Conveyor Systems Ltd have recently completed a major installation supplying an extensive pack and sortation conveyor solution for global online retailer Wiggle Ltd., operating as the UK’s No.1 online Cycle, Run & Swim retailer and was recently acknowledged and voted the Which? Recommended Provider No.1 online outdoor & leisure shop.
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In 2015, due to the continuous growth of the business, Wiggle Ltd. took the decision to relocate from the multiple small sites operated in Portsmouth to a larger, consolidated Fulfilment Centre (320,000 sq. ft.) in the West Midlands.
After a rigorous tender process, CSL’s ability to provide a well demonstrated solution was key to meeting the brief and winning the contract. This included using the latest 3D CAD drawing software to help visualise the system as a lifelike operational representation in the new building.
The brief was to combine packed consignments from 3 pick/pack areas over 3 floors and sort them down 12 lanes into 4 dispatch zones for separate carriers and services. The system needed to cope with up to 90 boxes per minute of varying sizes and weights, from very small parts and clothing up to large boxes of bicycle wheels!
The conveyor system was specially designed by CSL at over 900mm wide and was engineered in detail after taking into account observations by both management and operators at Wiggle, plus the vast array of shapes, sizes and weights of products to be handled and overcoming operational issues.
The mezzanine consists of 2 upper floors, which along with the ground floor, form three independent pick/pack zones and sortation areas. These were designed specifically to avoid issues caused when one combined system is stopped for maintenance/repairs.
Once an order is picked, packing operatives check and pack into an array of outers ranging from poly bags to large cardboard boxes, prior to applying carrier despatch labels. The consignment is then placed on a section of zero line pressure (ZLP) accumulation roller conveyor to be transported to the ground floor sortation area.
This type of conveyor is used widely on the system to provide non-contact queuing in order to avoid damage to the varied products and prevent possible jams along the system.
Two powered spiral lowerators safely and continuously bring boxes down from the upper mezzanine floors and using state-of-the-art scanning arrays on each line, barcodes identify the required carrier despatch lane. When the packages reach the correct despatch lane they are diverted off at 90 degrees using high speed switch sorters. Depending on the source pick floor, they either decline down a grip top belt to an ergonomic picking height or transit on a horizontal roller conveyor to the discharge area where a despatch operative removes and places them onto a pallet or into a wheeled cage ready for carrier collection.
CSL provided the full turnkey conveyor project including control, installation and commissioning of the wide range of packages.
Wiggle’s Programme Manager for the project and Head of Logistics & Operations Development, Dan Corrigan stated “As this was a new facility it was difficult to visualise the conveyor system prior to the mezzanine floor installation, but CSL provided a detailed 3D drawing which included both the mezzanine and the conveyors which brought clarity to this. The install process was smooth and the end results have allowed us to increase control, flexibility & volumes.”
Jim Farquhar – Sales Manager
Tel: 01283 552255
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