HOPPECKE'S NUMBERS STACK UP FOR UK’S LEADING FOODSERVICE COMPANY

A standardised battery service from Hoppecke Industrial Batteries has helped a leading foodservice company reduce its costs and increase operational flexibility. With over 30 distribution depots, 3663 operates across the UK supplying fresh, frozen and chilled food to restaurants, pubs, cafés and clubs as well as schools, hospitals and Government departments. It needed materials handling equipment with a battery system that was easy to access and maintain and Hoppecke's "Power for Life" system was the ideal option. “Flexible access to the use of materials handling equipment is essential to our operation,” says Graham Rennie, 3663’s Director of Fleet. “While the majority of our order picking takes place through the night, we need trucks to operate during parts of the day. Where possible, we prefer not to involve our operators in having to change batteries. However the practice of connecting batteries to recharge more than once per day, used to cause us increased focus. Early battery failures, unbudgeted repairs, increased maintenance and battery filling all contributed to added cost with the previous batteries. Also, electricity costs did not help us in reducing our operational costs or carbon footprint.” In early 2005, 3663 decided to standardise on the use of the Hoppecke “Power for Life” battery solution. The system incorporates Hoppecke trak® air batteries which are charged using trak® air intelligent high frequency chargers. This system allows us to opportunity charge batteries during the normal weekly operation which provides the required flexibility to support our picking requirements. The full charge received by the battery on a weekend ensures no damage, reduced life or negative warranty effects are experienced. “Over the past four to five years, the concerns we had about early battery failure, increased maintenance and health and safety issues have disappeared leaving us to concentrate on our core business,” continued Graham. Gus Whyte, Hoppecke’s UK sales director, said: “A Trak® air battery system not only reduces battery filling down to four to six times per year, it offers reduced battery gassing and delivers over 30 per cent savings on electricity costs. The resulting benefits have helped 3663 reduce its carbon footprint.” As part of the Hoppecke “Power for Life” contract, all battery filling and maintenance is carried out by a dedicated Hoppecke engineer. The “Power for Life” battery solution coupled with Hoppecke's complete service package has proved to be the ideal option. - - - ENDS - - - Image to accompany release: High res image to download for print: Click here

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