Welcome to the July 1st issue of Warehouse & Logistics News. Congratulations to software specialist EPG which has unleashed its complete suite of supply chain software nationwide from a brand-new, Derby headquarters. Called EPG ONE, the supply chain execution suite is designed as a fully comprehensive solution for more efficient and flexible logistics management. It comprises LFS, a Smart WMS that intelligently connects and guides the movement of all manual and automated storage units.

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Well done to Toyota Material Handling which has installed a fleet of five electric Traigo forklift trucks at a new state-of-the-art Clothing Collection Division building for the Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL). SATCoL operates a network of over 220 shops, employing around 800 people and more than 3,500 volunteers in order to raise millions of pounds each year to support The Salvation Army’s charitable and community work. In early 2021, SATCoL opened a new 55,000sq ft facility located in Kettering, Northants which is purpose built to manage the reuse and recycling of clothing.

Interesting to hear that sugarcane fibre, a by-product of harvesting that has traditionally been thrown away, is now being repurposed as a reclaimed resource with the same reliable properties as polythene plastic but, as sugarcane is not derived from fossil fuels, it boasts carbon neutrality. Kite Packaging embraces this creative innovation in the form of their new garment bags, designed to provide professional hygienic protection against dust, dirt, bacteria and moisture. Tailormade for wholesalers or even shop floors, these clothing covers ensure that the contents remain immaculate while reliably supporting the weight of most garments.

Since the first lockdown over a year ago online sales have seen record growth, with as high as 87% of UK households making a digital purchase last year. Expanding warehouse provision has become a big priority for retailers and suppliers looking to take advantage of this booming market. The range of storage options is vast, from large sheds on industrial units near major trunk roads all the way through to smaller, unique options, such as disused shop units requiring bespoke racking solutions, our storage solutions feature reports.

It has been a challenging year for the industry, with Brexit and Covid-19 creating a ‘perfect storm’ of trial and uncertainty, says our doors and curtains feature. We all touch doors every day; but risk must be mitigated in the post-Covid world. It is recommended that warehouses install doors featuring anti-microbial surfaces, which can dramatically reduce the risk of transmission, and hold-open door controls can help keep doors open at all times, except in the case of an emergency.

The robotics industry is making significant progress in building robots that can pick items in a warehouse, ready for packing and shipping. With robotics and sensor technology advancing rapidly, the fully-equipped robot picker and packer will one day become a reality, making robot ‘hands’ viable, according to our order picking feature. It’s great to see all the advances in picking and robotics may push those advances still further.

Enjoy reading the issue.

James Surridge

Publishing Editor

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