Manufacturer slashes carbon with new fleet
June 1st 2011 The fleet from Forkway and Yale delivers 30% reduction in energy consumption and
savings of over 300 tonnes of carbon over the contract term
Radiator and boiler manufacturer, Ideal Stelrad Group
(ISG), has taken delivery of a new materials handling fleet
and service package from Yale distributor Forkway Group
for its national distribution centre and radiator manufacturing
facility in Mexborough, Rotherham.
Operating a 150,000 square foot distribution hub with 30,000
pallet spaces in 10.5 metre high racking, the company looked to
Forkway to provide a full materials handling package. The fleet
includes equipment that incorporates the latest advances in
equipment productivity and ergonomics and provides operators
with a range of comfortable and reliable equipment to off-load 20
deliveries and execute more than 12,800 picks per day.
The fleet includes 18 Yale MP20X pallet trucks that have been
equipped with longer forks and repositioned load wheels to
efficiently handle the 300 different pallet sizes and configurations
housed in the distribution centre and to minimise damage to
pallets and loads during picking and transportation.
The Yale MP20X pallet trucks feature ergonomic tiller heads
with angled grips and low effort controls for maximum operator
comfort. A low mounted tiller arm minimises steering effort and
enhances the operating experience, dual lift and lower controls
allow left or right hand operation.
The pallet trucks are used throughout the distribution centre's
24 hour shift period five days a week, and are operated alongside a
number of reach trucks and counterbalance forklift trucks. Lifting
up to 1.4 tonnes, the pallet trucks have also been fitted with HD
cameras and monitors for precise and safe handling.
Sara Elliot, Ideal Stelrad Group's warehouse and distribution
centre manager, says the decision to upgrade the fleet was based on
the company's commitment to supporting its workforce and
customers by offering the most productive materials handling
solution possible.
"It is vital that our customers receive their goods on time so a
productive and reliable fleet is essential," she explains.
"Forkway carried out a detailed logistics study to identify the
materials handling requirement and we worked closely together to
ensure every piece of equipment was specified correctly and to the
best possible configuration. They also ensured a seamless
transition to the new fleet and carried out employee training
where necessary."
Forkway also specified a battery charging station that has
resulted in 30 per cent reduction in energy consumption and
savings of over 300 tonnes of carbon over the contract term.
Forkway's regional director Gary Hawkhead explains: "A
charging system has been installed which pumps air into the
battery reducing the need for cooling and drastically cutting
recharging times. The system requires less maintenance and we
have increased spare battery capacity by 50% on the same
footprint. Furthermore, a battery transfer unit has reduced the
need for manual handling and makes battery changing faster."
Also on site is the Group's radiator manufacturing facility which
utilises a range of materials handling equipment from Forkway.
Hawkhead adds: "We specified a Yale GLP18VX to lift the radiator
fins on to the production line ready for the automated process and
three Yale MP20XV to take finished products off the packaging
machine and place them ready for despatch to the distribution
centre for holding until delivery is required.
"In another area of the manufacturing plant that makes
components such as wall mounting brackets, connections and
fittings, a Yale MP20 works round the clock. A key reason for
choosing this equipment was the truck's outstanding
manoeuvrability in tight spaces."
The materials handling fleet also includes five LPG
counterbalance tucks, six high lift heavy duty reach trucks and two
Yale MP22 pallet trucks with pneumatic suction devices to change
batteries between the trucks and the battery charging station.
A Forkway engineer is based on site to ensure the fleet is
maintained and serviced effectively.
Elliot concludes: "This investment has ensured our needs are
met and will continue to be met. Our Forkway engineer has
integrated into our business well and we look forward to a long
and successful relationship with
Forkway." More articles from Yale Europe Materials Handling: | 
