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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.
Trimodal with crane portal
Trimodal with crane portal
A Fraunhofer IML project focused on the automation of a gantry crane for the comprehensive automation of a transshipment terminal. A gantry crane was prototypically redesigned to enable it to perform independent processes.
The gantry crane was equipped with additional sensors to ensure safe and reliable personnel detection in the crane's vicinity. Final test runs measured the crane cycle times for handling load units. Project manager Maximilian Schellert reported that the same travel times were achieved as with a manually operated crane. The reliable picking and dropping of the load units proved challenging, initially prone to errors. However, the success rate for pick-and-drop operations was significantly increased with the implementation of a "final landing" system. In summary, the automated system performed similarly to an untrained crane operator. The technical implementation was complemented by a roadmap for the development of a corresponding transshipment terminal.
A total of four software modules developed within the project were released as open source. The tools provided allow, among other things, the simplification of camera streams and the administration of control commands. In the AutoModal project, the software was used for environmental sensing around the material handling crane.
Photos: IML
The project is one of several that will be presented by Fraunhofer-IML in Munich from May 9th to 12th at the «transport logistic» trade fair (Hall A3, 501/602).
Also prominently represented with contributions will be Professor Uwe Clausen with forums on "Energy – Transport and Alternative Drive Technologies" (Wednesday, May 10, 3–4 p.m., Hall B2 | 264), on "Whisper Logistics – Potentials and Opportunities for Inner City Logistics" (Thursday, May 11, 1:30–2:30 p.m., Hall B2 | 329), and Alex Vastag on the topic "What Cities Want – New Ideas Are Needed by the Countryside… and the City" (Thursday, May 11, 4:30–5:30 p.m., Hall B2 | 329).
