LPR – La Palette Rouge (a division of Euro Pool Group) has reached an important milestone in its environmental strategy, reducing its carbon footprint by 10 % in 2024. This achievement underscores the company’s strong commitment to more sustainable logistics.

Decarbonisation Strategy

Through a comprehensive and coordinated approach, all of LPR-La Palette Rouge’s subsidiaries, working in collaboration with its logistics and QSE (Quality, Safety, and Environment) departments, have implemented ambitious initiatives to accelerate the ecological transition. This significant reduction in emissions is the result of key strategic actions:

• Transport Optimisation: More efficient route management and increased use of alternatives to diesel fuel have led to an 11% reduction in CO2 emissions from transportation. In France, 28% of the kilometers travelled in 2024 were powered by biofuels.
• End-of-Life Pallet Recovery: Improved collection and reuse of pallets resulted in a 20% decrease in emissions associated with end-of-life pallet management.
• Sustainable Investments: By integrating sustainability criteria into acquisition and renewal decisions, LPR-La Palette Rouge has reduced the carbon impact of its capital expenditures (CAPEX).
• Additional Initiatives: The adoption of renewable energy in warehouses and the reduction of business travel have also contributed to these outstanding results.

Strengthened Commitment to Sustainability

Overall, the measures implemented in 2024 prevented the emission of 11,000 tons of CO2, this measure has further solidified LPR’s position as a key player in the ecological transition within its sector.

“We are proud to have exceeded our CO2 emission reduction targets. These results confirm our concrete commitment to more sustainable logistics and our ability to innovate in response to environmental challenges. LPR-La Palette Rouge will continue its efforts in 2025 with even more ambitious initiatives to enhance environmental efficiency and support our clients in their own decarbonisation journey,” stated Jean-Luc Guénard, Managing Director of LPR.

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LPR Cuts Carbon Footprint By 15% With Three Steps

1. Lead Capture, Qualification & Structured Pipeline Control

2. Integrated Quoting & Rate Intelligence

3. Sales Pipeline Visibility and Opportunity Tracking

4. Campaign & Customer Engagement Tools

5. End-to-End Customer Lifecycle Management

6. Sales Team Performance Monitoring

7. On-the-Go Access with Mobile CRM

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced industrial landscape, ensuring workplace safety is paramount. Beyond the immediate human impact, industrial accidents can lead to significant operational disruptions and financial losses.

Industrial accidents, such as collisions involving forklifts and machinery, pose serious risks to both personnel and infrastructure. Globally, the cost of work-related accidents and illnesses is substantial. A report by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work estimates the global cost at €2,680 billion, representing 3.9% of the world’s GDP.

Downtime in machinery is a hidden cost

Unplanned downtime resulting from machinery failures or accidents can be financially crippling. A study by Senseye revealed that large industrial facilities lose over a day’s production each month due to machine failures, costing an average of $532,000 per hour of downtime. For Fortune Global 500 companies, this equates to nearly $1 trillion annually.

Legal Obligations and Safety Standards

Employers are legally obligated to ensure a safe working environment. In the European Union, the Framework Directive 89/391/EEC outlines the employer’s duty to guarantee the safety and health of workers in every aspect related to work. This includes conducting risk assessments, implementing preventive measures, and providing appropriate training.

Proactive measures for enhanced safety

To mitigate risks and reduce downtime, companies should:
• Implement Comprehensive Safety Training: Regular training ensures that employees are aware of potential hazards and know how to avoid them.
• Conduct Regular Equipment Maintenance: Preventive maintenance can identify and rectify issues before they lead to failures.
• Adopt Advanced Safety Technologies: Utilizing modern safety solutions can enhance protection for both personnel and equipment.

A game-changer for workplace safety

The newly launched Safety Book from Axelent offers insights and guidelines to help industries create safer working environments. By prioritizing safety, companies not only protect their workforce but also ensure operational efficiency and financial stability. This resource is designed to tackle the complex challenges of maintaining safe industrial environments and practical guidelines tailored to modern workplaces.

What sets the Safety Book apart is its comprehensive approach. Rather than focusing solely on regulations, it provides clear strategies to help businesses proactively address risks. From mitigating accidents involving forklifts and machinery to reducing downtime caused by infrastructure damage, the Safety Book delivers tools and knowledge that can transform workplace safety protocols. By investing in safety, companies not only protect their workforce but also enhance operational efficiency and financial stability.

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Industry View: Financing Options for Material Handling Hardware

Freedom to integrate best-of-breed technology delivers the flexibility, scalability and fast ROI businesses crave. So, where do some businesses go wrong? Chris More, head of Sales for Ferag’s UK and Nordic regions, explains.

Competitive pressures on margins combined with ever greater expectations from customers on service, product choice and speed of delivery, place a heavy and growing burden on the fulfilment function and its supporting intralogistics infrastructure.

Fulfilment now needs to be faster, more efficient and infinitely flexible, capable of dealing with constantly changing product profiles and more frequent peaks. A capability to leverage availability, service and costs across slick Omini-channel operations is increasingly in demand. And the need for easily scalable technologies /solutions is considered essential in facilitating growth and securing future performance.

Rising labour costs

Set against these high demands on performance, manual processes are becoming increasingly difficult to support. Faced with escalating labour costs and a shrinking labour pool, businesses are sensibly looking to automation to build-in agility, increase responsiveness and to keep competitive. But how should SMEs best approach a transition to, or an upgrade in, warehouse automation? How do you ensure the most appropriate technology is deployed, offering the flexibility and scalability needed, with the fastest ROI? Taking a wrong step at the outset can lead to restricted options and, ultimately, suboptimal outcomes.

Two approaches

There are two common approaches. The first is ‘Solution Dependent’: A prospective buyer can be tempted to identify a technology that looks appropriate and simply approach a manufacturer or vendor for advice. It may work out well, but there is a danger that the solution is limited to the vendor’s portfolio of products, imposing a major constraint on the solution design. As such, the ‘Solution Dependent’ approach tends to be very limited in scope and often fails to flex for future needs, locking clients into systems that are difficult to upgrade or integrate with new technologies.

The best outcomes result from allowing the client’s operational requirements define the best possible solution, and then selecting and integrating the most appropriate, cost-effective technology available. It’s all too easy to be sold a system that may work ‘okay’, as a compromise, but doesn’t necessarily offer you the best result – perhaps, falling short on flexibility, scalability, performance at peak or overall value. What’s missing here is independent informed thinking, combined with the freedom to choose best-of-breed technology.

‘Solution Agnostic’ approach

The alternative is to take a ‘Solution Agnostic’ approach, where an independent integrator is chosen that is free to select the most appropriate technology for the task. There are many advantages to working with an independent integrator. Firstly, and most importantly, being independent means that recommendations relating to technology and potential suppliers are unbiased, and are not determined by the need to sell a proprietary product. A good integrator with strong software capabilities can therefore bring together the very latest and most advanced technologies for the task, producing a best-in-class solution. Automation can offer a whole host of possible solutions to a range of warehouse processes – from goods-received, storage and order picking to packing, sorting and despatch.

Low Capex, fast ROI

Fast-developing technologies, such as Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) combined with pick-to-light technology, have transformed goods-to-person order processing in recent years, bringing highly flexible and scalable, low-Capex solutions within easy reach of SMEs. However, the choices can be complex, making unbiased technical expertise an invaluable resource to tap in to.
AMRs are highly flexible and scalable forms of warehouse automation which can offer a really fast ROI. And technologies, such as zone-routing conveyors, flow-racking and cross-belt sorters, can all be brought together as a cohesive value-adding solution. Smarter picking software too can be deployed, along with pick-walls, to create continuous wave picking – boosting productivity and reducing dependency on labour.

As an integrator focused on delivering value to SMEs, Ferag’s ‘solution agnostic’ approach prioritises the needs of the application over a predefined technology set – ensuring the selection of the right technologies for the best possible outcome.

What success looks like

A successful outcome can take many forms. For one leading retailer, significant operational benefits and savings were achieved through creating an Omni-channel fulfilment operation, integrating a variety of picking, sorting and storage methods for efficient processing of ecommerce orders as well as store replenishment. In another application a prominent 3PL has been able to use modular automation to great effect across multiple clients, scaling up or down as demand dictates – giving the confidence to maintain performance, even at peak.

Key to successful integration of best-of-breed technology is the skilled application of versatile software. Ferag’s intelligent proprietary software, ferag.doWarehouse, has the power to connect, control and manage a whole world of smart warehouse technologies from different suppliers, making Ferag the leading independent integrator for SMEs keen to take their first-step into warehouse automation.

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Seven-point checklist to help SMEs maximise automation investment

Optimized operating procedures, maximum performance, safe processes: Fronius solutions are setting new standards for charging industrial trucks and driverless transport systems. These solutions enable users and manufacturers to seamlessly integrate vehicles, chargers and lithium-ion batteries in automated environments.

Driverless transport systems (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that transport goods and materials independently have taken their place alongside industrial trucks as integral components in intralogistics. At the same time, growing demand for digitalized solutions requires charging devices that are powerful, safe and highly available. This is where Fronius systems come in. The company has been a reliable partner for battery charging for 80 years now.

Precise, flexible and reliable loading

The extensive portfolio from charging specialist Fronius works with both lead-acid and lithium batteries. The company offers an array of devices with outputs ranging from one to 30 kilowatts, all internationally certified in accordance with CE, UL and UK CA. Fronius adjusts the charging parameters to the optimum custom charging curve for each customer based on their defined battery setup, and then implements the curve in the charger after completing the release test. This means no additional work for the user.

Intelligent systems maximize the performance and safety of the overall system consisting of the vehicle, battery and charger. They offer high energy efficiency, with a fast and gentle charging process that extends the service life of the batteries. An optimized charging time means vehicles can be put back into operation more quickly, which leads to higher productivity. Also in the range: solutions that integrate renewable energy sources such as solar energy into the charging infrastructure. This increases the sustainability of a forklift fleet and cuts operating costs. If required, Fronius experts can also supplement the complete charging infrastructure, offer support throughout the entire life cycle, and provide regular user training – all from a single source.

Ready for lithium-ion charging

High-performance lithium-ion charging solutions with the SelectION portfolio (CAN transmission) are available for operators and manufacturers of AGVs and AMRs. The devices in the Selectiva 4.0 product line are designed for lead-acid batteries as standard, but with the custom charging curve they can also reliably charge lithium-ion batteries without CAN communication via sliding contacts, for example.

Fronius is playing a key role in the development of pioneering lithium-ion technology: its solutions optimize energy consumption and boost the performance of machines and vehicles. Intelligent charging systems are especially important for AGV users who need to charge their fleet frequently and quickly to ensure smooth operation.

Intelligently networked

Fronius equips its chargers with a gateway to connect to the fleet management system. This means operators are prepared when their markets move to integrate charging technology into fleet management or building management systems. Fronius relies on the industry standard Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) for the transmission of all important information. This charger connection architecture offers a number of advantages ranging from visualization, live data transmission and remote start/stop of the charging process to remote updating of the charger firmware and device data.

Additional functions can be integrated depending on customer requirements. This gives users greater transparency and control over the entire charging infrastructure and enables them to operate their AGV fleet sustainably.

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Fronius battery charging systems impress with the highest product quality

LoadPlate® semi-automated loading solution by Actiw, a subsidiary of The Joloda Hydraroll Group, has been installed at Sverdrup Steel’s new service centre in Denmark to improve loading efficiency, reduce operational costs, minimise product damage, and enhance safety. Sverdrup Steel is a global supplier of stainless steel and nickel-based alloys with more than 30 years of expertise in materials technology. Known for its quick delivery and high quality standards, the company serves industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and renewable energy.

In early 2024, Sverdrup Steel announced its new 13,000 sqm service centre in Hedensted, Denmark. Strategically located near Europe, Scandinavia, and the UK, the facility is designed to streamline logistics, enhance alloy processing, and demonstrate Sverdrup Steel’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and exceptional service.

The Challenge: Handling Heavy Containers in Adverse Weather

Sverdrup Steel faced several challenges when loading containers at its service centre in Kløfta, Norway, due to the size and weight of products, with some items weighing several tonnes. Loading these high-performance alloy materials was labour-intensive and time-consuming, often causing inefficiencies and delays. The process also posed safety risks –personnel manoeuvring heavy goods using forklifts near other machinery was increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Beyond inefficiencies and safety considerations, maintaining product integrity was a critical issue. At its Kløfta service centre, Sverdrup relied on forwarders or contractors to move and load the material from the harbour and into the containers. The material needed to be loaded outside of the warehouse in the open-air, regardless of weather conditions. In Scandinavia, the weather is constantly shifting, and it can become very cold and rainy. Sudden temperature changes and wet conditions from rain or snow result in condensation/ humidity, which can damage steel products.

The Solution: Optimising Loading Operations to Minimise Risks

When developing its new service centre, Sverdrup Steel sought a system that could optimise loading operations while ensuring consistent quality and modern standards. Actiw’s LoadPlate® semi-automated loading solution emerged as the perfect fit. It allowed Sverdrup Steel to bring its loading operations in-house, gain full control of the supply chain, and seamlessly integrate the solution into its state-of-the-art facility.

To protect product integrity, Sverdrup installed the LoadPlate® system indoors under a controlled climate. This eliminated risks associated with weather exposure and temperature extremes, ensuring their high-value products are delivered in pristine condition every time.

Results: One-Shot Loading in Under Five Minutes

Sverdrup Steel’s new service centre is fully operational as of January 2025. The introduction of LoadPlate® has ensured loading operations there are efficient, safe and cost effective. The loading process, which once took hours, now takes under five minutes, significantly improving vehicle turnaround times and streamlining supply chain operations. Labour costs have been cut considerably, as the system requires just one operator and eliminates the need for forklifts or external contractors. LoadPlate®’s electric operation also reduces energy costs and environmental impact.

By reducing the need for personnel near heavy machinery during loading, the system has minimised the risk of accidents. Its precise, automated operation has nearly eliminated product damage, addressing a major pain point with traditional methods. Loading indoors under a controlled environment has been another game-changer, protecting goods from adverse weather conditions and temperature fluctuations. Sverdrup Steel’s products now consistently arrive at their destination in perfect condition.

Mats Benson, Chief Operation Officer at Sverdrup Steel, commented: “LoadPlate has transformed our operations — loading that used to take hours now takes minutes. The reduction in labour and equipment costs has been substantial, and most importantly, we’ve improved safety standards, which is a top priority for us.”

The installation of LoadPlate® has had a transformative impact on container loading operations at Sverdrup Steel’s new service centre. By addressing inefficiencies, reducing costs, and enhancing safety, LoadPlate® has optimised workflows and reinforced Sverdrup Steel’s position as leader in quality and operational excellence.

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