Not so long ago, automatic sortation systems, especially high-speed ones, were less than standard in many warehouses and distribution centers. But as volumes increased and customers expected shipments in less time, sortation equipment has become a staple of many operations. Now it appears that getting a new shoe sorter onto the warehouse floor is going to take less time than ever too.

HK Systems (www.hksystems.com ) has introduced a new shoe sorter that can be configured so easily it "eliminates engineering lead time." In fact, Dan Quinn, senior vice president of HK Systems, called the new quiet WhisperSort "the first revolutionary product we've seen in quite awhile in sortation," when introducing it during a special news conference with Modern Materials Handling.

He explained that a special design featuring an automatic self-aligning assembly allows standard 10 foot sections of the sorter to be built. Diverts do not have to be set until the sorter arrives where it will be installed, eliminating the engineering lead time back at the factory. Installation time is cut considerably too.

Once in operation, the sortation system can be modified without extensive re-engineering typically required. It also runs at a noise level of only 75 decibels.