New roller conveyor system adds speed and efficiency

A new roller-conveyor system at Airlink Cargo International’s (ACI) warehouses in Kempton Park will not only see customers taking delivery more timeously, but will increase efficiency and space usage of the warehouse. Purpose-designed for ACI by RB engineering, the new system was implemented in mid-November. According to engineer Richard Bartholomew, the design is of such a nature that cargo is placed directly onto the roller system and can only move in one direction. Once it reaches the tables it can be turned and moved without the use of a forklift. “This system is designed to utilise the warehouse space better while also handling an increased volume of cargo.” According to Alwyn Rautenbach, MD of ACI, there are many advantage to the warehouse system. “We can now deliver our agent-built units immediately on arrival. The pallets that need to be broken down are placed on the roller conveyor and are quickly moved to the area where they are taken apart without using space. This means the forklift can move the bigger cargo that does not have to be broken down straight to delivery.” Rautenbach said the new system was not only more efficient, but also allowed for quicker delivery. And within twenty minutes of the plane landing at OR Tambo International Cargo last week, the first cargo was ready for delivery using this system. The main beneficiaries of the new system are Martinair’s clients, Airlink’s biggest client. “Besides our own belly freight, we are their handling company,” said Rautenbach. And Martinair was on hand to see the new system at work last week, with Wim Kuipers, vice president ground operations for the airline flying into South Africa from Amsterdam. Kuipers said while cargo worldwide had seen a decline in figures the airline was happy to report that its Johannesburg market had remained stable despite the global economic meltdown. “It is an important market for us and therefore the investment in infrastructure is welcomed.”