Speed and efficiency are important to any warehouse operation. And especially when it comes to cold store supply chain operations in the food industry. Chiquita is an international leading company in the banana industry, and operates the largest ripening centre in Europe, located in the northern Italian province of Bergamo.
Yale industry experts and our local independent dealers, understand the specific demands that cold storage conditions place on materials handling equipment. Here’s how forklifts and warehouse equipment from Yale Lift Truck Technologies, supplied and supported by authorised Yale dealer, Unicar, contributes to Chiquita’s efficient operation.
Watch how Yale lift trucks are used in this Chiquita operation.
Accurate load handling in narrow aisles
Food handling operations in narrow aisles, require precision. At the site in Bergamo, Chiquita has 24 ripening rooms, each with a capacity of 48 pallets. Inside the ripening rooms there are two narrow aisles for pallet storage, with two levels. The main challenge is manoeuvring pallets of bananas in and out of the ripening rooms, particularly when stocking the upper levels. The narrow aisles are also off-centre, making it challenging to manoeuvre without the lifting cylinders touching the metal structures.
Yale Lift Truck Technologies was able to provide an ergonomic and compact materials handling solution to help overcome this. For transporting the bananas to the ripening rooms, Chiquita uses Yale® ERP16VT and ERP20VT three-wheel electric forklifts.
Learn more about accurate load handing in the Chiquita case study. Download here.
Precise picking in the warehouse
For precise picking and selection, the Yale ERP 16 and ERP 20VT 3-wheel electric counterbalance forklifts operate equipped with clamp attachments. The clamps help to keep the bananas secure, as well as protected from damage. These versatile lift trucks are ideal for the indoor warehouse applications, which include loading and unloading incoming and outgoing trucks, and transporting pallets throughout the warehouse. Non-marking tyres further contribute to Chiquita's clean warehouse operation.
Keeping pallets moving
The reliable and efficient Yale MP20X low lift platform pallet trucks and Yale MP16 pedestrian low lift pallet trucks are used for horizontal transportation of pallets within the warehouse, enabling the smooth and timely movement of goods.
The innovative Yale MO20X order picker pallet truck has also been added to Chiquita’s fleet. Designed for optimal performance in confined spaces, this machine excels at picking and placing pallets at various heights within the warehouse. The order picker pallet truck can perform picking tasks and be used for loading items onto lorries. Its multifunctionality can save time and help to streamline a fleet, as it minimises the need for lots of different trucks. Its compact design and precise controls make it an invaluable asset for efficient order fulfillment.
Find out more in the Chiquita case study – download it free of charge, now.
A complementary range of warehouse equipment
By strategically deploying this mix of Yale trucks, Chiquita maximises productivity and minimises downtime within its warehouse. The combination of powerful forklifts, versatile pallet trucks, and efficient order pickers enables the company to meet the demanding requirements of its operations while maintaining a high level of precision, and adhering to site safety rules.
Download the case study here to discover more about the range of lift trucks used.
Local Yale dealer expertise
Chiquita has an ongoing relationship with local Yale Lift Truck Technologies dealer in Italy, Unicar. The food company has found the dealer’s service to be consistent and highly efficient, with excellent support and responsiveness.
Talk to your Yale dealer for local insight and advice on the particular Yale solutions that could help your warehouse and logistics operation in the food processing or food distribution industry optimise efficiency.
See the complete story – download the case study here.
