One of Ireland’s leading suppliers of timber and timber-based products, Cranwood Industries, has just added a fourth Combilift 4-way forklift to its fleet, having acquired its first – which is still going strong – in 2002. Since the company was established over 20 years ago it has been involved in some of the most prestigious construction projects in Ireland and as part of the Murdock Builders’ Merchants Group it also supplies its nine depots across the country.
Cranwood’s sawmill at Warrenpoint in County Down has recently been upgraded to a purpose built 3 acre factory to meet consumer demand for its highly specialised custom moulded products in both hardwood and softwood. Due to the wide variety and varying dimensions of stock, a versatile approach to materials handling is crucial to ensure quick and easy offloading, transport and despatch of the 2,500m³ of timber and sheet materials that are housed in the mill.
The current total of three 4 tonne capacity C4000 models and one 4-way sideloader, all diesel powered, have replaced 2-directional sideloaders. Their multidirectional capability has been of considerable benefit as Operations Manager Paul Smyth explains: “the manoeuvrability of the trucks was a real attraction – it allows them to nip in and out of aisles and around obstacles making procedures quicker all round and the drivers also appreciate the improved visibility from the cab.”
The C4000’s are used mainly for loading, offloading and in the despatch area where they handle lengths of up to around 6m. They service a small section of racking as well as a storage area where bales are block stacked four high and two wide. Their 4-way ability comes into its own again here, allowing them to access the spaces between bales to pick wherever and whatever is needed, which was impossible with the previous trucks given their limited manoeuvrability. The higher 5t lift capacity of the SL model is ideal for handling heavier duty packs of hardwood and sheet materials which tend to be wider and bulkier than the timber products.
“We work our forklifts hard here,” says Paul. “They are on the go constantly from 7am to 5.30pm, and it is testament to the quality of the machines that our first Combilift, with over 11 years of service, is still as good as the newer ones when it comes to performance and reliability.”
Combilift Ltd
Tel: 00353 47 80500
UK Tel: 07870 976 758
Email: info@combilift.com
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