The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is at the forefront of scientific research on the frozen continent and has recently signed a contract with Briggs Equipment for a short-term hire (STH) machine that will help its massive logistics operation.
Every year BAS sends two ships – RSS Ernest Shackleton and RSS James Clark Ross – to Antarctica and putting the stores together at its headquarters can prove a massive task, especially when the ships are due to set sail or return to the UK.
Mick Cliff, Stores Manager at BAS explains “every year we handle around 1,000 tonnes of cargo, which can include everything from toilet rolls to high-tech scientific equipment. We already have a 2.5 tonne machine from Briggs on a long term contract, but during the UK’s summer months (winter in Antarctica) we are at our busiest – unloading equipment and samples that have returned from Antarctica and then reloading for use over the Antarctic summer.”
To help BAS cope with the extra workload, Briggs have supplied one of its latest Yale machines on a four month STH agreement. The three tonne LPG powered vehicle is one of the latest additions to Briggs’ STH fleet and is less than a year old. With a reach height of five metres and 1300mm forks, the truck’s reliability will be crucial to the success of this year’s expeditions.
Continues Mick: “We are always working to very strict deadlines so reliability is essential, as is an efficient stores operation. We have turned to Briggs once again because we have been impressed by both the equipment and their service and support functions.”
Adds Allan Parsons, asset manager of Briggs Equipment “We are delighted to help BAS in support of its vital research operation in Antarctica. This latest contract also illustrates the high regard in which our STH service is held and the quality of our state-of-the-art fleet.”
Briggs Equipment UK Ltd
Tel: 03301 239814
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