58 | Sector Focus: Handling & Storage
advantages, there is simply no room to grow outwards.
The customer base and goodwill built up over the last century with local community support is not something that Peter, or his brothers would ever want to lose. All agree, then, that the location is too important to consider moving. Increasing storage density without losing accessibility to product and transporting long loads down the narrow access lanes crossing the site is key. So, they have replaced their diesel-powered Baumann HX40, after decades of faithful service, with a 120v electric ELX50, the first electric sideloader to achieve working battery shift life of over 10 hours, with speeds and performance exceeding its diesel counterpart. Yard manager, Andrew Rolfe, is quick to praise the new Baumann. “It’s like driving a rocket ship! It’s much easier to drive, and so much quieter and more comfortable.”
◄ Promise Robotics ambitiously estimates that, for every million new homes built using its platform and turn-key production factories, it can help the building industry save US$130bn in costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 560 metric tons and generate 16,000 new categories of jobs. It’s not the first time we’ve seen KUKA robots and Baumann sideloaders in such close proximity, but the indoor ‘cellular’ production modules mean the electric Baumann is the ideal machine for their long load handling needs.
Top: The EGX 50 hard at work at Donaldson Timber Engineering
Above: Tony Benson at Coca-Cola World
Operational efficiencies come into sharper focus, of course, when times are tough. Melbourne-based building supplier group, Womersley Mitre 10, have a long enough history to know better than most. Milling timber began in Frankston, Victoria in 1922. Jack Womersley bought into the mill in the mid-1940s, before going on to become one of the founders of Mitre 10, a chain of 420 retail outlets. The Womersley business is now being run by Jack’s grandsons Stuart, Peter and Scott Womersley. Managing director Peter is all too familiar with the difficulties that can arise when handling long timber packs. The flagship site in Frankston is prime real estate, with a shopping centre on one side and the newly opened Mornington freeway on the other. And while this location offers many
TTJ | November/December 2024 |
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Many loads are 5.4m framing timber, or even longer packs of engineered timber beams. The management team knows that the quickest and safest way to handle these types of loads is with a sideloader. This may be more expensive than a conventional forklift, but Peter Womersley is quick to point out the commercial justification. “We know that real estate is one of the most expensive parts of any business, and the Baumann helps us maximise every square metre of space. We also know that the build quality is such that we expect to keep this machine for 20 years, giving us a much longer amortisation period.” “We don’t put a price on safety,” he adds. Back in our own time zone, for a few weeks at least, and right on cue, we are celebrating a new Safety Product of the Year Award from the UK Materials Handling Association at their prestigious industry awards gala in Birmingham. The award completes the manufacturer ‘big three’ for Baumann, having previously been recognised in the Innovation and Environmental categories. A delighted CEO, Klaus Pirpamer, stepped up on stage with the Baumann team to receive the ‘Archie’ award from television and movie actress, Sally Phillips.
The SafeLoad Assistance system works by calculating the stability limit of the truck and using sensors within the chassis that consider the forces that are exerted by the load weight, the position of both the load and the truck, and a number of other factors.
The new system has been in development for several years. During the time spent in development, Baumann has seen load capacities increase and changes in design practices allowing it to develop the new technology. It has been a long road and the future holds much promise, even if we still need to spread the word. There are more great places and people to see. Soon, it will be time to pack. ■
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