Elite solution

Space is at a premium at the
London premises of Elite
Metalcraft and its sister
company Elite Structural
Steel, both in terms of cost
and availability, so the
management has ensured the
optimum use of warehousing
and manufacturing facilities
by using a Combilift 4-way
forklift to handle lengths of
structural and architectural
steel.

Elite Structural Steel is the
largest supplier of fabricated
steelwork in London and
Elite Metalcraft specialises in
the design and manufacture
of feature staircases and
ornamental balustrades in a
wide range of high quality
materials. The materials used
in both arms of the business
are exceptionally long, and
the previous counterbalance
truck used for handling
operations needed very large
areas in which to manoeuvre.

The 4 tonne capacity diesel
powered Combilift makes
light work of all the materials
moved around the site, from
small bundles of steel up to
12 or 13m lengths. Sideways
travel with long lengths
resting on the platform
rather than raised travel with
a counterbalance forklift is a
much safer way to transport
potentially hazardous loads,
and in this way even the
longest products fit easily
through the access doors
from the outside storage area
into the workshop.

The truck’s ability to work
inside and out, on uneven
surfaces and its
manoeuvrability for precise
positioning of steel at the
machining facilities has also
speeded up operations.