Lowestoft-based Nexen Lift Trucks – a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of forklift trucks and warehouse equipment – is delighted to announce an £8.5m investment in its UK-based headquarters and manufacturing facility.
Commenting for Nexen Lift Trucks, sales director Pamela Oakes says: “Thanks in part to a thriving e-commerce-based retail market with sales that represented nearly 20% of all retail sales in the UK alone in 2018, demand from logistics specialists and warehousing operators continues to show growth in both the UK and global markets.
“It is therefore vital that we continue to invest heavily in our UK facility to help us maintain current demand while increasing production to focus on growth for Nexen products, including the all-new, multi-directional Ergo sideloader.”
The 48,000 sq. ft. purpose-built extension to the company’s existing 55,000 sq. ft. factory will enable Nexen Lift Trucks to double the output of all models via new production and assembly lines; and see the manufacturer further invest in its state-of-the-art research and development facility.
Nexen Lift Trucks currently employs 50 staff at its Lowestoft headquarters and, to help facilitate the doubling of output and an increasing export order book that equates to 70% of its products, the company also expects the planned investment to create 40 opportunities for new engineers, technicians and other staff.
As part of Nexen’s investment and expansion plans, the research, design, development and production of many of the company’s forklifts, sideloaders and warehousing equipment will continue to be undertaken at its headquarters in Lowestoft, rather than those the company owns in other countries. This bucks the recent Brexit-related trend seen across numerous manufacturing sectors and allows Nexen, which has over 40-years’ experience in the materials handling sector, to place the design and production in the hands of some of Britain’s top designers and engineers.
For further information call Nexen Lift Trucks on +44 (0)1502 532211, email info@nexenlifttrucks.com or visit www.nexenlifttrucks.com.
Curtiss-Wright’s Industrial division – including its legacy brands of Arens Controls, Penny & Giles, PG Drives Technology and Williams Controls – is a recognized leader in providing components and sub-systems that enable customer specific solutions for a wide range of material handling equipment, including pallet/stacker trucks, reach trucks and counterbalance trucks.
For one application, NRH272 rotary position sensors from the Industrial division’s brand family of Penny & Giles have been specified for use on a range of British-designed and manufactured electric forklift trucks from Nexen Lift Trucks.
The Challenge
To maximize storage space within a building footprint, aisle width in warehouses is being reduced and many lift truck manufacturers are having to adopt the latest technologies to ensure material handling vehicles can operate safely and effectively within these new narrow-aisle environments. Additionally, many lift truck operators are reviewing the environmental impact of running forklifts using traditional internal combustion engines but, until recently, electric-powered vehicles haven’t been able to providesimilarlevelsofperformanceandproductivity associatedwithtraditionalinternal combustion applications.
During its research and development process, Nexen identified the need for electric models and itslatestX-Rangeincludes the three-wheeledFBXT lift truck usingaNexen-designedandmanufacturedaxle; andafour-wheelFBXversionusingapurpose-designedsteeringaxle.
Forbothaxletypes, Nexenneededrotarypositionsensorsthatcoulddetectsteeringposition, withfeedbackfromthesensorenablingcontrolofthetruckspeedanddirection, anddisplayedtotheoperatorviaacabin-mounted Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Commenting for Nexen, technical manager Shaun Bailey says: “We needed a sensor that would combine maximum functionality with a design that was robust enough for our application. Angle range, redundancy, voltage range and versatility were all considered before we chose Curtiss-Wright.”
The Solution
A bespoke version of Curtiss-Wright’s NRH272 has been supplied with a 5V power supply option, 10-90% voltage output, Deutsch DT04 connectors and an electrical output set to correspond to rotations of between 20°and 360°. For added safety functionality, the sensor’s on-board diagnostic functions mean the outputs can enter into safe, pre-defined states should an internal sensor error be detected.
With over 30-years’ experience in the materials handling sector, Nexen has established itself as a reliable and cost-effective manufacturer of high quality, innovative products for the materials handling market. As Shaun Bailey explains, the Curtiss-Wright NRH272 complements Nexen’s reputation: “Much like Nexen, Curtiss-Wright has a reputation for quality and dependability, so when looking for a high quality sensor, it made sense to consider the NRH272.”
The Curtiss-Wright NRH271/NRH272 range of non-contact, rotary position sensors with Hall-effect sensing technology is designed to supply an optimum combination of performance, safety and cost effectiveness. The sensor is accommodated in a low-profile housing with a compact footprint; and its robust design offers outstanding protection from water, dust, shock, vibration and temperature, making it ideal for use in arduous, on- and off-highway vehicle applications. In addition, its incorporated non-contact, Hall-effect technology makes the sensor incredibly hard wearing.
Connection options are industry-standard AMP Superseal (IP68 rated) or Deutsch DT04 series (IP67 rated) connectors, or simple flying leads for customer termination. The sensor can also be supplied with a protective conduit for the cabling.
The Results
Having been designedfromthegroundup, Nexen’s all-electric X-Range lift trucks use integrated technology – including Curtiss-Wright’s NRH272 rotary position sensors – toprovideunprecedentedcombinationsofperformance, productivityandcost-effectiveness, all withoutcompromisingoperator safety and comfort.
The FBX and FBXT models within the X-Range are the latest in the Nexen line-up of electric counter-balanced forklift trucks. They have been specifically designed for the logistics and warehousing sector, whilst being developed to apply the most advanced technology and versatility available. The three- and four-wheel variants allow for a range of applications including the loading, unloading, shunting and storage of raw materials, goods and production materials; with lifting capacities ranging from 1.6 to 2 tonnes and different motors, transmissions and mast options available. Both models are also available in long- and short-wheel-base formats to provide a productive and energy-efficient solution for numerous lifting applications.
Having brought the design, manufacturing, research and development processes back from Taiwan to the UK, Nexen expects the X-Range to be extremely successful in the European market. “We originally handled manufacturing and R&D in Taiwan but, in recent years, have brought it back to the UK. It’s a big step for the company because it gives us much more control over the product and quality; and it gives us the ability to put our forklift trucks in the hands of some of Britain’s top designers and engineers.” says Shaun.
Lowestoft-based Nexen Lift Trucks – the leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of forklift trucks and warehouse equipment – has supplied a 3-wheel electric X-Range lift truck to Three Oceans, a privately-owned business that, founded by Tim Rose in 1992, recognised a niche in the industry for the supply of high quality white-fish, primarily to the foodservice sector.
With application advice and support from Nexen’s Yorkshire-based dealer MH Group, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of forklifts and materials handling systems, Nexen was able to meet the requirements of Three Oceans with its new electric-powered Nexen FBXT 18 counterbalance forklift, which was supplied with additional weatherproofing and IP protection to ensure it could make trips between the customer’s two processing facilities in Hull.
The three-wheel FBXT and four-wheel FBX counterbalanced electric forklifts are Nexen’s latest additions to its range and offer lifting capacities from 1,600 to 2,000kg. Both models are available in long- and short-wheel-base formats, providing a productive and energy-efficient solution for numerous indoor/outdoor lifting applications.
To cope with the narrow aisle environment of their facilities and ensure zero emissions, a three-wheel electric lift truck was essential for Three Oceans’ food processing environment. So too was weatherproofing and IP protecting of any new vehicle, as the company had been faced with substantial maintenance bills for its previous electric forklifts. Additionally, the lift truck needed good ground clearance to cope with the steep cambers and kerb stones the vehicle would encounter on its many daily trips.
Commenting for MH Group, Andy Tuffnell says: “Working with Nexen to meet the customer’s requirements was a breath of fresh air, with the company going above and beyond what was required to ensure that cable connectors, wiring looms, motors and motor controllers were all protected from the weather and operating environments.”
He goes on to explain that, where possible, his company tries to source locally and, being a privately-owned British brand with a range of lift trucks that are manufactured in the UK, Nexen Lift Trucks is a supplier of preference for MH Group and its many customers.
And when advice or additional services are required – such as the weatherproofing for the Three Oceans FBXT 18 – Andy knows he can pick up the phone and speak directly with Nexen’s directors, or those that have played an essential role in the design and development of its material handling vehicles. “Because Nexen is hands-on with the manufacturing and production, they understand what I want and know how to supply it!” says Andy.
Commenting for Nexen Lift Trucks, sales director Pamela Oakes says: “With many manufacturers outsourcing design and build to third parties in China, India and Eastern Europe, Nexen is proud to offer a range of vehicles that can be truly designated as ‘Made in Britain’, with the research, design, development and production of our electric X-Range lift trucks being undertaken at the European headquarters in Lowestoft, rather than those the company owns in Taiwan.”
The FBXT is the latest in Nexen’s line-up of counterbalanced forklift trucks and adds to an ever-increasing portfolio of X-Range models that also incorporates diesel- and LPG-powered vehicles, with lifting capacities up to 5,000kg. All models are built to the highest exacting standards using premium quality components which, combined with Nexen’s signature X-Range fully-floating cabin design, provides exceptional operator comfort and superior ergonomics that dramatically reduces driver fatigue.
X-Range electric forklifts also feature regenerative braking to enhance battery life and improve energy efficiency; and an automatic parking brake ensures no adjustments are required, which reduces equipment maintenance requirements.
For further information, call Nexen Lift Trucks on +44 (0)1502 532211, email info@nexenlifttrucks.com or visit www.nexenlifttrucks.com.
Lowestoft-based Nexen Lift Trucks – a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of forklift trucks and warehouse equipment – has launched the FBXT and FBX, the company’s latest electric additions to its premium, UK-built X-Range series.
Commenting for Nexen Lift Trucks, sales director Pamela Oakes says: “We are delighted to announce the launch of the FBXT and FBX to our X-Range. These eagerly awaited models have undergone exhaustive pre-launch application tests and have exceeded design expectations for stability, reliability, driver comfort, performance and energy efficiency.”
She goes on to say that as part of the continuing expansion plans for its UK-based manufacturing facility, the research, design, development and production of the new electric counterbalanced forklifts was undertaken at Nexen’s European headquarters in Lowestoft, rather than those the company owns in Taiwan. This allows Nexen, which has over 40-years’ experience in the materials handling sector, to place the design and production in the hands of some of Britain’s top designers and engineers.
A strong emphasis during the design process ensures these machines provide class-leading performance, with the 3-wheel FBXT and 4-wheel FBX counterbalanced electric forklifts offering lifting capacities from 1,600 to 2,000kg. Both are available in long- and short-wheel-base formats, providing a productive and energy-efficient solution for numerous indoor/outdoor lifting applications.
All models offer the latest technological advancements associated with the material handling industry, including high-capacity, DIN-STD batteries for multiple-shift operations. Both models are built to the highest exacting standards using premium quality components which, combined with Nexen’s signature X-Range fully-floating cabin design, provides exceptional operator comfort and superior ergonomics that dramatically reduces driver fatigue.
Nexen’s FBXT and FBX electric forklifts feature regenerative braking to enhance battery life and improve energy efficiency. An automatic parking brake ensures no adjustments are required, which further reduces equipment maintenance requirements. Numerous options are also available for Nexen’s X-Range, including operator presence, fingertip controllers, load weighing systems, etc.
Like all Nexen forklift trucks, the electric-powered X-Range series has been designed with an emphasis on ease of maintenance and features class-leading accessibility to all serviceable parts, including the complete control panel, which can be completely removed in less than two minutes. Nexen will offer a unique service exchange programme to ensure downtime is kept to the absolute minimum. To further enhance accessibility, an optional fully-tilting cabin feature is also available; all models feature rapid and stress-free side entry battery removal.
The FBXT and FBX are the latest in Nexen’s line-up of counterbalanced forklift trucks and add to an ever-increasing portfolio of X-Range models that already incorporates diesel and L.P.G. machines up to 5,000kg. X-Range trucks have been designed with the versatility of logistics and warehousing sectors in mind; and Nexen is expecting these latest additions to be a global success, with the company’s strong international dealer network having already placed strong pre-launch orders.
Summarising, Pam Oakes says that the need for many operators to review their environmental impact and carbon footprint is leading to many traditional internal combustion(IC) applications being forced to change to electric power. However, the high-duty cycles associated with traditional IC applications means electric vehicles have to provide similar levels of performance and productivity, because they were designed from the ground up, Nexen’s FBXT and FBX models have technology that’s built in to provide an unprecedented combination of performance, productivity and cost-effectiveness, without having to compromise on operator comfort and safety.
For further information on the new FBXT and FBX models, call Nexen Lift Trucks on +44 (0)1502 532211, email info@nexenlifttrucks.com or visit www.nexenlifttrucks.com.
