Buying industrial equipment for your facility is more than just looking at the price, performance statistics and features. You have to consider your business needs so that you can buy equipment that will meet your exact specifications and requirements. Lift trucks or forklifts will help to enhance performance and improve capability, which means higher output, better space utilization and reduced operating costs. It is very important to purchase the right equipment and the following tips will help you when making this important decision.
- Your business needs
You need to match the performance of the equipment to your business needs. This means that your type of business will determine the equipment you should buy. It is a good idea to talk to dealers who are knowledgeable about your business or industry. You can get valuable information about the best equipment depending on different factors like the type and size of products you are dealing with, the size or design of your warehouse, the rack type and other warehousing practices.
- Product reliability
It is a good idea to check out references so that you can identify equipment that is reliable. Look for products that have demonstrated a high level of reliability in your industry or specific environment. Reliable equipment will ensure that you get maximum uptime and it affects costs in terms of labor, maintenance, parts, and other expenses. If you will be maintaining your own equipment, reliability will have a huge influence on the cost of operation.
- Volume and pellet moves
You should choose the equipment based on the moves per shift. The volume of products that you need to move within a specific time will determine the best type. The performance of the equipment and the operator will have a huge effect on productivity. If you need to move large volumes within a short time, you should choose a lift truck that can handle the operations.
- Ergonomic design
It is important to consider the design when choosing the best equipment. The most comfortable design will result in higher productivity. By ensuring that the machine operator is comfortable, you can avoid health problems that lead to frequent absence from work. A good ergonomic design means improved energy levels and better productivity for a long time. Testing the equipment will help you to make the best purchase decision.
- Readily available parts
Before you invest in any type of equipment, you need to be sure that the maintenance and repair parts are readily available. The last thing you need is to buy equipment that you cannot repair if it breaks down. Talk to the dealer and other customers and find out their experiences with purchasing spare parts. Buying equipment from well-known manufacturers will help you to avoid this issue.
- Service support
You need to know that the dealer has the knowledge or capability when it comes to product support and service. When you invest in large equipment, you might need regular service and you need to know that the dealer has technicians who have the knowledge and parts to provide the support you need. Apart from the knowledge, you need to know that the support is readily available and the technicians respond promptly. The customer support factor is a very important factor when buying equipment as it will have a direct impact on efficiency and productivity.
- Cost of ownership
When buying the equipment, the cost is a huge consideration factor. When you think about the cost, you should think about everything from the cost of purchase to maintenance, energy costs, ancillary equipment and even the cost of any software that you might need. You should not look for the cheapest product in the market as this might mean poor quality. You should base the cost decision on overall productivity. The cost of owning the lift truck will depend on the facility or the type of work you do.
It is a good idea to talk to experts about the best models. A good dealer will have highly trained sales and support personnel who demonstrate strong knowledge of current warehousing practices. This knowledge will help when you discuss the specific needs of your business and they can offer the best recommendations. You can also benefit from up-to-date training and support on the specific model or equipment that you are buying. Well-designed, current training programs will help increase warehouse productivity, while reducing injuries and operating costs.
Chad is a blogger who has written a wide range of articles on industrial equipment. He is an avid blogger who loves to offer purchase advice on different equipment, from fork lift trucks to packing machine equipment.
