BT Industries has struck an eight-unit order-picker deal with Belgian chemical giant Agfa-Gevaert AG.

BT has supplied eight Opal order pickers to Agfa's German distribution centre as part of a five-year full-service rental contract worth more than EUR237,800 (USD208,456). The machines are designed for order picking at heights from 3.3 metres to 6.3 metres, with platform heights of 1.75 metres to 4.7 metres.

Order picking at the Agfa site was changed from a clumsy, fully-automated system to being carried out manually with the BT order pickers. Photographic film, paper and chemicals are distributed worldwide from the Leverkusen site.

The previous system could not fast-track priority items, said Agfa logistics manager Erich Comolli. Order pickers were queued so completed orders could be delayed behind earlier orders still being completed.

All Opal order pickers are equipped with the BT Optipace control system, which regulates the machine's travel speed relative to cab height for safety and productivity.

To meet Agfa's requirements, BT increased the standard lifting height of the forklifts by 25 centimetres, said Ralph Pott, BT Deutschland regional sales manager.