Forklift is a machine for delivering products in logistics and it is used in many industries. To use forklift for maximum efficiency and productivity, it is important to study the data including the basic information such as the observation of the operation, the workplace, the frequency as well as the service provider which should maintain high quality service and professionalism. Moreover, it is important to thinking about how to use new forklifts which contain many innovations and technological tools as well as new software to facilitate the working process and to increase the productivity.
Cost analysis
To analyze the cost of forklift use, there are 2 things to consider:
Fundamental cost
- The price of the forklift is usually only 20% of the cost of ownership
- The remaining 80% cost involves parts, servicing cost, driver salary, and hiring cost (in case the forklift breaks down) and the rest
- It is difficult to calculate whether buying a forklift is worth the money in the long run.
Cost calculated from the number of products or pallets
- The cost regarding the number of products or pallets which a forklift will move must be calculated from the speed of delivery and the frequency. This kind of calculation is useful because it helps design the shelves.
- It must be clear how many times per day or per month the pallets will be moved. This method is useful for the calculation of the cost per pallet, not the cost per hour.
Aftersales service cost
- Look for service providers who do not focus only on price or products. Look for partners who can provide solutions to run your business in an effective manner. A good partner will give special advice for your business such as how to design and change the warehouse layout and the operating simulation as well as the number and the model of forklifts and the rest.
- The providers who encourage you to buy new products or services without your context, background, or limitations might not be good for your business
Invest in maintenance contract
- When the business involves transportation as the main factor, it is important to invest in maintenance contract. A well-maintained forklift means that it can operate for a longer time without any interruption. Instead of taking the forklift for maintenance by yourself, you should focus more on KPI.
- Choose services provided by the partners who have a good policy regarding the products and the parts in other words, the partner should have enough stock of parts and expertise in maintenance. The availability of repair parts is at the heart of any services and maintenance.
Choose a forklift with AC motor
- Modern forklifts use AC motor as part of their technology. They are more reliable and affordable than previous models of forklifts which use electric brush. Moreover, modern forklifts can work longer than those with battery. Therefore, there is no need to buy additional battery for modern forklifts.
Invest in lease with hired driver or Fleet management
- Lease with hired driver or Fleet management comes equipped with resource management system which includes forklift maintenance, energy use, manpower, driver and repairman as well as other issues such as safety and accident cover and the rest.
- This kind of service is key to help you check the cost and the operation so that you can analyze the location which incurs the highest cost. The service provider might consult the customer to find the best solution to reduce such cost.
- Install telematics and on-board computer dashboards on forklifts to analyze the data to reflect the cost in an accurate manner. The data from this system includes
- Average time of movement
- Actual time for lifting products
- Stop time
- Frequency of hit and crash and the like
Provide training sessions on driving and maintenance
- There are many providers so it is important to choose the one which provides training sessions which conforms to the law and the regulations set by Department of Skill Development and the one which is the testing center of specific skills.
- The results from the training sessions will help forklift drives to steer the forklift better, resulting in fewer accidents and longer lifetime of the forklift and less time for malfunction.
Choose a forklift with innovations and special accessories
- Modern forklifts are designed with innovations as well as ergonomic principles so that the driver can feel comfortable operating the forklift with reduced fatigue and better vision during the operation.
- Standard options such as automatic adjustment to reflect the relationship between speed and load weight, the steering wheel with a good response rate, or the braking system which integrates anti-roll back and other options are things to be considered with newer forklifts.
- Special options such as laser to detect the distance, camera and display or joy stick controller are also worth considering because they help increase the efficiency of the operation.
