How did you get into intralogistics, Mr. Maloney?
What do you think makes an innovative solution?
For a product to be innovative, it must take technology and design to a new level of safety, productivity, and operational efficiency. In addition, it must fill a gap in the market—for example, by improving lifting capacity, making operations and energy use more efficient, reducing working hours (e.g., through an automation concept), operating in confined spaces, promoting sustainability, and much more. But I’m also interested in how new technologies are integrated into the design. The use of machine learning and artificial intelligence affects design and operation and enables machines to work more intelligently and efficiently. The use of real-time information by telematics and IoT devices—which provide data that enables faster decision-making and greater operational flexibility—is on the rise. Above all, however, the designs must improve employee safety.
How much has the focus on sustainability changed intralogistics?
The growing awareness of sustainable practices has had an impact on all aspects of facility design and the systems and equipment installed in these buildings. Companies today are aware that logistics operations have a significant impact on the environment. Transport alone accounts for a significant portion of their carbon footprint. To minimize these impacts during the construction of new facilities, building materials are sourced locally. These buildings also incorporate new technologies, such as more efficient lighting systems and skylights, waterless toilets, low-water-use landscaping, and more efficient heating and cooling systems. The facilities also utilize advances in energy management to reduce their environmental impact. The ongoing shift to electric forklifts, more efficient battery systems, and the potential of hydrogen are also reducing emissions at facilities and creating a healthier work environment.
What is the most striking trend in intralogistics at the moment?
Here in the United States, the unemployment rate is at a historic low of less than four percent. This is leading to the increased adoption of automation technologies to reduce reliance on labor. In many ways, we face the same challenges that Europe and Japan have been grappling with for many years. Retailers want to be closer to their customers so they can deliver products more quickly. They are moving away from sprawling warehouses in rural areas and looking for plots of land near cities. But of course, available land in and around cities is expensive. In addition, it is difficult to find workers in competitive markets. Automation is the answer to both—it reduces the space required for a system and increases the productivity of a limited number of workers.
How did you get into intralogistics?
Originally, I hadn’t planned on working as a journalist in this industry. For the first 18 years of my career, I worked as a television journalist and video producer/director. I managed a video production facility for a nonprofit organization that produced local and national television programs. However, funding for my organization has been cut. My uncle was the editor of a magazine on engineering design at what was then the largest business publishing house in the United States. I had written a few freelance articles for his magazine in the past, and he had encouraged me to pursue a career in the business press. A magazine covering material handling within the company needed an editor and was having trouble finding the right person. He encouraged me to apply, and since I was at a crossroads in my career, I decided that the time was right to put my writing skills to use in print journalism. Since I had never worked exclusively in print media before, I thought this would be a good challenge to take on for a year or two, until the next opportunity came along. However, when I first started out in this industry, I found it so interesting and challenging that I’ve been working as a supply chain reporter for nearly 25 years. There are always interesting developments and new products. That’s one reason why I’m looking forward to being part of the IFOY Jury.
