Seven Cesab R314 reach trucks are picking goods at ESPO

Cesab reach trucks are helping to ensure safety and efficiency at a leading public sector purchasing consortium.

Seven Cesab R314 reach trucks are picking goods 24 hours a day, six days a week in the warehouse at ESPO, a local authority purchasing and distribution consortium that supplies a huge range of workplace products, from food, furniture and hardware to stationery and vehicles, to the education sector and other public and private organisations.

Employing up to 250 people at peak times, ESPO's central distribution centre in Leicester holds around 12,000 items in stock and is responsible for the picking, packing and delivery of orders. With over 25,000 delivery points across the UK and weekly deliveries to customers to send out, reliable materials handling equipment is essential.

When ESPO was experiencing issues with its older reach trucks, it approached Angus Lift Trucks, the Cesab Material Handling dealership covering Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Neil Tompkins, operations shift manager, ESPO, explains: "When we decided to explore other servicing options, Angus were recommended to us and we invited them in. We have an intensive operation here and need equipment that we can rely on and suppliers who respond quickly.

"Safety is hugely important, as people can be on foot or in trucks in the warehouse and need to cross paths safely. We're also constantly working to minimise damage to stock. Most of the major manufacturers bid for the contract, but Angus and the Cesab warehouse range came out ahead."

The trucks at ESPO have been fitted with cameras and fork positioning laser systems that enable operators to position the forks accurately, even at the highest racking levels. The trucks also feature safety lighting and a driver management system that requires operators to perform a daily check on each truck before starting work.