peacocks-tote-merge-system-from-ci-logisticsThe Kaybe division of materials handling specialist, CI Logistics, has successfully completed the installation of an innovative conveyor solution in the National Distribution Centre of Peacock’s Stores Ltd in Cardiff. The new conveyors provide versatile and economical transport for the tote boxes of Peacock’s products which are picked, packed and despatched to over 600 stores located in the UK and across the globe.

Peacocks is a leading UK fashion value retailer that combines quality, style and low prices for womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, footwear and accessories.

Working in partnership

The substantial contract was awarded to CI Logistics by Dutch systems integrator Equinox MHE. It included the design and installation of a new lineshaft conveyor for Peacock’s despatch department; the relocation of the company’s existing lineshaft conveyor; the supply of all inbound and outbound conveyors for a new Equinox flat sorter and modification of the company’s ground floor tote merge system.

Peter Voet is the Sales & System Design Manager for Equinox, he comments: “We asked three companies to tender for this complex conveyor project. Our decision to select CI Logistics was based on the quality of their response, competitive pricing and proposed delivery schedule.

“Working closely with them we have developed a strong partnership. The contract was completed in a professional manner and we were impressed with their performance as a company.”

Minimising operating costs, maximising efficiency

peacocks-new-lineshaft-conveyor-from-ci-logisticsThe new lineshaft conveyor from CI Logistics, with the extra 69 gravity roller sortation lanes, has improved the flow of products and reduced manual handling in Peacock’s busy despatch department. Robust in design and reliable in operation, the lineshaft conveyor has provided a cost-effective materials handling solution for the large 800 x 600 x 450mm totes.

The new conveyor is located on the ground floor sortation area, alongside Peacock’s existing lineshaft conveyor with sortation lanes. To create more space to work around the two conveyors, the original conveyor was relocated and extended by CI Logistics so that the two conveyors now operate back to back.

As it was important that there was no interruption to the flow of goods through despatch during this process, the new conveyor was installed, commissioned and proven before modifications to the existing conveyor began. The resulting conveyor configuration has maximised the accessibility and efficiency of Peacock’s despatch process.

Unique pneumatic diverters designed by CI Logistics to provide a stronger alternative to traditional diverters, have been incorporated into the new lineshaft conveyor. These diverters push the large totes at right angles from the powered conveyor down the correct sortation lanes.

Conveyors provide interface with flatsorter

In addition, CI Logistics was selected to supply all inbound and outbound box and tote conveyors to Peacock’s new Equinox tray based flat sorter with 140 stations. This is housed on the upper mezzanine floor of the Distribution Centre, above the other two Equinox flat sorters.

Steep incline belt conveyors deliver boxed product to the load operators on both sides of the flat sorter. Products are placed one at a time onto the sorter’s trays, and, as the garment travels around the system it drops down into one of the totes positioned underneath the trays which is destined for a certain store. Empty or part picked boxes are sent back down gravity roller conveyors.

Once a tote is full it is manually pushed onto a powered conveyor which runs down the centre of the sorter. This transports the totes to a new vertical elevator and down to despatch. Replacement totes are delivered from the ground floor by a new low level conveyor/elevator system to both sides of the sorter where they are manually placed under the appropriate discharge stations as necessary.

Space-saving footprint

Modifications have also been carried out by CI Logistics to Peacock’s tote merge systems on the ground floor of the Distribution Centre. This system unites all of the full totes which have been conveyed from the company’s three flat sorters, located on the ground floor and the two upper levels, into one route to the two despatch conveyors.

Dave Hackett is the Operations Manager for Peacocks Stores, he concludes, “Peacocks is now in Year 3 of a 5 year expansion strategy. Here at the National Distribution Centre in Cardiff we send deliveries to over 200 of our stores every day as well as servicing our online customers. It has therefore been critical to maximise the efficiency of our sortation and despatch processes in order to maintain our high level of customer service.”

CI Logistics   Tel: 0116 276 1691   www.conveyors.co.uk

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