Trucks prove a glass act
September 1st 2010

Versatility allows manufacturer to refresh truck fleet, cutting costs as the number of trucks is reduced

Rotherham-based glass manufacturer Beatson Clark has dramatically improved the productivity of its forklift truck fleet with the help of Yale authorised dealer, Forkway Group.

Beatson Clark manufactures glass packaging for the pharmaceutical, beverage and food industries and its furnaces are burning 24 hours a day, meaning a reliable fleet of forklift trucks is essential to keep the production line running.

Forkway's Doncaster branch, in conjunction with Beatson Clark, determined that the ideal solution would be seven Yale Veracitor VX 3.5 tonne forklift trucks fitted with special fork positioners for double pallet handling.

The versatility and flexibility of the new Yale forklift fleet supplied to Beatson Clark has enabled the company to reduce the number of forklift trucks required for this application from nine to seven, which forms part of Beatson Clark's overall fleet of 18 forklifts.

It was Forkway's approach to providing the highest levels of aftercare and service that prompted purchasing manager Jonathan Styles to turn to Forkway when replacing the company's forklift truck fleet.

He explains: "18 months ago we were running a fleet of aging and unreliable forklift trucks. Forkway provided a full repair and maintenance contract for the fleet that enabled us to extend its lifespan before investing in a new fleet of VX forklift trucks.

"We were impressed by the service and dedication to customer care demonstrated by Forkway, making them the obvious choice to supply our new forklift fleet." The seven internal combustion engine LPG powered Yale Veracitor VX counterbalance forklift trucks have been supplied with a full service and maintenance programme, ensuring round the clock care of the fleet to maximise uptime and productivity in this challenging application.

Styles adds: "The reliability of our fleet is essential to the smooth running of our business.We run a 24/7 manufacturing operation so our equipment is in use for up to 80 hours per week.

It is vital that we have a maintenance contract that helps up to eliminate unnecessary downtime and allows us to maintain our reputation for being able to deliver on time, all of the time." Each forklift is required to lift four crates at a time weighing a total of 1.6 tonnes to a maximum height of six metres. They are used to transport pallets of glass containers at various stages of the production process around the factory and finally to move the finished product from the warehouses to vehicles which deliver to customers in the UK and abroad.

Each Yale Veracitor VX forklift truck has been fitted with an all weather cab with heater, demister, screen and screen wash and, at the specific request of the drivers, the trucks have been modified to include CD players, fabric swivel seats and Yale's foot directional control.

The Yale forklifts supplied are fitted with Techtronix 100 transmission systems which offer a range of benefits including auto deceleration for smooth auto braking, controlled power reversal reducing tyre wear by up to 50 per cent and controlled roll back on ramps giving operators more control. To maximise speed and operational efficiency inside the factory, the forklift trucks have been modified to include Cascade double pallet handling attachments to lift two pallets at a time.

Two of the Yale forklifts have also been adapted to include three stage triplex masts suitable for loading containers which has eliminated the need to have two separate forklifts to do this.

"Forkway doesn't take a one size fits all approach and has been very flexible in accommodating our specific application requirements," says Styles.

"They don't just provide the product, they provide a service as well. Nothing is ever too much trouble for them." Richard Greaves, group sales director of Forkway, adds: "We enjoy an almost unique relationship with Beatson Clark, being true business partners.

"We have built our business on the back of genuine customer care and the bespoke agreement we have with Beatson Clark is a good example of how we strive to meet our customers' needs."

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