Toyota takes the biscuit

To increase storage space the food company invested in a purpose built warehouse and required additional trucks to assist the operator when lifting and retrieving pallets at heights up to 9.5 metres. 

Border Biscuits trialled a number of products, from different providers before choosing the BT Reflex RRE 160 reach truck and also a Toyota Traigo 48 volt electric forklift. 

The reach truck taken on by Border Biscuits features tilting cab, automatic side shift and height pre-selector.

Border Biscuits warehouse manager John McGuiness says: “Following a basic demonstration on site, we were eager to start a longer trial. The truck’s features clearly stood out from competitors, particularly the tilting cab and we felt it would be a great benefit to our application and our drivers agreed. The reduction in driver fatigue and enhanced, safer load handling were clear from the start and it was the driver’s choice to proceed with the order.”

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Toyota working with Border Biscuits for 6 months to make sure the team received the right solution.

David McGarvey, sales executive for Toyota Material Handling UK explains: “Previously the warehouse team had only needed to reach to lift heights of 4.5 metres and had used a counterbalance forklift truck. The new warehouse required the lift height to be more than doubled to 9.5 metres.

“It was important to me that the warehouse team felt comfortable with this new application, so I took the team at Border Biscuits to an NHS distribution centre in Larkhall to see the BT Reflex reach trucks in action. The team were able to ask the NHS warehouse staff questions and developed a clear understanding of how the truck could benefit them and their operation.”

The trucks have been on site since October 2013 and the new warehouse is now approaching full capacity. The operators are pleased with the truck and feel the enhanced features of the truck greatly assist them in their day to day operation.