Leicester based CI Logistics has expanded its export portfolio by supplying bespoke materials handling equipment to Defy Appliances (Pty) Ltd., the market leader in South Africa’s appliance market.
The recently completed contract is for a trolley conveyor which has now been installed in Defy’s Ezakheni factory in Ladysmith. The Ezakheni facility manufactures chest freezers and refrigerators. Defy has two other factories, one in Jacobs, Durban (which is also the company’s head office) and a third facility in East London.
In the past CI Logistics has manufactured and supplied two overhead power and free conveyors, both 58m evacuation loops, for the factory at Ezakheni, together with a power only overhead monorail conveyor for the company’s paint plant in Durban. This new piece of business for the Ladysmith facility, is the fourth contract Defy has awarded CI Logistics.
The floor mounted trolley conveyor in the Ezakheni plant has been designed and constructed by CI Logistics to increase the process efficiency of Defy’s chest freezer production. It is a significant upgrade on the old conveyor, and, as an added benefit, a cost saving was made by integrating the existing trolleys into the new design.
Mounted on individual trolleys, the freezers are pulled by the conveyor around 15 work stations on a looped, continuously moving assembly line. The conveyor is a robust, chain driven, enclosed track system with the drive unit located in a floor pit, a proven design which requires low maintenance.
Trolley conveyors are particularly useful for providing stable transportation for large or unusually shaped loads. They can be mounted on the floor, or, should a flush floor be required, they can be mounted within an excavated pit with floor plates to cover the gap. This type of conveyor is one of a comprehensive range of floor conveyors manufactured by CI Logistics.
Gary Bale, managing director of CI Logistics comments, “Increasing our export trade is a vital element in our company’s growth strategy. Defy Appliances is an innovative customer and we look forward to furthering our relationship with them in the future.”
Defy Appliances, is Southern Africa’s largest manufacturer and distributor of kitchen and laundry appliances. The company is a member of the Arcelik Group, which has approximately 21,500 employees worldwide.
CI Logistics
Tel: 0116 276 1691
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