Once-rejected bidder rescues new DC

A lost order for Lantech (www.lantech.com) and Gerrard Ovalstrapping (www.goval.com) turned into an opportunity to define the phrase "value-added" when the two companies put together a 9-1-1 rescue of the startup of a new consumer goods distribution center in Brantford, ON. Operating 24 hr/day, the pick-to-order operation ships a variety of goods to customers in quantities ranging from individual cases to entire truckloads.

Three weeks after its official opening date, the distribution center still didn't have the stretch wrappers that were promised for delivery six weeks before the opening date.

"We were limping along with loaner machines that were not like what we ordered," says Dhon MacKinnon, project manager for JNE Consulting, Ltd., of Burlington, ON, the owner's site representative responsible for the facility's operating equipment. "After listening to excuses for seven weeks, we turned to Lantech and Gerrard Ovalstrapping."

Two-and-one-half weeks after placing an order, the distribution center received two Lantech S-300XT overhead stretch wrappers, MacKinnon tells PD. The machines were assembled and run off the next day, and were put into full production, with guarding and fence enclosure in place, five days after their arrival.

The stretch wrappers, which are each capable of wrapping up to 40 loads/hr, are suitable for mixed-height loads. A push of a button is the only operator intervention required to wrap a load, up to the machine's 110-in.-high capacity. The machines attach the film to the load and cut it after wrapping. Factory-configured for 250-percent film prestretch, they accommodate variable actual wrap force.

Lantech, 800/866-0322. www.lantech.com

Gerrard Ovalstrapping, 905/632-3662. www.goval.com