TPT January 2011

H andling , P acking & T ransportation

Forklifts are an Asset for pipes

robust build copes easily with 24/7 operation in a tough environment. “Since we took delivery of the Combilifts earlier this year, we have seen benefits all round,” said Graham Bennett. “The 4-way capability, excellent driver visibility from the cab and fewer truck movements than before have improved safety. With a capacity of 1,000 tonnes of product to be shifted every month, the increased speed at which we can now operate is a boost not only for us but also for our customers.” Combilift 4-way forklifts are designed and built in Monaghan, Ireland, where the company also has its HQ and R&D facility. The current Combilift range encompasses at least fifteen base models, with capacities ranging from 2.5 to 25 tonnes, and with a choice of LPG, diesel or AC electric power. Combilift Ltd – Ireland Fax: +353 47 80501

TWO Combilift 4-way forklifts are making light work of Asset International’s long loads at its plant in Newport, South Wales. The company is a manufacturer of high density polyethylene WEHOLITE pipes, which are used across wide ranging applications such as storm water storage, sewage treatment, landfill and highway drainage. Asset International supplies stock sizes of 6, 12 and 14m as well as customised products, and as it also manufactures plastic pipe with an internal diameter of 3.5m, it was facing a number of challenges when it came to manoeuvring finished product around its site. In a bid to make handling procedures safer and more streamlined, production manager Graham Bennett called in experts from South Wales Industrial Equipment (SWIE). “We were using a counterbalance forklift to move pipes from the production facility to outside storage in the yard,” said Mr Bennett. “As space is tight in this area the limited manoeuvrability of this truck made it complicated and time consuming for drivers to get loads out of the building. We also realised that we needed a pretty special machine to cope with our largest loads, which weigh around 9 tonnes and can be up to 25m long. SWIE did a thorough site survey and their recommendation of the 4-way Combilift trucks has turned out to be the ideal solution.” The differing requirements of taking bundles of standard sized pipes from the extrusion lines and loading the largest products onto HGVs for customer delivery have been addressed by two diesel powered Combilift models, both of which were specified by SWIE after analysis of Asset International’s individual needs. The dimensions of the C5,000XL TODAY’S market requires every company to ensure that the in-plant material flow, storekeeping and movement of goods are organised economically. As many companies continue to experience considerable pressure on prices and lead times, the ergonomic planning of in-plant material flow can lead to an immediate reduction in costs. Stierli Bieger AG has developed a new and unique roll-out material storage system based on intensive onsite research with a number of existing customers. The main advantages of the Stierli Bieger system

model allow it to move easily around the manufacturing area, and according to production supervisor Ben Hillman this has considerably improved operations: “The beauty of this truck is its ability to work as a front loader as well as to travel sideways. The drivers are also very impressed with its carousel facility and they make good use of this for optimum manoeuvrability.” The second truck, one of Combilift’s largest products, is a C14,000 14-tonne capacity model that is capable of lifting loads of 9,000kg at 1,900mm load centres. With 2,440mm-long forks, wedges fitted at the end of the decks and a hydraulic fork spreader, this is a suitable solution for the stable and safe handling of Asset International’s extreme loads. The high ground clearance of both Combilifts make them suited for the uneven surfaces around the premises, and the

Email: info@combilift.com Website: www.combilift.com

Asset stocks pipes up to 14m long

Safe material handling in a confined area

are the improvement in utilisation of floor space, tidy and compact storage within the factory, and fast and safe material handling. In addition, downtimes of production machinery can be minimised, and safe working practice within the customer’s company can be considerably improved. By using this system, the company claims to avoid the usual risks associated with the stacking and storage of stock materials. The number of arms, width clearance, single or double construction can be individually selected. The arms can be

removed easily and safely by hand. The synchronised system developed by Stierli Bieger AG guarantees parallel running of the arms with a loading capacity of up to 1,500kg/arm. The arms are equipped with maintenance-free grooved ball bearings. Additional sheet metal channels or wood supports can prevent damage. Stierli Bieger is a manufacturer of roll-out racks, devices for welding and dressing,

and horizontal bending machines. Stierli Bieger AG – Switzerland Website: www.stierli-bieger.com

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J anuary 2011

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