Logistics & Distribution 2018 in Brussels: Crown shows forward-thinking forklift solutions for improving performance and cutting costs in the warehouse

Crown, one of the world’s largest material handling companies, will be at stand 4.D16 at the 2018 Logistics and Distribution trade show in Brussels on 3 and 4 October. Crown will be presenting its range of forward-thinking solutions that improve customers’ productivity and operating efficiency. Among the featured forklifts are the multi-purpose lift trucks of the MPC 3000 Series, which are also available with the well-established, multi-award-winning QuickPick® Remote order picking technology, as well as the exceptionally compact WP 3010 electric pallet truck, extending Crown’s well established WP 3000 Series. Another highlight will be shown on the demo area of the “Best of Handling” competition: Crown enters the race for this award with its multitalented, stable and extraordinarily agile counterbalanced truck of the SC 6000 series. The “Best of Handling” competition is organised for the first time and will reward the most innovative and efficient forklift truck.

“Crown is continually improving its product range to increase performance and reduce costs in the warehouse”, explains Stéphane van den Bogaert, General Manager for Crown in Belgium. “At the Logistics & Distribution fair we are going to show how we can contribute to improve the quality of work in warehouses and help enhance productivity. Innovative strength and excellence in ergonomics are essential elements of the Crown DNA. Our application for the Best of Handling Award underlines this ambition.”

Crown SC 6000 Series: Highly versatile, stable and agile

Crown’s SC 6000 Series three- and four-wheel electric forklifts, available with lift capacities ranging from 1.3 to 2.0 tonnes and lift heights up to 7.5 metres, offer stability, advanced technology and task-focused ergonomics on ruggedly-built trucks capable of performing a wide variety of indoor and outdoor tasks. Excellence in ergonomics is typified by the low step height of 375 mm and generous head clearance, which make it much easier for the operator to get on or off the truck – a repetitive activity during a typical shift period.
In addition to its task-focused ergonomics, the Crown SC 6000 forklift gives a distinctive edge on manoeuvrability and control. The three-wheel model offers a zero turning radius and is available with a head length as low as 1,740 mm, allowing use in the tightest spaces. Intelligent on-board control systems deliver precise control, stability and comfort while maintaining constant speed on ramps and automatically adjusting control function response to differing load weights, lift heights, steering angles and travel speeds.

Multi-purpose forklift truck Crown MPC 3000

The Crown MPC 3000 Series combines the advantages of an order picker with the capabilities of a counterbalanced forklift truck. With travel speeds of up to 12.5 km/h, a lifting capacity of up to 1,200 kg and lifting heights of up to 4.3 metres, these trucks are flexible enough to be used in a wide variety of warehouse applications, including order picking, put-aways and replenishment, long-distance transport and sandwich stacking. When used for order picking, they are versatile enough for operators to be able to replenish empty pick slots without changing to another vehicle.

Crown WP 3010: Strong, Robust, Reliable – and Compact

Any electric pallet truck which is used in tight retail environments and on lorries to make daily deliveries is subject to a unique set of challenges. Negotiating varied surfaces, entering through narrow doorways, operating in elevators and congested aisles while handling awkward loads are normal situations. Crown’s WP 3010 electric pallet truck is designed to meet these everyday challenges. Weighing from 279 kg (without battery), the new truck boasts a load capacity of up to 1.6 tonnes, is exceptionally light, yet powerful and robust. Fitted with durable steel covers, the pallet truck is tough enough to withstand extremely arduous working environments while its compact dimensions mean the WP 3010 is easy to manoeuvre in extremely confined spaces, making it especially suitable for use in narrow supermarket aisles or back-of-lorry applications.

Tough, compact, superior: Crown’s WP 3010 electric pallet truck wins iF Design Award 2018

Crown, one of the world’s largest material handling companies, has once again earned the prestigious iF Design Award from iF International Forum Design. An international jury of 63 independent experts awarded Crown the coveted seal of approval in the “Automobiles/Vehicles” category, in recognition of the high-quality product design of the company’s WP 3010 compact pallet truck. Since 1962, Crown has received more than 100 awards from internationally renowned design institutions and associations. This is Crown’s 30th iF Design Award. The award will be presented on March 9, 2018 at a gala event held at BMW World in Munich, Germany.

Jim Kraimer, Director of Industrial Design at Crown, explains: “The WP 3010 compact pallet truck is the smart solution for a wide range of tasks – especially in the food retail, beverage and logistics sectors. Ultimately, this agile powerhouse is all about speeding up goods turnover and enhancing productivity, while minimising the costs involved. The fact that our work is recognised by well-known design professionals gives us yet another incentive to continue with our successful approach to design.”

Launched in 2017, the WP 3010 is an exceptionally compact, manoeuvrable addition to Crown’s WP 3000 pallet truck series. Weighing as little as 279 kilograms (without battery), the truck is exceptionally light. At the same time, it is also robust and extremely powerful. Despite a load capacity of up to 1.6 tonnes, the pallet truck can be manoeuvred in the tightest of spaces, and thanks to durable steel covers, will resist impacts and collisions throughout its working life. The pallet truck is designed to fit neatly into a fully laden lorry without taking up valuable load space. Alternatively, it can be stowed in a storage box beneath the vehicle.

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Crown Extends Popular QuickPick® Remote Technology To Other Forklift Models And Applications

Crown, one of the world’s largest material-handling companies, has extended its well-established, multi-award-winning QuickPick® Remote order-picking technology to cover an even broader range of applications. From now on, the system is also available for the lifting fork- and scissor-lift models in the GPC 3000 Series, the multi-purpose lift trucks in the MPC 3000 Series, and the TC 3000 Series of tow tractors.

“With our QuickPick Remote technology, Crown has developed a solution for enhancing safety and efficiency that includes stand-out ergonomics and delivers real-world benefits plus genuine added value in multiple applications. The system has clearly demonstrated how well it performs in practice over millions of hours of operation for a variety of customers. By continuing to develop the system’s performance parameters, we’ve now been able to extend this technology to other applications. This means we can continue to improve the quality of work in warehouses and help enhance productivity even further,” explains Gary Thurner, Product Marketing Manager at Crown.

Less walking, less bending, less lifting – QuickPick Remote combines technology, workflow efficiency and human activity in a natural, systematic process. Using a special working glove with integrated remote control, operators can move their trucks from one picking location to another without constantly climbing on and off the driver’s platform. Alternatively, customers can choose a transceiver strap or trigger instead of the glove. In practice, this proven concept increases productivity by enabling operators to do more while moving less – without compromising safety. Martijn Vogelzang, project manager at Jumbo Supermarkten declared, “QuickPick Remote resulted in a 7.5 per cent productivity improvement at the Jumbo Supermarkten distribution hub.”

QuickPick Remote is a genuinely unique innovation that streamlines working processes, creating a win-win situation for fleet managers and their hardworking operators. The system is easy to set up, requiring neither network bandwidth nor additional IT expenditure – it can be incorporated directly into customers’ warehouse environments as a cost-effective, self-sufficient solution. As QuickPick Remote is a dual-mode solution, customers can still operate the trucks manually when needed.

These are some of the new areas of application for Crown’s tried and trusted QuickPick Remote technology:

• GPC order pickers with fork or scissor lifts can be used to raise picking pallets to various optimal working heights. The variant with lifting forks can lift a pallet weighing up to 1,200 kg to a height of 960 mm, while the rugged scissor-lift model is capable of simultaneously lifting two pallets weighing 1,000 kg each to a height of 850 mm. This optimised positioning offers clear benefits in terms of ergonomics and productivity, reducing the risk of damage to products and enabling consistently high picking performance that can now be further enhanced by taking advantage of QuickPick Remote technology.

• The Crown MPC 3000 Series combines the advantages of an order picker with the capabilities of a counterbalanced forklift truck. With travel speeds of up to 12.5 km/h, a lifting capacity of up to 1,200 kg and lifting heights of up to 4.3 metres, these trucks are flexible enough to be used in a wide variety of warehouse applications, including order picking, put-aways and replenishment, long-distance transport and sandwich stacking. When used for order picking, they are versatile enough for operators to be able to replenish empty pick slots without changing to another vehicle.

• Tow tractors in Crown’s TC 3000 Series are the perfect solution for high-pressure transport and supply activities in production environments, warehouses and distribution hubs. Combined with QuickPick Remote, they can save significant time in order picking or production supply logistics while helping operators to stay relaxed and alert.

Crown first introduced its QuickPick Remote technology in 2014, initially for low-level order picking. By early 2015, the company was offering an upgraded variant capable of controlling the lift and lower functions in Crown’s ES 4000 and ET 4000 Series stackers. Since QuickPick Remote was first launched, industry commentators have regularly acknowledged the highly innovative thinking behind the remote-control system, as well as its exceptional efficiency. The technology has received coveted international awards, including the IFOY Award (International Forklift Truck of the Year), International Design Excellence Award (IDEA), iF Design Award and German Design Award. Since 1962, prestigious international design institutions and associations have granted more than 100 awards to forklift trucks manufactured by Crown.

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The New Crown WP 3010: Strong, Robust, Reliable – and Compact.

Crown, one of the world’s largest material handling companies, has launched the WP 3010 electric pallet truck, extending the forklift manufacturer’s well-established WP 3000 Series of pallet trucks. Weighing from 279 kg (without battery), the new truck boasts a load capacity of up to 1.6 tonnes, is exceptionally light, yet powerful and robust. Fitted with durable steel covers, the pallet truck is tough enough to withstand extremely arduous working environments while its compact dimensions mean the WP 3010 is easy to manoeuvre in extremely confined spaces, making it especially suitable for use in narrow supermarket aisles or back-of-lorry applications.

Any electric pallet truck which is used in tight retail environments and on lorries to make daily deliveries is subject to a unique set of challenges. Negotiating varied surfaces, entering through narrow doorways, operating in elevators and congested aisles while handling awkward loads are normal situations. Crown’s new WP 3010 electric pallet truck is designed to meet these everyday challenges. “We know exactly how important high-performance pallet trucks are to our customers’ logistics operations. Our new model is a compact, agile, lighter-weight addition to the popular WP 3000 Series. It’s a smart solution for all kinds of applications in the food retail, beverage and logistics industries in particular. Ultimately, the WP 3010 is all about accelerating goods turnover and enhancing productivity, while minimising cost,” explains Christian Rotter, Marketing Product Manager at Crown.

Strong and stable

Developed and manufactured by Crown in Germany, the WP 3010 incorporates Crown’s typical robustness. It is the only pallet truck in its class where a steel main cover is used instead of plastic. This, combined with Crown’s vacuum die-cast aluminium alloy X10® Handle with steel tiller arm, keeps downtime and running costs at a minimum, even in back-of-lorry applications, where frequent damage is the norm. The five-year-warranty on chassis and fork assembly reinforces this.

Agile and manoeuvrable

The new pallet truck with its compact design is exceptionally agile. The brake override feature allows operators to manoeuvre the truck with its handle in a near vertical position. The ergonomic X-10 control handle with its accessible, user-friendly controls makes one-handed operation almost effortless for right- and left- handers. The pallet truck’s smooth mobility and unmatched fork tip visibility due to the maximum power unit height of just 771mm means that it is equally easy for both male and female operators to use.

Efficiency on the road

For punctual, quick and efficient deliveries, lorry drivers must make every minute count. The WP 3010’s compact design makes it ideal for beverage deliveries and other retail logistics applications. With a head length of just 500 mm, the pallet truck fits neatly into fully laden lorries without taking up valuable load space. An optional short or high load backrest together with a stabiliser strap allows safe handling of special loads such as full or empty beverage crates and quarter pallets. Alternatively, the WP 3010 can be stowed in an under-lorry storage box for quick, convenient access at each stop. The box can be fitted with an optional charger for recharging the battery while the lorry is travelling. Furthermore, the pallet truck can be left on lorries overnight in temperatures ranging from -15 to +40°C.

Minimal maintenance for long-term added value

With long service intervals and minimal maintenance requirements, the WP 3010 is a cost effective pallet truck, which only needs a first service after 12 months or 1,000 hours of operation. The regenerative e GEN® braking system uses the power of the AC motor to deliver zero-maintenance braking performance, for additional long-term added value. Finally, a full range of WorkAssistTM accessories is available to tailor the truck to individual requirements.

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Versatility on all levels: Crown introduces next generation Work Assist Vehicle

Crown, one of the world’s largest material handling companies, today introduced the Crown WAV 60 Series designed with features to help achieve a greater level of safety, efficiency and flexibility for applications where ladders are typically used to reach up to five metres such as those found in retail and manufacturing Settings.

Better known as the Wave®, the Crown Work Assist® vehicle is ideal for workers receiving, shipping and stocking small loads or products in busy, confined spaces, as well as order picking and order fulfilment. It can travel and lift simultaneously, so operators can move efficiently around a facility while raising and lowering to the appropriate heights in one smooth, seamless operation. The Wave’s AC drive motors and controls increase travel speeds to 8 km/h and provide more responsive acceleration and manoeuvrability. The on-board Access 1 2 3 control system enables optimum performance and control through intelligent coordination of operator prompts, lift/lower operations, steering and braking, performance levels and other vehicle systems.

“We use the new Wave for picking PVC profiles, in a three-shift operation”, said Jörg Thauer, responsible for technology in the Berlin-based logistics service centre of the Profine group, one of the leading producers of PVCu profiles for window and door systems. “In logistics, time is always the critical factor. That’s why we were totally won over by the new AC motor, with its top travel speed of 8 km/h and minimal maintenance requirements. The new Access 1 2 3 display module is perfectly positioned and gives our operators all the information they need at a glance. We also really like the rugged construction, which uses lots of steel instead of plastic, as well as the many adjustable settings that allow us to optimise the Wave’s performance for our working environment. Overall, the new WAV 60 is a very accomplished product.”

The Crown WAV 60 Series, which can be easily charged via a standard power outlet, offers a number of safety features designed to help ensure operator safety while boosting ease of work and productivity.

● Interlocked gates must be closed to raise or lower the platform. Full speed travel requires gates be open to allow an unobstructed exit in the event of an emergency. Travel speed is reduced when the gates are closed.

● Safety sensors below the platform disable raise, lower and travel functions if someone or something applies pressure to the motor cover located below the platform.

● Hand sensors ensure the operator has both hands on the controls for normal travel and lift functions. If either hand is removed travel is automatically reduced to creep speed.

● Dual foot pedals include sensors to ensure the operator has both feet properly positioned on the platform. The Wave automatically stops travel and lift/lower functions if either foot is removed.

Markus Liesfeld, Marketing Product Manager at Crown, said, “Carrying items up and down a ladder can be a dangerous task. According to the European Statistics on Accidents at Work database, approximately 145,000 injuries leading to four or more days of absence were due to falls from height. Crown’s Wave helps to reduce the risk of injury and accidents associated with activities such as lifting, climbing and carrying. It enables operators to handle their everyday tasks with confidence.”

The Wave load tray supports up to 90 kg, while the load deck holds up to 115 kg. An optional, powered load tray features infinitely variable positions that allow operators to easily make height adjustments for flexibility with any load. The Wave can also be used with a range of Work AssistTM accessories, such as clip pads, mast storage pockets and accessory mounts.

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Newest Design Awards Lift Crown to Historic Achievement

Crown has now gained more than 100 international industrial design awards for its forklifts since 1962. The latest recognitions are the GOOD DESIGNTM Awards for the SC 6000 Series forklift and the PTH Work Assist® System, as well as the iF International Forum Design Award for the WAV 60 Work Assist Vehicle.

“The 100-award milestone is humbling,” said Mike Gallagher, Vice President of Design, Crown Equipment. “We are honoured that some of the most prestigious design minds continue to recognise the work of our team. While the number 100 is easy to focus on, there are two other difficult-to-quantify metrics that really matter to us. The first is the number of forklift operators who have benefitted from our designs whether in ergonomics, safety, visibility or improved productivity, among others. The second is the number of Crown employees globally who have contributed to our traditional design excellence for over 50 years. They’re a very special group of people.”

The company achieved the design excellence milestone with recent recognition from two prestigious organisations. The Crown SC 6000 Series forklift and Crown PTH Work Assist® System both earned GOOD DESIGN™ Awards from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies. The competition jury honoured these vehicles for high-quality design in the industrial category. This recognition marks the 15th GOOD DESIGN Award for Crown. The Crown WAV 60 Series order picker won an award from the iF International Forum Design in the “Automobiles/Vehicles” category.

The Crown SC 6000 Series forklift is equipped with a fully adjustable, suspended seat for long-term operator comfort, even when working punishing 8-hour shifts. It was also designed for frequent entry and exit with a low, anti-slip step height and conveniently placed grip handles. The slim steer column features infinitely adjustable angle settings so that all operators can achieve a custom fit. Even the steer knob has a wear-resistant, cleanable surface with soft-grip inserts that provide day-long comfort.

The Austrian logistics provider Gebrüder Weiss Gesellschaft m.b.H. was one of the companies that field-tested the new Crown SC 6000 during the forklift’s development.

“The robust and durable Crown SC 6000 Series forklift impressed us, both with its functional and ergonomic design, and its reliable and productivity-enhancing technology,” said Werner Drnec, purchasing and operations manager at Gebrüder Weiss. “The four-wheel model is exceptionally versatile, easy to operate and features impressive hydraulic performance and superb all-round visibility – even when a cab is fitted.”

The Crown PTH 50 Series hand pallet truck is capable of moving palletised loads of up to 2,300 kg. It is currently used in a wide variety of material handling applications. The Work Assist System expands its utility with useful storage features and a foldable load tray which allows operators to position paperwork, tools and boxes at comfortable working height so they bend over less frequently and maintain a faster pace during stock handling applications.

The Crown WAV 60 Series order picker is designed with features to help achieve a greater level of safety, efficiency and flexibility in situations where ladders are typically used to access high storage locations, such as those found in retail and manufacturing applications.
Better known as the Wave®, the Crown Work Assist® vehicle is ideal for workers receiving, shipping and stocking/shelving small loads and products in busy, confined spaces, as well as order picking and order fulfilment. It can travel and lift simultaneously allowing operators to move efficiently around a facility while raising and lowering to the appropriate heights in one smooth and seamless operation. The on-board operating system ensures optimum performance and control through intelligent coordination of operator prompts, lift/lower operations, steering and braking, performance levels and other vehicle systems.
 

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