Interroll is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of key products for unit load handling systems, internal logistics and automation. These solutions are used primarily within the area of food processing, airport logistics, postal services, distribution and in various segments of industry.
The products include easy-to-integrate drive solutions such as drum motors for belt conveyors, DC-powered and non-powered rollers for conveyor systems; energy-efficient flow storage modules for compact pallet/container racking systems in distribution centres; crossbelt sorters, belt curves and other user-friendly conveyor modules for cost-efficient material flow systems.
Dynamic storage roller and wheel modules are compatible with all world wide racking systems and offer the possibility to store a wide range of pallets sizes and weights, including Euro pallets, CHEP pallets, plastic pallets and metallic containers, etc. with high product throughput.
Interroll serves more than 23,000 customers worldwide.
WLN – Warehouse & Logistics News – What is your role and has it changed since last year?
Primarily to oversee the continuing growth of the company and to ensure we are at the forefront of new emerging markets. In 2010, we combined the three divisions of Drives & Rollers, Automation & Dynamic Storage under one Interroll banner so our knowledge and experience could be used throughout all industries as one face to the customers.
WLN – How was 2011 for Interroll?
Challenging! As an international organisation with manufacturing centres of excellence throughout the world, we have experienced difficulties in the UK as the weakness of the pound against the Euro did not help and manufacturing output was poor. However, our order book remains buoyant and on several products within the group, we are above target. So it is not all doom & gloom!
WLN – What is your business proposition for customers in the warehouse & logistics sector? Has that changed since last year?
Interroll offer Dynamic Storage and Picking Solutions, based on the FIFO and LIFO principles; incorporating our Carton Flow, Pallet Flow and Push Back systems.
WLN – How has the dynamic storage sector been performing in 2011? What do you see as the most important recent developments in the sector?
Like all sectors within the storage industry, performance has been below our expectations for many reasons. However, there has been a significant increase in manual picking systems.
WLN – Have you moved into any new business areas during 2011?
Interroll has always been involved in all business sectors, with fresh foods, frozen & chilled being one of our core strengths.
Dynamic storage provides decisive advantages in distribution centres having high throughputs and with those handling date sensitive products such as the – automobile, electronics, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics distribution, drinks and food distribution. This year we committed to attending the Frozen & Chilled Food exhibition at Peterborough.
WLN – Has your company grown in the last 12 months or had to consolidate?
2011 has been quite significant for Interroll as we have experienced internal restructuring and invested in new conference facilities and demonstration showrooms in Corby. In July we implemented a new management IT system with the introduction of SAP.
WLN – Have you launched any new products or services in 2011? What are they, and how are they performing?
Interroll launched its new Carton Flow product – Versi Flow, which literally does what it says on the box, being fully “versatile” system for picking varied box/tote sizes. Much interest has been shown in the new product and sales of Versi Flow today have been good, but in the retail sector, they have been significant!
WLN – What’s been your company’s single biggest achievement in business this year?
The launch of Versi Flow the new Carton Flow product… see above!
WLN – What was your personal favourite business moment in 2011?
Reaping the rewards from all our hard work and investment put into attending the IMHX Show in Birmingham, 2010.
WLN – If your company had to go through 2011 again, what would you do differently?
Buy a crystal ball
W&LN – Do you operate in any other countries besides the UK? How are you getting on there? Have you gone into any new countries in 2011?
Interroll operates worldwide and we have recently expanded our operations in China moving into a new 10,000 sq. mtr production facility in Suzhou, which is situated west of Shanghai. This represents our second biggest phase of expansion since we entered this emerging market in 2002. This regional Centre of Excellence for Asia opened officially on 21 September 2011 and will strengthen Interroll’s customer service in China and other Asian markets.
WLN – Have you won any awards in 2011, or been accredited to any new industry standards during this time?
Interroll was awarded with the iF Product Design Award 2011
Combined with Dynamic Storage, zero pressure accumulation conveyors can combine to provide fully automated logistic solutions
The control modules of Interroll, awarded with the iF Product Design 2011, significantly facilitates conveyor technology using zero pressure accumulation. Combined with the DC drives such as the Interroll RollerDrive EC310 and a flat cable, these networked control units make up a conveyor control system. Interroll will launch this new solution in field bus technology in the very near future.
WLN – Which industry sectors are your customers in? What applications do people use your products/services for?
We operate in ALL industry sectors offering end-to-end intralogistics solutions. Our customers include brands such as Coca-Cola, Henniez, Daimler-Chrysler, Varta, Dyson, Vespa, Bosch, Schwarzkopf, Toys’R’us, Canon, Texas Instruments, etc.
Our Dynamic Storage products are used to provide for Live Picking and Storage applications.
WLN – Do you sell products direct or through distributors? Has that strategy changed last year?
Interroll sell through the Trade, OEM’s/Distributors and Integrators. In support, we do promote to End-Users through our Sales and Marketing activities to make industry aware of the features and many benefits of Interroll products and resulting solutions.
WLN – Can you name any of your major projects in the last 12 months and talk about what you have done for them?
As we sell through the Trade only, we would be breaking Client confidentiality if we did discuss their/our major successes.
WLN – How does your forward order book compare with a year ago? What about the waiting list for your (products) compare with a year ago?
Compared to a year ago the future looks extremely promising, and our prospect list is increasing well into 2012.
WLN – Which trade shows did you exhibit at in 2011? How were they?
Frozen & Chilled Foods (part of the TCS&D Exhibition at Peterborough) – unfortunately one could be a little forgiving as this was the very first event. However, although some people were very happy with the event, we felt that it had room for improvement re attendance and organization.
WLN – As the Christmas period is traditionally the busiest time of the year for the UK warehousing and logistics industry, what challenges has your company been facing?
Meeting the ever increasing demands for all our Solutions and Products
WLN – As a company, what are your new year’s resolutions for 2012?
To continue to increase our Customer base and ensure our quality, prices & deliveries remain on target.
WLN – What are your plans for 2012?
With the many changes having taken place in 2011, we will be proactively building on the group developments and also successes achieved at Corby. We will continue to focus on supporting and delivering unrivalled added value to all our customers.
WLN – Where do you see your company in three years’ time?
We envisage increased growth, both in terms of customers and T/O. We aim to create greater awareness by the end users of our complete product range and highlight the many features and benefits. Also, we intend to be involved even more closely with the System Integrators in all industries.
WLN – And finally, what would you like Father Christmas to bring your company in 2012?!
Health, Prosperity and Peace of Mind.
Interroll Ltd
Tel: 01536 200322
Email: gb.sales@interroll.com
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