Swisslog set to modernise UK hub for Japan Tobacco International
11 December 2023
Swisslog, a leading provider of automation solutions, has been selected for a modernisation project with Japan Tobacco International (JTI). JTI is a member of the Japan Tobacco Group of Companies, a leading international tobacco and e-cigarette manufacturer.
With its UK headquarters in Putney, London, JTI has a long-standing and significant presence in the UK.
The modernisation project involves the removal of existing cranes and the installation of an automated storage and retrieval pallet system (ASRS) at its distribution centre in Crewe, Cheshire. Swisslog previously installed stacker cranes at the JTI facility, and this new project will modernise the site, replacing systems that are coming close to end-of-life.
David Wilkinson, Logistics Director, UK Logistics, JTI said: “We considered a number of suppliers and the Swisslog proposal was the strongest, demonstrating a clear understanding of our business needs. Most importantly, we were confident Swisslog were best equipped to integrate the cranes into our wider warehouse automation.”
The Swisslog pallet ASRS solution will benefit from 10 Vectura pallet stacker cranes – 8 double-deep in high bay warehouse and 2 single- deep in the low bay warehouse for replenishing pick faces, plus ProMove Lifters, new gravity pallet live positions and an upgrade to two cranes to comply with new regulations.
Swisslog’s Vectura is a multi-talented and energy efficient high bay warehouse pallet stacker crane used in more than 2,000 Swisslog customer projects. A proven and reliable pallet technology with a flexible design, Vectura handles one, two, or more loads in single, double, triple, and multi-deep layouts. The solution operates at heights of up to 50 metres, handling large and unusual loads like car bodies and boats, while performing equally well in temperatures as low as -30°C and as high as +50°C.
David Wilkinson continues: “Our warehouse opened in 1994 and while the original stacker cranes were updated with new processors and controls, we felt the new generation of cranes surpassed our models. We also believe new cranes will be more energy efficient and align with our policy of reducing energy consumption.”
JTI will benefit from a reduction in energy consumption thanks to its new Vectura stacker cranes, which have a lightweight mast design. The power module for lift and horizontal movements also allows the crane to harness its own motion to produce additional power.
“This installation ensures that we will have the warehousing capability necessary for the next 10-20 years of operations in Crewe. There will be environmental benefits and performance improvements too, but our key objective was to future proof our warehouse operations,” David concludes.
Swisslog is set to start work on site in May 2024, and the modernisation project is scheduled for completion in July 2025.
