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Schiphol Express Introduces Automated Air Cargo Handling
Joloda Hydraroll has installed an automated air cargo handling system for Schiphol Express at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to make trailer loading and unloading faster and more efficient. It is one of the first major installations under the new Joloda Air Cargo Equipment division, which launched in 2024.
Schiphol Express provides comprehensive logistics services, including cargo handling, temporary ULD storage, sorting, and transportation for freight forwarders, airlines, and logistics providers.
Operating from Schiphol and Eindhoven Airports, the company manages the entire logistics process, from loading and unloading goods in first-line warehouses to transportation and delivery across the Netherlands.
To handle increasing volumes, Schiphol Express needed a more efficient and reliable solution that would speed up trailer cargo transfer between its trucks and warehouses.
The challenge: time-consuming manual processes
Schiphol Express’s existing equipment was outdated and needed replacing with a modern version featuring the latest automated technology. The manual unloading of air cargo, such as ULDs and PMC pallets, was time-consuming and labour-intensive, resulting in long trailer turnaround times and high staffing costs.
The company sought a system to streamline operations, reduce manual handling risks, and enhance overall efficiency when transferring air cargo between trailers and warehouses.
The Solution: Joloda Hydraroll’s Air Cargo Handling Equipment
Joloda Hydraroll designed, manufactured, and installed a fully integrated system consisting of a 20-foot truck dock and two 10-foot powered rollerbed positions. The configuration enables Schiphol Express to prepare or unload a full truck load (four 10-foot positions) more efficiently.
- Truck Dock
The truck dock system features hydraulic height and sideways adjustment for precise truck-to-dock alignment. Its 20-foot height allows two 10-foot PMC pallets or one 20-foot pallet to be unloaded from the trailer simultaneously. Once the pallets reach the end of the truck dock, the operator hydraulically lowers the dock to align with the powered rollerbed system.
The truck dock is also specified with a winch, enabling the towing of air cargo from trailers in cases where pallets become stuck, even if the trailer is fitted with pneumatic rollertrack, modular rollerbed systems, or powered cargo rollers. Since all air freight trailers are equipped with rollerbeds as a minimum standard, the winch serves as a backup to ensure smooth operations.
Additionally, trailer detection is integrated into the truck dock. The system automatically detects when a trailer is correctly aligned and ready to receive freight, further improving efficiency and safety.
- Powered Rollerbed
The powered rollerbed system consists of two 10-foot rollerbed positions that functions in conjunction with the truck dock to ensure the entire system operates as one seamless unit. Once the dock is aligned with the powered rollerbed, their motorised rollers propel air cargo further into the warehouse, eliminating manual handling and accelerating the workflow. The system is also equipped with weighing scales, enabling air cargo to be weighed and labelled with a printed sticker before further processing.
Automation plays a key role in making this a one-person operation. Photocell sensors automatically shut off the motors to prevent air cargo from being propelled beyond the length of the truck dock or powered rollerbed system, ensuring controlled and efficient cargo handling at all times.
Results: Unloading a full truck in minutes
The team at Schiphol Express has increased productivity and reduced operational costs since implementing the new air cargo handling system; automating the unloading process has reduced unloading times to just minutes per truckload.
Operators have also noted a smoother workflow, and the ability to handle higher cargo volumes has improved service levels for clients. The robust construction ensures durability under high-demand conditions, while the modular design and seamless integration with existing logistics processes has further reinforced the effectiveness of the installation and the opportunity for future expansion as cargo volumes grow.
Christophe Darras, Manager Operators at Schiphol Express, commented: “The installation of the air cargo handling equipment has transformed our operations. The automated system has significantly reduced trailer loading and unloading times, improved workflow efficiency, and enhanced safety for our team.
“The equipment has integrated with our existing processes seamlessly, allowing us to handle higher cargo volumes with greater reliability. This investment will be instrumental in optimising our logistics capabilities and performance.”
Conclusion
By installing Joloda Air Cargo Handling Equipment’s Truck Dock and Powered Rollerbed system, Schiphol Express has optimised its air cargo handling operations. This solution has streamlined workflows, improved efficiency, and reduced operational costs, reinforcing Schiphol Express’s position as a leader in air cargo logistics.
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