Materials handling specialist, Barloworld Handling, has risen to the challenge by supplying UK Services charity ‘Help for Heroes’ with a new forklift truck for its warehouse and logistics operation in Downton, Wiltshire.  The Hyster J1.8XMT electric forklift has been supplied on a free long term rental deal with only a small monthly charge for planned maintenance.

The Help for Heroes (H4H) operation in Downton has seen rapid growth over the past 4 years due to the phenomenal success of the charity’s fundraising efforts. However, its existing forklift was old and proving increasingly unreliable and uneconomic to run. When Barloworld heard of the problem it offered its specialist help and resources to find a solution.

Brian Benfield who is responsible for the warehouse logistics operations at H4H expressed his delight with the new forklift.  “I am very grateful to Barloworld Handling for supplying the new Hyster forklift which is vital to our operations” he said. “Now I don’t need to worry about the forklift breaking down or not getting back from one of the warehouses”.

Help for Heroes (H4H) was launched 1st October 2007 to help provide better facilities for British servicemen and women who have been wounded, injured or become sick while serving their country. The charity was founded by Bryn Parry OBE and his wife Emma Parry OBE who found themselves determined to act after visiting wounded soldiers at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham. H4H has been one of the UK’s most successful charities in recent years and by the end of 2011 had raised over £112million in donations in support of injured Servicemen and women.

Bryn and Emma first established their office on Downton Business estate in 2007 to run the charity but such phenomenal success was seen that it quickly became apparent more office and warehouse space was required. In just 4 years the operation has grown so it now resides in six units on the estate and even has a shop.

A huge range of some 500 H4H branded items are sold from the company’s website, from pens, mugs and cuddly toys to posters and t-shirts. The operation processes about 200 orders a day for merchandise which then is picked, packaged and despatched daily. However, this can rise to some 1400 orders per day during the run up to Christmas. Most of the items are sold on a sale or return basis to support local charitable events around the country.

The electric forklift truck is used to receive and despatch palletised goods up to 6 days a week and is vital to supporting fundraising efforts. In addition to the growing maintenance costs H4H was increasingly concerned that a breakdown of the old truck would mean it would fail to support any number of the hundreds of organised charity events around the country. 

Barloworld arranged a free site survey where an experienced representative visited the operation and evaluated its needs for handling goods. A Hyster J1.8XMT electric forklift was identified in Barloworld’s ‘QUE’ quality used fleet that ideally suited the charity’s needs. The unit was then serviced, painted and fitted with new parts including an all-weather canopy so that it will provide years of reliable service.

The old forklift will be traded in and sold by Barloworld with all proceeds going to the charity. In addition, Barloworld has arranged for regular planned maintenance for the new Hyster forklift to ensure that it performs reliably for years to come.

Barloworld is the UK distribution partner for Hyster lift trucks and has over 50 years experience in providing efficient materials handling solutions. The company operates 17 service centres across the UK and employs some 500 mobile technicians.