Highlighting the changing face of warehousing and logistics

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport: South Africa (CILTSA), is partnering southern Africa’s leading materials handling equipment provider, Goscor Lift Truck Company (GLTC), for a networking event aimed at highlighting the new developments in warehousing and logistics.      

In recent years, modern logistics has changed the face of industrial warehousing. Amid modern globalisation where international businesses are now shipping their products outside of their regions, logistics has become a significant part of many companies. Industrial warehousing has since become a critical and integral part of the process. These are some of the issues warehouse expert, Martin Bailey, will be tackling at a CILTSA networking breakfast, which will be hosted in partnership with GLTC on October 17, 2018.

The event – which is open to CILTSA members, GLTC customers and other invited guests – will explore new developments in warehousing and logistics, as well as the future of the industry. Some of the topics of discussion will include the trend towards more automation in warehouses; better systems to drive workers; better WMS; better labour management; better interfaces; better storage; better picking; and more energy efficient machines.

This will be followed by a facility tour of Goscor’s world-class premises. The tour will include GLTC offices and its 24/7 call centre, as well as the workshop, repair bay and the recently-launched world-class merSETA accredited training centre. “As the leading forklift and materials handling provider in southern Africa, GLTC prides itself in world-class operations which continue to set us apart in a continuously changing industry,” says Kasha Vorster, marketing manager at GLTC.

In a milestone achievement that asserts an uncompromising stance towards quality and health & safety, GLTC recently became the first forklift supplier to attain both the ISO 9001: 2015 and OHSAS 18001 accreditations in South Africa. Meanwhile, to build a pool of technical skills it needs to better support its product range, GLTC recently established its own merSETA-accredited training centre. The facility is aimed at breeding new forklift technicians, as well as offering skills improvement, refresher courses and continuous product upgrade training.

CILTSA-Goscor partnership

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) is the international professional body for Logistics and Transport professionals. With a network of National Councils and Sections in over 30 countries, CILT services the interests of over 30 000 members.

CILT is a professional body committed to the advancement of Logistics and Transport. CILT established a Section in South Africa, known as CILTSA, in December 2002. The purpose of CILTSA is to establish and maintain the professional standing of its members so that they are recognised for their superior ability and expertise to create world-class logistics and transport value within their organisations and South Africa.

GLTC has been a member of CILTSA for several years. GLTC strives to support CILTSA in its endeavours regarding training and upliftment of the industry, wherever possible. “We have worked closely with Martin Bailey for decades, and when this opportunity presented itself, it was only natural to be able to be part of the drive to impart knowledge and growing technological advancements within the industry – to the industry,” says Vorster.

Doosan 7 Series showcase

Guests at the event will be treated to a new products in the GLTC stable. GLTC will display all of its latest forklifts and materials handling equipment. Invited guests will be able to speak to GLTC’s professional sales representatives regarding the options best suited for their individual operations.

However, it will be the unveiling of the new Doosan 7 Series – the latest forklift range on GLTC’s arrival lounge – that will take centre stage. The new Doosan 7 Series forklift range ticks all the right operational boxes, from maximum productivity to cost-effective and safe operation across an array of applications – attributes that are high up on every warehouse or DC manager’s checklist when evaluating and selecting materials handling equipment.

“With the launch of the Doosan 7 Series, we are offering an ideal tool for a range of applications, all the way from lifting building materials, fibre and paper handling, chemicals, wood, to recycling, industrial equipment manufacturing and wholesalers, among many others,” explains Patrick Barber, Sales Director at GLTC.

With five diesel models – the D20, D25, D30, D33S-7 and the D35C-7 – the range offers operating capacities from 2 t to 3,5 t. The range is powered by a Yanmar 3.3L diesel engine built to meet the latest emission regulations. The in-line, 4-cylinder, water-cooled, overhead valve engine provides high torque (191 Nm) at low engine speeds (1 600 rpm) in applications requiring ramp loading and unloading, fast lift speeds and heavy hydraulic flow.

Safety has become a major parameter when it comes to the operation of any forklift under any circumstances. In response to customer needs, the Doosan 7 Series forklift range comes with an array of features aimed at increasing safety on sites.

At the forefront of the safety feature galore is the Operator Sensing System (OSS). The OSS prevents any unintended forklift movements when the operator is not seated. “Tilt, lift and lowering functions are disabled if the operator is not in the seat, even when the ignition is on. An audible alarm will sound if the operator leaves the seat without applying the parking brake. A seat belt warning light on the dashboard reminds the operator to fasten their seatbelt,” concludes Barber.