chaz2Such is the diversity of warehouse trucks that any operators considering new warehouses or big expansions of their existing fleets should seriously consider warehouse simulation and/or independent forklift consultants. Most large forklift manufacturers offer simulation packages to help warehouse operators arrive at the best mix of trucks and racking types but in order to sell their own trucks they may not mention certain truck types, like articulated forklifts, and so buyers should consider independent software simulation houses like Cirrus.

This is not to say that one should ignore the cutting edge simulation packages from truck makers, like Toyota Material Handling’s Virtual Warehouse. Using real performance data, this will even allow for known factors like cornering speeds and operator break requirements. Comparisons can be run of different routes and picking processes to identify any benefit or risks. This allows potential customers to see where savings may be made, such as shortening a route or eliminating duplication.

The penalties for of ignoring this approach could be severe in terms of initial truck costs, and lifecycle and interface costs like warehouse rents, rates and utilities.

If starting from scratch, the right time to consider buying new fleets of warehouse trucks is before any building has been erected. This is because the various types of forklifts can affect the warehouse size, floor quality and racking types. Many users of articulated forklifts, for example, design their warehouses around the trucks.

Once the decision has been made on the mix of trucks and racking the problem then remains of choosing a specific truck manufacturer. Some suppliers, for instance Toyota and Translift Bendi, will offer to supply their models to a potential customer for trial free of charge. It is important to trial various makes of truck because the running costs can vary significantly. Toyota’s Marketing Manager Miles Griffin points to the new BT Reflex reach truck that delivers productivity increases of 12% whilst reducing power consumption by 15%. Later this year the company will also be launching its new 48 v compact electric counterbalance model to the UK. Another new truck launch later this year will be Translift’s pedestrian Bendi stacker, that should be priced between £10,000 and £12,000.

Suppliers should also be grilled on their after sales service, which should ideally include reference sites so that potential buyers can check out a company’s claims about meeting after sales service targets.

The final task to consider when buying warehouse trucks is to decide on the acquisition method. Most trucks in the UK today, around 70%, are acquired on some form of contract rental/lease, with the remainder bought outright, a method preferred by small companies.

Any potential truck user should consider two points about lease/rental deals. They are pushed by truck suppliers because they are more profitable than selling outright, especially in a tough market where discounts of 30% off list price can easily be achieved. Secondly, buying is usually one-third cheaper over the long term. However it has been suggested to some controversy that buyers who prefer to do their own maintenance/repairs risk a poorer job than outside professionals, and therefore pose safety and cost issues. This is not so, however, where an operator’s in house maintenance is top line. On the other hand, maintenance from truck suppliers gives the user certainty of costs and so makes budgeting easier. Moreover, if a user is super efficient at its core activity, then it makes sense to save up front capital on outright purchase and divert such funds to areas that would deliver a greater return.

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