Materials Handling's total solutions for Tata Motors

When Voltas Materials Handling supplied 40 electronic forklifts to Tata Motors for its Indica plant in Pune, their job had just begun. The clients' production targets were increasing, and they needed to ensure optimum utilization and faster turn-around of their forklifts - in other words, speedy and efficient work by their Operations and Maintenance Team.

To this end, Materials Handling designed and delivered a training programme for about 80 personnel from the team, addressing precisely those needs. Pre- and post-tests indicated a marked improvement in effectiveness. It was also clear that the team had moved significantly closer to the skills of Voltas' own Sales & Service personnel.

Along the way, Materials Handling also designed a 'Quick Battery Change System' which cut almost 11 hours from forklift idle time during charging. This was done by adding a spare battery, in an initial prototype - soon to be followed by seven new vehicles with the add-on. This first-ever innovation was implemented in all existing 40 forklifts as well.