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project44 Deepens Investment in China with Movement Launch, Local Partnership and New GM
project44 has provided visibility for more than a half million over-the-road (OTR) shipments in China for several multinational companies including CEVA Logistics.
CHICAGO, July 23, 2024 -- project44, the leader in supply chain visibility and the only High-Velocity Supply Chain Platform, announced today three exciting developments in China including the launch of the Movement by project44™ platform in the market, a new partnership with Baidu and the appointment of a new General Manager in China.
project44 is the only real-time transportation visibility provider authorized to transfer logistics data cross-border from China. project44 has worked closely with the Lingang Special Area to ensure its Platform provides a legal, secure and compliant visibility solution for customers seeking visibility of their China supply chains.
"In today's interconnected world, supply chains are global, and China is one of the world's leading manufacturing hubs. Our customers need the highest-quality visibility of inventory moving through the country, and they require it in a fully compliant way," said Jett McCandless, Founder and CEO of project44. "project44 is proud to be the only vendor ensuring total compliance for data visibility in China, protecting our customers and our customers' customers. We are grateful for partners and investors like Goldman Sachs that have helped us expand our offerings in this critical region."
project44 provides global visibility to significant multinational companies based in or operating out of the greater China region, including several Fortune 100 companies.
"As one of the most well-known omnichannel logistics providers, Maersk Contract Logistics (previous LF Logistics), has been closely working with project44 since 2022 to further enhance end-user Ocean Visibility," says Lisa Li, General Manager, Maersk Contract Logistics. "The collaboration with project44 has significantly improved our ability to provide real-time, transparent information to our customers, ensuring greater efficiency and reliability in our logistics operations worldwide. project44's commitment to innovation and excellence has been instrumental in helping us deliver superior service to our customers."
New Product Enhancements and Partnerships
While project44 has offered visibility for OTR shipments in China since 2021, today marks the launch of the Movement by project44™ platform in the market, making the advanced user interface available to all users in China.
In addition to the launch of Movement, project44 is establishing local partnerships to enhance visibility for customers operating in China, including one with Baidu, the China-based multinational tech leader. project44's OTR maps in China will be powered by Baidu.
"Visibility in China is crucial to our operations and critical for our customers, and partnering with project44 has been instrumental in achieving this. As the visibility solution capable of accompanying us in all of Asia, project44 has allowed us to seamlessly view our shipments coming in and out of China, ensuring reliability and efficiency in one of the world's most dynamic markets," said William Maddock, Business Process Head for APAC Ground Transport at CEVA Logistics. "We are pleased by the support and innovation project44 consistently brings to the table, significantly enhancing our operational capabilities and customer satisfaction."
Appointment of New General Manager
To ensure service in the Chinese market exceeds customer expectations, project44 appointed a new general manager for China, Frank Tan. Tan joins other project44 team members in the Shanghai office.
Tan is a seasoned executive with over ten years of supply chain experience. He began his career in finance at GE China and a regional financial institution in China before joining Flexport Shenzhen in 2017 as one of the founding team members of Flexport China. During his tenure, he helped grow its China operations from a team of three to over 400 people, led direct sales initiatives, and managed key accounts, achieving significant growth. His tenure there allowed him to develop a deep understanding of logistics operations, supply chain management, and customer relations that will aid in his success as general manager of China at project44.
About project44
project44 is on a mission to make supply chains work. Movement by project44, the only High-Velocity Supply Chain Platform, enables shippers, LSPs and carriers across the globe to reduce costs, optimize operations, deliver an exceptional customer experience and drive greater resiliency and sustainability. Having built the industry's largest and most connected ecosystem, project44 provides visibility into over 1 billion shipments annually for over 1,300 of the world's leading brands within manufacturing, automotive, retail, life sciences, food & beverage, CPG, and oil, chemical & gas.
project44's commitment to excellence was recognized across organizations and awards including being named the Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant and as the "Customer's Choice" in Gartner's 2023 Voice of the Customer report, a 13-time leader on G2's Supply Chain Visibility Grid, Google Cloud Partner of the Year, and SAP Pinnacle Award winner. project44 is headquartered in Chicago with a diverse team spanning 19 global offices including Amsterdam, Bangalore, Kraków, São Paulo, Shanghai and Tokyo. Learn more at project44.com.
Atlanta, GA, Feb 6, 2025 - Today Exotec®︎, a global warehouse robotics provider, announced the commercial launch of the Next Generation of Skypod®︎ system with higher performance, improved storage density, and advanced software features.
The Next Generation of Skypod comes with a number of design improvements including a new and more compact Skypod robot, a workstation for robot-to-robot picking, high-throughput Exchanger, and denser storage. These redesigns combined with new software features improve the throughput at a single workstation by 50% while also enhancing storage density up to 30% compared to the previous generation.
The key differentiator for the Next Generation of Skypod is the ability to handle both each and case picking, positioning Exotec to better address multichannel needs with a single solution. The system also natively supports a number of value-added logistics features that traditionally require external equipment and complex subsystems. This not only enables customers to simplify the flow of goods through the warehouse, but also significantly shrinks the system footprint by cutting down the need for conveyors, sorters, external storage, and packing stations.
Specifically, the Next Generation of Skypod supports:
Integrated Buffer: Next-Gen Skypod handles buffering within the system. Following order preparation at the Workstation, completed or semi-completed orders get automatically stored inside the racks until they are ready for outbound, or further consolidation. This helps reduce the need for staging areas or any other external buffer systems.
Perfect Sequencing: Next-Gen Skypod handles strict outbound sequencing prior to ejecting orders by using robots and the Exchanger. The robots group orders and deliver them in a specific arrangement to the Exchanger, which then routes the orders to outbound. This enables precise loading of pallets, containers, or trucks based on delivery routes, store planograms, or other unloading requirements, all without the need for external sorting equipment.
Pick-and-Pack: Next-Gen Skypod handles packing as an integrated part of the picking process. Operators pick directly into fulfillment containers, removing the need for manual packing operations downstream. This functionality pairs extremely well with right-size packaging solutions. These solutions can be integrated with Next-Gen Skypod to enable picking into right-size containers, significantly cutting last-mile costs.
“When designing the Next Generation Skypod, our goal was to create a solution that would set the industry standard of operational excellence and elegance for the next decade and beyond," said Romain Moulin, CEO and co-founder of Exotec. “We’re already seeing our customers reimagine their entire supply chain around the transformative capabilities of this innovation, from combining case and each picking operations to leveraging outbound sequencing to improve transportation costs. Witnessing this level of impact has been incredibly rewarding.”
Exotec developed the Next Generation of Skypod in response to evolving market needs and feedback from the existing customer base, which increasingly demands warehouse robotics to address a wider range of processes within the warehouse walls. Over the past two years, Exotec has sold and deployed the Next Generation Skypod system globally in stealth mode. The company has successfully secured over 20 projects worldwide, totaling $400M to customers including Oxford Industries (Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer, Southern Tide, etc.), Grainger, and E.Leclerc to strengthen their supply chain operations.
“We chose Exotec for its storage density and its operational flexibility. Robotic advancements have enabled us to set up a larger buffer area for prepared orders within the system,” said Maxence Maurice, CEO E. Leclerc Seclin. “Previously, I estimated that the customer journey, from arriving at the drive to leaving with their groceries, took between 10 and 15 minutes. Today, with the Exotec solution, it takes less than 5 minutes.”
For more information on the Next Generation of Skypod system, please visit www.exotec.com.
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About Exotec Exotec is a global warehouse robotics company powering the world's largest brands. The company combines the best of hardware and software to offer elegant warehouse robotic systems that drive operational efficiency, add resiliency, and improve working conditions for warehouse operators. 50+ industry-leading brands including Gap Inc., Carrefour, Decathlon, and UNIQLO trust Exotec to improve their operations across 100+ sites worldwide.
On the anniversary on 6 February, the parties and a large number of invited stakeholders gathered for an open seminar in Turku, Finland. Results, experiences, challenges and opportunities were discussed based on the common goal of establishing a green maritime corridor between Stockholm and Turku by 2035.
"We are very pleased with the cooperation and the work done during the first year," says Magdalena Bosson, CEO Ports of Stockholm. "We have been investing in onshore power supply infrastructure for ships for many years and Viking Line is one of the pioneers. Now we are further sharpening our goals together with the other parties to establish a fossil-free shipping corridor between Stockholm and Turku."
"We are proud to be part of this important co-operation project for a cleaner Baltic Sea. Our most significant investment so far is to offer all our passengers and freight customers biofuel for transport between Stockholm and Turku, reducing emissions for their journeys by 90%. In addition, a possible battery installation and Elogrids*, which reduces energy consumption, are important elements of our work in the coming years," says Jan Hanses, CEO Viking Line.
"A green shipping corridor gives us the opportunity to promote sustainable development and reduce the environmental impact of shipping. During the past year, we have started more detailed planning of measures related to the green shipping corridor, such as updating our carbon footprint calculation and preparing for the development of charging stations for heavy traffic," says Erik Söderholm, CEO Port of Turku.
During the first year, the parties have identified and prioritised the most important goals and measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in shipping. A clear project plan with activities has been developed, including:
Viking Line
- Pre-study of battery installation on Viking Grace and Viking Glory
- Installing Elogrids* on the vessels
- Increase sales of biogas supplements for transport between Stockholm and Turku
Port of Turku
- Study and pilot project for onshore power supply at the quay
- Zero emissions from Viking Line vessels at berth
- Guidelines and incentives for port operators for zero emissions
- In collaboration with external actors, develop concepts that link the green shipping corridor with sustainable transport from and to the port on land
- Opportunity for shipping companies to bunker sustainable fuels
Ports of Stockholm
- Zero emissions from Viking Line vessels at the quayside
- In collaboration with external actors, develop concepts that link the green shipping corridor with sustainable transport from and to the port on land
- Opportunity for shipping companies to bunker fossil-free fuels
*Elogrids is a grid system installed on the ship's hull to reduce resistance and improve fuel efficiency. It optimizes water flow and reduces turbulence, resulting in lower energy consumption.
Johanna Boijer, Vice President Corporate Communications Viking Line
Johanna.boijer@vikingline.com, +358 18 27 000
Eleonora Hansi, Communications Manager Viking Line Scandinavia
eleonora.hansi@vikingline.com, +46 70 452 41 41
Port of Turku:
Erik Söderholm, Managing Director of Port of Turku
erik.soderholm@portofturku.fi, +358 50 553 3100
Ports of Stockholm is one of the world´s largest passenger ports and one of Sweden´s largest freight port. Ports of Stockholm has ports located in Stockholm, Kapellskär and Nynäshamn. www.portsofstockholm.com – twitter.com/stockholmshamn
PORTS OF STOCKHOLM
MAGASIN 2, FRIHAMNEN, BOX 27314, SE-102 54 STOCKHOLM
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, February 6, 2025 – TrusTrace, a market-leading platform for supply chain traceability and compliance in the fashion and textile industry, is proud to announce its participation in Textile Exchange’s test pilot project, to evaluate a multiparty Trackit™ system.
The pilot is set to run throughout 2025, marking a significant step forward in advancing traceability and transparency within the textile and apparel supply chain. The project aims to test the performance of an interoperable traceability framework that functions across diverse technology platforms. It is designed to minimize the burden on supply chain operators while maintaining a strong and credible standards system to adapt to an evolving legislative landscape.
Contributing to theTrackit™ pilot project
The TrusTrace platform is built to improve interoperabilityand works with multiple enterprise systems and data formats. In 2024 the platform gathered primary data on more than 12.9 million global transactions for more than 1.2 billion units, from more than 60,000 suppliers.
TrusTrace’s ability to aggregate, validate, and standardize supply chain data across various ecosystems ensures that brands have access to up-to-date, high-quality data — a critical enabler for making informed decisions to manage supply chain and brand risk, ensure compliance, and drive more sustainable practices. The test pilot aligns with TrusTrace’s vision of empowering brands to know, prove and improve the impact of their supply chain.
Unlocking the Benefits of Digitized Supply Chains
The Trackit™ test pilot aims to not only analyze interoperability of a multiparty system; but also to provide a foundation for supply chain innovation by enabling:
Efficient data sharing: Streamlining collaboration across diverse stakeholders, from suppliers to brands.
Informed decision-making: Providing brands with real-time visibility into their supply chains to address environmental and social risks effectively.
Credible sustainability reporting: Ensuring brands can meet emerging legislative and regulatory requirements with robust and verified data.
“Interoperability is key to a future where supply chains are traceable, circular and fair. The Trackit™ test pilot brings the industry closer to a shared ecosystem where technology providers complement rather than compete, ensuring better outcomes for brands, suppliers, and the planet. TrusTrace is honored to contribute to this exciting project, and contribute with our vast experience in interoperability at scale,” said Shameek Ghosh, CEO and Co-founder of TrusTrace.
A Step Toward Systemic Change
The Trackit™ test pilot project is an integral step toward a more collaborative system for traceability. By reducing redundancies and aligning technology systems, this initiative aims to empower brands and supply chain partners to meet ambitious sustainability goals and manage supply chain risk and compliance.
About TrusTrace
TrusTrace offers a market-leading platform for supply chain traceability and compliance that enables brands and suppliers around the world to standardize how supply chain and material traceability data is captured, digitized and shared.
Through its AI-enhanced platform, TrusTrace empowers brands to gather and validate primary data from their supply chains, so they can know, prove and improve their impact. The data can be used for risk management, compliance, product claims, footprint calculations, the ability to confidently and easily share data about product origin and impact, and much more.
TrusTrace is leading global-scale traceability programs for many of the world’s largest and most ambitious brands and is called out as a Top Innovator for supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the World Economic Forum. The company is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, with offices in India, France, Germany and the US. Please visit www.trustrace.com to learn more.
ATLANTA– February 5, 2025 – Vanderlande, the global partner for future-proof warehouse solutions, today invited ProMat 2025 attendees to visit booth #S1503 to learn more about the fully integrated technologies, best-of-breed solutions and comprehensive services available to warehousing operations regardless of where they are in their automation journeys. Vanderlande experts will also present two interactive conference seminars that will draw on real-world examples and lessons learned to show attendees how they can successfully deploy automation for the faster and more efficient warehousing needed to stay competitive and thrive.
Known for providing leading global brands with the most advanced distribution centers (DCs), Vanderlande offers the fully-integrated and comprehensive suite of solutions dynamic retailers, including omnichannel brands and e-commerce companies in the general merchandise, apparel and food sectors, need to excel. The company’s automation technologies encompass the systems, software, robotics and services needed to optimize throughput, order accuracy and storage capacity in the most demanding fulfillment and store replenishment operations.
With a consultative approach, Vanderlande meets organizations where they are, whether they are moving to build the most advanced greenfield facility or embracing automation for the first time. The company also works closely with numerous suppliers to identify, vet and deliver the most effective and proven solutions in order to deliver the flexibility customers need to confidently address widely varying materials handling demands, budgets and timelines.
“Every customer is unique and requires a tailored solution for automating their journey,” said Greg Conner, president of warehouse solutions, North America at Vanderlande. “Our fully-integrated suite of technologies, our collaboration with best-of-breed suppliers like Hai Robotics and our close connection with our partners in the Toyota Automated Logistics family reflects our commitment to provide end-to-end solutions that meet our customers where they are. Our goal is to help them achieve success whether they are a large-scale facility or a smaller warehouse that needs to address labor shortfalls, be more competitive or decrease workplace injuries.”
Experts from Vanderlande will be on hand at booth #S1503 to answer any questions on warehouse automation strategies and to showcase available technologies, among them:
STOREPICK: Vanderlande’s modular, robotic, end-to-end case picking solution upends retail store replenishment. Utilizing the company’s ADAPTO shuttle-based Automated Storage & Retrieval System, depalletizing and palletizing robots and Pallet AV load carriers and Automated Mobile Robots, STOREPICK automates the most labor-intensive tasks in the retail supply chain.
Load Forming Logic (LFL): A component of STOREPICK, LFL uses advanced software to replicate the most efficient and effective case pickers while overcoming the challenges encountered in food and grocery stocking operations. Employees or robots can use LFL’s powerful algorithms to quickly create the ideal pallet or roll cage based on which aisle SKUs are located in, the ideal order in which they are unstacked and shelved and how they can be arranged to maximize pallet stability or other imperatives, such as pallet density when striving to lower transportation costs.
FASTPICK: Drawing on ADAPTO’s exceptional speed, sequencing capabilities, and flexibility to work with a variety of cartons, trays and totes, Vanderlande’s high-performance item picking solution enables omnichannel and e-commerce distribution centers to effectively handle peaks in demand like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the constantly evolving holiday shopping season. Modular by design, STOREPICK also features Smart Item Robotics and enables employees to immediately excel in picking operations with the industry’s most advanced and intuitive Goods-to-Person workstation.
Hai Robotics’ Automated Case-Handling Mobile Robot (ACR): Offered in Vanderlande’s Tote AV tote-to-person picking and storage solution, Hai Robotics’ ACR is a highly effective alternative for materials handling operations that need to increase the effectiveness of their picking and storage operations, but do not have the resources or time to deploy Automated Storage & Retrieval System (AS/RS) like Vanderlande’s ADAPTO. Utilizing traditional racking, the ACR can be deployed and begin delivering a proven return in just a few weeks.
“When considering any investment in warehouse automation it is imperative to ask the right questions and to work with providers to develop a detailed business case that looks at how various approaches, including investments in greenfield or brownfield sites, impact short-term and long-term goals and costs,” adds Conner. “At ProMat, we’ll explore the many ways automation can help address constantly evolving needs.”
Interactive, Educational Sessions
Experts from Vanderlande will also present two interactive sessions at ProMat that reflect the company’s extensive track record of success delivering solutions that help customers optimize and future-proof their operations. Details include:
Transforming Material Handling with Auto Case-Picking Robots – Theater B on Monday, March 17 from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. CST: Case-picking robots are a transformative innovation in materials handling and offer a wide range of benefits. Presented by Andrew Lockhart, director of strategic engagement, and Terrell Anthony, solutions consultant – this interactive session will explore how such systems enable continuous 24/7 productivity while lowering costs and eliminating many of the repetitive tasks that result in workplace injuries. The session will be particularly salient for professionals who want to understand the impact of robotics on their warehouses and how to integrate them into their operations.
Tailor Made Strategies for Automated Piece-Picking – Theater B on Wednesday, March 19 from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. CST: Piece-picking efficiency dramatically impacts throughput and order accuracy. In this interactive session, Jake Heldenberg, director of systems engineering, and Nabil Hasan, solutions consultant – will help attendees learn how to assess the needs of their warehouse operations and use proven data analysis techniques to create a successful automation strategy. Heldenberg and Hasan will also examine the different piece picking technologies available today and how to effectively integrate them into an end-to-end solution that’s tailored to address each business’s unique needs.
ProMat will bring supply chain professionals and solutions providers to Chicago from March 17-20, 2025. To schedule an appointment in Vanderlande booth #S1503, visit ProMat 2025 on Vanderlande.com or email info.us@vanderlande.com.
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About Vanderlande
Established in 1949, Vanderlande is a market-leading, global partner for future-proof logistic process automation in the warehousing, airports and parcel sectors. Its extensive portfolio of integrated solutions – innovative systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services – results in the realization of fast, reliable and efficient automation technology.
Owned by Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) and a part of Toyota Automated Logistics Group (TALG), Vanderlande has more than 9,000 employees, all committed to moving its customers’ businesses forward at diverse locations on every continent. With a revenue of $2.4 billion, it has established a worldwide reputation over the past seven decades as a global partner for future-proof logistic process automation. Learn more about Vanderlande here.
Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Warp, a tech-powered network of cross-docks and carriers offering various vehicle sizes, announced that 2025 it will extend its solutions and services to the U.S. government. Warp aims to modernize government freight logistics with machine-learning-driven planning, optimized network strategies, and flexible solutions to create efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable supply chain transportation.
Focused on optimizing every load, every time, Warp employs machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and groundbreaking consolidation techniques to blur the traditional lines of freight shipping by combining the best elements of LTL, FTL, and parcel delivery. Using its homogenous fleet including cargo vans, sedans, box trucks, and 53-foot trailers, Warp facilitates carrier injections, inbound vendor consolidation, pool point distribution, zone-skipping, store replenishment, and national retail distribution for some of the world’s largest shippers.
Unlike traditional FTL carriers, Warp offers per-pallet rates, ensuring customers pay only for what they use. Similarly, unlike traditional LTL carriers, Warp eliminates challenges such as unpredictable pricing, freight class adjustments, reweighs, and rebills. In the process of becoming an official government contractor, Warp will strategically align its technology, teams, and network to meet government needs while identifying opportunities for collaboration.
Many shippers that Warp has helped were previously paying for full truckloads without fully utilizing the space. Additionally, shippers relying on LTL services before switching to Warp often faced hidden fees, surprise surcharges, and unexpected rate adjustments. Our research indicates that these challenges are even more widespread in U.S. government transportation contracts.
“Partnering with Warp will save the government millions of dollars through reduced empty miles, shipment consolidation, route optimization, and scalable logistics—all without requiring government-owned infrastructure,” said Warp Co-founder and CEO Daniel Sokolovsky. “This is something we’ve been working on for quite some time, and we’re thrilled to showcase Warp’s capabilities and innovative logistics solutions on a national scale,” said Warp Co-founder and CRO Troy Lester.
About Warp Warp is a technology-enabled leader in middle-mile logistics, focused on creating efficient, scalable solutions for high-density, high-demand supply chains. By connecting shippers, carriers, and warehouses through an integrated platform, Warp delivers innovative freight technology solutions that prioritize efficiency, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. With a suite of tech-driven offerings, including real-time tracking, cross-docking, and route optimization, Warp provides unmatched reliability, visibility, and transformative impact in logistics and supply chain management.
For more information on how Warp can enhance your logistics network, visitwww.weareWarp.com.