Visitors to the annual show, for businesses involved with the beverage industry, had the opportunity to visit the Hyster stand in hall 7A of the Exhibition Centre in Nuremberg, Germany. Hyster demonstrated a selection of forklifts adapted specifically for use in the beverage industry with a dedicated team of specialists on hand to discuss a full range of solutions available to optimise drinks handling and storage operations.
“The Drinks industry requires specific solutions tailored to suit individual applications” explains Gavin Tull, Hyster Major Accounts Manager. “For example, when purchasing materials handling equipment, many of our customers need to consider optimising visibility over tall loads, short term hire solutions for peak seasonal periods, or even preventing the risk of an explosion, for example in a distillery operation”.
Hyster has supplied materials handling solutions to Coca Cola bottling and distribution plants in the Czech Republic, Romania and, more recently, Poland, helping to maximise productivity and manage higher product demand during seasonal peak times.
“Hyster helped to increase the overall efficiency of Coca Cola in the Czech Republic by providing double pallet-handling attachments” continues Gavin Tull. “For example, the production line is served by H3.0FT Fortens IC-engine trucks that can transport two pallets at the same time, where previously two 1.5 tonne trucks were used.”
Raised operator Fortens trucks are used at the same plant to maximise visibility over fully laden forks, delivering easier manoeuvrability and increased productivity, so that three pallets of beverages or six pallets of empty packaging can be transported in each cycle, using the double pallet handler attachment.
Hyster and its Czech distribution partner Phoenix Zeppelin have also, in 2008, supplied Plzensky Prazdroj with 130 trucks between 3 and 7 tonnes lifting capacity.
Plzensky Prazdroj – part of SABMiller, the world’s second largest brewing corporation – is Central Europe’s leading brewery, with over 40% market share in the Czech Republic. The company, which comprises 3 breweries and 10 distribution centres, produces and exports several beers to over 50 countries worldwide, including its flagship brand; Pilsner Urquell.
The J3.00XM, 3 tonne capacity, 4-wheel electric truck, featuring a raised operator compartment, is the most common model in Plzensky Prazdroj’s fleet, capable of handling either 2 or 4 pallets at a time, which maximises efficiency. The S7.0FT Fortens “Spacesaver” trucks also play a vital role in the operation with their compact design, short wheelbase and a high (7 tonne) lifting capacity, maximising the utilisation of the available storage space, which is becoming increasingly important as warehouse space becomes less available. This truck offers the driver the same lifting capabilities as a standard 7 tonne capacity H7.0FT Fortens truck, but delivers similar manoeuvrability to a smaller capacity truck.
In other beverage applications, specialist equipment such as explosion protection can be required when handling flammable liquids. Hyster recently supplied global drinks company, Diageo, with various Pyroban explosion protected trucks to help a bottling and storage operation in Scotland, to manage the risk of explosion.
Hyster’s solutions deliver a low cost of operation, maximised productivity and increased efficiency to the drinks industry. Hyster is also a member of the British Brewing, Food & Beverage Industry Suppliers’ Association.