proves a cost effective solution for ice cream manufacturer.
UK based leading materials handling and storage equipment company, Dexion-Planned Storage Systems, has been successful in winning a contract to provide its innovative satellite racking system for Secret Prod SRL's new ice cream warehouse in Braila, Romania. The versatile and highly effective racking system has provided Secret Prod with a cost effective solution that has reduced handling time, reduced running costs and improved operational efficiency.
Established in 1994, Secret Prod produces Bonetta, Romania's favourite ice cream, which it distributes to outlets throughout the country. Continuing expansion to accommodate new lines necessitated the building of the new 1,600 square metre warehouse, which has four cold rooms in addition to annexes, frost filters and offices.
Already familiar with Dexion/PSS's reputation for quality and service, Secret Prod selected the company to carry out the contract. In-depth consultations with the management and detailed site surveys to determine product profile and throughput expectations allowed Dexion/PSS design team to create the optimum solution utilising CAD drawings to maximise use of the building height.
The four cold rooms have each been fitted out with 7 bays of 4-storey, 14-metre deep racking to provide 1,568 pallet locations. Pallets are being accessed via a special cold store reach truck.
Offering Secret Prod maximum warehouse floor and cube utilisation, the Satellite System is operated remotely via a Radio Frequency (RF) battery operated control system and special channel rails. When positioned in the selected aisle and started by the operator using the RF control, the Satellite System stores or retrieves the pallets of ice cream in handling sequences of First-In-First-Out (FIFO), which is providing the company with automatic stock rotation. The versatile Satellite System has reduced the time spent handling product and accessing the cold rooms, resulting in lower running costs.
"Dexion/PSS provided us with several high density storage solutions. Having evaluated them all, we felt that the Satellite solution offered us the best value as it provides us with FIFO without additional cost or limitation of pallet type", said Dumitru Ion, Proprietor & General Manager of Secret Prod. "It also gives us the largest number of pallet positions within the warehouse and allows us to utilise our current range of FLT's", he concluded.
Offering increased access and throughput rates, the Satellite System can work up to 20 hours before it needs recharging. In auto-mode, the System can be left to automatically stack whilst the forklift truck driver continues other operations thus improving operational efficiency. The satellite has an indicator to show when charging is required, which prevents the unit from running of power whilst in use.
Because of its compact dimensions, the Satellite System runs below the pallet and when in auto-mode can trundle pallets from on-load to off-load positions. One RF controller is sufficient to operate up to 360 satellites and indicates when charging is needed. Easily relocated, the Satellite System can be transferred from one aisle to another by the forklift truck and then secured using a special locking device, which ensures that it is secured to the forklift when picked up and transported to another aisle.
Dexion/PSS Satellite System provides improved occupancy rates and ease of management control. The System is a cost effective solution for high-density storage and retrieval cutting handling times in half compared with normal drive-in or drive-through systems and enabling fast retrieval and effective stock rotation of perishable goods.
Tel: 01793 694071
Email: sales@planned-storage.co.uk