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Staffing needs almost halved
The US cooperative Associated Wholesale Grocers keeps 54,600 dry goods, fresh produce, and frozen food items in stock for its 1,100 members using a highly automated, full-range logistics center . The facility is designed for a daily picking capacity of more than 460,000 retail units.
Knowledge transfer in the Seychelles
Natural hazards are increasingly occurring worldwide in the form of floods, landslides, forest fires, storms, earthquakes, and rockfalls. Acute crisis management is required, but so are long-term strategies for transportation routes, where Gasser Felstechnik provides assistance in the Seychelles.
German Design Award for Traigo-i
Following the Red Dot Design Award 2025, Toyota Material Handling's new 48-volt counterbalance forklift, Traigo_i, has now also received the German Design Award 2026 in the Excellent Product Design – Industry category. The focus: the complete integration of lithium-ion technology.
Long-term contracts at SBB Cargo
Numerous SBB Cargo Switzerland transport customers, such as Migros, have signed new single wagonload (EWLV) contracts with terms of up to ten years. New contracts have also reportedly been concluded with fenaco, Stahl Gerlafingen, and the Swiss saltworks.
Cooperation with Capra Robotics
Frei Fördertechnik announces its future collaboration with the Danish robotics specialist Capra. "This expands our portfolio to include mobile robot platforms that bring even greater flexibility and efficiency to production and logistics," says Michael Schüpbach, Head of Automation & Robotics. The AMRs are versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications.
SSI subsidiary continues to consistently rely on SAP
Since 2021, the software specialists at SWAN have been part of the SSI Schäfer Group, responsible for the SAP projects of the globally active intralogistics experts and supporting companies in implementing future-proof solutions – from highly automated distribution centers to integrated production logistics. The course is right.
Arne Sturm will be the new CEO in Hirschthal
Jungheinrich Switzerland will have a new managing director as of January 1, 2026. Arne Sturm will succeed Martin Weber, who is leaving the company after 18 years – eleven of them as managing director – at his own request to pursue new topics and challenges.
Another 50 million for new TGW headquarters
TGW Logistics is currently investing €100 million in expanding its production capacity at its headquarters in Austria. Now, with an expansion of the existing office building at the site, a five-story office building with 14,000 m² of usable space is being constructed for around €50 million, with completion expected by the second half of 2028.
AutoStore for Belgian hospitals
AutoStore system for Maria Middelares, a non-profit medical organization in Belgium, and Aalter in East Flanders, about 60 km west of Brussels.
Reliable data instead of empty phrases.
The Basel Logistics Cluster of the Basel Chamber of Commerce (HKBB), together with the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft, industry associations, and infrastructure operators, has published a guide to sustainable logistics in the Basel region. Supply chain expert Daniel Bubendorf explains why such a guide is needed.
Honeycombs and paper air cushions
Honeycombs and paper air cushions
Resource conservation remains one of the main themes at LogiMAT (March 11-13). The focus ranges from lithium-ion and hydrogen-powered forklifts to alternative packaging, reusable AutoID, and energy recovery in automated warehouses.
Rack and machine manufacturers, system integrators, and conveyor technology providers are increasingly linking their system performance with sustainability. Highly energy-efficient system solutions, which will be presented in Hall 1 (including the gallery) as well as Halls 3, 5, and 7, are designed to support the longevity and future viability of investments with reusable components and have a positive impact on the carbon footprint. SMB (Hall 5, Stand C66) will present a compact warehouse that requires only 0.01 kWh of power for storage and retrieval while achieving up to 95 percent space utilization. This minimizes goods turnover, increases energy efficiency, and reduces resource consumption.
Joloda Hydraroll Ltd. (Hall 5, Booth D09) is also presenting an approach to sustainability through resource conservation with its new automated trailer loading system, the LoadMatic Lite. It is said to be able to load trailers within three minutes – instead of 30-45 minutes with a forklift. Overall, the system moves the same number of pallets per day – but with fewer resources. This leads to lower operating costs, greater safety at the loading dock, less product damage, better space utilization, and a smaller ecological footprint. The same applies to RockyOne and RockyLight, the automated solutions for truck loading and unloading, as well as for (de)palletizing, presented by XYZ Robotics GmbH (Gallery Hall 1, Booth GA35). Mobile manipulator robots (MMR) with flexible gripper arms and a 3D vision module ensure throughput capacities of up to 1,200 cartons per hour.
Photos: Euroexpo
In addition to new developments in security and residual waste-reducing e-paper and RFID labels, new reusable system components for container-based reusable solutions and the circular economy will be presented, as well as robust labels, AutoID software, and track & trace solutions in the RFID segment. Highlights include labels equipped with RFID in-mold for reusable plant trays and Mini Global UHF for the seamless detection of technical components and machine parts, with a reading performance of up to 4 meters, even outdoors.
Indirectly under pressure to act
The EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) is also "indirectly putting pressure on e-commerce to act," explains Marcus Gablowski, Chief Sustainability Officer at Herma. Packaging waste will likely include the backing material for shipping labels. "Those who manage to do without the backing material have already taken a huge step toward supporting the goals of the PPWR."
M. Ruchty
In Hall 4, international software companies will showcase new apps, system modules, components, and subsystems that help optimize and reduce resource use and energy consumption through improved process control. Innovations such as "Puzzle" and "PackAssistant," for example, calculate the most optimal arrangement of packages within a defined space, assist in the selection of a suitable loading aid, and thus support volume-optimized loading of pallets and shipping cartons. Ehrhardt + Partner will present the EPG One Warehouse Control System (WCS), a material flow controller that continuously records movement data and analyzes relevant KPIs to optimize work processes and increase economic efficiency.
The sustainability aspect will be most evident among the international packaging technology exhibitors and container solution providers in Hall 6. This is due to the new EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR), which will come into force in mid-2026. According to this regulation, packaging waste must be reduced by five percent by 2030 compared to 2018, then by 10 percent by 2035 and by 15 percent by 2040. For secondary packaging, transport packaging, and packaging for e-commerce, the empty space limit will be no more than 50 percent. Certain single-use plastic packaging will be banned from January 2030.
“Let’s save the planet!”
The results are right-sized packaging, strapping machines with paper straps, intelligent reusable packaging, and many other great ideas. Among other things, air cushion solutions with compostable cushioning films made from corn starch and paper air cushions will be presented, as well as innovative honeycomb paper, adhesive tape, and cushioning materials made from paper. Mosca supports the gradual transition from plastic to paper in shipping production with strapping machines such as the SoniXs TR-Connect, which can process both plastic and paper straps. Similarly, the Raja Group is presenting self-locking cable ties made from paper as an exclusive market innovation at LogiMAT as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic straps. Con-Pearl will be represented in Stuttgart with the new MTS transport box, which is designed to replace conventional mesh boxes and disposable packaging made from cardboard or film with reusable boxes. The boxes are already made of at least 70 percent recycled plastic and are repairable and recyclable.
In Halls 9 and 10, industrial truck suppliers, as well as the developers of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and AGVs in Hall 8, will demonstrate how sustainability and resource conservation can be achieved through innovations and retrofit solutions. EP Equipment is launching the world's first automated cobot for pallet transport, which, thanks to a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMS) and lithium-ion batteries, is designed to reduce energy consumption by 15 percent compared to conventional models. Clark Europe will be presenting, among other products, the new COP2 vertical order picker, a driver's platform that can be raised to 4.80 m, cantilevered forks, and energy-efficient Li-ion technology. Kalmar is coming to Stuttgart with a "used" used forklift with an eight-ton lift capacity, demonstrating that a second and third sustainable life is quite possible for forklifts. Similarly, Miag, which reconditions explosion-proof used vehicles, is doing the same.
"The corresponding possibilities and tools are feasible," concludes trade fair director Michael Ruchty. "They just need to be used."
