When it comes to designing the best material handling systems, choosing the right conveyor type is crucial. For many UK-based warehouses, production lines, and fulfilment centres, the debate often comes down to one key decision:
Belt conveyors or roller conveyors?
Understanding the differences between these two is essential if you want to reduce downtime, optimise throughput, and get the most value from your equipment investment.
We’ve been helping UK manufacturers and logistics businesses make the right choice by designing bespoke conveyor systems built around their needs.
What's the Difference?
🟦 Belt Conveyors
Belt conveyors use a continuous loop of fabric or rubber that moves over pulleys to transport items. They’re ideal for handling smaller, delicate, or irregularly shaped products. The belt provides a smooth surface, which minimises product damage and is well-suited for items that can’t be supported by rollers.
Best for:
- Lightweight items
- Small or unstable products
- Inclined transport
- Quiet, controlled movement
🟧 Roller Conveyors
Roller conveyors move goods along a bed of rollers—either powered (driven rollers) or unpowered (gravity-fed). They’re excellent for transporting flat-bottomed or heavier items in a fast-paced industrial setting.
Best for:
- Heavy or sturdy products
- Boxes, totes, and pallets
- High-speed distribution
- Straight-line or accumulation setups
✅ How to Choose the Right Conveyor
Every business has different requirements, and selecting the wrong system can lead to bottlenecks, equipment damage, or increased labour costs.
Ask yourself:
- What size and shape are the products you’re moving?
- Are they heavy, fragile, or unstable?
- Does your process need accumulation zones?
- Do you require curves, inclines, or automated sorting?
A custom-designed conveyor system built specifically for your operation can eliminate inefficiencies and scale with your growth. That’s why UK manufacturers increasingly turn to bespoke conveyors that match their workflow, rather than adapting processes to fit off-the-shelf systems.
Built in Britain, Backed by Expertise
Conveyor Systems Ltd manufactures and supplies both belt and roller conveyor systems entirely in the UK. Our team collaborates closely with clients to design systems that solve real-world challenges—from e-commerce fulfilment to large-scale factory automation.
Every project is designed for durability, low maintenance, and maximum performance. Whether you need a small conveyor for your packing line or a full turnkey conveyor system, we can help.
Learn More
Explore our website guide to choosing the right conveyor system:
👉 Belt vs. Roller Conveyors
And if you're looking for a custom-built conveyor designed and manufactured in Britain, visit:
🌐 www.conveyorsystems.co.uk
Contact us:
01482 363445
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