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Tag: forklifts

25% of electric Toyota FLTs are Lithium-ion

Posted on by David Priestman

Nearly a quarter of all Toyota electric-powered forklift trucks ordered for delivery in the UK now feature Lithium-ion battery technology.

“While lead acid remains by far the dominant battery type within the electric-powered forklift market, sales of Lithium-ion forklifts have been on a sustained upward curve for some time,” says Gary Ison, Sales Training & Product Development Manager at Toyota  Material Handling UK.

“Lead acid batteries have been a highly capable forklift power solution for years, and it is estimated that in the region of 90% of all electric forklifts in operation throughout the world are still running on these battery types. But Lithium-ion battery technology is now seen as the next evolution in forklift efficiency.”

Lithium-ion’s share of the electric forklift market is widely expected to proliferate significantly over the next five years with a report recently undertaken by India-based analyst, Research Dive, forecasting that the global Lithium-ion forklift battery market will be worth close to US$1,348.5m by 2026.

Gary Ison says: “Over the last decade or so, electric-powered forklifts have become an increasingly popular choice for businesses across all industry sectors who find themselves under growing social and legislative pressure to operate in as environmentally sensitive way as they can.

“Traditionally, electric lift trucks have relied on lead-acid battery technology but the Lithium-Ion solution has now become well established as a viable alternative. Today, in the right applications, Lithium-ion is revolutionising the way some companies operate their intralogistics processes.”

Growth in the Lithium-ion powered forklift market is being driven by a number of factors, not the least of which are the energy efficiency benefits and savings on fleet running costs that Lithium-ion offers.

But of equal significance are the advances in both battery and charger technology that have alleviated the health and safety issues that, for a while, were linked with Lithium-ion  batteries following a number of high profile fires at industrial buildings reportedly started by malfunctioning Lithium-ion batteries.

“There is no doubt that, some of the problems experienced by the early adopters of Lithium-ion battery technology made people cautious, but the science has moved on and it is easy to understand why more and more electric truck users are interested in Lithium-ion,” says Gary Ison.

He continues: “Lithium-ion batteries have the ability to be recharged in as little as one hour – which increases a truck’s overall availability. One hour’s charging will give in the region of 4 to 5 hours of operating time. Also, as these batteries allow for opportunity charging, trucks can be recharged anywhere by the operator during breaks in a shift or other periods of downtime. As a result, there is no need to swap batteries – so dedicated charging rooms and spare batteries aren’t necessary.”

Lithium-ion’s quick and easy opportunity charging functionality means that Lithium-ion battery fleets are most beneficial at sites where trucks are working at high intensity over multiple shifts or extended periods.

“Lithium-ion’s suitability as a power source for lift trucks is not driven by the number of forklifts in operation at a site but by the intensity of their schedule. A company that runs one reach truck 24 hours-a-day will benefit from switching to Lithium-ion batteries while a facility with a dozen machines that are used for light duties from 9-to-5 would commercially probably still be better served by trucks powered by lead acid batteries,” explains Gary Ison.

Infrastructural considerations

“But,” he cautions, “at any multi-shift operation with a high number of trucks working it is essential to manage and schedule operator break periods and consider the scenario where several trucks are ‘plugged in’ for recharging at the same time.

“This is because during the shorter ‘opportunity’ recharging process a Lithium-ion  battery can draw down up to four times the power from the National Grid than that which is needed to charge a traditional lead-acid battery over 8 – 12 hours.

Gary Ison continues: “If charging schedules are not properly managed and too many Lithium-ion  batteries are on charge at the same time there is risk that a building’s power supply could be overloaded.

“At Toyota we advise customers considering switching to Lithium-ion to speak to their utilities provider to flag up any potential power supply issues from the outset. But good charging discipline will deliver the consistent power levels required to allow the trucks to work around the clock – even within the most demanding environments.

“At Toyota we employ bespoke simulation software that enables us to consider all aspects of a client’s operation from the outset and model the optimum choice of battery and battery charging regime for any facility. From there we can advise on power requirements and help customers considering switching to Lithium-ion batteries to look at the bigger picture when assessing Lithium-ion batteries’ suitability for an application

“So, if you are considering switching to Lithium-ion, make sure your MHE supplier really understands your business and undertakes a thorough survey of your handling operation as well as – most importantly – the infrastructure of your site.

“With Lithium-ion offering so many benefits it is easy to forget that, for some users, the traditional lead acid battery will still represent the best option. Our pride in the Toyota brand means that we will always provide the right power solution for every electric truck application. It doesn’t matter if it’s Lithium-ion or lead acid – as long as it’s right for the customer.”

Reach trucks are Lithium-ion ready

The first three models in Toyota’s recently-launched BT Reflex family of reach trucks – the high-performance R-series, the E-series (which features Toyota’s iconic and unique tilting cab) and the flexible O-series for inside and outside use – are  all Lithium-ion ready.

The new trucks come with a choice of three intelligent energy packages to suit every customer’s application requirements: a 300 amp/hour battery for lighter duties; a 420 amp/hour battery for medium intensity work; and a 630 amp/hour solution for high intensity workhorses. All three packages are based on Toyota’s own modular Lithium-ion battery system and deliver a high degree of operational flexibility.

Linde provides forklifts to support flood relief efforts

Posted on by David Priestman

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.

Combilift expands electric range

Posted on by David Priestman

Irish materials handling specialist Combilift has officially launched its latest product, the Combi-XLE, as a further addition to its impressive range of electric models. In line with the growing demand for electric powered equipment, this multidirectional forklift with up to 5t lift capacity, combines emission-free operation with powerful performance for a wide range of industries and applications.

The original engine powered XL C-Series model was developed to address the requirements of tough working environments such as those in the timber, concrete and steel sectors. The new Combi-XLE incorporates the same key design features as its earlier counterpart such as high ground clearance, large cushioned front and rear tyres and a spacious cab, allowing smooth operation on semi rough terrain whilst offering a high level of driver comfort.

With sustainability ever higher on the agenda, Combilift further helps its customers achieve their environmental goals with its versatile “3 forklifts in 1” models, which work inside and out, reducing fleet size and thereby their carbon footprint. A hallmark of all Combilift products is the ability to increase storage capacity without expanding the size of a facility, resulting in lower energy usage and associated costs such as heating, lighting and maintenance, which is of significant benefit to the environment and the workforce.

Noise pollution and carbon emissions, which can impact on the health and well-being of people as well as wildlife, is also no longer an issue  thanks to electric power. Drivers, employees and visitors on site appreciate the quiet operation, as do neighbouring residents and businesses, particularly in urban areas.

The Combi-XLE incorporates up-to-the-minute technology such as the patented all-wheel traction that reduces tyre wear, load swing and enhances braking. Also included is a newly developed, patented Eco-Steer System which provides a smaller turning radius and improved user experience. Since Electric powered trucks do not have traditional combustion engines, or hydraulic transmissions, there is no longer any need to check and top up engine fluids/lubricants, resulting in longer intervals between services, ultimately saving costs. The use of toughened, eco-friendly water-based paint also dramatically reduces the amount of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) during build.

“The technology we have incorporated into the Combi-XLE means that its performance is equally on a par with diesel or LPG powered forklifts when it comes to handling very bulky and heavy loads, whilst of course offering a greener operation,” said Combilift CEO and Co-Founder Martin McVicar. “We made our first electric C-Series over 18 years ago, and now over 60% of the trucks we manufacture are electric, with availability in almost all models across our range. As more and more of our customers are opting for electric power it is obvious that they are as committed to sustainability and a circular economy as we are.”

At Combilift’s own manufacturing facility, features such as daylighting technology – LED lights with individual PIR sensors, solar panel energy and rainwater harvesting are all aimed at conserving natural resources and decreasing energy consumption. 92% of all components used in the truck assembly are 100% recyclable and the company is also on track to save over 473t of CO2 by using carbon neutral wood chip instead of gas for heating within the factory.

Customer testimonial

Roger Bullivant Limited, part of the Soletanche Freyssinet Group, manufactures precast concrete elements for installation in engineered foundation systems. Its production director Dave Clement says: “At our South Derbyshire precast factory, we use five multidirectional Combi-XLE trucks to transport product from the factory to storage and then to load-out for distribution nationwide.

“As we had already been using Combi units for years, the product decision was straightforward, and from a driver perspective, the operation remains essentially unchanged.

“The reasons to move to electric were twofold: to eliminate exhaust particulates in the factory and as part of our Group environmental plan to minimise our carbon footprint. So, an improvement to the environment in more ways than one.”

 

CLICK HERE to watch a video of the Combi-XLE: https://youtu.be/N5CG8_YhCgU

 

STILL organises flood aid campaigns

Posted on by Keith McKinley

There are many ways to provide support and solidarity – as can be seen from the various aid campaigns organised by the Hamburg-based intralogistics company STILL for those affected by the floods in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Bavaria.

By providing personal assistance and donating vehicles to the German Red Cross (DRK), among other things, the company and their employees are actively and reliably supporting the people in the flooded areas.

Within days of the devastating floods in the west and south of Germany, STILL employees organised spontaneous aid for suppliers in the region. For example, STILL electricians promptly travelled to North Rhine-Westphalia. There, they lent a hand to a long-standing supplier, Falkenroth Umformtechnik GmbH, repairing the central production facilities with a great deal of expertise.

This was a success: thanks to this joint effort, production could be resumed in record time. “With this initiative, our employees not only showed great personal commitment, but also proved that they have their hearts in the right place and a good sense of partnership and solidarity,” says Frank Müller, Senior Vice President Brand Management / Sales & Service Steering STILL EMEA.

On-site logistics support

The company also provided valuable emergency aid: STILL promptly made forklift trucks and other industrial trucks available to the German Red Cross in the region hit by the disaster. The powerful and robust trucks are a welcome support in dealing with the major logistical challenges on the ground.

An additional vehicle donation has just been made: to save time and effort when unloading heavy and bulky loads from the trucks, STILL supplied the DRK Ortsverband Bad Neunahr-Ahrweiler e.V. with a powerful electric high lift stacker.

“The volunteers in the flooded areas have been doing great – and often physically very strenuous – work under extremely challenging conditions for weeks. If we can help make this easier, more efficient and more ergonomic with our technology and our equipment, then we are more than happy to do so,” explains Müller.

Clark Europe makes director appointment

Posted on by David Priestman

Clark Europe has appointed Andy Baldy as its new Director Parts Sales & Admin. Baldy is responsible for the areas of sales, order processing and purchasing of spare parts as well as technical parts support.

“We wish Mr Baldy every success in his new role,” says Rolf Eiten, President & CEO at Clark Europe. “As an experienced employee who has already successfully demonstrated his skills and professional commitment in the spare parts business for more than ten years in various positions for our company, the promotion to Director Parts Sales & Admin was a logical consequence.”

Baldy began his professional career after studying sales management at Intrupa BV in the Netherlands in the area of customer service and marketing. This was followed by a move to Büsch Gabelstapler in Kerken, where he worked as Sales Manager. Andy Baldy has been on board of Clark Europe GmbH since 2010 – initially as Parts Sales Manager and since September 2020 as Parts Manager Clark Europe. In this role, he has managed the Sales, Customer Service and Purchasing of the parts department and team.

“I am happy about the trust that is placed in me,” explains Baldy on the occasion of his promotion. “Enjoying the work and success is my great motivator. However, lasting success is only possible together, so I would like to have a lasting positive influence on the spare parts business with my team.”

Briggs helps major sporting events prosper

Posted on by David Priestman

Briggs Equipment’s fleet of short-term hire equipment has been busy throughout 2021, helping some of the biggest events in the UK’s sporting calendar prosper. Working closely alongside partners Arena Group, a wide range of equipment including access products, forklifts and JCB rough terrain machines have been supplied by Briggs to play a key role in the construction and installation of event structures and seating.

Two of the events that Briggs have supported recently, include the Royal Windsor Horse Show and Matchroom Boxing’s Fight Camp. The Royal Windsor is the UK’s largest outdoor horse show and a fleet of JCB handling equipment helped install the various seating structures that safely housed thousands of spectators throughout the event.

Matchroom’s Fight Camp was established as a result of the pandemic and the inability to accommodate large numbers of fans in arenas or stadiums. As one of the world’s leading boxing promoter, Matchroom had to keep the show on the road and created a pop-up boxing venue at their HQ to host events. Briggs have supported this activity with high quality Hyster & Yale forklifts and JLG access equipment to ensure on-site teams can operate safely and efficiently.

One of the key elements of the Briggs Short-Term Hire service is understanding the requirements of customers before any equipment is delivered. This means that as soon as the machines are delivered on-site, the operating teams can get to work straight away without delay.

Carrie Sherrington, Briggs Equipment’s Short-Term Hire Manager, South & West, commented: “We have a strong partnership with Arena Group and have worked closely with their team over many years to help support their involvement with some of the UK’s most prestigious and recognisable events.

“Despite all the challenges that the last 18 months has provided, we have been working extremely hard to provide the appropriate equipment solutions and support to ensure these events can take place. Our hire team have been exceptional in meeting challenging deadlines and making sure that the right equipment is delivered first time to our customers.

“With coronavirus restrictions lifted across the UK, we’re excited about increasing our involvement and activity in this area and look forward to support Arena Group in future events.”

Terry Smith, Arena Group’s Managing Director – Seating, commented: “Working alongside Briggs Equipment we have been able to deliver high quality solutions to help get some of the UK’s biggest events up and running. The value that Briggs provide is their capability to meet the requirements of our customers, no matter how challenging, and deliver a complete service at the first time of asking.

“We have worked with Briggs for many years and look forward to continuing our partnership.”

 

Lithion and UgoWork collaborate to recycle lithium batteries

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Lithion Recycling and UgoWork have signed a collaboration agreement for the recycling of lithium-ion batteries developed by UgoWork for the material handling market.

The agreement includes recycling tests of several generations of batteries produced by UgoWork at Lithion’s demonstration plant. In addition, a commercial collection, transportation and recovery process will also be developed between the two organisations to promote the sustainable and efficient recycling of lithium-ion batteries. The agreement initially covers North America.

“This collaboration with UgoWork is a great example of Quebec synergies through the lithium-ion battery industry and is fully aligned with our desire to grow this sector in Quebec,” said Benoit Couture, president of Lithion. “It is important to promote local recycling and to offer a competitive advantage to companies like UgoWork in the face of sustainable development objectives and end-of-life management requirements for lithium batteries,” he added.

“Recycling battery components that reached their end-of-life is perfectly aligned with our sustainable product development approach,” said Philippe Beauchamp, co-founder and CEO of UgoWork. “Joining forces with Lithion which has strong partnerships with companies such as Hyundai Canada, reflects our commitment to our customers and will help support our continued growth in North America.”

Yale truck ideal for landscaping expert

Posted on by David Priestman

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.

Doosan launches new reach truck series

Posted on by David Priestman

Doosan has launched a  highly versatile range of productivity enhancing electric reach trucks. Designed by a team of specialist engineers utilising customer feedback, the BR14JW 9-Series combines faster operating speeds with advanced ergonomics and greater driver comfort, making lighter work of heavy warehousing tasks.

As the latest additions to Doosan’s extensive range of warehouse trucks, the new 9-Series electric reach trucks are available in six moving-mast models with capacities between 1,400 and 2,500kg, and in three chassis types: Heavy, Narrow or Standard. All models are equipped with Doosan’s renowned Guardian Stability System and Smart Sensor control, reducing mast oscillation by 40%, for greater stability and safer load handling when operating at heights of up to 13m.

Every warehouse application

Businesses across a broad spectrum of industry – from manufacturing, wholesale distribution and food & drink to engineering, building supplies and transport & warehousing – will benefit from the improved efficiency, speed and performance of Doosan’s latest, 9-Series electric reach trucks. With warehouse space at a premium, maximising available storage space using a narrow-aisle, high-bay configuration combined with Doosan’s latest top performing reach trucks, can transform the capacity and productivity of a warehouse.

Making the most of the narrowest aisle widths, Doosan’s new ultra-compact BR14J-9 and BR16J-9 models are 12% narrower than the previous models, which together with a shorter chassis, offers a much tighter turning radius – allowing the operator to manoeuvre with confidence in aisles under 3m wide.

Providing heavyweight-lifting muscle, the BR20JW-9 and BR25JW-9 heavy models have the capacity to carry loads up to 2t and 2.5t respectively, and the standard BR14JW-9 and BR16JW-9 reach trucks offer all-round value and performance for standard applications.

Maximum productivity

Operational performance has received a boost in Doosan’s 9-Series, with design and engineering improvements delivering 15% faster travel speeds, 20% faster lifting speeds and 10% faster lowering speeds, helping to get the job done more quickly and efficiently.

Maximum manoeuvrability is available to the driver with a choice between 180°or 360° steering. The 360° steering system is easier on arms, wrists and shoulders when changing direction quickly or manoeuvering in tight spaces.

Stronger ergonomics

The sleek looks of the new 9-Series reach trucks are combined with sound ergonomics, taking safety, driver comfort, ease of maintenance and productivity fully into account.

The cab is designed for operator comfort and to reduce fatigue, with a fully adjustable premium Grammer suspension seat as standard, and excellent all-round visibility for safer manoeuvring with greater awareness. An upgraded mast design improves forward visibility and a new diagonal overhead guard offers enhanced visibility of the fork tips when working at height.

Other standard features are: an adjustable steering column, an easy and intuitive instrument panel, a wider armrest and plenty of leg room for driver comfort.

Optional extras include: Pre-height selection, side-shift auto-centring function, auto-tilt levelling, mast laser indicator, fork camera and joystick control.

A growing warehouse range

As part of a major upgrade programme of Doosan’s expansive warehouse truck range, the new 9-Series reach truck complements a growing list of enhanced products, including high-performance pedestrian stackers, powered pallet trucks, and platform double stackers, as well as a huge variety of three and four wheeled electric and IC counterbalance trucks in capacities from 1.3t to 25t. All reflecting the company’s commitment to delivering simple, powerful and robust equipment suited to customer needs.

Standard features across the warehouse range include low-noise and maintenance-free AC motors, electric power steering, regenerative braking, sensitive proportional hydraulics, multi-functional display for monitoring energy and machine status, turtle speed button, hydraulic damper for shock-free load lowering – all combined with a robust, compact chassis that offers high manoeuvrability in tight spaces and designed-in stability for lifting confidence and safety.

The warehouse range is fully supported by Doosan’s worldwide service network and backed-up by genuine Doosan parts, underscoring Doosan’s commitment to maximum performance with minimum downtime.

All new warehouse models reflect Doosan’s renowned design characteristics of compact functional form, high manoeuvrability, durability and rugged, reliable performance.

Ryan Lenihan, Commercial Director at Doosan Industrial Vehicle UK, says: “Productivity within the warehouse is a highly important focus for businesses in manufacturing and retail. Labour availability is under pressure across the UK and customer expectations for service and delivery is unrelenting, so companies need higher performance materials handling equipment to support their plans for productivity gains.

“The scale and scope of Doosan as a large global engineering business enables us to make significant, on-going investment into our warehouse product range – bringing design enhancements, new battery and charging technology upgrades, advanced safety features, and a whole range of performance boosting innovations.

“Our warehouse truck range and new models complement our extensive range of IC engine and electric counterbalance trucks. This is all part of a comprehensive remodelling programme that further supports Doosan’s position as a powerful brand supplying robust and reliable solutions across a broad spectrum of industrial activity – in the yard, the factory and the warehouse.”

Doosan’s all new 9-Series electric reach truck range offers everything a business needs in a reach truck to run a safe, high-performance warehouse.

STILL recognised as sustainability leader

Posted on by David Priestman

Acting responsibly towards the environment, partners, customers, and employees is firmly anchored in STILL‘s corporate philosophy. Therefore, the company has once again undergone a sustainability audit by the international assessment platform EcoVadis this year – with an outstanding result: STILL is awarded the gold sustainability certificate for their commitment regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR).

For 10 years now, STILL has been subject to evaluation by the renowned rating agency EcoVadis. It involves taking a close look at the four major sustainability fields ‘environment’, ‘labour practices and human rights’, ‘fair business practices’ and ‘sustainable procurement’. After achieving very good results in previous years, STILL was awarded the gold sustainability certificate for the first time in 2021.

This puts STILL among the best of the engineering companies examined worldwide by EcoVadis and sets a high standard for forward-thinking, globally active industrial companies. This applies especially to aspects of environmental protection. Here, STILL ranks among the top 1% of all companies assessed in this sector.

Taking responsibility, shaping the future

Operating economically in line with environmental and social standards is a top priority at STILL and forms the basis of all strategic decisions. This includes maximum transparency across the entire value chain, the responsible use of resources from production to disposal, and ensuring and promoting high social and safety standards among suppliers and partners. All these standards are anchored in the company’s philosophy and are practised across all divisions and hierarchies.

In order to make them as transparent as possible for business partners and customers, STILL has its  CSR standards audited by the independent rating agency EcoVadis.

“The gold sustainability certificate is a great acknowledgment of our values and our long-standing efforts,” says Frank Müller, Senior Vice President Brand Management / Sales & Service Steering STILL EMEA. “Especially in view of the current climate situation, there is no alternative to economic practices that focus on the long-term protection and conservation of our global resources.”

CSR – the sales argument of the future

And so certificates like the EcoVadis sustainability medal will become the future quality labels of the economy. Because sustainability and responsibility have never been more in the focus of corporate assessment and international competition than they are today. CSR is no longer a question of image. Rather, operating responsibly together with a value-oriented corporate philosophy have become relevant differentiation criteria and sales arguments in the global competition for customers, orders, and partnerships.

 

 

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