Vanderlande’s STACK@EASE installed at Heathrow

Veghel, 16 November 2016 – Vanderlande has supplied and installed 72 STACK@EASE units as part of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3 integrated baggage (T3IB) system. This follows successful testing of the innovative solution at terminals 3 and 5.

Developed by Vanderlande in 2013, STACK@EASE is a highly flexible solution that takes the heavy lifting out of loading operations in baggage handling environments. It works intuitively as an extension of the handlers’ normal operations to minimise their physical workload. This helps to increase productivity and reduce the risk of manual handling injuries.

The STACK@EASE unit takes its power from any standard wall socket and has a compact design. In addition, its minimal footprint enables it to fit seamlessly into baggage handling systems around the world with minimal disruption to existing layouts.

Cobalt Ground Services’ Baggage Training Duty Officer, Anand Sood, commented on his experience of using the STACK@EASE: “I didn’t really believe it at first, but the process was just as fast using the STACK@EASE as it was by manual loading – with so little effort. I could easily do my job in this way all day long. The movement I make with the STACK@EASE feels so natural that I don’t have to force it one way or the other, as it automatically gauges the weight of the load and counterbalances it.”

Heathrow handles more than 185,000 bags a day through a system comprising 30 miles of conveyors. The new T3IB facility is the most advanced integrated baggage system in Europe, integrating Terminal 3s baggage handling capacity from 5,200 to 7,200 bags per hour. The system is designed to reduce the time it takes to get bags ready for a flight to 90 minutes or less, meaning passengers will benefit from increased baggage connection reliability and the ability to check bags in earlier.

Director and General Manager of Vanderlande Industries UK Ltd, Mike Christman, said: “We are delighted with Heathrow’s decision to install the STACK@EASE in T3IB. With its low environmental impact and simple operation, the unit has a minimal impact on the planet, while creating a better working environment for baggage handlers.”

The rise in passenger numbers across the world continues to put additional pressure on the capacity of existing airport terminals and infrastructure. As airports adjust to meet today’s demand for short turnaround times and higher throughput rates, the need for an efficient baggage handling operation also intensifies. However, the reality is that at the majority of airports, sophisticated baggage systems still rely on manual handling to complete the end-of-line movement of luggage. STACK@EASE will provide invaluable support at this phase of the baggage handling operation at Heathrow.

About Vanderlande
Vanderlande is the global market leader for value-added logistic process automation at airports, and in the parcel market. The company is also a leading supplier of process automation solutions for warehouses. Vanderlande’s baggage handling systems move 3.2 billion pieces of luggage around the world per year, in other words 8.8 million per day. Its systems are active in 600 airports including 14 of the world’s top 20. More than 20 million parcels (300 packages per second) are sorted by its systems every day, which have been installed for a variety of leading parcel companies. In addition, 12 of Europe’s top 20 e-commerce businesses and many distribution firms have confidence in Vanderlande’s efficient and reliable solutions. The company focuses on the optimisation of its customers’ business processes and competitive positions. Through close cooperation, it strives for the improvement of their operational activities and the expansion of their logistical achievements. Vanderlande’s extensive portfolio of integrated solutions – innovative systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services – results in the realisation of fast, reliable and efficient automation technology. Established in 1949, Vanderlande has more than 4,500 employees, all committed to moving its customers’ businesses forward at diverse locations on every continent. With a consistently increasing turnover of more than one billion euros, it has established a global reputation over the past six decades as a highly reliable partner for value-added logistic process automation. For more information about the company, its products and technology, as well as career opportunities, please visit www.vanderlande.com.