UK logistics business, C BUTT, has renewed a major contract with Barloworld
Handling to provide a total materials handling solution for its Magna Park
operation in Lutterworth.
The multi-million pound investment at C Butt's National Distribution Centre
(NDC) for electrical goods in Leicestershire includes leading Hyster Very Narrow
Aisle (VNA) and warehouse technology.
"We looked at three other suppliers and not only did Barloworld offer the best
value solution, we have also developed an excellent working relationship over
the past five years," says Mark Beaumont, Operations Manager at the site.
Previous experience of Hyster equipment and the excellent responsive service
from Barloworld were also important factors in the decision making process. The
new fleet includes the latest Hyster equipment which Beaumont believes is now
even better.
"The most important materials handling element is making sure that delivered
pallets are put away quickly and logged onto our system ready for sale within 4
hours of the delivery slot" says Beaumont. "Hyster VNA machines are essential
for this role and experience over the last five years confirms their
reliability, speed and ability to keep up with our fast paced logistics
operation."
The Magna Park site is a 200,000sqft centre for electrical goods and around
159,000 pallets of goods pass through the site each year, with significant
seasonal variation.
Four new wire-guided Hyster C1.5 Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) machines computer
linked to the warehouse management system are now in operation at the NDC
putting away and picking pallets from racking over 9m high.
"From September to December, all four VNA machines are required to operate for
around 18-20 hours a day, 5 days a week as we have to keep up with the seasonal
demand," Beaumont says. "We cannot stop the VNAs from working during those
periods and with two batteries for each machine, they are worked extremely hard
over three shifts."
As containers loaded with electrical items arrive at the NDC from UK terminals,
new Hyster P2.0S ride-on pallet trucks typically de-stuff the containers
according to strict delivery windows. New Hyster H1.6FT LPG 1,600kg forklifts
then transport loaded pallets to the end of the warehouse aisles where the VNA
machines then take over.
The Hyster VNA offers a comfortable driving experience with seat-side controls,
specifically designed for an intensive pallet handling environment with
excellent fork tip visibility to help maximise handling efficiency.
"The VNA operators have hourly targets that they have to meet so we have
provided the best tools for their job," says Beaumont.
The Hyster C1.5 VNA is regarded as one of the best of its type in the industry
featuring integral pantograph, slim turret head and the patented QUAD-form mast
design giving increased rigidity and torsional strength at height. Load weight
sensing calculates speed to height to weight for maximum performance and the
truck's efficient energy management system keeps the truck working through
extended shifts.
Two Hyster R2.0H reach trucks are also in operation at Magna Park and each truck
in the electric fleet is supplied with two high performance Hoppecke batteries
to allow continuous operation at peak times.
The latest high frequency Hoppecke chargers have been installed and Barloworld
has also provided a battery changing system for fast battery extraction and
replacement. Full battery management is also part of the contract.
At peak times the operation flexes with up to 100 agency staff and Barloworld
provides short term hire forklifts to meet the demand. C BUTT ensures that all
its forklift drivers are trained and qualified to safely operate the equipment,
which is also fitted with pin code access and Barloworld's fleet management
system providing utilisation data for all of the fleet.
"Our goal is to help take cost out of our customers' business and these
investments in new materials handling technologies and intelligent support from
Barloworld help us achieve this," says Beaumont, explaining that the equipment
is serviced to strict maintenance schedules by Barloworld.
"Past experience tells us that we have a new fleet of extremely durable trucks
and the proactive support from Barloworld gives us the capability to flex this
operation throughout the year in response to customer demands" he adds.