Conveyor Systems Ltd offer a unique combination of engineering skills and a wealth of experience in providing materials handling solutions tailored to suit individual requirements across a wide range of industries.
Using state-of-the-art three dimensional design, CSL provide the optimum solution to customer’s handling requirements. These can be viewed as CAD drawings or real-time video clips to enable customers to evaluate proposals in terms of throughputs and product sortation.
CSL offer simple, cost effective modular conveyors to interface and integrate with other OEM handling and packaging equipment, live storage, interfacing with robotic handling/palletising systems, etc – through to installation and commissioning of complete automated turnkey materials handling systems with integrated controls and software.
Warehouse & Logistics News – First of all, what does your role involve day to day? Has your role changed since last year?
As MD of a close knit team, I am responsible for the daily operations and direction of all aspects involved in the running of the business.
Due to controlled expansion of the business, we appointed a new sales manager- Jim Farquhar who brings with him much welcomed support and many years sales and engineering experience gained at companies involved in the supply of materials handling products, industrial automation and logistic solutions. Although I will continue to be actively involved in Sales, Jim will focus on developing new business as well as adding valuable support in servicing CSL’s customers.
WLN – 2012: how was it for you?
In recent years, CSL has restructured, invested in people training and state of the art equipment and that has paid dividends. In 2012, Conveyor Systems Ltd relocated to new, larger and more modern premises and has increased turnover by 50% in the last twelve months alone and by 400% over the last three years.
Rising costs affect every company and competition will always be there to keep companies on their toes. So rather than spending all our time looking over our shoulders, we focus on what we do best – and that is giving good service and looking after both our existing and potential customers.
Utilising a wide and comprehensive range of cost effective modular and bespoke systems, it enables CSL to provide customers with maximum flexibility and design tailor made solutions to suit individual requirements and budget. As over 95% of our equipment is both manufactured and supplied within the UK, exchange rates are not an issue for us.
WLN – What effect did this years major events – Golden Jubilee, Olympic Games, etc have on your company?
The enquiry levels were down slightly year- on- year over the summer months, but are more than making up for it since.
WLN – What is your particular proposition for customers in the warehouse & logistics sector? Has that changed since last year?
CSL offer automated turnkey materials handling and logistic solutions -including design, installation and commissioning with integrated controls and software – to improve both savings and efficiencies in the customers operations.
In planning and designing materials handling solutions to meet customer’s requirements, there appears to be a growing demand for system flexibility.
As industry trends move forward at such a fast pace, the customer is always aware that product changes may necessitate systems to be easily adapted, (sometimes referred to as “future proofing”) to meet future handling changes. Also, as our conveying equipment has been developed over the years to have a longer life span with minimum maintenance, more companies are looking to upgrade systems as opposed to committing to new capital expenditure.
WLN – How has the conveyor sector been performing in 2012? What do you see as the most important recent developments?
We are aware that this has been a difficult time for industry in general and companies who are involved in projects involving capital expenditure. However, industry still has to be proactive and look to automation to achieve increased productivity and savings. By reducing manual handling and personnel movements, with the introduction of conveyors and dynamic storage systems transporting products to the required areas, this can quickly achieve efficiencies and demonstrate a return on investment.
There has been no shortage of tenders for various conveying projects. Unfortunately, competition is fierce, margins eroded and some of these projects can take a long time to be sanctioned and final orders placed.
Sortation systems have continued to evolve and to provide impressive throughputs with unique control systems that support accuracy and traceability of product flow throughout the supply chain. Also, we seem to be receiving more conveying system enquiries from end users who have experienced system proposals that are over specified, involving high levels of sophistication that can lead to difficulties in maintenance and increased risk of excessive downtime. CSL can often provide more cost effective, reliable easy to maintain alternatives.
WLN – Have you moved into any new business areas during 2012?
An increasing percentage of installations carried out by CSL are with fresh produce businesses that are looking to speed up and improve order picking efficiencies, minimize errors, supply even fresher produce and ensure product traceability, whilst operating with the minimum number of staff.
WLN – What was your biggest investment to improve your business in 2012? What else did you do?
Due to increasing sales and a growing demand on the business, Conveyor Systems Ltd (CSL) expanded and relocated to new, larger and more modern premises, whilst remaining in the South Derbyshire area. The move took place early in 2012 and the new site will offer increased office and storage accommodation, as well as additional space for CSL’s growing support and sales staff.
WLN – How are your existing products and services doing?
Our success at CSL can be contributed to our ability to service and maintain our existing customers and in 2012, over 50% of our sales turnover can be attributed to this close association.
As a manufacturer, we are not limited to offering a standard range of modular conveyors, but can design and competitively engineer customised equipment most suited to meet individual handling applications.
We not only provide customers with handling solutions but provide many with servicing and maintenance programmes to ensure that equipment is properly maintained and working to maximum efficiency and safety, thus avoiding un-planned stoppages.
WLN – Have you launched any new products or services in 2012? What are they, and how are they performing?
The new CSL space saving spiral elevator continues to create interest, especially where floor space is restricted and a continuous flow of different shapes and sizes of products need to be conveyed between different floor levels.
The compact column design makes the spiral unit much lighter in weight, but maintains the rigid structure and durability to support a high throughput of product, whilst also offering many new functional benefits. Available as single or twin lane reversible spirals, the new design improves visibility with a narrow supporting column whilst adding greater handling flexibility as the gap between column and outer guide rail is increased.
Conveyor Systems has now successfully installed 70 spiral elevators in the UK.
WLN – What’s been your company’s single biggest achievement in business this year?
Against all the odds, CSL continue to experience controlled expansion and attained a significant increase in sales and turnover in our last financial year. We are very proud of this achievement, which has been accomplished through long hours and dedicated teamwork.
WLN – What was your favourite business moment in 2012?
Securing a major contract with Diageo the world’s largest drinks company which provided an excellent platform for the company and a very positive outlook for the future!
WLN – If you had to go through 2012 again, what would you do differently?
I would apply for the Olympic tickets much sooner!!
WLN – Do you operate in any other countries besides the UK? How are you getting on there? Have you gone into any new countries in 2012? What’s that been like?
No – Rather than stretching resources, we will continue to focus on servicing the needs of the UK materials handling/logistic sectors and stick to what we are good at.
WLN – Have you won any awards in 2012, or been accredited to any new industry standards during this time?
Against fierce competition and some blue chip companies, CSL did achieve recognition as we progressed through to the finals of the PPMA Awards 2012 – having entered for two individual awards – ‘Exceptional Growth’ and ‘Customer Service Award’. Unfortunately there can only be one winner, but we take heart that we got so far with the help of testimonials from several of our customers.
WLN – Which industry sectors are your customers in? What applications do people use your (products) for? Have you seen a shift in industry sector demand during this time?
There is no one industry CSL would highlight as it works across various sectors, wherever a company needs to convey product and achieve efficiencies.
Over the years, CSL has supplied conveyors for applications handling anything from individual pharmaceutical dosage containers through to 2 tonne pallets in environments ranging from clean-rooms, explosion risk and -28°C cold stores.
WLN – Can you tell us about any of your major projects in the last 12 months, and what they have involved?
CSL has carried out work on the multi-million pound expansion of the bottling facilities at the Leven, Scotland site of the premium drinks giant Diageo and was commissioned to design and supply a system involving 6 complete lines to be housed in the new 21st century state-of-the-art bottling plant. (See CSL/Diageo article )
WLN – Are you making use of social media in your marketing?
Although we are fully aware of the various media available to us at CSL we feel at this point in time, we gain the most from concentrating on the ones that provide the best marketing tools and avoid too much time in non core areas.
WLN – Have you developed your web site in the last 12 months? What difference do you see it making to your business in 2013?
As we all know from the E-commerce revolution, the World Wide Web is a gigantic shop window to show off your products and services and therefore is responsible for the demise of the paper printed word such as brochures, technical literature etc so you ignore it at your peril!
Hence SEO is becoming the norm, which together with regular updates ensures our web site has become a great marketing tool.
WLN – How do your forward orders compare with last year?
Compared to a year ago, the existing contracts and prospect list is extremely encouraging but the competition is fierce. CSL can report that we have a very good order book and are positioned to drive the company forward.
WLN – Which trade shows did you exhibit at in 2012? How were they and which shows are you at in 2013?
Conveyor Systems Limited exhibited at the PPMA show held at the NEC Birmingham last September and although a smaller footprint than previously, we can confirm that the attendance and quality of the visitors was excellent.
CSL has also committed to attend the international materials handling exhibition IMHX 2013 Stand Number 20E120, to be held at the NEC – March 19-22nd.
WLN – Can you tell us about your plans for 2013? Where do you see your company going next year?
We have been very focused in our management and development of CSL and we look to build on our success and extend our customer base even further. Year on year our order book contains over 50% from existing customers which at present seems set to continue into 2013 and beyond.
AND FINALLY…
WLN – What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
WINNING!! – Hard fought orders and seeing payments come into our account from satisfied customers!
WLN – What would you like Father Christmas to bring your company?
Nice profits so we can all have a share and treat ourselves.
WLN – What are your ambitions for 2013?
Try and get that extra holiday!!
WLN – What are you personally most looking forward to next year?
Spending time with our first grandson who is soon to be born.
WLN – If you won the Jackpot in the EuroMillions what would you do?
Carry on as normal as I’m enjoying life as it is!
Conveyor Systems Ltd
Tel: 01283 552255
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