KALMAR CASE STUDY He continued: “ These trucks had done Kalmar forklifts offer quite a few hours over their lifetime and were nearing the end of their useful life. It was really a balance between whether powe rful solution for we were going to service them or replace them, and it was more cost Tarmac Building Products effective to replace them. ” TBP looked to replace the fleet with 13 new Kalmar medium trucks, used to load and unload products and stock Kalmar supplies largest construction onto distribution lorries for customer deliveries. These would operate at manufacturer with efficient new fleet. locations around the UK including Background Sussex and Yorkshire. Tarmac Building Products is the UK’s leading supplier of heavy building products, providing customers with solutions for a wide variety of construction projects throughout the built environment. It was really a Established for more than a century, the company’s first UK registered trademark for the Tarmac brand is over 100 years old and is still in use with Tarmac Building balance between Products (TBP) today. whether we were Based in Wolverhampton, TBP has successfully grown its operations to service “ the whole of the UK, providing a wide range of building materials and construction going to service solutions including blocks and mortar, screeds and flooring, grouts, plasters and them or replace “ renders, foundry sands, and cement and landscaping products among others. them, and it was Problem With a strong brand and products, TBP required robust equipment to help ensure more cost effective the materials handling work is carried out successfully. This includes the to replace them. movement of materials at different sites in the UK using fork lift trucks, as Bob Godfrey, senior operations manager, blocks, explained: “ Our previous fleet of forklifts was quite old and out of date, and as such, we ran a replacement programme to purchase new kit. ” KALMAR CASE STUDY n Terminal Tractors n Forklift Trucks n Empty Container Handlers n Loaded Container Handlers n Log Stackers n Reachstackers n Straddle Carriers n RTG-Cranes n Automatic Stacking Crane n Ship-to-Shore Cranes Call us now on 01952 752512 or email [email protected] www.kalmarglobal.com Solution The new fleet of machines offer high “It’s quite common for operators to like TBP approached different forklift truck performance and manoeuvrability for a particular brand of truck, and our providers to gain a good comparison of example, all of forklift trucks are drivers especially liked Kalmar. Using similar kit, but it was Kalmar’s reputation equipped with the latest generation trucks they are familiar with means our of making high quality, efficient and Stage IIIB engines for lower fuel drivers won’t be compromising on their ergonomic machines that helped TBP consumption. The hydraulic system safety, ” said Bob, “ The control systems come to a final decision. uses variable pumps for heavy lifting, are also very high quality, with a smaller meaning that energy use is restricted to turning circle, making the trucks easier “Our drivers had exposure to more than actual performance, while the innovative and better suited to use in the heavy- one type of manufacturers’ truck, and new EGO cabin increases driver duty environments that we have, which they trialled each one before giving us comfort and productivity. Kalmar machines are particularly designed for. ” After using differe“ nt forklift truck Bob has been impressed with the professional customer service provided manufacturers over the years, I would by Kalmar, and would highly recommend the company and definitely recommend Kalmar over equipment. “ One of the reasons we “ went back to Kalmar was our previous anyone else. experience and expectations of them. With our recent purchase, the trucks their final decision, ” said Bob. “ It was The timescale from the initial enquiry match the service, and Kalmar kept us the familiarity and previous experience to acquiring the fleet was around 16 in the picture throughout the order of Kalmar machines that made our weeks, although the overall process process. Dealing with them has certainly drivers go for these trucks. ” took much longer – nearly two years – exceeded our expectations. ” owing to company changes. This long The solution was to supply a new period did not affect the service offered Bob concluded: “ After using different fleet of 13 Kalmar medium fork lift by Kalmar, and if anything, proved forklift truck manufacturers over the trucks comprising eight Kalmar how professional the products and years, I would definitely recommend DCG100-6 forklifts, three Kalmar expertise were. Kalmar over anyone else. ” DCG140-6 forklifts and two Kalmar DCG120-6 forklifts. Outcome TBP is thrilled with its investment Each type of forklift is designed to offer in the new forklift fleet, and the benefits for specific environments, drivers are particularly pleased making them ideal for loading the range with the improved comfort, of heavy construction materials used ergonomics, driveability and safety by TBP. offered by their new machines..