Second ASRS contract secured
June 1st 2010 Logistex, a global supplier and
integrator of automated materials
handling systems, has completed a
second contract for Wincanton to
upgrade Automated Storage and
Retrieval Systems (ASRS) in
distribution centres operated by
Wincanton on behalf of
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
The first contract was to add two
high bay storage aisles with narrow
aisle cranes to the existing nine aisles
installed by Logistex, as well as
additional racking and conveyors, in
Wincanton's GSK Distribution
Centre at Middlewich, Cheshire. The
second contract was to upgrade the
ASRS – originally installed by a
different supplier – at Wincanton's
GSK Distribution Centre at
Brockworth, near Gloucester.
In the Brockworth upgrade,
Logistex has replaced legacy control
technology, operator screens, motors
and drive components with software
and equipment based on nextgeneration
technologies. They have
made significant improvements in
system functionality, including
providing all 15 cranes with the
flexibility to change aisles.
These enhancements form part of
the development of the supply chain
infrastructure to support the growth
of GSK's Consumer and Nutritional
Healthcare business.
The project has brought a number
of operational and safety
improvements to the warehouse.
ASRS cranes can operate in either
automatic or semi-automatic mode,
adding further flexibility and ease of
maintenance. The control system
allows cranes to automatically return
to the home position when an error
is detected, and has a timer and
diagnostics system that provides fast,
responsive and safe maintenance and
repair. An interlock key exchange
and light guard have increased safety
and new AC motors will reduce
energy costs and improve reliability.
Martin Sealy, business unit
director for Wincanton, says: "We
have been impressed by the solution
provided – its flexibility and features
will facilitate agility and growth." More articles from Logistex: | 
