On the way to 100% electric

On the way to 100% electric with the opening of a charging station

Another milestone in MBI’s sustainability policy

MBI is on the way to becoming 100% electric, according to Marcel Bettonvil, General Director at MBI De Steenmeesters. On Wednesday, February 9, 2022, the new exchange and charging station for electric forklifts was opened at the Aalst location. MBI is continuously working towards sustainability, having already replaced all diesel forklifts with electric ones at their Kampen location. Veghel followed, then Aalst, and soon Nieuw-Lekkerland will join as well. This year, the final forklift will be replaced, reducing approximately 220 tons of CO2 annually. [Read MBI’s CO2 policy here.]

Opening of the exchange and charging station

A special opening ceremony was held for the new exchange and charging station at the Aalst location. Together with the Van der Meijden family and Erwin Aarts (Director Supply Chain and ICT at MBI), Marcel Bettonvil (General Director of MBI) cut the ribbon, officially opening the station. Several suppliers were also present at the opening, including Motrac, Peinemann Carer, JKB, Enersys, and Van Eck Electro.

Quick Charging and Switching

The exchange and charging station houses seven large batteries that are charged for use. Each battery for the forklifts has a capacity to operate for 8 hours, which is enough for one shift. A battery only needs to be exchanged once a day, coinciding with the shift change. This allows the forklift driver to operate the entire day with one battery. A board at the station indicates which battery is ready for use. The batteries can also be easily and quickly swapped. Solar panels at the station also help power the forklift batteries. Across all MBI locations, factories and power supplies are powered by green energy, sourced from two wind turbines and solar panels.

Fully switched to electric forklifts

Various electric trucks have been supplied for the Aalst site. These new trucks were selected based on safety and sustainability. They are safe for the Steenmeesters who drive them, efficient for internal logistics, and better for the environment. The trucks were supplied by MBI’s specialist partners: Motrac, Carer, and JKB.

Motrac supplied various fork and clamp trucks. The Linde E50 electric trucks have a lifting capacity of nearly 5 tons, are ergonomic, and are equipped with a range of safety components and features to protect the driver, load, and infrastructure from damage. The trucks are low in energy consumption, have long battery life, and short charging times, making them highly efficient for internal logistics.

Through Carer, an electric forklift model, the Carer A80-1100X, was supplied. This model has a base capacity of up to 8 tons at a 1,100 mm load center. With the new JKB double stone clamp, two packages can be moved, totaling 4,500 kg. The truck is equipped with various safety features, such as curve control, which automatically slows down the forklift when taking sharp turns. Additionally, the truck is energy-efficient for maximum usability. The Carer A series is powered by large energy packs (96 volts) and is capable of operating effectively for about 12 hours, easily covering one shift. Battery swaps take just five minutes, and the swapped battery is fully charged within 8 hours. The use of these electric forklifts saves around 53,000 kg of CO2 emissions annually. Andrew McGillivray (Commercial Director at Carer) said, “MBI has shown decisiveness by choosing an environmentally friendly solution for their forklifts. The setup of the new charging station is a great example for the concrete industry.”

About MBI

MBI is the largest producer of unreinforced concrete products for facade applications and paving. The company has also become a market leader in the field of ceramics for structural outdoor applications. With four production locations, MBI’s Steenmeesters are committed to creating a more beautiful living environment through quality, comfort, sustainability, color, and form.

About Motrac

Motrac, founded in 1954, has been a leading provider of internal logistics solutions. Their innovative Linde forklifts and warehouse trucks meet the highest standards. Safety, energy efficiency, sustainability, connectivity, and flexibility are key principles for Motrac, reflected in their total offerings.

About Peinemann Carer

Carer Lifting Solutions is part of Peinemann Mobilift Group. Starting as a Rotterdam family business in 1954, Peinemann has grown into a one-stop shop with global branches. Peinemann is a full-service provider with a large fleet of machines. Sustainable business practices, customer collaboration, and long-term relationships are the focus at Peinemann.