Lightening logistics load for Littlewoods
November 1st 2004

Retail giant Littlewoods runs one of the largest private home delivery operations in the UK. Business Express delivers on behalf of Littlewoods and other blue chip companies and carries about 500 000 orders comprising large items such as flat-pack furniture and beds.

Rather than deliver bulkier items direct to their depots, Business Express had to send them via their central sortation centre at Shaw to be unloaded, resorted and looseloaded into van trailers because the 2m3 stillages used to carry the products were too big to lift off the rear of a box van without docking facilities.

Transdek UK was asked to design a mobile dock lift for the application and, after substantial trials, Littlewoods ordered 26 Romadek XL 1250 systems for use at its flat-floor depots. Units have a specially extended 3.3m platform for manoeuvring the stillages, while fixed rear guards protect against falls when the lift is raised.

Business Express can now transport products straight to its depots, saving 24h on delivery times and providing cost savings in terms of greater logistical efficiency and reduced product damage.

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