DB Schenker Logistics goes green with Crisplant sorter

DB Schenker Logistics has awarded Crisplant a contract to provide a ‘green’ high-speed sorter for its base in Sweden. The brief was to “design and integrate the industry’s most energy-efficient high-speed sorter to automate and upgrade the Malmö parcel distribution hub”.

Crisplant said its LS-4000E tilt-tray sorter uses 75% less energy than comparable sorters with conventional motors which will allow DB Schenker Logistics to minimise carbon emissions whilst also achieving very low life-cycle costs.

DB Schenker Logistics had previously awarded a contract to Crisplant to provide a sorter to its parcel centre in Stockholm in 2007.

Henrik Mortensen, Crisplant sales director, said: “The LS-4000E’s green credentials were an important factor in the decision of DB Schenker Logistics to award this contract to Crisplant.

“By minimising energy consumption the sorter enhances the long-term commitment of DB Schenker Logistics to creating logistics solutions which achieve the best possible balance between economical and environmental demands.”

Thomas Söderman, production process manager, DB Schenker Logistics, added: “The operational advantages that we have realised through the existing Crisplant sorter at Stockholm, and the attention to detail which ensured a smooth and fault-free installation process, provided our project management team with the confidence to entrust Crisplant with the design and installation of this major new installation.”

Crisplant will design and install the new LS-4000E system to maximise the efficient use of space within the existing parcel hub.

The system will use the same specially-designed telescope conveyor lines for infeed and outfeed items to minimise the system cost and footprint. Crisplant will also integrate the sorter software controls into DB Schenker’s existing custom data-management software to provide operators and management with comprehensive visibility, control and reporting.

The hub will collect, sort and distribute domestic and international consignments from 42,000 Swedish customers, shipping around 17.4m goods and parcels per year, of all shapes and sizes. Scope for future expansion will be factored into the initial system design.

The new fully-automated, high-speed ‘green’ sorter is scheduled for handover in April 2012.