Robson helping to reduce the airport misery for passengers

TOUGH security measures to protect travellers from terrorists have helped to boost sales at a Yorkshire firm which dates from Edwardian times.

In the early 20th century, Geo Robson’s self-propelled cinder washing machine was the talk of Britain’s engineering industry, despite its resemblance to a device dreamed up by the artist Heath Robinson.

Today, the company often takes on a trouble-shooting role at major airports that are suffering from bottlenecks as passengers make their way from the terminal to the aircraft, and vice versa.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A spokesman said the company, which specialises in developing conveyor systems, uses a computer simulator to try and find ways of getting passengers through an airport as quickly, and safely, as possible.

The Sheffield-based company has secured a contract to replace the hold baggage system (HBS) at Jersey Airport.

The work was won on the back of contracts secured with BAA at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports,

The HBS is an automated mechanical system that carries checked-in baggage through a screening and sorting process so it is ready to be loaded on to the aircraft.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The £1.5m project is underway and will be completed by early May. The airport welcomes around 1.46m passengers a year.

Jon Skidmore, a spokesman for Geo Robson & Co (Conveyors), said: “The current system, which was installed in 1997 as part of the development of the departures terminal, has now reached the end of its working life and is beyond economic repair.”

Twenty five wagons were used to transport three X-ray machines, 50 baggage conveyors and two carousels from the Robson factory in Darnall, near Sheffield, to Jersey.

Robson’s baggage handling and screening integration system has achieved sales in the first quarter of around £3m. Orders have been received from airports such as Belfast, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Cardiff, Southend and Aberdeen.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ian Davies, Robson’s airport project manager, said: “With the extra anti-terrorism security measures that have been implemented by the airport authorities, Robson’s integrated hold baggage screening systems have proved successful in providing systems that allow fast scanning with minimal delays for passengers.”

Geo Robson & Co has worked in the airport sector since the 1980s.

According to the company, bottlenecks can be caused at airports by conveyors moving at the wrong speed or check-in staff loading bags incorrectly.

“Security is a big part of the business,’’ said Mr Skidmore. “The new scanners and X-ray machines need new feed processes.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Robson Group, which includes Geo Robson & Co and Rotherham-based RJD Engineering, has 130 staff and an annual turnover of around £25m.

Geo Robson & Co is making large sugar handling conveyor systems for Yemen, salt handling systems for Saudi Arabia, and steel handling equipment which is bound for Australia.

It is also manufacturing oil exploration equipment for Norway and Brazil.

Earlier this month, Robson finalised the installation of biomass handling equipment at the coal-fired Drax power station, near Selby.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Robson is supplying 15 biomass airglide conveyors, which use a cushion of air instead of the traditional rollers.

This method reduces friction between the belt and the bed of the conveyor, and cuts power consumption.

The company is the preferred supplier for E.ON’s new biomass plant at the disused Blackburn Meadows site, near Meadowhall in Sheffield.

The plant received planning permission in 2008, and work is expected to begin on site this year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

According to E.ON, the new renewable plant will produce enough power for around 40,000 homes by burning waste wood.

In environmental terms, it will be the equivalent of taking 20,000 cars off Britain’s roads each year.

E.ON wants to use the development to supply heat to neighbouring commercial developments.

It’s hoped the project will bring new jobs and investment to Sheffield.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Skidmore added: “Robson is committed to educating and steering young people into engineering, with programmes such as the schoolwork experience programme.

“With modern apprenticeships and further education, the company is passing on its traditional engineering skills and values.”

Robson’s Sheffield operation and its subsidiary RJD Engineering have more than 13,300 square metres of workshop space.

It can assemble systems in-house for testing before shipment. The company is reporting strong demand in the environmental sector, where its products can be used to handle hazardous waste.

Group known for originality

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

IN 1906, Geo Robson’s first contract was for the princely sum of 2s 6d. The order came from Cadburys and was for a piece of bright drawn shaft.

The company was renowned for its inventiveness. Apart from a track grinder for tram rail preparation, it also created an exotic-looking device that cleaned the cinder beds in sewage works. The company’s products were renowned for their reliability

A conveyor system made by the company for the London postal region in 1929 was still working in the early 1980s. The company soon started exporting to countries such as Kenya and New Zealand.