Essential Supply Products has added eight Mitsubishi EDiA electric forklifts

Essential Supply Products has selected a fleet of Mitsubishi EDiA electric forklifts as part of the company's commitment to greener initiatives.

Based in Worcestershire, ESP is the UK's leading independent manufacturer and supplier of disposable tissue products.

The company has taken delivery of a fleet comprising a combination of eight new and used machines specified and delivered by local Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks dealer HFT Forklifts.

Rob Smith, head of purchasing at ESP, explains: "We produce in excess of 200,000 cases of finished product a month. To do this, we have trucks running throughout eight-hour shifts 24 hours a day, so it's a demanding application.

"The trucks operating in our production area are required to move large reels of paper which can be up to 2.7 m long with diameters of up to 1.5 m. These are then stacked on top of one another, so the overall lift height is in excess of 3 m. Trucks need to be tough to do that continuously throughout a shift."

Forklifts are also employed in the warehouse on ESP's site. Killian Bartlett, warehouse manager at ESP, says: "In the past, we used LPG models, but were aware of issues with emissions and the smell of gas when working indoors, so required an alternative that would do the job whilst benefitting the environment as well as our workforce."

HFT Forklifts worked with ESP to find the trucks best suited for the site and the different applications, taking into account the large complex loads and operational needs.

Based on that analysis, ESP ordered three new Mitsubishi EDiA EX 3 T 4-wheel FB30N counterbalance trucks. Two were fitted with ESP's own paper roll clamps, while the third was supplied with a Bolzoni turn-a-fork clamp for bailing and use in production.

In addition, HFT supplied two new Mitsubishi EDiA EM 1.6 T 3-wheel FB16ANT forklifts, and three used Mitsubishi FB16PNT 3-wheel forklifts.

All trucks were fitted with new lead-acid batteries, a battery filling system, and eight-hour, three-phase chargers.

According to Smith: "We have had excellent feedback from the operators. The EDiA trucks are proving very responsive and intuitive to operate and have great manoeuvrability around the site. Importantly, if we have any questions, we know we can contact HFT and they'll always get back to us with the answers we need. They have provided great service support."