GEBHARDT and flexlog win the renowned VDI Innovation Award for Logistics 2014

Sinsheim / Munich, 24th March 2014 - At the 23th German Material Flow Congress in Munich the GEBHARDT Fördertechnik GmbH in association with flexlog GmbH was awarded the renowned VDI Innovation Award for Logistics 2014 for the GEBHARDT FlexConveyor in front of over 400 experts.

The VDI Innovation Award for Logistics is awarded by the Association of German Engineers (VDI) for innovative logistics solutions that support humans optimally by sophisticated technology in carrying out its complex tasks.

The concept of the FlexConveyor is very simple: Individual conveyor modules are pushed together by Plug & Play and connected as in a construction kit system. After connection to the power mains, the modules are ready for use at once. From this moment onwards, the material flow is completely controlled by the local FlexConveyor logic. This way, the FlexConveyor – in contrast to the classic conveyor systems set up with conventional PLC controls - does not need the time- and cost-intensive planning and commissioning or can do with a strongly reduced version. This makes it easy to setup a conveyor route. The GEBHARDT FlexConveyor therefore meets the requirements of Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things already today.

"For us the FlexConveyor was the beginning of a look into the future of logistics. Today it is a great opportunity for our customers to streamline their operations and save money. Conveyor technology has never been so easy! ", says Marco Gebhardt, Director of the GEBHARDT Fördertechnik GmbH.

The product is the result of a joint development by GEBHARDT and flexlog, a spin-off of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The original idea was developed at the Institute for Material Handling and Logistics (IFL) of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kai Furman.

"Our Flex Technology offers material handling companies like Gebhardt the possibility of highly innovative material handling systems. The decentralized Plug & Play control system operates autonomously and it also integrates itself into the existing logistics", explains Dr.-Ing. Thomas Stoll, Director of flexlog GmbH.

GEBHARDT give thanks to the VDI-Society Production and Logistics and the sponsor of the prize, the B416 Management Consulting GmbH & Co. KG.