Ford updates
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DRIVERLESS electric trains, collapsible roller containers and new high speed picking trucks will be improving efficiency at Ford's European primary source depot for commercial vehicle replacement parts.
The Daventry depot, which at 148,000sqm (1.6m sqft) is also the manufacturer's largest European parts distribution centre, is entering the first phase of a three-year programme of new automation.
The aim is to reduce the costs of processing spares orders and speed up their delivery.
Phase one of the Daventry programme includes the introduction in January next year of the roller containers. These are designed to avoid the consolidation of orders awaiting despatch and the need to pack them. Up to 16,000 of these returnable containers will be used, initially serving distributors and dealers in the London area and the Midlands.
Transporting the roller containers within the depot will be a new fleet of picker trucks. Two types will be used — standard stock order trucks and fast Vehicle Off Road (VOR) trucks for speeding up the processing of emergency spares orders.
The priority orders are usually turned round within 24 hours, stock orders take up to three days.
A few of the new trucks have already gone into service; the remainder will be phased in over the three-year programme.
Also due to be introduced at Daventry will be driverless trains, controlled by process computer and powered by batteries.