The Portuguese logistics operator, specialised in cold-storage services and transport for meat businesses, optimises its frozen storage chamber with Movirack mobile pallet racking

About Trazcarnes
Trazcarnes started out in 2000 in the town of Palmela, near Lisbon. It offers refrigerated storage and transport services, especially in the meat sector, to the leading supply chains in Portugal. Among its immediate objectives is the expansion of its market in Europe.
 

Needs and the solution

In 2009, the company moved to the Carrascas industrial park to boost its growth rate and serve its customers faster. Recently, it asked Mecalux for a solution to achieve greater storage capacity, one that would optimise operations at the same time in its new frozen storage chambers.

After analysing the company’s requirements, Mecalux equipped the new chamber with five double-depth racks on Movirack mobile bases and two stationary ones that are 8.8 m high and 34 m long. Overall, the enterprise obtained a storage capacity for 1,280 pallets, each weighing a maximum of 1,000 kg.

Movirack mobile pallet racking

This high-density system eliminates aisles, enabling only those that are essential. One of its biggest advantages is the considerable increase in storage volume, maxing out the available space, without losing direct access to the products.

Movirack units are suitable for Trazcarnes' frozen storage (that work at a temperature of -20 ºC), as they reduce energy consumption due to the optimal distribution of chilled air between the pallets.

With the parking option, which distributes aisle space at equal distances, the system achieves better air circulation.

Racks rest on mobile bases that move laterally and autonomously. To open the required aisle and to extract or deposit the goods, the operator gives the order using a remote-control device.

A safe system
The system is equipped with moving elements, electronic equipment and several safety devices to protect the operators and stored merchandise:

• External sensors bring everything to a full stop when a piece of equipment enters the interior of the aisle.
• Internal sensors detect the presence of objects in the aisle that could prevent the system from operating properly.
• Emergency stop buttons block the racks from moving if an incident occurs.
• Proximity photocells guarantee a safe and smooth stop.

Advantages for Trazcarnes

• Large storage capacity: the available surface is completely utilised to obtain a storage capacity for 1,280 pallets.
• Optimum management of stock: direct access to the pallets speeds up storage tasks and facilitates control over iinventory.
• Cost savings: Movirack units help to significantly reduce energy consumption when generating cold conditions.