Trucks replace cranes and increase capacity
April 1st 2006 Replacing overhead cranes with two Combilift 4-way forklifts has enabled steel stockholder, G H Cook, to vastly increase the amount of stock it can carry at its Sheffield warehouse.
Improved handling and storage of product in all stages of production has also been an additional benefit since the Combilifts were introduced.
Cranes were used until recently to manoeuvre stock in the 3300m2 Sheffield facility, but the need for better use of storage space and streamlined operations prompted investigation into alternative methods of handling the extremely long and heavy loads, which can be up to 6m long, before being cut to customer requirements.
G H Cook is now part of the Cogne Group, which was already using Combilift 4-way forklifts in neighbouring locations. This gave works manager Peter Flaherty the opportunity to see the trucks in operation.
The flexibility of the Combilifts to offload incoming deliveries, handle the steel bars throughout all stages of production, and reload for customer distribution convinced him that they would be the answer to all of G H Cook's requirements.
Two LP Gas powered 4- tonne capacity C4000 Combilifts, chosen on the advice of local materials handling specialist Ability Handling, work easily in the already existing aisle widths between the cantilever racking in the storage area.
The aisles are also fitted with guide rails which speed up picking whilst protecting the very valuable product as well as the cantilever racking from damage.
Ability Handling also recommended installing a mast travel stop device to improve safety procedures.
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