Yale steers towards electric future

Part of the US-based Nacco Materials Handling group, Yale has offered a range of battery-driven trucks for more than 80 years and it's this heritage, it says, that will steer its future focus. The latest launches follow a period of investment in new product development, as well as in the Masate facility, where €2 million has been spent on building a new area for production of VNA equipment. Like all other Nacco production facilities, it adopts the demand flow technology process – making each product to order. Daniel Heap, senior product strategy manager for electric counterbalance products, made the bold claim that, "this year, we will have the most comprehensive electric counterbalance range in Europe, with eight different products ranging from 1.25 tonnes to 5.5 tonnes. It means Yale has the right solution for any handling operation, inside or out." Masate is one of three European production facilities: others are in Craigavon, Northern Ireland, and Nijmegan, the Netherlands. The group's other Italian site in Modena was closed in 2009 and production moved to Masate. This promoted the Masate site investment, enabling VNA trucks to be assembled in a new building – in which they can be tested to lift heights of more than 18m (pictured). Ten people currently work on a single shift, producing 1.8 units per day. Elsewhere in the factory, up to 80 units of warehouse equipment are made each day (on two shifts), including order pickers, reach trucks and pallet trucks. Ian Melhuish, VP for marketing, EMEA, said the renewed focus on electric would not mean that Yale no longer offers IC engine trucks – indeed, the company also unveiled new diesel trucks that are about to go into production – but the product range will centre on electric equipment . "Despite the worst recession in living memory," he said, "Yale has invested in people, in products and in facilities to ensure we're in the best possible position for the future." Brand manager Steve Ridgway added: "Yale will continue to ensure that new product and people development remains a focus for the company, its customers and its dealer network. The result will be people and products focused on providing customers with practical solutions to increase productivity, decrease operating costs and provide a more comfortable environment for equipment operators." Product announcements at the event included: * A new tow tractor – Yale's first since 1940 – which features a low platform, making it easy for drivers to move on and off. The unit, called the MO50T, can pull loads of up to 5 tonnes and features a coasting/creep speed function, which allows the operator to move the tow tractor to the next location without having to be on board. * Heavy-duty, electric counterbalance trucks (the VM range), with a capacity of 4, 4.5 and 5 tonnes. * The VC series of 1.25t to 1.5t capacity, three-wheel forklift trucks, designed for light to medium duty handling operations. The compact trucks have good manoeuvrability and a top speed of 12km/hour. Yale products are available in the UK from Briggs Equipment.