Among many models showcased on the stand of Toyota Material Handling UK (stand 20F70) will be the Toyota 7FBMF 80-volt electric-powered counterbalance forklift, which is now available in a limited Gold Edition with advanced features to help businesses drive down costs. Ideal for loading and unloading operations at retail and other distribution facilities, the special Gold Edition truck is available in capacities from 2.0 to 5.0 tonnes. Its digital multifunction display features an over-speed alarm for enhanced flexibility and on-site safety, while the low-maintenance battery reduces running costs. In addition, sideshift increases productivity by making pallet placement and retrieval faster and safer. Toyota is offering two additional packages for this model – the Safety pack and the Comfort pack – to enhance driver safety and comfort.

A new forklift truck battery rental scheme from Hoppecke Industrial Batteries (stand 19K95) is designed to guarantee power for as long as it is needed in demanding applications such as grocery distribution. The Hoppecke trak rent scheme allows users of materials handling equipment to rent batteries on short-, medium- and long-term contracts to suit the needs and budgets of their business. The rental offer is especially suited to retail businesses facing seasonal peaks. The company has also launched a flexible power provision scheme – called trak flex – with customers only charged for the power that they use. Just like conventional electricity bills, the user pays a monthly standing charge for the hardware then pays for the throughput of the battery. As well as overall flexibility, Hoppecke claims that customers can enjoy lower electricity costs and reduced charging costs. The trak flex package includes all servicing, giving users a fully maintained product throughout the contract.

Warehouse automation specialist Knapp (stand 20D30) recently won the contract to supply a shuttle storage system to fashion retailer, Hugo Boss, at its new 100-million-euro distribution centre in Filderstadt, Germany. With 400,000 storage locations, the OSR Shuttle system will be the largest system of its kind in the world. The solution was chosen due to features such as the ability to store full cases directly, the immediate availability of items after goods-in and high throughput. Another major retail project for Knapp is a new distribution centre for grocery retailer, SPAR, just outside Vienna. This solution will feature a brand-new solution – Pick-it-Easy Move – that enables ergonomic and shop-friendly picking of fast-moving products directly from pallets using the goods-to-person method. The system features a moving shuttle with integral operator platform that moves automatically between a dozen target locations – six on each side – featuring roll cages on lifts. Required goods are picked from the pallet according to instructions given on a computer screen, with cartons being pushed from the pallet to the roll cage without the need for any lifting.

Insulated container supplier Olivo (stand 20B105) provides solutions for retailers distributing temperature-sensitive products. With traffic congestion and parking restrictions making daytime deliveries ever more difficult, one answer is night drops. However, most delivery points do not have sufficient storage for chilled and frozen goods and this is where Olivo's portable insulated containers – with their ease of handling plus high standards of insulation and totally silent refrigeration – come into play. The company cites Aldi, Palmer and Harvey, Londis, Selfridges and Ocado as users of its products.

As well as its wide range of brand-new trucks, leading forklift supplier Jungheinrich will be promoting its ‘Ready2Go' range of reconditioned vehicles on its stand 19L100 at IMHX. Refurbished to the highest standards at the group's Dresden factory, each machine is completely dismantled and all worn or defective parts are replaced before the trucks are repainted, reassembled and tested. Among the leading retailers to have realised the advantages of Jungheinrich's ‘Ready2Go' trucks is the grocery giant Sainsbury's. Jungheinrich has recently completed the refurbishment of over 140 of the retailer's forklifts – a mix of low-level order pickers, reach trucks and counterbalance models supplied by Jungheinrich as new in 2005 – for use at its distribution centre in St Albans. The overhaul process was completed in phases over six months, which included the busy Christmas period.

Mezzanine floor specialist Davicon (stand 17P6) will be showcasing its latest developments at IMHX 2013, showing operators – including retailers facing seasonal peaks – how they can best utilise their available warehouse space. Davicon manufactures its products in-house, using the latest 3D-CAD/NC technology, reducing lead times and ensuring complete control over quality and delivery. The company has supplied mezzanine floor solutions to many leading brands in the retail sector including John Lewis, New Look and Morrisons.

Transdek, the award-winning lifting equipment specialist, has installed double deck lifts to accommodate deliveries from double deck trailers at over 150 stores for major retailers including Tesco, TJ Morris and Boots. The company claims that its solutions have enabled companies to save over 510,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions and make cost savings of over £340 million to date. Transdek has also installed its mezzanine floor lifts at more than 45 existing and new stores for one of the UK's leading home furnishing retailers. Transdek will be giving live demonstrations of its double deck lifts and mezzanine floor lifts on stand 20D21 at IMHX.

TVH (stand 20F35), supplier of replacement parts for material handling and industrial vehicles, also markets a range of simple handling equipment that is ideal for retail delivery vehicles such as hand pallet trucks and trolleys, as well as scissor lifters, manual and electric lifting tables and manual or semi-electric stackers. For lift trucks up to 5 tons, TVH provides its wuBump, a unique and user-friendly shock absorber to protect drivers, trucks, loads and warehouse infrastructure in case of collision. The company's range of hand pallet trucks includes steel, galvanized steel and stainless steel models in different sizes, heights and capacities.

Pre-register now for FREE to attend IMHX 2013

IMHX 2013 is the number one place to see new products, meet suppliers and network with new and existing contacts. Visitors who pre-register for IMHX 2013 will receive an exclusive Priority Pass pack containing everything needed to maximise the benefits of a visit to the show – a delegate name badge, the Little Black Book of handling industry contacts, a fold-out exhibition floor plan and key details of the show's seminars.