12.12.2007
Tobermore Concrete products has been the leading manufacturer of rectangular and interlocking paving blocks at its Northern Ireland base for over 20 years. Three years ago, Robert Logan, sales director of Handling and Storage Equipment Company Ltd, the Linde dealer in Northern Ireland, approached Tobermore to audit its materials handling fleet and see if Linde could make any improvements to its supply chain.
Robert Logan explains, “We worked closely with Tobermore to find out its key materials handling objectives, which included speeding up the supply chain whilst ensuring the safety and comfort of its operators. The Linde product range sold itself with its innovative design and safety features.”
Currently, Tobermore has on site a Linde fleet of 25 diesel powered counterbalance trucks with hydrostatic transmission of 2.0, 3.0, 4.5 and 8.0 tonne capacities. Many of these trucks are fitted with Probst overhead block clamps which automatically apply the optimum gripping pressure without damaging the paving blocks. The block packs weigh up to 1.75 tonnes and the eight tonne truck can handle two at a time. The trucks stack them up to five high lifting to 5.8 metres and working 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The trucks are predominantly used to load and unload up to 100 lorries a day, a significant improvement over the previous fleet. “This is where the Linde hydrostatic transmission comes into its own enabling the trucks to perform the continuous shunting duties required faster than conventional forklifts,” said Robert Logan.
The operators work continuously on the trucks in an eight hour shift and their comfort is important to Tobermore. Robert Rainey, production manager for Tobermore explains, “the operators were fully involved in the selection process of the trucks as their wellbeing is important to us,” Rainey continues, “Linde trucks are second to none: they are durable, cost-efficient with extended service intervals and comfortable which is important to our operators.”
The trucks have the Linde ergonomic design concept. The spacious, cushioned cab creates an environment that motivates and promotes efficiency and high productivity. The Linde hydrostatic transmission ensures the truck responds smoothly and instantly to every command quickly and more efficiently.
Rainey concludes, “The trucks are working 24/7. The fleet needs to be durable, reliable and we need our forklift supplier to respond quickly to reduce any downtime. Handling and Storage meets these criteria and we look forward to continue our relationship for many years to come.”
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