Supplying some of the world’s largest automotive and aviation brands with high-quality leather is a demanding business, requiring a robust forklift truck fleet capable of operating at peak performance in the harshest of industrial environments. Rushlift provides the full-support solution.
Scottish Leather Group is a family-owned, business built on supplying sustainable high-quality products to many of the world’s leading companies in the aviation, automotive, bus, coach and rail industries, as well as the luxury goods and furniture design sectors. High-profile customers include: Aston Martin, Polestar, Jaguar Land Rover, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Ryanair and Irish Rail.
The business prides itself on its pursuit of operational excellence, with a combination of Six Sigma techniques, exacting sustainability standards and a strong emphasis on workplace safety – having achieved award-winning safety performance and RoSPA Gold recognition. Maintaining these high standards across their manufacturing and distribution sites near Glasgow demands a robust fleet of well-engineered forklift trucks capable of performing at peak under the most punishing of production environments.
Challenging conditions
“Tanneries are by their very nature some of the harshest working environments for mechanical equipment,” says Kelly Truman, Engineering Compliance Manager at Scottish Leather Group. “Our forklift fleet at our main production facility in Bridge of Weir, Paisley, and at our site near Glasgow, work three-shifts a day, moving hides between wet processes and loading vehicles. It’s tough work that can take a heavy toll on a vehicle as the chemicals involved in the manufacturing process are highly corrosive, requiring regular servicing of the fleet in order to keep them operationally effective and safe.”
Keeping to schedule and ensuring that production is uninterrupted is essential for Scottish Leather Group’s continued business success, as any failure to deliver on time can impact customer production lines. This responsibility places a heavy emphasis on the performance of the forklift truck fleet and each truck’s ability to maintain maximum uptime – these vehicles must be robust, reliable high-performers. And keeping them on top form over a three-shift day, ‘day-in, day-out’, requires regular servicing and a rigorous maintenance regime.
When it came to reviewing their materials handling fleet in the summer of 2024 Scottish Leather Group entered into a comprehensive tendering process which resulted in them placing an order for 18 new Bobcat forklift trucks with Rushlift, the national full-service provider of materials handling equipment.
“Rushlift proved their worth back in 2023 when they offered excellent support, supplying a fleet of powered pallet trucks to reduce manual handling across three of our sites and by arranging for a number of LPG powered counterbalance trucks on short-term rental,” says Kelly. “The maintenance and service support were first-class, so we knew we could rely on them – and the Bobcat product range was clearly fit for the task.”
High-spec, anti-corrosion
The order consisted of:Ten Bobcat G30E-7 four-wheel counterbalance trucks, fitted with triple lift masts, half cabs and load weight indicators, capable of operating with loads up to 3000 kg. Critically, the vehicles had to be specially adapted to protect them against the harsh, wet working environment of the tannery, which included a high-spec anti-corrosion paint applied to the bodywork and mast, along with extra-thick chrome plating and zinc coated chains. In addition, three of the trucks were fitted with a box rotator attachment, which were also treated with anti-corrosion paint.
But not all vehicles were destined for tannery use; other models were supplied for the less aggressive working environment of the distribution centre, and yard duties. Further Bobcat counterbalance models supplied included two G25E-7 with half and full cabs, a G35E-7 with a load handling capacity of 3500 kg, three BR16JW-9 reach trucks with integral sideshift, LED lights and panoramic mirror, and two heavy-duty electric counterbalance models, the B30X-7 and the B25X-7, both with half cabs.
All vehicles across the fleet were supplied complete with triple lift masts, 4th hydraulics and the latest safety equipment, including: blue spot safety lights for alerting pedestrians, full FTC Optafleet Telematics (pre-use safety check, fleet utilisation data and impact detection), and seat belt interlocks.
Full support
“Maintenance and regular servicing are incredibly important to us,” says Kelly. “That’s why we went for a leasing agreement with a full maintenance and support package from Rushlift.” This includes an increased frequency of Thorough Examinations based on the sites arduous conditions and environmental factors, via Rushlift’s partner Plant & Safety.
In addition, Rushlift have supported Scottish Leather Group in training some of their personnel on carrying out interim maintenance checks to ensure they identify any issues out with the regular servicing, maintenance and pre-use checks, to ensure maximum uptime in harsh environments.
Kelly concludes: “Over the past year, Rushlift has proven to be an exceptional partner, delivering a level of service and support that has consistently exceeded our expectations. From the outset, the Rushlift team has brought a wealth of industry knowledge, hands-on experience, and a proactive approach that has added significant value to our operations. Their ability to understand our unique needs and tailor their support accordingly has made a real difference – not just in terms of compliance and safety, but in the confidence and capability of our workforce.”
Rushlift is providing further ongoing support with floor cleaning machines and access equipment across all four of Scottish Leather Group’s sites.
For further information on Rushlift go to https://www.rushlift.co.uk
