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3663 First for Foodservice is the UK’s leading foodservice company with annual sales of over £1bn. In 2002, one of their Contract Distribution customers, a major restaurant chain - had instigated a review of its supply chain with a view to reducing costs. With over 650 restaurants around the country requiring regular deliveries of fresh and frozen produce, transport costs account for a large and growing element of their variable costs.
 The company’s French fries supplier is based in The Netherlands and they suggested adding an extra layer to each pallet, increasing the stack height to six boxes. This alone, would reduce overall transport costs of French fries by 20%. With each truck and trailer journey costing £975, then £200,000 per annum could be saved – not to mention the reduction in handling and associated environmental considerations.
Few Logistics Managers would dispute the numerous benefits that such a simple alteration would bring. However, as with many ‘theoretically’ simple modifications, there can be repercussions and other problems created. Increasing the stack height from 1.83 metres to 2.15metres raises huge implications for manual handling.
Phil Oliver, Supply Chain Manager for 3663 investigated a means of automating the process of breaking down pallets with a stack height of six boxes into a height of five. The main challenge was that this needed to be carried out in extreme temperatures between minus 26oC and –30oC. The product is not allowed to rise above –15oC so a piece of materials handling equipment in an ambient, or even chilled, room was not an option.
As there was no equipment available that could handle the removal of a pallet layer in temperatures so low, Oliver approached Industrial Automation of Nottingham, amongst other suppliers. Industrial Automation are specialists in designing and manufacturing turnkey automation systems – particularly systems in which no pre-existing equipment is available.
 The equipment would have to be extremely robust as the metal is always below –26oC and there would be the inevitable occasional impact from materials handling equipment. Over the next 2 years, IAL developed a Multi-temperature Layer De-palletiser, in conjunction with 3663, which has met and surpassed all the requirements.
The multi-temperature layer de-palletiser, or Arctic De-palletiser, was installed in 2004 at 3663’s major Regional Distribution Centres. So far, the two machines have met all the requirements placed upon them. The de-palletiser is actually completing the 24 de-palletising requirement in forty-five minutes. It can transfer a single layer in just 30 seconds, with a maximum weight per layer of 150kg and a maximum stack weight of 1000kg. Power is provided at 415V, 50Hz from a 3 phase source at 25 Amp.
Industrial Automation can tailor the equipment to suit other installations and requirements and it can accommodate both Chep and Euro pallets. A remote control panel is also available.
If you would like to find out more about the Arctic Depalletiser check out the downloads below or click here.
 Arctic Depalletiser Product Application Sheet
 LDP Arctic Depalletiser Video (2MB)
Industrial Automation produces a number of pallet handling units - to see our full range click here. Alternatively if you would like more information about this story, or wish to discuss how Industrial Automation can provide your company with its own materials handling solutions, feel free to contact us. Call +44 (0) 115 840 0500 or click here for further contact details. |
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