Raymond Handling Solutions

Lift Truck Tips: Increase efficiency, not risk in narrow aisles

Industry's First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Orderpicker Helps Reduce Carbon Footprint

UNITED NATURAL FOODS INC. EXTENDS SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENT WITH RAYMOND^® FUEL CELL-POWERED LIFT TRUCKS

GREENE, N.Y. — The Raymond Corporation has engineered the first hydrogen fuel cell-compatible orderpicker, which features a specially-built 21-inch battery box to easily accommodate a hydrogen fuel cell. United Natural Foods Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI) — the leading independent national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods and related products in the United States and Canada — is the first organization to install the new orderpicker as part of an initiative to transform its Sarasota, Fla., distribution facility lift truck fleet to hydrogen fuel cell-powered trucks. In addition to eliminating time for battery charging, changing and maintenance, Providence, R.I.-based UNFI anticipates the fuel cells will be a key component in enhancing sustainability goals.

“Today, fuel cells are used as battery replacements in lift trucks and, therefore, must meet size compatibility standards,” says Frank Devlin, segment manager for Raymond. “There are some extra challenges in engineering a fuel cell-compatible orderpicker due to the existing battery compartment size, so Raymond redesigned the battery compartment of its Model 5500 orderpicker to enable UNFI to convert its entire fleet to hydrogen power.”

“This project extends our commitment to create an environmentally and socially responsible environment in all the communities we serve,” commented Lisa Madsen, director of sustainability & social responsibility at UNFI. “Hydrogen fuel cells not only provide greater productivity, but by converting UNFI's Sarasota lift truck fleet to hydrogen fuel cells, we expect carbon emissions will be reduced by approximately 132 metric tons annually, an amount equivalent to the annual emissions of 35 automobiles.”

Raymond and authorized Sales and Service Centers Abel Womack, Lawrence, Mass., and Raymond Handling Consultants, Lakeland, Fla.; along with Plug Power Inc. (Nasdaq: PLUG), Latham, N.Y., helped convert UNFI’s entire lift truck fleet in Sarasota, Fla., from being battery-powered to a completely fuel cell-compatible operation.

UNFI’s Sarasota fleet includes six new Raymond^® Model 5500 fuel cell-compatible orderpickers, as well as fuel cell-powered Model 7400 Reach-Fork^® trucks, Model 4200 stand-up counterbalanced trucks and Model 8400 pallet trucks — all powered by Plug Power’s GenDrive^™ fuel cell units.

The 352,000 square-foot Sarasota facility, which employs approximately 160 associates, serves as a regional distribution hub for customers in the Southeastern United States.

For more information about Raymond fuel cell-powered lift trucks or to locate a Raymond Sales and Service Center, visit www.unfi.com/) carries and distributes more than 60,000 products to more than 17,000 customer locations nationwide. The Company serves a wide variety of retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores, independent retail operators and the food service channel. United Natural Foods, Inc. was ranked by Forbes in 2005 as one of the "Best Managed Companies in America," ranked by Fortune in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 as one of its "Most Admired Companies," winner of the Supermarket News 2008 Sustainability Excellence Award, and recognized by the Nutrition Business Journal for its 2009 Environment and Sustainability Award.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding the Company's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and management estimates; actual results may differ materially. The risks and uncertainties which could impact these statements are described in the Company's filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including its annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2009 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed thereafter, and include, but are not limited to, the Company's dependence on principal customers; the Company's sensitivity to general economic conditions, including the current economic environment, changes in disposable income levels and consumer spending trends; increased fuel costs; the Company's sensitivity to inflationary pressures; the relatively low margins and economic sensitivity of the Company's business; the ability to identify and successfully complete acquisitions of other foodservice distributors; and management's allocation of capital and the timing of capital expenditures. Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date made. The Company is not undertaking to update any information in the foregoing reports until the effective date of its future reports required by applicable laws. Any projections of future results of operations are based on a number of assumptions, many of which are outside the Company's control and should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur. These projections are subject to change and could differ materially from final reported results. The Company may from time to time update these publicly announced projections, but it is not obligated to do so.

For additional information about The Raymond Corporation or to locate a Raymond Sales and Service Center, visit the company Web site at www.raymondcorp.com or call (800) 235-7200. Above. And beyond.^®, iWarehouse^®, Raymond^®, Reach-Fork^®, Swing-Reach^®, and Vantage Point^® are U.S. trademarks of The Raymond Corporation.

GenDrive^™ is a trademark of Plug Power Inc.

©2010 The Raymond Corporation. All rights reserved.

Raymond unveils exclusive iBattery^™ module for iWarehouse^® fleet optimization system

GREENE, N.Y. — The iWarehouse^® fleet optimization system from The Raymond Corporation now features the iBattery^™ module to help maintain lift truck battery fleets. The new module enables data-driven battery management by automatically notifying warehouse managers of key battery statistics, such as charge/discharge cycles, high and low temperatures, and low battery water levels — prolonging the life of the battery to its full life cycle, resulting in increased uptime and reduced cost.

The iWarehouse system draws real-time, accurate information from the on-board computers of Raymond^® lift trucks, and the system’s unique reporting modules enable warehouse managers to benchmark lift truck and operator productivity; diagnose potential lift truck issues remotely; reduce the risk of impacts; and optimize lift truck capital and maintenance costs. When combined with the iWarehouse Gateway^™, information gathered by the iWarehouse modules — including the iBattery module — is accessible via an online Web portal.

iBattery can detect numerous vital pieces of battery fleet information, including battery weight to meet lift truck specifications, ensuring optimal lift truck performance; and state-of-charge and voltage to aid in the prevention of overdischarging of the battery, promoting longer battery life. The battery data available through the iBattery module can help operators ensure they are using the right battery for their truck and the battery is maintained properly — preventing unplanned downtime for repairs. The data also can help ensure compliance with warranty requirements by providing detailed reports on the interval of charges, temperature, watering and equalization to validate battery maintenance.

Leading Material Handling Companies Showcase High-Tech Warehouse Simulation

GREENE, N.Y. — When working in tough dock environments and traveling over uneven floors, operators of stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks rely on comfort, a clear line of sight and maneuverability from their trucks to achieve maximum performance and efficiency throughout their shifts. With these operators in mind, The Raymond Corporation designed the new Models 4150 and 4250 stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks with greater visibility for the operator; increased maneuverability provided by agile steering, a shorter head length, and dual steer tires; and the innovative ComfortStance^™ suspension to maximize operator comfort.

“Available in load capacities from 3,000 pounds to 5,000 pounds, the Models 4150 and 4250 lift trucks were designed with feedback from some of the best performers in the warehousing industry,” says Craig Curtis, product manager of counterbalanced trucks for The Raymond Corporation. “The result is a smooth ride from dock to stock, clear sight lines, a comfortable compartment, responsive controls, energy efficiency, low maintenance, and a low cost of ownership.”

To provide a smoother ride, the unique ComfortStance suspension and cushioned floor mat isolate operators from impact and vibration. The suspension, standard on Model 4250 and optional on Model 4150, adapts automatically to each operator’s weight and features only nine parts for simple maintenance. Operator comfort is further enhanced by a low step height into the ergonomically designed operator compartment, which includes a durable cover with contoured padding, a three-tiered scalloped armrest, a multifunction control handle and an optional extended operator backrest.

The 3-wheel trucks are designed to perform right-angle stacking maneuvers in less total area. The dual-steer-wheel design allows one wheel to counter-rotate during turns, resulting in a shorter turn radius and reducing tire loading and steering friction. The 3,000- and 3,500-pound capacity models offer a short battery compartment to reduce head length and optimize maneuverability in crowded docks and smaller places.

The trucks’ sleek design lends itself to excellent visibility, improving operation and efficiency in applications, such as loading and unloading trailers, transporting materials, and cold storage. The angled front cover allows operators to see the forks engage loads on the floor for more accurate handling and stacking. A clear line of sight from the spacious compartment affords operators visibility from every angle for efficient handling with fewer errors.

Powered by Raymond’s ACR System^™, Models 4150 and Model 4250 both run smoother and faster to move more pallets while still maintaining high, energy-efficient Eco-Performance throughout the battery cycle. Quick acceleration and increased travel and lift speeds afforded by the ACR System help operators get more done in less time, whether the trucks are loaded or unloaded. Raymond’s ACR System also means fewer batteries and chargers need to be on-hand, freeing up warehouse space.

Above. And beyond.^®, Deep-Reach^®, iWarehouse Gateway^™, iWarehouse^®, Raymond^®, Reach-Fork^®, Swing-Reach^®, and Vantage Point^® are U.S. trademarks of The Raymond Corporation.

Vocollect^®, Vocollect Voice^®, and Vocollect VoiceWorld Suite^™ are trademarks of Vocollect, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ergo Beam^®, Frazier^®, and SelecDeck^® are U.S. trademarks of Frazier Industrial Company.

©2010 The Raymond Corporation. All rights reserved

Publisher note - Send reader responses to:
The Raymond Corporation
Attn: Elizabeth Buza
South Canal Street
P.O. Box 130
Greene, NY 13778-0130
Fax: 607-656-9005
marcom@raymondcorp.com

New Raymond Counterbalanced Lift Truck Engineered For Productivity, Versatility

GREENE, N.Y. — The new Model 4450 3-wheel sit-down counterbalanced truck from The Raymond Corporation is engineered for productivity, energy efficiency and enhanced performance in a variety of material handling applications. Designed for smooth transport of products and stacking of pallets, the Model 4450 features a short head length that reduces turn radius, also making it ideal for tight spaces, such as those found in manufacturing, in warehousing and on loading docks. The Model 4450 can handle capacities up to 4,000 pounds (1,814 kg).

As a standard feature, selectable travel speeds enable the Model 4450 operator to properly adjust the truck to the environment for enhanced productivity and better control. For example, an operator can easily reduce travel speeds while unloading a trailer and switch to higher speeds for long distance transport.

The new Model 4450 features increased travel and lift speeds, and Raymond’s oil-cooled disc brakes for longer brake life and cost savings,” says Craig Curtis, Class I product manager for The Raymond Corporation. “For added flexibility, the Model 4450 allows for easier integration into mixed fleets through a common battery compartment. It also enables battery access from either side of the truck, making battery changes easier and faster.”

Additional productivity-enhancing features on the Model 4450 include:

• Raymond’s exclusive ACR System™ on both the drive and lift systems to ensure energy efficiency, reduce maintenance costs and provide consistent truck performance as the battery discharges
• An exclusive four-cylinder mast that eliminates the center free lift cylinder to allow operators to clearly see the load for more efficient travel, handling and stacking; and less product damage
• Speed reduction that decreases travel speed during turns

For more information on the Raymond^® Model 4450 counterbalanced truck, or to locate a Raymond Sales and Service Center visit www.raymondcorp.com or call (800) 235-7200

Electric Vs. Propane

You may want to consider an electric option over propane. When we perform a calculation on the Total Cost of Ownership, electric comes out lower than Propane forklifts.

Here is a quick analysis on some recent leasing numbers for both Propane and RAYMOND electric forklifts:

Propane Forklift (inexpensive brand, 60 month lease)
Lease $364 / month
Propane $300 / month
TOTAL: $664 / month

Compare that to a RAYMOND electric truck:

Lease $100 for (2009) 12 months low payment option OR
Lease $513 for 60 months
Electricity: $25 / month
TOTAL: $538 / month OR
TOTAL: $125 / month (for 2009 - special payment option)

That is a possible savings of $126 to $539 a month in 2009! With the RAYMOND electric option, the total cost of ownership is significantly lower and could translate into higher profits and a healthier natural environment.

And what you get in return is a more reliable truck (electric is by far more reliable than propane), energy delivered to your wall (instead of having propane delivered), and no emissions no CO and CO2 in your warehouse.

Also, RAYMOND's amazing leasing special keeps your lease payments at only $100 during the slower economic conditions in 2009. With reasons like these, it is no wonder more and more companies are switching to RAYMOND electric forklifts.

For a quick ROI calculator, our website is very helpful.

• Propane VS Electric
• Emissions Calculator