Dear reader,
WELCOME TO FORKLIFTACTION.COM,
MATERIALS HANDLING ONLINE.
This is issue #107 - 15 May 2003
of the weekly newsletter for industry
professionals.
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The new Materials Handling Index (MHI) has been a
huge success and we are overwhelmed with the response from the
Forkliftaction.com community. Every day more forklift users
worldwide gather contact details from the extensive database
of member companies.
Due to the healthy response,
businesses will now be listed, in one MHI category per
business address, free. Companies can purchase additional
business categories, maximising exposure to potential sales,
for a nominal annual fee per listing.
Early statistics show
that the optional higher-ranking Priority Listings, which
feature a company logo, a service summary, a website link and
complete contact details, attract 20 times more traffic than
basic listings.
For more information, contact Penryn
Maddrell, Forkliftaction.com's marketing consultant, by email
on pm-marketing@forkliftaction.com
or by phone on +61 7 3358 4354.
This week
Forkliftaction.com's research team has revised the
specifications contained in the Equipment
Catalogue for Sellick,
Toyota
and Yale.
If you deal with these brands, please check our entries and
contact Rodger
Lamb if changes are required.
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1.
REVIEW TO END EMISSIONS DEBATE? 
WASHINGTON, DC, United States
The
Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) says
propane delivers higher energy efficiencies than
compressed natural gas and gasoline.
In a review
of forklift emission studies, released this month, PERC
also found propane forklifts fitted with certain
closed-loop controls and exhaust catalysts produced very
low emissions, meeting or exceeding the strict
California Air Resource Boards large spark ignition
standards.
PERC president Roy Willis said while
80 percent of class four and five IC forklifts were
propane-fuelled, the forklift market was "plagued" by
misleading or conflicting emissions data.
"We
believe this review sets the record straight. When
forklift emissions data is compared accurately, propane
delivers the highest efficiencies and remains one of the
cleanest fuels available for industrial lift trucks," he
said.
Conducted by two independent experts in
alternative fuel vehicles, the "Industrial Truck
Emission Data Compared by Fuel" study examines research
findings from seven forklift emissions studies performed
between 1990 and 2002.
Author William McGlinchey
said some previous studies "often did not use the same
fuel delivery system and engine, elements that are
crucial".
The review examined two studies that
used life cycle analysis to assess the emissions impact
of a given fuel.
Regardless of the propane
source, either petroleum or natural gas, propane
delivered the highest total efficiency rating at 89.3
percent, compared to compressed natural gas (87.2
percent), conventional diesel (85.6 percent),
reformulated diesel (83.6 percent), reformulated
gasoline (82.6 percent), and conventional gasoline (81.6
percent).
The PERC review emphasised the role
regular maintenance played in fuel control system
performance and emissions reduction, Mr Willis
said.
"Our next step is to support the training
and maintenance needs of propane-powered forklift
operators," Mr Willis said. "PERC has funded programs to
ensure propane-powered forklift operators receive the
support they need to comply with emissions standards and
achieve greater return on their investments."
- PERC website -
2.
SMH BRINGS TAILIFT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM
DEWSBURY, United Kingdom
SMH Ltd,
formerly known as Swire Materials Handling, has become
the exclusive United Kingdom importer of the Tailift
range of forklifts.
SMH marketing manager Anthony
Wortley said SMH did extensive research into the Tailift
range before agreeing to the distributorship.
"We
focused on the US market, where Tailift has experienced
considerable success. In six years, the distribution
network has grown from zero to 78 dealers with 128
locations across the US, Canada and Mexico," he
said.
"This is particularly significant, given
that several other trucks from the far east currently on
sale in the United Kingdom have failed dismally in the
US due to poor quality."
Tailift forklifts are
built in Taiwan by Tailift Co Ltd, which began
manufacturing forklifts in 1987. Tailift forklifts are
currently sold in the USA, Asia, Europe, Africa, South
America, and now the United Kingdom.
While the
Tailift range was "not bristling with the latest
electronic gadgetry", the forklifts toughness and
superior quality were its drawcard, Mr Wortley said.
Tailift achieved ISO9001 qualification last
July.
Tailift forklifts had German steel masts
and were designed for heavy use, with six-carriage
roller bearings standard, compared to four-carriage
bearings used on most other trucks. Tailifts combustion
engines are made by Isuzu, Nissan and Perkins, and
electric motors by General Electric.
Tailifts
one-piece welded chassis have hydrostatic steer axles,
and the range, from 3.5 tonnes capacity, is equipped
with Graziano Voith two-speed automatic
transmissions.
Mr Wortley said the quality of
Tailifts transmissions and axles was proven from not
having a single problem reported in the last four years
in the USA.
"We are very confident there is a
place in the United Kingdom market for a good quality
truck that is easy to maintain and well backed up," Mr
Wortley said.
"We have invested in considerable
stores and storage area, staff and IT systems to provide
backup, which is an area where many of our competitors
fall down, including some of the major brands."
- Tailift USA website -
3.
JUNGHEINRICHS GOLDEN YEAR STARTS WELL
HAMBURG, Germany
Jungheinrich AG has
started its 50th year in fine fashion, posting higher
sales and net income in the first quarter of
2003.
According to the companys first quarter
report, released on May 13, sales rose two percent from
EUR351.7 million (USD406.4 million) to EUR357.8 million
(USD413.5 million), thanks to increased European demand.
Net income increased 23 percent from EUR7 million (USD8
million) to EUR8.6 million (USD9.9 million).
The
report said 2003 would be a year of consolidation, with
restructuring of Jungheinrichs production sites already
underway.
The company announced in February that
it would close its IC forklift factory in Leighton
Buzzard, United Kingdom, and move production to
Moosburg, Germany, by mid-2004. Jungheinrichs Argentan,
France, facility is also under scrutiny.
"(With)
a slight improvement in economic growth in Europe
expected in the second half, Jungheinrich anticipates a
widespread stabilisation of sales for materials handling
equipment for the year," the company said.
- Jungheinrich
website -
4.
OSHA RETAINS SEATBELT COMPLIANCE RULE
WASHINGTON DC, United States
The
Occupational Safety & Health Administration has
abandoned a proposal that would have limited safety
inspectors authority to issue citations to forklift
drivers not wearing seatbelts.
The OSHA decided
not to pursue changes to Compliance Directive CPL
2-1.28A, despite a campaign by automobile manufacturers
and unions. The decision retains OSHA compliance
officers authority to cite employers when employees
fail to use seatbelts while operating
forklifts.
In "a major victory for safety in the
workplace", Industrial Truck Association (ITA) president
Jim Moran welcomed OSHAs move.
"We were
confident (that), once OSHA conducted a thorough review
of the pros and cons associated with its proposed
action, theyd realise they had acted precipitously," he
said.
ITA executive director Bill Montwieler said
the proposal had almost been passed as OSHA had not
taken the time to consult all parties
affected.
"To its credit, OSHA eventually did
come to several of us and got the input needed to fully
evaluate the proposal. I think common sense prevailed
here," he said.
"(The ITA has) worked with OSHA
in the past, and we expect to do so in the future so we
can avoid problems like this."
Mr Montwieler said
the ITA board had voted unanimously to participate in a
new OSHA initiative, beginning next month, which called
for an alliance between industrial organisations to
develop safer workplaces.
- ITA website -
5.
MHEDA MEMBERS THINK BIG AT CONVENTION
SAN ANTONIO, TX, United States
The
US forklift industry has shunned current poor business
conditions with healthy attendances at the Material
Handling Equipment Distributors Associations (MHEDA)
48th annual convention and manufacturers fair, held
from May 3 to May 7 at the Marriott Riverwalk Hotel, San
Antonio, Texas.
MHEDA executive vice-president
Liz Richards said the convention, with the theme "Get
ready to think big", attracted more than 450 industry
participants and 100 exhibitors.
The
manufacturers fair was held in the Henry B Gonzalez
Convention Centre, with exhibitors presenting a variety
of materials handling products.
The shows
educational program echoed the wider theme of the
convention in its topics, which covered strategic
planning, effective distributor marketing, profitable
installations, the aftermarket, leadership, sales
management and more.
Speakers included September
11 New York fire chief Richard Picciotto and economist
Gene Stanaland, who provided a perspective on current
world events.
During the convention, Ron Conrad,
president of Denver, Colorado-based Materials Handling
Equipment Company, was presented with an award for the
companys customer service excellence and innovative
sales model.
"Even though business conditions may
not be optimal right now, the high convention attendance
shows that members realise the value gained by stepping
outside their inner circle to learn from and network
with their industry peers," Ms Richards
said.
MHEDAs 2004 convention is scheduled for
May 1 to May 5 at Loews Miami Beach Hotel,
Florida.
Convention attendees are invited to
submit their reviews of the MHEDA annual convention on
Forkliftaction.coms events page. Click here to post your
review.
- MHEDA
website -
6.
TIP LEADS TO STOLEN FORKLIFTS RECOVERY
NORTH HAMILTON, Canada
An anonymous
tip has led to the recovery of two 25-ton (23-tonne)
Taylor forklifts stolen from the Hamilton Port Authority
(HPA) last June.
As reported in Forkliftaction.com News #66, the two
Taylor Lowmast forklifts were discovered missing from
the Port of Hamiltons Pier 14 on June 17 last
year.
HPA harbour master Ian Noble told
Forkliftaction.com News this week that an anonymous
phone call received last month led police to a storage
unit at a facility on the outskirts of Hamilton, less
than 15 miles (24 kilometres) from the port.
"The
caller said he recognised the trucks as being from the
port, but we have no idea who he was. He gave me the
address and storage unit number where the machines were
being held," he said.
Mr Noble said that,
amazingly, the trucks had done minimal work since their
theft, one truck having only 12 hours added to its
clock. The other had done 60 hours work.
"We
believe the thieves probably couldnt find a buyer for
the forklifts, or were using them privately," he
said.
Police were still investigating, but had
made no arrests. HPA was negotiating with its insurers
about reclaiming the forklifts, Mr Noble said.
- HPA website -
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7.
EBLO LAUNCHES NEW FORKLIFT SEAT
TECHNOLOGY
KRIMPEN, Netherlands
EBLO
Seating has released a low-profile forklift seat with
suspension and a foldable backrest.
The MGV 25
has a retractable seat belt and interchangeable
cushions, with optional armrests, a headrest or seat
contact switch.
The upgraded LGV 25 features air
suspension and an integrated 12-volt
compressor.
The MGV 25 features:
~ Suspension
(45mm stroke)
~ Adjustable/foldable backrest
~
Weight adjustment (50-120 kilograms)
~ PVC or
fabric
~ Various options available
FOR MORE
INFORMATION: Download a full-colour leaflet from www.eblo.nl,
send an email to info@eblo.nl or call +31
(180) 512 866.
Click
here for the full text of this release, and
pictures.
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12.
OVERHAUL/REPAIR PRIMARILY OF OVERHEAD ELECTRIC TRAVELING
CRANES
Lester, PA, United States
Closing:
30 May 2003 TBA - Contract: N3258A-02-R-1624
13.
BATTERY, STORAGE (4K# AND 6K# FORKLIFT
TRUCKS)
Warren, MI, United States
Closing:
30 May 2003 TBA - Contract: DAAE07-03-Q-T221
14.
ELECTRIC HAND TRUCK, 4000 LBS CAPACITY, 19
EACH
Wiesbaden, Germany
Closing: 06 June
2003 TBA - Contract: DABN01-03-T-0211
15.
PERSONNEL HOIST
Unknown, United
States
Closing: 03 June 2003 2:00pm - Contract: SOL #
51888
16.
COMMISSARY ORDER PICKER
Incirlik, Turkey
Closing: 23 May 2003 TBA - Contract:
F61358-03-T-0038
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