Take a walk behind

US manufacturer WASP (now FAST Global Solutions) offers a walk-behind beltloader that features easy, safe operation at a fraction of the cost of a drivable beltloader. To achieve this, WASP has eliminated the drive components to increase the unit’s longevity and to lower maintenance requirements, whilst reducing costs for the air travel and cargo handling industries.

The towable units keep packages and luggage moving as fast as 100 feet (30 meters) per minute, without sacrificing control. The belt operates at variable speeds in forward and reverse for easy loading and unloading, obviating the need for the operator to reposition the machine.

The manufacturer has also announced the production of a new side-tow European dolly. This innovative transporter features a patent-pending pivoting front towbar designed to increase safety and maneuverability. FAST engineers incorporated a foot-activated, quick-release mechanism that easily unlocks the towbar, allowing it to pivot right or left to connect to a tug or another dolly. Once transport begins and the towbar straightens, the mechanism automatically locks the towbar into a straight position for towing.

German technology comes to the US

Materna, the Germany-based developer and supplier of automated passenger handling systems and solutions, opened its own US office in Orlando, in October. The move enables Materna to promote its well-established products and solutions for the aviation sector in the US marketplace. In co-operation with its local partner, Ultra Electronics Airport Systems, Materna has begun delivering passenger handling systems at a large regional airport in California.

At the recent FTE Global, in Las Vegas, Materna focussed on presenting its latest generation of automatic common-use baggage handling and self-tagging solutions. Regarded as one of the real innovators in this sector, Materna has implemented the current self-bag drop standard set by IATA and has integrated components for cashless payments in common-use environments. Materna’s solution offers passengers the opportunity to hand in their baggage by themselves, irrespective of desk opening times. Should baggage weight allowances be exceeded, Materna also calculates the excess baggage charge, which can then be paid on the spot. This new bag drop solution can be deployed by airport operators as a fully automatic system at unmanned kiosks or as a solution accompanied by staff for different airlines.

Continental opens first commercial tire retread facility in Vegas

CMC Tire, a full service tire dealer, and Continental Tire the Americas are celebrating their partnership with the opening of their first commercial tire retread facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.

An opening ceremony was held at the new 25,000 square-foot facility, which will be able to produce up to 24,000 retread tires a year, eventually increasing to a production capacity of 48,000. This will facilitate the service of more than 300 customers and create 18 new job positions.

At the grand opening, CMC Tire announced plans to service both southern Utah and the greater Las Vegas area with new and retread tires, with the latter made using Continental’s ContiTrac premium retreading solution, which extends the overall life of the tire.