Electric Forklifts – Sustainable Development & Energy Saving

BUSINESS: 327 PRACTICES
With over 40 years of operation, “Maillis Metals Solutions” is a major player in the European steel strapping business with the largest Vertical Integrated manufacturing facility in Europe. Offering a comprehensive product portfolio along with engineering support, we cover a wide spectrum of application requirements in more than 1200 customers worldwide.
https://www.maillis.com/en/brands/maillis-metals-solutions
Replacing the factory's diesel-powered forklifts with lithium-ion technology electric motors.
The program is addressed to the company's employees but also to external stakeholders (customers, partners, local community, audit authorities) and confirms the company's commitment to the continuous improvement of working conditions, environmental protection, and energy saving.
The duration of the study and final agreement with the leasing company for the delivery of the electric forklifts was 6 months.
The company M.I. Maillis Single Member S.A. having a strong sense of responsibility towards people and the environment decided to proceed with the replacement of 15 diesel-powered forklifts with electric ones that have lithium-ion technology batteries.
The advantages of the new electric forklifts are presented below:
PureEnergy technology for optimal energy efficiency
Compact frame allowing perfect visibility.
Safe battery change without a crane
Control systems with flexibility of adaptation
Ergonomic workplace for greater productivity
With the PureEnergy technology system, high-performance forklifts always handle the required tasks with optimal energy and economic efficiency. Measurements based on the VDI cycle prove that: At maximum cargo handling performance, they consume up to 20 % less energy compared to their competing models. The compact frame with an expanded field of vision and intelligent controls that can be individually adapted to the needs of each driver, allows full performance on every route.
Batteries with lithium-ion technology also have great advantages:
Provide extremely short charging times,
Cost savings compared to lead acid batteries as they have a longer life and are maintenance free.
We do not need to provide special spaces with adequate ventilation where we will charge our accumulators as no gases are emitted.
The replacement of diesel-powered forklifts with electric ones is expected to bring a reduction in diesel consumption (fossil fuel) by 80% with a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions by 83 tons CO2eq / year.
Steel strap production factory at Inofyta Viotias, Greece
Forklift leasing company
The Electricians of the Technical Department as well as the colleagues of the Procurement department participated in the implementation of the program.
The replacement of diesel-powered forklifts with new technology electric ones resulted in the improvement of workplaces and the protection of the environment, which are the main and continuous goals of our company.
More specifically, in the interior spaces of production and warehouses, the emissions from combustion derivatives of diesel engines (CO2, CO, NO2, NO) were eliminated. This has the effect of improving the working conditions for the employees who work in the specific areas.
In addition, this specific initiative has brought about a significant reduction in diesel consumption. Only for the first five months of the year we have reduced costs from the supply of motor oil by €8000.