Maximize storage capacity
More space in the cold store
The cost per square meter in warehouses is not cheap. For companies that store frozen and chilled products, they are considerably higher still. Maximizing storage capacity should therefore be a priority for both existing and new facilities, and this is exactly what Jordan International Transport aimed to achieve with the design of its new storage facility in Northern Ireland.
From here, frozen fish and seafood is transported daily to the whole of Ireland, the United Kingdom and mainland Europe.
Continued growth was a key driver in the decision to build the new premises and switch to a new system to optimize space and guarantee higher performance. During the planning phase, Barry McIlvanna, Head of Storage and Distribution, spoke to material handling specialists Combilift and a racking supplier to identify the most suitable equipment. A combination of automated racking and a Combi-WR pedestrian stacker was the solution, enabling the storage of significantly more pallets in a smaller area.
Better use of space
They also wanted to improve the ratio between the products stored and the space required to access them, as Barry explains: "The refrigeration system has to work just as hard to cool the relatively unproductive access areas. With standard racking and conventional forklift trucks, such as the counterbalance and pallet trucks we previously used, only about half the space could be used for storage. With the new system, it is now 85 percent, so our deep-freeze system can work much more efficiently and therefore more cost-effectively."
Like all Combilift pedestrian stackers, the Combi-WR features the patented and award-winning multi-position tiller arm, which allows the operator to stay at the side of the truck rather than the rear. "The operator's position allows for a higher level of control and because you have full visibility of the loads, forks and surroundings, it's safer for operators and other workers who are nearby, especially in our narrow aisles and confined spaces," said Barry.
Working at -18 degrees
The electric-powered stacker not only allowed for nearly double the pallet density, but also exemplary performance, even in the demanding cold storage environment, according to Barry. "It's perfect for our facility. It works for hours at -18 degrees without interruption. We were initially concerned about whether a truck could operate as effectively at such low temperatures as it does in normal conditions, but the team at Combilift had the right specifications and solutions in place."
Barry sums up: "The rapid availability of products, meeting deadlines and ensuring a high level of service have kept us at the top for over 25 years. We believe that being the best means using the best equipment available - and we have that with the Combi-WR. I'm sure we'll be using even more Combilift products in the future."
This article appeared in issue 4/23
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