Southwest Manufacturing News • February 2017 • Heico Brings Three-Minute Automatic Truck Loading/Unloading Technology To U.S.

The Heico Companies LLC has acquired Ancra Systems B.V., a provider of automatic truck loading/unloading systems, also known as ATLS. “Headquartered in Boxtel, Netherlands, Ancra Systems is one of only a few global specialists in its field and expands Heico holdings of cargo management entities,” said a company spokesperson.

“This acquisition will bring advanced loading system technology to the North American trucking and material handling sectors and extend the advantages of automation throughout the warehouse, to the docks and into the trailers,” said Steve Frediani, President and CEO of the Heico’s Ancra platform.

“Loading and unloading a 53-foot trailer with palletized cargo can commonly take between 30 and 45 minutes using a forklift,” said the spokesperson. “By contrast, loading and unloading a trailer using one of several automated systems from Ancra Systems can be accomplished in about three minutes.

“Traditional forklift-based cargo movement within a warehouse or on a dock can pose safety risks. OSHA statistics indicate that there are roughly 85 forkliftrelated fatalities and 34,900 serious injuries each year. With Ancra Systems, precision automation significantly reduces the opportunity for human error to adversely affect cargo movement within a facility, including its impact on the loading and unloading process.”

“Automation and the efficiencies it brings has already permeated many dimensions of manufacturing and warehouse operations in Europe and North America,” said Marc Hezemans, Managing Director for Ancra Systems B.V. “The difference is that many European operations have been enjoying the additional benefits of our automated truck loading and unloading systems for more than 20 years.”

Ancra Systems offers six distinct systems with custom design capabilities. Solutions include a Chain Conveyor System and Skate System for palletized freight, a Roller Conveyor System for air cargo, a Slat Conveyor System for mixed and palletized freight, a Plastic Belt System for mixed and palletized freight and a Belt Conveyor System for loose loaded parcels.

The company also offers two systems that require no trailer-mounted equipment interface. The Skate Loader and Load Runner Plus enable users to gain the advantages of ATLS without any need to upfit or retrofit trailers.

The company’s system applications are suitable for manufacturers or distributors of high-volume, relatively standardized products operating in closed-loop environments, JIT scenarios and certain one-way loading applications. Industries include trucking, logistics, material handling, food, beverage, cold chain and a wide variety of manufacturers, particularly Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers in close proximity to customers.

“We are excited to bring our automatic loading and unloading systems to the North American market, and we expect to have our North American sales and technical support in position by the end of the first quarter of 2017,” said Marcel Berkers, Sales Director for Ancra Systems B.V.