bagging Archives

Logistex Announces Partnership with John Lewis

Posted on 31 March, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Logistex has been awarded a contract by the John Lewis Partnership to design and implement a solution to optimise their new e-commerce distribution centre at Fenny Lock, Milton Keynes.

The multi-phase project will initially see Logistex deploy its Warehouse Execution System (WES) Reflex, which will orchestrate the picking of orders across multiple zones of the Fenny Lock DC, and provides full integration with conveyors, Locus “Origin” robots and automated bagging Machines.

Future phases will include the deployment of an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) Tote-to-Person (TTP) picking solution based on HAI Robotics HAIPICK robots and HAIPORT Workstations.

Tony Gruber MD Logistex: “We are delighted to be working with JLP on this strategically important initiative. It combines all of our key capabilities in one project, solution design, the deployment of our Reflex WES platform in a multi agent robotic based automation environment & complete project life cycle support. We look forward to a successful project and an enduring relationship with JLP”.

John Munnelly Head of Distribution, John Lewis Partnership said “This an exciting partnership which will transform our Fenny Lock site, as we look for new and innovative ways on how to best serve our customers.”

Logistex provides automated materials handling and software Warehouse Execution Systems (WES) solutions for warehousing operations. We are specialists in storage and retrieval, order forwarding, Goods to Person Picking and Robotic systems. As an independent warehouse automation specialist, Logistex integrate products from across the industry without compromise. Our services cover warehouse/materials handling design & implementation, warehouse management software and control systems, equipment refurbishment and maintenance, facilities management and 24/7 hotline support and spares.

The John Lewis Partnership owns and operates two of Britain’s best-loved retail brands – John Lewis and Waitrose. Started as a radical experiment over a century ago, the Partnership is now the largest employee-owned business in the UK, with over 74,000 employees who are all Partners in the business. The Partnership is purpose-driven, existing to create a fairer and more sustainable future for Partners, customers, suppliers and communities.

Bagging and palletising solutions optimise workflow

Posted on 23 November, 202229 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Packaging and robotic automation company RMGroup has supplied bagging and palletising solutions to Dumfries-based building materials and aggregates supplier J&J Currie. The investments, which were made to increase efficiencies and reduce labour costs, included a MB-400 manual bagging machine and a robot palletiser, followed by a BB-215 bulk bagging machine.

J&J Currie, which supplies an extensive range of sand and decorative gravels, began its search for a manual bagging system and robot palletiser earlier in 2022, principally to alleviate manual handling labour requirements and their associated costs. Having secured a number of quotes for the required solutions, the company found RMGroup’s equipment prices to be more competitive and placed an order.

The installation of the initial system, required to pack and bag all types of aggregates, consisted of a MB-400, RMGroup’s most popular bagging machine and a ABB IRB 460 palletising robot, which was installed to automate the palletising. The MB-400, capable of filling pre-made bags up to 400 bags an hour, comes complete with a 5m 3-tonne hopper, rubber trough conveyor feed belt, electronic load cell bag clamp, weigh indicator, 4m filled bag conveyor complete with guide panels, and a SH1000 continuous heat sealer.

More recently, J&J Currie also purchased RMGroup’s complete bulk-bagging system, the BB-215, the installation of which occurring within three weeks of the order being placed. RMGroup’s bulk bagging machine is designed to work with a variety of products, including the most abrasive. The robust FIBC filling machine includes a large 15-tonne capacity hopper, belt conveyor and a separate filling frame, and can fill over two bulk bags a minute.

“The systems that we’ve installed from RMGroup more than meet our expectations, helping to increase efficiencies in the yard, while reducing our labour overheads,” said J&J Currie’s managing director, Russell Currie. “It also means that we can save on material costs, as these machines weigh everything out so we know that the customer is getting what they pay for. RMGroup were excellent in providing regular updates throughout the purchase of all equipment and the installations themselves were quick and trouble-free – the BB215 was installed in a day, and after a morning of testing we were up and running!”

Kevin Humphreys, RMGroup’s sales manager, added: “J&J Currie is a great business to work with and we are delighted that they are benefiting from having the bagging and palletising systems installed. All aspects of order fulfilment, from project management to delivery and installation were seamless from our side, which all makes for a happy customer. We look forward to providing them with our expertise again in the future.”

Bulk bagging system helps meet aggregate demand

Posted on 11 February, 2022 by Keith McKinley

Leading robotics and automation company, RMGroup, has supplied one of its industry-leading bulk bagging systems, a BB-400, to building materials supplier Tippers.

As an existing customer, the new equipment supplements Tippers’ existing BB-400 bulk bagging and form fill & seal vertical packaging system, and comes as a result of increases in demand for virgin and decorative aggregates across Tippers’ branches throughout the Midlands region.

The BB-400 is the fastest bulk bagger from RMGroup. The system is capable of filling three bulk bags per minute and able to refill to weighment in just 17 seconds. A large 20 tonne heavy duty hopper feeds onto a large in-feed belt conveyor, which then feeds the BB-400.

The FIBC filling machine itself is controlled by an integrated weighing system that fills the hopper to a pre-set weighment, making bulk automation very precise at high-speed and volume. Built to a high standard, the systems are guaranteed to withstand 20 years of service even with the most abrasive raw materials.

Commenting on the BB-400, Tippers’ Bill Tipper, said: “The installation process was flawless from delivery to installation and the engineers were very knowledgeable and helpful. The BB-400 bulk bagger fully meets our expectations and performance requirements. With our expert aggregates yard staff, we are able to produce bulk bags inline with set daily quotas. This allows us to increase our output, meaning we can meet and service customer demand, as well as introduce new bulk bagged aggregate products to the group.

“Tippers have a very strong working relationship with RMGroup. The team is just one phone call away and are always helpful with any issues we may have. Where an issue can’t be resolved on a call, RMGroup has a very fast call out response to ensure our machines are up and running quickly. As our business continues to grow and the need for increased production arises, RMGroup would be the first choice for additional equipment.”

Ed Pugh, RMGroup’s sales director, added: “The ongoing popularity of the BB-400 amongst aggregate suppliers shows that its robust construction means it is well suited to handle the large loading shovels that operate in the quarries and bagging plants. We are delighted that Tippers value our relationship and we look forward to providing them with our bagging expertise again in the future.”

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