Feature Materials Handling & Conveying
otter Logistics is a multi-based logistics company that pro- vides a warehouse and nation- wide distribution service to a diverse range of industries. With this diversity of logistic services comes the need for packaging solutions that ensure that the goods reach their des- tinations in good condition - this is where Aetna Group UK’s 507 Robopac rotary wrapping machine comes in. Aetna’s origins are in Italy, with its UK base in Bedford. Since it was established in this country over 20 years ago, the company has built a reputation in the arena of automatic stretch and shrink pallet wrappers. Today there is a variety of choice to fit a range of products - vertical and horizontal stretch wrapping machines, manual, semi-automatic and automatic shrink wrapping machines and five taping and case erector machines.
A history of success
In February 2011, Potter Logistics bought two 507 Robopac wrapping machines for its Selby site to wrap jars of jam for Greencore Foods. Three similar machines were pur- chased for the Ripon Distribution Centre to wrap products ranging from hair care to industrial chemicals. There is also a further machine at its Droitwich site.
Reliable delivery... it’s a wrap P
Aetna Group UK has provided its 507 Robopac rotary wrapping machine to Potter Logistics’ York Distribution Centre to ensure that the company’s goods reach their destinations in good condition
ping machine for its York Distribution Centre - Aetna’s 507 Robopac was selected as it had proved itself to be a real asset at the other sites.
Above: the 507 Robopac in-situ at the York DC
These six machines were purchased on the back of a trial at Selby which showed a significant saving in employee time and packaging film. Late last year, Potter Logistics made the decision to invest in a new wrap-
Keeping rail freight terminal on track
Selby. In addition, it will take part in trials for new domestic rail services in 2013. “We chose to purchase from Linde because, in our experience, they supply robust, well engineered, reliable and cost effective machines. As a consequence, we have selected their materials handling equipment at all our distribution centres.” Nigel Richardson, sales manager of Linde UK Heavy
reachstacker for the company’s Selby rail freight termi- nal. The new Linde reachstaker, one of the first of its kind in the UK, is equipped with a EURO 4i (Tier 3b) engine and the latest level of off-highway, emission compliant power units.
T Jim Thomson, operations director at Potter
Logistics, explained, “The reachstacker will be kept busy moving products for our current customers at
34
o manage an increasing level of business Potter Logistics has bought a high specification Linde
Trucks, added, “This reachstacker features the most recent advancements in power units and fuel efficiency regulations to meet the newest EPA regulations. “In addition, we have fitted this line of reachstack- ers with a state of the art load management system which carefully monitors and protects the machine’s overall structure, operating limits and the operator interface. In summary, our new design ensures maxi- mum productivity is achieved with minimal energy waste and environmental impact.” Linde
www.linde-mh.co.uk T: 01256 342 000
Expressing his pleasure with the performance of the 507 Robopac, operations manager of Potter Logistics’ York Distribution Centre, John Myers, commented, “The machine was purchased with a par- ticular client in mind and it has been a godsend. We were previously wrap- ping up to 60 pallets by hand each day, which was both awkward and time consuming. I’m pleased to say that the machine is fully utilised. “We opted for the Aetna 507 Robopac for two reasons. Firstly the machine and Aetna were known to Potter Logistics - having already been installed in several of its other sites, everyone considers it a very useful tool. And secondly, the company has always received excellent service from Aetna. “We introduced the wrapping machine to the York Distribution Centre to increase product security and to save money, and it has ful- filled the first purpose extremely well. We are planning to analyse the cost saving in a couple of months by which time we shall have been using it for about six months. Based on experience of Potter’s other machines, however, it should be delivering a meaningful saving. Despite not yet being able to make a valid judgement in terms of financial benefit, staff members think it’s great and are very happy with it. I’m glad to say that all the people who used to wrap by hand have been redeployed into other areas of the business thanks to significant expansion.” Myers concluded by saying, “All told, we have been very impressed with Aetna, both with the service we’ve received and the Robopac’s performance. It was fitted quickly and without fuss, and we’ve had no occasion to call on them for help as yet. Our other site managers assure me, however, that there is always someone on the end of the phone should the need arise. Hopefully we won’t need this support, but you can ask for no better service than that.”
Enter 217
Aetna Group
www.aetna.co.uk T: 01234 825 050
Enter 218 MARCH 2013 Automation
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52