Keeping Chiltern fully charged

When specialist cold store operator Chiltern Cold Storage Group Ltd built a new warehouse and expanded its lift truck fleet in 2006, it specified Hawker Perfect Plus batteries from EnerSys because they offered the best performance in arduous sub-zero conditions. The batteries are being used on the company's two new reach trucks and five new powered pallet transporters working in a double-deep cold store built to serve Chiltern's expanding range of food logistics customers.

“We wanted to equip the new cold store with the latest equipment,” says Paul
Jackson, founder and Managing Director of Chiltern Cold Storage Group. “These new batteries are excellent. They are more powerful and have higher capacities than the ones used on our older trucks, but the chargers are smaller.”

Since Chiltern Cold Storage was established in 1994 it has expanded rapidly by building an excellent reputation in the highly competitive and demanding
temperature controlled food service and logistics sectors. Customers include several of the UK's leading retailers, airline catering companies and other food service operations. Chiltern took the opportunity to purchase the Peterborough site early in 2006 allowing them to exploit their logistics expertise further.

Its first action on completing the deal was to maximise the new cold store's potential and develop additional contracts. The company selected new lift
trucks to add to its existing fleet supplied by Atlet. The decision to choose Hawker batteries was made in conjunction with the lift truck supplier after considering a number of options.

Working to Chiltern Cold Storage's demanding specification, the lift truck
supplier recommended the high performance, high capacity Hawker Perfect Plus batteries which offer extended work cycles between charges for the reach trucks and powered pallet transporters. The company also designed and installed the charge and change facility for simple roll-out, roll-in so that batteries can be switched quickly and efficiency with minimum truck downtime. Two batteries were supplied for each truck so that one can be charged while the other is in use on the truck.

The batteries are charged by Hawker Powertech high frequency (HF) chargers which offer outstanding energy efficiency – as much as 20 per cent higher than traditional 50 Hz chargers. Powertech automatically detects the
battery's level of discharge and will supply only the amount of power needed – and no more – to restore full charge. As a consequence, less mains power is required to charge a battery, leading to significant savings in electricity costs.

The batteries were supplied with Hawker's Aquamatic water refill system which makes it possible to top up all the cells from one central point through an integrated system. The system's vent plugs automatically ensure the optimum filling level and also allow the measurement of electrolyte specific gravity. This simplifies routine maintenance and helps to keep batteries optimised for the best possible performance at all times.

“Batteries can be a big problem in a cold store because low temperature can reduce their performance,” says Paul Jackson. “But we've really noticed the difference they are making to the overall performance of our new trucks.”

The Chiltern Cold Storage Group now has two cold stores operating round the clock at its Peterborough site but even with the new building there is still another five acres of spare space for expansion without relocation. With its leading edge quality systems, Chilten was the first UK temperature controlled logistics provider to be awarded the much sought after, BRC (British Retail Consortium) global standard, guaranteeing reliable service delivery. Situated just off the A1, Chiltern is now charged to exploit future business opportunities.

ABOUT HAWKER
Hawker is the widely-recognised Motive Power brand of EnerSys, a leading supplier of batteries, chargers and services. EnerSys is the world leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications. EnerSys manufactures and distributes batteries, chargers, power equipment, and battery accessories to customers worldwide. The company also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers from over 100 countries through its sales and manufacturing locations around the world.

More information on Hawker can be found at: www.enersys-hawker.com
More information regarding EnerSys can be found at www.enersys.com.

For product or company information please contact:
Karen Smith
Enersys Motive Power
Tel: 0161 727 3800
Fax: 0161 727 3899
e-mail: karen.smith@uk.enersys.com