Forming handling solutions at Peri

On its Rugby site, Peri acquired eight Linde H 40 4000kg diesel powered hydrostatic fork lift trucks on contract hire.

Peri produces and supplies formwork systems for the construction industry and also offers value-added services such as planning software, consultancy, customised solutions, pre-assembly and training.

It is a German-based organisation with over 42 subsidiaries internationally.

There are three sites in the UK with the main facility based in Rugby, Warwickshire.

Peri entered the UK market 16 years ago and is an established market leader within the formwork industry.

Benefiting from the knowledge and expertise within the group's subsidiaries, the design and layout of the Rugby site was developed in 1998 to ensure the most efficient and cost-effective logistical processes could be employed.

This optimises the utilisation of the available space as well as the materials handling equipment to enable Peri to maintain consistently high levels of service to its clients.

The company moves approximately 40,000 tonnes of products a year, so an efficient supply chain is essential.

When the Rugby site opened, Peri acquired eight Linde H 40 4000kg diesel powered hydrostatic fork lift trucks on contract hire.

These trucks carried out a variety of tasks involving the formwork and pre-assembled structures and have performed well for the company; they have also been popular with the operators who used them.

The other Peri subsidiaries also use Linde equipment as the organisation holds them in high regard.

Carl Heathcote, managing director, explains, "Part of the culture of the organisation is that Peri will only select the best equipment for its own use just as we aim to provide only the best solutions to our customers.

"Linde has proved to be the favoured supplier based on previous experience throughout our organisation which sets very high standards of quality".

Peri uses Linde materials handling equipment exclusively throughout its UK sites.

Because of increased levels of business and a requirement to lift heavier products, Peri recently decided to source a new fleet of trucks with lifting capacities able to meet both current and planned future demands.

To meet the new handling requirements, 16 Linde H 50 5000kg, diesel powered hydrostatic trucks were chosen for use in all of the three UK sites.

The capacity upgrade was also an efficiency improving measure as Carl explained, "Formwork panels can measure 3.3m x 2.4m and weigh 400kg each.

We pack these in threes so the combined weight is 1.2 tonnes.

With the new higher capacity trucks we can now safely pick up two packs of three simultaneously, which reduces the number of truck movements while at the same time increasing productivity".

The trucks work on a four-hour a day shift in all weather conditions.

The loads being handled range from long lengths of steel (over 7 m) to large, bulky pre-fabricated formwork structures which are manufactured at the Rugby depot.

While some of these structures are not particularly heavy, they are bulky and can be awkward to handle.

The Linde H 50's have been fitted with hydraulic fork spreaders forks to provide the versatility of handling various load widths and with long forks to cope with extended load lengths.

All of the trucks have sideshifting and clamping functions for additional handling versatility.

Other specialist attachments used in the application include barrel clamps, a sweeper and a skip.

The trucks were delivered in January 2006 and have been well received by the operators and management alike.

Terry Haste, manager for operations at the Rugby depot, explains, "The operators really enjoy using the trucks.

They are very comfortable with superb heating for winter.

The truck cabs have also been fitted with one hinged door and one roll-up flexible door as a special requirement which provides more convenient entry and exit, especially during the summer months.

"It also provides the trucks with extra ventilation as they can leave the flexible door can be rolled up when working outside in warmer weather conditions.

"The hydrostatic drive and braking systems are definitely superior.

The operators consider Linde to be the best choice and are delighted with the new trucks".

Linde Creighton, the local national network company covering the midlands, has an excellent working partnership with Peri with whom it worked very closely when advising on the selection and acquisition of the new fleet and also the after sales support.

"We have a good business relationship with Linde Creighton, which operates very smoothly.

For me, that is the most important factor as it enables us to be fully focused and free to concentrate all our resources on meeting our customers' requirements".

Carl explains.

"Keith Watts and Tom Bauld from Linde Creighton have worked tirelessly with us and provided the essential support and expertise to enable us to identify and procure the most effective handling solution for our business, along with maintenance and service".

Keith Watts, sales manager, comments, "Working closely with Peri to understand its business needs has been both satisfying and interesting, and I am confident that the new fleet provides a solution that will enable Peri to meet all its current and future materials handling needs as the business continues to grow".

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