FLTA members, journalists and end-users selected the design effort of the Continental team, and the company received its award at the ‘Archies’ dinner and prize giving ceremony that took place in Birmingham on Feb. 9.
The tyre is the first of its kind to be fitted with a torque-limiting wrench and to eliminate the need for a mounting press, and as such has brought what many view as a sea of change to materials handlings departments. Lower ownership cost during the tyre’s lifespan have been reported for the CSEasy in comparison to standard forklift tyres, through the delivery of higher mileage and lower rolling resistance. Through this last feature energy consumption and CO2 emissions is also reduced with the Continental tyre.
FLTA chief executive David Ellison explained: “The CSEasy is a deserving winner because it is a very innovative product which is of great benefit to users in our industry among others. For this reason, it was considered to be the design achievement of the year.”
The ‘Archie’ trophy is modeled on Archimedes, acknowledged as the father of modern engineering, who embodies and represents the application of intellect and innovation over brute force. The Archie will take pride of place at Continental Tyre Group Ltd. head office in Middlesex. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)