CASE STUDY:  

Supporting Growth with Efficient Infrastructure

Gatwick Airport Reduces Energy Use and Simplifies Baggage System Operations

Gatwick Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom relies on a highly efficient baggage handling system to manage millions of passengers each year. As passenger volumes continued to grow, the airport required a scalable solution to support increasing throughput while maintaining reliability and operational efficiency.

By partnering with SEW-EURODRIVE, Gatwick Airport implemented a decentralized drive solution using MOVIGEAR® technology that reduced energy consumption, simplified system architecture, and improved long-term performance across its baggage handling operations.

Challenge:

Growing Demand and System Complexity 

Gatwick Airport required a major upgrade to its baggage handling system to support increasing passenger volumes while improving efficiency and reliability. The existing system relied on numerous drive variants and centralized components, creating complexity in maintenance, inventory, and energy usage.

Challenges:

  • Rising throughput demand requiring scalable infrastructure
  • High energy consumption across conveyor systems
  • Excessive drive variants increasing spare parts and maintenance burden
  • Complex system architecture limiting efficiency and flexibility

"For our new luggage transportation systems at Gatwick Airport, it was important to install reliable and powerful drives. As a result, our key criteria were absolute reliability and energy efficiency, in order to implement Gatwick's envisaged sustainable environmental objectives, summarized under the "Decade of Change", such as a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions."
—  Alex Adams, Head Engineer – Luggage Systems, Gatwick Airport

 

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Luggage Transportation
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MOVIGEAR®
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MOVIGEAR® energy efficiency

Solution:

Integrated, Decentralized MOVIGEAR® System 

SEW-EURODRIVE implemented a decentralized drive concept using MOVIGEAR® mechatronic drive system, combining motor, gear unit, and electronics into a single compact unit. This approach simplified the system while improving efficiency and maintainability.

  • Integrated mechatronic design: Motor, gearing, and electronics in one unit
  • Energy-efficient operation: IE4 motors reduce power consumption
  • Variant reduction: Standardized drive configurations
  • Plug-and-play installation: Simplified replacement and commissioning
  • Decentralized architecture: Eliminated large control cabinets
  • Reduced installed power: Optimized system-wide energy usage

More than 1,500 units were deployed across the baggage handling system.

"Our market research identified that the MOVIGEAR® drive series from SEW-EURODRIVE best met our criteria. We subsequently installed 1,500 drive units and included the specification in our technical standards."
—  Alex Adams, Head Engineer – Luggage Systems, Gatwick Airport

 

Results

Lower Energy Use and Simplified Operations 

The implementation of MOVIGEAR® across Gatwick’s baggage handling system delivered measurable improvements in both operational efficiency and system performance. By simplifying the drive architecture and reducing energy demand, the airport achieved both immediate and long-term benefits.

  • 30–50% reduction in energy consumption
  • Reduced to just 7 drive variants
  • Lower installation and commissioning costs
  • Improved system reliability with fewer components
  • Scalable platform supporting future expansion

Why It Matters

By standardizing and decentralizing the drive architecture, SEW-EURODRIVE enables customers to reduce system complexity, improve energy efficiency, and streamline maintenance. The result is a more reliable, scalable solution that supports long-term operational performance while lowering total cost of ownership.

Application Summary:

Application Areas:

  • Baggage Handling System

SEW-EURODRIVE Product(s):

  •  MOVIGEAR® Mechatronic Drive System 

CUSTOMER:

 Gatwick Airport / London, UK

INDUSTRY:

Airport Logistics

APPLICATION:

Baggage Handling System

PREVIOUS TECHNOLOGY:

Numerous Drive Variants

SOLUTION:

MOVIGEAR Mechatronic Drives

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About SEW-EURODRIVE

Founded in 1931 in Bruchsal, Germany, SEW-EURODRIVE is a global leader in Industrial Automation, with operations in over 50 countries, 17 manufacturing plants, 92 assembly facilities, and more than 21,000 employees. The company holds over 1,000 patents, continuously driving technological advancements in gearmotors, frequency inverters, servo drives, and Industry 4.0 solutions.

SEW-EURODRIVE provides engineered solutions in countless industries, including automotive, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, mining, steel, logistics, energy, and more, providing customized automation solutions that enhance efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. Despite its global reach, SEW-EURODRIVE remains family-owned, ensuring long-term vision, strong values, and a commitment to excellence.

SEW-EURODRIVE. Driving the World™

SEW-EURODRIVE, Inc.
220 Finch Road
Wellford, SC 29385
(P): (864) 439-7537
cslyman@seweurodrive.com
www.seweurodrive.com 

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