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Not «breath-» but wireless
Bluepath Robotics, an internal innovation project at the Ford subsidiary Otosan, which was spun off at the end of 2023, develops and produces autonomous mobile robots for a wide range of intralogistics applications. Now, Wiferion enables the inductive power supply of the AMRs.
Electric monorail system for Quark & Co
NÖM produces a wide range of dairy products, yogurt, butter, and curd cheese from approximately 450 million kg of milk from 2,200 farmers in the region build a fully automated shipping warehouse with comprehensive conveyor technology for 26,000 pallet spaces.
The fire is left without air
The fire protection specialists of the Wagner Group have been honored with the "GIT Safety Award 2026" for their "OxyReduct F-Line." The system expands the OxyReduct process with H2- based fuel cell technology, which simultaneously ensures emission-free energy supply.
Temperature-controlled at the motorway junction
Movianto, a logistics service provider specializing in pharmaceuticals and healthcare, is setting up a new cold storage facility in Wiesloch-Walldorf this month. A photovoltaic system there produces approximately 3,100 MWh per year, more electricity than the site consumes.
Fusion reactor in creep mode
Despite all the political turmoil currently shaking the world, work on the ITER fusion reactor, in which countless nations are involved, continues – much like on the ISS. Recently, another of the 15-meter-high segments for the future plasma chamber was delivered by heavy-duty transport.
Nonstop strapping
Mosca offers a comprehensive portfolio of integrated end-of-line systems for transport packaging, strapping machines, stretch wrappers, and associated consumables. Strapping made from materials such as PP and PET is produced with increasing recycled content.
Dynamic open-plan area
Relocations often involve considerable effort. Furniture needs to be transported, boxes packed, and unwanted items disposed of. The company " Optimal Umzug " from Lachen, Canton of Schwyz, offers services tailored to the greater Zurich area.
Optio L-Series updated
Developed with the user in mind, the completely redesigned generation of low-level order pickers in the Optio L series from TMHE sets new standards. Increased platform lifting heights, low entry, and versatile model variants for loads up to 2.5 t make these devices highly sought-after helpers.
Cold chain in transition: Ambitious goals
Temperature-controlled logistics is facing an energy revolution: battery-electric trucks, long-range hydrogen vehicles, and cryogenic cooling with nitrogen are transforming the industry. Enough "material" for the SVTL to discuss future processes and alternatives at Galliker in Altishofen.
DLR expands drone defense
While Russian drones have long been surveying German bases and critical infrastructures as potential targets for their “ asymmetric warfare ” a project called CUSTODIAN (Counter-UAS Technologies for Detection, Interception and Neutralization) is now slowly gaining momentum at the DLR.
Maintenance with women's power
Maintenance with women's power
At the logistics center of the US food retailer Kroger, over 100 employees ensure that the highly automated system installed by Witron is available around the clock. The on-site team is led by Margaret Wilson.
Margaret Wilson doesn't really need her own office. "I have a desk right next to the conveyor system," explains the site manager, who spent many years in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer, maintenance supervisor, and unit movement officer. Since 2018, she has been responsible for one of the Parkstein-based automation company's largest teams in the United States at Kroger's logistics center in Tolleson, Arizona. At the heart of the facility is the OPM solution, which the retailer was the first customer worldwide to implement in 2003.
"Working only in an office would make me unhappy. I need contact with my colleagues – and, of course, with the technology," says Wilson. She herself visits the facility four to five times a week, actively maintaining the conveyor technology and storage and retrieval machines, including all their components.
M. Wilson
The distribution center supplies over 100 Kroger stores with a dry goods range of nearly 9,000 items. "We can only overcome the daily challenges as a team," explains the 55-year-old engineer. The logistics center operates four shifts, 24 hours a day, 363 days a year. Wilson: "In the Army, I learned a lot about logistics, but above all, responsible leadership. You have to trust people. I had teams from a wide variety of social backgrounds and skin colors."
Women lead differently
"We have IT specialists, electricians, and spare parts experts," reports the manager. When she started, there was one woman on her team. Today, 15 percent of the workforce is female. "One female colleague also leads her own team," Margaret emphasizes.
Do women lead differently? The American agrees. "I think women lead more collaboratively, they embrace ideas from the team, and they don't always need to know everything down to the technical detail. That perhaps sets us apart from some men who think, 'I'm the boss now, and I have to show it and be able to answer every question myself.' But in my opinion, that's not absolutely necessary. Getting people to work together, building a strong team, that's our most important task."
For Margaret, a good leader is, above all, someone their colleagues trust and someone who trusts them themselves. "I can't be on the front line for every shift, every repair, or every maintenance call. I have to manage resources, keep the system running, and develop my team members both professionally and personally."
Practice again and again
But where do women and men learn good leadership? In the military, says Margaret, but also in sports clubs or church groups. "You have to practice, practice, practice again and again. It doesn't come naturally."
Photos: Witron
Her military career is unusual, and even in the US, society is debating job opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated professions. "For many Americans, logistics still means men with big muscles carrying packages. But logistics today is also primarily a mental thing, and we need a lot of women there." She has had many positive experiences with Kroger management, as there are also many women in leadership positions there.
"When I started at Witron, the customer's concern wasn't that I was a woman, but that I was a rookie (newcomer) and had no direct experience with the processes in a logistics center," Margaret recalls with a laugh. "The Witron bosses were certainly a bit nervous at first," she jokes. "They trusted me, but were worried that some of the men on the team might not accept me." And? "The team wanted a competent leader who was motivated and committed and, of course, had the technical knowledge. I was that leader, and that's who I am. After a week, I had arrived." Margaret is confident. "You have to believe in yourself and your abilities." The site manager is certain: Despite increasing automation, employees are becoming even more important. The shortage of skilled workers is omnipresent. "The logistics center is a great place if you like technology and people."
