Al-Bahar announced the delivery of 17 units of material handling equipment along with exclusive support agreement to Kibsons International, enabling their expansion plans extensively. The mix fleet including both Cat Lift trucks and UniCarriers forklifts will enable Kibsons to carry out warehousing functionalities efficiently, at their new facility in Alweer Dubai.
Founded in 1980, Kibsons International has created the foundation for market leadership in the fruit, vegetable, meat, and poultry sectors. From their establishment, Kibsons International has grown to occupy a pre-eminent position in the industry in the UAE. With their online services, they deliver freshly handpicked items directly to doorsteps in a matter of minutes.
When expansion plans were underway, Kibsons was looking for solution that would fit in specifically their unique requirements.
As part of our ongoing cold store expansion project, we were looking for flexibility and dependability while choosing the material handling solutions. Our business handles dynamic scenarios, demanding equipment that are versatile and compliant,
quoted Husainy Sharbat, operations head, Kibsons International LLC.
The new warehouse was primarily for storage and distribution capacity, with a restricted aisle space of 2.5m and radio shuttle racking system. They were in hunt of a solution that operated in narrows space. They wanted reach trucks or counter balance forklifts.
Mamoun Mutair, product manager Building Construction & Paving, Al-Bahar, commented: Having understood the unique need, we proposed narrow aisle reach trucks, with body chassis of reach truck and which was integrated with VNA mode of forklifts. This was ideal for use in narrow spaces. They also requested for additional switch for directional control and operators protection along with a comfortable space. Our equipment addressed these needs, with its proven ergonomics for operational efficiency.”
With Al-Bahar, both their products and they as a dealer were flexible. We required equipment that was a reach truck with features of an articulated lift truck to work in narrow working aisles. Al-Bahar team was receptive to our requirements. They understood our needs appropriately and offered us solutions that would work optimally, for our kind of warehouses, added Husainy.
Al-Bahar offered eight units of ALL 200 low lifter trucks, three units of each UHD 200reach trucks and URS 150 free-range reach trucks. The fleet was completed with three units of Cat® EP20 Lift Trucks. Elaborate competitor comparison were demonstrated using existing models. The UniCarriers equipment were faster, safer, cost- effective, and better than articulated competitor options that were being considered. No additional feeder equipment or P&D stations needed, as these trucks offer Stack & Move maneuverability.
Talking about the unique offerings in the UniCarriers lift trucks, Mamoun added: The UniCarriers Very-Narrow-Aisle (VNA) free-range reach truck Tergo URS series seamlessly adapts to almost any warehouse task VNA applications, stacking and internal transports. To utilise your warehouse space to the maximum, you need a VNA truck. For general duty, you need a free-range reach truck. If you need both, you can have it all. The TERGO® URS 150 chosen by Kibsons combines both man-down VNA/reach truck.
The final products included fork-tilting option and modifications were made considering their usage in cold stores. Apart for equipment requirement, they were looking for a one-stop shop for all their equipment needs and service support. Offering easier and comprehensive service, Al-Bahar is providing an exclusive customer support agreement including one-year field service/2000 hours.
The delivery event commenced on 4 th July 2018 that included elaborate machine walk-throughs and demonstrations. The team was also taken on a detailed facility tour of Al-Bahar campus, reinforcing the service and support prowess.
In conclusion, Husainy said:We are pleased with the whole event. Glad to have visited and experienced the Al-Bahar support. Cat Lift trucks are not new to us, since we have been using them for a while and will continue using them for our future projects. However, we are looking forward to using the new UniCarriers machines.”