Switch to refurbished forklifts save Sainsbury’s cash and emissions24 July 2012

Sainsbury's St Albans distribution centre is reporting success with a significant forklift truck refurbishment project involving more than 140 trucks.

Jungheinrich originally supplied the trucks –a mix of low-level order pickers, reach and counterbalance models – as new products to Sainsbury's in 2005.

After six years of service, the fleet was due to be replaced, but, in line with Sainsbury's corporate environmental responsibility policy, the company wanted to explore ways of upgrading in the most environmentally-friendly way possible.

The solution suggested by Jungheinrich, involved Jungheinrich buying back Sainsbury's entire fleet and refurbishing each truck – including with the batteries – and then contract hiring them back to Sainsbury's on a three year deal, with parts and maintenance.

"We concluded that it was an excellent opportunity that worked well for us on a number of levels," says Sainsbury's mobile plant equipment fleet manager, Derek Boghurst.

The refurbishment process began last Autumn and was completed in phases over six months, he explains. Trucks and batteries were transported to Jungheinrich's forklift refurbishment plant in Dresden, with the firm providing 'bridging' trucks in the meantime.

"We were able to demonstrate that, by refurbishing their existing fleet we were able to offer considerable cost and environmental benefits for Sainsbury's without sacrificing productivity or safety, which meant that the company was more than happy to embrace 'second life' truck technology," comments Jungheinrich corporate accounts manager Vernon Hill.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Jungheinrich UK Ltd

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