TRANSPORT
LAWSONS TAKES ON FIVE JCB TELETRUKS
Independent builders’ merchants Lawsons has ordered five new electric-powered JCB Teletruks.
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uccessful trials at several Lawsons sites have proved that the JCB 30-19E is a worthy asset to the builders’ merchants with five having been ordered.
This means that Lawson’s have become the first UK customer to have invested in the JCB 30-19E. Launched earlier this year, the new electric-powered models are the most recent addition to the Teletruk range currently available. In acquiring these vehicles, Lawsons’ are moving in the right direction to achieve Freight Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Gold accreditation. Once they have arrived, the machines acquired by Lawsons will be deployed at the company’s facilities at Bedford and Edgeware. The purchase of these trucks demonstrates Lawsons move towards using more electric power across its materials handling equipment fleet. A vast amount of Lawsons facilities are based in urban environments within proximity to residential communities. Because of their locations, Lawsons are increasingly conscious of their neighbours and are doing what they can to take into consideration any concerns those around them may have regarding noise pollution and air quality.
Lawsons’ group transport manager, David Harvey, said: “We are constantly assessing ways
of making our depots more environmentally responsible and give careful consideration to the mix of materials handling equipment in operation, so as soon as we heard that JCB developed an electric-powered Teletruk that is quiet in operation and produces no harmful emissions, we knew that it would be perfect.” Before making their purchase, Lawsons took to identifying the benefits of the electrical extension of the Teletruk and what it would bring to their business. It is to be noted that JCB has played a pivotal role in the company’s material handling processes across the past 20-or-so years, ever since the forklift was launched back in 1997.
Currently, the company runs some 55 diesel-powered Teletruks. Some tasks include unloading incoming delivery vehicles, putting away and picking up stocks, as well as loading the 100 or so lorries and vans that make up Lawsons’ transport fleet. Many of these lorries are filled with products and materials destined for customer sites.
The Teletruk is the ideal forklift for the company due to their outside space being limited at some Lawsons’ sites. The telescopic forward reach boom allows for a trailer and vehicle bed to be accessed from only one
side. Picking or packing loads from one side significantly minimizes the space needed to load or unload a vehicle, this means that they can be parked close to a wall or rack and not take up unnecessary space in small yards. By leaving valuable space free in central yard areas, it allows for additional storage, extra delivery vehicles or for tasks such as cross docking.
Harvey expands why space-saving was a significant factor. “Land is at a premium in and around London and the South East we have to maximise the use of every square foot of space we have at all of our sites and the Teletruk’s ability to load and unload from one side of a trailer has allowed us to install extra racking at a number of our depots.”
The JCB 30-19E is defined by the Teletruk’s popular feature, the iconic telescopic forward reach boom. This redeeming feature has ensured it is popular across diverse industry sectors and power is provided by an 80-volt lead acid battery which can work a full eight- hour shift on just a single charge. With thanks given to its AC electric driveline, the new truck can climb a 21% gradient or ramp with ease and productivity is further enhanced with full free lift of 1575mm as standard and a lift capacity of 1900kg at two metres. BMJ
TIME SAVINGS AND IMPROVED EFFICIENCY WITH COMBILIFT AT RH WILSON
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H Wilson (Lakes) Ltd, situated in the Lake District, is an independent privately-owned timber importing company, run by joint owners Ann and Rodney Dalton. When they took over the business in 2013, one of Rodney’s priorities was to improve the efficiency of storage, handling and stock location procedures. Thanks to a combination of Combilift multidirectional forklifts and racking in the 40,000ft² warehousing areas, some startling results have been achieved. The company specialises in grading timber for specific end- use, whether it be redwood and hardwood for joineries, making doors and windows or whitewood for pallet and packaging manufacturers. It delivers its wide
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range of products “from Guernsey to Glasgow” from its base in Kirkby Stephen and offers bespoke sawing, x-cutting, grading, planning and moulding facilities. Packs of products were previously block stacked and
moved around with 2-directional side loaders or counterbalance trucks. “We did a detailed study of how long it was taking us to retrieve a specific pack and were alarmed at the figures,” said Mr Dalton. “We were spending a substantial amount of time a day moving packs around and needed at least two employees to do this, so it added up in terms of hours and manpower. My first thought was out with free stacking, in with as much racking as possible and then find a manoeuvrable forklift capable of working in tight spaces.” Following advice from Steve Tomlinson of Combilift and racking specialists, the new system was installed in October 2018. The new racking enabled three extra working aisles to be created, with widths of 2,370mm - down
from over 3,000mm needed with the old system - and going to a height of 5.5m also created more vertical storage. This means that 300 packs of timber with lengths ranging from just over 2m to almost 6m can now be accommodated. The 4t capacity of newest of the two Combilifts on-site, a C4000 diesel-powered model, copes easily when the heaviest 3.5t loads need to be lifted to the top bays. It is fitted with guide rollers for guided aisle operation, making it quick and easy for drivers to access and travel down the aisles. This system also enhances safety procedures as well as reducing the risk of product damage.
Rodney was familiar with the Combilift brand as he had a C3000 model at a previous business and was impressed with its reliability as well as the engineering, quality and the general ethos of the Irish manufacturer. BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net January 2020
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