BYD Forklifts (Europe) has signed international Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) forklift specialist Translift Bendi as a dealer for its range of unique Lithium Iron Phosphate battery-powered material handling equipment in the UK. In what will be viewed by the industry as a major coup, the agreement will see Translift responsible for the sale and service of BYD solutions from its state-of-the-art West Midlands facility.

BYD pure electric forklift family

Established in 1964, Translift is famed for designing and manufacturing the ultra-successful Bendi articulated VNA truck, part of a comprehensive range of niche warehouse products. The agreement will see Translift marketing the growing range of BYD Iron-Phosphate battery-powered material handling equipment alongside the Bendi product to customers ranging from single-truck users up to the UK’s household-name high street grocery chains.

Translift’s Managing Director Paul Berrow is highly enthusiastic about the tie-up with BYD: “We see considerable synergy between the brands in areas such as lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), innovative engineering, and industry-leading levels of efficiency backed by a watertight warranty. Our team is highly experienced in explaining to customers the concept and benefits of equipment that are not just ‘me too’ products, so this is the perfect fit.”

He continues: “BYD manufacturers technologically advanced products that need to be sold the correct way, and our sales and service teams have all the necessary skills and experience working for decades with bespoke products that develop to suit an ever-changing industry. Translift is at the forefront of innovation, as is BYD, and we see this as a tremendous opportunity to grow the customer base for environmentally friendly lithium iron phosphate trucks in the UK.”

Paul Grady, BYD’s Country Manager for UK & Ireland, who brokered the deal between BYD and Translift, says: “This is a very exciting development for BYD Forklifts in the UK, and we are looking forward to working with Paul Berrow and his team at Translift. They have considerable experience in convincing customers to think outside the box when considering ways to streamline their logistics operations, and in this regard BYD will sit very comfortably within their portfolio of innovative solutions. Translift is run and staffed by very professional people, all of whom are well-versed in the workings of electric material handling equipment.”

Grady then adds: “Translift is a long-established and dependable supplier, so entrusting them with the BYD brand was an easy decision to make. In particular, they have a large and highly-qualified mobile service team of 35+ engineers who will help ensure BYD’s customers receive the rapid and professional aftersales backup customers expect from a premium brand supplier.”

Blade Feng, BYD Europe’s Forklift Director, concludes: “The addition of Translift to our network of UK dealers represents a real feather in the cap for BYD, and ensures our customers will enjoy exceptional support wherever they are located. At a time when customers are looking to derive the maximum efficiency from their forklift fleet whilst at the same time operating with minimal environmental impact, BYD and Translift are ideally placed to be able to help them achieve their goals.”

Established in 1995, and listed in the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges, BYD Co Ltd is a world class manufacturer of gasoline automobiles, electric cars and buses, industrial trucks, IT, and new energy products. As the largest nickel and handset Li-ion battery manufacturer in the world, BYD has also become the fastest-growing Chinese car manufacturer, and the global pioneer in the field of electric vehicles.

BYD’s ultimate goal is to spur mass-market adoption of green technologies and help preserve the environment, reduce air pollution and resolve the global energy crisis. Warren Buffett was impressed by this dream and invested $232 million to take a 9.89% stake. To make the dream come true, BYD has developed a full range of new energy vehicles including dual-mode hybrid cars, pure electric cars, pure electric buses, as well as a Green City Solution. In addition, BYD and Daimler AG have established a joint venture and officially announced the entirely new EV brand Denza in China.

BYD’s Green City Solution aims to electrify urban public transportation systems by transitioning from gasoline and diesel buses and taxis to pure electric ones. Actual solutions have been implemented in China for more than 2 years and BYD seeks to promote similar initiatives in other countries.

The internally developed Fe Battery (Lithium Iron Phosphate battery) and the corresponding Battery Management System technology, which is fitted to BYD electric vehicles, is considered to be the safest, most environment-friendly and advanced, and with the longest service life in the global market.

In 2010, BYD became the world’s first manufacturer of industrial trucks exclusively powered by the Fe batteries, enjoying a far more energy-efficient, safer, cleaner, truly maintenance-free technology than the traditional and cumbersome lead-acid batteries.

Today, the BYD forklift product range includes a counterbalance forklift, a pallet truck, an electric stacker and a reach truck. They make full use of the BYD’s well developed and reliable Fe Battery and Battery Management system to ensure lower operation costs and high operator satisfaction.