Mailing service provider Kern Ltd has signed a partner agreement with automated technology manufacturer The Automation Group to distribute its innovative new iCart materials handling solution exclusively.
 
The iCart is a robotic guided vehicle system which eliminates the need for manually operated logistics systems and provides a way to move materials directly around the mail room with no operator involvement.
 
Pete Jolley, General Manager of Kern Ltd, said: "The iCart is a cutting edge product for the mailing industry. It removes the need for operators to manoeuvre heavy pallets around the mailroom and can work 24 hours a day, greatly improving productivity, reducing labour costs and without having to take breaks.
 
"We believe the iCart is potentially the next revolution in mailing industry and we are delighted to have the exclusive rights to sell the product to the market. This is our first partnership with The Automation Group and we are delighted to be working with the company.
 
The iCart adds to Kern's existing offerings and enables the company to fulfil all its customers' mail room needs.  The product can be used alongside systems such as the recently launched Kern 60 auto traying module, which stacks envelopes into postal trays, to both deliver raw materials to the system and take away the filled postal trays.
 
The iCart works by using radio frequency ID tags located around the mail room to enable it to determine the route it should follow to deliver or collect materials from a variety of locations.
 
Chris Smith, Managing Director of The Automation Group, said: "Working with Kern as our solutions partner for the mailing market we are able to offer customers something they have never had before. As well as removing labour costs, the iCart reduces energy costs and better utilises floor space.
 
"The iCart is fully automated and operates without user programming or a central control system, a considerable advantage over other automated vehicle systems."
 
The iCart will be launched at the Logistics Link exhibition taking place in Doncaster on 27th and 28th September.