In today’s changing world of storage and manufacture, solutions to handling materials have to be viewed in a fresh way. Gone are the days of simply purchasing a forklift truck and living with a “one solution fits all” mentality; modern manufacturing and storage facilities are built around efficiency and reduced materials movement. Taking components or materials from one place to another is costly as it requires fuel and equipment to carry out the task, and in a world where operating costs are of paramount importance to the viability of a company, reducing those is key.
Materials movement of some form will always be required but reducing those overheads can only increase profits. One of the major factors in moving costs is the purchase of equipment to facilitate it. There’s no doubt that forklift trucks and loaders are a significant investment for a company, but it is one that they may prefer to put off. But there is now a second option available to the Materials or facilities manager in the form of rental and leasing of plant and equipment. Leasing used to be viewed as a long-term commitment that was only a little better than outright purchase, but times have changed, and the rental market along with them.
There are now a number of rental and lease options available to the end-user, including:
- Long Term Leasing: – Continuous-use rentals can be arranged for periods starting at a month and going on right up to the effective life of the rental vehicle.
- Short Term Leasing: – The option to take a vehicle for a shorter period of time is now a common factor amongst the leasing companies. This gives the customer flexibility not experienced before and plant can now be bought in to deal with the changing needs of a business.
- As Required Leasing: – all of the major rental companies now offer the ultimate in flexible leasing, where the customer can rent the vehicle they need for as long or short as they need. This means that the end user can respond almost instantly to the changing needs of their business. New contracts can now be assessed and any further requirements in lifting and handling catered for over the space of contacting the plant supplier and awaiting the arrival of the delivery truck.
Many of the forklift companies offer a full on-line registration and equipment booking service. From their website, it is possible for the customer to select the type of truck they need, choose their preferred fuel type, and the start date and length of their requirement. Once submitted, customer services will be back to the client very quickly to confirm their booking and arrange delivery. The service is so swift that the customers lifting and handling solution is generally only an hour away at the most.
The manufacturing and stock-holding industries have adapted to meet the ever changing needs of their customers, and the lifting and handling sector has evolved to work alongside them to become a fully flexible partner.