Jungheinrich - Bond Timber, a division within WH Bond & Sons Limited, is one of the leading timber merchants specialising in treated timber, decking, fencing, flooring and garden products. Based in Cornwall, WH Bond & Sons was first established in 1957, and has now grown into an award-winning family-owned farming business throughout the South West, specialising in timber sales, plant hire, civil engineering and machinery sales.

The longstanding success of the department has resulted in Bond Timber servicing a diverse range of retail and trade customers, all of whom may frequent the timber yard at any one time. As a result, activity within the yard and around the sawmill can become busy, creating an environment where health and safety is of the utmost importance. As part of the service provided, Bond Timber delivers daily throughout Devon and Cornwall on a large fleet of vehicles. Operators need the ability to load trucks as efficiently and safely as possible to ensure that orders are delivered on time.

The organisation’s forklift fleet is instrumental in the day-to-day handling of timber around the sawmill, as well as for loading trucks for deliveries. When the existing fleet required an upgrade, Bond Timber enlisted the expertise of Jungheinrich. They purchased six brand new trucks, creating a fleet that now consists of four DFG545 and two DFG550 diesel hydrostatic counterbalance forklifts.

Shaun Getson, Manager, Bond Timber, comments:
“When we set out to replace our fleet of forklift trucks, health and safety was a top priority. Within the timber treatment and supply division, we often have a number of customers coming in to see our products in the flesh, so it’s important that we have the latest and safest technology working in the yard. Jungheinrich took this on board and went over and above to provide solutions with increased safety features and functionality. Most notably, the hydrostatic drive system has meant that the trucks operate at a restricted speed.

“Our operators work to tight deadlines to enable them to get lorries loaded and orders out on time, so we needed to drive efficiencies in this area - another key consideration when choosing our new fleet. Jungheinrich was able to integrate weigh scales, which provide our operators with an accurate reading of the load weight; this ensures that they don’t overload the forklift trucks or the lorries when loading timber for delivery.”

Shaun adds: “Bond Timber has worked closely with Jungheinrich for more than a decade, during which time we have developed a strong working relationship with our account management team. Jungheinrich never fails to provide a 360-degree consultative approach, which complements our multifaceted company.”