In today’s fast-paced world, exceptional safety procedures are more than just a checkbox exercise; they are of paramount importance. For Dan Daniels, the founder of Sharpsmart UK, higher safety standards are essential, which is why he has spent more than thirty years advocating for better safety solutions in healthcare.
Sharpsmart UK is committed to reducing the number of sharp-object-related injuries across the healthcare industry by making clinical waste handling safer. Their solutions for sharps, clinical waste, cytotoxic, offensive, pharmaceutical, anatomical, and dental waste support facilities of all sizes, improving the safety of their operations. By catering to all waste streams, they help to minimise costs and complexities as a single supplier for healthcare facilities.
A Need for Efficiency
Efficiency is vital for Sharpsmart, as their facility’s safety relies on good processes and the careful handling of potentially hazardous medical waste. Forklifts are an essential part of their process to help maintain efficiency, especially as medical waste is often collected in heavy bins, drums, and crates, which are difficult to manoeuvre. The team turned to Dawsongroup Material Handling for the right forklifts to handle the large quantities of medical waste across their operations.
A Tailored Solution
Sharpsmart contacted Paul Hull, Area Sales Executive for Dawsongroup Material Handling, in June 2023 to find the right solution to meet their needs. After a detailed consultation process, Paul recommended five Hangcha A425s and one HPT20, a powered pallet truck with bespoke long forks perfect for Sharpsmart’s application. These four-wheel electric A425s combine high stability, considerable lifting power, and low energy consumption to create a reliable, powerful solution.
Four of these forklifts were equipped with rotator attachments, enabling employees to tip recycled waste into skips. The other, based at Sharpsmart’s Rainham site, was fitted with a bespoke attachment from Hallam Attachments, which enabled them to load their new design clave carts into their automated recycling system. This innovative solution supported the day-to-day running of Sharpsmart’s Rainham site, ensuring that products could be moved smoothly and safely. This enabled the team to meet targets and maintain the rigorous health and safety standards demanded by the industry.
“Dawsongroup’s dedication and professionalism have made a significant impact on our operations,” said Tim Widdicombe, Operations Site Manager for Sharpsmart’s Rainham site. “We are truly appreciative of their efforts. The team’s responsiveness and willingness to go above and beyond have not gone unnoticed. Whether it was addressing our concerns promptly or providing insightful solutions, their support has been invaluable. It is rare to find such a high level of commitment and expertise, and we feel fortunate to have Dawsongroup as a partner.”
A Flexible Solution
Most importantly, all these solutions were available on the Smarter Asset Strategy. This usership method enabled Sharpsmart to upgrade their solutions without purchasing the forklifts outright, freeing them from the burden of depreciation while maintaining the quality of their operations. Dawsongroup Material Handling also provides maintenance and servicing, boosting the operational efficiency of each forklift and ensuring that Sharpsmart can get the most out of every machine.
“I just wanted to thank you and Dawsongroup for your hard work, open communication, and the professionalism we have between both companies,” said Martin Claxton, Plant Manager for Sharpsmart’s Normanton site. “Our partnership and collaboration in driving efficiency has streamlined operations within our plant, leading to notable improvements in productivity. Large and heavy containers, which would normally be handled and pushed by personnel, can now be easily transported. This has also led to innovative solutions and a reduction in the working hours required, resulting in cost savings.”
A Nationwide Solution
We offer a complete service here at Dawsongroup, including material handling, boosting efficiency, and decreasing downtime with tailored service plans best suited to your business needs. Unexpected problems are inevitable, but our nationwide service ensures that we can respond to breakdowns within just four hours of initial contact.
For Sharpsmart, which operates multiple sites across the UK, this nationwide service means they can benefit from the local, reliable maintenance and servicing we offer. Our preventative maintenance solutions also ensure that Sharpsmart’s assets are running smoothly, meeting their day-to-day demands.
If you’re looking for an efficient and safe materials handling solution for your business, get in touch with us today. Our team of consultative specialists will work with you to develop a tailored solution through an innovative Smarter Asset Strategy.
