For Maxspeed Global Forwarding Logistics Group (MGF), an international freight-forwarding company, Bison’s container lifting and weighing solutions have been a game-changer.
Moving 40 containers per week between China and Australia, MGF’s operations include unpacking up to four full container loads (FCL) of 40-foot containers daily and packing two export containers daily. With container weights ranging from six tonne for 20-footers to 24–26 tonne for 40-foot units, efficient handling is critical.
Looking for a simpler and more flexible way to lift containers off trucks and lower them to the ground, without relying on traditional handling equipment like side loaders, MGF discovered Bison. MGF was impressed by the portability, ease of use, and operational independence that Bison’s solutions provided, maximizing warehouse space, eliminating the need to coordinate third-party lifting services or invest in expensive, permanent infrastructure.
"The Bison lifting equipment for containers worked out perfectly for our business, and it's been amazing since then," says Jason Shill, MGF's Warehouse Manager. "It's new. It's different. We've never experienced anything like it."
By adopting Bison’s C-Lift X Series for lifting containers and C-Jacks for weighing containers, MGF has eliminated the need for a sideloader or loading dock - dramatically reducing their space requirements while keeping productivity high. The compact nature of the equipment means it can be easily packed away when not in use, adding to its practicality on-site.
"The benefit of the Bison setup is that we no longer need a sideloader or loading dock, which helps us save space while still punching out the same volume of work," Jason explains. "And when they're not needed, the units can be packed away and stored."
When containers arrive from the Port of Melbourne by truck, the freight station team gets to work. Using forklifts, they attach the C-Lift X Series to the container. After completing safety checks, the hydraulic legs lift the container off the trailer. Once elevated, the truck can drive away, and the container is gently lowered to the ground, ready for unloading.
According to Jason, even the truck drivers have noticed the difference. “The drivers have found the X Series more versatile. It’s easier for them to maneuver, even if they’re slightly off-center or off a line. We can accommodate them quickly.”
That same flexibility extends to the equipment used to handle the X Series. “You can lift containers using various forklifts or even a walker,” Carl, MGF's Director of Australia and New Zealand adds. “The walker forklift allows us to handle the X Series and position containers in tight spaces, optimizing our site layout.”
A crucial part of exporting containers and MGF's process is complying with the VGM weighing requirements. Bison’s container scales have revolutionized this process for MGF by allowing them to weigh containers directly on-site. This eliminates the need to outsource the weighing process to transport companies and weighbridge sites, streamlining operations and accelerating the entire export procedure.
The team can now quickly weigh containers before they are loaded for export, ensuring that all VGM regulations are met with ease and accuracy. This capability has not only improved efficiency but also provided greater flexibility in scheduling, as there’s no longer any dependence on external weighing services or waiting for third-party appointments.
The combination of Bison’s lifting and weighing solutions has saved MGF valuable time, improved operational flexibility, and given them a clear edge in a competitive market.
— Carl Brown, Director of MGF Logistics for Australia and New Zealand.
