The AGVS Award trophy presented to Rocla

Finnish company Rocla has been awarded the global Automated Guided Vehicle Systems (AGVS) Award 2008 in honour of its achievements, innovations and best practice in the field.

Tapio Rummukainen, CEO of Rocla, says the company is honoured to be recognised as an innovator in this tough and competitive industry.

"I am particularly pleased that the jury highlighted both technical and commercial merits of the concept. Special thanks were given to the modular design and flexibility of the technical concept and to the leasing opportunity of the commercial application," he says. "It proves that we are on the right path in bringing automation to standard warehouse trucks and in building a business concept around it."

Professor Lothar Schulze, chairman of the jury, says the award signals capability, competitiveness and leadership within the industry.

"This is the first time the biannual award has been given. Its purpose is to promote the awareness of leading-edge automation solutions globally.

"We chose Rocla because their automated warehouse truck concept is truly original and innovative both in technical and in economic context. It increases the attractiveness of AGVS compared to manual systems."

Rummukainen says Rocla has been successful in combining warehouse truck design and manufacturing expertise to automated guided vehicles.

"Through this success, we have created the world's first serially manufactured, automated warehouse truck. With this new concept, we are able to offer standardised, flexible AGV systems with short delivery times."

Rummukainen says the award gives Rocla one more selling argument. "I hope that it also brings us more visibility in the AGVS market in general.

"Innovation is at the heart of our operations, and we continuously strive to launch intelligent, innovative products that enhance our customers' logistics processes," he says.