Continental Promotes Efficient and Safe Material Flow in Growing Logistics Industry

Hanover, February 5, 2018. The technology company Continental is focusing on the challenges facing growing logistics chains at the world’s largest industrial trade fair this year. For this reason, the company will present selected technological highlights and intelligent key technologies for a safe, efficient and smooth goods turnover from April 23 to 27, 2018, in hall 5, booth E18. Forecasts predict that, by 2050, the global freight volume will be more than four times as high as at the start of this decade. More than 31,000 trillion tonne-kilometers of goods are then likely to be transported annually by sea or air as well as by road and rail worldwide. “People’s consumer behavior is changing rapidly. At the same time, the willingness to pay more money for new, quicker delivery channels is falling. Transporting goods efficiently will therefore be absolutely essential for mobility in the future,” explains Hans-Jürgen Duensing, a member of Continental’s Executive Board, the potential of the growing logistics industry.

The job involves further optimizing the process chain as it becomes more complex, and improving the operating and process costs in stockholding. Automation and digitalization are major drivers in the intralogistics industry in guaranteeing an efficient, safe and punctual material supply. “The warehouse of the future will be fully automated, interconnected and flexibly adapted to the requirements of our customers. In individual cases, automated industrial trucks, intelligent forklift trucks, and robots and cobots that communicate with each other are already part of the value chain today. In the future, however, they will be the core elements of intralogistical fleets,” explains Duensing. Increasing automation also allows quicker throughput times and improves industrial safety.

Continental will also display an E-cargo bike that is equipped with the 48V eBike system. The Spanish postal service uses the three-wheel E-cargo bikes to delivery packages and letters in an environmentally friendly, sustainable manner. Particularly in narrow inner-city streets, the maneuverable new fleet members simplify and accelerate the delivery process. These bikes allow delivery personnel to pass through narrow alleys as well as zones to which motorized vehicles have no access. The 250-watt mid engine from Continental ensures a high output and pleasant ride comfort.

Tires for industrial trucks such as forklifts play a decisive role in safe, quick and comfortable transport in intralogistics. The new Plus solid tire series for industrial applications is thus going to celebrate its premiere at the Hannover Messe. The solid tire series with the new Plus compound combines the advantages of high mileage with low rolling resistance. In addition, the downsized range makes product selection easier and more transparent. Also on show will be the ContiPressureCheck and ContiConnect tire pressure monitoring systems for pneumatic tires. These systems measure air pressure and tire temperature using sensors inside the tire. In this way, the safety and productivity of individual forklifts and entire fleets can be increased, idle times avoided and costs reduced.