TNT Australia is implementing the state-of-the-art automated parcel handling technology ofVanderlande Industries for its new AUS$40 million depot near Perth that is now fully
operational.As part of a national upgrade of its express delivery hubs and depots, TNT selected theVanderlande CROSSORTER 900 system for state-of-the-art automated parcel sorting and handling.
The opening of the depot located at Welshpool, a suburb of Perth in Western Australia, is partof TNT’s two year $100 million investment in customer-focused infrastructure across the country. Itis expected to enhance parcel and freight delivery across Australia and internationally.
According to TNT’s Managing Director Bob Black, the new Welshpool depot is an important step infurther improving customer service. “This new depot has the potential to redefine efficient freighttransport. The advantage of developing on a greenfield site is that we have been able to plan forfuture growth and the increasing demands of our customers for efficient handling and innovativeservices. Vanderlande Industries has proved to be a competent and reliable partner to support us inreaching these goals.”
The CROSSORTER 900 provides a highly flexible solution for handling mixed flows of postal andexpress parcel products of widely varying sizes, including odd-shaped items such as bags,shrink-wrapped products and mailings. The system can handle parcels up to 1.2 metres in length andweighing up to 50 kg. Flexibility and capacity are maximised by the use of two crossbelts on onecarrier. These can operate together to carry large items, or individually to carry smaller items oneach belt.
The two-belt CROSSORTER concept offers a compact footprint, compared with conventional crossbeltsorters providing equivalent capacity with a single, large belt. With its excellent combination ofstate-of-the-art technology and proven performance, the CROSSORTER combines energy-efficiency, lowmaintenance and high availability.
As total system supplier, Vanderlande Industries also built the complete platform in the newdepot, and supplied a fashion rail system, a ULD scissor lift and castor deck for transporting airfreight containers, and trolleys for internal transport of incompatible parcels. To ensure optimalcontrol of the sortation process, Vanderlande Industries has also supplied its VITAL softwaresuite. This offers a flexible, real-time solution for operational management, both on an everydaybasis and at the planning and strategic level.
