Yale shifts service onto two wheels

Yale Europe Material Handling's UK service engineers are trading their service vans for BMW motorcycles to respond quicker to clients in London and south east UK.

Yale UK's regional business manager, Pat Burke, says Yale has cut response times by up to 50% using the BMW RT1200 motorcycles.

"As everyone who has attempted to drive in London knows only too well, getting around the capital by road can be a nightmare.

"Initially, some customers were a little surprised to see a forklift engineer arrive on two wheels, but they have been extremely happy with the new service," he says.

The motorcycles painted in Yale's corporate colours and livery are kitted out with laptops and diagnostic equipment.

Yale launched the service with engineers Barry Wales and Nathan Jones who are able to complete repairs on the spot using tools and spare parts carried on their bikes.

Jones says that is because most forklift breakdowns result from minor faults.

"But for jobs requiring parts we don't carry, we have instant, real-time access to our parts distribution centre to ensure the item is delivered straight away to the customer."

The bikes are also fitted with satellite navigation to reduce response time and the engineers stay in touch with head office via BlueTooth communications technology fitted in their helmets.

The arrival of the two-wheeled technicians doesn't mean the end of Yale vans. A spokeswoman says the bikes are appropriate for areas "particularly badly affected by traffic congestion", but service vans are still used as well.