SPOTLIGHT Sustainability
Sustainability begins at home
Martin McVicar, CEO and co-founder of the Irish forklift manufacturer Combilift, explains how his company’s commitment to sustainable operations begins on its doorstep, whilst its products are helping customers in over 85 countries to reduce energy consumption for more environmentally-friendly operation
T
he impact of climate change and the consequent push to cut carbon emissions has never been higher on the agenda, and
companies are keen to point out how their products can help customers to achieve these goals. But, sustainability can also begin at home, and this was the overriding priority when we at Combilift embarked on the design of our new global HQ in Monaghan, Ireland, some six years ago. The construction of our 46,000m² facility began in 2015, where we incorporated the latest, most innovative and energy-effi cient manufacturing processes with focus on sustainability and workforce wellbeing. Starting with a clean sheet ensured that no compromises were made, and to minimise transport miles we used local suppliers wherever possible for raw materials such as the stone, cement and steel required for the build phase.
Daylighting technology means that 30% of our roof space is covered in skylights, enabling staff to work in natural-daylight environment with 173% more white light exposure. Large fl oor-to-ceiling windows increase the overall natural light inside the building to 84%. When required, artifi cial lighting is supplied by LEDs, with PIR sensors allowing for daylight dimming and areas of the factory not in use to be automatically switched off . A 1MW biomass boiler is used to provide heating for paint-spray ovens
10 December/January 2022 | Automation
and assembly lines. Solar panels provide 185kW of energy which generate 10% of our daily electricity usage. A 110,000-litre rain-harvest tank collects and stores rainwater which is used for jet washing and bathroom facilities.
Recycle and reuse The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) levels found in solvent-based paints have a detrimental eff ect on the environment and contribute signifi cantly to air pollution. Combilift uses water-based paints developed specifi cally for us, and this technology has 74% fewer VOCs than regular solvent-based paints. Our commitment to recycling and
reusing materials to conserve natural resources is further confi rmed through using 92% of all components in the truck assembly that are 100% recyclable. Some 90% of our electric trucks’ batteries are recycled, and we are on track to save over 473 tons of CO2
by using carbon-neutral
wood chip instead of gas for heating within the factory. Parts are stocked locally by 300 dealers in over 85 countries, eliminating unnecessary airfreight.
Electric-powered
When Combilift was established in 1998, diesel was universally acknowledged as the mainstream power source for heavy lifting equipment, but, today, there are greener alternatives. Some 60% of our
products are now electric-powered for quiet, zero-emission operation, and we are introducing more electric models across the range on a regular basis. This refl ects the demands of our customers, who are as committed to sustainability and a circular economy as we are. In regions and applications where diesel and LPG are still required, our engines adhere to the strictest emissions and effi ciency guidelines.
Commitment to customers We like to think that from this small corner of Monaghan, Ireland, we are helping our customers in over 85 countries to do their bit for a sustainable future. Our multidirectional “3 forklifts in 1” models, for example, work indoors and outdoors, and can signifi cantly reduce the size of fl eet required. The ability of these trucks to work in narrow confi nes even when carrying long loads can create up to 50% more space to maximise available storage capacity. This avoids the need to expand the size of a facility in times of growth, resulting in fewer new builds and lower energy consumption for heating and lighting, for signifi cant reduction of the physical and carbon footprints.
CONTACT:
Combilift
www.combilift.com
automationmagazine.co.uk
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