In modern warehouses, space is becoming increasingly limited. This creates a constant challenge: how to store more goods safely while ensuring fast, accurate retrieval. But when saving space comes at the cost of performance, efficiency often suffers. That’s why leading logistics operators are turning to smarter, quieter solutions that not only optimise space but also enhance overall performance.

Setting a new standard for Vertical Lift Modules

One recent Megadyne customer set a clear objective: to develop a next-generation vertical warehouse capable of reducing occupied space by up to 90%, while maintaining the same storage capacity. Additional goals included lowering energy consumption and improving both speed and reliability during goods retrieval.

With nearly seventy years of experience in storage and material handling systems, the customer, a company specialised in designing and constructing vertical automated warehouses, turned to Megadyne to help optimise operations. Already in the design phase of a new solution, the OEM sought to reduce the footprint of vertical storage modules while enhancing operational efficiency.

The problem: chain drive limitations

The customer’s previous solution used chain drives to move shelves, a system that came with significant drawbacks:
• Excessive noise
• Dirt accumulation
• Constant lubrication requirements
• Limited precision
• Slower operating speeds
• Frequent maintenance needs

These issues disrupted operations, reduced uptime, and created a noisy, less efficient environment – far from ideal in high-performance warehousing.

Solution: The QST system

To overcome these limitations, the OEM partnered with Megadyne to implement the innovative QST (Quiet, Self-Tracking) System. A quiet, high-performance alternative to chains and standard straight-tooth profiles, the QST 14 M pitch is designed for heavy-duty applications requiring maximum torque transmission and durability, like warehouse automation.

The results were immediately evident: “This solution offered a significant reduction in noise levels, required less maintenance, and remained highly resistant to heavy loads. With high torque capacity and positive engagement in bi-directional movement, the QST technology provided the precision and speed necessary for optimal warehouse performance,” said a spokesperson.

Beyond boosting performance, this solution contributed to a quieter, cleaner, and more energy-efficient warehouse environment. What’s included in the QST System? The system includes belts, pulleys, and a clamp, all engineered to ensure optimal performance:
• Maximum compatibility
• Secure installation
• Minimal risk of operational errors

Download the full story: Delve into the full case study to explore how this high-performance solution set a new benchmark for vertical lift module systems.

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Finnebrogue, one of the UK’s leading and award-winning food producers, has selected RELEX Solutions, a provider of unified supply chain and retail planning solutions, to optimise supply chain planning across its four production sites. By implementing RELEX Supply Chain Planning, the family-owned business aims to improve production efficiency and maintain optimal inventory levels through demand sensing and planning, master planning, and production scheduling. RELEX partner, Supply Chain Company, will support the project with implementation services.

Renowned for its premium sausages and revolutionary ‘Naked Bacon’ and ham, made without nitrites, as well as its cutting-edge plant-based production facility, Finnebrogue is a leader in crafting exceptionally tasty and sustainable food from its operations in County Down, Northern Ireland. To further its commitment to operational excellence and sustainability, Finnebrogue is implementing an end-to-end supply chain planning software solution.

The goal: to create a unified, data-driven planning platform that reduces food waste, increases efficiency, and enables smarter decision-making across its operations in County Down. With over 500 SKUs and a diverse product portfolio, RELEX will support planning across Finnebrogue’s four sites – including its sausage and burger factory, bacon facility, cooked mushrooms and value-added, and its dedicated plant-based site.

“As a business driven by innovation and a passion for creating better food, we wanted a partner that could match our ambition,” said Dermot Hawkins, Operations Director, Finnebrogue. “With RELEX, we’re moving away from the limitations of complex spreadsheets and bringing demand, production, and materials planning together onto one integrated platform. This will improve efficiency, reduce risk and waste, and give us the insights we need to make faster, smarter decisions. RELEX’s proven expertise in food manufacturing made them the clear choice to support our journey toward more sustainable, streamlined operations.”

By adopting a machine learning–based demand planning solution with integrated demand sensing, Finnebrogue will gain a more accurate and real-time understanding of shifting demand patterns and consumer behaviour. This improved visibility will enable quicker responses to fluctuations, resulting in fewer lost sales due to improved product availability, better inventory turnover, and reduced waste, an especially critical benefit given the company’s focus on fresh products.

Additionally, advanced master planning and scheduling will allow Finnebrogue to optimise production across all four sites, ensuring efficient resource allocation and tighter alignment with actual demand. Together, these capabilities will enable the organisation to transition from spreadsheet-driven planning to a single, streamlined, and optimised planning environment, significantly improving overall operational efficiency.

“Supply Chain Company is delighted to bring our expertise to this project and support Finnebrogue in achieving their goals. Together with RELEX, we’re confident this collaboration will set a new standard for supply chain planning in the meat industry,” said Henk Jan Rijkse, Director, Supply Chain Company.

“We’re proud to welcome Finnebrogue, a company that shares our commitment to innovation and sustainability to our family,” said Stefano Scandelli, General Manager, Manufacturing Business Unit, RELEX Solutions. “Our unified platform will provide Finnebrogue with the visibility and control needed to optimise their entire value chain and also strengthen their position as a leader in sustainable food production.”

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Intralogistics specialist Linde Material Handling (MH) has expanded its range of automated forklift and industrial trucks, thus completing its updated product portfolio. A standout addition to the lineup is the automated Linde K MATIC k VNA turret truck.

“If customers are storing and retrieving exclusively full pallets in high-bay racking, this forklift eliminates the need for them to purchase a manually operated truck,” explains Pascal Kuster, Sales Trainer Automated Guided Vehicles at Linde MH. Other vehicles set to launch include the Linde R-MATIC k reach truck and the Linde L MATIC AC k counterbalanced pallet stacker with cantilevered forks. These series production models are designed to maximize the benefits of automation projects implemented with Linde MH, reducing planning and implementation times while ensuring greater efficiency and lower costs.

“With the new models, the already launched automated Linde L-MATIC HD k pallet stacker, and the fully automated compact Linde L-MATIC core variant, we can automate our customers’ material flow processes more easily and cost-effectively, while also making them more service-friendly and flexible for expansion,” says Kuster. The ‘toolbox’ that Linde MH’s automation planners use to develop these concepts includes high-quality, energy-efficient and easy-to-program AGVs and AMRs. “Our new vehicles play a key role in our automation solutions. However, good project planning and preparation are just as crucial to success,” Kuster emphasizes. “After all, our customers are investing in a solution, rather than just a product.” The standardization of processes is an essential prerequisite for any automation project. In this context, it’s important to note that processes with manual trucks cannot always be replicated one-to-one with the corresponding automated vehicle models. For example: If a reach truck operator was previously also responsible for transporting goods from the receiving area to the high-bay racking, in the automated system using an automated pallet stacker for this subprocess may be more efficient in order to increase throughput and optimize pallet-handling costs per hour.

A new generation of vehicles for efficient automation

The larger the product portfolio, the more options arise for developing automation solutions that are precisely tailored to customers’ specific needs. Linde MH capitalizes on this by offering the industry’s most comprehensive range of vehicles. The Linde K-MATIC k stands out in the premier league of warehouse technology. With a load capacity of 1.5 tons and a maximum lift height of 14.5 meters, this very narrow aisle (VNA) truck is designed to optimize warehouse capacity usage. “Since the truck primarily operates in rack aisles, using an automated vehicle is a sensible choice,” explains product trainer Kuster. “This allows employees to focus on higher value-added activities.”

The Linde R-MATIC k reach truck is ideal for automated replenishment in wide-aisle warehouse sections. Three models are available, with load capacities of up to 2.3 tons. To optimally customize the trucks for individual needs, they can be equipped with a wide selection of modular mast variants, offering maximum lift heights of up to 10 meters. Automated shuttle and storage solutions round off the extended range of vehicles.

Innovative technology boosts productivity

Both VNA trucks and reach trucks use state-of-the-art reflector technology for navigation. They feature a sensor-based pallet positioning system with “intelligent” forks for precisely storing and retrieving qualified load carriers such as Euro pallets, mesh boxes and CHEP pallets. The system not only detects whether a rack location is empty but also identifies any obstacles in the way. If pallets are not correctly aligned, the forks adjust accordingly. Furthermore, the system ensures that the goods are precisely positioned in the rack before the forks withdraw from the load carrier. The trucks are powered by either lead-acid batteries or the latest generation of lithium-ion batteries for maximum energy efficiency. Both battery types can be combined with all available manual or automatic charging options. A clear, colored touchscreen simplifies human-machine communication and makes entering control commands easier. Numerous standard features such as 360° scanners, emergency stop switches, lights and acoustic signals ensure maximum operational safety. Optional functions are available to supplement these features, including 2D curtain lasers and other lighting solutions such as BlueSpot and Red Warning Lines.

Integrated software platform MATIC:move

All new vehicles have been developed in-house and are designed to map key intralogistics processes end-to-end. VNA trucks and reach trucks are digitally networked with the pallet stacker variants. Automated trucks are controlled via the Linde MATIC:move (or MATIC:move+) software platform’s uniform user interface, which allows for real-time monitoring, display of open orders, predictive maintenance and standardized connection to WMS and ERP systems. Additionally, the Linde Warehouse Manager facilitates the networking of automated and manual vehicles and their integration into operational safety assistance systems such as the Linde Safety Guard. “However, cooperation with our customers is a key factor for success,” emphasizes Kuster. “We provide comprehensive support to decision-makers throughout the entire process, from the conceptualization phase through implementation. We assist in standardizing processes, defining key performance indicators and simulating material flow with the help of our digital twin. This approach ensures a solid foundation for successful project completion and a swift return on investment. And after commissioning, our experienced service technicians and the high density of our sales and service network ensure that customers can rely on fast response times for maintenance and repairs.”

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Designed for Growth, Not Bloat

The Bottom Line

Leading express delivery company DPD has signed a partnership with Wise to replace its legacy internal driver management system. This marks a major step forward in DPD’s commitment to even smarter, tech-led operations.

The agreement builds on an existing relationship between the two companies and follows the successful initial implementation phase of the Wise platform. The new contract will see the cutting-edge Wise platform integrated across DPD’s entire UK operations of over 10,000 vehicles, streamlining core processes and enhancing network visibility.

A key component of this deal is Wise’s Network View functionality, which will centralise onboarding for both direct and indirect resources, manage payments to direct resources and ensure robust compliance across DPD’s fleet workforce. The platform will eliminate manual processes, improve data accuracy, and provide real-time insight, reducing administrative pressures and increasing operational efficiency.

The new Network View product was launched in April, and the rollout to the DPD network will start this month.

Express Delivery Operations

Dan Richards, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer at Wise, said: “We’re proud to deepen our partnership with DPD to support them in gaining full visibility across their network and confident that we will unlock real value for them operationally. The deal is a testament to the trust we’ve built and the proven impact our platform has had across their service.”

Dan Richards, Wise

Chris Betts, Head of Network at DPD, said: “We chose Wise because, simply put, they are the best in their field. Their software solution helps us to manage a vital resource, making it easier for us to train, manage, and monitor, minute by minute, ensuring we continue to provide the best possible delivery experience for our customers, 52 weeks of the year.”

Chris Betts, DPD

The Wise platform is trusted by over 250 businesses and this deal with DPD further reinforces Wise’s position as a market leader in onboarding, payments and compliance software for logistics companies.

Wise is a leading technology provider supporting logistics businesses to reduce compliance risk, streamline processes, and ensure regulatory adherence. Purpose-built for scale, Wise is a structured system and service providing businesses everything they need to operate compliantly.

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A British freight and logistics 3PL provider has praised the performance and reliability of Mitsubishi GRENDiA forklifts, after extending its 12-year partnership with their local Mitsubishi Forklift Truck distributor.

At their Essex-based site, Simarco International has used GRENDiA trucks intensively since 2013, working 24 hours a day, 6 days a week. The most recent additions, 10 LPG-powered forklifts, are now the third batch to prove themselves at the growing operation. Indeed, Simarco has come to trust the trucks – and their distributor’s support – so much that the business operates successfully with no backup vehicle in place.

A proven performer at a growing business

For nearly 30 years, Simarco has made a habit of delivering tailored solutions for clients in the UK, across Europe, and internationally across all trade routes. The company occupies 30,000 square metres of transit warehousing in the UK, giving its forklifts a constant workload. GRENDiA trucks’ sealed chassis and engine protection systems make the model a perfect fit, delivering robust performance on the hardworking site.

Head of UK and European Warehousing, Steve Pyne, explains: “We’ve used Mitsubishi GRENDiA trucks for years and they’ve never let us down. They’re incredibly reliable, which is vital because we don’t just have another backup truck waiting to be used – if the GRENDiA breaks down or stops performing, our operation comes to a halt.”

A successful, 12-year partnership

The Mitsubishi Forklift Truck authorised distributor for the area is proud to have played a role in Simarco’s success story. Managing Director, Joe Bronze, said: “Given their 24-hours-a-day, 6-days-a week-schedule, it is imperative that the equipment is top quality. Sticking with the GRENDiA model that’s worked so well in the past is a great choice. Over the years, we’ve seen the business grow and it’s great that we can continue to assist the team with their ongoing requirements. With our close working relationship, we’re always available to react to any changes they need – now, and in the future.”

Steve Pyne, Head of UK & European Warehousing at Simarco, also values the relationship: “The support and service from our local distributor is always excellent – and that’s crucial. With such a busy, intensive operation, any lost time will really hit us. But on the rare occasion we have an issue, they always respond to call-outs or questions very swiftly. I would have no hesitation in recommending them as a preferred supplier for materials handling equipment.”

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The future is built with smarter operations: join thousands of game-changing leaders for three days of innovation and inspiration, June 23–26th at the Marriott Marquis, San Diego Marina. Share stories with partners and peers, gain transformative insights, and learn new ways to take safety, efficiency, and sustainability to the next level at the premier event for physical operations.

Samsara Beyond is the company’s annual jamboree for customers, partners and media, previously staged in San Francisco, Austin and Chicago. Logistics Business Publisher David Priestman will be reporting from there again.

Register to attend here.

At its 2024 Beyond conference, Samsara Inc. (NYSE: IOT), announced new products and solutions built to empower the physical operations leaders who run the world. The conference, which took place June 26-28 in Chicago, Illinois, gathered over 2,000 innovators across the industry, including Fortune 500 companies such as DHL, Sysco, SLB, and more.

“Our customers keep the world running. They have large, complex operations that are asset and labour-intensive, and data and AI are helping them solve their unique challenges,” said Sanjit Biswas, CEO and Co-Founder at Samsara. “AI-driven insights are transforming our customers’ operations, keeping their frontline workers safe and saving their organizations millions of dollars. We are proud to partner with our customers to help them operate smarter.”

Serving tens of thousands of organizations across North America and Europe, the scale of Samsara’s Connected Operations™ Cloud is already contributing to dramatic improvements for customers and the communities they serve. In one year alone, Samsara has helped prevent over 200,000 crashes, digitized 230 million workflows, and reduced 3 billion pounds of CO2 emissions. Today, Samsara announced new innovations that further connect every aspect of physical operations and fuel AI-powered insights to drive tangible results.

Create better, safer jobs for frontline workers

Samsara’s customer feedback loop has allowed the company to maintain a rapid pace of innovation and iterate to meet changing customer needs. Samsara has already launched several safety products to create better, safer jobs for frontline workers. These include Virtual Coach,
which helps drivers self-coach in the field, and new AI detections currently rolling out to customers for Drowsiness, Forward Collisions, and Lane Departures, which alert drivers of risky behaviour in the moment.

Now, Samsara has launched new solutions to further this commitment to safety and efficiency:

● Connected Training: Despite being one of the most dangerous industries with millions of injuries each year, the transportation sector lacks modernized training methods that are customized and adaptable for their unique work environments. With Connected Training, customers can have a data-driven training experience designed for continuous, remote learning via the Samsara Driver App. Managers can upskill their workforce by consolidating all training within the Samsara platform and connecting with existing workflows for a seamless employee experience.

● Connected Workflows: Last year, Samsara introduced Connected Forms to digitize paper processes for physical operations. Today, the company announced a new product, Connected Workflows, which goes beyond form digitization to orchestrating multi-step workflows. Connected Workflows can automatically assign forms, manage approvals, and create tasks based on contextual insights, like entering a geofence or detecting a vehicle crash. Now every department – from operations to HR – can automate workflows to make work safer and easier for frontline employees and administrators.

NexTier Completion Solutions is the second-largest provider of well completion and production services in the U.S., including hydraulic fracturing, wireline operations, and oilfield logistics. As the organization experienced rapid growth, it began to suffer from siloed systems and operational inefficiencies. With Samsara, they found a solution that allowed them to improve safety performance with streamlined workflows and consolidate data into a single platform.

“Automating critical workflows and building our safety checklist with Samsara has given us results that we could only dream of,” said Renee Merchant, DOT Fleet Systems Lead at NexTier. “Drivers not only complete the forms faster, but the information is more accurate than ever
before.”

Connect every aspect of operations and drive results that matter

As sensors get more sophisticated, yet smaller and easier to install, the world of telematics has expanded. It’s now possible to connect virtually anything to the cloud, whether it’s trailers, tools, or equipment. Today, Samsara has launched the industry’s first enterprise-grade Asset Tag built around this opportunity. Samsara’s Asset Tag was designed to meet customer demand for tracking and managing small, high-value assets. It leverages the Samsara Network of millions of devices to help organizations minimize their downtime spent searching for lost or stolen items, reduce associated costs, and simplify inventory management.

Samsara has also announced new next-generation Smart Trailer features to help customers run a safer, more efficient trailer operation. For example, Trailer Telematics will allow fleets to diagnose anti-lock braking system (ABS) issues and electrical power failures for the first time. As a result, they can optimize trailer maintenance, keep drivers safe, and maintain high Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores. In addition, new driver efficiency tools from Samsara will help customers save time and reduce costs by minimizing manual errors and increasing operational efficiency.

“We are helping our customers get data from every corner of their operations – from small assets to large equipment to paperless workflows. More data means new insights to help customers improve their operations,” said Kiren Sekar, Chief Product Officer at Samsara. “Everything we announced today at Beyond will give our customers additional tools to make the jobs of their frontline workers better and safer.”

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Agrigem, one of the UK’s biggest distributors of plant protection products, has grown turnover by 80% and increased profit margins by 40% after adopting Forterro’s ERP and Warehouse Management Solution, Orderwise.

Agrigem offers thousands of products, including weed killer, moss killer, fertiliser, grass seed, biological controls, and equipment to homeowners, and those working in the horticulture, equine, forestry, sports and amenity sectors. Given the breadth and depth of its product range, Agrigem needed to streamline operations by managing these product lines, multiple payment methods and different customer requirements, which had previously been a significant challenge.

“We were in desperate need of greater efficiencies and to streamline our processes,” said Dave Best, Operations Director, Agrigem. “We had ambitious growth plans, and the set-up at the time was not going to support that growth. Not only is Orderwise inherently scalable but it has all the functionality we required to get on top of our operational organisation.”

Orderwise is an ERP solution deployed by wholesalers, distributors, retailers, manufacturers, and other businesses with complex requirements. It helps connect processes, optimise workflows, and revolutionise stock management.

It reduced the need for Agrigem to take on additional administrative resources as it grew by automating report generation, data imports, and other manual tasks. Furthermore, by having data presented automatically, Orderwise allowed them to make critical decisions faster and more efficiently, contributing to overall business growth.

“Investing in the right technology can set a business up for long-term success, and Orderwise undoubtedly falls into that category,” continued Best. “It takes away unnecessary decision-making and reduces reliance on manual processes, both of which have been highly beneficial to our ongoing growth trajectory. It has also made it much easier for us to offer overnight delivery throughout the UK, which is critical for customers.”

Since implementing Orderwise, Agrigem has also benefited from complete visibility into its operational metrics. This allows the company to act quickly and effectively, such as adjusting pricing or changing product ranges, thereby avoiding delays that could impact the business negatively.

“When customers use our technology in this way, we feel like we have made a major contribution to their growth,” said Tom Price, Director, Forterro. “Orderwise is especially suited to retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers. It’s very much our core user base, and we are constantly and iteratively improving the product based on the ongoing feedback we get from customers. Agrigem is a leader in its field and precisely the type of business we love to work with.”

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