Alba partnered with a well-known industry-leading systems integrator to tackle a complex project in a cold storage distribution center. The end user is a pioneer in the global, cold-storage warehousing and transportation industry.
Cold Chain Logistics is indispensable as a company which receives perishable and temperature-controlled products safely without damage or spoilage. Products commonly needing cold storage are perishable foods (dairy, fruits, meat, seafood, and vegetables), nutrients, pharmaceuticals, plants, and flowers.
With the advent of COVID-19, the consumables industry experienced a shift. While the demand for restaurants and other service industry related businesses (hotels, convention centers, sporting events, bars et cetera.) declined, consumer/retail consumption increased exponentially with shelter-in-place, grocery pick-up, and door-to-door deliveries.
“Growth in the cold storage industry as a whole is steady at one to two and a half percent. First, it’s driven by population growth… And then secondly, the move towards healthier living and healthier lifestyles.”
This trend is clearly illustrated by entire grocery chains such as Costco, Whole Foods, and Fresh Market which have business models driven by the organic food industry. Consumers are becoming more health conscience and are demanding fresher, healthier foods which require more advanced, comprehensive, cold food storage, and transportation.
“…we are seeing an increase in automation in temperature control, albeit it’s still a very small percentage here in the U.S. ̶ less than one percent of our facilities are automated. That is starting to shift. The reason, automation obviously takes out that labor component. Pre-COVID, we were running at unemployment levels that were close to two percent. So, it wasn’t about replacing costly labor. It was about being able to find labor to work in zero degrees.”
For this sub-zero application, Alba’s engineering team worked with the system integrator’s engineering team to make the system fit in tight places, running in -10° F environment. Another essential way we made the system integrator’s life easier? We shipped the conveyors fully assembled which dramatically decreased installation time. More importantly, this is the end user’s second Alba-related installation. They are enthusiastic about the durability and quality of our conveyor systems.
Conveyor/Product Specifications
PRODUCT: 40″ x 48″ GMA, CHEP and PECO Pallets on 40″ x 48″ System Boards, 3,000 lb. Maximum
Over 300 Conveyors of Different Types
- Model No. 251160-4.5 Chain Driven Live Roller Conveyor
- DC – R80-3S-Strand Drag Chain Conveyors
- TFT 251160-4.5 Pop-up 3-Strand Chain Transfers with Hydraulic Power Units
- Model No. 251160-4.5 Chain Driven Live Roller Conveyors Mounted to Lift Tables
- Model No. TT251160-4.5 Chain Driven Live Roller Conveyor Turntables with Motorized Bases
Value-Added Features
- Hydraulic Power Units
- Hydraulic Driven Blade Stops
- Photo Eye Mounting Brackets
- Pre-Installed Adjustable Guiderail
- Adjustable End Stops
- Fork Truck Barriers
- Fork Truck Wheel Stops
About Us
Alba Manufacturing, established in 1973, engineers and designs heavy-duty roller conveyor systems. Our systems consist of chain driven live roller (CDLR), zero pressure accumulation, drag chain, gravity, lift and rotate, pallet stackers and dispensers, turntables, chain transfers and transfer cars. Our corporate office and manufacturing facility is located in Fairfield, Ohio, approximately 30 minutes north of Cincinnati, Ohio.
For more information regarding this application/solution, please contact us via phone at 866.252.2634; via web at www.albamfg.com or via email at RockSolidConveyor@albamfg.com.
