Joloda Hydraroll Ltd has worked with MM Packaging Deeside Ltd to design and implement an Automated Loading System to quickly load pallets onto the trailer at its factory and unload them into the nearby warehouse.

The new system has improved operational efficiency, accuracy, sustainability, and safety while building in the capacity for growth. Unloading a trailer at the warehouse has been reduced from one hour to just three minutes.

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We help a packaging business revolutionise their packaging production loading processes by unleashing the power of Automated Loading Systems.

We dive into an extraordinary case study that will redefine the way you look at packaging production! Witness how cutting-edge loading automation technology is changing the face of the industry as we unveil our groundbreaking solution that automatically loads pallets from the production line directly into the trailer. Say goodbye to labour-intensive processes and hello to streamlined productivity!

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innovation pioneers

MMP Deeside Ltd is a market leader in packaging production in Great Britain. It supplies blue chip companies mainly in the food and drink sector. MMP Deeside is part of MM Group, an international network of 64 locations across Europe, America, and Asia.

As consumers across markets turn to more sustainable and recyclable fibre-based packaging solutions, MMP Deeside is actioning a strategy to increase its competitive and innovative strength. The company has recently relocated to a plant three times the size of the previous premises and equipped it with the most modern printing, cutting, and finishing machines available to produce high-quality packaging. 

MMP Deeside is pioneering a state-of-the-art facility for the Group where automation and innovation are central to scaling up production. To transport finished goods to the warehouse, it required a material handling process that could keep up with demand while ensuring accuracy, safety, and flexibility.

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heavy lifting

Operations Director at MMP Deeside, David Whitworth, explains: “When we purchased the plant in 2021, we invested in several areas of automation. However, we still faced a labour-intensive process of transporting finished goods from the factory to our nearby warehouse, which ran the risk of bottlenecks and inhibited our capacity to scale.”

The plant operates 24/7, producing high volumes of packaging transported to the warehouse on pallets. The warehouse is only a quarter of a mile away, but continually loading and unloading the pallets onto the trailers was very time-consuming. Typically, it would take one hour to load each trailer and then another hour to unload.

“Each pallet delivered into the loading bay at the end of its track would need to be manually scanned and then loaded onto the trailer using a forklift truck,” David says. “One forklift driver would process one pallet at a time until the trailer was full.”

As a result, forklifts were driven in and out of the factory every few minutes. The drivers had limited visibility entering and exiting through the factory door, so, for safety reasons, only one trailer could be loaded at a time.

“Once the trailer was full, it would be driven to the warehouse, where a forklift driver would unload each pallet from the trailer, scan it, and place it into storage,” David adds.

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efficiency through automation

MMP Deeside sought to streamline operations by extending automation from the end of the production line through to the loading bay. After consultations with the MMP Deeside operations and IT teams and existing automation suppliers, Joloda Hydraroll designed and installed an automated trailer loading system that would create one seamless process.

At the factory, this comprised three dock lock/ levelling mechanisms fitted to the front of the docks. An install enclosure was also fitted on the outside that could communicate with the trailers and the existing conveyor to enable indexing and loading of pallets two at a time. Three trailers were equipped with Joloda Hydraroll Slipchain Trailer Systems to operate on the slipchain docks, each with capacity for 26 pallets.

Now, when a trailer pulls up at the factory loading area, it can be reversed onto the Joloda Hydraroll dock lock/ levelling mechanism. The driver will plug in the power plug and controls, and the internal conveyor will load two pallets side by side. Once complete, the driver is alerted that the trailer is full. They can then unplug the trailer from the power/control source, close the doors, and drive it off the dock lock mechanism to the warehouse for unloading. In the meantime, the system automatically starts to fill the next trailer.


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At the warehouse, two Joloda Hydraroll Slipchain Unloading Docks have been installed to receive the trailers. On arrival at the unloading area, the driver opens the rear doors, reverses the trailer onto the Joloda Hydraroll dock lock/ levelling mechanism, and plugs into the power and controls. A traffic light indicates that the trailer is in position and that unloading can begin. The driver then presses a button to start up both the trailer and slipchain dock, and all 26 pallets are unloaded from the rear in one smooth process. The total time to unload a trailer is now just three minutes.

As part of the loading process,” says David, “pallets are also automatically scanned once they reach a certain point on the slipchain. A visual of each shunt is brought up on the screen, showing us exactly which pallets are in the trailer. As the last two pallets enter, the door comes down and a delivery note is automatically emailed to the warehouse, thereby providing a fully traceable system.”

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IMPROVE UTILISATION

Less vehicles in your fleet and no double handling.

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NO TIME WASTED

26 Pallets dock to trailer in 2 minutes, using conventional methods this would take 30 minutes.

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SAFER LOADING

No forklifts required, loading bay safer.

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new industry standards

Implementing the automated loading and unloading system from Joloda Hydraroll has marked a significant operational shift for MMP Deeside, pioneering new advancements within the Group. The system was fully functioning from February 2023 and has since handled almost 100,000 pallets.

"With the automated system, the physicality of loading pallets every single day has been eliminated," says David. "Stock accuracy has improved, with automatic labels ensuring precise inventory tracking. We have now achieved a fully automated process from the packing line to the palletiser, wrapping, loading the trailer and then unloading at the warehouse."

By automating tasks previously completed using a forklift, MMP Deeside has significantly increased efficiency and reduced the risk of damaged or misplaced pallets. Less movement in the loading area has resulted in a safer work environment.

The system has also reduced the number of trailers and trucks required, leading to substantial cost savings and improved sustainability. It has optimised employee time and created scalability, allowing MMP Deeside to handle varying production volumes without compromising efficiency.

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During the consultation, a Joloda Hydraroll Group Systems Expert will speak with you about your business' current logistics operations, plans and goals. 

We have over 60+ years of experience providing cutting-edge technological solutions to the logistics industry and have helped countless companies around the world lighten their load.  


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don't just take our word for it...

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why invest in an automated loading solution?

We've explained why you should consider investing in an automated loading solution, the features and benefits of our solutions and the return on investment you can come to expect from a tailored automated loading solution.

types of automated loading systems

Moving Floor Conveyor System

Slipchain Pallet Loading System

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Complete Guide

the benefits of automated loading systems

Working with an automated loading system brings with it many advantages for your business. It gives you an opportunity to increase efficiency, enhance worker safety, make room for flexibility and add savings. 

There are a variety of reasons why it is of benefit to rationalise as to whether the investment and The Benefits of Automated Loading Systems is worthwhile for so many businesses. Automated loading systems also have a longer lifespan, which provides your business with a higher return on investment. We’ve drawn on some of our most popular benefits here…


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benefits of automated loading solutions

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100% end-of-line automation

Less labour required

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Reduction of All Operating Costs

Including, People, Trailers, and Forklifts (FLTs)

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Health and Safety

Reduced accident rate during high-volume loading and unloading.

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Reduction in CO2

No forklifts required and reduction in trailer fleet.

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return on investment

typical business case example

In the scenario that a business produces and ships a high number of pallets each day, we’ve put together an automated loading system typical business case example to help explain the benefits and how an ROI can be achieved with the investment of an automated loading system.

If a business is running a shuttle run from a factory to a warehouse and back again, they’ll benefit from an automated loading system with fewer people, trucks and forklifts.


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OUR NETWORK

a global leader, with local partners

Around the world, we’re known as the number one; the global leader in loading and unloading solutions. This is not only because we are the largest but also the first too; we've been pioneering loading solutions since 1962.

What truly makes us great is our fantastic product assortment supported by the best partners worldwide. We have an experienced network of 30+ distributors that also support an aftersales network, which is key, especially for automatic loading and unloading. 

Learn more about our global distributor network here.


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Take A Load Off...

why choose us?

We help businesses lighten loads and are highly regarded as the world's leading loading and unloading solutions provider in the logistics industry. Over the last 60 years, we've helped thousands of businesses streamline their logistics operations to be more cost-efficient, more sustainable, and more health and safety-conscious. Learn more About Us, here.

As experts in all kinds of unloading and unloading solutions, we can help innovate, automate and streamline your end-of-production line problems, wherever you are.

Get in touch with our experts today to learn how we can provide a safe working environment, call our friendly team on +44 (0) 151 427 8954, on our Let's Chat page, via email on sales@joloda.com or on LinkedIn...

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