In our continuing series of discussions with top supply-chain company executives, Andrea Pongolini discusses the rising use of automation, digital connectivity, and the role of automated guided vehicles in distribution operations.
David Maloney has been a journalist for more than 35 years and is currently the group editorial director for DC Velocity and Supply Chain Quarterly magazines. In this role, he is responsible for the editorial content of both brands of Agile Business Media. Dave joined DC Velocity in April of 2004. Prior to that, he was a senior editor for Modern Materials Handling magazine. Dave also has extensive experience as a broadcast journalist. Before writing for supply chain publications, he was a journalist, television producer and director in Pittsburgh. Dave combines a background of reporting on logistics with his video production experience to bring new opportunities to DC Velocity readers, including web videos highlighting top distribution and logistics facilities, webcasts and other cross-media projects. He continues to live and work in the Pittsburgh area.
Andrea Pongolini has more than 20 years of experience in advanced automation solutions for the consumer goods industry. He joined E80 Group, a provider of automation and robotic solutions, in 2007 and is currently the executive vice president of sales. Based in Chicago, he leads E80 Group’s sales efforts in the NAFTA region. Pongolini has a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Parma in Italy and has done additional study at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.
Q: How would you describe the current state of the material handling industry?
A:The current state of the material handling industry is rapidly evolving, driven by a crucial need for automation. We’ve witnessed a significant shift in focus, especially in the CPG [consumer packaged goods] industries, toward total integration solutions. Companies are realizing the importance of end-to-end automation in their plants and distribution centers. This trend is a testament to the industry’s commitment to automation as a key tool for maintaining competitiveness, particularly in the face of challenges like labor shortages, inflation, and rising material costs.
Q: How are automated solutions helping customers deal with the lack of available labor?
A: Automation plays a pivotal role in addressing the shortage of available labor. It’s essential to note that automation doesn’t replace labor and humans outright; instead, it targets manual, simple, and repetitive tasks. By automating these tasks, businesses enhance efficiency, accuracy, safety, and cost-effectiveness in material handling operations, ensuring that human workers can focus on more complex and strategic aspects of their roles.
Q: What do you consider to be the most significant advancements made by robotic systems in recent years?
A: In recent years, robotic systems have made remarkable strides, particularly in the context of total integration. The integration of hardware and software has become paramount, with a focus on flexibility and digital connectivity. In addition, the rise of the internet of things (IoT) has revolutionized data collection. Businesses now demand systems that can collect and process vast amounts of data, not just for maintenance purposes but also for strategic decision-making.
Q: What factors do companies need to consider when deploying automated guided vehicles?
A: Engaging the right people within the end-user’s organization, especially during the preparation of the software function description, is crucial when deploying automated guided vehicles (AGVs). A comprehensive approach is necessary, with a focus on seamless integration into the existing workflow to automate all facility movements.
On top of that, flexibility in system design is of extreme importance when deploying AGVs. A well-designed system should be adaptable to changing needs and evolving technologies. The ability to easily reconfigure routes, tasks, and workflows as operational requirements shift ensures that AGVs continue to provide value over the long term. This flexibility extends to accommodating new products, production processes, or facility layouts, enabling seamless integration and scalability. A system that can adapt to emerging challenges and opportunities in the future is a key factor in the sustained success of AGV deployment.
Furthermore, safety remains fundamental. At E80, our laser-guided vehicle systems prioritize safety through continuous research and development.
Q: There are many companies producing automated and robotic systems. What makes E80 stand out?
A:What sets E80 apart is our unwavering commitment to total integration and automation. Unlike many providers, we don’t focus solely on isolated tasks. E80 collaborates closely with customers, examining their entire plant or distribution center comprehensively. We begin with a consultancy approach, utilizing our Smart Designer software to simulate the flows of the entire facility before installation.
Our end-to-end solutions, encompassing both software and hardware, are able to automate every single movement, not just repetitive low-value tasks, transforming manual facilities into fully automated ones. Our dedication to listening to our customers’ needs and adapting our technologies accordingly has fostered long-term partnerships and repeat business, making E80 a leader in the industry.
Q: Automation can be a significant investment. Where should companies start their automation journey, and which areas will likely offer the best return?
A: In our experience, starting with tasks that are labor-intensive or prone to human error is highly effective. In the CPG industries, initiating an automated journey from the finished-goods warehouse has proved to be the winning approach.
When possible, we also try to include automating truck loading and unloading operations, or implement fully automated layer- and case-picking systems, which can lead to significant incremental cost savings and efficiency improvements. But regardless of the application, focusing on seamless integration with existing systems, coupled with robust data management, ensures a streamlined transition and maximizes the return on investment.
Q: You have a degree in mechanical engineering. How does that background benefit you in helping customers find the right automated solutions?
A: My background in mechanical engineering equips me with a deep understanding of the technical intricacies involved in automated solutions. It allows me to bridge the gap between our cutting-edge technologies and our customers’ specific needs. By comprehensively understanding the mechanical aspects, I can effectively communicate the capabilities of our solutions to our customers. It enables me to work closely with our engineering teams, ensuring that our automated systems are not only state of the art but also precisely tailored to each customer’s unique requirements. This technical expertise forms the foundation of our customer-centric approach at E80 Group Inc.
Nearly one-third of American consumers have increased their secondhand purchases in the past year, revealing a jump in “recommerce” according to a buyer survey from ShipStation, a provider of web-based shipping and order fulfillment solutions.
The number comes from a survey of 500 U.S. consumers showing that nearly one in four (23%) Americans lack confidence in making purchases over $200 in the next six months. Due to economic uncertainty, savvy shoppers are looking for ways to save money without sacrificing quality or style, the research found.
Younger shoppers are leading the charge in that trend, with 59% of Gen Z and 48% of Millennials buying pre-owned items weekly or monthly. That rate makes Gen Z nearly twice as likely to buy second hand compared to older generations.
The primary reason that shoppers say they have increased their recommerce habits is lower prices (74%), followed by the thrill of finding unique or rare items (38%) and getting higher quality for a lower price (28%). Only 14% of Americans cite environmental concerns as a primary reason they shop second-hand.
Despite the challenge of adjusting to the new pattern, recommerce represents a strategic opportunity for businesses to capture today’s budget-minded shoppers and foster long-term loyalty, Austin, Texas-based ShipStation said.
For example, retailers don’t have to sell used goods to capitalize on the secondhand boom. Instead, they can offer trade-in programs swapping discounts or store credit for shoppers’ old items. And they can improve product discoverability to help customers—particularly older generations—find what they’re looking for.
Other ways for retailers to connect with recommerce shoppers are to improve shipping practices. According to ShipStation:
70% of shoppers won’t return to a brand if shipping is too expensive.
51% of consumers are turned off by late deliveries
40% of shoppers won’t return to a retailer again if the packaging is bad.
The “CMA CGM Startup Awards”—created in collaboration with BFM Business and La Tribune—will identify the best innovations to accelerate its transformation, the French company said.
Specifically, the company will select the best startup among the applicants, with clear industry transformation objectives focused on environmental performance, competitiveness, and quality of life at work in each of the three areas:
Shipping: Enabling safer, more efficient, and sustainable navigation through innovative technological solutions.
Logistics: Reinventing the global supply chain with smart and sustainable logistics solutions.
Media: Transform content creation, and customer engagement with innovative media technologies and strategies.
Three winners will be selected during a final event organized on November 15 at the Orange Vélodrome Stadium in Marseille, during the 2nd Artificial Intelligence Marseille (AIM) forum organized by La Tribune and BFM Business. The selection will be made by a jury chaired by Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the Group, and including members of the executive committee representing the various sectors of CMA CGM.
The global air cargo market’s hot summer of double-digit demand growth continued in August with average spot rates showing their largest year-on-year jump with a 24% increase, according to the latest weekly analysis by Xeneta.
Xeneta cited two reasons to explain the increase. First, Global average air cargo spot rates reached $2.68 per kg in August due to continuing supply and demand imbalance. That came as August's global cargo supply grew at its slowest ratio in 2024 to-date at 2% year-on-year, while global cargo demand continued its double-digit growth, rising +11%.
The second reason for higher rates was an ocean-to-air shift in freight volumes due to Red Sea disruptions and e-commerce demand.
Those factors could soon be amplified as e-commerce shows continued strong growth approaching the hotly anticipated winter peak season. E-commerce and low-value goods exports from China in the first seven months of 2024 increased 30% year-on-year, including shipments to Europe and the US rising 38% and 30% growth respectively, Xeneta said.
“Typically, air cargo market performance in August tends to follow the July trend. But another month of double-digit demand growth and the strongest rate growths of the year means there was definitely no summer slack season in 2024,” Niall van de Wouw, Xeneta’s chief airfreight officer, said in a release.
“Rates we saw bottoming out in late July started picking up again in mid-August. This is too short a period to call a season. This has been a busy summer, and now we’re at the threshold of Q4, it will be interesting to see what will happen and if all the anticipation of a red-hot peak season materializes,” van de Wouw said.
The report cites data showing that there are approximately 1.7 million workers missing from the post-pandemic workforce and that 38% of small firms are unable to fill open positions. At the same time, the “skills gap” in the workforce is accelerating as automation and AI create significant shifts in how work is performed.
That information comes from the “2024 Labor Day Report” released by Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute (WPI), the firm’s government relations and public policy arm.
“We continue to see a labor shortage and an urgent need to upskill the current workforce to adapt to the new world of work,” said Michael Lotito, Littler shareholder and co-chair of WPI. “As corporate executives and business leaders look to the future, they are focused on realizing the many benefits of AI to streamline operations and guide strategic decision-making, while cultivating a talent pipeline that can support this growth.”
But while the need is clear, solutions may be complicated by public policy changes such as the upcoming U.S. general election and the proliferation of employment-related legislation at the state and local levels amid Congressional gridlock.
“We are heading into a contentious election that has already proven to be unpredictable and is poised to create even more uncertainty for employers, no matter the outcome,” Shannon Meade, WPI’s executive director, said in a release. “At the same time, the growing patchwork of state and local requirements across the U.S. is exacerbating compliance challenges for companies. That, coupled with looming changes following several Supreme Court decisions that have the potential to upend rulemaking, gives C-suite executives much to contend with in planning their workforce-related strategies.”
Stax Engineering, the venture-backed startup that provides smokestack emissions reduction services for maritime ships, will service all vessels from Toyota Motor North America Inc. visiting the Toyota Berth at the Port of Long Beach, according to a new five-year deal announced today.
Beginning in 2025 to coincide with new California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards, STAX will become the first and only emissions control provider to service roll-on/roll-off (ro-ros) vessels in the state of California, the company said.
Stax has rapidly grown since its launch in the first quarter of this year, supported in part by a $40 million funding round from investors, announced in July. It now holds exclusive service agreements at California ports including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Hueneme, Benicia, Richmond, and Oakland. The firm has also partnered with individual companies like NYK Line, Hyundai GLOVIS, Equilon Enterprises LLC d/b/a Shell Oil Products US (Shell), and now Toyota.
Stax says it offers an alternative to shore power with land- and barge-based, mobile emissions capture and control technology for shipping terminal and fleet operators without the need for retrofits.
In the case of this latest deal, the Toyota Long Beach Vehicle Distribution Center imports about 200,000 vehicles each year on ro-ro vessels. Stax will keep those ships green with its flexible exhaust capture system, which attaches to all vessel classes without modification to remove 99% of emitted particulate matter (PM) and 95% of emitted oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Over the lifetime of this new agreement with Toyota, Stax estimated the service will account for approximately 3,700 hours and more than 47 tons of emissions controlled.
“We set out to provide an emissions capture and control solution that was reliable, easily accessible, and cost-effective. As we begin to service Toyota, we’re confident that we can meet the needs of the full breadth of the maritime industry, furthering our impact on the local air quality, public health, and environment,” Mike Walker, CEO of Stax, said in a release. “Continuing to establish strong partnerships will help build momentum for and trust in our technology as we expand beyond the state of California.”