Automated Parcel and Postal Sortation for Ecommerce, Mailhouses and Distribution
As parcel volumes increase and customers expect faster deliveries, businesses need efficient ways to process, sort and route increasingly large numbers of items.
Automated parcel and postal sortation systems help reduce manual handling, improve accuracy and increase throughput across ecommerce warehouses, mailhouses, fulfilment centres and distribution operations.
E&B supplies automated sortation and ecommerce packaging solutions designed around different products, volumes and operational requirements. From books and flat items through to ecommerce parcels and high-volume distribution, we work with customers to identify systems that improve the flow of products from packing through to dispatch.
What is Parcel and Postal Sortation?
Thermoforming is a manufacturing process used to produce plastic packaging and components by heating a thermoplastic sheet until it becomes pliable, then forming it over a mould using vacuum, pressure or mechanical force. Once cooled, the finished product is trimmed to create the final component, ready for packing or further processing.
The process offers an excellent balance of production speed, repeatability and cost efficiency, and provides manufacturers with flexibility across different materials, product designs and production volumes.
Depending on the application, parcels and postal items can be sorted according to factors such as:
Destination
Delivery route
Order
Product type
Size
Weight
Customer
Carrier
Dispatch requirements
Automating this process can increase throughput while reducing repetitive manual handling and the potential for sorting errors.
Our Products
Drop Pocket Sorter
E-Wrap & Fast Pack
Tilt Trays & Sorters
Why Invest in Automated Parcel Sortation?
For high-volume ecommerce, postal and distribution operations, sortation can quickly become a bottleneck if it relies too heavily on manual processes.
Increase Throughput
Automated systems allow significantly larger volumes of parcels and postal items to be processed consistently.
This helps businesses increase capacity without requiring a corresponding increase in manual sorting activity.
Improve Sortation Accuracy
Automated routing helps ensure parcels reach the correct destination, reducing the potential for errors during busy production periods.
Reduce Manual Handling
Automation reduces the number of repetitive sorting and handling tasks that need to be completed manually.
This allows warehouse and production teams to concentrate on activities where human input provides greater value.
Manage Peak Demand
Ecommerce and postal volumes can fluctuate significantly throughout the year.
Automated sortation provides additional capacity to help businesses manage seasonal peaks, promotional periods and increases in order volumes.
Improve the Flow to Dispatch
Efficient sortation helps create a smoother transition between packing and dispatch, reducing bottlenecks towards the end of the fulfilment process.
Parcel Sortation for Ecommerce Fulfilment
Ecommerce has transformed the demands placed on warehouse and distribution operations.
Large numbers of individual orders may need to be picked, packed, labelled, sorted and dispatched through different carriers and delivery routes within a relatively short period.
Automated parcel sortation helps connect these different stages.
Once an order has been packed, the parcel can move automatically through the sortation process and be directed towards the appropriate carrier, route or dispatch area.
Combined with automated ecommerce packaging, this can create a more efficient workflow from order preparation through to final dispatch.
Postal Sortation for Mailhouses and Direct Mail
Mailhouses and postal operations often need to process large quantities of items accurately and efficiently.
Automated postal sortation can support the handling of:
- Books
- Magazines
- Catalogues
- Direct mail
- Flat items
- Polywrapped products
- Paper-wrapped mail
- Ecommerce products
The right system depends on the products being processed, their dimensions, required throughput and the way items need to be grouped or distributed.
Our Parcel and Postal Sortation Solutions
E&B supplies a range of technologies for automated parcel handling, ecommerce packaging and postal sortation.
Drop Pocket Sorters
Drop pocket sorting systems are particularly suited to products such as books and flat items.
Individual products can be automatically distributed into designated pockets before being consolidated into the required orders or groups.
This provides an efficient way to automate sorting operations involving large numbers of individual items.
Tilt Tray & Cross-Belt Sorters
Tilt tray and cross-belt sortation technology provides a high-speed solution for larger ecommerce and distribution operations.
Items travel through the system before being automatically discharged at the appropriate destination according to the required sorting criteria.
These systems can support high-throughput applications where speed, accuracy and reliable parcel routing are essential.
E-Wrap & Fast Pack
Automated ecommerce packaging can be integrated into the wider fulfilment and sortation process.
E&B’s ecommerce packaging solutions can wrap at speeds of up to 3,500 packages per hour, providing a high-speed route from order preparation through to sortation and dispatch.
Paper and poly wrapping options are available, including alternatives designed to help businesses reduce their reliance on conventional plastic packaging.
Sitma Parcel Sortation Systems
E&B works with Sitma to provide advanced parcel and postal automation technology.
Sitma systems combine automated conveyors, sorting mechanisms and intelligent software to categorise and route items efficiently according to the requirements of the operation.
Choosing the Right Parcel Sortation System
Every fulfilment, postal and distribution operation has different requirements.
Selecting the right sortation technology depends on factors including:
- Parcel or product dimensions
- Product weight
- Required throughput
- Number of destinations
- Order profile
- Available floor space
- Existing packaging equipment
- Carrier requirements
- Warehouse software
- Peak volumes
- Future growth plans
E&B works with customers to understand the wider operation before recommending the most appropriate solution.
Connecting Packaging, Sortation and Dispatch
Sortation should not be considered in isolation.
The greatest efficiencies can often be achieved when packaging, identification, sortation and dispatch operate as part of a connected process.
A typical automated workflow may include:
Order picking
Automated packaging
Labelling and identification
Parcel sortation
Carrier or route allocation
Dispatch
Integrating these stages can reduce unnecessary handling and help create a more efficient flow of orders through the fulfilment operation.
Which Businesses Use Parcel and Postal Sortation Systems?
Ecommerce Fulfilment
Automate the processing of high volumes of individual customer orders before carrier collection and dispatch.
Mailhouses
Improve the sorting and distribution of direct mail, catalogues, publications and other postal products.
Distribution Centres
Route products efficiently between different destinations, delivery routes and dispatch areas.
Publishers & Book Distribution
Automate the sorting and consolidation of books, magazines and other flat products.
Retail & Omnichannel Fulfilment
Support businesses processing a combination of ecommerce, retail and distribution orders from the same facility.
Supporting Faster and More Efficient Ecommerce Fulfilment
Customer expectations around delivery speed continue to increase.
For fulfilment operations, this means individual orders need to move quickly and accurately through picking, packaging, sortation and dispatch.
Automation provides an opportunity to remove bottlenecks from this process while creating additional capacity for future growth.
By combining automated packaging and sortation technology, businesses can increase throughput while maintaining greater control over how orders move through the warehouse.
Parcel Sortation as Part of Warehouse Automation
Parcel sortation can form part of a much wider intralogistics and ecommerce automation strategy.
Depending on the operation, sortation systems can work alongside:
- Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
- Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
- Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS)
- Automated ecommerce packaging
- Conveyors
- Warehouse management systems
- Palletising systems
Connecting these technologies can help create an efficient flow of goods from storage and picking through to packaging and final dispatch.
Why Choose E&B?
Introducing automated sortation requires more than selecting a piece of equipment.
The right solution needs to consider the products being handled, order volumes, packaging formats, warehouse layout, required throughput and the systems already operating within the facility.
E&B works with specialist manufacturers including Sitma to develop parcel, postal and ecommerce automation solutions around each customer’s individual requirements.
From initial consultation and equipment specification through to installation, integration and ongoing support, our team can help businesses invest in automation that delivers reliable performance and long-term value.
Frequently asked questions
What is an automated parcel sortation system?
An automated parcel sortation system identifies and routes parcels to the appropriate destination using conveyors, sorting mechanisms and control technology, reducing the need for manual sorting.
What types of products can be sorted?
Depending on the equipment, automated systems can sort ecommerce parcels, books, magazines, catalogues, direct mail, flat items and a wide range of packaged products.
How are parcels automatically sorted?
Parcels can be identified and routed according to criteria such as destination, carrier, delivery route, size, weight or order requirements.
Can parcel sortation integrate with automated packaging?
Yes. Packaging and sortation equipment can be integrated to create a connected process that moves orders from packing through to carrier allocation and dispatch.
How fast can automated ecommerce packaging operate?
E&B’s ecommerce packaging solutions can wrap at speeds of up to 3,500 packages per hour, depending on the system, product and application.
What is the difference between a drop pocket sorter and a tilt tray sorter?
Drop pocket sorters are particularly suited to sorting and consolidating products such as books and flat items. Tilt tray and cross-belt systems are designed for high-speed routing of individual items across larger ecommerce and distribution operations.
How do I choose the right parcel sortation system?
The right solution depends on your products, volumes, required destinations, available space, existing packaging systems and future growth requirements. E&B can assess the wider operation and recommend the most appropriate automation solution.
Speak to E&B About Parcel & Postal Sortation
Whether you’re looking to increase parcel throughput, automate postal sorting or create a more efficient ecommerce fulfilment process, E&B can help.
Our experienced team can review your packaging, sortation and dispatch requirements and help identify the most appropriate automation solution for your operation.