Elster Metering of Luton has been a serial innovator throughout its century-plus manufacturing history … and just can't get out of the habit.
The company manufactures meters - water, electricity and gas, having sold some 350 million to over 150 countries on its way to becoming market leader. But even market leaders have to be proactive to keep ahead of the pack and when it came to sustaining productivity levels and it made the most of the opportunity to improve throughput and employee wellbeing by adopting modern health and safety practices.
Elster was using a conventional manual stacker to feed production operatives with bulk castings for assembly work. Analysis showed that by providing each of five workstations with its own lightweight, dedicated, low cost mini-stacker functioning as a work positioner, improvements in space utilisation and general manoeuvring in the production area could be supplemented by a lowering in operator fatigue.
Stooping and straining eliminated
The company purchased ROBUR mini-stackers from Stanley Handling. Each is capable of carrying 6 boxes of castings, weighing 40/50kg apiece. Special bridge pallets enable the cumulative load to be elevated from floor level. With hydraulic lifting by foot pump the need for manual lifting effort is eliminated and the boxes can be progressively raised to the most convenient working level as each box is emptied and removed from the stack.
The maximum lift height selected was 1200mm (although a 1700mm version is an option). Capacity is 400kg, comfortably within the intended maximum load. Fork length is 650mm. 'Total stop' footbrakes ensure safety when positioning is complete.
Low cost belies the modern styling of the ROBUR Mini-Stacker range that is coupled with light weight and easy manoeuvring. The operating frequency at Elster led the company to select manual lift versions but powered lift units are available.
These new machines were incorporated into the company's established operator training and contract maintenance schemes that it operates with supplier, Stanley Handling.
Long standing relationship
Elster's Mark Potter is quick to emphasise the company's willingness to adopt such modern handling methods. "Just because we have a long tradition, he says, doesn't mean that we can afford complacency. Fortunately, we have a long-standing relationship with our handling equipment supplier, Stanley Handling, whose approach to in-process handling is also innovative. This change illustrates that it is possible to balance the introduction of modern health and safety techniques with improvements in productivity - a challenge many less established companies find daunting."
For more information, please contact :
Sarah Stanley at sarah@stanleyhandling.co.uk or tel 01582 767711 fax 01582 765994