The Logistics Point
September 2020 Issue #8
Hermes’ Covid-19 Story
Hermes fought Covid-19 with communication and flexibility. Carl Lyon, Hermes’ Chief Operations Officer, spoke to The Logistics Point about what is next for the company.
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14
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Industrial & Logistics
The peculiar state of global
The Logistics 2020 still strong Point, Issue 8 - September shipping
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Who is replacing China on the US market?
Our Audience 56%
13%
Logistics & Supply Chain
Warehouse & Construction
4%
4%
Manufacturing
IT & Software
Our Achievements 1500
600+
Monthly Impressions
Unique Online Users
1000+
300+
Social Media Followers
On Our Direct Mailing List
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
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Editor's note Let’s evaluate It will be long before we stop talking about the world pandemic and how it affected supply chains. Seems like everything from now on will be divided between what happened before and what after. For Hermes, one of UK’s leading courier companies, evaluating their response has already started. The company shares its success with us and what are the next step in its strategy to grow and remain strong. For others, however, the crisis brought a lot of problems and it is uncertain if some will survive it. For now, the Industrial & Logistics market remains strong and resilient. Shipping is another well-performing market. Liner companies have successfully survived but their customers might have a harder time. The problem of crew changes is still their and the sector is becoming desperate to solve it as soon as possible. If we turn to America, where Covid-19 is still raging in full power, we will see a different story. Firms are on the look for the countries that can replace China. That mission is nearly impossible but has to be done for many reasons, American experts claim. Consumers are also adding to the mix with their own thoughts on what is best. Some are turning to the resale market that is expected to grow in the next few years. So that time has come to evaluate what and how we did and what is next! Nick Bozhilov nick@thelogisticspoint.com
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
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In this edition Hermes succeeds with communication & flexibility Carl Lyon, Chief Operations Officer at Hermes
The perfect storm that elevated supply chains How Covid-19 made supply chains a top priority
Why Industrial & Logistics will remain resilient By Will Laing, Savills research analyst
The peculiar state of global shipping Peter Sand, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO
Who can take China’s place on the US market? Replacing China will not be an easy task for America
Culture of quality: good level in disruption Bryan Klein, research director, Gartner Supply Chain Practice
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
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Fashion resale market grows Young people would pay more if they can sell their clothes
Five key drivers for agile fulfilment By Frazer Watson, Head of Sales for Hikrobot, Invar Systems
Space optimisation on the rise after lockdown Jonathan Ellis, Head of Sales at BiGDUG
Are we entering the fourth era of public transport? Philippe Vappereau, CEO Calypso Networks Association
How to safely buy a used ATEX forklift Darren Boiling, Materials Handling Sales Manager, Pyroban
How TPPL technology has broadened battery choice for material handling electric vehicles
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Hermes focuses on good communication and flexibility to fight Covid-19 Hermes UK is looking for over 10.5K ‘parcel people’ to join its business as it invests £100 million to expand its capacity to meet the huge demand created by people shopping at home during lockdown and the continuing growth in the sector. Carl Lyon, Hermes’ Chief Operations Officer spoke to The Logistics Point about what is next for the company. What conclusions have you drawn from
gym equipment before slowly returning to
the end of lockdown and how you
other items such as clothes.
performed? In just four weeks, we ramped up our It is no secret that when lockdown happened
capacity and we are now running at almost
every
twice the volumes we handled before the
business
in
every
industry
was
affected. Initially our volumes started to slow
lockdown.
down but that continued just for the first couple of weeks. After that people started to
In the carrier industry we are used to
get used to the ‘new normal’ and the reality
handling a busy time from Black Friday
that this would continue for a while, so they
through to Christmas and we have a lot of
turned to online shopping. It helped them get
levers that we can pull in our operations to
what they needed and wanted.
ramp up for this, but we normally have more time to plan!
To start with people ordered necessities like toiletries and food items, then garden and
As a result, we were able to adapt very well
…..
….
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“In
just four weeks, we
ramped up our capacity and we are now running at almost twice the volumes we handled before the lockdown.
”
and brought in many of these principles
Hermes hub in Rugby. Processing almost 1 million parcels a day.
whilst embedding a local customer service model. One of the positives was that the roads were clear and people were generally
How do you plan to cope with the
at home all the time so it made our deliveries
increase in online demand and the
easier.
traditional peak periods like Christmas?
How much of the new online demand will
We rely on good information from our retail
stay on?
customers to understand what they need and help predict volumes. We have a very
Hermes has announced 10,500 new roles
strong central planning team that look at
and we are building the equivalent of ten
historic volumes, trends, and our network
new sites. All of that is based on the fact that
capacity. Flexibility within the network is key
we think volumes will remain high, although
to be able to ride the peaks and support our
it is hard to predict exactly.
retail customers.
→
New recruits The company is looking for around 1500 full-time staff, including some roles at its head office in Yorkshire, and throughout
its
UK
network
for
drivers,
warehouse
operatives, managers and supervisors. There are also opportunities
for
another
9K
self-employed
couriers
nationwide, who will have the option of becoming SE+ couriers with guaranteed holiday7 pay as part of Hermes’ ground-breaking deal with the GMB Union.
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
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Working from home What were the main problems that you faced during the lockdown and how did you deal with them?
Hermes supported its employees during the lockdown. The company made a few key changes to its operations to facilitate working from home without sacrificing the quality of its
From day one keeping our employees and network of couriers safe was key. For office staff this was more straightforward as we decided that they could all work at home and were able to achieve this in just 3 days.
service. ‘We adapted very quickly and did our best to use more technology so people can easily work from home,’ explains Carl Lyon. Тhe company has already spent over £5 million on PPE and seen a 20% reduction in staffing levels due
This is something that often happens during
to
necessary
operational
changes,
8
self-isolation and social distancing.
our Christmas peak anyway to make the
in line with government guidelines along with
necessary room for temporary seasonal staff
increased hygiene measures. For couriers
in the building where they can be trained and
we implemented strict safety protocols at
supervised.
sub depots and were the first delivery company to introduce contactless deliveries.
The IT team were on hand to support this
We have also implemented new safety
with new laptops and to provide the
protocols
necessary tech support. We did the same for
ParcelShops which have seen volumes
our ParcelShop support teams and our
doubled. The main challenge was to ensure
courier help desks.
that we had the resources to handle the
for
our
national
network
of
phenomenal volume of parcels as the UK In the depots we changed all our operating
public turned to home delivery to get what
procedures to encompass social distancing
they needed.✷
...
Carl Lyon Carl Lyon is COO at Hermes UK, the leading consumer delivery specialist, delivering over 400 million parcels each year on behalf of the UK’s leading retailers. Lyon has been with the business for over 7 years in a number of senior operation roles including Operations Director. He has been a member of the Hermes UK main board for three years and has successfully developed its delivery model with the introduction of industry leading technology and the launch of SE+ - a new employment model for Hermes’ network of self-employed couriers. Carl also helped to create Hermes’ unique ParcelShop and locker network – the largest in the country. Prior to this, he held roles at Christian Salvesen, TNT Post and Post NL.
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
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The perfect storm that elevated supply chains Recent years have seen a lot of changes in
“Ultimately human connection sits on top of
the way supply chain organisations operate
everything,” River continues, “and platforms
and work with one another. Collaboration is
can speed up transactions but firstly people
the new buzzword but many struggle to
have to want to do business together.”
understand how they can implement a successful strategy that will protect internal
“There is nothing like a good catastrophe to
interests and at the same time bring partners
elevate supply chains in the ranks,” adds
closer together to create a shared value
Mike Races, SVP Supply Chain at Sephora.
chain.
He concludes that leadership alignment is critical
and
firms
need
to
invest
in
“Consumers are looking for new experiences
automation that is supported by HQ. His
and for many brands this will mean investing
advice is to create a strategy when things
in new technologies,” says Saif River, VP
are going well and tell people immediately
Retail Industry Leader, IBM Supply Chain at
when there are troubles. Additionally firms
the
2020.
should align their inventory with sales and
“Customers are more tech savvy and are not
not with budget. A strategy that has kept
looking for the lowest cost anymore but want
Sephora going even during lockdown.
virtual
Retail
Supply
Chain
to optimise price and brands that reflect their beliefs.”
What is adding to this is the need for more transparency. Buyers are keener that ever to
Organisations should look both internally
get greater visibility and want updates on
and externally as supply chain managers
their orders constantly. This will differentiate
can no longer operate independently and
good from bad and those who will survive
they affect the wider organisation and brand.
from
All parts of the company should be on board
non-sustainable companies enjoy higher
and systematic issues with partners should
margins which could prove to be the real
be addressed. That does not only include
problem. ✷
private
but
also
public
bodies
those
who
won’t.
Unfortunately,
and
governments. ……………………...
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
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Why the industrial & logistics sector is set to remain resilient regardless of Covid-19 By Will Laing, Savills research analyst. It is extraordinary to think how much the
However,
world has changed since Savills last Big
materialise, online retail already accounts for
Shed Briefing market update at the start of
19.2p in every pound spent in the shops.
2020.
What’s more, forecasters now suggest that
Covid-19
lockdown
and
threw
up
the a
subsequent number
of
unprecedented challenges, many of which
even
if
this
uptick
doesn’t
we could see this increase to as much as 28p by 2024.
have proven just how essential the UK industrial and logistics sector is to our daily
Peace of mind
lives.
Consequently,
logistics
real
estate
is
benefiting from this behavioural shift, which In many respects supply chains have been
is reflected in the half-year take-up figures.
tested to the limit, initially to feed the nation
Take-up for H1 2020 reached 22.4 million sq
and provide essential services to cope with
ft, the best on record, 38% above 2019 and
the
66% above the long term average. It is also
pandemic,
consumers
before
could
non-essential
ensuring
still
purchases
that
make
other
via
online
platforms.
interesting to note that
just 11% was for
deals where the lease is less than 12 months due to Covid-19, substantially lower than initial predictions.
As we continue to adapt to this new normal, some interesting statistics are emerging
On the supply side, the market paints a very
providing evidence that the shift to online
different picture to where it was at the time of
retail is set to rise more rapidly than earlier
the last Global Financial Crisis (GFC), which
forecasts
should provide some peace of mind. ...
ever
expected.
Online
now
accounts for 33% of all retail sales, up from 21% at the start of the year. In fact, should
“Over 40 million sq ft of new supply would
this rate of growth continue over the next 12 months, an additional 14.9 million sq ft of
be required to see vacancy levels rise to 12%
warehouse space will be required to service normal
levels
of
demand.
– a tipping point for rental growth to stop.
”
…………………………...
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
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Then, almost 100 million sq ft of warehouse space was available, reflecting a vacancy rate of close to 25%. Today, supply is just over 36 million sq ft with levels of vacancy at 6.58% or less in many parts of the country.
There is also just 6.25 million sq ft of speculative development under construction due for delivery in 2020. Those underway are set to continue, but we are not anticipating
any
new
speculative
announcements in the short-term.
Furthermore, Savills research has created a model that projects vacancy rates going forward within various parameters, and even
Speculative development
in a downside scenario where we assume
Given the economic climate, a key metric to
over 15 million sq ft of supply will return to
monitor will be levels of second hand supply,
the market, vacancy rates rise to just 11.4%,
as this could point to a rise in tenant
...
→
defaults. Whilst too early to be defined as a trend, the level of supply for grades B and C stock has risen by 9% to 17.46m sq ft in the past six months.
Although a cause for concern, it should be noted that over 40 million sq ft of new supply would be required to see vacancy levels rise to 12% – a tipping point for rental growth to stop.
The recent prudent levels of speculative development will help to offset an increase in vacancy arising from tenant default. Some regions in the UK now have no big shed speculative development under construction whatsoever.
Consequently, it is highly unlikely that vacancy rates will return to post GFC levels.
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
11
“Given the economic climate, a key metric to monitor will be levels of second hand supply, as this could point to a rise in tenant defaults. ” which is still below the aforementioned 12%
affected by Covid-19. Capital markets all but
tipping point.
ceased during the height of lockdown as investors
struggled
Looking forward, as the lifting of restrictions
diligence
and
moves into its next phase, we expect the
assumptions. However, as it became clear
market will also perform differently when
that inspections and surveys could be
compared to the immediate aftermath of
carried
lockdown. On the demand side, requirement
distancing and that occupiers were still
levels have rebounded sharply after a slow
taking space at pre-Covid rental levels,
April and early May, but this lag should mean
confidence
that take-up for ‘churn stock’ in H2 is slower
transactions continued to increase.
out
to
undertake
underwrite
whilst
returned,
rental
growth
maintaining
and
the
due
social
rate
of
than normal. Given the market turbulence across all Furthermore, as government support comes
sectors and high levels of uncertainty, it is
to
encouraging
an
end
in
the
autumn,
consumer
to
report
that
logistics
confidence is likely to fall. Bearing in mind
investment volumes have reached £1.12bn
that almost two thirds of demand is related to
for H1, a fall of just 26% when compared
retail, it is unlikely that the current levels of
with H1 2019.
take-up will be sustained. This is despite the growth of online shopping increasing at
In terms of pricing, during lockdown Savills
levels not seen since 2008.
prime yields have moved out 25bps and now stand at 4.50% for prime single let logistics
Investment market
units and 4.25% for multi-let industrial
The investment market has also been
estates. However, as lockdown has been
……….
eased and market activity has returned, positive sentiment and competitive tension is again putting negative pressure on these yields.
Throughout
this
period
one
thing
has
remained certain, that industrial and logistics is still a top pick for investors, especially due to the expectation that it will continue to ...
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
12
be resilient and outperform in the current market.
Just-in-case More generally, the pandemic has indeed tested supply chains to their limits. The current
‘just-in-time’
model
has
little
resilience, which has prompted a shift towards more of a ‘just-in-case’ scenario. As a result, we have seen an uptick in companies seeking to build in extra ‘safety
Will Laing, Savills research analyst.
stock’ in order to mitigate future supply chain risks, leading to more warehouse demand.
reliance on labour, whilst simultaneously
Further to this, we have begun to see global
securing efficiency gains. The shift towards
supply chains come under review with a
automation will impact the specification of
move towards near-shoring. This should
buildings and their locations as there will no
increase demand for space closer to the
longer be a requirement to locate near large
consumer market.
labour pools, but rather a heightened need for sites which have access to power.
Automation and robots Finally, we have seen Covid-19 stimulate a
Ultimately, the sector has proven remarkably
rise in companies seeking to increase their
resilient in the face of Covid-19 and its
use of automation and robots for warehouse
strong fundamentals should ensure it stays
and transport operations to reduce their
that way despite future uncertainty. ✷
…….
August
Read previous editions
July
June
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
May 13
The peculiar state of global shipping The state of the shipping industry raises
services and by doing so they have created
many questions. Liner companies have
a much better, but artificial balance on the
successfully
but
market. “This has helped them, and they
customers are now faced with fewer choices.
avoided falling freight rates,” Sand explains.
Markets in Europe and North America are
Liner companies might operate on longer
slow to recover but Asia is picking up.
term contracts but what is noticeable is that
adjusted
to
Covid-19
volumes on the Spot Market (where goods “Where we are now is a peculiar point in
are traded for immediate delivery) have
many
Chief
benefited greatly by the new strategy.
Shipping Analyst at BIMCO for The Logistics
BIMCO believes these changes will stay for
Point. Liner companies’ profitability is high
at least another year as volumes for 2020
despite the low volumes and the worst year
and 2021 will be under what they were in
they have had for a decade. To understand
2019. Liners are expected to continue
the situation the industry is in, Sand
adjusting sailings and add blank sailings to
suggests looking back to 2009 and the
match the real demand.
ways,”
says
Peter
Sand,
Global Financial Crisis when liners cut freight rates in order to stay competitive. By
Sand admits that as a global network
doing that, they lost a lot of money. With
shipping relies on good performance in
Covid-19 companies have decided to cut
manufacturing and retail. “At the end, it is all
…...
about how retail sales are coming along in …..
Independent Asia The market in East Asia is becoming increasingly less dependent on the global consumer in Europe and North America. Volumes there have almost not been affected by the crisis. In June intra-Asian volumes have grown faster
14
than a year before. The recovery in Asia is much stronger than the one in the West.
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
14
Crew changes “We would love to see changes as soon as possible but it remains a case of individual countries trying to contain the virus,” Sand comments. According to the expert in doing so many places have completely forgotten about the seafarers. The Philippines is currently seeking to become one of the few major international hubs that allows crew changes to happen but travel restrictions elsewhere and the lack of flights is making it nearly impossible. BIMCO sees no easing of the situation any time soon. Members are encouraged to get in touch with local governments and find a solution that
Peter Sand, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO.
firms started diversifying away from China. Sand explains that for some like apparel
will work for both sides.
(more on page 16) this will be easier. More order to boost underlining demand,” he
specialised ecosystem businesses however
continues. Customers are faced with fewer
can’t leave the Chinese market with its
choices that could lead to poor service and
well-built infrastructure. “There is no way
additionally no daily sailings from large port
around China for high tech production,”
hubs as liners are operating services from 4
Sand explains. BIMCO expects productions
to 5 times a week. The organisation stays
to spread to more locations predominantly to
positive as it says these adjustments are not
Japan and Korea for high-tech production
a massive disruption for customers and
and many more for goods where a cheap
volumes are being moved with just a few
labour force is needed. But also, to the
days delay if any.
consumers’ markets in Europe and North America. In order to stay competitive on
Change is due
these more local markets firms will have to
“In order for any of this to be sustainable we
look at automation that could save costs. …..
will need a healthier global economy,” Sand
Hub-and-Spoke
says. Currently manufacturing orders are
Liner
below levels that could suggest any change
hub-and-spoke locations around the world to
in
environment.
make use of the wide reaching abilities of
Governments have done their best to
good infrastructure and utilise ultra large
support businesses but until orders pick up it
container ships. Covid-19 is putting pressure
will be hard to move forward. BIMCO
on
predicts that the Chinese New Year will be
manufacturing hubs being developed and it
the turning point to see what the market in
will be more difficult to fill up a ship at one or
2021 will look like. Whatever the result,
two places. ✷
the
macroeconomic
companies
the
plans
intended
as
there
to
are
use
more
changes began in 2018 when many ………...
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
15
Who can take China’s place in the US market? Tensions between the US and China show
are that a lot of these countries do not have
no signs of subsiding and American firms are
the well-developed Chinese infrastructure.
urged to move away from the Asian country.
Beijing has spent years in improving its
This move, however, will not be easy as
infrastructure and in many ways has no
China is responsible for nearly 30% or all
rivals in Asia and around the world. On the
imports in the USA. That might be a
other hand, manufacturers who are looking
significant drop compared to 2016 levels of
to relocate all or part of their production to a
41% but there is still a long way to go. So
new location, have to do careful due
which countries are going to dethrone
diligence. Because of COVID-19 that is
Beijing and turn into the new preferred
easier said than done. Many have never
manufacturer of the world?
dealt with the new locations and have little to no knowledge about local laws, custom
According to the Apparel and Footwear
procedures and traditions.
Association in the US there are a few contenders including some that at first sight
Another problem is the complexity of moving
seem unusual. Orders have shifted to other
away from China. Тhe country was able to
Asian
take a lot of orders at once. American firms
countries
like
Vietnam
and
Bangladesh.
will now have to look to more than just one place
for
suppliers.
There
are
many
Winners are also Indonesia and India,
unanswered questions like how can new
although not as many orders go there as
factories and suppliers be certified and will
initially expected. A surprise, according to
transport work from countries without the
Nate Herman, SVP Supply Chain American
needed port infrastructure.
Apparel & Footwear Association at Retail Supply
Chain
USA
2020
event,
are
The Association however is urging its
Cambodia and Mexico. New players are also
members to keep their distance from China
Turkey, Jordan, and Ethiopia.
for political, economic and human rights reasons. ✷
The challenges many American firms face …..
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020 ..
16
Culture of quality - sustaining good levels during disruption A single disruption in an organization causes
that messages about the importance of
an average culture of quality to drop 9%,
multiple competing priorities all increased
according to a survey by Gartner, Inc.
during
Organizations experience on average three
reinforcing the importance of quality falls on
disruptions per year.
deaf ears,” Mr. Klein said. “It’s the same with
a
disruption.
That’s
why
just
quality tools. As priorities and circumstance “COVID-19, digital transformation, sudden
change during the disruption, employees are
facility shutdowns or an expansion into a
unsure whether the tool is still relevant – and
new market – all of those incidents disrupt
stop using it.”
supply chain organizations. A strong culture of
quality
is
critical
during
times
of
Only
27%
of
Organizations
Help
transformation,” said Bryan Klein, research
Employees Navigate Tensions Between
director with the Gartner Supply Chain
Priorities
Practice.
“Quality
leaders
must
find
strategies to sustain their quality levels
According to the survey, the most impactful
during disruptions.”
action quality leaders can take to maintain a culture of quality during disruptions is to help
Little impact
employees navigate the inevitable tensions
The Gartner 2020 Culture of Quality During
between conflicting priorities. However, this
Disruptions Survey, conducted among more
is something only 27% of organizations are
than 1,200 respondents, found that the
currently doing.
→
primary tools quality leaders use to maintain a culture of quality during a disruption – reinforcing the importance of quality and ensuring access to quality tools such as trainings and knowledge hubs – have little to no impact.
“More than 70% of survey respondents said ...
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
17
“There’s power in knowing that employees aren’t expected to optimize multiple priorities at the same time.
Bryan Klein, research director, Gartner Supply Chain Practice.
a difficult trade-off decision. Quality leaders must therefore ensure that employees are
Prioritise “It helps when senior leaders acknowledge the tensions between priorities,” Mr. Klein said.
”
“There’s
power
in
knowing
properly equipped to make those decisions on their own.
that
employees aren’t expected to optimize multiple priorities at the same time. At times it’s okay to decide between priorities, such as decreasing speed-to-market in the face of
“Peer-to-peer
consulting
or
a
quality
ambassador program can give employees access to the relevant guidance. Discussing tensions between priorities during weekly meetings motivates staff to reflect on their
a significant cost reduction.”
decision-making process and will lead to As a next step, quality leaders should offer clear guidance on when a certain level of quality
is
crucial
and
when
it’s
better informed decisions at later stages,” Mr. Klein concluded. ✷
not.
Establishing categories such as “must have quality”, “should have quality”, and “can have quality”
are
an
easy
way
to
guide
employees’ thinking patterns.
Trade-off decisions Finally, employees must be equipped to manage
competing
necessary. respondents
Less
than
reported
tensions 25% that
of they
when survey seek
guidance from quality leaders before making ..
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
18
Resale market grows as clothes turn into an investment The world pandemic has caused a lot of
stores are turning into pick-up locations. For
pressure on companies who are struggling
many
to execute orders and keep customers’
reorganisation of manufacturing processes.
attention. On the other hand consumers
Specifically in America a lot of firms have
have also started to feel the pressure and
found a way out of the crisis by switching
are changing the way they shop. Lockdown
their production to Protective Equipment.
companies
that
meant
a
meant there is more demand for casual clothing and many brands are wondering
Resale growth
how they will respond to that.
It is expected that the resale market in the USA will grow from $7 billion to $64 billion by
For thredUP, a US based company that sells
2024. This in turn will create a lot of logistical
second hand clothes, Covid-19 has brought
challenges for fashion brands. Most clothes
new customers and increased revenue. “We
that thredUP receives have no labels and
are providing a nice distraction,” says
barcodes so they are hard to organise. The
thredUP CEO James Reinhart at the virtual
company is faced with processing nearly 100
Retail Supply Chain USA 2020. Customers
million unique items and most of them are
have started to reevaluate how they act and
unknown before unpacking. On the other
how
hand sellers want the whole process to be
their
behaviour
impacts
the
environment. Resaled clothes provide great
as seamless as possible.
value and companies like Reinhart’s are picking the share. “Young generations have
The ultimate question will be how to build
grown up with sustainability as part of their
infrastructure that can power the expected
lives and our job is to combine this with
growth. Additionally, brands will be forced to
something that makes economic sense,” he
deal with the change of flow as young
explains.
consumers see clothing as an investment that they could later resale and get some of
The last few months have seen consumers
their money back. ✷
completely change the way they shop. E-commerce is growing exponentially and ….
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
19
Five key drivers for agile fulfilment As the Coronavirus creates turmoil in our
what changes may be required within the
daily lives, businesses are moving quickly to
fulfilment operation. Will there be more
respond to a radical shift in consumer
promotional activity, resulting in sharper
behaviour. A boom in online orders, likely to
peaks? Or could there be longer, extended
become a feature of the ‘new reality’, is
peak periods, with a greater number of
triggering a major re-think of the fulfilment
returns? Will new forms of packaging be
operation.
factors
required? Could product profiles shift, SKUs
influencing a drive for agile fulfilment. By
radically expand – and how might new,
Frazer Watson, Head of Sales for Hikrobot at
spontaneous marketing initiatives impact
Invar Systems.
operational processes?
1.
Here
Operational
are
five
key
resilience
and
There are many unknowns. So if ecommerce
responsiveness – Nothing could have
businesses are to minimise risk and respond
prepared the corporate world for the shock
quickly to change, greater operational agility
of a global lockdown, but moving forward
will
there will be a desire to create supply chains
responsiveness that customers expect – and
with greater resilience and agility, and this
the resilience logistics practitioners are
will extend into the fulfilment process.
looking for.
be
required
to
provide
the
Research carried out by International Data Corporation (IDC) on behalf of Kinaxis in May 2020 finds that supply chain resilience and agility are the biggest priorities for nearly half (48%) of organisations over the next 12 months, with the next top priority being operational efficiency (46%).
Critically, organisations are uncertain about the future demands on the business and …...
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
20
3. Enhanced performance – If businesses are to meet a significant rise in demand for ecommerce
orders,
then
picking
and
put-away performance will need to be radically improved. Bringing in large teams of people at peak is simply no longer a viable option. Automated goods-to-person order
picking
processes
can
offer
a
significant boost – reducing labour costs by Meeting such a significant rise in demand for
58% and improving efficiency by 84%.
online orders will, take automation. The automation applied will have to be highly flexible, readily scaleable and capable of delivering
the
speed,
accuracy
and
performance demanded.
Perhaps the key advantage of bringing the goods to the person is that it cuts out dead time in walking the warehouse floor during picking and put-away activities – up to 70% of a picking operative’s time is estimated to
2.
Labour
distancing
availability –
The
and
traditional,
social manual,
approach to order picking has in recent times been significantly challenged by three key factors.
be non-value adding. The big revolution that is taking place within the warehouse is the use of autonomous mobile robots. High cap-ex automation, where conveyors and shuttles are bolted to the floor, is no longer seen as flexible enough for the fast-changing
Following Brexit, available labour resources
world of ecommerce.
are no longer as easy to access in many areas of the country. The National Living Wage, applicable to all employees over 25 years
old,
has
risen
to
£8.72.
With
COVID-19, social distancing requirements within the warehouse present a major challenge for organisations.
A fleet of AMRs can fetch mobile shelf units of products and present them to a picking station
in
a
pre-determined
stream,
according to order management. At the same time as picking an order, pickers can replenish shelves, and the robot simply carries away the shelf unit to a high-density
Flexible automation using goods-to-person technology offers an attractive alternative to manual picking. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) allow valuable human resources to be reallocated to alternative, more skilled tasks.
storage area, ready for the next activity. AMR systems combined with pick-to-light technology
can
boost
order
picking
performance from under 100 units per hour using traditional methods, to up to 600 picks per hour.
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
→ 21
4. Flexibility & Scalability – These are two critical factors to consider when applying automation to processes. The growth of online volumes, increased frequency of peaks and rapid changes to order profiles places a heavy onus on an automated system to be both highly flexible and readily scalable – giving the system the ability to flex and grow with the business.
“Greater
operational agility
will be required to provide the responsiveness that customers expect .
”
5. Applied intelligence – Software design, integration and support are central to the success of any automation project, so finding the right partner 22 is critical capacity of the system as required. Trying to get large
Traditional fixed automation is not that easy to scale up, or for that matter adapt, should the need be. However, autonomous mobile robot systems have a huge advantage over fixed systems in that you can simply scale up the operation by adding more robots – increasing the cHaving 80 robots working independently in a warehouse is not a problem, as each performs its duties by
warehouse management software (WMS) vendors engaged in writing the interfaces for materials
handling
systems
can
often
present a hurdle for an automation project. This is why leading automation companies offer their own warehouse control software (WCS) with the hardware – in the UK, Invar Systems writes the WCS for Hikrobot AMR platforms.
plotting their own path, following QR codes placed on the warehouse floor. Installation is straightforward and fast, and provides a future-proofed solution suited to a fast expanding business.
When integrated with a business’ upper system, intelligent AMRs deliver valuable digitised warehouse data. This information helps
companies
processes,
such
to as
optimise
business
labour
resource
management, which can significantly boost operational performance.
As businesses get to grips with a new reality involving a far higher volume of online orders,
increased
uncertainty
and
the
travails of human social distancing, flexible automation in the form of autonomous mobile robots will deliver the agility needed Frazer Watson, Head of Sales for Hikrobot at Invar Systems.
to boost performance and create competitive advantage.✷
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
22
Space optimisation on the rise after lockdown Covid-19 has affected the sector of shelving and racking too. Projects are returning back to normal but companies are looking to reorganise existing space and respond quicker to the increased online demand. Jonathan Ellis, Head of Sales at BiGDUG spoke to The Logistics Point about trends and best practices. What trends do you see on the market
Have you seen any change in attitudes
and how will it evolve?
because of Covid?
Currently, we are seeing an increasing drive
Larger projects that may have been on hold
within customers to significantly streamline
in the early months of the year seem to be
their supplier bases. In addition to a far more
being approved, and often now with a much
formalised
shorter lead time as Companies return to
Supplier
approval
process,
suppliers who can supply across a wide
something
approaching
range of categories will have an inherent
business models.
their
normal
advantage in this process. We’re also seeing an increasing amount of The ability to provide Pallet Racking and
space optimisation, rather than new builds
shelving
manual
where elements such as Mezzanine Floors,
handling and access equipment along with
repositioning existing storage systems to
ancillary products presents the customer
add additional runs are widely prevalent.
with
a
together
much
partnership.
with
more
boxes,
rounded
supply The continued rise of Internet shopping has ….
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
→
23
Ahead of demand An on-line clothing distributor has recently seen their sales increase at an extraordinary rate, and we have been involved with them since they first took the decision to handle the storage and distribution themselves, rather than utilise an outside organisation. The ability to provide the full range of shelving, workbenches, trolleys and handling equipment from stock meant they increased footprint twice
24
in the last six months, utilising familiar products and without any disruption to daily operations.
“Web-based retailers use
stock that they have to take in, store and dispatch. We’ve seen a lot of web-based retailers use this period to increase and
this period to increase and improve
their
operations.
in-house
”
improve their in-house operations rather than rely on 3rd Party logistics businesses to handle this increased throughput.
How do you approach large projects from evaluation to finish?
also caused a huge upsurge in demand for racking and shelving, whereby retailers are experiencing issues with the amount of ……..
The starting point for any project will always be an evaluation of exactly what the customer is storing, and how it is being loaded, stored and transported as this will dictate the style of solution that we would subsequently recommend. Pallet racking is a perfect example, whereby the weight and dimensions of each pallet will have major impacts on the design and weight capacity of the system to be utilised.
Where possible, a site visit to evaluate the available space – and height is always a …...
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
24
Success Story
major consideration also allows our teams to see how and where our part of any projects fits into the overall customer operation.
A major manufacturer of precision engineering and assembly has recently revamped its entire Process workflow, bringing increased productivity
Taking into consideration the inward and onward flow of any product or component will facilitate the design of a solution that works with, rather than against existing processes.
and facilitating the winning of new contracts. Provision of BiGDUG’s storage systems, from specially adapted heavy duty ESD shelving through
to
components
robust
shelf
between
trolleys
cells
and
to
move mobile
workbenches to add flexibility has played a major Having
the
widest
range
of
solutions
available, together with the ability to offer
part in enabling this culture change to occur smoothly and within budget.
bespoke manufactured products means that we can generally offer the solution that best fits. A flexible installation team is also a bonus,
whereby
changing
customer
requirements can be fed back, re-designed and
incorporated
within
the
agreed
products meet the highest quality standards and all staff have appropriate qualifications and registrations in addition to the many years’ experience within the team.
timeframes. Close involvement with the end user at the What best practices do you follow and
customer site, and liaison with their H&S and Facilities staff results in a solution that is
would advise?
both workable and to the highest safety Safety is paramount in all aspects of our
standards.✷
work; from initial site visits through design and through to supply and installation. All …..
Jonathan Ellis Jonathan has 15 years’ experience within the Materials Handling, storage and workplace equipment market, having working for a number of the UK businesses of the Takkt Group. Prior to that he ran his own mailing and fulfilment in the North East, and spent 12 years within the direct marketing industry.
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
25
Are we entering the fourth era of public transport? By Philippe Vappereau, Chief Executive Officer, Calypso Networks Association This may seem a bold claim, but the
is
worldwide Covid-19 pandemic has acted as
notifications to customers.
quieter,
for
example
by
pushing
a catalyst in driving forwards a fast-paced reaction from the transport industry. It is
The new normal
clear that things will not – indeed, cannot –
Public transport today faces a cruel paradox:
be the same again.
operating the capacity to handle mass passenger flows when needed, while helping
We have travelled through the first three
facilitate social distancing to keep people
eras in little over 100 years: first, the
safe if Covid-19 persists or returns.
electrical
age,
enabling
underground
networks and tramways; second, autopilot
Transport operators need to live with this
systems and automated ticketing to cope
reality
with mass transit; and third, passenger
technological breakthrough solving all our
information services helping to make public
challenges is unlikely, but we can assess
transport attractive and adapt supply to
what technology we have available right
demand.
now, and improve it, optimise it, and re-
and
adapt
to
it. An
overnight
evaluate whether there are any untapped Ticketing,
too,
has
transformed,
with
possibilities within it.
contactless cards simplifying payments and granting
easier
and
faster
access
to
While transport ticketing technologies are
networks. Now, almost overnight, we enter
not the sole solution, they can help reduce
the fourth age of public transport.
costs, find customers again, and significantly support social distancing measures.
This new era is using technology for essential
crowd
management,
reducing
unnecessary interactions, minimising contact points,
micromobility
transport
options,
improving passenger flow, and encouraging travel at times when the system
“Widespread
internet
availability
today
enables simple, distance selling solutions, as well as card reloading, helping customers avoid crowded areas.
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
” 26
True contactless for safer distancing
·
·
Operators and authorities currently face a
Minimising crowding hotspots
Controlling spiralling costs
The speed of contactless NFC ticketing
nightmare scenario: an unexpected collapse
today allows a rapid flow of passengers at
in passenger numbers while having to
network entry points and thus helps avoids
manage significant costs to ensure essential
creating crowds of passengers. ATMs and
services can continue. One major issue for
counters are typically places most prone to
public transport providers is that they are
crowding, which must now be reduced to a
tied into expensive, proprietary ticketing
minimum. Widespread internet availability
software.
today
selling
economically interesting because of their low
solutions, as well as card reloading, helping
purchase cost can 27 often have a very high
customers avoid crowded areas.
long-term cost, with a very poor economic
enables
simple,
distance
Solutions
that
appear
to
be
return on investment for local authorities ·
Optimising mobile devices
later down the line.
Expect travel cards stored on NFC-capable mobile phones to be more popular with
Consider,
passengers in this new normal. We should
Underground, operated by TfL. Five years
also anticipate more people using such
ago, it implemented an Open Payment
devices as a reader to reload their own
option,
physical transport card with funds. This
bank-issued card to pay for travel. Very
requires
‘microprocessor’
convenient for occasional users, certainly,
functionality – essentially a smart computer
but it’s also expensive to run, particularly
chip – which is capable of offering more
alongside other legacy offerings like an
purchase options to users, both in person
exorbitantly expensive magnetic sales and
and remotely.
validation system, now handling increasingly
cards
with
for
where
fewer travellers.
example,
customers
the
tap
London
their
→
Most travel cards for frequent users contain this chip, but more occasional travellers tend to purchase contactless tickets that use far simpler memory components, which cannot handle remote reloading. These tickets often require
expensive
booths
and
vending
equipment to process purchases, and can contribute to crowds at stations. Operators should now look to phase them out, handing control to the customer and helping to keep them
safe
during
the
pandemic.
……………...
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
27
“An
Flexibility through open standards Now is most definitely not the time for operators and authorities to lock themselves into an inflexible transport setup with so much uncertainty in the sector in the months
overnight technological
breakthrough solving all our challenges is unlikely, but we can assess what technology we have available right now, and
and years ahead.
improve it.
”
Networks that have already taken this route are beginning to feel trapped, switching from
Transport authorities and operators must
the promise of an offered system to a
remain vigilant about the reality of the costs
revenue sharing obligation in which they are
of their systems, and above all make sure
in a weak position to negotiate on equal
that they keep control of their solutions and
terms. If there is one thing the pandemic has
do not leave it in the hands of big external
shown, it is that operators need to be more
players.
agile
and
collaborate
to
cope
28
with
unexpected challenges.
Passengers will not forgive operators and authorities for a poor public service, though
Open standards give transport authorities
they are unlikely to turn their frustrations on
and operators control of their ticketing
the financial institutions or other external
network, and reassurance that they are on a
players tying their hands behind them. And
sustainable framework that can evolve and
do not forget the issue of sovereignty for the
support new technical trends and business
networks and for the public authorities, since
requirements in a cost-effective way.
ticketing
systems
must
remain
an
instrument, under their control, for the development of mobility.
Transport authorities and operators need sustainable ticketing technologies, capable of meeting their expectations in the long term, but also of adapting quickly to new and evolving situations, such as we are now experiencing. We may not yet know the “new normal”, but we know we need to be ready for change quicker than ever before.✷ Philippe Vappereau, Chief Executive Officer at Calypso Networks Association
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
28
How to safely buy a used ATEX forklift for logistics operations Pre-owned explosion proof lift trucks can be
operations
safe
–
explosion
protection
useful additions to potentially explosive
solutions are never just ‘fit and forget’.
logistics operations, but how do you know they are safe and are they dangerous? We
What is the first consideration for those
asked Darren Boiling, Materials Handling
buying used trucks?
Sales
Manager
from
safety
company
Pyroban, for some guidance around this
When selecting a lift truck for use in
important topic.
potentially explosive atmospheres, the first step is to establish the specific operation
Why are used lift trucks such a safety
risk. That is the case whether the equipment
concern for logistics operations with
is used, or you’re specifying new trucks.
hazardous areas? For instance, is the area where the trucks Wrongly specified ATEX safety equipment or
will be used Zone 1, 2, 21 or 22 under ATEX
poorly maintained safety systems could
1999/92/EC or DSEAR in the UK? For gas
cause an explosion in a potentially explosive
and vapour hazards, what is the Gas Group
atmosphere. Therefore, logistics businesses
and
that are looking to buy a used ATEX lift truck
substances handled? For dust and powders,
(or to rent one on a short-term basis) need to
what is the Cloud Ignition Temperature, and
take certain actions in order to keep their ..
the
Auto-ignition
Dust
Layer
temperature
Ignition
of
the
Temperature?
→
………..
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
29
How does the application determine the right choice of used truck?
toxic substances are handled. It is a good idea to try and find out what the truck used to
do
and
to
make
sure
has
been
There are many factors within the specific
de-contaminated prior to bringing it onto your
application which will affect the type of
site.
explosion protection solution required to keep people safe, so these must be
What
about
service
and
inspection
assessed before buying equipment. For
history? Are there any ‘red flags’ you
example, what will the truck be doing? What
should look for?
heights or distances are at play? In what
30really important. Was The service history is
ambient temperature will it operate?
the truck regularly maintained by a trained Also, does your logistics operation require a
Pyroban engineer who used the correct
lift truck for multi-shift continuous work or
parts and service regime? One incorrect part
intermittent use? This is important because
may expose a site to the risk of ignition
as part of the protection method, surface
through a spark or hot surface, for example.
temperatures may be limited which can have an effect on the equipment’s work cycle,
Was the truck’s safety system audited on an
especially if it is working in a high ambient
annual basis by a safety inspector? This
temperature. For example, used Pyroban
would ensure that the integrity of the safety
equipment traded to the Middle East may
system
struggle with the desert heat if it isn’t built for
rectified. For example, has impact damage,
that environment.
wear and tear, or corrosion been left
was
checked,
and
any
faults
untreated for years? But don’t confuse this Only when you understand where the
with a lift truck engineer conducting a
equipment will work and what it is required to
thorough examination, which is not the same
do
thing and does not ensure the safety of the
can
you
check
that
the
safety
specification of a used truck matches.
explosion
protection
systems.
………………... Is there a risk that used trucks could bring hazards from a ‘dirty’ previous working environment into a logistics operation or warehouse?
Many ATEX lift trucks available to buy used will have worked within chemical industries, or other environments where corrosive or
Darren Boiling, Materials Handling Sales Manager, Pyroban.
…..
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
30
forklift conversion, so it has to be conducted by a specially trained engineer. If a used truck is given the ‘all clear’ by Pyroban, and the specification matches the requirements of the site, then it can be an economical way to ensure the safety of workers and reduce risk to the user’s brand and supply chain. A
“When selecting a lift truck for use in
Pyroban
potentially explosive atmospheres, the first step is to establish the
compliance with the ATEX 1999/92/EC
specific operation risk. ”
Ex-ASA
also
supports
your
directive and EN60079-17 standard.
Are there safety considerations if you
Are there any specific truck inspections or audits for explosion protected lift
choose to roll on your existing fleet contract instead of buying used trucks?
trucks that should be done? If you choose to roll on your existing ATEX Insist that a safety audit such as Pyroban’s Ex-ASA is conducted, and any problems are rectified, before the sale completes. Pyroban auditors have the knowledge and experience to issue a certificate in support of ongoing ATEX compliance. Used ATEX lift trucks do not always look their best but that doesn’t mean they are unsafe for a hazardous area.
forklift contract rather than invest in used lift trucks that are newer or a different brand, you must still check when a safety audit was last conducted and should conduct an ASA if it’s due. Failure to do so could have big implications for both safety and compliance. A Pyroban Ex-ASA is recommended yearly (sometimes
sooner
depending
on
the
application) to ensure your equipment is fully Similarly, a truck might seem to be ‘working
protected and working correctly.
fine’, but that may not be the case. A Pyroban Ex-ASA is a thorough audit where all safety critical components of Pyroban’s explosion protection system are inspected and recorded, including Exd enclosures, cables
and
conductivity,
glands, and
shutdown
fork
devices,
cladding.
Even
experienced lift truck engineers may not fully understand the complexities of a Pyroban …...
Likewise, if you choose to bring any short-term hire equipment onto your sites, you must check when a safety audit was last conducted. You shouldn’t hire equipment unless you are certain it is safe and there is evidence that it has been audited and serviced accordingly by a trained engineer. ... For more information visit www.pyroban.com ✷
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
31
How TPPL technology has broadened battery choice for material handling vehicles Warehouses and production areas are under
new-comers such as lithium-ion (Li-ion).
increasing pressure to maximise productivity
There are two main types of TPPL battery.
and return on investment. This has led to
The first is a “standard” TPPL solution
more attention on the role of materials
supplied as a direct alternative to lead-acid
handling vehicles, particularly the cost and
batteries. The second is a TPPL solution
performance
enhanced with carbon addition. This battery
of
the
batteries
and
the
technology that power them.
offers a high-performance and cost-effective alternative to Li-ion batteries, especially in
As an example, users of material handling
heavy-duty applications, thanks to greatly
vehicles today will not accept a loss in
extended cycle life.
productivity due to battery-related downtime. It is simply no longer possible to remove a
Factors
that
vehicle from service to charge or change out
productivity
compromise
truck
batteries and perform routine maintenance tasks. In addition, there is a trend to lease
Each battery type has different charging and
vehicles instead of making an outright
safety requirements, which impact on truck
purchase. Changing a battery during a lease
productivity.
term is undesirable because the new battery
typically need long charging cycles during or
will not be spent by the end of the contract,
after a shift. This means taking a vehicle out
leading to waste.
of service or changing the battery. For safety reasons,
Flooded
lead-acid
lead-acid
batteries
batteries
require
A broad spectrum of battery technologies
dedicated charging rooms with ventilation.
Choosing a battery solution is affected by
Regular water top-ups are part of normal
factors
performance,
operation, but also create the risk of acid
maintenance, charging, stock management
spills. Also, overcharging batteries by 10 –
and recycling. High performing technologies,
20% minimises stratification but adds to the
such as Thin Plate Pure Lead Batteries
energy demand. All these factors contribute
(TPPL), offer an attractive alternative to both
to the total cost of ownership (TCO) for a
the traditional solutions of lead-acid or
lead-acid battery setup.
like
initial
cost,
……...
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
32
Gel type valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA)
recycling options makes disposal of these
batteries have advantages over flooded
batteries expensive. TPPL batteries have the
lead-acid batteries. They do not require
benefit of flexibility without the higher-cost of
water top-up, and their overcharge factor is
Li-ion. The NexSys Core battery from
only 8 – 10%, thus reducing the energy
EnerSys is an excellent alternative to
demand for charging. However, they do not
lead-acid batteries, both flooded and Gel
allow
fast
VRLA. It is suited for low and medium-duty
charging with high currents. Batteries must
applications. Meanwhile, the NexSys Pure
be taken out of service for charging, which
battery uses TPPL technology with the
takes from 8 to 10 hours.
addition of carbon. It is optimised for medium
for
opportunity
charging
or
to heavy-duty applications as an alternative Li-ion batteries are more expensive, but they
to Li-ion batteries.
offer a higher-performance solution suitable for heavy-duty applications. They have the
TPPL battery technology
advantage of flexible charging like ultra-fast and opportunity charging. Li-ion technology
TPPL batteries have up to 10% more energy
also has a high-power density and zero
content than flooded lead-acid batteries and
maintenance requirements. Their extended
up to 20% more than Gel VRLA types. This
cycle life means that they can outlast the
is achieved by the higher number of plates
standard life of a forklift truck. Li-ion batteries
and reduced plate thickness. However, it is
do not require ventilation, but they do need
the flexible and rapid charging ability that
electronic battery management systems for
separates this battery class from other
safety,
lead-acid alternatives.
control
and
optimisation.
A
disadvantage is that the lack of Li-ion …….
→
Optimisation through monitoring It is advisable to choose a partner that has a holistic approach to power management as well as an exemplary track record in battery technology. Battery and charging solutions should not demand a change to operating models. Instead, a solution should be found that optimises the operation. Some service providers like EnerSys offer monitoring packages, including cloud-based applications. These provide deep insights 33 as well as recommended actions for improved performance. Dashboards can be made available inside the vehicle to make drivers aware of critical parameters.
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
33
TPPL technology allows Partial State of Charge
(PSoC)
cycling
without
compromising on battery life. A cycle life of 1500 at 60% depth of discharge (DoD) is possible and even more at shallow DoD. …... With
opportunity
charging,
trucks
can
complete an entire shift or even longer without losing time for recharging. Fast
TPPL batteries with carbon added have high
charging is also possible with charge rate
specific power and can sustain up to 160%
from 0.25C5 to 0.4C5. The combination of
34 day. This means that energy throughput per
charging
battery
batteries can last for 2 to 3 shifts using
capacity allows truck fleets to operate with
multiple opportunity charges. Addition of
fewer batteries, thus supporting a lowe TCO.
carbon in the active material formulation and
The NexSys Core battery using TPPL
the use of a dedicated charging profile
technology is also available in an ATEX
improves a NexSys Pure battery’s life, up to
(ATmosphères
50%
speed
and
increased
EXplosives)
version
that
more
than
NexSys
Core
battery
allows materials handling vehicles to work
(depending on application and use). This
safely in hazardous areas where there is an
battery can outlast the rental contract for
explosion risk.
most trucks. As a bonus, disposing of TPPL batteries with carbon is profitable compared
TPPL battery technology with carbon
to the extra costs to dispose of Li-ion.
addition Battery charging technologies The NexSys Pure battery builds on the TPPL base with added carbon in the active
Battery charging systems are as influential in
material. The chemical changes in the
battery
battery yield improved performance in terms
themselves. NexSys and NexSys+ battery
of lower internal resistance and higher
chargers provide intelligent charging to their
charge
Pure
TPPL range of batteries. High-frequency
battery delivers ultra-fast recharge and
modular designs offer considerable energy
exceptional
savings compared to 50Hz chargers. This is
acceptance.
PsoC
The
cycling
NexSys
performance.
……..
“Battery
and charging solutions should
not demand a change to operating
performance
as
the
batteries
because the management system switches off modules as the battery charges. In this ….
models.”
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
34
“Choosing
a battery solution is
maximum charging flexibility as they make opportunity
charging
easier
by
merely
affected by factors like initial cost,
plugging into an AC socket. Embedded
performance, maintenance, charging,
devices, software systems and Bluetooth communication capability enable optimum
stock management and recycling.” way, each module always operates at its optimum loading and efficiency. Besides the energy savings, charging time can also be reduced by up to two hours. NexSys chargers are designed to reduce energy consumption by up to 35% for TPPL batteries versus other lead-acid types.
charging and precise monitoring.
Conclusion Traditional lead-acid and Li-ion batteries have some limitations, which TPPL batteries can resolve. Solutions like NexSys Core and NexSys Pure batteries designed by EnerSys offer the advantages of zero maintenance, maximum
charging
flexibility
and
long
service life. TPPL technology provides a Matching battery and charging systems ensure that the benefits of integration are attained. This approach maximises energy
lower TCO than the alternatives, therefore, offering materials handling vehicle operators an opportunity to increase profit margins.
efficiency and battery life benefits while eliminating the potential for overcharging.
For more information about NexSys batteries please
There is also an on-board charger option
visit:
https://www.discovernexsys.com/ ✷
available for class III lift trucks: NexSys COMpact
onboard
chargers
offer
the
……….....
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All articles Š The Logistics Point 2020 and cannot be copied without consent. Photos by: Hermes, Gartner Inc., Savills, Calypso Networks Association, Pyroban, BigDUG, Hikrobot, Nexsys; and Unsplash Users: Emile Guillemot, EJ Yao, Saad Salim, chuttersnap, Ruchindra Gunasekara, Scott Graham, bantersnaps, Jacob Morrison, Lauren Fleischmann, Brandon Morgan,Joseph Balzano, Andy Li, Edward He
The Logistics Point, Issue 8 - September 2020
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