Truck and Track Autumn 2021

Truck and Track Autumn 2021 www.truckandtrack.com 36 PALLET NETWORKS Spotlight on ...Handling Equipment UK In this month’s issue of Truck and Track, we’re including the first in a series of Q&A interviews with leading names from the logistics industry. Barbara Ryan managed to catch up with Andy Williams, Managing Director of Handling Equipment UK to discover some facts about his career to date and what his plans are for the future. Barbara Ryan (BR): Tell me a little about your involvement with the UK’s materials handling industry. Andy Williams (AW): I’ve been in the business over 40 years and began by manufacturing materials handling equipment. Then, in 1994, I set up a company to import a range of handling products which then went to market via a network of resellers offering end-user sales and hire. A year later, I began importing the first Chinese-manufactured pallet trucks which, over time, expanded to include a wide range of materials handling equipment including warehouse trucks and forklifts. BR: Broadly speaking, what ranges and types of handling equipment do you offer? AW: I’m pleased to say that Handling Equipment UK is a premium importing distributor for the EP Equipment range of products. The range includes Lithium-ion battery powered forklifts, diesel and gas forklifts, order pickers, warehouse equipment including powered pallet trucks, scissor lifts, pallet levellers, stackers, pallet trucks and a variety of “specials” for bespoke applications. We also offer a vast range of spare parts with advice available from our technical team. BR: I understand that, apart from direct sales, you also supply to a number of sales agents/distributors. How successful is that model and how do customers benefit? AW: Actually, because we only sell to distributors and resellers, end users benefit from local service back up and advice. We, in turn, support our distributor network with on site advice and application recommendations. BR: What are the main advantages of using Lithium-ion as a power source? AW: For many end users, the most important advantage is that Lithium-ion battery powered trucks produce zero emissions. Also, these batteries offer high speed chargingwith 42%charged in one hour and fully charged in just two and a half hours. Inmany applications, this feature minimises or even eliminates the need for spare batteries. Furthermore, there is no requirement for battery maintenance, eg topping up or cleaning off corrosion. Lithium-ion batteries also offer telematics as standard to provide management information and minor adjustments remotely. Recent developments in Lithium-ion batteries has seen the introduction of the latest LiFePO4 batteries which not only provide five to six hours continuous operation but also offer the high speed charging that I mentioned earlier. BR: Do you think hydrogen-powered handling equipment will ever be a feasible proposition? AW: Possible, although there are a few hurdles to clear before they become a viable proposition. At the moment, hydrogen is very expensive to produce and difficult to store. Also, hydrogen is highly inflammable and fossil fuels are needed to produce it. At the moment, there is no infrastructure in place to deliver hydrogen to where it would be needed. Whichever way you look at it, hydrogen is a long term possibility whereas Lithium-ion power is available now.