MKG Foods, one of the UK's leading independent frozen food distributors is using two AC electric powered Aisle-Master articulated trucks in its cold-store in Nottingham for faster and more streamlined handling of palletised frozen foods in the 24,000 ft² storage area.
The Aisle-Masters have replaced man-down turret trucks, and offer a greater degree of versatility according to Warehouse Manager Wayne Merrin: "Productivity is up and the whole operation is slicker." The two cold-store chambers house 1,000 pallet spaces, and the fast turnaround achieved with the Aisle-Masters is particularly beneficial, as operational speed is crucial when dealing with frozen foods.
The cold-store environment can be unforgiving on equipment, quickly draining batteries for example. The 930 amp battery fitted in MKG's Aisle-Masters is more than powerful enough to counteract this, and other cold-store specific features ensure reliable operation throughout long shifts in temperatures of around - 22°C to - 27°C (cold-store spec Aisle-Masters will actually work in even more numbing temperatures of up to - 40°C). Since old guide rails have been removed and racking has been reconfigured, the Aisle-Masters are the only forklifts that can work in current aisles, so reliable operation is crucial. Wayne visited the Aisle-Master factory in Ireland, and was impressed: "I saw at first hand the quality of the design and build," says Wayne, "and I was confident that the Aisle-Master would be absolutely reliable, and this has proved to be the case."
Aisle-Masters can work in aisles of just 1.75m, with capacities of up to 2.5 tonnes and lift heights of up to 12.5 metres, with LPG models also available. All electric models incorporate AC technology as standard for benefits such as increased performance levels whilst at the same time reducing energy consumption.
Aisle-Master Ltd
Co. Monaghan
Ireland
UK Tel: 07870 976 758
E: info@aisle-master.com