In many smaller facilities, yard operations remain one of the least digitized areas in the supply chain. Trucks wait at the gate, dock doors are occupied longer than necessary, and teams rely on phone calls, radios, and manual lists to keep track of trailers and containers. This leads to unnecessary dwell times, higher detention and demurrage costs, and a constant risk of miscommunication between warehouse staff, transport partners, and gate personnel.

“In Europe, a lot of everyday yard operations still run on clipboards, spreadsheets, and local knowledge,” says Gary Van Tassel, Director of Sales for Terminal & Distribution Center Logistics at INFORM. “At the same time, customers feel growing pressure from rising transportation costs, driver shortages, and increasing service expectations. YMSlite gives small and mid-sized facilities a practical way to gain control over their yards. With real-time visibility, better dock planning, and fewer surprises at the gate. Without the overhead of a big system implementation.”

As a standalone system, YMSlite combines yard, dock, and gate operations in a single web-based application. Operations teams can configure their yard layout – including parking spots, docks, and bulk areas – and track trailers, containers, and chassis in real time. A live yard overview shows where each unit is located and for how long it has been there, allowing teams to reduce search times and act early when dwell times become critical.

Within the application, users can assign equipment to doors, block and unblock locations, and move trailers between parking slots and docks. Gate staff benefit from a clear overview of expected arrivals and departures and can mark check-in and check-out directly in the system, linking each truck to the relevant unit and yard location. A compact KPI view provides insights into yard occupancy, dock utilization, gate activity, and dwell times to support data-driven decisions.

Built for smaller facilities – fast start, low risk

YMSlite is tailored for small and mid-sized warehouses, distribution centres, carrier and container yards, 3PLs, and manufacturing sites that need professional yard management without the complexity of enterprise systems. The user interface is intentionally simple and immediately understandable for operational teams on the ground – so users can get started without extensive training. Setup is equally straightforward: new sites can be configured within 30 minutes, enabling teams to work with the software quickly and productively. Fully cloud-based, YMSlite can be implemented directly without dedicated IT projects or in-depth IT know-how.

YMSlite is offered with a transparent subscription model, with a flat monthly rate and no hidden fees or long-term commitments. A free trial of 15 days allows interested companies to test the solution with their own data and processes before making a decision.

“Over the past decades, INFORM has built a strong portfolio for complex logistics operations all over the world,” says Karsten Schumacher, Product Manager YMSlite, Terminal & Distribution Center Logistics at INFORM.

“With YMSlite, we are deliberately extending this portfolio to smaller logistics facilities. Many of these sites face the same visibility and efficiency challenges as large operations but have lacked a solution that fits their scale and resources. YMSlite closes exactly this gap and allows us to support customers from small businesses through to global enterprises with the right level of functionality in each case.”

During customer pilots of YMSlite, companies were able to replace paper-based yard lists and manual gate logs with a shared digital view of all trailers, docks, and appointments. Participants reported faster access to information, fewer misunderstandings between staff, and more predictable yard flows, particularly during peak periods.

“YMSlite has been a clear step up from working in Excel. The interface is clean, the system is easy to understand, and we were up and running in about five minutes. Cloud access means we can reach the same up-to-date information from anywhere and don’t have to worry about different file versions. If you’re looking for a straightforward, more structured alternative to spreadsheets, I’d recommend giving YMSlite a try,” says a Warehouse Manager for a leading regional 3PL and YMSlite Beta User.

Ongoing feedback from beta users continues to shape the product’s evolution. Upcoming enhancements in analytics and reporting will expand the system’s capabilities without compromising its intuitive, user-friendly design.

The post Yard Management for Smaller Logistics Facilities appeared first on Logistics Business.

In environments with constant forklift traffic, painted and printed signs and floor markings can wear away quickly, becoming faded, damaged or unclear. As a result, critical safety messages can lose impact and require frequent maintenance.

Projected Image says projected safety signage is unaffected by constant forklift movement, offering a longer-lasting – and safer – solution that remains clear even in high-traffic areas.

“The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) estimated that approximately 2,000 accidents involving forklifts were reported in Great Britain in 2018/19, so clear, instantly recognisable safety messaging is more important than ever for facilities using forklifts!” says Ian Spoors, Managing Director of Projected Image.

“While traditional painted or vinyl markings wear and typically require maintenance twice a year, projected signage provides a bright, highly visible image that doesn’t fade or wear under forklift traffic – with a maintenance-free five-year lifespan.”

By projecting sharp, vivid safety signs – such as zebra crossings and warning signs – directly onto floors, walls and doors, projected signage helps to clearly define walkways, exclusion zones and vehicle routes while tackling ‘sign blindness’ – which is particularly important where workers and vehicles operate in close proximity.

“Sign blindness occurs when constant exposure to static signage means safety warnings are overlooked, which is incredibly dangerous in forklift environments. Light-based projected signage is more visually stimulating than printed floor markings, making warnings harder to ignore” adds Spoors.

Projected signs can also be automated using sensors, so they only activate when a forklift approaches a specific area, further reducing sign blindness by ensuring warnings appear only when relevant.

“This dynamic approach to safety not only improves awareness but also supports more efficient operations. We recently provided automated projected signage for a leading renewable energy manufacturer, warning pedestrians of forklift movements near roller doors. The site now benefits from a brighter, clearer and safer solution,” Spoors states.

Projected Image supplies both high-performance, IP-rated LED gobo projectors and custom gobos, providing a complete solution designed for demanding industrial environments.

“The high-visibility and flexibility of projected signage make it a safer, more durable option for facilities operating with forklifts. It helps protect the workforce, reduce maintenance and keep operations running smoothly in even the busiest environments” concludes Spoors.

The post Projected Safety Signage is Safer Option appeared first on Logistics Business.

The challenge is not only the rise in air cargo volumes, but the highly time-sensitive nature of operations. Companies are under pressure to meet tight deadlines and customer expectations, while there are also clearly defined regulatory processes for handling air cargo. An ever-growing volume has led to congestion at major hubs, creating possibilities for smaller airports to expand into air cargo, or shift from handling cargo in warehouses further away from airports.

Bart Sloot (pictured, below), Sales Manager, Air Cargo Equipment, at Joloda Hydraroll, explains the importance of efficient and safe air cargo handling systems at these airports to improve productivity and build a scalable business operation.

Expanding Market

The explosion in e-commerce business from the Far East continues to increase air cargo, with the Airports Council International’s latest dataset revealing air cargo volumes climbed 9.9% year on year to a record 127m tonnes in 2024. This boom is changing the dynamics of the air cargo industry, especially across Europe. In addition to significant new facilities, which include extensive air cargo facilities, existing airports are also ramping up to support this new business.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has clearly defined global standards for air cargo operations, including handling procedures and safety protocols. Yet while there is widespread understanding throughout global aviation about the safe way to process ULDs (Unit Load Devices), such as to meet and manage the demands created by e-commerce, and significant investment from air cargo handlers to increase front line facilities, these often fall short – and demand exceeds capacity.

The result is inevitably slower and reduced throughput, as well as heightened risk of pallet/cargo damage. Efficient ground handling is vital to improve productivity and create the scalability required to maximise profitable growth.

Compliant and Efficient Air Cargo Handling

Effective ground handling is also key to ensuring the safety of both operators and goods. Manual handling of air cargo specifically breaches IATA guidelines, which specify that ULDs should never be moved directly by a forklift truck, for example. They should also never touch the concrete floor to reduce the risk of damage. With the pressures created by increasing volumes, tight turnaround times and the need to ensure a safe working environment, it is vital to use the right material handling equipment and systems. Safe, compliant handling of ULDs requires both powered and unpowered roller beds and a height-adjustable truck dock that uses motorised rollers to accelerate and streamline operations. Installed at the critical interface between the land side and air side, powered roller beds automate the movement of ULDs, improving both the speed and consistency of air cargo transfers. Modular roller beds with powered drive motors can also be retrofitted to existing trailers to propel air cargo continuously and safely between warehouses and trailers.

To manage the movement of air cargo around the warehouse, handlers can use mobile workstations (also known as slave pallets) to allow safe movement. These mobile workstations, which can be moved or removed easily when not in use, allow ULDs to be transported with little effort across the warehouse floor. This minimises the physical strain on workers and speeds up the manual positioning of air cargo units.

Consultative Approach

Adapting to the demands of rapidly escalating e-commerce volumes requires a different approach for air cargo handlers. It requires a risk assessment to ensure processes are undertaken in line with both IATA requirements and, potentially, airline audits. In addition to adopting systems such as roller beds, working with an experienced partner can ensure environments are optimised for efficiency and safety.

This process reduces handling steps and improves process flow, whilst also supporting compliance with health and safety protocols. The consultative approach can also assess the potential for additional innovation, allowing companies to make the best use of busy or constrained warehouse layouts.

It is, of course, operationally possible to handle air cargo at any location. Is it, however, the most efficient approach? Or cost effective? Or scalable? Any processes that place a limit on the volumes that can be handled will inevitably constrain expansion, potentially add workforce risk and challenge regulatory compliance. Ensuring the correct handling equipment and systems are in place is mission critical, underpinning not only safety and efficiency but also compliance with IATA standards.

Adding powered roller beds and mobile workstations to the air cargo handling process can not only transform productivity and throughput, it can also protect staff, equipment and ULDs while providing the foundation for rapid expansion to support new business opportunities.

The post Scale & Safety for Ecommerce Air Cargo Handling appeared first on Logistics Business.

Energy efficiency and operational resilience have long been key priorities within the logistics sector, with organisations intensifying their focus on warehouse optimisation. Rising energy costs, sustainability targets and increasing regulatory demands are placing increased pressure on warehouse and loading bay operations, which in turn, can expose inefficiencies that were previously overlooked. By adopting innovative and adaptable solutions early, as well as targeting areas of waste, organisations can remain resilient for the unexpected.

The growing importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance is a major driver behind this shift. Many organisations are obliged to record the environmental impact of their operations in order to understand, measure and manage their total carbon footprint. Some firms, such as Rite-Hite, have invested in third-party consultants and enhanced tracking capabilities to formalise the process in the name of improving transparency and visibility.

At the same time, the global energy landscape has become increasingly unpredictable. Energy prices have fluctuated significantly in recent years, often in reflection to ongoing and arising geopolitical issues. Post-COVID recovery increasing demand, followed closely by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the resulting sanctions and supply chain uncertainty have only fuelled its volatility.

One of the most underestimated areas for energy loss in the warehouse is at the loading bay. Despite being a constant point of activity, it remains a significant source of energy loss. Inefficient doors, trailer door hinge ‘gaps’ and dock leveller ‘gaps’ can lead to a needless escape of heat but also introduce safety risks and unplanned downtime. While these gaps can seem small in isolation, a build-up, like holes in a ship, they accumulate into a significant waste of energy.

Seal the gaps

As energy costs continue to rise, addressing these inefficiencies does not necessarily require large-scale refurbishment. In many cases, relatively simple changes can deliver meaningful returns. Sealing gaps around an exposed leveller pit can generate annual energy saving of up to several thousand Euros per dock position. Effective exterior doors with improved seals and cycle time speeds reduce heat loss with every use, while dock shelters help prevent unwanted airflow from entering further into the warehouse, keeping conditioned air inside.

Beyond energy efficiency, these measures also play a key role in enhancing safety and operational continuity. Dock shelters, for example, help protect people, materials and goods by preventing wind, rain, snow, dust and pests from entering the warehouse. At the loading bay itself, unintended trailer departures can pose a significant risk to both personnel and product. Solutions such as Rite-Hite’s Manual Ergonomic Wheel-Lok provide a robust, user-friendly vehicle restraint that allows drivers to secure trailers independently. Integrated signal lighting provides clear status updates ensuring safer, more coordinated access between drivers and warehouse teams.

Solutions can also further enhance overall efficiency at the warehouse. Traditionally, replacing an ageing or defective dock leveller would be a complex and expensive process, often involving extended operational downtime and costly construction work. During this period, organisations continue to incur costs from energy loss and labour. To address this challenge, however, new solutions are available.

Designed for rapid installation, Rite-Hite’s G96000 Replacement Dock leveller can be welded directly onto an existing frame, provided the underlying concrete and steel profiles are stable. This eliminates the need for disruptive concrete work or custom adaptations. In most cases, installation can be completed in a single day, saving time and costs with minimal operational downtime while addressing a critical source of energy loss with an integrated gap sealing protection as standard.

When adopted in unison, these targeted solutions protect both the operational and environmental integrity of the warehouse. Helping to save on costly energy losses and safety hazards, businesses are empowered to meet regulatory requirements and advance on sustainability goals whilst supporting the wellbeing of the workforce. Simple, yet effective solutions, from dock leveller sealing, maintaining proper restraints and optimising airflow have the potential to save thousands of Euros. Investing in these solutions is no longer a luxury, but a business imperative.

The post Warehouse Energy Savings appeared first on Logistics Business.

Delivered by Caddick Construction, the state-of-the-art smart facility was developed to support Schneider Electric’s strategic expansion in the UK. The development was designed to be a net zero carbon facility in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, with sustainability features such as renewable energy sources and an intelligent building management system.

Philip Whiteley, High Speed Door & Docking Sales Manager at ASSA ABLOY explains: “This project required a carefully specified approach to loading bay safety, access control and fire protection across a modern manufacturing environment. Our role was to deliver entrance and loading bay systems that met Schneider Electric’s operational and regulatory requirements, whilst integrating smoothly with the wider building design and construction programme.”

ASSA ABLOY supplied and installed four fully equipped loading bays. Each bay features the new Crawford OH114P dual drive dock doors, DL6120T telescopic lip dock levellers, dock shelters, wheel guides, hardened rubber buffers, and integrated internal and external traffic light systems designed to clearly signal the current door status to both vehicle and forklift drivers.

The facility incorporates a series of loading bays alongside operational areas that require controlled access and certified fire protection. ASSA ABLOY was engaged to supply and install the entrance and loading bay systems required to support safe, efficient day-to-day operation.

The loading bay specification was developed to support safe and reliable operation across a wide range of delivery conditions. Dock shelters enable vehicles to be loaded and unloaded in all weathers, whilst the wide operating range of the telescopic dock levellers allows the facility to accommodate the full range of delivery vehicles expected on site. The Crawford OH114P dock doors were selected to reduce ongoing maintenance requirements through their Dual Drive design, which removes the need for traditional door springs.

For additional safety during loading and unloading, all bays are fitted with automatic vehicle restraint systems, reducing the risk of premature vehicle departure while operations are underway.

Across the wider facility, 23 RR5000 rigid high speed doors were installed in a combination of internal and external locations. Designed to support efficient movement of materials across the site, the doors can open in as little as three seconds and feature enhanced thermal insulation. Each door is configured for controlled entry via a remote control transmitter, together with radar for presence detection of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Fire protection formed a key part of the overall entrance strategy. ASSA ABLOY supplied and installed nine tube motor fire roller shutters with a one-hour fire rating, along with three geared drive fire roller shutters rated for two hours. All fire shutters are fully tested and certified to BS EN 1634-1:2014 + A1:2018, with audio-visual warning panels provided to support safe operation. The fire-rated shutter systems were installed where required to help protect both personnel and the building in the event of a fire.

Clement Grunwald, Plant Director, commented: “The project demonstrates ASSA ABLOY’s expertise in delivering state-of-the-art access doors and loading bay equipment installations for advanced manufacturing environments, combining safety, regulatory compliance, and coordinated delivery across a major new-build facility.”

The post Entrance and Loading Bay Systems for New Facility appeared first on Logistics Business.

Companies are constantly looking for ways to optimise and automate their warehouses and production facilities: ‘optimisation’ has been the word of our industry for some time now. Yet one critical area is frequently overlooked. When it comes to loading and unloading, there is still an enormous amount of manual handling happening globally – and this is at a time whenforklift drivers are scarce. Even facilities with the most sophisticated end-of-line processes often stop short of automating the unloading stage.

As labour availability tightens and pressure around safety and throughput continues to build, more companies are set to achieve 100% end-of-line automation, including inbound flows into the warehouse and outbound loading. But why 2026? Not least because the benefits of loading automation are now accessible to warehouses of all sizes and levels of automation maturity.

Automated loading is still a best-kept secret

Dependency on manual loading remains high, even though the advantages of automation are well established, including:

Safety: One of the strongest reasons to automate the loading and unloading process is to improve safety. Despite a lot of great advances in forklift safety and countless innovations around the loading bay, it remains a danger zone so long as processes are manual. Forklift operators are under pressure to load and unload quickly, and there’s operational pressure to turn trailers around fast. Statistics show that for every number of forklift-driven kilometres, there are a corresponding number of near-misses and, eventually, an accident. Automated loading dramatically reduces forklift mileage, which means fewer near-misses and fewer accidents every year.

Speed: Beyond safety, a fully automated system can load a complete trailer in as little as two minutes. In comparison, manual loading with forklifts can take 30 to 45 minutes. That difference has a massive impact on shuttle operations, as faster loading means the same trailer can be used more times per day. As a result, companies can significantly reduce the number of trailers required, cutting costs and also reducing trailer idle time and congestion.

Space: Space is another challenge driving logistics operators to rethink their loading process. Manual loading requires wide aisles, large staging areas, space for forklift maneuvering, and multiple dock doors to maintain throughput. Automatic loading systems eliminate many of these requirements, streamlining the process. The ability to load a full trailer in just two minutes means operators can eliminate pallet staging and reduce the number of dock doors required: recent warehouse designs that are using full automation have cut dock doors by up to 80%, ensuring the warehouse footprint is as compact as possible, which in turn lowers construction costs, energy use and environmental impact.

Tailored automation for real-world operations

There are myriad benefits of an automated loading/ unloading process, but solutions are not one-size-fits-all. Each operation is different, and the right approach depends heavily on factors such as what’s being loaded, how it is being moved, which trailers are used and the level of throughput required. There are stunning, state-of-the-art ‘lights-out’ ASRS facilities for certain use cases, and for others, there are many warehouses around the world that require only low to medium automation. But their objectives are the same: they want to reduce manual activity, speed up workflows and improve safety.

What has prevented these companies in the past is that they needed to do so without modifying trailers or extensively restructuring buildings to justify the ROI. Now, solutions exist that are designed to fit within the existing infrastructure of brownfield warehouses and that are compatible with any non-modified trailer.

Against a backdrop of familiar challenges, it’s becoming increasingly important for companies to consider the benefits of automation at every stage of the end of line process, and this includes loading and unloading. What sets 2026 apart is the practicalities of achieving this: automation is now viable for a far wider range of warehouses – including brownfield sites operating with standard trailers and existing infrastructure – to reap the benefits in a cost-effective way.

The post Turning Point for Loading Automation? appeared first on Logistics Business.

Designed for modern, agile logistics, the V2G lift provides level-access loading and unloading for a full range of vehicles, from small vans to single and double-deck trailers. Its modular, free-standing design makes it suitable for both internal and external use, and its surface-mounted construction eliminates the need for pits or major groundworks, significantly reducing installation time and cost.

Next faced the challenge of installing a loading solution in part of the distribution centre that had a completely flat floor and no existing doors or loading bays. Hörmann Transdek’s V2G lift was the ideal answer, with its rapid delivery and flexible design allowing for installation within weeks. To accommodate the lift, a new opening was created in the warehouse’s external façade, and the lift was installed directly onto the internal floor slab, avoiding disruptive civil works.

The installed V2G lift has a 12-pallet, 5.3 tonne capacity and was supplied without cladding to make use of natural light within the warehouse. Its space-efficient design delivers a sealed, secure loading environment, aligning with Next’s operational and safety requirements.

Tristan Robbins, Project Manager at Next, commented,

The V2G lift from Hörmann Transdek has provided an efficient, flexible solution for a challenging area of the warehouse. The team delivered quickly, and the installation allowed us to maintain our timelines with minimal disruption. The result is a lift that has integrated seamlessly into our operation.

Key features of the V2G lift include:

• LED traffic light system for safe coordination between vehicle and operator
• Low-gradient loading ramp for safe equipment movement
• Dedicated pedestrian walkway to separate personnel from vehicle movement
• Safety curtain and light beam system to restrict access under the platform
• Interlocked safety gates, fully compliant with UK/EU legislation
• Suitable for ambient, chilled and freezer applications

V2G lifts are available in capacities from 4 to 14 pallets (4 to 12.5 tonnes) and include an MHE-compatible hydraulic bridge plate. For smaller commercial vehicles and vans, the optional ‘Vandango’ bridge plate ensures safe and efficient loading. Watch the video here.

The post NEXT Distribution Hub gets Lifted appeared first on Logistics Business.

Founded more than 75 years ago, Ypê is one of Brazil’s best-known FMCG companies, specialising in the production of household cleaning products. In 2018, it partnered with system integration company E80 to create a pioneering campus for its new production and warehouse facilities.

The Challenge

The campus aimed to improve company safety standards, increase operational efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of transporting products. Due to increasing volume and scale of its operations, Ypê was looking to evolve its facilities with strategic enhancements to address:

• Human Error: Labour-intensive tasks are often tedious and repetitive, making them prone to human error. This can result in bottlenecks and safety hazards.
• Demand on Labour: Scaling operations to meet ambitious growth targets required significant focus on workforce development and retention at a time of rising labour costs.
• Health and Safety Risks: Forklift-heavy operations in busy areas pose safety risks and potential accidents.
• CO₂ Emissions: Frequent forklift use contributes to CO₂. With Brazil targeting a 67% emissions reduction by 2035, Ypê wanted to lead by example through greener logistics.

The Solution

Ypê partnered with Joloda Hydraroll to assist with the optimisation of the loading process at the new facilities. Given the volume of goods and the distance between the production facility and warehouse, a Slipchain Automated Trailer Loading System was implemented to limit manual handling, reducing risks in the workplace and improving efficiency.

The solution consisted of six loading docks in Ypê’s facilities: three at its warehouse, and three at its production plant. Furthermore, six slipchain trailer systems were installed to shuttle goods between the sites.

The Joloda Hydraroll Slipchain Loading Docks can communicate with the facility’s inventory management system to determine the size and weight of an item to be loaded. This means that the loading system can determine which pallets should be loaded onto which trailer for maximum efficiency in a process called sequencing.

Each loading dock also features a series of safety features to prevent incidents from occurring, including side barriers that act as physical barricades to prevent anyone or any piece of equipment from entering the loading dock’s perimeter. Furthermore, sensors and warning signs were installed to let workers in the area know when the system was in operation.

In 2025, a fleet of self-driving Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with the slipchain systems was commissioned to shuttle trailers from the factory to the warehouse. These will enable around-the-clock operation between the production and warehousing facilities on the site, and further improve production capability. Watch the solution in action, here.

Benefits

The implementation of automation has had numerous benefits for Ypê, including:

• Faster Loading: Trailer loading now takes just two minutes – a decrease in overall trailer turnaround time of around 28 minutes.
• Space Optimisation: The Joloda Hydraroll automated loading system has helped Ypê optimise storage space in both its production and warehouse facilities. Each system replaces three conventional docks and seamlessly integrates into existing production processes, eliminating the need for separate operations.
• Futureproofing: The automated loading system’s scalable nature ensures Ypê can expand effortlessly to meet increased demands and requirements.
• Sustainability: By reducing machinery, fleets of trucks, trailers, and forklifts, Ypê has reduced its CO2 emissions in keeping with global COP legislations, reinforcing its 75-year commitment to environmental responsibility.
• Safety Enhancements: Removing forklifts and adding smart safety systems has significantly reduced the risk of workplace accidents, ensuring a safer environment for employees.
• Reduced Product Damage: Automated loading systems eliminate product damage during pallet manoeuvring, ensuring stock moves seamlessly from the loading bay into the trailer without mishap.
• Automated Handling: The solution reduced labour-intensive operations, accompanied by professional upskilling, talent reallocation, and a shift toward higher-value activities.

Francisco Silva, Executive Manager for Excellence and Innovation at Ypê, commented:

I am delighted to express our satisfaction with the collaboration with Joloda Hydraroll. This partnership has truly exceeded our expectations, enabling us to streamline our logistics operations and enhance overall efficiency. The innovative solution provided by Joloda Hydraroll has not only optimised our processes but has also contributed to maintaining a safe and sustainable working environment. This project reinforces our culture of innovation, a value we have prided ourselves on since the company was founded in 1950. We look forward to continued success and future collaborations with Joloda Hydraroll.

By embracing automated loading technology, Ypê has maintained its sustainable, innovative success in Brazil’s FMCG market, successfully addressing modern logistics challenges and positioning itself for future growth and sustainability goals.

The post Loading Times and Emissions Slashed appeared first on Logistics Business.

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.”

The post Look Beyond Price Tag for Loading Systems appeared first on Logistics Business.

Noise is often an overlooked operational risk in logistics, overshadowed by output, efficiency optimisations and time restraints. However, the Health & Safety Executive’s (HSE) recent investigatory campaign uncovered ‘serious gaps’ in noise safety knowledge among employers and employees in noisy workplaces. Logistics hubs are often subjected to levels over the safe prescribed limits as a result of machinery, manual handling equipment and commercial vehicles which, over a long period of time, can cause irreparable hearing loss to employees.

Too often, logistics managers will simply provide hearing protection to employees without considering the risks associated with over-attenuating PPE that can actually bring about additional risk, or considering other control measures in the hierarchy of controls.

Unmanaged noise can expose organisations to regulatory penalties, worker health claims, reputational damage, and hidden productivity losses that quietly erode margins and most importantly, leaves employees permanently suffering from partial to complete deafness. Consumer habits and market demands are creating busier logistics hubs which translates to a noisier working environment for employees.

The UK enforces management through the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2002, which state that employers must reduce noise exposure, provide noise control measures and personal hearing protection if noise is at a level that may cause hearing loss. Employees must have personal hearing protection made available to them at an action level and must wear hearing protection at the next exposure hearing level. This assumes that the correct hearing protection wear is effectively fitted, worn at all times and maintained in good condition.

In the UK, the HSE has set an exposure limit of 85 dB(A) over an eight-hour time-weighted average, where hearing protection should be always worn, between 80 dB(A) and 85 dB(A), hearing protection is optional.

The Business Case

Chronic exposure to elevated noise levels contributes to fatigue, heightens stress, and degrades situational awareness. Elevated ambient noise can mask alarms and verbal warnings, increasing the likelihood of collision or handling incidents which in turn increases absenteeism and reduces productivity. Studies have shown that those working in loud environments are also more likely to seek alternative employment at quieter sites with turnover and sick days directly correlating to the noise levels in a worksite .

The compound result of the stress caused by excessive noise often manifests in disruptive ways. A recent survey found that a quarter of workers have ‘snapped’ at either a co-worker or manager with 20% quitting due to the noise. However it impacts employees, it is likely to cause delays in processing, transferring and day to day tasks like packaging and palletising.

The starting point for any health and safety programme is identifying the sources and quantifying the levels of hazard. By conducting a comprehensive risk assessment across the site, breaking down activities by task family and environment to understand how noise fluctuates depending on area and task, employers can deploy noise measurement and control measures cost effectively. Consider how exposure accumulates across shifts, overtime, and seasonal peaks when facilities run hotter and longer. This mapping enables targeted, defensible interventions that reduce exposure without compromising throughput or service levels.

Measurement

Sound level meters (SLMs) and noise dosimeters can be used to quantify sound levels in a workplace. Sound level meters are handheld devices, ideal for spot measurements noise at specific locations or tasks. Ideal for commissioning new equipment, diagnosing hotspots at loading docks, comparing alternative alarm types, or validating the effect of engineering controls like barrier mats or dampers.

Always calibrate before and after surveys and modern instruments will record any deviations, take notes and include information about the location, people working there, the noise environment and any control measures in place, including PPE.

Noise dosimeters serve a purpose by measuring personal exposure over a full shift. Tasks in logistics environments are by their nature mobile, so a bodily worn device may be the best way to monitor exposure. They account for worker movement, task variation, breaks, and can identify any, providing a realistic time-weighted average for specific roles such as pickers, dock associates and maintenance technicians.

To use dosimeters effectively, position the microphone in the hearing zone near the shoulder, ensuring it is unobstructed by clothing or PPE. Modern noise dosimeters are often easy to set up and can stream real-time data directly to employers’ phones or tablet so readings can be checked remotely through the day without disturbing the wearer. Repeat measurements during known peak seasons to capture worst-case scenarios that could trigger additional controls. Using both SLMs and dosimeters creates a clear picture that supports prioritisation and investment.

Control

Once the levels of sound are understood across the facility, control strategies can be implemented that follow the hierarchy of controls. At the source, employers can select low-noise wheels and tires for material handling equipment, specify quiet conveyor rollers, add soft-close pallet stops, implement variable-speed drives, and adopt other sound dampening tools to reduce total noise output.

It’s often recommended to install barriers and sound absorber around particularly noisy static machinery.
Administrative controls can then minimise exposure by scheduling noisy tasks away from busy areas, creating quiet zones for precision work, and structuring maintenance windows outside of peak hours to confine noisy activities.

PPE should always be the final refuge for employers once all engineering controls and administrative controls have been considered. Hearing protection should be selected that matches the noise profile without over-attenuating as this can lead to unnecessary accidents where employees miss sound cues from vehicles or warnings from colleagues. Being struck by a moving vehicle is the second most frequent cause of workplace fatalities, according to the HSE.

Finally, conducting regular noise monitoring to calculate any changes in ambient noise levels allows employers to be agile in noise management, control and solutions. Allowing resources to be allocated when necessary, reducing overspend. At a minimum, noise surveys should be conducted every two years or whenever there are major changes to equipment, processes or working patterns. More frequent monitoring is also necessary if health surveillance reveals a decline in employee hearing quality. Where unsure, it is always recommended to consult expert advice and guidance.

Rock and roll ain’t noise pollution

Ultimately, a durable noise program depends on culture. Educating staff and managers on the dangers of long-term noise exposure and implementing a culture of responsibility will lead to better practice and caution when working in noisy environments. Logistics leaders who prioritise noise risk management create a calmer, safer, and more productive site, while also avoiding reputational and compliance penalties.

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