In every industry, certain ‘truths’ become accepted wisdom. However, clinging to outdated assumptions, especially regarding expensive assets like forklift fleets, can be costly. It’s crucial to re-evaluate these beliefs and explore all available options in today’s evolving landscape.
**Challenging the Single Manufacturer Approach**
Many companies standardize on a single manufacturer for their forklift fleet (e.g., Toyota or Hyster for internal combustion trucks; Crown or Raymond for electric). While convenient for purchase or lease agreements, the primary driver is often simplified maintenance. Full-service leases aim to cover maintenance upfront, providing predictable costs. However, these leases often exclude failures of components beyond the factory warranty or wear items like brakes, creating budget uncertainty.
Sticking to a single supplier supposedly streamlines parts stocking and technician training. While there’s a small advantage, the potential cost outweighs it. No single forklift manufacturer excels at every task within your operation. Electric forklifts are quiet and emission-free but have limited range. Tight spaces may necessitate specialized equipment like turret trucks.
The ideal approach is to identify the precise requirements of each job and select the best-suited forklift from any manufacturer. This might result in a diverse fleet with multiple brands across different locations. While this sounds like a maintenance nightmare, it doesn’t have to be.
By using the optimal brand for each specific task, maintenance can decrease. Periodic service remains consistent, and component failures are less likely when a vehicle is well-designed for its application. A larger initial parts inventory might cost more, but consistent inventory management shouldn’t add significant expense. Training can also be specialized, with technicians focusing on specific brands, potentially at no extra cost.
**Reconditioned vs. New: A Shifting Paradigm**
The perception that reconditioned forklifts are unreliable and a poor investment is another outdated belief. The rising cost of new equipment has fueled the growth of the reconditioning market. Previously, the market wasn’t large enough to justify the cost of setting up quality-controlled refurbishment processes. Now, factory-reconditioned forklifts are available for potentially one-third the price of new ones.
Refurbished means the unit has been disassembled to the bare frame, sandblasted, painted, and rebuilt. Engines should be completely overhauled to look and function like new. Purchasing used forklifts can be risky, but buying quality refurbished ones doesn’t have to be.
Quality reconditioned vehicles offer reliability due to component replacement after an initial ‘shakedown’ period. While they have a shorter service life than new units, consider this: buying a refurbished unit at one-third the cost avoids the initial high maintenance phase of a new forklift. Regular maintenance and slightly earlier retirement can further reduce overall costs. You save significantly on capital investment, and maintenance expenses may decrease.
**The Brand Name Myth**
Finally, the notion that brand-name parts are always superior for maintaining your forklift fleet isn’t necessarily true. While seemingly safer, it’s not always the most economical choice.
Manufacturers in China, who have historically produced parts for major brands, are now selling directly in the U.S. at significantly lower prices. The parts are often the same quality but cheaper due to a streamlined distribution strategy, bypassing dealers and manufacturers who use spare parts as a profit center.
Lower spare parts prices reduce the risk of higher maintenance costs associated with multi-manufacturer or reconditioned fleets. This empowers you to prioritize the most important questions: What specific tasks do your forklifts perform, and which forklifts – new or reconditioned – can perform those tasks most effectively and economically?