A slice of top side

Baumann UK set up last July with Jason Reynolds at the helm. Jason has over 20 years of experience with independent forklift suppliers in the UK and this pedigree was key to the successful launch of the Baumann UK operation.

Cavaion Baumann managing director, Klaus Pirpamer says: "We don't like to change dealers but in the UK we have had some ups and downs over the years. The UK is a very important market and we needed an expert who could choose the right dealers and prioritise leads effectively. We wanted stability and knowledge and so made the offer to Jason."

Jason adds: "Having been on the other side of the fence for 25 years working at independent dealers such as Windsor Materials Handling and Rushlift, I know how important it is for us to be hands-on. We will go into end user meetings with our dealers to assist themwith questions the customers may have."

Baumann UK does not sell directly to end users. It offers a dealer infrastructure support service and is set up to support partners by supplying products and providing training & technical support, with John Gillan serving as UK technical manager. 

Dealers signed up include Hessle, Eastern Forklift Trucks, Windsor Materials Handling, Industrial Truck Services and Carrylift.

Jason explains: "For us, it's about building the right dealer network, and signing up partners who will market our products in the correct way. We won't compete with our dealers by selling directly as this can cause friction. We've also set up new premises in Rotherham and have the skills and experience to support engineers in the field."

Electric innovation

As well as revamping its route to market in the UK, Baumann is set to unveil new electric sideloader at the upcoming LogiMAT exhibition. 

Klaus explains: "We are going to make an official introduction of the new electric model at LogiMAT. It is a very compact truck, with one battery, at 120V. It is a very efficient truck with a fantastic turning radius.

"In terms of performance, electric trucks are no less powerful than diesel models. This question mark has always been over battery changing and charging, especially on multi-shift operations, and this truck will make advances.

"The electric truck is now designed very differently to the diesel truck and 10 years ago this was not the case. Now the electric truck frame is lighter, for example, as we use the weight of the battery. We are trying to make the truck as efficient as possible."

60% of the trucks produced by Baumann are powered by diesel, where 10 years ago that figure was 95%. The UK is still a staunchly pro-diesel market but as emission regulations get tighter and diesel models increasingly require particulate filters to pass, adding cost and complexity, Jason expects that electric models will gain greater acceptance.

"The sideloader market is 10 years behind the counterbalance market in terms of electric machines," explains Jason. "A 120V machine will give the same productivity and speeds as the diesel machine. The downside in the UK is the shift patterns. It is time-consuming to change a three piece battery in a multi-shift operation. 

"But people don't like the DPF, that's changing the market. Also the price difference is becoming negligible and electric trucks are much smoother and easier to drive."

Archimedes

Further adding to the busy schedule, the Baumann GX Series Sideloader 'Archimedes' Outreach System starred at the recent FLTA Awards, winning the Innovation Award (see Page ___ for further details).

The sideloader utilises a patented direct drive Archimedes screw and sliding blocks to extend the fork carriage, which prevents transverse movements and eliminates unnecessary stresses.

The system represents a re-thinking of sideloader design. The traditional sideloader uses a system of two opposing cylinders pushing against each other to force the mast out. This has limited control and puts a lot of stress on the chassis and creates a discernible rocking when the mast is extended. 

The Baumann solution is much more accurate and controllable and does not require the same tension built into the chassis.

Klaus says: "The goal was to have a mast that moves very smoothly so the driver can control it 100%. Controlling the mast better means greater efficiency - you can work faster and safer. We also wanted to have a system that was easier to maintain. This is an almost maintenance-free system, as it does not reply on components moving against each other."

Premium brand

Generally Baumann sideloaders are bespoke and produced to order to suit a client's needs. The UK has some stock trucks that are ready for clients who need a quick solution.

Making some 350 trucks a year, from 3-50 tonne capacity, Baumann is the largest side loader manufacturer in the world and Pirpamer is keen to emphasise that Baumann is a premium brand.

"Our brands are not the cheapest on the market but they are highest in terms of quality. We want the Baumann brand to be synonymous with high quality sideloaders in the UK," says Klaus.

Design engineering is key to Baumann. As well as the innovative mast extension system developed, Baumann also designs its own masts. 

He adds: "The mast is very important, many sideloader manufacturers deploy a counterbalance mast, for cost reasons, but we have our own masts which are designed specially for sideloaders. We believe that as the load moves side to side, the truck needs a particular mast profile."

Jason concludes: "The quality of the machine is excellent, very durable and the parts supply from the factory is the best I've come across in 25 years in the industry. We are very excited about the future."

(Left to right) Riccardo Bove, technical director, Cavaion Baumann; Seated - Fabio Bernieri, sales manager, Cavaion Baumann; Jason Reynolds, managing director, Baumann UK; Klaus Pipamer, managing director, Cavaion Baumann.