Every parcel company and market are different. This is reflected by the various layouts of depots and sortation centres. Our experts are available to offer help and advice in every respect.
The relationship between DPD and Vanderlande goes back 20 years. In that time, the partnership has delivered 49 new systems up and down the country, as well as nine upgrades to existing sites, where work was impressively completed while the facilities remained operational.
Vanderlande’s ability to design and install complex projects on time was an important factor that helped secure the London Docklands contract. For this project, DPD had to move into an existing warehousing site due to the high price of land in London, and some of the construction plans had to be changed during the installation phase.
“We had to modify the existing facility for our operations,” explains Paul Harding, Head of Engineering Networks for DPD UK. “Vanderlande came to the table with the ability to pivot to all our challenges, including redesigning and delivering the system through some quite complex changes.
“We also selected Vanderlande due to the technology that was available and the localised support it could provide from its London Heathrow office. That gave us added confidence and peace of mind that they would always be on hand in the unlikely event of any potential issues.”
Hitting deadlines
Despite the need to refurbish the building, work moved quickly and the new regional sortation centre opened its doors in time for peak business. “Once we secured the property, it took us just over a year to open,” explains Simon Kavanagh, DPD Docklands Site Manager.
“We went live with a relatively small amount of parcels, but it was quite an impressive achievement. In my opinion, Vanderlande went above and beyond to support us with this project. It professionally resolved any issues that arose and moved us forward, so that we could go live on time.”
For its London Docklands operation, DPD required a system capable of processing around 20,000 parcels per hour. It also wanted the ability to sort directly to specified van routes through the use of consolidation chutes that are dedicated to a particular destination.
The ideal solution
“The Vanderlande CROSSORTER 1200 was selected due to the parcel size profile we deal with in the DPD network,” says Paul, who adds that this system gives his team the ability to run dynamic sortation delivery waves into the chutes, each of which is capable of buffering up to 165 parcels.
“The COMPAXORTER also shares this rationale and is the first dynamic routing smalls machine within our business,” he adds. “Unlike conventional sorters, it gives us the ability to do dynamic routing in flight to outbound totes.”
Vanderlande’s solution is proving to be of great value to DPD’s operation in several ways. “The speed and complexity of the CROSSORTER allows us to run what will be the largest delivery depot in our network,” says Simon, “and also to have a regional out-sort covering the south-east of England. So, in essence, we have a large delivery depot and a smaller hub in one building – and that is unique for DPD.”
Delivering sustainable solutions
Sustainability is an issue that is very much a priority for both DPD and Vanderlande, and the new depot and its systems are playing their part as both companies strive to cut carbon emissions and use resources wisely.
“Having an out-sort here in the south-east means that up to 100,000 parcels no longer need to travel up to our Midlands’ hub simply to come back again,” says Simon. “So clearly there is a massive saving in the emissions from the transportation mileage on each one of those parcels.”
In addition, DPD only uses electric vehicles to deliver in central London, and this latest facility has been refurbished using recyclable materials, while the roof has been fitted with 3,300 solar panels.
Vanderlande is playing its part to help make DPD’s operations greener. Its CROSSORTER has been constructed using cradle-to-cradle principles, which means that many parts and materials can be refurbished, reused or recycled in some way. In fact, 99% of the CROSSORTER’s materials are easy to recycle and 90% comes from environmentally-friendly sources. In addition, the sorter is 80% more energy efficient than conventional crossbelt sorters.
Building a trusted partnership
With the site now operating at full capacity, Vanderlande will continue to support DPD London Docklands to ensure its sorters perform optimally over their life cycles. That long-term commitment is certainly valued by Simon.
“In my experience with the CROSSORTER at London Docklands – and the company’s other sorters at my previous DPD sites – it has always felt like Vanderlande strives to provide what we want and fully support us when needed. This latest system has allowed us to innovate and change the way we operate for the better.”
“The working relationship on this project was excellent, as it always is,” adds Paul. “Every challenge was approached in a positive, professional manner, and this has further enhanced our relationship with Vanderlande.”