BEUMER Group UK awarded contract for automated parcel handling system at UK Mail’s new Midlands Hub

BEUMER Group - a leading global supplier of automated post and parcel handling systems - has been awarded a contract by UK Mail Group PLC – the UK’s largest independent express delivery company - to install a fully automated parcel sorting system in UK Mail’s new state-of-the-art Midlands Hub which is scheduled to begin operation in 2015.

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Equipping the new Midlands Hub with a state-of-the-art parcel sortation system will enable UK Mail to ensure high levels of service to end-users throughout the UK. The decision to award the contract to BEUMER Group was based on the reputation for developing and delivering innovative parcel sorting systems combining the flexibility to handle parcels across a wide range of shapes, sizes and weights, with the scalability to increase capacity in line with future growth.

“The automation of UK Mail’s parcels operation is an essential part of their strategy,” explains Martin Mossinkoff, Managing Director, Logistic Systems, BEUMER Group. “Crisplant’s expertise in designing systems which combine high efficiency with ultra-low energy consumption and maintenance costs will make a significant contribution to enabling UK Mail to drive down the cost per item by increasing the capacity of their centralised sortation system.”

Richard Wenham, Network Development Director, UK Mail, explains "Our continuous growth has been driven by a particularly strong increase in the volume of parcels in the B2B and B2C parcel markets. This is being driven by expansion in the number of home deliveries from Internet-based companies. We estimate that this segment of the market will continue to grow and therefore we are maintaining our focus on combining competitive pricing with strong service levels."

The new parcel handling system will integrate two Crisplant LS-4000 cross-belt sorters which achieve up to 70% reduction in energy consumption, compared to conventional sorter technologies. They also provide a single system capable of ensuring the safe and efficient handling of parcels of different dimensions from induction to discharge. The reduced energy consumption will reduce the product life cycle costs in addition to helping UK Mail to meet environmental goals for reducing carbon emissions.