All Materials handling articles – Page 7
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NewsCross-sector partnership to promote sustainable materials sourcing in Chile
Daimler, VW, BASF and Fairphone have set up the Responsible Lithium Partnership to to promote sustainable development and tackle the negative impacts of material sourcing, beginning with a multi-stakeholder initiative into the impact of lithium mining in Chile
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NewsBMW i Ventures invests in Plus One Robotics
BMW’s venture capital fund – BMW i Ventures – has invested an undisclosed sum in Plus One Robotics, which provides vision software for logistics robots. The investment is aimed at driving automation across the supply chain and logistics industry, said BMW i Ventures.
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NewsGreater cross-sector dialogue needed to solve chip crisis
The current global shortage in the supply of computer chips to the automotive industry is causing significant disruption to production and looks likely to continue into next year. There are signs though that the current crisis could lead to new forms of partnership between the automotive and semiconductor industries, and a move away from the rigid hierarchy of the traditional automotive supply chain. That promises to lead to a more secure relationship for the future.
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FeatureWatch: The (r)evolution at Volkswagen Group’s logistics
Electrification, digital tools and sustainability goals are transforming Volkswagen Group Logistics processes across the carmaker’s global footprint. Matthias Braun outlines how the group is adapting its systems and relationships.
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FeatureThink Tank: Pack to the future
Experts from packaging suppliers DS Smith and ORBIS share new ideas, innovations and new opportunities in automotive packaging and container management that will play key roles in supply chain sustainability and eliminating cost in the European supply chain.
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FeatureWatch: Building a viable and sustainable European battery supply base
The huge demand for lithium-ion batteries is requiring massive investments and new supply sources across Europe, and experts from BMW Group, EV battery startup Britishvolt and packaging supplier ORBIS Europe reveal the supply chain opportunities and changes ahead.
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FeatureWatch: How automation and data analytics can elevate supply chain performance
Digital supply chain experts from CNH Industrial, IT and software specialist Blue Yonder and freight automation startup Einride discuss how digitalisation can boost reliability, control and end-to-end visibility in logistics.
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NewsEuropean carmakers need a circular approach to EV production
To meet ambitious goals to cut vehicle emissions in Europe, carmakers are focusing all their efforts on increasing the number of battery electric vehicles (EVs) they make and sell. There were more than 1m EVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) sold in Europe last year but by 2030 that number is expected to hit 5m in annual sales. That will put a big demand on lithium-ion battery production as carmakers seek to localise supply.
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NewsSKF and Einride trial autonomous truck for cross-facility shipments
Bearing manufacturer SKF is trialling an autonomous electric truck to transport parts between its factory and its warehouse in Gothenburg, Sweden. The vehicle has been developed with Einride, the Swedish transport provider that specialises in electric and autonomous vehicles (AVs), and is based on its Pod concept.
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FeatureCédric Chacon drives integration and talent at Gefco UK
Gefco UK appointed a new managing director at the start of this year. Despite taking the helm during a stormy period, Cédric Chacon, a Gefco veteran, has ambitious plans to get the different divisions working together more closely and culture the sort of brand loyalty amongst customers that Apple is used to. Illya Verpraet reports
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FeatureOpinion: The durable benefits of metal packaging
The automotive and industrial industries have some of the most complex supply chains in the world. Evolving manufacturing processes, shifting consumer demands and new trends all impact the supply chain network for raw materials, components and finished goods. With the necessity to protect, move and sequence high-cost parts, metal solutions are becoming an increasingly popular packaging solution in these, and many other, industries.
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NewsThe time is now to start integrating robotics into logistics operations
Robotics have enabled major productivity gains in manufacturing, but as the technology becomes more affordable and labour gets harder to find and more expensive, it could start to play a bigger role in logistics, too, helping workers do their jobs more safely and quickly.
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FeatureWatch: Rise of the robots
What can automotive logistics learn from other industries when it comes to automation and robotics? Experts from Locus Robotics, GE Appliances and i9 Sports compare notes on how robotics can help efficiency as well as those working in logistics.
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FeatureLocus Robotics: Material handling robots a boost for service parts
What’s worse than having to locate a small part while staring at a wall of containers holding small parts? Accidentally sending the wrong part to a customer who is depending on you. Spare parts distributors are increasingly investing in automation that eases labor requirements and improves picking efficiency and accuracy in order fulfillment.
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FeatureBridge over troubled waters
Kuehne + Nagel is supporting its automotive customers’ transition to an electrified future with the provision of battery chain services. At an event the company held in December, mobility and materials experts discussed the challenges facing the industry.
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NewsContinental develops autonomous AGV for parts handling
Parts supplier Continental is developing its own automated guided vehicle (AGV) for the movement of heavy parts in its production facilities. Autonomous AGVs are currently being trialled at plants in Zvolen (Slovakia) and Frankfurt am Main (Germany), and moving material for brake production. They can carry loads of more than a ton.
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NewsWatch: Supporting production through automation – from AI to cobots (Ep.4)
This Livestream Hour episode discusses how automation and AI can support automotive manufacturing with technology leaders from BMW and Ford, together with systems and software specialists.
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NewsMarco Prueglmeier leaves BMW to found innovation consultancy
BMW’s project leader for logistics innovations and industry 4.0, Marco Prueglmeier, has left the carmaker to found an innovation consultancy called i2Market. The aim of the company is to provide industry with software development, robotics, automated warehousing, artificial intelligence and simulation.
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FeatureWatch: Sustainable packaging – unwrapping a greener automotive supply chain (EP.2)
This Automotive Logistics Livestream Hour episode focuses on efficiency and sustainability in automotive packaging, featuring packaging experts John Ferry from EV startup Lucid Motors and packaging consultant Rodney Salmon
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NewsVW outsources more large sub-assemblies for EVs
In switching its Zwickau and Dresden plants in Germany to the production of exclusively electric vehicles based on the MEB platform, Volkswagen is outsourcing a higher share of the assembly of large parts of the vehicle to nearby suppliers than it previously had with ICE-based platforms.