December to January in Australia is the busiest time of the year for leading global beverage company, Foster's Group.

Linfox operates Foster's distribution centres (DCs) in Sydney and Melbourne, and a dependable fleet of materials handling equipment (MHE) is essential to ensure the efficient movement of beer, wine, spirits, pre-mixed and non-alcohol products. The Linfox team at Foster's Rosehill DC in Sydney relies on its fleet of MHE. The 74-strong fleet includes twin-tyne (fork) forklift trucks, reach trucks, layer pickers, pallet transporters and 30 'walk behind' pallet movers for truck-to-store handling.

Linfox's Rosehill Operations Manager, Sean Parker says that volumes grow by 40 per cent for the summer peak.

Workhorses
The twin-tyne forklifts are the real workhorses of the operation. Craig Kenchington, Crown Equipment's General Manager Marketing says that the four tynes allow operators to carry two pallets each trip.

"In a state-of-the-art facility like Rosehill, the increase in volume flow made possible by the twin-tynes is simple to introduce and delivers greater efficiency for the operation," said Craig.

The reach trucks facilitate put away of pallets into high racking areas and are also used to replenish picking areas. These 8.6 metre lift height trucks optimize the storage capacity of the site.

Maximum flexibility
The new Rosehill DC combines Foster's beer, wine, spirit, RTD and non-alcohol products in one DC. Customers can elect to place one order and receive the full range of Foster's beverages on the one delivery.

Crown's layer pickers and pallet transporters help the Linfox team prepare mixed pallet orders, giving Fosters customers flexibility, variety and speed-to-market service. Operators ride on the Crown pallet machines between order picking areas and can make single unit picks covering the full range of beverages available.

Into store
Crown equipment also simplifies deliveries to customers. Thirty of Linfox's delivery vehicles carry a Crown 'walk behind' electric powered pallet truck which allows drivers to easily move pallets directly into customers' loading bays.

Craig said, "Crown and Linfox have a very successful partnership. Our equipment gives the Linfox team the greatest flexibility in managing the DC and delivery process for Foster's."