Learn more about the Deka Ready Power lithium batteries from a real-world case study.
THE BACKGROUND
A major manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks was faced with a material handling challenge when they decided to migrate from a one shift to two shift operation at its 1 million + square foot vehicle assembly plant. This plant is in operation two shifts per day, 240 days per year, with a fleet of 130 lift trucks.
East Penn worked closely with the Fleet Manager within the truck manufacturer’s Logistics Engineering Group to recommend an optimized lift equipment power solution. This group’s responsibilities include evaluating the material handling needs of the plant and optimizing the right equipment choices and quantity.
THE CHALLENGE: A TWO-SHIFT OPERATION
The lead batteries that the plant had in use were perfectly suitable for powering the lift equipment when they operated a single shift; when the shift was over there was sufficient time to charge the lead batteries before the next shift. As the truck manufacturer was looking to increase their material handling capabilities to support a two-shift operation, power and charging efficiencies became an important matter to consider.
Once lithium was determined as the preferred battery technology, the team undertook a risk analysis of lithium vendors and their product offerings. A lift-truck dealer serving the region recommended Deka Ready Power lithium batteries as the preferred solution.
THE CLEAR SOLUTION:
First and foremost, safety was of the utmost importance. The plant’s Logistics Engineering team determined the lithium iron phosphate technology used by Deka Ready Power was much safer than other lithium battery technologies such as nickel manganese cobalt (“NMC”).
The Deka Ready Power lithium forklift battery line has one of the widest assortments of 24, 36, and 48 volt UL Listed models in the Industry. Both existing and newly developed future models that do not currently have the UL Listed mark are either in process or will be submitted to UL for future classification. For the most current listing, please reference EPM Flyer #2503 or visit www.dekareadypower. com. This UL rating was extremely important to the Logistics Engineering team.
THE RESULTS: MORE SPACE, FEWER FORKLIFTS, GREATER EFFICIENCY
Deka Ready Power batteries allow fast charging, deliver long run times, have higher/consistently-strong voltage throughout each shift, and efficiently absorb regen energy from the Class II trucks. As a result, the truck plant has reduced its forklift fleet from 150 to 130. Excess equipment was moved to the truck manufacturer’s other facilities, providing additional savings to the overall enterprise.
The fleet manager sees the deployment of Deka Ready Power as a model for their other manufacturing and distribution facilities, and is sharing the many “lessons-learned” with his colleagues across the company’s vast material handling function.
Read The Full Study Here: Case Study
Contact Us For More Information:
E-mail: motivepowersales@dekabatteries.com
Phone: 610.682.3260
