Eurosort recently appointed Rens Gehling as its new Commercial Director, with a brief to chart and deliver an even brighter future for the Netherlands-based sorter supplier. Paul Hamblin meets him.

In the increasingly dizzying world of logistics integration and automation, it pays to be a specialist. If you’re known – and more importantly, admired and respected – for a core offering, it gives you two tasty bites of the cherry; as a go-to choice OEM supplier for the big integrator players, as well as a trusted resource for direct customer sales.

Fact: the Dutch are good at sorting. Many of the big players in the field are Netherlands-founded and based and they continue to lead the way in innovation and efficiency in a sector which, thanks to ecommerce, has enjoyed a strong growth path over the past decade and more.

A fine example of all of the above is Eurosort, which also operates under the Distrisort brand. Tell us the difference between the two, I ask Rens Gehling, the new Commercial Director, appointed in a key leadership role to the Amsterdam-based company in January this year.

“Eurosort and Distrisort are two brands, but one company, same location, same people,” he explains. “Eurosort is a sorter OEM, developing, building and selling high-quality sorters, usually to integrators. Technically, when we deliver to integrators, we control the system with our PLC/software. However, in general terms, the word ‘software’ is considered to refer to the WCS, which is always integrator-based. Projects are flexible – they can be turnkey, they can incorporate controls or they can be mechanical only, using separate controls and software preferred by the customer. The point is that the customer has control and we provide what they ask for.

“Distrisort sells sorters direct to end customers. Usually, these are turnkey solutions, mainly in the fashion, consumer goods, and postal spaces. Our speciality is in providing our customers with solutions for high-speed, high-capacity lightweight products with examples of systems sold capable of handling 100,000 items per hour, which have given us a dominant market position.”

The company grew exponentially during the ecommerce boom part-driven by the pandemic, but Eurosort is certainly not resting on its laurels. Gehling is at Eurosort to scale the company still further. “I’m here to establish how we scale, how we make our success repeatable and predictable, to push on our business development and market intelligence to pinpoint where we see ourselves in 10 years time,” he reflects.

It’s a task for which Gehling is well qualified. Steeped in sortation technology after a successful career at Bowe Intralogistics, he holds two master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Physics and brings expertise in ecommerce, as well as significant legal, organisational development, and R&D experience.

Future Customer Needs

He knows the company is already successful at finding and retaining a loyal customer base – one client alone has bought as many as 90 sorters – and sees the challenge to be about identifying future customer needs and being ready to meet them quickly and cost-effectively. “For instance, we are making great strides in combining traditional retail sorting processes with ecommerce sorting processes, and greatly increasing the potential number of exits,” he reveals.

Are ecommerce and retail not the same these days, I query? “Ecommerce generally comprises batch picking of a low number of SKUs per order, whereas retail sorting may comprise dozens of SKUs per single order,” he explains.

Favoured solutions are often those which enable the customer to make maximum economic and practical use of precious space. Eurosort examples include the Chute Pitch Reducer, a door sited to stop a product from sliding down the chute in its track. The benefit is the opportunity to increase the number of exits in the sorter loop.

A further exciting innovation due to come on stream later this year is the Prote-E (a Vertical Exit Multiplier Module). It massively increases the opportunity to boost the number of exits for products of many sizes and weights, allied to an automated put wall system that exploits space to increase storage and separation options. “We specialize in customised, engineered exits, whatever is relevant and appropriate for the customer’s operations,” he comments.

Eurosort’s not-so secret weapon is its patented split tray sorter (also known as a Bombay or flat sorter), a simple, but ingenious idea to increase capacities at a stroke. “Single loop, cross tray, push, cross – whatever sorter type you need, just use a dual split and you have twice the capacity at the same cost. You just can’t beat it,” he smiles. “Everything you would want to do on a loop sorting operation, deploy a split tray, because it will give you simply the best ROI ever.”

Sorter Types Defined

To new customers not versed in the language of sortation, the terminology can be confusing. He provides an easy summary of each sorter type.

“With split tray sorters, the product drops downwards when it is selected for a tote or other destination. Most of the time that’s fine, but of course not every SKU or package can be allowed to drop, usually due to size, weight or fragility restrictions. So, anything non-breakable we can’t allow to drop, we then move to push tray sorters, where we push out the product to a destination on the same level.

“A crossbelt sorter is designed to accept items of greater weight and size and offers tremendous speeds and throughputs. Crossbelt sorters are very effective for fast movement of bulkier items but the downside is that they are more expensive, can’t handle small items well and add maintenance complexity. That’s where our cross tray sorter comes into its own, which I’d describe as a mini crossbelt. It’s cheap to buy and run, designed for small to mid-sized, non-conveyable items that are enclosed in a tray. Because this is our specialty, we wanted to offer this option to our customers. In fact, it can often be a much better fit than many crossbelt sorters.”

One future opportunity for Eurosort is in supplying space-efficient secondary sorters focused on small items to supplement existing larger solutions in a DC. Separately, the company is starting to see projects in which customers with lower capacity requirements are looking to combine inbound, outbound, consolidation and returns into a cost-effective single, closed sortation system.

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EuroSort introduces ‘smart’ sorter

In an interview with Stefan Budweit, President and CEO of Clark Europe, Peter MacLeod detects the brand shifting strategically in a more high-tech direction.

As the global materials handling sector undergoes seismic shifts – driven primarily by sustainability mandates, technological innovation, and evolving customer demands – Clark Europe is on a mission not just to keep up but to leap ahead. At the helm of this ambitious transformation is Stefan Budweit, its President and CEO, whose three-decade career spans major names like Jungheinrich, Toyota, and now, Clark, having replaced Rolf Eiten on 1st January this year. In an exclusive interview with Logistics Business, Budweit discusses the brand’s growth strategy, product innovation, and how a century-old name is reinventing itself for the electric age.

Growth-Driven Challenger

Budweit’s career journey mirrors the evolution of the industry itself. Starting in parts sales with Jungheinrich before taking on international sales roles, and later leading global key accounts at Toyota, he’s no stranger to operating at scale. “The transition to Clark was a chance to build something new,” Budweit explains. “At Jungheinrich and Toyota, you’re maintaining a large ship. At Clark, we saw the opportunity to grow from a lower base with fresh thinking. We had nothing to lose – only ground to gain.”

Now, with his promotion to CEO, Budweit is tasked with steering the next chapter in Clark’s storied history. “Taking Clark from a global ranking of around 14 or 15 to a top-10 position, that’s a task that excites me.”

Clark’s strategy isn’t about chasing every trend or copying market leaders. Instead, it focuses on aligning its products with customer needs, especially those of its core base: small to mid-sized businesses with fleets of up to 20 units. These customers, often underserved by larger OEMs, are facing the same pressures to cut carbon emissions and improve efficiency as the major logistics players.

“The role of the forklift hasn’t fundamentally changed – it still moves pallets from A to B,” says Budweit. “But the environment in which it operates has. That’s where we see opportunity.”
One of Clark’s key growth initiatives lies in its newly-announced crossover models, electric trucks designed for outdoor use, previously a stronghold of internal combustion (IC) vehicles. These rugged, high-clearance trucks can handle conditions where diesel and gas once reigned supreme, such as mud, rain, and uneven ground.

“These crossover models meet customer needs for performance and sustainability,” Budweit notes. “And because many big players don’t yet offer a comparable product, we see a real chance to carve out market share.”

Sustainability with Substance

For Clark, sustainability is a sales imperative. Across Europe, emissions regulations are accelerating the decline of IC trucks. Meanwhile, companies of all sizes face growing pressure to report on their ESG metrics.

“Even smaller customers now need to reduce their carbon footprint and report it in their annual reviews,” Budweit says. “We’re helping by providing electric alternatives and also by offering transparency in our own production and logistics emissions. ESG is now a core part of our value proposition.”

This shift is most visible in Clark’s electrification strategy. While IC trucks remain important in less regulated markets like Africa and parts of the Middle East, in Europe, electric models dominate, particularly in warehousing where electric account for around 65% of the market.

To serve this demand, Clark offers both lithium-ion and lead-acid battery options across its electric range. “Flexibility is key,” Budweit says. “Many customers start with lead-acid and upgrade later. Our trucks are designed to accommodate both.”

Another sign of Clark’s transformation is in branding. Gone are the cryptic model names, and in come the bold new product lines Raider and Renegade introduced at LogiMAT.
“The names help us position products for specific markets,” Budweit explains. “Raider is the entry-level option, cost-effective and durable. Renegade is for more demanding applications, with advanced features and premium ergonomics.”

The differentiation also allows Clark to tailor offerings across regions. While Eastern Europe may favour budget-friendly models, Scandinavia expects high-end features and comfort. With centralised product groups now coordinating global development, Clark is better equipped than ever to deliver region-specific solutions.

Going Digital

As the forklift industry evolves beyond the mechanical into the digital, Clark is embracing the shift. Its new fleet management system – developed in-house rather than outsourced – is a response to changing customer profiles and the rise of larger fleet operators.

“In the past, our customers didn’t necessarily demand fleet management,” Budweit says. “But as our client base grows to include bigger operators, we’re providing smart solutions, factory-installed, and fully integrated.”

Looking ahead, Clark sees potential in leveraging AI for predictive maintenance and safety features, particularly in real-time hazard detection. “AI is already playing a role in fleet optimisation,” Budweit says. “We’re integrating these capabilities to meet the demands of a more sophisticated user base.”

The Brand Comes Home

Founded in 1917, Clark invented the modern forklift. Today, Budweit sees that legacy as both a differentiator and an asset. “In many countries, when people say ‘forklift,’ they still say ‘Clark,’” he notes. The company is tapping into that heritage with a symbolic move: on 10th April, it officially returned its global headquarters to Dallas, Texas. “Clark is coming home,” Budweit says with a smile. “We’re reopening our US manufacturing base and reconnecting with our American roots.”

From rugged electric crossover trucks to AI-enabled fleet solutions, Clark is reimagining itself for a future that demands sustainability, flexibility, and performance. And under Budweit’s leadership, the company is not just talking about transformation, it’s building it one truck and one customer at a time. “The sky is the limit,” he concludes. Clark has no pretences to become another Toyota or Jungheinrich – it’s cornering a healthy market where a heritage brand meets future-ready thinking.

Transparency of the global supply chain is becoming the weapon of choice for smart logistics operations, as Peter MacLeod discovers in a conversation with Setlog’s Ralf Düster.

As the supply chain world hurtles toward a more interconnected and complex future, it is clear that end-to-end visibility is a necessity. Ralf Düster (pictured below), Managing Director of Setlog GmbH, advocates that managing global supply chains effectively means seeing the whole picture, from raw material readiness to last-mile delivery. And with the company’s digital platform, OSCA Global Logistics, Setlog is equipping its customers with the tools to navigate an increasingly unpredictable logistics landscape.

In a recent conversation following Setlog’s appearance at LogiMAT, Düster broke down how Setlog’s approach aligns with the top 10 supply chain management trends of 2025, as outlined in its latest industry report. From AI to cybersecurity, labour shortages to sustainability, he explained how Setlog is helping customers prepare for tomorrow’s challenges today.

End-to-End Visibility

At the core of Setlog’s value proposition is deep visibility across the entire supply chain. “Today, it’s not enough to know where a container is,” says Düster. “You need to know when production starts, what the quality control results are, and if your materials are available in time. That’s the level of granularity we offer.”

Setlog’s OSCA platform allows businesses to gain SKU-level visibility very early in the development cycle, all the way up to the packing stage. Here, an electronic packing list generated at the factory enables accurate, real-time insights long before goods are shipped. This means DCs can prioritise container unloading, prepare resources more effectively, and ultimately serve their customers faster and with greater accuracy.

Ralf Duester, Setlog

Responding to Disruption

In a world rocked by geopolitical tension, climate events, and port congestion, supply chain disruptions are inevitable. Düster isn’t in the business of predicting wars or volcanic eruptions – “I’m not a Trump advisor or a volcano specialist,” he jokes – but he is in the business of building resilience through data. “When production delays happen, our system alerts you early,” he explains. “You can then make decisions like adapting the production, upgrading from sea freight to air freight or arranging two-driver express trucks to reduce delays. You don’t wait until the goods are on the water, you act at the production stage.”

By integrating supplier, lab, and logistics data into one collaborative platform, OSCA empowers businesses to adapt quickly and communicate changes to stakeholders, from internal planners to end customers.

Sustainability & Carbon Reporting

One of the most critical priorities for modern supply chains is reducing carbon emissions. Setlog’s platform offers detailed CO₂ tracking not just by shipment, but by SKU. This enables brands to analyse the environmental impact of individual products or ranges, helping them make greener logistics choices and meet evolving reporting standards.

“Companies can use this information to optimise transport modes, maybe to send mission-critical parts by air, and everything else by sea,” says Düster. “We give them the data to reduce emissions and maintain service levels.” With cyberattacks on the rise, Düster emphasises that Setlog invests heavily in security. “We’re handling sensitive data such as pricing, designs, product images, so we’ve built robust systems with strict access controls,” he says.

The platform is designed with role-based permissions, ensuring that only authorised users can view or modify specific data. Setlog also works with certified European and American data processing partners to maintain the highest security standards. As the supply chain becomes more digital and connected, this kind of protection is essential.

Labour Shortages

Another looming challenge is the growing scarcity of skilled logistics personnel, particularly in customs, warehouse operations, and intralogistics. Setlog is tackling this by supporting the shift toward Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL) models, where a single provider manages and orchestrates the full logistics operation on behalf of the customer.

“Companies want to focus on their core business: making products and serving customers,” says Düster. “They don’t want to worry about customs clearance or warehouse management. That’s where 4PL comes in.” Setlog is currently supporting the development of such a model for its customer Rhenus, a major logistics provider. The goal is full orchestration of everything from carrier selection to distribution centre operations, allowing businesses to remain agile even with fewer in-house logistics professionals.

AI Where it Matters

While many companies claim to use AI, few apply it where it counts. At Setlog, artificial intelligence is being embedded directly into operational workflows. From automated document processing to AI chatbots that answer real-time supply chain questions, OSCA is learning from every user interaction.

“We’re using AI to read laboratory QC reports and automatically trigger workflows,” explains Düster. “We’re also launching chatbot support so users can ask questions like ‘Is this order on the vessel?’ and get instant, accurate answers.” This reduces the need for manual intervention and allows merchandisers and logistics coordinators to focus on exception handling, rather than chasing routine updates.

While Setlog is headquartered in Germany, its footprint and its competitive mindset is international. “The US market is ahead in some areas, especially in adopting digital-first logistics platforms,” says Düster. “But we’re learning fast, and building solutions for both European and American clients.”

He points to the company’s involvement in the Open Logistics Foundation, and its participation in recent hackathons focused on digital air waybills and delivery documents. These innovations are helping reduce manual work and increase speed, which are two major drivers of supply chain efficiency.

The supply chain of 2025 demands more than fragmented software and Excel spreadsheets. It requires an integrated, collaborative ecosystem, one that gives all stakeholders the data they need to act quickly and intelligently. The OSCA platform offers that ecosystem, combining real-time visibility, intelligent automation, and robust security in a single solution. “If you want to be ready for the unknowns, whatever form they take, you need transparency and collaboration,” says Düster.

In an industry defined by complexity and change, that kind of clarity may be the most valuable cargo of all.

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Setlog and Rhenus Join Forces

In response to today’s high demand for resilience in the world of physical operations, Samsara Inc., pioneer of the Connected Operations® Platform, announced its new Upgrade for Smarter Operations programme across the UK and Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg markets. The programme is designed to make it easy for organisations that rely on systems with inadequate capabilities and customer support to upgrade to Samsara’s advanced and comprehensive AI-powered platform. Eligible companies to upgrade include organisations like Lightfoot, Microlise, Webfleet, Trakm8, Lytx, Geotab, Verizon Connect, VisionTrak, and Masternaught among others.

“We switched technology providers because our previous telematics and cameras were unreliable – the data was poor, and our drivers didn’t trust it, hindering bonus planning. We were close to choosing Microlise, but Samsara’s ability to identify key events and behaviours stood out, offering a path to improve our culture through training,” said Peter Cox, Head of Transport, Clean Linen.

Advantages of the Platform

As the most widely-used and fastest-growing connected operations platform, Samsara is committed to continuous innovation and customer success. In fact, the company holds hundreds of patents and has proven to deliver 8x ROI. This commitment translates into many tangible benefits as organisations that use Samsara’s platform can experience:

• Unrivalled AI Insights and Safety: Samsara’s AI is trained on more than 14 trillion data points, more than any other in its industry. Customers leverage its industry-leading AI to gain actionable insights that improve safety, efficiency, and decision-making across operations.
• Expert Partnership, Dependable Supply Chain, and Unwavering Reliability: Customers can rely on Samsara’s solutions for their mission-critical operations, benefiting from secure, scalable, and flexible technology, 99.99% platform uptime, extensive European coverage ensuring top-tier connectivity, rapid 48-hour hardware shipping, and a limited lifetime hardware warranty, all backed by dedicated 24/7 expert support. From day one, customers work with Samsara’s customer success managers and implementation consultants, who stay with them through every stage of their journey.
• Technology Drivers Love: Improve driver satisfaction and retention with leading safety technology and the industry’s number-one rated driver app, designed to be easy to use and to make administrative work simple for drivers.
• Committed to a sustainable future: Samsara customers globally have collectively saved over 1.3 million metric tons of CO2 emissions through the platform’s features designed for efficient fuel use and reduced emissions.
• Future-Proof Stability: Samsara is a long-term, financially strong partner, growing more than 30% year-over-year, and is continuously innovating for its customers, as evidenced by its more than $1B invested in research and development to date.

Thousands of organisations have switched to Samsara because of these advantages and more. Below are a few of their stories with perspective on Samsara’s differentiated solutions and support:

• “It was only when we started investigating alternatives that we discovered Samsara’s AI-based technology. We soon realised it was the perfect fit for us, providing information we needed in real-time,” commented Olivia Fagan, Compliance Officer, Fagan & Whalley
• “We see Samsara as a strategic partner that not only helps us to achieve our current goals, but also supports our long-term vision of a sustainable and successful company… We particularly appreciate the transparent and predictable cost structure that Samsara offers us. Unlike other providers, we get an all-inclusive solution that impresses with its intuitive, user-friendly platform,” added David Intruglio, Head of National Logistics, Alsco
• “When we studied the market, we realised that Samsara differentiated itself from its competitors with particularly effective, latest-generation solutions. We also appreciated their ability to respond very quickly to our specifications with great precision. For the installation of the first gateway, a Samara technician guided us by videoconference and it took us barely 15 minutes. We installed the subsequent units completely independently and very easily, taking just 5 minutes per vehicle,” said Karim Aït Soumane, Co-Founder, TMA Express
• “The Samsara safety score has been a runaway success. It’s given myself and other drivers something to compete over, I can’t count the number of times we’ve joked about beating each other’s score, it’s a fantastic system,” concluded Eddie Burns, Driver and Driver Manager, Midland Tyre Services

“The world of physical operations is the engine of our economy, driving over 40% of global GDP and impacting everyone’s daily life,” said Philip van Der Wilt, EMEA SVP and GM, at Samsara. “The legacy solutions some are relying on simply aren’t built for today’s economic uncertainties and operational complexities, eroding the confidence leaders need. That’s why we’re making it even easier for them to upgrade to the clear advantages Samsara’s platform delivers.”

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Samsara Unveils New Solutions at Beyond ’24

Loftware, a global supplier of Enterprise Labelling, and SATO Corporation, developer of auto-ID and labelling solutions, have announced the availability of their cloud-connected label printing solution for AEP-equipped SATO printers. This comes at a time when the adoption of cloud-based technologies is on the rise, with the Loftware/SATO partnership supporting this shift to streamline business processes and enhance supply chain agility.

The joint solution, which connects Loftware Cloud with SATO’s cloud-connected printers, eliminates printer driver dependencies, allowing IT teams to avoid installation, troubleshooting, updates, and management. This significantly reduces maintenance and support costs, while enabling businesses to print from any PC browser, providing flexibility to scale or adapt operations without technical constraints. Additionally, users can access the latest approved label templates from anywhere, at any time, through a secure browser and seamlessly print from their SATO printer. The platform also streamlines user management, enabling administrators to quickly add and approve new users in minutes without the need for license keys, reducing administrative burden and improving operational efficiency.

The Loftware/SATO partnership supports a range of industry applications. This includes supplier compliance to ensure accurate, timely labeling and RFID tagging – eliminating relabelling and improving supply chain efficiency. It also enhances in-plant labelling for better process control within factories, ensures retail labelling consistency with industry standards, and streamlines third-party logistics (3PL) labelling for seamless integration with logistics providers.

Hayato Shindo, Group Business Officer at SATO Corporation, commented: “In today’s fast-paced business environment, manufacturers face many challenges, such as changing customer, legal and regulatory requirements; remote working and collaboration; rapid scaling up of operations; and improving productivity while reducing operating costs. Traditional desktop label design applications, while effective in the past, are no longer sufficient to manage these complexities. The solution provided by SATO and Loftware addresses these challenges head-on by offering a centralized and secure platform for label design and printing.”

Loftware Cloud expands labelling capabilities across internal stakeholders, external suppliers, co-manufacturers, and co-packers, who all play a role in the complex supply chain process. With seamless integration into both on-premise and cloud-based business applications such as ERP, WMS, and PLM, Loftware Cloud optimizes workflows for greater efficiency and accuracy.

SATO’s cloud-connected printers further enhance this solution with effortless installation and mobility. Simply connecting a LAN cable ensures the printer is ready for immediate use. This plug-and-play functionality makes it easy to relocate printers as needed, giving businesses the flexibility to adapt to changing operational demands.

Denis Stojanoski, Loftware Senior Alliance Program Manager, added: “Loftware and SATO have a long-standing partnership built on a shared commitment to innovation. Together, we continue to develop cutting-edge supply chain solutions that empower businesses to operate more efficiently, adapt to evolving industry demands, and future-proof their operations. By combining our expertise, we’re driving the future of labeling to deliver greater agility, scalability, and value for our customers.”

Loftware and SATO’s global partnership extends over a quarter century. In recent years, the two have developed an advanced RFID encoding and logging solution to help businesses meet stringent traceability standards. The partnership between Loftware and SATO represents a strategic shift toward addressing specific use cases to better meet modern business needs.

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Bold new branding for end-to-end system integration specialists TGW Logistics represents confidence, flexibility and dynamism for a formidable presence in European and global logistics. Paul Hamblin hears about it.

The demands on logistics professionals may one day overwhelm. Take LogiMAT: now up to 10 halls (and counting), and with AI and robot technology making ever more outlandish promises to potential customers, how do you process what is actually real and what is not?

It is a landscape in which TGW Logistics – presenting new branding colours and shapes for an ever-changing world – promises an established, reassuring presence. “We are real. What you see is what you get,” says Jan-Willem Klinkenberg (pictured, below), Head of BizDev Northern Europe for the Austria-based global integrator.

End-to-end Integration

Let’s dig down into that reality a little. TGW describes itself as an end-to-end integrator, a term bandied around liberally in the marketing literature of many materials handling companies. What does it mean, though?

“It means we take full responsibility for the change your company is going through,” he defines. “Yes, that change is centred around warehouse automation, because that is our core business. But it’s important to bear in mind that we start by looking at the shed, the warehouse, as a total entity. The basic processes inside that shed comprise inbound, quality control, storage, picking, packing and shipping and this is where we will analyse the customer’s data to explore areas where we can deliver significant ROI via automation. Most of the time, but not always, this focuses on the picking and packing of small goods.”

Automation should not be simply dismissed as fewer people and more robots. Integration for experienced providers such as TGW Logistics is about partnering the customer to evaluate how to best deliver greater efficiency, speed, sustainability, flexibility and cost control. It can come in many forms.

Jan-Willem Klinkenberg, TGW

He illustrates: “One of the projects I’ve been involved with recently was a 50,000 sqm warehouse, in which we use just 8,500 sqm for automation. But 80% of the order lines go through the automation. The customer said to us, ‘Thank you, it’s fantastic, business case proven, budget and investment all signed off; now, can you help us with the other 41,500 square metres?’ They wanted us to deliver the WMS for the manual picking and packing areas, to support them in selecting the right pick and pack areas for what they called the heavy and ugly stuff, also for the pallet racking, the pick towers. That is real integration.

“Of course, the most added value for ourselves sits in the automation part, because that’s our core, it is our own kit that we have developed, produced and delivered. But ultimately we served this customer in a much wider journey to integrate five DCs into one new warehouse. It was a fantastic project, and I’d love to do more like it.”

An end-to-end integrator worthy of the definition needs agility to meet the demands of many types of customer, he explains.

“At the other end of the scale, for instance, we work with a major global ecommerce retailer, also a great customer and with fantastic projects. The added-value is a bit lower for us in their case because they have their own very accomplished in-house design teams. But they know exactly what they need from us, and so we are a significant system integrator for them, but without providing the full end-to-end processes and solutions.

“We are flexible to meet all needs – and we need both of those types of customers for our business.”

Automation is not new, of course. The technologies now refined and improved by TGW and others today have now been around for two, even three decades. Consequently, many new projects do not comprise the familiar ‘manual to automated’ transition, but a ‘legacy’ automated system to a state-of-the-art model. Decision-making is therefore on the agenda for many of those pioneers of the early 2000s.

“Take the UK, for instance. Some outstanding legacy systems were delivered to major retailers in the early years of this century. These businesses learned a long time ago the ROI potential and added value of automation. Now, 20 years later, they are in possession of outstanding technical equipment which is still there and which is still working perfectly. But they still have a decision to make in terms of remaining cutting-edge. What do they do? Do they buy new, do they reconfigure, do they dismantle?”

Easy decision, he reveals.

“Let me give you an analogy. Forty years ago, my mother and father bought a washing machine when they got married. And it’s still going strong. My father is so proud of it – ‘I replaced this, I replaced that, it’s still running!’ – and I said to him, ‘Dad, it uses five times as much water and 10 times as much energy than the latest models. Yes you’re doing OK, but if you get a new one you use less energy, less water and you’re going to make money.’”

Hardware and Software Expertise

TGW Logistics has evolved to suit customer needs as technology, habits and demands have changed. Founded 55 years ago in Austria, TGW was originally a small metalworking shop in the city of Wels; ‘software’ was barely a word in the dictionary. No longer. As software became an essential in the automation package, so TGW partnered with and then acquired specialist software companies, enabling it to accelerate and refine its in-house R&D investment.

“I always say that electro-mechanical equipment from TGW is the best in the world,” claims Klinkenberg. “That is not just sales patter; I can say it with proven confidence, because we have delivered to so many companies who are now massively successful in their own right, names such as Witron, Knapp, Vanderlande, SSI Schaefer.”

But the role of the right software, correctly applied and managed, is absolutely vital, he advises.

“Software comprises between 8-12% of the investment of an integrated system, but I believe 80-90% of the success of that system is down to the software. So it is of paramount importance. And a huge chunk of this importance is change management.

“The uninformed think that the integration and automation process is like buying a new car. Pick up the keys, jump in, drive away. That is categorically not the case here. It takes 6-12 months to make your assets sweat, to fully understand its dynamics and how it will work best for you. It’s the software that enables us to see what’s happening in real time, providing the customer with the evidence to improve future operations.”

Key Market Areas

TGW will apply itself to any relevant challenge in any sector, but is focused in four key areas: Grocery, Fashion/Apparel, Industrial and Consumer. The company has been a key part of the revolution in Grocery and Fashion over recent years.

He believes Grocery is advanced and well-defined. “It’s clear who all the players are. In the Nordics, Benelux, UK, you can count them on one hand or maybe two, all have invested in automation and all have already seen the added value of automation.

“In terms of coming trends, we’re noticing that some of our customers are trying to secure long-term partnerships with us for similar reasons. They all have the same issues: lack of labour – no one wants to work at night or in a deep freeze – so automation is the obvious answer. That means they need materials handling partners. In the Grocery sector, this translates to large-scale projects Those are good projects for us, we have the scope to take part in those tenders.”

In the Fashion sector, it’s no secret that a lot has happened over the past five years. “Covid was a massive factor. Ecommerce accelerated much faster, and now we’re seeing some evidence of the opposite happening as people show more willingness to go back to bricks and mortar stores for fashion items.” Omnichannel is therefore still very often the order of the day in fashion retail.

“As logistics experts we have to be able to deal with that, which means we need to be as flexible, scalable, and modular as we can with our solutions. Customers need to be able to handle single line orders, they need to be able to handle 25 or more lines.”

He explains that some of the new brands in fashion are very strong in marketing and sales but less so in logistics, thus presenting exciting opportunities for 3PLs. “You’ve seen 3PLs investing more in automation, in shuttle systems for instance,” he points out.

TGW’s latest tagline for its customers is ‘It’s Possible’. It’s a claim the company can make from a position of strength. Unlike some integrators, TGW develops and constructs all of its own equipment and hardware, backed by its own proprietary software. Crucially, the company is run as a Foundation, meaning that all decisions are taken for the good of the future health of the company, its people, customers and community, not to promote or protect a share price. That is a powerful starting place.

Finally, it’s projects are about partnerships. Customers learn from TGW experts; TGW is always learning from its customers. In that environment, everybody wins.

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TGW celebrates opening of China production facility

As Linde MH reinvents the role of the forklift to best service a smart, automated world, Peter MacLeod spoke to two of its senior managers to scratch further below the surface.

At LogiMAT 2025, Linde Material Handling’s shift from forklift manufacturer to strategic intralogistics partner was clear. I sat down with two of its senior leaders, Ulrike Just (Executive Vice President Sales & Service, EMEA) and Torsten Rochelmeyer (Senior Director Strategy & Solution Portfolio), to explore how Linde is helping customers navigate today’s operational challenges – and to have an educated guess at what the warehouse of the future might look like.

Changing Landscape

When I visited Linde’s Aschaffenburg facility last autumn, the company had just unveiled its new three- and four-wheel electric forklift trucks up to 2.0 tonnes. While these trucks remain essential to warehouse operations, their role is evolving. At LogiMAT, forklifts were present but were not necessarily the focal point. That’s no accident, as Just explains: “Our customers aren’t just looking for equipment – they want a “sparring partner”. Someone who helps them optimise logistics processes, understands digitalisation, energy, safety, and can guide them toward automation.”
Rochelmeyer agrees: “The forklift is just one piece of the puzzle. Customers need help optimising entire systems under increasing cost pressure. That includes safety, data, and energy management.”

Linde’s shift from product supplier to holistic intralogistics advisor is deliberate. The company is leveraging its vast sales and service footprint to deliver scalable, integrated solutions across borders. “We’ve seen huge growth through our international key accounts,” says Just. “We’re unique in being able to offer customers a single point of contact for managing a global fleet. Our main competitor, Toyota, has the footprint, but we provide the network depth and advisory capabilities smaller players can’t match.”

One surprising takeaway is that many large customers don’t even know how many forklifts they operate. “We help them get control of that,” Just says. “It’s about fleet transparency and performance optimisation.”

Automation and Digitalisation

Warehousing is Linde’s fastest-growing vertical, particularly in automation. “We see major growth potential in automation, complex energy and safety solutions, and digitalisation,” says Just.
With partners Nvidia and Accenture, Linde is taking AI integration to a new level. “We’re developing physical AI for AGVs so they can react in real time. For instance, AGVs will soon be able to retrieve pallets even if they’re not perfectly placed, which will be a massive efficiency gain,” Just explains.

The second focus is a digital twin of the warehouse, created through sensors that allow for simulation and optimisation of layouts and flows before any physical changes are made. Rochelmeyer highlighted how critical this is for brownfield sites: “Not every customer is ready to invest €30 million in a new warehouse. But many can deploy five AGVs to improve one process. With Nvidia’s Omniverse, they can simulate changes in real time and test outcomes in 3D.”

Sustainability in Action

Linde’s sustainability efforts are twofold: helping customers reduce emissions, while decarbonising its own operations. Its fleet management software, myLinde, works with its connect:charger to monitor energy usage, optimise charging, and reduce carbon output. “Customers can track how much CO₂ they’re saving and report on sustainability improvements to their own stakeholders,” Rochelmeyer tells me.

Within its own facilities, Linde has committed to carbon neutrality by 2050, with a 40% reduction target by 2030. This commitment was recently recognised with an EcoVadis sustainability award.
“We’ve joined the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTI) and have tailored decarbonisation strategies for each plant,” Just says. “That includes switching to green energy, even though it costs more, and building hydrogen infrastructure.”

Linde even powers its internal logistics with hydrogen trucks. “We have hydrogen forklifts moving masts from fabrication to assembly inside our own facility,” added Rochelmeyer.

Hydrogen: Not Yet Mainstream

Hydrogen fuel cells remain an intriguing – but not yet commercially widespread – alternative to battery electric. Linde is ready for it, though: all new forklifts are fuel-cell compatible. “Today, hydrogen demand is mostly driven by pilot projects with OEMs like BMW and Daimler,” says Rochelmeyer. “The business case isn’t quite there for broader adoption due to high infrastructure costs. But when the time comes, we’ll be ready.”

Government support and regional policy will play a key role in speeding up adoption. “Some regions are already more advanced. It’s about timing; too early and it’s costly, too late and you miss the boat,” he adds.

Forklift of the Future

What will a forklift truck look like in 2035? That depends on who you ask, but both leaders agree on one thing: the operator’s role is changing.

“There are two paths,” says Rochelmeyer. “In one, the driver becomes more like a pilot – monitoring rather than operating. Or they may be remotely controlling the vehicle from an office.”
But traditional forklifts won’t disappear. “We’re not like automotive – our sector evolves more slowly, and regional differences are big. Forklifts will still exist, just smarter, safer, and more efficient.”
Just adds with a smile: “Maybe a humanoid robot will replace the driver. You never know.”

Turning Data into Operational Gold

At the core of Linde’s digital push is its new customer portal, myLinde. “It’s more than fleet management, it’s a central cloud platform where customers can track safety, energy, and usage data,” explains Rochelmeyer.

This transparency opens up new optimisation paths: smarter routing, predictive maintenance, energy cost reduction, even fewer trucks. “It’s not about steel and iron anymore. It’s about data.”
Linde Material Handling may still be synonymous with forklifts, but it’s rapidly becoming known for its digital and automation expertise. Whether customers are trying to reduce their energy bills, optimise brownfield processes, or simulate a new warehouse in the metaverse, Linde is positioning itself not just as a supplier, but as a strategic global logistics partner for a fast-changing world.

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In our previous article, we talked about working aboard a private jet, emphasizing how comfort and privacy make flying an extension of the office. But to work during the flight and be truly productive, you need one key resource: a reliable Internet connection. In this article we take a detailed look at how Wi-Fi works on private jets, what it costs, what technologies are available, and what to expect in terms of performance.

How does Wi-Fi Internet connection work on private jets?

Surfing the Internet at an altitude of 12,000 meters is now a necessity for many travelers, especially in the world of private flights.

Onboard Wi-Fi not only allows you to work uninterrupted, but also to stay in touch with your team, access cloud files, or simply relax with a streaming movie. But how does Wi-Fi on board private jets actually work?

Available technologies are based on two main systems:

Air-To-Ground (ATG) Connection.

It uses a ground-based tower network, similar to that of cell phones. It is available only when the plane flies over land and at relatively low altitudes. Air-To-Ground connection provides internet at moderate speeds (about 1-3 Mbps) and is an economical solution, but it has geographic limitations: it does not work, for example, during flights over oceans or in isolated areas without coverage.

Satellite Connection (Ka-band, Ku-band, L-band)

This technology is based on geostationary satellites that provide global coverage, including intercontinental flights and ocean crossings.

• The Ka-band connection is currentlythe fastest, with performance that can reach 20-30 Mbps, making it ideal for streaming and video conferencing.
• Ku-band offers good speed and high reliability.
• L-band, on the other hand, is the slowest Internet connection, suitable only for light activities such as sending emails or using messaging apps.

Major providers of onboard Internet connectivity include:

• Gogo Business Aviation, known for its ATG systems, which are very popular in North America;
• Viasat, specializing in high-speed (mainly Ka-band) satellite connections;
• Inmarsat Jet ConneX, one of the leading global suppliers with excellent performance on intercontinental routes;
• Honeywell JetWave, which provides systems compatible with high-capacity satellite networks such as Inmarsat Global Xpress.

Want to know which private jets offer the best in-flight Internet connectivity? We will explore the most connected planes in the sky in detail shortly.

Which private jets offer better in-flight Wi-Fi?

Today, most mid-range and high-end private jets are equipped with Wi-Fi Internet connection systems, offering the possible to work, communicate or entertain during flight. However, not all aircraft offer the same performance: connectivity technologies vary by model, flight length, and customer needs.

Light jets, such as theHondaJet or Phenom 100, can offer optional Wi-Fi connections, often based on Air-To-Ground networks for regional flights.

Midsize jets, such as the Citation Latitude or the Embraer Praetor 500, are generally equipped with more advanced systems, including satellite, that can also support video conferencing and streaming.

Finally, private jets such as the Gulfstream G650, Bombardier Global 7500, or Dassault Falcon 8X, offer the best technologies available on the market, with very high-speed (Ka-band) satellite Internet connections and full Wi-Fi coverage.

During the rental phase, PrivateJetfinder offers the ability to customize the connectivity level of private jets,with tailored data plans even for limited periods only. Before booking an aircraft, it is advisable to check what type of network is available on the selected model and which provider is used.

Why Wi-Fi on private jets is value-added

In the world of private jets, Wi-Fi is no longer just an optional extra-it has become an essential service for those who choose maximum comfort and productivity even in the clouds.

1) Uninterrupted productivity

For those flying for business, Wi-Fi Internet access aboard private jets allows them to:

• Responding to important emails.
• Participate in video conferences.
• Access files and cloud platforms in real time.
• Coordinate with teams and clients without interruption.

2) Entertainment at the click of a button

High-speed Wi-Fi is not only for working, but also for relaxing during the flight. More and more passengers are using the connection to:

• Watch streaming movies and TV series (Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+).
• Playing online.
• Listening to streaming music or podcasts.
• Navigate freely on social media.

On many private jets, Wi-Fi allows multiple simultaneous Internet connections for families and work groups, so each passenger can use their own device without slowing down.

Cybersecurity and privacy in flight

Private jets that implement secure Wi-Fi Internet connections with advanced encryption and dedicated firewalls are ideal for:

• Managers handling confidential data.
• Public personalities.
• Cybersecurity-sensitive customers.

In some cases, private VPNs can also be configured, providing an additional level of confidentiality.

How much does Wi-Fi on board private jets cost?

Wi-Fi on private jets is an increasingly popular service, but it is not automatically included and can incur high costs, especially if high-speed internet and global coverage is chosen.

On what do the costs depend?

• Type of technology:
  Air-To-Ground (ATG) connections are cheaper, but work only over land.
  Satellite connections (Ka-band, Ku-band, L-band) offer coverage everywhere, but at a higher price.
• Flight duration and route:
  A short flight over national territory may cost little, while a transoceanic flight involves more intensive and expensive use of satellites.
• Data consumption:
  Generally you can choose between flat rates and pay-as-you-go charges, in the latter case streaming, video calls and VPNs obviously carry a higher cost than simple email or messaging.
• Provider and package chosen:
  Each provider (Gogo, Viasat, Inmarsat, Honeywell) offers different plans: flat rate, megabyte consumption, or unlimited premium.

Indicative price ranges

• ATG connection (regional flights): €300 to €800 per flight
• L-band satellite connection (basic): €500 to €1,500
• High-speed satellite connection (Ka/Ku-band): also €3,000-5,000 or more, for long flights with intensive use

Onboard Wi-Fi: which solution is right for you?

Here are some practical tips for hiring the ideal private jet and choosing the right configuration based on your digital needs:

1) Contact PrivateJetFinder and ask about Wi.Fi internet connection.

• Some jets offer included Wi-Fi plans, others require additional charges.
• Ask which providers are installed (Viasat, Gogo, Inmarsat…).

2) Evaluate the route

• If flying over the ocean or to remote areas, choose private jets equipped with Ka-band satellite connection.
• If you are flying overland and on short routes, an ATG connection may suffice.

3) Consider the number of passengers

• With more users connected via Wi-Fi, more bandwidth is needed.
• Check if the jet supports multiple devices simultaneously.

4) Check the final destination

• Some geographical areas (such as parts of Africa or the Pacific) may have limited coverage. In these cases, a jet with hybrid Internet connection or dual systems is recommended.

Click here to learn about the most popular destinations on PrivateJetFinder

Contact PrivateJetFinder for your customized private flight

With PrivateJetFinder, every private flight is tailor-made, including Wi-Fi connectivity. If you want to know which planes offer the best connectivity, which providers cover the routes you are interested in, and want ìto receive a personalized quote, we are the ideal partner.

Contact us for:

• Discover private jets with Wi-Fi connections suited to your business, entertainment or privacy needs
• Receive a quick, transparent offer with clear costs and including extra services
• Personalize your flight with:
  • Gourmet catering upon request (including vegetarian, halal, kosher or gluten-free menus)
  • Private transfers to/from the airport by luxury car or helicopter
  • Services for pets, sports equipment or musical instruments
  • Total discretion for VIPs and public figures
  • Dedicated assistance H24

Contact our team for more information and trust PrivateJetFinder for a luxurious and complete flight experience that lives up to your expectations.

If you liked this article, you might also like to read our post Working on private jets: the new frontier of luxury business flights

Data and energy transmission provider Conductix-Wampfler serves all parts of the warehouse and logistics sector and a great deal more besides. Paul Hamblin catches up with the company’s long-serving industry specialist, Simon Dülffer.

If you want to take the temperature of the industry at any given time, you have to account for understandable subjectivity, an emphasis on different sectors according to core expertise. A forklift manufacturer will face another set of challenges to, say, a sorter supplier or a routing software start-up. Reasonably enough, their perspective of wider industry health is likely to be influenced by their experiences.

Not so for Conductix-Wampfler. The German world leader in data and energy transmission can claim an enviably neutral position, as the spectrum of its activities is so broad. Crane, conveyor, conductor rail, AMR, AGV, take your pick: Conductix-Wampfler’s skill is in applying power to and data to moving systems. “We try to be product neutral at all times,” says Simon Dülffer, Global Market Director, Industrial Automation. “It’s about safe, effective data and power transmission in many applications and we are the biggest company in the world in this niche.” Broad is the right word – clients include some of the world’s most famous theme parks, as well as the more prosaic movers of goods in warehouses.

There are two main tranches to the business. First, the legacy electro-mechanical applications that made Conductix-Wampfler so successful. He explains: “This means conductor rails, cable reels in many sizes, everything from a small reel you use in your garden workshop to megawatt-thick cable with winding lengths of over 1km for use in open pit mining.”

Second, the mechatronic, electronic and software-driven solutions that constitute the company’s portfolio for today’s automated applications. That means control systems for conveyor lines, inductive systems, energy storage, plus the batteries for those systems. “You could call this the growth portfolio,” says Dülffer. “The key for customers is to use different products that are designed to work together in a bundle. An example might be a conductor rail system, you might then add a data transmission system based on a slotted waveguide, perhaps combined with control system for electric monorail. Another example would be for an AGV, comprising a charging solution, battery and data comms package. It is much easier for the manufacturer to build their product with combined expertise from a single source.”

Flexibility v. Throughput

He cites the principal current challenges faced by his customers as the drive for more flexibility and scalability. “We live in uncertain times,” he points out. “It’s therefore hard for customers to map precisely for the five to 10 years that automation planning generally demands. Think of a shuttle system, for instance – it used to be about a drive for better performance, for more throughput, but the emphasis has altered as companies seek more flexibility. So alternatives are now on the market, offering something resembling a blend between AMR and shuttle, so that you are still navigating and storing via a rack, but with the adaptability to scale for the future as required.”

What does that mean for Conductix-Wampfler? “It requires us to offer different kinds of solutions. With throughput as a priority, you’re going for a conductor rail with power provided just-in-time and you don’t carry the weight of energy storage on board the vehicle. For a flexible scalable system you need the flexibility that energy storage gives you, and that brings new challenges for our mechatronic portfolio for AGVs and AMRs. We have to establish how to get the power on board: via charging, energy storage – batteries – and also data transmission requirements, usually including Wi-Fi 6 and fleet safety. On a forklift, you have plenty of space, you can carry weight such as a large battery. You have the driver/operator to help plug and unplug.

“AMRs, on the other hand, present different challenges – you have no driver to plug or unplug, and you must manage considerable weight and space constraints. Hence we offer opportunity charging, delivered via charging stations. Then we examine power – you save costs via operating the battery in a comfort zone, so that it never depletes by running to zero; or you can deploy photovoltaic power, perhaps from the roof. In all circumstances, we can customize to suit customer preference.”

Taking the Industry Temperature

Let’s return to Conductix-Wampfler’s neutral standpoint. How does Simon Dülffer view the state of the sector, particularly after insightful trips to LogiMAT and across the Atlantic to ProMat a week later?

“The geopolitical situation is certainly fostering the current mood of uncertainty,” he reflects. “But logistics remains a long-term market, it’s a tech market, people are still looking for opportunities to innovate. At the end of the day, it’s about technology, not geopolitics, and as long as there’s a business case, products will find their market. The tariff issues have not so far shown us concrete effects in the intralogistics field – it’s a different story in the field of people transportation systems, for instance. In a scenario where a supply chain may have to be re-routed due to tariffs, this is quite easily done if you are dealing with commodities, but with highly engineered products it’s much more difficult.”

Have customer requirements and challenges in the intralogistics sector changed in recent years? “We saw the enormous boom in small loads and parcel sortation systems rocket-boosted by Covid, but with the return of the regular economy over the past 2-3 years, as consumers re-allocated resources – on the holidays they had been missing, for instance – we saw a cyclical shift back to heavier loads, to pallet handling, and those companies have done well for past two years or so. Now it’s possible we may be seeing an upturn once again in the ecommerce sector,” he suggests.

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