We now have an exciting development for the movement of full and empty containers at Fonterra Napier.

With the assistance of Fonterra and Dairy Transport Logistics, we now offer an innovative solution, commissioning a Combilift Straddle Carrier to move the high volume of containers each day during the peak of the dairy flush.

The Irish manufactured Combilift enables the safe, efficient handling of containers of milk powder and reduces the need to be operating swinglifts on the relatively small site.

The Combilift can lift 35 tonnes, stack two containers high and is incredibly manoeuverable with the three-wheel design. The Combilift is also very kind on the pavement with the weight spread evenly over the three points of contact, unlike a regular forklift.

It basically acts like a small version of the straddle carriers that can be found at container ports, but is more efficient.

The top mount auto-lift spreader frame lift containers by their top lugs, extending for both 20’ and 40’ containers. This enables the Combilift operator to stay in the cab during the whole operation.

The feedback from Combilift driver, James, has been very positive.

While enabling quicker turnaround times for the trucks carting the containers, there have been significant improvements in site safety. For example it has enabled us to reduce the number of trucks on site, we no longer have people walking around containers to attach lifting chains, and it has improved our ability to place containers closer together and more accurately.

Both Tomoana Warehousing Ltd and Fonterra are extremely happy with the Combilift Straddle Carrier. It has been a positive investment.