Maxiload has entered the UK specialised transport market with Austlift’s Maxibinder and Swiftcore load restraint products.
Portsmouth-based Maxiload is a new division of material handling equipment supplier, Austlift, headquartered in Australia, but the products are already established in other regions, including the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand.
Maxibinder and Swiftcore will be available across the UK through an extensive distributor network. The Maxibinder has been in the wider market for over 14 years, while the Swiftcore is a brand new, patented ratchet tie-down that has only been sold in Australia for 12 months.
The alloy steel Maxibinder is used for securing 8mm or 10mm heavy transport chain, normally over abrasive, heavy, and sharp items like steel, concrete, and logs, typically with large vehicle transportation. It is ergonomically designed but offers high pre-tensioning force. Key features include 1/8 chain link length adjustment and heat treatment for durability. It gives the user 305mm chain travel as standard versus a maximum of 170mm on a ratchet load binder.
Steve Parsons, UK / Europe operations manager at Maxiload, said: “The Maxibinder was the reason we looked at the UK market. We were approached by a large steel fabricator, who requested some samples. Maxibinder has evolved over the last 14 years and is now on version four, with extended user life and increased safety. The transporters and steel sites reported a 75% reduction in lashing-related injuries since they adopted the Maxibinder as their main system for chain lashing.”
Swiftcore’s big impact
Swiftcore is a 50mm webbing ratchet tie-down with a redesigned and patented core. It is used with small to large vehicles, from the handy person to bigger transport outfits. Recent product developments include a smoother winding mechanism; reflective strips; magnetic hook retention; protective sleeves; and resistance against ultraviolet (UV) light or sunlight.
Maxiload’s Parsons said: “Swiftcore is already making a massive impact and getting good responses due to its improved usability and the way the unit works versus the older style ratchet tie-downs. Maxibinder and the Swiftcore ratchet are just the beginning of what we can offer. We have access to the full portfolio of Austlift products, which includes over 3,000 SKUs [stock keeping units], but we chose the Maxibinder and Swiftcore as these are two revolutionary products not yet introduced into the UK market.”
Maxiload oversees all logistics and importation of both Maxibinder and Swiftcore products, ensuring they meet all regulatory standards and are readily available for resellers. It is actively building a network of distributors, providing them with the support and resources they need to effectively deliver the products to end users. A UK-based customer service team is available to assist with enquiries.
Parsons said: “We conduct rigorous quality checks to ensure that all products meet the highest standards. By leveraging Austlift’s expertise and the proven success of our products in other markets, Maxiload is committed to providing a seamless and efficient supply chain for our products. Our focus on quality, customer support, and strategic distribution ensures that both our resellers and end users benefit.”
In Australia, Austlift has four facilities nationally, with a team of over 75 staff, and four large distribution warehouses. It has a distributor network in New Zealand, Fiji, and the Philippines, and has passed the rights to distribute the Maxibinder to a large distributor in the U.S. and Canada.
Austlift is a supporting partner at the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association’s (LEEA) LiftEx Gold Coast, which takes place 12-13 September at The Star Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. Representatives of Maxiload will also visit LEEA’s flagship event, LiftEx, which takes place 16-17 October at London’s Olympia.
