Ringing the changes to save clients money

The five eight-tonners look much like all the other vehicles at the airport. Belonging to NGL Logistic Solutions they don’t particularly stand out, but they are different. These five vehicles are part of a pilot project by the company to address the short lifespan of airport vehicles. According to NGL Logistic Solutions’ director Quinton de Villiers, the bodies of the vehicles have been reinforced while de-rubbers have been installed to help with the impact of the heavy pallets. With each vehicle able to take two aircraft pallets, often weighing in at more than 3 tonnes, back-to-back their lifespan is to increase dramatically. “At the moment a vehicle working exclusively at the airport needs to be refurbished at least once a year. We believe with the changes and amendments we have made, we can extend that lifespan to at least three years,” says De Villiers. “This will result in a cost saving not only for us but also for the clients.” The decision was also taken not to purchase openended trucks. “This means we can save time as the pallets are pushed from the rollerbed onto the back of the track – there is no more strapping or tarpaulin to be put in place. It is quick and the cargo is protected from the weather and criminal elements.” De Villiers says all five trucks were reinforced without compromising on the payload. “They still carry the SABS approval. Various factors had to be taken into account during the design process, but we believe what we have achieved is a satisfactory solution to what has been a continuous problem.”