Logistics are set to be a key area in light of the UK leaving the EU.

Already there are reports of companies in the timber and building product industries investing in extra warehousing space or even opening up new operations to hold a greater level of stock as they hedge against the potential of imported product delays or other problems in light of Brexit.

Keeping supply flows moving and ensuring product availability to customers is front of mind at many distributors, importers and sawmillers supplying the UK.

TTJ has heard that the Irish sawmilling industry is currently examining increased storage options in the UK to hold greater levels of stock to mitigate any potential border delays following Brexit.

Analyst Barbour ABI said the first three quarters of 2018 saw £2.2bn in warehouse construction contracts – £800m up on the same period in 2016.

Some of this is linked to greater consumer internet spending, but a range of industries are also expanding their storage capabilities.

Forkift and sideloader manufacturers are aware of these dynamics and are busy refining their offering to help distributors and suppliers increase their materials handling efficiency.

But, of course, there are other factors outside of Brexit.

Electric vehicle trend

Emission standards for diesel forklift trucks are about to get a lot stricter with Euro-Stage V, as of January next year. And, at the same time, electric truck technology is getting better. “Advances in battery technology are prompting users to re-evaluate their fleet requirements,” said Jason Reynolds, managing director of Baumann UK.

“It’s leading to an improved working environment, but the move towards electric vehicles continues. Cost, noise, safety, performance and reliability are all important factors, not just emissions. The pace at which this change is happening has surprised us.”

Mr Reynolds said ever-tightening emissions regulations have pushed engine technology forward, with today’s new forklift fleets having some of the cleanest engines ever made. But they’re also at their most complicated.

He also noted that timber pack sizes were now more varied, so as a result, Baumann is offering smaller capacity trucks that handle lighter loads.

New vehicle launches

Baumann has introduced new three, four and five tonne capacity additions to its awardwinning range of sideloaders.

The 2018 HX30, HX40 and HX50 models include new engines, refined ergonomic cabins and new joystick high levels durability, visibility and control. Following two years of trials and six months of rigorous testing, the cabin has been redesigned to strengthen the framework, simplify access and allow the central side struts to be removed.

The previous cab had improved visibility to the front corners but continuous development and advances in toughened glass also allowed the Italian sideloader manufacturer to reconfigure the glass panel on the new cabin. Development to the glass side panel means the driver’s view has been significantly improved from both sides.

Other components have been upgraded in line with Baumann’s high capacity ranges, while the Hatz 54kw engine meets emissions standards via an oxidising catalytic converter, without the need for a regenerative process.

Meanwhile, Nexen Group’s diverse approach to innovation and solution provision has seen the launch of the new Nexen FDSL four-way sideloader range.

Available in diesel and LPG with the latest low emission engines, the range benefits from the capability to travel through narrow doorways and 4m upwards in a reduced space and also at low level supported on its load beds to increase safety and prevent instability of loads while travelling.

To reduce the footprint required to travel, the Nexen FDSL operates with a retractable mast that retracts the loads into the dimension of the machine’s chassis and brings the load closer to the operator. Nexen said the attributes allow the machine to drive into block stacked products, unlike many sideloading forklifts.

The steer system has three modes: Sideloader, counterbalance and 360O rotational steer, allowing operators to drive as a sideloader.

Nexen says this means that it can be driven as a sideloader, then changed into a front-loading forklift in seconds, enabling accurate manoeuvrability up to trailers, racking systems or work stations. The 360O rotational steer function allows the machine to manoeuvre well in tight areas.

Larger wheels and increased ground clearance means it is capable of operating on semi-rough terrain surfaces.

Large capacity electrics

Linde Material Handling has recognised the huge potential of lithium-ion power by extending its range of lithium-ion powered counterbalance trucks up to eight tonnes lifting capacity.

All capacities of Linde’s electric counterbalanced truck range can be equipped with 90-volt lithium-ion batteries with up to 120kWh capacity.

Chargers of 9kW, 17kW and 30kW output are also available for charging, while the trucks themselves can reach speeds of 20km per hour with or without load, providing similar performance to engine powered machines and can work indoors or outside in a range of temperatures.

Linde said lithium-ion technology eliminated the need for battery changing, a major benefit with trucks of this capacity where the battery weighs nearly three tonnes.

“The benefits of lithium-ion technology, such as longer truck availability, no battery changes, and faster driving speeds are useful assets for our customers,” said Björn Walter, product manager counterbalanced trucks at Linde Material Handling.

Hyster has been promoting its electric vehicles, exhibiting its J8.0XN electric forklift in Europe, developed for higher capacity electric handling in the wood sector. The lithium-ion powered machine can achieve 100% charge in just two hours, and provides similar performance to the Hyster LPG equivalent in most normal timber applications, providing businesses with a durable solution with the added benefits of zero emissions and quieter operation.

David Reeve, industry solutions manager for Hyster Europe, said it was vital to have the right equipment and attachments for the right applications as handling requirements in the wood production and processing industry became ever more varied.

“Handling wood is not just about moving planks around the sawmill,” he said.

“Nowadays, when we think about wood applications, this can cover everything from machined wood to roofing materials, and fibreboard to OSB. This adds complexity to handling operations, as each of these product types presents different challenges as it moves throughout the supply chain.

He said heavy fibreboard panels coming off the production line call for a grabbing adapter to enable efficient and stable handling, rather than attempting to manage these loads on a pallet.

“This shows the importance of matching the particular type of load with a suitably robust truck and attachment to avoid damage. In this example, where much of the product will go on to be made into furniture, damage reduction is essential for keeping overheads down and customers happy.”

Another frequent issue with wood handling is dust, dirt and debris, which can clog up forklift radiators and lead to overheating, resulting in downtime and lost production.

Hyster’s Cool Truck has been developed with a range suited for difficult wood handling environments, for loads up to 5.5t.

The trucks, which are based on the Hyster H2.0-3.5FT and H4.0-5.5FT ranges, include fully enclosed frames and vented hoods, side panels and radiator covers to reduce the vacuuming of dirt and debris from the floor into the engine compartment.

Collected dust is blown out periodically by a reversing fan. There is a solid belly pan under the engine compartment, heat resistant protection over the turbo and a high air intake with pre-cleaner.

Eco truck mounted crane

Meanwhile, truck-mounted crane manufacturer Hiab has been working with Lawsons to produce a green solution to delivering goods into inner cities. Normally these deliveries bring unwanted diesel emissions, which are facing stricter controls.

An IVECO natural gas-powered Eco Truck fitted with a fully electric Hiab crane was the first vehicle of its kind in the UK when it launched earlier this year. The 26 tonne truck, powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) matches the on-road performance of a traditional diesel 26-tonner, and is fitted with a Hiab X-HiPro 142E-2 crane.

The gas vehicle emits 70% less NOx, 99% less particulate matter, and up to 95% less CO2 when using biomethane. This results in a vehicle which is up to 50% quieter than traditional diesel trucks.

Meanwhile, Combilift opened its new global headquarters and manufacturing facility in Monaghan, Ireland, earlier this year. The company also announced it would be significantly expanding its workforce with the creation of 200 new jobs in the next three years. Built at a cost of €50m, the investment in the new 46,500m2 (500,000ft2) facility will allow Combilift to realise its ambitious growth plans.