In order to ensure the millions of books, CDs and other items distributed around the UK everyday are delivered safely, W H Smith, the popular high street stationer, bookseller and newsagent, has recently purchased six on-board weighing systems for their Toyota forklift trucks at its Swindon Distribution Centre. Supplied by local RDS distributor, RDS South West, these systems are installed for weighing heavy pallets in Goods Inwards and also in the Despatch area for weighing each pallet loaded on to one of the many double-decker trailers that deliver stock – ensuring all lorries are correctly loaded.
The Swindon Distribution Centre can receive up to 1000 pallets per day and often outputs over 1500 in 24 hours, all made up of different stock lines which are specific to each store’s requirements. This means the weight between pallets can vary greatly and when loaded on to a trailer could be very uneven and a severe danger to both the driver and the public. Gus Bell, Health and Safety Coordinator at the Swindon Distribution Centre, said “The need for knowing the weight of each pallet came from a desire to ensure that all loads were legal and safely loaded. RDS were recommended to us by our Toyota supplier and with this new technology, we can be sure of the pallet weight and position it accordingly.”
Working alongside distribution specialists Wincanton, the forklift operators now complete a loading sheet and distribute the pallets on the trailer according to weight. Mr Bell also confirms that “Using the weighing systems has not slowed down operations in Despatch, but has increased confidence in our loading methods.”
Now, as Distribution Centre minds begin to turn towards the busy Christmas delivery season and the changes in goods this brings, knowing the weight on a pallet has never been so important. W H Smith now has a procedure in place which means they can be sure that their stock will be delivered safely.
For more information on RDS weighing systems for forklift trucks, please contact:
Mark Evans Business Development Manager
Tel: 01453 73 33 00
Email: info@rdstec.com
www.rdstec.com
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