Warrenpoint Harbour awards Barloworld forklift contract

May 11, 2012 - PRLog -- Warrenpoint Harbour in Northern Ireland has awarded Barloworld Handling a contract for the supply of a new fleet of Hyster forklift trucks with 7,000kg lift capacity.
Warrenpoint Harbour receives up to 1,000 ships a year and when the busy port required new materials handling equipment, it chose Barloworld Handling to supply and support four new Hyster H7.0FT Fortens forklift trucks.

The Hyster forklifts are required to operate around the clock, over 12 hour shifts, transporting bails of timber and steel, as well as other materials. They play a key role at the port, as Ciaran Cunningham, Harbour Engineer at Warrenpoint Harbour, explains. “We mainly handle timber and steel loads and with a 700 metre long quay, we simply  wouldn't be able to discharge effectively without highly productive forklifts to transport the goods.”

Barloworld Handling has provided a range of equipment and service support to Warrenpoint Harbour over the past 15 years, and has built up a strong working relationship with the harbour authority.

“We have used Hyster forklift trucks in the past and one of the reasons for selecting Barloworld to supply the new trucks is that the previous Hyster models lasted so well, continuing to deliver excellent performance even in our demanding operation” adds Ciaran. “Hyster trucks have always been very good, but the latest Fortens trucks are by far the best we’ve had.”

Several other truck suppliers were involved in the tender process until Barloworld was awarded the contract, which is the first phase of a £1million investment for Warrenpoint Harbour.

“We have significant experience supporting tough port operations and have supplied Warrenpoint Harbour with dependable Hyster trucks, service and operator training for many years” says Colin McNeely, Regional Sales Manager for Barloworld Handling. “Hyster Fortens forklift trucks are reputable for delivering reliability and a low cost of operation even in demanding applications, such as exposed port operations.”

In such an intense operation, the design of the Hyster Fortens helps to combat fatigue and discomfort, enhancing operator satisfaction, which in turn can help to boost productivity.

“I hear excellent reviews of the Hyster forklift trucks from the drivers.” says Ciaran Cunningham.  “It seems the Fortens series has been designed around the driver and his productivity.”

Required to operate outdoors throughout the year, covered cabs protect the forklift drivers from the elements and the higher seat position enhances visibility.  The design and layout of the forklift truck also aids drivers in their essential daily checks, with easily accessible components making the checks easier and quicker to complete.

A key factor in the decision making process was the high level of service support offered by Barloworld.  The trucks have been supplied on a 3 year full service support contract, offering 24 hour call-out, which is important to the busy operation, to maintain the fleet and in the event of a breakdown.  

“We have onsite engineers at Warrenpoint but in a 24 hour operation, it is important that the Barloworld service engineers are available 24 hours a day” adds Ciaran.

To help maintain productivity and safety Barloworld Handling has also provided operator training to Warrenpoint Harbour, which is strategically located at the head of Carlingford Lough on the economic corridor half way between Dublin and Belfast on Ireland’s East coast.  

Barloworld is the UK distribution partner for Hyster and has over 50 years experience in providing efficient materials handling solutions. The company operates 17 service centres across the UK and employs some 500 mobile technicians.

For further information, go to http://www.barloworld.co.uk/

ENDS – 580 WORDS

High res image available at http://www.molokini.co.uk/news/client-news/barloworld-han...


NOTES TO EDITORS
Barloworld is the largest independent distributor of lift trucks in the world with operations covering the UK, Holland, Belgium and Southern Africa.  As the UK’s exclusive distributor of Hyster equipment since 1956, Barloworld maintains nearly 25,000 lift trucks in all types of UK industry.  
Barloworld provides a complete range of counterbalance and warehousing equipment with superior support, advice and value added services through its network of 1,000 support staff including 500 engineers nationwide.
Visit www.barloworld.co.uk


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