Tag: forklifts

Konecranes Lifetime Advantage upgrade packages have been regularly bringing customers the most recent advances in safety and productivity available for their lift trucks for over three years. Now, the latest chapter in this long-term commitment to improving lift truck performance presents four more innovations from Konecranes.

Two of the four new upgrades directly address safety issues. The first safety upgrade, a container checking safety system for Konecranes empty container handlers, allows drivers or service technicians to check or perform maintenance on containers while the container is gripped by the spreader, reducing the downtime needed for container repairs. The system uses mechanical locks to put the driving gears into neutral, block hydraulics and prevent the container from lowering. As an extra precaution, an indicator light on the fender flashes until the driver deactivates the system.

The second safety upgrade is a collision warning and object recognition camera system for Konecranes reach stackers, mounted on the counterweight at the back. When an obstacle is detected in the direction the truck is moving, an alarm alerts the driver, becoming more urgent as the object gets closer. The camera provides a clear image of what is in the truck’s path on the control panel so that the driver can adjust direction to avoid the obstacle.

“Safety and productivity are our highest priorities at Konecranes, so we work hard to include enhancements for both in every Lifetime Advantage release,” says Johan Kårhammer, Global Spare Parts Operations Manager at Konecranes Lift Trucks. “Our latest upgrades are type-specific – for empty container handlers, reach stackers or forklifts – offering an additional level of specialised improvements so that our customers have access to the best range of options to suit their particular needs.”

The other two upgrades in this release are designed to improve productivity on all Konecranes forklift trucks and empty container handlers equipped with an MD4 master display. The first one is an engine shutdown software solution. If the coolant temperature goes over 103°C (217.4°F) or the oil pressure goes below one bar, a pop-up message appears on the display. The driver can then decide to turn off the engine or keep it running. Managing temperature and pressure increases productivity, decreases downtime and extends the lifetime of the lift truck because the engine runs more efficiently and stays in good condition longer.

The second productivity upgrade is a height indicator. When a laser senses that the total height of the machine (in other words, with an extended mast, including the load) reaches a specified limit, an alarm goes off and a pop-up window appears on the display. Settings can allow the driver to proceed with the knowledge that the height is now at its predefined maximum, or they can prevent lifting the load any higher. Keeping the height manageable increases productivity and safety in lifting operations.

“The Konecranes Lifetime Advantage programme is intended to support customers in their day-to-day business operations,” says Patrik Lundbäck, Director and Head of Sales and Distribution at Konecranes Lift Trucks. “The success of our upgrades is due to the cooperation of our program team and our global distributor network working together with customers to continuously add value to their container handling operations.”

 

The launch of the Yale Series N is just one element of an exciting transformation within Yale Europe Materials Handling. Behind the scenes, the company is evolving the way it does business across the board in a bid to meet changing customer needs. 2022 will be the first time Yale reveals this transformation to the world, but the foundations have been laid in recent months and years. With wide-ranging changes and new ways of selling, engineering and building Yale products, Robert O’Donoghue, Vice President Marketing and Solutions, EMEA at Yale sat down to delve deeper into what has been going on behind-the-scenes as Yale embraces the future.

Q: A lot of the conversation around the new Series N range was about a wider business transformation of Yale: what sparked this?

Robert O’Donoghue (RO’D): The way our customers are buying materials handling equipment has changed dramatically over the past five years. Businesses want to work with a partner that understands their business and delivers the right solutions for their applications. We need to ensure Yale is their first port of call and that we can add more value earlier in the decision-making process.

The transformation is wide ranging – including how we have designed and built our new Series N range, but the changes don’t stop there. Some will be noticeable, whereas others have been a seamless transition. It’s an incredibly exciting period in our history.

Ultimately, we want our business to be focused on the success of our customers. This is why the Series N is designed to offer a new level of excellence in lift truck solutions. By moving away from defined categories of basic, standard and premium lift trucks, the Series N offers a new customer experience that enables them to define their own truck specification.

Q: How is Yale rising to meet the changes in customer buying habits?

RO’D: Our research has shown that customers are self-educating earlier in the buying process than ever before, so it’s important that Yale is there at the start of this journey to guide them to the solution they need.

We discovered that 68% of primary research by our customers is happening online. For this reason, we launched a brand-new website in 2021.

Having digested the wealth of information out there, as many as 57% of buyers have already completed the decision process of what they think they want in a materials handling solution before they engage with a salesperson – so our website is designed to be informative and inspiring, with a focus on industries and solutions.

Q: With so many customers self-educating online before they speak to a salesperson, has that changed your approach to sales?

RO’D: Yale needs to be involved in conversations as early as possible; after all, people want to buy from people. We have developed the HYImpact sales process that engages high up within a customer’s organisation early in that buying journey.

Today’s best practice is to fully understand the customer’s industries, their applications, needs and wants, and recognise how we might help the customer in ways that only Yale can. We’ve found what matters most to our customers is access to information: that’s knowledgeable salespeople and advice on suitability for their intended application. We’re transforming the availability and quality of what we provide so our sales team become trusted advisors.

We’re really rising to this challenge and embracing our new sales approach. Our dealers are also critical to our success and ensuring that we grow within the market, as is having the best partners with the best tools to deliver on that service.

Q: One area of significant change you mentioned is how you design and build Yale products; how does the Series N factor into this?

RO’D: The Series N marks a completely different way of providing products to our customers. The entire range is based on a single platform, enabling our customers to build a truck to meet their specific applications. They no longer have to settle for superfluous features and functionalities; they can define exactly what they need from a lift truck. With the Series N, customers can reject the status quo and set their own standard.

The most respect we can give our customers is to understand their needs in a deep way and have a platform that is both modular and scalable to configure the optimal solution.

Q: How else has the company pivoted to this new ethos?

RO’D: Changes to our Craigavon manufacturing facility have enabled us to create a more agile production line, providing better lead times for our customers.

Simplifying and streamlining our operations has improved on cost-efficiency, scalability and quality; we can now make any mix of product on the assembly lines, meaning we can react to customer needs rather than anticipating them. This helps us to supply products quicker to our customers and get our products integrated into their operations.

Quality still remains a top priority, and our new processes incorporate automation to ensure consistency across multiple products.

This is an incredibly exciting era for Yale, and we can’t wait to hear from our customers and dealers about their Series N experiences. There is a lot more to come, so keep an eye out for more news from us! Our success relies on the success of our customers; our investments in our facilities, digital solutions and new products are all driven to support them in reaching new levels of efficiency and productivity.

UniCarriers has launched an upgraded series of compact pedestrian stackers with state-of-the-art features designed to enhance operator comfort and productivity. As the latest innovations in the world-class UniCarriers portfolio of market-leading stackers, the CSW125 compact pedestrian stacker and CDW125 compact pedestrian stacker for double pallet handling are ideally suited to cross-docking applications.

These compact pedestrian stackers excel at shop replenishment, order picking and short-distance internal transportation in environments such as warehouses, supermarkets and production areas, says the manufacturer. The narrow chassis of just 660mm allows easy working in tight spaces while achieving lift heights of up to 2090mm. Due to its low weight, the single stacker CSW125 is especially valuable if working on mezzanine floors.

The CSW125 and CDW125 stackers now feature a new advanced ergonomic tiller head that offers greater operator comfort thanks to large rocker buttons optimally placed for better access. The robust and impact-resistant tiller head is IP65 rated against water and dust damage and is completely weatherproof to withstand all conditions when working indoors and out. This minimises maintenance and downtime to ensure lower total cost of ownership. The tiller arm is designed to reduce stress on the operator’s arms and hands enabling them to stay comfortable and focused over long shifts.

The compact pedestrian stackers have also been upgraded with a new speed regulated electric proportional valve for controlled lifting/lowering and smooth handling. This supports maximum throughput and efficiency as operators can quickly, confidently and safely handle goods.

UniCarriers says it is dedicated to delivering high-performance trucks built to meet the ever-increasing market demand for efficiency and adaptability. That’s why the CSW125 and CDW125 compact pedestrian stackers come with a range of new options including an advanced multi-function display, battery creep, an audible battery level warning, service alarm, automatic log off, and the ability to revert to low speed at log off. Pedestrian stackers can play a vital role in every part of the pallet handling chain from intake to dispatch, and to increase uptime, UniCarriers utilises a modular build using fewer components for faster repairs and servicing. It’s all part of UniCarriers full-maintenance site support.

Businesses can now easily fine-tune a forklift to match their specific industry and application needs with the new scalable Hyster A Series lift truck series.

With A+ Logic, the Hyster lift trucks can be configured with a range of features to help overcome common materials handling challenges across industry, while delivering a low total cost of ownership.

“For example, in construction materials applications, lift trucks will often be used outside in dirty or dusty environments with poor ground conditions,” says Robert O’Donoghue, VP Marketing and Solutions EMEA for Hyster. “A+ Logic with the Hyster A Series lift trucks offers several adjustable features that can help optimise trucks everywhere, from concrete manufacturing operations to those handling bricks and blocks.”

Dust can result in wear to parts and components. The Hyster A Series features sealed electrical connectors to help manage this but selecting oil-immersed brakes, tilt cylinder boots, and mud guards may provide some applications with additional support. Heavy-duty air intake can also help reduce service intervention requirements.

Where debris is an issue, on-demand cooling includes a reversing fan feature to blow debris out of the engine bay, helping to minimise radiator and engine bay cleaning.  Debris on the floor can also be tackled by choosing a belly screen option and string cutter, helping to optimise uptime.

The Hyster A Series also provides a 2-year / 4000-hour warranty as standard in regulated EMEA markets, giving tough applications peace of mind.

Optimising driver awareness

“In finished metal goods applications, lift trucks will typically be operating indoors in production areas and warehouses,” says O’Donoghue. “In this environment, noise and other distractions can often represent a risk, especially if the truck is working in the vicinity of pedestrians.”

For these applications, a Hyster A Series lift truck can be built with features to support driver awareness. For instance, blue and red spotlights, red line awareness lights, and/or a visible alarm can be chosen to help indicate to pedestrians where a truck is, and that it is moving or working.

The Hyster A Series lift trucks also offer excellent all-round visibility, giving operators the ability to see their surroundings quickly and clearly. With a new mast design, the A series provides through-mast visibility to help improve awareness of the environment. Configurations with a cabin can also benefit from a high-strength laminated glass roof for an unobstructed upwards view. The truck can also be fine-tuned with mirror and camera options to meet application-specific needs.

The mast design also provides excellent fork tip visibility when handling loads, and a fork laser level line can help increase visibility and productivity further.

Operator comfort

Timber storage and distribution centres will commonly comprise in/out operations. For example, unloading a trailer parked in a yard and bringing the load inside, or moving loads from one building to another across a yard or outdoor area.

To maximise comfort for operators, wood applications can opt for their truck to be built with a suitable cabin option for hot or cold climates. For instance, a full weather-proof cabin may help keep operators comfortable and productive in outdoor areas in colder or wetter climates,” says O’Donoghue.

Full cab options include front, top, and rear screens as well as wipers and steel side doors, plus heating, air conditioning, or heated screen options. Sunshades can also be selected with A+ Logic.

Finally, to help meet environmental objectives in many different applications, the new Hyster A Series lift trucks also help deliver reduced emissions, leading to lower costs.  The H2.0-3.5A diesel trucks consume up to 13% less diesel than leading competitor models, and LPG trucks use up to 9% less fuel.

The first ‘Distinctly Hyster, built for you’ models available in the A Series are the H2.0-3.5A IC lift trucks, for handling loads up to 3.5 tonnes.

CLICK HERE to watch the A Series during an Extreme Environmental Conditions Test in Germany.

The industrial truck manufacturer Baoli EMEA, part of the KION Group, aims to become one of the top suppliers in the entry-level segment in all 53 countries where it is currently represented with its products. That is the plan. At present, however, the markets are still developing very differently.

While Baoli is already very prominent in Italy, its market share in France and Austria is still modest. Olivier Le Bozec, Baoli country manager in France, and his counterpart in Austria, Roman Tahetl, talk about how the brand is developing in their markets.

Q: How has the market in the entry-level forklift segment developed in your area of responsibility in the recent past?

Olivier Le Bozec (OLB): In France, this market in particular is growing very dynamically. According to my estimates, the entry-level industrial truck segment has at least doubled in the past 12 months.

Roman Tahetl (RT): In Austria, the total market for industrial trucks rose from 8,473 to 11,922 vehicles last year. The Asian suppliers, who mainly cover the market for entry-level industrial trucks, grew by around four percent last year.

Q: What do you estimate is Baoli’s percentage share of these markets?

OLB: We currently have a market share of around 0.5%. At first glance, that does not sound like a very significant share, but it is a very respectable figure for France. After all, Baoli has only been seriously in business there for four years and development is still in its early stages. But I am pretty sure that we will grow very quickly in France.

RT: In Austria, we will soon reach a market share of 1.5%. That is very impressive considering that we only entered the Austrian market with Baoli in January 2022. In just a few months, we were already able to demonstrate impressively that the “Baoli model” works very well in Austria.

Q: How has the Baoli dealer network in your country developed over the past 12 months?

OLB: We have acted very stringently in the past months and trained our dealers and their sales staff very intensively. Fortunately, we have succeeded in winning six new dealers for Baoli in France.

RT: We were also very successful in acquiring dealers in Austria and are now working successfully with eight dealers. After starting from scratch at the beginning of 2022, this positive development is very, very pleasing.

Q: How many new dealers do you want to acquire for Baoli in your country in the next 12 months?

OLB: We still have a great need, and I hope that at least 12 new dealers will join us in the next few months. Demand is very high, especially in the north of France. Benoit Pasquier, a new sales professional, is currently working on developing the material handling market for Baoli.

RT: We would like to start our business in Austria with 10 dealers to begin with – so we still need two more – and then to observe whether this will be sufficient. In addition, we will take a close look at the regions and analyse where we have further demand.

Q: In your opinion, what are the reasons for dealers in your country to decide to work with Baoli?

OLB: Baoli’s clear structures, loyalty and consistency are certainly the most important reasons for a positive decision.

RT: In Austria, all dealers want to have one brand under contract if possible. In this way, we gain small dealers in particular, who are enabled by this contract to build up their own fleet. But the price and discount structure are also important for this decision. All dealers receive the same discount from us and a sufficiently large sales area. As all dealers in Austria know each other very well and constantly exchange information, there is no significant competition or price war among them.

Q: Is it important for your dealers that Baoli is part of the international KION Group?

OLB: In my experience, the reputation of the KION Group plays an important role in the dealers’ decision to choose our company. For example, KION offers the guarantee that spare parts will be available for more than a decade. In addition, the umbrella organisation guarantees very comprehensive quality control.

RT: I can only confirm that: Being part of the KION Group is an important argument for most dealers to work with Baoli. There are corresponding guarantees – and that is a very important factor in my eyes.

Q: How do your dealers react to the new Baoli vehicles?

OLB: In France, the dealers are first positively surprised by the high-quality of the vehicles manufactured in China, and then very impressed by the trucks. They keep telling us that Baoli vehicles have a very good chance of being successful in our market – the entry-level industrial truck segment.

RT: Unfortunately, we are not yet that far along in Austria. Our dealers are still very cautious in their assessment of the vehicles and want to examine and test them extensively first. However, I am also firmly convinced that we will develop BAOLI into one of the leading brands in the entry-level segment in this country.

Q: So, your dealers are primarily convinced by the quality of the components installed?

OLB: They definitely are. Especially because we use proven components that are used by many forklift manufacturers. The Doosan engines which BAOLI installs, for example, underline the very high-quality standard of the brand. With these high-quality supplier products, our forklifts need to fear no comparison.

RT: Unfortunately, my answer to this question is not as clear as that of my French colleague. As we have only been active in the Austrian market for a few months, I think it is still too early to make a realistic statement here.

Q: Do you consider the current supply of Baoli vehicles to be sufficient?

OLB: At the moment, the range can certainly be expanded to cover all conceivable requirements. However, since Baoli is planning an extensive expansion of its product portfolio, this situation will quickly improve significantly.

RT: I would answer this question in exactly the same way. I, too, am of the opinion that the current range of vehicles will not be sufficient in the long run and should be supplemented – but that has already been planned.

Q: How do your dealers rate the price/performance ratio of Baoli vehicles?

OLB: Our prices have increased over the past year and a half due to the well-known import costs and raw material costs increase because of the worldwide economic situation. However, we must always keep one thing in mind – and we also communicate this to our customers: Baoli forklifts offer significantly more quality and service in the entry-level segment than other suppliers. Anyone who buys a Baoli forklift always buys a comprehensive after-sales service as well.

RT: In Austria, the price/performance ratio of Baoli forklifts is considered very positive according to my experience so far.

Q: Do you see any approaches to optimising cooperation with Baoli dealers?

OLB: Improvements are always possible. The Baoli vehicles could be presented more prominently in the showrooms of our partners in order to anchor our brand even more firmly in the minds of our customers.

Q: Mr. Le Bozec, Mr. Tahetl – thank you for this very interesting interview and for your assessment of the markets in which you operate.

Clark has expanded its product range in the area of pallet trucks with another lift truck. The new WS10Mi is a high-lift truck with mono-mast and initial lift.

The WS10Mi is one of the entry-level models in the world of high-lift trucks. Thanks to its mono-lift mast and its maximum load capacity of up to 1000kg (1200kg initial lift), the areas of application of this nimble warehouse helper are many: The vehicle is suitable for transport over short distances, for stacking applications up to a lifting height of 1955mm or also as a mobile, ergonomic work table. The WS10Mi comes into its own especially when used on uneven floors, smaller ramps or weighing equipment, as the WS10Mi effortlessly overcomes inclines thanks to its initial lift (115mm).

The compact design of the high-lift truck also allows it to be used in space-critical work areas, for example in narrow racking aisles. The length of the truck including the back of the forks (l2) is just 600mm. Only a small amount of force is required to steer the manoeuvrable lift truck. This conserves the operator’s strength and relieves him of his workload. Due to the low vehicle weight of 520kg (including battery) and the resulting lower ground load, the vehicle can also be used on intermediate levels.

Safe and ergonomic load handling

The handle-optimised vehicle drawbar enables precise operation of all travel and lifting functions. In addition, the mono-lift frame offers the best possible view of the fork tips. The operator always keeps an overview and can position the unit safely and precisely as well as thread it unerringly into pallets. Like all models in the WS10 range, the WS10Mi has a low-slung vehicle frame to protect the operator’s feet and those around the vehicle.

The WS10Mi is equipped with maintenance-free block batteries and a built-in charger. This allows the battery to be recharged at any 230v socket. This increases availability and simplifies handling. The vehicle display informs the operator about the battery charge level as well as the operating hours driven.

 

With costs rising across the board, getting the most from your investment in fork lift trucks is more important than ever. As Stewart Gosling of RDD, the UK importer of Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, explains, there are so many factors that can lead to savings over the lifetime of equipment.

“While the price of the truck itself and the fuel costs are the headline items when weighing up your options, there’s much more to it than that when looking at the wider picture. Safety, maintenance, downtime, and support are all factors that’ll affect your bottom line.

“Every Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks product that leaves the factory is built with the same vision behind it. It’s not just about being the best in terms of performance, it also has to be the safest, most reliable, and most fuel-efficient it can be. They’re designed for a long life of high performance and minimal downtime.”

Exceptional fuel economy has been a hallmark of the GRENDiA range of diesel and LPG counterbalance trucks since their inception. It’s a key part of the ‘green diamond’ concept. Low fuel use and low emissions paired with robust construction make for an economical and long-lasting truck that can serve as the backbone of your fleet.

When looking at long-term costs, over a typical 5-year span electric trucks can offer savings in the thousands compared to IC engine equivalents. The EDiA electric counterbalance range – including the award-winning 5.5-tonne EDiA XL – not only matches IC engine trucks in terms of performance but adds a host of cutting-edge advanced features.

Class-leading visibility is a staple of any Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks model. The better the operator can see the surrounding environment and the load, the less likely they’ll have an accident.

Combine this with smart, adaptive technology for speed, stability, and traction such as the Sensitive Drive System or patented DriveSteady system and there’s a greatly lowered risk of a scrape or collision, dropping something, damaging racking, or other incidents that lead to downtime which can eat into your profit margins.

Stewart adds: “Beyond the capabilities of the actual trucks, where you acquire them is also of huge importance. With Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks–authorised local dealers the benefits are twofold. Not only do you have a local point of contact who will understand your business and your specific requirements, but they also have the support of the UK Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks network.

“It means local, personal service backed with manufacturer resources. For example, this means any parts they don’t currently have in stock can be with you quickly from the central parts hub.

“Our dealers will also be able to provide a free site survey to ensure you not only have the correct equipment, but that you’re using it in the best possible space.

“Make sure you look at the whole picture when making your next investment in equipment as the initial outlay never tells the whole story.”