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Material handling and the Covid-19 pandemic

It is no surprise that the global pandemic has changed a lot of things across the world, in both our personal and professional lives. We have all been spending more time indoors, and those of us who go out to work have found new pressures and demands.

The impact has been felt especially strongly in certain sectors of the business world, with one of these being the material handling industry.

One may wonder why exactly the pandemic has caused such a sea change in the material handling industry. With skyrocketing needs that must be met, the sudden pressure has seen the industry struggling to meet demand.

Pandemic shopping habits

A leading reason for this spike in pressure is the increased demand for online shopping. Online shopping has been growing increasingly over the past twenty years, but this is the first time it has been widely essential for the general public.

Usually, most people will have split their shopping between the high street and buying online. However, since March 2020, this has become, at times, impossible. With the high street closing up during lockdowns and many unable to leave their houses due to shielding, pandemic online shopping has peaked, especially with sites like Amazon.

Increased online presence

As well as people ordering from established giants such as Amazon, many other shops that were perhaps not as prevalent in the online sphere have had to make the leap. This means hiring and training new workers in material handling so that demand can be met and smaller businesses can keep their doors open – if only virtually for the time being.

Shops that perhaps did not require warehouses before are now branching out and increasing the need for material handling. This industry has become a vital component of the “new normal” as we turn more and more to online solutions.

Warehousing requirements

People have been spending a lot more time ordering online, with Amazon warehouses busier than ever before. Warehousing demand has grown and grown over the past 12 months – which means more workers are needed in order to meet the needs placed on the eCommerce sector.

The material handling industry ensures that warehouses can get stock moved safely and keep the areas orderly for a quicker, cleaner turnaround. Ensuring that warehouses can meet the demands placed on them, fully trained and experienced material handling professionals are essential workers as they help warehouses to meet the demands which seem to only be growing as time goes by.

Hygiene and compliance

Covid-19 has not only caused a spike in online shopping trends, it has also led to the need for a larger focus on hygiene and a reduction of staff in certain areas. This has also impacted the staff in warehouses and those in the material handling industry.

Because of social distancing regulations, there is often a need for fewer staff to be working at any time, so those who are working are required to be fully trained and able to put in as much work as possible.

Having the correct equipment is also of vital importance – if a warehouse does not have enough heavy lifting equipment, this makes it harder to reach the higher targets set by changing consumer trends. For example, warehouses may need to increase the amount of forklift trucks that they have onsite, either temporarily as the pandemic goes on, or permanently if these customer trends continue in the future.

Meeting rising demand

As demand continues to rise, the material handling industry is integral to warehouses in a plethora of ways. With the eCommerce industry seeking more flexibility in supply chains and requiring more highly customised (and customisable) equipment and services.

Material handling offers essential support when it comes to the transportation of supplies and finished goods, the storage of stock, and even the distribution of both materials and goods across the country and beyond. With online shopping looking set to grow, material handling is becoming more and more innovative in order to meet the unique needs of each company.

How Radnes can help

With over forty years of experience, Radnes is a family run business which offers innovative and reliable solutions for those who need to hire, buy or repair forklift trucks.

With the increased usage of forklifting equipment, you may find that your trucks require more maintenance than usual, or that you simply need to hire more for busy periods. We will even advise you on the best forklift trucks to buy so that your purchase suits your business needs. If you are hiring new staff, we can supply you with training for the forklift trucks, and carry out safety inspections for your peace of mind.

Based near Croydon, Radnes is ready to meet the forklifting needs in the South East of England, all at a very competitive price for our reliable, friendly services.

If you have found your business struggling with Covid and handling, get in touch with Radnes to find out how we can help you to rise up and meet the new pressures that have come along with this far from average year.

RTITB Releases New Free eLearning Course in the Combat of COVID

Health and safety is a crucial part of our industry, particularly when it comes to forklift safety, as heavy machinery is not something to be taken lightly. And so, needless to say, when the COVID pandemic came around, it brought with it many challenges. Forklift truck training has always required a large element of personal interaction, with a proportion of training courses occurring inside a classroom so an RTITB certified instructor could teach the essentials.

With the classroom environment deemed too risky by the government, and with the model of external instructors travelling to provide the training presenting its own risks, it looked as though either a potential halt in training and therefore work or a further spread of the virus were inevitable. However, in a positive turn of events, the RTITB has released a brand new and free eLearning course to help reduce the risk during lift truck training. Though, in such uncertain times as these, this may leave you with some questions. Let’s take a closer look at these below.

Who are the RTITB?

The Road Industry Transport Board (RTITB) are the leading standards-setting body in workplace transport training, having provided training to well over one million people in the country, while over 100,000 delegates are trained to their standards every year. The  RTITB provides a plethora of instructor training courses in addition to its health-checking services, and the board’s rigorous standards ensure that all training provided by themselves and those they have accredited is the safest and most effective training possible. More information can be found on their website at https://www.rtitb.com/.

What is the new eLearning course?

The new eLearning course is designed for use by those who will be providing forklift truck training and covers all of the necessary bases that training providers will need to keep in mind, such as how to effectively communicate safety to their trainees and how best to deliver the theoretical and practical training. Most importantly, it looks at how to establish whether training is essential, and takes a look at the HSE hierarchy of controls. These are a set of measures which organisations should apply to promote the highest level of safety, meaning that, in the current climate, face to face contact should be limited.

What does this mean for us?

Thanks to this eLearning course, forklift truck training can still go ahead in warehouses across the country, without the need for incurring an unnecessary risk of infection by having external instructors travel to different worksites. Furthermore, it provides free, relevant and faceless training that will allow trainers to provide updated and effective instruction that is relevant to the times. It will also decentralise the training by allowing independent instructors to provide support without compromising the quality of the course, and by being only 30-minutes long, it will ensure training can be provided quickly as well as safely.

Why was this needed?

Forklift truck driving provides an essential service to warehouse operations, ensuring that operations run smoothly and efficiently, which in the current climate is absolutely vital. Due to the pandemic, work has been at times completely delayed, and at others, it has been made more difficult by thinned workforces due to self-isolation. Now, more than ever, it is vital that we ensure rigorous safety standards are upheld, not only to prevent any risks of infection but also to prevent any hazards or workplace accidents that may put further strain on our workforces. Thanks to this course’s impact on forklift truck training, this essential part of warehouse operations can continue without posing an unnecessary risk to any workers involved in the process.

What does this mean for Radnes?

This course will prove useful not only for in-house training but also for training providers. Through employing the use of the RTITB’s new eLearning course, our certified staff can continue to provide the highest quality of training during novice, instructor, and refresher courses, ensuring that all training falls within these rigorous guidelines while also remaining safe during the pandemic period. Thanks to the digitisation of training outlines, we are able to provide high-quality training that is strictly in keeping with the latest in forklift safety policies.

So if your business requires forklift truck training in line with the RTITIB’s strict standards, while also adhering to strict COVID safety guidelines, get in touch with Radnes to find out more about our services.

How the rise in online shopping can affect your warehouse equipment needs

2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, for a number of reasons. We’d like to start by wishing you a very Merry Christmas and hope that this difficult year ends with a happy festive period for you. We also hope you will have a healthy and prosperous 2021. One of the many things that have happened in 2020 is that online shopping has skyrocketed. While this means warehouses, order fulfillment centers, and all manner of other logistics businesses are making good money, it has placed enormous strain on their infrastructure. With this demand not seeming to end any time soon as we go into an uncertain 2021, it’s imperative that you invest in quality warehouse equipment to meet it.

What do you actually need?

Radness Pallet truck

Electric pallet trucks

When efficiency improvements are required, you can look no further than electric pallet trucks. They provide the same function as a normal pallet truck, but with the added benefit of an electric battery and motor. These two things make raising and lowering the pallet, as well as moving the pallet truck itself, easy thanks to the electrical assistance. Electric pallet trucks generally offer higher weight limits than their manual counterparts too, which means your operators will be able to move even heavier loads without sacrificing efficiency. If you invest in an extra battery you won’t have to think about downtime either – most electric pallet trucks are designed with quick-swap battery systems, allowing your operators to swap in a charged battery in a matter of moments.

Manual pallet trucks

Manual pallet trucks have been in constant use throughout warehousing and logistic organisations for many years, and they will continue to be so. If you’re thinking primarily about your budget, you will find it goes the furthest when looking at manual pallet trucks. The downside is that you won’t have quite so much assistance in operation for your employees as you would get from an electric pallet truck. The real sensible thing to do is invest in a mix of manual pallet trucks and electric ones too, to ensure you always have the right pallet truck available to suit your needs as they arise.

Order pickers

Order pickers look similar to pallet trucks, but they are generally designed to be ride-on pieces of equipment. They fulfill a simple, yet essential role by transporting the operator to where the relevant order is stored, and using the picking platform to carry that order through to be processed and shipped. They can also be used in the reverse process to help store inbound stock. Order pickers make the transportation of heavier items much easier and more efficient, which can be a considerable benefit when you’re trying to process as many orders as possible throughout a regular working day.

Reach trucks

Reach trucks, as the name implies, are designed to reach orders stored in high places. If you’re maximising the usable space in your warehouse by having floor to ceiling shelving and order storage, a reach truck becomes a truly invaluable piece of equipment. They can be purchased in various reach height and weight limits, depending on your requirements. With a skilled operator, they can greatly increase your overall operational efficiency.

Quality matters now more than ever

Whatever kind of warehouse equipment you’re going to be investing in, it’s essential that you choose the best possible quality you can afford. It may even take a little more upfront investment than you were anticipating, but the benefits will be considerable. As we go into 2021 the demand placed on fulfillment and logistics centers is not likely to let up – rolling Covid restrictions are not going anywhere for the foreseeable future, which means more and more people are going to continue relying on online shopping. As such, you need to be able to meet that demand on a consistent basis, which requires reliable equipment. We’re proud to be an official CAT dealer, and the range of warehouse equipment CAT offers can provide the very things you’re looking for – usability, versatility, and of course reliability. In a busy warehousing environment, you need equipment that you can keep running on a rolling 24-hour basis if necessary, without having to worry about factoring in unscheduled downtime due to mechanical problems and breakdowns. CAT equipment offers that peace of mind.

Contact us to help choose your range

If you’re interested in investing in quality warehouse equipment to see your business through the complex and ever-changing demands 2021 is sure to bring, all you have to do is contact us. A consultation with our friendly and experienced team can give you some valuable insight into the warehouse equipment you need, and we can offer you a flexible range of purchasing options to suit your budget. Customer service and quality warehouse equipment are what we provide.

Combilifts Combi-CS wins International Award - Radnes Services

Combilift’s Combi-CS wins International Forklift of the Year Award

Many congratulations to Combilift who have won the International Forklift of the Year Award (IFOY) for the Combi-CS pedestrian counterbalance stacker forklift.

The IFOY Awards are one of the most prestigious and keenly contested international awards in the materials handling industry. The Combi-CS has won the Warehouse Truck Lowlifter Category. This is the second win for Combilift in recent weeks with the Combi-CBE4 having won the 2020 Red Dot Design Award for the Combi-CBE4.

The Award-Winning Combi-CS

The Combi-CS is the only pedestrian counterbalance stacker that will operate in a conventional reach truck aisle for space saving and productive storage and handling. It features Combilift’s unique, internationally patented and award winning multi- position tiller arm which can be turned to the left or right of the unit to position the rear drive wheel, allowing the operator to remain in the safest position – at the side of the machine rather than at the rear as is the case with other pedestrian stackers. This ensures optimum visibility of the load and surroundings as well as guaranteeing maximum safety in areas where other personnel or members of the public may be present.

Taking it all in – A ceremony online!

Of course, whilst previous years have meant a gala ceremony for the awards night, currently such an event is not possible. But that didn’t mean that anyone needed to miss out.

The organisers rolled out the virtual red carpet for the winners on the Internet on July 13th 2020 at www.ifoy.org.

IFOY founder and Executive Chairperson of the IFOY Jury Anita Würmser said: “Special times require special solutions and this year’s IFOY Awards were dedicated to the best innovations in intralogistics and moreover to the people who make intralogistics happen.”

Watch the online acceptance and join in celebrating Combilifts moment here:

If you’d like to find out more about this or any of the other forklifts in Combilifts range then get in touch today with a member of our friendly team.

Combilift Counterbalance Forklifts - Radnes Services

Safer Long Load Handling With Combilift Forklifts – Working Indoor & Outdoor

Handling long loads can be a headache – and a potentially dangerous one.

Manoeuvring long packs of steel, timber or aluminium for example in busy manufacturing facilities, through access doors and around obstacles can pose all sorts of risks. Trying to solve this by using a couple of counterbalance forklifts at either end of a load is definite no-no from a health and safety point of view and travelling with elevated loads to avoid obstacles in the yard or warehouse is deemed to be hazardous practice too.

So instead of relying on trucks with limited manoeuvrability, specialist solutions in the form of Combilift’s multidirectional models are the solution. As a Combilift dealer, we are pleased to offer these great forklifts.

Designed specifically for the challenges of long and bulky loads, they combine the advantages of a counterbalance forklift, sideloader and narrow aisle truck in one machine to ensure safe as well as space saving and efficient handling.

The very low centre of gravity and integrated platform provides a stable, low level base for resting loads on during transportation and with the cab mounted to the side of the mast, the operator has a clear view of the load. 4-way ability enables quick change of the wheel direction to enable sideways travel in confined spaces or though doorways.

Thousands of companies have ditched their conventional counterbalance fleets and replaced these with multidirectional C-Series trucks, and Combi-CB compact 4-way counterbalance design models. Whatever you need to lift and move, you can reduce the risks with a Combilift truck – designed first and foremost with safety in mind.

See the Combi-C-Series and Combi-CB in operation

Find your perfect Combilift Counterbalance Forklift truck with Radnes

Whatever you are looking for, we’ve got the perfect forklift for you. We can supply these great Combilift fork trucks to help you and your business get moving. Get in touch today to find out more.

Radnes Services - Working through Covid-19

How we are working at Radnes Services through the Covid-19 pandemic

We hope that you and your families are safe and well.

Here at Radnes Services we have been working hard to ensure that we can still offer a service to our customers when they need it the most.

Whilst times are tough for many businesses, we know that many in our industry are seeing a peak of demand right now. If you are in logistics for the NHS, food supply or delivery then you and your business is needed now more than ever.

If this is your business then we are here to help. Our short term hire is perfect for any kind of peak and we can supply you with additions to your fleet that will see you through this time. Whatever you need to do more of in your business, we have the fork truck to help. Get in touch now to speak to our friendly team about how we can help you out.

As well as increasing capacity, where businesses are running it is vital to ensure that your fleet is in top condition. The BITA and the FLTA have issued a joint statement which makes it clear that any servicing needed on your fork truck fleet must be carried out at this time.

Health and Safety is paramount, and whilst restricted access to sites and social distancing is part of the efforts when it comes to Covid-19, it is clear that necessary maintenance and servicing must still take place.

We have adapted our servicing so that we can ensure that we are able to attend onsite with our customers, whilst also keeping them and our staff safe. If you need help with servicing or maintenance at this time then please do get in touch. We can talk to you about how we are taking steps to ensure that we can still carry out servicing on customer’s sites, as well as agree how this will work when we come to your business.

We continue to be here to help you and all of our customers at this tough time. Please get in touch if there is anything we can support you with.

CAT electric forklifts - Radnes Services Ltd

Electric Forklifts – Your Ultimate Guide

What are electric forklifts?

CAT electric forklifts - Radnes Services LtdIn the last few decades, electric propulsion has been the focus of huge amounts of investment and development, and for many good reasons. Electric cars are becoming more sophisticated, advanced, and affordable but it isn’t just personal and public transport that stands to benefit from the voltage revolution, as industrial vehicles and machinery like forklifts and counterbalance trucks are also prime candidates for electrification – but precisely what are the benefits for the manufacturer and, most importantly, for you the customer? How do these new models compare to more conventional diesel and LPG-powered forklifts, and what can they be used for?

To clarify, the ‘electric’ aspect of the name is referring to how the vehicles are powered, instead of their lift mechanisms which are typically still hydraulically controlled. Electric forklifts might be operated by pedals or hydrostatically, just like traditionally powered examples, and it really depends on which specific model you choose. What unites them all is the fact that instead of being powered by pistons igniting liquid, they all make use of silent but powerful electric motors.

What are the benefits of electric forklifts over other types?

For a start, there’s a much greater degree of simplicity when it comes to the inner-workings of an EV powerplant. Compared to a traditional ICE (internal combustion engine) that has a plethora of moving parts that all have to work together at once to turn fuel into motion, electric motors are extremely simple in how they operate. If a fan-belt snaps, or a water pump breaks and stops pumping coolant around a diesel engine, then the whole machine grinds to a halt, and then you’re left with a forklift out of action and a potentially costly repair bill.

There are a host of complex mechanisms and systems that an electric vehicle has no need for, which makes them much more streamlined in their design and operation. For instance, whilst a diesel engine needs a whole fuel system – a large tank to store the liquid fuel, pumps, injectors, and a heavy exhaust set-up – something like a CAT EP16-20A( C )N or similar forklift model simply needs a motor and batteries, a much more elegant solution.

Equally, transmissions are no longer needed. Electric vehicles, including road cars like the Tesla Model S or Porsche Taycan, don’t require a gearbox with multiple speeds in order to accelerate, and instead just need a differential. Transmissions are heavy, expensive, and extremely intricate pieces of engineering which they both cost a lot to produce and cost just as much to repair should things go wrong.

Electric motor drivetrains aren’t just easier for the mechanics who have to carry out maintenance on them, but they also make life a lot simple for the operator. The aforementioned lack of a transmission means that there’s no need for a clutch pedal, and no need to worry about increasing revs for an incline start.

It’s no surprise that electric vehicles, such as forklifts from CAT’s EP family, are much less harmful to the environment by a huge margin compared to a traditional fuel-burning equivalent. An electric forklift doesn’t produce CO2 emissions – in fact, they don’t emit anything at all. A diesel-burning variant not only belches out carbon dioxide but also a number of other chemical by-products, so not only do they negatively impact the atmosphere but also your local environment. This lack of emissions, noise, and fumes that can often be pretty unpleasant, makes electric forklifts ideal for industries handling food and drink such as fisheries, factories, or in supermarket warehouses to name just a few apt applications.

From a day-to-day practicality standpoint, it’s also much more cost-effective to charge up a battery pack than it is to continually refill up diesel or LPG tanks, especially as these resources become increasingly rare and increasingly expensive. Naturally, electric vehicles do still require power to charge, and that electricity does often come from powerplants that burn coal and emit CO2 themselves, but the levels of pollution overall are dramatically and indisputably lower overall for EVs.

Another thing that is notably lacking from electric motors is noise. All fuel-burning engines make a lot of noise, which is hardly surprising given how they essentially function from hundreds of small explosions per second. In a classic exotic car, that sound might be part of the sensational experience, but on a work site it can be a distracting nuisance and even potentially damaging to the hearing of employees. With no sound coming from the motor itself, electric forklifts and counterbalance trucks can help significantly reduce overall noise levels, making for a less chaotic and more focused environment.

What are they useful for?

Something that has previously been off-putting about electric propulsion, whether for public or commercial use, has been concerns about battery life. With very powerful motors, small battery packs would run out of juice extremely quick and battery packs that were big enough for a decent range would have weighed thousands of kilos. But manufacturers have moved way beyond that early stage, and now lithium ion battery technology is much more sophisticated. Charges now last for a much longer duration, and have also become far lighter, meaning that electric forklifts for sale today certainly have the endurance needed to keep powering on.

Not only are the batteries more advanced and more powerful than ever before, but it also eliminates the need to have on-site fuel tanks and other potentially risky flammable materials. Instead, only standard industrial electrical outlets can be used to charge your vehicles.

For the designers and manufacturers, electric motors and batteries are also more practical because it means they can make their products more efficient to make, which is good for both them and you. Where a traditional piston engine and drivetrain takes up a lot of room both vertically and horizontally, often in weird irregular ways, electric motors and battery packs can be packaged much lower and in a more regular shape. Not only does this make the centre of gravity lower (which aids manoeuvrability and safety) but it means they can use the same electric powertrain in other forklifts without costly redesign.

Electric propulsion is by no means the only forward-thinking piece of equipment or software that has been developed by the makers of these forklifts and counterbalance trucks. Most also come equipped with a whole shopping lift of extra tech all designed to optimise safety, operator control, and productivity. In the CAT EP range, many models come fitted with computerised systems such as RDS, which continually monitors pedal position to ensure the vehicles movements are as smooth and without jerkiness as possible, which would be especially useful when moving fragile goods and materials around warehouses.

Features such as magnetic brakes, advanced 4-wheel steering for maximum manoeuvrability in confined spaces, load-sensing self-adjusting hydraulics, are just three of many that CAT utilises to optimise the performance of its electric forklift range.

What types of industries/businesses are electric forklifts useful for?

For cars, planes, and other forms of transportation, there are some obstacles that engineers and designers are having to overcome with electric powertrains and those are long-distance range and top speed. But in the context of forklifts and other industrial machinery, these two issues really aren’t a hindrance whilst the major advantages of this type of propulsion are perfectly suited to moving and manoeuvring heavy objects.

One key strength of forklifts fitted with electric motors like the CAT Electric Forklifts EP range is their acceleration and manoeuvrability. Electric road-cars, such as the Tesla Model S, have been known to have extremely urgent acceleration and launch off the line that can embarrass supercars worth five times as much money, and there’s a reason for this. Unlike a traditional engine, electric motors can produce all of their torque immediately from zero RPM. Of course, a forklift is a piece of industrial machinery that you’re unlikely to take drag-racing on the weekend, but that instant torque is still extremely beneficial for zipping around warehouses and worksites with much greater ease.

Acceleration is useful, but how well can electric forklifts shift pallets or concrete blocks or other heavy industrial loads? Well, compared to diesel or LPG engines, electric motors produce a truly colossal amount of torque for their size, and that torque is what allows a forklift (or any load-bearing vehicle) to move heavy weights with ease. It’s this combination of acceleration and strength that makes electric propulsion a great solution to the problems a forklift or counterbalance truck needs to overcome.

When it comes to range, the development of battery technology means that the current generation of these vehicles on sale today have more than enough charge to travel a large distance around a warehouse floor, port, or manufacturing plant.

Just as their counterparts that use diesel or LPG, electric-powered forklifts have a wide and varied range of industrial uses. With a variety of models available with varying technical specifications, you could use an EV forklift in; food and drink production/distribution; warehouse operations; manufacturing; chemical plants; fisheries; moving machinery or other heavy equipment, and many other types of industry.

Electric forklifts are especially suited for indoor applications, thanks to their lack of emissions and the lack of engine noise. Not only that, but many of the CAT EP range are also compact enough to be highly manoeuvrable and smoothly operated in these confined busy environments. However, there are also models designed for larger, heavier loads, such as the EP40-50( C)(S)2, which has a more powerful motor, stronger chassis, and more durable tyres in order to achieve this extra capability.

The technology is becoming much more widespread and sophisticated, and the range of different models optimised for different tasks (as well as the optional customisation that is available) means that there is very likely an electric forklift or counterbalance truck on sale that is ready to take on whatever task you have in store for it.

Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you with CAT Electric Forklifts.

Radnes Services featured in Materials Handling World

Radnes featured in Materials Handling World: Impact appoints Radnes Services as part of London expansion

Radnes Services featured in Materials Handling World

We were so pleased to be featured in Material Handling World Magazine in January to highlight our new appointment with Impact Handling. You can see the original article here.

Impact Handling, the leading material handling specialist, has appointed Radnes Services as its official dealer for London and the surrounding areas. Radnes will now offer the full Impact portfolio of premium brands, led by the acclaimed Cat® range of lift trucks and warehouse equipment.

The move sees Impact further strengthen its support capabilities for customers with operations across London and the South East.

Peter Woodhouse, Business Development Manager at Impact says: “Impact has enjoyed a close working relationship with Radnes for some time now, and with clear synergies between the businesses we are delighted to announce their appointment as an official Impact dealer. It represents an important step in Impact’s commitment to expansion across the south east and will support the current strong growth we are seeing.”

Radnes, founded in 1973, has grown to be a leading supplier of material handling equipment across the London and South East region out of its Croydon base. Having built a strong reputation for service excellence, it now provides equipment sales, hire, maintenance, support services and training across a diverse range of industries and sectors.

Kevin McMorrow, Director at Radnes comments: “We are proud to be cementing our partnership with Impact through our appointment as an official dealer. Representing a world-class premium brand, in the form of CAT, enables us to elevate the quality of our offering to a new level. It really is great news for our customers, who will also benefit from the backing of Impact’s nationwide infrastructure, as well as its huge investment in equipment and parts inventory.”

Mr McMorrow continues “In Impact we are now working with a partner who shares our understanding of the importance of minimising unscheduled engineer call outs, yet who also, like us, successfully delivers first time fix rates in the very high nineties when the unforeseen does occur.”

Radnes will now also be able to offer its customers machines from Impact’s used and fully approved refurbished equipment programmes.

The partnership additionally sees Radnes invest in a comprehensive new short-term hire fleet, consisting entirely of the latest generation of Cat diesel and electric lift trucks and warehouse equipment. All of which will be available for immediate hire.

Contact us today to find out how we can work with you on your forklift needs.

Ongoing forklift Training - Radnes Services

A Focus on Ongoing Forklift Training

Although forklift training may seem like a considerable investment, it’s more than worthwhile when it comes to the benefits that your business will get, especially investing in ongoing forklift training. Having your staff go through forklift truck training ensures that you meet the set safety and health regulations, and you also get a more competent and skilled workforce. That means a reduced risk of accidental damage to equipment, stock, and your workplace and a safer and less costly future for your company.

What is forklift training?

Forklift training is a course that familiarises an operator about the way a forklift truck works. A new driver may have to go through general basics as forklifts operate differently compared to other machines.

The training also involves showing the novice how to operate the machine, which includes using the different functions like the horn, beacons, throttle, and the forks. Learning how to work a forklift is easy; the challenging part is knowing how to drive the truck safely.

An operator must know how heavy or light a load is when placed on the front forks. He/she should learn how to drive the forklift to avoid dropping the load. Failure to drive safely could lead to damaged goods and onsite injuries.

A forklift training course also covers retaining balance. Dangerous and fatal operator accidents occur when forklifts tip over. The operator needs to learn how to keep the load low to the ground and manage elevated loads to avoid tipping over. The course also covers the importance of not jumping off a forklift that has tipped. Staying buckled reduces the rate of injury.

Forklift training also entails knowing how to secure the load on the forks and understanding how loading and unloading work. Operators learn how to check the forklift to make sure it’s safe for use and the different driving principles like adjusting the driving style in adverse weather conditions. The type of training offered is more involved.

Why is ongoing forklift training essential?

Ongoing forklift training is vital as it helps:

Keep the driver happy at the job

One of the best things about regular forklift training is that it keeps the drivers happy in their jobs, which results in better performance. It shows the operators that you’re willing to invest in them a,s a business owner, and that makes them work harder as they see the effort you put in to keep them as part of your team.

Reduce accidents and damage

While working with skilled operators may help you cut down on training costs, you also need to invest in ongoing forklift training. That’s because qualified and accredited operators reduce the risk of damage to goods, equipment, and workplace accidents.

Having to deal with such incidents can cost your business huge sums of money, but this can be prevented with the right training. You can confidently raise profitability and productivity for your business by preventing these accidents and enhancing the efficiency of your operators.

Forklift truck training is essential when you need to have a professional and safe working environment. Ongoing training gives the operator the knowhow on proper risk awareness and assessment. It also equips him with safe driving tips.

Efficiency of operation

What’s more, the courses provided are designed for the equipment you use. The training also takes into consideration the environment you use the equipment in, something that ensures the operators’ train and qualify in the machines they will be using.

Ongoing training also guarantees the efficiency of the operation. The training allows operators to be competent in how they use the forklift and in the way they load and unload. Going through this training enables your business to grow.

Keeping up to date with the latest operating techniques

Another advantage of ongoing training is that it keeps your operators up to date with new techniques to operate forklifts and equips them with vital tips to benefit your business in the long run.

That can include knowing more effective ways of performing routine checks, learning improved methods of handling driving in unexpected weather conditions, and getting more methods of loading and unloading.

Over time, operators may find ways to cut corners to save time. However, this could be dangerous and can lead to loads being damages, accidents happening, and your business suffering ultimately. Ongoing forklift operator training continually refreshes the drivers on the right ways of operation, which they can stick to in the future.

Low insurance premiums

Your business can enjoy lower insurance premiums if you regularly train your drivers. Although this is dependent on your insurance carrier, the companies determine your premiums based on the level of perceived risk. Well-trained operators are considered as less of a threat, which lowers your premiums.

The benefits of onsite forklift truck training

Training your staff onsite gives you an advantage as the operates get to use the equipment and understand how the loads work daily without going to a different training centre. Moreover, you don’t have to spend extra money and waste time by sending your employees to training centres.

The best part is that the training company can work around your working hours to make training more convenient or to minimise staff downtime.

Forklift training courses

Some of the forklift training courses include:

Certification on the different types of forklift trucks

Operators need to undergo training and get certification for each type of forklift truck to run a forklift safely. Forklifts can be electric, diesel, or LPG based. Some common types of forklift trucks include:

-Counterbalance forklift
-Reach Forklift
-Telehandler Forklift

Counterbalance forklift

Counterbalance forklifts are standard in most environments, including storage depots and warehouses that have a reach of 20ft. The fork arms help to balance the forklifts, thanks to the counterweight.

The fork arms and load project from the machine’s front side. Loads can be lowered or raised vertically. Also, the mast can be tilted backwards or forwards up to 15 degrees. These forklifts have a variety of attachments.

Industrial counterbalance forklifts are of different types, but you’ll find the three-wheel models to provide excellent manoeuvrability, especially in narrow aisles.

Reach forklift

Reach forklifts have a mast that stabilises the whole machine. The mast looks like a vertical piece that holds the driver and cab on one side, with the lift and fork on the other side to balance out the loads and equipment.

The fork is perpendicular to the mast and goes through the front of the machine using a scissor mechanism. These forklifts are designed in a way that the operator stands while driving. You can drive the reach forklifts through aisles that are seven feet.

You’ll find these trucks in warehouses where space is limited. When travelling, the load is reached back and carried within the wheelbase to allow manoeuvrability. These forklifts can reach a height of forty feet.

Telescopic handler forklifts

Telescopic handler forklifts are popular in industries that require heavy lifting. You can also find them in agriculture. These forklifts have various features that make them convenient for use in different situations. Some people confuse the forklifts with small cranes.

Moreover, they have the advantage of a single telescopic boom, which allows the truck to be flexible and powerful. Find attachments like.a muck grabber, pallet fork, bucket, and a lift table on the telescopic handlers.

The attachments give the forklift fantastic lifting capabilities, something that allows the operator to complete work at higher heights that regular forklifts can’t reach. These forklifts are popular on construction and in agriculture.

Telescopic forklifts are fitted with a boom that is pivoted at the rear and raised/lowered by hydraulic rams. The boom extends or retracts to provide extra height or reach. The forklifts can be two or four-wheel drive.

Manual handling and kinetics course

Do your operators spend a lot of their time lifting heavy items and manually moving them? You need to ensure they get the right training to do their job efficiently and safely.

Manual handling involves movement or support of any load by carrying, lifting, pulling, pushing, and putting down. That can be done using trolleys or trucks.

The Manual Handling and Kinetics Course is designed for operators involved ib manual handling of any kind in the workplace. This course address the importance of good manual handling, looks at what manual handling is, explores the common injuries operators may suffer from in the workplace, explains the manual handling operation regulations, and teaches on excellent handling techniques.

The course intends to reduce the risks associated with manual handling operations and let the operators know the risks they can encounter in manual handling operations.

Novice instructor and refresher courses

Novice instructor is for operators who don’t have previous knowledge operating forklift tricks. The course goes over all the basics, which makes it lengthier than other levels of training. A typical novice training course takes four to five days, but this varies depending on the class.

Refresher courses target those who have already completed their training but are looking to update their skills or learn more about the changing industry regulations.

It’s recommended to undergo refresher training after every three years to be up to date with the new regulations in the industry.

Conclusion

A forklift training course is not only beneficial to the operators, but it also has numerous benefits for businesses. Companies can cut costs, save time, and enhance productivity in the workplace. Although ongoing forklift driver training isn’t mandatory, its benefits outweigh the initial cost of the investment your business will make. The best part is there are different courses in forklift training. You can opt to choose one that your operators need to ensure the efficiency of operation and maintain safety standards.

Get in touch today to discuss your ongoing forklift training and how we can help.

forklift overview

A Review of 2019 in the Forklift Industry

With 2019 now at its end, there have been plenty of innovations, launches and even events to look back on. Here at Radnes Services we are a registerd CAT dealer and have seen CAT celebrate a year stuffed with exciting new products, prestigious awards and more.

As we hurtle towards 2020 with only a few weeks left to go, it’s well worth looking back and seeing all that has been achieved in the last year.

New product launches

Modified CAT counterbalance trucks

One of the most exciting launches for CAT came towards the end of the year, with modifications to their popular CAT 1.5-3.5 and 4.0-5.5 counterbalance trucks, both in LPG and diesel forms. These changes offer clear benefits over the old models, both in terms of convenience and comfort for users and in terms of functionality and health and safety. A new seat, more modern styling and a brand-new speed limiter all serve to modernise this industry workhorse and make it more appealing to their chosen audience.

CAT lift trucks range extensions

Alongside the modernisation of CAT’s counterbalance trucks, the brand has also been working hard to produce additions to their lift truck range with practical electric hand pallet trucks. Designed to work in tandem with their innovative range of modern forklifts – which debuted the previous year – these lift trucks are easy to handle and higher productivity than ever before. CAT has made these models both ergonomic and cost-effective, making them a must-have for warehouses everywhere.

NOL10P second-level order picker released to order

While CAT’s new range of second-level order pickers was announced right at the end of 2018, these versatile and efficient pieces of equipment became fully available at the start of 2019. They are designed specifically for purpose, with LiftComfort features and high functionality included as standard, the NOL10P plugs a gap in the CAT range by allowing for better controls, faster picking and better comfort overall. The new model is also far more comfortable to drive and use in general, making it ideal for countless warehouses and locations. ECO mode is even included to reduce energy consumption, with a slight reduction in operations required.

Exciting technologies

Developing battery technologies

As part of their display at IMHX 2019, CAT took a closer look at the state of the energy industry when it comes to their vehicles – with some surprising revelations. While the company is moving towards electric machinery, away from their diesel roots, evidence suggests that acid batteries are here to stay, with innovations expected alongside the development of more efficient and powerful lithium-ion batteries. The future is looking greener, and it seems CAT are doing their part.

Newer safety and comfort features

In 2019 CAT has really doubled down on improving the safety and ergonomic nature of their product range, allowing for extended use and more productive working. The development of the newer CAT 1.5-3.5 and 4.0-5.5 counterbalance trucks, in particular, proves that the company is more committed to improvement than ever before. Limiting features, the use of SecurGate and similar technologies has helped to make 2019 one of the safest years for the brand yet. The use of increased comfort features, such as new seats, ensure that CAT remains the best option out there for long working days or extended use of forklifts, trucks or anything else from their range.

Awards and events

IMHX 2019

Amongst the most significant events in the industry calendar is IMHX, a show that takes place every two years at the popular NEC venue. This year, CAT brought their all with the full range of new CAT lift trucks on display, as well as emphasising safety in the workplace. Visitors were able to get up close and personal with some of the newest and most exciting innovations in lift truck technology, as well as explore the developments into powering these exceptional machines.

Red Dot Design Award

CAT has talked away with a prestigious Red Dot Design Award this year, specifically for CAT designers on the work carried out for the EP14 electric counterbalance forklift. This award that was presented in Germany in July continues to show why CAT is top-of-the-line when it comes to thoughtful, functional and high-quality design. Chosen for its ergonomic feel, responsiveness and customised functions, the CAT 48V lift truck was a popular choice to win.

What 2020 will bring

With 2020 less than a month away, it’s unlikely we will hear any new announcements on products or technology this side of the new year. But the following year looks like it could be an exciting one for the forklift industry as a whole and CAT in particular. With forklifts and trucks now competing with EV – electric vehicles – for lithium-ion batteries and technologies, it would come as no surprise if newer batteries or more evolved forms of existing energies appear on the market. This may mean that CAT becomes eco-friendlier and more effective than ever in 2020, alongside other forklift brands.

With recent truck updates in 2019, 2020 may see some exciting new launches to fill in the niches in the CAT catalogue, as well as bringing their existing machinery up to the latest standards set by the CAT 1.5-3.5 and 4.0-5.5 counterbalance truck range. With a design award under their belt for the exceptional quality of the current-gen EP14, there’s no reason why CAT wouldn’t continue to develop and improve upon what’s right in front of them.

Wherever 2020 might bring us, one thing is for sure: CAT continues to be at the top of their game when it comes to forklift, truck and pallet technology – and we can’t wait to see where they’ll take us next. To view our full range of current generation CAT technology, visit our online catalogue here or contact us directly to find out more about what CAT could offer your business.