Pushing the extra yard
December 1st 2007 Year on year growth of 80 per cent necessitates a factory extension for Bendi. But md
Simon Brown says the extra capacity still won't be enough should its forthcoming yard
truck and European version come good. Brendan Coyne reports
Two thousand and seven: a good year
for lift trucks, so far at least. But 80
per cent growth? "It's amazing," says
Translift Bendi md, Simon Brown. "But it
has caused its own problems." Hence the
planned extension, which he says should
be up by February and running by spring.
Brown hopes for level growth next year,
and says the 55 per cent extra capacity will
be accompanied by outsourcing chunks of
the truck, to react as demand dictates.
The cyclical market, and the threat of a
sickly economy, means next year might not
be so buoyant. But Brown says this is a
'good thing' for Bendi. "It's a product that
people can turn to to save money in times
of need," he claims. "When business is
booming, people can afford to be lazy. But
when they're counting every penny, they
think more carefully about how to save it. If
we can get that message across, we'll
continue to grow."
While 3PLs have taken to the articulated
concept (Brown claims the man-down
market has virtually disappeared as a
result), he says there are many sectors yet
to appreciate it. The problem is probably
that, while it can replace two trucks, a
£30K price tag can be prohibitive – and one
truck isn't better than two if it breaks down.
"It's got to save space to justify the price
tag," says Brown. "And that's where it
comes into its own. Pounds per pallet
stored, the articulated truck is the most
viable solution for APR racking. That's why
we're doing so well." He claims that of
3,000 reach trucks sold in the UK each year,
Bendi is taking 700.
Still, the market is comparatively small.
But Bendi is working to broaden its reach:
an articulated yard truck is in the offing.
Priced around £20K, Brown believes it
will attract those looking to replace a
counterbalance and reach truck with one
unit. He says the original Bendi was
conceived for that purpose, but customers
wanted it to go higher and narrower,
adding VNA replacement to the equation.
"We're in the final stages of testing. It will
be available in gas or diesel, a bit wider
with less reach (around 10m) but much
higher lifting capacity, and have big 4-
500mm diameter tyres that can run across
kerbs and potholes," says Brown. In nononsense
fashion, it will be dubbed the
'Bendi Yard Truck'.
Brown says two AC Bendis also launch
next year, for those who want additional
battery power and higher lifts. Another
concept is an articulated truck for Europe
that can overcome the issue of openbottom
pallets, which should come to
market within the next 12 months. If it
takes off, Brown says the company will
adjust manufacturing accordingly. "I can't
say everything is going to go through
Redditch. With the new expansion it suits
us right now. But we're looking at the
horizon."
Does the horizon include Bendi
remaining a private company? "We've no
plans to change at present, but you never
say never," admits Brown. "We've done
everything organically so we don't need
[extra] cash. And the trade off is you lose
some control. So I doubt [we'll become a
plc]."
So what sets Bendi apart from the other
articulated manufacturers? While Brown is
reluctant to use the word 'flexibility', he
says the ability to offer front, rear and four
wheel drive versions, allied with capacity at
height are key differentiators. He claims
Bendi is "probably taking 65 per cent of the
articulated market". But stresses the benefit
of "two credible alternative manufacturers"
in the market in terms of gaining exposure
and acceptance.
If the company can successfully complete
its yard truck, that acceptance could
increase exponentially – whatever the
economic situation. More articles from Translift Bendi Limited: | 
