The Ulsan-based ship and industrial equipment maker Hyundai Heavy Industries launched its first order pickers on the local market on Tuesday. Order pickers are industrial vehicles used in storage facilities to access high shelves.

Order pickers are similar to fork lifts but the operator boards the vehicle in the front where the forks are located, and are able to access smaller areas than fork lifts, the company said.

The company launched two models with 1 metric ton and 1.36 ton load capacities, which are able to raise the platform to up to 9 meters.

With the country’s order picker market dominated by imported products, the company is hoping to take on the competition in a growing market with lower prices and higher efficiency maintenance services.

According to the company, its order pickers are up to 30 percent cheaper than imported vehicles. The company added that with storage facilities of logistic firms and others requiring large storage capacity being concentrated near Seoul, the market for order pickers are expected to grow as the vehicles can operate in smaller spaces.  

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)