Yale Gears up for FLTA innovation award

For the second year running, Yale Europe Materials Handling has been shortlisted for the Innovation category in the 2010 Fork Lift Truck Association Awards.

Yale is in line for the award thanks to its ongoing dedication to innovative forklift truck design and this year the spotlight falls on its ‘YaleStop’ automatic park brake.

You can vote for YaleStop here .

Always in Control
YaleStop is automatically activated when the forklift truck is not in motion or when the operator is not seated. It works in a similar way to the feature fitted on many premium cars and is now a standard feature on all of Yale’s new generation of electric counterbalance forklift trucks, including the recently launched VL and VG series.

In applications where an operator is frequently required to get ‘on’ and ‘off’ the forklift, YaleStop helps to significantly increase efficiency as the need for the application of a manual handbrake is removed making the operator more productive.

YaleStop also helps increase controllability on ramps and inclines by minimising the risk of roll-back. This significantly helps improve operator driving comfort and efficient operation.

An added benefit is that there are no annoying buzzers associated with the handbrake not being set correctly when an operator leaves a truck fitted with a manual handbrake.

Shortlist Success
Following the shortlist announcement Richard Czepukojc, marketing communications executive at Yale said: “We are really pleased that that the selection committee has put forward YaleStop for the FLTA Awards Final.

“YaleStop is automatically applied making it a unique feature currently not offered by other manufacturers. It has received continuous positive feedback from forklift operators since its launch and we are quietly confident that the readers of Logisitics Business Magazine will recognise the benefits it provides to the operator and vote for it in the innovation category”.

You can vote for Yale by visiting the FLTA website: www.fork-truck.org.uk/awards.

For further information on Yale’s new generation of electric counterbalance forklift trucks visit the dedicated microsite at www.electric-forklifts.eu. lternatively you can view the full range of products and find your nearest dealer at www.yale-forklifts.eu.

Yale Opens Doors with versatile fleet

A distribution centre in Wolverhampton has taken delivery of a fleet of 15 new forklift trucks and warehouse equipment demonstrating how Yale dealers can offer a complete materials handling solution with one point of contact.

Yale UK responded to the brief proposed by ASSA ABLOY, the global leader in door opening solutions, by suggesting a combination of Yale's new generation of forklift trucks and power pallet trucks meeting the customer's varied storage and transportation requirements.

Two VF series forklift trucks, the most manoeuvrable four wheel electric counterbalance truck currently available, are used in the goods inward area. As space is at a premium, the trucks maximise floor space utilisation and provide a turning radius comparable with a three-wheel forklift truck.

One new VG series cushion tyre electric counterbalance forklift truck has been identified as the ideal vehicle to transport the large multi-point locks that are over 6 foot tall. The 2,500kg capacity forklift truck also features Yale’s ‘Hi-Vis’ high visibility mast and is able to reach the top beam in the warehouse, which is over 5.3m tall, whilst operating in the confined aisles.

In the despatch area four pedestrian motorised pallet trucks have eliminated the need for the order picking team to wait for a forklift truck operator to move the heavier products. As a result of installing the new MP18 power pallet trucks, time has been saved for both the pickers and the forklift operator.

More information on the installation at the Assa Abloy distribution centre will be uploaded onto Yale's web site soon.

First Showing of VL Series

The very first showing of the new four-wheel VL electric counterbalance series of forklift trucks took place at the Logistica exhibition in Utrecht last week.

Attracting a considerable amount of attention particularly the side extraction version feedback was extremely positive. Here’s an image from the stand.

Further information on the benefits and features of the new VL forklift truck are in the recent blog article Yale VL - ICE performance, zero emissions.

YALE VL – ICE PERFORMANCE, ZERO EMISSIONS

Yale ERP22-35VL 80V
Productivity *****
Performance *****
Features *****
Lifetime operating costs *****

Yale’s ambitious electric counterbalance forklift development programme continues with the launch of the 80-Volt VL series, the most ergonomically advanced and productive counterbalance forklift series in the 2200kg to 3500kg capacity available today.

Compact in design, the new VL offers a performance most commonly associated with diesel and LPG forklift trucks, but without all of the associated environmental disadvantages.

Productivity ***** - Choice of HiP or eLo setting offers users the option of high productivity and low energy consumption

Performance ***** - Four performance modes allow operators to tailor the truck’s performance to specific applications within the two productivity settings

Features ***** - One of the most ergonomically advanced forklift truck series available. Features include:
• easy on/off access and three point entry;
• unobstructed floor space with right-hand access;
• generous headroom, comfortably accommodating the smallest (<160cm)to>194cm) operators;
• AccuTouch™ mini lever module featuring cushioned arm and palm rest with fingertip control of levers to reduce repetitive strain injuries (RSI);
• full suspension seat providing class leading reductions in Whole Body Vibration (WBV) levels.

Lifetime operating costs ***** - increased productivity and uptime, combined with reduced maintenance costs delivers reduced lifetime operating costs

Yale says: *****
Daniel Heap, Electric Truck Senior Product Development Manager, says: “Combining compactness with the levels of performance normally associated with internal combustion engine trucks, the VL is suitable for use both indoors or outside, especially in environments where space is at a premium.

“Together with the other new electric forklift trucks within the range, the VT, VF and VG, the VL demonstrates how Yale is responding to the challenging market place and providing a full range of products that are both productive and efficient.”

This week's Warehouse & Logistics News has a full page on the VL.: http://grandflame.co.uk/digital_editions/warehouse/nov1/ - See page 10.

For further information log on to the Yale web site: http://www.yale-forklifts.eu/ or Yale's dedicated electric counterbalance microsite: http://www.electric-forklifts.eu/.

YALE STEELS THE SHOW

One of Yale’s oldest UK customers is benefiting from improved efficiency and reliability after taking delivery of a new fleet of counterbalance forklift trucks from Forkway Group, a key Yale Authorised Dealer in England, more than 50 years after ordering their first vehicle from the manufacturer.

Heras UK Fencing Systems in Doncaster bought a pedestrian tow truck from Yale in 1956 and still use it every day to transport loads of up to two tonnes around the factory.

The 53-year-old Yale truck now works alongside five new electric and diesel-powered Yale counterbalance forklifts delivered by Forkway’s Doncaster branch with a full maintenance and service contract, ensuring maximum uptime and enhanced productivity for the steel fence making company.

Arthur Street, purchasing manager for Heras, explains why he chose Yale. “Although the tow truck is the oldest piece of equipment we have in the whole company, it is the most reliable truck we have ever had,” he said.

“It has been used all day every day for 53 years and has never once let us down, even having to work on uneven surfaces such as cobbled floors and disused railway lines which ran through our previous factory. When we moved premises in 1999 it was vital that this piece of machinery came with us, whereas most other machinery was replaced.”

The tow truck is used to transport trolleys carrying steel parts weighing one to two tonnes around the factory and makes between 12 and 20 journeys a day, even pulling a skip on some journeys.

The company makes a wide range of steel fencing for the industrial and commercial sectors and having a reliable fleet of trucks is essential for the business to operate.

The tow truck works so well that Heras have not even considered replacing it yet, but its proven reliability and longevity made Yale the obvious choice when its fleet of forklifts needed upgrading.

“Our trucks are constantly on the go lifting very heavy steel parts and are needed in every area of the factory, so it’s really important we have a fleet we can rely on. Having had Yale before we knew that they would be very good trucks.

“Forkway also offered the best value for money and the best overall deal. The contract came with excellent aftercare service, including a monthly fleet management review to ensure our overall package is being delivered and to arrange any necessary maintenance work.”

Heras required a new fleet that could perform a variety of different operations with a maximum load of three tonne and a maximum height of four and a half metres.

Arthur said: “Forkway impressed us with the effort they put into finding the best deal for us. They had the best approach when it came to identifying our needs and satisfying our requirements. They put a lot of effort into determining the best specification and assessing what combination of trucks was needed to maximise our overall efficiency and therefore our profits.”

Forkway identified a combination of counterbalance forklift trucks to best meet Heras’ needs, including one 3 tonne electric forklift, one 2.5 tonne diesel Veracitor VX forklift, two 3 tonne Veracitor VX diesels and one 4 tonne Veracitor VX diesel.

The forklift trucks are used to put steel parts in racks both in and outside of the warehouse, transport finished jobs, take material to the galvaniser, load 40-foot trailers and delivery vehicles, transport steel internally and move material around the factory.

To make the fleet even more versatile the Yale Veracitor VX forklift trucks have been upgraded to include Techtronix transmission and fitted with telescopic forks.

Gary Hawkhead, regional sales and marketing director at Forkway, was in charge of finding the best deal for Heras and oversees the team managing the continual maintenance and service contract. He said: “Forkway didn’t just deliver a fleet of trucks to Heras, we delivered a solution. We concentrate on introducing equipment with enhanced specification to deliver greater efficiency and improved reliability to the customer, with overall focus on uptime.”

For further details on the all of the trucks within Yale’s electric and internal combustion engine counterbalance forklift trucks, and to find your nearest Yale forklift truck dealer, log on to www.yale-forklifts.eu.

Rising to the Challenge

Next week, over 100 Dealer Principals from the Yale dealer network in Europe, Africa and the Middle East will be joining Yale management and the company's sales and marketing teams at a two day conference in Barcelona.

Rising to the Challenge has been chosen as the theme for the conference with the core focus being the company's strategic plan for positioning itself and the dealer network to take advantage of the upturn in the materials handling market now being forecast by industry pundits for 2010.

New products from the NexGen electric counterbalance range and product developments from the Veracitor VX and Warehouse Equipment ranges will be launched to the dealer network during the two day event.

Managing Director Frank Ulbricht said: "The market is tougher than many can remember and bringing everyone together in Barcelona is the ideal opportunity to share with our Dealer network how we are successfully adapting to the current economic climate and focusing on key actions to position ourselves for the upturn. Not least of all it provides us with the opportunity to show our Dealer owners new products that will energize everyone involved in our organisation as we move out of this recession."

The conference takes place in Barcelona on 15 and 16 September.

Yale Demonstrates Customisation Capabilities

When choosing new materials handling equipment it is vital to purchase a product that meets the application requirements. There are times however when a standard product can not meet the specific requirements and a specially engineered product has to be designed.

Yale consistently demonstrates to its customers its commitment to providing the product they need, often by designing a customised truck. In the case of a major company supplying chipboard to furniture manufacturer production lines, this was the case.

Together with authorised dealer, Stapler Center Pieckert in Empfingen, Germany, Yale has designed a truck based on the Yale MR reach truck. Instead of a standard mast the truck features a new 3,000kg lifting device.

The modification allows the smooth chipboard to be placed on driven roller conveyors, which then passes them to stationary belts in the production facility. The truck, which is now 4,000mm long and 1,700mm wide, has hydraulic clamps that hold the chipboard securely as it is being transported.

Equipped with an 840Ah battery for multiple-shift use the truck can be operated by one operator who also controls and monitors all the truck functions on four different displays.

In addition to having to modify the steelwork, all the functions of the truck, sensors and limit switches in the CANbus control system had to be redesigned. The truck has now been in service for over six months and is expected to operate for around 2,800 hours per year.

Karsten Pieckert, who led the customisation project, said: “Within Yale’s comprehensive equipment portfolio there is often a standard product that can be developed for particularly demanding applications. It’s one of the strengths of the Yale product. Yale trucks are built to last using industrial type components. They are dependable and reliable and that’s why we are a Yale Dealer . . . quality counts.

“And with customers operating in such a wide variety of industries demanding ever increasing customisation, having a product that can be tailored to meet a customer’s needs is so important in today’s marketplace.

“Our work with customers throughout the region means that we have experience of many different applications and we can put this to good use when designing bespoke attachments with the Yale engineers to fulfil specific customer requests.”

For further details on the full range of Yale materials handling equipment or to find your nearest Yale forklift truck dealer to discuss your individual needs, log on to http://www.yale-forklifts.eu/.

- ends -

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What is most important?

What is most important when chosing a new forklift truck?

• Productivity
• Ergonomics
• Local dealership with fast service response time
• Lifetime cost of ownership
• Initial price

Let us know by voting on the panel on the right.

Taking electric counterbalance trucks to new heights

Yale ERCP22-35VG 80V
Productivity *****
Performance *****
Features *****
Lifetime operating costs *****

After launching the next generation of electric powered forklift trucks, the VT and the VF, Yale has added to the range with the introduction of the VG cushion tyre series offering capacities from 2,200kg to 3,500 kg.

Productivity ***** Choice of HiP or eLo setting offers users the option of high productivity and low energy consumption

Performance ***** Four performance modes allow operators to tailor the truck’s performance to specific applications within the two productivity settings

Features ***** Designed with ergonomics in mind features include:

• Minimised whole body vibrations



• Accutouch mini lever module featuring a cushioned arm and palm rest with fingertip control of levers helping to reduce repetitive strain injuries (RSI)



• Maximised dashboard space for operator convenience and 2 litre capacity dashboard providing space for clipboards, pens, mobile phones and drinks with an optional 12V power socket



• Heads up display offers quick, at a glance updates, freeing up the driver’s field of vision for more productive handling



• Easy operator access with three point entry and anti-slip steel mesh step plate



• The ‘YaleStop’ automatic park brake increases productivity dramatically where the driver is frequently moving on and off the truck and eliminates the need for alarms and buzzers alerting operators that the handbrake has not been set

Lifetime operating costs ***** Increased productivity and uptime, combined with reduced maintenance costs delivers reduced lifetime operating costs

Yale says: *****
Daniel Heap, Electric Truck Senior Product Development Manager for NMHG, says the VG series is part of the next generation of forklift trucks. It has been through the most extensive product development and reliability growth testing ever undertaken by the company. He says: “We have worked exhaustively to develop a range of forklift trucks that meet all the demands of our customers’ businesses as well as their operators.”

Further information: http://www.yale-forklifts.eu/

Yale expands Dealer network in Russia

Yale has strengthened its commitment to the Russian market after concluding negotiations with three new independent Dealers.

NPK Avtomatizatsiya in St Petersburg, LADA DC in Togliatti and Business Machinery Group in Yekaterinburg have become the latest exclusive Authorised Dealers to distribute and service its range of Yale forklift trucks and warehouse equipment.

Senior Management from each dealership attended a successful New Dealer Meeting in St Petersburg in July to discuss the long-term strategy for Yale in Russia and how to build the brand in the country by working together.

Long-term and meaningful relationships

Christophe Maillet, Regional Manager for Yale Europe, commented: “Russia is an extremely important market for Yale and we intend to work closely with our existing and new Dealers to continue to build long-term and meaningful relationships with customers by providing them with the highest levels of customer service, in the delivery of new forklift trucks manufactured in Europe and aftersales support.

“Expanding our Dealer network is key to the future growth of Yale, particularly in expanding economies like Russia. We are excited about the opportunities that working with the new Dealers presents and establishing Yale’s coverage throughout the country to provide customers with the national coverage they need. Local dealerships with excellent service response times combined with products and support from a true global manufacturer is what we believe is required to be successful in the Russian market”

Increase Yale brand recognition

Elena Menshikova, Director of Business Machinery Group in Yekaterinburg, added: “Yale is a known brand globally but not that widely recognised in Russia at present. Being a Yale Dealer will allow us to use our expertise to develop sales and brand recognition in our territory and provide our customers with a great product and take advantage of the highest service levels that our company already provides in other areas of our business.”

Victor Tatarinov, founder of LADA DC, concluded: “Yale brings us the advantage of a complete product range of forklift trucks and warehouse equipment that will provide us a considerable edge over many other manufacturers and allow us to provide customers with a complete materials handling solution. Being a Yale Dealer will allow us to build on our market share through new business development programs.”

Four Authorised Yale Dealers

In Russia, Yale’s comprehensive range of forklift trucks and warehouse equipment is now distributed through a network of four Authorised Dealers including MSB, located in Moscow.

For further details on the full range of Yale forklift trucks and material handling equipment, visit http://www.yale-forklifts.eu/

Plant Visit, Craigavon, Northern Ireland

Earlier this week Richard Czepukojc from Yale Marketing in Fleet, accompanied by colleagues from Yale’s external PR team who are specialising in Digital Communications, visited the NMHG Craigavon manufacturing plant in Northern Ireland.

The purpose of the trip was to develop editorial on the Craigavon facility and the new production line for Yale’s Next Generation of electric forklift trucks.

Already producing the VT and VF counterbalance electric forklift trucks, the plant will soon start to produce the next model in the Yale electric series upgrade programme later this year – the VL, a four wheel electric counterbalance supercushion tyre forklift truck in capacities from 2200kg to 3500kg.

Alan Little, plant manager in Craigavon, explained the history of the site since its foundation in 1979 and how it has changed and evolved to meet the company’s manufacturing requirements as a worldwide organisation.

The efficiency of the production lines was immediately evident. A new frame can be produced every 15 minutes when the plant is operating at full capacity, up to 90 forklift truck masts can be produced each day and with less than 3 per cent of the forklift trucks having exactly the same specification, the production line has been designed to manage this high level of customisation during assembly with the minimum effect on productivity.

Production at the plant is on a demand-led basis so all operators are trained in several areas of assembly and manufacture. As a direct result of this high level of training they can easily move between stations and also gain the maximum levels of personal development.

Information on our new supercushion tyre 80 volt electric forklift truck will be released in the coming months – keep visiting http://www.yale-forklifts.eu/ for further details.

To see our operators in action at the plant, click here to see our videos:

• Wiring the electronics within the seat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PffeiMcpMK8
  

• Testing load capacities: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao9eewuoTJ8
  

• Gradient test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-LGlC9B8Wg
  

Yale strengthens its distribution channel in the Netherlands

In a move to strengthen the Yale distribution channel in the Netherlands, Wynmalen B.V., the Authorised Dealer in the Netherlands for Yale Europe Materials Handling, has been purchased by Peter Venn, who, through his ownership of Yale SLT Fördertechnik GmbH, is a Yale exclusive Dealer in the east of Germany. The new company will revert to its former name of ‘Yale Nederland B.V.’ with immediate effect.

Despite the challenging economic and market conditions the move demonstrates the commitment by Yale and Peter Venn to customers in the Netherlands and the development of the Yale brand in the Dutch market.

Mr. Venn has extensive industry knowledge and experience in running successful forklift truck dealerships that he will bring to the company. He sees the acquisition of Wynmalen B.V. as an excellent opportunity to build on the reputation of a Yale dealership that has been long-established in Vlaardingen and to increase market share and brand recognition in the Netherlands.

Continuing to run his dealership, Yale SLT Fördertechnik GmbH in Heidenau, the close relationship with Yale will be developed further to support the development of the new dealership and establish long term relationships with customers in the Netherlands.

Commenting on the acquisition he stated that: “Yale Nederland B.V. will focus on expanding the business and providing Yale forklift truck users with the highest possible levels of customer service. I am extremely happy to take over the long-standing business of Yale in the Netherlands. Yale is a well established brand with many significant and long-standing customers in the Netherlands. Our focus will be to further improve service to them.”

Frank Ulbricht, managing director of Yale Europe Materials Handling, continued: “I am very happy to see the Yale business in the capable hands of a well established owner who has a proven track record at Yale SLT Fördertechnik in eastern Germany to successfully run a Yale dealership and develop our footprint further. I am looking forward to a continued and close collaboration with Yale Nederland under his management.”

Yale is committed to developing its extensive independent dealer network and to provide customers throughout the world with a local service backed up by the support and expertise of a global company.

For further details on the full range of Yale forklift trucks and Warehouse equipment, log on to http://www.yale-forklifts.eu/.

Yale Enters the Digital Age

In addition to the launch of the forkliftsRus blog, Yale has increased its online presence with the launch of an extensive European-wide web site, the formation of a dedicated online resource for the Middle East and entry into the world of Twitter.

Both the European web site and the Middle East resource have been designed to be easy to navigate whilst mirroring the style and attention to detail that goes into creating our class leading materials handling equipment.

Along with product and company information, the site also features an online press office, which includes an opportunity to post industry questions to MD Frank Ulbricht, an RSS feed, aftersales support, used forklift truck information, links to dealers and information on Yale Financial Services.

Translated into seven languages, the site can be found at the following addresses:

- English: www.yale-forklifts.eu
- French: www.yale-chariots.eu
- German: www.yale-gabelstapler.eu
- Spanish: www.yale-carretillas.eu
- Italian: www.yale-carrelli.eu
- Dutch: www.yale-vorkhefttrucks.eu
- Russian: www.yale-forklifts.ru

A second web resource, www.yale-me.com has also been established as a dedicated web site for Yale in the Middle East.

Richard Czepukojc, Yale Europe’s marketing communications executive, says: “We know that more and more people are using the web for research before making purchasing decisions and increasingly see it as a valuable resource.

“Our new web site is much easier to navigate and features much more information than the previous site.

“We are also very excited about our first blog. We will be featuring many different articles on forkliftsRus and are looking to use it as a two way communication channel. We are inviting people to comment on the articles we post, tell us their views and contribute if they have suitable articles they want us to publish.”

To mark the company’s new digital offering, we have also entered the world of Twitter. Our most up to date tweets can be viewed here on the blog in the right hand navigation panel or you can find Yale_Forklifts on Twitter.com and follow us.

In essence, by improving our digital digital communications channels we are hoping to increase dialogue with customers, dealers and the media and we look forward to receiving your comments on our posts here at forkliftsRus.

Yale Lifts Brakes on Charity Ride

Three employees of Brakes have raised thousands of pounds for charity with a little help from lift truck manufacturer Yale.

Staff from Brakes UK rode 152 miles from Whitehaven to Sunderland sporting kits sponsored by Yale Europe. Their epic challenge raised £3,400 for three charities - Operation Smile, Halton Haven (local hospice) and Cancer Research UK.

Brakes employs over 9,000 people in 70 locations and is the UK’s leading supplier to the catering industry.

Richard Czepukojc, Yale Europe’s marketing communications executive, said of the challenge: “Brakes UK has been a key Yale customer for many years and we were delighted to help support their charity ride.”

Yale is one of Europe’s fastest-growing forklift truck brands, producing a full range of forklift trucks and warehouse equipment in capacities from 1000kg to 16000 kg.

Welcome to ForkliftsRus

ForkliftsRus has been created to keep you up to date with all things forklift on behalf of Yale.

We hope you will find our blog posts interesting and useful and we are also looking forward to hearing from you.

For product information, dealer contacts, company information, aftersales and used FLTs visit our company website: http://www.yale-forklifts.eu/.