Inbound/outbound system brings efficiencies to frozen foods distributor

A distributor of frozen foods was building a new 107,000-square-foot freezer facility, and required a solution to move product in and out of the building — a solution that would improve efficiency and reduce energy loss from 17 dock doors opening and closing for the storage and shipment of up to 20,000 racked pallets.

The company was looking for an automated system that would limit the truck traffic going in and out of the facility, and therefore eliminate the loss of temperature due to doors opening and closing regularly. The system needed to be able to maintain a constant temperature without energy inefficiencies, reduce wear and tear on the trucks from the drastic temperature change, and reduce product damage. 

Norpak Handling had the answer.

The solution

Norpak Handling designed an inbound/outbound system comprised of two individual chain driven live roller conveyor systems and turntables. The inbound system conveys pallets through an automatic door into the freezer area. Then, a turntable rotates the pallet 90 degrees and offloads the pallet onto a conveyor where the product waits to be stored. The outbound system allows pallets to be loaded onto the conveyor. A signal light on the loading side is illuminated to indicate that there is a load present and ready for removal. Then the forklift driver knows to open the door and remove the load. 

The result

The inbound/outbound system resulted in many benefits for the customer. Productivity on the dock and in the freezer went up instantly, and product damage was reduced.

Material handling expert

Norpak Handling, along with McKessock Conveyor Solutions and Norpak Handling (B.C.), are part of the Northumberland group of companies. All companies in the Northumberland family are known for offering high-quality conveyor products and solutions, designed to the customers' precise performance specifications. 

To learn more about the companies and their solutions, contact Norpak Handling. 

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