Take part in Australia's biggest Forklift Survey and win!
MHD Supply Chain Solutions magazine, in conjunction with Transport and Logistics News (www.TandLnews.com.au), is conducting the country’s most comprehensive forklift survey ever.
The way to the future
Craig Kenchington, general manager marketing at Crown Equipment, believes the way forward for the industry is by improving the quality and economy of the product.
“Let’s face it, 2009 has been a difficult and challenging year in the industries we support, however, there have been a number of indicators pointing to growing interest in the uptake of smarter technologies to lower operating costs and reduce carbon emissions.
“Crown sees this, the application of technology to drive cost savings, performance increases, and a greener footprint, as being a strong trend for 2010,” he said.
Mr Kenchington believes of all the technology options available, two stand out as hot items for 2010. These are reducing fuel costs and improving productivity through technology.
“There is no doubt that companies are switching from internal combustion (IC) trucks to greener and leaner, fuel efficient electric trucks,” Mr Kenchington said. “New battery and charging technologies, such as Crown’s Zero Change batteries and fast charging solutions, are now a proven means of not only reducing the total cost of ownership, but actually reducing equipment and operator downtime as well.
“For a growing number of companies in key industry sectors, Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology will be an important area to start investigating. We believe that 2010 will be the year that some very smart companies begin their research into this exciting green-power alternative.”
Stuart Warren, Toyota Material Handling Australia’s national sales manager, agrees.
“The Australian forklift market has seen significant change during 2009. The effect of the global financial crisis, an inherent lack of small business confidence, and a burgeoning list of market players has seen conditions remain extremely tight within our industry. The Federal Government’s capital investment allowance had a short-term stimulatory effect which quickly dissipated after June, and the challenge now remains for all industry players to remain operationally healthy and survive in a crowded market,” he said.
“At Toyota Material Handling Australia, we have met these challenges by using the principle of Kaizan, or continuous improvement, to adapt to this changing environment. We have restructured our business operations to maximise opportunities for growth.”
What do you think?
To help better assess the state of the Australian forklift market, and to assist the manufacturers such as Crown, Toyota, and the others to better meet the needs of forklift users, the MHD magazine / Transport & Logistics News Forklift Survey is asking all readers who are purchasers, specifiers and/or users to fill out the online survey.
What is important to you when selecting a forklift? What features do you look for? Do you prefer to rent, lease or buy? How do you use your forklift?
Your answers to these and other important questions will help the industry develop new products and technologies to make your operation even more productive and efficient. The survey has been designed to take a minimum amount of time, and all responses are confidential. No identifying information will be recorded, only collated statistical and qualitative information will be published.
Lift your spirits and win a $600.- bottle of Penfold’s Grange!
As a thank you for taking part in the survey, we will give away a bottle of Penfold’s Grange worth over $600.- to a randomly-selected participant. The winner will be advised by email at the conclusion of the survey and announced in the May-June issue of MHD magazine.
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