ASCO, one of the world’s leading oil and gas logistic companies, looks set to streamline its UK operations after signing a new contract with Briggs Equipment in partnership with its manufacturer Yale Europe Materials Handling.
As part of a new agreement with ASCO, Briggs is replacing an existing mixed fleet with a 65-strong line-up that includes some of Yale’s largest forklift trucks as well as very narrow aisle equipment and other materials handling products.
Many of the trucks are already in operation at 12 ASCO sites in north east Scotland, including the company’s Peterhead Offshore Supply Base.
The facility helps to maintain a constant flow of supplies to dozens of offshore rigs and platforms, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Onsite handling equipment has to load and unload up to 60 ships per week – the equivalent of half a million tonnes of supplies a year.
According to the base’s Operations Manager, Duncan Bell, the decision to work with Briggs was based on a track record of finding the most suitable materials handling solutions backed up by excellent service support.
Duncan explained: “If a ship is delayed by just an hour, it could cost us tens of thousands of pounds and so we need handling equipment we can rely on.
“Until recently we operated trucks from a number of manufacturers but we felt we could gain greater efficiency standardising the fleet. We were impressed by the productivity of the Yale products and the service offered by Briggs.”
The new fleet includes various Yale GDP diesel-powered ‘big’ trucks and numerous smaller diesel, electric and LPG counter balance and warehouse trucks. A 140,000 sq ft warehouse on the Peterhead base is also benefiting from the very latest Yale very narrow aisle technology with the introduction of the company’s acclaimed MTC 13 man up turret truck for order picking.
Added Gordon Hepburn, Sales Executive at Briggs: “We are delighted to have secured this exciting contract in a dynamic and expanding industry sector.
“It has enabled us to demonstrate how Briggs can come up with a comprehensive materials handling solution in the most demanding situations and provide flexible engineering support tailored to the whole of ASCO’s operation.”
As part of Briggs’ service support, two engineers will be based at Peterhead and an ASCO facility in Aberdeen to conduct full service and maintenance on the equipment, ensuring the trucks remain operational at all times.
Richard Close, Briggs Equipment’s CEO, added: “We are now looking forward to developing an even closer relationship with ASCO in the years ahead. Briggs Equipment takes a long-term partnership approach, working alongside customers to add real value to their logistics operations.”