Davies Turner replaces forklift fleet

“Our operations are extremely intense,” explains Edward Stephenson, group operations director at Davies Turner. “The trucks are required to work 24 hours a day, 5 days a week as well as at weekends. It’s non-stop and we simply can’t afford unplanned downtime. We require absolute reliability from the equipment and the same from the team that services and supports it.”

The market-leading specialist in air, road and sea transportation, as well as logistics and supply chain management, found what it was looking for following a tendering process involving a number of leading suppliers. As a result, a total of 18 Mitsubishi GRENDiA LPG forklifts in capacities ranging from 1.8 to 3.5 tonnes are now providing the mechanised muscle while the local Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks team – headed by Chris Slater – is delivering the necessary high levels of after-sales support. 

“The back-up we receive has fulfilled all our expectations,” says Mr Stephenson. “We even have a dedicated engineer who has developed a really good rapport with our staff, to the point of calling in, out of hours, just to ensure everything is running smoothly.”

A reputation to maintain

With an annual turnover in excess of £170 million, Davies Turner continues to grow and enhance its reputation as the UK's foremost multimodal transport, logistics and warehouse organisation. Established in 1870, the company is still run by the same family that founded it, with Edward Stephenson part of the fifth generation of owners.

“This was a very important decision for us,” he emphasises. “We considered everything, including the possibility of switching to electric but eventually decided against it. The high demands we place on the trucks, including extended shifts, raised concerns, as did the time and additional space required for charging operations.”

Chris Slater adds: “The decision to stick with LPG was greatly facilitated by the three-way catalytic converter – fitted as standard on the Mitsubishi GRENDiA range – along with an advanced engine management system. Together they combine to ensure ultra-low emissions and industry-leading fuel economy.”

For more information, visit www.mitsubishi-forklift.co.uk