AVGS - The Alexander Group

Tobermore Concrete and Linde

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," Mr 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.

Mr 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."

Dunbia gets more from Linde

Northern-Ireland based Dunbia, a food processing company, provides a range of different meat products to a wide variety of markets, from local butchers, catering and food service organisations to major supermarket chains and export markets. The company is moving thousands of products weekly and needed an efficient materials handling solution.

Six years ago, Handling and Storage Equipment Company Ltd, the Linde dealer for Northern Ireland, approached Dunbia to offer an audit of its materials handling operations. Since then the relationship between both companies has grown. Currently, Dunbia has on site six Linde H 30 LPG hydrostatic counterbalance trucks fitted with fork rotators to lift and tip waste. In addition, Dunbia operate 10 T 20 SP pallet trucks with fixed stand-on rider platform and two T 20 AP pallet trucks with a hinged stand-on platform and foldaway protective guards. Predominantly, these pallet trucks are used for lorry loading finished product ready for despatch.

"At Dunbia the health and safety of all our employees is an important priority. On the busy loading bays there is more risk of accidents happening, but with the Linde pallet trucks and their protective guards the risk of operator injury is minimised." Explains Kenneth Swan at Dunbia.

John Wilson of Handling and Storage Equipment Company talks about the relationship with Dunbia, "We took the time to listen to Dunbia and really get a good understanding of its business and supply chain. Right from the outset we knew that safety was of extreme importance and with the innovative safety features on the Linde trucks, we were confident that we had exactly what they were looking for."

Since purchasing one truck six years ago, the fleet has continued to grow and also includes four R 14 reach trucks operating in the chilled store, lifting to 4.7 metres. Here, finished food products are stored in chilled conditions before being taken to the loading bay for despatch.

Operating an efficient supply chain is an essential element in the overall success of Dunbia and materials handling equipment plays a major role.
"Technological advances have made Linde trucks faster, safer, more energy efficient, quieter, cleaner and more comfortable to operate and we hope to continue providing Dunbia with innovative materials handling solutions," John Wilson concluded.