Repeat success
May 1st 2007

Following on the success of Astec Conveyors first installation of a hi-tech hub-style sortation system at the TNT Birmingham depot, sales director – Roger Pendleton confirmed the company had secured and completed a further project at the TNT Preston depot

As part of TNT's strategy of improving depot operational efficiencies, the UK Network Development Team has adopted an ongoing evaluation of materials handling solutions for both existing and new depots. In reviewing the Birmingham project completed in July 2004 by Astec Conveyors, TNT acknowledged that the new reversible straight-line conveyor system had been extremely successful and would form the basis of MHS installations at all future new depots.

Several companies were invited to tender for the TNT Preston depot , which was the first of a number of planned sites.

The tender specification required them to provide an overview of the potential system layout, operating criteria and adhere to a very strict time schedule for installation. Astec Conveyors in conjunction with TNT designed a concept based on the same principles as adopted at the Birmingham depot, providing an effective reversible materials handling system that could be operated by three warehouse shifts.

A mezzanine floor was installed to reduce ground floor congestion. The upper level provides a segregated area with a sortation conveyor system and an area for processing of small packages and documents. This created an efficient ground level workflow for bulk items – categorised as 50kg upwards or of awkward shape and size, such as drums, pallets, stillages, bags. This also released space to create a freight marshalling area.

Astec conveyor system services three shifts

TNT Preston operates three shifts and the objective of this project was to install a reversible straight-line conveyor system, which would support both the 'Night' and 'Back' shifts plus the Regional Sortation.

The Preston proposal required increased flexibility as the system necessitated a "multi-mode" option where the system could not only provide an end to end reversible system, but also provide the option of both the upper and ground level material handling systems to operate independently and in opposite directions.

The new system allows up to 4 inbound trailers at a time to be efficiently unloaded, therefore speeding up the flow of freight in to the depot. Assuming average parcel dimensions, the system was designed to handle a minimum throughput rate of 1800 items per hour across the system.

A major feature contributing to the system's success was Astec specially designed, reversible modular merge/divert and centralising units, fitted with close pitched segmented rollers to minimise the possibilities of 'dead areas' and provided optimum merge / diverting capability for large parcels down to small jiffy bag items.

Astec Conveyors' sales director, Roger Pendleton reported, "Our previous experience of working closely with TNT was an obvious advantage, as Astec evolved a proven system to meet the exact requirements of the Preston depot.

As a manufacturer of handling equipment and automated systems, this enabled us to provide a 'one-stop source' for TNT to focus the project and complete on time and within budget.

The success of both the Birmingham and Preston projects has resulted in Astec Conveyors securing two contracts to supply materials handling and sortation systems for two more TNT depots".

More articles from Astec Conveyors Limited: