April 2019

Böwe Systec has taken a majority stake in UK software engineering and automation supply chain specialist RED LEDGE, which has joined the Böwe Systec Group the two companies announced recently. Founded in 1996, software company Red Ledge specialises in Auto-ID solutions. Its barcode, RFID, voice and sensor technologies are used worldwide in post and parcel sorting centres, warehouses and production facilities. Red Ledge’s core expertise includes competitive software platforms such as warehouse management systems (WMS), warehouse control systems (WCS) and pharmaceutical serialisation systems. The acquisition of Red Ledge is an important milestone for Böwe Systec as a leading supplier of smart automation solutions. “As a ‘one-stop- shop’ we want to be the first port of call for all our customers’ intralogistics requirements”, stresses Böwe Systec managing director Joachim Koschier. w | www.redledge.co.uk w | www.boewe-systec.com / www.possehl.de RENOVOTEC, an independent UK rugged hardware, software and services provider for supply chain companies has acquired mobile technology specialist Spirit Data Capture “in a move that exploits company synergies” Renovotec and Spirit announced recently. Renovotec is an established in-warehouse technology leader while Spirit Data Capture is strong in field service technology, including proof of delivery (POD); it has also won major support contracts for smart meter rollouts. The two companies will now unify their supply chain mobility offerings. Commenting on the acquisition Renovotec MD Richard Gilliard (pictured) says: “Renovotec now combines the competitive purchasing power of a larger organisation with levels of service and innovation that only an independent supplier can provide. For users of all sizes across the supply chain, we now offer the best of both worlds.” w | www.renovotec.com SICK says it has set Automated Guided Vehicles free from the need for reflectors or other physical markers with the all-in-one NAV-LOC localisation solution, enabling them to navigate more reliably and efficiently around shop floor and warehouse environments. The company says the SICK NAV-LOC (Localisation On Contour) is an easy-to-set up solution based on a SICK NAV 360o LiDAR scanner that can be integrated into new or existing AGVs. By recognising the pre-mapped contours of a factory or warehouse interior, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming and costly installation of reflectors, special paints, tracks, magnetic strips or coloured tapes. The SICK NAV-LOC system uses precise 2D data from the SICK NAV310 LiDAR scanner to match its position to a reference map stored on a SICK SIM2000 Sensor Integration Machine. t | 01727 831121 e | andrea.hornby@sick.co.uk Working for an international food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services business, HART is installing a number of its Speedor high speed door range at a major UK production facility. With 19 Hart doors across six production facilities already operational, the current contract is to replace existing roller shutters, which remain open all day, with seven Speedor Storms, one Speedor Super and one fast action roller shutter. Peter Cairns, Hart’s area salesman, says “the emphasis is on speed of open/close cycles to significantly reduce vermin access mainly from pigeons, seagulls and geese attracted by the feed/agricultural nature of the production process”. Hart says it is also delighted to be part of a drive to improve energy efficiency by 5% by 2020 and to maintain a better working environment. t | 0191 214 0404 w | www.hartdoors.com Reducing vermin access The new £24 million Advanced Manufacturing Building at the University of Nottingham has been equipped with overhead lifting equipment from STREET CRANE, UK overhead crane manufacturer. The overhead crane, designed, manufactured and installed by Street Crane, is actively being used to lift and re-position heavyweight research equipment and apparatus, being developed and tested at the new 9,000 sq. metre building. The new Advanced Manufacturing Building incorporates purpose-built teaching spaces, specialist research laboratories and a specialist clean room. The crane supplied and installed by Street Crane has a lifting capacity of ten tonnes and a span of twenty metres. It is mounted on 37 metre length rails, allowing it to lift or drop heavy equipment to any part of 700 sq. metre laboratory. w | www.streetcrane.co.uk Overhead lifting equipment NAV-LOC localisation solution Mobile technology specialist acquired National and global distribution and storage specialist Leader Distribution, has announced that it has finally acquired the extra space it needs to install its long-coveted THORWORLD loading ramp. Leader Distribution uses the services of well-established transport carriers for both parcel and pallet deliveries, however up until now, has been unable to facilitate containers with pallets at its warehouses due to limited space. A reorganisation process left the company with extra space in the warehouse and MD Norman Smith took the opportunity to visit a company close by, which already had a Thorworld ramp installation up-and-running. After hearing a glowing appraisal of its attributes from the operatives using it on a day-to-day basis. Norman said, “With so much in the ramp’s favour we wasted no further time, and placed an order for an integrated entry, standard ramp.” t | 01246 260981 w | www.thorworld.co.uk Majority stake acquired Loading ramp becomes a reality 42 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk April 2019 Handling, Storage, & Logistics