A pneumatic tube system can cost anywhere from just under £2k for a simple single point set up, to £500k for large, multi zone networks. The overall cost will depend on several factors.
Pneumatic tube system cost factors
Some factors that will influence the cost of a pneumatic tube system include:
- Number of stations
- Distance / tube length
- Tube diameter
- System type (simple or smart e.g software control to manage multiple destinations)
- Any additional optional features or accessories
For small retailers with cash security the required application, one of our Safe-linK systems in 63mm tube, complete with a checkout sending station, blower and control panel, and a safe, can be installed for just under £2k.
On the other end of the scale the average 50 station, 6 zone, fully interconnecting and computer-controlled hospital pneumatic tube system could be anywhere from £250k to £500k depending on these cost factors.
Industrial applications can vary from a two station, short distance point to point system costing under £5k, to an immense system as used to cover several huge factories at Airbus Broughton, where millions have been invested, and returned on investment in months not years.
Cost of pneumatic tube systems vs Return on Investment
ROI – almost every pneumatic tube system we install is intended as time saving device to streamline a process and
save money. The most used application is in hospitals, pneumatic tube systems in UK hospitals save the NHS multiple millions of pounds annually.
The cost of a pneumatic tube system is offset on the cost incurred for human transportation of thousands of samples and pharmaceutical items daily in a busy general hospital, by staff or porters.
We estimate a hi-tech and fully state-of-the-art hospital dedicated air tube system pays for itself comfortably within the first year of installation, and with a lifecycle of at least 10 years of hard labour it will return the investment 10-fold in savings.
Aside from the financial benefits’ a hospital pneumatic tube system also streamlines the processes which improve patient care, and relives staff of repetitive walks to and from laboratories and pharmacies.
Cost benefits in industry
In the case of Airbus Broughton, the investment in their large diameter industrial pneumatic tube systems saves thousands of man hours weekly.
Replacing a former time consuming task of production line workers walking back and forward to mixing areas for two pack sealants with a centralised mixing bay and automated delivery to hundreds of points in the factories save millions of pounds annually.
Not to forget the added improvement to site safety eliminating passing thorough production areas to and from the collection points. And an investment in safety alone is a good reason for using an air tube conveyance system.
Benefits of cash security
Putting a ROI on cash or valuables security is not always as easily as when replacing costly repetitive
walks. The benefits may also be in risk reduction, mitigating the hazard of having too much cash in the till, or too much stock of other valuables at a counter.
Our Safe-linK range of cash to safe or strong room systems are budget priced and very efficient for risk reduction of robbery at smaller retail premises, robust, long lasting, and maintenance free.
Contact our team
If your interested in buying a pneumatic tube system, don’t hesitate to contact us, surveys and estimates are free of charge.
