Bulk Distributor Jan/Feb 19 | Page 8

8 B ULK D ISTRIBUTOR Tank Containers January/February 2019 ,ŽLJĞƌϭϬŬƟŵĞƐƐŵĂƌƚĞƌ H oyer has transformed more than 10,000 tank containers into ‘Smart Tank’ units. Monitoring the parameters of products in transit, eg, temperature, filling level, pressure and the tank container’s location, are important factors in Hoyer’s operations based on which the safety, security, efficiency and quality of transport movements are guaranteed, the Hamburg-based operator says. To design the tank container fleet’s controls even more efficiently, Hoyer had already began initial tests of telematics solutions 20 years ago. But, with Smart Logistics, the company is looking to lead innovation in the intelligently-networked logistics field, and offer smart solutions to monitor, analyse and optimise logistics processes. One of the central points is systematically upgrading the fleet to so-called Smart Tanks. According to Marlen Blechschmidt, head of digitalisation business unit Netlog at Hoyer: “By using this technology, our Smart Tank will report deviations in critical load parameters, thus offering our customers even more safety, quality and efficiency for the product being transported.” The ATEX certification of the Hoyer technology is an additional seal of quality. Heiko Rumfeld, director of Netlog, added: “Over 10,000 tanks equipped with smart technology strengthen our market position and innovation leadership. The demand and customer feedback confirm the success of our Smart Tanks.” Investing in the future But Hoyer is not resting on its laurels. To set a course for continued profitable growth, the logistics company is increasing the amount of its investment budget from €90 million in the calendar year 2018 to a record level of €173 million for 2019. Explaining the doubling of the investment volume planned for 2019, chief financial officer Gerd Peters said: “The sustained positive business development enables this financial tour de force. We have identified promising investment projects in all business areas for Hoyer. This has resulted in a comprehensive investment package spread across the business development, property, plant and equipment, acquisitions and replacement investments business areas.” The company has placed emphasis on further development of the successful digitalisation initiative. And as in the past, Hoyer continues to invest a considerable volume in property, plant and equipment: around one third of financial resources will be used to modernise and enlarge Hoyer’s Smart Tanks will report deviations in critical load parameters Albatross cryo tanks A L-r at the ground-breaking ceremony in Dormagen: Albina Ibrahimi (Hoyer Group), Jörg Sommer (Bayer AG), Norbert Lui (Bayer AG), Ulrich Grätz(Hoyer Group), Wulf Schormair (Bayer AG) the tank container fleet for intermodal business and overseas activities. The number of tank containers and IBCs for the rental business is also being increased significantly. Hoyer allocates its investments primarily in business areas with attractive future prospects. The increasing volume of orders reinforces the company to expand the supply chain solutions (SCS) business line internationally. In the coming years, on-site logistics activities in particular will be driven forward and – initially in Germany and the Netherlands – the construction of a dangerous goods warehouse and an enlargement of the filling operations for small containers will be implemented. The logistics company has budgeted double-digit millions for possible acquisitions such as company purchases and joint ventures. The extensive investment plan will be complemented by annual replacement investments. In November 2018 the SCS business line’s construction project on the Chempark site in Dormagen, Germany, officially started with a symbolic ground-breaking ceremony. Hoyer is investing around €8 million to develop the area as a container terminal. SCS developed the plans for the building in accordance with the requirements of Bayer AG, . . . Y O U R D E S T I N AT I O N , for whom Hoyer already works at the location. The future site provides space for 624 swap bodies or 20ft tank containers, and will have six bays with connections for container heating. A ground-controlled portal crane will allow easy shunting. The terminal will comply with the highest safety standards, and is expected to begin operations at the end of 2019. By locating the terminal operation in Dormagen Chempark, it will contribute to cost reduction and will simplify production and logistics processes for Bayer AG. Liquid-filled tank containers will be held in intermediate storage on the terminal site until needed to supply the plants. The immediate geographic proximity to the production plants will save time when moving materials to and from plant operations, will reduce logistics costs by eliminating storage outside the site, and will relieve the traffic situation on public highways. According to Ulrich Grätz, global director supply chain solutions: “We have held intensive planning discussions, and are delighted that we can now begin.” Jörg Sommer, head of active ingredients at Bayer, added: “The terminal will relieve pressure on the space situation in our works, and processes will become more efficient. We greatly welcome the joint construction project.” SCS operates at 16 locations in five countries and has recorded a doubling of its order volume since 2008. The business line’s services combine the logistics expertise of the Hoyer with know- how in the areas of on-site and off-site logistics, filling, blending, handling liquid dangerous goods and dry-bulk logistics. SCS also operates intermodal and dangerous goods terminals, and supplies planning assistance for change projects in works. s a part of Albatross Tank Leasing’s expansion, the company has added cryogenic T75 tank containers. Based on increasing challenges for the transport of argon, CO 2 , ethane, ethylene, nitrogen, and oxygen, as well as LNG Albatross is now ready to supply the T75 equipment. The leasing firm is also expanding in the Russian market this year. It participated in the international exhibition KHIMIA-2018 which took place in Moscow to inform actual and potential customers about its services in the Russian Federation including: domestic tanks, maintenance and repair software in partnering depots, possibilities for GPS tracking and route analysis systems. Albatross says it enjoyed a high level of interest with many visitors to the booth. www.albatross-tanks.de ITCO appointments A t ITCO’s meeting in Singapore late last year, board members re-elected Reg Lee as president for the 2019/2020 period and Laurie Maclachlan as vice-president for the same period. Commenting on his appointment, Reg Lee said: “I’m looking forward to the next two years of challenging - but rewarding - work for ITCO and the whole tank container industry worldwide. I would like to thank the ITCO board for its support and its trust in me to lead ITCO forward on a path towards the development of better services for our members and their customers.” He continued: “I have agreed with the board that, during my next two years as president, we should be actively looking for my successor as part of the organisation’s forward planning. I would like to thank all our members for their contribution to the work that ITCO is undertaking to promote the tank container industry globally and continue to promote the safe handling of bulk liquids as part of a sustainable supply chain, while protecting the environment for future generations.” www.international-tank-container.org www.hoyer-group.com ... FROM BULK O U R E X P E RT I S E . . . T O S P E C I A LT Y. . . 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