Plant & Works Engineering November 2022

Focus on: Moving, Lifting & FLT Handling & Safety Matters November 2022 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 33 substantial changes according to the Joloda Hydraroll research. With the ongoing labour shortage, a truly sustainable business needs to prioritise employee wellbeing to support recruitment and adopt a far more joined- up approach to strategic decision-making. For example, rather than simply replacing the existing forklift truck fleet with battery-powered equipment, can automation minimise business reliance on this technology? With growing reports of businesses struggling to access additional power requirements given the surge in demand created by electric vehicles, migrating to battery power is no longer a straightforward decision. Automating the loading and unloading process can completely remove the need for forklifts – and forklift drivers – in the loading area, a fact that would be extremely welcome to both operations and HR. Joined up business case Automated loading technology eradicates dangerous, manual tasks. It ensures safe handling of hazardous materials; and removes the need to stand for hours in all weathers. Instead, the business can maximise the time and expertise of staff, improving their wellbeing, boosting retention and mitigating the challenges in the labour market. Furthermore, by reducing unloading/ loading times from a typical 45 minutes to less than three minutes, there is a positive impact on other workers in the supply chain. HGV drivers are no longer left waiting for hours, watching the clock and hoping to get to the next destination on time. Confidence in delivery timelines will improve job satisfaction. Logistics operations can maximise driver time, improve productivity and even reduce the number of drivers required. Every step of this automation process has positive implications for environmental performance. Automated loading and unloading is not just faster, it is more efficient, minimising accidents and product damage. The transformation in productivity can allow companies to radically reduce the number of dock doors and slash the number of trailers, significantly cutting emissions from operations. Reducing the number of battery-powered forklift trucks means less power is consumed – allowing companies to better manage electricity requirements – and concerns regarding the toxicity of lithium-ion technology can be mitigated. HGVs are not left idling in car parks for hours, and improved turnaround time enables route optimisation to further reduce fuel consumption – benefitting both the bottom line and the drive towards net zero. Conclusion According to the Joloda Hydraroll survey, 86% of respondents agree this is just the start of sustainable business strategies and objectives, and there will be more pressure to change in the future. Environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) strategies are becoming key to business relationships. As shareholders, customers and business partners call for tangible proof of commitment, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how and where sustainability fits into broader business strategies. This heightened demand for truly sustainable operations – environmentally, economically and socially – is accelerating change. Interest in automation, including robotic technologies such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and automated mobile robots (AMRs), is soaring. Growing numbers of companies are committed to creating fully lights-out operations within the next decade. To safeguard talent, attitudes to employees must also change, minimising their risks and improving their day-to-day experience. A business case for automation must, by default, now incorporate the environmental, social and economic impact. By embedding this broad range of criteria: efficiency, cost-saving, productivity, carbon footprint and employee wellbeing, businesses can prioritise and maximise the value of automation, from both a financial and sustainable perspective. by up to Increase Storage 50% with Aisle Master aisle-m ster.com