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Tag: forklift

Jungheinrich Optimises UK Engineer Audits

Posted on by David Priestman

Covid-19 has been the catalyst for a dramatic reinvention of the way Jungheinrich UK carries out inventory audits and compliance checks with its engineers, and key to the project has been the creation of an innovative mobile working space for the parts inventory team.

Across the UK, Jungheinrich’s engineers support our customers from a network of ‘genuine parts storage locations’. Supporting the engineers are our inventory controllers, who ensure that the equipment engineers use is safe and that each location has the appropriate amount of parts stock to cover direct demand from our customers. Their annual checks also help engineers work more efficiently and identify any surplus parts that can be returned.

“A ‘storage location’ could be a client with 200 trucks and engineers permanently based on site,” explained Duncan Harrison, Head of Operations and Contract Management at Jungheinrich UK. “It could also be an engineer operating from a van. Each location will carry a number of genuine parts that they use most frequently. If they don’t have the required part, they can order it for overnight delivery direct into their storage location from our UK parts distribution centre. As well as ensuring the optimum parts replenishment schedule for each storage location, the inventory team ensure testing of the engineer’s tools and safety equipment is up to date.”

Prior to the pandemic, controller and engineer would travel to a strategically placed site, complete the audit and return to their respective bases. “It wasn’t so much of an issue because there was generally a depot within a two-hour radius of the engineer,” he noted. When Covid struck, however, the site access changed. Audits remained essential but completing them meant engineers and inventory controllers had to travel much further.

This led to higher fuel consumption, higher costs, a higher carbon footprint for our audit activities and lost time that our engineers could ill afford.

Harrison devised a solution: to build a mobile working space set up to deliver the inventory checks. Inventory controllers would then drive to each engineer and perform the necessary tasks and tests.

Jungheinrich UK partnered with BOTT, leading UK van conversion specialists, who worked with it in the adaptation of the vans to cater for the inventory controllers’ needs by adding lighting, desks, storage bins, electricity ports, hot water boiler and heaters.

“We did a lot of design work on one of our Mercedes Sprinter vans to enable it to provide everything the individual controller needs to carry out all of the daily tasks they would normally carry out at a site,” said Harrison. “There are certain tasks that from a compliance perspective must be completed once a year but we tailor the frequency of the parts inventory audit dependent upon the stock value and turn ratio. Now all of that can be done from the van.”

Our inventory controllers are now able to travel anywhere in the UK to carry out their checks, and because they visit the engineers, the process eliminates one vehicle’s carbon emissions from the process and frees a significant amount of engineer time that would otherwise be lost in travel.

Jonny McCormack, now Inventory Control Team Leader, the first Jungheinrich controller to receive a van, commented: “Having recently joined Jungheinrich, I was very impressed with this innovative way of conducting our checks. It has been a great benefit being able to see how the company is able to further support their environmental footprint by thinking outside the box and make a job that was struggling in a dated system more efficient for everybody, as well as working in a way that keeps in time with the current landscape.”

Harrison added: “The vans are helping us improve our processes, and they ensure the engineers can get back to their patches quicker. The engineers and the service teams think it’s brilliant because they don’t lose an engineer for a whole day. From a business perspective, this new method has really futureproofed our inventory check process. We no longer have to rely on this ever-changing business landscape to make business decisions. We can still audit our engineers and continue to reduce their miles travelled.”

 

Upgraded Forklift Cab for Hyundai Heavy

Posted on by David Priestman

Hyundai Material Handling has unveiled a range of Heavy Line diesel forklift trucks, with an improved cab environment, EU Stage V emissions-compliant engines and the option of Hyundai’s HiMate telematic monitoring system. There are 10 models on offer, with lift capacities of 7-30 tonnes and they build on the successful launch last year of the lighter models in the diesel forklift line-up.

Features include:
1. Ten machines with lift capacities of 7-30 tonnes
2. Improved cab environment with additional space and visibility
3. EU Stage V Hyundai and Cummins diesel engines
4. Load sensing Main Control Valves for improved operator control and efficiency
5. Hyundai HiMate telematics deliver fleet management solution

Operator comfort
Designed after extensive consultation with customers, Hyundai’s next generation forklift cab features a revised console layout and a smaller steering wheel, to deliver increased working space for the operator. A one-piece constant radius windscreen provides improved forward visibility without edge distortion, while fully glazed doors also contribute to a reduced in-cab noise level, cut by up to 5.9dB. A new console incorporates a colour display with easy access buttons for regularly used functions. The multifunction screen delivers relevant machine operating data and can provide in-cab service alert and diagnostic codes when required. A second 7” display shows the rear view camera images.

The new load sensing Main Control Valve provides increased control, with fingertip levers delivering improved response to operator input. As an option, you can choose for an air suspended seat or a swivel seat which can be rotated 20° to the left and 10° to the right, for improved reverse direction visibility and to ease access to the cab. For models from 12T and up the premium seat has both air suspension and swivel.

All of the Heavy Line models are powered by EU Stage V diesel engines, from Hyundai and Cummins, offering improved performance and reduced emissions. The Cummins B Series engines no longer require Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), simplifying service and maintenance on the heavier models. These machines also boast an engine power button in the cab, that allows the operator to choose between Standard (80%) or Power (100%) settings, according to the demands of the application, reducing fuel consumption when full power is not required.

Improved serviceability
With an electrically powered side-tilting cab structure, access to the powertrain is simplified, for ease of regular maintenance. Fuel filter life has been extended from 500 to 1,000 hours, while long-life hydraulic oil now means change intervals can be extended to 5,000 hours, reducing cost of ownership and downtime for the customer.

Heavy Line forklifts are equipped with two levels of Hyundai’s proven HiMate telematics system as an option, using GPS technology to transmit data to allow remote monitoring and diagnostics. The standard HiMate system provides real-time monitoring of machine location and operating information, with geofencing alerts delivering an additional level of security against machine theft or unauthorised use. The premium HiMate adds driver access control through code or card, fully customisable start-up questionnaires, drive style monitoring and collision detection.

Machines with a Cummins engine can also be optioned with Engine Connected Diagnostics, supplied in cooperation with the engine manufacturer, delivering tailored maintenance and remote troubleshooting, further reducing the possibility of costly downtime for the customer.

Superior productivity
Hyundai’s Heavy Line diesel forklift range starts with the 7-tonne 70D-9V, running through to the 30-tonne capacity 300D-9VC. With an extensive line-up of 10 models, there is now a dedicated machine to meet every customer operation, in a wide variety of materials handling sectors.

“We have really listened to the needs of our customers to develop these Heavy Line machines,” said Christopher Thompson, Head of Sales at Hyundai Materials Handling. “These new forklifts deliver an improved driver’s ‘office’ in the cab and increased access through HiMate in the fleet manager’s office. Our next generation forklifts put the operator and the fleet manager in control.”

Automated Lift Trucks Bear Fruit

Posted on by David Priestman

As part of its strategy to streamline intralogistics processes and reduce the impact of the labour crisis on its business, Primafruit – a leading name in the fresh produce industry – has introduced a fleet of fully automated counterbalanced lift trucks from Toyota Material Handling’s Autopilot range at its Vale of Evesham-based production and storage facility.

The Toyota automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are utilised at every stage of Primafruit’s mission critical storing and packing operation. Fresh fruit arrives at the 41,000 square metre site from Primafruit’s suppliers and grower partners across Europe and South America and is taken by the automated trucks from the goods-in bay to the chilled very narrow aisle storage area.

The AGVs are then deployed to transfer palletised loads of fruit from the chilled storage system to the facility’s packhouse area where two production lines – one for packaging citrus fruits and another dedicated to processing berries, such as grapes, strawberries etc – are in operation. From the packhouse the automated trucks take palletised loads of individually packaged fruits to the building’s despatch bay where orders are loaded into vehicles by manual trucks for onward delivery.

In all Primafruit operate seven Toyota Autopilot OAE120CB counterbalanced trucks at the Vale of Evesham site. The models specified have a 1.2 tonne load capacity and a lift height of 4.15 metres.
All models in the Toyota Autopilot range are programmed to complete tasks and work alongside manual operators in total safety. The trucks use built-in safety scanners and obstacle detection units to negotiate obstructions, while load sensors and multiple sensor devices further ensure accurate and safe load handling.

The trucks are controlled by Toyota’s in-house T-ONE automation software. Capable of working as a standalone system or as a communications layer in tandem with the client’s warehouse management and production systems, T-ONE tracks goods storage, orders, traffic and flow thanks to its intelligent fleet control functionality and its ability to integrate with the user’s ERP/WMS if required to do so.

Since switching to automated forklift technology, Primafruit report that the Vale of Evesham facility has become a more serene working environment, as the company’s general manager, Jordan Beckley, explains: “The implementation of the Toyota Autopilot AGVs has certainly had a calming effect on our operational areas due to the controlled manner in which they complete the work,” he says. “We have also seen the system reduce a huge amount of manual pallet movements around the site, which has allowed our teams to focus on other more profitable tasks,” Jordan continues.
Automated pallet handling equipment has been shown to consume less energy than driver-operated forklifts – a benefit which, along with the other advantages that the technology brings, contributes to a typical return-on-investment time of less than two years.

Toyota provided the automated counterbalanced trucks on a rental package with full ongoing service back-up and technical support included in the monthly fee. “We chose to work with Toyota because of their reputation in the industry and the comprehensive package they offered to us. The Toyota team worked closely with us to implement a flexible solution which can adapt to the constantly changing challenges that our industry presents,” adds Beckley.

Iron-Phosphate Battery Recipe

Posted on by David Priestman

Offering super-fast charging and lower total cost of ownership than IC and lead acid battery alternatives, BYD’s range of zero-emission Iron-Phosphate battery-powered forklifts have proved to be the perfect recipe for a sustainable food products specialist in Northern Ireland.

For intense operations such as those at Devenish’s Belfast facility, there’s an attractive alternative to increasingly expensive and often impractical diesel, gas and lead acid battery-powered forklifts in the form of BYD’s extensive range of Iron-Phosphate battery-powered forklifts.

Headquartered in Northern Ireland with five global production sites, Devenish specialises in sustainable food products. Its team of nutritionists use science and technology to ensure the most effective and efficient utilisation of nutrients in the production of food. Its solutions have a positive impact on animals, farms, the environment and people, and that philosophy extends to reducing the environmental impact of its logistics operations. Devenish had previously relied on gas-powered forklifts for both indoor and outdoor work but has now switched its entire fleet to zero-emission forklifts from BYD’s Iron-Phosphate battery-powered range.

“When it came to replacing the forklift fleet, our aims were to reduce our operating costs and minimise our carbon footprint,” said Kieran McPolin, Head of Operations at Devenish. “We already had one of the BYD forklifts within our fleet for a number of years, and this met the demands of our 24/7 operation. So, we were keen to replicate this with the rest of the fleet.

“With the BYD electric forklifts, the running costs are substantially lower than diesel or LPG, and there are no harmful emissions. It’s a much cleaner way to work. With the BYD Iron-Phosphate battery, there’s no maintenance involved for our operators, and the battery charges very quickly so we can run our trucks across multiple shifts within our 24/7 operations.”

Safe batteries

Founded as a battery company in 1995, BYD is now one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers. BYD’s maintenance-free Iron-Phosphate batteries are a safe, long-lasting and versatile power source. Charging from empty to full takes just 1-2 hours, which ensures maximum uptime, a particular benefit for multi-shift warehouse operations such as those at Devenish.

BYD batteries possess superior operational characteristics thanks to their flexible charging properties. They can be opportunity charged – for example during an operator’s scheduled break – without detrimental effect to battery life expectancy or capacity. Unique amongst forklift makers in that it manufactures its own batteries in-house, BYD has the trust in its manufacturing excellence to offer an industry-leading 8 years/10,000 hours battery warranty. Proven in over 1,000,000 passenger cars, 50,000 electric buses and 12,000 electric heavy-duty trucks, BYD’s batteries boast up to 15 years’ operational life with negligible reduction in capacity.

Offering a comprehensive MHE range all featuring its patented lithium Iron Phosphate battery technology at its heart, BYD offers equipment from electric pedestrian and stacker trucks, reach trucks and tow tractors, to three- and four-wheel counterbalance forklifts with capacities up to 8 tonnes. Optimised for fast-charging with BYD’s own smart chargers, there’s a model in the BYD range to suit virtually every task found in logistics operations, both inside the warehouse and outside in the yard.

The hard-working forklifts now in operation at Devenish were supplied by Electric Forklifts Ireland, part of BYD’s growing dealer network which is supported by its European HQ and comprehensive parts warehouse in Rotterdam.

McPolin concludes: “I’d say to any business considering switching to electric, talk to BYD. Our operators now prefer the electric forklifts over the previous IC-engined trucks. The business has reduced its overall environmental impact and we’re saving money at the same time.”

STILL installs e-chargers at HQ

Posted on by David Priestman

The Hamburg-based intralogistics provider STILL is currently building 20 charging stations for electric vehicles at its headquarters on Berzeliusstraße in Hamburg. The highlight: not only will the company fleet’s electric vehicles be charged there in future, but employees and visitors will also be able to use this charging facility for their private vehicles.

“Electrifying!” – the slogan of the Hamburg-based intralogistics provider STILL will take on a whole new meaning in the future. That is, when the 20 charging stations for e-cars that are currently under construction go into operation in August.

“In fact, we will not only use the new charging stations for our increasingly electrically driven company vehicle fleet but will also offer our employees and our visitors a charging option as a very special service. We are particularly thinking of employees who do not have charging facilities at home. We want to make it possible for them to switch to an emission-free vehicle,” says Stefan Sanny, who is responsible for facility management at STILL.

However, building the first charging points was only the first step for STILL. “This is just the first part of an overall project by STILL, with which we have now created the infrastructural and procedural possibilities for gradually equipping other sites with electric charging points. In this way, we not only want to enable the conversion of our own vehicle fleet, but also motivate our employees to switch to electric vehicles.”

In the medium term, it will also be possible to include suitable wallbox chargers at home for the service van fleet and company cars for employees in the STILL charging infrastructure.

STILL uses “green” electricity

STILL obtains the electricity required for the charging stations – like the rest of its electricity – from “green” sources. “This means that we are making a real contribution to reducing CO2 emissions with our new charging stations,” says Stefan Sanny. The charging points can be used with the usual charging cards – and STILL employees can even benefit from special rates. Charging is carried out according to the ‘fair-use principle’. This means that charging is only carried out when and for as long as necessary so that charging points are always available.

“We will closely observe how our new offer is made use of. If it proves successful, we have the option of building another 24 charging stations at the same location,” concludes Stefan Sanny.

IFOY FINALIST FOCUS: Dynamic Wireless Charging for Intralogistics Vehicles by Magment

Posted on by David Priestman

As we enter the final few days before the IFOY Award winners are named on 30th June at BMW World in Munich, we look at the penultimate finalist – Magment’s Dynamic Wireless Charging for Intralogistics Vehicles.

IFOY category: Start-up of the Year

Description

Patented magnetizable concrete in combination with proprietary winding and casting technologies enables production of robust wireless charging pads which integration of wireless charging infrastructure in industrial floors makes possible. Industrial floor electrification for dynamic wireless charging reduces or fully eliminates charging breaks of forklifts, AVGs and AMRs. Intralogistics EV fleets and battery sizes can be reduced generating overall savings in vehicle CAPEX costs while increasing productivity with up-times close to 100% (24/7), and decreasing OPEX by fully automating a dynamic EV charging process. MagPad is the name for wireless charging pad and multiple MagPads are creating dynamic wireless charging track called MagTrack.

Only DHL Supply Chain now deploys autonomous forklifts and pallet movers in more than 1,500 warehouses worldwide. With 24/7 operation, a fleet of just dozen these autonomous forklifts can handle more than a million pallets per year in just one facility. Magment is working tightly with autonomous forklift and pallet mover producers, industrial floor manufacturers and facility owners to implement dynamic wireless charging infrastructure and charge these vehicles while they are operating adding huge value on existing benefits of autonomous fleets operation.

Summary

Magment is working on cutting-edge wireless inductive charging infrastructure, reinventing the way EVs are charged with bold innovations in design, pioneering technologies, and strong global partnerships. Magment believes in emission free, electrified transportation and vehicles that can charge where they go and do not have to go to charge. Seamless, convenient and sustainable.

CLICK HERE to watch a video.

IFOY TEST REPORT

The Oberhaching-based start-up Magment is reinventing the charging of electric buses, electric forklifts and the like with the help of innovative technology. The company motto is: “Charge where you go and not go where you can charge!” The technical highlight: magnetic concrete is used to charge the electric vehicles.

The first two partners with whom Magment wants to implement dynamic charging of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are Jungheinrich and DHL at its Hamburg site. The innovation is based on the following rational consideration: the more inductive charging is achieved when driving over concrete, the fewer batteries and vehicles are needed. Currently, each vehicle has to be charged for at least two to three hours over the course of 24 hours. Electrification of industrial floors with dynamic wireless charging reduces or completely eliminates these charging pauses. Electric fleets in the intralogistics sector and also battery capacities can be reduced, which would significantly reduce capital expenditure on longer-term capital assets (CAPEX) such as these vehicles.

But what exactly is concrete charging all about? The patented magnetisable concrete, combined with proprietary winding and casting technologies, enables the production of robust inductive charging plates that allow wireless infrastructure to be integrated into industrial floors. Each of these one-metre-long charging plates (pads) incorporates 42 metres of copper cable. When inspecting the test set-up, Magment explains that the system can basically charge all vehicle battery voltages – with a maximum of 170 amps. According to the measurement display, the efficiency is more than 90 per cent. In the test set-up, two pads are laid under chipboards, over which a current collector drives to simulate the AGV.

The highlight of the set-up and the pads in general: at no point of the two MagPads, which form the dynamic wireless charging track MagTrack including the electronics as well as a coil and the corresponding electronics on the receiver side, does the charging curve of the oscilloscope show a drop in charging power. To realise this convincing concept, Magment is working closely with manufacturers of autonomous forklift trucks and pallet trucks, manufacturers of industrial floors and owners of warehouses. With the aim of implementing a dynamic and wireless charging infrastructure to charge vehicles during operation. The goal of the goal, so to speak: to bring productivity in the warehouse to almost 100 percent through operating times of the warehouse technology equipment.

And what contribution does the concrete make? The patented magnetisable concrete eliminates losses due to stray fields during wireless power transmission. At the same time, it enables a uniform transmission curve even in areas between two pads – which makes this technology unique. According to Magment, all competitors offer a stationary wireless charging system, but use ferrite-based inductive charging pads that are not robust and cannot be integrated into industrial floors. Magment says it is currently the only company in the world to offer dynamic wireless charging infrastructure for intralogistics vehicles. One advantage on the customer side is, of course, that there is no longer any need to reserve space for a charging area for the industrial trucks, another is the fact that continuous charging reduces peak power demand.

IFOY Test Verdict

Magment is about to revolutionise the market with its invisible technology that can be fully integrated into industrial floors for continuous, high-performance energy transfer to electrically driven industrial trucks. The system is suitable for dynamic and static charging. Due to the 24/7 availability of the devices, fewer AGVs are needed, so the TCO in the warehouse is reduced accordingly.

IFOY INNOVATION CHECK

Market relevance: The presented system by Magment shows a savings potential in terms of fleet reduction of different electric vehicles and battery size, both of which can be achieved by the dynamic charging system. For a common implementation, other aspects are also seen due to the significant changes in the overall system, which gives the market relevance an average rating. The charging track must be positioned in such a way that the vehicles pass over it frequently enough, otherwise the necessary floor coverage increases. Depending on the application, fluctuating demand for articles/goods can lead to a change in the heavily frequented areas, which can then result in necessary additional trips. Therefore, implementation may not be advantageous for all applications.

Customer benefit: The dynamic charging system has clear advantages for a harmonised overall system. Charging times in which the vehicles are not available are avoided, which means that the number of vehicles can be reduced. In addition, batteries can be designed smaller, which reduces overall costs and contributes to sustainability. Designated areas for stationary charging systems are eliminated and productivity can be increased as charging takes place during the work task.

Novelty: The system presented is impressively innovative and makes excellent use of physical principles. The magnetisable concrete with ferromagnetic components ensures an almost constant charging current along the charging plate. This is undoubtedly a new technology and, together with the robust integration in industrial floors, a useful innovation.

Functionality / type of implementation: The concept of the new technology was presented very well by a demonstration set-up and showed the behaviour of the charging current when passing over the charging plates in an excellent way. With the associated components, some of which were still prototypes, the planned overall construction became clear, which promises a high level of robustness due to the integration in the industrial floor.

Verdict: Innovation is a top priority at Magment. In the right field of application, this is a promising technology that fits in perfectly at the IFOY AWARD.

market relevance Ø
customer benefit +
novelty ++
functionality / type of implementation +
[++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / – – not available]

For an overview of all the finalists, visit www.ifoy.org

CLICK HERE to find out more about Magment’s Dynamic Wireless Charging for Intralogistics Vehicles.

Ergonomic Forklift Driving Without Steering Wheel

Posted on by David Priestman

How can steering a forklift truck become even more ergonomic? Linde Material Handling provided the answer at its World of Material Handling (WoMH) customer event by presenting the Linde Steer Control system. Behind the name is a new type of electro-hydraulic steering system that does not require a classic steering wheel. Instead, the driver’s arm lies on an armrest. The truck is controlled with the left hand, either via an integrated mini-wheel or a joystick. The advantage of these additional options is that working in the forklift is more relaxed, and the driver remains focused and productive for a longer period of time. Looking to the future, another important requirement for the automated counterbalanced truck has thereby been met.

As the interface between operator and machine, the forklift truck, i.e., the driver’s workplace, is of particular importance. Employees must be able to operate the truck easily, simply and quickly for its performance potential to be fully realized. “With the Linde Steer Control system, we have consistently developed the sophisticated operating concept of the Linde truck with dual pedal control and Linde Load Control. The driver’s arms now both lie on an armrest. The right hand directs the mast and forks, while the left hand steers the truck around corners. In this way, we manage to further reduce body movements and take the strain off the driver,” emphasizes Frank Bergmann, Product Manager Counterbalanced Trucks, adding, “What has already been established in excavators, cranes, rail vehicles and aircraft could thus also be found more and more frequently in industrial trucks in the future and become the industry standard.”

The Linde Steer Control system is based on steer-by-wire technology. Control commands from the driver are converted into electrical signals and forwarded to hydraulic actuators. A sophisticated safety concept guarantees the fail-safe operation of the vehicle control system. Electric control of the wheels opens up new functional possibilities: For example, the forklift driver can steer the vehicle even more precisely using the Linde Steer Control system, as the steering reacts more or less sensitively depending on the vehicle speed. If the truck is traveling faster, the mini-wheel has to be turned more or the joystick tilted further to the side to bring about a certain steering deflection of the wheels. If the driver reduces the speed of the truck, the same hand movement results in a stronger steering deflection.

For typical everyday usage of a forklift truck – line transport, manoeuvring or storage and retrieval processes – manufacturer Linde MH recommends the mini-wheel. “Because of the analogy to the steering wheel, we observe a steeper learning curve,” Bergmann explains. The joystick also has a special feature that produces a positive effect in certain applications: When the operator releases the control, the steering wheels automatically straighten out. “This is extremely helpful especially in block storage facilities with long, narrow aisles, where things like beverage crates or rolls of paper pile up on the sides,” explains Frank Bergmann.

In order to evaluate the ergonomic benefits of the Linde Steer Control, Linde MH conducted a user study this spring in collaboration with RWTH Aachen University and fka GmbH. The focus was on the extent to which the new steering concepts reduce the driver’s body movements and lead to reduced arm and shoulder strain. At the time of the study, the test participants, aged between 19 and 67, had held their forklift driver’s licenses for at least three years and used the forklift on a daily basis as part of their profession. A special camera was used to record the range of motion of the shoulder, elbow and wrist and then analyzed. The conclusion: Use of both the mini-wheel and joystick result in less joint movement in the shoulder and elbow compared to the conventional steering wheel. “This means that the Linde Steer Control system demonstrably contributes to greater ergonomics and less strain on the driver,” summarizes Product Manager Bergmann.

 

Narrow Aisle invest to boost US distribution

Posted on by David Priestman

Narrow Aisle Ltd – the UK-based manufacturer of Flexi Truck space-saving intralogistics solutions – has announced that, through its US-based subsidiary, it is making a significant investment in its distribution capacity across the USA, South and Central America.

This latest financial commitment to the US market means that every model in the award-winning Flexi Truck Digital VNA articulated forklift range will be available across the United States on the shortest-possible lead times with exceptional warranty terms.

John Maguire, managing director of Narrow Aisle Ltd, commented: “Flexi Trucks have been distributed in the Americas for some 20 years and are a well-established and leading articulated lift truck brand across the region. Indeed, America has long been one of the most important markets for the Flexi Truck’s range of VNA trucks.

“Now, with US-based third party and fulfilment logistics operators increasingly challenged to reduce labour costs and make maximum use of the storage and order picking space areas that they have available, the American VNA market is developing rapidly. So, we believe that there is huge potential to grow Flexi Truck sales in the US even further.”

The Flexi Truck’s iconic articulated design delivers safe and highly space and throughput efficient operation within narrow aisle storage units. Furthermore, because Flexi Trucks can be used to load and unload delivery vehicles and transport palletised loads directly to and from their pallet location, ‘double handling’ is eliminated and fewer types of forklift are required. As a result, materials handling costs can be reduced by up to 50%.

Models in the Flexi Truck range are adapted for the US market by the use of three- or four-stage quad masts which, when lowered, allow the trucks to be driven into the back of a waiting semi-trailer to retrieve or deposit pallets straight off a dock. The product is ideally suited to working in loading docks and within narrow aisle stores, which means less trucks are required to move more pallets.

Manufactured to meet the globally recognised ISO/TPS quality standards using tier one components at Narrow Aisle’s production facilities in the UK and Taiwan, over 15,000 Flexi Truck machines have been supplied to users in more than 65 different countries worldwide.

Fatal accident prompts call for forklift inspections

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA), the trade body representing all aspects of the UK’s material handling industry, has highlighted the importance of proper forklift maintenance and safety procedures following a fatal industrial accident.

The warning comes after the Health & Safety Executive successfully prosecuted the owners of a fencing business following an accident at their premises in which an employee died after being crushed by falling timber.

The accident occurred at PA Fencing Ltd in Bristol in 2017. The deceased, Roderick McKenzie Hopes, was working in a yard at the company’s premises when a telehandler being used to move timber exceeded its rated capacity and tipped over. In doing so, the truck toppled onto stacked timber which fell onto Mr Hopes resulting in his death.

North Somerset Magistrates Court was told that an investigation by HSE inspectors had found the telehandler was faulty and that the safety device to ensure lift heights were not exceeded was inoperative and that maintenance had failed to identify this. In addition, the investigation found that the truck operator had not received full training in how to use the truck and that the machine was regularly used to lift unsafe loads.

The HSE said the yard supervisor did not know the machine’s safe limits and that the yard had not been laid out to allow the safe stacking of the timber.

The court was told the investigation also found that PA Fencing Ltd shared the telehandler with David Crossman, who owns a neighbouring farm and rents the yard to PA Fencing Ltd. Neither PA Fencing Ltd nor Mr Crossman had ensured the machine was properly maintained nor that it was independently thoroughly examined.

David Goss, Technical Director, UKMHA, said: “This sad case has highlighted a catalogue of errors that may have been avoided had the legally-required Thorough Examination been carried out.”

The importance of Thorough Examination by an accredited provider has received a strong focus this year, being the theme of National Forklift Safety Day. Previous campaigns have also identified the importance of safely segregating workers from material handling equipment and the proper training of lift truck operators.

The 2021 campaign coincided with the publication of an updated BITA Guidance Note GN28, the industry guideline on Thorough Examination and Safety Inspection of Industrial Lift Trucks. This translates the general provisions of LOLER, or more correctly, The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, and PUWER, that is, The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, into specific requirements for forklift trucks.

Goss said: “A Thorough Examination is the name given to the mandatory inspection required by law to ensure the lifting equipment on a truck is in safe working order. It is roughly equivalent to the MOT for cars.

“Generally, lifting equipment must receive a Thorough Examination at least once a year. However, more frequent examinations could be required depending on the application.”

He said a comprehensive Thorough Examination and Safety Inspection in accordance with GN28, would establish that a truck could continue to be operated safely and without injury to persons provided that the truck was operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

It will verify that the truck is operating as it should when lifting and travelling, identify any defects or weaknesses which could compromise the safe use of the truck and specify the timescales within which identified defects or weaknesses need to be rectified.

“In addition, the examiner will check that all safety devices are functioning correctly, that warning notices are correctly fixed and legible; and where necessary, specify any limitations on the use of a truck,” added Goss.

The CFTS mark awarded on completion of a successful Thorough Examination by an accredited competent person, demonstrates that a truck has been examined carefully, and that key components such as brakes and steering have been thoroughly checked, along with the lifting mechanism.

“The purpose of Thorough Examination, which is required by law, is to prevent exactly this type of tragedy,” concluded Goss.

Yale adds Bahrain to dealer network

Posted on by David Priestman

Yale Europe Materials Handling is increasing its footprint in the Middle East with the appointment of a new dealer in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Banz Trading & Contracting WLL will be the exclusive sales and service dealer of Yale® products in the region.

Banz Trading & Contracting WLL was founded in 1948 and is one of the oldest and most respected trading, engineering and contracting companies in Bahrain. Boasting over 70 years of expertise, the company has built a strong customer base of prominent clientele across many industries.

“We are delighted to welcome Banz Trading & Contracting WLL to the Yale dealer network and increase our coverage in the Bahrain market,” said Peter Madoc-Jones, Territory Manager MEA at Yale. “The company’s mission statement ‘Value Addition with Care and Commitment’ aligns perfectly with our own ‘People. Products. Productivity’ philosophy.”

“Our customers are looking for both extremes – high performance and quality at an optimum price. We share the same commitment as Yale to deliver high quality products, the lowest lifetime cost of ownership and outstanding customer satisfaction to customers in Bahrain,” said Shafeeq Ahmed, General Manager of Banz Trading & Contracting WLL.

Strategically situated in Sitra Industrial Area with over 100 staff, the company’s one-stop facility houses an engineering workshop, pump assembly workshop, fabrication unit for shelving and doors assembly, covered painting booth, stores and a sales office.

Customers of Banz Trading & Contracting WLL have service teams on standby to provide round-the-clock support whenever they are needed to help keep their operations running smoothy.

“We were founded over 70 years ago to provide Tier-1 products to the Bahrain market, and provide the service that is expected from our clients when purchasing these products,” explained Mr Ahmed. “We believe this makes Yale a natural fit to our offering, and we look forward to helping the company increase its market share in Bahrain with new sales, rentals and full-service activities at the heart of our partnership.”

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