F O O D T E C H PA C K T E C H HOW HEAVY IS THAT PALLET? www.foodtechnology.co.nz 35 The big question when it comes to deciding that it’s time to move to electric power instead of man power is pricing. Because of excellent pricing from the factory, we are offering these machines at a retail price of $2950 + GST BUY OR LEASE. DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR MUTIPLE UNITS IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND REDUCE ACC CLAIMS! Talk to Northern Forklifts now to arrange a demonstration of these great back-savers. CALL 09 443 4661 or visit: www.northernforklifts.co.nz National Sales Manager: Phil Butler 021 775 741 phil@northernforklifts.co.nz FT098 VISIT US AT STAND 1058 MHL is collocated with Foodtech Packtech How heavy is that pallet? Can I move it with a hand pallet truck? These are a couple of questions that are becoming a serious focus for the food industry as businesses face more and more emphasis on employee health and safety, both from a liability and a productivity perspective. Let’s face it, an employee off work with back, leg or shoulder problems isn’t just an impact on your ACC rating or a potential prosecution case for failing to take all practicable steps to prevent harm. It’s also an impact on doing whatever it is your business does, Phil Butler of Northern Forklifts says. “Yes, we all get by for a few days when someone is off sick, but it’s always at least a nuisance and often a lot more than that if the missing person performs a key role,” Butler says. “Whether your business is manufacturing, distribution or retail it’s pretty unlikely that you have ‘spare’ staff standing round waiting to step in if someone is off work. On that basis, downtime is cost time.” So, says Butler, we’re back to the ‘how heavy is the pallet’ question and how best to move it. If it’s a 100kg load, then a hand pallet truck is just fine, no stress and no risk, he says. “If we’re talking 1000kg, then it’s a very different game. If we all had nice smooth flat floors and hand pallet trucks with nice new bearings in the wheels, and also happened to play in the front row of the scrum –no sweat. Unfortunately the opposite is often the case, but the pallet still needs moving. So what to do?” The answer, he says, is a powered pallet truck – it makes light of lifting the pallet and then drives it along the floor while the “standard size non-front-rower human” walks along with a guiding hand on the controls. Problem solved! The only drawback is the cost of that powered pallet truck. At least, it used to be the drawback until now, Butler says. Northern Forklifts is the New Zealand distributor of Hangcha Forklifts, one of the biggest and most progressive manufacturers in China. The company has a complete range of engine-powered and electric forklifts and warehouse equipment, all featuring top quality componentry backed by factory warranty and Northern Forklifts 30-plus years’ experience (and reputation for customer support). Over the past 12 years, Northern Forklifts has built a relationship with Hangcha which has now allowed it to negotiate a deal on new 1500kg powered pallet trucks… letting them into the domestic market at a price that makes hand pallet trucks darn near obsolete. “We like the product a lot, and are sure your staff will too,” Butler says. So, how heavy is that pallet? Next to nothing when it’s on your Hangcha powered pallet truck. Check out the deals by contacting Butler on 021 775 741 or phil@northernforklifts.co.nz. www.northernforklifts.co.nz
FT-Jul16
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