Assessing Forklift Performance

Jun 08, 2020

There’s no shortage of tools these days that help your warehouse run more efficiently. From artificial intelligence to the Internet of Things and beyond, managers have a spectrum of options to choose from. However, something that’s often overlooked when it comes to optimizing workflows is the condition of equipment and especially forklifts. Even the best-maintained forklifts can lose power and speed over time and will take longer to charge and more labor and money. Forklift performance directly affects the efficiency of your warehouse. It will be harder for employees to operate and could become unsafe. It’s important to know the signs that it may be time to replace your aging forklift equipment.

 

Productivity Drop

You depend on your forklift to meet warehouse goals, but what if the equipment simply can’t keep up? Do you find that simple tasks on the floor are taking a bit longer than usual or your forklift is moving slower than you remember? Are techs spending more time charging and repairing forklifts? When time is money, it’s important to keep track of the attention you spend on keeping your forklift fleet humming along. If you’re working harder than usual to get it done, it’s a sign that you may need to replace some or all of your forklifts. 

 

Expanded Power Sources

Warehouse managers are adept at learning how many lift trucks are needed in any one given day. While it’s important to keep trucks ready and fully charged, there’s something to be said about being over-prepared and having more power sources on hand than needed. It’s nice to mitigate the chance of not having the right machinery on hand and ready to go, but excessive power sources can take up valuable real estate in a facility that’s already looking for more room to grow. If your lifts need more power on a more frequent basis, it’s time to upgrade.

 

 

Limited Space

Power sources for forklifts take up a substantial footprint and fueling infrastructure planning can be complicated. Traditional equipment that doesn’t have to be removed from the floor for charging needs to have a library of batteries fully charged and waiting to be used. Upgrading forklift fleets allow your warehouse to invest in newer, faster-charging, or even electric lifts that free up space you could use to expand operations and store inventory. Speak to industry professionals that have experience selling and maintaining forklifts that allow you to devote less square footage to your power sources.

 

Lower Labor Efficiency

Think about your labor schedule in your warehouse. How many hours do employees spend with forklift charging and battery maintenance tasks? What could they be doing with that time instead? At a minimum, it takes about 15 minutes just to swap out a forklift battery, not to mention the ancillary tasks that come along with keeping your forklift fleet efficient. Upgrading to forklifts that charge quickly or offer reduced maintenance means that the entire warehouse will become more productive.

 

 

Equipment Failure & Rentals

Forklifts that are experiencing loss of battery power experience unnecessary wear to overcompensate. This fast-tracks the timeline of longevity and could even void equipment warranties when the equipment fails completely. Many operations rent forklifts to cover the gaps and meet the demand to make up for this, but both replacing and renting equipment can be much more costly than replacing forklifts that aren’t performing to standards. Unused lifts — either owned or rented — takes up space that you could use for other revenue-generating operations.

 

Changing Regulations

Emissions compliance rules and hygiene regulations depend on your location, industry, and warehouse. All of the equipment you use needs to follow these standards, and it’s important to keep ahead of the curve to know when they’re changed or updated. Equipment that uses fuel needs to be regularly inspected and swapped out when your organization needs to update compliance measures. Not doing so could become a violation that, at best, results in a fine. At worst, your warehouse operations could be shut down indefinitely until compliance has been met.

If you’re looking for any possible way to optimize warehouse operations, don’t underestimate the impact forklift performance can have. Updating your fleet is one small step that increases return on investment; if you’re not sure where to start, it’s time to call in the professionals. Benco Industrial Equipment has proudly served the material handling needs of customers in the St. Louis Metro Area and throughout the Midwest for over 10 years.

Whether you’re looking for equipment for your newly purchased warehouse or you’re looking to replace aging warehouse supplies, Benco Industrial Equipment can help.

Common Hazards in Your Warehouse (And How to Avoid Them)

08 Apr, 2024
Warehouses are the backbone of many industries, storing and distributing goods to keep the economy moving. However, behind the scenes of this logistical hub lurk various hazards that can pose severe risks to employees and property. Let's investigate some of the most common warehouse hazards and explore proactive mitigation strategies. Slips/Trips/Falls Slips, trips, and falls are among the most prevalent hazards in warehouse spaces. Spills, cluttered aisles, and uneven surfaces can easily lead to accidents if not adequately addressed. To prevent such incidents, warehouses should prioritize proper housekeeping, including regular cleaning and maintenance of floors. Additionally, using signage to highlight potential hazards and ensuring adequate lighting throughout the facility can significantly reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Fires Flammable materials and electrical equipment in warehouses make them susceptible to fires. Faulty wiring, improper storage of combustible materials, and lack of fire suppression systems can all contribute to the risk of fire outbreaks. Implementing preventive measures such as regular equipment maintenance, proper storage protocols for flammable materials, and employee training on fire safety procedures are crucial in mitigating this hazard. Harmful Substances Warehouses often house various chemicals and hazardous substances, which can pose risks to employees' health if not handled properly. Exposure to harmful substances can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other serious health problems. To mitigate this hazard, warehouses should properly store and label hazardous materials, provide employees with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), ensure adequate ventilation systems, and conduct regular training on safe handling procedures. Falling Objects With shelves stacked high with merchandise, falling objects present a significant hazard in warehouses. Poorly secured storage systems, improper stacking of items, and inadequate safety measures can all increase the risk of objects falling and causing injury. Warehouses can minimize this risk by adequately securing shelves and storage systems, using barriers or guardrails to prevent objects from falling, and conducting regular inspections of overhead storage areas. Overexertion The physical demands of warehouse work can lead to overexertion injuries if employees lack adequate training or don't perform tasks ergonomically. Lifting heavy objects, repetitive motions, and working in awkward positions can all contribute to overexertion injuries such as strains and sprains. To prevent such injuries, warehouses should provide comprehensive training on proper lifting techniques, encourage the use of mechanical aids such as forklifts and pallet jacks, and implement ergonomic workstations to reduce strain on employees' bodies.

Common Inventory Management Mistakes

08 Mar, 2024
Effective inventory management practices influence the success of each warehouse, the supply chain, and the business at large. Inventory management involves many moving parts and elements – everything from the product catalog to the warehouse space to tracked KPIs. Experienced warehouse managers know that no matter how fool-proof your inventory management systems are, there’s always room to improve and prepare for unexpected circumstances. Let’s discuss common inventory management mistakes (and what to do instead). Overstocking or Understocking One of the most prevalent inventory management mistakes is maintaining too much or too little inventory. Overstocking ties up valuable capital and warehouse space, leading to increased carrying costs and a higher risk of obsolescence. On the other hand, understocking can result in stockouts, backorders, and dissatisfied customers. Businesses should leverage historical sales data, market trends, and advanced forecasting techniques to accurately predict demand and optimize inventory levels. Inaccurate Demand Forecasting Businesses are prone to making costly inventory planning errors without precise demand forecasting. Relying on outdated data or flawed forecasting methods can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. By utilizing advanced analytics and predictive modeling, businesses can better anticipate shifts in demand, seasonal fluctuations, and emerging trends, allowing for more informed inventory decisions and improved responsiveness to customer needs. Lack of Inventory Visibility Poor visibility into inventory levels across multiple locations or channels can result in operational inefficiencies and errors. Without real-time data on stock levels and movement, businesses may struggle to fulfill orders on time, leading to customer dissatisfaction and lost sales. Implementing integrated inventory management systems that provide comprehensive visibility into inventory across the supply chain can help businesses optimize inventory allocation, reduce stockouts, and improve overall operational performance.

A Beginner’s Guide to Electric Forklifts

By Denis Benden • 08 Feb, 2024
Efficient material handling is crucial for businesses of all sizes and industries. It directly impacts productivity, cost-effectiveness, and overall operational success. Effective material handling ensures that goods are moved, stored, and transported in a streamlined and organized manner, minimizing delays, damages, and errors. Electric forklifts play a significant role in effective material handling, transforming the […] The post A Beginner’s Guide to Electric Forklifts appeared first on Benco Industrial Equipment.
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