Special ones
September 1st 2010 Custom builds open doors for
Jungheinrich and are a key part of its
strategy - good news for managers with
unusual requirements
According to Dr Rolf Halbeich, general manager at
Jungheinrich's specials factory in Lueneburg, Germany the
ability to provide bespoke trucks to suit a client's distinct
handling needs is proving pivotal to the company's long-term
growth strategy.
"The materials handling industry is evolving," he says. "Twenty
years ago the hand pallet truck was a 'door opener' that would
allow manufacturers to develop a relationship with a client. These
days we find that those companies who approach us for our
special build capabilities often become users of products in our
standard range."
Dr Haelbich believes that Jungheinrich's commitment to
special build projects and its ability to develop products that meet
a user's exact requirements, make it one of the very few truck
manufacturers that can claim to be a full line supplier.
One example is the supply of over 40 reach trucks with 12.5m
lift masts for use at a leading third party logistics service
provider's facility in South Yorkshire. The masts on the trucks
were so high that part of the Lueneburg factory roof had to be
removed to allow testing to be carried out. Engineers at
Lueneburg are currently working on a design for a reach truck
that can lift an even heavier load to the same height.
While build times vary depending on the complexity of the
work involved, a special build project usually takes between 12
and 18 weeks from the receipt of an order to delivery.
2010 marks the 20th anniversary of the special build truck
plant in Lueneburg. The facility was established to meet the needs
of those companies that store or handle unusually shaped goods
or have to manoeuvre products in and around complicated or
confined spaces.
The factory employs a workforce of nearly 200 and, despite the
fact that the Jungheinrich Group offers over 600 forklift models in
its standard range, demand for the kind of uniquely engineered
products designed and built at the Lueneburg facility is
increasing.
Dr Haelbich concludes: "The type of products we are capable
of producing here at Lueneburg means we can truly offer the
right machine for every application – no matter how unusual it
might be. There is nothing we
cannot supply." More articles from Jungheinrich UK Ltd: | 
