When the time comes to change one’s large mixed forklift fleet operating over various sites the opportunity arises to consolidate truck numbers and improve efficiency for a new fleet. Having a mixed fleet of different truck makes can mean a mixed level of handling reliability so it pays to consider a rationalisation programme involving only one truck source so that the need for consolidation ensures the right number of trucks with the right specification at each site. Practically, that can only be achieved by dealing with the big truck manufacturers like Toyota, Yale, Linde, Jungheinrich, Doosan and Mitsubishi who not only have a wide variety of trucks but would be willing to enter a close partnership with a potential customer to assess the client’s entire operational needs nationwide to achieve the right number and types of truck needed at various depots.

Relying on a large forklift dealer might not be the best approach because they may recommend a truck mix that involves too many trucks, partly because they have overlooked (deliberately or otherwise) certain trucks and their attachments that could reduce truck numbers. A worst example this writer came across was when one dealer suggested 24 trucks that was reduced to 17 because the latter included the versatile articulated forklifts in his offering. First and foremost the choice of a right materials handling supplier is crucial. This means that one’s chosen partner must not only offer the full range of trucks for short term demand but also the flexibility within contracts to change against handling and storage requirements

Any new fleet buyer should not be content with having just the right truck mix. The most successful logistics operations will be those who embrace the advances in technology and so fully incorporate truck or fleet management systems into their daily operation, says Toyota Material Handling UK’s commercial director, Tony Wallis. During the course of a long and short term contract an innovative fleet management system such as Toyota’s I.-Site can not only bring efficiency gains by real time monitoring of truck usage and drivers but additionally provides the information needed to make changes to fleet size.

New fleet buyers also need to take advice on the best motive power for their trucks partly because advance in alternative technologies broaden the options and also partly because of health concerns. The big truck makers are moving into lithium and iron phosphate batteries and also hydrogen fuel cells. These electric batteries and chargers have improved to the level where they deliver the same performance punch as diesel and LPG in all working conditions.

A good example of how a new fleet consolidation progamme can pay off is Macfarlane Packaging who acquired 70 Yale trucks on a 7- year contract hire deal for its network of 16 distribution centres and 3 manufacturing facilities. Equipment quality and reliability were key considerations for Macfarlane. The result is that the fleet it now runs is around 20% smaller in number than before.

As a form of defence, however, truck fleet operators should keep abreast of developments through the materials handing trade press, especially if the need is to save space as well as reduce truck numbers. Attachments can make standard counterbalance forklifts more versatile, like the latest Space Mate attachment from articulated fork truck producer, Translift Bendi, and so reduce truck numbers, if only over a short-term period.

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