TRANSPORT
SUPPLY CHAIN DAMAGE REDUCES WITH INCREASED
DRIVER AWARENESS
To minimise downtime and optimise productivity of lift-trucks, its vital that driver awareness of potential hazards is as high as possible.
S
afety, productivity and reliability are all of paramount importance to operations like merchanting opertions, DIY retail distribution centres or construction materials manufacturing,” says Botros Hanna, industry manager for lift-truck manufacturer Hyster Europe.
“To minimise costs and downtime, and maximise return on investment, its crucial to select materials handling equipment that helps operators to avoid damage,” he says. For instance, the Hyster® H3.5FT lift truck, with 3.5 tonne capacity, is designed with good driver awareness as standard and is a popular choice for handling building materials, such as bricks, tiles, cement bags, aggregate or insulation materials.
Hyster® Fortens™ lift trucks feature an operator cab that provides good visibility, optimal comfort and intuitive controls, which all help contribute to better awareness and accurate operation. This allows operators to be productive and helps them to avoid damage to the truck, loads or infrastructure which could otherwise result in maintenance and downtime.
“Warehouse space is often tight in the construction materials supply chain,” says Hanna. “A range of add-ons, such as object detection systems, cameras and lights, are available to support drivers when manoeuvring in these areas.”
Hyster® object detection solutions offer
SELCO DRIVER ACADEMY STARTS MOTORING
A
bold new initiative designed to provide staff members with new career opportunities and address the shortage of HGV drivers has been devised by Selco Builders Warehouse. Working in partnership with Interserve Learning & Employment and Fleetmaster, Selco has launched a Driving Academy for its staff, The first phase of which could produce up to 50 fully qualified HGV drivers.
Staff members selected to be part of the scheme will embark on a 14-month Level 2 Apprenticeship. They will complete the practical elements of the course within four months and then continue with the theoretical and educational sections.
support to the driver in identifying nearby hazards, in turn potentially avoiding costly damage. These solutions may include visual and audible alerts for drivers or may immobilise or slow the lift truck if the sensors detect an obstacle.
Similarly, Hyster® camera systems may also help support visibility, making it possible for operators to view the immediate area surrounding a truck and the load. Plus, flashing front/reverse lights and pedestrian awareness spot lights can be used to help alert pedestrians to lift trucks on the move. Load overload detection systems can also be integrated to Hyster® Fortens™ lift trucks for those operations challenged by handling loads with variable or unknown weights. This helps drivers adjust their operation according to the load, reducing truck wear and the resulting maintenance and downtime.
To further support operations in maximising productivity and minimising downtime, the Hyster® H3.5FT features an Auto-Deceleration System to help reduce tyre and brake wear by up to 50%, and oil-immersed brakes, which are better protected from the dirty working environments typically found in the construction supply chain. The reliable Hyster® Fortens™ lift trucks can also include load sending hydraulics help to lower fuel consumption and increase efficiency. “Built-in durability and extended service intervals deliver a low cost of ownership and help construction industry operations to keep their Hyster® Fortens™ lift trucks in operation,” says Hanna. “But, if maintenance is needed, our network of local dealers has the capability to get trucks up and running again quickly.” BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net November 2019
Selco HR development manager Simon Ball said: “We are aware that not all colleagues have a burning desire to become a supervisor or a duty manager. The chance to become a fully qualified HGV driver brings with it the potential to significantly increase career opportunities and earning potential and it has proved appealing for many.
“We had initial interest from 58 colleagues and I would expect a high percentage of those to start the apprenticeship.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for those colleagues who are interested and also helps us deal with the skills shortage which is evident across the country and across many different industries when it comes to HGV drivers.” Selco staff who signed up for the apprenticeship and passed an initial assessment attended launch events in Birmingham and Watford this week. The apprenticeships will be overseen by leading training provider Interserve Learning & Employment, with Fleetmaster conducting the practical driving elements of the course. Jennifer Munslow, account manager at Interserve Learning & Employment, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Selco and Fleetmaster to bring the apprenticeship to fruition. These forward-thinking companies share our vision to inspire talent and invest in people through innovative training solutions. “We are proud to be a trusted partner and we look forward to working with Selco's employees. Throughout the programme, our experienced team of training specialists will be on-hand to offer information, advice and guidance. This will be a new challenge for the employees, but one which can lead to a long and successful career.”
Selco’s 66 UK branches are firmly focused on helping tradespeople complete their jobs as quickly and effectively as possible. BMJ
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