Developments in turnkey materials handling has taken a step towards eliminating warehouse reliance forklift truck fleets.
Industrial Conveying (Aust) are fitting out warehouses and processing plants with Automated Warehouse Trucks (AWTs).
The company’s expanded service capability will suit many industries because of its flexibility application. These include food and retail, warehousing and third party logistics, general engineering and transport.
Operating without driver assistance, AWTs navigate using a laser guided or a spot system (or a dual system using both). The laser guided system utilises a sensor on top of each truck that scans appropriately positioned reflectors to determine its position while it navigates and carries out inventory assignments.
A ‘high lift’ option with a Tri-lateral head allows 180 degree rotation for fast access to all parts of a storage facility. Additionally, counterbalanced vehicles can use various attachments including pallet forks, reel forks, reel clamps or reach forks.
Without the need for human intervention, the AWT-based system offers efficiency, increased output, and OH&S benefits.
Managing Director of Industrial Conveying, Mr Don Erskine, says the introduction of AWT-based turnkey solutions coincides with the company’s general expansion along the eastern seaboard of Australia. “Our new regional office in Brisbane provides us with a base to comprehensively cover the east coast,” said Mr Erskine. “Plus, with many large warehouse-based companies found in this territory our AWT solution is well timed to enter the market. Australian companies are genuinely looking for technical solutions to materials handling needs and our turnkey capability ensures they no longer have to look overseas for product, design and implementation.”
AWT systems have a very short investment payback time.