BYD Forklift Application Case in the Ceramic Industry

BYD Forklift Application Case in the Ceramic Industry:

Ceramics are both a form of fine art and a reflection of folk culture. In the past, people would mold clay and then subject it to intense heat, resulting in not only functional items but also artistic pieces that embodied human ingenuity. Today, ceramic production technology has advanced, offering a wide range of products for various applications. However, environmental concerns have become increasingly prominent.

With a shift in mindset and a contemplative outlook on future development, ceramic production companies are actively engaging with and addressing environmental challenges. They are upgrading and enhancing their environmental equipment, and in the realm of logistics and material handling, they are making strides towards the 'shift from fuel to electric,' opting for cleaner and more cost-effective new energy solutions.

As a leader in new energy forklifts, BYD Forklift has gained favor among ceramic production companies for its comprehensive material handling solutions and is gradually expanding the application of lithium-ion forklifts. In this case, we will share the application of BYD Forklifts in the ceramic industry, with a focus on a renowned ceramic enterprise that has been using BYD Forklifts for over three years, as well as the industry's demand for new energy products.

Customer Background:

This company is a large-scale ceramic production enterprise located in Guangdong, and it is also one of the leading companies in China's ceramic industry. It owns several renowned brands and has a significant market influence. The company has been established for over a decade and occupies an area of more than 2,000 acres, with a high annual output value.

The enterprise actively promotes the concept of green development and follows the path of sustainable development. It has been actively transitioning its forklifts from fuel-powered to electric in its logistics and material handling operations. Currently, the company has a fleet of approximately 150 forklifts, almost all of which are electric forklifts, including lithium-ion battery forklifts and lead-acid battery forklifts, with a small number of fuel-powered forklifts that are awaiting replacement.

Current Work Situation:

The ceramic manufacturing process is complex and includes various stages such as raw material intake and selection, shaping, firing, color firing, packaging, and more. Each stage has strict requirements, and the entire production line needs to be organized and carefully operated. The level of automation in the Guangdong production base of this ceramic company is quite high, and it can achieve almost complete automation in the production workshop. However, for tasks such as handling finished products and warehouse operations (including inbound and outbound logistics), forklifts and other material handling equipment are still required.

In terms of material handling, the main characteristics of the entire production base's work conditions are:

• Operating in three shifts, with a daily working time of up to 22 hours.

• Handling goods with weights ranging from 2 to 3 tons.

•  Handling distances of approximately 1000 meters within the finished product workshop.

• Stacking is required in the warehouse, with a maximum stacking height of 4 meters.

• All forklifts require attachments (such as specialized forks).

The factory's road surface is relatively smooth and without potholes.

Challenges Faced:

For the ceramic industry, the pressure comes not only from market sales and high costs but also from environmental concerns. This company also faces such challenges, as it must cope with market pressures while striving for environmentally friendly production and promoting the upgrading of technology and equipment. When the company decided to shift from primarily using fuel-powered forklifts, it considered several key questions:

• Whether electric forklifts could adapt to the factory's road surfaces.

• Whether electric forklifts could provide similar power levels as fuel-powered forklifts.

• Given the busy handling schedules, whether electric forklifts could handle prolonged operations.

• The cost of using electric forklifts and whether they could help reduce overall production costs for the company.

BYD Forklift Solution:

In response to the concerns of this company, BYD Forklifts first conducted an analysis of the customer's work conditions. Second, they listened to the customer's requirements for an ideal electric forklift. Third, they further improved the forklift based on the customer's needs. Fourth, they consulted with the customer again to refine the solution. After multiple steps of analysis, improvement, and refinement, BYD Forklifts ultimately developed a comprehensive one-stop new energy logistics handling solution for this facility:

• Offered both purchase and lease options, providing over twenty 3.5-ton lithium battery-powered counterbalance forklifts to meet the company's heavy load requirements.

• Installed push-pull attachments on each forklift for convenient loading and unloading of goods.

• Provided fast-charging cabinets to accommodate the customer's need for on-demand charging and availability.

• Equipped with 540Ah high-capacity lithium batteries to support the customer's long-duration, three-shift operations.

• Offered comprehensive warranties for both the entire forklift and the batteries.

 The Benefits Brought by BYD Forklift to the Customer

After comprehensive consideration and data comparison, the facility decisively adopted BYD Forklift's solution and began its actual operations. Currently, the facility has been using BYD Forklifts for over 3 years, and during this period, BYD Forklifts have brought significant benefits to the company's transition from fuel-powered to electric forklifts.

• BYD Forklifts are lithium battery-powered forklifts, which are clean, environmentally friendly, and pollution-free during use. They align well with the environmental policies of ceramic enterprises, making them an excellent choice for facilitating the transition from fuel to electric forklifts.

• BYD Forklifts offer both purchase and leasing options, providing customers with flexibility in choosing the best financial arrangement. Leasing options can help alleviate cash flow pressures.

• With high-capacity batteries and powerful performance, BYD Forklifts excel in addressing the challenges of long work hours and heavy loads.

• Customized attachments further optimize handling efficiency, ensuring smooth loading and unloading of goods.

• BYD Forklift's lithium batteries require minimal maintenance, resulting in low operating costs, a significant advantage over fuel-powered forklifts. Additionally, the extended warranty service provides customers with added peace of mind.