Electric Reach Stacker at Port of Barcelona

Hutchison Ports BEST has put into operation at its terminal in the Port of Barcelona the first electric reach stacker in Southern Europe. This new acquisition is part of an ambitious plan to reduce the carbon footprint of the terminal, making it the most sustainable and efficient terminal in southern Europe.

With this move the terminal is beginning to replace equipment that operates with a combustion engine and diesel fuel with all-electric machinery that uses lithium batteries. The incorporation of the electric reach stacker, manufactured by the company Sany, is a significant step towards the decarbonization of the terminal’s operations, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere.

Guillermo Belcastro, CEO of Hutchison Ports BEST, says: “Society in general and consumers in particular are increasingly demanding the sustainable treatment of products from the point of production to their distribution, including the entire supply chain, and here BEST is already a differentiating factor. Currently, each container that passes through the BEST terminal reduces emissions by almost 70% compared to a conventional terminal.”

Positive Environmental Impact

The implementation of this machine will avoid emissions equivalent to 260 tons of CO2e per year thanks to its efficiency and use electricity from 100% renewable sources. This significant reduction in the carbon footprint will benefit air quality in the Port of Barcelona.

Technical and Operational Characteristics

The RS of Sany model SRSC45E5 lifts up to 45 tonnes and stacks up to five containers through its telescopic arm. The BEST terminal uses the RS to handle containers in the area parallel to the railway terminal within the marine terminal, as well as in the Special Area facilitating the storage of both empty and full containers.

Carbon Footprint Reduction Plan

This initiative is part of BEST’s plan to reduce emissions by 80% by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2040. The arrival of the new equipment, which took place at the end of August, marks an important milestone in this decarbonisation commitment. After a period of testing, the crane is now fully operational. The next step will be the connection of the first container ship to 100% green electricity this September through the On Shore Power Supply (OPS) system, also being the first terminal in Southern Europe to offer this service to its customers.

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New Hyster Reach Truck Goes Outside

Hyster has introduced a new Reach Truck that works inside and outside providing even more flexibility for storage, handling and loading operations. The robust new RO1.6-2.0 Reach Truck models, for lifts up to two tonnes, feature Super Elastic tyres for load and drive wheels for use on uneven, outdoor ground conditions, as well as in indoor warehouse operations.
Optional cabs are also available for applications requiring frequent outdoor usage.

“With the new Hyster Outdoor Reach Truck, we have created a ‘2-in-1’ truck to help Power Your Possibilities on sites with mixed indoor and outdoor operations,” says Monica Radavelli, Product Manager Warehouse for Hyster. “You can retrieve pallets indoors and then load them into lorries outside, or you can efficiently unload lorries with varying floor conditions, before putting the pallets away in the warehouse – all with the same truck.

“The Super Elastic tyres are particularly effective at absorbing the effects of uneven ground, making it comfortable for drivers while giving the Hyster durability that tough applications depend on,” she continues.

For added flexibility and warehouse optimisation, the new Hyster Outdoor Reach Truck also supports operations in narrow warehouse aisles, with a more compact design compared to most counterbalance lift trucks. 3-stage FFL masts, with tilting and side shifting forks, support a lifting height of up to 7.5m in the warehouse.

To optimise productivity further, the new Hyster Outdoor Reach Truck is available with a lithium-ion battery option. This enables rapid opportunity charging during breaks, with no adverse effect on the battery, to support multi-shift operations and maximise fleet uptime.

“Lithium-ion batteries give you Clean Power that Means Business,” says Radavelli. “No gassing or watering is required, and there is no risk of acid spills. Depending on local regulations, space may also be maximised as, instead of a designated charging room, the truck can be simply plugged in to top up its charge throughout the day. Multi-shift operations may also be able to reduce their battery fleet.”

In addition to a choice of lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries and different chargers, a number of options are also available to enable businesses to power productivity in their specific application. For instance, telescopic forks can be added to the Outdoor Reach Trucks to increase the range of possible pallet positions, or to provide flexibility for operations that may need to load or unload lorries from one side only.

Other options include semi and full cabs, full cab heating, and wiper options, to optimise the driver experience when the truck is in regular use outdoors. The truck can also be customised with different seat, steering and display options, and a range of cameras and lights to assist operators in dark yards or busy warehouses.

Simple serviceability and diagnostics are integral to the truck design, helping to maximise operational uptime. For maintenance, parts are readily available and easily replaced. The Hyster RO1.6-2.0 Outdoor Reach Truck can be ordered now from Hyster distribution partners.

Port’s Zero Emission Material Handler Swings

Port of Tilbury’s new Liebherr zero emission material handler was officially welcomed into the port this week. The new Liebherr LH 150 M HR, is the first of its kind to operate in the UK and joins the busy port’s fleet of material handlers including Sennebogen 870 and 875 machines.

The new handler, which is to be known as ‘Big Giraffe’ following a naming competition with local schools, is the most advanced model with strong sustainability and net zero credentials which support’s the port drive to greener operations.

The machine which will work across the port estate including bulks and general cargo, uses the latest Tier V engine capable of running on HVO100 fuel which ensures zero CO2 emissions. An Energy Recovery Cylinder (ERC) is fitted to the main boom which will deliver up to 30% of fuel saving. The model also has low energy LED Lighting throughout and will contribute to the port’s ongoing commitment to ISO 14001and ISO 50001 accreditation.

Paul Dale, Asset and Site Director at the Port of Tilbury said: “Across our ports, we are investing in greener technology to ensure that our operations are sustainable and moving towards zero emissions. We have worked with Liebherr over the years and we are pleased to be the first in the UK to use their most advanced model of material handler.”

Mike Hanlon, Ports and Re-handling Specialist at Liebherr Great Britain, commented: “In line with our commitment to continuously reduce our environmental impacts and to shape long-term industry trends, we are driving forward the electrification of our machine portfolio. Many ports are increasingly demanding minimal CO2 emissions and a significant reduction in noise pollution for round-the-clock loading and unloading. Our emission-free material handlers respond to these challenges.”

The winning name, ‘Big Giraffe’ was the firm favourite with the port judging team, but they also awarded a runners up prize to the name ‘Big Claw’. The winner was Rebekah Oppong, aged 10, from Lansdown Primary Academy and Kitty North, aged 8, from Tilbury Pioneer Academy was the runner up.

Commenting on the competition, Peter Ward, Commercial Director at the Port of Tilbury said: “We wanted to get the local community involved in naming our new machine and were very impressed with all the creative ideas that the school children came up with. The name ‘Big Giraffe’ is a fitting name and we hope that Rebekah will get to see the new machine for herself at the port soon.”

New Distributor of Lift Trucks in New Zealand

From 1 December 2022, heavy equipment dealer AB Equipment became the distributor of Konecranes Lift Trucks throughout New Zealand. This has improved the options available to lift trucks customers in the region.

Established in 1878, AB Equipment has long been a New Zealand market leader in industrial equipment for materials handling, construction, forestry and city maintenance. Working with an extensive range of global brands, it has 18 branches across the country that deliver 24/7 service support and genuine parts. The addition of Konecranes to their product and aftermarket portfolio follows AB Equipment’s business strategy as it focuses on keeping local businesses moving as effectively and efficiently as possible.

“Becoming the distributor for Konecranes Lift Trucks in New Zealand enables us to offer our customers greater choice and further strengthen our leadership position in forklifts and access equipment,” says Peter Escott, CEO of AB Equipment. “The iconic Konecranes brand is associated with strength, performance and reliability, and we’re excited to show their award-winning electric forklift E-VER to our local customers. With high durability and intelligent controls, all of their lift trucks offer smart and fuel-efficient solutions for Kiwi businesses.”

AB Equipment can now provide New Zealand with the full range of Konecranes forklifts, reach stackers and container handlers, including Ecolifting driveline options to save fuel and reduce emissions, along with the Konecranes flagship E-VER, Konecranes’ first heavy-duty fully-electric Li-ion forklift. TRUCONNECT® Remote Monitoring will help AB Equipment customers to optimize their operations and maintenance by collecting their lift truck usage data and presenting it through the online portal yourKONECRANES.com.

“Konecranes Lift Trucks has had a presence in New Zealand for some time,” says Patrik Lundbäck, VP, Sales and Distribution, Lift Trucks, Konecranes. “Through AB Equipment, we’re now able to provide our customers across the country with a more comprehensive product portfolio and a whole new level of service support. We’re excited to begin this new partnership and look forward to working with AB Equipment for many years to come.”

German steel company adds magnetised reach stacker

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

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

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

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

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

 

Peruvian logistics firm adds reach stacker to fleet

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

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

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

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

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

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

Konecranes reaches delivery milestone  

In November 2021, The Absolut Company accepted the delivery of a Flow Drive Konecranes reach stacker for its operations in the south of Sweden. This particular machine is a milestone in Konecranes history, as it is the 10,000th lift truck to roll off the production line.

Since its creation in 1879, Absolut Vodka has become one of the world’s most iconic liquor brands with export to more than 120 markets. Today, the company has 300 employees at its production facility in Åhus, a town in the southern Swedish province of Skåne. Here it needs to move equipment, raw materials and finished product around the site every day. The most efficient, safe and flexible transportation method in the work area is lift trucks. Now the time is right to invest in another reach stacker, and they have chosen Konecranes again.

“It was not difficult to decide on our next reach stacker,” says Harri Tossavainen, Warehouse Manager for Absolut. “Konecranes provides locally produced equipment of the highest quality, and they have helped us to maintain our productivity under tight schedules for over two decades. This high standard continues as the new eco-friendly Flow Drive aligns well with our long-term commitment to environment and sustainability, and will play a key part in our journey to make our products climate-neutral by 2030.”

“In 1995, Absolut bought the first commercial reach stacker Konecranes ever produced and in 2004, they took delivery of our first ever produced second generation reach stacker,” says Roger Persson, Technical Product Manager for Konecranes Lift Trucks. “Now, we celebrate the delivery of our 10,000th lift truck to the very same company. Local agent N.C. Nielsen has been a significant part of this relationship, and has provided excellent support whenever needed. We’re honoured to have both Absolut and N.C. Nielsen share in this historic occasion.”

The 10,000th lift truck is a Konecranes SMV 4632 TC5 reach stacker, a sturdy 46-tonne machine able to stack up to five containers high. It features the OPTIMA cabin for comfort and visibility, and a range of safety features to maximise load stability and safe handling. The truck is fitted with Flow Drive, a Konecranes innovation that uses hydromechanical variable transmission (HVT) to limit power at low speed, reducing wear and carbon emissions while cutting fuel consumption by up to 25%.

With longer intervals between refuelling and less maintenance, Konecranes says it can significantly increase productivity. Absolut will run this lift truck on HVO100, a completely renewable and fossil-free chemical copy of regular diesel, based on vegetable oil, which can reduce carbon emissions by up to 90%. It is also equipped with Start/Stop function to reduce the amount of time the engine spends idling.

Smart systems integrate with Work Zone, a geofencing feature for safety and efficiency, and TRUCONNECT Premium, which adds tire pressure and shock sensors to a remote and almost real-time view of truck usage, for easier operations and maintenance planning.

Roger Henriksson, an operations tester at Konecranes Lift Trucks, assembled the first reach stacker Konecranes sold to Absolut back in the 1990s. Still with Konecranes, he tested the 10,000th machine and handed it over to Absolut as part of a small ceremony and site tour at the Konecranes Markaryd factory on 18th November 2021. To celebrate the delivery, the reach stacker has been painted in Absolut style.

“This is a proud moment for Konecranes Lift Trucks. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers, partners, distributors and all the colleagues who have helped us achieve this number,” says Andreas Falk, Senior Vice President BU Lift Trucks.

This contract is part of Ecolifting, Konecranes’ vision to increase its handprint – meaning the beneficial environmental impact that can be achieved with its product and service portfolio – while reducing customers’ carbon footprints. From eco-optimising diesel drives, to hybridisation and fully-electrified fleets, Konecranes says it will continue to do more with less.

 

Reach stacker arrives at “the end of the world”

Dirección Provincial de Puertos – Argentina (DPP) recently accepted delivery of a Konecranes Liftace reach stacker for its operations in Ushuaia, at the southern tip of South America. Arriving in July 2021, it joined one other Konecranes reach stacker already on-site.

The DPP oversees port activities in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, including the port of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. A multipurpose port serving cargo, fishing and cruise ships, it is also a base for Antarctic expeditions. It has had one 45-tonne Konecranes reach stacker in service since 2015, but due to a recent increase in container traffic, it felt it was time for a second lift truck to provide support.

“We held a public tender to decide on our next reach stacker,” says Daniel Carracedo, General Services Director at Ushuaia Port. “Konecranes really stood out from the rest, and the performance of our first Konecranes truck has been very impressive. So we decided to order a second machine from them. Would you believe, a Konecranes technician came all the way to our remote port to help assemble it? The new lift truck was ready for operation within a week. It was a simple, fast and efficient process.”

“This new order from DPP demonstrates their satisfaction with the high quality of products and services that we consistently deliver to all our customers, no matter where they are located,” says Andrés Ramirez, Sales Manager Latin America for Konecranes Lift Trucks. “Local agent Secco has played a crucial role in helping us to build a solid relationship from the very start, always providing excellent local support, including spare parts and maintenance. We look forward to continuing our work with both DPP and Secco for many years to come.”

The new reach stacker that arrived in Ushuaia in July was a Konecranes Liftace 4532 TCE5, a sturdy 45-tonne machine able to stack up to five containers high. It features the OPTIMA cabin for comfort and visibility, a strong box-type chassis and a wide drive axle with a long wheelbase for high stability and safe handling, and a central greasing system to minimize mechanical wear and tear.

The truck uses a Tier 3 engine to maintain productivity while minimising fuel consumption and emissions. As the new generation of the earlier lift truck, most of the spare parts are compatible with both reach stackers, which adds convenience and reduces waste. Smart systems integrate with TRUCONNECT Basic, allowing a remote and almost real-time view of truck usage and easier maintenance planning.

New Reach Stacker Model Introduced to Range

Since 2017, Konecranes has provided dependable, robust and cost-efficient reach stackers under the Konecranes Liftace label. These have now been updated with a fresh design, the latest technology and a new name: Konecranes Liftace 4532 TCE5.

Maintaining similar features and the same high-level performance, the new machine will replace the well-known Konecranes Liftace reach stackers, the reliable workhorses of the second product family, and the old SMV TCE5 model. The new Konecranes Liftace 4532 TCE5 will combine the technology and option list from its predecessors, providing a one-go solution for both markets.

“This is a change that we think will serve our customers very well. Moving to the well-proven Konecranes platform, customers will get the same quality, standard and benefits they are used to, with some extra perks added. It’s a standardized offer with full performance and a fast lead time,” says Johan Bjerstedt, as Global Sales Manager for Konecranes Liftace products.

The new Konecranes Liftace 4532 TCE5 is equipped with an OPTIMA cabin for outstanding comfort and visibility, giving a premium driving experience. High-quality core components, such as a strong box-type chassis and a wide drive axle with a long wheelbase, provide high stability, safe handling and long-lasting performance. Smart systems integrate with Konecranes TRUCONNECT Remote Monitoring, allowing a near real-time view of truck usage and the progress of KPIs as well as easier planning of preventive maintenance.

“Every enhancement that we make to a Konecranes lift truck is based on customer feedback,” says Patrik Lundbäck, Director and Head of Sales and Distribution at Konecranes Lift Trucks. “Our customers love the Konecranes Liftace reach stackers, and with these upgrades we are improving their safety, productivity and cost effectiveness. This strong, compact and reliable machine is there to meet all our customers’ needs.”

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