Heavy duty logistics
Tailored logistics services provider Forlog Oy has grown and expanded its range of services. The old train ferry harbour offers a good setting for developing the operations.
Forlog has recently concentrated its operations to the Pansio logistics area administered by the Port of Turku which is also known as the former train ferry harbour. In addition to office premises, the company has four warehouse halls in the area. The newest and biggest of them, the 7,000 square metre hall built in co-operation with the Port of Turku, was completed recently.
“Co-operation with the Port of Turku has gone very smoothly. The area is well suited to our business. There is plenty of space, it’s suitably quiet, and the road connections are excellent. We have quick access to Suikkilantie road and further to highway 8, and via the ring road to E63, Highway 10 and E18”, says Riika-Maria Iljin, Operations Director of Forlog Oy.
Forlog Oy specialises in logistics services for the industry and heavy goods. In addition to the operations in the Pansio area, the company provides services for sawing of plywood.
Logistics and additional services
Although Forlog runs its operations close to the sea, it does not load or unload ships. The Pansio unit employs logistics professionals.
“Our newest warehouse hall serves as a logistics hub of wood-based products for a nationwide chain of hardware stores. We have goods arriving by road and in containers from around the world, and from here they are delivered by truck onwards to the Finnish market”, Ms Iljin mentions as an example. Previously the logistics centre was located in the inner harbour area.
Forlog’s customers include a big manufacturer of mining machinery based in Turku. “Forlog receives and delivers machine parts going to the factory on a daily basis. That allows our customer to focus on manufacturing the machines.”
Forlog also provides added value services, such as unpacking of products going to the customer and placing them ready on installation racks.
“That speeds and enhances the production on the line”, Ms Iljin explains. She points out that in the future Forlog aims at increasing the supply of its additional services.
Together with TurkuSteve, Forlog takes care of the import inspections of the new tractors shipped to the inner harbour. Furthermore, the company handles, for example, heavy steel profiles going to the shipyard.
Forklifts are going electric
At Forlog, heavy loads are moved around by traditional diesel-powered forklifts and increasingly also by electric forklifts.
“We have currently four electric forklifts and will be investing more in them. We want to be a part of the green transition.”
At present, Forlog’s biggest electric machine is Kalmar electric forklift with lifting capacity of 8 tonnes. Ms Iljin says that there are not yet competitively priced electric forklifts in the heaviest category available on the market, but the situation will probably change in the future.
Electric forklifts also have other benefits apart from being emission-free:
“The driver’s working environment is more pleasant, because electric forklifts are almost silent and give out no diesel smell. The servicing costs of electric forklifts are lower compared to traditional forklifts. Moreover, the warehouses stay cleaner”, Riika-Maria Iljin rejoices.
Text: Matti Välimäki
Photos: Ilari Välimäki
