Tips, news and resources on forklifts, aerial lifts, rentals, parts, service and more
from America's largest independently-operated material handling and rental source.
When you rely on electric forklifts to run your business, the industrial batteries you select to power your fleet affect your team’s productivity. There are many shapes, sizes, and types of forklift batteries. Each kind offers unique benefits, such as reduced charging time, longer run times, decreased maintenance, or a lower price point.
When it comes to food warehousing and distribution, time is always of the essence. Today’s consumers expect a wide variety of fresh food options available at a moment’s notice. That’s why the benefits of automation are so important.
As we approach the end of 2022, businesses continue adjusting their operations to address changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. For companies experiencing greater customer demand, some need additional equipment to process more orders through their warehouses, distribution centers, or other facilities. Section 179 of the US Tax Code enables businesses to save money by allowing companies to deduct the entire purchase price of qualifying new and used equipment from their taxable profits.
If your business relies on material handling equipment to transport pallets of goods or other heavy items, you may be wondering which type of lift truck is best for your use cases. In this article, we’ll outline several factors to consider to help you choose between the two most common types of forklifts - liquid propane gas (LPG) forklifts or electric forklifts.
Heavy duty equipment such as high capacity forklifts, reach stackers, and container handlers are used in a range of industries worldwide to transfer freight containers and other large loads quickly and efficiently. With the increased lift capacity of these heavy trucks, there is an increased need for safety in order to prevent injuries to operators and damage to cargo. While all heavy trucks come standard with select safety features, many other advanced, optional features greatly improve operator, pedestrian and equipment safety, contributing to a more productive workforce. Read on to learn more about the importance of safely operating heavy equipment as well as the features that can help you protect your team and your cargo.
While many businesses choose to purchase equipment outright, leasing may be a better choice for some companies because it frees up substantial capital that can be invested in other ways. When you are leasing forklifts and other equipment, additional funds may be available to expand your business or make building improvements.
When it comes to warehouse storage, the more you can fit into your existing space, the better. Modern warehouse designs often feature narrow aisles and very narrow aisles between storage racks to maximize pallet positions. To store more products in a finite amount of space, companies are discovering that they need to invest in equipment and racking solutions for these narrow aisles and very narrow aisles, often abbreviated as “VNA.”
It’s been widely reported that the COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges to the supply chain. From toilet paper to computer chips, the delay of acquiring essential products and components has caused headaches for consumers and hindered productivity for many businesses. Few industries were immune to these issues, and although 2020 is in the rearview, there is no doubt that supply chain disruptions are still happening. Ongoing problems refuse to go away, creating complications for companies across the globe.
Warehouse management continues to shift toward automation to drive efficiency and speed in order to meet rising consumer expectations. As you consider automating areas of your operation, keep in mind this important data.
As we approach the end of 2021, businesses continue adjusting their operations to address changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. For companies experiencing greater customer demand, some need additional equipment to process more orders through their warehouses, distribution centers, or other facilities. Section 179 of the US Tax Code enables businesses to save money by allowing companies to deduct the entire purchase price of qualifying new and used equipment from their taxable profits.
Companies purchase used lift equipment for a number of reasons. Newer companies with limited cash on hand may prefer the lower up-front costs of used equipment. Companies with cyclical handling needs, or with unexpected spikes in production, also may find used equipment useful as a stopgap measure. And in other cases, the features of a brand-new piece of equipment may not be desired or required for the application at hand.
Planned maintenance services are essential programs for maintaining the quality and effectiveness of your equipment. These services not only save you money but assure your equipment is running at peak performance. Being proactive about servicing equipment allows you to maintain high levels of productivity and prevent any serious repairs. However, it is important to be strategic when choosing planned maintenance services to make sure you select the right equipment maintenance plan and maximize the value and return you will get on your investment.
The best time to replace material handling equipment is not always obvious. If you replace equipment too soon, you may not be getting the full return on your investment. Replace it too late, however, and you may encounter production and capacity issues in addition to unscheduled and unexpected financial costs. Not to worry. We will explain the key factors to keep in mind to help you know when to buy a new forklift or other piece of material handling equipment.
Warehouse safety should be an essential part of your day-to-day operations, and the best way to ensure that safety remains a focus for all employees is to create a safety management plan. Why is warehouse safety so important? Because it can affect so many aspects of the organization, including productivity and efficiency, as well as employee well-being and morale.
Demand fluctuates in nearly every industry. Warehouse operations will go through cycles of peaks and valleys throughout the year as well. With those fluctuations, two negative effects can happen:
Each of these issues can affect your overall cost efficiency and bottom line. Seasonal forklift rentals are an ideal way to counteract those negative effects. You also get more control over the equipment you keep on hand and greater flexibility to match resources to volume.
Your operations do not stop once the weather turns colder. During this time of year, it is important to prepare your forklifts and other material handling equipment to ensure continued reliable performance — despite the frigid environment.
Failing to prepare equipment for winter can lead to increased malfunctions and maintenance requirements, as well as damage to machines and components. In the sections below, you will learn about winter forklift maintenance, why it is important and how to conduct it properly.
An optimized warehouse is an efficient warehouse: one which maximizes the value and utility of every resource it uses and every process it undertakes. Warehouse optimization requires effort and investments to identify and implement the most efficient mix of people, systems and equipment. It is also critical to establish the right processes, so you can take full advantage of your most finite resource — time.
