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This Issue
Volume15 Issue4
01/03/08
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| Headline Story - Monday, March 24th 2008 |
Culina continues setting leading standards of excellence
Culina Logistics has been recognised for its policy of continuous improvement to set leading standards of supply chain excellence in the food and drink industry.
 The multi-temperature specialist, which employs over 1,300 people at eight distribution centres and delivers over 390 million cases of product a year, has been accredited with a second Investor in Excellence standard.
At a ceremony held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, England's Rugby World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson presented Culina's Colin Shepherd and Mark Davis with the prestigious award.
To attain the Investor in Excellence standard, the company had to provide clear evidence of improvement, which was independently verified, in nine key areas, including leadership, processes, people and customer results.
The award builds on the success from 2005, when Culina became one of the first UK logistics companies to be acknowledged for setting new standards of excellence.
"One of our aims at Culina is continuous improvement and it's very satisfying to receive recognition for all the behind the scenes work that ensures our customers benefit from a high-quality service," said Thomas van Mourik, Culina's CEO.
"We have introduced a company wide policy to be measurably the best logistics provider in the food and drink industry and this will only serve to spur us on to maintain our lead."
Investors in Excellence is a UK programme run by Midlands Excellence and helps all types of organisations improve all-round performance.
Ian Nield, chief executive of Midlands Excellence, said: "Culina Logistics continues to set high standards with an excellent all round performance. We are very pleased to be able to recognise the company's commitment to continued improvement."
Culina Logistics
Dale Fiddy, Sales and Marketing Director
Tel: 01902 404525
www.culinalogistics.co.uk
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| Headline Story - Monday, March 17th 2008 |
A free seminar for WMS Professionals
"Optimising your Warehouse Management System"
Belgravium Ltd and ATMS have announced a half-day seminar on the theme of 'warehouse optimisation' to be held at The AIDC European Centre of Excellence, Halifax on 30th April 2008.
 The Belgravium-ATMS Seminars are a truly worthwhile event for existing and prospective users of WMS systems. In one half day session delegates can:
(i) Discover how the power of real-time IT can enable WMS systems to surpass expectations, maximising efficiency whilst minimising costs.
(ii) Bring themselves up-to-speed on the future direction of mobile computing technologies such as Warehouse Management Software, Radio Frequency Data Capture, RFID and bar coding.
(iii) Hear case studies and witness practical examples of current WMS applications. The April Seminar will see approved WMS software & mobile computing hardware specialists on hand with experience of wireless integration, RFID implementation, WMS Best Practice amongst other topics.
Demonstrations will include;
¥ Receipting
¥ Task Management
¥ Warehouse Optimisation
¥ The use of bar coding & radio data terminals
¥ Third party specifics
¥ Perpetual Inventory
¥ Quality control
¥ Despatch planning
¥ Picking and despatch control
ADMISSION IS ENTIRELY FREE but places are limited and so early registration is recommended. Delegates can register on-line at www.belgravium.com/seminar.
Format of the event
During the morning session delegates are invited to hear papers on WMS optimisation, wireless implementation and general Mobile Computing themes delivered by expert advisors from Belgravium and ATMS.
During and after lunch delegates will be able to continue dialogue with ATMS and Belgravium personnel. An area will be set aside for practical demonstrations of ATMS software and Belgravium Mobile Computing hardware. In addition, delegates will be able to view the AIDC Centre demonstrator areas that explain the use of data capture technology in a wide variety of business scenarios.
Who should attend?
The event is of great relevance to any personnel working within the WMS arena, whether operational or IT-oriented. Real-time Mobile Computing combined with state-of-the-art warehouse management software is currently utilised by almost every market sector. Users from within the following sectors can all point to dramatic improvements in overall productivity and employee / operational efficiency;
¥ Manufacturing
¥ Supply Chain
¥ Healthcare
¥ Public Sector
¥ Utilities
¥ Field Service Operations
¥ Retail / Field Sales
¥ Postal / Express Delivery
¥ Transportation / Fleet Management
........and the above list is by no means exhaustive. Why not challenge ATMS and Belgravium to identify operational benefits for your organisation?
The Belgravium-ATMS Seminar is undoubtedly the most productive day you'll spend away from the office, the educational benefits and networking opportunities are simply excellent.
Belgravium Ltd
Karen Fotherby - Marketing Executive
Tel: 01274 741860
www.belgravium.com
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| Headline Story - Monday, March 10th 2008 |
Funded SAFED training still available
There are still part-funded places available on the Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) scheme. The scheme was originally launched in 2006 and has proved immensely popular with over 7,500 drivers having been trained to date. This, along with excellent overall results in achieving safer & greener driving, led to the DfT committing a further £1.2 million in September 2007, to train more van drivers.
 There are over 2.5 million registered vans in the UK all with at least one driver. Using an average annual mileage figure of 24,067, clocked up by the participants of the scheme in 2006, the full potential if all van drivers adopted SAFED for Vans could be:
¥ total annual cost savings £1,064 million
¥ total annual savings of 3 million tonnes of CO2
In 2006 Safed for Vans was found to unlock savings to business of up to £500 per driver and reduce fuel consumption by up to 16%. This was achieved simply by providing drivers with the additional driving techniques that promote fuel efficiency and prolong the life of the vehicle therefore reducing the need for repair and replacement. The scheme also confirmed that on average safe and fuel-efficient driving didn't increase journey time.
SAFED for Vans is a one-day off-the-job training course, which involves a mix of classroom and on the road tuition with each driver that passes being awarded a Certificate of Achievement. By undertaking the training, drivers can also help reduce their risk of accidents and gain a better understanding of the thought processes involved in reading the traffic and road conditions ahead while driving smoothly, safely and economically.
Fleet managers and van drivers interested in finding out how SAFED for Vans could benefit their business should visit www.safed.org.uk and navigate to the "find a trainer" page or call 0870 190 8440
SAFED
Tel: 0870 190 8440
www.safed.org.uk
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| Headline Story - Monday, March 3rd 2008 |
PD Ports gains HRO approval for deep sea container terminal
PD Ports has received formal planning approval for its Northern Gateway Container Terminal (NGCT) at Teesport in Northeast England. Secretary of State for Transport Ruth Kelly has announced her approval for the Harbour Revision Order (HRO) plans submitted by PD Ports in April 2006. This is the last and most important external approval required to finalise the NGCT business case and create a £300m investment in the deep sea container terminal on the South bank of the river Tees.
 Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council's local planning committee previously gave its unanimous approval for the scheme's land-based elements in April 2007. The HRO and accompanying Transport & Works Act Order (TWAO) have now been approved. This means the project has gained all the necessary statutory consents to start the development phase.
"This is very significant news for the North of England and for the supply chains of many UK companies," commented PD Ports' Group Chief Executive Officer, David Robinson. "The HRO approval is a major forward step to the financial viability of the project and, subject to the commercial hurdles, will allow the PD Ports team to focus on its delivery. This decision will ultimately give shippers and shipping lines serving the North of England and Scotland a valuable alternative to their traditional use of the Southern UK ports when trading with, particularly, the Far East and other major global markets.
"We have achieved successful planning approval for this large scale port infrastructure project in record time. It is less than 22 months since we submitted our plans. This further demonstrates the excellent support we have been given from all the stakeholders in this project, and underlines the need for this type of development to support the regional economy. I would like to put on record our thanks to all those parties, both locally and regionally, who have worked so tirelessly to help us achieve the Northern Gateway's successful planning approval. We still have much to do to make the plan a reality, but will be working hard to commence detailed engineering design and implementation, and see construction begin on site as soon as possible.
"Today is a significant step for Teesport and the maritime industry as a whole. A deep-sea container terminal on the Tees will attract container ships direct to Teesport from around the globe. All those imported goods needed for Northern consumers and retailers in the likes of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle can now travel the short distance from port to consumer via retailers' shelves.
"This will also save tens of millions of lorry miles, by stopping the wastefulness of all those containers being landed at Southern UK ports but destined by road or rail for the North. The new terminal will bring hundreds of new jobs to the Tees Valley and in addition, when NGCT is completed, PDP expects to attract more retail distribution centre activity to PDP's vacant strategic port land."
PD Ports Ltd.
Tel: 01642 877000
www.pdports.co.uk
www.thenortherngateway.co.uk
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| Headline Story - Monday, February 25th 2008 |
BIFA Freight Service Awards winners announced
APL Logistics, Ital Logistics, JF Hillebrand UK, Premier Showfreight, Schenker, Uniserve Group and Wincanton triumphed in the industry categories of the Freight Service Awards 2007 competition organized by the British International Freight Association (BIFA). Eve Gogarty and Derek W. Johnson MBE won the individual people categories.
 The winners were revealed at BIFA's Annual Lunch and 19th Awards Ceremony on Thursday 17th January at the Brewery, London EC1 by special guest, broadcaster and former MP, Mr Gyles Brandreth.
The awards are widely recognised as the most prestigious within the logistics and supply chain industry as they encourage and reward high professional standards and special achievements.
This year the competition comprised nine categories, and standard of the entrants was extremely high. Over 25 companies made the final shortlists.
The Air Freight Award, sponsored by British Airways World Cargo, was won by Schenker Limited.
Schenker exhibited a combination of both ingenuity and attention to detail in its delivery of an industry leading transport solution for fresh perishable products out of the UK. Its dedication to providing a bespoke service to Scottish salmon producers yielded far-reaching benefits to, not only that industry, but all those end consumers who enjoy fresh British produce around the world.
The other finalists in this category were DHL Global Forwarding, Kuehne + Nagel and Uniserve (Airfreight) Ltd.
The Uniserve Group collected the Deep Sea Award, pipping Chaucer Freight Limited and Ideal Forwarding Ltd, the other finalists in this category, to the post.
Sponsored by Southampton Container Terminals, this category was deservedly won by Uniserve which submitted an entry showing logistical innovation that is producing efficiency and cost benefits to the customer. Lessening lorry miles via by-passing the distribution centre, and using dockside warehousing is also delivering significant and welcome environmental benefits.
The European Logistics Award, sponsored by Wincanton, was won by Ital Logistics Limited. Its entry stood above the others in terms of demonstrating, throughout the organisation, extreme commitment to customer service, which has helped it gain and retain many customers. The company's focus on service is exemplified by the periodic deployment of customer satisfaction surveys and the development of selfmonitoring performance statistics.
The other finalists in this category were Brendon International Ltd, Simarco International Ltd and Woodland International Transport Co. Ltd.
In the Project Forwarding category, Premier Showfreight triumphed. The Project Forwarding Award was sponsored by Ruslan International and the other finalist was Orion Shipping & Forwarding Ltd.
In winning this award Premier Showfreight demonstrated a complete service to its customers, which included a total logistics package tailored to meet its customers' specialised requirements, and an innovative solution for storage of exhibition equipment. Not only did this service provide a cost saving to the customer but it also produced a smooth and efficient operation.
Sponsored by BoxTop Technologies, the Special Services Award was won by Wincanton. It presented an exceptionally well-managed project that clearly demonstrated the delivery of tangible benefits to its clients in terms of cost savings and efficiencies, in addition to greatly enhancing its own capabilities and portfolio of services.
The other finalists in this category were Aramex, C4 Logistics Ltd and YRC Logistics Ltd.
Four companies made the final shortlist for the Supply Chain Management Award, sponsored by TT Club, with APL Logistics coming out on top. The company demonstrated clear benefits to its customers from its supply chain management solutions including significant cost reductions, real-time supply chain visibility and carbon reporting. It deployed change management skills and worked with its retail customers' suppliers to provide enhanced efficiency, introducing innovative ways of working.
The other finalists in this category were Ideal Forwarding Ltd, NYK Group Europe Ltd and Uniserve Group.
JF Hillebrand UK Ltd won the Training & Staff Development Award, which was sponsored by Maersk Line. The company's winning entry confirmed the decision of the judges as it outlined a new approach with a very comprehensive range of courses, underlined by testimonials from a range of staff that have benefited from the training. This award complements the 'Investors in People 2007' award and illustrates the benefits to both company and employees from implementing a structured training strategy.
The other finalists in this category were the Bernard Group Ltd, Geodis Wilson UK Ltd and NYK Logistics (UK) Ltd.
This year's Young Freight Forwarder Award, which recognises the work and achievements of people under the age of 30 in the industry, was won by Eve Gogarty from Worldwide Energy Logistics. This award was sponsored by Johnson Stevens Agencies Ltd. Eve was presented with a cheque for £1,000 and will go on to take part in the 2008 FIATA/TT Club/IATA Young International Forwarder of the Year competition.
Eve's enthusiasm and commitment to the international freight industry was evident in her written submission and shone through during her face-to-face meeting with the award judging panel. Her initial involvement with international freight movements was from the consignee's standpoint, working as a volunteer aid worker in Nigeria, and from this experience she developed a deep understanding of the industry, backed by extensive knowledge of multimodal logistics, project management and supply chain logistics.
The other finalists in this category were Pradeep Bhowmick from Geodis Wilson UK Ltd; Daniel McAllister from Ideal International; and, Sukh Shinji from Allport Ltd.
The final award, the Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by the Bernard Group, was presented to Derek W. Johnson MBE from Johnson Stevens Agencies Ltd for making a significant contribution to the world of logistics and transport, also taking account of his overall contribution to society in general. Derek Johnson is a worthy winner after a lifetime of service to shipping and freight forwarding. The judges felt that the breadth of his interests, in particular his support of the freight forwarding sector and his influence over many years at the highest level of government, fully justified their recognition of his achievements.
Summing up this most successful Awards competition and ceremony Peter Quantrill, Director General of BIFA, said: "We are delighted with the level of professionalism and talent being displayed for these awards. The standard of entries in all categories was extremely high and the judges had a very difficult time this year in determining the nine winners.
"It is encouraging that the BIFA Awards remain so popular as they represent the chance for the best in the industry to be recognised by their peers. They are also an important part of BIFA's mission to encourage its members in their pursuit of improved standards within the logistics and supply chain industry. Next year we look forward to celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Awards."
BIFA
www.bifa.org
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| Headline Story - Monday, February 18th 2008 |
FSL Logistics choose Belgravium
Established via a joint venture between VT Group and BAE SYSTEMS, Fleet Support Limited is an engineering and support services company that operates at the heart of the integrated surface ship design, build and through life support community in Portsmouth.
 Originally founded in 1998 to manage the former Portsmouth Royal Dockyard, Fleet Support (FSL) has drawn upon the extensive skill base of its parent companies to greatly expand its capabilities and role in support of the Royal Navy surface fleet. In addition to deep repair of naval and commercial vessels the company now provides a fully integrated facilities management, logistics, transport, waterfront support and fleet-time maintenance service.
FSL Logistics provides an integrated logistics service to commercial and defence customers. The facility is aligned to warehousing and transport, with one of the largest on-site warehousing facilities in the south of England. Warehousing capability includes:
¥ 20 acres of covered warehousing (dedicated and non-dedicated)
¥ Highly automated unmanned stores and bulk goods
¥ Fast and slow moving stock management
¥ Movement tracking capacity
¥ Capacity to operate on a 24 hour, 7 day week, 52 week basis
Underpinning the growth and development of FSL Logistics has a unique partnering agreement with the Naval Base Commander whereby both parties gain operational and financial benefit from constantly improving the levels of service to the Royal Navy customer. As such, FSL employ a rigorous customer focus policy that encourages dialogue with and feedback from customers - with the aim of providing a flexible and continuously developing service that enhances customers' business.
In order to further enhance their customer's businesses and overall satisfaction, FSL had a requirement to upgrade the cranes currently in use within their southern warehousing facilities. The cranes were used to facilitate the supply and replenishment of materials coming in and out of Portsmouth on Navy ships. FSL chose Invar Systems together with Belgravium Ltd to provide a system which was capable of accurately and efficiently handling the large quantities of materials coming through the port. As specialists in high quality warehouse control and management systems, Invar Systems worked together with leading mobile computer manufacturers Belgravium Ltd to provide a solution capable of running CE.net terminals on their cranes whilst operating narrow band radios on their RF network. This unique requirement required special/bespoke solution development and with Belgravium's unrivalled ability to link in disparate systems, Invar were able to make the necessary upgrades to their warehouse cranes using Belgraviums robust and fit for purpose Monaco 7100 truck mounted terminal. The successful implementation of the solution has seen almost instant cost and efficiency gains within FSL Logistics operations and will see further rollouts throughout the company during 2008.
Belgravium Ltd
Karen Fotherby
Tel: 01274 741860
www.belgravium.com
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| Headline Story - Monday, February 11th 2008 |
Fluid operation of Union Industries' doors helps eradicate heat loss at Jeyes
Union Industries, the UK's market-leading manufacturer of the Matadoor range of Hi Speed Doors, is continuing to support a programme of environmental temperature control at Jeyes' manufacturing facility in Norfolk.
 Jeyes' base in Thetford is the hub of its UK operation where it produces and distributes the company's bleach, disinfectant and cleaner products.
Union had previously installed two of its robust and reliable Bulldoors in external locations at the plant, which aid the reduction of heat loss from the building.
Continuous vehicle traffic in and out of the factory, which leaves one of the building's large access points exposed to the elements, has led to Jeyes' installing another of Union's Bulldoors at the entrance to its automatic palletiser area.
The fast-acting operation of the Bulldoors, which open and close at 1.6 metres per second, allows forklift vehicles to enter and exit the facility without compromising the integrity of the building as well as providing a more comfortable working environment for Jeyes' personnel.
Manufactured as part of the Matadoor range of Hi-Speed Roller Doors, the Bulldoors boast a unique 'Crash-out' facility, which ensures the door remains operable if hit by a vehicle. Common to all doors in the Matadoor range it is supplied as standard with a fire retardant and anti-static door blade and no fewer than 12 safety devices.
Russell Barling, Jeyes' Engineering Manager, said: "With thousands of cases of product travelling through the palletiser area everyday we needed a solution that would reduce the cold air entering the building without hindering the productivity of our forklift fleet. Therefore we had no hesitation in asking Union Industries to provide another high quality Bulldoor following the success of the first two installations.
"Union's Bulldoors achieve that task and have also, through their speed of operation, allowed us to reduce energy loss, save money and maintain a more constant temperature inside the building, which is beneficial for everyone working in the facility."
Gary Bareham, Sales Engineer at Union Industries, said: "Energy saving and providing a comfortable working environment are key issues for companies operating large industrial facilities with constant internal and external vehicle traffic. Businesses, such are Jeyes, are actively addressing these challenges by employing Union's Matadoor range of Industrial Hi Speed Doors as an effective solution."
Union Industries
Tel: 0113 244 8393
www.unionindustries.co.uk
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| Headline Story - Monday, February 4th 2008 |
Rubb Provide GE Caledonian with Storage for Take-Off
The announcements of substantial financial investment in GE Caledonian's Prestwick operation and the news that it will be the sole maintenance and repair centre for the new GEnx engine for the Boeing 787 in the world, has safeguarded hundreds of jobs at the site. With the facility in Ayrshire, already overhauling and repairing aero engines and component parts, specialising in large engines for commercial aircraft, an extension to the infrastructure was desperately required to keep the company as a leading aerospace maintenance and overhaul hub.
 One immediate requirement was a for a modern, clean, warehouse to store primarily engine tooling to allow the transition from the current product line to the new engine type over a 3-year period. The client had originally been made aware of Rubb Buildings from existing projects in Norway where the storage structures have been used in the ship and oil rig yards. Following analysis and costs from companies supplying similar products and conventional piled and clad buildings, Rubb Buildings were awarded the contract, being superior on a variety of features.
Rubb met the challenge by providing a BVI type building with a span of 12 metres x 48 metres in length and 6 metre high side-walls. Access to the building is via an electric 5m x 5m roller shutter door. Rubb Buildings were originally due to start work on site on the 19th November 2007. Due to tight site constraints, GE Caledonian, required a change in the building size, reducing the span from 13.5 metres to 12 metres. Even though Rubb received this request on the 12th November 2007 they were able to deal with the client's request and produce this change to the construction late in the project due to the design flexibility, the nature of the structure, the manufacturing facilities and through good teamwork and management. The size of the structure was altered without any problems and work was begun on the 10th December 2007, with the steel frame erected in just 4 days.
John M. Stewart, Project Manager for GE Caledonian commented, " Rubb were very professional in all aspects of the order, from tender to installation. I've never seen a team work so hard on site".
The Rubb organisation, with production facilities in Great Britain, Norway and the United States is recognised as a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of relocatable structures and is quality certified to ISO9001: 2000.
Rubb Buildings Ltd
Ray Colby, Sales Manager
Tel: (0191) 482 2211
Fax: (0191) 482 2516
www.rubb.com
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| Headline Story - Monday, January 28th 2008 |
Touchstar and PC Consulting Sign Joint Marketing Agreement
Lommel, Belgium, 18th January 2008.
 PC Consulting today announced that they had signed a joint marketing agreement with Touchstar Technologies, specialists within the rugged mobile computing and wireless communication markets. PC Consulting based in Lommel, Belgium are experts in the development of software outsourcing services and custom software development. After a period of discussion both PC Consulting and Touchstar Technologies have come together to offer a joint solution enabling the use of handheld devices within extreme and hazardous environments.
Commenting on the newly formed partnership, PC Consultings' Managing Director, Piet Claessen explains, "Touchstar offers a wide range of handhelds for professional use, the Atex approved zone 2 devices are now helping PC Consulting to sell into hazardous environments which have always been bound by strict regulations. Due to certain incidents our customers are keener to use handhelds and are asking for devices that are approved for use in these zones, a trend that is certain to continue".
The newly formed partnership will be delivering many business benefits for PC Consulting. As a "solutions provider" Touchstar are not only experts in mobile computing hardware but are also professional software providers. "Now it's easy for us to talk about technical issues because Touchstar technical staff have a clear understanding of our problems" explains Piet. "With our Touchstar partnership we feel that we are now able to offer our customers proven and future-proof solutions that are the best within the industry".
About PC Consulting
With more than 18 years experience within the mobile market, PC Consulting are specialists in the development of software outsourcing services and custom software development. Working with customers within the Benelux region, PC Consulting continue to grow carrying out development activities including:
- Custom programming.
- Database design
- Client server
- Internet/Intranet Software Application Development
- Mobile Solutions
Using the latest and most effective development technologies, such as .Net(C#), VB.NET, Web Services, ASP.NET, WinForms, SQL Server 2000/2005, UML, XML, HTML, PC Consulting's team of experienced software professionals are experts in the provision of quality and reliable custom software applications.
To discover more visit www.pc-consulting.be
About Touchstar Technologies
TouchStar Technologies Ltd have been supplying Mobile Computing solutions for over two decades. A computer design and manufacturing company, they are specialists in the rugged mobile computing and wireless communication market areas. With a Global installed base of over 50,000 terminals their products are used in every manner of mobile application.
To discover more visit www.touchpc.co.uk
Belgravium Ltd
Tel: 01274 741860
Fax: 01274 741862
Web: www.belgravium.com
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| Headline Story - Monday, January 21st 2008 |
TouchStar Technologies and SIA srl sign marketing agreement
SIA (Societa d'Informatica Avanzata) srl, specialists in the supply of data capture and field-based mobilisation solutions for the Italian market, today announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with TouchStar Technologies, a manufacturer of rugged mobile computing devices. SIA utilise touch-screen and tablet PC's, combined with their own innovative "BOLLICINE FIELD" software, to provide state-of-the-art business optimisation solutions. SIA will offer TouchStar products as an integral part of its mobile computing hardware portfolio.
 Commenting on the new partnership, Davide Bernini, SIA's Managing Director (?), stated: "The Italian field application market is a mature user of data capture technology and we have been supplying appropriate solutions since our inception in 1977. That said, we are always seeking new and effective partnerships in order to offer the broadest selection of high quality hardware to our customer base. We are delighted to partner with TouchStar whom we see as a forward-thinking and innovative company. We have thoroughly evaluated their current product range and are happy that it is entirely fit-for-purpose, even within relatively extreme operating environments. In any case, we were already aware of TouchStar's high reputation within the UK and Western European market sectors."
Thierry Ville, TouchStar's Regional Sales Manager, is similarly enthusiastic: "We rely upon third party value added resellers to complete the total client solution. Our own reputation is directly influenced by our choice of system integrator partner and clients can be assured that our criteria are stringent. We are delighted to be working with S.I.A. because of the extent of their experience, their complementary product and service offerings and their overall professionalism."
About S.I.A.
S.I.A. offers its customers a complete 'turnkey' solution through a thorough analysis of requirements, placing its experience and abilities at its customers' disposal in the role of a partner in the entire project and not just an IT reseller.
Mobile workers are increasingly called upon to "do battle in the field" with a growing pile of paper, responses to be provided quickly, ever improving service, and the pressure of competition. All this, using a solution that has an object-oriented application software platform and pen-based hardware, allows these problems to be definitively overcome.
In order to keep up with the times, the sales force or personnel working in the "field" have to be given tools that can increasingly take into account the new requirements of the market: statistics, accounting matters, promotions, messages from and to head office, checks, controls, market surveys etc.
For further details on S.I.A.'s products and services please visit www.sia-pen.it.
About TouchStar
TouchStar's range of TouchPC touch-screen computers are used in businesses and industries requiring robust field automation, including fuel distribution, on-board sales on airlines and trains, van sales and field service organisations. The solutions, which incorporate both standard and bespoke software and a range of integrated peripherals such as scanners, printers and credit card readers are designed to increase productivity, improve accuracy, and save time for companies.
TouchStar has its headquarters in Manchester, from which it supplies and services its own range of TouchPC rugged, hand-held computers and application software to business users around the world. TouchStar's sales base extends principally across five worldwide locations, including the UK, USA, mainland Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Current users benefiting from TouchStar solutions include BP Amoco, Shell, NHBC, Air Products, GNER, Eurostar and over 40% of the world's airlines including Lufthansa, Swissair, Saudia Arabian Airlines and Britannia Airways.
TouchStar Technologies
www.belgravium.com
S.I.A. srl
www.sia-pen.it
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| Headline Story - Monday, January 14th 2008 |
Union take's a wee dram to toast repeat business from Glenmorangie
Union Industries, the UK's market leading manufacturer of the Matadoor range of Hi-Speed Doors, has secured a repeat order from one of the world's most famous malt whisky producers.
 The Leeds-based company has installed another two of its tough and reliable Bulldoors at The Glenmorangie Company's Broxburn manufacturing plant, near Livingston, as part of the creation of a new production line.
In addition to the existing door in operation at Glenmorangie, the new Bulldoors will help separate different sections of the production area to aid hygiene and temperature control issues.
The introduction of the Bulldoors follows the installation of state-of-the-art bottling and packaging technology at The Glenmorangie manufacturing plant. The fast-acting operation of the Bulldoors, which open and close at a speed of 1.6 metres per second, allow personnel and forklift vehicles to move between different areas without compromising the integrity of the facility.
While the changes to the company's complex of buildings continue, Glenmorangie malt whisky is still handcrafted using tried and tested methods that have been passed down from generation to generation. Distilled by the renowned 'Sixteen Men of Tain', the company has been producing its famous malt whisky on the shores of the Dornoch Firth since 1843.
Union Industries is equally proud of its engineering prowess, which has helped its Matadoor range of Hi-Speed Doors become the market leader in the UK.
Manufactured as part of the Matadoor range of Hi-Speed Roller Doors, the Bulldoors boast a unique 'Crash-out' facility, which ensures the door remains operable if hit by a vehicle. Common to all doors in the Matadoor range it is supplied as standard with a fire retardant and anti-static door blade and no fewer than 12 safety devices.
Steve Moultrie, Union Industries' Sales Engineer, said: "Glenmorangie has a proud reputation for excellence so we are very pleased our Bulldoors have become an integral part of its production facility.
"The Glenmorangie Company is one of a large number of respected companies from a range of sectors who are utilising the benefits of the Matadoor range. Temperature control and heat loss continues to be one of the main issues facing businesses and Union Industries' Hi Speed Doors provide a successful solution."
John Newlands, Facilities Manager for The Glenmorangie Company, said: "As our production facility has grown we required reliable and efficient industrial doors. We were impressed with the first Bulldoor we had on site and the new additions are also providing an effective answer to our hygiene and temperature control issues at the distillery."
Union Industries
Tel: 0113 244 8393
www.unionindustries.co.uk
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| Headline Story - Monday, January 7th 2008 |
PD Ports appoints Infinity as Far East representative
PD Ports has signed a major, forward-looking deal to help develop its deepsea container business coming from the Far East. In late December, PD Ports' senior managers visited Singapore and Malaysia in order to complete the signing of Infinity as the ports' representative in the important South East Asia market.
 Speaking from Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, where the ink was still wet on an agreement that could bring some of the world's biggest ships to Teesside, PD Ports Director Martyn Pellew said: "Malaysia and its neighbours Thailand, Laos and Cambodia are a key region for building traffic with the tiger economies of China and India. Malaysia and Singapore see vast numbers of containers transhipped at their major ports, as well as a strong stream of locally produced exports moving to the same ports destined for the wealthy consumer markets of Northern Europe.
"There are a number of ports here expanding their capacity to handle transhipments from China and India. It is that traffic destined for the retailers and consumers of northern Britain that we are after. One port in the south of Malaysia that we visited is dealing with as many containers a day as the whole of the UK. This port alone has an incredible ambition. It plans to expand to handle up to 70 million teu (twenty foot equivalent unit) of containers a year and all vessels of the largest new generation of container ships. Today the whole of Europe only handles about 75 million teu per year."
Mr Pellew said the signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur involved the Malaysian Department of Transport and locally based representatives from the UK Trade and Industry team. The atmosphere at the ceremony had been given a major boost by Middlesbrough FC's recent win over Arsenal: "The Malaysians are football mad, so it was the best possible news we could have had to coincide with our week long visit. We are on a mission to raise awareness of Teesport, and Boro's result did more for that than I could have done in a week!"
Malaysian-based freight forwarding company Infinity runs local and long-distance road vehicles and Intermodal trains to meet vessels from South East Asia on their way to Europe and America. Infinity will now act as PD Port's agent for the region.
"We signed an agreement in front of 250 people from the shipping world. This is an important first step towards developing an awareness that UK bound traffic can go through Teesport," said Mr Pellew. "There's no point us building a £300million container port on Teesside, to be known as the Northern Gateway Container Terminal (NGCT), if no one knows about it. Today, these manufacturers can only use Teesport for container freight traffic coming on smaller feeder ships through Rotterdam or Zeebrugge, but in two or three years' time after our build programme, they can come direct."
Also in December The Grand Alliance (GA) of leading container shipping lines said it was boycotting the UK's southeast ports because of congestion. From now on, GA goods destined for the UK will instead be shipped to northern mainland European ports and transferred on to smaller feeder vessels that can access the Northeast's ports such as Teesport. Importers will have to pick up the extra shipping costs of a second sailing, but will save on expensive reduced inland UK road and rail distances in order to get goods onto store shelves in the likes of Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Glasgow.
"The fact that GA has said they are no longer going to use Felixstowe or Southampton very strongly supports our bid for building a deep sea container port in the North-east," said Mr Pellew. He added that oceangoing freight was growing by more than 10% a year. Asda has already consolidated its general merchandise Far Eastern imports at Teesdock, and another major UK retailer is expected to move into Teesport during 2008 following an application to build another retail import distribution centre, over three times the size of Asda's current 350k sq ft facility adjacent to the docks.
About the outstanding planning application for the new NGCT terminal with 1.5m teu capacity, Mr Pellew commented: "Christmas is coming, but there's still no news from the Department of Transport. I know of no reason why we should not get approval through now or at worst early in the new year."
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