Gardiner Bros & Co (Gardiners) distributes footwear on behalf of some of the most well-known brands including Hush Puppies and Hunter. Dealing with over 70,000 SKUs, operating 12-hours a day and getting busier month on month, Gardiners opened a new, purpose-built distribution centre to help manage their growth.

They contacted lifting and handling specialist, Advanced Handling, to design, manufacture and install a bespoke Goods Lift to help streamline processes in their new facility and contribute to optimising their efficiency and productivity.

Gardiners’ Lifting, Handling and Manoeuvring Challenge: Gardiners’ challenge was far from unique – dealing with so many SKUs and operating on two levels, they needed to ensure the process of loading and unloading pallet loads of goods was as efficient as possible so not to mixup or mislay goods.

Also, it was integral that the lift was robust and durable to cope with their long operating hours to avoid break-downs and unplanned downtime, all of which would negatively impact on their business and its reputation.

Advanced Handling’s Advanced Solution:

After reviewing potential suppliers, Gardiners contacted Advanced Handling on the back of their years of experience designing, manufacturing and installing bespoke goods and mezzanine lifts into a multitude of industries, environments and operations.

They visited Gardiners’ site and conducted a full audit to ensure they provided a solution that met their specification, was within their project budget and was compliant with health and safety regulations.

Bespoke Lift, Bespoke Features:

Advanced Handling designed the lift with a unique double entry point at the lower level so goods could be pushed in as the load which had come down the lift is pulled out the opposite side; separating the goods in and goods out and increasing the “working time” of the lift. They also ensured the lift was extremely durable and robust by fully-enclosing the shaft.

Other features to improve the user’s experience included builtin ramps to help loading and unloading and a bridge plate on floor one to protect users from the gap between the lift floor and the first floor.

During the design phase, Advanced Handling also identified a potential health and safety concern which they reviewed with Gardiners and were able to resolve quickly with some additional features fitted as part of the final installation. Advanced Handling’s Lift Helped Gardiners Reach New Heights:

Gardiners’ new facility is now open and they’re busier than ever! Their new goods lift was installed, tested and signed-off by the Advanced Handling and is now a major part of their operation.

Advanced Handling revisited the site as part of their after-sales service to speak to end-users to hear about what they think to the new member of their team!

The Gardiners team commented on how quiet the lift was during operation and George, an end-user exclaimed how he “wouldn’t be without it” adding “It is so much more efficient than a conveyor”.

Do you have a lifting, handling and manoeuvring challenge?

Advanced Handling specialises in providing standard and bespoke lifting and handling equipment including Goods and Mezzanine Lifts, Scissor Lift Tables and Lifting Trolleys. Visit their website and get in contact if manual lifting and handling is stopping your company from reaching the next level.

ADVANCED HANDLING

www.advancedhandling.co.uk

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