Due to legal requirements, the Mexican cement manufacturer Cruz Azul has to change its production from 50- to 25-kg bags. The company will have to handle twice the amount of bags while maintaining the same capacity. In order to meet this logistical challenge, Cruz Azul has commissioned Beumer Group to supply 14 high-capacity palletizers.

With its head office in Mexico City, the Cooperativa La Cruz Azul is one of the leading cement manufacturers in Mexico. The company has four plants in the country, with the main plant in the state of Hidalgo. In addition to cement lines, Cruz Azul also operates building material lines. What has been partly implemented in Europe and the US for decades is now coming into effect in Mexico: The government has decided to switch from 50- to 25-kg bags at the beginning of 2023. This change will be implemented in order to protect the health of the workers who have to lift and carry these bags.

Cruz Azul must be able to bag, palletize, and pack twice the quantity of cement bags, while maintaining the same production capacity. For example, with a total tonnage of 150 tn/hr, 6,000 bags currently require more than 90 pallets. A pallet has to be handled every 40 seconds. In order to meet this logistical challenge in the four plants, the manufacturer has commissioned Beumer Group to supply 14 high-performance palletizers. One Beumer system achieves an output of 5,500 to 6,000 bags per hour.

COVID-19 presented a particular challenge with this project. Due to the pandemic, it was not possible for Beumer experts to be on site. All concepts were discussed, debated, and agreed to online and with the support of the local group company in Mexico City. Despite the tight supply situation, Beumer Group plans to deliver the first five palletizers in the third quarter of 2022. The other nine machines will follow by 2023.