Using locally sourced materials, Phoenix Building Systems deliver quality modular and portable builds to organisations across the UK.
Phoenix Building Systems wanted to move towards a more prestigious, efficient manufacturing operation that ensured top quality and safety from start to finish. With a material handling fleet consisting of four diesel forklift trucks operating indoors and outdoors, it was initially keen to explore replacing their existing trucks with improved diesel ones.
However, in light of the UK government enforcing diesel forklift trucks to use white diesel from 2022 as a way to bring greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, running costs for diesel trucks were becoming increasingly expensive.
From one local, family run business to another, Barek Lift Trucks was expertly placed to propose a solution: going electric. With improved safety features and zero pollutants for indoor and outdoor operations, this was a great fit for Phoenix Building Systems.
“Electric is the future of the industry.” – Barek Lift Trucks
As an innovative, forward-thinking business with smart solutions, a shift to electric trucks played a key role in remodelling their smaller fleet to be fit for the future.
Change can be challenging, especially in smaller operations. Phoenix Building Systems wanted evidence that adopting electric trucks would be an effective solution. It also wanted to use a premium brand. Having previously worked with Caterpillar forklift trucks, part of the TCM Logisnext network, TCM was a familiar name to Phoenix Building Systems, and one which it trusted.
Being a mile from the office and with seven engineers available on site within the hour, Barek Lift Trucks’ rapid response service and partnership with TCM meant that it had both the product and service that Phoenix Building Systems needed.
“When it comes down to it, it’s really about support, service and the people who are going to look after you in challenging times.” – Barek Lift Trucks
Through a hands-on, consultative approach, Barek Lift Trucks was able to give the team at Phoenix Building Systems the confidence to proceed by providing electric demonstration trucks on site and the opportunity to visit other sites that had successfully moved their smaller fleets from diesel to electric. It also ran through the benefits of electric forklift trucks including increased efficiency and productivity, which can reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) even for smaller fleets. Although a more expensive investment
initially, electric trucks can bring significant long-term cost savings for fleets of any size.
Phoenix Building Systems decided to acquire two cutting-edge TCM FHB35 (3.5T) electric counterbalance forklift trucks and phase these into its fleet to ensure it was the right solution in the long run.
Phoenix Building Systems also installed a solar panel network on the roof of its new building with the view that this would not only supply electricity for the manufacturing plant but also charge the new electric forklift trucks. In this way, it received immediate payback on both investments.
Phoenix Building Systems has now extended its solar panel network and is working towards its green energy targets and increasing carbon offset.
With TCM’s proven technology and Barek Lift Trucks’ expertise and support, the trucks arrived a couple weeks early and were ready to be phased into Phoenix Building Systems’ fleet.
High quality, electric trucks that future-proof operations combined with consistent and thorough support made for a seamless integration of the new electric trucks into the fleet. The trucks are powered by lead-acid batteries supplied by Hoppecke, a premium battery manufacturer. Using lead-acid batteries with Trak Air technology and rapid chargers is the most cost-effective solution that enables opportunity charging and safe recycling. Hoppecke also provided on site support to look at MHE utilisation, operator shift patterns and charging space available in order to provide a tailored truck and battery solution with the energy capacity to handle their day-to-day operations.
“You don’t have to have 60 trucks on site to really benefit from electrification. It can just be a small to medium sized fleet operator.” – Barek Lift Trucks
For the drivers who operate the trucks on a daily basis, moving from diesel to electric forklifts was exciting but came with the challenge of adapting to
new safety features such as automatic deceleration around a corner and enforced speed limits when driving with the fork in use.
To ensure operators were happy, Barek Lift Trucks carried out on-site training and demonstrations to induct the drivers on how the truck works, as well as the benefits and adjustable features. With easy to configure actions on electric trucks, follow-up appointments were helpful to ensure operators were comfortable and make any necessary adjustments to e.g. acceleration, deceleration, lift and lower speed to suit operations.
“The expected return on investment from the move to electric forklift trucks and solar panelling as an energy source was twice as fast as originally anticipated.” – Barek Lift Trucks
After experiencing the tangible benefits of improved safety features, fuel savings and lower running costs, Phoenix Building Systems was eager to introduce the next truck. To date, it has ordered more trucks than first planned and is expecting a 5T electric truck due in April this year.
Enquiries: 01482 218 151
Email: info@barek.co.uk
