Although unprecedented growth in e-commerce lies behind the new 25,000 m2 DHL hub in Ryton, a key driver when developing the facility has been to position the business at the forefront of sustainable and digital logistics. Shipping over 500,000 items a day, the new hub presents an excellent opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint.
DHL is taking the very ethos of e-commerce, with mass shipment instead of individual customers travelling to and from shops, to the next level. In addition to route optimisation, Bio-LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) trucks and electrified vehicles, DHL uses double deck trailers with larger capacity to transport packages between hubs. All part of their commitment to finding innovative solutions to reduce the company’s environmental impact.
Richard Wenham, Head of Operational Support at DHL Parcel UK Ltd, explains: “As part of the world’s largest logistics company, we have a clear set of ambitious environmental targets to achieve, as well as ones to deliver for our customers. Although transporting packages as loose-loaded cargo optimises the load of each trailer, when parcel volumes grow, more trailers are required. We want to try and reduce the number of vehicles we have on UK roads, by using more double deck trailers. To load these efficiently, we must provide warehouse operatives with the right aids.”
DHL reached out to Caljan and an order was placed for 70 Performer Telescopic Conveyors for the outfeed operation. With an extension of 21m, the booms can reach to the very back of a 53ft trailer, even when installed behind a dock leveller. To accommodate the varied fleet DHL operates, two of the booms are fitted with Droop Snoot, an articulating conveyor that can reach below floor level down to vans and small electrified vehicles. Richard Wenham points out that the working environment is part of sustainability too.
The boom reduces lifting to an absolute minimum. Walking back and forth to load is completely eliminated, which improves productivity. Providing warehouse operatives with the right aids also means taking into account the variety of tasks that must be performed; Loading smaller vehicles is so much easier with the Snoot.
A further 36 Caljan Performer Telescopic Conveyors will be used in the infeed operation. Again two have Droop Snoot fitted to facilitate unloading a variety of vehicles. In addition to the longest reach of any boom conveyor on the market today, Caljan Performer has power efficiency features, such as IE4 drive motors on telescopic movement and automatic power-down when not in use.
Going live mid-2024, the new hub will double the capacity of DHL parcel UK Ltd in the UK.
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