Hubtex is positioning its multidirectional and sideloader trucks as long-term production assets for industries handling glass, steel, timber and plastic extrusion. The company says customers increasingly assess equipment over a 10- to 15-year life, while some machines operating in the UK have already exceeded 30 years.
That strategy places emphasis on reliability and uptime rather than purchase price alone. Hubtex UK managing director Paul McNally says the company starts by examining the customer’s material-flow process, warehouse constraints and safety requirements before recommending a vehicle.
Electric drive has been central to the range for many years. Large lithium batteries and charging systems support demanding, continuous-shift operations, addressing the power and availability requirements of heavy industrial handling.
The approach can also involve vehicle intelligence. Guidance functions help operators enter racking more consistently and can assist with steering and positioning. In one customer application, the technology increased output within an existing warehouse, avoiding the need for a larger facility.
Hubtex says operator development time in a comparable situation fell from around three months to three weeks. That may allow employers to recruit from a broader labour pool while reducing the operational impact of training.
The company is also responding to demand for trucks that connect with warehouse-management systems and provide continuous data. New enquiries from renewable-energy and nuclear-related operations reflect the importance of detailed testing and reliability in tightly controlled industrial environments.
A multilingual professional experienced in Europe, Canada, and China, Herbert has developed invaluable networks in the automotive and energy industries. He has led high-profile projects involving ENBW, Mercedes-Benz Group, Siemens Group, and the Fraunhofer Institute.