Forklift Industry

Let me ask you something, why would you choose a forklift supplier?

This question seems very straightforward, but it is harder than it appears to be at first. When buying or hiring materials handling equipment, costumers mainly seek good equipment at a reasonable price. Fair enough. We all are behind “good deals”. However, most of the time buying-decision lies solely in price. As a result, companies may forget other considerations that are highly important in the decision-making process. In regard to that, an efficient back-up service and maintenance support should be one of the key factors.

Breakdown time

Although it is likely nobody tells you that, it is rather true: breakdown happens. Despite the lift truck features, there are many causes behind a breakdown, such as an overused or a simple mistake. Regardless of the causes, when a breakdown occurs, costumers need a prompt and efficient solution in order to keep operating their business as usual. Under those circumstances, it is when a forklift supplier makes a substantial difference. An approachable team as Ful-ton, who is easily reached when needed, can help you avoid prolonged downtime periods. Consequently, local is a feature to bear in mind before picking a forklift dealer as it is at this point when small companies show their strength over global corporations.

Proximity both ways

On the one hand, local dealers are located closer to your workplace. As a result, in case of an emergency, they will be able to assist you faster. From the minute you call until your issue is sorted out, there will have passed a certain amount of time. Thus, the less time it is spent on the road, the shorter will be your waiting time.

On the other hand, as we have mentioned before, there are many types of breakdown. Sometimes, it will require an expert engineer to fix the problem. Conversely, some issues can be easily resolved within a phone interaction. Being a local forklift supplier, we have a huge advantage in that regard as you speak to the same member of the team during the whole process.

In contrast, nowadays, big companies tend to externalize their customer service departments due to business size. Although it is a valid option, dealing with call centres may become a bit tough. Everyone has been through those calls in which a complaint endlessly escalates throughout different people or departments. Hence, the proximity offered locally goes in both directions, geographically and personally.

Local, local, local

Apart from that, local businesses contribute to growing local economies, essentially because the investment returns back to the community. In addition, small companies generate more employment opportunities. Only in the UK, SMEs employed 16.3 million people in 2018. So, neighbours can find a job opportunity near home avoiding tedious traffic jams and saving precious time.

The demand for electric lift trucks has significantly risen over the last few years. The constant increase in fuel prices, as well as the development of new environmental laws, have directed this product towards the spotlight. Last month, the UK Parliament declared an ‘environmental and climate change emergency’ with the purpose of reaching zero emissions by 2050 in England. In Scotland, the goal may be achieved even sooner, by 2045. Therefore, the necessity for companies to take further action regarding greenhouse emissions is required more than ever before.

Electric efficient machinery

Within the forklift sector, electric equipment offers a great alternative to internal combustion (IC) engines. However, the popularity of this type of forklift is not simply based on environmental matters. The efficiency of this lifting machinery has been widely proven. The high quality of lithium batteries, now available, makes them a very reliable product. Alongside it, they are generally silent and as easy-to-use as a diesel or gas forklifts. Additionally, in the long term, the overall cost drops down due to its low amount of energy required to recharge the battery. Hence, gathering all the attributes and advantages, the electric forklift seems to have all the future requirements of the industry.

Thus top forklift manufacturers, such as Doosan Industrial Vehicles, invested heavily in research and development to cover an increasing demand in the UK. As a result, Doosan provides a 7-series full AC range of trucks, which is one of the largest currently on the market. A significant feature is the side ‘lift-in-lift-out battery change system’. Through that, the battery changing process is quicker and 100% safe, highly improving productivity.

A lift truck for each application

Each business has its own characteristics. Thus, they require a specific forklift that is tailored to their needs. Under those circumstances, electric forklifts are designed with different types of features to suit each application. So, when choosing this type of equipment, we must bear in mind the following:

Budget

First things first. No doubt when talking about an economic transaction, money is key. So, to start with, you need to decide whether you want to buy or hire a forklift. Electric lift trucks do involve a slightly higher upfront investment than the equivalent IC lift capacity. Nonetheless, they require fewer repair and maintenance costs. With that in mind, this type of forklift seems ideal for a long-term need when your budget is key.

Efficiency

Battery endurance has highly improved thanks to innovative technology. To charge or replace a battery is faster nowadays. Besides, the alternating current (AC) has taken over and has replaced the direct current (DC). Therefore, AC motors can keep full power until the battery is to be changed which mean less downtime and better efficiency.

Storage space

Another consideration is the storage space available within your workplace. When acquiring an electric lift-truck, space for chargers is required as well as the forklift for recharging purposes. So, bear that in mind when thinking about your planning.

Load capacity

So far, IC forklifts have been the traditional choice. Consequently, they were designed to carry heavier weight. However, technology evolves by leaps and bounds so higher-electric-capacity forklifts have begun to cover such demand.

Type of activity

Due to its zero-emissions feature, an electric lift truck is the most suitable option for indoor and warehouse activities. Without harmful fumes for the operator or the workers nearby, they are safer and clean for everybody.

Finally, regardless of all this evidence, if you are unsure which type of forklift may suit your needs, do not hesitate to contact us to help you out with that process.

The Chinese market has always had a bitter-sweet taste. The proliferation of low-quality-cheap products diminished the buyer’s perception of the Asian country’s goods. In consequence, people tended to associate Chinese products with two main characteristics: bad quality and cheap price. However, that began to change several years ago. In 2017, China led the first position among the top ten exporter countries in world merchandise trade. Likewise, it held the leadership between developing economies in the same ranking. Although the tendency slightly fell last year, China keeps its position as the second largest economy in the world.

According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), broadcasting equipment represented 9.6% in terms of the overall export products in 2017. That was followed by computers (6.1%); office machine (3.8%); integrated circuits (3.3%); and telephones (2.1%), among others minor exportations. That trend kept the same features during the following period.

As main export’s partner, China trades with The United States, Hong Kong and Europe (Germany, The UK and The Netherlands). However, we should also mention countries from ASEAN such as Vietnam, Japan, South Korea and India. Despite Trump’s tariffs, China’s trade surplus with the US grew significantly by 11,3% in 2018. Hence, that percentage beat all prediction of shrink. The same year, the country was the second largest partner exports and imports of good. Worldwide, Chinese exports increased 15,6% in comparison with the previous year.

The Chinese manufacturer features

Excellent outcomes came also from the Chinese forklift market. Within this sector, the country contributed with 470.000 units, rising sales 34,2%. The amount grew rapidly up to 600.000 by the end of 2018. That turnover means a significant piece of the total forklift sales worldwide that reached 1.334 million units.

Under those circumstances, some of the top 20 forklift truck suppliers are from the Asian market. Brands such as Anhui  Forklift Truck, Hangcha  Group, EP Equipment or Lonking Forklift Corporation. Those corporations have consolidated their manufacturer position within the forklift industry.

Regarding the different types of lifting equipment, the electric forklift reached a higher demand. The reasons behind that growth need to be found on an upper level, within the macro environment forces. Hence, the constant rise of the costs of fuel together with the development of environmental greenhouse emission policies are both triggers of electric equipment. Identically, in the search for clean solutions, lithium batteries were rightly predicted as the potential alternative to fuel, with a bigger growth since 2016 on forward.

Lonking, a growing business

Lonking Forklift Corporation was founded in 1993. Since then, the forklift brand has become one of the largest manufacturers in China. Additionally, it’s the 13^th largest manufacturer in terms of turnover and units built worldwide. The brand owns 19 subsidiaries in Fujian, Shanghai, Jiangxi and Henan. Furthermore it distributes its products across 50 countries and regions, including Scotland. To facilitate the process in Europe, TVH, with headquarters in Belgium, became the official distributor of Lonking lift truck parts. 

The Chinese brand develops four product ranges. Among loaders, excavators, forklifts and road machinery they sum over 500 products. Their quality is within an advanced level according to the international standards. That has been the trigger of a solid partnership between the manufacturer and Ful-ton Forklifts.