EXAMPLES

Assembly Efficiency Solutions: A major GPS Component company wanted to improve the way they deliver their delicate electronic components to the clean room assembly area. They wanted to move two types of containers; plastic bins with GPS chips and mobile carts holding micro phish film. We were able to satisfy their goals by constructing 5 Trailers w/ shelves and 2 Low Boy Trailers with ramps to roll the mobile carts easily on and off of the trailer. To move these trailers we determined how many trailers they wanted to move at one time. From there we provided 2 tuggers that have the capacity to pull 5000 lbs. each.

With this system, we streamlined their process to get the components to the line and improved their efficiency by over 60%.

Replenishment System to Move 5x More Product: We worked closely with a tire manufacturer to help them design &improve the way they were distributing their product line throughout the plant with our custom industrial trailers. Due to the fact that they had many different size tires coming off the lines, we needed to surmise how big the deck of the trailers needed to be in order to move “X” number of tires per trailer. Once we came up with that number, we had to make sure that the tires were contained and secure during transportation. We accomplished this by making removable sides so the tires could be easily loaded. We also made the sides high enough based on the number of tires that had to be transported per each trip. With the removable sides, our customer was able to load from any side depending which direction they approached the line.

With providing them 10 custom trailers and 2 electric tuggers, we were able to increase efficiency and productivity by 40% as well as reducing their forklift fleet by 3.

4,000 lbs. Capacity with Reverse Steer: We had the opportunity to work with a fortune 100 company to help them transport 2,000 lbs. bags of minerals from storage to their processing plant to be broken down and then delivered to shipping. The hurdle was that they had to pull the train of 3 trailers weighing 12,000 lbs. up an 8% grade ramp. In order to accomplish this we had to provide a tugger powerful enough to pull this kind of weight. The other obstacle was the lack of room to turn the train around.

Solution: We provided six 4,000 lbs. capacity trailers with reverse steer capability so they didn't have to make a 180° turn. They would disconnect from one end and re-connect on the other end and proceed to pull the train. Along with that, we equipped them with a 40,000 lbs. pull capacity propane tugger to give them enough power to make it up the ramp without bogging down the motor. By doing this, they eliminated all the forklifts in the plant and were able to move 6 times more per load compared to a forklift.

2000 lbs. Capacity Carts with Sides : A major wholesale food club company wanted to be able to move soft drinks, food products, and merchandise from their distribution center across the parking lot to their warehouse. They wanted to be able to move a number of product at once. We accomplished this by providing 2000 lbs. capacity carts with sides to contain the product. The sides on one of the carts are removable and the other cart has doors that open up completely in order to unload and load product. To move these carts we provided a PAV (Power Assist Vehicle) to tow the product. With this solution, they are able to move 4 times the product instead of with a forklift.

10,000 & 40,000 lbs. Heavy Duty Trailers: Our customer wanted to design two different capacity trailers to be able to move their heavy internal turbine components from one location to another to complete the manufacturing process. Because of the sensitivity of the metal components, the turbine parts could not come into contact with metal, therefore we had to make the trailer deck out of wood. Due to the varying weight of their product, we manufactured 10,000 lbs and 40,000 lbs capacity trailers. By doing this they were able to move many components to different locations within their facility; in turn they were also to streamline their manufacturing process. By using the trailers, they were able to increase their production turn around times of their turbines by 45%.

20,000 lbs. Push Trailer: A customer wanted to be able to move 20,000 lbs. of railroad rails at a time in order to install them on the rail line. What was unique about this application was the trailer was only going to have 2 wheels. Not only did they want to move many rails at once, but they also needed a forklift to take it off the trailer and put the rail in place for install. To make this work we combined the trailer and forklift to work together. We designed the trailer so the forklift would have fork pockets and slide the forks into place and be able to push and steer the trailer down the track when needed. When they needed a rail dropped off a certain location, the forklift would set the trailer down and place the rail into position.

Basically, the forklift was acting as if it were pushing a wheel barrel down the rail line. With this design, our customer was able to move many rails and eliminate the number of trips it would take to move one rail at a time.

Airplane Refueling, Air Supply & Component Trailer: MHS worked with the world’s largest commercial supplier of airplane assemblies and components. Due to the size of their facility, they wanted a way of getting all the fuel, air, liquids, & hoses to the airplane in one trip. With that being said, we worked with them by getting all the dimensions & weights of all the equipment they were going to put on the trailer. By doing this is significantly cut down on the number of trips to the same plane to complete their job on the aircraft.

With all the needed equipment on the trailer for every airplane, the company increased efficiency and time spent on each plane by 47%.

Specialty Generator & Air Conditioning Trailers:
Our customer wanted MHS to design a trailer that would be mobile as well as cool and hook up electricity to their aircraft when they came into park at the terminal or air field. In order to accomplish this we took precise measurements of the equipment they wanted to mount to our trailers as well as account for the air duct hose. By designing them to be pulled, our customer was able to tow multiple trailers to many aircraft at once to prevent them from overheating and recharge their electronic systems. The goal was to get the necessary air and electrical hook ups to the air craft instead of waiting for the aircraft to come to a designated area. Besides the unique design, the one thing that stands out with these trailers are the leaf spring suspension on the front and back axles. Because this is an outdoor project, we had to make sure that the trailers would be able withstand different terrains.

Luggage Trailer to Haul from Parking Lot to College Dorms:
With these trailers a major Northern college wanted a better way to transport the student’s luggage and furniture from the parking lot to the student dorms. With that being said, we came up with 5 trailers that are being pulled by a utility vehicle. The students would load up the trailers and in 1 trip, be able to get all there belongings from the car to the dorm. Each trailer has removable sides for easy access. We also raised the height of the trailer to 12” so the trailers could be pulled over the campus’ uneven grounds.

By implementing the trailer system, they have been able to accelerate the amount of time getting the students unloaded 4 times faster.

Mobile 2 Bin Line Replenishment System.: In this project we worked with an electronic components company, we increased the amount of product getting to their production line by 45%. We did this by creating a “Supermarket” or central staging area in specific location in the facility. From there we created a 2 Bin system by having a material handler replenish the line with components when the line needed them at a particular time. The material handler would deliver the full bin and pick up the empty to be refilled. In this project they decided to use 1 tugger and 5 trailers with shelving to deliver components 5 times the amount then the way they previously did, which was by pallet and fork lift. They were also able to get inventory off the floor and use the inventory on an as need basis.

Power Transformer Manufacturer: This company wanted to be able to eliminate forklifts and increase the number of transformers that they were able to move to and from the line. By doing this, we provided them with two 5 Ton Trailers that is going to move 4 transformers at a time. This will increase their efficiency by 75% and save over $10,000 per year leasing the forklifts. They will also be able to reallocate the forklift operator in a another area.

Ergonomic Work Station & Delivery Trailers:
These trailers were designed for a major appliance manufacturer. They wanted the ability to deliver parts for their appliances to the line. Not only that, when the trailer was dropped off, the line workers used the trailer as a work station. As you can see in the picture, the lever in the center of the trailer allows the deck of the trailer to rotate. By having this feature, the line worker never has to reach over to grab a bin which decreases the chance of straining their back. Everything is very ergonomic for the worker & has greatly reduced Workman’s Compensation Claims. Also, the shelving is removable. You will notice fork-pockets at the bottom of the shelving unit and at the top you will notice pegs at the 4 corners that allow the shelving units to be stackable. This increases floor space and sets up an efficient staging area when the Supermarket is ready to load the bins on the shelving units.

Heavy Duty Power Assist Vehicle Application:
We worked with a very well know Iron Foundry in Canada that specializes in cast iron molds, dies, machining etc…. They needed to find a better way to move the trailer through tight areas without taking up a lot of room. The hurdle was that they needed to move up to 50,000 lbs at a time. They were moving the trailer manually with the help of 6 employees at once. They wanted to create a safer work environment, reduce the chance of injury to the workers, and create a more efficient way of moving the cast iron, we recommended our heavy duty PAV unit. By mounting the hitch receptacle on the trailer, the weight of the trailer was applied to the heavy duty PAV which gave the unit the traction it needed to move the trailer throughout the plant.

NATIONAL MAINTENANCE COMPANY:
MHS furnished a custom MHS-5200 Tug system allowing this client to automate there trash disposal program within a large government facility between buildings. They pull 3 to 4 trash bins at a time. This expedites an increase volume in trash disposal at one time. This program will be expanded to additional facilities in the near future.

PAPER MILL: To conform to OSHA, MHS supplied this client with four, 15,000 lb. capacity trailers, each equipped with Electric Brakes. Our trailers offered two advantages, 1) increased safety for the employees, and 2) allowed the mill to transport eight, 7000 lb. paper rolls at one time, eliminating 4 to 5 costly forklifts.

PRINTING: They leased another warehouse next door to there plant. In order to get their printed magazines from the plant to the warehouse, they hired a trucking company to ship loads from one place to the other (500 yards). Cost for trucking company: est. $375k/year. We proposed 2 heavy duty Tuggers and 10 covered trailers. They are now able to move (2) 5 trailer trains at a time. One train delivers to the warehouse and the other train picks up at the plant. A Lean 2 train system. Cost for 2 Train System: $148k (1 time cost). 1st year savings: est. $272k

AUTO PARTS MANUFACTURER: MHS supplied six, 8000 lb. capacity custom trailers which they integrated into there parts pick-up and delivery routine. By doing this they eliminated ‘single runs’ with forklifts and reduced the manpower requirements in that area by 66%, freeing personnel to perform additional tasks. They made 2 trains pulling 3 trailers each. By doing this they created a Lean 2 way train system. They were always delivering and picking up parts for their line.

FIBERGLAS FABRICATOR: This fabricator utilized both our tug and trailer systems to transport multiple units of unfinished and finished product from building to building during various stages of manufacturing. This not only condensed there work force, but also allowed them to increase production by adding two product lines.