Fork Lift Truck Update with Awards, Exhibition and Flood Relief

UK – EUROPE – As we see the last days of 2015 comes news of past and forthcoming events in the material handling sector. First those awards, the International Centre in Telford on Saturday 27 February 2016 will see the Fork Lift Truck Association’s FLTA Awards for Excellence and the host this year will be renowned rugby veteran and TV presenter Martin Bayfield. An RFU Player of the Year, Bayfield has earned an impressive 37 caps as an international rugby player for England and British and Irish Lions, as well as winning two Grand Slams.

In recent years, Bayfield has made a name for himself in radio, TV and cinema. Having starred as Robbie Coltrane’s stunt double in Harry Potter, and the cyclops in Wrath of the Titans, he is now a presenter for BT Sport, as well as BBC’s Crimewatch. FLTA Chief Executive Peter Harvey MBE said:

“We are truly excited to have Martin Bayfield hosting our 22^nd Awards ceremony. He’s a highly acclaimed after-dinner orator, so our guests can expect inspiring and entertaining stories from a fascinating career based on motivation and teamwork. As always, the Awards are shaping up to be a huge night, and not just because our host is 6 foot 10. Tickets go on sale soon and, having sold out in previous years, we encourage everyone to book theirs as soon as possible!”

For more information about the FLTA Awards click here or to book tickets here.

The New Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre will host the year’s LogiMat 2016 from 8 – 10 March, the 14^th international trade fair for the distribution and materials handling sectors and the event will be fully supported by UK-based materials handling technology specialist, Narrow Aisle Ltd.

Narrow Aisle Ltd is perhaps best known for its Flexi range of articulated forklift trucks with over 5,000 such units employed worldwide. The company recently introduced an entry-level Flexi AC NANO model to their range and it will be among the solutions highlighted at LogiMAT 2016. Visitors to the Narrow Aisle stand at LogiMAT 2016 will also be able to learn about the FlexiPiCK, a new layer quantity order picking system that typically allows over 1000 cases per hour to be picked by one operator.

The FlexiPiCK allows users to take advantage of the increasingly popular layer quantity order picking technology pioneered in the USA, but without the need to invest in high fixed cost guided or automated handling technology that previous layer picking systems have relied upon and the company will also demonstrate its Flexi StorMAX system that the company claims allows 50% more pallet locations to be achieved within the dimensions of a store in comparison with storage systems served by conventional reach trucks.

Back in the UK recently the horrific floods in Cumbria prompted a rapid response from local companies and fork lift truck maker Jungheinrich was quick to assist. In towns such as Keswick, Kendal and Cockermouth, many residents had to be evacuated and moved in to temporary accommodation for their safety. The storm victim’s plight was made worse when the rising water levels caused severe damage to an electricity substation, leaving hundreds of properties across the area without power for days.

As the flood waters subsided and the huge mop-up operation got underway, Preston gift shop owner, Janey Deakin, took to social media to appeal for donations of gifts that could be distributed to local children affected by the floods culminating in a local company offering an empty warehouse to store the 100+ tonnes of goods which rapidly arrived.

Jungheinrich UK donated the use of a 3-tonne gas-powered counterbalanced forklift together with a hand pallet truck for the duration of the relief effort. The counterbalanced lift truck allows trailers delivering incoming pallet loads of essential goods to be unloaded as quickly and efficiently as possible and moved in to the store, where items are sorted and repackaged before being dispatched to those in need. Jungheinrich’s efforts are ably supported by palletised freight distribution network, The Pallet Network, which has been helping with the aid effort by providing free collection and delivery of loads from its various UK hubs to the Preston warehouse.

Photo: The Jungheinrich truck in action.