Cost savings achieved

One of the largest family-owned logistics companies in the UK, Howard Tenens, has been able to pass on substantial cost savings to a major client by replacing counterbalance trucks with a bespoke combination of a Combilift 4-way forklift and cantilever racking at its facility in Sharpness, Gloucestershire.

The new system was introduced as part of Howard Tenens' ongoing commitment to provide added value for customers, and has enabled the company to reduce the amount of space needed to store steel bars for a major concern in the on and offshore drilling sector by more than a half - from 70,000 sq ft to just 30,000 sq ft. This has not only resulted in lower costs but has also speeded up handling and storage procedures and enhanced health and safety on site.

General manager Mike Jones explains: "The bulk storage system we operated with the old trucks was space consuming, and the limited manoeuvrability of the counterbalance trucks meant that it was quite complicated to get lengths of up to 10m through the warehouse doors in the first place.We asked our materials handling consultants Briggs for advice and they recommended the 4-way Combilift as the one machine solution, which has proved to be ideal."