Excel Laminating's new CAT at work

Excel Laminating has called on Impact Handling to electrify its forklift fleet, taking delivery of four new 3 T electric forklifts as the sheet material manufacturer moves away from gas-powered trucks.

Impact, a supplier to the family-run business for more than a decade, assisted Excel Laminating with the switch ahead of the company's relocation to a new 80,000 sqft. (7,500 sqm) manufacturing facility in Hull.

"Moving production to our new facility was a good time to revisit our materials handling fleet with Impact's experts, and check whether the equipment was still right for the new location," says Jeff Thomas, Excel Laminating managing director.

"Having the right kit on hand is important," he adds. "For us, that meant switching to electric forklifts that could not only cope with the full-on workload, but are economical to run and help us keep the warehouse clean."

The new CAT EP30CN electric forklifts will be used intensively, five days a week, in the company's warehouse and freight yard, unloading raw materials and loading finished products including plasterboard, bonded panels, laminated hardboard and decorated overlay plywood on to delivery vehicles.

Impact's Hull branch will continue to carry out servicing and maintenance tasks on the new arrivals with a service program tailored for Excel's busy schedule.

Since its formation in 1997, Excel Laminating has supplied the offsite construction industry with raw, engineered and laminated sheet material. The company also uses its high-performance bonding and laminating machines to provide the caravan and leisure home industry with decorative, laminated hardboard internal and external panels.