Leading ball transfer unit manufacturer agrees major refurbishment contract at Heathrow airport

Alwayse Ball Unit Solutions has supplied over 3,000 ball transfer units to be used as part of baggage and cargo handling at Heathrow Terminal 5.

The units have been supplied to the terminal’s strategic baggage partner, Vanderlande.

They will replace a number of existing ball units also supplied by Alwayse, many of which have been in constant operation for over 24 hours a day since Terminal 5 opened in 2008.

Terminal 5 handles a significant portion of Heathrow’s overall cargo volume, which equated to over 1.43m tonnes in 2023.

The upgraded Vanderlande systems will use units from Alwayse’s Heavy Duty 8053015 series, which comprise a Ø30mm stainless steel bearing housed within a low-profile unit formed from a single steel body.

With a maximum load of 350kg per ball transfer unit, ground operations and cargo handling teams can easily manoeuvre heavy items of cargo and unit load devices (ULDs) safely and efficiently, without the need for additional power sources.

Graham Clarke, Buyer at Vanderlande, said: “At Vanderlande, our commitment to delivering exceptional automated material handling solutions requires components that exemplify reliability and durability. That’s why we rely on Alwayse Ball Unit Solutions.

“In particular, the 805 units from Alwayse have consistently demonstrated superior performance and a long service life, making them a vital part of our operations.

“These units are specified in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines, further validating their exceptional quality and widespread industry acceptance.

“The quality construction of Alwayse’s ball transfer units ensures that they can withstand the rigorous demands of our applications, providing a smooth and dependable operation every time.”

Claire Umney, managing director of Alwayse Ball Unit Solutions, said: “Heathrow Terminal 5 is one of the most famous transport hubs in the world and our ball transfers units have played a pivotal role in the smooth handling of millions of tonnes of cargo over the past 17 years.

“We are excited to once again be working with the Vanderlande team on the delivery of 3,200 ball transfer units to keep Terminal 5 moving for many years to come.”

Click here for more information on Alwayse Ball Unit Solutions’ expertise in the air cargo industry.