Assa Abloy’s door lock and security products, encompassing the established Yale, Chubb, Union, Mul-tlock and Adams Rite brands, are distributed throughout the UK to locksmiths, distributors, OEMs and national retailers, including the largest high street DIY specialists.
Each of these outlets is served by the national distribution centre in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, which contains thousands of products within the group’s portfolio.
Mark Beresford, general manager at Assa Abloy’s national distribution centre, says: “Our 120,000 square foot distribution centre houses 8,000 pallet locations with over 7,500 SKUs in stock ranging from small door rim cylinders to large UPVC multi point locks that are over six foot in length when packaged.
“With such a vast product range comes many different materials handling needs. It was essential that we had a range of equipment that could cater for the different sizes of packages and pallets we distribute. But we also needed flexibility and the peace of mind that the fleet would be managed and serviced efficiently and that we knew what all of the costs were going to be up front.
“The package proposed by Yale UK covered every aspect of the fleet’s management without any hidden costs or surprises. It includes a tyre replacement programme, full service schedule, monthly KPI reports and regular review meetings to ensure the fleet continues to meet our needs as our business inevitably grows and changes in line with customer demands.”
Included within the 15-strong fleet are two Yale electric counterbalance VF forklift trucks, some of the most manoeuvrable four-wheel electric forklifts currently available, and one new VG series cushion tyre electric counterbalance forklift truck.
“What we liked about the VF model was Yale’s innovative extended steeraxle that will allow us to operate more effectively in confined spaces,” says Beresford.
Providing a turning radius comparable with many three-wheel forklift trucks in the market, the two 1,600kg capacity VF electric counterbalance forklift trucks are used in the goods-in area, unloading products from the three containers that arrive every day.
Beresford adds: “The Yale VF is comfortable for the operator and is very easy to manoeuvre, especially in tight and confined spaces, which is vital in our goods-in area where space is at a premium.”
The 2,500kg capacity VG forklift truck has been fitted with a fork positioner for lifting the multi point locks that are packaged in large wooden crates over six foot in length.
With Yale’s Hi-Vis high visibility mast, the Yale VG forklift was specified to be able to reach the top beam at 5.3 metres in the warehouse while operating in the confined aisles.
