Ramp still going strong after 25 years

The first mobile yardramp built by Thorworld Industries is still going strong more than 25 years after it was made.

Tivac Alloys' business depends on buying titanium alloy parts from all over the world, which it melts and sends to steelworks for reprocessing. With no unloading facility on site, incoming containers were booked into local storage depots, where alloys were unloaded to smaller vehicles adjust in 150mm increments.

At the customers request, some existing cantilever racking was used, following assessment for suitability.

Pro-Dek also installed lateral beams in some locations to allow for pallet storage.

Racking included both standard and narrow aisles.

In the narrow aisle sections, floor-fixed guide rails were fitted to prevent damage.

for delivery to Tivac at a cost per container of about £500.

The company decided to invest in a yardramp to enable it to unload on-site. Thorworld suggested a second-hand machine - and realised it had a logistics veteran for the job.

Ramp No.1 was built in 1986 and used for many years by Claymore Grass Machinery, before being replaced by an upgraded Thorworld model. Ramp 1 was restored and put on display at Thorworld head office, until being called back into active service for Tivac in 2009. Now it is in constant use and Tivac can take on jobs that used to be restricted Atlanta Packaging UK has by cost implications.