forklift truck loading ramp

What can Flexi trucks bring to your business?

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Forklift designers are constantly enhancing the options they offer to suit the changing needs of modern operations. A mainstay of both industrial and commercial operations, forklifts are a ubiquitous sight in warehouses, distribution centres and logistics hubs. They can increase productivity and performance while improving health and safety on-premises. As a result, the design of a forklift truck has a powerful impact on how an operation runs.

In the next sections, we’ll take an in-depth look at some award-winning articulated options from Flexi, designed to optimise operational efficiency and promote the highest levels of safety, reducing the chance of accidents resulting in injuries or damaged inventory. Read on to find out what Flexi forklifts can do for your business.

Flexi forklifts can improve warehouse efficiency and profitability

Flexi’s range of fully articulated forklift trucks has been engineered specifically to enhance storage handling and improve the efficiency of customer order collection in a wide range of operations including e-fulfilment, manufacturing, and logistics.

Flexi fork trucks have been designed to operate in areas where space is limited, like narrow aisles, but also to reach great heights. They have a lift height of 14 metres and can execute tight turn radiuses of 200 degrees.

Effectively, this means that firms using Flexi forklifts create a more space-efficient solution for storage by eliminating any dead aisle space typically required by reach and counterbalance forklifts. or reach forklifts. While it will always depend on the individual building, Flexi forklifts have proven to increase the usable storage space available by between 25 to 50 per cent and mitigate double handling for operations. As a result, this makes warehouses far more efficient and cuts down the costs for pallet storage substantially.

The range includes models capable of different loads from 1.5 to 2.5 tonnes allowing enterprises to find the perfect solution for the goods they handle.

Designed for safety and comfort

The Flexi Digital range of forklifts uses the latest technology and expert design not just to enhance productivity but to increase operator comfort and safety. Every inch of these state-of-the-art forklifts has been meticulously planned from their clear view guards that enhance operator visibility to their unique Hi-Vis guard for driver protection.

The forklifts feature effortless AC control and up to 230 degrees of independent power steering with zero kickback. Using cutting-edge brushless technology that is digitally powered, these solutions are simple for operators to drive and always offer smooth control. Their tyres use elasticated rubber, which reduces driver discomfort but also makes them mobile on any surface.

Built for long-term use

Finally, it’s understood that buying material handling solutions such as pallet trucks and forklift represents a significant investment for enterprises. While many options available are durable and made with robust materials, Flexi has worked to futureproof their articulated forklifts allowing users to keep them in active service for longer.

Flexi’s Digital range has earned a professional reputation for both dependability and lower maintenance costs. It achieved this by ensuring that every Flexi fork truck is fitted with the same superior quality hydraulic components and drive which are always sourced from a supplier in tier one.

For ease of repair, Flexi forklifts are designed with a vast proportion of common parts and components. As a result, both the holding and the provision of spare components is a far easier prospect for the company’s central parts operation. By standardising components and only dealing with suppliers of the highest quality, Flexi can pass on value to its customers in the form of an industry-leading warranty. Receiving a five-year -5000-hour part warranty, users buying a Flexi forklift for their operation can feel safe in the knowledge they are completely covered.

Get in touch with the team today to find out what Flexi trucks can do for your business.

forklift warehouse

What are reach trucks and how can they benefit your business?

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Reach trucks are types of forklifts specifically employed to reach goods in an area that has high shelving and narrow aisles. Their most common applications include vast storage areas and warehouses. To optimise the use of space, shelves are usually stacked high, and racking is placed close together leaving little room for manoeuvre.

Unlike other kinds of forklifts, like the bulky counterbalance truck, reach trucks can access heights and places that are impossible for conventional equipment to get to.

With a relatively small body, and forks that can extend high into the air, reach trucks can look as if staying balanced might be a challenge. However, they have been designed for this very purpose. They have a small set of wheel rears and two outer legs allowing them to distribute the load which enhances their balancing abilities.

The reach truck wheels are positioned directly below the operator’s station. This provided it with an exceptionally tight turn radius and enables it to easily move into smaller areas where other trucks are unable to fit, while still reaching stock stored at height.

What are the business benefits of reach trucks?

As mentioned earlier, reach trucks allow warehouses to make efficient use of available space. The more room a storage space has, the more stock it can hold. As a result, costs for additional storage space are negated and warehouses can keep larger stockholdings, enabling them to enhance their performance as part of a supply chain. Able to reach high stacks of items and handle neatly in confined areas, reach trucks allow warehouses to use tighter and taller racking layouts to achieve this goal.

Safety benefits can be gained from deploying these trucks. Traditional options like ladders and employees order picking create potential risk on-site associated with working at height. Reach trucks avoid these issues, with forks collecting goods on behalf of the operator, who can examine goods via camera. Modern trucks are often fitted with sensors and automatic braking systems to avoid accidents.

Along with preventing health and safety hazards, reach trucks also promote safer material handling ensuring less damage to stock and loss of profits.

Exceptionally efficient and agile, trucks can improve productivity and enhance workflow. Ensuring stock is sourced, collected, and then delivered where it needs to get to within a warehouse, reach trucks are an ideal solution for any operation seeking to succeed.

Cutting-edge reach trucks from CAT

Reach trucks are constantly evolving with leading manufacturers like CAT continually adding features to improve their capabilities. CAT Forklifts are always designed to maximise profitability and performance while cutting costs for companies and safeguarding operators. The company’s NR-N2 range was developed to offer a reach truck to suit any situation and boast 11 different models.

While NR14-16N2L Light Reach Trucks can only carry loads of between 1.4 1.6 tonnes, they are easy to manoeuvre and highly dependable. At the other end of the scale, CAT’s heavy-dutyNR16-25N3 Reach Trucks can carry up to 2.5 tonnes. Regardless of the weight, they can manage, all trucks in the range benefit from innovative ergonomics, low maintenance requirements and high levels of energy efficiency.

A valuable asset for any enterprise

To sum up, this type of forklift truck offers enterprises the perfect combination of freedom of mobility and maximum height in terms of lift. While these might seem like simple tasks, they allow companies to increase the effectiveness of their storage facilities to enjoy significant savings. Additionally, the work rates and safety standards offered by this innovative equipment can ensure that operations remain compliant with health and safety regulations and operate at competitive production levels.

To find out more about how we can help your business get in touch today.

forklift operator 12

What are the benefits of ongoing forklift training for you and your business?

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Forklifts are among the most vital types of equipment used in factories, warehouses, and other distribution centres. A dependable solution that improves productivity and makes heavy-duty tasks far easier to perform, it’s not tricky to see why fork trucks are essential however, it is equally important that those who operate them are competent to use them. Making sure your workforce has proper forklift training is key.

While there is no official forklift driving license here in the UK, training courses are available that ensure operators have the necessary skills and experience to handle this equipment. While you might think that completing one training course in a lifetime is all an operator requires, this is far from the truth.

As a result, there are forklift training courses available for both absolute beginners and those with previous experience in operating these warehouse workhorses. Enterprises that regularly use forklifts on-site as part of their operations are advised to consider ongoing rather than one-off forklift training for their operators, as this approach can bring many benefits.

According to the UK’s Health and Safety Executive’s <a href=”https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg457.htm”>(HSE)</a> guidelines certification is a legal requirement for operating a forklift. As a result, if a firm employs an unqualified operator, it is their responsibility to train them. While there is no law insisting on ongoing training, it is recommended for many reasons.

Read on as we explore forklift training in greater depth and the advantages enterprises can gain from the ongoing education of employees.

Forklift training – giving you business continuity

Knowing the best practices for safe forklift operation in a work environment is not information that you can learn once and forget about. Instead, it is an ongoing process that is constantly developing. To ensure the safest working conditions on-site and the optimum methods of operation are always used, regular forklift training is an effective choice.

By keeping training, a regular occurrence, the process is less disruptive for firms. Instead of significant driver downtime from lengthy courses, training can be broken down into smaller sessions. Operators may also retain their knowledge easier when training is provided in a manageable format.

Keeping information current

Over time, new techniques and technology are developed for forklift use. From onboard sensors and electric battery packs to more efficient ways of unloading, loading, and driving in low visibility, the best practices for using fork trucks are constantly evolving. By using an ongoing forklift training programme enterprises can ensure their operators are making the most of the latest developments in technology and new ways of thinking. Ultimately, keeping knowledge up to date will ensure employees are using forklifts using the safest and most efficient means possible.

Eradicating bad habits

It is understood that over extended periods, bad working habits can develop. Whether it’s to save time or energy, corners can get cut, and result in risk. From stock that is loaded poorly becoming damaged to worker injuries, the consequences of lazy practices can be severe.

Fortunately, ongoing training can keep your drivers constantly refreshed in the best practices for forklift operation. As a result, bad habits are less likely to take root.

Lowering insurance premiums

While it will depend on the insurance provider used, many companies find that the better trained their drivers are the lower their policy premiums are. It is understood that insurance costs are based on the level of risk involved, so improving the abilities of operators with continuous training can have a significant impact, reducing health and safety issues on site.

Enjoying the benefits of ongoing forklift training

To sum up, from a safer and more efficiently run workplace to avoiding disruption and damage, the benefits of an ongoing training programme are manifold for businesses. Business owners who fund continuing driver training are ultimately investing in their enterprise and its continuing success.

To find out more, get in touch with our team today.