Work assist vehicles save money, time

Two trucks work narrow aisles, helping pull small parts for Mobile Tool.

-- Modern Materials Handling, 6/27/2001

As an employee-owned company, Mobile Tool International (MTI) prides itself as being independent and resourceful in its approach to business. The Westminster, Colo., company needs those characteristics in order to manufacture and distribute equipment to the fast-growing telecommunications, cable television, electric utility, and construction industries.

That's why MTI believes its purchase of two work assist vehicles was a prudent decision. MTI is saving money by using them and is improving time management on its busy shop floor.

The vehicles are essential in providing a steady stream of parts from storage directly to the company's demand flow technology (DFT) line. "We believe the vehicles' ability to work in tight, narrow aisles on the shop floor provides us with a major advantage," says stores manager Stan Louthan. "They effectively allow workers to retrieve and put away small parts at just the right height for us–12 to 13 ft."

The vehicles allowed MTI to condense its storage system aisles, providing more space for storing parts. One recently-created small parts storage area provides approximately 400 sq ft of additional room. Valued at $85/sq ft, the additional space means a potential savings in excess of $32,000.

One particularly valuable benefit from use of the vehicles is their ability to work in the assembly area for the aerial lifts, according to Louthan. Parts and supplies are brought in from two different storage areas. Operators using the work assist vehicles bring the materials directly to the workstation requiring the parts. The operators re-stock the station with parts and supplies, thus keeping production running smoothly as the aerial lifts move from work station to work station.

A second storage area requires that the work assist vehicles and orderpickers work effectively together. The larger orderpickers move heavier parts at increased heights while the work assist vehicles are used in lower level picking and in transporting parts directly to the assembly line if needed.

The work assist vehicle's front load tray "is particularly useful for us because of the number of lighter parts we pick," says Louthan. "The tray can be adjusted. Our workers usually keep it waist high so it's easy to get parts on and off shelves. The vehicles are also able to reduce the bending and reaching for parts, reducing the risk of injury."

MTI puts the durable vehicles on a demanding schedule, utilizing the units 16 hr daily. "One of the great things they offer is the amount of hours a vehicle runs before it needs to be charged," says Louthan. "We have never had any down time with them while waiting for a charge."

Operator safety was another reason for selecting these vehicles, says Louthan. "The back gates close and the operator stands comfortably and safely inside," he says. "There's no way for an operator to fall backward because the gates have to be closed in order to operate the truck at a raised height."

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Modern Materials Handling 10/02/2000