‘You wouldn’t buy a car that nobody can service or repair’

Automation systems in the warehouse and distribution sectors are becoming commonplace as companies compete on service and cost. The need for speedy delivery times and the high complexity of handling a wide variety of product types means that to do it manually is becoming impossible. Automation delivers the benefits of being able to control, process, track and manage stock in real time. It reduces labour costs whilst increasing efficiency and accuracy.

Having invested in automation to realise these benefits, a company needs to protect that investment so that the system continues to deliver over many years with minimal disruption. This is the responsibility of engineering maintenance. Engineering maintenance is a critical part of any business where automation systems are used. It is often seen as a “necessary evil” and its importance to the success of the business is easily overlooked. 

For over 30 years Logistex have provided a wide range of support and maintenance services.  From residential maintenance teams embedded on customers sites, and field engineers that visit sites on a periodic basis to carry out maintenance and repair activities, to 24/7 remote support for PLC and warehouse management systems, we provide the full range of services you would expect from a professional MHE automation provider. Historically, these services have been provided on systems and equipment supplied and integrated by Logistex.

But times have changed. MHE equipment is now more international than ever before with companies looking to sell their products across the world. The challenges of doing this though can be problematic. The question arises; how can we sell our product in a country where we don’t have the service capability to firstly, convince the customer to buy our product, and secondly, to make sure it performs and is properly supported? After all – you wouldn’t buy a car that nobody can service or repair. 

So, it is clear that on the ground engineering support is a necessity for any company providing complex material handling equipment today. In the UK, Logistex, as an independent integrator, can help. Logistex provide service capability for original equipment manufacturers that don’t have their own, or perhaps not comprehensive enough, service operations. 

Our partner’s customers can buy in confidence knowing that their equipment will be maintained and supported at a local level whilst they benefit from technologies from further afield.

Logistex are providing support for several partners for their equipment installed in the UK. Let me introduce some of them to you.

Hazel4D is a global packaging and machinery provider. Based in Leeds, with a presence across Europe, Hazel 4D serves large organisations by developing custom-designed solutions that improve business performance, increase efficiency and reduce waste. Hazel 4D specialises in helping customers improve their pallet stability in order to comply with European cargo safety laws. Through their unique consultancy services, the latest technology in stretch films and pallet wrapping machinery, Hazel 4D helps customers increase the stability of their loads and reduce product damages, whilst dramatically reducing their plastic use and helping them save thousands of pounds on stretch film.

Hazel 4D provides their customers with high-quality, low maintenance and easy to install Atlanta Stretch pallet wrappers. Hazel 4D has partnered with Logistex to provide breakdown and servicing support for their load stability programme. They’re training Logistex engineers so that they can react quickly to machinery breakdown or service requests anywhere in the UK and Europe.

Automha Group is an Italian provider of advanced integrated supply chain automation technology, software and services. Logistex is the official distributor for Automha in the UK for their Autosatmover and Supercap solutions. The pallet shuttles are made up of ‘mover’ vehicles which travel along the front of the racking, and satellites which go into the lanes for the automatic collection and storage of pallets. The satellites use capacitors rather than batteries for power so there is no need for prolonged charging periods. Also, because the shuttles are lighter than an automated storage and retrieval system, they use less power per move. Recently, the Autosatmover was utilised in an automated pallet shuttle solution designed and installed by Logistex for the Britvic Soft Drinks site in Leeds. Logistex also provides its engineering support services for best practice maintenance management of the automation system on site. The support includes a team of on-site engineers for mechanical and electrical maintenance and repair of the equipment, hotline and access to the Logistex Central Support Desk for technical support and emergency spares. Britvic’s Operations Manager says; “We see high reliability from the automated warehouse due to the engineering works that Logistex carries out.” Following this success, Logistex are now able to provide support for Automha’s Autosatmovers UK-wide. 

Copal Handling Systems is a Dutch company that provides highly innovative automated container unloading and palletising solutions. With equipment that addresses the challenges of today’s logistics industry, such as labour shortages and manual handling, this technology is creating great interest in the industry. Heavy physical and repetitive work is being robotised worldwide. However, unloading unpalletised jute bags and boxes from containers is often still a manual job in a further fully automated logistics chain, and frequently results in injuries. Copal systems make heavy physical work superfluous and contribute to the sustainable employability of employees.

Also, a tight labour market is a real challenge in logistics. With the Copal machine and available employees, peak moments can be handled. Significantly improved working conditions also provide a major advantage in attracting and retaining staff. The Copal container unloader is equipped with scanning software, 3D vision technology, laser sensors and cameras that recognise the entire process at one glance. The software guarantees an efficient gripping movement and sequence. The Copal gripper ensures that all products are unloaded quickly and efficiently. The load can then be automatically palletised or directed for storage.  Logistex provide on the ground support and maintenance for these in demand machines.

Logistex offers its OEM partners a scalable level of service support. You choose what you need from a pool including core service provision, service and support management, field engineering, technical support, and advanced technical on-site support via our technical specialists. Not only does this give the benefit of being able to support your customers to a high level without significant investment in your own service operation, but it also gives access to the UK market for those primarily based overseas, where the lack of local support is a constraint in the UK market.

If you would like more information, please visit www.logistex.com or email us at ESS@Logistex.com.