The need to improve the manual handling safety of packaging operations in its manufacturing plant near Billingham led to KP Foods calling in Hertfordshire-based materials handling specialists Stanley Handling to suggest improvements.
Producing a range of brands including McCoy's, Frisps and Discos, the site consumes a substantial volume and range of packaging materials. Much of this is foil and foil-backed packaging which arrives in reels that vary in size from 470mm to 150mm in diameter and which can weigh up to 90kgs each. Previously these reels had been moved to and from the packaging lines by manual reel handling units.
Numerous companies were called in, to look at the wide range of reel sizes, but only the ROBUR powered stacker with hydraulic rotating handler could accommodate the complete range of diameters and meet the safety expectations.
After looking at the requirements of the operation, Stanley Handling proposed a bespoke ROBUR powered stacker with rotating reel handler. This was the only single model available that could accommodate the wide range of reel sizes that were in use and offer electric-hydraulic clamping and lifting. This solution enables a single, trained operative to load reels from floor, stack or pallet, transport them to the appropriate line, insert the mandrel and mount them on to the process production machinery. The complete reel and mandrel - weigh up to 120kgs - when located in the machine.
The ROBUR stackers are battery-powered and fitted with an integral charger and units are also available in stainless steel for specialised 'clean room' applications. They provide a functional means of increasing manual handling safety and minimising the risk of lifting problems to personnel and damage to expensive packaging materials. All key requirements of the client. At the same time, they demonstrate Stanley Handling's readiness to design and produce bespoke equipment that exceeds customer expectations and complies fully with all health and safety regulations across a wide range of reel applications.
For more information, please contact :
Sarah Stanley at sarah@stanleyhandling.co.uk or tel 01582 767711 fax 01582 765994