We take pride in the manufacture of our goods lifts. Helping businesses around the globe safely and efficiently move goods thanks to our products.
Made to exacting standards, Penny Hydraulics goods lifts are the product of a complete end to end service – including design, manufacture, and installation – all done at our own purpose-built premises, here in the UK. We also offer comprehensive product training and maintenance carried out by a member of the Penny Hydraulics team.
And because everything we do, we do in-house, we can support the British Manufacturing sector. As well as offering industry leading lead times, quality standards, full flexibility, closer control, and customer confidence.
We’ve been making goods lifts for over 20 years and are ISO:9001 accredited, so you can put your trust in us. But have you ever wondered how we do it?
In this blog we’ve outlined our complete Goods Lift process, providing a deep insight into what you can expect from working with us and the rigorous work that goes into everything we do.
Most of our competitors are not UK manufacturers, making their manufacturing process inflexible and slow. Quite often their customers can end up with lead times up to 12 weeks from signed drawings.
At Penny Hydraulics, we prefer a streamlined process.
Everything we do is done all under one roof at our HQ in Derbyshire. This allows us to be agile in every process. We can revise detailed drawings and quotations in a matter of hours if required.
All our lifts are made to order so we can alter them to suit customer needs. We can provide flexibility in size, shape, gate height, loading geometries, guarding arrangements – you name it.
We also provide an industry-leading lead time of just 4-6 weeks as standard. But we can offer a quicker turnaround if required and possible.
As well as this, we also have full control of the production schedule. Which allows us to book work in even when we’re waiting for works to complete.
We have a mixed customer base. This means all enquires are different. From resellers and end users, existing customers and new, to those who know exactly what they want, and others who don’t. This adds variety and excitement to every enquiry and project.
Once a customer gets in touch our Goods Lift Team are on hand to discuss their needs in as much detail as possible. This helps us gain a better understanding of their requirements and the appropriate solution we can provide.
We ask questions like:
We also ask about the size and weight of items being moved, how they’ll be transported, the travel height, number of stops, and any restrictions we need to consider.
This information helps us specify the right solution and give timeframe estimates. The process is completely consultative – we listen to our customers’ needs and requirements and provide them with the best solution available.
Once we’ve gotten to know the client and their needs, we provide a written quotation and a detailed layout drawing and data sheet for their consideration.
The next step is to visit the site in which the goods lift will be installed.
Wherever possible, we use this time to discuss the requirements of the operator or contractor to determine any further information on the items being loaded and the where the lift will be located to ensure we provide the most suitable product.
If the location is not yet built or is in the process of being built this step may not be fully possible. However, we always provide enough detail to the reseller about the product we’ll supply.
At this step, we take measurements and photos of the area too.
At a site survey, we don’t just look to see how we can make the lift fit. We also consider what safety features are required and identify any on site work needed.
Following the survey, a report of the meeting is emailed to the customer to ensure they have a record of the discussion, especially if any work is to be completed prior to lift installation.
All information gathered from the site survey is then reported to the dedicated Goods Lift Design Team via our cloud-based CRM system. This keeps customer data secure and constantly up to date.
Using Autodesk 3D CAD software, the Design Team create a model of the lift that fulfils the brief. As we design and manufacture lifts on site, we can also customise them to achieve the best results for our customer.
This model is then presented back to the customer as a detailed drawing with an accurate quotation, containing any work required to allow for the lift. If required, various secondary file formats can be produced: 3D PDFs or universal CAD models to help visualise the proposal. These can be presented to the decision-makers.
CAD drawings give customers insight into their product.
As with all construction-based projects, the customer usually has many questions. Our team work to answer these as quickly as possible, providing as much helpful information as we can.
All members of the Goods Lift team are on hand throughout this period, helping the customer to reach a decision.
We often complete customer sub-contractor questionnaires or undertake pre-contract meetings. It’s at this stage where we really prove our metal.
Once we’ve won the order and the relevant paperwork and payment terms are agreed the lift gets added to our project management software. This ensures every department in the business is aware of project process at all times.
After designs are approved and finalised, the project is sent for manufacture. All projects are bespoke, so each lift is manufactured to order. We use our project management and scheduling software to determine manufacture and installation dates. This information is passed to the client to keep them up to date.
Our design team work closely with our fabrication team to ensure that the lift is made to the correct specification. And if an amendment is required, the design and fabrication teams are able to work together to find a solution and implement the changes quickly. The close relationship between each department allows us to remain agile, meaning every project operates at optimum efficiency and any issues or changes are dealt with swiftly.
The standard lead time is 4-6 weeks, but we always do what we can to work to customer requirement.
Once the lift is made, the next step is to install it.
We manufacture our lifts linearly (one at a time), so they must go out the door straight away.
The week prior to installation our Service Manager will contact the customer to ensure the site is ready and book in a time and date for our arrival. Site-specific RAMS (risk assessment and method statement) will be provided, and any other information required for a specific site.
Our experienced fitting team will deliver the lift and install it on-site using our own equipment and we provide our own access equipment if required. We only use our own staff during installations (we don’t subcontract) so you can be assured that our installers know the product inside and out to resolve any challenges that may be faced on site.
Installation can take 1-3 days depending on the complexity of the job. Once installed, the lift will be commissioned, and a Thorough Examination is carried out.
Basic operator training is always provided and recorded in the handbook during the handover process. If the customer signs up to a service and maintenance package, we will schedule regular visits to keep their goods lift in top condition and compliant with legal obligations.
Our range of UK-made goods lifts cover lifting capacities up to 1000kg. So, if you have a manual lifting problem you need solving and you’re interested in hearing how Penny Hydraulics can help you, please get in touch.
We’d love to hear from you.
