Shoe retailer Clarks is investing in new systems at its distribution centre in Street, Somerset, that will enable the company to prepare shipping consignments to meet changing market demands.
It has brought in Knapp UK, which installed the orignal system to make the modifications.
The changes are necessary as a result of growth in Clarks’ sales in continental Europe, where greater transport distances require greater product protection; and so shrink-wrap is being phased out in favour of delivery cartons.
The existing automated handling system at the Street facility was designed and installed by Knapp in 2005 and has been maintained its on-site engineers.
The new handling equipment, will sustain Clarks’ throughput of 1,800 cartons per hour, and will go live towards the end of this year. Knapp will integrate automatic invoice insertion, labelling and volumetric checking equipment within its solution.
