Leyland carries on trucking with conveyor deal

One of Lancashire's transport gems is delivering the goods to its suppliers thanks to a deal with a north west manufacturing firm.

Leyland Trucks took delivery of a bespoke overhead conveyor system from Greater Manchester-based KP Industries in a deal which has enhanced its reputation within the manufacturing industry. The £300,000 contract used state-of-the-art technology and encompassed a global supply chain to deliver the product ahead of schedule to the Lancashire truck manufacturing giant. KP Industries worked with world leaders in electronics, Schneider Electric and hoist equipment specialists Donati, as part of the project. KPI was founded in 2003 by Phil Cornell, the present managing director, to provide a complete service for the automation industry, specialising in supplying automated handling conveyors and special materials handling equipment to an increasingly competitive market. The company is experienced and has personnel with a wealth of design, manufacture and technical expertise to provide services across the industry, operating from its Rochdale factory headquarters. The base has recently been expanded after the company purchased a 5,000 sq ft test facility on the same industrial estate. Last year KPI enjoyed a record turnover of £3m and has also worked with a number of household names including JCB and Jaguar Land Rover. KPI worked with the project management team at Leyland on the project which will move engines from their assembly point across its factory and lower them into their final position. The unique system was fitted with a maintenance hospital bay for any amendments which needed to be made before the engines reached their final position. Managing director Phil Cornell said: “To be entrusted with such an important project by a company with the reputation of Leyland Trucks came with a responsibility for KP Industries, we delivered a quality product in a safe manner and one our customer is delighted with. “KPI undertook all the pre-installation work out of hours in order to minimise disruption and the final assembly was done over a weekend so the production line could be up and running for a Monday morning start. “It was a real team effort by my staff and I am delighted the project was such a success.”