprint. To that end, an immediate goal is to set up operations in Perth – because to be truly successful as a 3PL customers demand a nationwide presence.

Added to that, RCT plans to make a substantial investment in a new ERP system so that it can offer the highest standards in IT and functionality to its customers, and provide a top-of-theline client user experience.

But central to RCT’s success, says Geoff, will be securing the

right warehouses with the right functionality in the right places.

“We need to be able to go as high as we can with our pallet racking, to get maximum space utilisation in a market where industrial property can be very expensive. It’s just not feasible to expand the footprint of your properties by 10 per cent every year as your company grows. We need to maximise our capacity in each of our new locations.” uTenant’s track record in finding the best properties means that Geoff can rely on them to help RCT reach its national aspirations. “They are willing to go the extra mile and to get the most mutually beneficial outcome for tenants and owners,” he says.

“And that’s likely why they have such exceptional contacts in every part of the warehousing industry.

We’ve engaged their services three times, and three times I’ve been very satisfied. They’ve been critical to helping us achieve our growth strategy to date – and will continue to be so into the future.” ■

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MHD WAREHOUSING

GAME PLAN: ENGINEERING THE PERFECT DC Engineering a warehouse design for multiple scenarios is crucial before businesses lock themselves into an operational lease. MHD speaks with Fuzzy LogX about purpose fitting distribution centres to avoid wasted space, reduce operational inefficiencies and future-proof your business.

A MULTIFACETED APPROACH

The Fuzzy LogX team has supported the design of a DC for Countdown in New Zealand.

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usinesses that identify weak links in their DCs are often faced with a make-or-break choice: reconfigure an existing warehouse space – or start from scratch in a new facility.

How to make this crucial call?

Jeffrey Triantafilo, Director of Systems & DC Design at Fuzzy LogX, says that for their team of “Warehouse Wizards” data is key. He says that Fuzzy LogX’s proprietary scenario modelling tools provide a crystal ball allowing businesses a glimpse into the future – accounting for different business’s potential growth and operational nuances.

“We don’t just design warehouses, we engineer them,” Jeffrey says. “From the start, we work hard on making sure the data behind our decisions is as accurate

50 | MHD AUGUST 2021

as possible. What’s the sensitivity of the data? Where does it lead us? We really go to the nth degree for our clients.”

Jeffrey emphasizes that Fuzzy LogX always sits “client side” and flies the DC Design flag in every project they’re involved in. This is particularly important when space equals money. There must be a game-plan in place to avoid underutilisation of space – for instance, if a business doesn’t grow enough to need the additional space they’re paying for – or underestimating warehouse needs, in which case a business will have to move again before the lease expires.

“You have to think like the client, so their pocket doesn’t hurt as much for every square metre they are not fully utilising.”

While there is a justifiable enthusiasm for automation in warehousing – and Fuzzy LogX is an ambassador for effective automation – Jeffrey says that relying on automation alone is too narrow minded.

“What you have to consider with these “emerging technologies” is that the investment involves not just the up-front cost of the solution – but the cost of accommodating it, too,” he says. “The price tag of the solution itself might seem cheap – but if it’s only using the lowest two-and-a-half or three metres leaving another seven to ten metres of unused cube, you have to consider the extra square metres you’ll be paying for during the length of the lease.”

Consultants that are not fully independent can be tied to certain solutions and oversell big-ticket items to their clients, Jeffrey says.

“Some consultants tend to look at an autonomous process in isolation, not understanding all the moving parts and turning a blind eye to expansive designs. As independent consultants, we think about engineering the warehouse holistically in terms of process, people, and systems while not losing sight of the impact of technology in terms of time, space, and practicality.”

RIGHTSIZING WAREHOUSES Bas Schilders, Fuzzy LogX’s Principal Consultant, outlines that returns, picking and packing are the most common warehouse processes that must be reconfigured as the e-commerce era unfolds. The shift in consumer

MHD WAREHOUSING behaviour, he notes, has raised the stakes for DCs – as they are now responsible for the fulfilment that was formerly done through stores.

“Warehouses used to be these dusty old sheds that no one wanted to know, and the store would service customers,” he says. “Now, all of a sudden, the whole organisation is making a promise that the warehouse is fulfilling – there’s no buffer.

The warehouse is being transformed into an experience fulfilment centre.”

When warehouses pick for direct fulfilment rather than for store replenishments, “the difference is chalk and cheese,” says Jeffrey. “When you pick for a store it’s easier to get volume out the door because you’re picking full cartons. You’re doing a lot of products and lots of units. However, when you pick for an online consumer, you’re only going to be picking two to three units, possibly, one to two different products.

You must completely re-think your fulfilment process. You have to change pick case types from full cartons to individual items and you have to pick multiple orders at a time.” And that is

without even considering the myriad of solutions if your DC must cater for both store replenishments and online customer fulfilment.

How orders are picked naturally has ramifications for right-sizing a warehouse but a lot of businesses forget the packing and sorting part of the process and its impact on the size of a warehouse, according to Bas. Bas adds that the packing process also involves logical and physical steps and may take up considerable warehouse space. “Whereas before you were simply sorting cartons to each store, each customer order now not only has to physically be put into a despatch shipper – but you also have to logically confirm that the order was picked to the right quantity, with no damage, at dedicated packing stations which didn’t exist prior to the ecommerce era,” Bas says.

“It has to be for the correct customer, with the right label and void fill. And once completed each despatch shipper will need to be sorted to the right destination, increasing the need for staging space.”

In engineering a warehouse that is future-proof and right-sized, Bas says, Fuzzy LogX considers the equipment, the personnel, the processes, and the likely future direction and mode of scaling – striking the right balance depending on relative despatch styles and volumes – and the attendant human-capital, spatial, and equipment requirements.

Fuzzy LogX’s latest high-profile warehouse-engineering successes is about to go live for Countdown in New Zealand, with whom Fuzzy LogX has been working for the last two years.

The Fuzzy LogX team has supported the design of a 38,000 sqm distribution centre in Palmerston North that will deliver 450,000 cartons of food a week to supermarkets from Gisborne to Wellington.

Jeffrey and Bas believe that Fuzzy LogX’s drive for maximum operational efficiency – with best practice in safety and process – help to foster these strong partnerships and increase the success rate for their clients– and will continue to do so in future. ■

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MHD SUPPLY CHAIN

GROWING TOGETHER Adiona Tech partnered with Home Delivery Service to optimise reach, efficiency, and delivery capability – and the two companies are building on each other’s strengths in route optimisation and innovative 3PL.

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diona Tech’s route optimisation platform launched only last year, and it has already picked up awards – and some big-name clients to boot.

Richard Savoie, CEO and Co-Founder of Adiona, says that its success owes to the cutting-edge algorithms they’ve developed – such that the power of telematics data can be put into action in ways unthinkable for the “legacy” route optimisation software of yesteryear.

But as a dynamic and innovative start-up, Richard takes particular pleasure in working with other startups he admires – forging a “symbiotic relationship” whereby Adiona’s success is their client’s success, too.

One such company with whom Adiona has been working is Home Delivery Service (HDS), one of Australia’s largest dynamic delivery providers. HDS delivers Australia-wide and utilises technologies that allow maximum visibility and flexibility, Richard says. And Adiona has certainly delivered – reducing HDS’s route planning time by 72 per cent.

“HDS clocks over 25 million deliveries per year,” he says. “And they’re working with three of the largest food delivery and manufacture companies in Australia.”

And what, in Richard’s view, makes HDS so successful?

“While their operations are not unusual – they’re very similar to a lot of 3PLs in basic structure – where they really stand out is their technology,” he says. “Their technology is quite unique, and that’s one of the reasons that we’re working together with them, because they are so far ahead of most 3PLs in their use of technology.”

Principally, Richard points to their data management, analysis, and capacity for cost control as standout qualities. “That means they’re able to very seamlessly provide an end-to-end customer experience,” he says. “And the results are on-time delivery, high customer service

52 | MHD AUGUST 2021

By using the Adiona Tech platform, Home Delivery Service has reduced its route planning time by 72 per cent. scores, and a very smooth experience for manufacturers, distributors, and the end consumers.”

In practice, Richard says that HDS is able to manage data from order to delivery – tracking the order all the way through the entire supply chain process while maintaining visibility and control.

“Even down to the level of confirming proof of delivery – in real time. What you see with HDS is a similar experience to the likes of Amazon – but with an Aussie operator – which is quite rare.

A lot of people are trying to catch up to what Amazon does – and these guys have nailed it already.”

Richard is clearly effusive about HDS and what it’s been able to do, and proud that Adiona has been able to play some part in supporting its growth. MHD asked Richard what unique advantages Adiona has been able to bring to HDS. “For a lot of our customers, when they approach us, the problem they find with route optimisation is scale,” he says. “The ability to scale up without limitations is difficult for everyone. HDS came to us because we demonstrated the ability to scale very seamlessly. The delivery size, the customer size – it’s not an issue for us. That makes our technology very simple and easy to use – which translates through to the end customer experience. And that’s

why I think HDS came to us – because we are on a similar wavelength in terms of technological sophistication and flexibility.”

But Adiona’s technological edge needn’t be taken on faith. Richard is cognisant of an atmosphere of scepticism surrounding route optimisation in the medium to large markets – owing, he says, to legacy systems with well-established limitations.

“So how we overcome this scepticism is to demonstrate results in advance of full implementation,” he says. “The first thing we do at Adiona is utilise an automatic way of normalising client data in order to give them a demonstration of how our technology would work in their existing system or business model – to show them how our results can make a difference with regard to their unique circumstances.”

Adiona takes a sample of a client’s data – in any format that they provide it in – and uses its unique machine learning model to quickly turn it into something that can be plugged in to a simulation engine. “So – very quickly – we can establish the potential outcomes of using our platform, based on the client’s own real data,” Richard says.

“The second step we take is to learn enough about their business to see if any

MHD SUPPLY CHAIN customisation is required to fit their precise needs,” he continues. “And depending on business needs, there’s two main ways that customers can then use our platform. Either they use our front-end application, which is a really beautiful map-based interface, where they can upload data directly and run their operations from one central point.

Or they can integrate our platform with their existing system – such as an ERP or TMS system – using our API.” Jordan Muir, Co-CEO at Home Delivery Services, says that HDS’s implementation of Adiona’s platform yielded instant results.

“Their accuracy on estimating run times and their ability to integrate with our in-house analytics tool meant delivery time accuracy increased 12 per cent over our previous supplier, as soon as we made the change,” Jordan says. “Our deep integration has allowed us to algorithmically predict our delivery time and cost – improving our customer service levels to 99.52 per cent for on-time and in-full delivery.”

Jordan says that Adiona allowed HDS

to radically increase speed of delivery.

“The HDS system packages data and Adiona’s advanced algorithms cut down our calculated route time from three hours to under 40 minutes – and it’s improving every week,” he says.

“This allows us to extend delivery cut off times for next-day delivery, and provide more delivery options.”

These radical improvements have helped HDS to achieve 653 per cent growth over the last three years, and rank 11th in the Deloitte Fast 50 in 2020.

Richard says that Adiona aspires to grow with like-minded companies in a mutually supportive setting. And Jordan reciprocates Richard’s sentiment.

“New relationships are not always easy – especially when integrating two complex systems,” Jordan says.

But adds, “Richard and his team have been a pleasure to deal with – it’s as if they’re an extension of our own business.”

The pair have already got operations up and running in Europe and are about to start pilot programs in the United States and Hong Kong.

“The relationship is very close,” Richard says. “We’re very close partners because we are helping them to grow as quickly as possible in these new markets. The demand for what they do – and what we are helping them to do – is absolutely massive and is growing at around 40 per cent CAGR [compound annual growth rate] year on year.

“It’s exciting when you establish one of those partnerships where you’re like, ‘Wow – we can really grow symbiotically, and help each other to the benefit of not only us but society at large.’ The more value we provide boosts our businesses – but it also saves money for the end customer and delivers environmental benefits to the world. Because – keep in mind – every kilometre we save a delivery driver from having to travel is a net carbon benefit to the planet.” ■ For more information on B2C or B2B refrigerated/frozen or ambient deliveries, tracked in a transparent dashboard and routed through industry leading technology, please visit www.homedelivery.com.au or email ben.hall@homedelivery.com.au

MHD SUPPLY CHAIN

SOFTWARE THAT LOOKS TO THE FUTURE Navisphere Vision provides real-time order and shipment information.

Traditionally, supply chain software has been used to track and trace products.

Andrew Coldrey, Vice President, Oceania for C.H. Robinson, says the focus is now on improving efficiencies and preventing problems that might occur well into the future.

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.H. Robinson works with large global businesses with diverse distribution networks and manufacturing sites across the world.

The specific needs of these businesses differ from wholesalers based in one city that import from independent suppliers through one DC. The requirements also shift throughout industries. A fashion retailer’s operations require completely different solutions to an oil and gas company.

Andrew Coldrey, Vice President, Oceania for C.H. Robinson, says supply chain software didn’t previously offer the variety to fully understand industry nuances. So the company created its own proprietary software to solve this shortcoming.

Andrew believes predicting, rather than reporting, allows businesses to smooth out supply chains issues arising from the pandemic and its fallout.

“There’s a trend towards prediction and aggregation of data to try and make decisions,” he says. “If a major port in Sydney has bad congestion today, you need to consider what that will mean in three months’ time.”

Factors like industrial action, port congestion and government COVID-19 restrictions all disrupt supply chain.

54 | MHD AUGUST 2021

Data from predictive analytics helps to provide businesses with alternate routes and pathways to overcome these challenges.

“AI and machine learning consider these factors to try and use software to help make better decisions rather than simply reporting on what’s already happened,” Andrew says.

The recent major disruptions at the Yantian Port in China shows the need for flexibility and adaptability in modern supply chains. A COVID outbreak threatened to cause a bigger disruption than the Suez Canal blockage in March.

As a result, up to five per cent of global freight capacity was held up in the Chinese container terminal.

“We can then use predictive analytics to identify not just what’s happening in Yantian, but all the surrounding ports and where there has been a port omission in the path,” he says.

“The analysis shines a light on the flow-on effect of an incident at a point in time – and you can quite easily replicate the impact of that across other situations.”

C.H. Robinson’s Navisphere suite of tools helps businesses around the world navigate supply chain and freight management.

The software has been introduced to APAC customers this year after years of international success.

Andrew says as North America’s largest truck broker, C.H. Robinson has learnt valuable lessons from data scientists working in that space.

“These lessons and skills are then translated into the global forwarding space so APAC customers get the benefit of major global investment in technology over a long period of time,” Andrew says.

In 2019 C.H. Robinson announced a commitment to invest a billion dollars in technology advancements over the next five years, doubling its previous investment.

Navisphere Vision is software that provides real-time order and shipment information, proactive alerts about external factors that can disrupt supply chains, and predictive and prescriptive analytics.

It was created for Microsoft – software created for the giants of software.

As well as being a software company, Microsoft moves huge amounts of product all around the world.

The tech giants approached C.H. Robinson to build a more powerful visual

MHD SUPPLY CHAIN tool than previous existing software to capture all modes of transport off the shelf.

Both companies’ supply chain and logistics staff and programmers collaborated on the project.

“Microsoft use Navisphere Vision to drive innovation in their own supply chain, provide more predictability, and be more proactive in their decision making with different business groups,” Andrew says.

“The benefit that we get out of it is we can make Microsoft programs available to our customers.”

Navisphere Insight is another C.H Robinson tool, used as an online business intelligence platform to provide a clear picture of a user’s worldwide supply chain.

“Insight is about giving people something they can make decisions on that will directly influence the landed cost of the goods,” Andrew says.

Container utilisation is one example of Navisphere Insight in action.

The software analyses the container utilisation across all containers and

Andrew Coldrey, Vice President, Oceania for C.H. Robinson. suppliers. It then calculates an average utilisation rate and identifies any unused cubic metres. This allows the customer to assign unused container usage a dollar amount, and forge new solutions.

“Where it’s really powerful is by having the cost associated and being able to drive it by individual supplier,” Andrew says. “This means that you

can target your efforts.”

Transit times are another factor to consider. By analysing each leg of the supply chain, Navisphere Insight can identify where delays are happening at certain ports. With volatile transit times, the software is able to establish which transit routes have a high variance in delivering from A to B. “It’s really the first time that we’ve seen a tool that is really proactive rather than just being a pile of data on your shipments,” Andrew adds. “This provides actionable insights on what we do next and how to improve.”

C.H. Robinson’s software aims to serve all components of the business.

Andrew believes the sales, marketing and finance team should understand and easily access this supply chain data.

“What we’re trying to do is build tools that the whole business can use, rather than just the person who’s responsible for moving the product,” he says.

“That’s one of the reasons we have different tools tailored to different people.” ■

MHD SUPPLY CHAIN

The accelerated growth of online fulfillment during the pandemic is testing distribution centres like never before.

SUCCEEDING IN A NEW WORLD OF LOGISTICS AND DISTRIBUTION Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG) shares with MHD the challenges and opportunities brought on by COVID-19 – and offers practical advice on how organisations can prepare for more change ahead.

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or employers and employees in the logistics and distribution field, the COVID-19 pandemic has created some of the most significant challenges the industry has ever experienced – ranging from keeping employees safe with digital alerts and safety notifications, to the need to make real-time, betterinformed decisions with data to ensure customer satisfaction and employee experience.

HOW THE PANDEMIC HAS EXPEDITED DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION The pandemic has collapsed into mere months a process of adopting e-commerce that otherwise would have taken years, creating enormous challenges for distribution companies trying to keep up with demand.

The accelerated growth of online 56 | MHD AUGUST 2021

fulfillment and onsite order pickup or delivery is testing distribution centres like never before. To meet productivity goals, employee engagement and retention have become increasingly crucial, with organisations requiring more advanced technologies to help them better manage employee retention, productivity, and labour cost optimisation.

The competition for talented labour is more competitive than ever, which is why UKG has seen a significant pivot by distribution companies, as they become more focused on their workforces and how they can become employers of choice.

Even with underemployment levels higher than usual, the war for talent still exists in the logistics and distribution industry, which means hiring and retaining top talent is still a major concern.

What’s important for many organisations to understand is that by focusing on and using a workforce management (WFM) and human capital management (HCM) platform to improve employee experience – through employee work-life balance, employee selfservice, and employee reward programs – they can also create significant operational value.

The pandemic has highlighted the immense need for flexibility in logistics and distribution operations, as the uncertainty of the short- and long-term future means Australian organisations must be flexible and quick to adapt.

To better understand how you can achieve the goal of being an employer of choice, it’s important to grasp what employees desire, as well as the challenges in meeting these goals.

MHD SUPPLY CHAIN EMPLOYEE WORK-LIFE BALANCE: • P rovide accessibility to request shift swaps and paid time off requests from the safety and comfort of home, and on the go with mobile apps • R ecognise and make the most of each employee’s desire for hours – including overtime • A llow employees to set schedule preferences • U se shifts that create opportunities for increased overtime acceptance • U se a blend of static and variable shifts to engage a broader employee population.

Companies are becoming more focused on their workforces and how to be an employer of choice.

EMPLOYEE SELF-SERVICE: • A llow employees to set schedule preferences and use AI to make shift recommendations based on employer work history preferences • R educe time supervisors spend at desks doing low-value work, and ensure they are on the floor mentoring staff • P rovide access to Shift Bidding (for static schedule workers) • Attest to time • Attest to health or safety questions It’s essential to attract and retain best-fit employees and manage them more cost-effectively so that transportation and distribution facilities can accurately allocate labour to demand – helping optimise labour costs, improving employee engagement and productivity, improving workforce agility, and driving stronger bottom-line results.

One proven way to accelerate your organisation’s digital transformation with a truly connected global workforce experience is by moving beyond traditional definitions of HCM and WFM – and look to combine transformative technology with deeper workforce capabilities.

“

To meet productivity goals, employee engagement and retention have become increasingly crucial, with organisations requiring more advanced technologies to help them better manage employee retention, productivity, and labour cost optimisation.

”

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY Taking advantage of advanced WFM and HCM technology is critical to delivering on your customers’ needs and being seen as an employer of choice.

Companies should utilise workforce and HCM tools, including mobile technologies, to achieve productivity gains and an enhanced employee experience. They should also leverage real-time analytics to support informed decision making, and use AI and machine learning technologies to optimise scheduling for demand and worker preferences. For the logistics and distribution industry, the future of work is now and the need to improve employee engagement, safety, and labour optimisation is more important than ever. ■

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 57

MHD WAREHOUSING

THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN A BISCUIT FACTORY Homegrown biscuit manufacturing giant, Green’s Biscuits, has recently teamed up with Avidbots to transform its floor-cleaning operation. Janis Manship, Head of Quality for Green’s Biscuits, tells MHD how its new Avidbots’ Neo is improving safety and saving time.

By adding an Avidbots Neo to its cleaning team, Green’s Biscuits has freed up workers to focus on other duties.

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reen’s Biscuits has been at the forefront of biscuit manufacturing in Australia for 35 years. As the biggest biscuit contract manufacturer in Australia, it sells to major retailers, blue chip fast-moving-consumergoods customers, and the food services industry.

“We’re currently producing about 70 different products across seven different lines, with around 14 different packaging formats,” says Janis Manship, Head of Quality at Green’s Biscuits. “Whether 58 | MHD AUGUST 2021

it’s in a bag, or in a foil tray – we’ve got everything that anybody could want – and we are expanding across Australia and overseas. We are really serious about expanding Australian biscuit manufacturing.”

With two sites and roughly 18,000 square metres of real estate, cleaning efficiency and effectiveness is paramount – both for ensuring quality and safety as well as for keeping workers happy.

And that’s where Avidbots’ Neo, the fully autonomous floor scrubbing robot, comes in.

In January of this year, the Green’s shareholder introduced the company to Avidbots and its Neo autonomous cleaning robot. Previously, Green’s Carole Park operation in Queensland had been using labour intensive, manually operated floor scrubbers for cleaning.

“But, having witnessed the success of the Neo at another operation, we knew there was a great opportunity for better results and reduced labour at Green’s by introducing a Neo,” Janis says.

“We were just quietly going about our business, without anything particularly fancy in the way of cleaning equipment, when this opportunity landed in our laps,” she adds. “It’s really made a huge difference to our deep cleaning team – improving the level and quality of cleaning across all of our warehouse, manufacturing, and packing areas.”

Green’s contacted Avidbots in late January, received its Neo three months later, and by the middle of May the team had been fully trained and was hitting 80 per cent of the robot’s potential utilisation.

Avidbots provided onsite training with the Neo, and Janis says they’ve been constantly in contact. “The Neo updates its programs overnight, so there’s no wasted time in terms of human labour – but when we have needed anything Avidbots have always been available and on-call to help,” she says. “The service they’ve provided is by far one of the best I’ve experienced in my 20-plus years in manufacturing. When you buy something there’s normally some hiccups with service or technical assistance, but not with Avidbots – they’ve been a great company to deal with.”

The Green’s team christened their Neo ‘Keanu’ – and he has seamlessly integrated into the Green’s family.

“Having an effective cleaning operation is essential on a site like ours to ensure proper hygiene and safety,” Janis says. “We have frequent visitors to our site, and auditors coming through on a monthly basis. Having Keanu there makes a real difference in terms of setting a good impression. Many of our visitors have commented that they’ve never seen anything like it – because it is pretty unique in biscuit and associated manufacturing industries.”

Janis says that biscuit manufacturing can easily lead to a dirty or dusty environment, and that before they introduced Keanu, 10 hours of human labour was used per week to clear away all the dirt, debris, and accumulated grime.

“Now, we just take Keanu to his starting point, choose the cleaning program, and off he goes – freeing up our other team members to focus on other deep cleaning duties,” she says. “He

MHD WAREHOUSING sends through an alarm to our mobile phones if there are any issues, or if he’s come to the end of his cycle.”

Keanu supplements the weekday and weekend cleaning operations, allowing human labour to be better deployed cleaning and maintaining the factory equipment. “The only time we have to spend on Keanu is when we need to empty him or change his water – but even that process is very quick after a bit of practice.”

In effect, Keanu does a job that previously took two people.

“We used to have one person on a ride-on cleaner – but that left a residue behind on the floors, so we would have to have another person following along to clean up after the cleaner,” Janis says. “Now all we need is one person to press go and set Keanu on his way.

“He has made such a good impression on everyone that’s come in,” she continues. “From a visitor’s perspective, it really makes us look innovative, and to auditors it signals that we are taking our cleaning and OH&S requirements very seriously.”

Beyond the time he saves workers on the floor, Keanu has found other ways to boost team morale. “Everyone is fascinated by Keanu,” Janis says. “The way Avidbots have designed him – he actually has a smile on his face. I learnt the other day that some of the ladies have taken to calling him ‘Sadie the Cleaning Lady’. He’s actually added a bit of joy to our workplace.”

Keanu has also saved Green’s on the use of cleaning chemicals – as the high-powered water flow doesn’t need anything else to get the job done. “We would prefer to not use chemicals in our operation, where we can. Keanu does such a phenomenal job with just water that we don’t need extra cleaning chemicals anymore – which is obviously a plus for the environment.”

Janis says that auditors visiting Green’s have been particularly impressed with Keanu. “Before it was a much more laborious process in terms of providing auditors with evidence on how we were doing things,” she says. “But last time the auditor came, it was a simple matter using Avidbots

A Logical Group Company

Managed Supply Chain Services

Command Center to bring up the charts and data from Keanu’s routines to show what had been cleaned, how it had been cleaned, and our water usage.

Another excellent thing about the Neo is that it can actually take video of the entire cleaning process – so there is complete transparency as well as complete consistency. There’s no chance of falsification. The auditor was flabbergasted he was so impressed.”

“Instantly he could see we were being forward thinking about our hygiene protocols and took food safety and hygiene seriously. And that makes such a difference – those kinds of impressions really count.

“Keanu is our special name for him, but to the rest of the world he’s simply known as Neo,” Janis says. “Whether you decide to call your robot ‘Keanu’ or ‘Sadie’ or something else – the result is always a measurably clean floor.” ■ For Green’s Biscuits’ website, visit www.greensbiscuits.com.au For more information on Avidbots, visit www.avidbots.com

cological .com.au

MHD WAREHOUSING

BOOKS FLYING OUT THE DOOR Online bookstore Booktopia has partnered with BPS Global to deploy the latest autonomous robot technology at its national DC. BPS Global explains how the technology has helped increase capacity and improve fulfilment and putaway rates.

Booktopia’s upgraded DC can ship up to 60,000 units per day.

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ounded in 2004, Booktopia has grown from a side-project with a $10 a day budget to become Australia’s largest online book retailer – projecting revenue of $217m this financial year.

A home-grown Australian success story, Booktopia broke all previous records in the year to 30 June 2020 and reported revenue of $165.4m. The retailer has been growing sales at around 25 per cent year on year for the last 10 years.

Tony Nash, CEO at Booktopia, says the company is constantly exploring the latest innovation and technology to help improve its speed to market and overall experience for its rapidly growing customer base.

Throughout 2020, Booktopia invested $12 million in the expansion of its 14,000 sqm DC in Lidcombe, NSW. “We are consistently investing to meet the growth trajectory of the business,” Tony says.

A key part of this investment was working with BPS Global, a leading global provider of logistics solutions,

60 | MHD AUGUST 2021

to implement the latest automation technology.

At its fulfilment operations in Lidcombe, NSW Booktopia will almost double its capacity to ship up to 60,000 units per day.

What’s the key to this ramp-up in productivity?

A fleet of innovative robots.

Working with BPS Global, Booktopia has introduced an innovative robotic solution by China-based automation solutions provider Hai Robotics.

DOUBLING CAPACITY With a database of more than five million customers, Booktopia wanted to explore ways to increase capacity in its DC. “We know that for every title we hold in stock, we sell four times as many books compared to when we don’t have that title in stock, and have to order it in,” Wayne Baskin, Chief Technology Officer at Booktopia says.

Hai Robotics is a Chinese-based company that manufactures automated material handling solutions. As a true

innovator, Hai Robotics has introduced a new autonomous mobile robot solution to the market that increases storage density by up to 130 per cent.

As the world’s first tote and carton picking, double deep autonomous casehandling robotic system, the HAIPICK differs from standard autonomous mobile robot solutions in that it can carry cartons rather than merely totes.

“Being able to hold more stock was our first driving factor, but we also wanted to explore how we could drive efficiency around picking and putaway, and the Hai Robotics solution from BPS Global ticked all of these boxes,” Wayne says.

Featuring a telescopic fork, which stretches four metres high and a double deep capacity to handle cartons and totes, this solution gives Booktopia the ability to simultaneously present up to 13 totes or cartons to pickers, focusing only on the inventory that is required for the multiple orders the pickers are fulfilling at the pick stations.

Efficiency improvements for picking and putaway also give Booktopia further opportunities to improve the customer’s experience.

For Booktopia, any investment in technology or innovation is ultimately about improving the customer experience – and this new automation solution meets that goal.

“We don’t do this to be the first or to get awards, we do this because it is what is best for our customers,” says Booktopia CEO Tony Nash. “The foundation of our innovation strategy is to meet our goal of providing our customers with the best and most efficient service we can.”

The putaway rates have improved exponentially and Wayne says this rolls out further across the business.

“With this solution, the efficiencies

MHD WAREHOUSING we get from pick and putaway drive efficiencies in other areas of the business,” he says. “For example, our dock is now much more efficient – as we can put away so much faster and ingest stock more quickly.”

The HAIPICK utilises 3D visual recognition technology to identify goods without the need for codes, resulting in faster inventory count through shelf scanning. It supports multi-size carton and tote picking and can be applied to multiple business needs.

A LOCAL PARTNER Bruce Drayton, Automation and Robotics Director at BPS Global, has been a trusted advisor to Booktopia for more than eight years.

Bruce and the team at BPS Global are always looking for ways to help Booktopia increase its capacity and service its customers quickly, efficiently, and accurately.

With an array of automation and technology solutions in its portfolio, BPS Global assessed Booktopia’s needs and recommended the Hai

MY

Bruce Drayton, Automation and Robotics Director at BPS Global.

Robotics HAIPICK solution.

After completing a proof-ofconcept consisting of 10 robots last year, BPS Global analysed the data and established that the HAIPICK would provide Booktopia with the increased capacity required, alongside a significant increase in speed to market, accuracy and fulfilment rates.

“We’ve worked closely with Bruce and the BPS Global team and have a great relationship,” Wayne Baskin, CTO at Booktopia says. “We’re innovating together and learning a lot along the way. Each time we finish a project, we learn more about the solution and our operations – so we can continue to improve and innovate.” ■

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WELCOME TO MEGATRANS2021

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JOHN MURPHY CEO, PRIME CREATIVE MEDIA

64 | MHD AUGUST 2021

am delighted to welcome everyone to MEGATRANS2021.

The last year-and-a-half has been a testing period for all of us, professionally and personally, as we’ve endured a global pandemic – trying enough in itself – as well as the myriad disruptions, hurts, and heartaches that have followed in its wake.

Many people who would never before have considered the role of supply chain in their lives have had to start thinking seriously about the industry, and how indispensable it is to the functioning of our modern societies. Almost everything that we use in our everyday lives is wrapped up in a web of logistical complexity – from food supplies to auto parts to essential vaccines.

So, given our present circumstances, what better time to reimagine the supply chain?

This is what MEGATRANS2021 is all about.

At Prime Creative Media we are dedicated to growing individuals, organisations, and industries. And as everyone knows, you can only grow bigger, better, and more resilient by facing up to challenges, reflecting on them, and thinking creatively about how you might best respond – in the moment, and in the future.

So many of the attendees at this year’s conference – whether spectators or participants – have taken the pandemic head on, realising that the disruptions it has entailed have provided not only great challenges but

great opportunities.

Opportunities to re-think how to meet and exceed customer demands.

Opportunities to improve the health, safety, and general wellbeing of our workers and customers.

Opportunities to streamline processes, maximise efficiencies, and boost productivity.

MEGATRANS2021 provides the perfect platform for our industry to come together, take stock, and reimagine the supply chain.

As one of the first trade shows in the post-COVID recovery phase, it will play a pivotal role in re-establishing face-to-face relationships, fostering connections between businesses and people, and showcasing the innovative ideas and solutions that will not only propel our industry forward – but the society that relies on it, too.

While there are too many fascinating topics to list them all here, you can rest assured that MEGATRANS2021 will spotlight the latest in artificial intelligence, robotics, automated racking, telematics and route optimisation, warehouse automation, intelligent fleet systems, blockchain, Internet of Things, big data, advanced analytics – and much else besides.

I would like also to take this opportunity to thank our primary partners and sponsors – the Victorian State Government Department of Transport, Loscam, Dematic, MTData, and BluJay Solutions – without whose support this marvellous event would not be possible. ■

MHD FROM THE SPONSOR SUPPORTING SPONSOR

LOSCAM PINK PALLETS SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AND RESEARCH IN ANZ MEGATRANS sponsor Loscam’s Pink Pallets Campaign is once again supporting breast cancer awareness and research in Australia and New Zealand.

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n October 2020 Loscam conducted its fifth annual Pink Pallet Campaign, which was again an outstanding success, with hundreds of customers participating and thousands of dollars raised for both the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and Breast Cancer Foundation NZ (BCFNZ).

The campaign runs across the Loscam Australia and New Zealand network and involves unique

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Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women, with one in eight women diagnosed before the age of 85. [The Pink Pallet Campaign] is a wonderful effort by everyone involved, with many thousands of dollars already raised.

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pink pallets circulated across Loscam’s pooling network – mixed in among its many millions of standard red pallets. Customers who find a pink pallet register it, together with a picture of the pink pallet alongside their team or their product, to send to Loscam.

For every image received, Loscam donates AUD or NZD $100 for the first registration and $10 for each subsequent registration.

This year, Loscam designed and introduced a pink ribbon into its growing range of pink pallet merchandise to support the campaign, with all profits received to be donated to NBCF and BCFNZ. “The team at Loscam is so very grateful to have the Pink Pallet Campaign so well supported by our customers and staff,” says Daniel Bunnett, Executive VP Loscam Australia & New Zealand. “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women, with one in eight women diagnosed before the age of 85. It is a wonderful effort by everyone involved, with many thousands of dollars already raised.”

At MEGATRANS2021, Loscam will be continuing its commitment to this cause and will be offering an opportunity for attendees to make a small donation in exchange for the

Daniel Bunnett, Executive Vice President – Australia & New Zealand, at Loscam. chance to win a fantastic prize with the Pink Pallet claw machine game.

Loscam is also helping to facilitate business-to-business connections and networking during the exhibition by sponsoring the networking lounge at MEGATRANS2021.

Be sure to visit the Loscam team to find out more about its packaging equipment – and this fantastic cause – at Stand 2408. ■ MHD AUGUST 2021 | 65

WHAT’S ON AT MEGATRANS2021 Highlights at this year’s supply chain extravaganza.

MEGATRANS2021 will showcase solutions that help our industry thrive in the post-pandemic recovery.

M

EGATRANS returns after the challenges and disruption that COVID-19 brought to all walks of life – not least to the global and domestic supply chain.

From the 8th to the 10th of September at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, industry leaders will be able to re-establish faceto-face relationships, businesses and people will re-connect, and there will be a grand showcase of solutions that tackle pandemic challenges and help the industry thrive.

For the first time, MEGATRANS

66 | MHD AUGUST 2021

will take place in conjunction with Australian Bulk Handling Expo 2021.

The two events will be held side-byside, with one-ticket entry into both exhibitions.

MEGATRANS will showcase the latest in artificial intelligence, robotics, automated racking, telematics and route optimisation, warehouse automation, intelligent fleet systems, blockchain, Internet of Things, big data and advanced analytics.

Key speakers from industry leaders will address three main topics at the event: Reimagining the Global

Supply Chain, E-commerce, and Sustainability and Safety.

Aaron Blathazaar, Chief Innovation Officer at MTData, will explore business solutions to create the ideal supply chain. Aaron leads a wide range of technology and product development projects that have been vital to the innovative growth of MTData. Since he first joined the company, he has led certified telematics applications and the development of light commercial vehicles telematics solutions. MTData is an official sponsor MEGATRANS. Kyle Rogers, Co-Founder of

MHD INTRODUCTION

uTenant and a Director of the SCLAA, will share how e-commerce is changing how supply chain leaders implement warehousing and fulfilment strategies. This includes methods such as diversifying and decentralising their warehousing to enable businesses to provide the consumer with a quicker and more seamless delivery service.

Supply chain management specialist BluJay is another sponsor of the event. Paul Soong, Regional Director, BluJay Solutions and Stephen Duniam, Business Manager Marine, Viva Energy will address how different sectors can work together to contribute to greater sustainability and safety.

Conference sponsor, Dematic, is enthusiastic about this year’s line-up: “We are excited to reconnect with industry at MEGATRANS2021 after the last year, and find out what’s happening on the ground.”

The Victorian Government Industry Breakfast will provide an update on current and future projects related to the freight and logistics industry. A government spokesperson will share insights on government contributions to reimagining the future of supply chains.

The Mercury Awards – to be held in conjunction with the Australian Bulk Handling Awards – will be a special highlight of this three-day event. The official awards program of MEGATRANS recognises the outstanding achievements and successes of companies across the logistics, supply chain and materials handling sectors. Several businesses have been recognised with nominations for the Mercury Awards.

SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR: • L eopard Systems, Visa Global Logistics, XAct Solutions, Cohesio Group, Gaprie Ltd and Wiise Software.

Key speakers from industry leaders will address three main topics at the event: Reimagining the Global Supply Chain, E-commerce, and Sustainability and Safety.

BEST TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION: • L eopard Cube by Leopard Systems, Fleet In-cab Tablet Technology by Visa Global Logistics, CarryStar fully automated order fulfilment system by Swisslog Australia, Manhattan ACTIVE Warehouse Management software solution by Manhattan Associates, Control Tower by Schneider Electric, Yarno, PTV RouteOptimiser by PTV Group, Virtual Reality (VR) safety training platform by LINX Cargo Care Group, Autonomous Mobile Robots by Cohesio Group.

SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE AWARD: • F leet In-cab Tablet Technology by Visa Global Logistics, P.C.Nets by Gaprie Ltd., Partnership with Supply Chain Sustainability School by ASCI, RACQ Next Gen Vehicle Recovery

Tow Truck by RACQ, VentX Unico Ventilated Pallet Wrapping by Omni Group, Energy Saving Management System by SMC Corporation Australia New Zealand.

FREIGHT TRANSPORT SOLUTION OF THE YEAR: • D ynamic Under Keel Clearance System by OMC International, PTV RouteOptimiser by PTV Group, Fleet In-cab Tablet Technology by Visa Global Logistics, Direct Express – Australia by DB Schenker.

BEST STORAGE SOLUTION: • S MART Distribution Centre by Schneider Electric, Autonomous Mobile Robots by Cohesio Group, Manhattan ACTIVE Warehouse Management software solution by Manhattan Associates, Storeganizer

by Marketknowledge Pty Ltd. ■

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 67

A-SAFE AUSTRALIA (UK)

AHRENS GROUP PTY LTD

A-Safe are the inventors and manufacturers of the world’s first fixed polymer safety barrier system, designed to protect people, property, profits and performance in industrial workplaces across the world. A-Safe barriers flex after impact from workplace vehicles absorb the impact forces and then reform to their original shape. Unlike traditional steel barriers, they do not rust, scratch, require repainting or damage floors after impacts.

Ahrens is a national full-service construction, engineering, mining services and rural infrastructure company with a significant footprint across Australia. They offer a onestop shop for all your infrastructure requirements, from concept to completion. Their comprehensive list of in-house capabilities includes complete project management, site erection, workshop detailing, water storage, civil and concrete works, steel fabrication, structural steel painting and blasting.

2506

www.asafe.com

ALLOTRAC

3009

Allotrac is a leader in providing innovative software solutions and workflow automation for businesses in the transportation and logistics industries. With cloud-based technology, Allotrac is transforming businesses into modern workspaces with its configurable platform of features and integrations. Their clients range from SMEs to some of Australia and New Zealand’s largest enterprises. www.allotrac.com.au

3021

2003

www.ahrens.com.au

www.ai-drive.com

ANC DISTRIBUTION AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

ANL & CMA CGM

1106

ANCRA is a specialist importer and distributor of restraint-related components and assemblies serving aerospace, military and commercial vehicle markets. Their products are used to securely restrain and safeguard cargo, whether on ground, air or sea. In 2018, ANCRA added liquid flexitanks to their cargo range. Liqua requires no bulkhead, no pressure on the walls of the container and utilises a manifolded, dual-tier design to prevent sloshing in harsh environments. www.ancraaustralia.com

68 | MHD AUGUST 2021

AI DRIVE

The next-generation fleet learning solution enhances driver safety, supercharge vehicle usability and draws proactive insights for a better future on the road.

Using fleet vehicles as ongoing data collection conduits, AI Drive is pioneering the future of road safety, logistics efficiencies and transport improvements by implementing automation and AI to provide you with proactive insights around vehicle performance and driver monitoring.

2004

ANL specialises in moving your product to/from Oceania, and beyond. Placing great focus on sustainability, customer service and a competitive “can do” attitude, they not only know your cargo, but more importantly, how to transport it. ANL offers shipping services to all major Oceania destinations. The CMA CGM Group also offers a wide range of ancillary services that provide customers with added convenience and ease for including but not limited to inland logistics and breakbulk/out-of-gauge shipments. www.ancraaustralia.com

MHD EXHIBITOR LISTING

AUSTRALIAN BORDER FORCE

2000

The Australian Border Force (ABF) is Australia’s operational frontline border law enforcement agency and customs service. Their role is to protect Australia’s border and enable legitimate travel and trade. The ABF work closely with other agencies to share knowledge, expertise and intelligence in order to detect, deter and prosecute those who attempt to do us harm at the border. Any company that operates in the international trade, supply chain and transport sectors can join the Border Watch industry program.

AUSTRALIAN SWEEPER COMPANY

AUTOMATION SYSTEMS AND CONTROLS

3206

3403

www.sweeper.com.au

www.automationsystems andcontrols.net.au

Australian Sweeper Corporation Pty Ltd (ASC) is Australia’s leading industrial and commercial floor cleaning equipment company.

With over 28 years of cleaning experience, ASC leads the way with their comprehensive range of professional floor sweepers and scrubbers suited to all industries in Australia and New Zealand. ASC brings the best, globally available sweeper and scrubber machine technologies to every commercial and industrial sector.

Automation Systems & Controls (ASC) is an Australian owned industrial automation specialist with specific focus on robotics and machine vision. ASC cover sales and service related to industrial automation including loose part sales, design and installation of complete automation packages, after sales commissioning, training and servicing. The ASC team is highly respected within the industrial automation sector.

www.abf.gov.au/borderwatch

BAILEY LADDERS

1520

Bailey Ladders have been trusted by tradies for over 60 years. Bailey products are synonymous for working safely at heights, providing ladders and access equipment that are known for their quality, strength and stability. If you want strong, stable and safe height access equipment, choose Bailey. www.baileyladders.com.au

BHD STORAGE SOLUTIONS

2007

BHD Storage Solutions pride themselves on being able to provide businesses with the best storage solution, specifically tailored to meet your requirements. They satisfy your racking and shelving needs regardless of size, to suit your budget. With over 20 years’ experience, BHD Storage Solutions is an industry leader in the supply and installation of a wide and varied range of storage systems, working with businesses from the initial concept, through to project completion.

BIG RIGS

1010

Big Rigs has enjoyed close to three decades of continual growth as Australia’s free fortnightly national transport publication. Big Rigs has cemented their role as the trusted voice of the transport industry by offering unparalleled reach with an engaged market of transport industry professionals. With up-todate hard-hitting editorial content in both print and online, Big Rigs is a must read for anyone in the transport industry. Big Rigs is proud to investigate the issues and politics that affect the transport industry. www.bigrigs.com.au

www.bhdstorage.com.au

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 69

BLUJAY SOLUTIONS

BUSTLE TECHNOLOGY

BluJay Solutions delivers supply chain software and services to the world’s most progressive retailers, distributors, freight forwarders, manufacturers, and logistics service providers. Transforming supply chain logistics with the BluJay Global Trade Network, they enable customers to unlock the power of more than 40,000 universally connected partners. With BluJay, companies can achieve greater trade velocity, transform their supply chain economics and see beyond the horizon to optimize their future in the global economy.

Bustle provides TMS solutions to all tiers of the transport industry from ultimate customers down to SME’s. Making the complex simple, Bustle converts and automates processes from paper to digital solutions across four pillars of operations, compliance, assets and finance. Aligned to the NHVR Master Code, Bustle delivers digital tools for responsible operations in a fragmented market.

1509

1418

www.bustle.tech

1409

Leading the world in quality lift truck attachments, forks and accessories, Cascade Australia provides innovative solutions to your materials handling requirements, improving safety and productivity. www.cascadeaustralia.com.au

CINCOM SYSTEMS OF AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

3306

Cincom is a global organisation devoted to building software solutions that help businesses succeed. Their configure-pricequote, customer communications management, business application and development solutions are geared towards enhancing your organisation’s capabilities, optimising processes and delivering a better experience to your customers. Cincom is a global organisation devoted to building software solutions that help businesses succeed. www.cincom.com.au

70 | MHD AUGUST 2021

3408

Carmate Electronics Pty Ltd distributes high quality aftermarket tyre pressure monitors, reverse parking sensors, and actuators to customers. Since 2013, they have been collaborating with Australian companies to design userfriendly automotive safety products and provide local after sales service in Sydney. Their brand Promata took has been very successful in the 4WD and caravan aftermarket TPMS category.

They are a proud member of the Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia and the Australian Aftermarket Association. www.promata.com.au

www.blujaysolutions.com

CASCADE AUSTRALIA

CARMATE ELECTRONICS PTY LTD

CIPHERLAB CO., LTD

3203

CipherLab is a world leader in AIDC solutions for a wide range of industries. CipherLab’s expertise is at the convergence of scanning, mobile computing, and business process design. This results in more efficient supply chains, field sales services, retail operation and reduced cost of doing business in almost every sector. Their skilled network of reliable partners delivers successful solutions to small, medium and enterprise businesses that chose CipherLab for value, performance and quality. www.cipherlab.com

MHD EXHIBITOR LISTING

COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL

2016

Colliers is a leading diversified professional services and investment management company. With operations in 67 countries, their more than 15,000 enterprising professionals work collaboratively to provide expert advice to real estate occupiers, owners and investors. At MEGATRANS2021, Colliers’ senior, specialist team will be showing visitors how they can help create value in their property solution. Their data-backed advice is designed to help make property work harder for businesses. www.colliers.com.au

COMBILIFT

2203

Materials handling specialist Combilift manufactures a wide range of multidirectional forklifts, pedestrian stackers, sideloaders, narrow aisle articulated trucks and straddle carriers, all designed for safe, space saving and productive handling. With LPG, diesel and electric power options, Combilift products are highly customised to specific requirements. These tough, robust machines work inside and out, offer a high level of versatility and reliability and are available with lift capacities from one tonne to over 130 tonnes. www.combilift.com

CONQUEST EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGIES

2416

Conquest boasts an industry-leading range of power sweepers and scrubbers, orbital floor cleaners, robotics and outdoor solutions.

Dedicated to providing tailored floor cleaning solutions for your facility, Conquest offer flexible purchase and rental options with hire terms.

Backed by a comprehensive after sales support system, an experienced service team, large spare parts inventory and dedicated technical support, Conquest offers a 60-day money back guarantee. www.conquestequipment.com.au

aus

COMMERCIAL ROAD TRANSPORT

COTEWELL – LINE MARKING

3302

Cotewell is a national supplier of unique line marking products that give warehouse managers and owners control over their line marking. They supply heavy-duty line marking tape products for both internal and external applications, and are trusted by ALDI, Asahi Beverages, CEVA Logistics, Australia Post, CSR, Pepsico, Woolworths, VISY and others. Offering both supply/ install packages for products across Australia, Cotewell are your national provider of line marking that you have control over.

CRT NEWS

3209

CRT News reports on the latest news and developments in the commercial road transport industry.

With articles written by professional transport journalists committed to the industry, content is always kept fresh, informative and relevant.

Each week it is emailed directly to the inboxes of over 20,000 subscribers including management, owner drivers, fleet owners, suppliers, workshop managers, OE manufacturers and suppliers, consultants, and government associations and officials. www.crtnews.com.au

DAMON AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD.

3000

Damon is rated as the industry leader in China as a provider of intelligent logistic systems for industries including e-commerce, courier, apparel, pharmaceutical, warehousing and factory automation. They offer the complete range of specialist sortation products and conveyors including cross belt sorters, sliding shoe sorters, high speed diverters, carton conveyors, pallet conveyors, AGV’s, vertical lifts and automated storage systems. www.damon-group.com.au

www.cotewell.com.au

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 71

DATANET ASIA PACIFIC PTY LTD

3405

Datanet tailor solutions for all types of businesses, including transport and logistics, mining and resources, manufacturing and warehousing.

Datanet specialise in the development and implementation of real time systems such as barcode scanning and RFID technologies to improve transaction speed and accuracy in the supply chain.

Datanet represent some of the world’s most sought-after brands, including Zebra Technologies, Honeywell, Datalogic, and Denso.

DEAN WORLD CARGO

DEMATIC

DEAN World Cargo specialise in international freight forwarding, 3PL and customs clearance, providing personalised services and tailored solutions to our customers. They pride themselves on providing their customers with smart solutions, which are founded upon one of the most comprehensive supply chain management and visibility technologies in the industry.

Dematic is an intralogistics innovator that designs, builds and supports intelligent, automated solutions for manufacturing, warehouse and distribution environments for customers that are powering the future of commerce. With engineering centres, manufacturing facilities and service centres located in more than 25 countries, the Dematic global network of 10,000 employees has helped achieve more than 6,000 worldwide customer installations for some of the world’s leading brands.

2206H 1419

www.deancargo.com.au

www.dematic.com.au

www.datanet.com.au

DIESEL MAGAZINE

3209

A bi-monthly publication, Diesel magazine is Australia’s premier truck and trailer magazine. Diesel magazine is uniquely positioned in the truck industry as a bold and brave voice showcasing the latest technology and raising issues that are important for drivers, owner operators, fleets and the industry as a whole. Boasting multiple leadingedge communication platforms including print and digital magazine, social media and enews networks, Diesel magazine has an unparalleled reach into one of Australia’s most important industries. www.dieselnews.com.au

72 | MHD AUGUST 2021

DIRECT MAIL CORPORATION

3006

The Direct Mail Corporation/3PL Melbourne team lives and breathes 3PL logistics, scan pick and pack, letters, parcels, labels and mailing lists, printed materials, eCommerce product inventory, couriers and postal services. They are experts in direct mail marketing campaigns and letterbox deliveries of your flyers and catalogues. They also excel at processing and shipping online customer orders from your eCommerce store with top notch customer service to the businesses that work with them. www.directmail.com.au

DIVERSECO

2403

As one of Australia’s leading measurement and automation solutions providers, Diverseco pride themselves on the sheer scope of their problem-solving expertise and supply of industryleading technologies to Australian businesses. Heavily involved in the transport, logistics, and waste management industries, they’re an ideal partner for organisations looking to optimise their operations through innovative weighing and automation technologies. www.diverseco.com.au

MHD EXHIBITOR LISTING

DRIVERISK

ECYCLE SOLUTIONS

2321

2327

www.driverisk.com.au

www.ecyclesolutions.net.au

DriveRisk helps fleets manage risk and upskill drivers to improve safety and reduce costs. They use the latest video-based safety technology to create driver profiles and develop targeted coaching programs to improve driving skills and prevent on road incidents and collisions.

To compliment this proactive risk management approach, they have in-cab technology to assist drivers to stay alert (fatigue) and engaged (distraction) to provide a complete safety solution. DriveRisk are the exclusive reseller of Lytx DriveCam in Australia, New Zealand and Africa.

ENVIROFLUID

3303

Envirofluid offer a wide range of best-in-class chemical products for various industries including solvents, degreasers, surface cleaners, scale removers, parts cleaning, and specialised industrial products. Purasolve parts washers are high-performance parts cleaners designed for ease of use, time savings, power savings, and overall cost-effectiveness. Parts washer accessories are also available, including parts washer filters, filter kits, and parts washer solvents. www.envirofluid.com

Ecycle Solutions leads the way with an economical recycling solution for expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste as well as providing a recycling solution for end-of-life televisions and computers (e-waste) as a Co-Regulator of the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (NTCRS). Through reverse logistics and low overhead and operating costs, Ecycle Solutions has a competitive advantage which is passed onto our loyal customers.

Their aim is to be the lowest cost and best in practice operator without compromising their values.

EFORKLIFT PTY LTD

3016

eForklift Pty Ltd is dedicated to supplying high-quality Lithium-ion powered material handling solutions to clients across Australia and New Zealand. They are the exclusive distributor of BYD and the master distributor of EP Equipment which allows them to provide highly customised and comprehensive solutions for material handling needs across a wide range of industries. The fleet consists of high-powered lithium-ion powered machines that are efficient, increase productivity and are completely emission free. www.eforklift.com.au

FERRET.COM.AU

FINDEX

Ferret.com.au is an online industrial hub servicing the Australian manufacturing, industrial and mining industries. Ferret.com.au provides a comprehensive central online source containing the latest product, supplier and industry news updates attracting more than 130,000 unique visitors each month, and is the official directory of Australian Mining, Manufacturers’ Monthly, PACE, Food & Beverage Industry News, and Safe to Work.

As the fifth largest accounting firm in Australia, Findex works with large and middle market enterprise to deliver integrated advisory and consulting solutions that help organisations face their business challenges and seize market opportunities. Through more than 100 offices across Australasia, Findex combines local and regional talent with the global reach of the Crowe network – the eighth largest accounting network in the world – to tailor solutions and solve problems that enrich the future.

4108

www.ferret.com.au

1602

www.findex.com.au

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 73

FISCHER PLASTIC PRODUCTS PTY LTD.

FLINDERS PORT HOLDINGS

FOOD & BEVERAGE INDUSTRY NEWS

Fischer Plastic Products is a proudly 100 per cent family-owned Australian company. For over 50 years, Fischer Plastics has been producing the highest quality plastic products for the materials handling, industrial, warehousing and logistics industry amongst many other sectors, helping your company achieve their storage goals.

Flinders Port Holdings (FPH) is the leading privately-owned port operator in South Australia, handling the vast majority of the state’s imports and exports each year. They are licenced to operate Port Adelaide and six regional ports across South Australia. FPH has since grown to offer a wide range of port-handling and logistics services, from offshore pilotage and marine control services, to onshore stevedoring and end-toend supply chain logistics services.

Food & Beverage Industry News provides analytical feature driven content directly related to the concerns and interests of food and drink manufacturers in production and technical roles.

1213

www.fischerplastics.com.au

2103

4108

www.foodmag.com.au

www.flindersportholdings.com.au

GAPRIE LTD

3415

Gaprie Ltd is the industry leader in Australia and New Zealand for pallet racking safety netting solutions.

Gaprie Ltd developed the Elenet fixed and vertical safety nets in response to health and safety needs.

The patented product is made to measure, easy to install and a costeffective alternative to traditional steel mesh pallet racking systems.

P.C. Net®, like the Elenet™ system, was designed as a cost-effective, re-usable, alternative to traditional methods for pallet containment. www.gaprie.com

GILBARCO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

3107

Gilbarco Veeder-Root (GVR) is the global leader of turnkey fuel solutions for retail, commercial, fleet and industrial applications for over 150 years. GVR are a true partner committed to delivering technology that performs in the real world, technology that truly understands what customers want. Among GVR’s advantages are national service and installation coverage. GVR designs, manufactures, installs, commissions and services fuel systems throughout Australia and New Zealand. www.gilbarco.com.au

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GLOBAL GPS TRACKING

1500

Global GPS are specialist providers of end-to-end fleet management solutions and are in sync with the needs of clients in the fleet management field. Their GPS hardware and software platform is powered by WEBFLEET. If you’re looking for a solution that will enhance communication amongst your office team and fleet, help you identify new ways to manage the workflow and job information, along with aiding in maintaining the integrity and performance of your company drivers, the Global GPS team can help you. www.globalgpstracking.com.au

MHD EXHIBITOR LISTING

GLOBAL TRAILER

3209

Global Trailer is the first business publication dedicated to the international trailer scene. It is the intelligent resource that no industry executive in component and trailer manufacturing, fleet management and commercial road transport can afford to be without. www.globaltrailermag.com

HARD SURFACE CLEANERS

3301

Hard Surface Cleaners are a nationwide, Australian Indigenous owned business offering a full range of commercial pressure cleaning and soft washing services. They deliver only the highest quality, costeffective, and eco-friendly cleaning services to all customers. Hard Surface Cleaners are one of the only companies in Australia with custombuilt trucks, fitted with specialised equipment for thermo high pressure cleaning and soft washing. www.hardsurfacecleaners.com.au

HAULMAX TYRES

1523

Haulmax Tyres are Australian designed and engineered truck and bus tyres, delivering performance, longevity, and value to customers across Australia’s harshest trucking conditions. Haulmax Tyres is a core product range of ‘Australian Tyre Traders’, one of Australia’s largest tyre wholesalers and national 24/7 tyre assist service provider.

They design to a strength and performance standard, above cost, delivering performance, longevity and value to their customers, and a guaranteed minimum CPK return on investment. www.haulmaxtyres.com.au

INFOCOMM SOFTWARE

1204

Infocomm is a leading Australian provider of transport, warehouse and supply chain ERP management software servicing clients in Australia and around the world. They provide intuitive and tailorable ERP solutions to empower your uniqueness to be a leader in your industry. www.infocomm.com.au

IVS / LOADSMART WEIGHING SYSTEMS

1315

Integrated Vehicle Solutions is an Australian based company.

LoadSMART Onboard Weighing Systems is a premium truck weighing system with solutions for many truck and trailer applications.

ViewSMART Camera Systems is a high quality multi-camera system for trucks and trailers. This system is able to be integrated with the LoadSMART system. With suppliers from all over the world, they can setup and supply anything from small basic controllers to large safety systems and engine control.

KAB SEATING

1517

KAB Seating Pty Ltd is the Australian operating division of the American owned Commercial Vehicle Group (CVG). KAB Seating products are fitted as original equipment by many major vehicle manufacturers worldwide, including Kenworth, Caterpillar, Komatsu, Volvo, JCB, Kubota and more. KAB Seating’s product range includes a wide range of seating options from static pans to fully fledged air or mechanical suspension seats which include integrated lap, 3-point or harness belts. www.kabseating.com.au

www.integratedvs.com.au

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 75

KOBOT SYSTEMS PTY LTD

3409

Collapsible and foldable stillages designed by Kobot Systems are safe, robust, flexible and NATA certified.

These stillages are designed to suit Australian conditions. Kobot Systems can customise designs to suit your quantity needs and are highly competitive. www.kobot.com.au

KYNECTION

1212

Kynection provides transport companies a central point that can manage operational productivity, CoR/NHVAS compliance, and ISO triple certification. Have one system for growth, compliance, knowledge, team, and assets within your business.

The team at Kynection are passionate about creating innovative transport and workplace mobility solutions with a team of technology consultants and developers, who have been responsible for many breakthroughs in the transport and workforce mobility markets since 2006.

LAVENDER PANELS

1519

Lavender Panels supply lightweight and custom body panels to the transport/ recreational industry as well as the German range of Lamilux fibre glass skins. www.lavender-ce.com

www.kynection.com.au

LEOPARD SYSTEMS

1412

Established in 1990, Leopard Systems is a leading enterprise mobility solutions provider. Leopard Systems apply industry expertise to produce practical digital mobility solutions for a wide range of industries. From configurable mobility applications and device procurement to specialist fleet monitoring – Leopard Systems’ end-to-end solutions enable postal operators, supply chain, retail, and transport and logistics organisations to elevate their growth, productivity, and profitability. www.leopardsystems.com.au

LINKT

1112

Your business is good to go with Linkt. No matter how big your fleet, they can help you manage your tolling account needs with their team of dedicated account managers.

Linkt can help with advanced billing and invoicing, insights into fleet and trip management for all your reporting needs, online account service to optimise account and toll management, and quarterly personalised industry, account, and road safety newsletters so your business stays informed, and more.

We’re the easy way to manage your toll travel. www.linkt.com.au

76 | MHD AUGUST 2021

LOSCAM AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

2408

Loscam is a trusted name for providing pooling and returnable packaging solutions for use in supply chains. Operating in 12 regions throughout the Asia Pacific, Loscam is focused on delivering high-quality, innovative and environmentally sustainable solutions and fit-forpurpose systems. Their solutions can help you manage the storage, handling and movement of raw materials, finished goods and fresh produce throughout the supply chain. www.loscam.com

MHD EXHIBITOR LISTING

M2M ONE

1006

M2M One is one of Australia’s leading suppliers of SIM cards, data plans and custom networking for wireless devices – providing real time usage information, analytics and flexible pricing with no contracts or commitments. Powering over 250,000 dedicated M2M devices on Australia’s largest mobile network utilizing full 3G, 4G/LTE, Cat M1 and soon to launch NB-IoT coverage nationwide. M2M One has years of experience helping to manage M2M and IoT devices, SIMs and data plans.

MANUFACTURERS’ MONTHLY

4108

For over 55 years, Manufacturers’ Monthly has led and informed Australia’s manufacturing industries with its highly credible editorial environment and its acclaimed analysis of issues affecting manufacturing. www.manmonthly.com.au

www.m2mone.com.au

MCLARDY MCSHANE

1518

McLardy McShane offer one of the fastest growing, award-winning broking networks and some of the most knowledgeable and experienced hands in the business.

With over $150million in premium and more than 150 staff across 15 branches, they will work to develop a strong relationship and detailed understanding of your business. McLardy McShane keep your business informed on changes to legislation, set a clear annual servicing program and provide exceptional claims management service. www.mclardymcshane.com.au

MHD Supply Chain

MCNAUGHTANS

1511

McNaughtans is a diversified Australian company specialising in the manufacture and distribution of bus accessories, truck components, trailer equipment , high-quality fiber-reinforced plastic flatsheets (FRP and gas stays/struts for automotive, marine, industrial and medical sectors. They take pride in being one of the largest established national suppliers of aftermarket components. McNaughtan’s offers quality product at highly competitive prices, combined with excellent staff and a track record for customer satisfaction.

MERIT MANUFACTURING

1415

As the sole Australian and New Zealand distributor of the USA made DJ Products line, Merit Manufacturing is focused on suppling high-quality hand operated electric tug solutions for industries including transport and distribution, trailer manufacturing, industrial, medical, residential, commercial, building and construction and manufacturing. If you have heavy products that need moving, they have solutions! www.meritcon.com.au/

MHD SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS

1400

MHD Supply Chain Solutions is Australia’s leading logistics and supply chain management title. The printed magazine and bi-weekly e-newsletter is a vital resource tool for all people working in logistics, warehousing and supply chain.

MHD Supply Chain Solutions provides an in depth look at trends and developments across the entire supply chain, as well as the latest technology, equipment and services that logistics professionals rely upon. www.mhdsupplychain.com.au

www.mcnaughtans.com.au

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 77

MICROLISE APAC

1306

Microlise designs and manufactures integrated transport and logistics solutions to reduce costs, improve safety, efficiency and compliance, and strengthen driver and customer engagement. Their fleet tracking, route planning, proof of delivery and driver safety and performance improvement solutions support local and global customers including Arytza, Coles, Foodstuffs, Gilmours, Metcash, JCB, MAN, Eddie Stobart, and Carlsberg. Their solutions currently support over 88 per cent of UK grocery retailers by market share.

MICROLISTICS & SMARTFREIGHT

2308

Microlistics combines supply chain expertise with the marketleading, Gartner-rated warehouse management system software and a partner-based approach to produce solutions guaranteed to deliver benefits to your business.

SmartFreight is the easier way to manage your shipping needs. Their suite of shipping solutions puts hundreds of possible transport providers and routes at your fingertips, offering total flexibility.

www.microlise.com/anz/

www.microlistics.com.au/ smartfreight

MULTI-MOVER

MUSCAT TRAILERS P/L

1316

Trailer movers, tow tractors and electric power tugs from Multi-Mover enable you to easily move and accurately move trailers, carts and trolleys over a level surface. Because of its special tyres and robust engine, the Multi-Mover electric power tug or dolly may be deployed on both hard and soft surfaces. You’ll never need to push or pull a trailer yourself anymore. The electric trailer dolly functions for more than a day on one battery load and are multideployable after a 5 hour recharge. www.multi-mover.com.au

3018

Muscat Trailers will design your trailer to do the job properly, even if that means coming up with a brandnew design. Every trailer they build has its own story, and no two trailers are the same. They will design your trailer with the latest state-of-theart technology so that they can create a solution to exceed your expectations. Muscat Trailers focuses on the highest level of safety and customer service. Superior quality, toughness and durability as it is at the heart of every trailer they build. www.muscattrailers.com.au

MTDATA

1406

MTData, a subsidiary of Telstra, revolutionises businesses with innovative vehicle telematics and connected fleet management technology. They are leading the path to an exciting future of IoT. For almost 20 years, MTData has been helping businesses in the transport and logistics industry to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs and meet safety compliance requirements. www.mtdata.com.au

NATIONAL HEAVY VEHICLE REGULATOR

1109

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is Australia’s independent regulator for all vehicles over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass. They work collaboratively with all states and territories, industry, partner agencies and local governments to drive sustainable improvements to safety, productivity and efficiency. The NHVR administers delivers a range of services to reduce duplication and inconsistencies in heavy vehicle laws across state and territory borders. www.nhvr.gov.au/

78 | MHD AUGUST 2021

MHD EXHIBITOR LISTING

NETSTAR

1017

Netstar is a trusted brand with over 20 years of experience specialising in GPS telematics. They provide advanced vehicle and fleet tracking, innovative fleet management solutions for all-sized business and commercial fleets, insurance telematics solutions and vehicle camera solutions. No IoT solution is out of reach. www.netstaraustralia.com.au

NILFISK

2317

Nilfisk floorcare and industrial vacuum cleaners provide fast and effective cleaning from the dusty, dirty conditions caused by deliveries, forklifts and foot traffic in busy warehouses, distribution and logistics centres of all sizes. Nilfisk pressure washers efficiently clean transport vehicles. Their products are designed to keep staff safe from slips and falls or explosive dust risks, improve staff productivity and your overall operational efficiency, protect your products from damage and make a great impression on visitors.

PATHTECH – DRUG DETECTION

3404

Pathtech is an Australian owned company with more than 35 years experience in supplying workplaces, government departments, scientific and forensic communities with high quality products, including drug and alcohol testing devices. Pathtech focuses on customer service and their strong global manufacturing relationships, designing and manufacturing drug detection product ranges in strict compliance with the highest clinical standards. www.pathtech.com.au

Nilfisk.com.au

PEACOCK BROS PTY LTD

3007

Providing supply chain solutions built on innovation, expertise and efficiency since 1888, Peacock Bros have been a market leader for over 130 years. They are at the forefront of innovation and take a collaborative, team-based approach to deliver solutions for a range of industries throughout Australia and New Zealand. Peacock Bros use cutting edge technology solutions and responsive after sales service to drive growth and efficiency for their customers. www.peacocks.com.au

PORT OF NEWCASTLE

2005

Port of Newcastle is Australia’s deepwater global gateway, the largest on the nation’s East Coast.

With trade worth about $26 billion to the national economy each year, the port enables Australian businesses to successfully compete in international markets. The port currently handles 4,400 ship movements and 164 million tonnes of cargo annually. With a shipping channel operating at 50 per cent of its capacity, the port is positioned to further underpin the future prosperity of the Hunter, NSW and Australia. www.portofnewcastle.com.au

POWER WASH CLEANING SYSTEMS

1317

Power Wash Cleaning Systems is a family business with over 30 years’ experience in the supply, installation and servicing of Karcher high quality cleaning technology.

They offer innovative automatic, semi-automatic and manual vehicle cleaning solutions. Their machines combine durable, low maintenance technology with unlimited modularity to easily remove dirt, even in the hardest to reach places .technology. They provide personalised solutions to save time and money. www.powerwashcs.com.au

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 79

®

PRECISION AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT

1506

Precision Automotive Equipment are your workshop equipment specialists. Established in 1996, they have a longstanding history in the Australian automotive repair industry as a specialist in the supply, distribution, and service of a full range of premium automotive workshop equipment.

With a focus on providing premium products and high-level after-sales support, you can be guaranteed they are committed to ensuring your equipment.

PRIME MOVER MAGAZINE

3209

As Australia’s premier truck publication, Prime Mover magazine is the ideal medium for all in the commercial road transport industry to promote their brand.

With a readership that comprises of fleet managers, owner drivers, management, workshop staff, suppliers and other key buyers and decision makers, Prime Mover magazine takes your message directly to the target audience, resulting in a greater awareness of your brand.

www.precisionautomotive.com.au

www.primemovermag.com.au

PROGRAMMED SKILLED WORKFORCE

PROTECTION EXPERTS AUSTRALIA

1313

Programmed Skilled Workforce is Australia’s leading provider of staffing, training, and maintenance services, employing more than 25,000 people across a broad range of industries. Whether you need an entire workforce for your operations, apprentices or trainees to future-proof your business, fill a professional specialist role, or are thinking about outsourcing maintenance and project work, they’ll partner with you to help your business succeed. www.programmed.com.au

80 | MHD AUGUST 2021

1521

Pro-Ex supplies products to protect your goods against oxygen, moisture and transit damage. They supply webbing, strapping, removalist blankets and felt rolls as well as a range of container and packaging desiccants and oxygen absorbers.

They strive to continually meet the changing needs of their customers. www.pro-ex.com.au

PROCESS AND CONTROL ENGINEERING (PACE)

4108

PACE features meticulously researched stories covering topics such as control, automation, sensing, instrumentation, fluid handling, test and measurement, safety control systems and network and communications www.pacetoday.com.au

PTV GROUP

1500

The PTV Group provides software solutions and consulting services to empower mobility and transport for a cleaner and smarter future.

Customers in over 120 countries rely on PTV solutions – its bestin-class software for intelligent traffic management and transport optimisation enables decision-makers in politics, cities, organisations, industries, and logistics save time and money, make roads safer, and protect the environment. www.ptvgroup.com

MHD EXHIBITOR LISTING

R&R CORPORATE HEALTH

1309

Since 1999, the team at R&R Corporate Health has partnered organisations Australia wide to develop and deliver engaging training programs aimed at improving and sustaining optimal employee wellbeing, workplace safety and individual, team and business performance. Their expert team partners with HR, health and safety and management teams to create or further develop a healthy, safe and productive workforce.

RETAILQUIP

2216

Retailquip provides material handling equipment designed to simplify your supply chain. They offer and provide solutions for all types of supply chains, including retail, dairy, beverage, logistics, lean manufacturing and more.

Together with our partner K Hartwall in Finland, they are the largest manufacturer of returnable load carrying equipment to the retail, transport and logistics industries. www.retailquip.com

www.rrcorphealth.com.au

STEP GLOBAL PTY LTD

Scanreco radio remote controls, known worldwide for safe wireless control of mobile, hydraulic, agricultural, mining, load handling and industrial machinery. The highquality, robust and reliable Scanreco radio remote control product range provides infinite selection for virtually all radio remote control applications. Scanreco solutions are used in a range of applications, from truck cranes and agricultural machines to skid steer’s, drill rigs, concrete pumps, forestry, access and more load handling mobile machines.

For over 20 years, Step Global has been supporting customers by providing engineering know-how on development of asset and fleet tracking systems based on GPS/ GNSS, RFID, IoT solutions, NFC, mobile video, audio, personal safety, and wireless communications technologies. Whether it be application knowledge and systems design, to off-the-shelf products or a full turn-key design of bespoke systems (hardware and software), their focus has been to both create or integrate to meet their customers’ needs.

www.hace.com.au

2218

Established in 1829, Sadleirs is a diverse and historic industry leader specialising in logistics, global freight and packaging. They have expanded their infrastructure and services to become one of Australia’s most trusted brands. Sadleirs is connected to the main interstate rail lines, with rail consignments travelling directly between state-ofthe-art depots in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. Sadleirs has a team of experts that will ensure virtually any product will be delivered safely and on time to your desired location. www.sadleirs.com.au

SCANRECO

1218

SADLEIRS LOGISTICS

1203

www.stepglobal.com

SUPPLY CHAIN LOGISTICS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (SCLAA)

3400

A career in supply chain and logistics in Australia, now more than ever, knows no limits. With the right knowledge, attitude and skills, supply chain and logistics professionals and practitioners have no career ceiling. However, it is competitive out there. More and more employers rightly expect professionalism. Professions have a number of common attributes.

The SCLAA directly runs the most supply chain and logistics events across Australia. www.sclaa.com.au

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 81

SWEEPERS AUSTRALIA

2303

Sweepers Australia is an Australian owned company, dedicated to providing an unparalleled service and exceptionally competitive prices to its customers of sweeping and scrubbing equipment throughout Australia. They are the sole importers of the RCM range of sweepers and scrubbers in Australia, with national distribution facilities.

Their comprehensive service and spares operation, with experienced technical staff and fully equipped service vehicles for on-site repairs and service minimises down time. www.sweepersaustralia.com.au

TRELLEBORG WHEEL SYSTEMS AUST.

TRUCKWIZ, AUSTRALIAN TRUCK NAVIGATION

Trelleborg Wheel Systems Aust. are manufacturers, importers and distributors of quality industrial tyres to industry. Elite XP forklift tyres incorporating their innovative Pit Stop Line wear indicator, Brawler solid OTR tyres featuring world leading Soft Ride technology.

Truckwiz is a truck navigational app designed to reduce the stresses truck drivers experience on a daily basis, while improving safety on the road for all users.

Truckwiz is a truck navigational app designed to add value to the trucking community and help reduce the stresses truck drivers experience on a daily basis, while improving safety on the road for all users.

2306

1600

www.truckwiz.co

www.trelleborg.com/en-au/wheels

TRUCKWORLD

TELETRAC NAVMAN

TOOOAIR PTY LTD

TruckWorld, founded in 2005, is a fortnightly publication distributed to refuelling stations, truck stops, and other locations across Australia.

People looking for trailers, buses, heavy equipment, light commercial vans and utes and agricultural equipment including tractors will find them at Truckworld.

Teletrac Navman is a global, market leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider leveraging AI and machine learning to drive next generation mobile asset and fleet management. Powered by AI to turn real-time data into decisions, Teletrac Navman’s specialised solutions deliver businesses with simplified, smart, predictive, and actionable insights to help enhance productivity and profitability. Its fleet and asset management technology helps customers reduce risk and confidently move their business forward with certainty.

ToooAir is a specialist PushTo-Talk over Cellular (PTToC) communication company offering two-way radio voice communication Australia wide. ToooAir has established itself as the go to specialist in Australia, with a full range of mobile and handheld hardware and software platforms not matched by any other entrant in this new disruptive technology.

From SME’s to large national fleets, ToooAir is providing solutions that have not been possible via traditional two-way VHF and UHF systems.

1012

www.truckworld.com.au

1503

www.teletracnavman.com.au

82 | MHD AUGUST 2021

1004

www.toooair.com.au

MHD EXHIBITOR LISTING

TOOWOOMBA ENTERPRISE HUB

1018

Toowoomba is the economic and commercial hub of the Darling Downs and is the trade gateway of the region. It houses one of the most significant transport, logistics and business hubs to be seen in Australia. It is well connected for business bringing air, road and rail connectivity together in one strategic location ideal for proactive businesses and forwardthinking investors. The intermodal opportunity is highly sought-after by efficient companies with key supply chain links.

TRAILER MAGAZINE

3209

Trailer magazine is Australia’s first and only publication dedicated to trailers, truck bodies and ancillary equipment. Produced 11 times a year, each issue of Trailer magazine reaches over 10,500 readers from every segment of the transport industry. Bringing all of the latest in innovative technology and breaking industry news, Trailer magazine provides an ideal combination of direct advertising and technical based editorial to assist readers in making informed purchasing decisions. www.trailermag.com.au

TRANSPORT CERTIFICATION AUSTRALIA (TCA)

1300

Transport Certification Australia (TCA) is a national organisation that provides assurance services relating to transport technologies and data to enable improved public purpose outcomes from road transport. Their services include improved road safety, transport efficiency, freight productivity, asset management and sustainability. TCA is a trusted partner to government and industry stakeholders. www.tca.gov.au

www.tsbe.com.au

TRANSVIRTUAL

1103

Do you run a delivery, courier, pointto-point, transport, warehouse or freight management company?

TransVirtual is a modern, fullyfeatured transport management system. They create the links between every customer, agent, sender, receiver, depot, driver, administrator, and manager to access the information you need.

TransVirtual enables live tracking, ETA and cost transparency, and integrates with all leading national carriers including DHL, Mainfreight, Border Express, Aramex and more. www.transvirtual.co

TRITECH LUBRICANTS

TRUCKSTOPS CACI

TriTech Lubricants was built on a foundation of operating primarily as a lubricant toll blending, packaging and logistics company, backed by a high level of service and technical support. Their products are blended using OEM approved formulations and developed to meet or exceed industry specifications, complying with SAE, API, ACEA and ISO guidelines. TriTech products are manufactured under strict ISO 9001-2015 quality endorsed manufacturing systems and backed by our product guarantee.

Truckstops routing software is one of the world’s most widely used vehicle routing and scheduling solutions, offering multi-drop and multi-route planning quickly and efficiently. It uses information from your vehicles, drivers, goods transported, job prioritisation and specific time windows, plus more. The benefits include reduced distance travelled, elimination of the the need for 3PL contractors, reduced time spent planning and more.

2421

1020

www.truckstopsrouting.com

www.tritechlubricants.com

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 83

TVH

WIM TECHNOLOGIES

X-PAK GLOBAL

With over 775,000 stocked references and 42,000,000 known cross-references, at TVH you will find quality parts and accessories for material handling, industrial and agricultural equipment.

TVH is continually expanding their product range by following new trends and looking for new partnerships, to ensure you will find everything you need. Whether you want fully managed industrial equipment monitoring or the tools to improve functionality, TVH deliver customised solutions to some of the world’s largest companies.

WIM Technologies is the official Australian distributor of Weigh In Motion (WIM) weighbridge systems developed by global leaders Intercomp. Utilising Intercomp’s exclusive RFX® wireless weighing technology, their portable or permanent weighbridges provide highly accurate readings.

Available for lease or purchase, WIM weighbridges help boost productivity and ensure load limit compliance.

X-Pak is an Australian family-owned company specialising in strapping, lashing and dunnage systems to secure items for transport. Their range is well known and respected within the national transport and logistics industry. From securing awkward or heavy items onto pallets through to securing machinery or palletised loads inside containers for export or rail freight, they have your every load security requirement covered.

3003

2406

www.wimtech.com.au

3106

www.xpak.com.au

www.tvh.com

YARNO

1019

Yarno is training software that is perfect for workers in the supply chain and logistics industry who don’t sit behind a desk. The platform utilises state-of-the-art microlearning technology and cognitive science to embed critical information and help uncover potential knowledge gaps in your workforce. Working with some of the most innovative names in the supply chain sector, Yarno gamifies the learning experience by sending questions to a learner’s device in the form of a daily quiz, so they can do Yarno anytime, anywhere. www.yarno.com.au

84 | MHD AUGUST 2021

YOUR LOGO COULD BE HERE

If you want to be involved in MEGATRANS2022, please get in touch using the details below: E megatrans@primecreative.com.au P (0)3 9690 8766

REIMAGINING T H E S U P P LY C H A I N

PROUD PARTNER

Department of Transport

S U P P O R T I N G S P ONS OR

M E L B O U R N E C O N V E N T I O N & E H X H I

CONFERENCE TICKETS

B

NOW ON SALE

I T I O N

One of the first trade expos post-COVID, MEGATRANS is the critical event for the freight and logistics supply chain to get your brand in front of customers again.

N

M E G AT R A N S . C O M . A U

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C E

R CO N F E RE N C E SP O N SO R S

ASSOCI ATI ON PARTNER S

ACCREDITATION PARTNER

E

MEGATRANS FLOORPLAN

Seminar Seminar Theatre Theatre 1 1

1322 1323 1422 142 1322 1323 1422 1320 1320

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STEP DOWN BULKHEAD STEP DOWN 2.75m BULKHEAD FLOOR TO 2.75m BULKHEAD FLOOR HEIGHT TO BULKHEAD HEIGHT

86 | MHD AUGUST 2021

MHD FLOORPLAN LOW TV 2370H

LOW TV 2370H

3525

4049 404 3525 5

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2011

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IFCBAA Hub

2306 IFCBAA Hub

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3321

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MHD AUGUST 2021 | 87

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MEGATRANS QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE EXHIBITOR

STAND

Datanet Asia Pacific Pty Ltd

3405

DEAN World Cargo

2206H

A-Safe Australia (UK)

2506

Dematic

1419

Ahrens Group Pty Ltd

3021

Diesel Magazine

3209

AI Drive

2003

Direct Mail Corporation

3006

Allotrac

3009

Diverseco

2403

ANC DISTRIBUTION Australia Pty Ltd

1106

DriveRisk

2321

ANL & CMA CGM

2004

Ecycle Solutions

2327

Australian Border Force

2000

eForklift Pty Ltd

3016

Australian Sweeper Company

3206

Envirofluid

3303

Automation Systems & Controls

3403

Ferret.com.au

4108

Bailey Ladders

1520

Findex

1602

BHD Storage Solutions

2007

Fischer Plastic Products Pty Ltd.

1213

Big Rigs

1010

Flinders Port Holdings

2103

BluJay Solutions

1509

Food & Beverage Industry News

4108

Bustle Technology

1418

Gaprie Ltd

3415

Carmate Electronics Pty Ltd

3408

Gilbarco Australia Pty Ltd

3107

Cascade Australia

1409

Global GPS Tracking

1500

Cincom Systems of Australia Pty Ltd

3306

Global Trailer

3209

Cipherlab Co., Ltd

3203

Hard Surface Cleaners

3301

Colliers International

2016

Haulmax Tyres

1523

Combilift

2203

INFOCOMM SOFTWARE

1204

Conquest Equipment Technologies

2416

IVS / LoadSMART Weighing Systems

1315

Cotewell – Line Marking

3302

KAB Seating

1517

CRT News

3209

KOBOT SYSTEMS PTY LTD

3409

Damon Australia Pty. Ltd.

3000

Kynection

1212

88 | MHD AUGUST 2021

MHD QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

Lavender Panels

1519

Protection Experts Australia

1521

Leopard Systems

1412

PTV Group

1500

Linkt

1112

R&R Corporate Health

1309

Loscam Australia Pty Ltd

2408

Retailquip

2216

M2M One

1006

Sadleirs Logistics

2218

Manufacturers' Monthly

4108

Scanreco

1218

McLardy McShane

1518

Trelleborg Wheel Systems Aust.

2306

McNaughtans

1511

Truckwiz, Australian Truck Navigation

1600

Merit Manufacturing

1415

Truckworld

1012

MHD Supply Chain Solutions

1400

Step Global Pty Ltd

1203

Microlise APAC

1306

3400

Microlistics & SmartFreight

2308

Supply Chain Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA)

MTData

1406

SWEEPERS AUSTRALIA

2303

Multi-Mover

1316

Teletrac Navman

1503

Muscat Trailers P/L

3018

ToooAir Pty Ltd

1004

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

1109

Toowoomba Enterprise Hub

1018

Netstar

1017

Trailer Magazine

3209

Nilfisk

2317

Transport Certification Australia (TCA)

1300

Pathtech – Drug Detection

3404

TransVirtual

1103

Peacock Bros Pty Ltd

3007

TriTech Lubricants

2421

Port of Newcastle

2005

Truckstops CACI

1020

Power Wash Cleaning Systems

1317

TVH

3003

Precision Automotive Equipment

1506

WIM Technologies

2406

Prime Mover Magazine

3209

X-Pak Global

3106

Process and Control Engineering (PACE)

4108

Yarno

1019

Programmed Skilled Workforce

1313

MHD AUGUST 2021 | 89

MHD FROM ASCI

ASCI UPDATE The latest from the Australasian Supply Chain Institute.

Registration under ASCI’s Professional Accreditation Scheme offers an equitable, rigorous, evidence-based process to be recognised for your career achievements for eligibility into either Associate or Practitioner Registration via four streams – procurement, operations, logistics, and integrated logistics support.

Please see our website for more information and how to register.

PRESIDENT’S UPDATE Chapter representation on the ASCI Board Regional Chapter representation on the ASCI Board allows for better strategic alignment and greater agility to respond to market opportunities. Our new ASCI Board Directors are: • Christine Miller (VIC)

Brendan O’Keeffe.

• Flavio Macau (WA) • Justin Butcher (QLD) • Mark Skrzypiec (NSW)

Heidy Chow.

New leadership for Victorian Chapter ASCI has announced new leadership for the ASCI Victorian Chapter, ASCI’s second largest region.

The new appointments (volunteer roles) include: • Christine Miller, Chapter President • Daniel Majman, Chapter Vice President • Terry Bloom, Chapter Secretary • Martin Lewis, Committee member • Lee Rowland, Committee member.

The Victorian ASCI supply chain community is largely dominated by FMCG and manufacturing supply chain specialists who have a keen interest in S&OP advancements as well as Industry 4.0 technology.

NATIONAL OFFICE RESTRUCTURE

ASCI2021 will provide clarity and ideas for future-proofing supply chains in the next decade.

After five years with ASCI, Monique Fenech has moved on to progress her marketing career. We would like to thank Monique for her outstanding contribution to ASCI’s success over the past years.

Join ASCI and take steps towards your professional career pathway in 2021. Membership starts at $275 with concessions available upon evidence of your employment situation or membership to another association. Visit: www.asci.org.au/Join Scan the QR code to buy your ASCI2021 Ticket.

90 | MHD AUGUST 2021

MHD FROM ASCI been appointed on a part time basis to maintain membership service and enquiries. Email: heidy.chow@ asci.org.au • B usiness Development – Brendan O’Keeffe, an expert with vast knowledge of the ASCI community, has been appointed on a part time basis to manage corporate members.

Email: brendan.okeeffe@asci.org.au • M arketing – Hillary Smith, a strategic marketing and communications professional with a wealth of knowledge, has been appointed in an outsourced part time capacity to drive awareness of the profession in the wider business community. Email: hillarysmith@ asci.org.au

Hillary Smith.

With change comes opportunity, and we at ASCI have taken the opportunity to review our future requirements. As such, the Sales and Marketing function has been split into three part-time roles: • I nformation and Membership – Heidy Chow, an expert in APICS and memberships, X7certifications ad MHD print ready.pdf 1 7/13/21has2:57

ASCI CONTINUED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

PM

• 5 August 2021 Certified Stores and Stock Controller: Online Certification Review 14 sessions, online • 2 5 August 2021

Leadership Series: National Skills Week | 1CPD Webinar • 2 September 2021 APICS CPIM Part 2 - Online Certification Review 20 sessions, online • 7 September 2021 APICS CPIM Part 1 (Basics of Supply Chain Management) - Online Certification Review 11 sessions, online • 20 October 2021 Leadership Series: Global Ethics Day | 1 CPD Webinar • O ctober or November (dates to be confirmed) ASCI2021 Supply Chain Vision in the decade for Action | 20 CPD Conference (hybrid format – face to face/virtual) Visit our website: www.asci-2021.com.au ■ For more information contact enquiries@asci.org.au.

THE FUTURE OF PACKAGING IS HERE

The next evolution of Packaging Automation

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MHD SCLAA

There are various strategies for attracting and retaining supply chain talent.

TALENT SHORTAGE A WEAK LINK IN SUPPLY CHAIN T

Michael Farragher of the SCLAA Training, Education and Development Committee shares his thoughts on the talent shortage in supply chain, why it matters, and strategies to address it.

alent shortage is a weak link, and creating major concerns for organisations across the supply chain sector, a fact highlighted during this pandemic. Reasons for talent shortage include employee turnover, industrial growth, insufficient talent to meet demand, and changing technologies.

There are three major parties that influence the availability and skill of supply chain talent: employers, training and education organisations, and individuals. We can certainly tick the employers and training and education boxes. There are many organisations out there – such as TAFE NSW – offering various courses in areas across supply operations. They offer various short courses, delivered face to face or by connected learning, that award certificates up to a diploma.

The problem lies with a shortfall of individuals entering the industry, as well as current staff not upskilling.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), one in five businesses

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(21 per cent) reported having difficulty finding suitably skilled and qualified staff. ABS Head of Industry Statistics, John Shepherd, says the latest Business Impacts of COVID-19 Survey shows businesses have plans to hire staff but are facing skills shortages.

WHY CHOOSE A CAREER IN SUPPLY CHAIN? 1. J ob growth – Supply chain is a rapidly expanding sector, especially with the increase in e-commerce businesses.

2. R easonably low barrier to entry – You don’t have to have a degree to get a role in supply chain! The right attitude, a strong work ethic, and basic knowledge around operations and health and safety will get you a role as a picker and packer in an organisation.

Starting near the bottom of the ladder means that the only direction to move is up! Given the diversity of industries and roles it follows that there is an equally extensive opportunity to develop a portfolio of personal and professional skills.

3. O pportunities for advancement – Within supply chain there are ample opportunities to move from entrylevel roles to middle-management, and further up to director-level positions. In most companies supply chain jobs include planning, strategic procurement, logistics management, forklift operation, despatching, scheduling, inventory control, assembly, processing, planning, buying, sourcing, packaging, quality control, inventory management, space planning, supplier management, capacity and lean management, process design and transformation, IT systems development and management, repair and recycling, expense management and financial controls, resource planning, analytics, cash flow management, training and education, and much more.

4. D evelopment of transferrable skills – Whether you are just starting your career or have years of experience under your belt, you possess transferable skills that employers

MHD SCLAA

are looking for in the supply chain sector. Identifying, developing and articulating those skills is crucial to career development. Skills may include relationship and financial management, negotiation skills, time and project management, adaptability, strategic thinking, conflict resolution, problem solving and technology literacy.

5. H igh Pay – As these new opportunities are established and the role of supply chain and logistics becomes ever more vital, the demand and competition for top talent to serve as strategic leaders is likely to increase, resulting in competitive salaries, especially in management roles and higher.

6. E mbracing exciting technologies – Technologies such as the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, predictive analytics, 3D printing, autonomous vehicles, and drones are all foundational elements that will make revolutionary changes to supply chain.

STRATEGIES TO ATTRACT SUPPLY CHAIN TALENT • A lign your supply chain operations strategy and your staffing needs • Focus on the candidate’s career path • W ork with your People and Culture department to create reasonable job postings • I mprove your company’s reputation • A llow for professional mobility and growth inside and outside of your supply chain operations • B ecome actively engaged in your industry and tap into the value of industry boards and associations.

STRATEGIES FOR RETAINING SUPPLY CHAIN TALENT • F oster a diverse work culture • R ecognise and develop the talent you already have and encourage professional development • Provide coaching and mentorship • P rovide the kind of individual feedback that reinforces and builds confidence and high-performance

Supply chain is broad enough to encompass diverse career goals and aspirations.

• B uild empowered and effective networks with the express goal of generating opportunities for leadership growth • P ut in place challenging and aspirational career paths for your staff.

The amazing thing about working in supply chain is that there is literally something for everyone.

Supply chain is so broad and extensive that anyone selecting this career path can find something to fulfill their goals and objectives. ■

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MHD ALC

ROAD USER PRICING NEEDS TO FAIRLY CAPTURE COSTS The ALC insists the Government investigate the validity of heavy vehicles paying three times more than light vehicles for access to toll roads.

F

reight affects every Australian, every day, everywhere. Common goods purchased by Australians such as food, clothing, household appliances and medicine all need to be transported by freight operators.

The freight supply chain provides the materials to build and operate critical community infrastructure like roads, hospitals and schools.

An inefficient and unproductive national supply chain can ultimately result in lost export income, reduced employment, higher consumer prices and Australia becoming less competitive in the global market.

The ALC believes road pricing processes should fairly capture all the relevant cost components of roads, without distorting the choice of transport unfairly – particularly from rail to road.

There have been two inquiries into road tolling recently conducted by the New South Wales Legislative Council.

A specific issue of concern is that heavy vehicles have a toll imposed that is three times higher than car tolls.

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The economic rationale behind the three-time multiplier has never been explained.

Heavy vehicles currently pay road user charges for using Australia’s roads, through a pay-as-you-go model (PAYGO).

In a nutshell, PAYGO is designed to recover the allocated proportion of the amount jurisdictions spent on the construction and maintenance of roads over the previous five years.

Australian governments are now considering a new pricing mechanism – that is being developed under a project called Heavy Vehicle Road Reform (HVRR) – to replace PAYGO. The HVRR concept calculates cost on a “forward-looking basis” using the “building block” method of developing charges used in the water, rail and electricity sectors.

Both methods are meant only to require heavy vehicles fund the additional maintenance costs incurred as a result of the road infrastructure carrying a heavy vehicle – rather than establishing a profit centre for

“

The ALC believes road pricing processes should fairly capture all the relevant cost components of roads, without distorting the choice of transport unfairly – particularly from rail to road.

”

MHD ALC

The toll for heavy vehicles is three times higher than that for cars.

road owners, based on a seemingly arbitrary three-time multiplier.

Reports have surfaced that trucks are avoiding using the nine-kilometre NorthConnex tunnel because of onerous costs. This leads to freight chain inefficiencies and adds to road congestion.

The toll road pricing regime should support other government policies designed to ensure the efficient movement of freight, particularly within the Sydney Metropolitan area – such as port rail mode share targets.

As the NSW Government has said: A Strategic Target of the NSW Freight and Ports Plan 2018-2023 is to increase the share of rail freight at Port Botany to 28 per cent or 930,000 TEU by 2021 (against a 2016 baseline of 17 per cent or 388,552 TEU).

Transporting freight on the rail network significantly improves efficiency, congestion and sustainability, especially around major trade gateways. This is important as

the volume of freight moved through NSW ports will grow in the future.

This strategic target has not been met.

The government road pricing principles need to consider the objectives of other relevant polices such, as the NSW Freight and Ports Plan and the NSW Ports Masterplan, to increase the level of rail freight movement.

Australia’s freight system needs to be planned and considered as a total, connected, end-to-end supply chain. Only when supply chains are utilised from an endto-end solutions perspective are all modes of freight able to benefit and maximise productivity and efficiency gains. ■

MHD Supply Chain

MHD SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS NOW ON LINKEDIN

Follow us on LinkedIn Join MHD Supply Chain News for the latest news and insight www.linkedin.com/showcase/mhd-supply-chain-news

MHD PRODUCT SHOWCASE

GEOTAB’S GO9 DEVICE

NEW TOTE-TO-BIN AMR SOLUTION BY KÖRBER

Completely redesigned and enhanced, the Geotab GO9 device is optimised for the collection and analysis of near real-time vehicle data. The GO9 features a faster processor, more memory, and a gyroscope. Expanded capacity allows even more and ongoing vehicle support, including better fuel usage support, and increased electric vehicle compatibility.

Körber’s tote-to-bin automation solution is powered by Geek+ C200M featuring high picking efficiency, high-density double-deep storage capabilities, and narrow aisle design.

Using Geotab’s patented tracking algorithm, the GO9 accurately recreates vehicle trips and analyses incidents. The GO9 also offers in-vehicle alerts to instantly notify drivers of infractions and – with hardware Add-Ons – provides live coaching for driver’s on-road performance.

To find out more, visit www.geotab.com/au/vehicle-tracking-device

The C200M AMR is designed to operate in narrow aisles, reach new heights and increase warehouse storage capacity. The robots add efficiency to existing facilities and increase the storage capacity of a manual warehouse by up to 250 per cent.

The tote-to-bin solution is a game-changer for a number of different businesses, large or small. From small start-up operations of 500 sqm to Australia’s larger state of the art fulfilment centres that can use it as a modular system for targeted SKUs. This solution is ideal for any customer with products that fit into totes. Apparel, fashion, healthcare, small tools and beauty are some of the categories that work well with this solution. It is also a great fit for micro-fulfilment operations and frontof-store replenishment.

To find out more, email marketing. sc.mel@koerber-supplychain.com or visit www.koerber-supplychain.com

LEOPARD SYSTEMS MAKES ANDROID MIGRATION EASIER Ageing mobile devices can be unsecure and costly to manage.

Boost warehouse and supply chain productivity by migrating to the latest Android platform and rugged Zebra mobile devices. Leopard Systems are the experts in managing some of Australia’s largest Android deployments, having refreshed in excess of 30,000 devices nationally. Leopard Systems provide a methodical system and process to migrate any business from legacy technology to the latest Android platform including a review of existing processes, device selection and procurement, configuration, installation and migration, support, device retirement and everything in between.

For more information, email info@leopardsystems.com.au or visit www.leopardsystems.com.au

BECKHOFF’S NEW INTEGRATED COMPACT MOTOR CONTROLLER With the new EP7402 EtherCAT Box from Beckhoff, the control architecture and cabling of roller conveyor systems become significantly more efficient. With the high IP67 protection rating, this compact motor controller for BLDC motors is ideally suited for conveyor tasks in intralogistics and assembly technology – as well as in the packaging, food and beverage industries.

The EP7402 EtherCAT Box offers two outputs with integrated motion controller for the direct connection of 24 V DC conveyor roller motors or other BLDC motors (up to 3.5 A). Eight additional digital inputs/outputs enable connection of e.g. photoelectric switches and communication between the different box modules in operation without a PLC. The EP7402 takes over the complete control of a roller motor independently of the conveyor or motor manufacturer.

The control of the motors is sensorless. Maximum rated current, acceleration or deceleration ramps and various other parameters can be configured, allowing optimal adaptation to different applications.

For more information, visit www.beckhoff.com/en-au/company/ press/pressemitteilungen_23509.html MHD AUGUST 2021 | 97

MHD PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE A monthly wrap up of the latest appointments in the supply chain, materials handling and logistics industry.

NEW CHAPTER PRESIDENT FOR ASCI VICTORIA

HERE TECHNOLOGIES APPOINTS NEW SVP

Christine Miller was recently appointed Chapter President for ASCI’s Victorian Chapter. Christine is a senior executive leader with international experience in

Location data and technology platform, HERE Technologies, announced in June the appointment of Jason Jameson as Senior Vice President and General Manager for Asia Pacific. In his new role, Jason will be

supply chain. She currently leads CBRE’s Supply Chain Advisory practice in the Pacific Region and supports mentoring of emerging supply chain talent.

ARMAGUARD GROUP’S NEW CEO Mick Cronin has been appointed Armaguard Group’s new Chief Executive Officer. Mick joins the business most recently from Linfox Logistics, where he held the role of President, Retail since 2018. He will guide Armaguard Group as it continues to focus on supporting customers and communities through the COVID-19 recovery.

responsible for identifying opportunities for customers, partners and developers across industries. He joins HERE from IBM.

BPS HAS NEW DIRECTOR OF AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS Bruce Drayton of DCL Solutions has joined the BPS Global (Australia) team of experienced senior operators as Automation and Robotics Director. Bruce’s experience further enhances BPS Global’s existing strength in localised expertise serving the logistics, supply chain and automated warehouse industries.

Do you have career news to share? Email Edward Cranswick at Edward.Cranswick@primecreative.com.au to be featured.

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