Towing the new line
April 1st 2006 Offering the most comprehensive range available, Hako has introduced its electric vehicles to the UK Market. Charlotte Stonestreet reports
In the UK Hako is a company synonymous with cleaning machines.
However, the latest product offering from the company is not a new range of scrubber dryers - although we are promised "enormous innovation" in this area over the next few years - it is a comprehensive range of electric vehicles.
Working on a consultative basis on the introduction of the electric vehicles to the UK market, former Hako UK managing director, Bernard Malloy feels that this is the ideal time for the company to make such a move.
"More and more business are opening their eyes to the importance of handling equipment other than forklift trucks in the supply chain and we want to reinforce this message," says Malloy.
And in some areas, it seems that this is a message that is certainly being picked up on. Rumour has it that Daimler-Chrysler is undergoing a worldwide initiative to minimise the use of forklifts in all its manufacturing facilities. Malloy also cites the case of a large automotive site in the Midlands that previously operated two fully equipped warehouses. Now, fully servicing the same extensive market, the operation uses just one warehouse that has been stripped of most of its racking and now operates almost exclusively on a crossdocking basis.
Just-in-time
Like many, this operation has changed in response to the growing need for just-intime manufacturing processes that enable producers to stay competitive in an increasingly global economy. Never before has the precise sequencing of parts to a production line been more important, and neither has it ever been so expensive to store stock. Add to this rapid product development rendering spare parts obsolete sometimes within a matter of months and the need for reduced stock levels combined with a speedy operation becomes clear.
The death knell for the forklift truck then? Well, hardly, but it does mean that many companies are re-thinking their materials handling needs - something which is evident in the growing amount of warehouse equipment being used as opposed to traditional counterbalance trucks. As a result this does seem to be an opportune time for Hako to make its electric transport and towing vehicles available in the UK.
Although they are new to the UK, Hako's electric vehicles have been available to other countries for some time. This means that the designs and technology are already well proven. Of course, similar vehicles are available from other suppliers, but in Malloy's opinion, none of the competition has made a particularly good job of manufacturing and supplying this type of equipment before. He also feels that Hako's range is the most comprehensive available, as most other companies seem to concentrate on either smaller or larger units without encompassing a complete range of sizes.
As well as offering a wide, proven range of units, managing director of Hako UK, Stewart Taylor, highlights the established support network that that will serve the range. Overall, Hako currently employs around 50 members of staff in the UK to cover service and maintenance.
"Dealing with the new electric vehicle range will not present any problems for our existing service engineers as the work is very similar to that already carried out on our cleaning machines," says Taylor. "In fact, if anything servicing the electric vehicles is easier."
Product range
At the smaller end of the range, the Hako- Sherpa M is a compact 3-wheel transporter, designed specifically for use in confined areas. Boasting a top speed of 8km/hr, it has a load capacity of 500kg and is capable of towing 1000kg. Using the Sherpa M plus exchange platform, the unit can provide a piggy-back system. As result the load area is increased and the platforms can be changed quickly, reducing transport times.
For heavier-duty applications, the 4- wheel Sherpa S5 tow tractor has the ability to pull 5000kg. With compact dimensions and an optimum steering angle it does not compromise on manoeuvrability, competing with many traditional 3-wheel units. Using a tray battery with up to 360Ah, a running time of up to eight hours is possible and for multi shift operations the battery can be easily changed.
These examples represent just small sector of Hako's range, which offers a wide variety of handling solutions for use across all sectors.
"Things have moved on and lots of companies are getting back to 'true' materials handling," says Malloy. "In almost every operation, it is possible to reduce the level of materials handling equipment needed. All it needs is a bit of common sense."
And, presumably, an electric vehicle or two from Hako. More articles from Hako Machines Limited: | 
