11th May 2016 Introduction to Layer Picking Machinery

1. Belgium
Rond-Point R.Schuman 11
1040 Brussels
Phone: +32 2 588 5803
Fax: +32 2 588 5804
Canada
Suite 300, 1090 Homer St
Vancouver, BC V6B 2W9
Phone: +1 778 807 9713
Fax: +1 778 807 9657
Singapore
146 Robinson Road #07-01
Singapore 068909
Phone: +65 65009377
Fax: +65 68355173
United States of America
712 H Street NE, Suite 1110
Washington DC 20002
Phone: +1 202 869 0988
Fax: +1 202 869 1121
PRESS RELEASE
Date: 11th
May 2016
Title: Introduction to Layer Picking Machinery
The warehouse and logistics industry has struggled to cope with a number of material
handling issues for many years. The challenges include the labour time required for
manual picking, together with the need for pallet loads to be split in order to remove
excess layers for storage, or achieving acceptable pallet height for manual handling of
the load. There are also health and safety issues associated with this activity.
In a traditional operation, the picker will go to a location and transfer goods manually
onto another pallet, and then move on to the next location, depending on the picking
requirements.
A layer picking attachment on a forklift truck makes it possible to pick single or multiple
layers of products, and allows the user to build up mixed pallets quickly, safely and
efficiently with minimal manual labour. In a warehouse or distribution centre, picking
usually represents about 25 percent of all labour costs. This type of attachment can
typically process orders in excess of 1000 cases per hour, compared to 100-250 cases
per hour manually.
A forklift truck attachment will increase labour efficiency within a warehouse operation.
A specialist layer picking attachment is a cost-effective way to handle single or multiple
layers of a variety of goods, without the need for picking and packing by hand.
LayerMaster, from B&B Attachments, provides a solution for both layer picking and
layer splitting loads. It allows a pallet to be quickly broken down or built up by clamping
layers, and can be adjusted for a wide range of products including boxed and frozen
goods, glass and plastics containers, tinned products and plastic trays. Very versatile, it
can lift up to half of a 2400mm high pallet at a time or, alternatively, just a single layer of
boxes, thereby enabling the load to be quickly broken down or built up by clamping
single or multiple layers. The open centre version is capable of lifting a full height
2400mm load.

2. LayerMaster is unique in the way it clamps on all four sides of the product – which
means minimal pressure is required to hold the load. Where a number of different layer
weights (or product types) are required to be handled, a multi stage valve is supplied as
standard to enable up to 3 pressures to be selected, which can be set by B&B’s
experienced engineers.
The LayerMaster system is now widely used throughout the fresh produce sector and
can be seen at most major supermarket distribution centres. The speed and versatility
of the patented system can help businesses reduce time, labour, repetitive strain injury
claims and significantly increase safe working practices and productivity.
The market is now changing from height reduction of loads being the norm, to now
seeing more and more companies looking to order pick. This new approach is rapidly
being applied to more and more applications.

3. About B&B Attachments
B&B Attachments is the leading UK supplier of forklift truck attachments. The company
was established in 1980, facilitating the sale of goods from suppliers such as KAUP
GmbH& Co. KG and MoTec GmbH. B&B also provides hire contracts through its
dedicated Hire Department, and servicing and repairs for each attachment. Its in-house
Design Engineers create attachments for unique materials handling issues. The
company’s Head Office is located at Unit 46 Colbourne Avenue, Nelson Park Industrial
Estate, Cramlington, Northumberland NE23 1WD.
 Interviews with anyone from B&B Attachments can be made by contacting Victoria Adcock –Marketing
Executive on 01670 737373
 Information on B&B Attachments products and services can be found on www.bandbattachments.com.
This press release was distributed by the International Trade Council.
International Trade Council Member news does not necessarily represent the views of the
Trade Council nor the Council's employees. For more information on the International Trade
council please visit http://www.tradecouncil.org or drop by on Twitter at
http:/www.twitter.com/inttradecouncil