WAGNER Switzerland AG
WWW.LOGISTICSINNOVATION.ORG
The online magazine for Switzerland, the EU and the rest of the world
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.
Next stop: Golf region
Next stop: Golf region
Stadler CEO Peter Spuhler couldn't miss this opportunity. Both the Minister of Transport and head of Saudi Arabia Railways, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, and Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin were present at the signing of a 600 million Swiss franc contract for 20 high-speed trains for Saudi Arabia.
The new trains will be built to the latest European and international standards and specially equipped for the climate and environmental conditions in Saudi Arabia. They will be approximately 175 meters long, equipped with two independent diesel-electric propulsion units that meet the latest European Stage V emissions standards, and will offer seating for around 320 passengers. They will operate on the rapidly expanding SAR rail network throughout the country.
The delivery contract includes a base contract for ten trainsets with an option for ten more. The maintenance contract covers full maintenance and the supply of spare parts for a period of ten years, with an option for an additional ten trains for the following decade. The total contract value is estimated at 600 million Swiss francs.
Image: Stadlerrail.
The contract follows an international tender process by SAR in 2022, with Stadler being selected as SAR's preferred supplier in 2023, followed by an extensive negotiation process. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), and an engineer himself, explained that the acquisition of these modern trains is a response to the increasing demand for East Train passenger services, as the new trains will help double the annual capacity of the East Trains to more than 3.8 million passengers per year and offer direct services from Riyadh to Dammam (express service).
Al-Jasser added that the introduction of these modern trains to the rail network is also in line with the initiatives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS), which aims to (…) expand the public transport system in the Kingdom and open new horizons for commercial transport.
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) CEO Bashar bin Khaled Al-Malik: “Today we are witnessing a comprehensive development and a sustainable strategic transformation in the railway sector. (…) The new trains will serve the entire operating area of the Eastern Railway network, increasing seating capacity, the number of daily services, and the network's annual capacity, as the trains will serve the stations of Riyadh, Hofuf, Abqaiq, and Dammam.”
Peter Spuhler added: “We will do everything we can to meet the high expectations of SAR and its passengers.” He described Stadler's entry into the Gulf region's railway market as a strategic milestone, “a market that is expected to outperform other railway markets in terms of travel experience and passenger growth.”
(In the picture from left: Stadler CEO Peter Spuhler, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, Transport Minister Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser and Bashar bin Khaled Al-Malik, CEO of Saudi Arabia Railways)
