Demanding 24/7 operation

When it expanded its national distribution centre it needed a new MHE solution.

“Forkway is our sole supplier for materials handling equipment and has played a significant role in the development of our warehousing and distribution operation,” said Paul Schofield, warehouse and distribution manager for Stelrad.

The 10,000 square feet full height warehouse extension expanded the site to 160,000 square feet, which can now house 17,000 pallet locations and racking up to 11m.

“For us to achieve our goals, the equipment needs to be running throughout the 24-hour shift period,” said Paul.

Six heavy-duty Yale MR20HD Reach Trucks were delivered to the Mexborough site, offering Stelrad higher travel, and lift and lower speeds. The operator’s wellbeing is at the heart of the ergonomics of the MR Series, with ease of access provided by a low, wide step, integrated grab handles and an adjustable steering wheel position to maintain operator comfort throughout the whole shift. Push button 360° steering provides greater driving control. Forkway recommended that the Yale MR20HD units included the optional Pedestrian Awareness Lights to help pedestrians working around the trucks. Stelrad has noticed an improvement in driver productivity, with the monitors and HD cameras at the top of the 11m beam allowing precise pallet handling for the operator.

A bespoke fleet of 18 Yale MP20X series platform pallet trucks were fitted with longer forks and repositioned load wheels, minimising damage during pickup and transportation.

Having found a suitable solution for Stelrad’s National Distribution Centre, thoughts then turned to how to maximise productivity on the production line in the manufacturing facility. Forkway recommended the Yale GLP18VX Veracitor to lift radiator fins onto the production line, alongside three Yale MP20X platform pallet trucks to transport finished goods to the packaging machine, ready for dispatch to the distribution hub. The Yale solution provides Stelrad a seamless operation from beginning to end

To enable Stelrad to maintain its fast delivery times to its customers, downtime of the fleet needs to be kept to a minimum.

“All service and breakdown tasks are undertaken by service technicians who have been coming to the site for many years and have an in-depth knowledge of the trucks and a great relationship with the operators, meaning that unplanned downtime is kept to a bare minimum.”