Materials Handling / Forklift Trucks

DIESEL STILL RULES, BUT FORKLIFT TRUCKS MARKET MOVING TOWARDS ELECTRIC POWERED MACHINES

The forklift truck market is undoubtedly rapidly changing, with electric powered machines set to overtake diesel and LPG power in the coming years, not least because of environmental issues and rising fuel prices.

Historically, the forklift market has been split roughly 60-40 between LPG or dieselpowered and battery-powered electric models, but there’s a definite move towards electric. Toyota Material Handling, for example, expects the UK market for electric counterbalanced forklift trucks to grow by as much as 10 per cent in the next five years. All the big manufacturers and suppliers are introducing their own electric models into a marketplace that is both busy and diverse, with applications ranging from transport, cold stores and warehousing to manufacturing, retail and supermarkets. The range of available trucks is rapidly growing, too – from hand pallet trucks, reach trucks and order pickers to narrow aisle machines and stackers. It can be a minefield when choosing which represents the best material handling solution for your needs. Over the next few pages, Export & Freight brings you some of the latest technological developments and new product launches from this ever expanding sector…

New warehouse truck safety device slashes product damage

An innovative new safety device that dramatically reduces damage to stored goods, lift trucks, warehouse or distribution centre building infrastructure and storage systems is now available on Flexi Truck products.

The Smart Stop ‘touch sensitive’ in-aisle sensing system causes a Flexi Truck articulated very narrow aisle lift truck’s digital drive system to lock out should the truck touch a pallet load or rack while turning in an aisle. Once shut down by Smart Stop, the Flexi Truck can only be restarted when the driver has reported details of the incident to his or her designated line manager. Because the operator cannot override this functionality, a product or rack impact incident must be logged and dealt with immediately. John Maguire, managing director of Narrow Aisle Ltd, comments: “Alongside overloading racking beyond its capacity, lifting equipment abuse is the leading cause of rack system failure. Often, what appears to be a relatively minor incident can inflict significant long-term structural damage to racking. This can ultimately lead to rack collapse if the problem is not noticed before the next scheduled rack inspection. “By deactivating and disabling a Flexi Truck that comes into contact with an object, such as a pallet load, racking or rack guards within the storage aisle, Smart Stop makes it impossible for an incident to go unreported.” The Flexi Truck Smart Stop system is offered for use with the latest Flexi ‘Digital’ range of articulated warehouse trucks. Quickly and easily fitted to a truck’s left- and right-sided flanks, Smart Stop technology interfaces with the Flexi Truck’s digital ‘brain’, which controls all drive, hydraulic and steering functions. One of the early adopters of Smart Stop is online garden supplies retailer, Primrose. Earlier this year, the company upgraded the materials handling fleet at its Sharpness, Gloucestershire, high-bay fulfillment centre with a new fleet of Flexi Truck 12 metre articulated forklift trucks featuring Smart Stop. Mike Costello, Primrose’s Head of Operations at Sharpness, says: “In the time since the new Flexi Trucks with Smart Stop have been in service at our Sharpness facility, incidents of rack damage have been completely eliminated and costs incurred by carrying out rack or truck repairs reduced to zero.” He continues: “While rack repairs are costly and also have a negative impact on productivity, we know that some of the more serious safety problems within warehouses occur when truck operators fail to pass on details of collisions with racking or storage systems. “If damage goes unnoticed there is a chance that a more significant safety issue will occur. The Flexi Smart Stop in-aisle sensor system means that there is absolutely no chance of aisle impact being overlooked within our operation.” John Maguire adds: “Not only does Smart Stop slash the type of damage to racking and products which can cost companies many thousands of pounds each year, it also simplifies the operator’s role by taking away the stress of causing damage whilst driving in aisle and also the need to report an accident. With the logistics industry finding it hard to attract lift truck operators, it is important to make the driver’s job as easy and stress-free as possible. “The unique digital steering Flexi Truck was already one of the most straightforward trucks to operate on the market and now the availability of Smart Stop makes a highly driver-friendly lift truck even easier and safer to work with.”

EDiA XL: The electric truck that does it all

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has launched a game-changing addition to its award-winning EDiA range

Changes to fuel subsidies, enhancements in battery technology and increasingly stringent emissions regulations mean electric trucks are becoming the new favourite – even in industries where diesel was once considered indispensable. Built with a wealth of unique and innovative features, EDiA XL is the perfect alternative to IC engine trucks, having been designed to outperform not only its electric rivals, but also any diesel forklift. Stewart Gosling of RDD, the exclusive UK importer for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, explains: “The new EDiA XL will do everything a diesel can do… only better. It is the first electric to fully overcome every issue that may have stopped some owners of IC engine trucks from making the switch to electric.” Available in 4-5 tonne models, EDiA XL will handle heavyduty applications with ease. “In the past many industries favoured diesel for its brute strength, but electric forklifts like EDiA XL offer power like never before,” adds Stewart. Take for example, the AutoBoost feature. This kicks in automatically to provide torque and acceleration boosts where and when they’re needed, like on ramps and steep inclines, so power drops are a thing of the past. Even harsh environments are no match for EDiA XL. Its Electric Differential Lock feature gives the truck better traction and control both indoors and out. “EDiA XL is an exceptionally intuitive forklift,” says Stewart. “Handling is smooth and precise, high lifts are rock-steady, while Four Wheel Steering enables a 100-degree lock delivering the smallest turning circle on the market – perfect for working in tight spaces. There’s no challenge the EDiA XL can’t overcome.” Operator comfort has been placed front and centre with EDiA XL. With its ergonomic, adjustable seat, and its range of advanced control options, EDiA XL helps operators stay productive. Not least because noise levels inside the cabin are extremely low at just 65dB, and microvibrations are minimal thanks to the rubber-mounted cabin. Stewart adds: “The placement and design of the mast means operators have unparalleled visibility while working in a comfortable, stress-free environment, giving them the confidence to work efficiently and safely. Every detail has been considered in the EDiA XL. It really does set a new standard for forklift trucks.”

VICTORIA PLUM INVEST IN NEW TOYOTA FORKLIFT FLEET

Online bathroom retailer Victoria Plum has optimised its intralogistics processes by investing in a new fleet of more than 50 electric-powered Toyota lift trucks.

Including state-of-the-art

reach and counterbalance models as well as powered pallet trucks and order pickers, the trucks will be deployed at the company’s 277,000 sq ft distribution centre in Doncaster. During extensive trials Victoria Plum looked for equipment that would cut running costs, improve fleet utilisation and, most importantly, achieve high levels of safety and lift truck operator comfort. Victoria Plum’s operations director, Andy Svenson, said: “As a business, Victoria Plum is fully committed to keeping its workers and the workplace safe. We have implemented various programmes aimed at preventing accidents, encouraging safe behaviour and promoting wellbeing amongst our staff. Forklift truck safety is therefore a priority across our Doncaster distribution centre.” The new forklift fleet will be supplied on a contract rental agreement that includes service and maintenance support. In addition, regular review meetings will be held to consider any improvements to processes or changes to the make-up of the fleet as well as the way trucks are deployed at the Doncaster site. This will highlight any aspects of Victoria Plum’s materials handling operation that could be further enhanced. Data for each review will be provided by Toyota’s I_Site technology, which is a feature of Victoria Plum’s new machines. I_Site is designed to optimise the performance of every size and type of forklift fleet. The technology enables trucks to become communications devices capable of transmitting valuable data regarding a forklift’s performance to a central information hub. If required, I_Site can also provide data on a truck operator’s efficiency. Receiving this data from connected vehicles will give Victoria Plum’s distribution centre management team a better understanding of their intralogistics operation and the power to take more control over it. As part of the agreement, Toyota will supply a battery changing station along with spare batteries and a battery management system to ensure that the fleet consistently delivers the most energy efficient and productive performance levels. Andy Svenson added: “Establishing a robust forklift battery management regime will prolong battery lifetimes and help us avoid the cost of buying additional batteries during the contract period.” Toyota’s Marc Nicholson commented: “Victoria Plum recorded a record 46 per cent increase in sales to £103m for the year to February 2021 and the business continues to expand at pace. In order to manage this rapid growth an efficient materials handling fleet is essential, so we are delighted that Victoria Plum has chosen Toyota as its trusted partner.”

Make the shift to electric

Outstanding performance with zero emissions

• Indoor and outdoor heavy duty applications • Low energy consumption and fast opportunity charging • Intelligent energy lithium-ion options • Reduced maintenance • Improved safety with SAS and I_Site technology

For more information Call 028 9081 2864