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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.
"Rough tournament" at the Brenner Pass
"Rough tournament" at the Brenner Pass
Far behind: The Brenner Pass
The Swiss NEAT project is long finished – in Bavaria, Brenner transit is still a farcical affair. "We can't wait until the base tunnel is completed," says Bavarian businesses. "Goods must be transported by rail immediately." But many companies still forgo rail due to insufficient capacity, lack of flexibility, and unreliable freight trains. This approach is unlikely to change anything in the foreseeable future.
“We need faster rail expansion and more terminal capacity,” demanded Bertram Bossard, CEO of the Association of Bavarian Businesses (vbw), at the conclusion of the “Climate-Friendly Brenner Transit” project at the Logistics Competence Center (LKZ) in Prien. The stated goal was to identify opportunities for shifting freight transport to rail in Alpine transit. The results of the project, funded by the Bavarian State Ministry for Housing, Construction and Transport, show ways in which freight transport can be handled more efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly manner using the existing infrastructure. “So we need faster rail expansion and more terminal capacity,” said Bossard.
B. Brossard
Overall, a large majority of the companies surveyed expressed a desire for more information on rail freight transport. Could the problem simply be a lack of effective marketing?
From the perspective of the surveyed companies, the processes involved in rail freight transport are too complex due to the large number of stakeholders and require extensive planning. "Therefore, the project formulated specific requirements for a central, digital information platform. This platform should, for example, clearly present the legal conditions in the participating countries, provide early notification of construction sites and line closures, and ideally allow users to query available capacities down to the minute and access real-time data. This would make rail transport more attractive for companies (...). We are counting on the federal government to contribute to improved traffic flow and lower emissions with such digital solutions," explains Brossardt.
P. Seebauer
Christian Bernreiter, State Minister in the Bavarian State Ministry for Housing, Construction and Transport: “The Brenner Corridor is one of Europe’s most important transport arteries for freight. Freight traffic is constantly growing, and road freight is particularly responsible for high CO2 emissions.” Bavaria is therefore pursuing numerous projects to shift transport to rail and, in particular, to improve the capacity of rail freight. Only with an attractive combined transport offering can seamless intermodal connectivity be achieved. This requires not only action from railway companies and network operators, but also from the industrial and commercial companies that ship goods. Ultimately, the market decides which mode of transport is used for the goods.
LKZ Managing Director Petra Seebauer also points to the need for cross-border communication between infrastructure operators and a harmonized, cross-border operational organization. LKZ is also working on such a project on behalf of DB Netz AG.
