Experiencing for yourself how devices make work easier

Low back pain costs as much as 4.4 billion euros a year in the Netherlands! In the logistics sector, employees have to do a lot of lifting, carrying, bending, twisting and reaching and that increases the risk of back pain, which in the most serious case is chronic. Both employer and employee are required by law to reduce that risk. Since lifting aids can significantly reduce physical strain, we spoke to Christian de Kleuver, branch manager of Erkon Tilhulpmiddelen. The company opened its own Experience Center along the A12 motorway near Veenendaal last year. One of the newest products on offer is TAWI's innovative Container Unloader.

Erkon is part of the ATS Group and, together with its Belgian partners in ergonomic solutions, offers a complete range for the Benelux. De Kleuver: "Nothing convinces better than seeing and experiencing for yourself how lifting aids make work lighter. In the Experience Center, interested parties can get to know our extensive range. Because we cooperate with several manufacturers, we can give independent advice. In addition to standard products, we also provide customized products, so that we can offer a suitable solution for every work situation."

Testing your own equipment

"We host safety managers, employees and also occupational health and safety experts at the Experience Center. With the companies, we can investigate on site which solutions best fit their work process. Since it is important to be able to perform the work without overexertion and with pleasure, we recommend bringing the employees who have to use the tools with them. Our experience is that they then become enthusiastic about the tool, which prevents a device from being left unused in a corner. By the way, the great thing is that people are also allowed to test with their own goods and packaging here!"

Container Unloader

The new TAWI Container Unloader is an innovative lifting aid. Unloading containers is very labor intensive and involves many physical risks. This platform is equipped with an integrated vacuum lifter and battery-powered conveyor, which brings the goods to the employee at working height. With the vacuum system, he can lift boxes up to 50 pounds and support up to 80 pounds. "Because the platform is height-adjustable and also mobile, one can use the tool from the loading dock all the way to the back of the container," he said. Unloading and palletizing containers is thus performed in an ergonomic and pleasant way."

Payback model

De Kleuver explains that the Container Unloader pays for itself: "In addition to the aforementioned benefits, it also provides immediate savings in labor hours. A container always needs to be emptied at a rapid pace. If you do this manually, you need several people to get the contents outside the container and stack them there. Thanks to the conveyor belt, emptying the container can now be done by one employee. And outside the container, where there is more space, one can quickly palletize the goods again with the vacuum lifter. Because the personnel do not have to do any lifting themselves and do not have to walk back and forth unnecessarily, it creates stable productivity. After all, the team can move the same capacity throughout the day because they are as fit at the end of their shift as they were at the beginning."

Mobile order picker

TAWI's Mobile Order Picker provides an efficient solution that modern warehouses and distribution centers need. "It allows operators to move bags and boxes without physical strain. The mobile order picker is compatible with any type of forklift or pallet truck, allowing the operator to effortlessly navigate through the warehouse. So basically, you just have a lifting aid that travels with you!"

De Kleuver says that everyone is welcome to come to the Experience Center to experience for themselves how the lifting aids take the weight off. "Feel free to make an appointment, and we'll make sure the coffee is ready."