Impact, the UK’s sole distributor for Cat® Lift Trucks, has further expanded its product range after being named an official distributor for Finnish automated guided vehicle (AGV) manufacturer Rocla.
The Nottingham-based materials handling equipment provider is spearheading the innovative technology’s expansion across the UK, with Impact Managing Director Terry Kendrew describing Rocla’s technology as “transformational” for the nation’s industries.
Kendrew says: “Rocla is at the forefront of AGV technology – and Impact recognises its transformative potential for the UK’s industries.
Through our agreement with Rocla, we can now offer a new approach to manufacturing and logistics – and a chance to realise cost-savings that will bring down a company’s bottom line.
“Rocla’s AGVs are ideally suited to repetitive jobs – the kind a human operator may find laborious. By tasking a Rocla AGV with accomplishing that task, companies can get the most out of their workforce, and move that human operator to a more important, productive position on the production line,” Kendrew adds.
“Rocla’s AGVs are relentless. They work 24/7, and can be programmed to handle just about any section of the supply chain.”
AGVs manufactured by Rocla – which has been part of Mitsubishi Nichiyu Forklift group since 2009 – share many common components with Cat® lift trucks, meaning Impact is ideally placed to help the UK’s companies adopt, optimise, install and operate the time-saving technology.
Impact’s technical training managers have undertaken a comprehensive ‘train the trainer’ programme at Rocla’s Finland headquarters, and have since passed on the skills needed to maintain the AGVs to staff manning Impact’s service and maintenance network.
Most commonly programmed to operate through laser triangulation – which sees the vehicles scanning for reflective strips placed on warehouse racking, for example – Rocla’s AGVs can navigate without the need for costly under-floor wiring installation.
Such an approach also means a company’s AGV fleet can be reprogrammed and retasked easily, and thanks to an extensive catalogue of loadhandling equipment, Impact can now provide its customers with the right AGV for every application.
Rocla’s AGV technology already has a firm foothold in mainland Europe, where its range of more than 1,000 AGV systems supports industries varying from dairy product manufacturing and distribution to paper mills, with more than 7,000 units already in operation.
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