Evermore pressure is being put on the supply chain as companies push to move goods through more efficiently while remaining responsive to demand. The logistics function is a key differentiator in the race to work smarter and stay agile in the face of evolving market conditions.
Manufacturers continue to operate in a built-to-order environment while retailers are faced with driving held inventory our of their cost base – the phrases time-critical and time-definite are still more and more common in an environment where smaller, complex deliveries are required. Then there is the unpredictable pull of consumer demand, which logistics operations must respond to.
Added to that are the challenges of collaboration, real-time visibility, factory gate pricing and reverse logistics, all of which suppliers and retailers have to face.
Tougher, more functional IT hardware and software, advanced automation and mechanical handling technology as well as increasingly flexible, space-efficient storage solutions have helped make leading edge distribution facilities true centres of excellence. Third-party logistics providers benefit from sophisticated vehicle management technology to offset the increasing pressures of time, congestion and environmental legislation.
Wider strategic issues such as the siting, funding and implementation of new distribution facilities and the outsourcing of logistics services are catered for by specialised industrial property providers, consultants and third-party logistics operators.
All these factors will be addressed at Logistics Link North with more than 120 market leading suppliers of products, systems and services demonstrating their capabilities. The exhibition – the first to be held in the North by organiser Logistics Manager – is the biggest and best specialist exhibition to be held this year covering ALL facets of the supply chain from cutting edge storage and retrieval technology for the warehouse to distribution property, design, build and procurement services. Logistics Link North, supported by the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) and the Cold Storage and Distribution Federation (CSDF), was launched to satisfy requests from business leaders throughout the North and Midlands regions for a specialist exhibition that would help them to sharpen up their supply chains by ensuring that they keep their customers happy by getting their goods to the right place, at the right time, in the right condition and at the right cost. And the exhibition is already much bigger than sister show Logistics Link, held at Sandown Park last February.
Logistics Link North continues the well-proven concept of offering attendees a true-one-stop shop for assessing the latest class-leading products, systems and services to maximise the efficiency and agility of their logistics operations. The exhibition is intended to maximise on the productivity of attendees’ time, and logistics professionals will be able to discuss with a diverse range of suppliers in a single visit, within the business surroundings of the Doncaster Racecourse Exhibition & Conference Centre.
Located near to the M18 and A1M motorways, Doncaster Racecourse features ample free parking and is well served by road, main line rail and regional airports to ensure every attendee’s visit is productive, stress-free and as valuable as possible.
Materials handling
No warehousing operation would be complete without lift trucks, stackers and conveyors playing their all important role. Logistics Link North will feature the latest offerings from Crown Lift Trucks, European Conveyor Systems, FKI Logistex, Impact Toyota, Interroll, Jungheinrich, Linde Materials Handling, Narrow Aisle, Still Materials Handling and Translift Engineering.
A wide variety of MHE ancillary products and solutions, including fork attachments and weighing equipment, will be demonstrated by suppliers Avery Weigh-Tronix, Bolzoni-Auramo, Enersys, Flogas, Log-IT Systems, Mettler Toledo and Traka.
Tailored flexibility
The way that many companies from all sectors of industry approach the outsourcing of distribution and associated services, has led to fundamental changes. Internet shopping and make-to-order manufacturing continue to grow rapidly and have resulted in distribution service providers making a marked shift towards tailored, flexible service provision, and establishing added-value partnerships.
Leading players in logistics services will be demonstrating their latest thinking in this area at the exhibition. Caretakers, Eldred Group, Meachers Group and The Potter Group will be highlighting their full range of services.
Also well represented at Logistics Link North are palletised distribution specialists. With many companies now moving smaller, more frequent consignments, such operators as PalletFORCE and Pall-Ex provide a vital link in the supply chain, consolidating and delivering palletised load cost-effectively through dedicated networks of transport operators.
Property provision
The distribution property sector has been revolutionised in recent times with design and build contractors and project managers, agents and developers increasingly catering for the specialised needs of warehouse and distribution centre occupiers.
Logistics Link North offers those involved in sourcing and establishing logistics property solutions a comprehensive choice of suppliers from total design, management, construction and fit-out specialists, developers and consultancies comprising Ambirad, Alliance SSP, Doncaster Investment Team, EcoTile, Goole Multimodal, Humber Trade Zone, Monofloor Technology, Parkfield Projects, Ro-Dor, Storage Structures, Transdek and West Lothian Council.
Automating warehouses
Developments in storage and retrieval mean logistics departments can squeeze ever greater levels of operational efficiency and flexibility from their distribution centre operations. Greater use of automation and ever higher levels of integration between systems characterise the modern warehouse environment.
Warehouse automation and integrators often play a key role in systems support and development, providing ongoing maintenance and servicing, and expert guidance on extension and reconfiguration.
Visitors to Logistics Link North can assess some of the very latest automated handling technology, with experts on hand from several of Europe’s leading suppliers including Elephante Lifts, Knapp and SSI Schaefer.
Information technology
The backbone of any organisation with an evolved logistics function is information technology. The latest breed of logistics software products is enabling forward thinking companies to operate with greater control over and visibility of their supply chains. Logistics Link North will provide one of this year’s best opportunities to get to grips with what is new in this fast moving area.
Warehouse management
The very latest in warehouse management software and advanced supply chain management tools will be featured by ATMS, Central Systems & Automation, Computerway Business Solutions, Delta Software, FWL Technologies, Indigo Software, Mandata, Open Business Solutions, Open Logistix Systems, Principal Systems, Proteus Software, RedPrairie, Synergy Logistics, VSC Solutions and Zafire.
The exhibition will also see a range of highly specialised IT solutions such as wireless warehouse technology, ranging from data capture, barcodes and printers to streamline product storage, retrieval and tracking, will be featured by ASG Services, Belgravium, Concept Labelling Solutions, Datascan, Data Teknologies, Ecolabel.co.uk, i2 Mobile Solutions, IID Solutions, Imaje, Inotec, Intermec, Labfax Systems, Lighthouse, LXE, Psion Teklogix, SATO, Soabar, Weber Marking Systems and Weyfringe Labelling Systems.
Fleet management
Many road transport operations could not function properly if it was not for the vital role that information technology plays. Distribution fleet managers constantly have to juggle with increasing congestion, greater downward pressure from environmental legislation as well as spiralling taxation and fuel costs. As a result they have to work smarter to keep networks running to speed.
Technology plays an important part in achieving this aim, with sophisticated management software and in-cab hardware able to optimise the profitability, security and agility of goods vehicle operations. From haulage operators to home delivery specialists, the latest telematics and information systems are driving ever greater efficiency in this vital but most burdened area of the supply chain.
Logistics Link North will see the very latest in fleet management technologies from leading suppliers 121 Systems, AAC Services, Central Weighing, CFC Solutions, RoadTech Computer Systems, Soltec Computer Systems, Teleroute.
Vehicle and load security is becoming an evermore increasing problem and leading suppliers Brooks, OEM and Unisto Encrypta Products will be on hand to demonstrate their wares.
Accommodating technology
The selection of storage and packaging media is one of the basic yet one of the most important investment decisions made for logistics operations. Visitors to Logistics Link North can digest some of the latest thinking in racking design and provision as well as some innovative and cost-effective solutions for product storage and transit protection.
Several leading racking suppliers including Allibert Buckhorn, Link 51, Linpac Storage Systems, SSI Schaefer and Travhydro will be on hand to demonstrate a full complement of design, consultancy, supply and installation services, tailored to meet individual requirements.
In addition suppliers including will be demonstrating a host of tote and container solutions for storage and transit protection – an area in which, in the light of growing packaging legislation and the cost of raw materials, many logistics operations have already forged significant savings.
Warehouse maintenance
Having trouble keeping your warehouse clean and tidy? Then do not despair as Depureco will be on hand exhibiting its latest products.
Packaging solutions
Packaging and security seals play an important role within the supply chain and Logistics Link North will feature the latest developments in this sector from BPI Packaging, Claricom, Easypack, FP International, Mil-TekOrion Packaging Systems, PostSafe and Simpson Packaging.
Safety solutions
Distribution centres and warehouses can be dangerous and noisy places with forklifts moving stock to and from loading bays and automation systems operating constantly. Castell Safety International, SBES and Vision Techniques will be demonstrating the very latest in safety technology to ensure to ensure logistics staff work in a safe environment.
Consultancy and education
The supply chain is constantly evolving, and logistics professionals must keep pace to ensure their own operations continue to be efficient and on the ball. Consultants and educational organisations Bolton Institute, Humber Institute and Total Logistics will be on at hand at Logistics Link North to offer advice.
Business environment
Time is perhaps the most precious commodity in today’s business environment. With a broad range of complementary logistics product, system and service providers on hand, Logistics Link North will offer forward thinking logistics professionals with a valuable means of evaluating the very latest tools for optimising operations in a single, focused hit.
Admission is free. Also, there are thousands of free parking spaces, and a complimentary courtesy bus will operate from Doncaster railway station to Doncaster Racecourse. n
For further information about Logistics Link North contact Richard Milbourn on
020 8661 1160 or by emailing richard.milbourn@
sevenkingspublications.co.uk or visit www.logisticslink.co.uk
