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MAGA in the approach path
German technology remains highly regarded when it comes to rapid material handling, the elimination of weaknesses, and service quality. Following successful projects in Oklahoma and Texas, the steel trader " Steel and Pipe Supply " (SPS) in Kansas City once again relied on Kasto saws and storage systems.
Rent warehouse equipment instead of buying it
Bito is launching an offensive with an economical alternative for companies that want to re-equip, expand, or temporarily supplement their warehouse and production areas, but don't want to tie up their capital long-term: renting instead of buying is the motto. The advantages – especially in " dynamic times " – are obvious.
«Kanpai» with sake on the pharmaceutical chain
Logistics provider Yusen is presenting an expanded global platform for the healthcare sector at LogiPharma in Vienna, where companies such as Novartis, Bayer, Takeda, and hospital supplier UCB are currently participating. The platform focuses on the professional delivery of specialized healthcare solutions.
Streamlined logistics
Coop's own rail connection for urban logistics in Zurich, streamlined logistics vehicles and the outsourcing of all operating room logistics in a cooperation between the Seeschau Clinic and the Swiss Post are the projects that are entering the final sprint for this year's Swiss Logistics Award from GS1.
Vacuum technology makes mobility possible
Compressed air has traditionally been used primarily for fixed installations. Schmalz's vacuum grippers also mainly operate with lines that often have to run across halls and facilities. However, mobile robotics increasingly requires flexible solutions – a need that Schmalz now intends to address more effectively.
A foray into drive technology
Safelog, the specialists for software for controlling intralogistics processes, have entered into a cooperation with the drive experts from SEW Eurodrive at LogiMAT in order to jointly develop a high-performance software for controlling mobile and stationary processes in intralogistics.
Networking with perspectives
“Never walk alone” could be the motto of a networking event hosted by the consulting experts from “Adnovum”, where the Digital Product Passport (DPP), cybersecurity and IT opportunities with Petra Merino (GS1 Switzerland) and security expert Andreas Achterholt are on the agenda on May 7th in Zurich.
Maintenance in Austria
With a new workshop in Obersiebenbrunn near Vienna, rail manufacturer Stadler is expanding its capacity for the commissioning, approval, and servicing of modern rail vehicles in Austria. The workshop has been used to maintain Westbahn's high-speed trains since March 2026.
Idealworks pushes into the US market
Idealworks, part of the Munich-based Agile Robots Group, with more than 1,700 AMRs and AGVs worldwide and one of the pioneers in industrial automation through AI in robot-controlled logistics processes, has founded a US company headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina.
New chain belt sorting
At LogiMAT, conveyor technology provider Interroll attracted attention with a new chain-belt sorting system developed after the acquisition of Sortteq. Together with MCP Play, this creates a material flow ecosystem that combines single-item transport with intelligent sorting.
Control the crane with the app
Control the crane with the app
An overhead crane that autonomously travels to the storage location and supplies production with requested components from the steel construction department? At Kasto, a Warehouse Management System (WMS) not only controls and monitors the processes in the warehouse, but also upstream and downstream logistics and processing steps.
The system in question, called "Kastologic," allows smartphones or tablets to be integrated via an app, which transmits all processes such as receiving and transferring goods, order picking, shipping, and inventory information to the WMS. The app effortlessly implements so-called pick-by-crane systems.
Digitized warehousing and sawing processes are now widespread in modern metal processing. The company, based in Achern, Baden-Württemberg, offers concepts that automate and network all processes – from storing raw materials to picking and packing cut sections. Additional add-ons help conserve resources.
Photos: A1/Kasto
Machines, systems, goods, and load carriers communicate autonomously with each other, enabling high-performance, flexible, resource- and cost-efficient storage and processing operations. "Our customers need to remain competitive despite rising energy and material costs while simultaneously improving their environmental footprint," explains CEO Armin Stolzer.
The possibilities range from a mobile-operated warehouse management system to an energy recovery concept, efficient sawing processes, remote maintenance, and simulation.
«Kastologic» is a modular WMS specifically designed for the requirements of long goods and sheet metal storage. Even manually operated storage areas can be integrated into the system using the «Kastologic mobile» app.
"Kastoenergysave" is another innovative concept designed for energy recovery in automated storage systems. Situational potential and kinetic energy can be stored in double-layer capacitors, similar to other storage and retrieval machines, and used flexibly as needed. An intelligent control system charges and discharges the energy storage depending on the current process. Thanks to a nearly constant power draw from the grid, the network peripherals can operate at nominal load. Users can thus potentially reduce the connected load of the storage and retrieval machine by more than 50 percent, resulting in significant savings in power supply design for new buildings.
During sawing, an app called "Optisaw" ensures optimal allocation of stored long materials to the respective sawing jobs by taking into account various parameters such as kerf width and minimum kerf length. Different lengths of rods, pipes, and profiles with varying miter angles can be processed with minimal waste. If a saw is operating in automatic mode, the Kasto app can also access the information stored in the respective machine control system. This provides the user with precise information on all relevant parameters, such as item, section length, target and actual quantity, as well as feed and cutting speed. If an error occurs during operation, the app visualizes the pending error message, allowing the user to react quickly. Downtime can thus be reduced to a minimum.
Kasto can plan, simulate, and commission storage systems by combining Kastologic with a 3D simulation platform. Among other features, the new platform offers the ability to use a configurator to present initial system simulations and the resulting effects live to potential customers. Project planning is also faster, less error-prone, and leads to greater cost and performance efficiency.
Virtual commissioning of fully automated storage systems after installation avoids unnecessary trial runs and rework, allowing errors to be identified and corrected in a timely manner. Kastoweld's mobile cassette production is another resource-saving measure implemented by the storage and sawing technology specialist. Automated storage systems for long goods often comprise several thousand cassettes. Delivering these bulky, welded load carriers by truck involves high freight costs and significant CO2 emissions. This is no longer the case: When constructing new long-goods storage facilities, Kasto can manufacture the required cassettes directly on-site from efficiently delivered raw materials using a mobile and automated robotic production system, and then automatically store them immediately after production.
