Linde provides forklifts to support flood relief efforts

Linde Material Handling is continuing to support reconstruction efforts in central Europe following the devastating floods that struck the region earlier this year.

Even more than three months after the devastating floods that had taken place along the rivers Ahr, Kyll or Erft, many places in this part of western Germany are still a scene of destruction. Back in August, Linde MH and network partner Linde Material Handling Rhein-Ruhr made various forklifts available to the German Red Cross (DRK) for an indefinite period of time – and these are still in use to help transport supplies to those affected and support reconstruction efforts.

“We were shocked by the extent of the damage and wanted to help by way of what we and our network partners can do best: high-performance goods handling,” says Stefan Prokosch, SVP Brand Management at Linde MH. To this end, the company unbureaucratically handed over numerous vehicles to the German Red Cross for their use for an indefinite period of time.

Since then, the forklifts have been used to move many tonnes of loads at various locations, helping to ensure that supplies reach the population and relief workers in addition to supporting clean-up and reconstruction work in the affected areas. In July, the parent company KION Group had already donated €1m in emergency aid to the German Red Cross.

Forklifts as flood helpers

To date, Linde Material Handling and its network partner have delivered more than a dozen industrial trucks to various DRK bases. Most of the equipment – forklifts and warehouse trucks with a load capacity of up to two tonnes – is used at collection points for relief supplies in Euskirchen and Alsdorf. Here, they help by unloading HGVs and transporting materials around the warehouse. “The vehicles were welcomed with great cheers,” reports Mirco Trautewig, who is responsible for marketing at Linde MH Rhein-Ruhr. “Before, there were often only manual pallet trucks available, the use of which required a lot of effort from volunteers.”

A larger diesel forklift with a load capacity of five tonnes is currently in use in the municipality of Grafschaft, district of Ahrweiler at the food distribution point set up there. From this central location, the German Red Cross supplies a total of twelve field kitchens in which up to 29,000 meals are prepared every day and distributed to those in need as well as to volunteers via 42 distribution points. With a load capacity of eight tonnes, the diesel forklift in use at the DRK’s collection and transshipment centre in Koblenz offers even more power.

This vehicle is utilised by Red Cross workers to unload power generators, drying devices and other heavy equipment, which is delivered from all over Germany by truck before being distributed from here to the flood-stricken areas. A team of employees from the Central Service, Truck Finish and Sales Germany departments in Aschaffenburg worked together to ensure that the two forklifts reached the affected region quickly. “Everyone pulled together and was enthusiastic about the project,” says Klaus Reichert, the sales representative responsible for Linde’s forklift pool.

One operation in the flooded area proved to be particularly precarious: A medium-sized company that had stored hazardous materials on its premises suffered the complete destruction of its warehouse and production facilities due to the massive ingress of water. “Only a short time after receiving the emergency call from our sales organisation, we were able to send a suitable explosion protection truck to the site, which has been helping with the clean-up work ever since,” says Marcel Fackert, Managing Director Linde Protected Solutions.

Yale truck ideal for landscaping expert

The new Yale UX Series range proved to be the ideal solution for the intermittent needs of German landscaping and horticultural company Ferdinand Wiese & Sohn GmbH.

Cities, towns and villages around the world are witnessing a resurgence in the use of outdoor spaces. They provide a place to unwind, to exercise, and to briefly forget the stresses of everyday life. These spaces don’t just miraculously appear; they require precise planning, regular upkeep and maintenance to remain a source of escapism. It may not be an application that requires a full fleet of materials handling equipment, but it is the perfect challenge to rise to for the new UX Series from Yale Europe Materials Handling.

Ferdinand Wiese & Sohn GmbH was established over 70 years ago. Based in and around Hamburg, it is an expert in the construction of new outdoor spaces, tree pruning, and maintenance. The company also builds children’s playgrounds in schools and public areas, providing new opportunities for kids to get outside for fresh air and have fun. Businesses can also rely on Ferdinand Wiese & Sohn to create tailormade and attractive recreation areas for their employees to enjoy.

Sowing the seeds of an idea

Ferdinand Wiese & Sohn needed to replace an existing truck in its building yard. The company was on the search for good quality machines that performed tasks well, but without superfluous features. To assist with finding the ideal solution, Ferdinand Wiese & Sohn turned to Yale dealer MF Gabelstapler.

“We are careful not to simply sell equipment to our customers; we work with them to find the perfect fit and configure it,” said Bendix Sperber, salesperson at MF Gabelstapler. “We design the solution personally with the customer. It doesn’t matter whether the customer needs a single device or a full fleet, everyone is of equal importance and receives first-class, personalised advice throughout the sales process.”

Taking into consideration the equipment being replaced in the work yard and the budget, both a used truck and a Yale Veracitor VX were suggested in the initial discussion. However, it was during an honest and direct moment during the conversation that it became clear the Yale UX Series was the way forward.

Nurturing the working environment

Ferdinand Wiese & Sohn was convinced by the level of performance of the Yale UX Series, as well as the attractive price. The company had perceived Yale to be a premium brand in the materials handling market, but learned through MF Gabelstapler that Yale offers new trucks for all budgets.

Daniel Hahn, CEO at Ferdinand Wiese & Sohn said: “We’re very pleased with the simple efficiency of the Yale GDP35UX. The Yale UX Series is a reliable all-rounder that can handle our intermittent tasks easily. The price was unbeatable.”

The combination of affordability and the personal service from MF Gabelstapler enabled Yale to plant its first roots with Ferdinand Wiese & Sohn.

Used in the loading and offloading of trucks, the Yale UX Series truck moves a variety of loads around the yard. These are mainly pallets of goods but can often include big bags or, on rare occasions, attachments for the tractors and earthmovers. To enable it to transport these bulky loads with ease, the Yale truck features side shift and fork extensions.

The forklift’s ability to adjust from light to medium use in these occasional activities was a feature that particularly impressed the customer. “We can enjoy the security of the brand-new truck and its associated guarantee, which we wouldn’t have with a used truck,” added Daniel Hahn. “All in all, it was the best possible option for our needs.”

The benefits Ferdinand Wiese & Sohn enjoys from the Yale UX Series filters down to its individual projects. Items move around the yard efficiently, ready to be used for the latest landscaping project or playground construction.

Simply efficient

The Yale UX Series was introduced in 2020 aimed at customers with low-intensity applications. Although they may only be used for short periods at a time, they are designed to provide the high levels of efficiency and productivity associated with the Yale product range. The Yale UX Series can also be the ideal alternative to a used truck.

“For our customers, the offer of a new machine for the price of a used one with extremely attractive features sounds too good to be true – but it is a reality with the Yale UX Series. It was the logical choice for many of our clients who approached us looking for a pre-owned machine. Ferdinand Wiese & Sohn is reaping the rewards of what they have sown with its investment, and its business is blooming,” concluded Bendix Sperber.

Ferrari simplifies logistics for Paddock Transport

When Cameron Paddock of Paddock Transport and David Shea, the president of TopLift Ferrari (TLF),  first met at the 2019 Breakbulk Americas exhibition in Texas, they quickly found a common interest.

Both had travelled close to 2,400km to look for new business opportunities at the show. Shea went to Houston to show off the line of new heavy-duty lift trucks that he and his team had recently developed for the North American market, in partnership with Italy’s CVS Ferrari. Paddock was representing his family’s international trucking and logistics firm, looking to expand its presence in the southern states. Coincidentally, he was also thinking of a heavy-lift problem presented by one of his larger customers.

Paddock thought the big, white FH25 lift truck on display at Shea’s booth might be a good fit for his fleet. He and Shea agreed that they would follow up after the show – when both went home to Canada, to the town of Stoney Creek, Ontario. Paddock Transport’s main terminal, it turns out, was less than 5km from TopLift Ferrari’s head office and service shop.

Flexibility to balance storage capacity

Back in Canada, TLF had just received a Ferrari into inventory, and Shea delivered it to Paddock Transport on demonstration. With its 32-tonne lift capacity, the FH32 turned out to be the solution Paddock needed to help its customer.

Located on a main highway between Toronto, Ontario and Buffalo, NY, the Paddock terminal is in the heart of Canada’s steel country. The trucking firm specialises in “goods needing extra care and attention,” including oversize steel coils on delivery from local mills to manufacturers in the US. The Paddock terminal is a major logistics hub in the region, with 13,500 sq m of covered warehouse space surrounded by 6ha of outdoor storage.

As Cameron Paddock explains: “One of our challenges is balancing our storage. Our lift capacity sometimes forces us to store heavier materials indoors, even though the customer doesn’t need indoor conditions.” The warehouse is equipped with overhead cranes handling up to 36 tonnes – strong enough to unload and store steel coils as heavy as 34 tonnes. One of the nearby steelmakers had been stockpiling inventory and looked to Paddock to take on extra stock. However, Paddock’s largest lift truck was limited to a 16-tonne capacity.

Although Paddock’s outdoor storage could easily accommodate the big coils, the facility had no way to offload and move the material without the indoor cranes.

“The FH32 is an important upgrade for us,” says Cameron Paddock. “It gives us the flexibility to use our outdoor and indoor capacity as needed. It’s able to lift 27-tonne coils right off the truck, move around in the yard and store it anywhere we want it.”

“Effortless” handling of oversize loads

The new Ferrari truck brings more than just muscle to the Paddock warehouse. Its agility and control are simplifying and expediting operations throughout the terminal.

“Before we had the TopLift Ferrari FH32, we could spend 15 minutes with two guys rigging the cranes for these lifts. Now, this fork truck can do the same job in about 30 seconds. As soon as the “32” arrived, we put a coil prong on it, and we were able to quickly bring in that large inventory of our customer’s oversize coils. The Ferrari made light work of it. Instead of using the indoor crane to move the coils, we just drove up, picked it up and moved wherever we needed to in order to maximise our facility. And it’s as easy as picking up a 1 tonne pallet off the back of a tridem trailer. Effortless!”

Heavy, over-dimension loads are at the core of Paddock’s business. The ability to transload efficiently is a key competitive advantage, handling goods and equipment for aerospace, automotive, construction, and military sectors as well as the steel industry.

Transloading for efficient logistics

“We are on the crossroads between the high load limits allowed in Ontario, Quebec, and Michigan, connecting to roads with reduced weight limits. We regularly bring in one trailer from Michigan or Quebec, and then we split it onto two trailers to cross into New York and points south. Going the other way, we can receive two trailer loads from the US and transfer them to a single B-train or a multi-axle for delivery in Ontario or Quebec.”

Paddock’s focus on large, specialised loads is reflected in the firm’s fleet of more than 350-plus company-owned trucks and trailers including floats, step-decks, double-drops, and custom units running on up to 13 axles. The firm’s logistics team pulls it altogether, matching equipment to the required loads and routes. Transloading to take advantage of high limits can mean significant savings for customers. Now, with the new Ferrari lift truck, the terminal operations that pull it together are simpler and more efficient than ever.

“What drew us to the Ferraris at the show is that they are simple where they need to be. They are not overly complex. They use larger cylinders in their steering, have great visibility and a well laid-out cab – not a lot of crazy gadgets for the operator to learn.”

David Shea says that simplicity and control were the primary goals when TLF was specifying these machines: “We paid special attention to having the machines run cool; even in Canada, machines running in summer can have issues with overheating. We added extra cooling, hydraulic filtration, and transmission cooling. Cool, clean hydraulic oil is the secret to the long life of the machine.

“Our Cummins engines and off-the-shelf components keep the machines simple to own and maintain, too. We built with Clark and ZF transmissions, Kestler drive axles, Bosch Rexroth hydraulics; all the best you can buy. Our philosophy is, get the best components and put them together in a way that they’re easy to service: you’ve got a good machine.

“And we were very conscientious with visibility. This is a large machine, but the cab is positioned in such a way that you can clearly see past the mast and you can see all four corners without relying on mirrors or cameras. That not only helps the operator manoeuvre loads, it’s a critical safety factor for a machine this big.”

Cameron Paddock agrees and notes that his operators appreciate the visibility in the FH32. “We have a 5.5-tonne machine that has a quarter of the visibility of this one. It’s a big deal. It’s not like bumping up to the rubrail of a truck with a 2-2-tonne forklift. The 32 weighs over 18 tonnes itself – you could knock over a whole row of trailers if you’re not careful! Visibility and responsive controls are a big part of its safety. It has the visibility and good steering. You put on the brake and the thing stops!”

In good hands

The FH32 has performed well enough that Paddock has since added another Ferrari unit, a TFC36-48, to its fleet. David Shea recalls: “We had it in inventory when Paddock sent us a different forklift for repair work. We loaned the TFC36-48 to them to fill in till the work was done. After a couple days, they called up to ask if it was for sale!”

“We’re in good hands with the TopLift team,” says Cameron Paddock. “They are very well known around southern Ontario, just down the street is definitely an asset. But we’re very confident in the Ferrari machines on their own merit. In our transport business, we have used virtually every brand of forklift out there. We get to see them in both new and used condition. We see where they’re tired and where their weak spots are.

“Just looking at them, you know the Ferraris are well designed and well built. The two Ferrari machines we have now are handling 50 trucks a day, plus. Were we to expand our operation or open another facility, we would definitely be looking at another Ferrari from TopLift.”

Yale reveals new cab design for high-capacity trucks

Yale Europe Materials Handling has developed a new cab that promotes productivity by offering comfort and ease for the operator. With the ergonomically designed control arm, everything the driver needs is at their fingertips. The cab also boasts an expansive floorspace, adjustable steering column and high-quality seat.

When working intensive shift cycles with heavy loads, it is important to have the right tools at your disposal exactly when you need them. For this reason, Yale Europe Materials Handling has developed an all-new cab for its high-capacity trucks.

Yale high-capacity trucks are perfect for industries that handle heavy loads, such as wood and timber, stevedoring and heavy cargo, metal stockholding, pre-stressed concrete, brick and block or manufacturing,” explained Chris van der Werdt, Product Strategy Manager EMEA Big Trucks at Yale. “With the new cab, we’ve created an environment for the operator that fosters productivity in demanding applications.”

The new cab is available on the Yale GDP80-120DF, GDP100DFS, GDP130-160EF and GDP160EF12 trucks.

In control

A focus on ergonomics within the cab offers a comfortable working environment for the operator, with all controls within easy reach.

The ignition, start-stop button and parking brake are located in close proximity to each other, minimising the time and effort it takes to begin working. Drivers can preselect the lights that can be switched off and on at the touch of a button.

As well as a touchscreen within the cab, drivers can also choose to navigate through the truck’s menu using a rotary button.

“When operators are comfortable, they are more productive and the company is more profitable as a result. This is why everything the operator needs is at their fingertips, from optimised mini levers, windscreen wipers, to the start-stop button. In addition, the control arm is ergonomically designed to offer a comfortable rest for the operator during travel,” added van der Werdt.

Productive working space

The cockpit-style of the new cab offers an environment designed to maximise comfort and productivity from the moment the driver approaches the truck. Slip resistant steps and an easy to close door allows the operator to enter and exit the truck with ease.

Within the cab is an expansive floor space and a high-quality suspension seat to support the operator throughout a busy shift. The driver can adjust the position of the steering column, seat and control arm to set-up the cab to their liking.

The high-capacity trucks have excellent visibility of the load through the wide mast, as well as the surrounding environment thanks to the curved front and rear windows, made of toughened glass. The driver can manoeuvre with confidence while handling the most cumbersome of loads.

“All Yale high-capacity trucks are engineered to maximise productivity and excel in intensive, arduous applications. They are the ideal fit for customers looking for a solution that can deliver on the high demands of their operation while lowering cost of ownership and meeting emissions targets,” concluded van der Werdt.

60,000th Combilift truck delivered to Austrailia

The Irish manufacturer Combilift has marked a further milestone when its 60,000th unit came off the production lines at the company HQ in Monaghan and was shipped to the other side of the world. The customer taking delivery of this special forklift is Metroll, a leading Australian manufacturer and supplier of steel building products including roofing, cladding, rainwater, structural and fencing.

Metroll has branches across the country, and the new Combi-CB3000 will be a further addition to its fleet of 13 Combilifts that are operating throughout the Metroll Group, with another 10 already on order. These range from 3t multidirectional units to a highly customised 10t model.

Combilift number 60,000 will be working at the site in Toowoomba and has been fitted with features such as 4.9m triplex mast with a 3050mm spreader to safely and easily manage the long loads that are typically handled by Metroll.

Metroll Operations Manager Vic Josephs said: “Like most businesses, we are very busy and we’re also growing at a significant rate, so space has become a premium resource. With this unit we can utilise our space more efficiently whilst at the same time operating safely. Safety is of paramount importance. This forklift allows our machinery to get into tighter spaces and for us to space our racks more closely together to maximise factory floor space.”

Combilift CEO and Co-Founder Martin McVicar commented: “This is a great achievement for Combilift, particularly as almost every truck we manufacture is a one-off, designed for specific and individual requirements. There are very few other companies, if any, that can offer this level of customisation whilst manufacturing in such volume. The first half of this year has been by far the best in our 23-year history for the number of orders we have received – not just for Combi-CB models but across our complete product range.”

Chris Littlewood, Country Manager of Combilift Australia said: “The Combi-CB 3t model is the most popular unit in the Australian market and accounted for 50% of the machines we sold in the year ending March 2021. So we are particularly pleased that it is one of our customers in this country that has been able to receive this landmark machine.”

Following the successful collaboration with Metroll in Australia, Combilift now also supplies its trucks to the company’s Californian-based operations too. “We have often found that a recommendation from one country leads to sites elsewhere adopting the same material handling processes with our products,” said Martin McVicar. “So we’d like to congratulate Metroll on taking delivery of our 60,000th truck, and thank them for their continued support over the years.”

Click here to watch the video.

Konecranes lift trucks upgraded

Since 2019, Konecranes has regularly introduced a range of enhancements for safety and productivity in its Lifetime Advantage programme. Now, as part of this long-term commitment to improving the performance of existing lift trucks, Konecranes is introducing four more innovative ways to raise safety and productivity for its customers around the world.

All four upgrades are specific solutions that can be fitted to Konecranes lift trucks on customer sites. They are not service packages but are intended to improve equipment performance with the latest available technology.

“Safety and productivity are among the two most important priorities for our customers,” says Johan Kårhammer, Global Spare Parts Operations Manager at Konecranes Lift Trucks. “So, in this latest release, they can choose any or all of two safety and two productivity packages that can be installed on one truck, all trucks at one site, or even across a global fleet.”

Of the two new safety improvements, Over Head Guard (pictured) is a retrofit for empty container handlers that will protect the operator from a falling object using a safety cage mounted around the cabin. Thankfully, falling objects are quite rare in container yards, but empty containers can sometimes drop accidentally due to the height of the mast. The retrofit is available only for Generation B and C empty container handlers.

Customers can also upgrade their lift truck safety by enhancing peripheral and forward visibility with a Roof LED Bar. This is a preassembled light fitting mounted on the truck’s roof to make operations brighter when the surrounding area is not fully illuminated, such as at night, in shadow, or indoors. Available at different illumination levels, it can be easily fitted to any type of forklift or container handler, and controlled from the operator’s dashboard inside the cabin. Better lighting also reduces driver fatigue, as they are not distracted by the need to avoid hard-to-see obstacles and can fully focus on delivering the load safely.

Productivity gets a boost with Hydraulic Pump Upgrade 2x105cc. On Konecranes Liftace reach stackers and TCE5 models with a suitable configuration, replacing the existing 75cc pump with a 105cc pump increases the operational speed of lifting, extending, retracting and manoeuvring actions. Faster movements mean faster work cycles and the result is more container stacking during each shift. Easy to install, the difference in work flow can be seen immediately.

The second productivity improvement is a static weighing system retrofit for Generation B and C reach stackers. Operators can weigh containers by lifting them for a few seconds, then touching a button to send the measured weight to a central database, such as the Terminal Operating System (TOS) or the yourKONECRANES customer portal, where it is linked to the container ID. This provides the information for an automated Verified Gross Mass (VGM) declaration with +/- 1% full scale accuracy and eliminates the need for a separate weighing procedure when loading containers for transport. Reducing the time and processes required for each container to pass through the container yard, this retrofit saves on operational costs and increases overall site productivity.

As in the past, the Konecranes global distributor network will again play a significant role in bringing the new Lifetime Advantage options to Konecranes customers around the world.

“With the popularity of our previous upgrades and retrofits, I’m pleased to see this new range available so soon,” says Patrik Lundbäck, Director and Head of Sales and Distribution at Konecranes Lift Trucks. “The Konecranes Lifetime Advantage is based on the needs of our customers in their daily activities. It’s meant to refine their operations and add a sharper edge to their container handling.”

New Tonero surpasses Stage V regulations 

Toyota Material Handling Europe has optimised its engine counterbalanced truck range designed for productivity, efficiency and the environment. The Tonero Stage V includes Toyota’s leanest industrial engines, designed and produced in-house, optimising performance and driveability. The new models deliver lower fuel consumption, less maintenance but most importantly cleaner operations.

The new Toyota Tonero Stage V range is energy-efficient and much cleaner than required by the latest European Union exhaust emission regulation, while also providing a number of benefits for engine counterbalanced truck users. The trucks are equipped with a Toyota in-house industrial engine that is robust, reliable and easy to service, reducing fuel consumption and maintenance costs.

“Our latest engine counterbalanced truck, the Tonero Stage V, combines Toyota innovation and quality, which dramatically reduces emissions, resulting in a cleaner environment and air,” says Paul Van De Sype, Product Manager IC counterbalanced trucks at Toyota Material Handling Europe.

The new counterweight design has been reviewed and improved throughout the range. This offers ease of access for service, saving time and resulting in increased productivity, further adding to a reduced overall cost of ownership. The appearance has been changed as well for the range of 1.5 to 3.5t for increased consistency within the IC CB family.

Surpassing Stage V regulations

Stage V, the European emission regulation, aims at reducing emissions from combustion engines, only allowing for engines with a lower exhaust. Toyota Material Handling strives to guide their customers in these changing times and commits to provide cleaner and leaner solutions with a high-quality level of performance. The Tonero range meets customers’ specific operational needs while minimising emission levels, environmental impacts, and total cost of ownership.

Therefore, the most recent engine counterbalanced models from Toyota have been optimised, including the leanest industrial engines for diesel and LPG, in line with the latest EU emissions regulations. Toyota’s massive unique selling point lies in the fact that all engines are designed and produced in-house.

The Tonero range can be used in every customer application. The Toyota CB IC offer goes from 1.5t all the way to 8t – to support customers from light to intense operations, inside or outside. Up to 3.5 tonnes capacity, customers have the choice between a Tonero with hydrodynamic drive or hydrostatic drive .

Toyota lean industrial engines

The core of the Tonero’s lean power lies in the models’ engines: Toyota applied the principle of Kaizen (continuous improvement) to offer lean engines for both gas and diesel vehicles. The new Tonero models include clean, safe and reliable in-house Toyota engines, surpassing the  European Stage V regulations. Customers have a wide choice of models to choose from, whether it’s diesel or gas.

Our torque convertor range, offering the hydrodynamic drive, is available up to 8 tonnes, both in diesel and LPG version.  Diesel is available on entry models 1.5 to 1.8t  equipped with the reliable 1DZIII engine. As from 2t up to 8t, customers are offered 3 and 4-cylinder ultra-clean and highly fuel-efficient common rail engines. Both include a diesel particulate filter (DPF) for cleaner operations and deliver high power and torque at low engine speeds, ensuring long lifetime and reliability in all applications.

The hydrostatic transmission range offering hydrostatic drive is available in diesel version, equipped with the high-power 3-cylinder 1ZS diesel engine (2.0-3.5t) and available in LPG version (1.5-3.5t). New Toyota-developed software for the full range and additional technologies delivers optimised driveability and productivity in combination with stronger braking ability.

Toyota always strives to offer products with added value as well as helping customers by saving on costs. With this in mind, service intervals on the latest Toyota engines have been increased significantly, reducing costs for service.

Driver safety & comfort

Operators can benefit from a new ergonomic dashboard featuring a new display, easy and intuitive thanks to the controls now all integrated in one place. Indicators for hydraulic oil, wheel position, mast tilt, diesel particulate filter (DPF), driving direction, time and fuel consumption overview are part of the new features included on the display, all contributing to increased productivity and saving costs. A safe workplace is guaranteed thanks to the pre-operational check and speed setting.

The new Toyota front and rear combi LED lights improve drivers’ visibility, for even safer handling. The long lifetime and energy efficiency of LED lights deliver significant fuel and service cost savings, increasing availability and productivity.

For ultimate driver comfort and driving dynamics, the Toyota Tonero with hydrostatic drive is the answer. The models from 2t onwards feature a full floating driver compartment which create an optimal ergonomic working environment.

STILL adds NXV narrow aisle truck to range

The new STILL NXV guarantees convenient, safe, and fast warehouse processes. The narrow aisle truck (man-down) is particularly effective in high and narrow warehouse aisles. At storage heights of up to 13.8 metres, the active load stabilisation, and the fork camera help to prevent damage to the racking. In addition, a positioning aid provides extra safety and speed when picking up load carriers.

The new vehicle passed its first practical test in a field study at Bad Heilbrunner GmbH & Co. KG with flying colours. The manufacturer of herbal medicinal teas from Upper Bavaria was so impressed by the new truck that they immediately ordered an NXV.

The test drivers were particularly satisfied with the ergonomic components of the truck. Numerous details, such as the ergonomic driver’s seat with optional tilt technology, the proportional seat and footplate adjustment or the possibility of adapting all operating elements to the driver’s ergonomics, not only make the vehicle particularly comfortable, but also ensure a very good view of the fork tips.

In combination with the Joystick 4Plus, the truck can be operated very smoothly, which leads to a significant increase in turnover.

Camera and positioning aids for more safety

In picking up load carriers, the new cross line laser facilitates the safe and quick positioning of the forks at the right height and in the middle of the load carrier. The camera mounted on the inside of the forks with image transmission to the driver’s monitor provides optimum visibility when picking up the load. In combination with the active load stabilisation, collision damage, breakage of goods and personal injury caused by falling loads are effectively avoided even at great heights.

An optional position laser on the mast supports the horizontal approach to the correct rack position. When the laser pointer aligns with the corresponding mark on the racking, the correct approach position has been reached. With the help of the fork camera, the load is lifted to the correct lifting height quickly and easily.

Variable load pick-up due to turret head fork

The NXV’s turret head fork is suitable for picking up almost any pallet and enables the transfer of load carriers to a conveyor system. Due to the very small dimensions of the pivoting and turnable turret head fork, almost any space in the high-bay warehouse can be optimally used. Pallets can be picked up smoothly and quietly to the right and left of the aisle without having to turn the NXV.

Together with the active load stabilisation, the turret head mechanism makes storage and retrieval more comfortable, faster, and more precise. Another noticeable improvement is the automatic fork cycle, i.e. the automatic extension, lowering and retraction of the turret head fork at the touch of a button.

Semi-automatic shelf approach possible

However, the technical capabilities of the NXV are only fully exploited with the OPTISPEED vehicle concept or the iGo pilot navigation interface. With this, the NXV communicates with the warehouse management system and connects the processes in the warehouse into an intelligent whole.

When the driver receives a transport order, the vehicle knows the next storage location in the high rack to approach. The forklift truck thus independently finds its way through the warehouse aisles. This eliminates the possibility of incorrect retrievals.

Lithium-ion technology for increased availability

The NXV is an efficient and compact bundle of energy that also boasts high availability thanks to Li-Ion technology. As there are no more battery changes and intermediate charging is possible with very short charging times – wherever there are power sockets – flexible use is guaranteed.

In combination with the long service life of the maintenance-free Li-Ion battery, operating costs and CO2 emissions are reduced. In addition, the high vehicle availability is also increased by the – compared to lead-acid batteries – larger battery capacity.

Adapting forklift trucks to customer needs

No two high bay warehouses are alike, as we all know. So, it makes sense to adapt forklift trucks to the customer’s needs – to the loads to be transported, for example, or to the possible growth of the company. Thanks to their modular design, STILL narrow-aisle trucks can be configured specifically to meet the operator’s needs.

Different battery compartments, masts or telescopic and turret head forks are used. This also applies to the new NXV. Due to its scalable dimensions, it can be used very flexibly even in the tightest spaces with loads of up to 1.5 tonnes.

Improved storage density for auto parts distributor

A fleet of Aisle Master articulated forklifts have led to improved storage density for Welsh Land Rover spares distributor Bearmach.

From its base in Caerphilly, Wales, long-standing Gwent Mechanical Handling customer Bearmach is a worldwide distributor of OEM and aftermarket parts and accessories suitable for Land Rover vehicles. Established over 60 years ago, the current 130-strong team also ships merchandise, books and technical manuals to the global Land Rover community.

To ensure the seamless and efficient relocation and replenishment of stock between its two warehouses, which together have a footprint of almost 100,000 sq m, Bearmach now operates a fleet of Aisle Master articulated forklifts from the Irish manufacturer Combilift.

Before the first Aisle Master was operational, Bearmach used a combination of forklifts, mainly counterbalance models, some of which could only operate in certain areas due to their various sizes as well as the disparity of aisle widths across the storage facilities.

Steve Jones, Sales Director of Gwent Mechanical Handling, advised that overall efficiency could be much improved by using trucks capable of working in narrower, standardised aisles. Two articulated brands were brought in for a demo, and the Aisle Master proved to be the drivers’ preferred choice when it came to issues such as the in-cab ergonomics.

Four more Aisle Masters followed over the years, which has enabled Bearmach to streamline handling procedures and keep up with growth fuelled by increased internet sales activities. At one point the company thought it would have to relocate as space was getting ever tighter, but the trucks’ narrow aisle capability enabled previous aisle widths of around 3.2m to be cut to just 2m, adding an extra 1,000 pallet locations.

Steve Jones: “Gwent Mechanical Handling has over 30 years of unrivalled expertise and experience in the most efficient use of available space, and as was the case with Bearmach, a number of our customers have been able to avoid the potential disruption and expense of purchasing additional warehouse space.”

The electric Aisle Master 20SE models with a 2,000kg capacity, 1030mm-wide chassis and a lift height of 6m, travel between the two warehouses, relocating stock in euro and standard pallets from one location to another, replenishing minimum or zero stock as well as moving stock to bulk locations. At the moment they work mainly indoors, but as they are specifically designed to be all-purpose trucks, Steve Jones is planning to recommend that they replace the counterbalance trucks that are currently used for yard work when these come to the end of their operational life. “An Aisle Master can do everything that a counterbalance truck can do, but that is not the case the other way round,” he points out.

According to Andy Taylor, Operations Manager at Bearmach, the Aisle Masters have massively improved operations over time, also due to their speed of operation, extreme reliability and minimal downtime. Driver satisfaction and safety is also of vital importance and the original driver preference has proved to be a sound decision. “Operator feedback has always been positive, the trucks are easy to manoeuvre within the narrower aisles, and the height of the cab offers 360-degree visibility for good awareness of the surroundings.”

“We look after the welfare of the trucks, with checks after every 500 hours, and offer a same day service if required,” said Steve Jones. “We have enjoyed a great working relationship with Bearmach over the years and are pleased that we could help them consolidate their operations so successfully.”

Hyster-Yale expands Northern Ireland plant

In 2021, the Hyster-Yale Group proudly celebrates 40 years of manufacturing lift trucks at its plant in Northern Ireland as it announces the expansion of its Craigavon site.

The facility, which was officially opened on 7th April 1981, was built and equipped with the most up-to-date robot systems and equipment. Over the years the plant has grown to be the largest-volume forklift plant in the UK, manufacturing thousands of electric, diesel, and LPG forklifts each year for export throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The site, around 30 miles from Belfast, employs hundreds of people from the local area, which the company credits as key to its success story. This year, five team members will also celebrate the milestone of 40 years with the company, while more than 100 current employees at the site have 30 years or more of service.

“The success of our plant at Craigavon is driven by our people, where we see incredible dedication, perseverance, and loyalty from the team at all levels, with an average length of service of 17 years,” says Jim Downey, Plant Manager for Hyster-Yale Group EMEA in Craigavon. “Over the last four decades, our people have worked together to conquer challenges, embrace new opportunities, and maintain forward momentum, and that is why our facility continues to succeed, evolve, and grow.”

Transformation remains key to the Craigavon facility, where expansion of the 500,000 sq ft site is currently in progress, in preparation for future manufacturing demands and product lines. The company has invested millions over the past two years developing the factory, which incorporates leading technologies and up-to-date automated systems. The extension will also create dozens of new jobs, including continued investment in apprenticeships.

“We have great confidence in the talent pool in Northern Ireland and are fortunate to have so many long-standing employees that bring with them significant expertise, including many of our management team who started their careers here on the shop floor,” says Downey. “However, at the same time, we are keen to optimise our operations with automation and new ways of working that best support our workforce and deliver the quality our customers need.”

Quality is key to the facility at Craigavon, which has been the recipient of numerous awards throughout its history. Among the team’s achievements is ISO 50001 certification for its commitment to energy efficiency, and sustainability continues to be a key driver for the company during its latest site expansion.

The new 60,000 sq ft. extension to the factory will be known as the Sands Building, in honour of Harry Sands, former Senior VP and Managing Director, EMEA, for Hyster-Yale Group based in Craigavon, who retired in 2020 after 40 years with the company. It has been built with environmental specifications and ambitious objectives in mind. For instance, it incorporates a completely new approach to lighting which harnesses more natural light, decreasing electricity consumption and reducing CO2 emissions. A biomethane fuelled plant on the site will also be used to provide 80% of the electrical power required, with the heat by-product also used on site.

In line with the Hyster-Yale Group 2026 Corporate Responsibility Objectives, the site aims to reduce carbon emissions by 30%, in addition to targets for reducing water consumption, waste, and landfill.  Waste to landfill from the facility has already reduced significantly, with 97% now being recycled, and a number of other waste reduction initiatives exist on the site, everywhere from the canteen kitchen to the packaging line.

The Craigavon plant also continues to be committed to biodiversity, encouraging rare wildlife in its grounds as a result. The latest plant extension incorporates a Sustainable Urban Drainage System, which mimics natural drainage and is more environmentally friendly.

“Throughout its 40 years the Craigavon facility has continued to innovate and build capability to be an agile and flexible facility, that is able to meet and exceed customer expectations through automation, people and processes,” says Downey.

“Now is an exciting time as ever, as we adapt our assembly lines, connect with new technologies, and develop our product ranges, laying the foundations for future growth and many more decades of success,” he concludes.

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