Parcelforce Worldwide Turns to Sovex in Glasgow

July 8, 2009 - PRLog -- Parcelforce Worldwide recently equipped its Glasgow depot with a fully integrated Sovex conveyor system, which helps the busy facility process over three million parcels each year. Sovex, a leading conveyor manufacturer, has supplied numerous other Parcelforce Worldwide sites, and the two companies have a longstanding, successful business relationship.

Established over fifteen years ago and part of the Royal Mail Group, Parcelforce Worldwide is a number one provider of guaranteed express deliveries in the UK and abroad. Its 45,000 square foot Glasgow site, which accepts parcels from the company’s larger Coventry hub and distributes them to addresses in the area, is one of 52 strategically placed depots and employs around 100 people.

Three Sovex telescopic boom conveyors help Parcelforce Worldwide Glasgow load and unload feeder vehicles; two TL3-7.5-15-800 models that extend fifteen metres to reach the rear of long trailers, and an MVL-10-600 mobile vehicle loader, used for smaller vehicles. The TL3-7.5-15-800’s have ‘droop snoots’, short conveyor sections at the front of the booms that operators can raise or lower to suit their loading position.

The telescopic boom conveyors are mounted on a raised steel constructed loading dock also supplied by Sovex. During unloading (goods-in), they extend into vehicle trailers where operators load them with parcels. The parcels flow smoothly to Sovex incline/decline conveyors, which transport them from the loading dock down to an ergonomic working height. Here, the parcels transfer onto a network of powered Sovex mobile roller conveyors for manual sorting. Travel direction is reversible to allow loading (goods-in).

Eddie McBride, Operational Design & Efficiency Manager at Parcelforce Worldwide, is impressed; “The conveyor system allows us to load and unload transit vehicles efficiently. This speeds up deliveries and improves customer service. Parcelforce Worldwide is a regular customer of Sovex because it supplies quality products at competitive prices. As usual, the company was professional, pleasant to deal with, and carried out a swift, seamless installation.”

Parcelforce Worldwide Glasgow’s TL3-7.5-15-800 telescopic boom conveyors are robust, hardwearing and subjected to constant use. Each features user-friendly controls for simple operation, roller shrouds that eliminate nipping points, and three emergency stop buttons for extra safety. The 800mm wide belts carry awkwardly shaped or large parcels, and lights at the ends of the booms allow operators to see in dark trailers.

The Sovex MVL-10-600 mobile vehicle loader comprises a standard belt conveyor fixed to an inclined belt conveyor. The unit allows the swift loading and unloading of small vehicles without the need for a loading dock. MVL models are fully counterbalanced and require no support from within the vehicle. Manoeuvrable and extremely versatile, Parcelforce Worldwide Glasgow’s MVL-10-600 can be positioned to suit the varying needs of the business. It extends up to ten metres and features a soft start belt drive, which prolongs motor life.

Eddie continued; “Employee welfare is a top priority at Parcelforce Worldwide. The Sovex conveyors reduce manual handling at our Glasgow facility, and minimise the risk of workers suffering strain injuries through repetitive movement or improper lifting. This makes for a happy, productive working environment.”

Prenton based Sovex is in good health and has big expansion plans for the second half of 2008. It recently appointed Steve Nuttall as Sales Director, and Sean Reed into Sales & Marketing. The pair are forging fresh business contacts and consistently securing large orders from big-name companies. The future looks bright for Sovex!

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Sovex is based in Prenton on the Wirral, and employs around forty people. One of only a few UK conveyor manufacturers we operate from modern manufacturing and warehousing facilities covering some 20,000 square feet.