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Superlatives for the Green Factory
In Hagendorn, in the canton of Zug, Bito is building one of Switzerland's largest and most modern mobile cantilever racking systems for G. Baumgartner, a provider of high-quality wood and metal window solutions. The trolleys are fully synchronized by an intelligent NT-CH control system.
Forklift Cup with live broadcast
130 forklift drivers are scheduled to compete in the finals of the Forklift World Championships in Aschaffenburg from October 23 to 25. And the best part: Those who can't attend in person can watch the Forklift World Championship livestream on YouTube, Sporteurope.tv, and TikTok.
Under high voltage
Hyundai Material Handling is launching the BX series, a new line of high-voltage electric forklifts. The models, with a capacity of 4 to 9 tons, operate at 309 to 348 V and, according to the manufacturer, are designed for heavy-duty operation with performance comparable to that of diesel models.
«MAD» in the City
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) aims to ensure greater safety during the market ramp-up of autonomous driving with a digital infrastructure, sensors on traffic lights, streetlights, and buildings, as well as so-called edge computers and a project called "Managed Automated Driving" (MAD). Some aspects are already known.
HKBB Forum with «Loxo»
Interesting discussions with smart factory expert Markus Krack, Björn Lindner about the "Loxo" project, Shift Solutions founder Peter Karel, and the presentation of a Digital Innovation Award are scheduled for October 29 at the Logistics Cluster Forum of the Basel Chamber of Commerce (HKBB).
Casting for logistics staff
Online retailer Galaxus has opened its location in Neuenburg am Rhein. The first of two warehouses is now gradually being filled with washing machines, sofas, refrigerators, and more. A sought-after workplace on 30,000 square meters in the border triangle of Germany, Switzerland, and France.
Advance warning with voice announcement
Hyster is expanding its range of warning and assistance systems with a sophisticated pedestrian detection camera system. It complements the Hyster Reaction driver assistance system. The camera accurately detects pedestrians at a distance of up to five meters across a 110-degree field of view.
Agent-based approach
In a project involving eight mobile devices in the plastics processing industry, robotics provider Safelog is relying on each vehicle to have its own computing unit. This allows them to communicate as agents in a swarm and exchange information with each other.
The “rascals” and the “super-fast”
Automation specialist SSI Schäfer welcomed over 20 consultants and supply chain experts from the DA-CH region to its technology center in Giebelstadt near Würzburg for a dedicated intralogistics day, featuring exclusive presentations and live demos of the RackBot System and the FastBots Solution.
Fire protection as an export hit
Ten percent growth in a weakening economic environment is a remarkable achievement in times like these. The fire protection and prevention specialists of the Wagner Group report consolidated total revenue of EUR 152 million in 2024/25, despite rising labor, raw material, and transportation costs.
"Stargate" on the Matterhorn
"Stargate" on the Matterhorn
« Time Gate » on the Matterhorn
In 2023, Doppelmayr, under the joint umbrella of Garaventa, completed 32 cable car projects in the Alpine region, nine of which were in Switzerland, and 26 of this special type of conveyor technology in North America. One of the most striking is the new Zermatt–Furi aerial tramway, which offers a view of the Matterhorn as if through a gateway in time.
Doppelmayr, with headquarters in Wolfurt and the Garaventa site in Goldau, Switzerland, is the global market leader in the design, production and construction of ropeway systems with a market share of 62% and has to date implemented around 15,400 installations in 96 countries around the world.
26 projects in the Alpine region alone
The futuristic cable car in Zermatt is famously part of the " Matterhorn Alpine Crossing " the highest cable car crossing of the Alps between two countries. An immediately striking feature is the first pillar, designed in the shape of a magnifying glass. This unconventional pillar construction is a brilliant stroke of genius by the designers. The magnifying glass-shaped pillar allows passengers to focus on the Matterhorn as if through a magnifying glass.
Design Center
The cable car is located in close proximity to the main feeder system, the 8-seater Matterhorn Express gondola, which operates almost 360 days a year. This continuous operation required special safety measures during the dismantling and reassembly of the supports for the new aerial tramway. The cable car ran over houses, hiking trails, and streets, making planning and execution challenging.
Special design measures on the saddles of the first tower reduce noise. In addition, a Performa traction cable from Fatzer was used for the first time in a reversible aerial tramway. Thanks to its almost cylindrical surface structure, it runs over the cable pulleys with virtually no vibration and noise. Peak Line components were used for the first time in the valley station, such as compact station saddles that do not require traction cable pulleys. The cabins of this reversible tramway were manufactured by the cabin manufacturer CWA in Olten and feature balconies on the roof of the side facing the mountain in summer.
City train in Uruguay
" Auro " used for the first time on a large aerial tramway " Autonomous Ropeway Operation " and allows the cable car to operate autonomously. This doesn't mean that the cable car can freely choose its own route. However, it is equipped with cameras and sensors that continuously record and transmit safety-relevant data. Thanks to this technology, the cable car can operate according to a predefined schedule without supervising operators. The cable car crew can perform other tasks and only needs to intervene during a safety stop on the system. The manufacturer says that "Auto" increases operational safety through rapid response to dangerous situations, as the system is fatigue-free and can operate from different perspectives simultaneously. Auro mode is scheduled to go into operation in early 2024.
Photos: Doppelmayr Group
One of the more prominent projects in North America is the city cable car in Uruapan, Mexico. There, the state of Michoacán is investing 3 billion pesos (approximately €155 million) in the construction of a cable car with a length of 8.4 km and a capacity of 1,500 passengers per hour in each direction.
