Sector Focus: Handling & Storage | 51
AUTOMATION OPTIMUM
The shortage of forklift operators in the UK is helping drive up sales of automated handling solutions, says Toyota Material Handling UK
SUMMARY
■Forklift truck driver numbers are 25% below where they should be
■Automated technology is gaining popularity
■Toyota has opened an automated handling demonstration centre
■AGV’s offer a rapid return on investment
Above left: More companies are adopting automated materials handling equipment Above right: Toyota has an automated handling demonstration centre
According to Toyota Material Handling UK, an “exceptional” shortage of forklift drivers is prompting more and more UK companies to adopt automated materials handling equipment (MHE) to optimise the efficiency of their warehouse intralogistics processes. “We hear a lot about the problems caused by the present lack of HGV drivers but the scarcity of qualified MHE operators is just as much of an issue for many UK supply chains,” said Toyota’s Paul Freeman. A recent study by Logistics UK showed that in 2019, 79,000 EU nationals left the UK logistics industry – around 7,000 of whom were lift truck drivers. The exodus is thought to have gathered pace over the past 18 months and, with the Covid crisis adding high rates of staff absenteeism to the mix, the number of qualified lift truck operators in the UK is estimated to be down by some 25% on the figure needed to run the nation’s forklift fleet. Furthermore, with close to a third of Britain’s remaining forklift drivers said to be EU nationals, the decision to limit overseas workers’ access to the UK jobs market means that, in the longer term, the situation is only likely to become worse – which, Toyota forecasts, will further hasten the take-up of automated technology.
In addition, the widening gap between supply and demand, means that forklift operator wages are rising. Given that human labour is already one of the most significant warehouse operation costs, any significant hike in lift truck drivers’ earnings is only likely to strengthen the argument for switching to automation, contends Toyota.
“At Toyota we increasingly find that companies across all industry sectors are seeking to mitigate the impact that the dearth of forklift drivers is having on their business by turning to automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and other forms of automation,” said Mr Freeman. “AGV’s – such as Toyota’s Autopilot series – offer several benefits in addition to delivering lower labour costs, including reductions in product and building infrastructure damage and increased productivity. These notable advantages bring a rapid return on investment. Toyota’s AGV-enabled forklifts, for example, deliver a typical return on investment period of between 12 and 36 months.” Toyota has opened an 800m2
dedicated
automated handling technology demonstration centre on the same site as its Midlands business centre on the Meridian
Business Park in Leicester where customers can see and assess the company’s state-of- the-art AGVs and shuttle systems in operation within a realistic working warehouse setting. The centre provides a permanent showcase for the Toyota Autopilot range of AGVs as well as the company’s semi-automated RadioShuttle technology for the storage and retrieval of palletised loads from high density racking systems.
In addition, visitors to the centre can also discuss Toyota’s turnkey automated system design expertise.
“The profile of the typical automation user is evolving and small and medium sized warehouse operators and e-commerce retailers now see automated handling and storage technology as the optimum solution to their issues,” said Mr Freeman. “The forklift operator crisis is clearly accelerating the trend.” ■
REFLEX ACTION
Toyota Material Handling Europe has launched the first three models in the new BT Reflex family of reach trucks. The latest models – the high-performance R-series, the E-series (which features Toyota’s iconic and unique tilting cab) and the flexible O-series for inside and outside use – set new standards in safety, efficiency and ergonomics, said the company. The trucks, which are offered with load capacities of between 1.4 and 2.5 tonnes and lift heights of up to 13m, feature a host of innovations – including an updated ergonomic operator compartment that optimises safety, performance levels and operator comfort. ■
www.ttjonline.com | November/December 2021 | TTJ
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