Flogas has won the contract to supply LP Gas for the new LP Gas-powered fleet of forklifts at Diageo Baileys Global Supply warehouse on the Nangor Road in Dublin. Up until the changeover, the forklift fleet had been running on electric batteries and analysis showed that the charging process was taking eight hours, was very labour-intensive and each battery operated at a reduced capacity during its last hour of power. On top of this, they were experiencing lower battery performance in their latter part of their five year life. It all added up to a regular drop in performance levels, an unsatisfactory scenario in a warehouse with such a high volume of traffic.

Followed a detailed analysis and evaluation, the Flogas Energy Solutions team recommended a switch to LP Gas powered forklifts. Like electricity, they offered a clean, virtually odourless and soot-free solution, all critical factors in an indoor warehouse with consumable products but also came with a host of other benefits. Diageo opted for forklifts with permanently mounted LP Gas tanks and a Flogas bulk gas refuelling unit. The storage of LP Gas on site meant instant refills and subsequently no downtime. The switch also meant an extended engine life, no manual handling, high level engine performance, low CO2 emissions and low running costs.

Due to the success of the changeover at Nangor Road, Diageo has now made the switch from electric to Flogas LP Gas forklift trucks at its Belfast facility.

“Successful implementation has resulted in increased performance levels, low maintenance, cost savings and another happy client,” says James Smyth, technical services engineer, Flogas Ireland, who undertook the analysis and evaluation for Flogas and presented the solution to Diageo.

CAPTION:

Pat O’Brien, logistics manager, Diageo Baileys Global Supply; James Smith, technical services engineer, Flogas Energy Solutions; with model and reality TV star Vogue Williams at the photocall to highlight the changeover to Flogas LP Gas powered forklifts at the Diageo warehouse at Nangor Road, Dublin.

The new energy management standard EN 16001 provides a set of standardised requirements for an energy management system and also the framework for energy management best practice to aid organisations. Certification Europe, based in Dublin, is leading the way across Europe in the adoption of the new energy management standard.

One organisation that has implemented the standard with Certification Europe as its certification partner is Diageo Baileys Global Supply. “EN 16001 energy management system certification has helped Diageo Baileys Global Supply’s operations to address its energy use in an extremely positive manner. Since engaging in the energy management certification process we have saved 25% on weekend energy costs alone,” says Evelyn Conlon, risk manager at the Dublin-based international drinks producer.

Pictured (left to right): Ciaran O’Malley, business development manager of Certification Europe; John Ryan, commercial director of Certification Europe; John Miller, operations director of Diageo Baileys Global Supply. In front, Evelyn Conlon, risk manager of Diageo Baileys Global Supply.

John Ryan, commercial director with Certification Europe, describes the benefits gained through the implementation of the standard: “This standard is the definition of international best practice in relation to energy management. EN 16001 not only helps cut energy costs but it also helps to improve operational efficiencies, corporate image and credibility.” Through the certification process, Certification Europe helps businesses improve their energy efficiency in a logical, controlled and systematic way.

John Ryan continues: “This standard is vital for any company who wants to minimise their impact on the environment and reduce their carbon footprint. EN 16001 streamlines procedures and integrates with any existing management system the company may have in place.”

Certification Europe is one of the world’s leading certification bodies in relation to energy management system certification having issued the world’s first accredited EN 16001 certificate in 2009. The company has offices in Dublin, Italy, Turkey and Japan.