Making good sense
December 1st 2011 Linde encourages warehouse managers to carefully consider their materials handling
supplier in order to maximise fuel cost savings
As fuel prices are at an all time high, choosing the right
materials handling supplier and mix of trucks has
never been more important for delivering significant
cost savings to an operation - especially when fuel savings of
20% to 30% can be made.
A good example of how the right materials handling solution
can improve operating efficiency is Linde customer, Twyford
Bathrooms. Part of the multi-national Sanitec Group, Twyford
Bathrooms is a leading provider of bathroom solutions with over
160 years experience. In April 2011, this manufacturer had the
opportunity to revisit the existing five year lease for its 28-strong
fleet of forklift trucks. This formed part of a wider operational
review to further improve cost efficiency and meet the expanding
requirements of the third party storage operation at its Alsager
factory in Staffordshire.
As a result of this review, Twyford Bathrooms selected Linde
Material Handling as the new preferred supplier because its
products could deliver a 30% improvement in fuel consumption
together with increased productivity. This decision to switch
forklift truck supply to Linde enabled Twyford Bathrooms to
reduce its overall fleet size from 28 to 20 counterbalance and
warehouse trucks. These trucks deliver significant operating cost
savings while maintaining overall fleet productivity and have the
flexibility to meet the requirements of the third party storage
operation.
Phil Timmis, logistics manager at Twyford Bathrooms
explains: "Switching to Linde Material Handling, together with
our internal stock reorganisation to lower level racking, means
we are now on track to realise cost savings of 230k euros over the
five year life of this new truck leasing contract."
The significant fuel savings that can be made with Linde IC
trucks compared to competitors is due to the hydrostatic drive
technology and overall design operation of the vehicle. Fewer
moving mechanical parts make it possible to reduce power loss
between the engine and truck wheels. The engine running speed
is optimised to fully convert output into travel motion which in
turn lowers fuel consumption and reduces carbon emissions for
customers.
The simple, precise control of the Linde hydrostatic drive, with
twin drive pedals and controlled deceleration without
conventional brakes, also allows faster working to make the
trucks the most productive on the
market. More articles from Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd: | 
