The Harsco order comprises 40 new DP30N 3T diesel counterbalance trucks and three larger DP50N 5T diesel counterbalance trucks.

Harsco Infrastructure UK, an access, formwork and industrial maintenance service provider, has received over 40 new Cat forklifts from Impact Handling in a single order.

Impact Handling says it won the competitive tender after impressing Harsco with its flexible finance offering, extensive portfolio of Cat forklifts and strong customer service. The value of the order is approximately GBP1 million (USD1.7 million).

The order comprises 40 new DP30N 3T diesel counterbalance trucks and three larger DP50N 5T diesel counterbalance trucks, which are being used by Harsco nationwide for the loading and unloading of scaffolding, forming and shoring materials and mechanical access equipment.

John McKeever, transport manager at Harsco, says: "Our previous materials handling contract was due for renewal and we were impressed with the overall package Impact Handling offered. Working with Impact gave us access to the Cat Lift Trucks brand, which has a solid reputation in the industry for its sheer product strength, which, coupled with Impact's expertise and aftersales support, made them the right choice for us."

The machines will each work for about 1,000 hours a year in Harsco's warehouses, some of which cover an area of up to 3 ac. (1.2 ha). Both models can work inside and outdoors, and they feature powerful diesel engines optimised to reduce emissions and maximise fuel efficiency.

Impact Handling is also in the process of fitting bespoke toolboxes to 35 of Harsco's new DP30N trucks to hold essential scaffolding tools.

Due to the flat counterbalance weight of the Cat forklifts, the machines are suitable to hold a securely fitted toolbox, to create a safe solution for transporting tools.

Harsco's 11 depots, from Southampton to Edinburgh, will have access to Impact Handling's team of 150-plus mobile engineers who carry out routine servicing and maintenance on-site. They are also on call to provide 24/7 support in an emergency.

The new forklifts are part of a wider investment by Harsco in its transport fleet. The company recently added 19 new DAF commercial vehicles, equipped with PM cranes, and a further 140 new cars and vans will be introduced into the business by 2015.