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FORKLIFT TRUCKS
FACTORS DRIVING CHANGE IN INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING WAREHOUSES
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ndustrial manufacturing is a complex and dynamic sector. In today’s global market, one key area affected by changes, challenges, and trends is the warehousing operations within these tough applications. This is an essential
part of the process, with warehouses used for storing, handling, and distributing raw materials and components, as well as for the storage of finished products ready for onward transport. Warehousing is a cost factor. However, the right set-up can also offer a strategic advantage that can enhance productivity, quality, customer satisfaction, and competitiveness. Here, we explore some of the major factors that are influencing the industrial manufacturer’s warehouse and why high-performance and reliable lift trucks and equipment are so important.
DEMAND INCREASESÁ AND SO DO COSTS
It is not only the cost of living that has seemingly skyrocketed in recent years. The cost of doing business has also increased. Energy prices have risen, increasing the cost of manufacturing and warehousing. Property costs and rental rates have also increased, making the price of warehouse floorspace more costly per square metre. This means manufacturers are often looking at ways to optimise budgets. One area where this can be possible is within the materials handling equipment fleet. By investing in agile and versatile equipment that can optimise storage space, improve material flow, and
By Rob O’Donoghue, vice president marketing solutions, for Hyster Europe
increase throughput, industrial manufacturers can enhance their warehousing capacity and meet the growing demand for their products and services. This can also lead to higher efficiency, productivity, and profitability in the long run. However, selecting the right lift trucks and equipment is important to protect performance and efficiency levels. It is also essential to consider Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), not just purchase or lease prices. To assess the right equipment choice, businesses should collate details on potential operating costs, energy costs, and maintenance costs. Reliability is also an important consideration
for protecting profitable warehouses. Industrial operations are demanding, and downtime costs money. Equipment needs to be robust enough to take on demanding conditions and intense work patterns to help manufacturers to optimise equipment uptime. Where manufacturers are adding more
storage locations in the same warehouse footprint to keep costs under control, equipment may also need to be suitable for working in more compact or narrow spaces without compromising stability and visibility. Equipping trucks with driver assistance features, such as cameras, sensors, and alarms, is an option that some applications may find helpful.
OPERATOR DEMANDS GET LOUDER To attract, retain, and motivate qualified and skilled warehouse workers in a competitive labour market is another major challenge for industrial manufacturers. Warehousing roles can be challenging occupations that require physical strength, mental agility, technical knowledge, and safety awareness. This is the case for materials handling equipment operators as much as warehouse operatives. With a limited labour pool, meeting lift truck
operators’ needs is one way to stand out over competitive employers, both when recruiting
and retaining team members. Industrial manufacturers can gain the edge by investing in a fleet of ergonomic and intuitive forklifts that can enhance worker comfort, satisfaction, and performance. Equipment that can deliver on operator
ergonomics, even in intense operating conditions, can also help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, fatigue, and injuries among warehouse workers. Intuitive control can also play a role in improving worker engagement and performance, especially when it means equipment is easy to use, understand, and operate. Trucks that support optimum visibility can also help workers perform their tasks with ease and confidence, helping support efficiency.
GREEN ISSUES POWERING CHANGE Reducing environmental impact and complying with more stringent regulations while meeting the expectations of customers, stakeholders, and society can prove challenging for industrial manufacturing businesses. Materials handling fleets are traditionally a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and waste generation. Some businesses are looking to lithium-ion battery technology to help improve the
18 MARCH 2024 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
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