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Product type, price,fuel, service...Your
guide to picking thebest forklift trucks
20 June 2013 www.worksmanagement.co.uk
Unlike many of its European counterparts, the UK forklift
truck market is still largely dependent on contract hire
deals. Once typically agreed over three to five years, the
recession has changed all that and now these are being
extended to seven or even 10 years.
At last month’s AGM of the British Industrial Truck
Association (BITA) – the trade body representing forklift truck
manufacturers and prominent suppliers – Jeremy Leonard of
Oxford Economics told the audience that there was a
positive outlook for UK forklift sales this year, with demand
for warehouse trucks having returned to pre-recession levels
and counterbalance expected to follow suit in the next 12-24
months. The findings come in a report commissioned by BITA
to analyse UK market forecasts.
However, this market news is of little consequence to
purchasers of forklift and warehouse trucks, all of whom are
focused only on getting the right equipment at the right price
for their operation.
So, here are some of the key points from an ever-growing
list that today’s forklift buyers are considering:
Fuel type
It’s true that, until recently, the diesel-powered
counterbalance forklift was the unchallenged workhorse of
the factory. But technical advances in the product itself – as
well as major developments in alternative power sources –
have meant that, today, you are just as likely to walk into any
factory and see an electric or a gas-powered truck.
CNG (compressed natural gas) was trumpeted as the new
kid on the block a few years ago – mainly by Nacco, the
manufacturer of Yale and Hyster trucks – and, while this has
won many admirers and can boast some serious sized fleets,
few can deny the top billing that LPG holds in the gas stakes.
Suppliers such as Calor have divisions dedicated to forklift
truck users, supplying fuel in bottles or in bulk tanks.
But electric trucks have also surged to a dominant
position – once the doyenne of clean environments such as
retail, food and beverage plants, etc, they are now
sufficiently robust to withstand eight-hour shifts in a
demanding factory or warehouse. Battery charging
technology has moved on apace and is now faster than
before and, just as importantly, demands less floorspace for
the charging area.
A new addition and one that’s certain to feature more
prominently is lithium-ion battery technology. Among the
suppliers offering this are Jungheinrich and Toyota – and
doubtless more will follow.
And, as with cars, hybrid fuel technology is jostling for
position. While still early days in the industrial market, truck
designers are finessing the technology. This may be one to
watch for future fleet renewals.
Truck type
Counterbalance trucks will undoubtedly remain the
favourite of factory buyers, but equipment design
developments mean that there is an increasingly large
number of options, some of which depend on the
environment and others on the product being moved.
Certain warehouse trucks are no longer restricted to the
aisles. And versatility is the flag hoisted by articulated truck
makers such as Flexi Narrow Aisle and Translift Bendi, and
other specialist truck manufacturers such as Combilift.
Purchasing new equipment may involve some box-
ticking at the outset, but there are some criteria that
should never be thought of as a formality. Compliance with
legislation, such as the Machinery Directive, is one of them.
BITA’s James Clark says CE marking is a fundamental part
of ‘safety by design’ measures, providing basic assurances.
“If there’s no compliance mark, users have no guarantee
that a truck design meets the minimum standards required
for safety, as laid down by the EU,” he cautions. Selecting
non-compliant equipment may be tempting based on initial
cost savings, but could expose you and your operators to
“tremendous unnecessary risk”, he adds. “BITA’s standpoint
on this is clear: ‘buyer beware’. Make sure your equipment
complies with legislation at all times,” says Clark.
Hire or purchase?
For smaller sites needing one or two forklifts for
occasional use, outright purchase could still be the best
option. But the slicker service options being wrapped around
the product may mean this is old hat. Indeed, for some
Uplift inequipment choiceFor buyers of forklift trucks, there are complex considerations –
and price is just one factor in a burgeoning list of criteria, as
Laura Cork discovers
» What’s your main
consideration when
investing in a new
forklift?
Email Laura Cork on
www.worksmanagement.co.uk June 2013 21
industrial sites, the smaller the fleet, the more crucial uptime
becomes – and contract hire deals can be struck with
service and maintenance offers rolled in (see below) that
were once the preserve of the larger customers.
In contract to our European neighbours, contract hire
tops the list for UK buyers – around 80% of new truck sales
are made this way – and five-year contract hires have been
the prevalent deal here for many years. But, since the 2008
recession, these are often now being strung out to seven or
even 10 years – arguably, not only for financial reasons but
also because the trucks are sufficiently robust to allow it.
Martin McVicar, a founder of Combilift (the company that
makes the eponymous four-way/multi-directional truck),
echoes the views of many suppliers when he points to total
cost of ownership being a key consideration these days. And,
he adds, residual values are important, too: “The tendency
for most UK companies is to contract hire their equipment
over five years and, to make the rates as attractive as
possible, Combilift has started to offer its dealers fixed buy-
back agreements after five years.”
Site/environment
A seemingly low-tech consideration like a floor can
make a big difference to your forklift truck selection. A sleek
surface means greater choice when it comes to trucks –
including some of the reach trucks which were previously
only considered for use in aisles but now have the capability
to perform multiple roles. Robust truck models, with equally
hard-wearing tyres, will be needed for yard work or for
outdoor duties where potholes and uneven surfaces reign.
When your fleet comes up for renewal, don’t waste the
opportunity for a free site evaluation to see if your materials
handling processes are up to speed. Many of the truck
suppliers have simulation software which can map
movement of goods in and around the site. It may add more
time to the selection process, but it will reap dividends if you
find that an alteration to racking type or layout makes for
faster picking and fewer trucks.
Service and maintenance
Whether it’s from a reliable small local dealer or a
nationwide supplier, every forklift user needs the assurance
of a fast response on breakdowns. A supplier with a solid
service infrastructure will give the most comprehensive
cover and Briggs Equipment (UK distributor for Yale and
Hyster trucks) has one of the largest in the market. Briggs’
sales director Bill Goodwin urges buyers to consider supplier
credibility when selecting new equipment – particularly with
the trend towards longer contracts: “Look to the long term
and see if your provider will support you over the full length
of the contract,” he says.
“Will your provider still be in the forklift truck market in 10
years’ time? What evidence is there to support this in terms
of investment in technology, products and services? And
how financially stable are they?” From its national support
centre in Cannock, Briggs manages a large fleet of engineers
and offers a guaranteed three-hour response to call-outs.
Similarly, Toyota has the scope to meet demanding
service requirements. With more than 500 service engineers
in the UK, it boasts a response time of under four hours and
a 95%-plus fix rate by engineers on their first visit. Ask
potential suppliers for evidence of their service claims.
Unplanned costs and downtime
Accidents will happen and, difficult as it may be,
unplanned costs should be borne in mind from the outset. As
Toyota’s Tony Wallis says: “Uncontrolled equipment damage
can have a considerable impact on the level of costs, not just
the repair of the equipment, but also on the infrastructure –
buildings, racking, product, clean up, downtime, lost sales,
and more.” As Wallis points out, most sites have no idea of
the actual costs of one incident: “It can run into a 10:1 ratio,
so if you consider your £500 invoice for the truck repair
represents a £5,000 overall cost, then a small investment in
time or managed solutions would be worthwhile.”
Fleet management
You can’t manage what you can’t measure, goes the
management mantra. And this is certainly the case
with forklift trucks. Whereas customers with fleets of 20-30
trucks or more were once the only sites blessed with fleet
management services, today most of the suppliers have a
fleet data offering of varying technical standing.
Some offer full web-based reporting capabilities for users;
others offer add-on devices to monitor truck use and log
impacts. As well as the truck suppliers, there are other
companies offering to fit telemetry devices to equipment,
such as Davis Derby and Transmon.
Operator choice
‘They’ll drive what they’re given’ is an attitude that
belongs in the past. Many forward-thinking managers
have realised that the more involvement the operator has in
the selection of new trucks, the more pride he or she will
have in the equipment – not to be sniffed at when you
consider that some forklifts cost the same as a small family
car.
The result? Trucks are kept clean, pre-use checks are
performed religiously and damage is minimised or even
eliminated. A happy driver is a productive driver. ■
Now you have a snapshot of some of the key criteria
for finding a new forklift, it’s time to start talking to
suppliers. On the following pages, you’ll find profiles of
some of the leading providers of materials handling
equipment. They have lifted the lid on their business,
their service capability and their products:
Atlet 23
Briggs Equipment UK 25
Toyota Material Handling UK 27
Yale Europe Materials Handling 29
Contents
Forklift Truck Buyers’ GuideOverview
»
Juic
e Im
ag
es
/ Su
pe
rSto
ck
www.worksmanagement.co.uk June 2013 23
Forklift Truck Buyers’ Guide
Company Profile
Parent company: UniCarriers Group, a global
materials handling equipment manufacturer
Headquarters, production, R&D: Mölnlycke,
outside Gothenburg, Sweden
Number of employees: 1,000
Turnover: €190m
International presence: 47 markets
Subsidiaries: Atlet has nine subsidiaries in
Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany,
Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, UK and USA
UK offices: Thame, Oxfordshire
Manufacturing site: Sweden
Sales: A direct sales operation with a sales
force covering national, major and territory
accounts.
Applications
Manufacturing, distribution, cold store and
warehousing.
User References
Waitrose, Boughey, Bidvest, Kiddicare, Ann
Summers, BTC Activewear, Chesapeake, and
many others.
Battery change: A complete solution, from
design, manufacture to installation. Design
can be adapted to fit the most unusual of
situations.
Finance: The Atlet Purchase and Leaseback
Contract is a superb form of forklift truck rental.
Atlet buys your present forklift fleet and you
rent it back with an all-in undertaking from us.
Replacement and renewal of the fleet takes
place according to plan and in response to
current operating needs.
Other finance options include rental, which
is usually for 3-5 years with full service and
uptime guarantee included. Also available is
lease purchase, a practical rental form with
many advantages. The period varies between
one and five years, and you can choose the
level of maintenance to be included in the
contract, allowing you to spread the purchase
of the forklift(s) over a given period of time.
Products
Warehouse trucks, reach trucks, low lifters,
stackers, pickers (high and low), telereach ,
fourway, very narrow aisle (VNA) and
counterbalance trucks (battery, diesel and gas).
Service/Maintenance
First-visit-fix rate of 95% and lifetime after-sales
support. Flexible service agreements are
customisable and include:
● Fully inclusive maintenance: fleet is serviced
and maintained for a fixed monthly cost.
● Preventative maintenance: routine
inspections, ideal for those sites where trucks
are not in constant use.
● Emergency service: as well as our main
service agreements, Atlet offers various types
of emergency service contracts. You can even
have an Atlet service engineer on permanent
standby or during limited time periods.
Other Services
Short-term hire: A wide range of forklift trucks
available for short-term hire, from low lifters
and stackers to high level pickers and
counterbalance forklift trucks. Equipment is
available almost immediately, enabling a quick
response to all your business needs.
Warehouse design: Atlet’s Logistics Analyser
creates 3D layouts to simulate truck
movements and warehouse layouts, and
optimise handling operations.
To us, business is personal. Everyone at Atlet is personally committed to the success of your
material handling. From our sales team, analysing and diagnosing your logistics situation, to our
service engineers, making sure your forklift truck fleet is fit for action at all times.
Atlet is one of Europe’s leading forklift truck manufacturers and material handling experts.
We are committed to improving the profitability of your material handling. This is done by
providing warehouse and counterbalance trucks of exceptional technical and ergonomic
qualities, as well as after-sales support and related consultancy services, based on your unique
application.
Atlet forklift trucks are produced at our headquarters and
production plant outside Gothenburg, Sweden.
Jane Morbey RoadThame, Oxon OX9 3RRTel: 01844 215501 Email: [email protected]
Bidvest Logistics, a logistics distributor that
works with many well-known high street
retailers, had always relied on the major
national materials handling equipment (MHE)
suppliers to service its five UK sites. In 2010,
when the opportunity arose to engage a new
MHE supplier, its operations team went in
search of a company that would deliver a
more personalised and proactive service,
improved call-out and service times, and lower
rates.
“In the past, we’d always engaged the
major national names in MHE, but we felt we
could improve on a number of aspects of the
contract, such as out-of-contract cost control,
account management, service support, battery
changeover and energy management,” said a
spokesperson for Bidvest Logistics.
“We hoped that Atlet would deliver on all
of these, and they haven’t disappointed us – in
fact they’ve exceeded our expectations.”
case study
Atlet Tergo reach
truck
Atlet
www.atlet.co.uk
Our people are our assets. Individuals who work alongside our customers
to achieve powerful solutions; with instantly accessible management
reporting and intelligence. All possible through combining technology and
innovation with a workforce committed to delivering unrivalled customer service.
Over 600 mobile engineers give you greater coverage and faster response, plus
our skilled engineering workforce also delivers service solutions to a wide range
of plant and ancillary equipment.
It’s all part of our strategy to deliver expert fleet management with true
customer focus.
This is how Briggs will transform the industry.
Get in touch
service at your fingertips
www.briggsequipment.co.uk Tel: 03301 23 98 14
www.worksmanagement.co.uk June 2013 25
Forklift Truck Buyers’ Guide
Company Profile
Employees: 1,400
Turnover: £200m (UK)
UK offices: Head office in Cannock. Additional
13 depots nationwide
UK/EU manufacturing sites: Craigavon,
N Ireland; Nijmegen, Holland; Masate, Italy
Sales: Briggs Equipment is the UK arm of
Briggs International, the world’s largest global
distributor of Nacco Materials Handling
equipment. Our parent, Sammons Enterprises
Inc, is a diversified conglomerate with assets of
$51.8bn and is wholly owned by its employees.
Applications
From food manufacturing, automotive, logistics
and pharmaceutical, through to environments
such as ports and terminals, heavy
manufacturing, industrial engineering, chemical,
steel/metal, trucking, paper and packaging.
User References
Travis Perkins, Homebase, Brake Brothers,
CEVA Group, Nestle UK, Aggregate Industries,
Honda, Wickes, Polestar, Freightliner, PD Ports.
approaches to be tried and gives accurate
costs for operational budget forecasting
(manpower and machinery).
Fleet management: From standard and
customised KPI reports to Speedshield, a
telemetry device for any make or type of
equipment, which transmits vehicle use,
incident and maintenance data to a secure
online portal.
Products
From a simple pallet truck to high capacity
forklifts capable of handling loads up to 48
tonnes, we have the answer.
● Counterbalanced forklifts: lifting capacities
ranging from 1.6 tonne to 9 tonne, with a
choice of electric, diesel and LPG.
● Warehouse trucks: from order pickers, pallet
trucks and stackers, to high capacity reach
trucks and very narrow aisle (VNA) equipment.
● Big trucks: including container handlers
and reach stackers handling capacities from
8 to 48 tonnes.
● Parts and tyres: thousands of parts
available for overnight delivery.
● Quality used equipment: largest fleet range
in UK.
Service/Maintenance
Briggs Equipment has 600 engineers based all
over the UK, offering 24/7 emergency call out
service and industry-leading response times.
Our aim is to ‘repair before failure’ but in the
event of an unexpected failure, our national
service centre will despatch a local engineer
to site within three hours, guaranteed. We
offer a range of service options to suit all
requirements, from our fixed service
agreement, Truckcare, through to ad hoc parts
and service support.
Other Services
Driver training: Fully qualified (RTITB and
ITSAAR) instructors train over 12,000 operators
each year on all makes of forklift from novice
level to instructor standard. Training can be
delivered on site or at one of our six
accredited, purpose-built training centres.
Finance: With Briggs Finance, customers deal
direct with us, not through banks or third
parties. We offer stable and innovative finance
options to suit any circumstances.
Site/warehouse layout design: The
warehouse simulator enables different
Briggs Equipment UK is a leading materials handling service provider and sole distributor of Yale
Europe Materials Handling in Great Britain and Hyster products in the UK. Our products give you
outstanding quality, productivity and reliability to ensure maximum uptime for your business;
from a global manufacturer.
We are customer driven, not manufacturer led. By taking this approach, Briggs can offer the
flexibility to meet customer needs. So whether the customer wants an outright purchase on a new
piece of equipment, secure a lease or short-term rental deal, purchase from a stock of quality used
equipment, or even a mixture of these offerings, Briggs is best positioned to tailor a package that
suits. With over 1,400 employees, Briggs manages its national service
and commercial operation from its HQ in Cannock, Staffordshire.
Orbital Way, Cannock Staffordshire WS11 8XW Tel: 03301 239814Email: [email protected]
JDR Cable Systems manufactures bespoke
cables for challenging subsea environments
and its processes are extremely complex. With
products ranging anywhere from 100 metres
to 25 kilometres, weighing up to hundreds of
tonnes, it turned to Briggs Equipment for a
bespoke materials handling solution.
It was important to secure the optimal
number and mix of trucks to minimise costs
and, after exploring all avenues, Briggs
supplied 12 machines ranging from 2.5 to 40
tonnes. With JDR’s operations working in peaks
and troughs, Briggs also constructed a new
long-term flexible hours contract consisting of
six-monthly reviews of equipment use.
Greg Brown, JDR’s supply chain director,
said: “We are really impressed with the fleet
from Briggs. The variation of lifting heights and
forklift sizes enables the trucks to perform
multiple tasks, helping to minimise our costs
and safeguard maximum uptime.”
case study
The MTC turret truck
for very narrow aisles
Briggs Equipment UK
www.briggsequipment.co.uk
Toyota
electric
powered
forklifts
Load
capacities
from
1.0 - 8.5 tonne
Helping
you to drive
down costs
World-class
safety with
Toyota SAS
Improved
speeds for
increased
productivity
Toyota built-in
quality for
greater
durability
High energy
HI¿FLHQF\�
leads to longer
working
Up to 99%
recyclable
High levels of
comfort leads to
greater
performance
Call Toyota
0870 850 1409
or visit
www.toyota-forklifts.co.uk
YOUR NEXT MOVE
to greater productivity
** THE N
EW** **
NEW **
@ToyotaMH_UK /toyota-material-
handling-uk /ToyotaMHUK
www.worksmanagement.co.uk June 2013 27
Forklift Truck Buyers’ Guide
Company Profile
Employees: 950
Turnover: £168m (UK); €1.6bn (Europe)
UK offices: Main depots: Slough, Warrington,
Castleford and Leicester. Fleet management
centre: Old Dalby. Network offices: Glasgow,
Sittingbourne, Gloucester and Wolverhampton.
UK/EU manufacturing sites: Ancenis
(France), Mjolby (Sweden) and Bologna (Italy).
Sales: Direct sales and service team in the UK,
supplemented by a dedicated, strategically-
positioned dealer network including Carryduff
Forklifts in Northern Ireland, GM Leitch and
Groundwater Lift Trucks in Scotland.
Applications
The comprehensive range of Toyota
counterbalance forklifts and BT warehouse
equipment meets the needs of every
application including loading/unloading,
horizontal transport, stacking and order picking.
User References
Ricoh, Telford; Rieter Automotive, West
Midlands; Greenvale; Noble Foods, London.
centre and delivered within 24 hours. Parts
availability is in excess of 96%. All Toyota
parts are fully warranted. For customers with
mixed fleets, we supply all makes of parts.
Fleet management: Toyota I_Site combines
GPRS technology, a user-friendly interface and
ongoing advice to help increase productivity
and drive down costs. Dashboard gives real-
time information, pre-operational checks,
number of shocks. Multi-site functionality.
Products
Quality new and used forklifts and warehouse
equipment including: hand pallet trucks,
powered pallet trucks, reach trucks, stackers,
order pickers, VNA trucks, tow tractors and
counterbalance forklifts.
● Engine and electric powered forklifts from
1.0-8.5 tonne capacity – featuring the Toyota
System of Active Stability
● Wide range of hand pallet trucks, including
the BT Pro Lifter which requires up to 67% less
effort to get a load moving
● Used equipment is refurbished in the UK and
to a choice of three finish levels.
Service/Maintenance
All makes of equipment repaired and flexible
service plans available from full service
inspections, preventative maintenance to safety
inspections, including Thorough Examinations.
Out of hours cover, 450 service technicians
across the UK, four-hour guaranteed response
time, and first-time-fix rate 95% or higher.
Other Services
Toyota Training Academy: Courses from
novice to refresher, advanced to train-the-
trainer. Product courses for all materials
handling equipment. Safety courses on manual
handling and safety for supervisors course.
Training is provided at customer premises or at
Toyota depots. With Toyota Training+, instructors
will show operators the equipment features
that will help them work most productively.
Flexible rental: From one day to several years,
rental and lease options for long-term material
handling needs, plus flexible short-term
options. More than 3,500 trucks on the short-
term hire fleet and a dedicated support team.
Parts: Genuine Toyota and BT parts are
ordered direct from our UK distribution
Toyota Material Handling is the world’s leading name in materials handling solutions. With
nationwide presence in the UK and a reputation for technical and service excellence, our
industry-leading range of products sets ever new standards. All Toyota and BT equipment is
manufactured in Europe using the world-renowned Toyota Production System.
Toyota offers a comprehensive range of quality new and used Toyota forklifts and BT
warehouse equipment, national service support, short and long-term rental solutions, fleet
management, genuine parts, as well as tailored product and safety operator training.
Toyota customers benefit from an extensive product range – from pallet trucks to tow
tractors, counterbalance forklifts and more – and access to global
resources, national coverage and local support.
706 Stirling Road, Slough Trading EstateSlough, Berkshire SL1 4SY Tel: 0870 850 1409 Email: [email protected]
At office equipment manufacturer Ricoh’s
sites in Telford and Wellingborough, there are
more than 45 items of material handling
equipment in operation, including
counterbalance electric forklifts, powered
pallet trucks, hand pallet trucks, order pickers,
VNA and tow tractors.
Toyota Material Handling UK provides
dedicated after-sales support for manual
and powered equipment. To reduce costs,
Ricoh moved from having an on-site
engineer to a dedicated service technician
who visits the site daily to address any
issues and carry out preventative
maintenance. In addition, hand pallet trucks
on site are serviced and maintained by
Toyota to extend their operational life.
Both Toyota and Ricoh have kaizen at the
heart of their operations and worked together
to look at ways to make cost savings and
deliver both productivity and safety benefits.
case study
Toyota and BT lifting
equipment
Toyota Material Handling UK
www.toyota-forklifts.co.uk
www.worksmanagement.co.uk June 2013 29
Forklift Truck Buyers’ Guide
Company Profile
Employees: 5,300 worldwide (parent
company Nacco Materials Handling)
UK/EU manufacturing sites: Craigavon,
Northern Ireland – counterbalance
equipment, 1.5-5.5 tonne; Masate, Italy –
warehouse equipment; Nijmegen, The
Netherlands – counterbalance equipment, 6-
16 tonne
Sales: Great Britain: Briggs Equipment UK,
Orbital Way, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11
8XW, T: 01543 430928
www.briggsequipment.co.uk
Northern Ireland: NM Forktrucks, Rathdown
Road, Lissue Industrial Estate, Lisburn, BT28
2RE NI, T: 028 9262 1922
www.nmforktrucks.com
Applications
All materials handling applications with
particular focus on: logistics, automotive,
retail, chemical, paper, construction, wood,
metals, beverage, food.
Fleet management: Provided through the
Yale major accounts team, Briggs Equipment
national accounts team and the Yale Vision
asset management solution.
Products
Yale has one of the most comprehensive
ranges of electric and engine powered
materials handling equipment in lifting
capacities from 1 tonne to 16 tonnes, with lift
heights up to 17 metres. The range includes:
● Warehouse equipment including pallet
handlers, order pickers, reach trucks, stackers
and very narrow aisle equipment
● The innovative and versatile range V series
of AC-technology counterbalance forklift
trucks designed to optimise productivity
● The Veracitor VX series which delivers
outstanding productivity and the lowest
lifetime cost of ownership
● The streamlined LX range which
incorporates the best of the Veracitor range,
without the complex systems and features.
User References
Available on request.
Service/Maintenance
Provided through our independent dealer
network, which is the largest UK materials
handling service organisation.
Other Services
Driver training: Provided through our
independent dealer network, which is the
largest UK materials handling service
organisation.
Finance: Yale Financial Services offers a
range of flexible materials handling
equipment financing solutions from a single
counterbalance forklift truck to a fleet of
order pickers, from outright purchase to a
number of tailored financial purchase plans.
Site/warehouse layout design
Provided through warehouse specialists and
the unique Yale Warehouse Simulator
Program.
Yale Materials Handling has a 90-year unrivalled heritage in materials handling.
Globally, Yale provides solutions for prestigious businesses in some of the most intensive
applications, and prides itself on its long-lasting customer relationships. This has resulted in an
understanding of customers’ applications and the ability to provide solutions to meet their changing
business needs. All products undergo in-depth research and evaluation, and are designed with two
key goals in mind: to create the most comfortable working environment for the operator, and to
create features and performance to increase throughput and productivity. Ergonomic advances
come from a focused approach and understanding customers’ specific needs. This knowledge is
gained through ongoing customer evaluation and observing operators to
understand how to improve efficiency, comfort and operational productivity.
Flagship House, Reading Road North Fleet, Hampshire GU51 4WDTel: 01252 770700 Email: [email protected]
Hövelmann-Ahr Getränke Logistik, based in
Oberhausen, Germany, warehouses and
distributes various types of beer, soft drinks
and mineral water and is one of the leading
beverage logistics firms in Germany.
With an existing fleet of 110 Yale trucks,
Hövelmann was part of the test programme
for the new Yale MO25 low level order picker
last year. Impressed with performance, it
placed an order for the first MO25 to be sold
and delivered in Europe.
Yale tailored the trucks to suit the
company’s needs, including adapting the
design of front rollers to allow easier entry
into pallets and changing the battery
compartment to accommodate a 620
amp/hour battery for eight-hour shifts.
The modifications Yale made provide a
more comfortable working environment for
operators, making the process of loading and
unloading large pallets easier and more
efficient. This increased productivity has
resulted in Hövelmann placing another order
for 11 additional units.
case study
A Yale very narrowaisle (VNA) truck
Yale Europe Materials Handling
www.yale.com