Packaging, Warehouse and Logistics Issue 204

PACKAGING
WAREHOUSE
& LOGISTICS
December 2025 | Issue 204
Crafting the
perfect pouch
Page 22
Union Industries
Page 9
Flexxbotics
Page 18
Enterprise Tondelli
Page 21

On the Cover
22
Contents
Issue 204
9
National Flexible
When it comes to innovative packaging solutions, the relationship
between Myco and National Flexible is a prime example of what can be
achieved through trust, collaboration, and expertise
Editors Notes
Welcome to the inaugural edition of Packaging Warehouse &
Logistics! In this issue, we showcase a curated selection of
features on innovative companies across diverse industries,
exploring the technologies and solutions shaping the future
of packaging, logistics, and automated systems.
For more than half of its life, Psycho Peacock has been
working in partnership with Soyang Europe. Recently, the Manchester-based Psycho Peacock
has embraced sustainability with new Soyang Europe materials and says working with ST-216 R
Nightstar and ST-601 R Starlight has opened up more sustainable options for its customers.
Page 7.
This issue is proudly sponsored by National Flexible, providers of bespoke packaging solutions
that meet the unique needs of each client. On page 22, we take a deep dive into the relationship
between Myco and National Flexible, and how National Flexible have helped them to find a
packaging solution that reflects the quality and innovation of their newest product.
The eagerly anticipated IntraLogisteX returned to Birmingham’s NEC for two exceptional days of
industry celebration and innovation! Now in its 10th year, IntraLogisteX offered exhibitors a chance
to connect with thousands of high-level decision makers actively looking for the latest solutions.
Page 40.
Other topics include: Sustainable Packaging, Fleet Management & Logistics, Safety, Automation,
Packaging Machinery, Storage, Food & Drink Packaging, Robotics, 3D Printing, Labelling,
Warehouse Automation, Printing, Warehousing.
Got news to share? Email: gina@industrialprocessnews.co.uk
Gina Burton
Editor
gina@industrialprocessnews.co.uk
Union Industries
Recontainers Ltd
Schmersal
25
33
Contacts
Publication Management
Fallon Waldron, Publication Manager
T 0121 550 2086
fallonwaldron@industrialprocessnews.co.uk
Production
Robert Sharp, Production Manager
production@businessandindustrytoday.co.uk
Accounts
Paul Whitaker, Accounts Manager
T 0121 824 4742
accounts@businessandindustrytoday.co.uk
Editorial
Gina Burton, Editor
gina@industrialprocessnews.co.uk
Packaging, Warehouse & Logistics is a multi-media digital magazine
which circulates directly to 25,000 targeted businesses per issue,
and is downloadable from multiple digital news stands and via social
media.
Please contact 0121 550 2086
Email info@industrialprocessnews.co.uk
www.industrialprocessnews.co.uk
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requirements, please see our Media Pack
The entire content of this publication is advertorial based. To place an advertorial
or an advert, please call 0121 550 2086.
Find us on LinkedIn and follow
us on Twitter @ipn_uk
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22 3

Printing
Throw open doors
to young talent
The Young People in Print team,
a group of volunteers dedicated
to inspiring the next generation of
employees in the print industry,
supported companies from across the
UK to throw open their doors on 23
October 2024 to welcome visits from
local schools and colleges.
Paul Stead, Sales at ASL Group and
YPIP volunteer, stated, “We’ve been
running open houses with individual
printers, helping them to attract
students from local schools and
colleges to visit and explore what the
print industry can offer them. While
this approach has been welcomed,
it’s clear we need to do something
on a far broader scale if we’re going
to truly make an impact. International
Print Day seems the logical day to say
to the education and careers system
in the UK that the print industry is
seeking new talent, come on in and
see what we have to offer!”
International Print Day marked its 10th
anniversary in 2024. It is an annual
celebration that brings together
printing professionals from around the
world to celebrate the art, science and
innovation of print.
Digital Print & Packaging
The YPIP team aimed to offer a
nationwide experience, where printers
and their supply chain companies
– from OEMs to substrates, inks,
adhesives and software businesses
– run open houses, inviting local
students to visit and see what the
print industry is all about.
The YPIP team was committed
to linking companies to their local
career hub so they could get local
schools and colleges on board and
plan the numbers visiting directly. It
also provided an agenda for the day
and a PowerPoint deck to support
companies if required.
Contact
www.ypip.co.uk
Unlock packaging
brilliance
With countless products competing
for consumer attention, capturing
your target market’s interest
has never been more important.
Packaging is a powerful tool to
make that connection, and digital
printing is a game-changer when
it comes to delivering the speed
and flexibility needed to make
your packaging unforgettable. Did
you know 72% of shoppers say
packaging influences
their buying
decisions
(Ipsos)?
With its
high-quality,
sustainable,
and fully
customisable
designs,
digitally printed
packaging is the
secret weapon
your brand needs to cut
through the noise and leave a
lasting impression.
With premium packaging designs
boosting shelf appeal by up to 30%
(Packaging Digest), the quality of
your packaging is more important
than ever before. Digital printing
uses bright and bold colours, crisp
imagery and detailed finishes to
create a premium look and feel. It
enhances the overall perception of
your brand and shows customers
you’re willing to go above and
beyond to provide a high-quality
option. It also helps your products
to stand out on shelves and
screens while creating a sense
of trust and
professionalism
that helps set
your brand
apart.
Considering the
benefits, it’s easy
to see why digital
flexible packaging
has made a name
for itself as one
of the best options
for ambitious brands
looking to stand out and
make a statement. Whether you’re
looking for custom packaging boxes
with a logo or need last-minute
packaging for a seasonal promotion,
we can help. Get in touch with Smurfit
Westrock to find out more today.
www.smurfitwestrock.com
Henkel and Teca-Print
partner
Henkel and Teca-Print have announced
a partnership in the pad printing field of
printed electronics. The collaboration
aims to further drive the adoption of
pad printing solutions in emerging
technologies such as antenna, digital
healthcare, 3D electronics, and smart
mobility by supporting customers in
accelerating their projects. Based on the
partners combined expertise Henkel and
Teca-Print will offer seamless product
recommendations from R&D to final
production processes as well as joint
trial possibilities and feasibility studies.
Henkel is an industry-leading supplier
of printed electronics materials and
services. The broad Loctite portfolio
of functional inks includes conductive
inks and paints as well as resistive and
dielectric inks. Henkel’s portfolio and
four decades of material formulation
expertise enable the company’s
partners to develop printed electronics
applications tailored to the specific
properties demanded by industrial
customers – for example in the
manufacturing of membrane switches,
flexible circuits, force sensors, heating
elements, and medical biosensors for
solutions in healthcare, automotive
and consumer electronics. To further
address the challenge of 3D parts
functionalisation the company has
recently developed a new range of
functional inks that can be applied by
pad printing technology.
For more than 50 years, Teca-Print has
played a leading role in the evolution
of pad printing technology. The
company’s equipment and systems
are developed to meet the specific
needs of its customers. Teca-Print not
only ensures the highest quality and
accuracy with its pad printing systems,
but also provides cutting-edge
software for process enhancement.
The comprehensive product line
features complex automation
solutions, specialised and standard
pad printing machines, along with a
full range of peripheral equipment,
accessories and consumables including
printing pads, inks and cliché plates.
www.henkel.com
www.teca-print.com
Enviricard’s green
card innovations
In a milestone
development for
the global card
manufacturing
sector, Enviricard
has announced a
revolutionary digital
print platform that
promises to transform
how brands approach
card production while significantly
reducing environmental impact. The
innovation, developed in collaboration
with Ricoh and showcased at DRUPA
2023, represents a fundamental shift
in how organisations can achieve their
net-zero targets whilst maintaining
operational efficiency.
This development follows Enviricard’s
successful transformation of the UK
gift card industry, where they have led
the shift from plastic to paperboard
since 2006. The company’s
achievements have been recognised
through multiple industry awards,
establishing them as pioneers in
sustainable card solutions.
Enviricard founder Graham Lycett
states, “Green cards are the generic
name for non plastic based cards, but
the Enviricard brand of ‘green card’
targets any market with a need to
produce on demand card printing.” He
continues, “Enviricard branded cards
are ideal for facilities
management, events,
staff ID management,
and any situation in
which a card has to
be printed on demand.
Our technology could
be applied for example
to library memberships
or entry passes.”
The breakthrough comes at a crucial
time when retailers and organisations
worldwide face mounting pressure to
eliminate plastic from their operations.
The new platform enables direct-tostore
delivery, bypassing traditional
warehouse systems, while allowing
for precise, data-driven production
quantities that eliminate waste and
obsolescence.
Independent research confirms
that Enviricard’s products, certified
biodegradable and compostable to
EN13432 standards, represent the
most environmentally responsible
alternative to plastic and ‘green plastic’
cards available globally. The company’s
comprehensive carbon scoring system
tracks environmental impact from tree
to end-of-life, providing unprecedented
transparency in the supply chain.
T +44 (0)1794 725480
graham@enviricard.com
4
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Printing

Printing
Psycho Peacock embraces
sustainability with new
Soyang Europe materials
Manchester-based Psycho Peacock says working with
ST-216 R Nightstar and ST-601 R Starlight has opened up
more sustainable options for its customers
Large-format specialist graphics
supplier Psycho Peacock has
revealed how its use of ST-216 R
Nightstar and ST-601 R Starlight
fabrics from Soyang Europe is
allowing the company to offer a more
sustainable service to clients across
a range of markets.
Based in Salford in Greater
Manchester, Psycho Peacock has
been providing specialist graphics to
clients in the retail, events, museums,
construction, and visitor attractions
sectors for more than 40 years.
This offering is expanded further
by working with sister company Full
Circle Exhibitions & Events, which
focuses on event signage and
branding knowledge.
For more than half of its life, Psycho
Peacock has been working in
partnership with Soyang Europe,
drawing on the supplier’s extensive
knowledge of markets and its farreaching
product range to create
a wide variety of eye-catching
applications.
Psycho Peacock recently expanded
this relationship by starting to
work with ST-216 R Nightstar and
ST-601 R Starlight, both of which are
designed to provide customers with
a more sustainable offering that they
can then pass on to their own clients.
ST-216 R Nightstar is a wrap-knitted
blockout fabric with textured surface
on its front side and black coating
on the back. Mainly used for dyesublimation
printing, the product
offers excellent opacity, softness,
bending resistance and wrinkleresistance,
making it an effective
solution for applications such as
backdrops, pop-up displays and
frame systems.
As for ST-601 R Starlight, this is a
coated backlit with woven based
fabric featuring a tight textured
structure with a coating. This means
the material does not suffer from
any light leakage, which, coupled
with good wrinkle-resistance, makes
it a popular solution for light box
applications.
While their features differ, something
that the two products have in
common is that they are both made
from recycled PET bottle yarn,
offering a significant, environmentally
friendly incentive for print companies
and their customers.
It was this feature that particularly
appealed to Andy McIntyre, General
Manager of Psycho Peacock, as
it aligns with the company’s own
core values of sustainability and
environmental responsibility.
“Choosing these sustainable
materials fits seamlessly with our
business goals and values,” Andrew
said. “Our ESSA accreditation on
the exhibition side of the business
underscores our commitment to
sustainable practices, including the
Reconomy sustainability closed loop.
“We didn’t adopt sustainability to
gain a competitive edge, but it has
naturally fortified our market position.
Our goal is to lead by example,
encouraging the industry to adopt
sustainable practices.”
Psycho Peacock primarily uses
its Durst P5 TEX i-Sub printer to
produce work on the two materials.
While the company has only
been working with these latest
introductions from Soyang Europe
for a short period of time, Andrew
said he is already looking at how the
fabrics can help Psycho Peacock
move into new markets.
“We’re poised for growth and
innovation,” Andrew said.
“Psycho Peacock is committed
to strengthening its relationship
with Soyang and is continuously
developing its product offerings forits
esteemed clients. Together, we aim to
drive the graphics & printing industry
towards a more sustainable future.”
Contact
T +44 (0)161 765 3400
sales@soyang.co.uk
https://soyang.co.uk
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22 7

Plastic Packaging
AST Plastic Containers: 45 years producing
plastic containers and drums
For over 45 years, AST. Kunststoffverarbeitung
GmbH has been a key player in the packaging
industry and one of the leading manufacturers of
canisters, drums, and bottles. As a family-owned
company, AST. has established itself as a reliable
partner for industrial packaging solutions. With
16 locations across Europe and a continuously
expanding product portfolio, AST. combines
tradition with technological innovation.
Through continuous investments in modern
technologies, particularly in recycling and
reconditioning, the company pursues a sustainable
strategy. In recent years, AST. has expanded its
services to include the collection, recycling, and
reconditioning of plastic packaging. The founding
of AST. Recycling and Reconditioning GmbH in
2020 marked another step toward environmental
protection. The facility, built near the company’s
headquarters in Erndtebrück, enables both cleaning
and on-site recycling of plastic packaging.
During reconditioning, used packaging – from 5-litre
canisters to IBCs – is cleaned, tested, and prepared
for reuse. If reuse is not possible, the packaging is fully
recycled and processed into high-quality materials. The
recycling process focuses on resource conservation:
after pre-sorting, the packaging undergoes an efficient
cleaning process tailored to its contamination level.
Energy-efficient methods minimise water and energy
consumption. The material is then shredded, dried, and
granulated, producing high-quality recyclates, which
are quality-checked in-house and reintegrated into
new packaging production.
With its CIPACKS (Circular Packaging Solutions)
return system, AST. takes circular economy efforts
further. Customers can easily return used packaging
starting from a pallet space. A Europewide
system is being developed to include
returns from end customers. Thanks
to innovative reprocessing technology,
AST. can recover up to 90% of the water
used and achieves excellent results even
with oil-contaminated materials through
advanced cleaning methods.
Beyond mechanical recycling, AST. is
also engaged in chemical recycling and
produces pyrolysis oil at its Erndtebrück
headquarters – a valuable raw material
for manufacturing new plastic packaging.
The company’s in-house machinery
development further supports its
sustainability strategy by ensuring
complete control over material quality and process
efficiency.
Processing around 100,000 tons of plastic annually
– both virgin and recycled materials – AST. is a major
player in sustainable material management. Through
recycling, reuse, and pyrolysis oil production, AST.
actively promotes the circular economy and firmly
embeds sustainability into its corporate culture.
T 01978 661590
www.ast-containers.co.uk
Acer commits to collecting 50 tons of plastic waste
Echoing this year’s Earth Day theme of
‘Planet vs Plastics,’ Acer has partnered
with Plastic Bank and has pledged to
collect and recycle at least 50 tons of
plastic waste from the environment
in 2024. The Canada-based social
enterprise focuses on tackling the growing
issues of plastic pollution by building
recycling ecosystems and creating
livelihood opportunities in vulnerable
coastal areas.
Acer’s Impact Program Partnership with
Plastic Bank is projected to prevent
the equivalent of more than 2.5 million
plastic bottles from entering the oceans
through the efforts of collection members
in Southeast Asia. Members bring their
collected plastic to Plastic Bank collection
branches in exchange for the local market
price of the gathered material as well
as bonuses that help provide additional
income and access to social benefits,
like meal vouchers, health insurance,
and more.
Acer’s collaboration with Plastic Bank
supports the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) including
SDG 1 for no poverty, SGD 8 for decent
work and economic growth, SDG 12 for
responsible consumption and production,
SGD 14 for life below water, and SGD 17
for partnership for the goals. Acer’s ESG
goals also include adapting 20-30% PCR
plastic content in computers and displays
by 2025 and working towards the goal
of net-zero emissions by 2050. Most
recently, Acer has been making strides to
address the use of plastics in electronic
consumer products with its ecoconscious
Vero line and its commitment to
carbon neutrality with the launch of its first
carbon-neutral PC, the Acer Aspire Vero
16, which debuted in December 2023.
www.acer.com/gb-en
8
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22

Warehousing
Weetabix opts for best of British with highspeed
door installations by Union Industries
Alan Hirst, Sales Director at Union Industries
Union Industries, the UK’s leading manufacturer of
bespoke high-speed doors, is helping one of Britain’s
most iconic cereal brands maintain its high standard
of hygiene with the installation of more Bulldoors and
Matadoors.
Weetabix initially approached Union Industries in
2023 to maintain and elevate hygiene standards at
its site at Burton Latimer near Kettering. Recognising
the superior quality and reliability of Union’s
Bulldoors, it expanded its partnership by installing a
further six doors around its facilities, including Burton
Latimer and Corby, making eleven Union doors
across the two sites in total to date.
The bespoke doors, tailored to fit each individual
opening, address specific challenges such as tight
spaces and sloping floors,
ensuring a perfect seal and
optimal functionality.
In addition to maintaining
hygiene standards, some
entries and exits in Weetabix’s
production and warehouse
areas utilise a two-door
solution of airlocks. This system
interlinks the doors electronically
to allow only one door at a time
to be open, effectively prevents
the ingress of insects, dust, and
other foreign bodies, further
safeguarding product integrity.
Union’s Bulldoors are regarded
as the ‘reliable workhorse’ of
rapid roll doors and are known to perform more than 1.4
million cycles per year, making it a popular choice across
multiple sectors. They feature specialist ‘Crash-Out’
and ‘Auto-Reset’ damage protection facilities, and
offer control outputs for options such as airlocks, traffic
control systems and remote monitoring, whilst aiding
temperature control for ambient and chilled environments.
The market-leading, bespoke, high-speed roller
doors help to prevent the severe drop of ambient
temperature in buildings, especially evident in the
winter months, eliminating any potential impact
on production environments.
Alan Hirst, Sales Director at Union Industries, said,
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with
Weetabix in enhancing their operational efficiency
and hygiene control. Our rapid roll doors are
renowned for their reliability and performance,
making them the ideal choice for Weetabix’s
production environments.”
Anthony Brawn, Facilities Contracts Manager at
Weetabix, said, “We are proud to partner with
Union Industries in maintaining the highest standards
of hygiene and operational efficiency across our
facilities. The installation of Union’s high-speed
doors ensures a seamless flow of operations”
“With Union Industries, we are confident in achieving
our long-term goals of reduced downtime, enhanced
productivity, and minimised costs.”
Contact
T +44 (0)113 244 8393
enquiries@unionindustries.co.uk
https://unionindustries.co.uk
Union Industries blows away competition
with use of virtual reality configurator
Union Industries, the UK’s leading manufacturer of
bespoke industrial doors, has utilised virtual reality
(VR) to help Leeds-based Met Fab Solutions
maintain comfortable working conditions with the
installation of a Bulldoor.
Union Industries has successfully deployed its
innovative new VR software to assist Met Fab
Solutions, a leading UK manufacturer of aluminium
panels and aluminium pressings, specify and
configure the correct door suited to its needs.
This innovative tool allows Union to immerse
prospective clients in a 3D showroom where they
can experience their high-speed door offerings and
interact with the products in a virtual environment.
The software, comprising a VR headset and
handheld units representing the customer’s hands,
showcases the extensive features, specifications
and benefits of Union Industries’ products.
Met Fab’s powder coating facility contains an extraction
unit, which draws the temperature outside of the
building to keep the area cool during hotter periods.
However, when windy, the extraction unit causes a
wind-chill resulting in employee discomfort, hence the
company’s need for a fast acting and reliable door.
The Bulldoor not only ensures the integrity of
Met Fab’s facility but also significantly reduces
the impact of adverse weather conditions.
Operated conveniently via remote control, the door
incorporates a ‘Crash-Out & Auto-Reset’ feature
as a standard safety measure, minimising costs
associated with door impacts.
Renowned for their reliability and efficiency, Union
Industries’ doors, including the Bulldoor, have become
the preferred choice for manufacturers dealing with
heat loss and escalating energy prices. With a robust
design requiring minimal maintenance, these doors can
withstand constant high-volume operations, making
them an ideal solution for industrial settings.
Rob Howe, Union Industries’ Technical Sales
Engineer, said, “Once again, the Bulldoor is the first
choice for those in the manufacturing industry who
aim to address heat loss and wind chill through open
doorways.”
“The Bulldoor is one of our best-selling doors and
has been developed by our own R&D team over
the years to become the reliable
workhorse that it is today. Its robust
design ensures minimal maintenance
and can withstand constant highvolume
operations.”
“We are also thrilled with the success
of our new virtual reality configuration
tool. This software enables us to
immerse prospective customers
into our world, providing a first-hand
experience of the advanced features
and capabilities of our rapid roll doors.”
Steve Cockerham, managing director
at Met Fab Solutions, said, “The
collaboration with Union Industries
has proven invaluable in addressing
our specific needs.”
“In utilising the VR software, Union was able to
demonstrate to us in detail how the Bulldoor was
best placed to serve our specific needs and address
the challenges we faced.”
“The Bulldoor has not only enhanced the integrity of
our facility but has also significantly improved working
conditions for our employees.”
Please see video ‘The BEST way to choose a High
Speed Door – VR technology’
T +44 (0)113 244 8393
enquiries@unionindustries.co.uk
https://unionindustries.co.uk
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22 9

Warehousing
Hart’s Speedor Storms to the rescue
The call to Hart Door Systems was
straightforward – a company was having
problems with two suppliers of industrial
doors and a third party had recommended
Hart Door Systems as the best option as
the alternative deliverer of the industrial
doors which would resolve the problem.
Carl Crossman, Hart’s Project Manager,
said the call was very much the part of a
typical week at the forefront of manufacture
of industrial/commercial industrial doors.
“Because of our long-standing reputation
as a major supplier of a wide range of
industrial doors and the range of options
we have, Hart is well placed to problem
solve and deliver the very high standard of
industrial doors necessary.”
Mr Crossman confirmed an immediate site
visit was carried out and an instant order
for two Speedor Storms was placed. Both
doors have now been installed and the
performance of both will be monitored with
a view to replacing other doors on the site.
“The response was extremely positive.
The Storms are a very high standard of
automatic industrial door, an essential part
of Hart’s family of Speedor options.”
Mr Crossman added, “Typically clients are
attracted to the rapid roll Storm because
of its robustness and exceptional wind
resistance together with its energy-saving
potential as well as controlling internal
temperatures and reducing escaping noise
and odours. It is an incomparable industrial
door product in high demand because of its
robustness and exceptional wind resistance
together with its energy-saving potential
and other very important features.”
More about Speedor Storm
This rapid roll door is robust, low
maintenance and delivers exceptional wind
resistance in exposed areas. While its highspeed
opening and closing action improve
efficiency, the energy-saving potential
of this rapid roll door is high, controlling
internal temperatures, escaping dirt,
odours and noise.
Special features include; moisturecontrolled
electrics, mechanical
components shielded from dust and
dirt, and a unique guide system offering
exceptional wind resistance up to class
5 as defined by DIN EN 12424.
The high-performance exterior roller
storm door is designed for frequent use in
high traffic situations and constructed to
withstand harsh environments.
www.hartdoors.com
DP Doors & Shutters Ltd: Over 300 collective
years of industry experience
Based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Founded in 1997, DP Doors & Shutters Ltd
have over 300 years collective experience
in the Manufacturing, Installation and
Repairs and Maintenance of roller shutters
and doors for Industrial, Food Processing
and Commercial UK applications, either for
new build, or refurbishment.
DP Doors & Shutters Ltd is an ISO 9001:
2015 registered company which began
trading in 1997 with 2 people. It now
operates from a 15,000sq. ft. factory unit
employing 46 people. We supply, install
and maintain a wide range of industrial
doors, shutters and grilles to a variety of
sectors across the whole of the UK.
What we do
DP Doors & Shutters Ltd supplies, installs,
maintains and repairs a range of industrial
doors, security shutters and grilles. Its
collection of doors includes insulated
sectional overhead, single-skin, fire and
insulated roller shutters, steel hinged
personnel doors, fire doors and high speed
action doors. Before work begins, a full site
survey is carried out at no extra cost.
Based in Sheffield, DP Doors & Shutters
operates from a 15,000ft 2 factory and
supplies and installs a wide range of
industrial doors, shutters and grilles across
the UK. Clients range from high street
shops to international airports and blue
chip manufacturing companies.
Contact
T 0114 288 9464
www.dpdoorsandshutters.co.uk
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22 11

Warehousing
Hart sees 2025 as another year of opportunity
Hart Door Systems, the original British
manufacturer of the high-speed door concept, is
confident of another successful year for its Speedor
and Typhoon brands.
“Despite global uncertainties I believe our leading
Speedor and Typhoon brands will continue to be in
demand,” says Doug Hart, Hart’s chairman. “We
have had many successes at home and abroad
during 2024 not just through our Speedor range
of high-speed doors but through our range of high
quality Typhoon shutters too. Both these leading
brands offer industry a choice of solutions for
industry and commerce.”
The Speedor high speed door is a good example
of an engineered door system for frequent use in
high-traffic situations. This rapid roll door is robust,
requires low maintenance and delivers exceptional
wind resistance in exposed areas. Its high-speed
opening and closing action improve efficiency, the
energy-saving potential of this rapid roll door is
high, controlling internal temperatures, escaping dirt,
odours and noise.
Special features include; moisture-controlled
electrics, mechanical components shielded from
dust and dirt, and a unique guide system offering
exceptional wind resistance up to class 5 as defined
by DIN EN 12424.
There are several
options with the Speedor
brand namely ECO,
Storm, Mini, Conveyor
and Cleanroom which
together strengthen
Hart’s overall high-speed
door offer.
Speedor Storm is Hart’s
bestselling door, ideal for
challenging applications
where reliability is
essential. Its increasing
success is based on
its improved, rugged,
design predominately for
external use up to 8m x
6m/6m x 8m) often in
robust operating conditions with high wind loads.
Quality is Hart’s prime driver not just in high-speed
doors but shutters such as the Typhoon range. The
fundamentals are quality throughout manufacture
to installation and service to comply with changing
national and international safety standards.
www.hartdoors.com
Forklifts
Union Industries helps Crown Lift Trucks
overcome operational challenges with
installation of high-speed Ramdoor
Union Industries, the UK’s
leading manufacturer of
bespoke industrial doors, has
assisted Crown Lift Trucks in
addressing multiple operational
challenges with the installation
of its cutting-edge high-speed
Ramdoor.
enhanced operational efficiency.
Union Industries designed the
door to accommodate Crown
Lift Trucks’ requirements while
incorporating a pedestrian
access door to segregate traffic
flow, ensuring a safer working
environment.
Crown Lift Trucks, based
in Warrington, faced several issues at its facility,
including the need to segregate two adjoining units
with different temperature requirements while allowing
the movement of high-mast forklift trucks through a
large opening.
To tackle these challenges, Union Industries produced
a bespoke solution to accommodate the building
configuration, ensuring the required opening height
could be achieved without compromising functionality.
Additionally, the limited space at high-level, between
structural steel frames, posed a significant obstacle.
Since launching their UK operations in 1960, Crown
Lift Trucks have become one of the world’s leading
manufacturers of forklift and material handling
equipment. Designing and manufacturing up to
85% of its forklift components, Crown provide their
wide customer base with forklift rentals, servicing
and maintenance, used equipment and a variety of
support services.
The installation of the Ramdoor not only addressed
the temperature control and safety concerns but also
The Ramdoor features a dual
height opening facility, allowing for optimal heat
retention while accommodating different forklift sizes.
Furthermore, the engineered seals and infills achieve
a seamless finish, enhancing both functionality and
aesthetics.
It has also been designed to achieve a Class 5 wind
resistance rating, making it able to withstand strong
winds and to remain operational even during severe
weather conditions.
Achieving this rating is supported by a number of the
Ramdoor’s features, including its thick Ramhide door
curtain material, which is high frequency welded to
give the strongest fabric joins available.
In addition, it features heavy-duty wind-brace and
wind-bar systems for added strength, plus extra-deep
side-guides, which all contribute to the Ramdoor’s
ability to cope with high wind loads and pressures.
Like other doors in the Union range, it also benefits
from a ‘Crash Out’ facility, in case of vehicle or
personnel impact to the bottom beam, thus ensuring
minimal downtime and repair costs.
Alan Hirst, Sales Director at Union Industries, said,
“We are delighted to have assisted Crown Lift Trucks
in overcoming their operational challenges with our
high-speed Ramdoor. This project highlights our
ability to provide innovative solutions tailored to
our customers’ specific needs.”
Mark Eccleston, Branch Manager, at Crown Lift
Trucks, said, “Union Industries’ Ramdoor has
revolutionised our operational efficiency and safety
standards. Their dedication to understanding our
unique requirements and delivering a bespoke
solution underscores their commitment to customer
satisfaction. The Ramdoor not only enhances
temperature control and traffic segregation but also
contributes to our sustainability goals. We are grateful
for their expertise and partnership in achieving our
objectives.”
T +44 (0)113 244 8393
enquiries@unionindustries.co.uk
www.unionindustries.co.uk
12
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22

Dematic wraps up
automation solution
archives. Grupo Servicio Móvil has
built its reputation on providing high
quality standards in the services they
deliver and in the service agreements
they negotiate. They rely on providing
minimum lead times to meet the
requirements of the markets served by
their customers.
Warehouse Automation
Italy’s Globalpesca
selects Dematic
Dematic was the right company to
partner with.”
Headquartered northwest of Milan
in Gravellona Toce, Italy’s Piedmont
region, Globalpesca SpA is a familyowned
business whose roots date
back nearly 125 years.
Dematic has recently completed
the final steps in installing and
commissioning a compact automation
solution featuring an AutoStore system
for Spanish 3PL Grupo Servicio Móvil.
The new solution manages the storage
of medical supplies for one of Madrid’s
largest hospitals.
The project represents an ongoing
collaboration between the two
companies dating back to 2012 when
Grupo Servicio Móvil became the first
company in Spain to install a Dematic
Multishuttle® system at its Negreira
site to serve healthcare customers in
the region.
The family-run company with
headquarters in northwestern Spain
has been a leading third-party logistics
supplier to the healthcare market in
Spain for more than 30 years and has
expanded its operations into national
governmental sectors and historic
For its healthcare customer in Madrid,
Grupo Servicio Móvil installed a
warehouse very close to the hospital,
which came at a premium real estate
cost, so an efficient, extremely compact
solution was a top priority. The energy
cost reductions associated with
AutoStore systems – the robots
utilise regenerative energy along
with warehouse lights-out operation
capabilities – are additional benefits.
To meet the needs of the hospital,
the 3PL healthcare specialist needed
to automate storage, retrieval and
sorting processes as well as improve
picking and sorting accuracies, which
would lead to improved inventory
management and order fulfilment.
Additionally, scalability to adapt to
changing business needs and growth
over time was also a requirement. The
Dematic solution covered each one of
these aspects.
www.dematic.com
Warehouse automation and software
specialist Dematic has recently signed
a contract with Globalpesca – a leading
Italian provider of frozen foods and food
services to the hotel, restaurant, and
catering industries – to ensure operational
efficiencies at a new low-temperature
warehouse for frozen goods.
“Important factors in our decision
process included knowing that
Dematic has many years of
experience developing automation
solutions for the hospitality and
catering industry and it has deep
experience in the storage of food
items at low temperatures,” explains
Andrea Ruffoni, the supply chain
director at Globalpesca, adding, “And
when it comes to stacker cranes
for pallets, we were confident that
Due to rapid growth in the hospitality
and catering industry in Italy, food
service companies must be able to
manage higher order volumes and
be prepared to continuously improve
service levels. Globalpesca recognised
that automation would support its
operations by bringing improvements
in two key areas: better planning and
managing of its inbound product
process and better handling in storage
and restocking of its picking areas.
The Dematic solution is going to be
installed in a new warehouse facility
adjacent to Globalpesca's distribution
centre in Gravellona Toce. The
solution calls for a self-supporting
structure designed to meet the load
and temperature requirements of the
warehouse, the second temperaturecontrolled
warehouse adjacent to the
distribution centre.
www.dematic.com
ABB automates warehouse operation in
instrumentation factory in Italy
From a manual activity to fully automated
warehouse operations, ABB has
completed the transformation of the
logistics operation at its instrumentation
factory on Lake Como in Italy. The upgrade
was aimed at improving logistics and
achieving overall operational efficiency.
By introducing a fully automated storage
and retrieval system, ABB has achieved
a 90% improvement in overall logistics
efficiency at the factory. Eliminating
manual handling has also reduced the time
required for final assembly of packages
by 30%. This improvement is critical since
the process handles one piece every three
minutes.
The solution consists of two ABB
OmniVance FlexBuffer systems
connected by a conveyor, each one
equipped with ABB robots to enable
efficient order handling. FlexBuffer allows
for easy transitions between buffering,
storing and sequencing tasks. It excels in
efficiently combining temporary storage
and sequencing functions, giving it a
competitive edge over traditional systems.
The mixed item variant of the FlexBuffer
enables the user to store a wide variety of
box sizes, all being handled with the same
robot gripper. Because of the dynamic
racking positions all boxes are stored with
minimal loss of space.
Adoption of the system has enhanced
working conditions for operators,
alleviating the physical strain associated
with manually handling heavy boxes. In
addition, the workforce was reallocated to
other manufacturing areas that required
additional manpower, giving the factory
a greater flexibility during production peaks.
go.abb/processautomation
www.abb.com
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22 13

Labelling
Focus Label Machinery Ltd
Focus Label Machinery Limited has been a
leader in label printing machines since 1981.
With over 40 years of experience, we design,
manufacture, and install all types of label printing
machines in-house, with training, servicing, spare
parts, and consumables provided. Our range
includes inline label printing machines, digital
inkjet and toner printing machines, heat transfer
printing machines, silk screen printing machines,
rewinding machines and finishing equipment.
The AccurioLabel 230 digital toner press from
Konica Minolta is available in the UK, through
Focus Label Machinery – an Accredited
Industrial Print Partner of Konica Minolta.
This cutting-edge technology also perfectly
complements the Focus Reflex range of digital
print finishing systems.
Do it yourself signs
and labelling using
Rebo Systems
For digitally printed web, the Reflex
330 Digital Finishing System provides
a fully comprehensive off-line finishing
solution. The Reflex 330 re-register
system is extremely accurate – even
at speeds well over 100 metres per
minute and includes the option for
semi-rotary or full rotary converting
for roll-to-roll or roll-to-sheet formats.
The versatile d-Flex digital hybrid
press incorporates the latest HiQ
1800dpi high-speed, full-colour
Konica Minolta inkjet technology
(CMYK + W), which has been cleverly
integrated into the existing Reflex
servo press with in-line UV or LED flexo print
heads, die-cutting, slitting and rewinding. High
quality variable images can be overprinted in
perfect register with UV or LED flexo ink, then
converted & rewound – in a single pass with
speeds up to 70 metres per minute.
The latest e-Flex twin servo flexo press with
automated pre-register functions can be
specified with multiple drying options, including
UV, LED, infra-red and chill rollers. The dual
servo system provides single touch set ups,
with minimal waste for conventional printing
and can be combined with a digital module for
variable data, text & images.
The touchscreen HMI operator controls
provide a fully programmable digital platform,
plus storage of job details for future retrieval
and are said to make the e-Flex, the most
effective, affordable servo-driven flexo/digital
combination press in the marketplace today.
The e-Flex incorporates top-loading print
cylinders and quick-change print cartridges to
reduce downtime and set-up wastage. A choice
of ultra-efficient interstation drying systems
enables much higher press speeds. The
short web-path allows for a compact design,
whilst still maintaining good accessibility for
the operator and plenty of space for optional
equipment. A rail system is available for
overhead press options, including delam/relam,
rotary cold foil transfer, silk screen, turn-bar, and
multi-layer re-register laminating.
T +44 (0)1949 836223
admin@focuslabel.com
www.focuslabel.com
Create anything
and everything
from a compact
desktop device. The SMS
R1 will print up to 14 colours,
in any size and any shape, in
any quantity and in up to 40
different material quantities.
From vehicle labelling, safety
signs and notices, mechanical
labels, process labels,
maintenance labels through
to cable and wire marking –
Rebo systems will cut your
costs and give you what
you want, when you want
it, in your quantity and in the
quality for your needs.
We have a comprehensive
range including the new SMS
R1, larger format systems and
fully portable systems.
Contact: clinton@rebo.nl or
info@rebo.nl.
T +31 3560 16941
rebosystems.com
14
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22

Labelling
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22 15

3D Printing
76 Additive invests in latest HP MultiJet
Fusion 5620
The 5620 is the very latest MultiJet
Fusion (MJF) printer from HP, installed
at 76 Additive’s new headquarters in
Cambridgeshire, an investment made
possible by the huge increase in demand
that 76 Additive has experienced in the past
18 months.
Rob Johnson, founder of 76 Additive, says,
“We’re all about production of end use parts
using industrial 3D printing technology. We
step in when our clients require the capacity,
surface finish, repeatability and lower
costs that their in-house printers cannot
achieve. MJF was developed from the
very beginning as an end use production
technology, our clients are regularly amazed
at what is possible.”
Reflecting on the 3D printing industry,
Rob says, “Unfortunately the 3D
printing industry, particularly the printer
manufacturers, has a bad name for
overselling itself, which is a shame
because it blinds potential customers
to the real benefits. Whether our clients
are experienced in 3D printing or new to
it, they deal directly with technicians and
designers that understand the technology
Revolutionary ultrafast
mould-making system to be
unveiled at world’s biggest
3D printing exhibition
Inventors of a revolutionary new
high-speed mould-making technology,
which uses a pin tool with 28,000 pins
to create a mould in around twenty
minutes, have announced they will
be unveiling it to the world for the first
time on November 19th at Formnext in
Frankfurt, Germany.
The PolyMorphic 28k consists of the
pin tool plus a forming machine into
which the pin tool is inserted. A 3D
CAD model of the mould to be formed
is used to move the pins into position.
The positioning of the pins is accurate
to within 0.1mm.
The product, designed by Fyous in
Sheffield, England, has been under
development for the last five years.
Once locked into position the pins
can withstand six tonnes of pressure,
making them perfect for use in vacuum
forming, composite layup, composite
bonding, workholding, and moulding
polyurethane (PU) products.
This ‘PolyMorphic TM moulding’ process
takes around twenty minutes, which
is about fourteen times faster that 3D
and will give them an honest appraisal of
whether it is correct for their requirements.
We have clients in industries such as
composites, motorsport, energy, medtech
and sporting goods which value our speed,
quality and value in the supply of their
custom enclosures, brackets, shrouds,
PCB mounts, cable management and full
products.”
printing for an equivalent sized part.
Critically, once the pin tool has been
used it can be reinserted into the
forming machine to create a new mould
shape with zero waste. There is no
need to store the mould, just the 3D
CAD model.
This new technology is set to
revolutionise the world of prototyping,
customisable production and complex
tool holding.
To find out more about Fyous, please
visit: https://fyous.com
With fast changing end customer
requirements and insecurity in the global
supply chain 76 Additive is sure that their
services have an important part to play.
Contact
T 01733 795676
additive@76projects.com
www.76additive.co.uk
Nano Dimension unveils
a 3D Printer for Micro
Applications at Formnext
Nano Dimension,
a leading supplier
of Additively
Manufactured
Electronics (‘AME’)
and multi-dimensional
polymer, metal &
ceramic Additive
Manufacturing (‘AM’)
3D printing solutions,
today announces the
launch of its Exa 250vx
Digital Light Processing
(DLP) 3D Printer for
micro applications.
Developed to enable
the creation of superior
resolution micro parts
at high production
throughput, the
high-speed Exa was
unveiled for the first time globally at
Formnext in Frankfurt, Germany (Hall 11,
Stand D22).
Designed using insights gathered from
users of Nano Dimension’s proven
and established Fabrica Tera and
Fabrica Giga systems, the Exa 250vx
has been engineered to deliver the
highest productivity in the industry
for exceptionally precise micro parts.
Built to support the demands of
service bureaus and OEMs alike, the
Exa 250vx Micro 3D
printer provides a reliable
and cost-effective
alternative to traditional
micro-manufacturing
methods, including
micro-injection molding
and micro-CNC.
Leveraging resin-based
DLP technology to
achieve precise layer
heights and exceptional
surface finishes, the Exa
is an ideal solution to
meet the exacting needs
of manufacturers across
an array of vertical
sectors and applications.
These include
connectors and other
miniaturized components for electronic
devices; medical devices like micro
needles, micro filters, and components
for minimally invasive surgeries; plus
applications for optical uses and
micro-decorative items – including gold
coated – for the jewelry sector.
Available now for pre-order, the Exa is
set to ship in Q2 2025.
For more information, please visit:
www.nano-di.com
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22 17

Robotics
GelSight and
Flexxbotics partner
Flexxbotics, delivering digital solutions
for robot-driven manufacturing
at scale, today announced a new
partnership with GelSight, a pioneer
in tactile intelligence technology, to
provide a joint solution for robotenabled
nondestructive testing (NDT)
with autonomous process control.
The joint solution incorporates
GelSight’s tactile sensing technology
into Flexxbotics for advanced robotic
machine tending with highly precise
quality inspection and digital thread
traceability that reduces time-toinspect
by 40% or more.
Next generation smart factories
– in aerospace, defence, medical
devices, automotive and other
industries where measurement
accuracy is critical in tight tolerance
processing – can now utilise industrial
robots and collaborative robots to
dramatically speed up inspection
processes, increase throughput, and
improve margins. GelSight’s unique
technology uses 3D imaging to map
surface finish and defects on any
material, anywhere at the micron level.
By robot-enabling GelSight’s tactile
sensing devices with Flexxbotics,
companies can rapidly perform
hundreds of precision measurements
Recycleye wins
FANUC award
FANUC UK has underlined
its commitment to
AI-powered robotic
waste picking
company Recycleye
by extending its
exclusive UK deal with
the tech innovator, as
well as internationally
recognising its
achievements at the
FANUC Global Partner
Awards. The event, which took place
in Japan in November 2023, saw
Recycleye win one of seven Global
Partner Awards for Innovation. In
further evidence of FANUC’s faith
in Recycleye’s technology, the two
companies have recently extended
their exclusivity agreement, meaning
that Recycleye remains the only UK
company that FANUC UK supply to
for recycling applications. Recycleye
will also continue to benefit from a
commercial and technical partnership
with FANUC throughout its current
phase of growth and development.
Founded in London in 2019 with just
four members of staff, Recycleye now
employs over 50 people and is the
European leader in AI/robotic waste
picking technology. It has an installed
base of more than 25 systems across
the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain
during processing on the production
line, as opposed to transporting parts
to specialised lab equipment or relying
on outside laboratory services.
Flexxbotics provides interoperable
communication between the robots
and GelSight devices coordinating the
entire process and connecting directly
with existing business systems in
the plant including the CAD/PLM,
QMS, IIoT and others for closedloop
quality compliance. Geometric
Dimensioning and Tolerancing
(GD&T) for each part is automatically
fed by Flexxbotics directly into the
robot and GelSight programs assuring
critical characteristic measurement
integrity with inspection results
collected for nonconformance
tracking and analysis.
https://gelsight.com/products
https://flexxbotics.com/solutions
and Germany, where its
technology is helping to
revolutionise the waste
sector by automating
the detection and
sorting of mixed
recyclables. FANUC
has been instrumental
to the company’s
rapid success since day
one, working closely as
a strategic partner to de-risk
Recycleye’s offering to the market.
Combining its proprietary AI vision
technology with FANUC 6-axis LR
Mate robots, the Recycleye Robotics
system increases sorting accuracy by
up to 12% and improves line output by
up to 10%, helping waste operators to
boost their bottom line and providing a
solution to ongoing labour shortages
in the waste management industry.
At the FANUC Global Partner Awards
ceremony, the company was praised
for its commitment to innovation,
moving from a start-up business
to a recognised leader in AI waste
sortation in just four years. The
judging panel also praised the ability
of the Recycleye system to be rapidly
retrofitted into existing waste facilities.
https://youtu.be/patUAq1Yg58
www.fanuc.eu/uk/en
Flexxbotics publishes
new white paper on
Autonomous Process
Control (APC)
Flexxbotics, delivering
digital solutions
for robot-driven
manufacturing at scale,
today announced
the publication of
a new white paper
titled Autonomous
Process Control (APC)
using Robots and
Automated Inspection
in Manufacturing.
The paper identifies
the methodology
and related technologies required
for APC in the context of smart
factory production robotics, a pivotal
technology for achieving autonomous
manufacturing. The paper also explains
how improved nonconformance
capture can reduce defects by over
30%, increase production yields
between 25-45% depending on the
nature of the process, and reduce the
Cost of Quality by 20% or more leading
to significant EBITDA improvements.
Over past decades, manufacturing has
evolved significantly with advancements
in production automation. The
Schneider Electric
increases productivity
Schneider Electric, the global
industrial technology leader, recently
launched its the new ultra-compact
Lexium Scara (Selective Compliance
Assembly Robot Arm), a high-speed
industrial robot, part of its industrial
automation portfolio.
Deployable across several industries
including battery manufacturing,
electronics, warehousing, & consumer
packaging goods, the Lexium SCARA
offers quick and accurate movements.
This makes it ideal for use in
manufacturing and assembly processes
including machine loading and
unloading, pick-and-place, packaging
and material handling applications.
40% smaller in size than other robots
in the same category, it is a costeffective
operation that optimises
floor space utilisation, automating
repetitive tasks to drive production line
efficiency.
Fully able to integrate with a unified
control system, when combined with
our EcoStruxure Machine Expert
Twin digital twin solution, it can also
be virtually designed and tested prior
to implementation, helping to reduce
CAPEX and OPEX costs and prevent
project scheduling issues and budget
overruns.
conventional factory automation
approach is reliant on highly skilled
engineers and operator involvement
to maintain process capability and
consistency. Today, factory automation
is being transformed by robotics and
standardised digital solutions designed
for increasing levels of autonomy in
order to address the cost pressures
associated with reshoring, supply chain
restructuring, and labour shortages.
Autonomous Process Control
(APC) using Robots and Automated
Inspection in Manufacturing
white paper download:
https://flexxboticsinc.com/1apcpr
The Lexium Scara boasts one of the
largest work areas (40% longer z-arm
stroke than other products in its class
on the market) within the smallest
Scara robot footprint available (40%
smaller than other products in its class
on the market). These ultra-compact
robots maximise valuable floor
space, minimise mounting space and
electrical cabinet while offering high
speed and accuracy. It can lead to cost
savings and minimising the need for
expensive facility modifications.
With integrated motors and a built-in
controller, the Lexium Scara simplifies
installation, reduces wiring, saves
space, and improves performance due
to shorter cable runs. Additionally, it
simplifies integration without requiring
specialised robotics knowledge,
allowing operators to change settings
easily.
www.se.com
18
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22

Robotics
The rise of robotics and automated
dispensing within the food and beverage
industry and how Quantex plays a part
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics is
becoming more common, especially within the food and
beverage industry which is undergoing a technological
revolution. With this in mind, we’ve seen a rise in inquiries
about how our Quantex pumps can seamlessly integrate
with robotics and automatic dispensing machinery
as manufacturers look for a way to drive innovation,
streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and elevate the
customer experience. From mass-produced ready-meals,
beverage makers, drink dispensing, and fast-food chains
to fine dining establishments, businesses are increasingly
turning to robotics and automated dispensing.
Why robotics and automated dispensing in the food
and beverage industry?
Robotics aren’t a new concept, the first true industrial
robot was created using the Meccano model
construction system in the 1930s, however, in the early
2000s, humans started to digitally program industrial
robots with artificial intelligence, which paved the way
for the use of robotics in industry and manufacture.
These days, robotics and automated dispensing are
starting to be seamlessly integrated into many forms
of manufacture, specifically within the production of
food and beverage for a variety of reasons, including:
u Increased efficiency: Robots can work tirelessly,
24/7, with minimal breaks or downtime and can
significantly boost productivity.
u Improved consistency: Robotic systems deliver
precise and consistent results, ensuring that every
dish or drink made will meet the predetermined
quality standards.
u Enhanced safety: Automation reduces the risk of
accidents and injuries associated with repetitive
tasks and handling hot surfaces.
u Cost reduction: While initial investment costs may
be higher, long-term savings can be made through
reduced labour expenses and minimised error or
product waste.
u Customer satisfaction: Using robotics and
automated dispensing means faster service
times, consistent quality, and innovative food
presentations which can lead to higher customer
satisfaction and loyalty.
u Targeting KPIs and tracking: By using a system
that promotes the same response repeatedly, it
makes it easier for organisations to predict what
the output would be as there’s minimal risk of
variation – this means KPIs and trends can be
accurately tracked and monitored.
How robotics and automated
dispensing is transforming
food and beverage
dispensing
Certain industries lend
themselves easily to the rise
of robotics and automated
dispensing – the food and
beverage industry being one
of them. There is a whole
range of potential applications
including:
1) Automated dispensing machines: These
machines are often found in convenience stores,
petrol stations, and fast-food restaurants. They
utilise robotics and automated dispensing by
supplying a precise dispensing system to deliver
a variety of food and beverage items quickly,
without the need for human input.
2) Robotic cooks: Advanced robotic systems (such
as the Moley, B-Air Kitchen) can prepare complex
dishes, from curry, stir fry, pasta and even risotto,
with remarkable precision and speed. It’s the
‘world’s first robotic chef and intelligent RFIDenhanced
IoT kitchen system.’
3) Food delivery robots: Autonomous robots
are being deployed to deliver food directly to
customers, as operated in Milton Keynes by
Starship Technologies. They have streamlined
the delivery process and reduced labour costs.
4) Entertainment: Some restaurants and bars have
started to ‘employ’ automated robotic bartenders,
mainly as an aesthetic and to provide an additional
layer of entertainment for their patrons. These
bartenders can mix pre-set qualities of drink, mix
and serve accurately.
5) Agriculture: Robots can plant, identify, and sort
seeds. They can also assess crops and their
habitats for disease, pests, or yield, and in some
cases, provide a remedy to a potential problem e.g.
spraying plants with pesticides should greenflies
be discovered.
6) Food and drink packaging: When it comes to
speed, efficiency and accuracy, robotics and
automation dispensing machines are perfect – they
can open, fill or dose, pack, seal, and label packages
within seconds and at the ease of a button.
7) Food sanitation, preparation and processing:
Especially within the food and beverage industry,
sanitation of the product and equipment takes top
priority to ensure the cleanliness and quality of
the product. Robots and automated dispensing
machines are being used as they can endure harsher
environments than humans (such as staying within
cold rooms where bacteria and infection can’t survive
for prolonged periods). By guaranteeing efficient and
accurate dosing, robotics and automated dispensing
ensure any food and beverage
served is consistently at the
correct measurement.
The role of Quantex Pumps in
automated dispensing
Quantex pumps are already a
critical component for many
automated dispensing machines,
including the Linstream/Cobell
Juice Machine, Freshblends
self-serve frozen beverages platform and can easily
handle concentrates for post-mix soft and alcoholic
drink dispensing machines.
Pumps without an integrated Quantex pump, however,
often come with multiple pain points due to the upkeep
required of the robotics and automated dispensing
machines themselves as discussed in our blog ‘Top 10
Business Benefits of Refillable Drinks and Bulk-refill.’
Managing thick viscous products in the food and
beverage industry
Quantex pumps are particularly recognised for their
ability to handle highly viscous solutions (including
melted chocolate, condiments (i.e. ketchup and
mayonnaise) and yoghurt) In fact, the Quantex
QX25-HP pump can pull an impressive -7 psig vacuum
and revolutionises the positioning of the disposable
pump in relation to the liquid packs (the pump can
often be positioned above, below, to the side) keeping
the same level of viscous suction power.
The video shows Quantex dispensing extremely
viscous Nivea cream: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=5uMeXor0pls
Here is a Quantex Bag In Box Eco High-Speed
Pump dispensing viscous Ketchup and Mayonnaise:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QThfw5a_vhI
The future of the foodservice
As technology continues to advance, we can expect to
see even more innovative applications of robotics and
automated dispensing within the food and beverage
industry. From fully automated kitchens to personalised
dining experiences and consumer-controlled dosing,
the possibilities are endless. By embracing automation
and leveraging advanced technologies like Quantex
pumps, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and
deliver exceptional food, drinks and service.
If you’d like to discuss how a Quantex
pump could work for you, please visit:
https://www.psgdover.com, email:
quantex-info@psgdover.com or call:
+49 (2065) 89205-0.
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22 19

Food & Drink Packaging
Beatson Clark: New glass
packaging decorating service
During London Packaging Week last September,
Beatson Clark launched its brand-new glass
packaging decorating service. Glass packaging
can be spray-painted any colour, with stunning
opaque, frosted, vignette, glitter and pearlescent
effects. Thanks to innovative technology, the
decorating plant utilises an electrostatic disc and
spray gun technique to achieve colourful finishes.
The premium water-based paint range includes
high gloss through to full matt, in a wide choice of
translucency levels and can be colour-paired for
each order.
That’s not all. UV rays can change the colour and
flavours of food products and cause light strikes
in beer. Beatson Clark have come up with an easy
solution: UV coating can be sprayed to glass
packaging to protect delicate food, beverage and
pharmaceutical products from these harmful UV rays.
The flexible service can also decorate glass
containers provided directly by customers, in
addition to a wide selection of in-house bottles
and jars.
Distinguished history
Beatson Clark was established in Rotherham
in 1751, over 270 years ago. Today, the familyowned
company remains on the site of the
original glassworks on Greasbrough Road in
Rotherham and is the only independently owned
UK manufacturer of glass containers.
Packaging for a growing global market
The food sector has cornered the lion’s share of
Beatson Clark’s output, with supermarket own
spice and condiment brands supplied, in addition
to more boutique, niche lines. However, breweries
and pharmaceutical manufacturers are particularly
fond of amber glass. This offers multiple benefits
such as UV protection, extended shelf life of
products and preventing chemical leaching, “An
increased demand for glass bottles and jars
containing a high proportion of recycled materials
has opened up the spirit market to us.”
“On average, our white flint glass containers are
made of over 36% post-consumer recycled glass,
while the figure for our amber glass is over 56%”
explained Charlotte Pike, Marketing Manager at
Beatson Clark.
Embedded sustainability practices
“Beatson Clark has invested heavily in two
low-emission regenerative furnaces and energyefficient
compressors.”
“Our regenerative furnaces reuse waste heat,
cutting the amount of energy needed to achieve
the correct temperature by approximately 15% and
thereby reducing our emissions. The electrical
boost in our amber furnace helps melt the batch
more efficiently, reducing the fossil fuel used by
approximately 10%.” adds Charlotte.
Beatson Clark’s IS machines are now running
with servo electro mechanisms – reducing the
compressed air consumption by over 10%.
“Our on-site recycling plant generates the
majority of our post-consumer recycled glass
(cullet). Using magnets, manual and vacuum
systems, and advanced optical sorters, we
process approximately 44,000 tonnes of waste
glass each year which is recovered from kerbside
collections, bottle banks and the hospitality trade.
This is then melted in our furnaces and made into
new bottles and jars.”
Trends in glass packaging
“A demand for high levels of recycled glass
content continues to be a trend in the food and
drink sector. The food sector seems to be leaning
towards deep twist off necks with a straight sided,
cylindrical design which gives a sleek and modern
appearance to a glass container.”
“Glass is safe: it’s inert, and it’s the only
mainstream packaging material that does not
need an additional layer to be safe for food and
drink, exempt from REACH registration.”
For more information, click here:
www.beatsonclark.co.uk
20
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Hinojosa returns to
Seafood with 100%
sustainable solutions
for the fishing industry
With more than 75 years of
experience in the fisheries sector,
Hinojosa Packaging Group returns to
Seafood Expo Global from 23rd-25th
April in Barcelona. After the success
achieved in 2023, the company
remains committed to innovation and
sustainability in its development of
products for this industry.
Hinojosa, recognised for its
innovative approach and contribution
to sustainable consumption, has
extensive experience as a producer
of packaging for the fisheries sector.
It is the Valladolid plant that will be
presenting these solutions in
Barcelona. 100% recyclable and
of renewable origin, they have
been designed to improve the
conservation and good condition
of the food, thus preventing it
from spoiling and going to waste.
Hinojosa will exhibit various
innovative box formats that have
been optimised for the entire chain
of the fish and seafood industry,
from producers to large retailers.
This type of packaging developed
at the Valladolid plant is able to
withstand about 40 to 50 days at sea,
travelling long distances by boat at
temperatures ranging from 80 to -45
degrees, and in conditions of 99.9%
humidity. Its capacity for endurance
and adaptability is precisely what
makes this type of packaging an
essential choice for fish and seafood,
guaranteeing their freshness and
quality from moment they are caught
to the tables of consumers in different
parts of the world.
Contact
https://hinojosagroup.com/en
Food & Drink Packaging
Goodbye fishbones:
Anritsu’s new X-ray
technology eradicates
tiny contaminants
Anritsu Ltd, a global leader in food
inspection technology, has
launched its class-leading
X-ray inspection equipment,
the brand new
XR75 DualX+ to
the global fish
processing market.
This comes hot on
the heels of its highly
successful introduction
to the poultry sector.
The launch of the XR75
DualX+ brings cutting-edge
technology to a global market worth
$624bn in 2023. Its photon counting
technology, powered by a unique
algorithm specifically targeting low
density contaminants such as
fishbones, returns manifestly sharper
images, delivering superior detection
capabilities and lower false rejection
rates. The new dual energy sensor
breaks the limits of conventional
detection performance, offering
unmatched product safety for hugely
popular fish products including
salmon, tuna, shredded fish,
block fish and many more.
The XR75 DualX+ is also ideal
for detecting poultry
bones and other
fine fragments.
Recalibrated to
work with thicker
products and those
with highly uneven
surfaces, the sensor’s
improved sensitivity
detects tiny bones, fine metals and
low-density contaminants. It reliably
detects the most miniscule of
contaminants and surpasses stringent
worldwide hygiene standards.
The company anticipates that
releasing the DualX+ to the global
fish processing industry will see a
positive spike in detections resulting
in a marked increase in consumer
safety and product quality.
For more information, please visit:
www.anritsu.com
The canning, bottling & packaging specialist
The 100 cartons per minute
wraparound cartonner can handle
both corrugated and kraft board in
less than 8 metres. Typically used
in the beverage industry it also has
application in the food industry for
cans. The high speed machine is just
one of the solutions that Enterprise
supply from Baumer of Modena.
The range includes equipment to
pack bottles, cans, jars, soft packs,
and single serve cartons into tray
and film or wrapround cartons from
20-100 packs per minute and every
size in between! The optional unique
continuous motion 90 degree infeed
system also solves many container
handling issues as does a top tray
applicator. With more than 50 patents
Baumer is one of the leaders in this
sector so we are sure to have a
solution for you.
Other new products are can filling
for both carbonated and hot filling of
juices on the same machine as well as
a range of container drying equipment
that rotate the containers for maximum
effect. We also have a new range
of compact depalletiser and robotic
mini palletisers for small spaces and
lower outputs that save you labour as
increasing line efficiency.
Another new product is an electrically
heated mobile CIP set that allows even
small producers to have an effective
cleaning operation for product integrity.
In addition, we have all types of labelling
and conveying for a complete line supply.
Visit: www.enterprisetondelli.co.uk or
call: 01525 718288 and see how we
can help you.
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Food & Drink Packaging
Crafting the perfect pouch
When it comes to innovative packaging
solutions, the relationship between Myco and
National Flexible is a prime example of what
can be achieved through trust, collaboration,
and expertise. Myco has always been at
the forefront of the plant-based revolution,
delivering products that are not only delicious
but also sustainable. With the rising demand for
their Hooba mince, Myco needed a packaging
solution that would reflect the quality and
innovation of their product. Naturally, they
turned to National Flexible, a partner they
have trusted for years.
A pioneering company, dedicated to
revolutionising plant-based nutrition through
an emphasis on taste, texture, and
environmental sustainability, Myco’s ethos
centres on creating delicious, satisfying food
that mirrors the flavours and textures of
traditional meat products while prioritizing the
health of our planet. By leveraging innovative
food science and sustainable practices, Myco
Foods aims to provide high-quality, eco-friendly
alternatives that delight the palate and support a
more sustainable future.
Our relationship with Myco has been built on a
foundation of reliability, creativity, and a deep
understanding of their brand ethos. When Myco
approached us for a solution to showcase their
Hooba mince, we were super excited to take on
the challenge.
Hooba mince, like all Myco’s products, is a
symbol of the future of food – sustainable,
plant-based, and full of flavour. The packaging
needed to not only protect the product but
also convey its premium quality and appeal to
environmentally conscious consumers. Myco
was looking for a unique and eye-catching
pouch that would stand out on the shelves,
effectively communicate the brand’s message,
and maintain the freshness of the mince.
Our team of experts immediately got to work,
bringing our wealth of experience in flexible
packaging to the table. The goal was to create
a patterned lacquer pouch that was not only
functional but also showed off the visually
striking design.
Our solution was a custom-designed patterned
lacquer pouch that perfectly aligned with Myco’s
brand identity. The pouch features a distinctive
colourful pattern that really catches the eye,
making it easy for consumers to spot Hooba
mince among the many products on the shelf.
The lacquer finish adds a touch of elegance,
while also providing additional protection to
ensure the product’s freshness.
The process of creating this pouch
was a collaborative effort. Myco’s
team provided insights into their brand
and customer base, while National
Flexible’s experts focused on the
technical aspects of the design and
production. We worked closely with
Myco to ensure that every detail was
perfect, from the material selection to
the final print.
The result is a packaging solution
that not only meets but exceeds
Myco’s expectations. The patterned
lacquer pouch is not just a protective
container; it’s a reflection of
Myco’s commitment to quality and
sustainability. The pouch’s unique
design helps the Hooba mince stand
out, making it easier for consumers to choose a
product that aligns with their values.
The success of this project is a testament to the
strong relationship between Myco and National
Flexible. Our ability to understand Myco’s needs
and deliver a solution that perfectly aligns with
their brand is why they continue to trust us with
their packaging requirements.
At National Flexible, we pride ourselves on our
ability to provide bespoke packaging solutions
that meet the unique needs of each client. The
project with Myco is just one example of how
we bring our expertise to the table, ensuring that
our clients can showcase their products in the
best possible light.
As Myco continues to grow and innovate in
the plant-based food sector, we look forward
to many more years of collaboration, providing
them with packaging solutions that help them
succeed in a competitive market.
The patterned lacquer pouch for Hooba mince is
more than just packaging – it’s a symbol of the
partnership between Myco and National Flexible.
Together, we have created a product that not only
protects and preserves but also elevates the brand,
helping Myco to continue its mission of providing
sustainable, plant-based food to the world.
National Flexible is proud to be a trusted partner
of Myco, and we are excited to see what the
future holds for our collaboration.
T 01274 685566
marketing@nationalflexible.net
https://www.nationalflexible.co.uk
https://www.mycofoods.co.uk
22
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Environmentally-friendly tamper
evident packaging made in the UK
Viscose Closures is the leading UK
manufacturer of tamper evident
bands and shrink sleeves designed
to protect your products from
contamination and counterfeiting.
With over 125 years of experience in
the industry, Viscose Closures hold
an excellent partnership record of working
with industry professionals from artisan producers
to contract packers of leading brands, supermarkets
that use their own branded labels, as well as those
involved in the life science industry.
Plastic-Free Shrink Sleeves are the latest eco-friendly
packaging solution when it comes to securely sealing
your containers and bottles. Made from wood pulp,
these sleeves are home compostable, and can
decompose in soil within four months. The sleeves are
ideal for food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals, and
ensure the highest-level of product safety and integrity.
They are available in diameters of 18mm-100mm, a
variety of colours, and can also be
printed with your own logo.
You may also be interested in
Viscose’s Heat Shrink product
range consisting of sleeves,
capsules and transparent open
top capsules. This range is secure
and reliable and can be used across various industries.
Each product meets industry standards and provides
efficient packaging solutions.
Since the company was founded in 1892, their
customers have always been at the core of everything
they do. Operating out of its Swansea based factory for
over 70 years, Viscose is a trusted name in the industry
serving a diverse range of customers around the world.
For more information, please see below:
T 01792 796393
hello@viscose.co.uk
https://www.viscoseclosures.com
Vikings and Goddesses adopts
compostable packaging
Vikings and Goddesses is a Minnesota-based,
wholesale bakery that supplies over 30 restaurants,
coffee shops, and grocery stores with a variety of
baked goods and desserts. During the pandemic, they
developed a line of frozen products to bring homemade
bakery quality and perfection to home ovens.
Since their opening in 2019, the company’s number
one priority has been growing a sustainable business,
with meaningful employment and liveable wages, while
making a high-quality product for consumers. Over the
last year, 80% of the waste produced by the bakery
has been diverted from the landfill, and either recycled
or commercially composted. Vikings and Goddesses
also pride themselves on sourcing products locally
to support other small-business owners, and in turn,
minimise their carbon footprint.
In line with their
sustainability values
and consumer demand,
Vikings and Goddesses
has now chosen a new
compostable packaging
sourced from Elk
Packaging. The highperformance
structure includes a high barrier cellulose
film layer, NatureFlex film sourced from Futamura,
laminated to a biofilm ensuring a hermetic seal. This
final structure is independently certified compostable
by BPI, proving that it will compost in a commercial
compost setting.
Contact
www.futamuragroup.com
Specialist manufacturers of bespoke
packaging and paper converters
Food & Drink Packaging
Versatile
Packaging
Research
suggests
that as
much as
931 million
tonnes
of food is
wasted
globally and
much of this
can happen
before products even hit the shelves. Food waste
has at least ten times the environmental impact of
packaging waste so as a sustainable packaging
provider, it is important for Versatile Packaging to
offer truly sustainable packaging solutions.
Versatile Packaging, are the only packaging supplier
in Ireland offering the complete Packaging Solution –
packaging materials, machinery, lidding films, RRP etc
– that has both: Storage & Distribution and Packaging
& Packaging Materials accreditations, ensuring that
their products are of the highest quality.
Sustainability and Quality verification through
third-party assessments is essential for companies
aligning to green development, providing a
benchmark and guidance on how to improve
performance even further.
Richard Mulligan, Managing Director of Versatile
Packaging, said, “It is increasingly important for us to
assist processors and retailers with ways they can
strengthen food systems by improving food safety,
extending shelf-life and ultimately reducing food waste.”
In the food industry, to include low-carbon packages,
supplied by producers with sustainability and quality
high on the agenda, has grown to become one of
the most significant factors of adopting sustainable
development practices, during recent years.
T +353 47 85177
sales@versatilepackaging.ie
www.versatilepackaging.ie
As specialist manufacturers of bespoke packaging
and paper converters, Bartec Paper & Packaging
Ltd provide bespoke packaging solutions to a
range of sectors including Confectionery, Dairy,
Delicatessen, Non-Food and Retail.
Whether Greaseproof paper, Waxed paper,
Glassine, Cushion Pads or Die cut shapes,
Customers from all over the UK and indeed around
the world Trust Bartec with their packaging needs.
With an eye on the future, 2024 has seen
investment made in the form of a platen press
and new high speed sheeter being added to the
machinery repertoire in recent months to enable
them to increase production capacities and
efficiency going forward.
Bartec exhibited at both the Farm Shop and Deli
and Responsible Packaging Expo in 2024 both of
which they will return to as exhibitors in 2025.
If you have any bespoke packaging needs, Bartec
are your go to company – Rated ‘AA’ BRCGS
and fully FSC accredited, they work to the highest
standards
in both
product
and
service whether you are a small business or multinational
company your needs will be catered for by
their expert team!
For more information, please see below:
T 01606 354664
sales@bartecpackaging.co.uk
https://bartecpackaging.co.uk
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Storage
Recontainers Ltd: Reconditioned IBC Suppliers
Recontainers Ltd specialises in the buying, selling
and cleaning of empty hazardous and non-hazardous
chemical containers.
Based in Lancashire, and established in 1991, our familyrun
business is committed to actively enabling the
reuse of chemical containers, expanding their lifespan
and reducing waste to the environment, as highlighted
by our ISO accreditations 45001, 9001, and 14001.
We buy and sell reconditioned IBCs (intermediate bulk
containers) in different specifications (grade, pallet
base, bottle colour, and whether the container is UNcertified
or non-UN certificated). We also offer an IBC
reconditioning (wash and return) service. This is also true
of secondhand drums such as l-rings and steel drums.
Our rapid growth is testament to our team’s absolute
dedication in serving our customers with fast,
professional and friendly service, at competitive rates.
We work closely with our suppliers to encourage
sustainability, whilst ensuring we provide a high-quality
service to sell on these products to our customers. Our
part in this vast supply chain allows us to contribute to
the growing circular economy, one day at a time.
Recontainers Ltd also has an online shop facility for
trade or consumers (with bulk orders possible via
request). Three of the best sellers include:
u Grade 1 Clear Reconditioned 1,000L IBC on Metal/
Plastic Pallet (Non-UN)
u IBC Weatherproof Cover & UV protection 1,000L
u Grade 2 Clear Reconditioned 1,000L IBC on Metal/
Plastic Pallet (Non-UN)
After a successful event at the CHEMUK exhibition
last year, we will be exhibiting again in May on stand
G120. Come visit us!
If you have IBCs you wish to sell or have cleaned,
or even wish to buy IBCs, get in contact today:
T 01706 211112
www.recontainers.co.uk
Cantilever racking for
prefabricated house
manufacturer Marles
The Slovenian prefabricated house
manufacturer Marles has installed
around 442 metres of cantilever
racking from OHRA in the outdoor
area in order to reliably supply its
production with construction timber.
Compared to the previous storage on
concrete blocks, the company was
able to significantly increase its storage
capacity and considerably simplify the
handling of the beams, which are up to
13 metres long.
The location in the heart of the Bacher
Mountains (Pohorje in Slovenian)
posed increased challenges: Floor
gradients of 3% in places, large
amounts of snow and strong winds
had to be taken into account when
planning the racking system.
Marles is one of the leading suppliers
of prefabricated timber buildings in
Europe. As the largest Slovenian
manufacturer, it stands for modernity
and excellence. Our innovative
engineering solutions contribute to
progress in the industry and promote
sustainable living with the development
of climate-positive and energy-efficient
buildings. The detached houses,
apartment blocks and commercial
buildings combine a high level of
sustainability, energy efficiency and
short construction times.
All prefabricated elements are
manufactured in the company's own
production facilities, including the
Lovrenc site in the Bacher Mountains.
The structural timber required for
production was previously stored
outside in the form of bundles between
2.5 & 13 metres long on concrete
blocks – protected from the weather by
a removable roof. However, this form
of storage took up a lot of space and
made it difficult to access individual
elements quickly. In addition, the
timbers were repeatedly damaged.
https://youtu.be/0CPmLdm9gK0
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Packaging Machinery
Kongsberg PCS launches
new MultiCam router
YSTRAL Coflow: New
continuous disperser
Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems
(Kongsberg PCS) has recently
showcased its latest innovations at
the PRINTING United expo, elevating
standards for superior routing with the
launch of the new MultiCam Apex3R
Evo and giving an American debut to
its award-winning Kongsberg Ultimate
digital cutting system.
The reveal of these latest advances
in technology underlines Kongsberg
PCS’ commitment to developing
solutions that address pain points
for rigid sign makers and corrugated
converters and help businesses to
maximise productivity and quality.
“As we celebrate 35 years of
MultiCam success, we are thrilled to
be unveiling the new Apex3R Evo
at PRINTING United,” said Matt
Thackray, VP & General Manager
of Kongsberg PCS operations in
America. “Engineered for a broad array
of applications, this latest evolution of
our flagship machine signals a new era
in high-performance routing capabilities.
With its perfect balance between
performance and precision, it sets a
new standard for routers, combining
incredible versatility with superior
precision, all at a competitive price.”
The Apex3R Evo also features a
newly designed condensed knife
system, upgraded tapping features
to simplify and streamline production,
and an improved dust boot providing
better particulate pick-up and
operator-friendly quick-change
bristles or glide pad. The new surface
probe can also measure dimensions,
tolerances, and surface finish of
the workpiece, detect changes or
errors, and help with complex curved
surfaces. Collet and ATC spindle
options range from an impressive
24-32K RPM and up to 13.3 HP,
making the Apex3R Evo suitable for
a wide range of jobs using different
tools and materials.
Contact
www.multicam.com
www.kongsbergsystems.com
The German mixing and dispersion
technology specialist ystral extends
its machine portfolio with the
YSTRAL Coflow, a continuously
operating powder wetting and
dispersing machine. ystral is
represented in the UK by S3
Process Limited.
With the YSTRAL Coflow,
powdered solids are inducted,
mixed and dispersed into liquid
streams in a controlled way and
in proportion to quantity via
volumetric or gravimetric solid
dosing systems. The product is
subjected to a pressure increase
via an inducer installed between the
premixing zone and the rotor-stator
zone, which causes separation of
the air inducted with the powder,
thus resulting in a lower residual air
content in the product. In addition,
this inducer is used as axial
pumping stage, to be able to also
process more viscous products
and then pump them from the
dispersing stage.
The continuously operating powder
wetting and dispersing machine
YSTRAL Coflow is suitable for
a broad range of applications in
Photo Credits: ystral
different industries. The focus here
is on products which are produced
in large series.
For more information on YSTRAL,
contact the regional UK office
(S3 Process Limited) in Derbyshire:
T 0845 505 3530
info@s3process.co.uk
http://www.s3process.co.uk
More about YSTRAL Coflow at:
https://ystral.com/en/machines/
inline-dispersers/coflow
Gainsborough Engineering
Situated in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire,
Gainsborough Engineering Company
Ltd was founded over 55 years ago
and manufacture high quality vertical
form fill seal and film feed stand up
pouch machines for a variety of
industries.
Machines within the Vertical Form Fill
and Seal range can produce bag widths
between 50mm to 600mm. Pillow
pack, gusseted, block bottom and four
corner seal formats are all achievable.
Other options available include: gas
flushing, euroslots, tear notches, carry
handles & air relief holes.
Options of standard intermittent
pneumatic operated jaws as well as
full servo driven and continuous film
feed machines which allow speeds of
up to 140 packs per minute dependent
on film, product and feed system are
available.
The GHP250 stand up pouch machine
produces pouches up to 250mm wide
from reel film. Creating packs from reels
of film allows the customer to be in
charge of their own quality and saves
money against purchasing pre-made
pouches.
Working with other trusted UK based
machine manufacturers, Gainsborough
Engineering can provide full turnkey
solutions tailored to suit the customers
working practices and products.
Producing manufacturing lines for our
customers from product feed to end of
line and everything in-between.
T 01427 617677
M 07767 307091
sales@gains-eng.co.uk
www.gains-eng.co.uk
26
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Packaging Machinery
CKF Systems install
Standard Robot
Palletising cell
CKF’s latest standard robotic
palletising system is now operational at
Vandemoortele – a leading European
food group that manufactures and sells
high quality food products.
The new standard palletiser is one in
a range of Standard Palletising cells
offered by CKF and has been installed
in the company’s Worcester plant.
CKF’s range of Standard Palletising
cells are quick to install, easy to
use, economic and flexible, offering
the ability to be reconfigured and
expanded.
This low-cost simple palletising system
is based on the Yaskawa PL80 robot
and CKF’s standard 24 Vdc ‘CRC’ case
conveyor system.
The robot cell has been designed so
it can be mechanically located and
installed with minimal interruption to
production due to the innovative plinth
that allows the robot and all ancillary
elements to be installed and tied back
to the main system structure.
The palletising system has been
produced with the Yaskawa Pallet
Solver software at its core which
allows for fast commissioning and
flexibility to introduce new pallet
patterns as and when required with
minimal specialist training. Suitably
familiar operators/site engineers will be
able to create new pallet patterns on
the local HMI screen.
To find out more about CKF and the
Standard Palletising range, please get
in touch with us on: info@ckf.co.uk or
+44 (0)1452 728753.
Volkmann UK supplies
the optimum solution
Clean, efficient
& secure
handling of bulk
material with
Volkmann UK
In the world
of industrial
efficiency,
every
second and
every grain
of material counts. That’s where
Volkmann steps in, redefining the
way bulk materials are transferred
with cutting-edge vacuum conveying
systems. Volkmann’s industry-leading
technology and precision-engineered
equipment means businesses achieve
significant cost savings, reduced
material loss, and improved overall
productivity. When efficiency matters,
Volkmann provides the smarter
solution.
Due to constant development and
improvement in technology, removal
of explosion risks and with a focus
on good hygienic solutions, Vacuum
Conveyors today are a preferred choice
in many industries. They can transfer
nano-sized material and fine dust
with particles size from 0.1µm up to
bigger sized pellets, tablets, sweets,
or bottle caps, for example. Alongside
bulk material transfer, Volkmann also
create the
most effective
product
feeding
stations.
Ensuring
trouble-free
product
entry into the
conveying
system,
eliminating
dust emissions. Our solutions include
Drum Discharge Systems, Bulk Bag
Unloading Stations and Rip-and-Tip
Dump Stations.
Volkmann UK is excited to return to
this year’s PPMA Total Show, where
we’ll be showcasing the power and
performance of our cutting-edge
vacuum conveyors in action. Looking
to optimise your production? Visit
us at the show to see our solutions
firsthand, or get in touch to arrange
a free, no-obligation on-site trial.
Discover how Volkmann UK can help
streamline your operation, reduce
waste, and drive your business forward
in 2025. Learn more on our website or
connect with our team today!
Contact
T +44 (0)1494 512228
mail.uk@volkmann.info
https://volkmann.info/en
Automated
packaging solutions
Throughout
2025, Yorkshire
Packaging
Systems
(YPS) will be
presenting
the latest
developments
in shrink
wrapping and
eCommerce
solutions at
a number of
packaging
industry trade
events – so,
if you missed the company at The
PPMA Show last September, there
are still plenty of opportunities to
view their offering. YPS supply
both machinery and materials for
automated packaging, increasing
output, speeding up production and
reducing costs for manufacturing
and fulfilment operations.
Their sustainable materials range
is fully recyclable and includes
consumables containing recycled
content. They also supply ultra-thin
films, which are so durable they
replace thicker materials with no
Mitsubishi Electric control
system helps VCSP reduce
conveyor configuration
time by 75%
Mitsubishi Electric has helped to deliver a
step-change in productivity, uptime and
hygiene for a leading manufacturer of
vibratory conveyors to the food industry.
In partnership with Clarke Controls, the
company has developed a new control
system for conveyor manufacturer
VCSP to use on its portfolio of material
handling systems for delicate foods
such as poultry, salads and snacks.
The revised control system, which has
helped reduce configuration time between
product runs from 60 to 15 minutes,
features a Mitsubishi Electric GOT 2000
HMI with VNC remote access option.
With an IP67 rating and touchscreen
interface, the new design allows operators
to reconfigure the conveyor quickly and
easily without repeatedly opening the panel.
loss of quality, resulting in savings
in plastic use and in cost.
The YPS Team will be on hand
to discuss how their automated
packaging solutions can help
operations managers to meet their
packaging goals.
The company also hosts
demonstrations at their own
automated packaging showroom in
Yorkshire throughout the year.
T 01484 715111
enquiries@yps.co.uk
www.yps.co.uk
In turn, this reduces the likelihood of material
residue entering and contaminating the
panel when the conveyor is reconfigured
between product runs. It also prevents
the potential for water ingress and
subsequent damage to control cards
due if the panel is not closed properly.
A core feature of the new control system
is the Mitsubishi Electric FX series PLC
with analogue I/O functionality. This is
used to set the required running vibration
frequency to the conveyor and is
incremented by a stroke length of 0.1mm
to achieve the controlled, rhythmic flow
necessary to effortlessly move produce
along the conveyor path.
For more information on Mitsubishi
Electric’s range of solutions for OEMs
and machine builders, please visit:
https://gb.mitsubishielectric.com/fa/
solutions/industries/machine-building
28
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22

Automation
Your partner for sensor &
automation solutions
JUMO GmbH & Co. KG
was founded in 1948 by
Moritz Kurt Juchheim
to manufacture
glass thermometers,
quickly establishing a
reputation for precision
and innovation in
temperature measurement.
Its name JUMO, derives from the founder’s initials,
and has grown into a global leader in industrial sensor
and automation technology, boasting subsidiaries
all over the world. Its British subsidiary is JUMO UK
Ltd, which was established in 1979, is a key player in
the UK’s process and automation industry, and has
operated from its purpose-built facility in Harlow,
Essex since 1987. Used as the company’s central UK
location, this facility houses sales, technical support,
and training services to all UK customers.
“Our extensive product portfolio includes
technologies for measuring temperature, pressure,
level, flow, humidity, and liquid analysis,” stated
Maria Silenti, Sales Manager. “These components
are integrated into comprehensive systems for
monitoring, recording, controlling, and automating
industrial processes, from sensors to CLOUD. In
addition to standard product offerings, we provide
tailored engineering solutions, project support, and
training to help customers optimise their processes
and achieve regulatory compliance.”
JUMO UK boasts expertise spanning renewable
energy, water and wastewater treatment, food and
beverage production, pharmaceutical and chemical
processing, and HVAC. With solutions designed to
enhance process stability, energy efficiency, and
product quality, JUMO UK is a valued partner in both
traditional and emerging sectors, and works closely
with OEMs, system integrators, project engineers,
and plant operators across various industries.
Two standout innovations to note currently include
the JUMO variTRON 500 touch, and the JUMO
ZELOS C01 LS. Both of these technologies highlight
the company’s ongoing commitment to digitalisation,
smart automation, and Industry 4.0 integration.
The JUMO variTRON 500 touch is based on the
JUMO JUPITER modular platform, and features a
central processing unit that works in combination
with the proven input and output modules from
JUMO to form an overall system with integrated PLC
(CODESYS V3.5), enabling visualisation via the touch
panel. The hardware is built by a powerful CPU with
800MHz quad-core processor, and allows up to 30
connection modules and displays, in various formats.
The JUMO ZELOS C01 LS is JUMO’s first electronic
level switch engineered for flexible level detection
across liquids, pastes, and powders. It features a
capacitive level switch with a highly flexible and robust
industrial design available with extensive approvals for
applications in a wide range of industries including the
food industry, railroad technology and shipbuilding.
The JUMO ZELOS C01 LS is designed to monitor
containers, protect pumps from running dry, and
control valves, PLC inputs, and warning signals.
Typical applications include storage tanks for solid
and liquid foods, water and wastewater, as well as
sand or granules. It is also well-suited for CIP and
SIP processes. The device offers automatic media
recognition, which can also be custom-taught – with
or without software – if needed.
Whether its liquids, pastes, or powders, this innovative
sensor ensures precise level detection with maximum
process reliability. This product is fantastic if you’re looking
to enhance your process efficiency and safety because
the capacitive level switch identifies the level of liquids and
solids, and can also be used in pressurised tanks or pipes.
Boasting a maintenance-free product structure and a low
investment cost, it is reliable and robust with a switching
capacity of up to DC 36V and 200mA.
What makes JUMO so unique is that whether it’s
working for a multinational beverage producer, a
water treatment facility, or a renewable energy project
developer, its mission doesn’t change – to deliver
intelligent solutions that help customers improve
efficiency, reduce downtime, and future-proof their
operations.
“JUMO distinguishes itself through a combination
of technical excellence, flexibility, and customer
focus. Our unique strength lies in offering the entire
measurement chain – from sensor to cloud – under
one roof. This holistic approach reduces complexity
and boost’s reliability for our customers. Furthermore,
our vertical integration and in-house development
capabilities enable us to rapidly deliver customised
solutions, supported by decades of engineering
experience and global certifications,” added Maria.
Looking ahead, JUMO will continue to evolve from
a component supplier to a system and solution
provider. Its company tagline ‘More than sensors and
automation’ reflects a commitment to delivering not
just products, but full system solutions and support.
“Our future plans involve further expansion in key
sectors such as renewable energy, green hydrogen,
and smart manufacturing. We are also committed to
advancing digitalisation by expanding our automation
platforms and cloud connectivity solutions. Strategic
collaborations and technological innovation will
continue to drive our efforts to help customers
achieve energy efficiency, regulatory compliance,
and competitive advantage.
We are proud of our legacy and excited about our
future. At JUMO UK, we combine the heritage of
German engineering with a passion for customer
service and innovation. With more than 75 years of
global expertise and 45+ years in the UK, we remain
dedicated to building strong relationships, delivering
reliable solutions, and supporting the evolving needs
of industry,” said Maria.
For more information, please see below:
T 01279 635533
info.uk@jumo.net
https://www.jumo.co.uk
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22 29

Automation
End-to-end solutions from
the Sensor to the Cloud!
For over 75 years, JUMO has been at the forefront
of measurement, control, and automation
solutions. With a strong foundation in sensor and
automation technology, we deliver end-to-end
high-precision, industry-leading solutions tailored
to diverse industrial applications. From temperature,
pressure, and level measurement to sophisticated
automation systems, JUMO products ensure
efficiency, reliability, and compliance in even the
most demanding environments. Our commitment
to innovation and digitalisation enables customers
to optimise their processes, reduce downtime, and
enhance productivity.
At JUMO, we understand that every industry
has unique challenges. That’s why we take an
application-specific approach, delivering tailored
solutions that enhance performance, safety, and
energy efficiency across a wide range of sectors:
u Industrial Heating & Furnaces: Ensuring precise
temperature control for smelting, forging, and
heat treatment applications.
u Food & Beverage Processing: Maintaining
hygienic and controlled thermal conditions in
baking, smoking, and meat processing.
u Renewable Energies:
Customised sensor
technology and
automation for applications
in wind power, hydropower,
hydrogen energy or
bioenergy.
u Water & Wastewater
Treatment: Enabling
Norbev Drinks in digital
benefits with Inforlogic and
Infor CloudSuite Industrial
Inforlogic today
announced that
leading Northern
Ireland-based soft
drinks manufacturer,
Norbev, has selected
Infor CloudSuite
Industrial. The
platform will support
an organisation-wide
digital transformation
strategy at the
beverage leader,
bringing modern, cloudbased
ERP capabilities from which
to extend process automation and
capitalise on both business intelligence
(BI) and artificial intelligence (AI).
Having outgrown its previous Sage
1000 system, Norbev undertook a
detailed evaluation of all major midmarket
ERP vendors. Most could
replicate the standard back-office
functions that Sage 1000 supported.
However, only Infor could offer deep,
last-mile, manufacturing capability,
coupled with an innovative cloud
technology platform built on Amazon
Web Services (AWS), to scale and
meet their digital transformation
requirements.
Once live, Infor CloudSuite Industrial
will eliminate manual processes and
efficient monitoring of critical parameters for
sustainability and compliance.
u HVAC: Reliably measure, control and monitor
temperature and pressure for heating and airconditioning
technology.
u Transportation: Tailor-made solutions in
measurement and control technology for safety
and comfort.
With a global presence and a customer-first
mindset, JUMO delivers customized automation
solutions that elevate efficiency and ensure
compliance in all critical processes.
Precision, power, and flexibility – meet JUMO
meroTRON
For industries demanding flexibility and precision,
the JUMO meroTRON is the perfect solution.
This modular one-channel/two-channel controller
combines the power of precision control,
automation, and PLC functionality in one seamless
system. The JUMO meroTRON impresses with the
individual design of its user interface and hardware
equipment. It adapts to your needs with a second
control channel, math and logic functions, and ST
code for even the
most complex
applications.
u Enhanced
process reliability
with real-time
program start
and sequence
controls
streamline all core business processes
for Norbev, from Financial Management
through to Scheduling, Quality Control,
Plant Maintenance, and Document
Management.
To support consistency and
collaboration, Infor’s University, an
online learning platform, combined with
Process Intelligence, will allow Norbev
to standardise business processes.
Through having a world-class ERP
platform that represents a digital set
of standard operating procedures,
the team not only ensures that all
knowledge is retained within the
business to reduce risk, but that they
have a robust and scalable platform
from which to embrace future growth
and build market share with confidence.
https://norbev.co.uk
u Powerful application handling through advanced
math and logic functions
u Faster startup & operation with a fully
customisable interface
u No extra hardware required – integrates a second
control channel, PLC, and data logger
u Process optimisation with real-time startup live
recording
The multifunctional controller is redefining control
technology across industry applications ranging
from industrial furnaces to baking ovens, meat
processing suppliers, smoking plants, electrical
heat generators and even, chemical & laboratory
apparatus.
For more info about JUMO and to view our
product offerings:
T +44 (0)1279 635533
info.uk@jumo.net
www.jumo.co.uk
BITO introduces the next
generation LEO AGV
BITO has introduced a new
generation of its LEO AGV
(Automated Guided Vehicle),
which combines an entirely
new chassis with productivity
enhancing technology to provide
an innovative solution for
automating material flow.
Far less complex than more
expensive AGVs, the new LEO
flow and LEO carrier offer vital
advantages over manual handling
and conveyor alternatives for
transporting bins and containers,
with a payback period often in one
year or less.
LEO was first introduced in 2017
as the simplest AGV available on
the market. Delivered in a box,
all that’s required to get going
is to lay a route marked by a
19mm wide blue or green track
line with adhesive tape (there is
a range of tapes to suit different
levels of wear) or floor painting
for the transporters to follow
using optical navigation. Users
enter instructions on a tablet and
markers with printed QR codes
guide LEO on destination points,
the speed to be driven at, the start
and end of traffic light control,
charging points, acoustic warning
signals and more.
This means the transporters do
not need to be programmed to the
layout of a facility, so users can
implement simple or moderately
complex layouts themselves
without the need of IT support
and get started in just a few days.
They can also adapt the system
quickly and easily, enabling rapid
reaction to seasonal fluctuations
and warehouse reorganisations.
For more information on LEO
AGVs, please visit:
www.bito.com
30
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22

Automation
Horner Automation Group releases
innovative NEW products
Horner Automation Group are global leaders
in automation control solutions with over 30
years of automation experience providing
all-in-one controllers with cloud computing
functionality, offering solutions for industrial
processes on a global scale since 1986.
Since its inception, Horner Automation Group
has enabled its clients to save time and
money by offering cost-effective solutions
and ensuring meaningful data that help boost
productivity. Horner Automation Europe is part
of the world-wide Horner Electric Group that
was founded in 1949, and have been designing
PLCs, Communication Products, HMIs and
their related products since the early ’80s.
Based in Cork, Ireland, Horner Ireland Limited is
the European Headquarters of the Group and was
founded in 1997. Promoting an ethos that is to
design and manufacture innovative products that
are extremely easy to use and provide significant
value to its customers, Horner Ireland Limited
pride themselves on being the industry leading
provider of all-in-one controllers. From Cork, they
provide full support for European customers
and distributors including European Logistics,
Manufacturing, Product Design and Development,
Custom Product Development, and Technical
Support for their range of Programmable Logic
Controllers and Human Machine Interfaces that
are widely used across industry.
In this article we are going to spotlight some
of its most popular products, starting with its
range of OCS controllers. Horner has combined
a controller, operator interface, I/O, and
Horner OCS can be used effectively in a
wide range of applications
range from integrated fieldbus, ethernet, cell
and phone modems, serial ports and protocols
along with mass data storage capabilities that
are tightly integrated and easy to use.
Another product range designed to elevate
your industrial automation operations are the
Canvas Series PLC HMI Controllers. These
are perfect if you’re looking to streamline
control in your setup as it includes innovative
features that make Canvas Series Controllers a
powerful choice for seamless, intuitive control.
The benefits of Horner’s latest all-in-one
controllers are endless, and include three main
features. Firstly, it incorporates enhanced
graphics – the best Horner has ever offered!
These include alarms, recipes, and trends that
have all be redesigned from the ground up.
Secondly, it features a Dual Core
Microprocessor which means when you take
advantage of the new graphics you get one
dedicated core for Graphics, and one dedicated
core for Logic, resulting in faster and more
consistent scan times. Thirdly, Canvas has
built-in IIOT Protocols which include MQTT
Sparkplug, as well as Remote Visualisation
with WebMI.
five built-in I/O options ranging from 22-42
points of I/O. All Canvas models include a
microSD slot, USB for programming, FLASH
drive support, RS232/485, CAN for I/O
expansion and CANopen support, and
Ethernet port(s) supporting multiple Industrial
Ethernet protocols.
Cscape 10
All OCS applications are developed with
a powerful and secure programming
package called Cscape . Cscape is used
by automation professionals to configure
every aspect of their OCS controlled machine
control applications, and includes logic
development using Ladder Logic and other
IEC61131 languages, screen development, user
interface design, network communications,
I/O configuration, into an all-in-one software
package. Cscape and OCS were the first to
perform all these functions in a unified control
platform using a single software development
package in their initial version in the late 1990s.
Cscape 10 software is the latest release from
The Horner Automation Group and continues
the legacy of innovative, powerful yet easy-touse
software that has continued to be provided
completely FREE for more than 25 years.
The Horner OCS Range of PLC/HMI
combined controllers
networking into a single unit OCS (Operator
Control Station). This station ultimately
provides a better control system solution for
original equipment manufacturers, integrators
and end-users.
More often than not, all-in-one controllers are
the popular choice because of their ease-ofuse,
cost savings, and flexibility. Since 1998,
OCS has been used in various industrial controls
and automation applications including Power
Management and Backup Generation, Water
Treatment, Compressor Control, Custom OEM
products, Automotive Parts Manufacturing,
Mobile Machinery, Renewable Energy,
Packaging Machinery, and so much more.
OCS has a vast range of local and remote
I/O systems and communication abilities that
Canvas will initially be available in five different
colour touchscreen sizes ranging from 3.5”
to 10.1” diagonal. Further highlights include the
Canvas 5, featuring a 4.3” colour touchscreen
and 12” built-in I/O points. The Canvas 10D
also features a 10.1” colour touchscreen and
Canvas All-in-one Controllers (HMI + PLC)
The highly-anticipated Cscape 10 features
a redesigned user interface and among its
dozens of improvements, also includes the
newly developed Advanced Graphics Engine.
As mentioned earlier on in this focus piece, the
Advanced Graphics Engine supports several
graphic building blocks for user interface design
that have been reimagined from the ground-up.
These include (but are not limited to) Trend,
XY Graph and Scatter Graph objects, a Recipe
object, Alarm objects, and a Video playback
object.
It also incorporates additional features such
as gesture and keyboard/mouse support,
improved download speeds, and further
updated objects across the board including
buttons, indicators, data fields, and switches.
Contact
T +353 21 4321266
sales@horner-apg.com
https://hornerautomation.eu
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22 31

Safety
This is NOT Scaffolding: A
Platform for the 21st Century
We all appreciate that one of the most
expensive overheads in a business walks on
two legs, arrives every day at 9am, and leaves
at 5pm. So, it might just be worth investigating
when a product comes along that suggests it
can reduce labour costs and provide a more
flexible and safe way of working.
Scaffolding is not usually a subject I would
get excited about; however, analysis of the
data suggests this product requires deeper
scrutiny. I would have my knuckles wrapped by
the manufacturer if I did not dispel the image
conjured up by the word scaffolding. There are
significant differences between scaffolding
and the LOBO Work Platform System, the
subject of this article. Unusually, the differences
are both technical and commercial, hence the
excitement.
Firstly, it is improbable you’ll see this product
on a building site, so dismiss from your mind
the concept of traditional scaffolding, with its
heavy tubes and planks of
timber. Instead, think more
of an industrial version of
Meccano or an Erector
set that can be assembled
without any tools and is used
by companies to gain safe
working at height
access when performing
both routine and
unscheduled maintenance
and production tasks.
Enough about the product;
let us look at the cost
benefits that LOBO claim
could save your company
thousands of pounds. The
system manufacturer has
supplied me with countless
examples of companies who use it in preference
to expensive and inflexible scaffolding
contractors. It needs to be said upfront that
the system is not the answer to every access
requirement. Still, for any internal facilities,
plant or machinery applications, it is a strong
contender.
Case examples
We all accept that the way data is presented
can have different interpretations, but looking
closely at the figures, they appear to stack
up. Well-documented case
studies clearly show the costsaving
advantages, revealing
impressive results with only
a minimal investment. The
customers studied are not
all from the same sector
and range from doubleglazing
installers to large
manufacturing multinationals.
While they come from a
diverse industrial base, they
all appear to have similar cost
issues.
LOBO cites NASA, Boeing,
Airbus, Miller Brewing,
Anheuser Busch and
Sainsbury’s as only some of
their best-known customers.
The actual use may differ due to the versatile
nature of the product, but the cost-saving
benefit applies to all. All these companies and
many more besides, have to employ external
scaffolding contractors. In addition, they have to
comply with the working at height regulations,
sometimes for reasonably simple maintenance
tasks.
This can be expensive, as it is time-consuming
(in labour costs) to erect, and the scaffolding
has to stay up for an agreed minimum rental
time, which can be a week or longer, with
overrun penalties. However, LOBO points out
that anyone can assemble their system (once
trained) quickly and easily and then pack
away immediately when not in use.
The additional benefit of having your system is
that it is available seven days a week and can
be deployed whenever you want it, more quickly
than traditional scaffolding. The knock-on effect
could mean increased production uptime, with
obvious cost-saving implications.
The case studies I looked at revealed a payback
time of between one and nine months, with
capital spend of between 10% and 40% of
the existing scaffolding budget. This cost
only applies in the first year as, once you
have invested, it is ‘free’ to use whenever
and wherever from then onwards.
There are ongoing, annual operational
costs. In addition, training is recommended,
and replacements, spares and additional
components have to be factored in. Still, looking
at the big picture, these figures make impressive
reading – cost savings alone could decide the
issue: LOBO claims they might be able to cut
your scaffolding costs in half or even reduce it
down to zero.
For example, big-budget holders, oil and
chemical companies spend millions each year
and may feel resigned to paying these vast
sums year after year. Now perhaps there is
an alternative where the cost benefit analysis
adds up, safety is not compromised, and
your reliance on scaffolding contractors
can be reduced.
Contact
www.lobosystems.com
32
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22

Safety
Work safely in potentially explosive areas
Schmersal presents new safety light curtains/grids in Ex design
The Schmersal Group has expanded its
range of optoelectronic protective devices
with a series of safety light curtains/grids
in Ex design. The new EX-SLC/SLG440
series is designed in the ignition protection
types EX d (gas atmospheres), EX t
(dust atmospheres) and EX op is (optical
radiation) and is thus especially suitable
for access protection of potentially
explosive areas in industrial production –
namely for zones 1 and 21.
There is an elevated risk of explosion in
many areas of manufacturing, such as
in the chemicals industry, in refineries or
paint shops where flammable coatings are
being used. In industries that process bulk
materials, such as in the animal feed or
recycling industries, as well as in sawmills
and plants that process cereals and grains,
there is a risk of dust explosion and the
occasional formation of a potentially
explosive dust cloud during normal
operation.
BlackBerry QNX
safety platform
BlackBerry Limited recently
announced an expansion of its
long-standing collaboration with
Intel Corporation that will enable
manufacturers to design, build
and safety-certify their industrial
systems and robotic applications for
progression towards Industry 5.0.
Industrial automation in safetycritical
environments, such as
manufacturing and warehouses,
is transitioning towards more
collaborative applications, where
machines work alongside humans
in shared workspaces. As these
systems evolve, Functional Safety
(FuSa) plays a critical component in
keeping machinery and personnel
safe. Compliance with IEC 61508
ensures that industrial systems
and robotic applications meet
the standard’s safety lifecycle
requirements.
“The collaboration between Intel
and BlackBerry QNX brings to
market a hardware/software
platform certified to IEC 61508
SIL 3 to simplify manufacturers’
development of and delivery of
safe and secure systems,” said
Suitable for gaseous and dusty atmospheres of zones 1/21
and ignition protection type op is: the new SLC/SLG440
series of safety light curtains/barriers in Ex design
Schmersal has developed the SLC/
SLG440 safety light curtain/grids in Ex
version precisely for these applications.
These devices can be installed in potentially
explosive gaseous and dusty atmospheres
of zones 1/21 and 2/22, category 2GD
and are used to protect hazardous areas
and machine access. When one or more
of the beams is interrupted, hazardous
Grant Courville, SVP Product
& Strategy at BlackBerry QNX.
“The QNX® OS is known for its
security, reliability and real-time
performance, and our expanded
collaboration with Intel creates
a safety-certified platform for
industrial systems and robotic
applications where safety is
non-negotiable.”
As technologies become more
entwined with society, the need
for functional safety increases as
humans and machines collaborate
in unprecedented ways. This
platform helps accelerate the
development of safety applications
and streamline design architecture,
delivering cost and time savings
associated with achieving safety
accreditation and hardware
redundancies.
QNX OS is safety certified to
IEC 61508 SIL 3 which enables
manufacturers to build their FuSa
industrial systems and robotic
applications.
Contact
www.blackberry.com
movements are brought to
a halt.
The series is ATEX
certified and further
certification – IECEx,
INMETRO and CCC
Ex – are due to follow.
The sensor system is
accommodated in a
protective enclosure made
from non-breakable glass.
Ex-SLC440 safety light
curtains for finger, hand and
body detection are available
in versions with a resolution
of 14 and 30mm as well as
ranges of between 0.3 and
20m. Ex-SLG440 safety
light curtains are suitable for
access control to hazardous areas.
The waterproof and dustproof devices
achieve IP66 and IP67 protection class and
also have the capability to be used outside.
www.schmersal.com
www.tecnicum.com
Global manufacturing
leader A-SAFE caps off
UKWA 2024 Roadshow
series with landmark event
A-SAFE, a global leader in
workplace efficiency and
safety solutions, hosted
the final event of the UK
Warehousing Association
(UKWA) Roadshow on
October 3rd at its Fathom3
R&D facility in Elland,
Yorkshire.
The event brought together
industry leaders from across
the UK and included a series
of presentations, panel
discussions and site visits for the
approximately 40 attendees.
The UKWA Roadshow is an initiative
that celebrates the association’s 80th
anniversary. With 2024 being marked by
UKWA as ‘The Year of Warehousing,’
its chief executive Clare Bottle embarked
on a nationwide tour from the start of the
year exploring 80 warehouses across
the UK and Ireland. This initiative
has highlighted the cutting-edge
technology and dynamic operations
of the sector, while promoting its
continuous commitment to innovation.
During the event, Lisa Ramos,
A-SAFE’s Health & Safety Accident
Impact Speaker, presented ‘The
Hidden Cost of Industrial Workplace
Accidents,’ an insight into the
importance of warehouses being
equipped with solutions certified to
the PAS 13:2017 standard, the first
certification for industrial safety barriers
which A-SAFE steered and contributed
to its creation.
Fueled by continuous investment
in research and development, the
Yorkshire-based company continues to
set the standard and raise awareness
for workplace efficiency and safety
across 65 countries around the globe.
For further information, please visit:
www.asafe.com
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22 33

Sustainable Packaging
Triple Bubble ® Technology
for recyclable, flexible
barrier shrink bags
Kuhne
Anlagenbau
GmbH’s focus
at NPE 2024,
in Orlando,
Florida, USA
will be on large
turnkey lines for
extruding flexible
simultaneously
biaxially oriented
barrier shrink
films that do
not require
polyamide (PA)
or polyester
(PET) as a
layer to impart
strength to
the structure.
Consequently,
they can be easily recycled together
with (at most 5%) EVOH in the
PE recycling stream. The required
robustness and puncture resistance
are achieved inline during processing
in the Triple-Bubble® process
using gentle radiation crosslinking
employed by Kuhne. This acts from
the outside to a shallow depth of
only 5 to 10µm, without damaging
the EVOH layer and reducing
Packaging sustainability consultancy
Aura and carbon management data
specialist CarbonQuota recently
announced a new, pioneering
partnership designed to give brands
and retailers a broader and more
holistic view of sustainability in their
packaging.
recyclability. As a result, there is no
need for an additional post-processing
step, which would increase costs. The
resultant films are sufficiently flexible
and elastic to achieve good levels of
shrinkage. At the same time, however,
they also provide the mechanical
strength required to be able to reliably
fill the bags, even with contents
weighing several kilograms.
Visit: www.kuhne-ab.de
Solving the microplastics
problem requires more than
just damage control, says
Symphony Environmental
Plastic restrictions
and collection alone
cannot solve the
problem. Instead,
plastic production
must use sustainable
biodegradable polymers
from the start.
Microplastics have
become a significant environmental
and health concern in recent years,
being found not just in the land, sea
and air but also across the food
chain and in the human body.
Without addressing methods of
plastic production and encouraging
more sustainable industry practices,
the amount of microplastics
released into the environment can
only continue to increase. Damage
control alone is insufficient.
There is some research into
methods to physically remove
plastic pollution but this is rather like
trying to empty the North Sea with
a spoon. It is much better to make
plastic so that it takes care of itself
by safely biodegrading if it gets into
the open environment.
Michael Laurier, CEO of Symphony
Environmental, argues that while
the plastic industry is not itself
the polluter it must recognise that
its products do get into the open
environment deliberately or by
accident and must adopt sustainable
manufacturing practices rather than
rely on damage control from outside.
Manufacturers can now go one step
further, and can reduce the fossil
content of their products by using
Symphony’s NbR resin which has
recently been launched.
Visit:
www.symphonyenvironmental.com
Aura and CarbonQuota announce partnership
CarbonQuota’s carbon calculator
will sit within Aura’s e-halo platform,
allowing organisations to instantly
calculate the carbon impact of their
packaging as well as utilising e-halo’s
existing recyclability functionality at
the touch of a button, using live realtime
data.
This will proactively enable clients to
make more informed decisions across
all elements of packaging sustainability
and help them plan towards their
corporate Net Zero targets – ensuring
they choose the optimal materials and
designs, and get it right first time.
The CarbonQuota calculator
automates the process of calculating
CO 2
e emissions, which can otherwise
take life cycle analysis experts several
weeks to determine. This provides
brands and retailers with evidence
and validation of their efforts towards
continuous improvement and using
more sustainable packaging options.
It will seamlessly integrate with
e-halo, which tracks and analyses
recyclability, tax liabilities, legislative
compliance, and sustainability by
country/state, as well as an extensive
reporting suite, across the billions
of combinations and configurations
of packaging components available
globally.
The addition of carbon reporting
meets the needs of progressive
clients as well as the mandatory
obligations of the future.
https://aura-consultants.com
34
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Sustainable Packaging
High-quality sustainable
packaging
Viscose has been a leading manufacturer of
shrink sleeves in the UK for over 125 years,
achieving remarkable milestones that have shaped
its legacy. Three of these milestones occurred
in 2024 when Viscose marked its return to key
industry tradeshows for the first time since before
COVID-19, re-launched its brand, and launched
its online shop. To top off the year, it was named
runner-up for SME Manufacturer of the Year at the
Swansea Bay Business Awards.
During this period, Emma Blackmore stepped into
the role of Managing Director, and the company
also made significant investments, upgrading
equipment and investing over £500,000 in factory
improvements. These enhancements have not
only modernised operations and improved working
conditions but also safeguarded jobs, retaining
highly skilled workers and a loyal local workforce.
To gain further insight into the company’s progress
and sales over the past year, we spoke with Seren
Pontin, Marketing & Brand Manager.
“We have a fantastic team that delivered
improvements across our factory: reduced lead
times, increased OTIF and delivered cost savings
to allow us to remain competitive. 2024 results
were favourable vs forecast and stable YOY with a
continuing improvement in EBITDA. Our business
has managed to thrive despite the economic
challenges of the last few years, and has adapted
to the changing packaging needs of consumers.”
“We have also invested £100k in Solar panel
technology (2023) – on average 30% of all
our electricity is now produced from these. We
achieved and maintain BRC AA* grade status
in our heat-shrink sleeves department AND we
recently started our compostable accreditation
journey for our Plastic-free shrink sleeves.”
Viscose’s plastic-free shrink sleeves are among its
most popular products, and they are set to launch
in Australia following the recent onboarding of an
Australian distributor. Seren shared insights into
the company’s standout product:
“Demand for sustainable and eco-conscious
packaging is at an all-time high. As the world’s only
producer of cellulose cut bands, our sleeves are a
unique tamper evident packaging solution for ecoconscious
producers. Moreover, our sleeves are
crafted from sustainable wood pulp, making them
biodegradable, and home-compostable. Designed
to enhance both product and brand presentation
with a superior finish, they also feature a unique
heat-free, self-shrinking capability – shrinking at room
temperature within an hour. This makes them ideal
for heat-sensitive contents while simultaneously
reducing energy consumption and costs.”
Viscose may be a small company, but its global
impact has been incredible. As agile problem
solvers who think outside the box and make quick
commercial decisions – which is crucial in FMGG,
they trade with over 50 countries and evidently
compete with businesses more than three times
their size.
Excited for what’s ahead, we asked Seren what
can we expect from them in the next few years.
“In the short term, the business is positioned
for and focused on growth, we want to take our
offering to new markets via additional distributors,
growing our online platform and implementing an
external sales team.”
“Our biggest project for 2025 is gaining the OK
Home Compost accreditation for our Plastic-free
shrink sleeves providing additional credibility to
allow us to enter new markets. In the longer term,
we have several NPD projects that will deliver new
services and products to our existing customers.”
For more information, please see below:
T 01792 796393
hello@viscose.co.uk
https://www.viscoseclosures.com
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22 35

Bulk Handling
The Optimum Solution
Clean, efficient & secure handling of bulk material with Volkmann UK
to bigger sized pellets, tablets, sweets, or bottle caps,
for example. Alongside bulk material transfer, Volkmann
also create the most effective solutions for loading
materials, including Drum Discharge Systems, Bulk Bag
Unloading Stations and Rip-and-Tip Dump Stations.
In today’s industry it’s imperative to stay ahead of the
competition, meet consumer demands and guarantee
maximum efficiency in all manufacturing processes.
Gone are the human-centred methods of the past
as we move into the highly automised processes of
today. What stands Volkmann apart is their ability
to create custom solutions for each application.
As specialists in the design and manufacture of
To manufacture the highest quality food products,
you have to start at the very beginning – the raw
ingredients. Have you optimised raw material handling
in your production line? From flour, sugar and spices
to oats, nuts and small pieces of ham, every material
must be handled with the upmost care from the very
moment they enter production to the final packaging.
With the highest quality equipment, Volkmann
create innovative solutions to transfer bulk material
with Vacuum Conveyors. Driving drastic efficiency
improvements, reducing waste and creating significant
cost-savings.
Volkmann provide reliable, hygienic, and efficient
material handling solutions that enhance the quality,
productivity, and safety of the manufacturing
processes. In the food industry, mechanical conveying
systems are often replaced because they are no
longer able to meet the increased requirements for
transportation. Vacuum conveyors can be custom
designed to maximise efficiency and meet production
demands. In the food industry it’s vital to protect
ingredients that are fragile or that could be easily
damaged. Volkmann can convey materials gently
to protect even the most sensitive products.
Due to constant
development and
improvement in
technology, removal
of explosion risks and
with a focus on good
hygienic solutions,
Vacuum Conveyors
today are a preferred
choice in many
industries. They can
transfer nano-sized
material and fine
dust with particles
size from 0.1µm up
pneumatic vacuum conveyors and systems, their
experience and expertise ensure that you get the
right solution, every time. Pneumatic powder-transfer
systems are replacing more and more conventional
mechanical conveying methods like screws, augers,
lifts, belts and bucket conveyors. Volkmann UK can
ensure that you have the optimum solution for your
processes. Creating custom solutions, designed to
meet your specific needs, ensuring smooth integration
into your systems and transforming production.
Consistently creating the optimum processing solution
for food, pharma, AM and chemical industries.
Because many production processes require multiple
powders or granulates to be conveyed with the same
equipment, it is important to have a receiver with a
simple assembly to allow quick and easy manual
dismantling and cleaning to avoid cross contamination.
The Volkmann VS and PPC series of vacuum
conveyors feature a unique, stainless steel modular
design with clamp rings allowing no-tools assembly and
disassembly for cleaning and fast product changes.
Most food ingredients are of organic origin and
therefore flammable as they can form explosive dust.
Volkmann vacuum conveyors are ATEX certified.
Even substances with low minimum ignition energy
such as maltodextrin or cornflour are transported
reliably, efficiently and safely. Volkmann is one of the
leading manufacturers of the most secure systems
for powder handling and explosion risk protection and
prevention. Their ranges of Vacuum Conveyors were
the first on the market that were fully certified under
European ATEX regulation for all dust and soon after,
also gas explosion zones. Customers can trust that
Volkmann care about safety.
Volkmann provide reliable, hygienic, and efficient
material handling solutions that enhance the safety,
productivity, and quality of the manufacturing
processes. Volkmann pay particular attention to the
perfect interaction between theirs and other systems
applied in the process. The optimum solution for
a vacuum conveyor is often found by conducting
a practical trial. Because modular, stainless-steel
systems are very easy to handle and integrate, trials
can be performed in test laboratories or directly at the
on-site process. Volkmann UK offer free on-site trails
of their vacuum conveyors with no obligations, to book
simply email or call. Contact us today to find out more
or to request a brochure. Visit our website to learn
about Volkmann’s bulk material handling solutions.
T +44 (0)1494 512228
mail.uk@volkmann.info
https://uk.volkmann.info
LinkedIn: Volkmann UK Ltd
36
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Fleet Management & Logistics
Challenges faced by
Fleet Managers in the
transition to EV LCVs
The main vehicle
conversions
challenges
that LCV fleets
experience when
transitioning from
ICE are:
u Charging and
operation
of vehicle-based power tools
and ancillary electric equipment
without drawing down on the
vehicles HV drive batteries and
reducing driving range.
u Addressing range anxiety at the
end of the working day to ensure
the vehicle has enough power
to get the driver home or to a
designated charging area.
u Supplying vehicle mounted
auxiliary heaters for EV vehicles
where ICE vehicles have
traditionally taken a diesel fuel
supply from the vehicle fuel tank.
u Re-engineering vehicle designs
to meet operational requirements
with the reduced available
payload available on EV models.
What are we doing at Modul-
System to address these challenges
and operational concerns?
Developing and fitting ultralightweight
floors, linings, racking to
reduce vehicle conversion weight
and allow the vehicle to carry the
tools and equipment required for
the day job is probably the easiest
problem for us to solve as Modul-
System has been developing and
using these products in preparation
for the EV journey for some years.
As the fleet world rapidly moves
towards full EV fleet operations it
has become more important than
ever that any vehicle conversion
delivers in several areas.
Contact: Jerry Lane,
T 01628 528034
jerry.lane@modul-system.co.uk
www.modul-system.co.uk
JS Davidson expands
offering to include freight
solutions amid growing
demand
Temperature-controlled and supply
chain solutions specialist JS Davidson
has expanded its offering to include
a comprehensive range of freight
services.
Providing services that span air, sea,
road, and rail freight in addition to
the company’s frozen, chilled and
ambient offering, JS Davidson is now
equipped to co-ordinate shipments
to ensure timely arrivals and product
integrity while also taking care of
customs clearance and documentation
requirements.
Traditionally focused on temperaturecontrolled
storage and distribution,
JS Davidson has also recently
expanded its services to include
distribution, co-packing, and storage in
response to customer demand.
Its recent addition of freight services
has now further extended the
company’s offering to include shipping,
storage through to final delivery.
This latest addition to its suite of
services comes at a time where
customers are actively seeking
integrated cold chain logistics solutions
in order to reduce the complexity of
managing multiple providers and ensure
the integrity of their goods across the
entire supply chain.
With demand for frozen products
increasing year on year, largely
driven by the cost-of-living crisis
and consumers becoming more
attuned to the effect of food wastage,
the requirement for cold chain
logistics services has equally grown
exponentially.
Over the past decade alone the retail
sales value of frozen food has spiked
by 50%, with much of this growth
occurring within the past five years.
T +44 (0)1733 731300
supplychain@jsdavidson.co.uk
https://jsdavidson.co.uk
A step in the right
direction but more needs
to be done, says Paul
Smith, MD for NIBE
Yesterday’s budget
featured some
positives for the
heat pump sector,
including an increase
in funding for the
Boiler Upgrade
Scheme for the
next two years,
announced earlier
this month, and
support to grow
the heat pump
manufacturing supply
chain. Even with
these positives, we
are still way behind
the rest of Europe
when it comes
to heat pumps and we echo the
sentiment of the Heat Pump
Association – more needs to be done
to accelerate the electrification of heat
if we are going to meet our legally
binding net zero targets.
Overall, it is crucial that UK homes
become more efficient, to help reduce
energy bills and ensure people are
warm. Fuel poverty is a very real issue
for many, and I was pleased to see
an initial commitment
to the Warm Homes
Plan, with £3.4bn
set aside over the
next three years to
decarbonise and
improve the efficiency
of existing housing
stock and a pledge to
build 1.5 million more
homes. Heat pumps
and other renewables
are included this plan,
helping to make low
carbon technologies
accessible for all.
However, I would
encourage our
government to
ensure that plans for the introduction
of The Future Homes & Buildings
Standards due in 2025 are seen
through without delay.
It’s time to pick up the pace in our
transition from fossil fuels, I hope to see
more focus on the ways we can achieve
this in the years ahead as the first
significant net zero milestones loom.
Please visit: www.nibe.eu/en-gb
Hellmann announces
logistics partnership
with Lacoste Mexico
Global logistics service provider
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics
announces a contract logistics
partnership with the iconic fashionsport
brand Lacoste in Mexico. As
part of the co-operation, Hellmann,
who was recently recognised as
an outstanding employer (‘Super
Empresa’) by Mexican Expansion
magazine, is managing a dedicated, fullservice
distribution center for Lacoste
Mexico. Operating out of a state-ofthe-art
11,000 square metre warehouse
in Mexico City, Hellmann manages the
supply of 45 retail locations and direct
to consumer shipments across Mexico.
The array of services provided by
Hellmann includes receiving, inventory
management, as well as pick, pack and
ship operations for outgoing B2B and
e-commerce orders.
Since Hellmann established its
fashion logistics division over two
decades ago, the freight forwarder
has evolved into a leading provider
of end-to-end logistics from
production facilities to point of sale
for several players in the fashion and
retail sector. In addition to contract
logistics services, a network of
regional teams of experts situated in
major markets provide flexible omnichannel
concepts, e-commerce,
fulfillment and logistics solutions
around the globe.
“Thanks to our very successful track
record, we are pleased to strengthen
our market position in fashion and
lifestyle logistics in the Americas by
partnering with Lacoste in Mexico.
As a company with a strong focus
on providing tailor-made solutions to
fashion and retail companies, we are
delighted to support Lacoste in their
expansion in the Mexican market,”
says Volker Sauerborn, Chief
Operating Officer Contract Logistics,
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.
www.hellmann.com
38
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Fleet Management & Logistics
BCMPA to highlight the critical role
of outsourcing at CHEMUK 2025
The BCMPA – the Association
for Contract Manufacturing,
Packing, Fulfilment & Logistics –
is set to showcase the growing
impact of outsourcing in the
chemical sector at CHEMUK
2025, taking place on May 21st–
22nd at the NEC Birmingham. As
a founder partner of the event,
the BCMPA will once again
be at the forefront, providing
insights into the essential role
of UK contract manufacturers in
supporting the industry’s evolving
needs.
In celebration of its 25th Anniversary, the BCMPA
launched its #outsourcingis campaign in 2025. The
initiative aims to define the value of outsourcing and
demonstrate how BCMPA members can help brands
and retailers enhance operational efficiency, reduce
pressures, and support business growth across the
chemical and other sectors.
Visitors can find the BCMPA team
at Stand K94 in the Chemicals
Management Show, where the
#outsourcingis campaign will
be a key focus, offering insights
into contract manufacturing,
blending, tolling, filling, repacking,
handling, and distribution. Five
BCMPA members – Biodeg, Briar
Chemicals, Cod Beck Blenders,
Libra Speciality Chemicals,
and Rakem Group – will also
be exhibiting, showcasing their
expertise in chemical processing
and supply chain solutions.
As regulatory demands tighten, material costs
fluctuate, and technical expertise becomes scarcer,
outsourcing is becoming a strategic necessity. Many
companies, particularly in HI&I (Household, Industrial
& Institutional) sectors, are turning to contract
manufacturers to streamline operations, reduce
risk, and meet stringent compliance and traceability
requirements.
To address these challenges, the BCMPA will
moderate a panel discussion on Thursday 22nd
May, titled “How Outsourcing Manufacturing Helps
Brands Get to Market Quickly, Safely, and Drives
Business Growth.” Industry experts Emma Verkaik,
CEO of the BCMPA, Matt Wood, Managing Director,
HI&I Technical, and Martin Usher, Chairman, Grotech
Production will discuss how outsourcing to third-party
partners helps brands, retailers, and start-ups alleviate
operational pressures, ensure compliance, reduce
costs, and focus on scaling their businesses to stay
competitive in an
increasingly complex
market.
“CHEMUK provides
the perfect platform
to reinforce the
value of outsourcing
in the chemical
industry, especially
as we celebrate
the BCMPA’s 25th
anniversary,” said
Emma Verkaik.
“Many businesses
still underestimate
the strategic benefits of outsourcing. Our new
campaign is designed to bridge this knowledge gap,
demonstrating how outsourcing can enable brands to
bring products to market more effectively.”
The BCMPA’s outsourcing campaign coincides
with the introduction of the new Formulated Product
Manufacturer Show Zone at CHEMUK, expanding
the focus to homecare, industrial coatings, paints,
lubricants, and other formulated products. This
reflects the growing trend of businesses seeking agile,
scalable outsourcing solutions to manage regulatory
complexities, volatile material prices, and increasing
quality demands.
More information can be found here.
T +44 (0)1494 582013
info@bcmpa.org.uk
www.bcmpa.org.uk
Bradshaw unveils new all-electric, compact RCV
line-up for smarter urban waste management
Bradshaw Electric
Vehicles, one of
the UK’s leading
manufacturers
and suppliers of
electric vehicles and
waste management
solutions, has
launched a new range
of Refuse Collection
Vehicles which are
specifically engineered
to tackle the challenges of urban waste collection.
The Refuse Collection Vehicle range, which
includes the Goupil G4, the long-wheelbase G4L
and Bradshaw’s pedestrian PFB1500, are each
expertly designed to improve how local authorities
and waste management companies operate in
confined urban areas.
All three models have been made available in 3
body configurations; hopper only, hopper and bin
lift as well as hopper, bin lift and compaction arm.
Both the Goupil’s and Bradshaw’s RCVs are
compact, agile, highly manoeuvrable and ideally
suited to towns, high streets and pedestrianised
areas. Their compact dimensions enable access
through street barriers and around street furniture,
while electric powertrains ensure a silent and
pollution-free operation, making them an
efficient alternative to traditional refuse
collection methods.
The road-legal Goupil
G4 is available with
two lithium battery
options, offering either
a 62-mile or 101-mile
range on a single
charge. The standard
G4-RCV has a 2.0m 3
hopper and a payload
of up to 740kg and
works with 120, 240,
and 360-litre bins. The
G4L Long-Wheelbase adds 500mm to its chassis,
increases the volume to 3.5m 3 and works with
larger 660-litre bins.
Based on the popular PFB1500, which is available
with a number of body options, including cage
body, Bradshaw’s pedestrian-controlled walkalong
RCV is designed to tackle the challenges
of urban waste collection in areas with high
pedestrian footfall
and limited vehicle
access.
The pedestriancontrolled
RCV
handles 120, 240
and 360-litre bins
and features a
corrosion-resistant
aluminium hopper.
The ergonomic
tiller head provides
a comfortable and precise operation and can be
driven easily with either hand. With five braking
systems, automatic hill hold, and advanced safety
features, it ensures safe operation on slopes.
All three RCVs feature corrosion-resistant
aluminium bodies with a 90° tipping angle for easy
waste disposal into larger containers or larger
RCVs for satellite operations, streamlining waste
collection rounds and reducing overall time on the
streets.
With increasing pressure on local authorities to
reduce emissions and improve air quality, traditional
diesel-powered waste vehicles are no longer
viable. Bradshaw’s latest offering addresses these
concerns by providing a zero-emission, costeffective
solution tailored for urban environments.
The Goupil G4 RCV in particular arrives at a crucial
time for waste management operations following
the introduction new recycling
regulations coming into effect
on 31st March 2025, requiring
businesses across England that
produce more than 5kg of food
waste per week being legally
required to segregate food
waste from general waste.
Contact
T 01780 782621
enquiries@bradshawev.com
www.bradshawev.com
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22 39

IntraLogisteX Review – Top Exhibitors
IntraLogisteX is the UK’s largest intralogistics event
how the latest technology can be applied to your
operations to provide massive improvements in
productivity and accuracy.
There will be a completely free comprehensive
Conference theatre. This free learning opportunity
means you can hear directly from the minds
behind the latest technology. Listen to industry
leaders as they share their insights and give real
world examples of how they have automated their
own, and their customers, operations.
IntraLogisteX, to be held at Birmingham’s
NEC from 25-26 March 2025, is for logistics
professionals who are looking for solutions to
their current and future challenges, from the latest
materials handling technologies to full-scale
warehouse automation options. This event
is designed for end-user practitioner logistics
professionals such as warehouse managers,
heads of distribution, IT directors and lead project
managers.
Now in its 10th year, IntraLogisteX offers exhibitors
a chance to connect with thousands of high-level
decision makers actively looking for the latest
solutions.
We supply exhibitors with an audience of
unrivalled quality. Our visitors have an average
of £2.3 million to spend and 80% of them have
buying influence.
Meet industry leading exhibitors and discover
Condense weeks of online research into just a few
hours – all the companies you need to talk to are
gathered together in one venue. There’s no way
better way of doing business than meeting faceto-face
so get more value from your interactions
with potential suppliers and ensure they really
understand your organisation’s complex needs.
Watch Live demonstrations of the latest solutions
taking place throughout the exhibition so you
can get first hand insight into how they work
in practice. Be one of the first to see the latest
innovations perform right before your eyes.
Join your industry – network and share ideas with
others who do the same job as you. Make brand
new contacts through the plentiful networking
opportunities available at the exhibition.
The event will also host a Robotics & Automation
Theatre and a Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition
Theatre will also host industry experts and
exhibitors who will share the secrets to their
operational success in their respective fields. The
Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition and Robotics
& Automation Exhibition are co-located with the
IntraLogisteX Exhibition and your visitor pass
will allow you to move freely between the three
shows.
www.intralogistex.co.uk
Kardex: Intralogistics solutions from a single provider
The countdown to this year’s Robotics and
Automation event at the NEC, Birmingham has
begun. Be sure to visit us in hall 6, stand 700 for all
your intralogistics solutions.
Kardex are well known for the manufacturing,
implementation and ongoing support of the Vertical
Lift, Vertical Carousel, Horizontal Carousel, and
Vertical Buffer Modules. Specifically designed for
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS),
Order Fulfilment, Buffering and Sequencing and much
more!
As a global AutoStore partner, together we offer a
high-performance and space-saving storage and
retrieval solution to rapidly process small parts orders
with autonomous robots. All of which can also be
combined with integrated material handling systems
and high-bay warehouses if needed from Karex Mlog.
The Kardex portfolio also includes clean room and
temperature-controlled storage environments to
fit various needs of hospitals,
pharmaceutical companies,
electronics manufacturers or
food & beverage producers. By
combining technology with an
aim to improve efficiency, Kardex
offers standardised, standalone
subsystems that are both
modular and scalable. With over
140,000 installations, Kardex has
a broad existing customer base
that counts on first-class aftersales
services.
Why is it important to transform
warehouse operations with
automation?
By automating repetitive and
labour-intensive tasks, businesses
can significantly enhance
operational efficiency, reduce
errors, and minimise dependency
on manual labour.
Automation has transitioned from a luxury
to an essential progression, especially in
sectors where speed, accuracy, and costefficiency
are paramount to success.
With labour shortages becoming more
frequent, businesses increasingly use
automation to overcome workforce
challenges and unlock new levels of
efficiency and scalability. Automation is not
intended to replace workers but to enhance
their capabilities, fill gaps, and make labourintensive
roles more accessible and attractive.
In today’s dynamic business
environment, companies constantly face
the hurdles of managing limited warehouse space,
navigating complex inventory systems, and striving
for increased performance. At Kardex, we recognise
these challenges and present solutions that address
them and set you on a path of growth and efficiency.
Our commitment is to walk with you through your
entire journey, offering scalable, flexible solutions that
evolve with your business. With Kardex solutions you
can recover up to 80% of floor space and improve
accuracy in picking and inventory levels up to 99%.
Book a 121 MEETING with one of our experts.
Kardex Systems UK Ltd,
T +44 (0)800 9390800
info.remstar.uk@kardex.com
www.kardex.com
40
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22

Recommended Supplier Directory
The leading UK suppliers of Security Cages
Our multi-purpose storage cages are of modular
design, allowing for easy DIY construction and incredibly
flexible usage. Equally at home either inside or outside
the warehouse and are designed to protect goods, gas
bottles or chemicals against vandalism and theft. We
offer a range of mobile security cages with wheels, as
well as fixed static cages all available from stock. Our
product ranges are suitable for everyone from Schools.
Stakrak Limited is a successful B2B market leading
Industrial Supply Company.
We supply Materials Storage Solutions to
businesses & workplaces throughout the UK.
With over 40 years of experience and with our in-house
technical design & CAD Teams for Mesh & Partitioning
enquiries, we are ready to fulfil all your requirements.
Gas Cage Direct strives to provide high quality
information and market leading products relating to
the safe handling and storage of gas.
Almost all of our cages and trolleys are hand made
here in the UK and are manufactured to the highest
standard with either a protective powder coat or
galvanised finish. Supplied flat-packed to your door
ready for easy construction.
With over four decades of expertise in
manufacturing and distributing industrial and
commercial electric vehicles, Bradshaw Electric
Vehicles stands as one of the market’s most
experienced and trusted providers.
Bradshaw EV offers a comprehensive range
of vehicles and serves as Club Car’s leading
dealership and Goupil’s exclusive UK distributor.
From its beginnings in 1962, the family run
enterprise has become the world leader in
machines and materials for the production
and decoration of cylindrical hollow bodies –
a success story!
Hinterkopf continues to set new standards in the
production and decoration of tubes, cans and
sleeves made of aluminium or plastic.
At Bartec Paper & Packaging, we are
committed to sustainability and reducing our
environmental impact. We actively seek out
eco-friendly materials and production methods,
and work with our customers to find sustainable
packaging solutions that meet their needs. We
also prioritise responsible waste management
and strive to minimise our carbon footprint
throughout our operations.
Gas Cage Direct strives to provide high quality
information and market leading products relating to
the safe handling and storage of gas.
Almost all of our cages and trolleys are hand made
here in the UK and are manufactured to the highest
standard with either a protective powder coat or
galvanised finish. Supplied flat-packed to your door
ready for easy construction.
Managing Sustainable Packaging
A family owned independent business, we
manufacture sustainable, recycleable rigid plastic
food-grade packaging solutions.
PFF strives to achieve service excellence in all
areas of our business despite higher haulage
charges, spiralling energy costs and the continuing
knock-on effect of Brexit on imported goods.
Your Partner in Packaging
As the global leader in packaging automation,
Packsize empowers businesses to transform their
packaging processes while driving operational
efficiency and reducing their environmental impact.
Packsize creates and maintains more efficient and
sustainable packaging process flows from packing
to unboxing.
OnRobot was founded in 2018 with the mission of
breaking down automation barriers and bringing the
benefits of robotic automation to manufacturers of all
sizes. Headquartered in Odense, Denmark, and with
offices spread across the globe, OnRobot is the world’s
leading provider of hardware and software solutions for
collaborative applications. All offerings are based on the
same ‘One System, Zero Complexity’ platform, delivering a
unified experience across all major robot brands.
PWL is sponsored by – see them on page 22 41