BEUMER sorter “transforms” Freightways’ network
BEUMER Group has reported that its automated parcel sortation system at Freightways’ new South Island hub at Christchurch Airport in New Zealand has completed its first six months of operation.
“The investment in the automated system has transformed the Freightways Group’s network by enabling us to handle a record number of deliveries over the peak Christmas period,” said John Charles, Freightways’ National Operations Manager. “This is helping the business to go from strength to strength in handling increased volumes year-on-year to our large New Zealand customer base”.
The mix of items which have been sorted includes wine boxes and polystyrene containers of fresh fish shipped through the Freightways Courier Network.
Stephen Clark, BEUMER Group’s Area Sales Director Logistic Systems, comments, “Freightways needed an automated sortation system which could safely handle as wide a range of parcels as possible in a very short window. Assured gentle handling of every package was important to minimise the number of non-conveyable items.”
The system is based on BEUMER Group’s LS-4000CB cross-belt sorter and has the capacity to handle up to 15,000 items per hour.
The automation of the material handling process has supported the integration of multiple Freightways brands into a single operation. As New Zealand’s largest independent courier network the Freightways Group includes New Zealand Couriers, Post Haste, Castle Parcels, Now Couriers, Sub 60, DX Mail and Kiwi Express.
