Pictured above: The BAS at work using the recent addition
from Briggs' Short Term Hire fleet
A Staffordshire-based supplier of forklift trucks is playing a
part in the exploration and study of one of the world's most remote
and hostile environments.
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is at the forefront of
scientific research on the frozen continent and it has recently
signed a contract with Briggs Equipment for a short-term hire (STH)
truck that will help its massive logistics operation.
Every year BAS sends two ships - RSS Ernest Shackleton and RSS
James Clark Ross - to Antarctica and putting the stores
together at its headquarters can prove a massive task, especially
when the ships are due to set sail or return to the UK.
Mick Cliff, Stores Manager at BAS explained: "Every year we
handle around 1000 tonnes of cargo, which can include everything
from toilet rolls to high-tech scientific equipment.
"We already have one 2.5 tonne truck from Briggs on a five year
contract but during the summer months, when it is winter in
Antarctica, we are at our busiest - unloading equipment and samples
that have returned from Antarctica and then loading stores and
equipment that will be used over the Antarctic summer."
To help BAS cope with the extra workload, Briggs have supplied
one of it latest Yale trucks on a four month STH agreement. The
three tonne LPG powered vehicle is one of the latest additions to
Briggs's STH fleet and is less than a year old.
With a reach height of five metres and 1300mm forks, the truck's
reliability will be crucial to the success of this year's
expeditions.
Continued Mick: "We are always working to very strict deadlines
as the ships will not wait for us and so reliability is essential,
as is an efficient stores operation. We have turned to Briggs once
again because we have been impressed by both the equipment and
their ongoing service and support."
Allan Parsons, asset manager of Briggs Equipment, added: "We are
delighted to have been asked to help BAS in the support of its
vital research operation in Antarctica. This latest contract also
illustrates the high regard in which our STH service is held and
the quality of our state-of-the-art fleet."