WSS have a long standing and productive relationship with Twinings spanning the last 11 years.

Starting back in 2009, WSS were asked to assist Twinings with the relocation of a high speed robot palletising system from their factory in North Shields to the company headquarters in Andover.

The plant included 6 palletising robots each with 3 row formers and 3 palletising positions. The robots were fed from a high speed sliding shoe sorter which in turn was fed by a 5:1 merge system running at speeds of 165 cases per minute. Product was collected from individual lines via 12 spiral elevators and fed to a high level conveyor system feeding the 5:1 merge. Pallets were fed to and received from the robot cells by a twin bed transfer car and full pallets were fed to an automatic stretch wrapper and labeller.

This was not however a simple relocation as the entire conveyor system had to be reconfi gured to suit the site layout in Andover. New conveyors were provided where required and new support structures were designed. The project was completed in 4 months from turn off in North Shields to full production in Andover.

Since our initial relocation project, Twinings have entrusted WSS with numerous other projects on site including:

PROJECT ADVANTAGE

The reconfiguration of the packing hall to accommodate new machinery for smaller pack formats and higher volumes. WSS provided:
Reconfi guration of full pallet system including new pallet accumulation and scissor lift to present pallets at floor level.

Reconfiguration of high level conveying system converting 5:1 merge to 2:1 whilst maintaining 165cpm throughput
Supply and installation of new TESEO air distribution system to the complete packing floor
Supply and installation of stainless steel/aluminium access platforms and walkways.

Offload and ingress of all new packaging machines
Relocations of existing packaging machinery
Modifications/upgrades to tea delivery systems
Relocation of tea blending drums
Installation of new tea blending drum.

PROJECT WILBURY

Reconfiguration of packing hall to accommodate new packaging formats. WSS provided:
Reconfiguration of high level conveying system introducing new Flexkon conveyor loop with 3 inducts and additional leg to 2:1 merge making 3:1
Extension to TESEO air distribution system for new lines
Extension to stainless steel/aluminium access platforms and walkways.

Offload and ingress of new tray erectors and case packers
New support structures to free up floor area
Decommissioning and removal of 3 complete packing lines

In addition to the project works shown above, WSS continue to provide service and maintenance support to the site and have trained many Twinings engineers in the correct maintenance procedures for the equipment.