FEM Product Group Intralogistic Systems publishes its 2012 Factsheet: despite the financial and economic crisis in Europe, despite general uncertainty and contrary to the prevailing pessimistic mood, 2012 was yet again a good year for the intralogistics industry. S/R machines without operator shows the highest peak since the statistic started. Miniload Machines increased by 14% from 2011 to 2012. 2012 was a solid year for the materials handling branch. Compared to 2011 the incoming orders in 2012 have increased by about 19%.

FEM has provided a detailed response to the European Commission's online consultation on "Reforming the internal market for industrial products". FEM brought up issues such as the importance of market surveillance, the problem posed by technically conflicting pieces of EU legislation, the lack of harmonised framework for approval for driving on public roads with non-road mobile machinery. Comments are also made on the value of the CE marking and FEM expressed its strong opposition to any generalised thrid party certification.

FEM's full contribution is available HERE.

FEM Product Group Cranes & Lifting Equipment - Subgroup Mobile Cranes has published 3 new documents available on the Product Group's webpage:

• N0485 - Mobile cranes: CE marking & engine emissions
• N0513 - Indication of stability limits in capacity charts of mobile cranes
• N0521 - Mobile cranes: Diesel emissions - Retrofit of particulate filters

FEM Product Group Cranes & Lifting Equipment has published the 2nd edition of its Technical Recommendation FEM 5.016 "Guidelines - Safety issues in wind turbine installation & transportation" (English). The updated document is available for free download on the Product Group's page.

FEM Product Group Cranes & Lifting Equipment, subgroup Mobile Cranes, has released a guide for the identification of non-compliant mobile cranes. The guide follows the standard structure of non-compliance guides already drawn up for industrial trucks or mobile elevating work platforms and looks at conformity with requirements stemming from the Machinery, Outdoor Noise and Exhaust Emissions of NRMM Directives. The Guide can be downloaded for free on the market surveillance section of the website. It is only available in English for the moment but other linguistic versions will follow.

European materials handling production value rebounded by 16% in at € 63bn, sustained by still dynamic exports but also a domestic demand which increased for the first time in 3 years. For more information, please see FEM Statistics 2005-2011 and accompanying press release.

FEM Product Group Cranes & Lifting Equipment has just released a techincal recommendation: Guidelines - Safety issues in wind turbines installation & transportation (FEM 5.016). The document is available in English on the Product Group's page and is free of charge. Other linguistic versions will soon be developed.

The third 2012 issue of the FEM newsletter has just been distributed to members. In the Table of Content, you can see the issues discussed within FEM. For further questions on these issues, please contact FEM Secretariat.

FEM Product Groups Intralogistic Systems and Racking & Shelving have adopted a joint technical recommendation, FEM 9.831-1 / 10.3.01-1: Basis of calculations for storage & retrieval machines - Tolerances, deformations and clearances in the storage system, part 1: general, single deep and double deep beam pallet racking.

The technical recommendation will be available from15th October 2012 onwards at:

http://fem.vdma-verlag.de or http://www.erfed.org/publications

FEM welcomes the inclusion of market surveillance of machinery in the list of priorities outlined in the European Commission's Communication on Industrial Policy flagship initiative - "A Stronger European Industry for Growth and Economic Recovery".

FEM has adopted a joint press release together with fellow machinery sectors

The FEM Product Group Intralogistic Systems has published its annual factsheet.

Since the second half of 2011, the situation of incoming orders has decreased although the level in 2006 has not yet been reached. First figures for 2012 show a slight increase. Incoming orders exceed the period January to February the previous year's level by a total of 6 percent.

The 2012 World Industrial Truck Statistics (WITS) information sheet has been published, giving an overview of figures for 2011. The report shows world market growth of over 27%, so 2011 was a very good year for the industrial trucks sector. The main growth came from America, followed by Europe and then Asia, so growth returned to the old world. The distribution over classes was nearly the same as in 2010 so there was no structural change in the world market level.

On 16 May 2011, the FEM Product Group Cranes and Lifting Equipment Sub Group Mobile Cranes issued a position paper on the use of mobile cranes for the lifting of persons (FEM N0284). The group has now issued a guidance document which gives an explanation for interpretation of the position paper. This guidance document is published on the CLE Product Group page.

Leading European manufacturers of light cranes in FEM Product Group Cranes and Lifting Equipment have drawn up a new technical recommendation - FEM 9.771 Light Cranes Systems. This FEM document gives added value to the European standards referring to cranes, runways and manipulators with a focus on the special requirements and hazards of light crane systems. It can be purchased on the FEM Technical Documents page. For more information about the content of the technical recommendation, see the attached press release.

Over the last decade automated storage and retrieval systems have increased in complexity and required performance. Such systems are composed of sub-systems, such as warehouse building, unit loads to be stored, storage & retrieval machines, racking, conveyors, management system. It is the responsibility of the “system designer / planner” in cooperation with the “end-user” to deal with these interfacing sub-systems and to realize a warehouse that complies with the specifications and safe operation requirements.

Insufficient awareness might result in disappointment concerning budget, time schedule and performance (economical, reliable and safe). This should be prevented. The FEM (European Federation of Material Handling) Product Groups “Intralogistic Systems” and “Racking & Shelving” have therefore decided to initiate a joined activity to give guidance to end-users, system designers / planners, contractors and sub-contractors. This has resulted in the Industry Code of Practice "FEM 9.841 / 10.2.10 - Storage systems with rail dependent storage and retrieval equipment – Interfaces", in addition to EN 15629. It serves as a reference and orientation regarding the points raised.

This Code of Practice specifies also the position, obligations and responsibilities of the parties involved."

To purchase this technical recommendation and for more information about other Intralogistics Systems technical documents, please see our Intralogistics Systems webpage.

European materials handling production value remained stable in 2010 at €54 bn. Exports outside the EU increased by 7% whilst extra-EU imports were up by 18%. FEM 2010 statistical data thus confirms the strengthening of the European materials handling industry’s external dimension together with a continuous increase of non-EU product penetration on the internal market. For more details see FEM 2010 statistical data and accompanying press release.

FEM Product Group Industrial trucks, together with representative bodies in Brazil, China, Japan, Korea and the US, is part of a statistical reporting programme tracking order and shipments of industrial trucks across the globe. Six trade groups report monthly and quarterly on forklift trucks to produce WITS reports on various categories: elecrtic rider trucks - counterbalanced, electric warehouse rider trucks, elecrtic warehouse pedestrian trucks, internal combustion trucks, cushion and pneumatic tyres, counterbalanced.

A worldwide summary by continent is made available each year to the public.

FEM and other machinery sectors have launched an Industry's Support Platform at the occasion of a conference on market surveillance for machinery organised by the European Commission on 24th November. In front of some 250 participants, the industry showed a concrete example of its commitment to take an active role in fighting the proliferation of non-compliant machinery on the EU market.

The launch coincided with the signature of a Manifesto that presents 10 key recommendations of the machinery industry for an efficient market surveillance in the EU. 

For more information, see FEM joint press release 

The 2011 Presidents' Forum took place in Palm Beach (Florida, US) hosted by the Industrial Trucks Association (ITA). Presidents of the FEM Product Group Industrial Trucks, the Chinese Industrial Trucks Association and the Japanese Industrial Vehicles Association gave some presentations about their respective markets. A video of the event, including the presentations is available below

The Market Surveillance Industry Support Platform went live on Monday, 17^th October. This joint initiative from several machinery industry sectors, in which FEM played a crucial role, aims at providing a resource database of technical documentation on compliance through a single access point for market surveillance authorities and market operators (importers, distributors...).

http://machinery-surveillance.eu

The FEM section features the technical documents put together so far by FEM PG Industrial Trucks. Other Product Groups will follow. In addition, the website hosts video statements from FEM President John Meale, PG IT President Ambrogio Bollini and PG MEWPs President Alan McIntyre. The Platform will be officially launched at the upcoming European Commission conference on market surveillance, due to take place on 24^th November 2011 in Brussels (see http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/mechanical/machinery/market-surveillance/index_en.htm).

A communication campaign on the initiative started on 17 October and will last until the end of November in several EU media (Euractiv, European Voice, European Parliament’s Magazine) in order to raise political awareness. You can see the first banner on www.euractiv.com.

Upon joint effort from the machinery industry, in which FEM played a key role, the European Commission is organising a conference on market surveillance in machinery due to take place on 24^th November 2011 in Brussels.
The European materials industry will be prominently represented at the event with 4 representatives among the panellists: John Meale, President of FEM, will moderate a panel on “Market Surveillance to protect innovation”, in which Mr Philippe Cohet (Manitowoc Crane Group) and Mr. Hänel (Hänel Gmbh & Co KG) will take part. In addition, Mr. Ambrogio Bollini, former President of FEM, will take part in a panel on “Market Surveillance for Growth, Jobs and sustainability”.
The conference will also see the official launch of the Market Surveillance Joint Industry Support Platform, an initiative in which FEM is deeply involved.
Registrations are now open and we invite you to quickly confirm your attendance: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/mechanical/machinery/market-surveillance/index_en.htm

The Product Group has published a new position paper on Overload Testing of Mobile Cranes.
This FEM paper summarises the position taken by manufacturers of mobile cranes, including background information. Each mobile crane is load-tested by the manufacturer prior to being put on the market. Information is given on the requirements for further acceptance tests during the lifetime of the mobile crane.

FEM Product Group Industrial Trucks has published its latest factsheet. In 2010 order intakes grew for all types of industrial trucks though forklift trucks showed a stronger growth than warehouse trucks, compensating for the bigger declines experienced in 2009. The year 2011 so far confirms further increase of market demand in Europe with 34% in

Western Europe and 70% in Eastern Europe after the first half of 2011.

The factsheet is available on PG Industrial Trucks web page

FEM Product Group Intralogistic Systems has published its 2011 factsheet. The document provides indexed statistics on order intakes of storage and retrieval machines (2005-2010) and on projects (2006-20109). Incoming orders have continued their growth since mid 2009.  

The factsheet is available on PG Intralogistic Systems web page

VDMA Materials Handling and Logistics Systems association carried out an inspection on industrial trucks displayed at CeMAT 2011. The inspection revealed that over 50 exhibits did not meet European regulatory requirements related to machine safety, exhaust emissions and noise emissions. The information was passed on to the Hannover Supervisory Office, who further investigated and took action.

For a more detailed report, see VDMA press release

The issue was picked up by the online publication ForkliftAction

For more information on FEM, its Product Groups and National Committees' initiatives in the field of market surveillance, check our Market Surveillance section.

For the first time, FEM has compiled statistical data on the production value and external trade of materials handling, lifting and storage equipment, all product groups aggregated. The figures, which cover the period 2005-2009, are based on Eurostat data, as well as estimations by FEM and VDMA for equipment not covered by Eurostat (storage equipment and software/automation). The aim is to give a picture of the size and evolution of one of the largest sectors in European mechanical engineering. The exercise will be undertaken annually.

See FEM statistics 2005-2009 and FEM Press Release

FEM Product Group Industrial Trucks has published a guideline on marking. It deals with the non-compliance of industrial trucks with regard to marking of machinery, documents and instructions according to directives 2006/42/EC, 2000/14/EC and 2004/108/EC.

The guideline is available for free download from our Market Surveillance Section.

FEM Product group Industrial Trucks has published guidelines on compliance control for noise, as part of a series of thematic guidelines to help identify non-compliant industrial trucks. After exhaust emissions, noise is the second theme addressed. General safety and marking of machinery will follow.

The guidelines are available for free download on our Market Surveillance Section

FEM has launched a section dedicated to market surveillance on its website. The purpose is to present various industry-led initiatives at FEM, Product Group or National Committee level aimed at fostering market surveillance in a proactive spirit. The section already features guidelines on compliance with exhaust emissions legislation edited by FEM Product Group Industrial Trucks, as well as presentations given at the Technical Workshop on market surveillance held during the FEM 2010 Congress in Istanbul.

Prominently featured in FEM Policy Paper 2009-2014, market surveillance will be one of the main FEM priorities in 2011.

See FEM Market Surveillance Section

FEM and Deutsche Messe have signed a cooperation agreement entailing FEM membership in CeMAT Network and making FEM a supporter of all CeMAT events. The agreement reflects the mutual wish to strengthen ties between the two organisations, thereby consolidating the European base and leading position of CeMAT exhinitions in the materials handling and intralogistic sector worldwide.

See FEM & DMAG joint press release

FEM Product Group Intralogistic Systems has published its first factsheet, covering the past few years. The document provides indexed statistics on order intakes of storage and retrieval machines (2005-2009) and on projects (2006-2009). Within one year, the sector has recorded a 50% drop in business. Orders have however been increasing again since the middle of 2009.

The factsheet is available on PG Intralogistic Systems web page

On 2 October 2010, FEM members gathered at the 33rd FEM Congress in Istanbul and unanimously elected John Meale as President for the period 2010-2012. Jan van der Velden, President of FEM Product Group Intralogistic Systems, was elected Vice-President of FEM. Philippe Frantz became Past President.

See FEM Press Release

Following a black year 2009, which saw an average 30% drop in order intakes in the European materials handling industry with some countries experiencing a much greater loss, the recovery that started at the end of 2009 is consolidating. Alhtough some uncertainty remains in the medium term, the current trend is promising.

Full press release available HERE

On 23rd June, Mr. Alan McIntyre, Member of FEM Board and President of the Product Group Mobile Elevating Work Platforms, gave an address on the issue of Market Surveillance at the Roundtable "Internal Market & manufacturing" organised by the European Forum for Manufacturing.

The report on the event and the content of Mr. McIntyre's address can be found here

FEM Product Group Industrial Trucks has released its annual factsheet for 2009. The industrial trucks sector was badly hit by the crisis with drops of 40% in Western Europe and 70% in Eastern Europe. So far, 2010 however shows signs of recovery.

PG IT factsheet 2009 is available on PG IT web page

FEM officially adopts a Policy Paper 2009-2014 setting out the current and midterm challenges facing the European materials handling industry and proposing a number of responses to address them.

See FEM Policy Paper 2009-2014

FEM has sent its official reply to the European Commission's consultation on standardisation. FEM reply is available here

Dott. Ambrogio Bollini was unanimously elected President of the FEM Product Group Industrial Trucks. For more information, see the Product Group News page.

John Meale, Vice-President of Fédération Européenne de la Manutention, the European Materials Handling Federation, and Managing-Director of UK-based Thorworld Industries Ltd, has said that unless regular inspections are introduced EU Directives and Regulations will continue to be undermined as counterfeit and non-compliant machinery floods the market from both inside and, more particularly, outside the EU.

The full press release is available here

FEM PG CLE and ESTA remind about basic safety requirements when operating a mobile crane under wind forces. More info available on PG news webpage

Revised EN13000 standard will be finalised by July 2010. Amended to be in line with the new Machinery Directive, it will give mobile cranes a presumption of conformity. For more info, check the Product Groups News page.

See the announcement and the CLE press release (in German) in the Product Groups News section.

Materials handling products and equipments are found in almost every manufacturing and distribution company. They are also present throughout the entire supply and logistic chain, and more generally during the entire lifecycle of a product.

As images speak more than words, FEM has put together a brochure that provides a presentation of the various types of materials handling products and equipments, and of their many uses through illustrated examples.

The brochure can be downloaded here.

In addition, FEM has created a simple presentation of its structure, mission, objectives and activities. The presentation, available for free download on FEM website’s homepage, is currently in English but versions in other languages will soon be uploaded.

On 4th February, FEM Secretary General Olivier Janin met the members of the “CML Committee” of CEOC international (inspection and certification organisations). Mr. Janin’s presentation can be downloaded here.

FEM publishes a press release on the publication of the first edition of the European Commission’s guidelines on the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

The FEM press release can be downloaded here.

The European Commission has published the first edition of its guidelines on the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, and specifically on the preamble, Articles and Annexes I & II.

FEM has substantially contributed to the development of these guidelines, and in particular on Annex I, which defines the essential health and safety requirements on issues such as fixed guards, lifting of people and risks linked to the mobility of machinery.

FEM will continue assisting the European Commission with the remaining guidelines on Annexes III to XI (due by mid 2010) and in providing advice wherever necessary and on future revisions. The guidelines are available here.

Cranes Today reports on the upcoming entry into force of amendments to EN 13000 and the effect on mobile cranes manufacturers, who will have to adapt their Rated Capacity Limiter.

To check the report please click here.

The document is available in our Product Groups News page, as well as in the Industrial Trucks page together with a list of Annual Factsheets from 2005.

The position paper is available in our Product Groups News page.

FEM provides detailed input from the materials handling sector on the upcoming revision of the Outdoor Noise Directive.

The document is available here.

The presentation is available in our new Product Groups News page

The information paper is available in our new Product Groups News page

FEM replies to a European Commission’s letter regarding a possible extension of the flexibility scheme for adapting the combustion engines of non-road mobile machinery to new emission levels according to Directive 97/68/EC.

The position paper is available in our Internal Market section.

On 29 May, around 50 CEOs from large and smaller European companies in the materials handling, lifting and storage equipment sectors, and exhibiting at CeMAT 2008, met for a CEO breakfast organised by FEM to discuss the business climate and economic outlook for the
Mechanical Engineering industry at large, and for the Materials Handling sector in particular.

Download the full press release here

The CeMAT organisers are pleased to announce that CeMAT 2008 has been endorsed by FEM, the European manufacturers association of materials handling, lifting and storage equipment. This endorsement consolidates the European base and leading position of the CeMAT international show in the materials handling and intralogistics sector...Download the full press release here.

To download the latest CeMAT Newsletter, click here.

FEM issued its initial comments on the Study on the experience in the implementation of Directive 2000/14/EC relating to the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors (NOMEVAL), in order to give its contribution before publication of the final Article 20 Report by the European Commission.