Potter Logistics, is a multi-based logistics company that provides a high quality warehouse and nationwide 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 destinations in good condition; specialist packaging company, Aetna Group UK, has provided an excellent solution for Potter’s York distribution centre (DC) in the form of its 507 Robopac rotary wrapping machine.
Aetna’s origins are in Italy, with its UK base in Bedford. Having been established in this country for over 20 years, the company has built a reputation as a market leader in the production of automatic stretch and shrink pallet wrappers. There is a variety of choice to fit a variety of products – vertical and horizontal stretch wrapping machines, manual, semi-automatic and automatic shrink wrapping machines and five taping and case erector machines.
Potter Logistics has come a long way since its beginnings as Topcliffe Transport Company, a single 10ft truck operation carrying grain and fertilisers on local routes in the 1960s. In the intervening years it grew significantly, acquiring a network of sites and similar transport companies, most recently House of James Transport which has now become the company’s York DC.
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 purchased for the Ripon DC to wrap products ranging from hair care to industrial chemicals. There is also a further machine at its Droitwich site. These six machines were purchased on the back of a trial at Selby which showed a significant saving in employee time and packaging film. Three months ago, Potter Logistics, made the decision to invest in a new wrapping machine for its York DC; Aetna’s 507 Robopac, was selected as it had proved itself to be a real asset at the other sites.
Operations Manager of Potter Logistics’ York DC, John Myers, is very pleased with its performance. “The machine was purchased with a particular client in mind and it has been a godsend,” he said. “We were previously wrapping 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 DC to increase product security and to save money, and it has fulfilled 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 finishes 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.”
Aetna Group
Colin Barker
Tel: 01234 825050
Email: colin.barker@aetna.co.uk
Comments are closed.