Bonduelle: Gniewkowo, Poland

The Yale trucks provided by Emtor feature enclosed cabins fitted with heated double glazing, double skin insulation and in cabin thermostatic heating, providing operators with a warm and comfortable workspace, whilst helping to reduce the risk of fogging when moving between cold and temperate environments. But the truck cabins are just one way in which Emtor has considered the needs of this customer.

“In our factory, semi-finished products are stored in a block system warehouse, and only finished products migrate to pallet racking. We discussed the need to ‘slim down’ the width of the reach trucks that will work in this area with Emtor because the aisles in our warehouse are extremely narrow. They took up the challenge and prepared narrower versions in line with the Polish Office of Technical Inspection’s requirements especially for us, which are doing well in our narrow aisles” said Paweł Łyczywek, Logistics and Supply Chain Director at Bonduelle.

Electric trucks with a lifting capacity of 1.6 tonnes and higher capacity LPG trucks (1.8-2.5 tonnes) fitted with rotator attachments complement the reach trucks, undertaking tasks outside the warehouse. Most of the equipment in the factory operates seven days a week in a three-shift mode and is equipped with side battery extraction to save time and reduce the disruption caused by changing batteries.

“In the past, replacing the batteries from the top and manipulating them at height was a difficult operation that came with certain risks. The range of trucks we use is very broad, from reach trucks through to warehouse trucks, that’s why unifying the battery exchange system and adapting it to the various models we use is an important element of security for us,” said Paweł.

The majority of the trucks at the Bonduelle Gniewkowo factory operate on a long-term contract for a period of five years, after which they are exchanged for new ones. A shorter, three-year rental period covers the most intensively used trucks.

Paweł added: “This rental agreement helps us maximise the efficiency of our fleet. We are confident that for five years of operation we can work relatively trouble-free, and if necessary, we can count on an immediate elimination of defects or replacement trucks from Emtor, which provides us with uninterrupted continuity of work.”

Emtor guarantees an on-site service in Gniewkowo by providing a dedicated mechanic. However, during the busiest period of the year when the most intense work is under way, the service team is increased with a further two technicians based at the factory.

“I am glad that we have the opportunity to implement such a broad crosssection of solutions for Bonduelle. Thanks to this, we are able to work together to test different options, build expertise, and provide valuable feedback to their factories, allowing us to constantly improve our service,” concluded Dariusz Czaplicki, Technical and Sales Consultant for Emtor.