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Tag: forklifts

Powered pallet trucks make deliveries faster and safer

Posted on by David Priestman

Parfetts, an employee-owned UK cash and carry wholesaler, has upgraded the material handling equipment across its seven depots with the introduction of new reach trucks, counterbalance trucks and powered pallet trucks from the Toyota range.

Covering the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, the North East and North West regions of England, Parfetts offers over 9,000 product lines. While a significant proportion of the company’s clients still prefer to visit Parfetts’ depots in-person in the traditional ‘cash and carry’ business model way, increasingly customers choose to place their orders online. Parfetts operates an online order-day-one-for-day-two-delivery service and delivery is free of charge.

To help maintain the efficiency of its free delivery service and reduce the risk of delivery personnel suffering strain-related injuries during their daily routine, Parfetts has equipped each wagon in its transport fleet with BT Tyro LHE130 powered pallet trucks.

Prior to the arrival of the powered pallet trucks, Parfetts’ delivery personnel had used manual or ‘pump’ trucks. However, the company has seen a clear increase in the number of palletised loads passing through its downstream supply chain while the use of roll cages is in decline.

Stefan Dremza, Parfetts’ store manager, comments: “Back strains and other musculoskeletal disorders brought on by manual handling tasks are among the main causes of staff absenteeism in the UK, so it makes sense to reduce or, ideally, eliminate manual handling wherever possible.

“Powered pallet trucks are considerably less tiring to work with than ‘pump’ trucks and we have been able to cut out a lot of the hard physical work that delivering to our retailer customers involves simply and highly cost-effectively by introducing the Tyro powered pallet trucks.”

The BT Tyro LHE130 from Toyota is an entry-level powered pallet truck that has been designed for use in light applications. It is manoeuvred effortlessly and can lift and transport loads weighing up to 1300kg, while its compact design and ‘creep speed’ functionality make it ideal for applications where space is confined – as is often the case when delivering to retail stores.

To optimise safety when transporting loads, the new truck automatically reduces its speed when cornering and to ensure that only authorised personnel can operate it, the LHE130 requires PIN code access.

In addition, reach and counterbalance trucks have been supplied for operation within Parfetts’ depots. The reach trucks are Toyota RRE160B models. With a lift height of 8.5m, these highly productive trucks feature fingertip control levers for all fork movements and electronic steering for precise driving.

The counterbalance trucks specified are Toyota Traigo 3-wheel electric-powered models. The Traigo’s 1.5t load capacity and tight turning radius make it the ideal truck for operation within Parfetts’ depots.

Parffets has been employee-owned since 2008. With 900 staff the business has a turnover of £650m.

 

TVH achieves sustainability goal

Posted on by David Priestman

Parts specialist TVH has reached the second level in the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) sustainability trajectory, and may now call itself SDG Champion.

TVH − a global player in the field of parts for forklifts, industrial, construction and agricultural equipment – was one of the first Belgian companies to receive the UNITAR certificate of SDG Pioneer in 2020. This constituted international recognition for corporate sustainability.  Specifically, TVH garnered the highest praise during the last audit for its recycling efforts, ergonomic work environment, and extensive electric vehicle fleet and infrastructure. Now, TVH has also reached the next level, becoming an SDG Champion.

Anton Theunynck, Global Sustainability Manager at TVH (pictured left with Frederik Hanssens, TVH’s SHE Manager), said: “To our company, sustainability is of strategic importance. This clearly helped to convince the jury, as did our choice to commit to specific SDGs through targets and measurements. A final convincing element was our policy to have key actors, such as the board, management and focus groups, take on a specific role, all the while providing the necessary cross-pollination. We were also given some homework: translating all of this into bigger strategic actions.”

UNITAR wants to offer governments and organisations a compass for corporate sustainability, based on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs). To receive UNITAR certification in Belgium, a company must realise actions for all 17 SDGs and obtain the Voka Charter Corporate Sustainability at least three years in a row. TVH meets both conditions.

 

Permission granted for pipeline to UK LPG storage facility

Posted on by David Priestman

Flogas Britain, one of the UK’s leading liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) suppliers, has announced that it has been granted planning permission to construct a gas pipeline from Bristol Port into the nation’s largest above ground LPG storage terminal, at Avonmouth, near Bristol.

Once complete, the pipeline will link the UK to a diverse, global supply of off-grid gas, providing security of supply and enhancing affordability for off-grid logistics businesses and residential customers. It will also play an important role in the decarbonisation of off-grid Britain, in line with the Government’s 2050 net zero target.

With planning permission now in place, Flogas (part of DCC plc) is now actively talking to potential partners from across the entire supply chain, who want to join Flogas in creating a dependable, affordable and greener off-grid fuel supply for the UK.

Flogas is fully committed to meeting net zero targets and securing a low carbon future, so planning approval for the pipeline marks a major milestone for the business. LPG is the cleanest, most efficient conventional off-grid fuel available, and logistics businesses transitioning from oil will benefit from significant carbon savings and improved air quality, as it emits far fewer pollutant emissions.

As well as importing LPG, the pipeline will have the capability to import Bio-LPG, which is a fully renewable green gas alternative. Additionally, it will provide access to emerging sources of renewable fuels not currently manufactured or available in the UK, helping to further future-proof Britain’s supply of low carbon off-grid fuels. There will be clear affordability benefits too, as access to global markets will increase supplier options, and reduce the UK’s reliance on its diminishing refinery network.

Starting at Bristol Port with a new, state-of-the-art unloading facility, the pipeline will largely follow existing pipeline routes through predominantly industrial areas, to the Flogas Avonmouth storage facility. Running safely underground and out of site, the twin-pipeline will vastly increase the availability of LPG and Bio-LPG, enabling up to 20,000 tonnes of commodity to be safely and securely discharged from a ship in 24 hours.

The Flogas Avonmouth Storage facility is the largest of its kind in the UK, with the capacity to store 34,564 tonnes of LPG. Formerly owned by National Grid, the Avonmouth facility was previously only able to store LNG (liquefied natural gas). However, work is currently underway to convert it to an LPG and Bio-LPG storage facility, further strengthening Flogas’ distribution network, and providing customers with an unrivalled off-grid gas supply chain.

Lee Gannon, Flogas Britain’s Managing Director, said: “The granting of planning permission is the final piece in the jigsaw for this ground-breaking project, as we already have the Avonmouth storage facility and agreement in principle from Bristol Port and landowners for the pipeline route.

“This means we’re now perfectly placed to start talking to prospective partners from across the supply chain who want to join us in this venture. Avonmouth offers an excellent collaborative opportunity, one that will provide important access to the global market and enhance security of supply to our off-grid customers. It’s also completely future ready and will be key in helping homes and businesses make that important energy transition to net zero emissions.

“The next phase of design is currently underway and with completion of construction potentially as early as 2025, we will soon have locked in a direct link between our storage facility and world supply of existing and upcoming carbon free fuels.”

Gannon concluded: “As an energy supplier that is committed to meeting net zero targets, we fully support heat pumps and other renewable power supplies, but for many off-grid homes and businesses they can be either unsuitable or unaffordable. For these customers, LPG is the perfect off-grid transition fuel away from oil, and this pipeline will increase its affordability and supply.”

George Webb, CEO of Liquid Gas UK (LGUK) added: “The new Avonmouth facility marks a significant step in the import and supply of renewable liquid gases here in the UK. The site will enable a much greater storage capacity of LPG and renewable liquid gases, which will in turn will strengthen the supply chain and make a significant contribution to the future resilience of the industry as a whole.

“The new pipeline demonstrates Flogas’s commitment to facilitate the development of renewable fuels in the UK, helping residents and businesses on the road to net zero emissions. It’s fantastic news, and great progress for the decarbonisation of off-grid Britain.”

 

 

Optimise energy consumption in-house

Posted on by David Priestman

Fronius Perfect Charging is offering a new effective tool for intralogistics to optimise energy consumption quickly and sustainably. With the “Load Balancing” function of the Charge & Connect software solution, fleet managers can reduce power peaks when charging lead-acid batteries and thus lower their energy costs.

Energy prices are rising massively. It is therefore even more important for companies to optimise their power consumption. One cost driver is electricity peaks. They occur when many consumers draw power at the same time – for example, when several lead-acid batteries of the electric forklift fleet are charged simultaneously. This short-term heavy load on the grid can lead to an excess of the agreed power quota, resulting in expensive additional payments and higher grid provision charges. Fronius Perfect Charging has developed a solution for this: the “Load Balancing” function of the renowned Charge & Connect connectivity software offers the opportunity of harmonising peak loads when charging lead-acid traction batteries. This prevents short-term overloads and reduces energy costs. The availability of the fleet is thereby ensured.

“The load balancing runs automatically – thanks to our intelligent charging algorithm. Once the function is activated in the Charge & Connect portal, the fleet operator can set parameters such as shift model and battery availability requirements,” explains Andreas Prielinger, Global Director RnD. “What is unique about it is that there are hardly any comparable solutions on the market for lead-acid batteries.”

The software analyses the charging process and defines the optimal and most energy-efficient charging strategy – be it through stretching, staggering or a combination of both. In this way, the required number of fully charged batteries are always available without generating heavy power peaks. Significant advantages also result from the fact that the charging curve can be individually adapted to the battery requirements as well as further charging stations or rooms can be flexibly expanded.

“Load balancing is thus a simple and at the same time efficient tool for every forklift fleet operator to keep the base load of the charging infrastructure as constant as possible and to sustainably reduce electricity consumption and costs,” Prielinger sums up.

BlockMaster takes centre stage at BAUMA

Posted on by David Priestman

B&B Attachments and partner KAUP are exhibiting together at the 33rd edition of the world’s leading construction trade fair BAUMA 2022. The globally renown exhibition will be held at the Messe München convention centre from the 24th – 30th October.

The show has yet again sold out, booking 200,000 sq m of indoor space and 400,000 sq m outdoor to more than 3,000 exhibitors from 60 countries.

The two material handling specialists will be on stand B5 304 exhibiting a range of attachments designed specially to improve material handing in the construction industry.

KAUP and B&B Attachments have worked together in attachment development since 1980. Together, their shared knowledge and expertise continue to advance the material handling industry. Bauma is the perfect platform for both industry giants to show their latest innovations. This includes the K320, which is part of B&B’s BlockMaster range (pictured), made uniquely for specialist applications within the construction industry. The range is designed to assist with the complex task of safely moving bricks, blocks and tiles.

B&B Attachments will also exhibit its Beam Grab. This attachment has been manufactured by B&B to assist in the unloading process of pre-cast concrete floor beams. Designed to fit crane delivery vehicles, the beam grab can lift varying sized beams and profiles and handle up to six beams in one single lift.

KAUP will be exhibiting its T413 heavy duty bale clamp. This attachment can be used to handle waste bales in the recycling industry. It is an example of how KAUP attachments can easily be fitted to many different types and styles of vehicles throughout many different industry sectors. The variety and range of attachments ensure that the correct handling solution can be offered for many different applications.

“We are delighted to be exhibiting at this year’s Bauma. The exhibition is the construction industry’s largest event, and its return has created quite a buzz. The team are looking forward to meeting with customers and showing our products to a global audience,” comments Mike Barton, Managing Director at B&B Attachments.

NAiSE and Pilz establish partnership

Posted on by David Priestman

Pilz is expanding its range for the safe use of driverless transport systems (DTS): In cooperation with the material flow automation expert NAiSE GmbH, the automation company Pilz is offering the world’s first traffic and order manager for all participants in intralogistics – for people as well as for transport systems. With NAiSE Traffic AGV applications can be implemented safely and efficiently thanks to precise real-time localisation. The goal: higher productivity in intralogistics.

Using sensor infrastructure and intelligent, integrated and cross-manufacturer communication, the traffic and order manager NAiSE Traffic analyses the flow of traffic and goods in intralogistics applications in real time. The software coordinates and controls the traffic of all participants – people and industrial trucks such as AGVs or forklifts. This provides operators with a holistic, manufacturer-independent material flow automation solution. Traffic jams, bottlenecks and accidents are avoided. This increases safety and optimises traffic control – for more transparency, efficiency and productivity.

With the traffic and order manager from the Stuttgart start-up NAiSE, Pilz is further expanding its comprehensive range of solutions in the field of intralogistics.  For safe automation of driverless transport vehicles (AGV) or systems (AGV), Pilz offers an extensive portfolio of safety components with sensors and control technology as well as a security solution.

In addition, Pilz provides support with the right services for vehicles and applications – in accordance with ISO 3691-4 standards and up to CE marking. Manufacturers and operators receive a complete package from Pilz for safe and productive intralogistics applications.

Unilode goes green with electric trucks from Briggs

Posted on by David Priestman

Unilode Aviation Solutions, a leading service provider to the aviation sector, is the latest business to invest in electrification with Briggs Equipment following the introduction of electric Hyster trucks to its Heathrow site.

The new forklifts replace a fleet of gas machines and will allow Unilode to deliver on its sustainability targets and reduce environmental impact. Additionally, Unilode will benefit from lower operational and maintenance costs, underlining the long-term benefits of choosing electric.

The new trucks are already making a positive impact on-site, with positive feedback received from operators on their comfort, ease-of-use and extensive safety features.

Babak Yazdani, Chief Operating Officer, Unilode, commented: “The new electric trucks supplied by Briggs Equipment are a fantastic addition to our industrial equipment fleet. The new equipment is cleaner, greener and more efficient, helping our operators complete their work with greater precision. These are more productive forklifts with zero emissions that will help us to continue reducing our carbon footprint. Over the coming year more stations in our MRO network will be making this change to further enhance the sustainability of Unilode’s ULD solutions.”

Ben Creighton, Senior Sales Executive, Briggs Equipment, commented: “We are delighted to have completed this delivery to a new Briggs customer in Unilode. Right throughout the tender process, they have shown a clear commitment towards reducing environmental impact and delivering on their carbon footprint objectives.

“At Briggs, we are committed to helping our customers build an effective and future proofed carbon strategy that is capable of evolving with our customers. We are now looking forward to working closely with the team at Unilode to ensure they get the most out of their new trucks and keep delivering an outstanding service for their customers.”

UgoWork makes senior appointment

Posted on by David Priestman

UgoWork, a Canadian energy solutions provider specialising in lithium-ion batteries and Energy as a Service (EaaS) solutions in the material handling industry, has appointed industry veteran Tim Ballard as its Director of Sales.

Ballard has over two decades of proven experience in material handling. After studying at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, he worked in several management positions at ProLift Industrial Equipment, an official full-service and material handling dealership for Toyota.

Apart from an in-depth and pragmatic understanding of industry needs and trends, Ballard’s strengths reside in his track record of working in all aspects of material handling, including operations, sales, training and support.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tim to the team,” explained Philippe Beauchamp, UgoWork’s CEO. “When I first met Tim through different projects, I already knew about his incredible reputation in the industry. We have an amazing response from the market and Tim comes at the right time. His approach and personality are a perfect fit in our team, and his contribution to our phenomenal expansion is extremely exciting. His background and rigor will definitely help our entire team achieve the very ambitious expansion goals we have set for the company.”

UgoWork says Ballard shares Beauchamp’s eagerness to pave the way for the company’s innovative approach to energy management for material handling teams. “I was very impressed with UgoWork’s vision and the performance of both its lithium-ion batteries and Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) model,” he said. “No other manufacturer offers these types of solutions on the market – a solution that truly addresses today’s material handling challenges.”

“What started off as a customer-vendor relationship evolved into something much more. Right away, I saw the advantages of UgoWork’s products and what they could do. The customer value speaks for itself,” Ballard added.

His plans for UgoWork in the upcoming months? “I want the business to have the very best sales team in the industry so that we can educate and serve material handling teams across North America about the benefits of lithium-ion batteries and EaaS as compared to other legacy technologies. UgoWork’s future looks very bright indeed.”

The UgoWork team will be at the Southern Automotive Conference from October 5 to 7 in Atlanta, GA. UgoWork will have booths in the Canadian pavilion (#404) and the EV Street display area.

 

UniCarriers wins cold chain award

Posted on by David Priestman

UniCarriers has won the Materials Handling Equipment Provider of the Year Award at the recent TCS&D Awards 2022.

Held at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, the TCS&D Awards recognises individuals and companies achievements within the Cold Chain sector, where over 400 industry colleagues were in attendance.

“We are delighted to win the TCS&D MHE Provider of the Year Award,” says UniCarriers UK National Sales Manager, Mark Wakeman. “At UniCarriers we are committed to delivering high-quality, state-of-the-art equipment, whilst providing a range of modifications to optimise truck performance in frozen & chilled stores, meaning our customers can focus on the job, instead of concerns about equipment and staff’.

As the UK’s active and growing forklift provider for frozen and chilled operations, UniCarriers offers a full range of forklift trucks optimised for use in temperature-controlled areas. The state-of-the-art heated cold store cabins, high-capacity batteries, quality steel, and leading ergonomic design, combine for optimum performance. Of course, the truck is not the only TCS&D star – UniCarriers solutions and levels of service not only meets, but also exceeds customer expectations.

Frozen & chilled stores are an essential part of the modern logistics chain, but they are also expensive to run  and challenging to operate. UniCarriers works closely with its customers to find the right equipment to improve the efficiency of their operations and remains alongside them every step of the way. It’s not just business, it’s about building relationships. This TCS&D Award is a fantastic acknowledgement of the work carried out every day by UniCarriers expert sales, and service teams.

“UniCarriers’ focus will always be on providing the best frozen and chilled solution for each and every customer,” says Wakeman. “Whichever contract or short-term hire option our customers choose, they find that what really sets UniCarriers apart is our dedication to providing excellent bespoke equipment, solutions, and service throughout the relationship.”

 

TagID guided charging brings new standard

Posted on by David Priestman

With TagID guided charging, Fronius says it is bringing a new standard to the market for charging lead-acid batteries. With this intelligent battery sensor system, users can optimise the entire charging process from implementation to ongoing monitoring of traction batteries.

Many companies are currently having to balance healthy order books with supply chains that are difficult to plan and an acute shortage of personnel. In times of rising costs and increasing workload, it is important to charge forklift batteries as economically as possible. “With our new TagID guided charging solution, fleet managers can increase the availability of their forklifts while reducing the internal workload,” explains Johannes Spreitzer, strategic product manager at Fronius Perfect Charging. “In addition, TagID guided charging makes an important contribution to avoiding incorrect battery handling, increasing user safety and extending the service life of the battery,” adds Spreitzer.

Optimal supply to the batteries

The regular servicing of traction batteries can often get overlooked in busy warehouses. When developing the TagID, the Fronius Perfect Charging team made sure that these tasks are carried out largely automatically.

“TagID continuously measures the various physical variables of the batteries. Based on this data, our battery chargers provide a particularly gentle and efficient charge,” says Spreitzer. For example, the intelligent battery sensor system can detect whether a battery is deeply discharged and automatically starts the corresponding desulphation process, while an integrated level sensor signals when battery fluid needs to be refilled. The so-called ’automatic ionic circulation’ feature prevents acid stratification in the battery, which has a positive effect on the battery life.

Efficient charging with Plug & Charge

If lead-acid batteries are connected to the TagID and Selectiva 4.0 chargers from Fronius, fleet managers can rely on a charging infrastructure that is as efficient as possible. Thanks to the self-configuration curve, characteristics no longer have to be set manually, but automatically adapt to the battery state of charge. Optimum charging is thus ensured at all times.

Equalising charges are only carried out with the Intelligent Equalising Charge function if the battery actually requires it, reducing energy consumption by up to four percent. This both cuts energy costs and makes an important contribution to greater sustainability.

Users no longer have to worry about ambient temperatures either. The TagID is equipped with a temperature sensor as standard and automatically adjusts the charge to the temperature of the battery.

“We have set ourselves the goal of making the charging of lead-acid batteries as efficient, sustainable and simple as possible. With TagID guided charging, this is now becoming a reality,” says Spreitzer.

The TagID can be configured using the NFC interface via the TagID Config app and automatically checks whether the voltage value of the battery entered during configuration matches the actual measured value.

Johannes Spreitzer, strategic product manager at Fronius Perfect Charging, is convinced that TagID guided charging will establish a new standard for charging traction batteries.

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