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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 " once again relied on saws and storage systems from the Rhine Valley in Kansas City.
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.
Full operations resume in the base tunnel
Full operations resume in the base tunnel
Following the derailment of a freight train last August, operations through the world's longest railway tunnel (57 km), one of the most important links between Northern and Southern Europe, have now fully resumed. Freight traffic once again has increased its capacity.
“The Gotthard Base Tunnel not only connects German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino, but also the north and south of the continent and is central to mobility and the flow of goods in Europe. It can now fully resume this important role,” said Federal Councillor Albert Rösti at a press conference.
Travelers can once again reach Ticino and German-speaking Switzerland an hour faster and vice versa – now every half hour throughout the day. Furthermore, all direct connections to Italy are running again: in addition to Milan and Venice, Genoa and Bologna are once again directly accessible from Switzerland. The trinational connection from Frankfurt to Milan is also running again; the Giruno train now operates on this route and runs via Zurich instead of Lucerne. All freight trains are once again using the base tunnel. As a result, all freight customers benefit from a travel time saving of 60 to 75 minutes. Until recently, up to 20 percent of freight trains were still using the scenic route.
Photos: SBB
“We are delighted that our customers can once again travel faster between German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino and benefit from even more frequent service. On behalf of SBB, I thank them, as well as our freight customers, for their patience and understanding over the past 13 months. Numerous employees have worked under difficult conditions – day and night,” said SBB CEO Vincent Ducrot.
Just twelve days after the derailment, the first freight trains were running again through the undamaged eastern tunnel, and less than two months later, some passenger trains were also able to resume service. With the reopening of the intact northern third of the western tunnel in March 2024, an early morning train for commuters from Ticino was added on weekdays.
“We thank SBB for ensuring Ticino’s connection to the rest of Switzerland during the restrictions. Today we are particularly pleased because commuters and students can once again reach German-speaking Switzerland more quickly, and travel to Ticino is also faster and easier for tourists. This is a crucial connection for the canton of Ticino and its economy,” said Christian Vitta, President of the Ticino cantonal government.
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