Planning Your Future Forklift Fleet

It’s a given that you’re in business for the long haul. Still, during the years changes occur. For example, most forklifts last for about 10,000 to 12,000 hours depending on maintenance and upkeep. So, there will be a need from time to time to replace your forklift fleet.

Other things occur during the many years that a company does business that may require reviewing vendor relationships, taking stock of material handling equipment to ensure they still fit business purposes and operational environmental conditions, reviewing the current employee work habits to ensure that workers remain productive, etc.

The point is that if you intend to remain being a successful business during the long haul, you must keep the potential of changes evolving while you do business through the years. In short, you need to plan your future.

Of course, when thinking about what changes will cause what responses during the years as your company’s business activities play out is a daunting endeavor, but it is one that you shouldn’t be afraid to encounter. It takes patience and taking things a bit at a time.

Ways to optimize your operations and plan a future forklift fleet involves:

• Reviewing relationships with suppliers
• Assessing current equipment
• Optimizing existing operator shift patterns
• Assessing safety requirements
• Considering future business opportunities

Reviewing Relationships With Suppliers Concerning A Future Forklift Fleet

Changes occur during the years and these changes may affect the agreements you have negotiated with different vendors. To be sure you’re receiving what you need in the relationship, you should periodically review those agreements.

Questions you need to answer include:

• Are the terms of your agreements still reasonable?
• Are you getting the best possible value from the agreements?

The key factor of any partnership with a vendor is to assure that the relationship is mutually beneficial. If you or your vendor is falling short, then it’s time to reassess.

Assessing Current Equipment When Considering A Future Forklift Fleet

An assessment of your current material handling equipment should be a regular undertaking. You want to be certain that today’s equipment can satisfy future needs.

Questions you may want to ask yourself include:

• Does the equipment fit your purposes as far as the tasks at hand and operating environment?
• Are there gaps in the material handling equipment that need to be filled?
• Is there any equipment that requires servicing or repair?
• Is any equipment approaching its end of life cycle and need replacement?
• Is your equipment future proof?

When considering whether your equipment is future proof, assess the laws that may be phasing in. For example, the European Union plans to end the sale of gasoline and diesel engines by 2035. If such a law was pending in the United States, then it’s time to consider whether to start transitioning to an electric or even a hydrogen fuel cell fleet before such a band takes effect.

Optimizing Existing Operator Shift Patterns

You are going to want to assess forklift operator shift patterns to improve productivity.

The assessment should include whether or not forklift operators are taking adequate breaks to the day. Anyone who has been a forklift fleet manager for any period of time understands that forklift drivers get fatigued while performing the routine chores of the day. This can adversely affect productivity and increase the possibility that a lift accident will occur. It is imperative that forklift operators have a rest period everyday.

Depending on whether you fleet is fully stocked with electric forklifts or has a mixture of both electric and gas lifts, you should be certain that there is time set aside everyday to charge batteries. If lifts in your fleet often run out of battery power, there may not be a fully charged spare lift ready to go, This can result in downtime, a no-no for fleets that want to achieve high productivity.

Another consideration when it comes to the health of the forklift fleet and how much longer it can work depends on proper maintenance and repair scheduling. Are your forklift fleet maintenance and repair programs as comprehensive as they should be? Being able to deal with minor equipment faults before they become a major problem prevents breakdowns, keeps things running like a well-oiled machine, and helps to assure that you won’t have to trade out a lift before its time.

Assessing Safety Requirements

Of course, safety is essential in warehouse operations. One way to assure safety of forklift operations is to hold safety audits on a regular basis. Things that audits can determine is to assure that forklift drivers have received proper training. Keeping a record as to when a driver was last train can also spark a fleet manager’s decision to require an operator to take a refresher course.

If you want to improve safety fast, then put up safety signs and floor markings. You’ll see positive result immediately and those good results will be sustained over time. Accidents can also be prevented if workers are required to wear high visible clothing and that the forklift-operating environment is free of obstacles and obstructions.

If your fleet relies on electric vehicles, then there are precautions that need to be taken. For example, it is possible that charging stations could leak acid. Custodian personnel should expect to clean the floor of these spills. Moreover, eyewash stations should also be nearby so that workers can take action to clean their eyes should they be splashed.

Considering Future Business Opportunities When Considering Future Forklift Fleets

Outside influences can affect a business. For example, will e-commerce become a part of your warehouse operations? If so, then you may have to make changes in your material handling equipment and in material handling activities as a whole.

It is highly recommended that you monitor industry trends and make predictions based on evidence concerning the future needs of your warehouse operation. This will make it easier for your business to adapt to changes.

(Source: tcm.eu)