The BT Radioshuttle system provided by Toyota Material Handling UK is a radical, high performance solution for efficient handling of good in high-density racking
Making the most of space is an important factor for many businesses and it can have a significant impact on a company’s bottom line. The cost of space varies according to location, but industry estimates suggest that the cost of a pallet position is around £2 – £3 per week, allowing for land, building and associated costs. Within every warehouse there is lost space – transfer and access aisles and loading docks, with each possible pallet position costing money it is vital to be able to use as much of the available space as possible.
Opportunities for maximising storage exist within both new and existing warehouses and material handling equipment can be combined in different ways to increase productivity and storage whilst saving time and minimising costs.
Many companies can benefit from the automation of their material handling process. Toyota Material Handling have developed an automated range of trucks and load carriers that offer advanced, flexible solutions for more efficient, cost-effective goods handling.
The BT Radioshuttle system is a radical, high performance solution for efficient handling of goods in high-density racking. It allows extremely cost-effective use of warehouse space. Unlike other high density racking systems where it is necessary to drive into the rack with the truck or invest in expensive specialist trucks, the BT Radioshuttle system provides ultra-high density storage with individual access to each storage tunnel.
Patented electrically powered load carriers convey goods in and out of deep storage tunnels within specially designed racks. Each unit has rechargeable batteries and is operated using a wireless remote control. The BT Radioshuttle can quickly and easily be transferred between different storage tunnels by use of a standard forklift truck.
This innovative system can lead to a number of benefits in terms of increased productivity and reductions in cost. A key benefit is the productivity of your operator, for example, as the BT Radioshuttle is handled automatically by remote, multiple movements of a number of shuttles can be controlled by one driver. Whilst they are positioning one pallet with a counterbalance forklift, another could be being delivered to the racking pick-up zone by the BT Radioshuttle ready for despatch allowing truck drivers to handle multiple loads at the same time. Alternatively, while the BT Radioshuttle transports the load within the racking the truck operator can be free to work elsewhere in the factory or warehouse. In addition the BT Radioshuttle system takes care of all pallet handling in the rack keeping the amount of damage of both goods and rack to a minimum.
The costs-of-space benefits of aisle free storage technique with the BT Radioshuttle is particularly relevant when businesses use it to improve the use of space in an existing building rather than investing in new facilities, making more of the available space to increase utilisation. A classic example of this is the utilisation of the void that exists directly above the loading bays/despatch area of many warehouses a space that can represent up to 16/17% of total useable space.
To find out more about the BT Radioshuttle system or to find out more about how Toyota Material Handling can help to drive down costs in your operation call 0870 850 1409 or visit www.toyota-forklifts.co.uk.
