Case Study

Chiquita

Precise cold-storage handling by electric forklifts, pallet trucks and order pickers helps maintain efficiency and keep fruit fresh.

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Background

Chiquita, a leading international producer and distributor of bananas, opened a brand-new warehouse in April 2024. The new site includes nine loading docks and 24 ripening rooms, each with a capacity of 48 pallets, and two packaging lines producing up to 45 trays per minute.

The cold storage facility operates seven days a week running a single shift of 8-10 hours, with temperatures between 57 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit (14 to 18 degrees Celsius). Green bananas are received from the port, stored in ripening rooms and dispatched to customers. The ripening rooms have narrow, off-center aisles, which makes pallet handling a complex challenge. Loading and unloading operations and the pallet transport in the warehouse also require efficiency and precision to protect against spoilage and damage.

“The narrow and off-centre aisles cause the lifting cylinders to occasionally touch the metal structures, so we needed an ergonomic and compact solution. ”

Roberto Galdoni, Distribution Centre Manager, Chiquita

Forklifts for precise cold storage handling

Alessandro Tombini, National Account Manager for Yale explains the specific materials handling needs of the ripening centre.

“Yale's trucks are known for their strength, reliability, and long-lasting performance.”

Overcoming Challenges

Yale Lift Truck Technologies understands the specific demands that cold store conditions place on materials handling equipment, particularly when it comes to dealing with perishable food products which need specific processing. Select a goal below to learn more.

GOAL

Minimized risk of damage to infrastructure.

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CHALLENGE

Accurate manoeuvring in narrow, off-centre aisles.

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GOAL

Efficient handling.

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CHALLENGE

Fast loading and unloading to keep perishable stock moving.

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GOAL

Protect stock from damage.

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CHALLENGE

Precise picking and selection to minimize risk.

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GOAL

Reduce risk of contamination.

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CHALLENGE

Adhering to clean room requirements.

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GOAL

Cost efficient material handling equipment.

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CHALLENGE

Finding the right mix of equipment.

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“We selected Yale...because of its reputation for building reliable trucks manufactured in Europe, delivering top-tier quality and longevity”

Roberto Galdoni, Distribution Centre Manager, Chiquita

Why Yale forklifts for cold storage and food processing?

See why Chiquita chose Yale materials handling equipment, such as three-wheel electric forklifts, pallet trucks and an order picker.

Empowering smooth warehouse moves

Alessandro Trombini describes how a combination of powerful electric forklifts, versatile pallet trucks, and efficient order pickers helps maintain efficiency for Chiquita.

“These trucks handle everything from loading and unloading deliveries, to managing the ripening rooms and moving pallets throughout the warehouse.”

“Swift and efficient after-sales service was a crucial factor for us, as uninterrupted operations are paramount to our business. Yale presented the most compelling return on investment, making it a financially sound decision.”

Roberto Galdoni, Distribution Centre Manager, Chiquita

Electric forklifts for food operations

See the specialized clamp attachment used at Chiquita to support precise picking and selection tasks and learn how electric forklifts support accuracy and efficiency.

Overall Impact

Strategically deploying this mix of Yale lift trucks helps Chiquita maximize productivity and minimize downtime in its food processing warehouse. The combination of powerful electric forklifts, versatile pallet trucks and efficient order pickers enables the company to meet the requirements of its intense operations while maintaining a high level of precision and adhering to site safety rules.

“Our collaboration with Unicar, an experienced and independent Yale dealer, has been exceptionally positive. The service provided has been consistently excellent and highly efficient.”

Roberto Galdoni, Distribution Centre Manager, Chiquita