LEADING PORT GROUP RECEIVES UPTIME BOOST TO AID INDUSTRY GROWTH

Cooper Specialised Handling has helped the UK’s largest port group increase its uptime and productivity to facilitate the increased popularity of the rail freight industry. Associated British Ports (ABP) operating at the premier Hams Hall Intermodal Rail Freight Terminal near Birmingham, has sought the services of Cooper SH to maintain its mixed fleet of handling equipment. On top of a three year maintenance contract, Cooper SH has also supplied the group with an intermodal ‘second rail’ Konecranes reach stacker to assist with the handling of nearly 100,000 containers that come into the site each year. The intermodal operation involves the handling of laden containers from rail to road and vice versa. ABP’s fleet performs nearly 300,000 lifts per year and help deliver average truck turnaround of 45 minutes or less. The group therefore needed a service provider who could accommodate its operation and maximise the productivity of its machines. Martin Philpott, ABP’s Inland Operations Manager, comments: “Customer service is paramount at ABP. Ultimately; we are only as good as our equipment. We require a service provider who can offer optimum preventative maintenance and keep our machines running efficiently.” To fulfil ABP’s needs, Cooper SH has a full-time resident engineer to respond to all maintenance matters promptly and efficiently to ensure maximum uptime and productivity. Cooper SH has also placed a strong emphasis on the preventative element of its obligations under the contract by working closely with ABP’s Engineering facility in Southampton. “The ABP contract is unique for us in that, for the first time, we are maintaining non-Konecranes equipment on a fixed maintenance contract alongside the Konecranes equipment that we know so well. We have therefore, taken a different approach to how we do business,” says David Cooper, Managing Director of Cooper SH comments, “Since the maintenance contract began in August 2009, we are delighted with the personal and professional approach that Cooper SH adopts,” continues Martin Philpott. The new 45ton, top lift machine will help to further reduce costs fitted with an Eco Drive system. It enables ABP to measure fuel consumption and machine productivity for up to 20 operators. . ABP’s Hams Hall handling equipment consists of three Kalmar and, three Konecranes reach stackers and an SISU RTG crane. Cooper SH and ABP work closely together to ensure that a highly efficient, robust service is maintained and delivered for all of ABP’s Hams Hall customers and stakeholders. - ENDS – High resolution image to support this release: click here

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