Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Austrian timber and building materials distributor Tschabrun is revolutionizing its logistics operations with the introduction of five new electric multidirectional sideloaders from HUBTEX. In conjunction with the Mobile Easykey fleet management system, these advanced vehicles are enhancing productivity, improving safety, and ensuring damage-free handling of wood-based materials at Tschabrun’s three sites in Rankweil, Bludenz-Bürs, and Innsbruck.
The timber logistics sector is undergoing significant changes, with increasing demand for flexible orders. Rather than full packs of uniform panels, customers now require single sheets in varying colors and finishes. As Tschabrun’s logistics manager, Harald Bickel, explains: “The picking process must mirror how customers place their orders: more customized, faster, and more precise.”
To address these evolving needs, Tschabrun invested in two MQ 50, two MQ 80, and one MAXX 45 HUBTEX forklifts. These vehicles are configured to meet the specific demands of each warehouse site and are already showing strong performance in high-turnover environments.
Tschabrun has been working with HUBTEX since 2005, relying on their ability to create customized solutions. In 2013, a notable innovation was introduced: a removable platform called VacumaX. Using a vacuum system, VacumaX carefully handles single panels, ensuring damage-free handling. The latest rollout builds on this legacy with further advancements, including inductive guidance on the new sideloaders. These vehicles follow a magnetic wire embedded in the warehouse floor, keeping them aligned with racking aisles. This innovation enables narrower aisles and increased storage capacity, all while maintaining a high standard of safety.
To further enhance accuracy and minimize errors, the new vehicles also feature a semi-automated positioning system and barcode tracking, ensuring that only the correct racking positions are accessed.
For the first time, Tschabrun is using HUBTEX’s patented HX steering technology on all its new vehicles. This 360° continuous steering system allows for smooth transitions between longitudinal, diagonal, and lateral movements, reducing tire wear and shortening maneuvering times—critical in busy warehouse environments.
The two MQ 80 models, which can lift up to 8 tons and reach a height of 7.5 meters while still lifting 4.5 tons, are equipped with a load moment monitoring system that automatically shuts down the vehicle in the event of an overload. This system enhances safety for both operators and materials.
Additionally, the integration of the Mobile Easykey fleet management system adds an extra layer of security. Each operator is assigned a personal chip to unlock and operate the vehicles, and any detected impact triggers an automatic shutdown. The incident is logged securely through a wireless network, ensuring full traceability.
With HUBTEX now supporting all three of Tschabrun’s facilities, maintenance is streamlined under a service agreement with dedicated HUBTEX technicians stationed in Austria. Bickel notes that the enhanced safety features and tailored systems have quickly won over drivers: “From inductive guidance to HX steering, our team feels fully supported across every point in the warehouse.”
This strategic investment ensures that Tschabrun can continue delivering high-quality service and maintain long-term productivity in an ever-changing timber logistics landscape. By leveraging the latest in warehouse technology, Tschabrun is well-positioned to meet the growing demands of the timber industry while ensuring safety, efficiency, and reliability at every stage of the process.
Read more woodworking news, follow us on LinkedIn.
Tags: austria, Austria timber industry, Bludenz-Bürs, electric forklifts, fleet management system, HUBTEX sideloaders, Innsbruck, logistics technology, Mobile Easykey, multidirectional forklifts, Rankweil, safety in logistics, timber logistics, Tschabrun, warehouse efficiency
Comments: