Innovative sorting system now also for web shops and smaller distribution centers 

Purchasing a sorting machine is often a multi-million dollar investment, intended for large distribution centers with hundreds of exits. But what if, as a smaller player, you still want to sort efficiently or temporarily need extra capacity at peak times? With the new Cross-Line Sorter, NDW presents a compact and flexible addition to their existing Cross Sorter, filling this gap in the market. A bull's eye as the first one will soon be delivered to the United States. “From England and Germany concrete projects are already underway, and during the Parcel & Post Expo we also noticed great interest from visitors,” says Ronald Kok, international key account manager at NDW.

The NDW Group has been a fixture in the intralogistics sector for nearly 50 years. The family business transformed in 2012 from roller factory to total supplier of integrated transport systems. The high-quality motor rollers, controllers and modular sorters are used worldwide.

Distinctive

NDW distinguishes itself in several areas. The company designs and manufactures all its products entirely in-house on Dutch soil and is the only total supplier in its market segment. Its own R&D department ensures that NDW can provide customized products and innovate continuously. “This department is also the reason why we can move quickly when customers ask for a specific modification. Moreover, our customers appreciate that we not only supply products, but also actively think along with them about the best solution for their logistics process,” Kok explains.

That distinctiveness can also be seen in their transportation systems. “With other systems, expansion is not possible. But because with us you can make a ninety-degree turn at the end of the sorter, after which you can move on again, that is possible.”

Another distinguishing feature is the type of packaging that can be processed: “Many sorting machines are only suitable for perfect cardboard boxes, but ours can also sort out polybags.”

Compact alternative

From the market, especially from smaller web shops and distribution centers, came the demand for a more compact, less expensive variant. “The new Cross-Line Sorter is actually a complete mini-sorting system that you can mount in an existing conveyor. A traditional sorter often has two hundred or more outlets, making it unaffordable for smaller companies,” Kok explained. “With the Cross-Line Sorter, they can still automate and save on manual sorting. It processes up to five thousand products per hour. This more compact system also consists of separate and mobile modules and can contain between five and forty outlets. You can work with twenty stations on Monday, so to speak, and thirty on Friday. That makes this system particularly flexible.”

Innovative total supporter

The launch of the Cross-Line Sorter underscores NDW's role as an innovative total supplier. “Currently we are trying to increase the speed of our controllers to 2.5 meters per second. We are often at trade shows and each time we try to show something new. That could be an application, a product or an improvement. In March, for example, we will take our BP120RTE controller to Logimatt Stuttgart. This versatile motor controller is an innovative powerhouse that works seamlessly with a PLC via PROFINET.”