WAREHOUSINg, HANDLINg & STORAgE


SuStainabLy Packaged With the up turn in online purchases and fulfilment, packaging can quickly become a complicated problem for e-retailers – especially when dealing with return orders. Smart packaging solutions offer decision


makers a way of turning waste into packaging material. Cardboard perforators in particular can become a useful instrument in dealing with the rise of orders (and returns) by perforating used cardboard offcuts to produce recycled packaging. With the real peak of e-commerce seemingly


yet to come, perforators give users the potential to save thousands in what would otherwise be spent on new packaging – a lifeline for smaller and independent sellers that are preparing for an influx of returns. Implementing a system such as this not only saves on costs now but it can help retailers (both online and offline) make their logistics more sustainable moving forward, as traditional packaging material costs could soon rise as the industry manages these new purchasing behaviours.


By Dimitris Panagiotou, Systems Sunlight sales director Lithium-ion Powered ForkLiFtS:


keePing Pace with the Pandemic


Social distancing and employee safety measures have placed additional pressure on manufacturers, not to mention the rise in demand for e-commerce sales which at present stands at an all-time high. In the UK alone, the surge in online retail is expected to add well over £5bn to a total of £79bn e-commerce sales this year according to analysts at Edge Retail Insight. Faced with a demand that shows no sign of


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stopping, factories and warehouses are under significant pressure to enhance their operational efficiency, central to which is the optimal performance of factory vehicles such as forklifts and the energy systems which comprise them. This is where lithium-ion technology comes


PLanning ahead The pressures presented over the past eleven months have firmly introduced a series of new challenges to a number of retailers. And although it looks as though these changes may not go away, decision makers can use this newfound knowledge to address these issues with speed and sustainability at the forefront of their choices. Many have been stunned with the unpredictability


of this year but in reality, organisations and their backroom staff simply cannot afford to sit back and not evolve their logistics. Should they fail to future-proof, consumers will always find another to purchase from.


hSm hsm.eu/uk


into play. With a compound annual growth rate of 15 per cent in the forecast period of 2020 to 2027, lithium-ion batteries provide a trusted power source for factories looking for increased levels of predictability. Their application in electrical industrial vehicles, including forklifts, helps to reduce down-time, enhance output and improve reliability. With the impetus on maintaining increased demand across factories and warehouses, operators need to extend the use of their forklifts. Lithium-ion can reduce idle time associated with recharging and do not rely on watering, cleaning and equalising, making them the ideal solution for multi-shift operations. Systems Sunlight’s Li.ON force lithium-ion


batteries reach full charge in under 90 minutes, allowing for three shift operations without the need for battery change in the middle of the working day. The company’s technology uses lithium-iron-phosphate and can last for approximately 4,500 charging cycles, depending on the user profile. Sunlight’s Li.ON range also features an Active Balancing mode which is applied both in the charging and discharging cycle to allow the equal flow and receipt of energy between the cells. By keeping all cells constantly at the same voltage levels, this optimises the performance and lifecycle of the battery as a system.


cross the globe, the coronavirus pandemic has led to major changes in how warehouses and factories operate.


Improved energy efficiency results in


significantly lower electricity consumption on charge-discharge cycles compared to battery alternatives. The high energy density of lithium- ion batteries and quick recharge time also negates the need for a second ‘on charge’ battery which most alternatives to lithium will require. This further reduces the warehouse’s footprint, allowing more space for product storage or distributions. The technological developments of lithium-ion also mean that repair and maintenance efforts are considerably reduced. In most cases, maintenance is not necessary at all, equating to an important reduction in annual total cost of ownership compared to other technologies. However, it is important to look for products


from energy storage manufacturers that incorporate warehouse management systems (WMS) which enables warehouse managers to monitor the batteries and pre-empt any issues. Sunlight’s Li.ON range goes one step further, as the first range on the market to incorporate cloud access as standard, our network of engineers can remotely access the batteries to shut down a damaged module or increase charge significantly. This is particularly vital in light of pandemic- fueled social distancing measures which have limited the number of workers allowed to be in a factory at one time and made it more difficult for third party engineers to come onsite. As government lockdowns continue to endure, demand for e-commerce services and reduced staffing aren’t going away any time soon. Yet introducing technologies such as lithium-ion batteries are a simple way of ensuring maximum efficiency and productivity. By selecting a battery that is durable, has high energy density, quick charge times with clear state of charge displays and features in built WMS integration from a trusted manufacturer such as that provided by Sunlight’s lithium products, factories can prevent unnecessary downtime, increase return on investment and continue to provide a fast and reliable service to their customers, even in these challenging times.


Systems Sunlight www.systems-sunlight.com


FACTORY&HANDLINgSOLUTIONS | APRIL 2021 37


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