Big conveyor order from Ford at Southampton

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Sep 12, 2000

Ford Motor Company has awarded Durr Automotion with a contract at their Southampton facility, home of the Transit van, for the modification of the overhead power and free conveyor system

Ford Motor Company has awarded Durr Automotion, the conveyor, material flow and vehicle assembly business unit of the Durr Group, with a contract at their Southampton facility, home of the Transit van.

The order is for the modification of the overhead power and free conveyor system, and the design, manufacture, and installation of a new roller bed floor conveyor system, including a new lift unit and various civils works.

As well as replacing older equipment, the project will permit the construction of a larger strip out facility and make way for the manufacture of the new Transit van.

The project will occur in four phases and is set to begin in July during the summer shutdown.

Phase one will include the installation of a new lift unit, the relocation of offices and amenities, and various civils work.

Phase two involves the installation of conveyor platforms, conveyors and the commissioning of conveyors.

Phase three includes the installation of the bodystore area, which will include conveyor, platforms, conveyors and the commissioning of the hole.

Phase four includes the removal of carriers from the overhead conveyor, modifications to the overhead conveyor, removal of the old lift, and the installation of a deck over the old lift area.

The project is set for completion in January 2001.

Yet another, second order from Ford involves the refurbishment and replacement of the Pre-treatment plant conveyor system and replacement of the plant's gridded flooring and other steelworks.

This order includes site survey and strip out.

Simon Macdonald, Contract Engineer for Automotion, said, "These are the first contracts for Automotion from Ford Motor Company.

While Durr has developed a long relationship with Ford over the years, this is the first contract in the UK for the conveyor group, which only began in 1997.

We are very happy to commence this new partnership." Durr Automotion is the conveyor, material flow and final vehicle assembly business unit of the Durr Group, the market leader and turnkey specialist in the design, engineering, manufacture, installation, operation, and maintenance of system solutions for the general and automotive industries.