Gas cylinder distribution specialist CryoService has recently taken delivery of a PowerMate stairclimber from Stanley Handling.
The Worcester-based company supplies a wide range of gases, gas generators, gas control equipment and related services to industry, the leisure sector and biomedical and scientific communities across the UK.
A large part of the company’s business is the supply of refillable cylinders containing a variety of different gases. These are awkward to manoeuvre and - at an average unladen weight of 140kgs - present a real manual handling challenge. The cylinders were traditionally loaded and unloaded from the company’s Transit-style vans using a conventional large-platform tail-lift and the not inconsiderable efforts of a two-man team. Onward movement to and from the point of use generally required more of the latter!
Whilst the primary driver for the purchase of a PowerMate LE1 was health and safety, a dramatic improvement in efficiency as well as considerable financial benefits soon became apparent.
Cylinders are loaded onto the PowerMate and strapped securely into place and although special locators to secure cylinders are available the straps have proved more than adequate. PowerMate lowers or raises the load plate to or from the ground and is then used to transport the unit to where it is required. Should this involve negotiating steps or stairways or crossing thresholds this presents no problem for the unit in ‘stairclimber’ mode.
After thorough operator training by Stanley Handling, CryoService has been able to improve productivity by reducing from two to one the number of personnel needed for cylinder deliveries. The functionality of PowerMate will enable the company to avoid the extra cost of tail-lifts when replacing current vehicles.
With plans in hand to acquire two new vans and two further PowerMate units, CryoService project engineer Dave Pritchard commented; “Introducing the PowerMate has made life a lot simpler and safer for the distribution team. It’s almost as if they were designed for the job.”
For more information, please contact :
Sarah Stanley at sarah@stanleyhandling.co.uk or tel 01582 767711 fax 01582 765994