Carter Holt Harvey Tissue in Hamilton, New Zealand, has not only one of the finest production lines of tissue products, but also one of the most competitive, cost efficient and advanced conveyor systems in the world with the support of the global FlexLink network. The project linked two of the most competitive companies in their respective markets. The situation faced by Carter Holt Harvey Tissue was the need to improve and update production capabilities.

Proven track record in the paper converting industry 
The main reasons Carter Holt Harvey Tissue opted for a FlexLink solution were flexibility, quality, short installation time, and FlexLink’s proven track record in the paper converting industry. 

“We produce a large variety of bathroom tissue and kitchen hand towels and really needed a system that could accommodate all our products. FlexLink’s cascade matrix system can handle all our different product sizes, as well as allowing us to feed products from any one of our log saws to any one of our wrappers”, says Dave Buick, Factory Manager, Carter Holt Harvey Tissue.

Free valuable floor space with cascade matrix system
“To free up valuable floor space and maximize operator access to machinery we decided to install the cascade matrix system over-head, with 3 m clearance giving operators and fork lifts good access when maneuvering around the plant manufacturing of their toilet tissue and kitchen hand towel products”, says Mattias Perjos, FlexLink.

The cascade matrix conveyor system consists of elevators, conveyors, diverters, and chutes. The elevators take the products from the out feed of the log saw and bring them overhead into the matrix system. In the matrix, products are diverted to the right wrapper and de-elevated using either chutes or decline conveyors.

Extremely short installation time 
Facing some of the most common yet toughest challenges such as lack of space and extremely short installation time, the FlexLink solution required for the Carter Holt Harvey Tissue project was needed above all to be modular and flexible. 

“To minimize production down-time during the project, we could only allow FlexLink two weeks for installation of the first main line and just above one month for the total system. This worked out very well and we were actually ahead of our production schedule at the end of the project”, says Dave Buick. By working closely with FlexLink engineers, Carter Holt Harvey employees required to work with the conveyor system were able to assist in the implementation of the system, hence no further training in handling the conveyor system was needed after its completion. 

“We’re wrapped” 
The implementation of the FlexLink cascade matrix conveyor system has ensured numerous benefits for the company not to mention cost efficiency, flexibility, lower maintenance and the performance of a high quality conveyor system supported by a global FlexLink network. 

Upon asking Cater Holt Harvey how they felt a few months after the completion of their FlexLink conveyor system David Buick simply stated: “We’re wrapped”.