A fleet of JCB Teletruks is helping to save time, space and emissions at one of the UK's leading builders' merchants.
In the fast-paced world of builders' merchant operations, managing time and space efficiently are critical components of success. Yard space has become a premium asset that requires meticulous planning and management. And with ever tightening deadlines demanded by the construction industry, builders' merchants play a pivotal role in ensuring that materials are supplied promptly to avoid costly delays in project timelines.
One leading builders' merchant is meeting these challenges head on. With the help of some of JCB’s most innovative machines it is maximising yard space and streamlining operations with a sustainable and community-friendly business model. Already one of the world’s largest JCB Teletruk users, Lawsons have recently invested in a fleet of 13 brand new JCB Stage V 35-23D diesel and 35-22E electric versions, taking its total fleet to well over 100.
Established in 1921, Lawsons (Whetstone) Ltd is one of the largest independent timber, building materials and fencing merchants in the UK. The Lawsons Group incorporates 37 branches spanning from the south coast all the way to Boston in Lincolnshire and prides itself on serving local builders and tradesmen as well as DIY enthusiasts.
URBAN ENVIRONMENTS
With many of its facilities located in urban environments close to residential communities, Lawsons is conscious of the need to do all that it can to consider any concerns that those who live near to its depots may have about noise and air quality. The company makes every effort to ensure that the materials handling equipment in use at its sites – particularly those located in higher density environments – is as quiet as possible and complies with current emission standard regulations. This has been a key driver for the addition of Stage V and electric models.
Lawsons identified the benefits that the Teletruk would bring to its business in the early days of the pioneering forklift and JCB Teletruk technology has played a key role in the company’s materials handling processes ever since. It has become one of the world’s largest users of JCB Teletruks with its fleet of more than 115 machines used for a variety of duties, including: unloading incoming delivery vehicles, putting away and picking stock, and loading Lawsons’ transport fleet with orders bound for customer sites.
As with many merchants, outside space at some of Lawsons’s sites is limited, which only accentuates the Teletruk’s qualities. It’s telescopic forward reach boom allows trailer and vehicle beds to be accessed from only one side. Picking or packing loads from one side reduces the space needed to load or unload a vehicle, so they can be parked tight to a wall or racking – leaving valuable space free in the central yard area for additional storage, extra delivery vehicles or for tasks such as cross docking.
Lawsons Deputy Head of Transport, Daniel Hearne said: “We have used JCB Teletruks for over 15 years. We love the versatility of this unique machine, as you can load from one side of a truck thanks to the telescopic boom which is useful in tight spaces. The electric models bring those same qualities with zero emissions operation and will be used in our inner-city, urban depots in London and the South-East, where the switch to electric will help offset our carbon footprint. We are excited to invest in some of the latest electric and Stage V models which we are confident will continue to help grow our business.”
A FORKLIFT REVOLUTION
Launched in October 1997, the JCB Teletruk remains the world’s only telescopic lift truck and offers users the benefit of forward reach thanks to its telescopic boom. When the JCB Teletruk was first launched it challenged conventional thinking. Its unique design and functionality has won numerous awards – including the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) award for Innovation, Safety and Ergonomics.
In operation at countless facilities across the world, the Teletruk has succeeded in disrupting an established, mature market and revolutionised operations where containers, curtain sided trailers, vans and other delivery vehicles have to be loaded and unloaded quickly, safely and efficiently.
Until 2019 JCB’s Teletruks were powered by diesel and LPG and used predominantly in outdoor applications. With the launch of its electric models, the Teletruk became suited for a wealth of tasks inside buildings as well as outside – offering a new generation of customers the cost and space saving advantages enjoyed by users over the past two decades. Almost 250,000 electric forklifts are sold around the world every year, with Europe accounting for almost two thirds of the market, so the potential for these models is huge.
SPACE & TIME
The JCB 30-19E and 35-22E electric Teletruks are part a new generation of innovative products from the JCB E-TECH range of equipment, which deliver zero emissions at point of use without compromising performance. The forward reach electric forklifts feature a unique telescopic boom and are capable of a full 8-hour shift on a single charge.
The 35-22E boasts a max lift capacity of 3,500kg and max lift height of 4.00m. At 2.00m, lift capacity is 2,220kg. The 30-19E model has a maximum lift capacity of 3,000kg and max lift height of 4.00m. Lift capacity is 1900kg at 2.00m. Their small turning circle and single side-loading capability make them more productive on materials handling work, inside and outdoors.
Because they are battery-powered, JCB’s electric Teletruks are supremely quiet and produce zero emissions – making it suited to tasks inside a building, while its fully sealed, weather-proof body protects the machine’s driveline and other key components from the elements when the Teletruk is required to work in the yard.
When it comes to loading and unloading containers from within a building, the electric Teletruk offers superior performance to other types of materials handling equipment while, outside, the Teletruk can load or unloaded a curtain-sided trailer in under 30 minutes and requires 30 per cent less space than conventional counterbalanced trucks to work in. In fact, customers can save 70m² of space per truck with single side loading. In addition, a total of eight minutes can be saved on opening and closing truck curtains per load.
OUT OF REACH
As one of the world’s biggest users of the JCB Teletruk, Lawsons is uniquely placed to extol the virtues of a truly unique machine. With the addition of the latest electric JCB models to its fleet, this forward-thinking firm is moving even further out of reach of its competitors.