The quarrying and aggregate industry is having to re-think its approach to environmental, social and governance responsibilities and Telestack is one of the main OEM’s leading the transformation in the material handling sector. 

Telestack have supplied electric powered conveyors for over three decades into mobile and static applications in a wide range of industries including quarries, mines and ports where electrically powered units is often considered the norm. Within the quarry, aggregate and sand and gravel sector where much more emphasis has been placed on diesel fuel consumption. 

Telestack are using their experience to spearhead the move from traditional track-mounted diesel-hydraulic equipment to a solution that promote environmental responsibility through the use of zero emission technology.

The quarrying industry is an important element in the pursuit of a decarbonised world. With the legislative moves to restrict the use of red diesel in the UK, aggregate producers are looking to OEM’s likes Telestack to not only provide solutions that cut emissions by ensuring green technologies are incorporated in the design of their equipment but also ensuring that good corporate citizenship is an significant part of how they do business.

Telestack’s International Sales Manager, Padraig McDermott remarks, “We are noticing a sizable shift in the attitude of our customer base who recognise the value in moving towards a more sustainable energy source. The benefits are too many to ignore and we as an OEM are committed to leading the way in clean technology, lowering our collective carbon footprint and adopting a green manufacturing approach. It is proving an important factor in retaining customers and attracting new customers who share our vision of a cleaner and more sustainable future. We have a range of options dependent on the needs of the customer from no engine, only using engine for relocation and set-up, using electric hydraulic powerpacks to run the tracks in parallel with electric drives to run the conveyor section or using battery technology for machine operation.”

The benefits of clean technology are many;

• The quick and easy set-up means that the tracked mounted conveyor can be plugged into the onsite mains power supply, into an onboard or onsite generator or powered from other primary equipment such as the crusher or screen.
• A much reduced environmental impact resulting in less noise,
• A safer site due to less site traffic and less human intervention
• A reduction in maintenance and downtime.
• A reduction in fuel consumption ensures better operational efficiency, ultimately using less kW to move more material. 
• The All Electric machine has a much longer life cycle (estimated up to 5 x times longer) when compared to a diesel machine making for a better return on capital invested.

Highly-regulated engines are often complex in structure (sensors, after-treatment, complex panels and looms), with often hard to reach access and could potentially struggle with the high level of exposure of dust and vibration found in a typical quarrying application. The reduction in complexity and ease with which to run, troubleshoot and maintain the zero-range units have had nothing but positive feedback from our dealers and customers alike.

 “Europe is the main driver on electric units, in-line with regulated engines getting more complicated. We’ve offered electric conveyors for almost 30 years and they have proven very effective. Many countries are now offering sizable rebates on their capital expenditure for green technology so we are seeing the shift in all sectors.”

McDermott says 2022 is set to be another successful year for Telestack, with its comprehensive model range in big demand across a wide range of mobile bulk material handling industries.

“Telestack have the widest range of around 30 track mounted models on offer to serve all parts of the market. Our sole focus is conveyors and their many applications. The Zero range ties into the needs of our broad customer base from the crushing and screening contractor, plant hire, the end user quarry operator customers, mine, stockyard, recycling and port sectors.”

For Telestack however their corporate citizenship goes beyond their technology utilised by their product mix. They make a concerted effort to integrate a corporate consciousness into their facilities, their supply chain, their ethos, processes, logistics, their energy efficiency, emissions reduction and water efficiency, along with improved worker safety and community relations.

“We have a team of Telestack volunteers who meet monthly to drive our internal “green initiatives” forward” explains McDermott “and they are empowered to identify issues, seek resolutions and drive green solutions internally. This spans from something as simple as getting involved in projects with local schools, to replacing older halogen bulbs on the shopfloor with high efficiency LED bulbs, waste management processes, increasing the number of E-charge points on site to investigating rain harvesting and alternative power solutions for the factories. Yes we encourage key green initiatives because our blue-chip customers prioritise OEM’s who are environmentally responsible, but more importantly we encourage these improvements, small and large, because it’s the right thing to do.”

Telestack recently finished the Phase 1 expansion of its manufacturing capacity with the opening of a new 45,000 sq. ft. energy-efficient factory on a green-field site close to their current 105,000 sq. ft. facility in Omagh. This facility incorporates a state-of-the-art manufacturing premises, a dedicated research and innovative development centre, and a modern office suite. The new factory investment followed Telestack’s near £4 million investment in its Bankmore site between 2017-2019, creating a state-of-the-art shot-blasting facility, two paint booths and additional manufacturing capabilities.