Press release: August, 2022

UK storage specialists Rapid Racking have partnered with intralogistics experts Jungheinrich to drive towards their sustainability goals.

To balance business growth with sustainable practices, Rapid Racking has invested in a brand-new all-electric fleet across its warehouses.

Through its partnership with Jungheinrich, the storage supplier has twenty-one Lithium-ion battery powered trucks in full operation. In addition to sustainable practices, the need to reduce financial pressure and maximise output meant that Lithium-ion was the most viable solution for Rapid Racking’s needs.  

Rapid Racking Jungheinrich fleet
Rapid Racking’s new Jungheinrich 21-strong fleet includes PPTs, Forklifts, and Reach Trucks

The new electric fleet has proved beneficial for the supplier’s business operations, reducing manual handling and eliminating gas cylinder changes, so the Rapid Racking team is able to meet high demand more quickly and efficiently. In addition, the Lithium-Ion fleet has seen a reduction in air and noise pollution levels within the indoor spaces, improving the safety and wellbeing of the warehouse team.

Aligning with the company’s sustainability targets, the move away from LPG powered trucks has provided a cost-effective solution as Jungheinrich’s technology provides three times longer service life than LPG models.

Rapid Racking Jungheinrich fleet
The Lithium-Ion fleet has seen a reduction in air and noise pollution levels within the indoor spaces

Using a combination of Lithium-ion technology and conventional battery powered vehicles, the new fleet enables reduced charging times for maximum output, allowing Rapid Racking’s warehouse operatives vehicle accessibility 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Vincent Smit, Operations Manager at Rapid Racking, comments: “It is more vital than ever that businesses operating in industrial sectors transition to more sustainable working methods. 

Rapid Racking Jungheinrich fleet
The need to reduce financial pressure and maximise output meant that Lithium-ion was the most viable solution for Rapid Racking’s needs

“By switching to Jungheinrich’s Lithium-ion technology, we now have a fully electric fleet operating throughout our three warehouses. This has enabled us to move much closer to our sustainability targets, which was a big factor in making this transition.

“On an operational level, the Rapid Racking warehouse team have found Jungheinrich’s solutions more stable and user-friendly which optimises the team’s picking efficiency. Plus, we will not have to change our equipment now after 5 years – but they could last up to 8 years. For us, it was a win-win.”

Rapid Racking Jungheinrich fleet
All Rapid Racking employees are invited to test out the new Jungheinrich fleet.
L-R: Operations Manager Vincent Smit, Customer Service Advisor Nathan Turk, and Warehouse Team Leader Wayne Clarke

Phil Pearson, Sales Management Director at Jungheinrich, adds: “We are thrilled that we were able to support Rapid Racking’s sustainability goals by enabling them to switch to a fully Lithium-ion fleet providing them with huge environmental and economic benefits including efficiency and productivity gains.

“As a company that has a passion for providing sustainable solutions for our customers that also complement their business objectives, it has been a pleasure to work with Rapid Racking on the upgrade and renewal of its warehouse fleet.”