TPT May 2012

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Industry News
10 May 2012
Combilift
Triumphs at the
FLTA Awards
IT was a night to remember for Combilift
at this year’s FLTA Awards for Excellence,
held in Birmingham, UK. Not only did the
company win the Innovation Category for
the second time, for its new Rough Terrain
RT forklift, but its Combi-CB model also
scooped the first and only “Victor Ludorum”
prize, billed by the FLTA as the ultimate
winner of winners in the awards’ 18 year
history.
To mark London 2012 the FLTA introduced
an Olympic theme to the event, which was
co-hosted by British Olympic champion
Sally Gunnell. The Victor Ludorum was a
special one-off award chosen from every
winning entry in all previous awards in
the Environment, Ergonomics, Safety and
Innovation categories. The final votes
were cast by attendees at the event, and
as befits an accolade of this nature, the
winner’s trophy was in a class of its own.
The Archimedes (or “Archie”) statuettes
awarded to winners are cast in bronze
by internationally renowned sculptor Les
Johnson. The gold plated Archie awarded to
Combilift is unique and was created to mark
the Association’s 40th
year. “This very special
trophy will naturally
have pride of place in
our awards cabinet,”
said Combilift MD
Martin McVicar.
Launched in 2011, the RT was originally
designed in collaboration with Keyo
Agricultural Services, one of the UK’s
largest providers to the poultry processing
sector. Whereas forklifts previously used in
this application have been modified versions
of mainstream models, the Combi-RT is the
first purpose built, no-compromise machine
designed for the exacting demands of the
industry and represents a significant step
forward in the handling of live poultry.
The FLTA’s verdict on the Combi-CB
when it won the Innovation category in 2009
was that “the Combi-CB compact multi-
directional counterbalance transfers the
4-way principle into a small counterbalance
truck for the first time.” This ground-breaking
development, designed for operations
handling a mix of both palletised and long
loads, has since become one of Combilift’s
best selling models.
Sam Moffett of Combilift accepted
both awards on behalf of the company.
Martin McVicar comments: “Innovation
and substantial investment in R&D have
been our bywords since we established
Combilift and we are delighted that this
has once again been recognised. To have
the Combi-CB acknowledged by our peers
in the materials handling sector as having
made ‘the most outstanding contribution to
the industry since the awards began’ is the
ultimate tribute. We extend our thanks to the
FLTA and everyone who voted for us.”
Combilift Ltd – Ireland
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Website:
A successful show for PIPE
MARCH saw the 2012 Tube Exhibition in
Düsseldorf, and another great show for
PIPE Ltd.
Managing director Tony Tagliaferro said
of the show: “We have always had a great
response to our presence at the Tube
show, and this year has exceeded our
expectations once again. Tube Düsseldorf is
a key show for us in the European market,
to meet both with existing and potential new
clients, distributors and suppliers alike to
promote the release of our new products as
we have done this year and at the previous
(2010) show.”
PIPE Ltd’s stand, as always, featured
live demonstrations of its pipe bevelling and
cutting machines, pipe clamps, and pipe
stands together with the latest innovations
in purging equipment for exotic pipe welding
applications the Rapid Purge (featured in the
April issue of Tube Products International )
and the double seal silicone system.
One of the products drawing the most
attention at the PIPE stand was the brand
new wet tungsten electrode grinder, the Pro
Point Plus which gives the user the ability
to cut and grind tungsten electrodes in the
technically correct and safest way, collecting
potentially harmful dust and off cuts in the
liquid sump, allowing for safe disposal
according to regulations. The liquid also acts
as a cooling system, giving the electrode a
highly polished finish, enabling the welder
to achieve and maintain a stable arc.
Furthermore, the Pro Point Plus’s diamond
grinding wheel has three position settings,
tripling the life of the wheel. The grinding
angle is simply set using the digital readout
on the case. Never before has cutting and
grinding tungsten electrodes so accurately
been so easy.
PIPE Ltd – UK
Website:
PIPE was delighted with
the response at the show
Combilift scooped the award
on the evening from Olympic
champion Sally Gunnell