Yodel slashes manual handling by 75% with automation upgrade

The bespoke conveyance solution was implemented by Conveyor Networks twelve months ago and is designed to ensures Yodel can handle a wide range of products within a small footprint. The solution utilises Intralox sortation equipment providing gentle and precise sorting of items which historically would go through a manual process.

The independent parcel carrier commissioned Conveyor Networks to undertake the replacement of existing infrastructure with a new automated sortation area, enabling Yodel to respond to the increasing demand on OOG product sortation. The new solution is said to reduce risk of operator injury, increases efficiency and counteracts potential damages and mis-sorts, which are common when manually handling OOG products.

Steve Trisic, head of sort operations at Yodel, said: “We needed a reliable system that would give us more functionality to sort OOG parcels. Conveyor Networks has been able to deliver a solution that enables us to process bulky and delicate parcels more easily and efficiently, increasing our capacity and improving the flow of parcels through the sort.”

The new system also deploys imio-SORT, part of imio Software Solutions’ suite of applications, which provides ‘real time data’ tracking of parcel distribution to each chute, ensuring effective distribution performance throughout the system.

Marcus Uprichard, sales & marketing director at Conveyor Networks and imio Software Solutions added: “The need to sort OOG products at Wednesbury Sort Centre meant that Yodel required a system with more functionality. Typically, sortation of ‘delicate/fragile & misshaped’ products is a manual process, so the automated solution we have provided is rather unique to the UK post & parcel market, and a flagship project for Conveyor Networks. As system integration specialists, our primary aim is to provide a collaborative and impartial environment with the customer, where we collectively look to deliver the right solution for their layout, their volume and their budget. The success of this end product is testament to both companies and the teams working on it.”