JCB has chosen Barloworld Handling to manage its entire 310-strong materials handling fleet across 11 factories in the UK.

The five year contract includes an order for a total of 94 new JCB Teletruks – one of the UK’s biggest single industrial forklift orders of 2010. The trucks are used across JCB’s operations to support applications that rely on their forward reach capabilities.

The total fleet consists of a wide range of equipment including Hyster forklift trucks, tow tractors, sideloaders and warehouse equipment in addition to the JCB Teletruks.

A mix of diesel and LPG powered forklifts between three and seven tonne capacity perform numerous materials handling duties across the 11 JCB operations including the Loadall Division and JCB World Parts where Hyster VNA machines are used to support the fast 24 hour picking operation.

Chris Nowell, JCB Industrial’s general manager said: “We have a great deal of experience working with Barloworld. The group mobile plant fleet has been reduced wherever possible in the drive for greater efficiencies and improved performance”.