Malcolm Rail operates the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal and was looking for a materials handling supplier to maximise its workflow. It invested in in five new Konecranes container handlers from Cooper Specialised Handling.

Malcolm Group has invested GBP2 million (USD3.02 million) in five new Konecranes (formerly SMV) container handlers from Cooper Specialised Handling.

According to Cooper, its bespoke machine design and all-inclusive, five-year service and maintenance contract helped clinch the deal. Malcolm now has eight Konecranes laden container handlers.

Malcolm Rail operates the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) and was looking for a materials handling supplier to maximise its workflow and provide nearly 6,000 lifts a week while minimising lifetime costs.

DIRFT is one of the largest intermodal terminals in the UK. It occupies area totalling 27 acres, has 10km (6.2miles) of rail track and has 24 trains coming and going daily. It operates 24 hours a day, six days a week with the machines working up to 20 hours a day.

Peter Astley, Cooper's sales manager, says Malcolm had high expectations."We were able to provide the group with a bespoke service solution - one that offers a competitive reliable service and keeps operations running continually across 24-hour shifts. We maintain the whole of the Malcolm Group operation at DIRFT."

Malcolm Group fleet engineer Steve Sugden adds that the new machines are helping cut costs. "[The new machines' idle shut down facility] shuts the machines down if left idling for more than three minutes. Coupled with the Konecranes load-sensing hydraulics technology, it is helping to achieve an extra 25% capacity in workflow as well as reduce fuel consumption by up to 30%."

Other machine modifications include a specially specified shorter wheel base that has a lower steer axle weight when the machine is empty. Cooper's flexible service contract, which incorporates a lower rate when the machine is idling, also keeps running costs low.

Cooper Specialised Handling, formerly SMV UK Ltd, is independently owned and is the UK's sole national distributor of Konecranes/SMV forklifts, Bauman sideloaders, MAFI terminal and RoRo tractors and DanTruck, operating in the UK and Northern Ireland.