Global Training delivers a wide range of forklift truck training programmes and also runs a warehousing and storage operation from its site at Gloucester Business Park, and is benefiting from the qualities of an Aisle-Master articulated truck for both sides of its business.

As well as providing packages for all the mainstream and specialist forklift types on the market up to RTITB standards, the company offers a range of health and safety courses such as first aid, fire risk assessment and crane handling. When it came to the choice of truck for training operators in the articulated sector, the Aisle-Master was a clear winner according to company Director Kay Herbert.

"The quality of the Aisle-Master stands out," says Kay, "and absolute reliability is crucial as we need to be able to offer uninterrupted availability of equipment for trainees. For both training purposes and for work in our warehouse the Aisle-Master has been 100% on all counts. The design and engineering of the AC electric powered truck also make for a much smoother drive than with other brands. "

Global Training also runs a storage and distribution service in a 9,000ft² facility in its industrial unit, and the Aisle-Master's ability to work in very narrow aisles is very beneficial compared to the old combination of counterbalance forklifts (for outdoor work) and reach trucks (in the aisles). The Aisle-Master also picks to a height of 9.3m so can service the very top bays of racking, and the number of available pallet spaces has now been increased by around 400, to a total of 1,200.

As the truck copes easily with outdoor work, gradients and unpaved yards it is also advantageous for one of Global Training's main customers on the Business Park which manufactures herbal teas: the Aisle-Master offloads the incoming palletised raw ingredients, transports them to the manufacturing site, then collects the finished product to be stored until final dispatch. "This versatility means that we no longer need to use any other types of trucks, so it has eliminated double handling and streamlined operations," says Kay. "Our client is also very impressed with this door to door service!"

All electric powered Aisle-Masters now feature AC technology as standard, and the benefits of this are appreciated by trainees and management alike: Drivers enjoy improved acceleration and gradability and immediate response to controls make for very comfortable operation. From a financial point of view, sealed units mean fewer wearable parts for low maintenance and reduced downtime, energy consumption is reduced, and one battery charge provides longer operation.

Kay believes that Global Training is the only company of its kind to have an Aisle-Master on its premises and therefore permanently on hand for operators to acquire their skills. "We have the best of both worlds really: an excellent piece of equipment for training purposes, and space saving and versatile operations in the warehouse."

Aisle-Masters can work in aisles of just 1.75m, with capacities of up to 2.5 tonnes and lift heights of up to 12.5 metres, and LPG models are also available. The trucks are all designed and built at the company's dedicated production facility in Monaghan, Ireland, ensuring a top quality product. Aisle-Master design engineers also offer a site visit and warehouse layout service and supply free layout proposals illustrating how to maximise the use of available storage space.

Aisle-Master Ltd., Clontibret, Co. Monaghan, Ireland
Tel: 00353 47 80400
Fax: 00353 47 80402
UK Tel: 07725 642 472
E: info@aisle-master.com
W: www.aisle-master.com


Click here to view the Aisle-Master Shopfront