Logistics company DP World and food retailer Woolworths are the first in Africa to operate AxlePower, an energy recovery system using axle generators, on the road. To promote sustainability in the transport sector, the new refrigerated trailer has operating between Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Checking the mirrors and looking over the shoulder is all well and good. Experience shows that drivers use a combined approach: On the Linde MH, a well-positioned "Reverse Assist Radar" ensures that the operator doesn't accidentally miss anything behind the vehicle.

Every second vehicle worldwide is equipped with parts from automotive supplier Mahle. A current focus is on electromobility and thermal management to reduce CO2 emissions. The spare parts and service division "Aftermarket" has been modernized with a high-performance lithium-ion battery fleet from Still.

 Fig.: Eraneos

Artificial intelligence could significantly help to reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumption in temperature-controlled logistics. This was the conclusion of the general assembly of the Swiss Association for Temperature-Controlled Logistics (SVTL) at the Conference Center on Lake Sempach.

 DHL is opening its first “Center of Excellence” for electromobility in Europe in Pozzuolo Martesana, Italy (near Milan), to support electrification for the entire supply chain from component procurement to vehicle provision and logistics.

According to Ravas, the new Ergo-Truck 2, an advanced successor to the first generation, sets a new standard in the world of mobile weighing systems. Interestingly, the device is available with an OIML certificate, which allows for direct weight-based billing to the customer.

Ferag, based in Hinwil, is providing initial application examples demonstrating the seamless collaboration between the UCS (Unified Control System) from the ferag.doWarehouse system and its proprietary ferag.starlift storage lift. The manufacturer guarantees a noticeable difference in daily operations.

SSI Schäfer has modernized the Medical Device Distribution Center for DKSH, a renowned pharmaceutical company in Bangkok. The upgrade of the facility has resulted in an average throughput improvement of more than 13%.

The assistance solutions aren't entirely new. But Hyster has bundled them into a package called "Reaction," which – although it includes everything – certainly doesn't deserve the attribute "hysterical": proximity sensors, real-time tracking, hydraulic adjustment, and dynamic driver warnings are all included.

 Photos: Mosca

With the opening of the newly renovated headquarters of its subsidiary EAM, Mosca is expanding its campus in Hazle Township, USA, by 11,000 square meters. The site will also feature a "Machinery Center of Excellence" and its own showroom.

It all started as a one-man operation in a garage in Achim near Bremen. Now, Hansa-Flex, a systems provider specializing in fluid technology, employs over 4,400 people. The new building, featuring an automated pallet warehouse, went into operation in 2022. The switch to Viadat 9.1 also proved to be the right choice.

Bito is launching a new "LEO flow" with a new onboard belt conveyor and a "LEO carrier" with a fixed racking system in the "driverless" segment. Thanks to the belt conveyor, the "flow" version is suitable for transporting both containers and trays as well as loose goods.

DHL and energy supplier E.ON are jointly improving the charging infrastructure for electric trucks. E.ON will handle the planning, construction of the fast-charging and transformer stations, and load management. Electric charging will take place at the loading docks and in outdoor parking areas at the depots.

According to the Swiss machinery, electrical and metal industries (Swissmem), the economic situation remains difficult. In the first quarter of 2024, goods exports fell by 8.5 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. However, the bottom of the trough is believed to be in sight.

 D. Evans

Movianto, the specialist for healthcare and pharmaceutical logistics (based in Neuenegg, Switzerland), operates in twelve countries. In the UK, Paul Wilkinson will leave the company at the end of May and hand over the top position to David Evans, who has been with the group since 2011.