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powered ‘big’ trucks and numerous smaller diesel, electric and LPG counterbalance and warehouse trucks. A 140,000 sq ft ware- house on the Peterhead base is also benefi t- ing from the very latest Yale very narrow aisle technol- ogy, with the introduction of the company’s acclaimed MTC 13 man-up turret truck for order picking. Many of the large lift- ing capacity counterbal- ance trucks have been modifi ed by Briggs and Yale to meet ASCO’s unique
operational needs. Duncan contin-
ued: “We previously oper-
ated 8 tonne trucks on the site, but felt that 10 tonne trucks would be more suitable. The extra lifting capacity makes it easier to handle many different types of load. “However, in most cases having a larger truck would mean larger forks and greater turning circle, but the new vehicles have been modifi ed so they operate with the same forks as the smaller trucks, which are ideal for our standard container cargo units. “Briggs and Yale also came up with things we hadn’t thought about, such as fi tting some of our new 4.5 tonne forklifts with special lifting points so that they can be lowered into the hold of vessels to further cut down on the time they spend in port.”
INCREASED LIFTING CAPACITY
“These trucks also benefi t from a compara- tively small footprint, making them ideal for operation in confi ned spaces,” said Duncan, who went on to explain that the relative compactness of all the Yale prod- ucts was another key factor in its decision to standardise its fl eet.
The supply base is located on a narrow strip of land next to the harbour, and space is at a premium. “In effect, we have gained extra lifting capacity without compromising on fl exibility or manoeuvrability,” he said. Whilst the new equipment has been well received by
management on the site, the Yale trucks have also been welcomed by operators.
According to Duncan, some drivers preferred a particular brand of truck and were resist- ant to change. But they were soon won over by the comfort of the new Yale trucks, their ease of operation and particularly the improved visibility they offer. The introduction of a customised monitoring and control system to
the machines has also given operators a sense of ownership of their vehicle whilst reducing the risk of accidental damage. “The operators take pride in their truck and see it as their own vehicle, rather than just another piece of equipment,” he added. Whilst ASCO has been pleased with the closer relationship it has developed with Briggs Equipment, the materials handling solutions provider is enthusiastic about its role within a dynamic industry sector. Gordon Hepburn, sales executive at Briggs, commented: “The offshore en- ergy industry remains an im- portant part of the Scottish and UK economy, and we are delighted to be working with a
key player that supports many of the top names in oil and gas production. “It has enabled us to demonstrate how, in close partnership with Yale, we can come up with a comprehensive materials handling solution in the most demanding situations and provide fl exible engineering support tailored to the whole of ASCO’s operation.” As part of Briggs’ service support, two engineers will be based at Peterhead and an ASCO facility in Aberdeen to conduct full service and maintenance on the equipment, ensuring the trucks remain operational at all times. Richard Close, Briggs Equipment’s CEO, added: “We are now looking forward to developing an even closer relationship with ASCO in the years ahead. Briggs Equipment takes a long-term partnership approach, working alongside customers to add real value to their logistics operations. “There are few companies who can provide such a diverse range of equip- ment whilst maintaining the same levels of engineering excellence and such a fl exible approach to client specifi cations.”
www.briggsequipment.co.uk
Heavy lifting: The Yale fl eet supplied by Briggs to ASCO includes ‘big’ trucks.
Narrow minded: Yale’s MTC 13 man-up turret truck is used for order picking in ASCO’s Peterhead warehouse.
www.shdlogistics.com
Storage Handling Distribution May 2012 17
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