Product category:
Batteries, chargers and circuit protection
News Release from: EnerSys Motive Power
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 10 July 2003
MG Rover awards "First Tier" status
Hawker Traction has been made a First Tier supplier to MG Rover, as providers of batteries and chargers for the lift truck fleet at the carmaker's Longbridge site.
Hawker Traction has been made a First Tier supplier to MG Rover, as providers of batteries and chargers for the lift truck fleet at the carmaker's Longbridge site Hawker, who previously dealt with MG Rover through the suppliers of the lift trucks, will now assume direct responsibility for the supply, management and maintenance of more than 500 batteries and chargers located around the plant
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 15 Feb 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Hawker high frequency (HF) high-speed chargers from EnerSys Motive Power are designed to refresh battery charge while trucks are parked during drivers' short rest break.
MG Rover has also specified that Hawker batteries be used in all the lift trucks to be delivered to the Powertrain site at Longbridge, which is due to come on stream shortly.
Hawker has a long association with the Longbridge site, with its Perfect flooded-cell batteries installed in the 270-plus counterbalance lift trucks and tow trucks that play a critical role in supplying components, on a just-in-time basis, to the assembly lines.
The timely changing of batteries on the lift and tow trucks, which work round the clock, is vital to minimise downtime and sustain uninterrupted production.
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Automotive company chooses batteries and chargers
EnerSys' Hawker Motive Power brand of batteries and chargers has supported Peugeot's move from two to three shifts at the Parts Operation distribution centre in Tile Hill, Coventry.
Hawker has a team of eight engineers permanently on site to undertake battery changing, charging and topping up operations in the plant' s three dedicated charging rooms and at an off-site warehouse.
Hawker has adopted a colour-coding system to ensure that the batteries are properly rotated and that they all receive regular equalisation charges.
This has greatly extended the working life of the batteries and enabled MG Rover to save money by reducing the number of batteries required to support the lift truck fleet.
Hawker's engineers maintain real time computerised records on the use of every battery on site, which enables efficient preventative maintenance to fix potential faults before they impact on the just-in-time component supply.
MG Rover has also made major savings on the batteries themselves.
After Hawker took on direct responsibility for the operation, further savings have been made in electricity costs with the recent installation of Hawker's Lifeplus high frequency battery chargers.
These units incorporate intelligent software which diagnoses the state of battery charge, and delivers only the power needed to bring the battery back up to full charge.
Hawker's Lifeplus chargers can reduce mains power consumption by as much as 30%.
Kevin Guest, contract manager for MG Rover's Physical Logistics Supply Chain operation, explains: "Hawker have proved themselves worthy of first tier supplier status by the excellent service they have provided.
They know the automotive industry inside out.
Batteries and battery management is Hawker's core business so it is logical to contract this service direct.
We now have a direct line of accountability for the crucial battery management operation".
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