Materials handling supplier Barloworld Handling has relocated its Birtley branch to a brand new purpose-built facility in Gateshead and offers local students apprenticeship opportunities.

Barloworld's new branch, located in Wardley, Gateshead, offers customers a total materials handling solution including the latest Hyster range of counterbalance forklifts and warehouse equipment, short term equipment hire, quality used equipment, driver training and maintenance for all makes of lift truck. The purpose built facility has an 8,895 sq ft warehouse area with 1,200 sq ft of office space.

The Gateshead branch opened in May and includes a driver training centre offering a range of RTITB* and ITSSAR** accredited forklift driver training courses and is one of six training facilities Barloworld runs nationally. Local businesses also requiring forklift trucks on a cost effective, short term basis, without long term commitment will also benefit from an extensive short term hire fleet. The mix of equipment available reflects the demands of local industry operations.
As well as an onsite workshop, Barloworld Gateshead is the central base for a team of 22 mobile service engineers serving the local area. Web based GPRS tracking systems and PDA technology are used to communicate with Barloworld engineers providing quick response service support to all customers in the north east area.

For local students hoping to start a career in engineering, Barloworld is offering the opportunity to join its Engineering Apprenticeship scheme. The scheme involves extensive internal training and development at Barloworld as well as blocks of learning to become a qualified Materials Handling Technician.

Barloworld is the largest independent distributor of lift trucks in the world with operations covering the UK, Europe, South Africa and the US. As the UK's exclusive distributor of Hyster equipment, Barloworld maintains nearly 30,000 lift trucks, including a range of forklift trucks and warehouse and container handling equipment in all types of UK industry. Superior support, advice and value added services are delivered through its network of 1,200 support staff including 600 engineers nationwide.