Draka doubles storage space with Combilift and Aisle-Master

Draka is a brand of the globally successful Prysmian Group and its facility in Aberdeen supplies oil rigs and drilling platforms with a wide range of power, telecommunications, instrumentation and control cabling, providing custom cut lengths from a few metres up to 20,000m reels.

By replacing its old counterbalance forklift and reach truck with a 4-way Combilift and an Aisle-Master, Draka has doubled storage capacity in its premises and avoided costly and disruptive relocation. Business Unit Manager Graham Ross says: “We were nearing saturation point and had considered moving, but we realised we could probably stay put if we re-evaluated the performance of our materials handling equipment.”

Combilift provided warehouse layouts illustrating the space savings that could be achieved and showed the advantages of the indoor/outdoor capability of both trucks. This offers much more versatility compared to the old system where each forklift had a very limited area of operation: counterbalance for the yard and reach truck inside.

The Aisle-Master’s ability to work in narrow aisles enabled extra storage bays to be added to accommodate over 700 reels, double the previous number. This has also allowed more products to be kept undercover, providing better security for the most valuable cables. Aisle-Master was also a much more cost effective option than going down the traditional VNA route which requires guidance systems and very flat floors.

The reels handled at Draka’s facility differ greatly in size and weight – from around 100kg up to 3t. The combination of the 2.5t electric Aisle-Master and the heavier duty Combilift C5000XL diesel model ensures all products can be handled easily and quickly, in the yard and within the racking. The Combilift’s slightly longer than standard platform (1500mm) accords to the sizes of reels and its extended load centre enables the heaviest drums to be lifted securely to the top beam height of 5.6m.

“A counterbalance truck capable of doing this would require a 6 or 7t capacity,” said Graham, “and the room needed for manoevering would have a severe impact on space availability.”

Operators also benefit from features which reduce manual strain and make the working environment more comfortable. The Aisle- Master has hydraulically operated fork positioners that can be controlled from within the cab to easily adjust the fork widths to the varying diameters of the reels. The enclosed cab on the Combilift also protects them from the elements – which can be harsh indeed in Aberdeen. In addition its multi-directional capability allows it to get very close to the cutting machine. “Our operators have enough manual handling to do during the custom cutting operation, so anything we can do to reduce this is an advantage,” said Graham.

Both trucks are on a contract hire agreement with Gray Forklift Services. “We value the advice and service that Grays give us,” said Graham. “In this instance they have enabled us to remain on site whilst improving operational efficiency and creating more storage space. Reconfiguring and installing the new racking took just a few days so disruption was kept to a minimum. The new forklifts have proved to be reliable workhorses that do just what we need, all day long.”