The project team settled on a total of 14 Wulftec WRTA rotary arm wrappers for the Landing Drive site – twelve wrappers for dispatch and two for wrapping inbound goods for the high density racking area.

The WRTA wrappers are built to last forever and renowned for their flawless performance. The powered pre-stretch carriage ensures optimal film delivery with peak efficiency, the programmable wrapping cycles deliver ongoing functionality. Fully automated, each pallet wrapper provides superior speed in pallet packaging with optimal cost-effectiveness – all goods easily flowing from pick to dispatch in the busy Foodstuffs DC.

The rotary arm wrappers are set up in a dual layout with full safety systems around each. These arrangements feature a combination of safety fencing, light curtains and other intuitive processes and technological systems to ensure all staff are protected at all times.

"The final result will be, in the words of Jed Goudie, a 'game changer' for Foodstuffs."

To ensure ease of use and overall efficiency a few additional enhancements were made, including the move to a deluxe control panel with Allen Bradley Panelview 600 Plus touch screen and the introduction of an automated Lincoln lube system to ensure reliable lubrication for the ring gear bearings, which in turn keeps maintenance time to a minimum. The units have also been upgraded from standard 12 RPM to 17 RPM, with a 2030mm wrap height.

Eight WRTA wrappers were delivered on-site in two 40’ containers in mid October before being devanned and installed by Universal technicians over a couple of weeks. In late November two more arrived to be devanned and installed also.

It required a team effort from Universal. Dave White and Alan Trask worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the logistics and freight elements of the project went smoothly. Olivia Bull and Stacey Edwards project-managed the devanning, installation and commissioning of the wrappers. They’ll also be working with the team at the new DC once everything is up and running, ensuring all operators know exactly what goes where (and how, and why).

The work doesn’t stop there. In early 2021 Universal Packaging will be decommissioning, refurbishing and relocating the four existing WRTA units from the previous Roma Road DC to the new location. With the fourteen wrappers working in unison Foodstuffs will be able to advance their distribution effectiveness with confidence. The final result will be, in the words of Jed Goudie, a game changer’ for Foodstuffs.

“It’s giving them this huge capacity and capability – and making sure they can get their goods safe and secure to where they are needed,” says Jed. “