Davies Turner Air Cargo has replaced its fleet of materials handling equipment at its Heathrow logistics hub with seven electric forklifts, three reach trucks and one battery changing truck. 

Davies Turner says all the vehicles are fitted with high-tech batteries and chargers.

“From the Bobcat MHE range, the 11 vehicles have been procured on a lease contract from Rushlift, with which Davies Turner Air Cargo has partnered for nearly 30 years,” Davies Turner states.

“This strategic upgrade by one of the UK's largest independent air freight and logistics businesses is aimed at enhancing both operational efficiency and safety.”

Northampton-based Rushlift is a materials handling equipment supplier and part of the Doosan Bobcat Corporation Group.

Among the safety features included with the new fleet are perimeter proximity lights, flat LED chevron strip lights fitted on the counterweight and progressive directional arrow safety lights on both the front and back of the equipment.

Fork cameras provide operators with better visibility when the forks are raised or through the mast, pedestrian detection cameras identity people in a set proximity and RFID beacons detect other trucks further reducing the risk of collision.

Oliver Simmons, general manager - Heathrow Services at Davies Turner Air Cargo says of the new fleet: ”As part of one of the UK's leading freight and logistics businesses, Davies Turner Air Cargo is always striving to improve our operational capabilities and the safety of our workforce”.

"This investment in cutting-edge MHE technology at our Heathrow facility is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in the logistics industry,” Turner adds.

Rushlift key account manager Andrew Gazzard explains Turner Davies has been supplied with “the new Bobcat range of forklift along with recently launched safety innovations from our partners FTC”.