Popular retail choice
Telescopic conveyors are an increasingly popular choice for retail applications handling impressive throughputs, but thought must also be given to minimising downtime, says Sovex.
The Wirral-based materials handling manufacturer which specialises in conveyor technology has a long history of supplying equipment to companies in the retail and distribution sectors.
One example is courier firm Hermes, which is heavily involved in fulfilling eCommerce orders in the UK.
Faced with a growing challenge to sort and deliver parcels to an ever tighter schedule, Hermes UK contacted Sovex to come up with a solution to help.
As the UK’s largest home delivery courier handling more than 190 million collections and deliveries per year, this was no small challenge. Any solution needed to be able to handle a wide variety of parcel size and shape at variable speeds.
Following several site visits Sovex engineers presented a plan combining a number of Sovex material handling machines, maximising the use of space available at all of Hermes’ depots. Both fixed and mobile conveyors were installed, tailored to meet the specific needs identified.
This enabled Hermes to unload, sort and load millions of pieces in a more efficient and cost effective way, ensuring that it can meet its client service level agreements.
Through Sovex Connect, Sovex engineers provide quarterly servicing of all machines at Hermes’ mail handling sites and are on hand 24/7 in case of emergency breakdowns. This ensures a smooth running of the Hermes operation, minimising any downtime and ensuring it can keep to demanding schedules.
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Hermes national engineering manager Peter Jones describes Sovex as a leader in the provision of new conveying equipment for Hermes, meeting its specific requirements at an extremely competitive price.
He adds: “Sovex have provided a speedy response and resolution to ensure equipment downtime is kept to a minimum. Sovex always show flexibility and a willingness to meet the needs of the customer, whether it is when purchasing new equipment or responding to equipment breakdowns.
“In addition, the introduction of the Sovex web based job management tool is extremely useful in managing the conveying equipment at Hermes sites.”
Another customer for Sovex is UK footwear distributor, Shoe Zone, which sells over 30 million pairs of footwear every year through over 550 retail outlets. Once again, the Sovex service and maintenance offering proved critical.
When dealing with such a large volume of product, it is essential to Shoe Zone that its distribution centres run smoothly all of the time. With a wide range of both telescopic and flat bed conveyors at the heart of the distribution operation it cannot afford for these essential machines to be out of action.
Historically, Shoe Zone used a local engineering firm to fix mechanical breakdowns. On one occasion, however, the local firm was unable to help due to the specialist nature and age of the equipment. Some of the parts required were now obsolete. Shoe Zone turned to Sovex for help.
Sovex engineers visited the Shoe Zone distribution centre and surveyed the faulty conveyor. Due to the age of the machine Sovex had to manufacture the specialist parts necessary to fix it. The conveyor was fully repaired at minimal cost, with a one year warranty on the new parts. Shoe Zone was delighted with the result which meant it did not have to invest unplanned budget in a new conveyor.
