Automation set to ‘modernise’ tobacco manufacturer’s UK DC

Japan Tobacco International (JTI), a manufacturer of tobacco and vaping products, is set to replace stacker cranes at its Crewe distribution centre with a new automated storage and retrieval (AS/RS) system.

The new system is to be installed by automation solutions provider Swisslog, with the project beginning in May 2024 and scheduled to be completed by July 2025.

Swisslog’s solution consists of 10 Vectura pallet stacker cranes – 8 double-deep in the high-bay warehouse and 2 single-deep in the low-bay warehouse – as well as ‘ProMove Lifters, new gravity pallet live positions and an upgrade to two cranes to comply with new regulations’.

David Wilkinson, JTI’s director of UK logistics, said: “Our warehouse opened in 1994 and while the original stacker cranes were updated with new processors and controls, we felt the new generation of cranes surpassed our models. We also believe new cranes will be more energy-efficient and align with our policy of reducing energy consumption.”

“This installation ensures that we will have the warehousing capability necessary for the next 10-20 years of operations in Crewe. There will be environmental benefits and performance improvements too, but our key objective was to future-proof our warehouse operations”.

The Vectura pallet stacker cranes have a ‘lightweight mast design’ which Swisslog says helps to reduce energy consumption. Plus, it adds that ‘the power module for lift and horizontal movements also allows the crane to harness its own motion to produce additional power’.

Source: logisticsmanager.com