Moving metal all four ways
September 1st 2008 Storage capacity and efficiency
has been boosted by Doré Metal
Services, helped by Atlet's
expertise and consultancy support.
The non-ferrous metal supplier
opted for Atlet Forte UFS four-way
reach trucks as they supported a
new way of working with higher
storage density and were thought
to offer value for money.
Business growth prompted Doré
to consolidate operations into a
new 3000m2 distribution
warehouse at Sittingbourne, which
it wanted to configure with
cantilever and 'A' frame racking to
provide a flexible, efficient way of
storing extrusions, tubes, bars and
billets up to 6m in length.
The Forte UFS four way reach
truck can be driven forwards,
backwards and sideways; all three
wheels swivel. An Atlet project
manager advised on the warehouse
design, including configuration of
racking and aisle widths to ensure
maximum storage capacity,
efficiency and potential for growth.
Atlet suggested a transit aisle
across the middle of the warehouse
to reduce the average distance the
truck would move to complete
each task. Although this cut
storage capacity, it resulted in
greater productivity. The aisle
formed a boundary between
cantilever and 'A' frame racking.
As the warehouse was
commissioned to tight deadlines,
the new trucks were not available
when it opened. Atlet loaned two
trucks for a fortnight and arranged
for drivers to be trained to use
what, for them, was a completely
new type of truck. More articles from Atlet Limited: | 
