Mezzanine floor extension enabled
In 2017, Packaging manufacturer Rigid Containers faced space constraints in its main production area as the business grew. This led to the decision to have a mezzanine floor extension installed to its existing mezz floor.
Penny Hydraulics had previously installed a lift to service the existing mezzanine floor and was contracted by Rigid Containers after tendering for the turnkey project. Rigid needed the extension to provide storage space for its machine cutting moulds as the floor space was taken by automated rollers and the best option was to build the extension.
Storage solutions provider, Storage Concepts was contracted to supply the mezzanine floor extension which was installed in July.
“Having mezz floors fitted in a warehouse or factory offers the potential to double, triple or even quadruple usable space in the premises,” said Penny Hydraulics area sales manager, Andy Griffiths. “Our range of Mezzanine Floor Goods Lifts are suitable for any company who have had, or are looking to have mezzanine floors installed. It’s vital to consider how you will transport your stock and equipment between floors – manually carrying heavy items up and down stairs is slow and potentially very dangerous, it’s therefore necessary for employers to provide their staff with a safer alternative means of transporting goods.”
When deciding on a materials handling solution to move goods to an upper level or mezzanine floor, customers will consider cost, safety and ROI, says Andy.
“Based on the customers individual requirements and taking into account industry and safety regulations, it’s possible to narrow down the lift options leaving us with the most appropriate model of goods lift from our range to suit the task in hand.
“We also look at the environment that the lift will be installed in, how often the lift will need to be used, the weight of the goods that need to be lifted and how likely it is that the lift will be used to lift different loads in the future,” continues Andy.
The model chosen was the 500kg capacity MezzPro, which enables users to move goods such as trolleys or pallets to first and second floor storage areas. A bespoke platform of 1300mm wide x 2500mm deep was supplied, with a sliding gate at the bottom entrance to allow for the turning of bespoke trolleys being used to lift the machine moulds.
The specialist lift was designed by Penny’s dedicated goods lift engineers and manufactured at Penny Hydraulics HQ: its purpose-built new £2 million production facility in Derbyshire.
“Being manufactured by us here in the UK offers key benefits to the customer,” said Andy. “High quality standards, the ability to design and manufacture bespoke elements, as well as a short lead time – the lift was manufactured in 6 weeks. This really sets us apart from other lift suppliers who manufacture overseas.”
The lift is CE marked and was built in conformance with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, Lifting Operations & Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 and The Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
In safety terms, the level gates are fitted with electrical & mechanical interlocks, an emergency stop button fitted to all control stations, an anti-slip platform surface, hose burst protection and lift overload protection were all included.”
The lift was installed in two days.
Penny’s service and maintenance engineers will inspect the lift over time in accordance with Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER).
