Bendi forklifts fit the bill for Two-a-Day

Goscor Lift Truck Company (GLTC) recently delivered two Bendi B320 forklifts to Two-a-Day (TAD), one of the leading fruit growing, packing and marketing companies in Africa. The Bendi B320’s narrow aisle area, which increases pallet space on given floor area, influenced TAD’s buying decision.        

Located in the Overberg area, east of Cape Town, TAD is one of the leading fruit growing, packing and marketing companies on the African continent comprising of more than 50 farms. Total area under fruit exceeds 3 300 hectares. Total production, including processing, equates to over 200 000 tonnes per annum. The Group is currently exporting 5,2-million cartons of apples and pears per year, and also supplies the local market with 2,9-million cartons of apples and pears per annum.

For increased uptime in handling its produce, TAD went into the market for two forklifts early this year. As a major consideration, the company specifically wanted a unit that could take the task head on in its narrow aisles. GLTC, which had previously supplied two Crown ride-on powered pallet trucks to TAD, offered its Bendi B320, which fit the bill for the customer. TAD took delivery of its two units on March 29 this year.

Why Bendi B320? Garrick Spray, Area Sales Manager at GLTC, explains that the battery electric multi-purpose articulated forklift truck is designed to give optimal aisle performance while retaining many of the features which have made the award-winning Bendi the first choice in articulated forklift trucks. “The B320 is capable of storing pallets in aisles as small as 1,6 m, offering great space savings over counterbalance and reach trucks. Bendi can achieve a storage density that exceeds that of a very narrow aisle (VNA) installation,” says Spray.

The B320 has a nominal lift capacity of 2 000 kg and lift height of 9 m. With full AC and electronically switched valve bank, the B320 has greater efficiency with faster lift and lowering speeds. The operator’s cabin is based on the Bendi B420 and comes with a large footwell, low step for easy access and a tortoise button for controllable reduced speed operating. Additional features include highly manoeuvrable and safe drive style in aisles; purpose-built articulating-specific triple stage FFL masts; four post OHG to maximise operator safety and visibility; no guidance or super-flat floors required; and servo assisted brakes.

“The machines are operating perfectly, and TAD has since ordered another Bendi B320 unit. Apart from the equipment, the customer is also extremely satisfied with our service and support regime. Repeat orders are a true testimony of our ability to offer great aftersales support,” concludes Spray.