TPT May 2013

Technology News

More space with Combilift

THYSSENKRUPP Energostal SA is one of Poland’s largest trading companies, and since 2001 has belonged to the German ThyssenKrupp Materials International GmbH. Due to a rapidly expanding sales network the company has embarked on a programme to extend its warehousing facilities, and materials handling at its site in Błonie near Warsaw has undergone a transformation due to the acquisition of a fleet of seven Combilift 4-way forklifts. Rolled and stainless steel and steel tubes and pipes are the main materials handled at Błonie, but the facility also deals with a certain amount of non- ferrous loads such as polycarbonate sheet. Better stock density and improved handling procedures were the main aims of the operations department when it looked into alternative forklifts to replace the electric 4-way trucks that made up the majority of the previous fleet. Combilift was selected for its forklifts’ versatility, indoor and outdoor capabilities, and range of power options. An initial C4500 Combilift was put into action and the success of this led to orders for a further six C3000 Combilift models with a 3t capacity. The trucks offload incoming deliveries from ThyssenKrupp’s own factories as well as from other suppliers, take them from the outside loading bays to the warehouse, and pick stock when customer deliveries are collated before reloading for despatch. The LPG powered Combilifts with 7.5m duplex masts and side shift cope easily with the requirements of handling loads of diverse weights and dimensions, such as long packs of tubes weighing 2 tonnes, or 4m x 1.5m pallets of polycarbonate. Their manoeuvrability also enables them to work close up to machines where material is cut to size for individual customer requirements. ThyssenKrupp took advantage of Combilift’s warehouse layout service offered by the company’s design engineers, who provided a sample layout of racking to illustrate optimum use of the available space in the 22,000m² storage area. They also advised introducing a guided aisle system, which was not possible when using the previous trucks. Aisle widths

ThyssenKrupp Energostal operates a fleet of seven Combilifts

between racking for 6m long stillages of tubes and pipes have now been pared down to little more than the width of the truck itself, enabling extra bays to be incorporated. The combination of guide rollers on the trucks and the guide rails also makes it easier and quicker for drivers to enter and exit the aisles, and reduces the risk of product damage. “Although we have a relatively large warehouse, the volume of goods we handle means that we need to exploit every inch of space,” said director Tomasz Groszyk. “Thanks to Combilift’s products and the expertise of its design engineers we can now carry a maximum of stock and ensure a quick turnaround for our customers.” The Combilift range encompasses at least fifteen base models with capacities ranging from 2.5 to 25 tonnes, with LPG, diesel or AC electric power available. The company has won numerous awards for its products since it was established in 1998, and there are now around 17,000 units in operation around the world.

Combilift Ltd – Ireland Fax: +353 47 80501 Email: info@combilift.com Website: www.combilift.com

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M ay 2013