maximising warehouse space at Gatwick Airport to meet growing air cargo demands

Swissport International Ltd is the world’s leading aviation services provider, operating across numerous airports located globally. In their facility, they offer air cargo services for a wide range of freight types, spanning perishables, e-commerce, time-critical shipments including pharmaceuticals and perishables and general cargo.

The operator manages air cargo handling for international carriers and freight forwarders, where the volume and complexity of cargo necessitate efficient and safe storage solutions for empty ULDs.

The team was looking to prevent operational challenges that could arise related to the storage of empty Unit Load Devices (ULDs) due to increased demand. Their existing method used single-tier racking arranged in single-section aisles. This could eventually lead to slower ULD handling and not make full use of available warehouse footprint.

Looking forward to increased demand, the team saw room to improve their processing efficiency.

Recognising the opportunity to enhance capacity, a structured system that would maintain successful operations, support future growth, and ensure ongoing compliance with safety protocols was recommended.

The installation of the air cargo racking system resulted in several important operational improvements. By effectively using vertical space, the new system significantly increased storage capacity within the existing warehouse footprint. This avoided costly facility expansions while maximising the use of available space.

In addition, the modular design of the racking system offers operational flexibility, so layouts can easily be reconfigured in response to changing demands or cargo volume fluctuations, supporting day-to-day adaptability.

Following the installation, the warehouse operations team at Gatwick noted operational improvements in their ULD storage processes.

Warehouse Operations Manager, Tony Roberts, commented: “The new racking system has noticeably improved how we manage empty ULDs. Storage is now more organised, and retrieval times have reduced.

The modular design gives us flexibility to adjust the layout as our needs evolve, which is essential given the increasing volume of cargo we handle. The installation went smoothly, and we’ve been able to make better use of our existing space.”

The air cargo racking installation has provided a practical, efficient, and scalable storage solution for empty ULDs. The system maximises warehouse space, improves access times, and maintains high workplace safety standards. Moreover, the modular design offers flexibility to adapt to future cargo volume growth, ensuring the operator is better equipped to handle growing cargo volumes safely and efficiently.

This case study exemplifies how specialised storage solutions can play a pivotal role in optimising logistics operations, helping air cargo handlers meet rising demand while maintaining high standards of safety and efficiency. Logistics and warehouse managers looking to streamline ULD storage will find the benefits of a tailored air cargo racking system clear and compelling.

Joloda Hydraroll is a one-stop-shop provider of loading solutions for the air cargo road transport and handling industry.

With over 60 years of experience, we offer manual, semi-automated, and fully automated systems to optimise cargo loading and unloading, ensuring faster and more efficient operations. From specifying the right equipment to turnkey installations and ongoing maintenance, we support every stage of your loading needs.

Our comprehensive service includes reactive breakdown support and pre-planned maintenance to minimise downtime. With a global network of over 100 engineers and more than 35 local partners, we’re trusted by businesses worldwide to lighten the load on air cargo logistics.

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...

The acronym ‘ULD’ stands for ‘unit load device’, a piece of equipment used in air freight to group and restrain cargo, mail, and small packages on a plane. Often, these devices are either containers or a combination of a pallet and aircraft pallet nets (PMC). ULD pallets play a crucial role in air cargo transportation, enabling transportation units and logistics operators to carry cargo safely and efficiently.

In this article we look at ULDs in more depth, discussing ULD types and technical details, identification, aircraft ULDs’ role in aviation and air freight, the safe loading and unloading of ULDs and wider air freight transportation. We also look at how some of our own loading systems can support operators in the air freight industry.

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