More than 100 market-leading suppliers are exhibiting at Logistics Link North which is moving to its new home in Harrogate.
Now in its third year, Logistics Link North is part of the highly successful Logistics Link series of exhibitions which offer logistics professionals an accessible, time-saving, one-stop-shop where they can assess the latest range of products, systems and services for the supply chain to keep their businesses ahead of the competition.
New to Logistics Link North are product demonstrations and free seminars to help visitors discover what’s new in logistics and find the right solutions.
Companies demonstrating their products will include Airtrax with its Sidewinder ATX-3000 electronically operated four-wheel drive forklift truck, showing for the first time in the UK, Translift Bendi with the Bendi B3 which can operate in 1.6m aisles, Hako with its range of cleaning machines and Psion Teklogix with its voice picking vs Paper vs Terminal picking system.
LXE will be holding a 45-minute hands-on workshop and presentation entitled “An open systems approach” covering the essentials of voice technology.
There is also number of companies making their debut at the show. It is the biggest and best logistics exhibition in the north of England, with firms covering all facets of the supply chain, from materials handling to racking, storage and packaging, vehicle fleet management/telematics systems, tracking, routeing and scheduling, mobile solutions, contract logistics, cleaning, mezzanine, temporary storage and doors, supply chain software, and printer, bar-coding, labelling, wireless and RDT systems. A range of other leading specialist suppliers include warehouse automation systems integrators, logistics consultants, industrial property developers and planning/letting agents, and specialist service providers.
The event takes place at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate on 20 and 21 September .
Materials handling and automation will be strongly represented at the exhibition. Knapp UK designs, supplies and maintains automated logistics solutions, specialising in paperless order fulfilment systems. Knapp solutions typically feature intelligent conveyor, sorters, A-frames, pick-by-light systems, mini-cranes and handling robots. The company offers its own WMS, as well as integrating its logistics equipment with WMS products from other suppliers.
In particular, Knapp is promoting its order storage and retrieval system (OSR). Specifically designed for handling slow-moving products, the OSR combines AS/RS with pick-by-light technology to provide up to 1,000 picks per man-hour. OSR systems have been supplied to AAH Pharmaceuticals, British Gas, Koch in the USA and Office Depot in France.
EXDS supplies and supports the complete range of CubiScan products throughout the UK. The CubiScan is an automatic measuring and weighing solution that captures accurate volumetric data for products and packages. This information is critical for an effective and optimised supply chain and ensures correct functioning of most warehouse management systems.
SSI Schaefer will be highlighting the benefits of its Systems Group. Bob Jane, business development manager at SSI Schaefer, says: “While there are many organisations that actively work in this area, only a few actually manufacture the diverse range of products and systems needed to satisfy the demands of this expanding industry. Schaefer has the ability to provide every aspect of project management, from planning and design through to consultation and implementation.”
EXDS has just installed the first CubiScan Vision System 1000 in the UK. It is a ceiling-mounted, static volumetric scanning device that uses advanced laser (FDA class II) and camera-based sensing technology, both of which are safe for operators and can give accurate volumetric and weight data for palletised products. It is designed to handle freight, which is generally cuboid, and has a measurement range of 1.8m x 1.8m x 2.4m at a mounted height of 4.75m. Measurement resolution is 25mm. The CubiScan 1000-VS can process multi-piece shipments, having parcels of the same or random sizes and prepare the collected dimensional and weight data to be transferred to a host solution.
Central Systems & Automation develops and implements Autostore, one of the UK’s leading warehouse management and control systems. A real-time, modular and enterprise-wide software solution suitable for major distribution centres, Autostore accommodates both automated and manual handling systems. Easy to use and with a powerful reporting capability that provides valuable management information for improved decision-making, Autostore automates and optimises all operational distribution centre activities, from receiving to put-away, order allocation, picking, loading and dispatch.
Forklift trucks
Linde Castle will be exhibiting three new models at Logistics Link North: the R 14 X reach truck, the high-performance T 20 SP electric pallet truck and the extremely energy-efficient and versatile E 16 counterbalance electric truck. All these models incorporate the latest advances in technology and ergonomics to provide industry-leading standards of comfort, safety, reliability and high productivity combined with lower operating costs.
Aisle-Master, which specialises in articulated forklifts, offers a range of electric and LPG powered trucks, designed to cut aisle-widths in the warehouse, achieving space savings of up to 50 per cent compared with using a combination of counterbalance and reach trucks. The trucks work indoors and outside. This allows one truck to offload and take product directly to racking and avoids time-consuming double handling of pallets. Capacities of up to 2,000 kg are available, with various lift heights for diverse applications.
Translift Bendi will be showing a forklift from its B3 range and a gas-powered Bendi. Within the B3 range are the B313 and B318, both three-wheeler electrics, rated at 1.35 t and 1.8 t basic capacity respectively and able to work in aisles only 1.6m wide. Like all Bendi models, they can work outside on the roughest yards. This enables users to make huge savings in space and truck numbers, and sometimes leads to instant truck payback where forklifts are rented or leased.
Translift’s range of LPG or CNG-powered trucks includes the BG20 series and BG40, both with a top lift of 9m. The BG20 needs aisles only 1.6m wide to work safely, about 150 mm less than its nearest competitor, and its bigger brother needs a slightly wider 1.8m.
BT Rolatruc recognises the importance of material handling equipment in most business operations. Its current range of counterbalance trucks cover capacity requirements from 1,200kg to 5,000kg and come with a choice of AC-electric, gas or diesel engines.
It has about 9,000 employees and an annual turnover of about SEK 15bn (£1.1bn). With seven manufacturing plants in four countries on two continents, it has a sales and service network that covers the entire world.
Airtrax UK will be showing its omni-directional technology. The Sidewinder ATX-3000 electrically operated four-wheel drive system is able to travel in all directions, enabling it to work in tight spaces where turns are not possible and where exceptional inching capability is required.
The Sidewinder has both omni-directional technology and a four-wheel drive system. This unique combination provides the Sidewinder with superior traction and breaking. The design of the Sidewinder reduces the requirement for numerous parts found in conventional fork-lift trucks. The design has also eliminated other high maintenance issues associated with conventional forklift trucks.
Narrow Aisle has specialised in VNA trucks since the company was originally formed and today manufactures and markets the Flexi together with a range of VNA products including man-down and man-up trucks, order pickers and reach trucks.
Crown sees its growth in the UK market continuing with the opening of a new branch in Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex to serve London and the South East. Crown now operates from five UK locations: Sunbury, Swindon, Bristol, Warrington and Lanarkshire. At the show, Crown is introducing the TSP 6000 Series turret stock-picker.
The three-point design of the TSP 6000 offers very tight turning radiuses, yet it can perform a multitude of tasks throughout the warehouse including picking, transporting and staging.
Avery Weigh-Tronix will be exhibiting its Forklift Truck Scale, a platform scale and Evolution digital indicator for bulk weighing applications and a pallet truck scale.
The Forklift Truck Scale transforms lift trucks into mobile scales that deliver trade-approved weight verification of each pallet as it is picked up – so an organisation can now lift, weigh, move and invoice loads within its existing process. Visitors can see a live demonstration of how the system guides the driver through the loading process and can record the deck position of each pallet. This ensures safe weight distribution on trailers to avoid overload fines.
Warehouse IT systems
FWL Technologies is launching its new WMS system at Logistics Link North. The new WMS provides easy installation, comprehensive warehousing functionality and options for scanning and voice picking and all at a low total cost of ownership. FWL says that that to remain competitive, many mid-sized companies require the same flexible, wide-ranging system capabilities as the larger players. Also this year, it will promote Agresso Business World (ABW) for the first time to UK supply chain companies.
Manhattan Associates will be at the show fresh from its major contract win with River Island which has used Manhattan’s warehouse management system as part of a programme to replace all of its legacy computer systems. River Island chose the system because it fulfilled its requirement for a system that was both robust and flexible enough to manage the flow of goods throughout its European distribution centre in Milton Keynes.
“The smooth running of our distribution centre is very important,” says to Ben Lewis, operations director of River Island. “It is at the core of our business so the solution we use to run the distribution centre must be both reliable and scalable.”
The company has also implemented Manhattan’s Labour Management system. “The solution has enabled us to optimise the operating patterns of our workforce,” explains Mr Lewis. “With about 300 employees in the warehouse, we now have significantly faster job allocation.”
RedPrairie also goes into the show on the back of a major win. TNT Logistics has selected RedPrairie for its warehouse execution software. RedPrairie will be one of TNT Logistics’ WMS anchor applications as part of the Matrix technology suite, with a concentration for pan-European operations. The software will become part of TNT Logistics’ portfolio to provide best-in-class technologies for logistics solutions.
The Matrix supply chain execution system extends visibility of material for TNT’s customers within their network of supply-chain trading partners. Matrix integrates transport and inventory management in a single system to provide an extended enterprise view of the manufacturing supply chain.
Keith Goldsmith, chief information officer of TNT Logistics said: “The software will run in a best-in-class central European data centre environment. It will also help TNT Logistics to leverage its lean warehousing project by supporting high-calibre operational processes in different market sectors. This will ensure faster and more seamless implementations of new operations.”
ATMS, the Birmingham-based logistics software provider, has launched its latest module for StockTrack Plus, its warehouse management system. The Advanced Resource Management (ARM) module was developed to enhance warehouse productivity.
ARM links seamlessly into StockTrack Plus, providing a real-time view of warehousing operations and tasks, including expected receipts, put-aways, picks and despatches. The dashboard viewing module allows warehouse supervisors and managers to balance the load and labour resource across all their operations. For third-party logistics providers it allows labour to be reallocated according to client demands, and for managers to ensure that service level agreements are adhered to. ARM can be used to view historical information and to view forecasted information.
Sense Enterprise Solutions will be showing Microsoft Dynamics AX. Sense specialises in helping clients implement complete all-in-one systems to optimise efficiencies in distribution businesses. It says Dynamics AX is a standard integrated system that is both powerful enough in functionality and makes sense commercially.
Tecsys will be showing its enterprise-class applications for supply chain management organisations of today and tomorrow, including distribution software, warehouse software, transport software, enterprise performance software e-commerce & EDI.
NCS, a major 3PL in Ireland specialising in cold storage, has chosen Proteus RF directed WMS to run its new, purpose-built cold storage warehouse and to control its van sales and doorstep deliveries. The warehouse operates at -28o and stores the well known Unilever brands HB/Walls, Carte D’Or, Birds Eye Frozen Foods and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Scanning equipment is provided by Psion Teklogix.
Proteus also controls the company’s fleet van sales. Every delivery vehicle is equipped with a PDA that links to the Proteus system. Each vehicle is treated like a movable mini-warehouse. As goods are sold from the van the sale is recorded in the PDA. On return to the warehouse the PDA is connected to the main Proteus WMS system and automatically updated with the recorded information.
Minster Logistics provides configurable, comprehensive solutions to supply chain and logistics businesses. The system is used by, among others, wholesale distribution companies, contract warehousing organisations and local authorities.
Exact Abacus, which specialises in mail order, fulfilment, distribution and e-commerce software, will be launching one of its new best of breed products, developed with the latest Microsoft.net technology, at Logistics Link North. ISOS is an intelligent stock optimisation system, which takes sales forecasting to new dimensions, automatically controlling both stock and procurement.
Computerway will be showing its operational management system that tracks product flows throughout the factory and supply chain. Integrated, hardware and modular software provides real-time information by linking sales orders, production, and despatches. Unique item or batch tracking through barcode or RFID technology provides forward or backwards traceability. Data can be exchanged/ integrated with most accounts and ERP packages.
Mobile terminals
Psion Teklogix offers fully integrated solutions that include rugged hardware, secure wireless networks, robust software, professional services and exceptional support programmes. New products on show include: Workabout Pro with RFID capabilities (HF, LF and UHF); Psion Teklogix RFID paddle; T5 voice picking terminal plus peripherals (also a live voice picking demo in the demo arena); Psion Teklogix 7530 freezer terminal; and Psion Teklogix 8525 & 8530 vehicle mount terminals.
Psion Teklogix solutions enable enterprises to mobilise their business applications, allowing employees to gather, enter and share data at the point of work. Its solutions empower mobile workforces by increasing efficiency and improving productivity, making companies more profitable and competitive.
Psion Teklogix offers extensive industry experience and proven results in providing mobile computing solutions for customers in a wide variety of markets: airports, automotive, cold chain, field service, government, ports/ container yards, transport, and warehousing and distribution.
LXE will be displaying its complete range of hand-held and vehicle-mounted wireless terminals. These are now available with the VoiceXML browser, which is certified to work with all of Voxware’s software solutions including Voice Logistics Pro.
LXE’s offering is unique in that it has voice enabled its entire product line, allowing companies to benefit from voice technology in every area of their operation.
“We can deliver a complete set of ruggedised devices optimised with ToughTalk technology, which clearly shows LXE’s focus on providing the leading, ruggedised voice terminal solution, designed to exceed customers’ expectations,” says Damian Penney, sales and marketing director, LXE.
LXE will also be running a seminar at the Show. “Voice Technology: An Open Systems Approach” is a 45 minute hands-on workshop and presentation which will cover the essentials of voice technology.
Held each day at 1pm in the presentation theatre at the exhibition centre, the free presentation will also include a delegate lunch.
Transport and fleet management
Enterprise Software has been a dedicated solution provider to the logistics and fleet sectors for over 15 years. It will be showing visitors automated proof of delivery using PDAs, digipen or interactive voice response; vehicle and trailer tracking; and automated planning.
Eight of the top 15 logistics providers use its solution and so do many smaller companies. It specialises in business requirement analysis, tailored development services, project management, implementation support and training.
It says its full-cycle TMS is unique in that the emerging technologies of telematics document scanning and web integration are all seamlessly linked to the core product.
VSc Solutions provides end-to-end software solutions for distributors, logistics organisations, 3PLs, wholesalers and retailers. Components include: traffic management and planning, route optimisation, telematics, electronic POD and receipt printing and satellite navigation and in-vehicle messaging.
A host of new features for the Truckcom system will be launched at the show. Truckcom combines front-end customer interfaces for sales, ordering and online job status with planning, allocation of work to vehicles, maintenance, two-way data communication with drivers, in-cab navigation, AA low bridge data and POD capture to exploit technology and provide maximum business benefit. Its pallet network manifest interface and barcode track and trace functionality provide a full history and status for any pallet.
New features include document scanning, providing a complete electronic data capture solution, and Truckcom Lite.
Geographical information systems are becoming increasingly important in supply chain operations and two of the leading systems will be on show at Logistics Link North.
SIA has just launched its dataMAP Mobile, a new mapping and GIS system which can be used to visualise and capture geographic data on handheld devices. Datamap Mobile allows the user to capture spatial data out in the field, and can synchronise this with an office-based GIS system. Data can be stored and synchronised at a later date, or over-the-air dynamic synchronisation can be carried out via wireless/GSM connectivity.
Datamap Mobile can be used in routeing applications, and real-time tracking via GPS. It displays both raster and vector maps and handles industry-standard data formats. It is compatible with most PocketPC and GPS devices and runs on PocketPC, WinCE and Windows Mobile 5 operating systems.
Map-based distribution planning, analysis and reporting systems from Map Mechanics are widely used in own-account operations, third party distribution companies and logistics consultancies. Map Mechanics solutions can help you with routeing, scheduling, tracking depot location, boundary revisions, territory planning and profitability analysis. To meet customer requirements, Map Mechanics evaluate data and software from across the world and offer solutions for each application together with consultancy, bespoke development, training and technical support as required. Truckstops, Geo Concept and Opti Site software with mapping to street level as well as bespoke applications are key to our solutions.
I2 Mobile Solutions will be giving businesses of all sizes the chance to assess the latest products and services as well as discuss new ways to improve productivity with our experienced team of professionals.
With more than 15 years’ experience in creating and integrating mobile solutions, it has played a hand in the way mobile computing technology has revolutionised the supply chain, speeding up processes, improving accuracy and reducing operational overheads.
DLoG manufactures a range of both vehicle mount and mobile computers/terminals, and is a world leader in quality achieved through in-house development. Alongside its established range of terminals is the DLoG X7 and the new DLoG XMDA. Both run on Windows CE 5.0, feature a seven-inch QWVGA colour TFT touch-screen display, an Intel PXA270 processor and WLAN connectivity.
The DLoG X7 is a compact mobile terminal designed for vehicle applications with two serial and USB ports and with great vibration/shock resilience, making it ideal for modern industrial and logistics applications.
The DLoG XMDA is a hand-held logistics terminal. An eight-hour battery life in mobile use makes it ideal for use in any type of vehicle or as a handheld scanner in warehouses.
The device is both ergonomic and attractive. Its corners are protected by special caps serving as shock absorbers and it includes integrated ports for headsets, speakers and scanners.
Seven, a vehicle tracking and remote temperature monitoring specialist, has recently announced that its in-house engineering team are registered members of the Silver Award Scheme for installation of in-car phone kits and telematics devices.
Seven is one of the few vehicle tracking companies to employ its own full-time installation team of engineers. It has undertaken compliance to the Federation of Communication Services Customer Charter MPT1362 code of practice.
The Asset Track satellite vehicle tracking system offered by Seven is a real-time pin-point vehicle location device providing comprehensive live and historical information on vehicle movements. The team at Seven will be at Logistics Link North to demonstrate the system.
Warehouse equipment and services
Welconstruct Customer Solutions works provides design and project management for a variety of building service solutions. Welconstruct’s distribution and logistics team of specialists can provide the knowledge and expertise and have a number of blue chip customers to their credit, having completed distribution centre schemes at Morrisons in Yate, Kettering and Bellshill, Choices UK in Peterborough and Argos at Welwyn Garden City, Milton Keynes and Bridgewater.
Warehouse Systems (WSL) designs and installs storage solutions to clients throughout the UK, from small item shelving through to complex pallet racking and mezzanine floor systems. It also operates a web-based catalogue to supply warehouse equipment and consumables.
ASG Services provides floor marking systems and warehouse rack labels. Founded in 1995, as a supplier and installer of bay location labels, ASG Services has supplied logistics businesses such as Wincanton, Exel and Littlewoods home shopping. Following its development into floor embedded labels and line marking in 1999 it has provided many sites with a complete range of ID and floor marking products as part of both new build and IT projects.
Ro-Dor will again be exhibiting four doors from its range of industrial doors and loading bay products. Among those on show will be the Ro-Dor Pvcu roller shutter door renowned for good insulation and hygiene properties, a crash resistant Dynaco rapid roll door with a knockout facility and automatic re-set, suitable for internal & external applications, a Hormann sectional door which has a number of benefits, but in general terms offers the home market all the advantages of precision German engineering. In terms of function and design Hormann doors blend superbly into modern industrial architecture.
Kent based mezzanine floor manufacturer, Gardner Engineering is currently looking for distributor partners to represent its interests. Its mezzanine floor systems are individually tailored to meet customers’ needs, ready for assembly on site by a team of erectors, and are demountable.
Health and Safety directives are obliging more companies to ensure that forklift traffic and pedestrian areas are well defined and separated, usually by printed symbols or pedestrian designated lines on warehouse and workplace floors.
Cleaning specialist SRS has recently fulfilled an order to supply three of Rackham House floor sites with reconditioned PowerBoss Armadillo Diesel sweepers. The sweepers are from its own hire fleet, where they are regularly serviced and fully maintained by the company’s engineers.
SRS carries out a complete reconditioning, stripping down and totally rebuilding each machine, replacing parts where necessary. SRS can supply both engine-powered and battery sweepers and scrubber dryers, all from its hire fleet.
Mar-key Marquees is launching a specialist structure called the ‘Bolt On’ structure.
These structures are linked to existing trading floors and buildings by a heavy duty aluminium sealed frame and subsequently anchored to both the ground and main building. Natural light is enhanced by the use of a 20 per cent Kingspan translucent roof system, and the structure maintains relative ambient air temperature by the inclusion of three adjustable roof mounted air vents. TempAstor which supplies re-locatable buildings for manufacturing and logistics is also exhibiting. Products include: warehouse, storage and production buildings, goods in / out structures and canopies. It offers buildings both for hire or sale, in a wide range of sizes.
Temporary warehousing
That’s a wrap
Shrinkfast supplies a wide range of off-the-shelf shrink and stretch wrapping machinery and film. Thanks to its flexible approach it has enjoyed significant growth over recent years.
Easypack made a convert of the Ordnance Survey when it needed a suitable protective void fill to limit damage to map orders during transit. Ordnance Survey found that packing its maps of all shapes and sizes meant a cost-effective and efficient solution was needed to guarantee delivery in good condition.
After trying a number of different packaging directions, OS chose Easypack’s Spiral solution. The 100 per cent recycled protective paper is dispensed from manual or automatic systems conveniently placed on individual packing benches.
How to find Logistics Link North
Logistics Link North is at the Yorkshire Event Centre on the outskirts of Harrogate, about a mile from the town centre.
l From the north or east: turn off the A1 onto the A59 York/Knaresborough road in the direction of Knaresborough. Go straight over the first roundabout, at the second roundabout take the A658 Bradford/Harrogate exit, straight across the third roundabout and turn right at the fourth roundabout onto the A661. Turn left at the traffic lights at Sainsbury’s into Railway Road and follow the signs for YEC.
l From the south: turn off the A1 at Wetherby and follow the signs for Harrogate (A661). Go straight across the roundabout and turn left at the traffic lights at Sainsbury’s into Railway Road and follow the signs for YEC.
l From Leeds on the A61, Bradford or Leeds/Bradford Airport on the A658 – at the first roundabout follow signs for York/A1 along the bypass on the A658. At the second roundabout take the A661 Harrogate exit and turn left at the traffic lights at Sainsbury’s into Railway Road and follow the signs for YEC.
l Travelling by bus (Route No. 770), please visit www.harrogateanddistrict.co.uk for details of the timetable – Please note however, the nearest bus stop to the venue is about a 15 minute walk away.
The full address is: Yorkshire Event Centre, Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, HG2 8PW.Register before 15th September 2006 and when you attend the show you will receive a stylish digital camera – Free.
www.logisticslink.co.uk/v/v_register_n.html
