A world-leading innovation has emerged from a roading sector project standardising the performance of New Zealand roads. Collaboration in the transport sector is making value for money sustainable – the ultimate goal for funders and the community. A series of national projects led by the Road Efficiency Group (REG) designed to address the high variabilityContinue reading “Local sector collaboration creates significant savings and efficiency”
Author Archives: FTD mag
‘Brrmmm, brrmmm’… Kiwi trucks along: From New Zealand sandpits to the ‘big boys toys’ of Sweden’s Scania
Like lots of Kiwi kids, Hamish Bennett has fond memories of making, “Brrmmm, brrmmm” engine noises while playing with trucks in the sandpit. Unlike lots of other kids though, Bennett had a fairly-good inkling his fascination with trucks wasn’t just a phase. He was right. This, now grown-up, Kiwi is currently in Sweden in chargeContinue reading “‘Brrmmm, brrmmm’… Kiwi trucks along: From New Zealand sandpits to the ‘big boys toys’ of Sweden’s Scania”
How automation can help retailers better navigate unprecedented demand
By Pas Tomasiello, senior director of integrated systems at Dematicx, ANZ COVID-19 has rapidly and fundamentally changed how consumers interact with retailers, and this has brought on a complete shift in the retail landscape as we know it. Checkout lines have been replaced with home delivery and curb side pickup alternatives, grocery lists are requiredContinue reading “How automation can help retailers better navigate unprecedented demand”
Is automotive ready for hydrogen? Matt Lundberg maps out the road towards hydrogen fuel
With global sustainability legislations shifting the automotive market away from combustion engines, you’ve probably heard somebody utter “my next car will be electric”. If you haven’t, it’s likely you will soon. However, one fuel source doesn’t fit all. Making the green shift in the automotive market will require other sustainable fuel sources. The move awayContinue reading “Is automotive ready for hydrogen? Matt Lundberg maps out the road towards hydrogen fuel”
Key technologies set to reshape the supply chain, logistics industry in 2021
While we may not dare to declare 2021 a post-COVID world just yet, Nishan Wijemanne, managing director APAC at Körber Supply Chain Software, discusses the top trends to watch out for in 2021. With a national lockdown from March to May, and a second Auckland lockdown in August, stay-at-home directives dominated 2020. The pandemic forcedContinue reading “Key technologies set to reshape the supply chain, logistics industry in 2021”
The robotic revolution: Automated supply chain management that changes the game
Described as the world’s most compact and secure goods-to-person automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), AutoStore, powered by Swisslog, is being used by Australia’s largest privately-owned logistics company, Linfox, to deliver outstandingly speedy and safe service to its clients customers. The ultra-high density AutoStore system chosen by logistics leader Linfox for a new consumer productsContinue reading “The robotic revolution: Automated supply chain management that changes the game”
Freight forwarders warn of critical shortage of shipping capacity
New Zealand’s freight forwarders are urging retailers and other importers to get sea freight space booked as early as possible – in the face of a severe shortage of shipping capacity. Rosemarie Dawson, chief executive officer of the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation of New Zealand (CBAFF), says the limitations around capacity for internationalContinue reading “Freight forwarders warn of critical shortage of shipping capacity”
Industrial equipment: The truth about counterfeits
According to the latest data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the trade in counterfeit goods now represents 3.3% of global trade. Unfortunately, this figure is on the rise, even as overall trade has declined. Here, John Young, APAC director at obsolete parts supplier EU Automation APAC, offers his verdict on theContinue reading “Industrial equipment: The truth about counterfeits”
New cradle containers revolutionise Kiwi log transportation
Leading shipping container supplier Royal Wolf and KiwiRail have jointly developed a bespoke logging container that significantly improves efficiencies and capacity when transporting logs to the Port of Tauranga for export. The 484 logging cradle cassette containers, built by Royal Wolf’s Intermodal Business Unit, were specially designed as a replacement for KiwiRail’s old log wagonsContinue reading “New cradle containers revolutionise Kiwi log transportation”
Blockchain to create supply-chain checking app
Traditionally, consumers seek cheaper products at higher value, but now people are more aware of social and moral considerations. Concerns like child labour, sustainability and animal welfare mean the consumer’s need for transparency has increased, and so University of Canterbury (UC) PhD student Pouyan Jahanbin is developing a tool to give people real-time information onContinue reading “Blockchain to create supply-chain checking app”