Barloworld Handling saves Speedy Services money and provides a standardised service for its national forklift fleet.

Barloworld Handling is saving equipment hire specialist Speedy Services up to GBP160,000 (USD252,000) a year and providing standardised service for its national forklift fleet, over a five-year period.

"Forklifts are widely used at our depots, but in 2009 we had over 100 forklift leases with 37 suppliers across the UK, in addition to the 80 forklifts that we owned," says Speedy supply chain manager Danny Riley.

Riley explains the company wanted to have one supplier to provide standardised service levels nationally and to cut costs.

Speedy claims it is the UK's largest equipment rental and support services provider to the construction, manufacturing, industrial, rail and related industries. The company also sells equipment through its UK network of over 325 depots and 3,600 employees.

"We were able to establish a shortlist of potential forklift suppliers straight away and Barloworld was just one of two suppliers that we considered could cover the UK as one business with a standardised service offering," Riley says.

Barloworld Handling key accounts manager Steve Doran audited over 100 Speedy depots to identify forklift use and establish correct equipment specification and service requirements.

Doran found that on average, each forklift operates for about 10 hours weekly. To provide the most cost-effective solution, Barloworld supplied quality used Hyster equipment.

Doran explains that the forklifts are suitable for Speedy's low-intensity forklift operations.
"The majority of the fleet is composed of 2.5 T capacity Hyster H2.5FT Fortens machines which are highly reliable and provide a low-cost of operation for Speedy. Barloworld has also supplied some high-capacity forklifts up to 12 tonnes for the fleet."

Barloworld started delivering the trucks as existing leases ran out. It is also maintaining over 80 trucks owned by Speedy through its Truckserve planned maintenance program and all trucks receive an annual thorough examination to ensure the centres comply with LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations).

"Barloworld has worked with us to provide a flexible contract to support growth and change within our business" Riley says. "Most importantly, we have reduced costs and are receiving effective and consistent levels of local support from Barloworld Handling at our centres throughout the UK."