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Dear reader, WELCOME TO FORKLIFTACTION.COM, MATERIALS HANDLING ONLINE. This is issue #341 - 20 December 2007 of the weekly newsletter for industry professionals. |
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 “ECOtality buys Minit-Charger.” |
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Komatsu builds second Russian plant  TOKYO, Japan Komatsu Ltd has invested JPY6.9 billion (USD61 million) in a Russian facility that will produce forklifts and construction and utility equipment. This will be Komatsu’s 47th production facility for construction and mining equipment, and its second Russian plant after Kraneks International Co Ltd, a manufacturing joint venture for metal works established in Ivanovo in 1998. Komatsu’s new manufacturing company in Yaroslavl will be its first assembly plant in Russia. By June 2010, the plant will start producing PC200 hydraulic excavators and later PC300 and PC400 models. In 2011, production of internal combustion and electric one- to two-ton forklifts will start. Production of skid steer loaders will follow. Komatsu says it will exploit synergies through the combined production of compact equipment and forklifts in the same line. The company has traditionally exported its products to Russia from China. The new plant is being established to respond to a future increase in demand. “Demand for construction and mining equipment has been expanding steadily, totalling about 18,000 units for seven major equipment types in 2006. (The seven equipment types are crawler-type hydraulic excavators; wheel-type hydraulic excavators; bulldozers; wheel loaders; rigid-type dump trucks; articulated dump trucks; and motor graders.) “We anticipate demand will surpass 32,000 units in 2009. We also anticipate demand for forklifts will expand to 33,000 units in 2009, almost double from 2006,” a Komatsu spokesman says in a statement. Komatsu Manufacturing Russia will be established by April 2008. It will employ 500 people when full-scale production commences. The plant can produce 7,000 forklifts and 3,000 hydraulic excavators annually. The subsidiary is expected to generate sales of about JPY50 billion (USD441.7 million) for fiscal 2011.  Anhui Heli expands production capacity BEIJING, China Anhui Heli Forklift Group, China’s largest forklift maker by sales volume, is investing RMB 60 million (USD8.1 million) in expansions of its axle and truck production lines. Phase three of the Anqing axle plant spans 130 acres (52.6 hectares) and is under construction in Jibao, in the central province of Shaanxi. The plant will make 65,000 axles each year, an official from Anhui Heli told Forkliftaction.com News, requesting anonymity as he didn’t have permission to speak on the record. Operations are expected to start in October 2008 and the factory will cater for the western China market, Zhang Dejin, group vice executive manager, was quoted as saying last month by the Hong Kong newspaper Wen Wei Po. Anhui Heli is also building a plant in Henyang, in the southern province of Hunan, which will make 2,000 trucks a year, according to the unnamed company official. The newspaper report cited Zhang as saying the 120 acre (48 hectare) Henyang plant will begin operations this year and specialises in niche products such as explosion-proof forklifts. It will help the company tap markets in southern China and South East Asia, Zhang reportedly added. The Anhui Heli official told Forkliftaction.com News that total sales volume for calendar year 2007 is likely to hit RMB7 billion (USD949 million), with exports comprising 25 percent. He also said that its export growth rate grew by 50% this year, compared to 2006. Anhui Heli sees its main market growth in exports, especially to North America and the European Union. The company exports to more than 100 countries and its main market is in harbour services. One way to boost sales is through its current practice of “aggressively” developing its sales agents network in each country, the official said.  Hoist restructures global dealer network BEDFORD PARK, IL, United States Heavy forklift manufacturer Hoist Liftruck is looking to replicate its success in the US with the international market. In 2006, Hoist restructured its US dealer network by partnering with dealers that would represent the company’s entire product line. Various Toyota dealers in the US that sell forklifts up to 15,000lbs (6,804kg) capacity have expanded their product offerings with Hoist’s 15,000lb-100,000lb (6,804kg-45,359kg) forklifts. Hoist president Marty Flaska tells Forkliftaction.com News the company wants to restructure its global dealer network along the same lines as last year’s initiative for the US market. Changes to the US dealer network have raised awareness of Hoist Liftruck products and increased sales. “We have always had dealers. However, after re-evaluating the [US] market and determining that we wanted to expand in the pneumatic tyre business, we needed partners who would benefit from our entire line,“ Flaska says, adding that there are now over 50 Hoist dealers in the US. In the UK, Locators Ltd markets Hoist’s Neptune series while in Australia, dealership Budget Forklifts promotes the company’s full line. Flaska says there are several Hoist dealers in Canada but he expects more international dealers to start representing Hoist. “Having global success with current dealerships, it makes perfect sense with the heavy import-export industry coming our way for [increased demand in our] upcoming container handlers and reach stackers for port industry applications.” The Hoist line-up includes the P-Series pneumatic forklift, Neptuna series marina forklift, and the Titian, FKS and Lazer series cushion-tyre forklifts. It recently added empty and loaded container handlers to its line and is introducing reach stackers in the third quarter of 2008 (Forkliftaction.com News #315).  Seven things to consider when preparing your 2008 marketing plan
Contact our advertising sales team on info@forkliftaction.com, phone +61 (0)7 3369 9090 or fax +61 (0)7 3369 9096.   ECOtality buys Minit-Charger SCOTTSDALE, AZ, United States Renewable energy company ECOtality Inc has signed an agreement to acquire the assets and operations of Minit-Charger for USD3 million. ECOtality says it will combine Minit-Charger’s line of fast chargers for forklifts and materials handling systems with Electric Transportation Engineering Corp (eTec)’s Supercharge line of battery fast chargers for airport ground support equipment to expand the company’s product line and market share. eTec, an ECOtality subsidiary, will manage the Minit-Charger business after the acquisition. ECOtality president Jonathan Read says: “The acquisition of Minit-Charger - and our previous acquisition of eTec - exemplifies ECOtality’s strategy to acquire and advance revenue-generating companies with accretive technologies that reduce the environmental impacts of transportation and energy production.” Read adds that ECOtality will explore additional transportation applications for the Minit-Charger and eTec Supercharge technologies. Don Karner, eTec president, says the company will boost its presence in the battery and fast-charge markets by leveraging synergies between the Minit-Charger and eTec Supercharge technologies. “We will … aggressively explore and develop additional applications for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle markets and infrastructures.” Minit-Charger, established in 1998, is a subsidiary of Edison International, a NYSE-listed company. It employs 25 people in North America. According to the company, there are more than 1,000 Minit-Charger systems powering over 3,000 forklifts in the US and Canada. The company has generated over USD40 million in revenues since 1998. In the 12 months ended 30 September 2007, it made revenues of USD5.16 million. Global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan estimates the North American industrial fast battery charger market revenues grew 16% from 2005 to 2006 and expects it to grow 17% this year. ECOtality raised USD1.5 million from institutional investors to fund the Minit-Charger acquisition. CITA joins the Alliance WASHINGTON, DC, United States The China Industrial Truck Association (CITA) has accepted an offer to join the Alliance of Industrial Truck Organisations (AITO), a forum that discusses matters of concern to forklift manufacturers. At AITO’s September meeting, presidents of the Federation of European Material Handling Association (FEM), Industrial Truck Association (ITA) and Japan Industrial Vehicle Association (JIVA) invited CITA to join the alliance. ITA president James Malvaso says AITO wants to promote common interests among its members: “It’s time the worldwide industry recognises the importance of China as a producer and consumer of our products.” Malvaso says AITO members work together through discussions and concerted actions regarding statistics, standards and regulations relevant to its members. He adds that while the alliance welcomes CITA as a member, the Chinese association needs to develop a management committee composed solely of industrial truck manufacturers to work with the manufacturing members of ITA, FEM and JIVA. “We have common concerns with standards, statistics and government regulations and we need a united front to maximise our efforts.” AITO rotates its meetings between Europe, Japan and the US. The next meeting is held in conjunction with the JIVA annual meeting on 16 May 2008. CITA has offered to host the 2009 meeting. Established in 1998, AITO is composed of the management committees of the participating associations.  Product News TMHE upgrades reach truck BRUSSELS, Belgium Toyota Material Handling Europe (TMHE) has upgraded the BT Reflex M-Series reach trucks introduced in 1999. The improvements include a new drive unit, motor, gearbox and drive wheel, a new cabin interior, PIN code access, easy mounting for electronic equipment and an expanded options list. TMHE product manager Magnus Lindsten says the upgrade was done to put the forklifts on the same level as the rest of the company’s reach truck range, particularly the driver’s compartment features. The upgraded forklifts will be available in all BT and Toyota markets. Super elastic reach trucks ASCHAFFENBURG, Germany Linde Material Handling has introduced the super-elastic tyred (SE) R14G-R20G reach truck range worldwide. Manufactured at Basingstoke, UK, the SE reach trucks have “higher clearance underneath the chassis and a unique suspension system for the drive unit”. They can be used on smooth concrete floors or on a cobbled street surface. Linde says reach trucks reduce operator fatigue compared to counterbalanced forklifts because of the visibility offered by their side-facing seats when transporting high loads. JLG launches super compact machine McCONNELLSBURG, PA, United States JLG Industries Inc has introduced the JLG G5-18A super compact telehandler for the construction, landscape and agricultural markets. It has a 5,500lb (2,495kg) maximum lifting capacity, 1,850lb (839kg) lifting capacity at the fully extended reach of 11 feet (3.4 metres) and a 126-inch (3.2 metre) turning radius. With a gross weight of under 11,000lbs (4,990kg), it is 146 inches- (3.7 metre) long, 71-inches (1.8 metre) wide and 77-inches (2.0 metre) high. JLG spokesman Brian Boeckman says the machine’s standard engine maintenance interval of 500 hours is 100% longer than other compact telehandlers. With over 35,000 searches per month … this BUSINESS DIRECTORY is the professionals’ guide to materials handling businesses Forkliftaction.com’s Business Directory currently features over 30,000 business listings. Use the directory to locate businesses that manufacture or supply products and services to the materials handling industry: forklifts, attachments, engines, components, accessories or services such as repair, training, consultancy, etc … Here are some popular searches:
For more information contact the Forkliftaction.com team: write to info@forkliftaction.com, or phone +61 (0)7 3369 9090.  Smugglers use forklift in China HONG KONG, China Five men used a forklift to smuggle computer parts from Hong Kong to mainland China. According to Xinhua News Agency, Hong Kong customs officers arrested the men for attempting to smuggle HKD2.3 million (USD295,000) of computer hard disks in northwest Hong Kong. The officers noticed the men loading the goods from a lorry to a speedboat using a forklift last Thursday night. They believed the computer parts were being smuggled to China. About 2,710 hard disks and two radio transceivers were seized while a lorry, the forklift and speedboat were impounded. Briefs Daihatsu’s parts centre to improve distribution flow BEKASI, Indonesia Daihatsu Motor Company’s Indonesian manufacturing subsidiary, PT Astra Daihatsu Motor, has invested IR60 billion (USD6.4 million) in a new spare parts centre equipped with electric forklifts, RF wireless and barcode scanners. Bisnis Indonesia reports the new facility was established to improve parts distribution flow to deliver quality customer service. The 19,453 square metre centre is built on four hectares of land in the MM2100 Industrial Zone in Cibitung, Bekasi. Previously, PT Astra Daihatsu’s spare part needs were fulfilled by 160 local vendors and foreign suppliers in Japan and Malaysia. 2008 a year for IPOs in Germany WIESBADEN, Germany Kion Group is among a list of German companies that could be floated in 2008, according to a survey of IPO (initial public offering) banks in Handelsblatt published on Tuesday. Deutsche Bahn AG, Evonik Industries AG, Talanx AG, HSH Nordbank AG are also on the list. Trade show in Turkey HANNOVER, Germany and ISTANBUL, Turkey WIN Part 1, a trade show exhibiting the products and services of machinery, welding, surface treatment and materials handling companies, will be held from 7-10 February 2008 at TÜYAP Fair Convention and Congress Centre in Istanbul, Turkey. For more information, visit www.win.fair.com/en. The show is organised by Hannover-Messe Bileşim Fuarcilik AŞ. Marangoni invests in Sri Lanka production VERONA, Italy Marangoni Industrial Tyres will build a plant in Sri Lanka to produce super elastic tyres. According to Modern Tire Dealer, the tyres will be mainly for forklifts but also used on loading platforms, loaders and other industrial and commercial machinery. Marangoni vice president Giovanni Marangoni says the investment is aimed at increasing the company’s production capacity and boosting the group’s market share. The new plant will be integrated with Marangoni’s R&D centre in Rovereto, Italy. Pallet network operator on a roll United Kingdom UK Pallets, mail carrier Business Post’s freight distribution division, has announced a multi-million pound investment program, according to a report in the Birmingham Post. The Lichfield-based company, which employs 200 people, predicts its business will grow by over 10% this year and projects similar growth for the next three years. As part of its expansion program, UK Pallets just received a delivery of 30 Scania trucks that will replace and augment its existing distribution fleet. At its national hub in Fradley Park, 140,000 sq ft (12,006 m²) of storage space is being created and 70,000 sq ft (6503m²) of warehousing space is being planned. The site currently handles about 5,500 pallets a night. The extension will be completed in the first half of 2008. It is also investing in a range of handheld and forklift-mounted scanners for staff and customers to track freight throughout the operation. UK Pallets operates a nationwide express pallet delivery service through its network of 70-plus logistics and distribution companies. Parent company Business Post has an 8% share of the UK’s premium express delivery market. Movers & Shakers JÄRVENPÄÄ, Finland Rocla Oyj has appointed Tapio Rummukainen CEO effective on 1 January 2008. He replaces Jussi Muikku who has served the company for 18 years. Rummukainen is currently vice president of business development for Partia Vehicles Oy, an international defense and aerospace group. WIESBADEN, Germany Linde Material Handling has appointed Theodor Maurer to its management board, effective 1 January 2008. Maurer replaces Georg Silbermann who leaves after four years of service for professional challenges outside Linde. Maurer has held various executive positions in Daimler AG’s commercial vehicle business for over 20 years. He is an industrial engineer. IRVINE, CA, United States Toyota Material Handling USA Inc (TMHU) has appointed Jeff Reid national information technology manager. Reid will be responsible for the research, development and management of TMHU’s technology-related systems and activities. He was vice president of semiconductor solutions company Conexant Systems Inc. Search 4401 listings in the MarketplaceSample of used equipment for sale:
and thousands more... Click here to include your used forklifts, stackers, telehandlers, container handlers, attachments etc. Linde modifies for British Airways challenge BASINGSTOKE, United Kingdom British Airways (BA) has acquired 150 new Linde P 250 electric tow tractors to enhance its operations when it moves to Terminal 5 at London’s Heathrow Airport. The airline had very specific requirements that were met by Linde Material Handling South East. BA general manager Colin McWilliam says the real challenge was finding a model powerful enough to navigate inclines around Terminal 5 but also environmentally friendly. Linde sales director David Bunting says the tow tractors had to maintain a 10mph (16km/h) minimum speed around the terminal which had gradients over 5%, while towing 4,700kg (10,362lb) loads. The P 250 model was modified to BA’s requirements by “incorporating a twin-drive axle from their existing range, each with 12kW power output”. A 960 Ah copper stretch metal battery with 25% more energy and longer operating life than a conventional battery was also fitted. A prototype of the modified P 250 was tested at Millbrook and on site at Terminal 5. The order consists of 127 long wheelbase P 250s and 23 P 250s with a carrying platform for larger and more awkward baggage shapes. So far 25 units have been delivered with the rest scheduled to arrive by March 2008. The baggage tugs are built at Linde Material Handling Ltd’s Basingstoke plant.
$8 million logistics facility in Brisbane BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia Logistics company DHL is setting new environmental and security standards for the industry with its substantial investment in a new purpose-built global forwarding facility in Brisbane. The $8 million facility, located at Brisbane Airport, covers more than 4,250 square metres and includes cool-chain facilities to handle perishable goods, along with air freight import and export, ocean freight import and export, and customs clearance. One of the first customers to use the facility will be Sandvik Mining and Construction Australia, which imports a range of mining equipment from the US, Europe and Singapore. Items range from giant mining drill rigs, loaders and trucks to small packages of spare parts. The facility has the highest security certification from the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) and includes motion detectors, 25 CCTV cameras, a high-value goods storage area, and state-of-the-art alarm system. Major industrial hub planned in North Queensland BOWEN, North Queensland, Australia The Queensland government continues to move ahead with plans to create a major new industrial hub at the emerging port of Abbot Point, north of Bowen in North Queensland, according to the latest report from ICHCA Australia. The Northern Economic Triangle Strategic Plan 2007-2012 nominates Bowen, Townsville and Mount Isa as key players in future industrial development and mineral processing. The most pronounced benefit for Bowen will be the Abbot Point State Development Area (SDA), with around 5,000 ha of greenfield industrial area situated between 10km and 25km from the Bowen township. Up to 15,000 ha of land has been set aside as a buffer area between these large-scale industries and other land uses while infrastructure corridors between the SDA and the port are an essential part of the plan. The project is strategically placed on the eastern coast, near a deep water port which can be expanded and close to transport links like the Bruce Highway and existing rail infrastructure. Other initiatives for Bowen to support the SDA and Northern Economic Triangle plans are upgraded gas and electricity supplies, the Water for Bowen project to pipe up to 60,000 megalitres a year from the Burdekin River to Bowen, and urban planning initiatives to make sure population growth is supported. Young Christmas workers at higher risk VICTORIA, Australia As the annual flood of young workers enters the work force across the state in the lead-up to Christmas, WorkSafe Victoria is calling on employers to ensure proper training and supervision is provided. “Young Victorian workers between 15 and 25 have the highest proportion of work-related injury as well as a higher rate of hospitalisation than other age groups,” says WorkSafe’s executive director, John Merritt. “(Young and inexperienced workers) need a higher level of supervision than experienced people and should never be left alone to work.” To help Victorian employers make their workplaces safe for young workers, WorkSafe has just released three new publications aimed at young workers and their employers. The ‘Work experience induction checklist’, ‘Training checklist for young workers’ and ‘Safety tips for young workers’ are easy-to-read guides that address issues from training to supervision”. The new publications also address the responsibilities of young workers in the workplace, and can be found on WorkSafe’s website - www.worksafe.vic.gov.au. Four in 10 employees plan to look for work elsewhere BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia A new survey shows four out of 10 employees are about to look for work elsewhere. The new survey, developed by Brisbane HR consulting firm Astor Levin, shows that high overall satisfaction ratings in a company are no guarantee against high staff turnover - four out of 10 employees surveyed were about to seek work elsewhere and even one in four employees who said they were satisfied with their workplace were still planning to leave. According to Colin Melbourne, managing director of Astor Levin, the current tight labour market is changing the dynamic between employer and employee. “It is now often up to the employer to show why someone should want to work at their company, not the other way around,” he says. “Our new survey shows that even if a company is able to attract the right people to work for it, retaining those people will be a constant challenge.” The survey, with over 1,000 respondents across many industry sectors and company sizes right across Australia, showed that 71% of those surveyed were satisfied with the organisation overall but 40% were planning to look for work elsewhere in the next six months. Briefs AUCKLAND, New Zealand, New Zealand Safety steps taken to avoid exposure The Air New Zealand cargo building at Auckland’s Ogilvie Drive was evacuated last Friday morning . An item labelled as having radioactive contents that was delivered early that morning was discovered to have damage to its outside packaging. However, further inspection by cargo staff revealed the inner packaging to be completely secure with no leakage of any hazardous materials. This was confirmed by independent testing. Arrangements were made to have the piece of machinery repacked in a safe manner. As a precautionary measure, and following standard airline procedures, the building was evacuated and emergency services notified. Four staff members exposed to the package were checked by St Johns, which had no health concerns for them. Air New Zealand Security and Occupational Health and Safety teams will be conducting follow-up investigations. National forklift competition The Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA) has officially launched the ‘Great Fork Off’, a national forklift competition. The competition will commence in January and conclude in April 2008. The finalists of each heat will compete at the Grand Final which will be held during MATEX 08 at Sydney Olympic Park on April 17, 2008. The competition is designed to improve forklift awareness, load shifting knowledge and OH&S in the supply chain and logistics industry - and have some fun along the way. Schaefer Sydney will be hosting all of the NSW-based semi-finals as well as providing a sausage sizzle, drinks and activities for the family during the heats. Hyster will be providing the forklifts for the Grand Final at MATEX 08. To enter the competition, hopefuls must be licensed forklift operators. To download a registration form, log onto www.sclaa.com.au or email your request to nsw@sclaa.com.au Man severely injured in forklift accident A 45-year-old man remains in a critical condition in Royal Perth Hospital after being severely injured in a forklift accident this week in Welshpool, according to a report in ABC News. The man's forklift toppled while working in a container yard. He remained trapped under the vehicle for almost two hours as emergency crews worked to free him.  Send this newsletter to an associate
"Linde PureMotion" – efficient for man, the environment and the company Linde Material Handling provides its customers with unique and easy to handle product solutions for more efficiency. With Linde PureMotion, the company combines its technological expertise for the protection of man and environment in all company areas. The principle of sustainability comes to the fore. Click here for the full text of this release, including pictures. Don’t Hesitate, Rejuvinate CHRISTMAS SHUTDOWN SPECIAL 2007 Powerlift (Nissan) Pty Ltd can now give your forklift the facelift it needs over Christmas. Powerlift Nissan is one of the largest and most accomplished operators in the Australian materials handling industry. Breathe new life into your forklift without breaking the bank! $1,500 +GST (Paint Optional). Click here for the full text of this release, including pictures. Powerlift (Nissan) wishes you a merry Christmas and a New Year abounding with health, happiness and prosperity With the recent release of our 1F Series, we would like to invite you to contact any of our branches/dealers to arrange a free test drive in January 2008. A New Force is Born: 1F Series PNEUMATIC TYRE/ ENGINE-POWERED MODELS 1.5-3.5 TONNE Born from original Nissan research and development: increased reliability and environmental friendliness, powered by a super-low-emission Nissan engine. Click here for the full text of this release, including pictures. 
EBLO SEATING releases it's new MGV20/C1 narrow seat Click here for more information on this product, including pictures. RAEDER-VOGEL: Special wheel materials for cold store and deep-freeze applications Click here for more information on this product, including pictures. 
ITA to renew OSHA agreement WASHINGTON, DC, United States The Industrial Truck Association (ITA) wants to renew its partnership agreement with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) next year. Click here for the full Fork Talk feature, including pictures. 
Steve Stewart, Powerlift Nissan SYDNEY, Australia Click here for the full Industry Profile feature, including pictures.   |
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