STORAGe OPTIMISATIOn


when they supply power, in a bespoke approach improving the affordability of energy. However, with capex budgets still constrained due to the pandemic, many organisations may not be able to afford the often-exorbitant costs to purchase power generation equipment outright. Once again, this leaves manufacturers in an ever-worsening position, hamstrung by rising costs without the finances to take action to improve their situation.


‘enerGy as a service’ Faced with this added affordability challenge, ‘energy as a Service’ (eaaS) models have been identified as a way of boosting resilience without high upfront purchasing costs that can be associated with solar, wind and combined heat and power (CHP) solutions. This is especially the case with sustainability moving from a consideration to a priority in the wake of net zero legislation and COP26, which demanded UK firms to show how they intend to decarbonise by 2023. These sentiments have been echoed in Aggreko’s


recent report, ‘energy in Manufacturing: A Flexible Future?’, which surveyed 200 senior personnel at large UK manufacturing companies on the state of the market. The outcomes made for interesting reading, with almost every business saying they would prefer to be able to take control of their energy supply through distributed energy technology without investing capex. Similarly, 90 per cent wished for more flexibility and control when using on-site generation technology, and most expected to use on-site CHP, wind, or battery storage generation in the next 12 months. Though these conclusions are extremely clear about


decarbonisation and decentralised energy models, it must be noted that sizeable obstacles were hindering uptake. As well as identifying issues in raising the business capital required to invest in greener power generation equipment, 68 per cent of respondents also cited depreciating assets as a major concern to lowering carbon emissions.


hirinG strateGies Consequently, and with these findings in mind, it is incumbent on equipment suppliers to provide not only flexibility insofar as greener equipment is concerned, but also in how these solutions are financed. By engaging in innovative purchasing strategies, including long-term hire, manufacturers may be able to access the best of both worlds – green, decentralised energy technologies and added site resilience, while bypassing capex investment issues. engaging in such an approach, referred to as Hired


energy as a Service’ (HeaaS) would also negate concerns around stranded assets that could occur as green energy technology continues to advance. Suppliers such as Aggreko are able to offer the latest solutions to scale power up and down depending on site requirements, providing a fast, flexible and modular energy system. In conclusion, with 2050’s net zero targets closing in


and energy prices rising, manufacturers must take action to avoid a worsening set of circumstances. With this in mind, HeaaS may ultimately provide the means by which businesses may decarbonise, while also building site resilience and reduce reliance from the national grid. To read Aggreko’s report in full, energy in


Manufacturing: A Flexible Future?, visit: www.aggreko.com/en-gb/energy-in-manufacturing


aggreko www.aggreko.com


PlASTIC PAlleTS HelP ReTAIleRS KeeP UP WITH THe BOOM In OnlIne SAleS


O


ver the last decade, e-commerce has grown rapidly. In 2020, e- commerce sales totalled £111


billion in the UK, and accounted for 27.6 per cent of total retail sales, up from £75 billion (19.2 per cent of retail sales) in 2019. The global COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit,


and a skills shortage have been catalysts for even quicker growth in the last two years. To keep up with this demand, many retailers have increased the level of automation in their operations – in both their warehouses and for distribution – to improve the speed and efficiency of deliveries. This trend looks set to increase as UK


factory automation is expected to grow by 10.05 per cent between 2021 and 2026. The need for a more efficient and


accurate process has pushed the design boundaries of the automation systems and the storage platforms used to handle and dispatch orders.


Plastic returnable transit PackaGinG One such storage solution is plastic returnable transit packaging (RTP) – packaging that can be used time and again over many years, without compromising on its performance. Goplasticpallets.com is an expert in delivering plastic RTP solutions and stocks the UK’s largest range of plastic pallets, pallet boxes and smaller containers. In 2013, one of the UK’s leading


department and grocery store chains approached Goplasticpallets.com to come up with a robust, long life plastic pallet that was compatible with the company’s automated retrieval high bay system and would adhere to its strict deflection parameters. The company’s semi-automated


distribution centre in Milton Keynes was integral to the brand setting new standards in customer service. Minimal deflection and maximum durability were two crucial factors in helping them do this. If a pallet bends too much when loaded,


its automated handling system will grind to a halt. Previous pallets that the retailer


had tested deflected too far, sometimes by as much as 40mm. The retailer was trialling another


company’s medium-duty plastic pallet with three steel bars. However, deflection was an issue with the medium-duty pallets. It bottomed out on the chain conveyor when loaded with boxes.


DetaileD tests anD real trial runs Goplasticpallets.com had a solution in mind and asked its manufacturing partner, CABKA-IPS, to run detailed tests of its APB 1210 5R Pool Pallet loaded with similar boxes, stored for 1000 hours. Following the test, Goplasticpallets.com


supplied 200 of its APB 1210 5R Pool Pallets for real trial runs. The pallets were a resounding success, proving exceptionally durable and consistent with an acceptable deflection of less than 8mm. The retailer ordered 12,000 units in light


grey, each fitted with four labels. Goplasticpallets.com delivered them in 31 trailer loads between May and June 2015. Following an expansion of its


warehouse in 2020, the retailer ordered a further 9,000 plastic pallets – this time in mid-grey and made from recycled high- density polyethylene. Fast forward to 2021, and all of the 21,000


plastic pallets are still performing well, proving their long working life – helping the high-end department and grocery store continue to operate throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland.


More autoMation in the future With the long-term impact of the pandemic likely to see online shopping become the norm for consumers, more and more retailers will seek to drive efficiency into their store and online supply chains. As demonstrated here, plastic pallets can help retailers achieve this.


Goplasticpallets.com www.goplasticpallets.com


FACTORY&HAnDlInGSOlUTIOnS | DeCeMBeR/JAnUARY 2022 35


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