The International Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) Awards were presented digitally to seven suppliers this year, with Bosch Rexroth, Combilift, Crown, EasyMile, Sany Europe, Still and Wiferion winning coveted awards for their intralogistics solutions. An overview of the award-winning innovations.
Intralogistics software - Bosch Rexroth
Bosch Rexroth fell in this year's awards for the first time with its Locator - Laser Localisation Software. The localisation software uses laser sensors to automatically map the environment, offering possibilities for autonomous driving in distribution centres or production environments.
Localisation software an sich is not the most innovative, argues the jury. The fact that the system can operate in almost any environment without modification and requires little expert knowledge for integration makes this solution stand out.
Warehouse truck Lowlifter - Combilift
Combilift won over the judges this year with the Combi-CS, a compact and manoeuvrable pallet truck. With a load capacity of one tonne, a lifting height of 2,500 millimetres and a patented multi-position drawbar, the Combi-CS is the ideal solution in narrow aisles, according to the jury.
"The Combi-CS offers significant added value in terms of operation and safety in confined spaces, solving a widespread problem. The vehicle is built in solid Combilift quality and is a very user-friendly solution with high market relevance."
Warehouse truck Highlifter - Crown
Crown walked away with the win in this category with the ESR 1000, a reach truck that impressed with a 25 per cent faster lowering speed compared to the best forklifts on the market. The energy recovery also scored highly with the judges. The ESR 1000 has 1.6 tonnes lifting capacity and a lifting height of 6,840 millimetres.
AGV & Intralogistics Robot - Easymile
French company Easymile won an award with its autonomous TractEasy tractor. The electric tractor can be used both indoors and outdoors and automates logistics processes. The vehicle drives between cars, pedestrians and bicycles and is suitable for all weather conditions. Deployment on uneven terrain is possible due to its high ground clearance.
"Autonome vehicles are not new, but until now their use was mainly limited to warehouses or production environments. In addition, the vehicles often place high demands on floor quality," the jury said, stating that the TractEasy could be particularly profitable for transports between commercial buildings.
Special Vehicle - Sany
Sandy's hybrid reachstacker (the SRSC45H9) received an IFOY Award in the Special Vehicle category. With lifting capacities of 45, 31 and 15 tonnes (in the first, second and third rows respectively), the reachstacker is suitable for handling containers and other heavy materials. Compared to other stackers, productivity gains are at least 15 per cent higher and fuel consumption 20 per cent lower.
Counter Balanced Truck - Still
"Never before has an electric forklift been so productive in the IFOY test," reads the judges' verdict on Still's RX 60-25/23 series. The electric forklift has a load capacity of 2.5 tonnes. Its low noise level, flexibility, low cost and easy operation set the bar very high for electric forklifts in this segment, the jury said.
Start-up of the Year - Wiferion
Wiferion won with the etaLINK 3000, a fully contactless charging system for industrial electric vehicles. The jury said, "The etaLINK is an operational innovation that can dramatically change daily life in the warehouse and significantly reduce costs for companies." Floor plates allow quick and flexible installation and eliminate the need for infrastructure measures.
