BYD Forklift Application Case in the Food and Beverage Industry Introduction

BYD Forklift Application Case in the Food and Beverage Industry Introduction:

As a leader in new energy forklifts, BYD Forklift has always adhered to the development concept of 'technology is king, innovation is the foundation,' and is committed to providing efficient and reliable new energy logistics and handling solutions for customers. BYD Forklift offers a full range of products, including counterbalance forklifts, forward-moving forklifts, pallet movers, stackers, and tow tractors. These products are mainly applied in industries such as logistics, food and beverage, feed, paper, steel, and automotive manufacturing. BYD Forklift has established a global sales network covering the entire country and exporting to developed markets in Europe, America, Japan, and South Korea, with a leading market share. To fully showcase the application of BYD Forklift in various industries and the value it brings to customers, we will select representative customers within these industries based on on-site research. We will document their logistics and handling needs, as well as the solutions provided by BYD Forklift and the transformations brought about. Today, let's take a detailed look at the application case of BYD Forklift in the food and beverage industry.

Customer Background:

The customer is a leading national dairy company with approximately 40 production facilities established throughout the country, boasting industry-leading production capabilities. For this case, we have chosen the customer's production facility in Qingyuan, Guangdong, as the showcase subject. The Qingyuan production facility covers an area of approximately 200 acres and is the customer's second-largest factory located south of the Yangtze River. The products produced include milk, yogurt, ice cream, and more, with a significant daily output, reaching up to 600 tons per day.

Forklift Fleet Status:

The production facility currently has approximately 40 forklifts, with the majority being electric counterbalance forklifts and a few manual pallet trucks. The electric counterbalance forklifts have a capacity of 1.5T or 1.6T.

Handling Requirements: 

The workshop in this production facility has a relatively high level of automation. Forklifts primarily serve the handling of goods in three major warehouses: ambient temperature, low-temperature, and frozen products, as well as unloading and handling of materials. Specific usage conditions are as follows:

1. To meet production demands, the production facility operates in a 24-hour three-shift rotation. During peak times at the ambient temperature logistics center, daily shipments can reach up to 600 tons, requiring forklifts to operate continuously for extended periods.

2. The goods are relatively lightweight, and 1.5T counterbalance forklifts are sufficient for handling and shelving operations.

3. For unloading incoming materials, outgoing shipments, and warehouse operations, horizontal handling is required within a range of 200 meters.

4. Work takes place in cold storage areas, necessitating frequent entry and exit. Forklifts need to have good anti-freezing and waterproof capabilities.

5. The warehouse space is narrow with tight corners and features continuous racks. Forklifts need to be able to enter the racks for operation.

Pain Points Faced:

As production volumes increase and incoming and outgoing shipments become more frequent, the problems with the traditional electric forklifts in use at the Qingyuan production facility have become increasingly prominent.

Frequent Charging with Inadequate Charging Facilities: To charge lead-acid battery forklifts, the Qingyuan production facility has established two charging rooms. However, each charging room can only accommodate 4 to 5 forklifts, and it takes 4 to 5 hours to charge each forklift. The two charging rooms cannot meet the charging needs of the forklifts.

Slow Charging and Low Work Utilization: Previously used lead-acid forklifts at the production facility required 8 hours of charging for only 2 hours of use. This significantly increased the handling pressure at the production facility.

High Battery Maintenance Costs: To support three-shift operations, each forklift was equipped with an extra battery. Additionally, the forklifts needed to change batteries every day, which took 15-20 minutes for each replacement. Battery maintenance, inspection, and the addition of distilled water consumed a lot of management resources.

High Failure Rate and Maintenance Costs: The forklifts had a high failure rate, resulting in high maintenance costs and disruptions to normal operations.

Rack Heights Above 6 Meters: Warehouse shelves had heights exceeding 6 meters, and the existing forklifts could not meet the stacking requirements.

Lack of Features: There was a lack of features such as fans, cup holders, and fire extinguishers. This not only failed to meet the driver's need for hydration and cooling during operations but also posed safety risks.

BYD Forklift Solution:

By thoroughly understanding and analyzing the production situation, forklift usage conditions, and the specific requirements for forklifts at the production facility, BYD Forklift has customized a new energy logistics and handling solution for the customer, further improving the handling efficiency at the production facility. The solution is as follows:

1. BYD Forklift recommended the 1.6T three-wheel lithium-ion battery counterbalance forklift.       This forklift is part of an award-winning product series that has received the IFOY International   Forklift of the Year award. It features powerful performance, low operating costs, high efficiency, and reliability. It also maintains stable performance in low-temperature environments.

2. Providing a five-year warranty for the battery and a two-year warranty for the entire forklift.

3. To meet the demands of the relatively narrow warehouse space and high-rack storage requirements, BYD Forklift modified the mast and loading chain, combining the maneuverability and high stacking capabilities of both counterbalance and stacker forklifts.

4. Equipped the forklift with fans and warning lights.

5. Conducted professional training on delivery, operation, and after-sales service.

The customer's voice:

At present, the customer is satisfied with the advanced technology and stable performance of BYD 1.6T counterbalanced forklift trucks, etc., and also has a deep recognition of the value of BYD forklift trucks' customised solutions.

Fast Battery Charging and Improved Efficiency 

The stationing of BYD lithium forklift trucks has changed the slow charging time and short range of forklift trucks in Qingyuan production base, saving the charging time of forklift trucks and improving the handling efficiency. Customers only need to use the shift time to replenish the power, and a single vehicle can meet the operational needs of the next shift system. During busy hours, it can easily realise three major warehouses handling and auxiliary materials unloading handling. Moreover, through the test of battery charging and discharging, the customer verified that BYD forklift trucks are fully charged in 1 hour for express delivery and have a long battery life.

Customer Feedback:

Currently, the customer is satisfied with the advanced technology and stable performance of the BYD 1.6T counterbalance forklift and deeply acknowledges the value brought by BYD Forklift's customized solution.

Fast Battery Charging and Improved Efficiency: The introduction of BYD lithium-ion battery forklifts has changed the situation of slow forklift charging and limited battery life at the Qingyuan production facility. It has saved forklift charging time and improved handling efficiency. The customer only needs to replenish the battery during shift changes, and a single forklift can meet the operational requirements of the next shift. During peak periods, it can easily handle the handling of goods in the three major warehouses and unloading of materials. Furthermore, through testing of battery charging and discharging, the customer has verified the characteristics of BYD forklifts, which can be fully charged in just 1 hour and have long battery life.

Maintenance-Free Battery: The use of BYD lithium-ion forklifts helps reduce the hassle of battery maintenance and saves on battery maintenance costs. The phosphate iron lithium battery used by BYD Forklifts eliminates the need for an extra battery for each forklift and avoids the trouble of regular electrolyte replenishment that lead-acid batteries require during use. The battery status can be monitored in real-time through the BMS power management system, reducing the customer's battery maintenance costs.

Customized Services: BYD Forklifts have customized mast and loading chain solutions that combine the strong maneuverability of counterbalance forklifts with the capability for high stacking. This adaptation suits the narrow warehouse spaces and high-rack storage operations, allowing forklift operators to flexibly access and retrieve goods from within the racks.

Comfortable Operation and Human-Centric Features: The BYD 1.6T counterbalance forklift is equipped with fans and warning lights, providing a comfortable operating environment for forklift drivers and enhancing safety by preventing safety hazards in narrow warehouse spaces and during sharp forklift turns.