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“Best of Intralogistics” in the test camp
As part of the Test Camp Intralogistics and the International Forklift of the Year (IFOY) competition, the preliminary certificates for 2026 were presented today in Dortmund by Jan Drömer, Chairman of the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Section, to the 17 nominees who will now go into the final round.
SVTL meets in a historic setting
The general assembly of the Swiss Association for Temperature-Controlled Logistics at Lenzburg Castle on May 8th will address, in addition to the usual agenda items, personnel management, modern advertising for skilled workers on social media and the question of whether humanoid robots will one day be helpful .
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.
Stadler is servicing 55 battery-powered Flirt aircraft in the north
Stadler is servicing 55 battery-powered Flirt aircraft in the north
Almost four years ago, the Swiss train manufacturer won the tender from the Schleswig-Holstein public transport association (NAH.SH) for 55 battery-powered Flirt regional trains. Now, the foundation stone has been laid for a maintenance depot in the far north.
The new maintenance depot in Rendsburg is being built on a 77,000 m² site and includes a vehicle hall with two tracks, pits, and roof access platforms, workshops, an office and social area, and an exterior cleaning facility. The depot was also specifically designed for the treatment, charging, and storage of the batteries that power the Flirt battery-powered trains.
Together with the Schleswig-Holstein Minister of Transport, a time capsule was placed in the foundation of Stadler's newest service center in Germany during the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone. The tender issued by NAH.SH for the delivery of 55 FLIRT battery-powered trains also includes the maintenance of the fleet for 30 years.
Time capsule sunk.
Starting in late summer 2023, the trains will enable the operation of approximately 10 million battery-electric train kilometers on eleven rail lines, representing around 40 percent of rail traffic in Schleswig-Holstein. Stadler is investing around €30 million in the Rendsburg site for vehicle maintenance and aims to create an optimal maintenance, storage, and charging infrastructure for the innovative battery-electric rail vehicles by spring 2024. Up to 30 new jobs will be created at the plant in a modern environment in the coming months.
Minister of Transport Claus Ruhe Madsen stated: "With the battery-powered trains, we are succeeding in more than doubling the number of diesel-free routes in Schleswig-Holstein at a stroke." He added that the maintenance workshop in Rendsburg is a key component for a climate-neutral battery-powered future in the state. "For the city of Rendsburg, the workshop also means that skilled workers can be retained in a future-proof industry. This is a fantastic development for both our climate protection goals and for Schleswig-Holstein as a business location."
Photos: Stadlerrail
NAH.SH Managing Director Arne Beck: “A key factor in ensuring stable operation of the new battery-powered trains is short distances to proper maintenance – and this is now handled by the manufacturer's employees who are thoroughly familiar with the technology.”
In addition to the transfer tracks, eight parking spaces for interior cleaning of the vehicles with overhead lines for recharging the batteries are planned in the outdoor area. Removed batteries must also be stored carefully: Diagnostic containers specifically designed for monitoring the train batteries are provided for this purpose. These containers will be used to comprehensively monitor and analyze the data from the removed energy storage systems in order to determine whether additional maintenance is required.
“We are proud to be able to make a significant contribution to the decarbonization of public rail transport on the non-electrified lines of Schleswig-Holstein with the new maintenance depot, which is precisely tailored to the specific requirements of battery-powered trains, and with the delivery of these innovative battery-powered vehicles,” explains Daniel Baer, Head of Service Division at Stadler Rail Group. "By combining new manufacturing and maintenance, we achieve an optimal service life for the trains over several decades."
Edzard Lübben, Managing Director of Stadler Rail Service Germany: “The road wasn’t easy. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the planning approval was delayed by a year, and the tense global political situation presented us with additional challenges in the form of significant cost increases and material shortages.”
Designed for non-electrified or partially electrified lines, the Flirt battery is versatile. The batteries can be charged while the train is in motion, both at overhead lines and at electrified terminal stations. Additionally, braking energy is stored in the batteries.
