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Win in Australia's biggest Forklift Survey!


MHD Supply Chain Solutions magazine, in conjunction with Transport and Logistics News, is once again conducting the country’s most comprehensive forklift survey.
 
With uncertain economic conditions around the world, one would be forgiven for expecting a steep decline in sales. yet the market has remained remarkably resilient, even recording an increase in the second half of the year.
 
Is consolidation on the cards?
 
Craig Kenchington, general manager marketing at Crown Equipment Australia, sees supplier consolidation and technological advancement making life simpler for users in the future.
 
“2011 was a year in which leading companies in the logistics industry began to reap significant efficiencies from the combination of three factors; forklift technology, operational technology, and supplier consolidation,” Mr Kenchington said. “Crown sees this as a continuing trend in 2012 and, indeed, the next decade.”
 
Mr Kenchington said Crown has been a driving force in bringing these three factors together to meet these needs.
 
“Not only does Crown continually bring to market lift trucks that raise the bar in terms of operator and mechanical performance, but we have developed a suite of software products, called InSite, that allows companies to know more about how their personnel and equipment is operating so that they can make better business decisions to increase profits and reduce costs.
 
“Seeing a need for simplification in the procurement of not just trucks and maintenance, but also the complete fit-out of warehouses themselves, in 2011 we introduced Crown Warehouse Solutions, a division that offers a vast range of racking and ancillary equipment and consumables.
 
“We believe that 2012 will see companies operating in areas of manufacturing, warehousing and distribution achieving large cost, time and personnel savings by engaging with suppliers and partners who can offer a broad one-stop-shop approach to their current and future requirements,” he said.
 
 
Crown’s view of 2012 and beyond is that it will be a time in which the most successful companies will be those that are able to take a more holistic approach to how they design, fit out, equip, maintain, monitor and manage their operation environments.
 
“Two decades ago, the forklift industry was all about trucks and training, Mr Kenchington said. “One decade ago it was about technology and innovation. This decade will be about bringing the truck, the technology, the support services and the physical environment under one supplier roof for simpler and more efficient business practices.”
 
Steve Takacs, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Toyota Material Handling Australia, agrees that customers are now looking for total solutions instead of just forklifts, and believes China will have an influence on the market in 2012.
 
“Technology is becoming increasingly advanced on material handling equipment,” Mr Takacs said. “More and more forklifts are being developed using research and development that is increasingly automotive based.
 
“From Toyota’s perspective, we have been able to draw upon the extensive innovations that have been developed by Toyota’s automotive business and pioneer leading innovations like our exclusive System of Active Stability, and more recently our Operator Presence Sensing system.
 
“Productivity is also becoming a key facet, with businesses seeking increasingly more efficient ways to move materials in a safer and more cost efficient manner, and taking into account whole of life material handling costs and not just forklift purchase price.
 
“Increasingly, customers are wanting more than just a forklift, and are looking for a range of value-adding options to help support their business such as quicker servicing of products, occupational health and safety support, and risk management support. 
 
“Toyota Material Handling Australia conducts extensive forklift technical training programmes and prides itself on being able to provide outstanding service and parts support to our customers. As we have a branch network infrastructure that is 100% factory owned, we see this as a major differentiator that will continue to set us apart from our competitors.”
 
 
Mr Takacs said he is looking forward to a challenging year in 2012.
 
“The Australian material handling sector is facing a year of significant change in 2012,” he said. “We are witnessing the growth of Chinese manufacturers in the materials handling market, along with ongoing global financial uncertainty and the possible impact onto Australian economic growth, and exchange rate factors.”
 
The MHD magazine and T&Lnews Forklift Survey is proudly supported by Crown Equipment Australia, Toyota Material Handling Australia, Adaptalift Hyster, Linde Material Handling Australia and Powerlift Nissan.
 
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 complete 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, and only collated statistical and qualitative information will be published.
 
 
Lift your spirits and win a 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 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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Has been the industry leader for more than 30 years. It is the reference guide for professionals striving for effective end-to-end supply chain management...

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