Fleet Transport June 2020

SUMMER 2020
safe practices
“All about doing more with
less” at Combilift
Martin McVicar, Managing Director at
Combilift is a supreme strategist. While
the company’s plans to reach into its ever
expanding global markets have had to be
modified as a result of the Coronavirus
pandemic, Martin, together with his
management team at the Monaghanbased
materials handling production
facility, has implemented a number of
clear, well communicated initiatives over
the past month in light of the current
challenges.
Categorised as a designated ‘Essential
Supplier’ from the beginning of the COVID-
19 restrictions, production continued at
the outset. However a decision was then
made to shut down operations for three
weeks in order to facilitate the introduction
of new operational measures to meet
Government regulations and protect the
600-strong workforce.
As Martin McVicar explained during a
webinar trade press briefing, the traditional
single shift production system operating
five days week would not be able to
meet the social distancing requirements.
As a result, and following a series of risk
assessments, a two shift manufacturing
system was introduced. Martin explained
that due to the generous size of Combilift’s
new 46,500 sq.m. facility which opened
last year, they were easily able to adhere
to the 2 metre social distance requirement
using this two shift system. Through regular
communication with employees (by video
and YouTube) the new measures decided
upon were made clear from the start and
helped each member of staff to integrate
with the new practices.
Another major challenge for Martin and
his team was the large canteen area. “This
area is where most of the ground floor
staff assemble and to change this practice
in a safe manner was a challenge. So, we
decided to close the main hot food section
and create eight individual canteen areas
around the plant, with staggered break
times introduced,” he said.
Martin outlined a range of other
measures adopted around the premises.
For instance, the door handles now have
copper plated covers, a thermal camera
system has been installed inside the main
door and the finger printing clockingin
system has been replaced by a key
fob, similar to that used on the Combilift
trucks. It is mandatory for all staff to wear
face masks while at work.
The implementation of these practices
has seen production levels return to
95% pre-COVID-19 levels, with demand
from customers in Europe increasing,
particularly in Germany. However, due
to the rescheduling of shipping lines’
schedules, together with the temporary
closure of its agents, there have been
some delays in getting product to the
end customer. Similar issues have been
experienced with regards to importing
raw materials, but Martin being Martin has
found ways to speed up the transportation
of these materials by rail and ferry from
mainland Europe in through Dublin and
Cork Ports.
One area of speciality that Combilift
offers is warehouse design and it’s an area
that has expansion potential
for companies that have
to readjust their storage
facilities during and post-
Coronavirus.
Client discussions begin
with looking at the existing
storage/production facilities
and ascertaining where
additional space can be eked
out. This stage of the process
can be done remotely with
the aid of What’s App video
links between the Combilift
Warehouse Design
Engineers and the customer.
Combilift’s innovative
and award winning multidirectional
technology,
together with over two
decades of experience in
volume optimisation means
that its engineers are experts
at identifying where greater
efficiency can be achieved
throughout the client’s
facility. The consultancy service will come
up with a number of solutions, creating 2D
and 3D on-screen visuals to demonstrate
the possibility to increase existing capacity
or illuminating the need for additional
warehousing or yard space.
Like other businesses, Combilift has
been missing the opportunity to network
up close and personal during this
pandemic crisis, with communication
mainly done by phone or on the web. The
cancellation and postponement of events
and exhibitions across Europe and further
afield has also had a significant effect on
Martin’s sales teams. He is well aware
that one-to-one interaction is invaluable
in getting to know the customer and their
requirements. Combilift and its sister
brand Aisle-Master also rely on trade
publications across the globe to keep the
positive message going and ensure they
are reaching potential new customers.
Separately, Combilift has come up
with a unique contribution to helping
the current COVID-19 medical demands.
Martin along with Technical Director,
Robert Moffett and a team of mechatronic
and software engineers, developed
the Combi-Ventilate, a splitter device
which turns one ventilator into multiple
ventilator stations. The Combi-Ventilate
has automatic adjustable flow control
valves which allow a health service
professional control the tidal volume to
each patient electronically without having
to make manual adjustments. “We have
made Combi-Ventilate under the same
ethos and with the same objectives as
we do with all our Combilift products –
which is all about doing more with less,”
concluded Martin.
TEXT: Jarlath Sweeney – jarlath@fleet.ie www.handling-network.com 41