"I only drive Japanese cars"

When deciding on the brand and supplier, hard facts such as cost-effectiveness and operator comfort are what count. "And the forklift drivers have the last word for me," explains Albrecht, "because they are the employees who have to get to grips with the trucks and feel comfortable using them." The supplier of the new forklift trucks was quickly found. After all, Büscher Förder- und Lagertechnik GmbH is something like the house and yard supplier for industrial trucks at Spedition Albrecht. Even before the move in 2002, when Albrecht moved from Solingen to Wuppertal, the Büschers - also based in Solingen and an authorized Mitsubishi dealer since 1997 - were responsible for the haulage company's forklift trucks. And Falk Albrecht has so far had no cause for complaint: "Büscher serviced and repaired our forklift trucks back in the 1990s and then sold us new Mitsubishi forklift trucks as a matter of course. The fitters are available quickly - the level of service at Büscher is very high and we are completely satisfied with their commitment and support."

Three new Grendia gas forklifts, two with 3.5 and one with 1.5 tons load capacity, have recently become the handling assistants at Spedition Albrecht in Wuppertal.

Warehouse manager Waldemar Klassen, himself a forklift driver, also praises the service and the forklifts: "I've been driving only Japanese forklifts for 17 years, in recent years exclusively Mitsubishi, and I'm very satisfied with the machines." Klassen and his colleague Frank Hartkopf are the two permanent warehouse workers with a forklift driver's license. When things get tight, which happens quite often, they are joined by another temporary driver. And then the pallets are loaded and unloaded on three ramps in the 1,800 square meter hall with two FG35N2 (3.5 tons) and one FG15N2 (1.5 tons) LPG forklift trucks.

From and back to Spain: olives, wine or hazardous goods

Spedition Albrecht specializes in the transport of goods between Germany and Spain and, according to its own information, is the only company to offer an end-to-end solution on this route. 32 drivers move 28 of their own trucks. 60 departures per week in the direction of Spain through southern France. Almost anything the customer wants is transported. From wine and olives to steel coils, aluminum, paper and hazardous goods: the freight forwarder transports its customers' goods to the specified destinations in Spain and vice versa. All goods can be temporarily stored and picked in the company's own forwarding warehouse. Spedition Albrecht even handles local distribution with its own vehicles, both in Spain with its branch in Alicante and in Wuppertal itself. For all other cases, the company works with regular partners.

When it only needs to be one pallet ...

When things get really tight in the interim warehouse at Spedition Albrecht or only individual pallets need to be moved, the employees reach for the 1.6-tonne PREMiA Mitsubishi electric low-platform truck, which was supplied by Büscher Förder- und Lagertechnik at the same time as the Grendia gas-powered forklift trucks. Incidentally, the PREMiA low-lift pallet trucks from Mitsubishi Gabelstapler received the red dot award at their market launch, as did the new 80-volt four-wheel EDiA EX electric forklift truck.

Green diamond: clean and reliable in Wuppertal

PREMiA Mitsubishi electric pallet truck

Waldemar Klassen and Frank Hartkopf ensure the rapid loading and unloading of goods at the three ramps in Wuppertal with their three Mitsubishi Grendia ES LPG forklift trucks. The green forklift trucks, designated FG 15-35 Grendia ES, were developed to achieve maximum productivity and reduce operating costs at the same time. Grendia means Green Diamond; green stands for protecting the environment; diamond for top quality and reliability. With low fuel consumption, durable components and low maintenance requirements, Grendia machines are absolutely economical. They also come with a large package of innovative accessories as standard. These include a regulated three-way catalytic converter, an underbody protection plate, the compact design, a high-performance clear-view mast, high-strength fork carriage, speed control, electronic engine management, an extremely robust rear axle, PIN code start, LED lighting, low noise levels and closed wheel arches - all as standard.

Contact:Falk Albrecht GmbH Internationale Spedition 42329 Wuppertal Tel.: 02 02 / 2 65 69-0 E-Mail: [email protected] www.spedition-albrecht.de

Mitsubishi Forklift 47269 Duisburg Tel.: 02 03 / 45 66 81-0 E-Mail: [email protected] www.mitsubishi-gabelstapler.de