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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.
Long-term contracts at SBB Cargo
Long-term contracts at SBB Cargo
Numerous SBB Cargo Switzerland transport customers, such as Migros, have signed new single wagonload (EWLV) contracts with terms of up to ten years. New contracts have also reportedly been concluded with fenaco, Stahl Gerlafingen, and the Swiss saltworks.
EWLV at Migros
This means that over 95 percent of all customers will continue to rely on the EWLV (European Rail Freight Service) in the long term. SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) considers the contracts a milestone in the realignment of its rail freight operations. In the EWLV, individual freight wagons from various customers are collected and assembled into freight trains.
Further degrees in progress
“Whether it’s fruit, wheat, cement or steel: with the new contracts, the business customers and SBB are jointly ensuring that the Swiss economy functions, the country’s supply is guaranteed and at the same time a significant contribution is made to reducing CO2 emissions and relieving the burden on the roads,” says Alexander Muhm, member of the SBB Group Executive Board and Head of Freight Transport.
A.Muhm. Photo: SBB
been concluded with SIPRO, Colas, and mobilog, an AMAG company underway with customers in the chemical, construction, steel, food, and timber industries. SBB transports approximately 11 million tons annually for its transport customers within the EWLV (European Rail Transport Association) network, using more than half a million wagons . If these wagons were lined up end to end, they would stretch the length of a freight train from Zurich to Bangkok.
It's about the future of freight transport.
be operated if customers are willing to transport large quantities by rail and adapt their logistics and infrastructure accordingly and the new production model for the EWLV (European Rail Freight Service). The latter is intended to allow for more efficient, robust, and economical operation from the timetable change in 2026/27 (December 13, 2026). Without the EWLV, up to one million additional truck journeys would be necessary annually on Switzerland's heavily congested highways .
With losses, aging rolling stock, and declining transport volumes, SBB's freight operations are at a turning point. While block train services cover their costs, combined transport (CT) and single wagonload (SWL) services are operating at a significant loss. The federal government, as the owner of SBB, demands commercially viable freight services. Therefore, a fundamental transformation of SBB's freight operations is necessary. With this realignment, SBB aims to secure climate-friendly rail freight and jobs in the long term.
