Toyota Material Handling UK has supported leading Cornish fishing business W. Stevenson and Sons in enhancing safety, improving operational efficiency and reducing administrative burden through the implementation of its I_Site fleet management technology.
Based in Newlyn, Cornwall, W. Stevenson and Sons have been catching, landing and selling fish for more than 100 years. Operating from one of the UK’s busiest fishing harbours, the business supplies fresh fish and seafood to the local wholesale market, as well as restaurants and caterers across the South West of England and beyond.
Newlyn Harbour presents a unique operating environment for material handling equipment. Alongside the daily movement of fishing vessels, the harbour attracts significant numbers of visitors, particularly during peak season, creating a busy and often crowded environment where safety is paramount.
Working closely with Toyota Material Handling UK’s Senior Sales Executive, Katie Atkinson, W. Stevenson and Sons sought a solution that would enhance safety while maintaining operational performance and reducing administrative demands on the team.
Following an assessment of the business’s requirements, Toyota Material Handling UK recommended a trial of its I_Site fleet management system. Designed to prevent unauthorised use of equipment, I_Site ensures that only approved operators can access trucks, even in the unlikely event that keys are left in the ignition.
The technology also digitises pre-operational checks, reporting and documentation, eliminating paper-based processes and helping reduce both administration time and the risk of manual errors.
After trialling the system on one of its counterbalance trucks, the business quickly recognised the benefits.
Matt Gilbert, HSE Manager at W. Stevenson and Sons, said, “In our industry, timing is everything and equipment reliability is essential. Toyota Material Handling’s trucks and I_Site technology have helped us keep operations running smoothly while improving safety and reducing paperwork.”
The real-time insights provided by I_Site allow managers to oversee operations more effectively without the need for constant supervision, while alerts can highlight unsafe or undesirable behaviours that may require additional training or intervention.
For operators, the system provides greater confidence and autonomy while ensuring management retains visibility of key operational events.
Alongside the implementation of I_Site, Toyota Material Handling UK continues to support W. Stevenson and Sons with a fleet of three counterbalance trucks operating in demanding outdoor conditions.
The company’s coastal location means equipment is regularly exposed to wet, slippery and uneven surfaces, as well as the corrosive effects of salt air. Reliability is critical, particularly given the time-sensitive nature of the fishing industry where delays can impact product freshness and landing schedules.
Toyota Material Handling UK’s continued support for traditionally powered diesel and gas counterbalance trucks was a key factor in W. Stevenson and Sons extending its partnership with the business, which has now spanned more than a decade.
In addition to the counterbalance fleet, Toyota Material Handling UK supplies a galvanised, wet-spec BT Levio powered pallet truck and a range of BT Tyro hand pallet trucks, including bespoke stainless steel box trucks designed specifically for the demanding conditions of a busy fish market.
The modified BT Levio LWE160, equipped with I_Site technology, has been tailored to withstand the harsh coastal environment. Its galvanised, unpainted design reduces corrosion and eliminates the risk of paint contamination, making it particularly suitable for food handling applications.
By combining robust equipment with intelligent fleet management technology, Toyota Material Handling UK has delivered a solution that supports W. Stevenson and Sons’ operational requirements today while helping the business maintain high standards of safety and efficiency for the future.
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