Chinaware and cutlery manufacturer Steelite International says it is hoping to improve picking efficiency by 50% with a new fleet of materials handling equipment being delivered this month.

The Stoke-on-Trent manufacturer's new fleet, ordered from Linde Creighton, includes two VNA combination stackers, four VNA high-level order pickers, one all-terrain reach truck and five powered pallet trucks.

Steelite's warehouse manager Mike O'Keefe said: "We are delighted to be linking up with Linde for our new forklifts and believe that our relationship will develop in a manner that will benefit both parties."

Linde's Leon Jackson said: "This is a significant order for Linde Creighton and we are pleased to be able to deliver a solution that matched Steelite International's budget and will significantly boost their outputs. The ceramics manufacturing industry is one of the most demanding environments to work with because of large amounts of heavy dust and product matter."

Linde supplies materials handling equipment to other ceramics manufacturers in Stoke-on-Trent, including Johnson Tiles, Churchill China and Portmeirion Pottery.