New contract with specialist metal manufacturer

Briggs Equipment is helping the UK’s largest specialist manufacturer of zinc alloys to improve its environmental performance by switching its materials handling fleet from diesel to electric.

The Brock Metal Company has taken delivery of three Hyster J-series counterbalanced electric forklift trucks. Briggs has supplied the machines on a five-year rental contract incorporating full servicing and maintenance support from its national engineering team.

Part of the Russian-owned Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant, The Brock Metal Company operates 24 hours / 5 days a week from its base in Norton Canes, which is close to Briggs Equipment’s headquarters in Cannock, Staffordshire. Each year, the manufacturer supplies in excess of 35,000 tonnes of primary zinc alloys for die casting and galvanizing and zinc and copper for electroplating to 25 countries across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The new materials handling contract came about because The Brock Metal Company was looking to make key savings on fuel to reduce its operational costs. The move from diesel to electric forklifts enables it to achieve this goal while also reinforcing the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint as part of an exacting environmental policy.

Neil Yates, Operations Manager at The Brock Metal Company, said: “We’re investing to make our production processes even more responsive to our customers’ needs, so it was important to review our materials handling fleet and update the equipment to keep pace with these operational changes.

“Briggs Equipment has provided us with a complete package that suits us perfectly. The upshot is that we have downsized our fleet without compromising on our handling capabilities, and this instils confidence as we focus on helping our customers to optimise product design and minimise costs.”

The tough and reliable Hyster J-series of four wheel counterbalanced electric forklift trucks delivers superior manoeuvrability with zero turning radius, while customisable performance settings enable end users to achieve a balance between energy efficiency and performance.

The Brock Metal Company will use its new high capacity machines to unload 3,500 tonnes zinc ingots from the production line and transfer them to lorries for subsequent overland transport to customers located throughout Europe. One of the forklifts will be used as a dedicated warehouse truck.

Briggs Equipment’s Senior Sales Executive Paul Robinson said: “As we continue to develop trade links with local businesses, we’re delighted to be working with The Brock Metal Company and look forward to developing a long-term materials handling partnership that will help support its business future needs.

“The cost-effective solution we have delivered-includes in-house financing through BE Finance plus servicing and maintenance support through our national network of 600 engineers along with robust Hyster equipment, which is designed for intensive manufacturing operations characterised by long, demanding shifts.”

Caption: Neil Yates, Operations Manager at The Brock Metal Company (left) is pictured with Briggs Equipment’s Senior Sales Executive Paul Robinson and one of the Hyster J-series counterbalanced electric forklift trucks.