Is there such a thing as the best forklift service? Not only does the best forklift service exist, but you absolutely need it when your business performance relies on minimal or no downtime and a continuity of forklift performance.
As any Logistics and Warehouse Manager knows, forklifts, and especially electric forklifts, are the silent workhorses in the business. They only get noticed when they first arrive and when they get sick, i.e. break down. Otherwise, we take them for granted to do all the heavy lifting and long distance running without interruptions. We expect forklifts to keep making money for the business, perhaps indefinitely!
So, what is the Best Forklift Service?
You can get the best forklift service – and you deserve it – but you need to stick to these rules:
- Start with the right and reliable forklift equipment.
- Buy or rent forklifts from a reliable supplier.
- Schedule regular service.
- Use qualified and experienced mechanics.
- Use genuine parts.
- Drive the right forklift license and training.
1 Reliable Forklift Equipment
Smart warehouse operations start with reliable storage and materials handling equipment. Choosing the right forklift equipment is as much about saving costs as it is about making maximum business impact.
The ISS Equipment new forklift brands, Nichiyu and Big Joe forklifts, are renown for longevity, with ten to twenty years of heavy usage not being uncommon. But even the best forklifts perform even better, reducing the risk of costly disruptions and stress, if serviced well.
2 Reliable Forklift Service Supplier
Getting a reasonable and reliable forklift service is a challenge when you are busy and budgets are tight. You are constantly bombarded with deals that look too good to be true, only to end up with a lengthy list of extras and penalizing contracts. An honest supplier, truly committed to an excellent product, confident of the experienced and passionate service team, can make a difference.
Stick with the supplier from whom you have purchased or are hiring the equipment, if they have earned your trust in the first place. Chances are, they know their brands better than anyone else and they will give you a good service to earn your ongoing custom. I know we do that for our customers.
3 Schedule Regular Forklift Service
There are two types of forklift service: regular and emergency. Everyone knows that in every walk of life, emergencies attract higher costs. So, investing in regular forklift service is a no-brainer. It is the essence of the best forklift service:
- It ensures operational continuity.
- It drives efficiency.
- It saves costs: downtime and costly parts that could have been maintained.
- Most importantly, saves time. Just schedule regular forklift service and focus on your important work. Your forklift service supplier will do the rest.
4 Use qualified and experienced mechanics
The problem with having an in-house mechanic is that employees come and go, and recently, they more go than stay. This breaks down continuity and efficiency and may even lead to a crisis when equipment breaks down while people are sick or on leave. Of course, if you have a large fleet, you may also have a team of your in-house mechanics. But the majority of warehousing operations don’t have that luxury (and responsibility).
Importantly, chances are, maintaining a forklift fleet is not your core business. The smartest move is to use a regular service provider, who has a trained team with a continuity of expertise and your service data to quickly resolve your problems. They will eliminate your downtime so that you can keep doing what is most important for you!
5 Use genuine parts whenever possible
A regular check, using genuine parts, or at least parts recommended by your trusted supplier is a guarantee of uninterrupted performance and longevity of your forklifts. While genuine parts are usually the best, because they were uniquely designed and calibrated for specific models of forklifts, we live in the world of possible substitutions. And that may be fine for your valuable equipment. But be cautious. Deal with a reliable parts supplier, preferably one who sold you the forklift.
6 Drive the right forklift license and training
Yes. There is such thing as a forklift culture. It is a subset of the workplace safety mindset, or culture. How people use forklifts matters to the safety of people, products and the equipment itself. Ultimately, the outcomes matter to your business reputation.
The first step towards creating the right forklift culture and getting the “best forklift service”, i.e. one that doesn’t cost you anything, is by ensuring forklift training. Many forklifts require that the operators have a formal, current forklift license. However, increasingly, there is a new range of powerful forklifts that do not require forklift licensing. And this is where you need to ensure that everyone receives the right safety training to operate these new-age stackers, order pickers and pallet jacks.
Forklift service from ISS Equipment comes with:
- Experienced, dedicated mechanics with expertise in electric and lithium-ion forklift servicing.
- The most experienced, fastest Nichiyu service team in Australia – with average 25 years of experience.
- A range of genuine and approved parts.
- And, on new forklifts, free service for 3 years with our extended 3 year warranty.
Nichiyu that!
Finally: Are You Getting The Best Forklift Service?
You will know for certain when you answer these questions:
- Is your forklift down, not earning its ROI, or your customers’ love?
- Is it a hassle to find a reliable service supplier?
- Do you want to be sure you will get a fair service deal?
- Need a certainty of a FREE Inspection and a Transparent Service Report?
Now is the best time to do something about it!