Cargoe has put eight HS Returns machines from HS News Systems into operation
In 2024 ID Logistics started the logistical service of receiving, storing and sending magazines and related items with distribution to over 5.000 points of sales.
HS News Systems introduces a groundbreaking picking robot, revolutionizing efficiency and automation in the food industry.
Despite being 69 years old, Dagfinn Rustand has no intention of retiring.
50 years ago, he obtained his professional certificate as a turner and toolmaker at Kongsberg Weapon Factory.
His expertise and knowledge are truly exceptional, and his mastery of turning and tooling remains as relevant today as it was five decades ago.
– Dagfinn is a top-class toolmaker and precision mechanic who can design and machine complex mechanical parts. This is especially important for HS News when developing new electromechanical solutions, says Jon Hognestad.
Dagfinn does not want to retire
Throughout his life, Dagfinn has worked as a self-employed business owner with his own company and workshop.
Upon reaching the retirement age of 67, Dagfinn Rustand made the decision to wind down his company, but he found himself unprepared for a life of retirement.
– I decided to sell all the machinery and equipment to HS News. Then I tagged along and became an employee, even though I was technically retired, Dagfinn laughs.
Choosing HS News was not a random decision. Ever since the company was called BMC, Dagfinn has been working as a consultant, offering his services as needed.
– It’s great to be able to bring my old customers to HS News. I definitely see that there is a market and a need for specialized expertise, Dagfinn says with a smile.
Workshop
So what does Dagfinn actually do, you ask?
He engages in the mechanical production of parts, often parts that have never been made before, machining, and production of custom-made parts according to specifications.
– When someone requires something specific, they approach me with a design and I can have it made, Dagfinn explains.
In a corner of HS News’ premises, he has his own workshop and his own machines.
Only Dagfinn comprehends the intricacies of the equipment that he uses.
– I develop new parts, make old parts that are no longer manufactured, spare parts, and parts for various installations. I design things based on sketches and create prototypes using turning, milling, and mechanical techniques, Dagfinn explains enthusiastically.
He used to work a lot for different car workshops.
– Times change. Now we have a much more disposable society. Car workshops don’t need special parts like they used to. But there will always be a need for someone who can offer mechanical services. Now I mostly deliver to workshops.
– It becomes a lifestyle
As a «retiree,» he manages his workday himself and works when needed. That doesn’t mean he’s idle.
– I’m here every single day. It becomes a lifestyle. When I came here, it was almost like working half a day for me because I used to work so much and such long days at my own company. Now it’s good to be able to go home earlier if the weather is nice on a Friday, Dagfinn smiles.
Car passion
At home, the luxury car awaits. Dagfinn is very passionate about cars and has a pristine Mercedes SL550 in his driveway.
– I have a genuine passion for cars and have owned various models throughout the years, but my current focus is solely on Mercedes.
– I actively take part in car gatherings held in Holmenkollen, Larvik, and other locations in the Eastern part of Norway. Engaging with fellow car enthusiasts and enjoying the thrill of driving are what captivate me the most.
Although I used to tinker with cars, my interest in that aspect has waned. Now, the sheer joy lies in hitting the road and connecting with fellow car aficionados.
Makes his own hobby
Dagfinn is also an active pistol shooter, a trained gunsmith, and he makes and builds his own weapons for hobby use.
– I have never been interested in hunting, but I enjoy target shooting. It’s also exciting to put your own personal touch on a handmade firearm.
– When are you going to retire?
– Well, I’ll stay here as long as my health allows,» Dagfinn smiles, hurrying on to finish turning parts for a wheeled chassis
HS News Systems has delivered a custom print system for Godt Levert. 18 employees freed up for new tasks.
Tom Henning Gundersen, Operations Manager for Godtlevertgruppen, is very pleased with the new system.
Implementing this system has revolutionised our everyday operations
Tom Henning Gundersen
Godt Levert is a meal kit provider with deliveries throughout almost the entire country of Norway.
HS News has made a fully automated conveyor belt system
HS News has delivered a fully automated conveyor belt system with printers that scan each meal kit using a QR code, print the correct weekly menu onto the appropriate cardboard box, and place the weekly menu into the meal kit.
Before the meal kits can be shipped out, there are several steps in the process. First, the different box sizes are prepared using box erector machines.
Then shipping information is applied to each box before personalized menus are printed for the respective boxes.
Finally, the boxes are sent to the packing lines, where they are filled with ingredients before being delivered to customers’ doors.
The entire process operates on an assembly line solution.
See how the system works in the video below:
Produces up to 1,400 kits per hour.
– Previously, we had 18 employees manually placing 240 different weekly menus into the boxes. It was a very inefficient way of doing it, explains Tom Henning Gundersen, Operations Manager for the Godt Levert Group.
Freed up 18 employees to new tasks
Previously, we had 18 employees manually placing 240 different weekly menus into the boxes. It was a very inefficient way of doing it,» explains Tom Henning Gundersen, Operations Manager for the Godt Levert Group.
– Implementing this system has revolutionised our everyday operations in every way. We have freed up a tremendous amount of capacity.
Increased production capacity
– The new system can produce up to 1,400 kits per hour, which gives us excellent capacity on both production lines, says Gundersen.
HS News has delivered a fully automated conveyor belt system with printers that scan each meal kit using a QR code, print the correct weekly menu onto the appropriate cardboard box, and place the weekly menu into the meal kit.
– Best result we have ever had thanks to HS News
– With the new system, we can produce approximately 18,000 meal kits per week. It has been a significant contribution and one which has enabled us to be one of the few profitable meal kit providers in the world.
– In Q1 of this year, we achieved the best result we have ever had in history. Even with a decrease in the number of orders, our profits are increasing. This is because we can reduce costs and be more efficient with the system provided by HS News,» explains the Operations Manager.
The machines handle everything
Gundersen emphasises that HS News’ system ensures efficient and reliable handling of Godt Levert’s menus. Each printer can have a queue with up to five different menus per order.
– We are no longer dependent on a printing house and many employees to pick the menus, as we were before. Now, the machines handle everything from picking, organising, and distributing menus to each individual box,» explains Gundersen.
– No one other than HS News managed to get the printers to do what we needed
Godt Levert Group considered several different suppliers and solutions before ultimately choosing HS News.
– No one other than HS News managed to get the printers to do what we needed, to cooperate with the systems we already had. That’s why we chose HS News, and we are very satisfied with the solution and the collaboration,» Gundersen says with a smile.
Impressed by HS News
He is impressed with what HS News has achieved.
– In the startup phase, there are always adjustments that need to be made and some small challenges that arise. HS News has taken them seriously. They have been here with their staff right away, quickly and efficiently resolving the challenges.
– They appear solution-oriented, professional, and collaborate well with our technicians on-site,» Gundersen reveals.
New collaboration
Gundersen explains that the collaboration with HS News is so good that they have decided to proceed with a new joint project on a larger scale.
– HS News is in the process of developing a picking robot for us. It is currently in the testing phase, and we are very excited to have it in place. It is an expansive projec. We have such faith in HS News’ solutions and what they can deliver for us.
See more of our system in the gallery below
– When I started during the summer of 1996, I was given a totally blank computer without any software. The times were different.
Det Nordjyske Mediehus (DNMH) needed an automated sorting solution to effectively handle the increasing number of packages they sort and distribute.
— We used to sort and scan every single package, Christian Hørbye Fabricius, Head of Logistics at DNMH, says. — The task was performed under great time pressure, as the amount of packages could vary greatly from day to day. We were in dire need of an effective solution to keep up with the demand.
12,526,692 units in one month
DNMH, in Aalborg, Denmark, is the largest privately owned media house in North Jutland and one of Denmark’s oldest – it dates back to1767.As part of the business, the distribution department delivers letters, magazines, newspapers and a large amount of packages to around 353.000 households, holiday homes and businesses in their coverage area.
The distribution operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Only last month, they delivered 12.526.692 units to mailboxes in North Jutland.
Module based sorting solution
To ensure they have the capacity to handle increasing distribution, DNMH chose the new module based sorting solution from HS News Systems.
This solution can effortlessly handle up to 6000 units per hour, depending on the size and shape of the packages.
Although the solution offers many advantages, the modularity and limitless scaling possibilities was the deciding factor for DNMH.
— We wanted to future-proof our ability to quickly sort and distribute the increasing number of packages, but we also saw several work
environment benefits. Handling and sorting packages manually could be stressful for some of our employees. We wanted a system that would improve the working environment for them, Christian says.
Recommended by a long-standing partner
DNMH were recommended to HS by one of their long-standing partners, who are a supplier of production equipment.
They are satisfied that they have a sorting solution equipped for future challenges.
— The collaboration between DNMH and HS News Systems has been extremely professional and productive. Our inputs and wishes for the system that we continuously brought have been heard and quickly implemented. The collaboration has resulted in us today having a really good and complete sorting solution, which we are very happy about, Christian finishes.
Our new HS News Systems Headquarters building is soon ready for us to take over.
At the start of 2021 HS News selected the location where they could build their new Headquarters, specifically designed for them. It is in a brand new industrial area of Kongsberg. There are not many buildings there yet, but they are coming.
– Because this is a new area and we are one of the first to build here, there were a lot of permits that need to be filled out and approved by the municipality. During the summer we got all the premissions we needed and could start building, says Martine Hognestad Managing Director of HS News Systems.
Moving in
The official take over date is in week 7, but when HS News will actually move in is unsure.
– Our current lease ends in March, so we have plenty of time to move in to our new place.
– There are many people working simultaneously to ensure that we finish in time and we have a weekly meeting with Hallgruppen to monitor progress. It has been a fun and exciting process so far, but the largest job for us is yet to come. That is to clean up and move out of the old building and in to the new one. We can’t wait! says Martine excitedly.
Finn Hogstad has the most experience of any employee of HS-News Systems. – When I started in the summer of 1996, I was given a totally blank computer without any software. The times were different back then, says Hogstad.
– I started my career as an apprentice mechanic at, what was then called, Kongsberg weapon factory. It was known locally simply as «The factory» by the people of Kongsberg.
– I went on to become an Industrial Mechanic at Vestfossen Mek and later I ended up in Media Craft AS. Some of us went on to start the company which is today HS News Systems.
Technological evolution
During the almost 26 years that Finn has been employed by HS News Systems, there has been rapid technological developments.
– Of course it’s fun to have been part of the whole journey of the company. In the beginning, we drew the packaging machines in 2D. It was a terrible job, which was both difficult and time consuming.
– Transforming a two dimension drawing into a three dimension drawing is not always easy and straight forward.
– Today we fortunately have far better tools and software compared to what we had back in the day. What took us half a year to develop, now only takes a couple of months. In that regard the turnaround time has decreased significantly, Hogstad explains.
Ever changing markets
Finn believes the future is bright for HS News Systems. With new and fast developing consumer behavior, new opportunities and markets are opening up for HS News Systems.
– The pandemic has really accelerated e-commerce and new trading patterns are emerging. In response we have recently delivered two brand new pilot plants in Denmark for package sorting.
–The past two years have really shown us the importance of being in tune with these new and ever changing markets. We thrive to be a part of these changes, Finn explains.
– Our new headquarters is built specifically for our needs and workflow. This enables us to deliver even better products and systems for our customers.
It has been an exciting journey. I can´t wait for the continuation!
Finn Hogstad,Mechanical Engineer
After several years in the same location HS News is now ready for a new start!
The department in Kongsberg has rented a facility for several years and HS News has been on the lookout for a new space, but the right fit has never come up. Until now. When the properties at Basserudåsen came out for sale it was the perfect opportunity for HS News to take the step and invest in a new facility.
At the end of 2021 the new establishment will be ready for HS News to start moving in.
– We have designed a building and warehouse that will fit us perfectly. It is a bit smaller than the unit we have now, which has a big storage space that we do not need. The new facility will have offices for all our employees and a conference room for meetings, Martine Wagener, Managing Director, explains.
– This will be a fresh start for us and we are very excited to take ownership over this project and make this our own, Martine says excitedly.
