WAREHOUSE MAY 2015               Business News pg

HRH The Princess Royal to visit IFWLA Convention in Liverpool

HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of Transaid, will visit the Annual Convention of the International Federation of Warehousing Logistics Associations (IFWLA) at the Town Hall in Liverpool, Merseyside on Tuesday 2 June 2015. During the visit, Her Royal Highness will meet representatives from the UK and global logistics community who will be congregating in Liverpool for the Convention and UKWA (United Kingdom Warehousing Association) hosted conference. The Princess will also speak about the importance of international development charity Transaid’s work and support from the International community.

Agency workers unaware of their rights and afraid of raising concerns

A recently published Acas study reveals that amongst callers to the Acas helpline, agency workers were often unaware of their employment rights and afraid of raising workplace concerns due to fears over job security.  The Acas paper, ‘Three sides to every story: the impact of the Agency Worker Regulations’, looked at recent research around agency workers as well as employers and employees that called the Acas helpline about agency work.

On average, one in five calls to the helpline related to contract issues. Acas chair, Sir Brendan Barber, said: What has always made this employment relationship so complex is its triangular nature – with a need to balance the needs of workers, hirers and agencies.

The Acas paper concludes that a greater awareness of the experiences of agency workers and how their employment rights can be protected would benefit the competitive nature of agency businesses.

UniDrug rebrands to Alloga UK
UniDrug Distribution Group (UDG), one of the UK’s leading pharmaceutical pre-wholesale and contract logistics suppliers, has been rebranded to Alloga UK. One of Europe’s leading specialist pre-wholesale and contract logistics providers, Alloga offers customers high quality, secure and robust services. It is part of the Pharmaceutical Wholesale Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance. Jeremy Main, MD, Alliance Healthcare (Distribution) Limited, will oversee Alloga’s operations in the UK. Chris Williams, former MD of UDG, is the new MD of Alloga UK.

 

Eastern European collaboration

UK specialist food distributor Oakland International will be collaborating with Austrian-based transport operator Roswel across Eastern Europe. This move will increase the existing number of European suppliers sending product in to the UK, whilst delivering a route for Irish and UK suppliers and producers to service Eastern Europe. Oakland International MD, Dean Attwell, stated: Roswel is a great company with great people, and we are delighted to be working with them to further advance our joint European retail market activities.

Roswel MD, Gerhard Roithner, stated: By combining our knowledge we are able to provide a new type of service. Roswel acts as a hub for all our customers’ goods travelling to Central and Eastern Europe.

Forklift Operator of the Year reaps rewards

After winning the title of Forklift Operator of the Year in 2013, Wincanton employee Ryszard Janus has recently qualified as an RTITB lift truck instructor. Janus beat 39 other finalists to be crowned the best forklift operator in the country, which he says helped to develop his confidence to become a forklift operator instructor. Returning in 2016, the RTITB Operator of the Year Competition is held every three years to find the best forklift operator in the country. The competition begins with an online theory test, opening in April 2016. The top 40 entrants will be chosen to compete in live heats at IMHX (International Materials Handling Exhibition) from 13-16 September 2016, with the top 10 finalists moving on to the grand final held in early 2017. To enter or find out more, visit www.opofyear.com

Yale’s smart new pallet truck

The Yale MP 16-22 Series introduces the Yale Smart Lift and Yale Smart Slow Down technology, which is claimed to improve operator productivity. Studies by Yale found that operators using a single fluid motion to lift and move loads resulted in increased productivity as a result of reduced cycle times. Yale Smart Lift allows all operators to execute this method by allowing them to lift loads and start transporting the pallet before it is at full lift, eliminating the need for the operator to continually hold the lift button while waiting for the lift cycle to complete.

Simarco slashes fuel costs with Mitsubishi

Simarco, one of the UK’s leading independent freight firms, expects to use significantly less fuel after switching to Mitsubishi GRENDiA forklifts. The new deal with Bronze Mechanical Handling has seen eight GRENDiA trucks, with capacities from 2 to 3 tonnes, replace the Essex company’s outgoing fleet of mixed suppliers and brands.

Experts provide import solution at major port

Temporary building company Spaciotempo has installed a high-tech structure at the Port of Felixstowe. It is being used to make sure imported goods from all over the world meet strict standards laid down by the European Commission.

The 25 m x 25 m building, which is 5 m high, is helping to cope with demand following the introduction of a new food safety programme at the port, which now deals with around 60% of all goods imported to the UK. It will remain on site until work to create a permanent facility, which can handle greater volumes of incoming traffic is completed in July.

 

Hellmann increases revues by up to 20%

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics UK has released its latest end of year results highlighting significant progress across all of its divisions. Air, ocean, logistics and road operations have all proved to have a strong year, seeing increases in revenue by as much as 20% on the previous year. Andy Connor, MD of Hellmann UK, said: We are delighted to confirm a very positive result despite various challenges.”

Interactive human-robot workstations

For the first time, Swisslog and KUKA exhibited jointly at Hanover Messe 2015 on 13-17 April. The stand showcased a combined human-robot workstation for order fulfillment picking or for the automated supply of industrial assembly line components.

Called Automated Item Pick, it is based on KUKA’s LBR iiwa, the world’s first production-ready collaborative lightweight robot, which turns Swisslog’s fully automated CarryPick and AutoStore goods-to-person picking solutions into interactive human-robot workstations.

Surfair joins UPN Pallet Network

Midlands based Surfair Logistics has become a full member of the United Pallet Network (UPN), which currently has 80 members covering the whole of the UK and European partners providing coverage throughout 26 countries. Based in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, Surfair already provides extensive logistic solutions throughout the UK and Europe, but will be serving businesses in the LE 65 postcode area on behalf of the UPN network. Paul Cannon, MD of Surfair Logistics commented: Being part of UPN means Surfair Logistics customers will now have access to the widest range of UK next day and economy services for palletised freight.  They will also be able to send freight in the widest range of freight types, from 150 kg up to 1,200 kg per pallet.

Century Logistics wins award

Century Logistics was presented with the SME Operations Award at the SHD Logistics Awards. The judge’s comments said: Century Logistics was described as first class, proactive professional and entrepreneurial by its partners, who recognise this company as one which extends well beyond warehousing. Stephen Basey-Fisher, MD at Century Logistics, said: If I’m honest I was slightly shocked we won given we were up against such strong contenders. We always strive to do the very best for our customers and delivering excellence is bred into everything we do. We’re particular proud of this award because this is our industry acknowledging our commitment and hard work.

CEVA names Antonio Fondevilla to lead Global Automotive Sector

CEVA Logistics has appointed Antonio Fondevilla as executive vice president responsible for the company’s global Automotive sector, which accounted for 24% of the company’s annual revenue in 2014. Fondevilla has more than 20 years of supply chain management and automotive logistics experience. He joined CEVA in 2008 and most recently served as vice president, Global Key Account Management, as well as the company’s interim leader of the European Automotive sector. 

Bristol Forklifts named UK’s best

The Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) has awarded Bristol Forklifts the Customer Focus Award for the firm’s commitment to delivering excellent sales, service and customer support. Bristol Forklifts became the third recipient of the national Award “ in recognition of the company’s outstanding technical expertise and customer commitment. FLTA chief executive Peter Harvey said: Bristol Forklifts has shown real technical excellence to deliver bespoke solutions in two entirely different applications. The first involved the development of a semi-permanent safety cage for an order picker, while the second saw them develop a diesel fork lift that combined the qualities of a stevedore truck with a container specification.

British Safety Council runs good practice morning seminar

The British Safety Council will be holding a morning seminar on ‘ in central Cardiff at the Thistle Hotel on Wednesday 20 May 2015. Registration opens at 08:15, with the event running from 08:55 “ 12:30. The morning will be about sharing good practice in health and safety management. The speakers will be addressing current and pertinent topics of safety culture and the role of leadership, how to tackle occupational health, and providing an update and insight into the latest developments in health and safety enforcement and prosecutions in England and Wales. Further information at: www.britsafe.org

David Wright arrives at Hellmann UK

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics UK has appointed David Wright as its new European road freight director. Wright will be based at the Lichfield headquarters and will be responsible for chartering the road freight product across Europe with a focus on commercial activity.

Wright brings with him over 30 years of experience in several senior managerial roles within the logistics industry based in the UK. His new role will see Wright concentrating on growing Hellmann’s road freight product on a commercial basis and development of new business opportunities.

Wright commented: Hellmann is one of the largest family owned businesses in the world with a very strong European network and it is great to be a part of it. Hellmann already has a great reputation within the European marketplace and I am looking forward to building on this and driving the road freight product forward.

£420 Raised at Red Nose Day Charity Car Wash.

Stevenage based SEC Storage and Toyota Material Handling UK together raised £420 at a Red Nose Day fancy dress charity car wash on 10 March. Staff at SEC Storage teamed up with the East Anglia sales force from Toyota Material Handling to raise money for this years’ Comic Relief Red Nose Day appeal.

I’d like to pass on my thanks to SEC Storage and all those that turned up to have their car washed commented Ronnie Finney, regional sales manager. The figure raised has surpassed expectations and has helped the East Anglia Team raise over £1000 for Red Nose Day, which is just fantastic.