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Tag: Materials Handling

Optimising logistics operations

Posted on by Keith McKinley

BG Log UK is a specialist in supporting Lean Manufacturing projects, with a particular specialism in the organisational aspects of factories.

Managing the logistics processes taking place within a company is very complex. BG Log UK was formed in 2020 to provide a credible and cost-effective option for Automotive, Aerospace and Warehouse Fulfilment businesses who required a reliable supplier to provide a sustainable product in a timely manner.

Supply chain management requires a clear vision to take into account several intertwined factors. With a highly experienced team in terms of Lean Management and CI implementation techniques, and the capability to work hand in hand with a customer’s Lean engineers and facilitators, BG Log says it can design a solution and build it in the UK, using a robust 28mm range of steel materials that provides structural support and satisfies QHSE (quality, health, safety, environmental) requirements.

BG Log says its concept is based on the design, implementation and construction of complete and fully operational solutions. It selects and provides the best materials for a project, and offers all the advice needed to best produce the solution, as well as constant support with a keen focus on safety.

Its BG SMARTUBE product range includes:

Dunnage racks: created to form bespoke transport solutions for multiple parts that can be easily transported to the point of use or between stations. The bag creates a protective environment for the part and can also be lined with micro fibre material to stop damage and retain the quality finish of the surface. Access can be gained from either side or closed off. Compartments can be numbered for ease of identification.

Gravity Feed conveyors: these work by creating an incline within the flow racks to prompt movement of carriages or parts within the rack. Gravity feeds the part from A to B using rollers or surfaces created to suit the individual requirement. The Operator can feed each part and leave to run to point of use and also have return lanes to form a closed loop for production.

Flow racks: these assist the cell to move products from point A to B by using feed lanes and take off lanes for each operator. The rack helps reduce or remove the several of the wastes in terms of transport and over/under production by creating Kanban positions. Kanban solutions help the Lean transformation of the production line by using a pull system and therefore flow racks are built to host only the right number of parts required for the process. Flow racks can be mobile or static and can be designed to the exacting and unique needs of each customer.

Workstations and trolleys: can be tailored according to the need by adding multiple accessories such shadow boards, drawers, screen arms and tooling rails. BG Log can provide a wide range of surfaces according to either budget or specific needs such as ESD or duty rubberised work tops. Stations can be mobile or static.

5S Solutions: Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, Sustain. BG Log’s systems help promote 5S in terms of shadow boards, cleaning stations and trolleys and information cubes to help report KPIs and SQCDP metrics. It provides screen printed boards with your company branding and design projects tailored specifically for your facility.

Customised Projects: BG Log has undertaken several special projects that it says have been extremely well received, and says it is willing to discuss customer requirements and provide advice and expertise in best practice.

How to avoid common warehouse hazards

Posted on by David Priestman

Some warehouse hazards are more obvious than others. The lesser-known hazards are often the most dangerous, especially when they go unreported. Warehouses are complex workplaces full of different moving parts and a high volume of staff where even the most minor accidents can cause damaged stock or equipment.

With the increasing popularity of online shopping, warehouses are seeing an increased demand for work. This means companies are hiring underqualified staff to make up numbers. Therefore, warehouse health and safety is more important than ever. This post will cover some of the most common warehouse hazards, along with shocking figures to show how dangerous these hazards are and ways accidents can be avoided.

Slips and Trips

Studies found that 37% of all reported workplace injuries resulted from a slip, trip, or fall in one year. Also, falls caused a staggering 28% of all fatalities in the workplace. These hazards are not always easy to spot, some of the culprits being puddles and sawdust. Falls do not have to be from a height to be dangerous; ground-level falls are especially hazardous when carrying something heavy.

Falls From Height

In the construction industry, falls from height were responsible for 47% of fatalities recorded in one year. Wherever there is a significant drop between floors, a guard railing and clear warning signage are essential.

Companies should always give staff properly accredited training in how to work safely at a height. This includes ladder safety, as unstable ladders can be dangerous. Warehouses should always use high-quality ladders, and the area around the ladders kept clean and clear.

Fires

Fires can destroy a whole warehouse, but luckily fires are also one of the most manageable hazards. Warehouses should always have marked exits, routine fire drills and practice alarms, fire extinguishers and fire doors. Fires spread fast in warehouses due to various flammable goods and packaging often stored there.

Always keep an eye out for worn and exposed wires and old extension cords, as well as extension cords being overused. Warehouses that hold flammable fluids and gasses need to be extra careful; staff must report any leaks. Also, avoid running electrical wires under carpets.

Lack of Training and Education

Warehouses have been known to skip proper training to save money and time; this creates all kinds of hazards and should never be done. Lack of training and education can result in injuries, compensation payouts, lawsuits, and fines.

Unlike forklifts, electric tow tugs can be used without official training or acquiring a license. This is because they are safe and easy to use, so switching your machinery to tow tugs means training is no longer an issue.

Bodily Strain & Fatigue

Most warehouse injuries are due to sudden accidents. Still, strain and fatigue can build up and eventually lead to severe injuries. Fatigue causes risk since it can lead to staff failing to use equipment properly on not concentrating at work.

All warehouse staff should be trained in proper lifting techniques, and investing in equipment that reduces physical strain is crucial. Electric tow tugs are a great investment thanks to being small in size. They are easy to operate, meaning staff will not become fatigued by using them.

Forklifts

Statistics show that, shockingly, forklifts are the most dangerous form of workplace transport in the country, and they are still used in many warehouses across the country. 25% of workplace injuries directly result from forklift truck accidents, meaning 1,300 employees are hospitalised each year with serious injuries.

The leading cause of many forklift-related injuries can be linked to a lack of employee training. Industar believes that, for a safer option, tow tugs are easier to use, so no license is required. They hold loads closer to the ground, meaning visibility is better, and stock is less likely to be dropped. They are also easier to store, meaning they don’t get in the way.

Hazard Reporting

Inform all staff of the importance of reporting hazards. Maybe tell them to read this post to realise just how dangerous warehouse hazards can be. Reporting hazards early can avoid injury. Ultimately, warehouse safety relies on policies, training, and safety equipment.

All workplaces should have a risk assessment, but it is essential due to the added risk in warehouses. https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/warehouse.pdf

Check out this guide to creating a warehouse risk assessment. It is vital to identify all hazards your premise currently has and put measures in place to avoid injury. The guide covers many different safety topics, such as lifting and handling, transport, working at a height, and avoiding fires.

Tugs For Warehouses

Industar stocks a wide range of tow tugs, guaranteed to make transporting goods in your warehouse safer and easier. Not only this, but it also has a variety of industrial vacuum cleaners to keep your warehouse clean and hazard-free.

New functions for Linde Logistic Trains

Posted on by David Priestman

With new trailers and a cloud-based tugger train guidance system, Linde Material Handling (MH) is making horizontal packaged goods transportation even more attractive. Innovative functions for C-frame and Bridge-Frames ensure greater safety and flexibility.

The tugger train guidance system determines the optimal route for drivers, reduces error rates and employee training time, and responds to order-related changes with adjustments in real time. Thus, even complex tasks become manageable and can be reliably carried out.

Horizontal goods transportation by means of tugger trains is particularly advantageous where large quantities of different parts and components have to be delivered over long distances to the right place at the right time. This is the case in the automotive industry, as one example, where each vehicle consists of many thousands of components that are assembled piece by piece until the finished car finally rolls off the production line.

“Here, bundled material transport using tugger trains makes more economic and ecological sense than individual transports and furthermore, they are in line with the Lean philosophy,” explains Mal Rexhepi, Product Manager Automation & Load Train Solutions. Further advantages of production supply enabled by tugger trains include the reduction of in-house traffic volume and the associated lower accident potential combined with plannable processes.

New frame features

From September 2021, Linde MH will be launching new trailer models for the Linde Logistic Train – including the LT-C with C-frame, the LT-B with Bridge-Frame and the LT-BM with Bridge-Frame and movable middle support. The improved frame functions ensure even greater safety and flexibility.

One new feature is the innovative and patented lifting profile mechanism for the Bridge-Frames. It not only enables the transport of a wide variety of rolling racks and trolleys, but also, with the appropriate design, the lifting of pallets without load carriers if these have been placed in the trailer with a pallet truck, for example. For this purpose, the lifting profiles are initially concealed in the trailer frame at the beginning of the loading process so that the operator can push in the trolleys unhindered.

The optional middle support, which can be moved freely against the direction of travel, allows the use of several different container sizes in the same trailer without significantly increasing the train length.

The highlight of the C-frames is the fork stabilisation control. The patented solution prevents the forks from sagging even under the highest possible loads and thus ensures safe transport of the load. The ergonomic ejection mechanism is another helpful feature: When the driver releases the lock using the foot switch, the load is pushed away from the back of the forks, making it easier to pull the load carriers out of the trailer.

All Linde MH frame models are fitted with a mechanical load locking mechanism as standard: As soon as a container is placed in the frame, the lock closes automatically. When the driver gets into the train, the frames are automatically lifted, upon leaving the driver’s platform, the load is lowered. When the tugger train is moving, the lowering of the frames is technically impossible. Conversely, it is impossible for the operator to set the tugger train in motion with the frames lowered.

For outdoor use, the frames can – beside many other options – be equipped with a weather guard to protect the load. The mechanical all-wheel steering ensures the high directional stability of the tugger trains: No matter how many trailers are used, the entire train remains on track. Thanks to a standardised interface, the trailers are even prepared for semi- or fully automated operations. Trolleys have also recently been included in the scope of delivery. They are available in various designs and can be further equipped, for example with modular rack superstructures.

Guidance system

The changeover from individual to bundled material transportation brings with it many advantages – as well as greater complexity with regard to logistical planning for warehouse employees. “It is necessary to organise routes and load carrier changes as efficiently as possible in order to avoid time losses and errors. To accomplish this, the entire cycle from upstream production to final assembly must be carefully planned and coordinated,” explains Oldrik Wagner, Product Manager Software Solutions. “With our tugger train guidance system, we can now provide step-by-step support to operators in carrying out their tasks.”

The tugger train control system receives all relevant information on material transports from the ERP or WMS system without any media discontinuity. From this, it generates individual driving orders and displays them on a large touch screen in the cockpit. Order by order, the drivers are directed to the respective assembly workstations along the predetermined, optimal route.

This process is preceded by the configuration of the tugger trains, trailers, stops, routes and reports by means of multilingual software. Via the dashboard, warehouse managers have an overview of the entire application and can trigger key figures and reports to further optimise its use.

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.

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.”

BNP Paribas makes key UK appointments

Posted on by Keith McKinley

BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions UK has appointed Mark Richards as General Manager and Tim Pulleyn as his successor as Head of Partner Sales.

Richards (pictured) is a highly experienced industry professional with over 25 years’ experience, having previously held roles at both GE Capital and Hitachi. His career has been 100% focussed on vendor and broker financing, building strong long-term customer relationships based on understanding the importance of service excellence & partnership. In his previous role as Head of Partner Sales, Richards has been instrumental in taking the business to the next phase of the business growth and development.

In his new role, Richards will be responsible for the whole Equipment Logistic and Solutions business division, overseeing Sales, Credit and Operations across the following markets – Construction, Food and Agriculture, Materials Handling and Commercial Vehicles. As well overseeing the subsidiary company, BNP Paribas Rental Solutions, which specialises in commercial vehicle contract hire solutions.

On his appointment, Mark Richard commented: “Despite the obvious challenges of the last 18 months due to the pandemic, we have seen strong year-on-year growth across many areas of our business. I would like to say a huge thank you to all our customers for their support and trust in us during this period and to our staff for their commitment.

“The long-term view of BNP Paribas puts Leasing Solutions firmly at the heart of the group strategy, enabling us to weather the different economic cycles while maintaining consistency in our proposition, and to build lasting relationships with our partners in a mutually beneficial way.

“This, combined with the strong, talented team I will be working with as we enter this next chapter, makes me feel excited about the future for both us and our customers. For the leadership team and I, it’s critical we are in constant communication with our customers, hearing them so that we can listen, learn and act to deliver a service that is consistent, reliable and does what they need.”

Pulleyn is also highly experienced within the industry, as a proven credit and sales leader across a range of disciplines including global banking, international leasing and asset finance. Most recently having held the position of Head of Structured Finance at Metro Bank before joining BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions UK in 2019 as Head of the Broker division. Since 2019, Tim has fostered great relationships with the Brokers, making a significant growth impact, capitalising on his already extensive network of contacts and knowledge.

Pulleyn said: “I am delighted to be taking up this new role within the company. I feel proud to work for a business that is one of Europe’s most trusted providers of asset finance. As a team, we are committed to supporting partners with specialist knowledge to help them achieve their growth ambitions – performance through partnership. One of the ways we do this is by building strategic alliances, aligning our expertise to the needs of our partners through a deep understanding of their requirements.

“In the next few months, one of my priorities will be to continue to talk to our customers, understand where we can really add value in the leasing cycle and make sure we deliver that value consistently, day in day out.”

Richards said: “Tim’s appointment as Head of Partner Sales further cements our ambitions to keep putting our customers at the heart of everything we do. Tim and his team will continue to build real customer focus, ensuring it remains at the forefront of every decision we make.”

Rachel Appleton, CEO of BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions UK, commented: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome both Mark and Tim in their new roles. As General Manager, Mark will be able to build further on his achievements to date. Mark has proven his commitment to both our customers and our business, building a sales strategy, which focuses on adding value at every stage in the leasing cycle.

“Likewise, Tim has made a significant impact across our broker markets since joining us in 2019, using his wealth of knowledge to build a solid proposition.“

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.

Hyster Li-ion forklifts overcome tough industry challenges

Posted on by David Priestman

The Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL counterbalance lift truck powered by integrated lithium-ion technology is available now to support industry applications that demand high efficiency, charging flexibility, and zero battery maintenance.

Engineered around a fully integrated and space-saving lithium-ion battery, the J2.5-3.0XNL series is at the forefront of innovation, with a design that helps free space in the operator compartment, maximising comfort, and convenience to enable high productivity. A choice of four truck models is available, for lifts up to three tonnes.

“Electric lift trucks, particularly lithium-ion forklifts, are sometimes presumed less well suited to demanding industries or outdoor applications compared to IC trucks,” says Phil Ireland, Programme Leader 20/20 Platform for Hyster Europe. “While diesel and LPG trucks are often a great fit in intensive operations, the zero-emissions Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL series can be an equally powerful addition to the fleet in many industry applications.”

Clean for Food and Beverage

In food and beverage processing, manufacture, and storage applications, lift trucks are commonly found transporting and stacking pallets within an indoor warehouse. Cleanliness is non-negotiable for preventing contamination as suppliers must meet certain standards to ensure that food safety and quality are guaranteed. Thanks to the lithium-ion battery, lift trucks from the Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL series have no fumes or acid, which could result in a spill.

The lithium-ion battery is fully integrated and does not need to be removed from the truck for charging. No lead acid batteries need to be stored on site and as the batteries are ‘maintenance free’, they also require no watering, cleaning, or equalising. Both factors again reduce potential contact with contaminants on a clean site.

Health, pharmaceutical, and paper manufacturing operations which demand high hygiene standards will also enjoy these benefits.

Food and beverage applications also need lift trucks they can depend on for toughness. As well as needing to cope with seasonal demands, materials handling equipment is often exposed to extreme temperatures when handling cold or frozen goods. Lithium-ion batteries perform well in both warm and cool environments, giving operations the flexibility to use the lift truck wherever it is needed across the entire operation.

Maximising uptime in Logistics

Logistics operations are usually high intensity, multi-shift operations that demand round the clock truck availability and maximum uptime. With fast charging times of just 1-2 hours, the Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL series lift trucks provide an effective solution for increasing operational uptime. High hour operations will often find that, despite the greater upfront investment, lithium-ion forklifts prove an economical choice over time compared to other power options.

“Opportunity charging of the lithium-ion batteries enables the J2.5-3.0XNL trucks to top up on power during break times, with no adverse effect on battery life,” says Phil. “This alternative charging strategy also saves valuable space. Where real estate is increasingly expensive, there is no need to allocate space for battery storage, or as a charging room, so more of the building footprint can be used for profitable activities.”

Plus, the design of the Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL helps free space in the operator compartment, maximising comfort, and convenience to enable the high productivity that is so essential to logistics applications.

Automotive

Bringing lithium-ion power to cars is a focus for many automotive manufacturers, and many could also benefit from using integrated lithium-ion lift trucks in their materials handling operations.

Automotive manufacturers are early adopters of technology, and keen to embrace greener power solutions. The Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL series enables automotive applications to achieve zero forklift emissions, while also benefitting from fast and flexible charging compared to lead-acid batteries. As it is possible to charge the integrated lithium-ion batteries easily during breaks, uptime is maximised across multiple shifts, meeting time-pressures and delivering high productivity.

Space saving and increased shop floor utilisation are also a key focus for automotive manufacturing and parts distribution applications. The compact design of the Hyster J2.5-3.0XNL forklifts helps deliver high performance even in these constrained areas, supporting precise retrieval and delivery of parts at the right time and in sequence.

Toughness for heavy materials handling

Operations such as DIY retailers are challenged to handle heavy palletised construction materials, where damage avoidance is key. The Hyster J2.5-J3.0XNL series provides a reliable solution, ideally suited for stacking inside a clean warehouse, loading lorries, or transporting pallets outdoors. Prefabricated metals and machine parts manufacturing can expect similar benefits.

The compact Hyster J2.5-J3.0XNL series can also prove helpful for operations loading and unloading containers with raw materials, such as in port and terminal applications. Due to the space-saving design, a lowered seat and floor plate provides easy ingress and egress from the truck, helping operators keep up with fast moving operations.

“The switch to lithium-ion powered electric trucks is a big business decision and may require changes to infrastructure and a new charging strategy,” says Phil. “However, forward-thinking companies with high intensity operations will not only be able to take advantage of productivity and cost benefits but use zero-emissions lift trucks that align with their sustainability objectives too.”

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