More than 100 of the latest cargo trucks to be used by British military forces around the world have set sail for the Army’s training centre in Canada. The trucks are part of the £1.3B replacement Support Vehicle programme awarded to MAN trucks in 2005 which will see the supply of some 7,300 cargo and recovery vehicles. The procurement programme is being managed by the General Support Vehicles Integrated Project Team (GSV IPT) which is a through life IPT, responsible for the procurement and in-service management of heavy logistics vehicles with a payload of four tonnes and above. GSV IPT is one of eight IPTs and Groups who are participating in DVD at Millbrook this year.

Inconsistent management at the interface between car manufacturers and their suppliers costs the Western European automotive industry around €14 billion a year – an average of approximately €900 for each vehicle produced – according to new research published by McKinsey. In the study ‘Managing the OEM Supplier Interface’, McKinsey consultants analyse the reasons for this high level of waste, which drops to €521 for North American vehicle manufacturers and to just €120 for Japanese vehicle manufacturers.

Daifuku at CeMAT, (Hannover 27th-31st May) Hall 27, Stand H 39

Major European launches from Daifuku at leading intralogistics event

Technologies that deliver ultra-high densities and also high outputs will be launched at this years CeMAT event (Hannover, 27th-31st May) by Daifuku, one of the world’s largest suppliers of automated materials handling systems. European launches will include one of the world’s tallest high-bay cranes and a unique synchroniser twin crane AS/RS.

Daifuku at CeMAT, (Hannover 27th-31st May) Hall 27, Stand H 39

Two cranes on one track help double throughput and halve the footprint

A new design of crane that will almost double the throughput of most aisles will be launched at the CeMAT show by Daifuku, the world’s second largest supplier of automated materials handling systems. With two cranes on one track, the Synchroniser Automated Storage & Retrieval System (AS/RS) can perform substantially faster than dual fork mini load automated storage and retrieval systems.

Mercedes-Benz Ategos to be fitted with Allison automatic transmission in demanding situations

SLIEDRECHT – Fire trucks in Düsseldorf are used for more than just fire fighting – 60 percent of their operations are for technical assistance, including rescue and recovery emergencies. Designed to give performance and reliability, Allison automatic transmissions are durable and easy to use in even the most challenging environments, making them a natural choice for the role.

The first dozen of the powerful Mobility Installation Weapons Mounted Installation Kit (MWMIK) vehicles have been delivered ahead of their planned deployment to Afghanistan. The vehicles have been procured by the Specialist Utility Vehicles Integrated Project Team (SUV IPT) one of the eight IPTs and Groups who are participating in DVD this year.

Specially made air-conditioned kennels have been delivered to Iraq and Afghanistan to replace the current accommodation being used by British Forces’ working dogs. The £1.2M contract has been delivered by Expeditionary Campaign Infrastructure Integrated Project Team (ECI IPT) part of the Battlefield Infrastructure and Engineering Group who will be using DVD as its annual stakeholder day in June.

Industry networking event solves long-term challenge in rapid time

Commanders on operations will soon be able to make much better informed decisions relating to the safety of fuel carrying vehicles, fitted with a wide range of Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs), whilst on operations. The improved level of risk assessment has been made possible following the introduction of TRL Compliance to General Support Vehicles Integrated Project Team (GSV IPT) at DVD last year.

“Best practices charter” leads top French store’s first CNG (compressed natural gas) fleet to be fitted with Allison automatics

SLIEDRECHT  – Allison commercial duty fully automatic transmissions have been selected by leading French store Monoprix as part of its commitment to clean transport.  Two leading French transportation firms Geodis BM and GT Location have been chosen to assure these deliveries.  The recent order for 26 new trucks with Allison automatics will be used to deliver fresh goods to 60 stores around Paris.   The characteristics of Allison’s fully automatic gearbox aim to deliver improved fuel economy in the rigorous distribution environment.

Business Post specifies an Allison Transmission fully-automatic system for trial in its latest Scania distribution vehicle

SLIEDRECHT – Allison Transmission, the world’s leading supplier of commercial duty fully-automatic transmissions has been chosen by Business Post to supply an Allison Transmission system for one of its’ latest Scania P270s. The vehicle is part of a Business Post order for 30 new generation drawbar/prime movers. This trial is part of a long term assessment with Business Post, the UK’s largest independent parcels, mail and logistics services company. Business Post is keen to reduce emission and promote corporate social responsibility, improve lifecycle costs and increase value from its distribution vehicles.