DS Smith, global provider of sustainable and fibre-based packaging solutions, have partnered with Dynamic Logistic Systems (DLS), a manufacturer of automated systems for internal logistics and infrastructure, to create cardboard buffers for the protection of critical industrial machine parts.
The new DS Smith packaging innovation consists of a robust side panel that is comprised of a double wall of corrugated cardboard. The DS Smith design team designed sturdy side caps and end-based protective buffers to ensure that a protective barrier is in place on each side of their packaging shape and structure.
The corrugated cardboard buffers are specifically intended to provide optimal protection for DLS’ industrial products against shocks and vibrations during transportation to customers in local and international destinations. In addition, the new DS Smith packaging solution is estimated to take up around 60% less space during storage and transportation, compared to previous DLS packaging solutions used by the company.
Supply chain process
The DS Smith packaging design has also increased warehouse storage capacity for semi-finished machine-part products and new orders during peak periods. The packaging can now be stacked with optimal efficiency, and the 100% recyclable fibre-based materials make for an effective and sustainable space-saving alternative to the company’s previous use of buffers comprised of Expanded Polystyrene Foam.
William Lieftink (pictured, below), Managing Director, Dynamic Logistic Systems: “The space saving benefits are extremely impressive. We now need far less storage for our packaging materials, and this reduces our need to move pallets and products around. This also lowers the risk of damage to products during the value chain, and the fibre-based materials are aligned with our sustainability objectives. We are keen to optimize our supply chain processes wherever possible and provide a best-in-class service to customers.”
Remko Berkhout, Marketing and Communications Manager, Benelux, DS Smith: “We used our expertise in sustainable and fibre-based packaging design to support Dynamic Logistic Systems in moving towards a more circular future. Our packaging design is helping to optimize their supply chain to benefit the company’s customers in a variety of sectors. Vital machine parts such as dispensers for conveyor systems can now be stored and transported with increased efficiency and we are providing an alternative to previous plastic-based options. We are committed to helping our customers meet their sustainability objectives with bespoke packaging solutions.”
DLS works with customers from a variety of different industries to meet the fast-changing demands of supply chain processes and delivery. The company aims to be an expert provider of intralogistics subsystems for internal material handling, ranging from gravity rollers to fully automated order picking solutions, smart conveyors, shipping buffers, pallet handling, sortation, and order picking and closing systems.
How fragmented systems create blind spots in the freight industry, by Gert-Jan de Goeij, CtrlChain’s Vice President Strategy & Growth.
The freight industry runs on data but most of it is scattered. Carriers and shippers often rely on more than ten systems every day: transport management tools, telematics apps, spreadsheets, email, and external portals. Each tool captures part of the picture, but rarely the whole. The result it’s time lost and lack connected data, both compromising visibility in transport.
Most of the systems nowdays don’t connect, making blind spots appear. A status update that does not sync can delay a delivery. A missing document can block a payment. In some cases, fragmentation becomes the doorway for fraud. Criminals exploit gaps between systems to impersonate carrier identities, duplicate loads, or change payment details at the last moment. In early 2025, cargo theft across Europe reached over €78 million in losses, most of it due to missing or falsified digital documentation.
Data Fragmentation and Disconnected Tools
The problem is not just theft. Fragmentation also slows teams down. Dispatchers spend up to 25% of their time re-entering shipment data into different platforms, while planners manually double check information that should already match. Instead of making logistics simpler, disconected digital tools have made it more fragmented.
The impact of fragmentation becomes most visible in sensitive supply chains such as cold chain and high-value transport. When systems don’t communicate, small errors can have major consequences. A temperature alert that never reaches the right person can ruin an entire batch of medicine. A missing GPS update can leave a truck full of electronics untraceable for hours. These incidents aren’t isolated, they show what happens when logistics runs on disconnected data.
At the same time, companies face growing cost and compliance pressure. Fuel, tolls, and CO₂ linked charges keep rising, while new sustainability rules demand detailed emissions reporting. From 2027, mid-sized European companies will need to meet ETS2 and ESG requirements. Yet for many, this information is stored across separate systems and formats, making reporting slow and innacurate.
High-Value Transport Under Pressure
All of this leads to one conclusion: fragmented tools create blind spots. Those blind spots increase costs and leave the supply chain more vulnerable to mistakes and fraud.
CtrlChain addresses this problem at its core. It connects shippers and carriers in one secure and unified system, replacing fragmented workflows with a single and reliable environment. Transport data from order creation to delivery, is stored and updated in one place, removing the need for multiple logins and manual reconciliation.
For cold chain shipments, real-time temperature data and alerts help operators act before spoilage occurs. For high-value transport, every handover and document is digitally logged, creating a complete and traceable record that helps prevent theft and fraud.
As sustainability and compliance demands increase, CtrlChain helps logistics teams keep pace by structuring accurate, consistent data that supports reporting obligations. This allows companies to monitor performance and emissions more efficiently, using data already generated by daily operations.
In an industry where every delay, deviation, or missing update has a cost, visibility must be requirement. Companies that continue to operate with fragmented systems will face growing risk. Those that unify their data will gain the reliability and resilience to move goods moving safely and confidently.
Luxaviation ONE, part of the Luxaviation Group – a business aircraft operator – has announced the launch of its Cargo Charter Department, further expanding the Group’s service portfolio with bespoke solutions for complex, time-critical, and specialized freight requirements.
The new department delivers expertise across urgent deliveries, humanitarian aid, heavy and outsized cargo, AOG and aircraft parts, dangerous goods, pharmaceutical and medical supplies, oil and gas equipment, high-value commodities, and even live animal transport. Clients benefit from end-to-end mission management, including landing and overflight permissions, cargo and passenger handling, loading supervision, cargo inspections, and full operational oversight.
Patrick Hansen, CEO of Luxaviation Group, said:
The launch of our Cargo Charter Department represents an important milestone in our strategic development and further strengthens the Group’s position in the global charter market. It reinforces our commitment to offering a broader range of bespoke solutions, ensuring the highest safety standards and giving our clients complete peace of mind.
Operating within Luxaviation ONE – the Group’s entity dedicated to premium private jet charter services – the Cargo Charter Department combines flexibility and precision to meet diverse client needs. Romain Alati, CEO of Luxaviation ONE, adds:
By integrating private jet and cargo charter capabilities under one roof, we offer clients a unique blend of versatility and excellence. This expansion reflects our promise to deliver high-quality aviation solutions that adapt to every mission.
The department is led by Alexandra Gobalraja (pictured, below), whose nearly two decades of experience in air transport, freight operations, and time-critical logistics ensure seamless execution of even the most complex missions. Alexandra states:
Our goal is simple: to provide clients with absolute confidence when moving their most valuable or urgent cargo. Every mission is handled with precision, care, and the highest safety standards – because in aviation, every detail matters.
Temu has partnered with Parcel2Go, a parcel delivery comparison site, to offer local sellers more affordable and flexible delivery options. The new collaboration expands shipping choices and reduces postage costs for Temu merchants across the UK.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Temu to make shipping more affordable and flexible for UK sellers,” said Andy Currall, Head of Product at Parcel2Go. “By integrating our Smart Send platform, Temu merchants can make deliveries easier and focus on growing their business with confidence.”
Sellers can now access Parcel2Go’s delivery options through Smart Send, which allows them to manage Temu orders alongside sales from other platforms such as Amazon, Shopify and eBay.
The partnership reflects Temu’s commitment to supporting local businesses. For Parcel2Go, it highlights the company’s ongoing focus on enabling affordable, scalable logistics solutions for online sellers of all sizes. Founded in Bolton in 2001, Parcel2Go helps individuals and businesses find reliable shipping options at the best prices.
Many businesses aren’t aware that Temu is open to local sellers – and it could be the perfect platform to reach millions of new customers. With a large and active user base, Temu helps products gain visibility and scale business faster than ever.
Managing delivery efficiently is essential for any seller looking to grow on the platform. With Smart Send, merchants can access a wide range of reliable couriers and shipping options to make sure customers receive their orders quickly and securely.
Delivery Tips for Sellers
Follow these helpful tips to save time and money when selling on Temu:
Choose the Right Courier: Compare top UK couriers with Smart Send for the best delivery rates and speed.
Offer Delivery Options: Provide standard and express shipping to improve customer satisfaction.
Optimise Packaging: Keep parcels lightweight to reduce Temu shipping costs. See more on how to package your sold items safely.
Track Shipments: Offer accurate Temu delivery tracking to keep customers informed.
Plan Ahead: Ship early during peak times to maintain fast delivery times.
How can Europe’s midmarket supply chains prepare for digital product passports? As new EU regulations redefine transparency and traceability, compliance is becoming the driving force behind digital transformation. Carrie Tallett (pictured, below) of Forterro explains how Europe’s midmarket manufacturers and distributors can use ERP to prepare for the Digital Product Passport era.
Europe’s industrial midmarket is facing a new kind of challenge that goes beyond supply chain disruptions or rising costs. As the EU accelerates its push toward a circular economy, a wave of environmental and product data regulations is reshaping how manufacturers and distributors operate. At the heart of this transformation lies the Digital Product Passport (DPP). This is a forthcoming EU initiative that will require detailed product information – from materials and emissions to repairability and recycling – to be digitally accessible across the entire supply chain.
For logistics and manufacturing companies, the implications are enormous. The ability to trace, verify and share product data seamlessly will soon become a licence to operate. And yet, Forterro’s 2025 European Industrial Midmarket Research suggests that many businesses are far from ready.
Regulation to Reality
The EU’s circular-economy strategy is designed to make every product lifecycle transparent, ensuring that materials, emissions and origins can be tracked from factory floor to end-of-life recycling. At the centre of this effort sits the DPP, a digital record that will accompany every product, containing verified information about its composition, carbon footprint, repairability and reuse potential.
For midmarket manufacturers and distributors, this represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Yet Forterro’s 2025 European Industrial Midmarket Research found that only 49% of firms are even aware of what DPP entails, and just half feel ready to comply. The main obstacles are complexity and a lack of compliance resources – each cited by 42% of respondents – followed by insufficient guidance.
This level of unpreparedness is concerning with enforcement just a year away for some sectors. DPP rollout will be a phased one, beginning in 2026/27 with batteries and metal products, and followed over the next few years by textiles, furniture, chemicals, ICT and construction products. DPPs will demand the integration of data from every part of the supply chain – materials sourcing, production, logistics, warehousing, and recycling – all of which depend on systems that can communicate securely and in real time. For most organisations, this will require a rethink of how data is captured, structured, shared and ultimately processed.
Compliance Backbone
Traditionally, ERP has been seen as an operational tool for managing stock, production schedules and orders. But today, ERP is becoming the compliance backbone of the modern industrial business. The same system that drives daily operations is now central to ensuring transparency and regulatory alignment. Modern ERP platforms already hold much of the data needed for environmental and compliance reporting, from material inputs and energy use to production waste and emissions. When connected to the cloud, ERP becomes a secure, scalable platform capable of exchanging information with partners and regulators. This is increasingly essential as new mandates such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) come into play.
In the Forterro research, 33% of European midmarket firms listed ESG reporting as their top driver for digital transformation, followed closely by regulatory compliance. This marks a significant shift from efficiency-focused investment to purpose-driven digitalisation, where technology underpins not just productivity but sustainability and accountability.
Cloud and AI Increasingly Vital
Forterro’s findings also reveal that only 39% of European firms currently use cloud ERP, a figure that is expected to rise to 45% in the next few years. Many more use a hybrid solution. Cloud technology is vital for managing the complex, multi-party data flows required by DPPs. It enables secure data sharing, real-time visibility and faster environmental reporting across the entire supply chain.
The operational benefits extend well beyond compliance. Cloud ERP supports business continuity, scalability and security while making it easier to integrate new tools for analytics, automation and predictive maintenance. For logistics and supply chain teams, this translates to better visibility, fewer data silos, and more reliable reporting. All of which are prerequisites for meeting Europe’s growing sustainability demands.
For the industrial midmarket, cloud is no longer a nice-to-have; it has become a business fundamental. AI is gradually emerging as equally important. AI use in the industrial midmarket has been slower than elsewhere. Many industrial businesses emerged from factories and have approached AI with caution. However, the Forterro research showed that things are changing. AI is regarded by many in the European industrial midmarket as an integral element of digital transformation. The areas where it is expected to deliver most value are cybersecurity and risk detection, business analytics and predictive maintenance. But compliance is also a significant factor, and midmarket firms that can adopt market-ready solutions will unlock new growth opportunities as well as helping address regulatory compliance requirements.
Bridging the Skills and Culture Gap
Of course, technology alone cannot deliver compliance. Even the most effective and efficient automated systems, that utilise the very latest AI applications, require human input and intelligence to function properly. But finding people with the right qualities is a challenge.
More than 40% of midmarket firms in the Forterro research reported shortages in ERP expertise and AI literacy, precisely the skills required to digitalise compliance processes. Meanwhile, resistance to change remains common: logistics, finance and production departments are among the most reluctant to adopt new systems or workflows.
To overcome these barriers, organisations need both leadership and collaboration. Combining hands-on experience with the right digital training allows teams to build the necessary skills without sacrificing operational capacity. Compliance and innovation are most successful when everyone understands their shared role in achieving them.
Building Circular Value Chains
Forward-thinking manufacturers and distributors are beginning to view DPP not as a burden, but as an opportunity to create value. Those who act early will gain much more than regulatory compliance. They’ll benefit from streamlined data management, lower administrative overheads and enhanced credibility with customers and partners who prioritise sustainability.
By embedding compliance into ERP and supply chain workflows now, businesses are laying the groundwork for the circular, transparent and efficient operations that will form the foundations of modern business. They will be better equipped to demonstrate environmental performance, trace product origins and adapt quickly to future regulations.
The DPP represents more than another compliance challenge; it is a catalyst for digital transformation across Europe’s midmarket industrial base. It’s a sector that hasn’t embraced digital transformation as wholeheartedly or rapidly as others, but it has a major opportunity to do so now.
As ERP evolves into the digital backbone of circularity, those who modernise early by embracing cloud integration, data transparency, and sustainability reporting, will not only stay compliant but thrive in a greener, more resilient industrial future.
Samsara’s Safety Report, a global benchmarking analysis based on anonymised, aggregated data from thousands of fleets worldwide. The findings reveal a step-change in AI-driven operations performance: Fleets that implement the full Samsara AI safety solution – including dual-facing AI dash cams, automated in-cab alerts and AI driver coaching – in aggregate see a ~75% percent reduction in crash rates over 30 months, which is nearly twice the reduction typically seen among Samsara customers.
The report, which analysed data from more than 2,600 fleets across North America, the UK, Western Europe and Mexico, benchmarks key safety outcomes – including crash rates, harsh events, speeding and mobile usage – over a 30-month tenure to understand how AI, real-time visibility and coaching improve real-world fleet performance.
“The next chapter of road safety is fundamentally being written with AI,” said Johan Land, SVP of Product and Engineering, Safety & AI at Samsara. ”These findings confirm that AI will be the most transformative technology we’ve seen for road safety, actively preventing crashes at scale. Dual-facing cameras give fleets full visibility into what’s happening inside and outside the cab, and when that intelligence is paired with real-time alerts and automated coaching, the results are extraordinary.”
The analysis also shows that fleet safety improvements occur quickly and compound over time. Within the first six months on Samsara, fleets in aggregate saw a 48% decrease in harsh events and an 84% decrease in mobile usage; by month 30, those reductions reached 69% and 96% respectively, underscoring how intelligent feedback and visibility can reduce risk and prevent crashes before they happen.
Key findings include:
• With Samsara, fleet safety improvements occur quickly and compound over time: Within the first six months on Samsara, fleets with 175+ vehicles in aggregate see a 48% decrease in harsh events and 84% decrease in mobile usage. These improvements continue to strengthen over time; by month 30, customers see a 69% decrease in harsh events and a 96% decrease in mobile usage. Larger fleets (500+ vehicles) see even greater improvements: an 84% decrease in harsh events and a 98% decrease in mobile usage by 30 months.
• Fleets using Samsara’s complete AI safety solution achieve the greatest impact: Customers adopting Samsara typically experience a 35–40% aggregate reduction in crashes over time; however, fleets with 175+ vehicles that implement the full AI safety solution – including dual-facing AI dash cams, in-cab alerts and AI coaching – see a 73% decrease over 30 months.
• Dual-facing dash cams are more than twice as effective: When isolating safety improvements by camera type, customers who implement dual-facing dash cams see an aggregate reduction in crash rate two times greater than customers who implement front-facing dash cams alone. Dual-facing dash cams provide full visibility into both what’s happening on the road and how the driver is behaving, making it possible to alert drivers to risky behaviours like drowsiness and mobile usage. This creates a highly effective feedback loop that changes driver behaviour.
Beyond fleet-level outcomes, the report highlights regional and industry patterns that detail how geography, infrastructure and enforcement shape risk. Canada records the lowest crash rates globally (–9%) but higher-than-baseline speeding (+38%), while Western Europe reports the lowest speeding (–61%) and the highest rate of harsh events (+65%). Mexico shows the highest mobile phone usage (+238%) and crash rate (+60%), suggesting distracted driving remains a leading risk factor in the region.
Samsara’s Connected Operations Platform now processes more than 20 trillion data points annually from vehicles, equipment and sites, offering one of the most comprehensive real-world datasets on how AI is improving safety and efficiency across physical operations.
This month, 197 nations came together at COP30 in Brazil to once again drive international momentum for climate action. Discussions around sustainable trade are continuing to move from theory to enforcement, with Border Carbon Adjustments focusing on the carbon cost of producing imported goods and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) looking at the human and environmental impacts of supply chains.
The yearly conference has already seen world leaders pinpoint the role of the retail industry, launching the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Change at COP24 to achieve net-zero emissions within the textile, clothing and fashion industries by 2050.
In recent years, the retail sector has become warped by ultra-fast fashion giants like Shein and Temu. Their model, built on impossibly low prices and an ethos of high-volume and disposability, has created an immense threat for sustainability goals and these companies have relied on exploiting trade gaps to ship single items cheaply across borders.
But with the de minimis exemption abolished by the U.S. administration this summer, and hints from the UK Government to close a similar tax loophole in the Autumn budget, controls are tightening. The opacity that has enabled them could soon become their fatal vulnerability, with DHL Express seeing billed weight bound for the U.S. fall by 32% compared to the same quarter last year. With regulations demanding product-level emissions information and deforestation-free traceability, data will become a crucial watchdog.
This is a wake-up call for the entire industry. Consumers are demanding sustainability and more active strategies towards a circular economy, so retailers will need to keep up to retain a competitive edge. But how can businesses do it?
Understanding the execution gap
According to EY, 66% of UK businesses have developed transition plans to manage climate risks. Yet research from Manhattan Associates reveals a critical gap between corporate sustainability goals and the operational ability to meet them. Although 57% of leaders in the UK say they have full CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) reporting, only 28% say sustainability performance is a factor in operational planning.
There’s a clear disconnect between the corporate support for sustainability and the reality of supply chain operations on the ground… Many businesses are still operating with systems that can’t provide the necessary insight and visibility.
commented Pieter Van den Broecke, EMEA Leader of Supply Chain Strategies, at Manhattan Associates.
With 87% of retailers anticipating that sustainability compliance challenges will intensify, digital strategies must be able to keep pace. The fundamental challenge is data transparency. Without a unified data infrastructure, businesses cannot measure their carbon footprint, optimise routes, or demonstrate compliance effectively.
Building circularity through efficiency
At its core, sustainability should encompass a true commitment to eliminate unnecessary waste. This means driving efficiency in every mile travelled and every space filled. Thinking about reverse logistics is essential when it comes to returns processes, for instance. Products need to be routed intelligently so they can be restocked at a nearby store or sent to a distribution centre based on real-time data about demand, proximity, and carbon cost. Instead, most retailers funnel returns to a single central warehouse simply because they lack the unified data infrastructure and intelligent inventory processes to make smarter decisions.
The movement of goods is becoming increasingly circular…. So, continuing to think about it in a linear way doesn’t make sense. Uniting transport, warehouse and order management systems is an essential facilitator for the future of retail, giving businesses the power to actively and intentionally improve the sustainability of their operations at the root of their services – systematically removing waste and (importantly) carbon from their supply chains.
says Van den Broecke.
Using data to improve customer trust
With the regulatory environment shifting beneath the very foundations of fast fashion, it opens up an opportunity for retailers to turn visibility into a key part of customer experience and brand trust. For instance, giving customers control over processes like modifying orders before shipping or cancelling shipments before they hit the road.
Mastering these logistics processes isn’t just good for customers; it also gets products back to being sellable faster, and good for the planet meeting new compliance rules and avoid falling short of environmental commitments. The COP meetings are an annual and essential reminder that industries need to lay the groundwork for an intelligent, circular economy. We must not forget that retailers and consumers also have a big part to play in enabling and demanding that positive change too.
Hand-free and eyes-free technology is the preference for the majority of warehouse workers and management. David Priestman talks to Jonny Colledge, Sales Director EMEA Voice and Mobility for Infios, about how to maximise the benefits of voice tech.
Voice recognition is now mature technology, having been on the market for thirty years. It’s had some ups and downs but is back in vogue for sure. “It’s a go-to for some of the largest grocery retailers in the world, including Sainsbury’s and Morrisons,” Colledge tells me. “These companies tend to be early adopters, with tight margins, large warehouse staff numbers, hence lots of pickers undertaking manual, repetitive tasks across tens of DCs. Voice works best when there’s lots of people.”
How has voice tech evolved to overcome technical challenges such as failing to understand strong and foreign accents? “It’s gone through various iterations, starting off with ‘speaker dependent’ voice where you train the voice system to understand how you speak,“ Colledge explains. “The introduction of voice into the consumer market, such as for mobile phones, made the ‘independent voice’ become more prevalent. It’s really improved and will recognise your accent. Speaker dependent is still available and is suitable for seasonal workers because of the short training time available. We offer ‘Pick up and go’ to learn-as-you-go.”
Project Integration
Colledge has been with the company since 2011, when it was Voiteq, prior to the acquisition by Koerber Supply Chain Software (now known as Infios). The voice business has grown substantially during his time there, particularly in export markets and remains based in Blackpool. Infios now has 300 customers using voice in the UK alone, and similar amounts in both Germany and France. Uniquely, the original Voiteq business spawned from a local grocery retailer, Heralds Day & Nite Stores, that first developed and used the solution in 1999.
The benefits of a good voice-picking system partly derive from its seamless integration with a Warehouse Management System (which Infios also offers), real-time visibility of performance and order exceptions and the voice-enabled workflows. Voice is growing in line with other IT in the logistics industry. It is no longer offered bespoke, with a long integration period. “We have the expertise to deliver big projects in just a few weeks,” states Colledge (pictured, below). “Often customers are interested in voice and then decide to upgrade their WMS, rather than buying software first and adding voice on afterwards. It’s very evident, when you go to see a potential customer, what it is they need.”
Infios is ‘hardware agnostic’ vis-à-vis voice and does not manufacture hardware. “We can put voice on any hardware technology brand or scanners,” he adds. “You can work with a variety of hardware, it depends on the warehouse environment. We’ve done a lot of work with several AMR suppliers to integrate voice with robotics, so that a robot can substitute for a person on a picking shift, using the same voice commands. The two technologies complement each other.”
Talk Picking To Me
Voice installation still often requires an educated sell. Customers normally need an explanation of why they need voice. How do suppliers get the industry to the point of knowing it needs voice? What would accelerate demand? The company takes a platform approach. “The education process is necessary. We’re pushing voice as the gateway and lead with it in sales, as we have a competitive advantage. References are key, to show customers that have had a negative experience of voice in the past that it can be done better. It can achieve a quick boost to productivity. There’s good voice and bad voice and it really depends on the process efficiency. Start there, not with the technology. Define what it is you’re going to do.”
Automation is increasingly popular in warehouses. But many operations, including growing businesses, cannot afford full automation, a goods-to-person solution or the ‘dark warehouse’ scenario. Trends come and go. Voice aims to be a low-investment, quick ROI, as well as a complementary solution with automation. In terms of the outcomes and gains, Infios start by analysing the process. Is it screen-based, is the WMS good? “If yes, we make it voice-enabled, go down the ‘connector’ route and achieve 8-12% productivity improvements,” Colledge explains. Alternatively, if the WMS is not ‘tier 1’? “We also offer WES (warehouse execution software) with voice. That takes a bit longer, but productivity benefits tend to be around 25% because there’s more process re-engineering to do.”
Generative predictive AI models have been used for a decade in Infios’ voice system. “It provides the capability to analyse orders and determine whether the outbound cut-off time will be met for a given carrier, for example. If not, the system will calculate that more pickers are needed in that area, how many and where you can take them from. The next step for us is the platform approach; to go further than just present information on a dashboard and to take actions, such as rearranging fast-moving goods. Where we’re going is to the system defining functions. You wouldn’t want a warehouse manager to have to digest all the information. Set a rule that says, if that happens the system will take care of it. That’s where AI and voice will converge. The operator is informed where to go next, with decisions made by the system in the background.”
Investment spending is tight. Infios look to implement voice picking, achieve proof-of-concept, then integrate it across multiple processes. Incremental gains are made. Speeding-up some processes may cause bottlenecks elsewhere. Ultimately a new, superior, WMS may be required. Reviewing the entire process first is best. As the voice system is modular, customers have access to the platform going forward and have options, including TMS.
A provider of Automatic Truck, Trailer, and Container Loading and Unloading Solutions (ATLS), Ancra Systems spoke to Logistics Business about the company’s decades-long experience supporting such innovative solutions.
In today’s fast-paced world, supply chain and logistics automation is no longer just an option, it’s becoming essential. Automation helps reach higher production targets, increases throughput, and greatly reduces or even eliminates human errors that can disrupt operations or cause unnecessary delays.
“When customers see our ATLS systems for the first time, they often immediately say, ‘This solution is exactly what we need,’ says Marc Dohmen, Sales Director at Ancra Systems. “Naturally, one of the first questions we hear is, ‘How much does it cost?’ It’s a fair question to ask about the investment. We understand that cost is an important factor in decision-making, but it just one part of the story. There’s something even more important to consider: what does this solution deliver in return? What lasting value does it bring to your operations? How can it help you achieve your goals — whether that’s improving quality, enhancing safety, boosting efficiency, or more?”
A Long-Term Value Proposition
“At Ancra Systems, we believe that investing in ATLS is more than just setting up a test line – it’s a future-proof decision, adds Dohmen. “It’s not a temporary trial or pilot setup, but a smart, long-term investment designed to keep delivering value for decades. We don’t aim to be the cheapest option on the market. Instead, we focus on what truly matters: delivering quality, reliability, and excellent service that empower our customers to grow, outperform their competition, and stay ahead in an ever-changing world. We don’t compete on price by being the cheapest; we compete by delivering the highest value to our customers, helping them grow and become more productive and competitive.”
ATLS solutions are designed to deliver exceptional reliability, ensuring operations run efficiently with up to 99.7% uptime. This high level of system availability minimizes costly interruptions, helping save valuable time and reduce operational expenses. Beyond reliability, the systems feature user-friendly designs that prioritize ease of use. Automated processes and intuitive interfaces simplify daily inspections and routine tasks, saving team time and significantly reducing the risk of errors. This combination of durability and accessibility means customers can focus on what matters most — optimizing workflow and maintaining consistent productivity over the long term.
Dedicated Expert Support
Dedicated service is an essential part of the investment. Downtime simply isn’t an option, which is why a well-organized after-sales service team is provided. Ancra technicians and engineers have hands-on experience with ATLS and possess in-depth knowledge of the systems. Customers enjoy fast, efficient service: prompt machine maintenance, quality support and rapid delivery of spare parts from a fully stocked inventory. Additionally, the company offers regular service inspections and a comprehensive training programme.
Future-Proof and Modular
“Our modular components allow seamless adaptation to new trailer types or pallet formats, ensuring that changes in your logistics processes create minimal downtime or interruptions,” continues Dohmen. “Our systems are built to integrate the latest advancements, such as vision systems, as they become available, helping you stay at the forefront of automation. In addition, we prioritize compliance with evolving safety regulations and sustainability standards. Through modular upgrades, your system can be continuously enhanced to meet these demands, protecting your investment while supporting your commitment to responsible operations.”
“Choosing an ATLS solution means investing in more than just technology, it means securing a strategic partner dedicated to your success. It’s about making a smart, future-proof decision that delivers sustainable growth, operational excellence, and peace of mind for years to come. You’re not simply purchasing equipment; you’re gaining unmatched reliability, expert support, and the flexibility to evolve alongside your business. The true value lies in the lasting impact on your productivity, competitiveness, and ability to confidently navigate an ever-changing market.”
Over the past two years, the TAPA EMEA Intelligence System (TIS) has logged more than 137,000 cargo crime incidents across 110+ countries in the EMEA region, including 5,865 in the United Kingdom. While actual loss values were only recorded for 9% of these UK incidents, this still equated to losses of goods worth over €72 million from supply chains, while the average loss for major crimes that had a loss value of over €100,000 across the UK was €775,736.
In support of the UK freight industry’s heightened response to cargo thefts, the two Associations (BIFA and TAPA) have exchanged Associate Partner memberships and will now work more closely together to exchange information, insights, and cargo security solutions to help safeguard supply chains against criminal attacks. The cooperation comes as a proposed Freight Crime Bill sponsored by The Rt Hon Rachel Taylor MP is due to have its second reading in the House of Commons on 28 November 2025. This follows a report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Freight and Logistics, which estimated freight-related crime cost the economy £700 million in 2023.
Freight crime is a major concern for TAPA EMEA members in the UK, which consistently ranks in the top 5 countries in our Europe, Middle East & Africa region for recorded cargo thefts. We are, therefore, greatly encouraged by the increased collaboration between UK freight, logistics, road haulage, and law enforcement bodies to find effective ways to prevent these types of incidents from occurring, and to reduce freight crime’s significant financial impact on individual businesses, consumers, and the UK economy,
said Harry Hughes, TAPA EMEA’s UK Regional Lead.
The industry is becoming increasingly vocal about the need for coordinated action, and it’s clear that freight crime is no longer viewed as an isolated operational challenge but a strategic threat to supply chain resilience. Operators, insurers, and security specialists repeatedly tell us that the scale and sophistication of criminal activity demand stronger intelligence-sharing frameworks and far more consistent reporting. As we continue to cover this issue, the message is unmistakable: collaboration and transparency will be essential if the sector is to protect assets, safeguard drivers, and maintain trust across the wider logistics ecosystem.
Working alongside BIFA and other industry partners, TAPA EMEA is part of the solution and we aim to leverage our supply chain security standards, training, and intelligence tools to help freight companies in the UK make their supply chains as secure and resilient as possible against the types of attacks we know are regularly taking place nationwide.
This cooperation underscores BIFA’s commitment to promoting safety, reducing freight crime, and supporting the authorities in their work,
said Steve Parker, director general of BIFA.
Collaboration is key to tackling freight crime effectively and our cooperation with TAPA EMEA comes a few months after we strengthened our sponsorship and work with the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS). The collaboration with both TAPA EMEA and NaVCIS will help to ensure that our extensive corporate membership base stay informed about current risks and take proactive steps to protect their operations. By working with both organisations, BIFA will be able to help its members implement targeted security measures, contributing to safer and more resilient supply chains,
Steve added.
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