Robur revamped for modern market challenges

Alex Payne has been a busy man of late. Recently promoted from a successful period as service manager to managing director, he has taken on broad responsibilities and has focused on improving the Robur pedestrianised counterbalance truck range.

The Robur brand is owned by Stanley Handling and manufactured for them by a third party in Italy but Stanley Handling control the build start to finish.

“I’ve been over to the factory in Italy many times in last six months to focus on new product developments. We’re very excited by the new XT range (a high-end product) and we will soon have demo units to show to forklift supplier partners,” enthuses Alex.

Features that were once extras are now being made standard on the models to improve health and safety for operators. For example, all trucks have power steering as standard, as well as creep speed across the whole counterbalance range. This creep speed is achieved via a button on the tiller to allow the operator to negotiate more compact spaces. In addition, the XT range is designed to slow down when cornering, to stop shedding loads.

Alex continues: “The whole XT range is AC controlled, and despite the enhanced features and benefits comes at a reasonable price. Our SBC range (the standard product) will have vertical drive motors, so you don’t have to worry about dust, damp etc. We have solutions for a variety of price points coupled with faith in the integrity of the products. We are making sure the products have the best components as the customer is looking for enhanced reliability and longevity. We’re happy to put machines out in 7-10 year deals.”

A key part of Stanley’s business is bespoke products, with the company seeing a huge amount of variation in material handling challenges. The company will use its design prowess and manufacturing facilities to produce pedestrianised trucks that can, for example, handle sheet glass, up to 30 tonne reel handlers, as well as machines using remote control. The company has also made 8 tonne special machines for lifting medical device components, as well as manufacturing handlers for Sea Hawk missiles.

Alex explains: “We are a solutions company. The glass handling machine is interesting, because initially we weren’t 100% happy with it so we went to the factory for two days and worked on it, making adjustments until the spec was right. Two weeks later we had a working machine in the UK, doing a job.”

Alex sees health & safety playing a key role in pushing sales of Robur pedestrianised trucks and has noted that many clients are keen to exclude sit-on forklifts from facilities where possible. 

For example, Stanley has won a contract to provide 10 pedestrian reach trucks to an engine manufacturer, replacing sit-on reach trucks.

Alex explains: “A lot of companies tendered for the contract, but we won it because we have a pedestrian reach truck that will lift to 5.3m that operators could also stand on for long runs in the production centre.

“Companies are also trying to carry out more production in their facilities, so want to make the storage aisles smaller. Again this is where pedestrian reach trucks come into their own.”

Stanley Handling has entered this new reach truck in the 2014 FLTA Awards in both the Innovation and Safety categories.

As well as investing in products, Stanley Handling has boosted its service offering. The company has worked hard to build up its parts store and has reduced lead times. Typically parts are despatched same day, with special items going out within 48 hours.

“We bring an intelligent approach to materials handling. We offer an alternative to cheap, throwaway trucks. With us, you buy a package with service and support. We have a technical sales team that can go in with the mainstream forklift supplier to make sure the client has the right truck for the job. We will service a variety of equipment, not just ours, and see ourselves as a materials handling specialist.”

Stanley Handling is close to Alex’s heart and he is striving to push the company to the top of the industry. He has installed a young and enthusiastic management team to drive Stanley forward with a raft of new products and new sales force to boot.

“I now have the sales side to manage as well. The biggest focus is the revamped Robur line but we also do good business with stairclimbers. We have new impetus, we have restructured prices and we are getting out into the market more,” says Alex.

“Stanley has been going a long time, but it has been a bit flat over the last few years. We are getting the brand back up there and we are going strong.”