The focus of visitor interest is likely to be the new E-performance container, developed in close cooperation with EDEKA (German Supermarket giant). These new white modern containers in the dimensions of 600 x 400 x 125 mm (E1) and 600 x 400 x 200 mm (E2) will replace the existing old red meat boxes in the European market over the next few years.
Why the new development?! The E-performance container is different to his red brother, because the colour is white, symbolizing not only hygienic, but ensures also that only virgin food approved raw material was used for the production. This prevents misuse identified in the material selection. Moreover HDPE is the material in accordance with EU Council Regulation 10/2011, and of course is suitable for food and direct food contact.
Thanks to the extensive experience of the development engineers at Utz, the E-Performance container is designed that it is also suitable for the handling on highly automated conveyor systems in the food processing industry. To ensure the permanent identification of the container, there are four in-mould labels (IML) on each box. The four bar code labels are positioned before the actual production process and the injection of the hot plastic into the injection moulding tool. Thus, the labels are extremely durable because they are protected by a thin layer of plastic and also an integrated part of the container. This robustness compared to the old style adhesive paper labels has advantages when washing the container, as both paper and glue suffer from the variety of washes. In addition, the container is clearly marked with the manufacturer’s code as well as one of GS1 assigned unique codes. The containers and the design are protected through trade mark rights.
The Utz stand during the Anuga FoodTec 2012 is in hall 6.1 with the number E 061.
Georg Utz GmbH purchased an almost five hectare large property in the industrial area at the highway intersection on Wednesday in order to continue their expansion. Corporate Management and the City Council consider the purchasing contract to be a clear signal that Utz will remain and further develop in Schüttorf.
By Steffen Burkert - Schüttorf. Georg Utz GmbH will presumably achieve a turnover of more than one hundred million Euros this year. This makes the company located in Schüttorf one of the most successful subsidiaries of the globally active Georg Utz Holding AG. This was announced by the Chief Executive Axel Ritzberger and Managing Director Rüdiger Köhler on Wednesday at a press conference at the Schüttorfer town hall.
The occasion of their visit to Mayor Thomas M. Hamerlik and City Manager Manfred Windhaus was the fact that the specialist in plastics technology intended to further expand into the industrial area. Ritzberger and Köhler signed the purchasing contract for an almost five hectare large area along the Emslandstrasse between the customs office and the rain storage basin. This allows the company to expand beyond the Emsbürener Strasse (L40) for the first time. The Utz company property in the industrial area "Schüttorfer Feld" now encompasses a total of 14 hectares.
Köhler and Ritzberger were as yet unable to say what exactly would be developed in the new area. "We need traffic areas and room for machinery and storage", was Ritzberger's general comment. The exact plan would not least depend on the economical development during the coming year, which was being faced very confidently. "We want to continue to grow", emphasized Köhler.
The city of Schüttorf had retained a part of the property now sold for Georg Utz GmbH as a so-called optional area in order to secure its expansion. The fact that the company has now purchased an even larger area is "a clear signal not only to secure a location but also to expand on it", City Manager Windhaus was happy to say during the signing of the contract. As one of the largest employers, business tax payers, instructors and image carriers, Georg Utz GmbH is an important partner in Schüttorf for the continued development of the city.
How rapid the development lived by the company really is was made clear early on Wednesday evening at the Nickisch Hotel, where the company celebrated its 40th anniversary at the Schüttorf site with their guests of honour. Long-term companions such as the former Head of District Administration Dr. Günter Terwey and the long-standing managing partner Günter Schwank reminisced of the early years when founder Georg Utz was lured to Schüttorf from Switzerland.
Meanwhile the company in Schüttorf employs 491 staff members with, according to management, "far more than 350" in permanent employment. Peaks were being handled by temporary employment agencies, says Köhler. The number of employees has therefore doubled within ten years. Since 2001, turnover has even increased from well over 40 to now presumably 100 million Euros. According to Köhler, the company has invested in significantly more than seven million Euros this year and large investments are also planned for the coming year.
"Schüttorf is the driving force in our Group, of which we are incredibly proud", says Dieter Utz as partner representative. "We as a family want to make this company sustainable", he announced. The company's most important capital is the committed and loyal employees. "You can claim to have a fixed, secure job at Utz. And you won't want to leave", confirmed the chairman of the workers' council, Georg Nieländer. Managing Director Köhler announced that Utz Holding would invite all employees worldwide to a grand fete in Schüttorf during the coming year. Georg Utz GmbH had already recently celebrated their family celebrations.
Solar modules are attached to the module pallet FixFlat with the use of a clamping device. The entire construction is used on flat rooftops, especially when the rooftop's bearing capacity is so low that previous metal constructions were not applicable for weight reasons alone. The individual modules are simply placed onto the rooftop and do not need to be bolted down. The individual pallets are joined to a flat surface with integrated connection elements. Their entire assembly does not require tools.
Should you be interested in personally examining the module pallets, please visit us at one of our trade fairs. The Utz "Product of the Year" will be in the particular limelight at the Ambiente (10 - 14 February 2012) in Frankfurt within the scope of the special fair "pro-K Product of the Year 2012".
PressOnShD / UK, 25 May 2011
George Utz, a leading manufacturer of materials handling solutions in plastic, has won substantial European grant funding for the research and development of a new Unit Load Device (ULD) for the global air cargo supply chain.
Working in partnership with Leicester based innovation and technology development organisation New Wave Innovation, George Utz applied for the grant for its SAFEGUARD project under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), which is the EU’s main instrument for funding research and technological developments in Europe.
The SAFEGUARD project will develop a new technology to improve the security and efficiency of air cargo through the research and development of a second generation Unit Load Device (ULD). With around 1 million ULDs around the world, carrying approximately 80 million tonnes of cargo, they are a crucial element of the global aviation industry.
Over the last 20 years, incremental improvements to the devices have primarily focused on weight reduction, resulting in potentially compromised security. The SAFEGUARD technology will result in major improvements in the safety and security of the air cargo supply chain, in addition to large economic savings and logistics improvements for airlines.
Carsten Diekmann, general manager at George Utz UK, is clearly thrilled with the news. "We are excited to be involved in the development of these containers, as they will have a real impact on how goods are transported across the globe. Our involvement in such an important and wide-reaching project demonstrates our high standards of quality and our unrivalled expertise in bespoke materials handling solutions.”
“We have a first-class design team and have already done a lot of work with New Wave Innovation to ensure that we address the various safety issues as a top priority.”
Development of the new ULDs will start in October 2011 and will run for 24 months. The first units are expected to be available from 2014.
Working in partnership with Leicester based innovation and technology development organisation New Wave Innovation, George Utz applied for the grant for its SAFEGUARD project under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), which is the EU’s main instrument for funding research and technological developments in Europe.
The SAFEGUARD project will develop a new technology to improve the security and efficiency of air cargo through the research and development of a second generation Unit Load Device (ULD). With around 1 million ULDs around the world, carrying approximately 80 million tonnes of cargo, they are a crucial element of the global aviation industry.
Over the last 20 years, incremental improvements to the devices have primarily focused on weight reduction, resulting in potentially compromised security. The SAFEGUARD technology will result in major improvements in the safety and security of the air cargo supply chain, in addition to large economic savings and logistics improvements for airlines.
Carsten Diekmann, general manager at George Utz UK, is clearly thrilled with the news. "We are excited to be involved in the development of these containers, as they will have a real impact on how goods are transported across the globe. Our involvement in such an important and wide-reaching project demonstrates our high standards of quality and our unrivalled expertise in bespoke materials handling solutions.”
“We have a first-class design team and have already done a lot of work with New Wave Innovation to ensure that we address the various safety issues as a top priority.”
Development of the new ULDs will start in October 2011 and will run for 24 months. The first units are expected to be available from 2014.
“Everybody, who has actively helped organising an event before, will know the problems when it comes to handling tableware and glasses. The jury was above all convinced by the functionality and simplicity of the Glas Manager. The height can be simply and quickly adjusted to the different sizes of glasses, cups, etc. without any tools. Stackability and safety of the transported goods are guaranteed anytime. The containers are dimensioned such that they fit into any common European industrial dishwashers. The glasses no longer have to be re-stacked by hand, and simultaneously with the washing process, the Glas Manager is cleaned, too.”
The Glas Manager is available in four different compartment sizes. Thus, the matching separation is available for practically any common glass diameters. By means of the different adjustment positions at the four corner posts, the height is exactly adjusted to the respective glass height. A further big advantage of the Glas Manager consists in the fact that it exactly fits into a Euro container 600 x 400 mm (e.g. RAKO). Thus, glasses can be securely and dust-free transported and stored.
Interested in further information about the Glas Manager? Please read the news text “Glas Manager - latest novelty for the innovative caterer” of 25 November 2009.
Due to material and design, wooden pallets have some major disadvantages. Wear on roller conveyors, chain conveyors or in high rack facilities result in high contamination and, in the worst case, plant standstills. Partial breaks of boards or protruding connecting elements damage the loaded goods and thus cause high costs. Furthermore, wooden pallets are known to be highly prone to mould-affection and/or bacterial contamination and wood-pest infestation. The formation of rust at the connecting elements results in loss of quality, contamination of the loaded goods and, in the worst case, in pallets breaking into pieces. At companies working according to HACCP concepts, applying GMP guidelines or following other directives concerning food hygiene, the use is not very reasonable for the reasons stated.
With the new universal pallet UPAL-U, Georg Utz AG launches a plastic pallet, which sets new standards as an alternative to the wooden Euro pallet. It is available without reinforcement or optionally equipped with two to six steel tubes. In the unreinforced version, the robust pallet only weighs 14 kg and is thus clearly lighter compared to the wooden pallet, which depending on the moisture content weighs 20 to 25 kg. Thus, transport costs are saved, manual handling is facilitated, and the pallet’s payload increased. In the version reinforced with four tubes, the UPAL-U can be used in high rack storage and may be loaded with up to 1300 kg without any reservations.
Thanks to the sophisticated design of the UPAL-U in the runner area, it provides extremely high running smoothness on roller conveyors and chain conveyors. The runners have sliding ribs, which highly reduce the plastic wear at the base, should a heavily loaded pallet be pushed with the lift truck in an improper manner. Using polypropylene, a comparatively good slip resistance of containers on the pallet or of pallets stacked on top of one another is achieved. Thus, additional slip-resistant measures like special coatings, insertion of anti-slip strips, etc. are only necessary in special cases.
Manual handling has been considered at Georg Utz AG, too. In the centre of the upper deck, two ergonomically shaped handles are attached on request, which clearly facilitate this type of handling, too, above all in combination with the low weight. With regards to height and insertion width on the short side, this latest plastic Euro pallet with the dimensions 1200x800x148 mm has exactly the dimensions of the wooden pallet. Thus, it can be taken over into existing handling processes without adjustments at conveying plants. In order to additionally increase the additional benefit of the UPAL-U, the reusable pallets may be equipped with RFID transponder or barcode labels during production already.
The UPAL-U is available on stock in the following variants: in the unreinforced and reinforced versions (with four longitudinal internal steel tubes), respectively with an EHI-compatible safety rim and the two ergonomic reach-throughs mentioned, colour light grey.
Since 14th June 2010, the previous Sales Manager and Authorised Officer Rüdiger Köhler (45) has been entrusted with the management of the German Utz branch. Köhler, who had been an apprentice with Utz already, returned to the company immediately after completing his studies in business administration. Since 2003, he has been a Member of the Management as an Authorised Officer and Sales Manager, and he now leads the Management as the General Manager.
The Schüttorf location has about 300 employees, 26 of which apprentices. As a reaction to the difficult economic situation of the past year, Utz has established a new branch of business – Technical Parts. One big, initial order of this area comprises the delivery of 300,000 pallets for solar modules. This year, a total increase in the overall turnover of 20 % could already be generated. For 2010, investments of almost five million Euros have been planned. Thus, two new injection-moulding machines are to be acquired. For the current year, Utz expects a consolidation of the economic situation, which can be determined by an increasing receipt of orders.
The silos have been produced by Braby Limited, the UK's leading manufacturer of aluminium and stainless steel silos, tanks and bulk storage systems. The silos, which stand 20 metres tall and 4.5 metres in diameter, are manufactured in Bristol from a high grade aluminium alloy, similar to that used for ship-building. They will be mounted onto load cells and hoisted into place by two industrial cranes on 11 May 2010, following weeks of ground work to prepare for the new facilities, including changes to the road infrastructure to allow access for deliveries.
The new silos will increase George Utz’s storage capacity by a massive 130%. This will eliminate the risk of inventory shortage and also ensures raw materials can be sourced when market prices are attractive for projects. Those savings can then be passed on to Utz’s customers and gives the project partner planning security regarding the budget.
Despite the recent economic pressures, George Utz has continued to grow here in the UK, both in revenue and number of staff. General Manager Carsten Diekmann is excited about the new facilities at Alfreton: “We have recently secured a number of large orders from many well known High Street retailers, and it is vital that we have the raw materials on site ready to meet our customers’ demands. This additional storage means that we can maintain our competitive advantage and offer significant cost savings to our valued customers.”
Carsten is very proud of Utz’s achievements in the UK, and puts their success down to their attention to ‘best in class’ design and innovative manufacturing processes. Speaking about Utz’s UK team, Carsten adds “We all make a great effort to understand the total usage cycle of the proposed solution, from factory gate to final recycling. We pride ourselves on co-operation, quality and customer-focused project management.”
As part of the project, George Utz is also installing Braby’s “Vessel Link” online monitoring system, which will enable users to access accurate stock information from anywhere in the world and from any PC with a web browser. The package comprises a data capture unit and GSM modem with data recovered from the instrument at predetermined intervals from one minute to any specified frequency. This data is uploaded at regular intervals via GSM modem to a secure website.
The task is not only a frequent one, but in most cases also entails a lot of effort: one part to be packaged is available in different sizes and therefore also has to be transported or stored in various packaging sizes. This quite simply means that corresponding to the number of different product sizes just as many different types of packaging must be provided. This binds a lot of work and concentration, which not only could be used more expediently, but in case of doubt also increases the error rate. All in all a more than dissatisfying condition.
The renowned automotive supplier Schaeffler Technologies acquires a wide range of gear racks with different lengths and diameters from its suppliers, which are used for the electromechanical steering in passenger car. Until now, a maximum of two gear racks with a predefined product length were placed into an injection-moulded container with fixed nest contours. In the course of time, however, the variety of parts increased such that a strategic decision could no longer be avoided: to either, as previously, acquire type-related containers and thus have a variety of very different types of packaging, which have to be stocked and managed in different quantities. The only alternative to the risk of a packaging chaos of an unmanageable extent was the development of a new, flexible container, which was able to hold any gear racks planned for the years to come. Together with the Manufacturing and Automation Departments, the decision of the packaging logistics experts was made in favour of this possibility.
Due to the long-term successful cooperation between Schaeffler Technologies and the container specialist Utz from northern German town of Schüttorf, Utz Sales Manager Rüdiger Köhler was assigned with the task to produce relief by means of a plastic container. Stefan Mattausch, Project Manager at Schaeffler Technologies in Herzogenaurach: "Together with Utz, a container was to be developed, which not only offers space for the longest gear rack, but also holds the smaller gear racks firmly and securely!" In addition, the different diameters of the round metal bars had to be considered as well, and the luxury of packaging two gear racks with different lengths in one and the same container had to be included as well. Almost self-evident in that was the requirement that it must be possible to handle the container as well as the parts placed therein automatically.
Looking back, Rüdiger Köhler, at Utz responsible for the project, comments on the task as "rather demanding", which in retrospect in view of the simple as well as clever solution unfortunately is no longer reflected that well. Nevertheless, the know-how applied is not to be underestimated, especially since for the container solution an application for a patent was filed.
To design an injection-moulded container complying with the stability requirements with the outer dimensions 990 x 594 x 80 mm of PP without considering the "inner workings" in the first step, still was the standard at first. In order to exclude any deflection of the base in view of the weight of the gear racks during the transport of the container on roller conveyors, a closed double-base was chosen, for which an additional plastic plate is welded onto the base. Due to the requirements of automation, a decision was made in favour of 10 supports for the metal bars in each container with a maximum diameter of the gear racks of 32 mm. Thus, the outline conditions were set and the only thing still missing was a brilliant idea, which makes an injection-moulded component holder a flexible transport unit for gear racks of different lengths in the range of 690 – 910 mm.
In the end, a simple and at the same time practical solution consisted in attaching up to two strips with round supports for the "rear end" of the gear racks in an area of the container prepared with a slip-on system. These strips can be flexibly positioned with modular dimensions of 7 mm and thus enable the placement of any gear racks to be packaged independent of their length into one and the same basic container. Stefan Mattausch: "Once positioned, the strips don’t have to be relocated. Only with the expiry of a product and replacement by a subsequent type, the container has to be adjusted to the new geometrical requirements." A really clever solution!
The employees of Schaeffler Technologies responsible for delivery of the gear racks were more than satisfied and the container management even relieved. Instead of having to use a multitude of different packaging solutions, now all product variants could be packed into one and the same container. In addition, the parts can be placed into the plastic component holder as well as removed therefrom using a robot. Downright enthusiasm caused the new packaging means with the employees working in prototype construction, who now can securely package and store their newly developed and often also rather costly samples. The acceptance is that great that meanwhile even several Schaeffler customers took over this packaging concept.
Essential for the Schaeffler Group, however, are the substantial savings in packaging costs with the development of a flexible reusable system. This should also be a consolation for the fact that the new packaging solution – due to its flexible applications called "Flexible Container" – though it was nominated for the German Packaging Award 2009, did not receive the award. Nevertheless, at least internally, the flexible container is more than prize-worthy, particularly since the costs for development and production should have amortised before long. Mattausch says concludingly: "We are more than satisfied with the savings potential which results from the flexible container!"
Over 350,000 high quality polypropylene containers with dimensions of 600 x 400 x 305mm have been produced during the last 10 months in Utz's fully automated, state of the art 24/7 production plant in Alfreton, Derbyshire, near M1 J28.
Carsten Diekmann, General Manager of George Utz Ltd in the UK, describes the products that The Utz Group manufactures. “We develop and produce re-useable packaging - primarily returnable plastics products used throughout the supply chain of both the automotive and retail industries. We have developed bespoke solutions for a number of well known blue-chip companies in the UK, creating items such as trays, containers and pallet systems to help deliver goods from the producer, through the supply chain direct to the end-user.
We work very closely with a number of successful High Street retail companies, to develop and manufacture reusable packaging, which allow goods to be transported from distribution centres through to the shops themselves (Retail Ready Packaging). However, we don’t just manufacture containers.... we provide expert advice and innovative solutions to improve all our customers' supply chain and storage needs.”
The Utz Group is investing substantially in new, innovative technologies and is very optimistic about the future after a successful business year in 2009. Carsten adds “we have the support and commitment of our shareholders, enabling us to develop and grow our business in the UK further. Our commitment to customer service and exceptional quality has enabled us to win a number of exciting new projects and to gain market share in our chosen markets.”
George Utz has recently invested substantially in additional storage facilities at its Alfreton site, with the construction of four new silos holding a total of 1000 tonnes of bulk raw material – increasing capacity by 130%. This eliminates the risk of inventory shortage and also ensures raw materials can be sourced when market prices are at their lowest. Those savings can then be passed on to the customers.
Carsten is excited about new developments in the business. “We are also investing in pioneering new IML (in-mould labelling) technology – the first of its kind in the UK. We are seeing a change in our customers’ needs in this area, and can call upon the expertise of our European partners to provide the know-how to meet those needs. We can already provide RFID (radio frequency identifiers) technology integrated into our products to assist with our customers’ tracking and security issues. The IML technology will take that to a whole new level. We are also aware of our customers’ environmental policies, and are preparing for ISO 14001. Wherever possible, we use high-grade recycled materials, and have the technology on site to offer this economically viable and environmentally friendly service.”
Carsten concludes: “George Utz has a clear expansion strategy in the UK. As part of a large, forward-thinking Group with operations across Europe, in China, Russia and the USA, we are well placed to provide our customers with local, easily accessible resources in their domestic markets.
However, we also have the capability and understanding of logistics networks to expand alongside them as they grow and develop on a global scale. Close working relationships with our customers and the high levels of expertise of our team are the key factors in George Utz's operations.”
Come and see the John Lewis container, along with many of our other products at the IMHX 2010 exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham on 16-19 November.
To see the John Lewis container in action, go to Youtube.com.
Setting and clearing tables, washing and storing the number of glasses required for a banquet takes up an enormous amount of valuable time. Particularly time consuming is the washing of dirty glasses, especially if all those glasses need to be taken out of the transport packaging and be put into the dishwasher. Would it not be better to simply put the entire glass boxes safely in an already existing container system to transport them safely and protected them from dust?
The Glas Manager offers exactly this solution and is the latest patent-pending innovation from Utz. The idea is based on a glass separation system which can individually and at any time be adjusted to the height of the glasses thanks to a simple-to-be-used adjustment mechanism. Four different compartment sizes are available for the most common glass diameters.
The Glas Managers are stackable. While many other glass containers are stackable too, the Glas Managers also fit safely and correctly in RAKO containers with a surface area of 600 x 400 mm. This ensures an absolutely dust-free packaging of all glasses which are perfectly protected by the RAKO container during transportation and storage. RAKOs are already successfully in use by numerous caterers who gained good experience with those containers over many years. Now, the Glas Manager is able to significantly increase the benefit of this existing container system.
The Glas Manager’s functionality is simple: the compartments are first adjusted to an appropriate height for the glasses using the grid mechanism at the four columns and are then filled with the glasses. Full Glas Managers are put in a suitable RAKO container which protects the valuable contents. These glass containers might then be stacked with other RAKO containers holding china, cutlery and cooking equipment, and are completely protected against slipping during transportation.
The Glas Manager does, of course, not spare you from setting and clearing the tables. However, the containers can be put on suitable rollers from Utz which help to move them easily from table to table. The Glas Manager (not including the containers) can also be used in shelve trucks conforming to Gastronorm (catering standard).
The decisive advantage comes to the fore when dirty glasses need to be cleaned: the full glass separating system is taken out of the container and put directly in the dishwasher. The Glas Managers are made of polypropylene which is dishwasher-safe and absolutely phosphorous- and chlorine-resistant. Temperatures of up to 65°C and, for a short period of time, 90°C are no problem for plastic compounds. After washing and drying, Glass Managers are directly put back in the container where the glasses wait for their next appearance.
The UPAL-V is able to adapt to the customer's needs: many variants are pos-sible via modifying the number of feet, runners and metal reinforcements.
The slotted surface and the low weight facilitate the handling enormously. The combination of plastics (polypropylene) and metal reinforcements means that this variable pallet offers a high loading weight in static and dynamic use as well as when racked. In addition, replacement of the feet and runners is very simple - repair of the UPAL-V is quick and easy.
The product, produced in polypropylene, is made for use under the toughest conditions: Wherever high weights have to be moved, the new dolly from Utz is predestinated for this challenge. An interrupted safety edge prevents shifting of cargo. It is equipped with two steering and two fixed casters (ø 100 mm), one with brake, and is stackable over these casters due to the slots in the surface.
Utz developed the industrial dolly together with a leading relocation and transport company in Switzerland and was able to adjust the product features to meet the heavy duty demands of this application. By adding to the extensive range of Utz dollies, this new product allows Utz to offer a dolly fit for your specific needs, bei t size, loading weight or handling type. You can choose between every standard euro size from 400x300 up to pallet size 1200x800 mm, in plastic or metal with a variety of brake and castor options. Utz will provide a solution for almost any application.
The properties were especially adapted to the demands in the food and near-food area of food wholesalers. Thus the pallet, which weighs only 5.9 kg, can be approached with the manual lift truck from all four sides and is optimally suitable for use on automatic conveying systems, which was demonstrated in extensive tests. The upper deck was designed such that the empty pallets can also be securely stacked on one another without a stacking edge. For unrestricted use as a display pallet at the point of sale, the pallet, as the only plastic pallet currently available on the market, has special slits and guides for the insertion of cardboard displays.
In the category shipping package solutions / technical packaging solutions, the new mail container for Swiss Post, which was developed and produced by Utz, came off as the winner. The containers manufactured from polypropylene replace the conventional postbags and contrary to these can be handled fully automatically. Additionally, the container is designed such that it can be used for all current mail formats. The new container is multi-functional and an absolute lightweight. It can be loaded with 15 kg – without the base sagging. Further demands Post had made and which the container fulfils are: no sharp corners and edges, space-saving storage when empty due to nesting, secure stackability and matching lids, which can be sealed.
Over a period of around two years, at total of 2.1 million containers were produced at Georg Utz AG.