TRANSPORT
FOR LAWSONS ELECTRIC AVENUE
Lawsons Timber was one of the first UK builders’ merchants to spot the potential of Combilift’s multidirectional forklifts when the Irish manufacturer launched its original C4000 truck just over 20 years ago.
Lawsons now operates around 35 of the versatile, space saving machines. Its latest deliveries from Combilift are electric trucks, in line with a general move towards electric power in a number of sectors.
John Lawson came across the C4000 at a trade show in 1999 and saw its potential for space saving operation and its ability to replace a combination of counterbalance and sideloader models, which are much less manoeuvrable, particularly when handling long products in tight spaces. The ability to work in greatly reduced aisle widths is also a major benefit for a company whose premises occupy prime land in and around the city. Group transport manager David Harvey explains: “Most of our branches are in built up areas such as Camden, Acton and Wandsworth, where expansion of sites is nigh on impossible – due to cost issues or the density of surrounding buildings. We can only ‘go up not out’ with our storage so packing
as much stock into any given area is crucial. Being able to configure aisles widths according to the depth of the Combilifts and going up to racking heights of 7.5 m means we can optimise space and cope with growth.”
Lawsons’ Combilifts, most of which are 4t C4000 models, handle long products such as 6m packs of timber weighing up to around 3t, and are also universal trucks for handling plasterboard, blocks, bricks and palletised loads, within the racking as well as outside. Most recent additions are two C4000Es at the Merton branch and numerous STEs at Whetstone and Camden.
“We are keen to keep emissions as low as we can for the good of the environment, and also to keep noise levels to a minimum for our neighbours in residential areas, and these electric models tick all the boxes on both counts. Electric power is definitely the way forward for us and our drivers also like the quiet operation they offer”. Matt Long, who works at the Merton branch,
is full of praise for the C4000E. “The guide rollers on the truck together with guided aisle operation make it so much quicker to access the aisles and speed up picking and placing, and there’s no risk of damaging the products either. Once the guys have been trained on the Combilift they never want to drive anything else.”
“Our first Combilifts are still going strong and have thousands of hours on the clock, with just a refurb or so in the interim for some of the original models,” said Harvey. “We also like working with the company as the management and engineers are very open to any feedback we have, take it on board for product refinement, so we know we are getting machines 100% fit for the job.” BMJ
QUINN TAKES ON NEW TIPPER TRUCKS
The 14 tippers were supplied to Derrylin-based Quinn by Northern Ireland Dealer MBNI Truck & Van. All are 8x4 Arocs 4148 models with 12.8-litre straight-six engines rated at 350 kW (476 hp), and ClassicSpace cabs. Each truck is capable of carrying a 33-tonne payload. They transport loads of aggregate from the operator’s Doon and Swanlinbar quarries to its Quinn Cement plant at Ballyconnell. The journey entails a fully-laden run down the long, steep descent known locally as ‘the mountain’ – optional equipment includes powerful water
retarders which enhance safety, while reducing wear and tear on brakes and drivelines. “It’s an extremely demanding task and requires vehicles built to the very highest standards,” said transport manager Brian McManus. “You can’t cut corners on specification for a job like this.” “We’ve been buying Mercedes-Benz trucks since 1988 and they’ve proved over the years to provide outstanding quality and solid reliability,” McManus continued. “We know we’ll get great value for money, and
that we can depend not only on the vehicles themselves, but also on the Dealer’s back-up. “The introduction of our new tippers represents a major step in our fleet renewal programme,” adds McManus. “By the end of 2020 we will have replaced all of the older trucks on our fleet, as well as ageing plant machinery. These investments will reduce our environmental impact, boost efficiency, and allow us to meet ever-increasing demand, while continuing to provide the top-quality services that our customers have come to expect.” BMJ
LEADERS IN CUSTOMISED HANDLING SOLUTIONS
March 2019
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net +353 47 80500
combilift.com
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