Bendi expands European distribution

UK articulated fork truck manufacturer Bendi has appointed a new partner to distribute its products in western Europe.

After a year which saw global sales exceeding expectation and manufacturing returning to the UK, Bendi has announced plans for expansion in Europe with a strategic partnership with Bendi Europe.

 Read Full Article 

Toyota Europe appoints new president

Matthias Fischer, currently the managing director of Toyota Material Handling Deutschland, has been appointed the new president of Toyota Material Handling Europe as of 15th February. He replaces Håkan Dahllöf, who has now left the company.

Matthias Fischer has extensive material handling experience, covering sales, marketing, after sales and technical services, gained through several positions with Jungheinrich. Mr Fischer has served as managing director in Italy and later on as the Jungheinrich board member responsible for sales and marketing. Since April 2007, Mr Fischer has served as managing director of Toyota Material Handling Deutschland.

 Read Full Article 

Stobart delivers to Tesco with 15.65m ‘Envirotrailer’

Transport and distribution specialist Eddie Stobart has made the first-ever UK delivery using its new high-volume Envirotrailer under new regulations introduced to boost the economy, cut congestion and slash carbon emissions from the industry.

The eco-trailer is being operated under a Vehicle Special Order as part of the Department for Transport’s recently announced 10-year trial of semi-trailers 1m and 2m longer than the then maximum length of 13.6m.

 Read Full Article 

Delivery driver killed by pallet

A Hampshire lift manufacturer has been fined £65,000 after a delivery driver was crushed to death against his own lorry by a fork lift truck.

Adam Millichip, from Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, was delivering sheet metal to Wessex Lift Co Ltd, in Romsey, on 16th November, 2007. Winchester Crown Court heard that the 27-year-old was hit by a one-tonne pallet, being moved by a fork lift truck, which crushed him against his lorry. The father of one was taken to Southampton hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

 Read Full Article 

Yale to sponsor FLTA Awards

Leading materials handling equipment manufacturer Yale Europe has confirmed that it will be a full Award Sponsor for the Fork Lift Truck Association Awards for Excellence 2012.

Yale, winner in the Environment category on two occasions, decided to become a Sponsor for Awards 2012 as a way of showing its support for the FLTA’s important work.

 Read Full Article 

Toyota launches online chat centre service

Toyota Material Handling UK has become the first UK materials handling sales and service organisation to enable customers to chat directly to a team member online.

The Chat Centre, which is accessible from the UK corporate website (www.toyota-forklifts.co.uk), is available during standard working hours and offers visitors to the site three options of making contact with Toyota: chat, email and telephone.

 Read Full Article 

Barloworld lifts supersonic Bloodhound

Barloworld Handling sped to the rescue recently when a prototype of the new Bloodhound supersonic car was delivered to Glyndwr University for the Wrexham Science Festival.

Bloodhound is the latest project in Britain aiming to break the land speed record and the university required assistance to safely lift and move the vehicle from its transporter for the special science festival event.

 Read Full Article 

IMHX: stronger by association

With the International Materials Handling Exhibition (IMHX) now just over a year away, the show’s organisers are gearing up its promotional campaign.

IMHX’s co-owners – Informa Exhibitions and the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) – are delighted with the show’s progress.

 Read Full Article 

Work life balance

Last week was a tough week for me personally as it marked the start of my return to work following a year's maternity leave - a year that meant being away from office life, the world of work and more importantly, our ever-changing industry.

After settling back in properly this week, I have discovered that although our industry changes constantly, other aspects of life do not. Using time...