HUBTEX impressed the UKMHA jury (which includes sister publication Handling Network) in Birmingham with a concrete use case in the “Operational Efficiency” category: at an international plastics and polymer producer, the PhoeniX electric multi-directional sideloader transports profile racks up to six metres long with ease in aisles just 2.02 metres wide, significantly improving the overall flow of goods. Equipped with a sensor-based Aisle Entry Assist and the HUBTEX Load Manager, the truck achieved a marked efficiency gain and substantial cost savings for the customer. Without increasing headcount, more than 1,600 working hours per year were recovered while reducing strain on the workforce.

In day-to-day operation, the sensor-based Aisle Entry Assist enables semi-automated, precise and rapid entry into narrow racking aisles. By eliminating time-consuming manoeuvring, up to ten seconds can be saved per movement, which consistently boosts throughput and overall material flow — with fewer staff. The integrated Load Manager further improves accuracy when handling long and heavy loads. Thanks to pre-programmed heights and storage locations, the truck automatically travels to the required rack level at the push of a button, saving valuable seconds otherwise spent on fine adjustment during storage and retrieval. It also virtually eliminates damage to the vehicle, load and racking. This level of semi-automation, combined with the truck’s intuitive operation, delivers another benefit: onboarding time for new employees drops from three months to just two weeks — an 85% reduction. For the customer, that means a faster ROI on new team members, seamless shift handovers and continuous operational readiness.

Resource-efficient and powerful

The PhoeniX also proved itself on sustainability. Modern lithium-ion technology and the switch to electric power steering cut total energy consumption in operation by 20%. The batteries feature intelligent intermediate charging, enabling a charge from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes. This eliminates time-consuming battery changes and ensures continuous operation. At the same time, the customer reclaimed valuable space previously reserved for spare battery storage — space that can now be used more productively.

“This award is a special endorsement for us. With this application example, we demonstrate that our vehicles not only make processes faster, safer and more sustainable, but also deliver a measurable and flexible competitive edge,” says Michael Röbig, Head of Product Management at HUBTEX.