Warehouse technology

RFID

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an emerging technology. Product labels on merchandise contain microchips that hold more information than the standard paper bar code. The technology allows electronic information to be read from and added to product labels which can store a wide range of information relating to the product. Using these labels provides total visibility to follow products along the whole supply chain through automatic and accurate product identification and tracking.

X-ray vision

Gist depots use some of the world's leading security measures for spotting suspect items in air cargo. X-ray machines scan whole pallet loads of merchandise at one time in less than three minutes and rival security equipment used in international airports across the globe.

Our teams are specially trained to spot explosives and any other potentially dangerous devices which may be hidden among the cargo and which otherwise would have to be hand-searched - taking an hour and a half per pallet.

Vac-packing

Gist depots use large-scale vacuum-packing machines to compress millions of garments each year before they are air-freighted to destinations across the Middle East and Asia.

The machines remove the air and all traces of moisture from hanging clothes and seal them in polythene. This cuts the volume of the merchandise and the associated air-freight costs by between 30% and 50%. It also minimises the risk of clothes being damaged or creased in transit. When they are unpacked at their destination and meet warm air, the creases simply drop out.

Reducing waste at depots

Gist sites have adopted recycling programmes - plastic and cardboard are recycled and waste which cannot be recycled is baled prior to disposal to reduce volumes of waste, reducing landfill and reducing the cost of haulage.

Barcode scanning

Barcode scanning technology involves using a wrist-mounted, hand-held or forklift truck mounted computer with a barcode scanner attached. This allows operatives to receive detailed information about their operational tasks.

This technology aims to remove the risk of warehouse error and increase speed and accuracy. This, in turn, ensures retailers receive exactly what they ordered which will minimise lost sales, reduce waste and maintain more accurate stock records.

Pallet recycling

The logistics industry has adopted a standardised metric size tray to assist all parties in the supply chain. In the biggest project of its kind in the UK, Gist and M&S are recycling over 3 million food distribution trays.

The process used is highly efficient with only 3% waste, the majority of which is due to old packaging labels and remoulding processes. Five imperial trays can be recycled to make six new metric trays.

The new trays are smaller and easier to handle, resulting in a saving of 15% of what is currently wasted space in the delivery vehicle.

Energy conservation

• LED traffic lights are being phased into our depots. These are easier to see, use less energy and last ten times longer than traditional light bulbs.
• Refrigerator plant waste heat is used to heat all the water for our sites removing the need for fitting boilers.
• Ammonia refrigeration plants have been installed at several Gist depots. These plants have replaced CFC (R22) systems and have reduced power consumption by 25%. Ammonia is a naturally occurring organic compound and has zero ozone depletion and no direct contribution to global warming. It also provides highly efficient refrigeration which results in lower energy use in comparison to HCFC refrigerants.
• Automatic door closure systems are fitted on all chill warehouse doors to ensure energy conservation.
• Power measurement surveys are carried out on a two yearly basis to identify improvements.