The Netherlands-based Vanderlande Industries, a leader in automated materials handling solutions, has announced a long-term partnership that will see significant improvements to the baggage handling system at Cardiff Airport.
The partnership was agreed between the airport and the company’s UK subsidiary, Vanderlande Industries UK Ltd.
The five-year plan, designed by Vanderlande using its extensive experience in providing tailored baggage handling systems to airports of all sizes, comprises eight projects, including a renewal of the system’s parts that require replacement. Along with a belt replacement programme and a five-year maintenance contract that includes a spares consignment arrangement, the work will improve the reliability of Cardiff Airport’s baggage handling system and utilise its existing capabilities and capacities.
The maintenance deal will also help Cardiff Airport to achieve a more proactive approach to extend the life expectancy of the system.
Work is set to begin this winter with the installation of two make-up carousels, one of which will be installed to allow access for the HBS Standard 3 machine. This will be a fundamental step to prepare the airport for the upcoming project, which will involve installation and integration of a HBS standard 3 machine with the existing baggage system.
Along with the maintenance contract, long-term partnership with Vanderlande will take the airport beyond HBS Standard 3 installation, for which legislation is coming into force in September 2018.
The work is being carried out in a live environment and shall consider minimising disruption to the airport operations and passenger experience. During this time and to aid in a smooth project delivery, Vanderlande will be working closely with Cardiff Airport providing support for contingency measures.
As Gary Mc William, Vanderlande’s head of UK business development, points out: “This new contract is further evidence of Vanderlande’s ability to work with airports of all sizes throughout the country to help make them ready for the future. We see this agreement with Cardiff Airport as an opportunity to expand our contribution to the overall improvement of UK regional airports and their passengers’ experience.”
