‘Many hands make light work,’ or so the old saying tells us. But as one Scottish construction firm discovered, many wheels doesn’t necessarily make a heavy application lighter – or more efficient. At BHC Ltd’s steel fabrication facility in Lanarkshire, cumbersome sideloaders and telehandlers struggled to keep up with the company’s growth. Founded in 1992, BHC is one of Scotland’s largest structural steelwork fabricators: supplying material for large projects including airports, shopping centres and warehouses.
When the firm wanted to expand steel production to 600 tonnes per week, Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks’ dealer Douglas Gillespie Plant (DGP) was approached for a time and space-saving solution. With over 40 years’ experience in the materials handling industry, DGP is well-versed in heavy applications.
“The customer was looking to maximise efficiency and minimise downtime during work days lasting 18 hours,” explains DGP’s Sales Manager Brian Docherty. “To achieve this, the new fleet had to be reliable, rugged, low maintenance and easy to manoeuvre.”
Working with the customer, DGP decided that the best way to feed the busy production line would be a package of four diesel counterbalance trucks: two Mitsubishi 4 tonne FD40Ks and two 5 tonne FD50Ks. Low emissions and noise levels make them ideal for working in the factory as well as the loading area outside.
To maximise their performance, some of the trucks were modified. Fitted cabins allow drivers to work indoors and outdoors in comfort. A wide carriage and twin wheels have been added to one 5 tonne truck so the weight of long, heavy pieces of steel can be safely spread.
“I’ve worked with Brian and the team at Douglas Gillespie Plant in the past,” explains BHC’s Managing Director Brian Hewitt, “so, I knew I could rely upon them to provide an effective answer to our problem. They were very proactive in putting together a package which helped our production levels – and company – to grow.
“Their excellent after-sales care, service and maintenance played a big part in our decision-making process. They understand the needs of their customer as well as their customer’s marketplace, which is essential in a business as non-stop as construction.”
Mike Jones, General Manager of Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks UK, says: “I’m delighted to hear of the high level of service that BHC received from Douglas Gillespie Plant, but it’s hardly surprising. DGP, like every dealer in our network, has an excellent reputation for its customer care. In fact, that’s one of the key criteria we use when choosing dealers.
“What’s more, all of those dealers benefit from the full support of the global Mitsubishi organisation and its resources. This enables them to respond quickly to their customers’ day-to-day needs and provide a total support package that meets all of their requirements.”
BHC Ltd
Tel: 01555 840006
www.bhc.ltd.uk
Douglas Gillespie Plant
Tel: 0141 880 8811
www.douglas-gillespie.co.uk
Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks
Tel: Greenline 0845 371 3048
Tel: 0118 988 0221
Fax: 0118 988 0347
www.mitsubishi-forklift.co.uk
Comments are closed.