b'all sorts of areas where efficiencies can be made, as well as many other added benefits, says Leikas. Its not just the automation of mill logistics where big savings are made by having an unmanned operation, there is also the short turnaround times where our studies show that as much as 4-5million can be saved in transportation costs. Think about a mill that has 150 to 200 trucks coming in and out every day and having a turnaround time of 2 hours each. With a well-planned Figure 7. Aerial view of Phase 1 and Phase 2. automated system, a 20 minute turnaround is completely viable. Added to this is increased customer The fact is, its only when the railwaySHORT PAYBACK TIME satisfaction with better and more wagons are on the tracks and thePesmel has found that due to theconsistent delivery times. trucks on the road that products areincreased efficiencies across the whole moving to their destinations. The aimlogistics chain, major savings can beAnother bonus of a fully automated of Pesmels systems is to shortenmade with reduced pay back timeslogistics system is the reduced damage the lead and turnaround times andon a complete system varying from asto bales and rolls due to dramatically basically to close those gaps.little as three to five years. There arereduced forklift and manual handling. Another bonus of a fully automated logistics system is the reduced damage to bales and rolls due to dramatically reduced forklift and manualFigure 8. Its not just the automation of mill logistics where big savings are made by having an unmanned operation, there is handling. also the short turnaround times where Pesmels studies show that millions can be saved in transportation costs.WORLD PULP&PAPER 43'