Batteries in forklift trucks have to be reliable. Performance, low maintenance intensity and full power even in multi-shift operation – those are just some of the requirements that logistics companies place on traction batteries. Unscheduled changing of batteries and high maintenance costs are definitely not among them. That not only costs companies money, but also leads to a loss in productivity.
Rocking the three-shift operation
An US-based company also experienced this. As one of the leading food manufacturers in the USA, it supplies mayonnaises, sauces, condiments, margarines, cooking oils and spices to the retail trade and the catering industry. In one of the company's 15 production sites, batteries from another battery company were previously used. Batteries that could only be used for a maximum of one to eight hours in a three-shift operation and that were already past their prime. In addition, equalisation and correction charging was required on a weekly basis. As a result, the logisticians had to change the batteries per forklift truck two to three times a day on average and maintain them weekly. An effort that was not feasible in addition to regular operations.
For this reason, the company has been relying on HOPPECKE’s expertise since 2021. A total of 19 trak | uplift air batteries (with electrolyte circulation) and 15 trak | charger HF chargers are used at the plant. Together with the HOPPECKE US Service and Sales team, they were installed and commissioned in November 2021. As a result, time-consuming changing and maintenance of the batteries is now a thing of the past. For now, exactly one powerful battery is in use per forklift truck, which is quickly charged directly in the forklift truck and is used over three shifts.
24/7 monitoring of the battery fleet
Another plus point compared to the initial situation is the integrated evaluation function. The entire battery fleet is equipped with a monitoring system. In this way, the fleet can be monitored remotely and intervention is possible in the event of faults. Half of the food manufacturer’s US sites already use HOPPECKE batteries and chargers. Plans are already underway to equip other locations. We are very pleased to have been able to make a contribution to increasing the productivity of the battery fleet.
