Baustoffwerke Havelland: Berlin, Germany

This system worked well for many years, but in 2016 the company decided to introduce a back-up factor into its warehousing logistics by buying a second heavy duty forklift truck, especially since the previous model had already been in service for several years. In addition to technical details, the building materials producer also kept a careful eye on total cost. “It’s no help if the initial investment costs are low but we have high operating costs, long stand-still periods or high maintenance costs,” Olaf Lilie explains. The crucial thing here is long-term economics, which also includes the matter of service response time. Mr Lilie, “The bottom line is we need robust stability.” Which means a heavy-duty 12-tonne forklift, because the building materials company didn’t want to chance a smaller truck to handle the frequently heavy loads and risk longer break-down periods. The new truck had to be heavy duty and reliable and be able to move quickly around the grounds.

Baustoffwerke Havelland made several enquiries, received many tenders but quickly selected the Yale unit. MF Gabelstapler offered a model that was comparable with the existing pincer stacker with which they had gathered good experience over more than five years. Lilie, “We chose that which we know and like. We did not want any experiments.” They had faith in the Yale product based on past experience.

Buying a standard forklift truck for this heavy duty work was not a suitable option for Baustoffwerke Havelland. The key feature of the GDP120DC at Havelland is the hydraulic brick clamp supplied by Steinweg Klammersysteme. The clamp is an extended version with an overall width of 230 centimetres, matching the size of the large format plane-elements, the grabs have a special coating so that they can handle unpacked and plastic-wrapped stones at the same time. An LED lamp on the grab eases the job when lighting is poor - an extra feature suggested by the truck drivers themselves.

It was a priority at Baustoffwerke Havelland to include staff suggestions when choosing this vital piece of equipment. Important aspects raised included the need to improve operator comfort and wellbeing at work: the vehicle has a seat with air suspension, an extended backrest, a lumbar support and is heated. The fully glazed cabin is fitted with a recirculating air system plus air conditioning, a reading lamp and a document shelf, all designed to ease the working environment as well as a radio for entertainment. “It was important for us that staff have a good, protected place of work,” Olaf Lilie says.

The forklift has been in service at Baustoffwerke Havelland since March 2017: its availability and its performance are just right, according to Olaf Lilie. Communications with the dealer are also efficient and straight-forward. MF Gabelstapler has maintained after sales contact with Baustoffwerke Havelland and makes all efforts to satisfy the company’s forklift truck requirements. Mr Lilie, “We feel that we are in good hands.”