Doing it for Dindas

For those in the know, Dindas is an Australian institution.

With distribution centres in Victoria (head office in Clayton South), Queensland, and New South Wales, the family-owned timber wholesaler and importer has partnered with sustainable manufacturers to supply significant volumes of engineered wood nationwide.

You might say it comes with the territory, and a legacy spanning over 65 years, serving as a vital link between manufacturers and timber merchants across the country.

“It’s the kind of operation that the trade has come to rely on,” says Baumann Australia’s Craig Armstrong-Fray. “They’ve done it by responding quickly and efficiently to what the sector needs over many years, decades even.”

Baumann are long-established manufacturers in their own right, of sideloader materials handling machines that were invented to serve the needs of the timber sector. Handling long loads is something fraught with challenges and getting the best storage capacity from a site or moving in and out of doorways means traditional counterbalance forklifts are a non-starter.

Sideloaders on the other hand are perfect for handling long loads, such as timber, steel, aluminium, roof trusses, pipes and concrete. Safety is a huge factor, keeping loads secure and eliminating dangerous situations from arising, such as when forklift operators travel with forks raised.

In recent years, environmental concerns have also come to the fore. Baumann’s diesel machines, once accounting for 80% of sales, are now typically reserved for just the heaviest applications, typically steel. Lower capacity electric ranges, meanwhile, are now more popular than ever, thanks to their comfort, responsiveness and cost and emissions-reducing effects.

Like many, Dindas maintains a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, sourcing from partners who prioritise sustainable practices and safe operations.  As part of that process, they quickly realised that its fleet of diesel-powered sideloaders could potentially be replaced with zero emissions electric units, provided that the right supplier could offer a comparable unit in terms of efficiency, performance, and safety. 

Baumann is the only manufacturer that builds a 120-Volt electric sideloader, offering longer, more efficient shift life.  Dindas tested one on site and wasted no time placing orders for a fleet of 5 and 6 tonnes capacity units, each capable of lifting over 6m. 

“Our ELX and EGX ranges not only have the performance to match their diesel units, the savings in fuel costs alone exceed $140,000 per annum on just one site.  Having zero tailpipe emissions, minimal vibration and almost zero noise emissions is an added bonus.”

Dindas focuses on products designed for strength, reliability and sustainability in both residential and commercial construction. Its notable product lines include LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beams for structural support, I-joists for flooring and roofing systems, Glulam beams and other structural timbers.

“These products cater to a diverse range of building applications,” adds Craig, “and are typically used in floor systems, roof rafters, and broader structural needs. Elsewhere in the world they’re often seen being handled by Baumann machines, which helps makes the case here, but that doesn’t mean we can take for granted that independent-minded businesses like Dindas will also put them to work.”

Thankfully having now taken the plunge, the operators of the new Baumanns have brought further benefits to light.

Tige Byrne, of Dindas Brisbane, has been driving forklifts and sideloaders for over twenty years. He is quick to explain why he favours the Baumann for most of his daily tasks:

“We jump on the Baumann to bring long loads over to the cutting area, then on to production and after that, move it out to the racks.  They’re very powerful, and we can easily handle 3 packs at once, where the multi-direction machines struggle with one or two packs.  It took a bit at first to get used to the speed of the mast outreach, but once we got used to it, it was fine.  They’re really good for getting up close to the racks and loading trucks, and the tilting chassis makes you feel like the load is a lot more secure”.

The Dindas Brisbane site is a typical fast-paced timber and joist yard, operating almost non-stop from 6.30 in the morning until late afternoon. 

With products often exceeding 13 metres, and stacked over 6 metres high in cantilever racking, Baumann Sideloaders offer the perfect solution for safe, efficient handling, in all weather conditions. 

“We are extremely proud to partner with Dindas,” concludes Craig, “as they continue to support Australia's construction industry with innovative, affordable, and eco-conscious timber solutions. Anything we can do to help them streamline their operations, whilst adding safety and environmental benefits is tremendously satisfying for us.”