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.
Freight prices have absolutely exploded
Freight prices have absolutely exploded
With 253 container ships and a transport capacity of 1.8 million TEU, Hapag-Lloyd is one of the world's largest shipping companies. Profit expectations have recently surged despite the coronavirus pandemic, as freight rates have risen by 80 percent. Now, all containers are being equipped with real-time trackers.
The company has approximately 14,100 employees at locations in 137 countries with 421 offices. Hapag-Lloyd has a container fleet of around 3.1 million TEU – including one of the largest and most modern fleets of refrigerated containers. The shipping company is also acquiring a 30 percent stake in the JadeWeserPort container terminal in Wilhelmshaven and a 50 percent stake in the rail terminal.
The acquisition was announced in September 2021. Now the EU Commission has given its approval. Terminal operator Eurogate will retain the remaining shares.
The investment in JadeWeserPort, it is said, will help Hapag-Lloyd further improve its competitive position, particularly in Far East trade, while simultaneously strengthening the North German ports. The parties have agreed to keep the purchase price confidential.
Hapag-Lloyd provides fast and reliable connections between more than 600 ports worldwide with 126 liner services. Following the successful introduction of a real-time data monitoring system for its refrigerated container fleet in 2019, the company is beginning to install newly developed devices on all standard containers in its three million TEU fleet.
“In the future, we will be able to provide all our customers with real-time track-and-trace data, giving them complete transparency over all container movements worldwide. This will allow us to identify delays earlier, automatically inform affected partners, and take timely countermeasures. We are firmly convinced that our real-time tracking approach will not only benefit our customers but will also transform the entire container shipping industry,” says COO Maximilian Rothkopf.
The devices provide GPS-based location data, measure temperatures, and detect sudden vibrations. Additional sensors can be connected via Bluetooth. To ensure the safety of crew, cargo, and ships, the devices are certified according to the ATEX Zone 2 explosion protection standard. Later this year, devices from one of the world's leading companies in the field of Internet of Things solutions will also be added.
“Our vision is to build the world's most intelligent container fleet,” says Olaf Habert, Director of Container Applications. “Collaborating with the most advanced companies for IoT applications on a global scale will help us equip our container fleet as quickly as possible. This is what our customers need now and increasingly expect so they can better manage their complex supply chains.”
www.hapag-lloyd.com
