An engineering and logistics integrator turned to Ultimation, an MCE company, for support on a conveyor system retrofit at a major airport. The project involved upgrading existing baggage-handling equipment to address maintenance and downtime issues while retaining much of the existing infrastructure.
Challenge
The project called for replacing key conveyor components while keeping the existing frames. Any proposed solution needed to meet the facility's operating requirements.
From the start, the integrator was interested in equipment from Interroll Portec, which Ultimation offers. However, Interroll Portec had not previously been on the airport's approved vendor list. Once approval was secured, the integrator still needed to demonstrate that the alternative would meet the airport's technical requirements while offering competitive pricing and lead times.
Complicating matters, the integrator had experienced significant delays in getting a quote from its previous supplier. Moving the project forward required timely pricing, detailed equipment specifications, drawings, and technical documentation to help the integrator evaluate its options and make a recommendation to the airport.
Solution
The integrator worked with the airport to conduct measurements and studies and determine the required conveyor configurations. Ultimation helped the integrator's engineering team identify equipment that would meet requirements, including speed, load capacity, and the ability to handle different types of baggage, from standard suitcases to boxes, and oversized items such as golf clubs.
Ultimation provided:
- A detailed quote and itemized equipment list
- Component drawings and layouts
- Manufacturer documentation and technical manuals
- Pricing and lead-time information
- Direct communication and coordination throughout the quoting process
Ultimation, in partnership with the integrator, chose specialized equipment from Interroll Portec for spiral-belt and straight-belt conveyors. The project used the existing conveyor frames and replaced key internal components, including belts, motors, and other components, to upgrade the equipment.
Ultimation delivered the initial quote in approximately five days, giving the integrator the information it needed to compare the proposed equipment with the previously approved option and move the project forward.
Interroll Portec also supported the project with technical assistance, along with warranty and service support for the equipment.
Outcome
“It was a team effort. The integrator was very pleased with the amount of communication they were getting from our team.” - Janine Nikkel, Inside Sales Rep, Ultimation
The retrofit allowed the facility to upgrade existing equipment rather than replacing the entire conveyor framework, preserving usable infrastructure and reducing the cost and complexity associated with a full system replacement.
The conveyor project’s success came down to more than the equipment itself. Working together with the integrator, Ultimation was able to help them evaluate and sell an alternative solution in a timeline that made sense for their customer.
Communication and responsiveness were also key to success. The previous supplier took several months to provide a quote, delaying a necessary upgrade. Ultimation’s team coordinated the quote process, focusing on both the integrator’s and airport’s needs and providing fast quoting, competitive pricing, strong communication, and transparency throughout the process.
The project moved quickly from the quoting stage in mid-January, with final delivery in the first week of April.
Because of the success of this project, Ultimation is now working with the integrator on a second comparable Phase 2 project for the same facility.