Having already successfully introduced Crown forklifts at its sister site in Port Salford, the logistics service provider decided to switch from its previous supplier to Crown in Desborough and at a smaller site in Kettering. A distribution center that operates around the clock requires a high degree of flexibility. As part of the tender, Crown offered the company an innovative, flexible payment model that only charges for trucks that are actually in use. This allows management to expand or reduce operations without incurring the often high costs of unused equipment. Eddie Hollingsworth, Account Director at Great Bear Distribution, says: "Crown's flexible model, tailored to our needs and the data provided by the InfoLink fleet management system, enables us to better respond to the diverse needs of our customers as well as our own business requirements."

High performance and long-term reliability
As part of a tender process, Great Bear opted for a fleet of 58 Crown trucks. It comprises twelve TSP series inductive guided high-rack stackers, GPC series order pickers, FC series counterbalance trucks, WT series pallet trucks and ESR series reach trucks. The TSP series induction-guided high-rack stacker forms the heart of the fleet at the Desborough site. Its unique MonoLift mast in a closed design made of high-strength steel offers more stability than conventional double masts. This results in significantly less swaying and twisting, ensuring optimum performance and long-term reliability. Great Bear's TSP series high lift trucks are also equipped with the Crown Auto Positioning System. This helps the trucks to determine the most efficient route to the next pallet location.

This has also enabled picking accuracy to be optimized. These benefits have been very well received at the site: "The Crown system takes the strain off operators by automating certain processes. This also increases our productivity," explains Eddie Hollingsworth, adding that the Crown GPC series low-lift order pickers have proven to be particularly productive and reliable for picking shipping orders. Sean Tanner, Major Account Manager at Crown, is responsible for supporting Great Bear Distribution. He says: "The robust and reliable design of the GPC Series order pickers withstands the harsh conditions of order fulfillment very well. To protect the expensive components, this model has up to 200 kg more steel behind the covers than comparable industrial trucks. This provides Great Bear Distribution with a more robust product that is particularly suitable for intensive order picking operations, such as here at the Desborough site."

Sophisticated design for greater productivity
Great Bear mainly uses the four-wheel counterbalance truck with electric drive to transport pallets within the shipping zone. It is equipped with a double pallet clamp and therefore offers maximum performance and maneuverability. Sean Tanner comments: "The FC Series is a real performer in the Great Bear Distribution fleet, offering operators first-class ergonomic features for increased productivity. Features include a suspension seat, convenient grab handles, low step-in height and excellent all-round visibility. Combined with the space-saving design and the ability to maneuver in tight areas, this truck is an operator favorite."

Changeover without downtime
The decisive factor in awarding the contract to Crown was the assurances regarding the introduction of the fleet during the changeover phase - particularly with regard to the complex reconfiguration of the battery changeover area. Eddie Hollingsworth explains: "We planned the launch of the new fleet over a three-week period during a fairly quiet period. Due to the complexity of this project, we started with the smaller trucks first: the counterbalance trucks, the reach trucks, the pallet trucks and the low lift order pickers. Over the following two weeks, we then gradually introduced the high-rack stackers. The area for changing batteries had to be completely dismantled and rebuilt according to special requirements. The implementation was entirely the responsibility of Crown. Crown was able to keep its promises and there were no interruptions to operations - all 58 industrial trucks were smoothly integrated into our operations."

Increased efficiency of operations
Another reason for choosing Crown was the greater flexibility in operations, combined with the high level of fleet visibility provided by the InfoLink fleet management system. Chris Balchin, General Manager of Great Bear Distribution Ltd, is responsible for the management of the Crown fleet at the Desborough site. He says: "Efficiency is a key metric for us at Great Bear. Thanks to the real-time data from Crown InfoLink, we have already been able to improve our operating results. This level of management information was not previously available to us. The data allows us to make better decisions and increase our efficiency."

About Great Bear Distribution ltd.
As a leading UK provider of temperature-controlled third-party logistics (3PL), Great Bear Distribution provides contract logistics and supply chain management services to a wide range of companies. Great Bear Distribution has been part of the Culina Group since its acquisition in 2016 and operates a warehouse space of more than 650,000 m2 as well as its own distribution fleet of over 300 vehicles.