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Tag: forklifts

Clark expands sales network in southern Germany

Posted on by David Priestman

With Habeko GmbH & Co. KG, forklift manufacturer Clark Europe has brought a new sales partner on board for Baden-Württemberg. The experienced materials handling vehicles specialist, based in Weissach im Tal in the Rems-Murr district, is taking over the sales and service of Clark materials handling vehicles in the greater Stuttgart area.

“We are delighted to have found in Habeko a partner with sound know-how in the materials handling vehicles business who will provide competent and comprehensive support to our customers in the Stuttgart region,” says Rolf Eiten, President & CEO, Clark Europe. “With this strategic partnership, we have expanded our sales network in the south of Germany even further.”

Habeko can look back on almost 40 years of company history. In 1983, Peter Hail and his wife Marlies founded Etex GmbH. The company’s core business was the trade in automotive and commercial vehicle spare parts and their export to the Near and Middle East. Due to increasingly difficult political and economic conditions in these regions, the two company founders sought new business fields in Germany. This entrepreneurial reorganisation resulted in Habeko GmbH in 1987.

Initially, the focus of the new company was on the trade in wheels and castors for industrial trucks as well as for vehicles used for internal transport. In the course of time, the areas of storage and operating equipment, transport equipment, pulling aids, mini-lifts and materials handling vehicles were added as new business areas. In 2008, Dipl. Ing. (FH) Dirk Hail, son of the company founders, took over the management of the 100% owner-managed family business as managing partner. Today, Habeko employs a total of 10 people in administration, sales, service and spare parts.

“We are also looking forward to working with Clark, a manufacturer whose name stands for robustness and solid technology in the materials handling vehicles sector,” says Dipl. Ing. (FH) Dirk Hail about the partnership with Clark Europe. “Clark products are an ideal fit for Habeko and our customer base. We see ourselves excellently positioned for the future, so we are approaching the new task and challenge with great enthusiasm.”

Toyota extols safer logistics at seminar 

Posted on by David Priestman

Toyota Material Handling is the sponsor of a brand new feature at the Health & Safety Event 2022 – this year’s largest gathering of professionals responsible for running safe and efficient workplaces (NEC, Birmingham, 5-7 April 2022). The Safer Logistics Theatre will be an expert-led, free-to-attend seminar programme featuring a range of high profile speakers who will provide valuable insights into maintaining an optimal health and safety regime within the warehouse and across the supply chain.

For example, at noon every day throughout the exhibition Toyota’s Paul Mulcahy (pictured) and Keith Smith will host a session dedicated to the importance of good mental wellbeing.

Mulcahy and Smith will describe the processes that Toyota implemented to help team members through the pandemic period and go on to explain how poor mental health can be linked to physical accidents in the workplace.

Some of the advances in technology and product design that are playing an important role in cutting accident rates across the logistics industry will also be outlined.

Mulcahy comments: “Toyota has always been at the forefront of the development of new and advanced safety solutions. For example, as long ago as 1999 we launched our iconic SAS – System of Active Stability. Regarded as one of the most important safety developments in the material handling industry, the Toyota SAS dramatically reduces the risk of truck tip-overs by detecting unsafe operating conditions.”

As well as the opportunity to listen to some high quality educational presentations, those attending the Safer Logistics Theatre seminars will earn CPD points.

Toyota will also showcase models from its extensive range of handling solutions, including hand- and powered-pallet trucks, tow tractors and counterbalance forklift trucks at the Health & Safety Event.

Among the products on display on stand 4/H150 will be the recently launched 1600kg capacity Toyota BT Levio LWI160 – the first-ever purpose-designed lithium-ion powered pallet truck (PPT).

When developing this new model Toyota’s engineers removed the battery compartment that is a standard feature on traditional lead-acid battery-driven PPTs. The result is a smaller and lighter PPT, which, because there is no battery compartment to lift or lower, is exceptionally energy efficient, and delivers maximum uptime and reduced CO2 emissions.

Toyota will also demonstrate the health and safety benefits that its I_Site fleet management system brings to any environment where lift trucks are in operation.

The I-Site package features a range of tools to ensure maximum on-site safety. One such device is the system’s ability to make sure that the truck automatically goes into creep speed after a collision and can only go back to full capacity after being checked by a technician or re-set by an authorised person. The system also controls forklift access to make sure only trained drivers can operate machines, while unique driver profiles can also be created for increased safety.

Mulcahy says: “Successful warehousing and order fulfilment is all about maximising efficiency and productivity, but those joint aims should never be achieved at the expense of safety, which is why Toyota is constantly working to develop new and better safety technologies that reduce lift truck accidents.”

 

German steel company adds magnetised reach stacker

Posted on by David Priestman

Sigma Weiterverarbeitungs GmbH & Co KG, a steel manufacturing company based in south-western Germany, has accepted delivery of a new Konecranes reach stacker for its flame cutting plant in Dillingen, Saarland, near the French border. The order was booked in March 2021 and started operation on-site the following November.

Well-established in the German steel industry, Sigma provides sheet metal, slabs, plates, coils and wire rod to customers who process the steel further for use in a wide variety of products. With its headquarters in Dillingen, it also has operations in Düsseldorf and a sales office in Metz, in north-eastern France. The flame cutting plant in Dillingen needed new equipment that could move sheet metal both inside its facility and outside, in its storage yard. Konecranes has provided a reach stacker with magnets fitted for this purpose.

“The low height of a reach stacker means we can easily use it indoors around other mill equipment, while its speed and manoeuvrability make it easy to move our products around our site,” says Florent Muller, Managing Director of Sigma. “We’ve operated a Konecranes forklift for some years, and it’s clearly increased our productivity, while Konecranes have provided excellent technical support. Now, two Konecranes lift trucks give us even better flexibility and efficiency as we serve our customers.”

“Konecranes have a solid long-term relationship with Sigma,” says Hans-Jürgen Haupt, West Germany Area Sales Manager for Konecranes Lift Trucks. “Their trust has given us an excellent opportunity to provide high-quality products tailored for their specific requirements in a competitive industry. Local agent Jungbluth have worked closely with Sigma and us throughout the whole process. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with both companies long into the future.”

The new reach stacker in Dillingen is a Konecranes SMV 4636 TC5, a sturdy 46-tonne machine that can lift loads up to a height of 12.5m. It features a traverse with four magnets that make direct contact with the sheet metal, all controlled by hydraulics. The truck features an OPTIMA cabin for comfort and visibility, a strong box-type chassis and a wide drive axle with a long wheelbase for high stability and safe handling. A Stage V low-emission engine, reduced fuel consumption and low noise levels minimise environmental impact.

 

Burton switches to electric Toyota forklifts

Posted on by David Priestman

Burton Roofing Merchants Ltd – a leading supplier of roofing materials to both the construction trade and the public – is replacing the diesel-powered Toyota counterbalance trucks in operation across its 13 UK depots with electric-powered models also from the Toyota range.

The decision to switch from a diesel to electric fleet was prompted by concerns over the rising price of fuel following the announcement that the Government is planning to prohibit the use of red diesel in forklift trucks.

In the March 2021 budget The Chancellor of the Exchequer revealed his intention to withdraw the right to use red diesel from companies operating in a number of sectors and user groups – including transport and logistics. In effect this means that transport and logistics firms will no longer be able to purchase or use red diesel (which gets its name because it is literally coloured with a red dye to allow it to be identified and prevent its use in road vehicles) to fuel diesel-powered forklift trucks. The new rule will come into effect from 1st April 2022.

Jordan Edge, Burton Roofing Merchants’ Group Transport Manager, comments: “From April 1st 2022 companies like us that operate large diesel-powered IC engine lift truck fleets, face a significant increase in their materials handling equipment (MHE) running costs. This coming price rise coupled with our constant efforts to reduce Burton’s environmental impact – both globally and locally – led us to consider alternatives to diesel-driven MHE.”

Burton has operated Toyota equipment for over 25 years and had no hesitation in turning to Toyota Material Handling for advice.

A fuel cost analysis was undertaken at each of Burton’s 13 sites. Based on the current price of diesel and electricity, the figures showed that over a five-year period, electric trucks represented a considerably more cost-effective option.

Initially, Burton introduced new electric trucks at two of its depots in the south of England. Such has been the success of these models that the company is now in the process of rolling out electric counterbalance machines at all UK facilities.

Depending on each depot’s size and workload, between two and five machines are in operation – although every model supplied will have the same specification to allow equipment to be transferred between Burton’s facilities if required.

The model specified is the Toyota Traigo 80 8FBMT30. This four-wheel counterbalance truck offers a nominal 3,000kg lift capacity and is designed for heavy-duty applications.

The Toyota Traigo 80 delivers long operating times in indoor operations such as pallet racking or outdoors in a yard – an important consideration for Burton who work the trucks for extensive periods.

During a typical day at each depot the machines undertake a range of tasks both inside the storage facility and outside in the yard space.

Edge adds: “The trucks are having a very positive impact on our business. They work externally for long periods of the day and have proved equally as effective as our old diesel trucks – even in extreme weather conditions. And, because they are slightly smaller than the diesel trucks they have replaced, the new Toyota electrics have an advantage when working within confined spaces. The switch from diesel to electric has allowed us to reduce our operating costs and has helped to make our business more ‘green.’”

 

Linde expands ATEX range

Posted on by David Priestman

Material transport in tight spaces is an everyday challenge for many companies – even more so when having to take explosion protection conditions into account. Linde Material Handling (MH) offers suitable transport solutions for all ATEX applications and is now presenting compact high-performance vehicles featuring a high level of operating comfort for use in confined environments.

Representing an alternative to forklifts, these Linde T20-30 EX pallet trucks, available with or without platform, and Linde L06-L16 AC EX counter­balanced pallet stackers can even be integrated into the Linde connect fleet management system with access control and damage monitoring.

Industrial truck drivers from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, the biotech and cosmetics industries, the food and beverage industry, and the logistics sector are familiar with the problem: In many production and storage environments with limited expansion options, space is often tight.

“Every centimetre counts when it comes to transporting goods and storage and retrieval operations. Drivers need particularly agile, easy-to-manoeuvre and user-friendly vehicles in these conditions. After all, hazardous materials must be handled safely and reliably at all times,” emphasizes Elke Karnarski, Product Manager Ex-Proof Trucks & Retrofit Solutions. This is where the new narrow, explosion-proof vehicles from Linde MH come into play.

Offering load capacities of 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0t, Linde T20-30 EX pallet trucks impress with their compactness and a chassis that is only 720mm wide. Its dimensions remain within the pallet contour – resulting in good manoeuvrability, which is significantly supported by the servo-assisted steering. The vehicles are designed for retrieval and storage operations as well as short- and medium-haul material transport in ATEX zones 1/21 and 2/22. Corresponding explosion protection measures include ignition protection against electrical and mechanical sparks, continuous temperature monitoring of all relevant components, and precautions to prevent electrostatic charging.

Compact, yet ergonomic

In the Linde T20-25 AP EX version with foldable platform, the pallet trucks function as an ergonomic workplace for transporting goods over medium and long distances. Platform and guard are softly padded. The platform is reliably locked in both positions, allowing the driver to stand firmly and safely on the dissipative foot mat. The foldable guard keeps them within the chassis contours – the best prerequisite for higher productivity.

The platform and tiller are decoupled from the chassis, which reduces vibrations felt by the driver. At the same time, the driver has a good view of the load and surroundings at all times, even in tight, demanding working environments. Above all, the electric steering with the low-mounted tiller ensures operating comfort and safe handling of the vehicle. The multifunction display provides clear information about important vehicle parameters – such as the next maintenance date or the battery charge level.

Linde’s EX Monitoring app monitors all safety-relevant factors, such as temperature, resistance, voltage and wear, and the operator receives specific recommendations as to what actions to take to ensure safe, reliable operation of the explosion-proof vehicle.

The Linde L06-L16 AC EX counterbalanced pallet stacker, available in four versions with load capacities of 0.6, 1.0, 1.2 and 1.6t, also has a narrow and compact design of 890mm. With its cantilever fork carriage for ATEX zone 2/22, the vehicle is ideally suited to transporting special loads, IBCs or closed pallets in tight spaces. Shorter than an electric forklift, the vehicle is an optimal alternative for potentially explosive areas where space is tight.

 

Flash Battery celebrates strong 2021 revenue

Posted on by David Priestman

Flash Battery’s revenues for 2021 amounted to €17.3m, up 25% on the previous year, meaning that the company has consolidated its leadership role in the production of lithium batteries for industrial machines and electric vehicles.

With 2020 having seen a 5% growth in revenues despite a slowdown in production in the first half of the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2021 the company, based in Sant’Ilario d’Enza (Emilia-Romagna, Italy), also registered a significant increase of 16% in new hires, bringing the total number of employees to 65, more than a third of whom are involved in R&D activities.

Marco Righi, CEO of Flash Battery, SAID: “2021 was a very important year for us. While results include a significant increase of 25% in foreign revenues, what stands out above all is a series of factors that have enabled us to reinforce our development strategies on the domestic front, but also on international markets, where we are already present in 54 countries.”

Among the elements underlined by Righi are the opening of the new headquarters (150 workstations, investment of €7.5m), significant investments in research, participation in major European Union electrification projects, and the forging of new commercial partnerships in several European countries characterised by the highest levels of dynamism in their approach to electric power conversion.

“Last year,” explains Righi, “we joined BEPA (the Batteries European Partnership Association), an entity that brings together more than 170 industrial companies, universities and research institutes committed to attaining the goals set out at the end of 2020 by the European Commission in the context of the Horizon Europe Programme. This grouping will pour more than €925m into research and innovation projects in the battery sector. At the same time, Flash Battery has established several prestigious partnerships with highly experienced powertrain system integrators active in the main markets.”

Primary among these are Atech in Germany, Efa France in France and Q-Tronic in Benelux. “Along with Italy,” says Righi, “these three markets are fundamental to the progress of the industrial electric transition, especially considering that together they account for more than 80% of the entire European market for the electrification of industrial machinery and electric vehicles.”

“Our prospects for development,” continues the CEO, “are very much linked to foreign markets, both directly and indirectly. Indeed, 35% of our output is currently directed abroad. However, if we consider that the batteries supplied to Italian customers are installed in machines and vehicles that will be exported all over the world, we can say that more than 80% of Flash Battery’s production is internationally oriented.”

Flash Battery was recognised as the best under-40 enterprise in Emilia-Romagna in 2021. But looking to the future, 2022 is of particular importance, as the company will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its founding by Marco Righi and Alan Pastorelli, now Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

“The electrification market is constantly evolving,” says the CEO. “In recent years we have seen an increasing number of industries willing to take the decisive step towards the electrification of vehicles, machines and processes. Up till five years ago, we would never even have dreamed of electrifying an excavator or an agricultural machine, whereas today, in conjunction with the broad field of logistics, we have developed several electric prototypes in the construction and agricultural sectors, to name but a few.

“As we celebrate our 10th anniversary,” concludes Righi, “we are committed to developing new prototypes of lithium batteries for the electrification of increasingly larger vehicles and machines, combining high performance with a reduction in the environmental footprint of high-powered engines.”

New Combi-MR4 features Dynamic 360° steering

Posted on by David Priestman

The Combi-MR4 is a 4-wheel electric powered multidirectional reach-truck, which incorporates Combilift’s new Dynamic 360° steering, which provides rotation on each wheel, enabling seamless directional change of the truck while on the move. The system allows this extremely agile forklift to work in forward, sideward and crab steer mode, guaranteeing swift operation and excellent manoeuvrability. Hence the full name of the new model: the Combi-MR4 Dynamic 360.

Since Combilift launched its first C4000 model in 1998, multidirectional capability has been one of the major hallmarks of the company’s wide range of handling solutions. Twenty-four years and thousands of R&D hours later, its latest product takes multidirectional capability to the next level.

The impetus for the development of this latest addition to Combilift’s portfolio was to develop a multi-directional truck, with a very low platform to maximise storage density within racking. The Combi-MR4 is available in two unique models, with capacity ranges of 2,500kg-3,000kg and 3,500kg-4,500kg respectively, and can operate in aisles as narrow as 2,265mm when guided (based on 1200mm deep material). To maximise all storage space in racking systems the wheel configuration of two drive wheels at the rear and two sets of smaller dual front wheels provides a platform height as low as 380mm, allowing otherwise redundant areas towards the floor to be used.

In keeping with Combilift’s common overall design ethos, the highly versatile Combi-MR4 can handle long loads as well as palletised goods with ease, and can load and offload from delivery trucks. Driver comfort and safety are also major considerations, and this new truck definitely delivers the goods from an ergonomic point of view: a high visibility operator cabin, multi-function control joystick, AC-electric power steering and joystick operated hydraulic mast functions all make for a smooth ride and straightforward operation. The articulated rear axle with two rear rubber drive wheels provides optimum traction for outdoor use, while still ensuring nimble and accurate truck placement.

To achieve this level of manoeuvrability, Combilift utilised its newly developed-in-house Dynamic 360° steering. This novel steering concept enables operators to manipulate the truck’s positioning and orientation without the need to stop and change driving mode. Intuitive and easy-to-operate, this is achieved by simply twisting the control joystick right or left to adjust the wheel positions simultaneously – providing crab steering and allowing direction change on-the-go.

Combilift always likes to ensure that any new product has been thoroughly tried and tested in the field to make certain that it is 100% fit for purpose. Following the initial operation of 3,000kg Combi-MR4 units, a 4,500kg model was developed after receiving a request from Combilift’s dealer in the BeNeLux region – Mabo BeNeLux, for a larger capacity unit for their customer TABS (Timber and Building Supplies Holland).  One of the Netherlands’ leading suppliers of timber products and building materials, with 104 outlets across the country, TABS has partnered with Combilift and operated its multidirectional trucks for more than 15 years. It now has MR4 trucks at several locations in the Netherlands and is about to take delivery of its 15th and 16th trucks, which will work at its distribution centres in Zaandam and Bleiswijk.

Combilift CEO Martin McVicar: “TABS are delighted with the ongoing successful implementation of their Combi-MR4s and the improved levels of efficiency thanks to the overall design and features such as low platform height as well as the advanced Dynamic 360° steering system. I have no doubt that this new additional electric model will grow Combilift’s customer base. We are looking forward to showcasing the Combi-MR4 to our existing dealers, and potential new customers during the LogiMAT Intralogistics exhibition in Stuttgart at the end of May.”

CLICK HERE to watch a video.

Peruvian logistics firm adds reach stacker to fleet

Posted on by David Priestman

SAVAR, a leading logistics company in Perú, has accepted delivery of a new Konecranes reach stacker for its Los Ferroles site N°50 at the Port of Callao, in the capital Lima. The order of the equipment, distributed and supported by Trex, a leading lifting solutions company in in Perú, was booked in August 2021 and started operation in December of the same year.

With a total of eight facilities and around 1,000 employees in the Lima area, SAVAR runs a wide range of supply chain services, including customer brokerage, freight forwarding, temporary warehousing, transportation, loose cargo storage, distribution, last mile and most recently, e-commerce. Its maritime warehouses, customs warehouse and special projects require reach stackers to move containers and goods. As growth in international trade has significantly increased transit volume, it decided to expand its operational capabilities with an additional lift truck, and it felt that Konecranes could meet its requirements.

“We already had two Konecranes reach stackers lifting five containers high and a third one lifting six. Our figures clearly show that they’ve improved our efficiency,” says Javier Kuoman, Logistics Manager and co-owner of SAVAR. “With the new truck, we anticipate at least 15% increase in productivity as it also stacks six containers high, helping us to make the most of our available warehouse space. With a total of four Konecranes reach stackers working for us, we have the flexibility to serve every customer need.”

“This new delivery illustrates SAVAR’s trust in our ability to maintain consistently high quality over time as we adapt to their changing requirements,” says Andrés Ramirez, Sales Manager Latin America for Konecranes Lift Trucks. “Local agent Trex has been a close partner in the region for many years to us. Their outstanding after-sales support and knowledge of the market, together with the reliability and productivity of the Konecranes portfolio, have helped to build a strong relationship with SAVAR. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with both companies long into the future.”

The new reach stacker in Los Ferroles is a Konecranes SMV 4632 TC6H, a sturdy 46t machine that can stack up to a height of six high cube shipping containers. In addition, it is the first unit of this model to be manufactured in the Konecranes Markaryd factory. It was delivered in parts for easy transportation, and Trex Peru assembled and commissioned it on-site. Trex will provide SAVAR with specialised product support.

The truck features an OPTIMA cabin for comfort and visibility, a strong box-type chassis and a wide drive axle with a long wheelbase for high stability and safe handling. A low-emission engine, reduced fuel consumption and low noise levels minimise environmental impact. Smart systems integrate with TRUCONNECT Basic, allowing a remote and almost real-time view of truck usage and easier maintenance planning.

UgoWork achieves Li-ion certification for forklifts

Posted on by David Priestman

UgoWork, a Canadian energy solutions provider specialised in lithium-ion batteries for industrial trucks, has announced that its 36V and 48V lithium-ion batteries are now certified UL 2580, the Standard for Batteries for Use in Electric Vehicles.

UgoWork worked with UL to obtain third-party, science-backed certification for its 36V (Class I and II) and 48V (Class I) lithium-ion batteries for electric forklift trucks and fleets. The products passed the meticulous tests, which include fire propagation testing, drop testing, vibration and shock testing, and crush testing. Achieving UL’s 2580 certification helps demonstrate to customers the scientific approach to confirming its solutions adhere to strict robustness and safety norms.

“Obtaining this certification, in addition to the certification for our 24V model, is once again the proof of our commitment to safety, where there’s no shortcut acceptable,” explained Philippe Beauchamp, UgoWork’s President and CEO. “Forklift manufacturers don’t mess around with safety, and we are extremely proud of all our recent approvals to better serve our clients who deserve the best, and the safest for their team members.”

UgoWork will showcase its latest innovations at MODEX in Atlanta, GA, on March 28-31.

GenieGrips adds Stik-It Pads to its range

Posted on by David Priestman

GenieGrips Pty Ltd, the Melbourne, Australia-based maker of high quality, durable, forklift safety products, has added GenieGrips Stik-It Pads to its range of products.

GenieGrips Stik-It Pads are a slim, patterned anti-slip pad that protects products and minimises the risk of slipping loads. They are a self-adhesive solution to protecting product reducing risk of injury or damage. Sitting within the footprint of the forklift tyne, their low profile allows them into the smallest of openings.

GenieGrips Stik-It Pads are extremely easy to fit, with high performance acrylic adhesive tape to secure them to the forks. GenieGrips Stik-It Pads are available in one size and can be trimmed or joined together to accommodate different lengths and widths to fit most forktynes.

“Team is going well. It’s a good product. I would not have had to buy more until next year, but we had extra requirements not planned for,” said Simon Richards, IT/Traceability, West Gate Tunnel Project. “Even though they have 14t on them, all day long, they last a long time. Damage reduction means savings of thousands of dollars.”

GenieGrips Pty Ltd will be exhibiting at MODEX in Atlanta, Georgia, US Booth B8247 28th-31st March. This will provide the perfect opportunity for new and existing customers to see the range of innovative GenieGrips products.

 

 

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