EU support helps Polish company create new battery-powered lift truck

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We have been active in this sector for years. Our new electric lift truck is a product of many years of careful observation and listening to our customers’ feedback. It simply makes our customers’ work much easier. Its ergonomic design meets all the occupational health and safety standards and ensures great ease of use.Krzysztof Czaplicki, Chairman, ZakremZakrem started the project by doing research, as a result of which the WAPP1-0601 was designed and developed. The truck can be adjusted to the height of work benches, industrial presses and other workstations to provide efficient service. It can operate in moderately corrosive environments – within a temperature range of between -10 ºC and 40 ºC.A key difference between the WAPP1-0601 and typical similar models is its additional drive mechanism which, along with the truck’s compact shape and manoeuvrability, makes it easier and more comfortable for operators to use, as well as enhancing the load capacity. The truck is fitted with a security mechanism which prevents the operator from being crushed in the event of late braking.New opportunitiesFounded in 1952 and based in Grajewo in the Podlaskie region of eastern Poland, Zakrem specialises in equipment for internal transport and loading. Its products include pallet trucks, platform trucks, stackers, hand trucks and workshop equipment. It employs more than 100 people. EU-funding allowed the company to expand its range with production of the WAPP1-0601.For a company such as Zakrem, the digital revolution has brought about huge technical and technological changes. These changes, allied to the processes of Europeanisation and globalisation, have created opportunities for developing new technologies and modernising products, to increase competitiveness.Further factors behind the creation of the WAPP1-0601 – and other devices for transporting heavy loads – were related to health and safety regulations in the area of manual handling of warehouse trucks, opportunities for cooperation with new international partners and the possibility of accessing EU support.New machineryFor Zakrem to launch the mass production of the truck, the company needed new machinery. A welding robot and a computer numerical control bending machine – both of which were necessary for making the components – were purchased as part of the project.Zakrem is conducting an extensive campaign to promote the WAPP1-0601 among its current and potential customers.Total investment and EU fundingTotal investment for the project “Launching production of a new manual battery-powered lift truck” is EUR 365 000, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 148 000 through the “Development of Eastern Poland” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “SMEs competitiveness”.