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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.
Non-smokers have an advantage
Non-smokers have an advantage
The project team
In the future, when one of these trucks is described as being "full steam ahead", it will refer to a hydrogen-powered truck used for DHL in distribution and scheduled transport, emitting only small puffs of steam from the exhaust pipe instead of exhaust fumes.
DHL Freight, based on a technology-neutral approach, will further advance decarbonization in its land transport operations and has put a hydrogen-powered truck from manufacturer Paul Nutzfahrzeuge into service at its Cologne suburb of Frechen. The hydrogen power truck, a vehicle based on a Mercedes-Benz Atego, will be used for distribution and scheduled services at the Cologne location during the one-year pilot project. It is the second hydrogen truck for DHL in Germany: another vehicle is in operation for the Post & Parcel division in Cologne West. As part of its sustainability strategy (and the interim goal of reducing its emissions to less than 29 million tons by 2030), the company is testing various sustainable drive solutions.
Photos: group.DHL
“Especially in land transport, where no alternative drive solution has yet become firmly established, it is important for us to test different solutions in line with a technology-neutral approach. These include battery-electric trucks as well as hydrogen vehicles, which score points particularly due to their range and fast refueling on longer journeys. Ultimately, our aim is to identify the best technology and drive mix in order to achieve our goal of net-zero emissions logistics by 2050,” says Thomas Vogel, CEO for DHL Freight DA-CH and UK.
The two 15.6-ton trucks, with a range of approximately 400 km with a trailer (600 km without), were manufactured by Paul Nutzfahrzeuge in Vilshofen an der Donau, Lower Bavaria, on behalf of Shell. DHL Freight and Post & Paket Deutschland operate the vehicles via the innovative Shell Hydrogen Pay-Per-Use platform model. In addition to the vehicle and the hydrogen refueling infrastructure, Shell's offer also covers all necessary services during the usage period. The vehicles are exclusively serviced by the workshop of the commercial vehicle center in Frechen. If the hydrogen used is produced with green electricity, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions – provided the driver is a non-smoker – can reach up to 100%, according to DHL.
DHL Freight already operates around 150 vehicles in Germany with zero or significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions – battery-electric vehicles for local transport, and bio-CNG and bio-LNG vehicles for long-distance transport. Further pilot projects with battery-electric vehicles for long-distance transport or hydrogen-powered articulated lorries are planned for 2024.
