Materials Handling

Materials handling solutions...on a different level

Overhead Conveyors

Floor Conveyors

Vehicle Loading

Garment Handling

Storage - Racking & Shelving

Sortation & Retrieval Sytems

Robotic Automation

Mezzanine Floors

Control Systems www.conveyors.co.uk

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Contents

Unparalleled Knowledge and Experience 03

Finding the Right Partner 03

Overhead Conveyors 04

Floor Conveyors 08

Vehicle Loading 12

Control Systems 13

Garment Handling 14

Storage – Racking Systems 16

– Shelving Systems 17

Mezzanine Floors 18

Industries 20

Service & Spares 22

Unparalleled Knowledge and Experience

At LB Foster Materials Handling, we specialise in the most

efficient and effective method of moving products from A to B

in storage, distribution, manufacturing and assembly facilities.

With more than 30 years’ experience, our team of experts

create the ideal solution for your materials handling challenges.

Our innovative approach has enabled us to deliver successful

systems to a wide cross-section of businesses from SMEs

to world renowned brands such as:

Finding the Right Partner

Our experienced engineers understand your particular challenges

and work with you to develop tailored materials handling

solutions.

We supply everything from robotic automation, overhead,

floor and garment conveyors to mezzanine floors, vehicle loading,

sortation/retrieval and storage systems. Our in-house electrical

controls design and build service gives us the edge to deliver

innovative solutions for any project.

Let us take care of all your materials handling, storage and

controls needs. Call us today so we can help you create a

bespoke solution that’s exactly right for your business.

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Materials Handling

“What has evolved isa strong relationshipbetween our twocompanies whichhas delivered theworld class facilitywe have today.”Alan HaddenProject Delivery Manager

Diageo Cooperage Development

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Overhead Conveyors

Power Conveyors

Our range of enclosed track, overhead

powered chain conveyors is suitable for a

wide variety of production applications such

as automotive, product finishing, assembly

lines and distribution.

• Modular design for easy reconfiguring

and extending of existing installations

• Individual pendant capacities from 22kg

up to 150kg

• Increase capacities with linked pendants

• Versatile configurations - bends, spinners,

indexers and automatic loading/unloading

devices

In addition to our range of enclosed track

power only conveyors we also offer the heavy

duty I-Beam monorail systems in 3”, 4” and 6”

track heights.

Power & Free Conveyors

Overhead power and free systems are based

on a twin track arrangement with the drive

chain track mounted above a free-running,

load-carrying trolley track.

• Trolleys can be engaged and disengaged

for process/accumulative storage

• Single trolley capacities from 100kg to 900kg

• Increase capacities up to 8,000kg via

multiple trolleys/crossbar linkages

• Lift and lower stations transport products

for processing, loading and unloading

We offer a range of conveyors that can be

inverted and side mounted to eliminate debris

falling from the track.

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www.conveyors.co.uk

“We chose to work with the local business, LB Foster,because they offered a solution that not only fitted the bill, it also offered better value for money.”Bruce GardinerCommercial Director

CMK (Treatments) Ltd

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Overhead Conveyors

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Manual Conveyors

Ideal for process applications such as painting and

storage, each manual conveyor utilises a trolley with

a pendant attachment running in an enclosed track.

The individual trolley capacities range from 45kg

upwards; linking the trolleys together with load bars

increases these capacities. Lift and lower stations

can be incorporated to aid the loading and

unloading process.

Electric Monorail Conveyors

For electrified monorail systems (EMS), we offer

the standardised aluminium Euro-rail types,

as well as heavy duty systems.

Constructed with standard track lengths, bends and

switches, they form a tailored circuit designed for

each facility’s unique constraints. Systems include

supporting steelwork, carriers, on-board control

boxes and full electrical controls for the plant.

Bespoke Conveyors

As well as our standard range of conveyor

systems, we engineer bespoke systems.

Our portfolio includes:

• Assembly lines for large diesel engines

• Intelligent guided vehicle line for the assembly

of earth moving equipment

• Trolley based assembly line with special

lift mechanisms for 18 tonne fork lift trucks

Systems are inclusive of design, manufacture,

installation and commissioning (mechanically

and electrically), along with all relevant civil

works for turnkey projects.

www.conveyors.co.uk

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Floor Conveyors

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Gravity Roller Conveyors

Gravity roller conveyors (GRC) offer an unrivalled

way of moving goods and speeding up production

flow from goods-in to goods-out. They deliver

attractive cost-to-benefit ratios.

Variants range from simple light duty models

up to the heavy duty series.

The ‘flexible’ range of extendable gravity conveyors

is ideal for conveying loads in a production assembly

plant, warehouse or between loading points.

• Virtually any shape of track achievable

• Lightweight and manoeuvrable

• Fold away when not in use

• Low maintenance, flexible and versatile

gravity conveyor

The telescopic GRC is designed for loading

or unloading at variable distances. As such,

it is ideal for transferring loads between vehicles

or for use in warehouse and production areas.

Powered Roller Conveyors

This versatile equipment, as its name implies,

is driven by a motor. This allows total control

over product movement, enabling long runs to

be built and height changes to be incorporated.

Powered roller conveyors are manufactured using

three main types of conveying medium: rollers, belts

or chains. Consequently, a powered floor conveyor

can handle a wide variety of products from small

cartons to large pallets and even unstable items.

It can also be modified as a zero line pressure

conveyor system for those applications where

delicate handling and/or accurate positioning

of items is required.

Powered Flexible Conveyors

These give all the advantages of the standard

‘flexible’ conveyor with the use of powered

rollers to give fully controlled load movement.

www.conveyors.co.uk

“Without a doubt, one of the keys to the success of this projecthas been the design skills of the engineers at LB Foster.”

Peter RobertsSenior Manufacturing Project Specialist

Caterpillar Stockton

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Floor Conveyors

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Belt Conveyors

Available as either straight or bends, belt conveyors

offer a simple reliable method of transporting a large

variety of products. Height changes between levels

are easily accommodated using either inclined or

spiral belts.

Conveyor lines can be merged using a high speed

belt with one end angled (standard angles 30 and

45 degrees). An angled nose bar allows a continuous

belt to change direction, giving a smooth angular

transfer of goods.

Chain Conveyors

At LB Foster, we manufacture a wide variety of floor

mounted chain conveyors, from simple side transfers

on roller conveyor systems to heavy duty deep link

twin chain conveyors. These can be individual

conveyors, assembly or storage conveyors or

part of combined skid systems.

Chain conveyors also come in the form of

conventional slat conveyors – single or twin slat

depending on products and application.

Pallet Conveyors

Pallet conveyors provide a cost effective alternative

to forklift trucks. They can be used as simple gravity

storage lanes, infeed and outfeed lanes to other

machinery and strappers or as an integrated

handling system.

The gravity version incorporates steel rollers fitted

with high quality precision bearings mounted in

robust angle side frames. The powered option

offers a roller to roller chain driven system which

with ‘sealed for life bearings’ gives an inherent

low maintenance conveyor system.

To enable complex systems to be easily created,

pallet conveyors are available in a wide range

of modules, capable of handling up to 1500kg

loads as standard.

Trolley Conveyors

Trolley conveyors consist of a floor mounted

enclosed track conveyor towing a series of work

trolleys. They can be engineered to utilise bi-planner

chain, precision chain or drop forged chain.

The conveyors can be mounted on the floor or,

should a flush floor be required, they can be mounted

within an excavated pit with floor plates used to

cover the gap.

Integrated Systems

To provide bespoke turnkey solutions, we can

integrate other manufacturers’ equipment, such

as barcode routing, dynamic weighing/volumising,

palletising and robotics.

www.conveyors.co.uk

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Vehicle Loading

Fixed Vehicle Loaders

– Telescopic Booms

Telescopic boom conveyors revolutionise the

loading and unloading of vehicles.

Single, double or triple booms are available giving

a reach of up to 13.5m into the vehicle from a

standard unit. Wider loads can easily be

accommodated as the continuous belting

runs proud of the conveyor sections.

Mobile Vehicle Loaders

a. Static Booms

Mobile vehicle loaders are ideally suited for a range

of applications, such as multiple locations or

occasional use. Easily positioned by one operator,

the unit can be moved to precisely where it is

required. When not in use it can be stored safely

out of the way.

b. Telescopic Booms

Available in two sizes, to suit up to 40’ trailers,

the special continuous belt system allows loading

or unloading to take place with constant adjustment

of reach depth and working height inside the

vehicle via operator push buttons on the boom end.

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Control Systems

Control Systems

At the heart of all LB Foster Materials Handling automated

installations is a robust and reliable control system.

Our control systems are designed and manufactured in-house

by our team of experienced software and electrical engineers.

These engineers work closely with all major electrical component

suppliers to provide cost effective and reliable control systems.

Quality is important to any installation which is why LB Foster

software design and management is approved to ISO 9001

TickIT standards. Our software engineers are trained and fully

conversant with many control platforms including Mitsubishi,

Siemens and Allen Bradley.

With our mechanical and electrical engineers based at the

same location, you can be assured that every detail is taken

into account when designing your materials handling solution.

Electrical installation and commissioning can also form part

of our turnkey service.

www.conveyors.co.uk

“We selected LBFoster to supply theconveyor controlsbecause we weretotally confident that the job would be done properly.”Rob OliverContracts Manager

T J Hall Limited

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Garment Handling & Storage

Hanging Garment Racking

For many years, LB Foster’s has manufactured

it’s own garment racking system - Hook-In®.

This has become a proven storage solution

for both retail stockrooms and distribution

warehouses alike.

Everything from small back of shop to large

multi-tier warehouse facilities can be created.

And, with the integration of conveyors, lighting

and mezzanine floor elements, complete

turnkey packages can be designed,

manufactured and installed.

Composed of two deceptively simple

components, the Hook-In® system combines

versatility with simplicity. The system is 'future

proofed' because it is very simple to add to,

remove or modify a structure.

Not only used for goods on hangar (GOH)

storage, Hook-In® can also be employed as

an easily adjustable shelving system. All that

is needed is the addition of chipboard, mesh

or solid metal shelf panels supported by the

cross rails.

“The LB Foster team is experiencedin this type of installation and theywere willing to share their skill,knowledge and expertise with us to provide a purpose built solutionto meet both our current and future needs.”Phil HoughtonBusiness Implementation Manager

Clipper Logistics

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Garment Conveyors

Overhead Garment Trolley Rail

Used to transport garments and other stock in bulk, the trolley rail

can be installed either by itself or as part of an integrated system

with Hook-in® garment racking or shelving.

Composed of a rail and trolley (jet) system using a range of bends

and switch options, the overhead garment trolley rail provides a cost

effective method of product transportation. The system is either

power or manually driven, with combinations of manual and powered

sections easily accommodated. In a multi-level environment, a trolley

rail is an effective method of transporting product to different levels.

Slick Rail

Slick rail can be used either by itself or as part of an integrated

system together with Hook-In® racking to provide cost efficient

transportation for single GOH product. It is often used in garment

processing and carton-to-hanger value-added operations.

Comprising a rail system with a range of bends and switch options,

slick rail is manually operated. In a multi-level environment, it

incorporates powered sections to raise garments to different floors.

Garment Loading/Unloading

Loading/unloading booms can be incorporated with either the trolley

or Slick rail systems.

Single or double booms are utilised dependent on space and

system requirements, whilst the length of projection into the

vehicle can be adjusted to suit the application.

www.conveyors.co.uk

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Racking Systems

Racking Systems

Adjustable pallet racking (APR)

is designed specifically for the

storage of palletised goods.

Standard APR is the most

widely used of all palletised

storage systems. Each pallet

location is directly accessible

and requires no specialised

handling equipment. The aisle

widths, dependent on the type

of truck operated, can vary

considerably.

With APR, the same basic components can be arranged to create

five alternative systems:-

1. Narrow Aisle or VNA

Aisles as narrow as 1380mm (truck dependent) – give high

density usage of space with each pallet being accessible.

2. Drive-in

Very dense storage achieved when ‘first in/last out’ (FILO) bulk

stocked items are stored. Each lane emptied top to bottom

and front to back.

3. Push Back

Works on the same system as drive-in (FILO) but allows individual

levels to be accessed whilst others in the rack are full, so mixed

stock can be stored up to five pallets deep.

4. Double Deep

FILO but double the capacity with half the aisles – a double

deep fork truck is required.

5. Pallet Live

A first in, first out (FIFO), pallet live racking is designed to store

materials on pallets in horizontal rows with multiple levels. It provides

dynamic, high density storage with minimal fork truck aisles and

very efficient stock control.

All our racking systems can be turned into mobile storage systems,

including mobile pallet racking. Most of our storage systems can also

be constructed as multi-tiered solutions.

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Shelving Systems

Shelving Systems

There are a host of different shelving solutions available; we utilise our

knowledge and experience to recommend the right system for your

particular storage challenges. For example, we might suggest Longspan,

Delta, Expo, mobile, pigeonhole or library shelving, depending on your need.

Most of the shelving systems are suitable for a wide range of applications,

including single and multi-tier installations.

Mobile Shelving

Designed to offer increased capacity for a given footprint, mobile shelving

eliminates the need for an aisle between every shelving unit. Mounted on

level tracks, the units are easy to use even if storing heavy items.

Mobile storage systems can either be manually operated via a rotary

handle or electrically powered using hidden motors in the base of the unit.

A typical bank of mobile shelving delivers a close to 50% reduction of floor

space versus traditional fixed shelving.

www.conveyors.co.uk

“The mobile shelving installed by LB Foster really maximises the utilisationof storage space for our garments.”Steve CassapiLogistics Director

Dimensions Clothing Ltd

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Mezzanine Floors

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Mezzanine Floors

Additional storage, office or retail space can be created

cost effectively with a mezzanine floor (also known as

a raised storage area).

At LB Foster, we have a wealth of experience designing

and installing mezzanine solutions for specific needs.

If you are looking to expand your business and don’t

want to move premises, mezzanine floors can solve

the problem. As an added benefit, they can usually

be classed as ‘rates free’ and can help maximise

the potential of your building.

A wide range of staircases, handrails, loading gates,

lighting, floor coverings and partitioning options can

be specified to help you fully utilise this extra space.

To make life simple, we can even deal with all the

necessary official applications and approvals

(red tape) on your behalf.

www.conveyors.co.uk

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Industries

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Over the years, we have solved

the challenges of many different

industry sectors and consequently

have practical, specialist knowledge

and experience across a broad

spectrum of industries.

Our clients operate predominantly

in the following sectors:

• Automotive

• Fashion/Retail

• Food & Pharmaceuticals

• Logistics & Distribution

• Manufacturing/Assembly Lines

• Paint & Finishing Lines

• Storage & Warehousing

www.conveyors.co.uk

“Being robust, theconveyor requires lowmaintenance which is important for longterm cost efficiency.”Neil AdamsNew Model Project Engineer

Honda

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Service & Spares

Oiling the Wheels

With over 30 years’ experience in the materials

handling business, we fully understand the

effect repair and maintenance downtime

can have on KPIs. Consequently, we offer a

comprehensive spares supply and preventative

breakdown service, along with bespoke

maintenance contracts.

Maintenance Service

For this service, our trained engineers will

prepare a comprehensive spares list for your

particular system to enable your engineers

to hold a stock of the strategic components.

This covers any minor or major breakdown,

as well as components for regular preventative

servicing by your own maintenance team.

In conjunction with your own maintenance staff,

this service delivers planned regular servicing

and cover for any unforeseen circumstance.

Preventative Maintenance Contract

Alternatively, we can provide a preventative

breakdown service and maintenance contract.

This involves our trained engineers visiting your

site and carrying out a full survey and service to

your system between one and four times a year,

as required.

The work covered includes tensioning, drive

refurbishment, tracking and a general inspection

of your system for any worn or damaged

components. It also includes a report

recommending any further action that may

be required.

Racking Inspections

With safety in mind, the integrity of any racking

installation is paramount, so regular inspections

are recommended. Our racking inspections can

be carried out by our team of trained engineers

and range from a straightforward condition

report with recommendations to a fully

insurance compliant inspection by a SEMA

approved inspector.

Choose the Contract that Suits Your Needs

The service we offer can be a periodical

inspection in conjunction with your own

maintenance. By selecting one of these options

your maintenance issues can be caught early

before they escalate, thus reducing the chance

of extensive breakdown time and expense.

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“They designed an extremely practicalsolution which could be delivered in theright timescale and at the right cost.”Andrew MarrisAsset Care Manager

Smith and Nephew

Materials Handling

LB Foster Materials Handling is amarket-leading UK supplier andmanufacturer of quality materialshandling and storage systems.

We supply equipment internationally

including overhead conveyors, floor

conveyors, garment conveyors and

storage systems; we also have an

in-house electrical controls design

and build service enabling us to

provide innovative solutions for

all materials handling challenges.

www.conveyors.co.uk

LB Foster Materials Handling

43 Wenlock Way

Troon Industrial Area

Leicester

LE4 9HU

T 0116 276 1691

F 0116 276 9836

E sales@conveyors.co.uk

LB Foster Materials Handling is a trading name

of LB Foster Rail Technologies (UK) Limited

Registered Office: Stamford Street, Sheffield S9 2TL

Registered in England No. 3939427