Bullet Express goes even greener

A member of the UK’s biggest pallet network, Bullet Express has been distributing, storing and shipping goods throughout the UK, Europe and worldwide for more than 30 years.

At the same time, as one of the fastest growing distribution and logistics service providers in Scotland, it is also one of the most progressive, constantly identifying new ways to achieve greater efficiency and operate more responsibly.

Nowhere is that more evident than in its choice of new materials handling equipment to service its four Glasgow sites. The company has invested in a fleet of Mitsubishi EDiA EX electric counterbalance trucks, Mitsubishi low-emission GRENDiA ES LPG trucks, and Aisle Master forklifts, from the local Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks distributor.

“It made commercial as well as environmental sense,” explains Bullet Express manging director, John McKail. “We wanted to minimise our carbon footprint whilst maximising our cost-efficiency. The package proposed by our Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks supplier achieved all that.”

That package comprised a combination of two Mitsubishi EDiA EX electric counterbalance trucks for each of the three Bullet Express sites specialising in storage. One truck on each site has a capacity of 2.5t while the other – fitted with double pallet handlers – offers 3t capacity.

These trucks fulfil general handling and yard duties, working in tandem with two Aisle Master forklifts fitted with cameras which operate inside the high bay storage areas, lifting to a towering 12m in order to optimise storage space.

“The operators are delighted with the new electric trucks,” continues McKail. “They are much more nimble than the previous IC engine models so are quicker and safer where space is restricted. They are also really quiet, eliminating noise pollution as well as toxic emissions. Importantly, they are equally at home indoors or outside, whatever the weather or ground conditions.

“From a management perspective, the switch to electric has also delivered significant savings on whole-life running costs.”

Handling the pressure

At the company’s Bothwell pallet network hub, high speed decanting operations are described by company director Willie Herron as “extremely intense” with more than 1500 pallets loaded and offloaded every working day. It was this pressure to keep the loads moving that drove the decision to specify five Mitsubishi GRENDiA ES LPG trucks. The result is a perfect combination of clean operations and non-stop performance.

“With their three-way catalytic convertors delivering exceptionally low emissions, we were confident that the 2.5t  Mitsubishi GRENDiA ES FG25 trucks would match the customers green credentials,” explains Brian Docherty, local distributor for Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks. “At the same time, the trucks’ engine management system cuts emissions even further whilst also delivering industry-leading fuel efficiency. It’s a win-win.”

Satisfaction levels run high with Willie Herron emphasising: “If a truck goes down in a peak period it’s a major issue, but I’m pleased to say that the Mitsubishi forklifts have been extremely reliable in what is a really demanding environment.”

Summing up the company’s experiences following the changes, John McKail says, “We are delighted with the trucks. There has been a noticeable improvement in the speed and responsiveness of the support we are getting. Brian and his team are proving very accommodating and very quick to react.”