Making good sense

Linde encourages warehouse managers to carefully consider their materials handling supplier in order to maximise fuel cost savings

As fuel prices are at an all time high, choosing the right materials handling supplier and mix of trucks has never been more important for delivering significant cost savings to an operation - especially when fuel savings of 20% to 30% can be made.

A good example of how the right materials handling solution can improve operating efficiency is Linde customer, Twyford Bathrooms. Part of the multi-national Sanitec Group, Twyford Bathrooms is a leading provider of bathroom solutions with over 160 years experience. In April 2011, this manufacturer had the opportunity to revisit the existing five year lease for its 28-strong fleet of forklift trucks. This formed part of a wider operational review to further improve cost efficiency and meet the expanding requirements of the third party storage operation at its Alsager factory in Staffordshire.

As a result of this review, Twyford Bathrooms selected Linde Material Handling as the new preferred supplier because its products could deliver a 30% improvement in fuel consumption together with increased productivity. This decision to switch forklift truck supply to Linde enabled Twyford Bathrooms to reduce its overall fleet size from 28 to 20 counterbalance and warehouse trucks. These trucks deliver significant operating cost savings while maintaining overall fleet productivity and have the flexibility to meet the requirements of the third party storage operation.

Phil Timmis, logistics manager at Twyford Bathrooms explains: "Switching to Linde Material Handling, together with our internal stock reorganisation to lower level racking, means we are now on track to realise cost savings of 230k euros over the five year life of this new truck leasing contract." The significant fuel savings that can be made with Linde IC trucks compared to competitors is due to the hydrostatic drive technology and overall design operation of the vehicle. Fewer moving mechanical parts make it possible to reduce power loss between the engine and truck wheels. The engine running speed is optimised to fully convert output into travel motion which in turn lowers fuel consumption and reduces carbon emissions for customers.

The simple, precise control of the Linde hydrostatic drive, with twin drive pedals and controlled deceleration without conventional brakes, also allows faster working to make the trucks the most productive on the market.