New technology verifies size, weight and dimension of express packages

CFG makes multi-million rand investment EXPRESS LOGISTICS major CFG has made a multi-million rand investment in latest-technology Size, Weight and Dimension (SWAD) equipment for its Jet Park XPS Superhub. The SWADs were supplied by Denmark-based Caljan Rite-Hite, a global provider of loading and unloading equipment and associated data capture. The system automatically verifies the size, weight and dimensions of packages, creating the first footprint as they enter the conveyor system. The parcels arrive in linehaul vehicles at the Superhub to be sorted by destination postcode for delivery to the appropriate despatch bay. The conveyor belt extends backwards into the arriving vehicle so that packages can be easily and quickly inducted. After the operator has scanned each incoming parcel it passes under the SWAD. Precision scales and sensors assign the physical profile to the bar code. This ensures that the actual weight and size for billing purposes is recorded without any interruption to the continuous flow of traffic into the system. As a result of the greater accuracy, many customers who have inadvertently overstated size and mass receive refunds. This installation is only the second in the world, the first being in the UK. Says CFG’s IT executive Noko Ngoepe: “For the customer the system certifies fair value. For the company it offers a degree of revenue protection against underdeclared size and weight. It improves administration for greater efficiency and facilitates productivity comparisons, branch by branch. It also adds another level of security, since all parcels are accurately identified and certified physically from inception.”