YORK, Pa. – The Free Lance–Star, one of the most progressive smaller daily newspapers in the United States, has contracted Westfalia Technologies, Inc. to build an Automated Storage & Retrieval System (AS/RS) at their new facility in Fredericksburg, VA. This facility will be dedicated to the printing of newspapers and other commercial printing work, as well as providing post-press inserting operations. 

 

Westfalia will provide an automated warehousing solution capable of storing both rolls of newsprint and pallets of Free Standing Inserts (FSI’s). Free standing inserts are advertising supplements, often in full color, which typically are printed outside of the printing facility and inserted into the newspaper before delivery. In addition to the AS/RS, the Westfalia integrated system will also include a custom designed roll preparation station and newsprint lay-down system. This equipment directed by Savanna.NET Warehouse Management System (WMS), will interface with the AS/RS warehouse to temporarily store prepared newsprint rolls in advance of on-demand automatic delivery and loading onto one of four Goss International Corp. FPS press reel-stands.

 

The Free Lance–Star is a family owned and operated newspaper which dates back to 1885. The current owners are 3^rd and 4^th generation descendents of one of the founders. Publisher Josiah Rowe III has been with the paper for over 50 years and has expanded the company to include the daily newspaper, a weekly TMC, the website Fredericksburg.com, four radio stations, and a phone directory  of area businesses.  

 

Westfalia will be installing a high density AS/RS in one aisle complete with a Storage/Retrieval Machine, air-chain accumulation conveyors, and Savanna.NET® Warehouse Management System (WMS). Our patented Satellite® entry vehicle will store pallet loads and newsprint rolls in 4-deep and 5-deep storage lanes in racks six levels high. All pallets will be supported on our 3-rail system which provides a safer, more reliable system as pallet deflection/breakage is eliminated. Westfalia’s air-chain conveying system will supply a smoother process flow of non-contacting pallets accumulating to the post press area. This affords  the necessary buffer for smoothing peak operations, as well as ample load staging to get ahead of FSI and newsprint demand profiles. 

 

Westfalia’s modular Warehouse Management System (WMS) Savanna.NET controls the movement and storage of all pallets within the facility. When signaled, Savanna.NET directs the Storage/Retrieval Machines to retrieve the pallets from storage and place them on the out-feed conveyor. The system then directs fork truck operators to pick up the pallets and deliver them to the proper collator via fork truck-mounted computers. All FSI pallets remain in full control of Savanna.NET from storage to collator consumption.

 

The economical and environmental benefits of the Westfalia’s Go Green with High Density AS/RS attracted The Free Lance–Star. The multiple-deep design has major financial benefits as more storage in less space equates to reduced building construction costs, lower sustainable operating costs (lower energy, labor, product waste costs) and increased accuracy. Plus the automated warehouse design uses a smaller building footprint, thereby having less impact on the environment.

 

According to Al Kafka, Newspaper Sales Specialist for Westfalia Technologies, more newspapers and printers are selecting Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems to handle the time- and labor-intensive task of storing and conveying newspapers, inserts and paper rolls throughout their warehouses and plants. “Like most businesses, newspaper and printing companies are looking for increased efficiencies in their operations,” says Kafka. “Our AS/RS equipment and WMS reduce warehouse space requirements, increase efficiency and accuracy, and ultimately, save money.”

 

The target completion date for the new Free Lance Star facility is March 2009.

 

Westfalia’s other recent pressroom/print projects include a high density AS/RS for The Dallas Morning News, an automated pallet handling system for The Boston Globe and three high density AS/RS for QUAD Graphics of Sussex, Wisconsin.

 

Westfalia Technologies, Inc. is a leader in providing logistical software and material handling equipment for plants, warehouses and distribution centers. Our expertise combining software (WMS) development with machinery manufacturing (AS/RS, Pallet Flow, Conveyors, etc.) means Westfalia is able to deliver turn-key solutions to meet each client’s specific needs with unsurpassed quality and control. To find out more about our products please visit www.WestfaliaUSA.com.

 

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For more information please contact:
Laura Worker
717.764.1115, ext. 111
lworker@westfaliaUSA.com