WAGNER Switzerland AG
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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.
Every geometry under control
Every geometry under control
Schmalz offers a sophisticated area gripper for the automated handling of various workpieces in manufacturing and logistics processes with the Matrix Gripper FMG. This allows users to adapt more easily to processes and machines.
With the Matrix area gripper FMG, Schmalz has developed an innovative solution for the automated handling of flat and predominantly suction-tight workpieces. What's special about it: Thanks to its modular design, the FMG grips almost any geometry. Users can easily expand or reduce the size of the gripper with additional modules as needed. The gripper modules, each with twelve suction points, weigh less than one kilogram and can be interlocked in any configuration. Schmalz creates a specific flange plate according to the desired arrangement, to which the FMG modules are attached. Optional proximity switches further increase process reliability.
The suction cups can be individually and selectively activated with compressed air. This extends the suction points ten millimeters via a plunger. This simultaneously opens a channel that directs the external vacuum to the workpiece. This ensures that only the suction cups necessary to grip the geometry touch the workpiece. This prevents the wrong parts from being picked up. When the valve is deactivated, the spring return retracts the suction point, thus deactivating it.
Photos: A1/Schmalz
Leakage at inactive suction points is eliminated. The integrated air-saving control ensures low energy consumption while simultaneously ensuring a constant vacuum supply. The system holds the workpiece in place thanks to the auto-hold function, even in the event of a power failure. Thanks to the standardized suction cup interface, users can use various vacuum cups with diameters ranging from 12 to 28 mm.
A higher-level machine control system or a camera sensor provides the gripping point data to activate the suction cups according to the geometry and position of the workpieces. Alternatively, Schmalz offers a complete system including a camera and software for product recognition and gripping point calculation. Thanks to simultaneous control, the system can be set up for new items in less than a second.
The area gripper requires an external vacuum supply. The SCTSi compact terminal, for example, is ideal for this purpose. It centrally controls the gripping system and can control up to eight FMG modules via IO-Link. The terminal's individual ejector discs supply the system with the required 50 liters of suction power per minute. The integrated air-saving function reduces compressed air consumption by up to 80 percent.
