 Desmond Alderson and Kun H Lee. |
Doosan Infracore UK distributor Rushlift has won a long-term contract to supply forklifts to the British Airways World Cargo Centre at London's Heathrow Airport.
Twenty-two electric and one diesel forklifts have been delivered so far to Heathrow. Doosan spokesperson Tony Benson said the contract's details were confidential but a deal to supply Gatwick Airport was expected to be finalised at the IMHX trade show in Birmingham, on March 13-16.
Benson said all "main suppliers" were invited to tender for the BA contract and three suppliers' forklifts were trialled.
The B18X electric Doosan forklifts have a continuous watering system in which a de-ionised water reservoir ensured battery electrolyte levels were "optimised". Battery monitors checked temperature levels and battery life and charger guards eliminated "opportunity charging", Benson said.
Modifications were made to the driver compartment to accommodate British Airways' onboard computer system and to the load guards to allow for specialist attachments. A cabin was added to the D25S diesel forklift.
Darren White, Doosan's UK general sales manager, credited Rushlift for its hard work.
"We experienced record sales in the UK in 2006 and Rushlift is an integral part of that success. We could not think of a more fitting way to begin our new Doosan-branded era."
Daewoo forklifts were marketed under the Doosan Daewoo name in Europe after Daewoo Heavy Industries & Machinery's majority shareholding was acquired by Doosan Heavy Industries Inc (
Forkliftaction.com News #291) in 2005. The South Korean manufacturer has announced that all forklifts would be badged only as Doosan this year.
Doosan Infracore said in a statement that it had reached its target of a seven per cent UK market share and had achieved more than 1,000 unit sales in 2006. Benson said Doosan's UK market shares in 2004 and 2005 were estimated at 3.6 per cent and 5.4 per cent respectively.
"Doosan's UK sales have doubled in 5 years and almost quadrupled since 1995. During the same period, the UK market for forklift trucks has held steady at around 14,000 to 17,000 units."
The UK company was established in 1994 and has 24 regional dealers and a national distribution deal with Rushlift.
Rushlift Mechanical Handling Ltd, established in 1979 by Bill Moody, also supplies Komatsu, Combilift, Still and Atlet forklifts. According to Benson, Rushlift has four depots in the UK, more than 1,500 forklift customers and an annual turnover of GBP28 million (USD54.9 million).