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Windsor Materials Handling appoints 11 new apprentices as part of strategic investment into development and growth

Windsor Materials Handling has been using the apprenticeship scheme for over three decades to attract fresh talent and motivated individuals who are eager to learn and contribute as engineers to the business with our longest serving engineer joining through the scheme over 36 years ago.

Hiring apprentices has always been embedded within the ethos of the business and is seen to be a long-term investment. By providing structured training and hands-on experience, we are able to develop a skilled workforce that understands the company’s processes, culture, and values who in turn become loyal employees that are more likely to stay with the business and contribute to its growth.

With there being no guarantee that the current skills shortage in the engineering and manufacturing industry will come to an end any time soon, the best way of securing our business’s long-term success over the years has been to attract our own apprentices. 

To that end, we have been holding a series of open days at our branches across the country over the last month in an effort to recruit which has resulted in 11 of the 15 available apprenticeships being offered to young individuals within the communities of our branch network.

Having risen through the ranks following a time served engineering apprenticeship himself, long-serving employee and Senior Service and Operations Manager, Martin Brader who has been heavily involved in the recruitment process this year says; “Anyone involved in the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sector will be well aware that it is an industry in the midst of a serious skills shortage. Without a pool of top-quality talent to choose from, many businesses like our own are struggling to expand after being unable to find the right calibre of employee to suit their requirements.”

“We recognise that there is often a shortage of skilled engineers in our industry so by offering apprenticeships, we can actively contribute to closing the skills gap by equipping individuals with the necessary expertise. This helps address future talent shortages while building a pipeline of skilled professionals within the organisation.”

“Part of the concern for many organisations is retention once apprentices qualify which is why we have invested in a tiered salary and development structure which helps our recruits to understand the earning potential and career progression opportunities that are available to them should they remain in the business. This is a strategy that we have implemented to help ensure we keep apprentices engaged and motivated throughout their course and into their employment as an engineer.”

As a business, our aim is to have a positive impact within our communities in every aspect of what we do. That includes how we recruit into our business and it is important to emphasise the real-life career opportunities that apprenticeships hold.

Ian Stone says “Innovations within the industry have gradually transformed what it means to be an engineer, from a trade that was once heavily mechanical to one today that is much more technical and definitely varied. Since starting as apprentice in 1984 the job has continually evolved keeping the role interesting and fresh, particularly in recent years with the shift to electric equipment which utilises the same technology as the electric cars we see on the roads today.”

“The tools of our trade maybe materials handling equipment, but it’s the way we approach issues, implementing the right product mix for the right application, and the work we do with specifiers, that is key to our success. Working with major brands within industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, timber and construction, we are an integral part of the manufacturing and distribution process so ensuring that our customers operations are running without problems is vital to their success to deliver.”

“At Windsor, we maintain a philosophy of continual investment in people to help ensure our strong reputation for personal customer support is maintained. We always seek to develop and nurture long term and valued relationships to enable our customers to succeed.”

Leading the Lithium Revolution

WHOLLY-OWNED Windsor Materials Handling subsidiary Lithium Battery Solutions has launched a two-pronged approach to bring nuance to the lithium revolution.

Managing director Stephen Burton talks about the concept which aims to transform the markets mindset when considering their transition to electric, which he believes will make lithium power accessible to new applications, as well as making the retrofit of lithium power to existing forklifts easier and less expensive.

UN Forklift

Stephen says: “The typical three tonne electric truck is not a yard truck, they are made for indoors, they don’t have the suspension and are too rigid in their chassis, so that’s a non-starter for many applications, such as builder’s merchants, which is why we brought the UN Forklift range into play.”

The core offering that Lithium Battery Solutions brings to market is the new NL series lithium battery forklift, capacity from 2.0T to 3.5T counterbalance which boast an IC truck chassis with a floating cab, that takes on yard work with operator comfort in mind. For ease of operation, the charging socket is mounted on left hand side of the truck, making it easy to place on charge upon dismount, and removing the requirement to lift the bonnet to place on charge like traditional electric counterbalance trucks.

In our opinion, if you’re operating counterbalance trucks below 8 tonnes, you’re unlikely to opt for diesel unless you really have to. This makes the UN NL series a real contender for us – you are getting the cost and maintenance benefits of an electric truck, without having to compromise on the performance that you’d get from an IC truck. This makes it an easy transition for operators making the switch to lithium.”

For traditional IC truck users, moving to lead-acid battery trucks is arguably a bigger change, as it involves battery maintenance. They must be refilled regularly with distilled water to function properly and stay healthy, which in turn brings added implication to health and safety procedures.

“Typically, switching to lithium is a change of mindset for a diesel counterbalance user,” says Stephen. “Whereas you can get on a lithium UN truck and it will feel very similar in its setup – and we can adjust the programme settings so it operates like a hydrostat or like a traditional torque convertor IC truck which gives the operator a like-for-like drive.”

Users can get up to 5 hours run time out of a single charge of the UN truck, however longer run times are expected from the soon to be launched 5 tonne range.

So which users would be most suited to this twist on the lithium forklift?

“Builder’s merchants are absolutely primed for this,” says Stephen. “Applications tend to be up to 20-25 hours per week, where the user needs the availability. For a lot of the independent builder’s merchants it’s all about quick delivery, they’ve got to keep their customer service levels going and this truck enables them to do that.

“Our advice is, if it’s idle, charge it, you can get 10% charge in 20 minutes, and a full charge in two hours. You’re getting opportunity charging with maintenance free batterie. We describe it as hassle free motoring.”

The price point of the UN Forklift is competitively placed and is not dissimilar to that of an IC truck, but it is the total cost of ownership savings that are turning heads of our customers, not to mention that the cost of electricity is around 20% that of diesel.

Lithium batteries

The second lithium innovation is focused on the retrofit of lithium batteries to existing forklifts.

Stephen explains: “The BSLBATT range of batteries that we are bringing to market is proving to be a game changer for our customers. We can fit lithium batteries to any manufacturer’s truck, which could be anything from a walk behind powered pallet truck to VNA man-up machines, providing unchallenged run-times.

There are two types of battery on offer: a water-based cell, which is suitable for cold stores; as well as an oil-based cell. The chemistry used is Lithium Iron Phosphate – known as LiFePO 4. – rather than NMC. 

“We work closely with the factory to design and build our own batteries to fit inside the trucks and do all the aftermarket modifications to suit any solution. Currently, we don’t work with the CANbus on the trucks, it’s all done via our separate BMS, so we can monitor remotely and keep abreast of utilisation,” says Stephen.

“A lead-acid battery has 1,500 cycles, and if you discharge by 20%, that is considered a cycle. With lithium, if you discharge by 20%, you still have 80% usage without impacting performance. You’re getting double in terms of battery lifetime, and despite people sometimes worrying about how to dispose of the batteries once they are no longer fit for use, we’re aligned to a secondary market in uninterruptible supply systems (UPS).”

“Within the market there is an undoubtable belief that lithium is a dangerous, flammable product with dangerously high voltage which is a challenge we have come across when pitching recommendations to customers” adds Stephen. 

“We’re going through an education process to demonstrate that LiFePo 4 is in fact, incredibly stable and has been through rigorous lab tests before entering the market. We have test data on all of our cells, including crush and nail tests and have consulted with the fire brigade on the treatment of a lithium battery fire which transpires is the same as for a lead-acid battery fire.”

That all said, there is still room for traditional lead-acid in some applications.

“I still struggle to see why in 24/7 applications reach trucks should be lithium-powered,” explains Stephen. “They hot shift, back-to-back, and I don’t believe there are many companies that have the time to opportunity charge them.

“One common mistake that we have identified is that when many people are considering the change to lithium is that is has to be either/or, we find we say to customers, this part of your fleet is suited to lead-acid, and for this part lithium will pay-off. This is where the consultancy approach comes in where we will run the operational calculations and work with customers to get the most efficient and cost effective solution for them.”

Lithium Battery Solutions is set up to run both the BSLBATT battery range and act as an importer for UN Forklift products. It is currently the exclusive UK importer and distributor for both.

Windsor Material Handling is a customer of Lithium Battery Solutions and a distributor for both product types, with Stephen also looking to go out to a select dealer network.

“We are approaching this part of the offering with great consideration, what we don’t want to do is flood the market and find ourselves in a situation with multiple dealers quoting customers on the same product which is frustrating for all parties,” he says.

Sustainability

As well as costs, sustainability is a key part of the drive to lithium. Companies are going to have to meet environmental standards to get accepted on to tenders.

“Many sustainability measures that would not have flown just a few years ago are now top of the agenda for many businesses.

“To assist customers on this journey, we have a strategic partner, Axiom Sustainability, which provides ESG reporting and sustainability software that helps with attaining Scope 1, 2 and 3. The software is a platform that provides organisations with the visibility required to support their sustainability journey, with Scope 3 being the most challenging to achieve as you’re effectively impacting the entire supply chain.

“This last 12 months particularly has shown that the drive in becoming Net Zero by 2030 is not going away and we have a responsibility within the supply chain, that we are all trying to affect, to offer products that help a customer’s move to becoming carbon neutral, as well as making operations the most efficient and cost-effective that they can be.”

Growing North-West presence with expansion to new Leigh branch and recruitment drive for engineers

St Helens is building on 12 years of success in the north-west by increasing space in move to larger purpose-built premises in Leigh.

The move follows continued growth in their customer base since moving to the St Helens premises in May 2010 and offers state of the art 2,000 sqft office space adjoined to a 2,675 sqft workshop unit for increasing new and used stock levels.

As part of the move, branch manager Tommy Haddock announces that the new Leigh branch are currently recruiting for a number of experienced engineers to grow its service and maintenance team – a team who over the years have grown an impressive portfolio of business. They are also looking to bring in a number of apprentices, as part of the company’s overall commitment to investing in young people within local communities.

It has encouraged a time for reflection on how the branch – which was a strategic move for the Windsor Materials Handling UK network – has grown from a modest team of six to 17 today with plans to increase that number further.

Customers include Regency Glass, Baker Hughes, Eddie Stobbart and local company Comfy Quilts who in the time of working together have grown from a single site to an impressive four site operation, with the St Helens branch partnering with them on their materials handling requirements and solutions throughout.

Tommy stresses that their success is down to a collective approach to working together and that no single person is responsible for the overall growth – it’s been a determination held by all that has brought them to where they are today.

Managing Director Jonathan Burton who has played a crucial role in the development project says: “We believe there is now a better than ever opportunity for us to expand our presence in the north-west – a key location for Windsor Materials Handling – with a state-of-the-art workplace to complement the excellent, long-established team we have developed at St Helens.”

He goes onto say: “The branch has established a reputation for its industry-leading ability in materials handling solutions, servicing hundreds of customers in its time of operating. The team have been recognised and respected for their success through recent customer feedback which is testament to their commitment in making the branch the success story that it is. It is the perfect time to build on the solid foundations that have been laid.”

At Windsor, our aim is to provide the best quality local service on a national level. We maintain a philosophy of continual investment to help ensure our strong reputation for personal customer support is maintained and always seek to develop and nurture long term and valued customer relationships to enable our customers to succeed.

Availability of apprenticeships ahead of September intake

Further strengthening our role in the sector in developing young engineers, Windsor has a long-standing commitment to recruiting local talent and up-skilling through training and apprenticeships. It’s crucial that we as a business encourage the uptake of vital trades, such as engineering, and as such we’re pleased to have offered a number of apprentices’ roles across the country out of the 21 being advertised, offering great opportunity and a chance to progress successful careers from a young age.

Investing In Our Communities

Managing Director Jonathan Burton says; “Our aim is to have a positive impact within our communities in every aspect of what we do. That includes how we recruit into our business which is now 105 engineers strong, 12% of which are currently on a training apprenticeship and our plan is to grow that to 20% in 2022.”

“Apprenticeship schemes are a productive and effective way to grow and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workplace and we’re delighted to be announcing a drive to place a further 21 roles this year, delivering on our commitments to provide opportunities to young people nationwide.”

The three-year apprenticeships are run in partnership with F-TEC, a dedicated training facility that offers an extensive range of forklift engineering programmes and support our apprentices throughout their training; teaching new skills, mentoring and helping them forge fulfilling careers.

Karl Baum of F-TEC says, “Our partnership with Windsor Materials Handling has helped a number of next-generation engineers get the training they require through the apprenticeship scheme. Windsor Materials Handling have sourced many of their own engineers from the apprentices they have taken on, which is a testament to the quality of the candidates upon completion of their apprenticeship. We look forward to the next intake this year and are proud to be working with Windsor Materials Handling to help close the skills gap faced by our industry.”

Career Pathways

As a business, it’s important for us to emphasise the real-life career opportunities that apprenticeships hold. We have members of the service and maintenance team who joined Windsor with a real vision to develop a career in engineering and were attracted by the potential to earn developing an appliable skillset. Whilst initially the wages seem low compared to jobs that don’t require experience nor provide training to learn a trade, they always had mind the earning potential you have when you qualify and Windsor support that ambition throughout.

One of our longest standing employees, Ian Stone, has almost 40 years of service as an engineer at Windsor and remains on his tools today.

Ian Stone says “Innovations within the industry have gradually transformed what it means to be an engineer, from a trade that was once heavily mechanical to one today that is much more technical and definitely varied. Since starting as apprentice in 1984 the job has continually evolved keeping the role interesting and fresh, particularly in recent years with the shift to electric equipment which utilises the same technology as the electric cars we see on the roads today.”

“The tools of our trade maybe materials handling equipment, but it’s the way we approach issues, implementing the right product mix for the right application, and the work we do with specifiers, that is key to our success. Working with major brands within industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, timber and construction, we are an integral part of the manufacturing and distribution process so ensuring that our customers operations are running without problems is vital to their success to deliver.”

“At Windsor, we maintain a philosophy of continual investment in people to help ensure our strong reputation for personal customer support is maintained. We always seek to develop and nurture long term and valued relationships to enable our customers to succeed.”

Current Opportunities

Windsor Materials Handling are delighted to continue their investment into the industry through the development of young talent and are pleased to announce that they are looking to recruit a further 14 engineering apprentices across our national branch network to add to the 25 already on its team.

For more information or to apply, please visit our careers page.

Are you ready for the April 1st 2022 fuel duty changes?

Inevitably, conversations with our existing and prospective customers have involved the impact of the rule change of rebated red diesel duty and biofuels that came into effect on 1st April 2022, where industries affected are having to switch to more expensive alternatives.

The move is designed to help the UK achieve its 2050 net zero carbon target by reducing commercial reliance on fossil fuels, forcing great pressure on businesses to ensure that sustainability is at the top of their strategic priorities.

We’ve been working with several of our customers for some time now in providing full support to help streamline their fuel transition to meet their business objectives, whether they be driven by cost implications or environmental factors, with many looking towards our electric forklift ranges for the first time.

Cost implications 

One of the main implications of the change in legislation will be the imposition of additional costs associated with the purchase, storage and security of white diesel. From 1st April 2022, machines supplied by Windsor Engineering (Hull) Limited will be supplied to customers with white diesel at a tracked market rate, the cost of diesel will be reviewed on a weekly basis and will be adjusted accordingly. 

The cost benefit for using diesel machines over electric, combined with the convenience of refuelling, meant it has long been the UK’s preferred choice, but that has changed significantly. Complicated engine management systems designed to reduce emissions has made the investment into diesel trucks on a par, and in some cases, more expensive than that of their electric equivalent. Add to this the lower total lifetime costs and the benefits on environmental impact, the case is clear.

This has expedited discussions around the ‘shift to electric’ and Windsor is in an advantageous position to advise on a range of battery solutions. Undoubtedly, one of the stumbling blocks in the uptake of electric has been shift length and re-charging. The battery type that works best depends on individual requirements, work cycles and environmental challenges which is where customers are seeing real benefit from working with us – they want to know that they can trust that the solution being recommended is bespoke to their needs and that it makes commercial sense.

We continue to champion ways to utilise lithium battery and intelligent charger technology, to improve productivity without the increase in cost or harm to the environment, and have seen that this is a crucial component of the way in which the market is moving.

In fact, we remain confident that there are many opportunities for businesses to take advantage of new technologies to rebalance their operations and move forward with highly knowledgeable assistance from Windsor.

Sales Manager Paul Williams calls time on 31 year long career at Windsor

Paul has become a highly regarded and much-loved colleague and friend to people across the business and the news of his retirement comes with a heavy heart, and although still young, he has decided that the time is right for him to spend time with his wife and family, travel the world and perhaps take to the golf course a little more than he does already!

Joining in 1991, Paul has seen Windsor grow from a two branch business in Hull and Scunthorpe to one that is now 13 strong and UK wide and on talking to Paul about his years within in the business, he recalls many fond memories.

There was a particular occasion where he and Managing Director Stephen Burton had spent a number of late nights in the office preparing for a customer pitch – it was a 35 truck deal for a high profile business that they were determined to work with.

The meeting took place in Leeds where they were met by the customer and where the incumbent was also present – unaffected by the competition, they put their best foot forward and the hard work paid off. They were awarded the contract and the deal was to be a key win for Windsor and one that landed as they walked – on a high – into the festive break. We still work with the customer to this day and the partnership has resulted in the development of close friendships, as well as a mutual growth of both businesses.

Paul went on to say; “Any sales role is met with many highs and of course some lows but it is these moments, these wins where passion and determination pull people together to achieve – and it’s the formation of these strong relationships that has resulted in a career at Windsor that spans over three decades.” 

“I will miss my colleagues and peers very much, though they have become far more than that to me – they are my pals and I leave with a tear in my eye. I thank Gerry, Jonathan and Stephen for backing me all of these years and I look forward to celebrating my time here with them over the coming days. Worry not, I will stay in touch!”

Paul is infamous in his territory which covers Hull and the surrounding areas and it’s true to say that his charisma and upbeat personality has not gone unnoticed.

Chairman Gerry Burton reflects on Paul’s time at Windsor; “Paul has been a tremendous asset to the business and he leaves behind him very big shoes to fill. His relentless enthusiasm and commitment to the business has resulted in the accolade of ‘Windsor Sales Person of the Year’ more times than not and he has also received numerous awards from suppliers Komatsu, Doosan and Unicarriers. He has been instrumental into the growth of the business and has developed many successful contracts with customers such as William Jackson Food Group, MKM and Cranswick Country Foods to name a few.”

Managing Directors Stephen and Jonathan Burton go onto say; “Paul has had a hugely successful career at Windsor over the years and is highly respected both within Windsor and the MHE sector. He has been with Windsor through its good times and bad times and seen it evolve from a single brand Komatsu dealer to a multi-brand MHE consultancy. His dedication and loyalty is something that is rare in the modern world and should be applauded.”

Join us all at Windsor in wishing Paul a very long and happy retirement.

Windsor A Perfect Fit For BSW Timber

Windsor Materials Handling has been awarded a nationwide contract for the supply and maintenance of equipment for the UK’s largest integrated forestry business, BSW Timber.

The deal was awarded following Windsor’s success in the timber industry with Baumann sideloaders, which play a vital role in the BSW fleet.

Windsor’s strategy of developing local expertise and infrastructure was seen by BSW as a major benefit to the business, which has seven sawmills across the UK, from Southampton to Fort William.

The company is an influential player in the timber market, being praised for its sustainability efforts across five main operating divisions – tree nurseries, forestry, sawmilling, timber manufacturing and energy.

“It is great news for us to be working with such an influential company,” says Windsor senior national accounts manager, Jason Jordan. “We have a good track record in the sector and a great product offering.”

BSW manufactures and supplies a wide range of sawn products for an array of industries, including fencing, landscaping, cladding, construction, DIY, decking, and packaging. The company also offers fencing components – such as posts, rails, and boards – in addition to sleepers, beams and large sections up to 8m long.

Sideloaders are essential for safely transporting long loads and the exacting conditions of the sawmills require them to be reliable and robust. Thanks to automatic deck levelling, dealing with uneven ground is a particular strength of Baumann, and a third of BSW’s sideloader fleet has already been replaced by Windsor.

Group buyer, Gary Isherwood, oversees the logistics operation and praised Windsor for their local knowledge and expertise. Said Gary: “We understand our own requirements well and have a mixed fleet that has to cope with challenging conditions. We need a partner that can be relied upon, we know the quality of the Baumann equipment and needed a supplier that understood the importance of keeping us working around the clock. Happily, Windsor has a commitment to service and we are confident in their abilities to support our operations in future.”

“The specification of the Baumann equipment supplied so far has been adapted to suit BSW’s needs,” said Jason Jordan. “Puncture-proof tyres, fleet management systems, additional lighting, camera systems and reduced diameter steering wheels are just some of the changes we’ve made to the standard set up. Building the right machine is a consequence of all parties having a good knowledge of the operation and working together to deliver the right solution.”

The ability of sideloaders to carry long loads safely over greater distances has led to resurgence in popularity, particularly amongst ports operators, timber, metals and extrusions businesses. Windsor has been at the forefront of Baumann’s UK success, twice being awarded dealer of the year.

“We are growing nationally,” adds Jason, “but we are very much a local business. We take pride in having local service managers who can deal with technical issues, whilst retaining the ability to manage the account nationally, reporting on KPIs, costs and breakdowns.”

The materials handling business has also expanded into providing a wider range of equipment, such as Still forklifts, Unicarriers warehouse equipment and other ancillaries, as a result of more customers requiring a single supplier solution.

“Customers like consistency,” concludes Jason. “We have a lot of experience in the supply of ancillary equipment such as access platforms, shunting tractors, heavy trucks, warehouse cleaning equipment. We’re able to maintain a varied range of kit and we place customer service above all else. It’s the sort of approach that multi-site operators appreciate, and we are delighted it is working well.”

Windsor operates from 13 local branches across the UK, offering materials handling and access equipment, for sale, hire and maintenance. Established in 1977, the business is now the UK’s leading independent supplier of forklifts, warehousing and access equipment.

Fresh Orders: New O-Series Unicarriers Arrive

Unicarriers launched four order pricker models – the OLP, OEP, OLH and OEH – with and without lifting platforms and Ergolift in the Summer of 2019.  The trucks use “Instant Launch” technology that allows the driver to accelerate immediately when boarding without having to operate the presence switch. The order pickers also react without delays and response times are significantly reduced compared to conventional order picking trucks.

The speed of the warehouse employee determines productivity during picking, therefore convenient, intuitive and ergonomic operation is crucial. Numerous well thought-out design elements of the new series help to process orders quickly and flexibly. Access to the driver’s platform with bevelled sides also adds convenience.

Find out more here

South Coast Fulfillment

Southampton-based material handling equipment supplier, Geolift was our second ever acquisition when we took ownership in late 2018, and our 13th branch across the UK.

With over 14 years of experience in the forklift and sideloader industries, Geolift was a great fit for Windsor, and almost 12 months on, their knowledge and expertise are being utilised to help grow the south coast reach of the business.

Aiming to be the leading supplier of handling equipment on England’s south coast, Geolift specialises in the hire and sale of new and reconditioned forklift trucks and sideloaders.

Branch Manager, Craig George, believes the business is already benefitting from the support of the Windsor MH team, says Craig: “We’ve relished the opportunities of being part of Windsor and having access to a broad product portfolio and great backup. We’ve always been focused on delivering top local support and that continues today, with the added strength of a nationwide support infrastructure.”

Award Win For Baumann

Baumann has been awarded the 2019 FLTA Award for Environment Excellence, following a previous shortlisting in 2017 and the 2016 award for Innovation.

A delighted MD, Klaus Pirpamer, stepped up on stage with the Baumann team to receive the Archie award, from English television presenter Mark Durden-Smith and sponsors, TVH.

With nominations in three categories, hopes were high this year, but with the Environment category being one of the most keenly contested, the win still came as a pleasant surprise.

With Tier 4 compliant engines, new 120v electrics, hydrogen powered fuel cells and a Watt d’Or Award from the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, Baumann has a strong track record in Environmental issues.

“To win the award is a great honour,” said Klaus, “and is particularly pleasing during in the run up to our 50th anniversary. We have many developments in the pipeline, the great strides we’ve made with our electric trucks are very important to our customers and recognition from the industry for our efforts is also very much appreciated.”

Now in its 25th year, the Fork Lift Truck Association Awards for Excellence is the biggest and most prestigious annual event in the materials handling industry calendar.

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