Case Studies The Forefront of Fuel Cell Technology

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	The Forefront of Fuel Cell Technology

The Forefront of Fuel Cell Technology

Technology Category	Functional Applications - Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM) Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Applicable Industries	Food & Beverage Retail
Applicable Functions	Logistics & Transportation Warehouse & Inventory Management
Use Cases	Energy Management System Fleet Management Predictive Maintenance
Services	System Integration Training
Challenge	UNFI, the largest wholesale distributor of natural, organic, and specialty foods in the U.S., sought to enhance its sustainability initiatives and reduce energy consumption. The company identified its lift truck fleet as a key area for improvement and began exploring hydrogen fuel cells as an alternative power source. The challenge was to ensure that the new technology could be integrated seamlessly into their existing operations, particularly in the Sarasota, Florida facility, which includes freezer, cooler, and dry storage areas. The transition required extensive planning and coordination among multiple stakeholders, including Raymond Corporation and Abel Womack Inc. Read More
About Customer	United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) is the largest wholesale distributor of natural, organic, and specialty foods and related products in the United States. The company operates 28 distribution centers across the U.S. and Canada, providing value-added services such as marketing, merchandising, category management, and store support. UNFI is committed to environmental sustainability and continually seeks innovative technologies to enhance its operations. The company relies heavily on its lift truck fleet to move products efficiently through its distribution centers, making material handling a critical aspect of its business. Read More
Solution	UNFI collaborated with The Raymond Corporation and Abel Womack Inc. to convert its Sarasota facility's lift trucks to hydrogen fuel cell technology. The project involved retrofitting various models of Raymond lift trucks, including the Model 7400 Reach-Fork® trucks, Model 5500 orderpickers, Model 4200 stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks, and Model 8400 end rider pallet trucks. Significant engineering modifications were required to accommodate the larger hydrogen fuel cells, particularly for the orderpickers, which led to the development of the industry's first hydrogen fuel cell-compatible orderpicker. Extensive testing was conducted to ensure the fuel cells could withstand the facility's varying temperature conditions. The transition was completed in June 2010, with all Raymond trucks in the Sarasota facility converted to hydrogen fuel cell technology. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM)

Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems

Applicable Industries

Food & Beverage

Retail

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation

Warehouse & Inventory Management

Use Cases

Energy Management System

Fleet Management

Predictive Maintenance

Services

System Integration

Training

Challenge

UNFI, the largest wholesale distributor of natural, organic, and specialty foods in the U.S., sought to enhance its sustainability initiatives and reduce energy consumption. The company identified its lift truck fleet as a key area for improvement and began exploring hydrogen fuel cells as an alternative power source. The challenge was to ensure that the new technology could be integrated seamlessly into their existing operations, particularly in the Sarasota, Florida facility, which includes freezer, cooler, and dry storage areas. The transition required extensive planning and coordination among multiple stakeholders, including Raymond Corporation and Abel Womack Inc.

About Customer

United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) is the largest wholesale distributor of natural, organic, and specialty foods and related products in the United States. The company operates 28 distribution centers across the U.S. and Canada, providing value-added services such as marketing, merchandising, category management, and store support. UNFI is committed to environmental sustainability and continually seeks innovative technologies to enhance its operations. The company relies heavily on its lift truck fleet to move products efficiently through its distribution centers, making material handling a critical aspect of its business.

Solution

UNFI collaborated with The Raymond Corporation and Abel Womack Inc. to convert its Sarasota facility's lift trucks to hydrogen fuel cell technology. The project involved retrofitting various models of Raymond lift trucks, including the Model 7400 Reach-Fork® trucks, Model 5500 orderpickers, Model 4200 stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks, and Model 8400 end rider pallet trucks. Significant engineering modifications were required to accommodate the larger hydrogen fuel cells, particularly for the orderpickers, which led to the development of the industry's first hydrogen fuel cell-compatible orderpicker. Extensive testing was conducted to ensure the fuel cells could withstand the facility's varying temperature conditions. The transition was completed in June 2010, with all Raymond trucks in the Sarasota facility converted to hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Impact #1	The hydrogen fuel cell-powered lift trucks have shown consistent performance, maintaining constant voltage until the fuel is depleted, unlike lead-acid batteries whose voltage drops over time.
Impact #2	The refueling process for hydrogen fuel cells is significantly faster than changing lead-acid batteries, leading to increased productivity.
Impact #3	Operators at the Sarasota facility have provided positive feedback on the performance and efficiency of the hydrogen fuel cell-powered lift trucks.

Impact #1

The hydrogen fuel cell-powered lift trucks have shown consistent performance, maintaining constant voltage until the fuel is depleted, unlike lead-acid batteries whose voltage drops over time.

Impact #2

The refueling process for hydrogen fuel cells is significantly faster than changing lead-acid batteries, leading to increased productivity.

Impact #3

Operators at the Sarasota facility have provided positive feedback on the performance and efficiency of the hydrogen fuel cell-powered lift trucks.

Benefit #1	Reduced refueling time compared to battery changes, leading to increased operational efficiency.
Benefit #2	Consistent voltage delivery from hydrogen fuel cells, ensuring lift trucks operate at full capacity throughout the shift.

Benefit #1

Reduced refueling time compared to battery changes, leading to increased operational efficiency.

Benefit #2

Consistent voltage delivery from hydrogen fuel cells, ensuring lift trucks operate at full capacity throughout the shift.

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Overview

The Forefront of Fuel Cell Technology

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit