Cheshire based factory and logistics automation company Conveyor Networks has secured a contract to supply software and engineering resource to a major FMCG company to help in the final project delivery and testing phases of a major warehouse project, due for completion in early 2012. Many years experience of major warehouse and automation projects within the conveyor networks team has helped to land this contract.

Cheshire based factory and logistics automation company Conveyor Networks has secured a design and install contract with sports retailer JJB Sports. The contract will see Conveyor Networks provide an extension to the already installed conveyor system and the includes supply and integration of box strapping machines. Conveyor Networks already support the Wigan based facility with resident engineers who look after the conveyor system and they support the software which runs the automation. Conveyor Networks are working with strategic partner Transnorm System GmbH in the supply of the new equipment and will also integrate strapping machinery from Mosca.

for WH Smith. - October 2011

Further to the supply and installation in 2010 of a significant high speed sorting, conveyor and Software system interface design for handling books. Cheshire based factory and logistics automation company Conveyor Networks has secured a further support contract with online and high street retailer WH Smith. The contract will run through 2012 and will see Conveyor Networks provide remote software support, enabling diagnosis and configuration of their installed Interface Manager™ system software.

Managing Director for Conveyor Networks David Carroll said, “It’s great that JJB Sports have awarded us this support contract. Our aim is to solve our client’s problems by ensuring their logistics operations are as efficient as possible, from both a hardware and software point of view. We have worked with JJB Sports for a few years and we are delighted to continue our close relationship and support of them and their facility. For a company such as JJB Sports who rely so heavily on their warehouse processes having a smart reliable solution has never been so important. We are pleased they have chosen us as their partner for ongoing support and maintenance.”

SAFEcontractor status

Cheshire based factory and logistics automation company Conveyor Networks has achieved SAFEcontractor status which recognises the company’s high standards of health and safety practices. The accreditation involves businesses undergoing a rigorous assessment process to review and audit their health and safety procedures, quality processes and environmental management, as well as examining their track record for safe practice on and off site. Contractors who achieve the status are included on a database which allows potential and existing clients to vet them and ensure their procedures are of the highest quality.

David Carroll, Managing Director of Conveyor Networks said, “It is a real achievement for us to gain SAFEcontractor status. Often only large organisations achieve it but as a small company it is testament to the focus we have on ensuring we have rigorous and effective health and safety procedures in place.  The nature of our work, designing and installing complex automated conveyor systems which help to make our clients more efficient, means health and safety as well as quality has to be heart of all we do. We hope that the accreditation means our current as well as future clients will be reassured that they are in safe hands.”

Cheshire based factory and logistics automation company Conveyor Networks has secured a three year support contract with online retailer Play.com. The contract will see Conveyor Networks provide 24/7 support,   maintenance, servicing and spare parts to the Jersey based company.

The support contract follows the completion of a large project undertaken by Conveyor Networks for Play.com, which involved designing and implementing a new streamlined fulfilment process at their warehouse in order to process orders more efficiently and reduce postage costs.  The project was completed at the end of 2010.

Mike Fitzharris, Operations Director for Play.com said, “We’re delighted to award Conveyor Networks this support contract for three years. As a business we are always seeking to improve our customer experience and are hugely reliant on our automated fulfilment processes. They need to work for us around the clock, throughout the year so we can process our customer orders as quickly and efficiently as possible. Conveyor Networks designed and installed a new streamlined fulfilment process for us at the end of last year. It has brought us significant efficiencies and we are confident in their ability to give us a prompt, active response to any maintenance issues that may occur.”

Managing Director for Conveyor Networks David Carroll said, “It’s great that Play.com have awarded us this support contract. Our aim is to solve our client’s problems by ensuring their factory and logistics operations are as intelligent and efficient as possible, from both a hardware and software point of view. For a company such as Play.com who rely so heavily on their warehouse processes having a smart reliable solution has never been so important. We are pleased they have chosen us as their partner for ongoing support and maintenance.”

Conveyor Networks makes the Northwest home and appoints Stuart Lott as Head of Engineering

Conveyor Networks Ltd, a new factory and logistics automation company, has chosen the Northwest as its Head Office base. The company, formed in November 2009 have opened an office in Lymm and have already grown the workforce to 10, with plans in place for further expansion.  They have also recently appointed Stuart Lott as its Head of Engineering. Stuart, 38, from Warrington, worked for Procter & Gamble for 14 years.

Run by Managing Director David Carroll, previously head of UK Sales for international manufacturer Transnorm and Operations Director Geoff Wooding, previously Lifetime Controls, Conveyor Networks provides fully integrated factory and logistics automation solutions for clients with a view to making them more efficient. Some of the biggest names in FMCG manufacturing and online retailing are already clients. Conveyor Networks have also been appointed as the sole official UK distributor agent for Transnorm’s “System range of products”.

Managing Director David Carroll said, “We’re delighted to have made the Northwest our base as the region has so much to offer and a number of our clients are based here. We pride ourselves in designing and installing intelligent automated systems that solve our client’s problems. With the huge increase in online retailing, our goal is to make sure warehouse logistics and fulfilment processes work efficiently. 2011 could be a challenging period in the competitive retail sector so efficiency savings have never been so important.”

He continued, “We’re also pleased that Stuart has joined the team as Head of Engineering. He brings a wealth of experience to the business and will be instrumental in helping us to develop our systems, manage our health and safety on-site responsibilities and oversee client projects.”

Stuart Lott, Head of Engineering said, “I’m pleased to have joined Conveyor Networks. The success Conveyor Networks have had in such a short time demonstrates their expertise and their ability to deliver great solutions for clients. With all the plans in place for further expansion and recruitment, it’s an exciting time to join the business.”

Music and Film distribution

Conveyor Networks complete the contract to automate the movement of goods between picking and packing areas at HMV Guernsey.

CD and DVD products are among the fast moving products at the distribution centre of a HMV.Com Channel isles operation.

At HMV.Com,, the movement of picked  goods to the packing area was becoming an issue, with ever increasing volumes there needed to be a reliable solution to the problem of manual transport of products via a goods lift.

The Task

Over single or double shift periods, items have to be transported from storage to packing area, products ranging from music and software CDs as well as DVDs were  suggested to be handled in a standard Euro container and loaded onto a conveyor system which fed a uniquely designed spiral elevator.

Top priority was given to reliability and low maintenance, particularly during the busy period, from September to January when the plant runs a three shift operation and any downtime would be extremely costly.

Top priority was given to reliability and low maintenance

The concept was unique as the spiral is actually two units mounted onto one central column, the main reason for this solution is that it uses the minimal amount of space. As with other channel island operators that Transnorm have supplied, the space is at a premium.

The system effectively distributes product between floor levels and will return empty trays to the system start points. There are other considerations to be taken into account when dealing with projects on such a small island, not least is the basic logistics of getting such a large machine into the facility and successfully erecting it in a safe manner. The fact that they were able to view a similar machine on the mainland helped HMV in the decision making process.

“ We were able to see the machine close up and quiz the  client about the machine and installation says  HMV project manager Adam Saunders, we also made reference visits to other clients in our sector, and were very happy with the responses we got”

So When a solution was needed for handling CD and DVDs, the online retailer HMV.Com  chose Conveyor Networks  whose specialists had immediate access to tried and tested modular systems.

Creation of Conveyor Networks Ltd

Continued Expansion in UK Systems Area of Transnorm System GmbH – Harsum Germany sees the creation of Conveyor Networks Ltd.

Due to continued success and growth in the systems solutions area, Transnorm  has decided to bring that business segment to the next level of professionalism. All business activities for systems solutions will be transferred to Conveyor Networks Ltd, a company where the existing competencies of Transnorm and the software/IT know-how of Lifetime Controls Ltd will be bundled for even better customer benefit.

As materials handling system complexity has increased in recent years and reliance on high level IT even more so, Transnorm have long worked with Strategic partners to deliver these IT solutions and support services. However, even this does not meet the increasing demands from the market place. Therefore, led by experienced people formerly with Transnorm and from their strategic I.T/Control partners, Conveyor Networks Ltd will be your recommended  provider of Factory and Logistics Automation.

Conveyor Networks will be able to integrate the Transnorm solutions much better with a range of other products and services here in the UK and support with spare parts and service contracts of all kinds. Transnorm Group management  is fully supporting Conveyor Networks Ltd development with all its activities and will ensure seamless co-operation on an exclusive basis for all systems solutions and, of course, to ensure deliveries to the customer continues to be first class. Products will be manufactured at Transnorm in Germany, where all product R&D is carried out and along with the new TCC (Transnorm Competence Centre) this offers clients the chance to test solutions and train staff.

Transnorm System Ltd will reinforce its focus on its core business of supplying Modules, supporting the key business areas of Airports, baggage handling systems and associated contractors, along with key parcel distribution companies, several OEM’s and other global key accounts. Naturally Transnorm will continue to develop and support the curve product and the range of other modular solutions including, Merges, Smartsort, VertiSwitch and Vertical Lifts  amongst others.

Transnorm System Ltd will work closely with its customers, suppliers and with Conveyor Networks to ensure that the current and future product, delivery and service remain market leading. In that respect we kindly ask you to transfer all the trust and confidence you had with us over the years also to Conveyor Networks Ltd as the new opportunity for your systems solutions and even better support in the future.

Contract Award

Working with Key partners; Transnorm, and Accalon, a contract to implement a  pallet conveyor facility at a blue chip homecare products manufacturer has been awarded to Conveyor Networks limited.

Handling UK and Euro pallets the system incorporates roller and chain conveyor as well as lift units and transfers. Integrating the system hardware with software and code reading systems as well as implementing some SCADA screens will provide a smooth movement of goods between palletisers and vehicle loading docks.