ABP Hams Hall opts for Chinese built Sany reachstackers

Located 8 miles from the centre of Birmingham, Hams Hall is a key national intermodal hub. The site is adjacent to the Nuneaton-to-Birmingham railway line and handles deep-sea and short-sea traffic to and from ports such as Southampton, London Gateway, Felixstowe and domestic traffic from Scotland. The site regularly services six rail services every day and runs a core fleet of 8 reachstackers to service both rail and road operations.

In a highly significant move, the contract for supply of the Sany machines represents the first time the terminal has not specified Scandinavian-sourced equipment in its 22-year history. The Sany machines, expected to enter service in early 2019, include as standard many features which are normally specified as extras.

The machines will also benefit from Sany’s ‘intelligent’ jacking system as well as a 5-year structural warranty for the complete machine.

David Cooper said: “ABP has identified that component consensus across reach stacker supply means that there is little to choose in driveline between manufacturers and that chassis and boom are the real areas where a realistic differentiator can be found. In that respect, Sany fabricate their own structures and are unique in doing so. This affords them the ability to offer a 5-year warranty.”

Mark Thompson, Head of Asset Management for ABP said: “Continually investing in our infrastructure is key for ABP. Hams Hall is a strategic site and committing to these two new reach stackers strengthens our crucial role in keeping Britain trading. We look forward to their arrival next year.”

The two new machines are expected to replace the oldest of the fleet of 8 reachstackers as part of ABP’s ongoing commitment to rotate and upgrade the lifting equipment used on-site. The complete fleet is maintained by Cooper’s dedicated support company, Cooper Handling Solutions.