Distributed exclusively in Southern Africa by leading company Upat, the shelving-and-racking specialist is dependent on the Milwaukee and Stabila products to ensure its customised solutions are installed accurately and quickly, according to Site Supervisor Rocco Potgieter. The fast-track project, completed over a month towards the end of 2018, involved the erection of about 150 frames for the expanded shelving-and-racking section.

Milwaukee’s tools are built to last, owing to features such as compact brushless motors, in addition to gearboxes made from magnesium, and durable and heat-resistant material that extend the lifespan of the motor significantly. The tools used by FE Shelv & Rack run the gamut from impact wrenches to drills, screw guns, and grinders.

The POWERSTATE™ brushless motors are supported by Milwaukee’s Red-Link Plus Intelligence system, an onboard electronic system incorporated in every tool to optimise performance and decrease overheating of the motor and batteries.

This ‘smart’ system allows for full-cycle communication between the battery, charger, and motor. The system optimises performance by monitoring the internal workings of the tool constantly. In addition, Milwaukee’s advanced Red Lithium battery technology optimises motor performance while under load.

This all ensures that the battery can give users an industry leading lifespan, which is on average five times greater than what other power tools can provide. Maintenance is minimal and mainly preventative, such as checking that all tools are dust-free and that batteries are fully charged.

Other features designed to make work both safer and more productive include built-in shock absorbers, which also boosts the durability of the power tools, as well as anti-kickback or safety clutches. Particular attention has been paid to safety, such as dead-man switches, while all battery-operated tools have built-in LED lights to illuminate the work area.

FE Shelv Rack Site Supervisor Rocco Potgieter
FE Shelv & Rack Site Supervisor Rocco Potgieter

Potgieter points out that, since standardising on Stabila laser distance measurers, FE Shelv & Rack has seen a dramatic increase in turnaround times and quality on its project sites. Stabila offers laser distance measurers from 30 m to 200 m, with a 1 mm to 2 mm accuracy. The larger measuring tools can perform multiple tasks in conjunction with Bluetooth enabled distancers, such as measuring cubic metres, square meterage, and distance.

Measurements can be added in, measurements can be added up, price per square meter can be added to quotes, and range finding can all be undertaken with ease. For example, the LAX 400 multi-line laser can measure diameter distances up to 150 m via a receiver, while the LAR 350 rotation laser can measure diameters of up to 800 m when used with a receiver.

While the Milwaukee and Stabila innovations are key to the continued success of these product ranges, the aftermarket and technical support offered by Upat is an essential value-added service.

“It is not only important for our customers to have the right tools to be able to deliver the best solutions possible, but they must also be confident of having the full back-up of us as the official distributor, which is an area that Upat prides itself on,” Milwaukee Product Specialist Werner Koch concludes.

Upat Contact

Alison Thomet

Marketing Manager

Phone: (011) 624 6700

Cell: 082 452 3437

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.upat.co.za