Different warehousing modes require different configurations of forklifts, and the matching modes achieved will be very different in terms of first-in first-out or first-in last-out, space utilization, operating efficiency, and investment costs. For example, traditional heavy-duty shelves can be combined with counterbalanced forklifts to fork goods at any shelf position, with high operating efficiency, moderate investment costs, and wide application, but the space utilization rate is not enough; drive-in shelves are often used with reach-type forklifts Or small tonnage counterbalanced forklifts, with high stacking density and good space utilization, but it is impossible to fork goods at any shelf position;
1. Fully understand the working environment of the forklift you need, and then choose the appropriate model and configuration
What is the cargo you are moving? What size pallet is used? Do you want to enter the elevator or container? What are the dimensions of the channel? …
Forklifts have the basic functions of moving goods horizontally and lifting, as well as stacking, loading and picking capabilities. In the case of fully understanding the weight, volume, shape of the goods, the height to be lifted and the channel conditions inside the plant (channel width, ground load, whether anti-static, dust-proof, pollution-proof and explosion-proof, noise) and other information are required, basic Determine what kind of forklift you need and how to configure it. At the same time, you can consult 1-3 different forklift companies for consultation to reduce information asymmetry.
2. Cost Calculation
There are many business owners who never carefully calculate the purchase cost in the process of purchasing a forklift. To eliminate waste on equipment, one should clearly know the amount of equipment one needs so as to make scientific and maximum use and convert it into productivity.
The price of the forklift is just the tip of the "iceberg"
If we only analyze from the perspective of investment cost, for a simple example, we can move the goods from place A to place B 100 meters away. Choosing to use forklift equipment worth thousands of yuan, tens of thousands of yuan, hundreds of thousands, and millions of yuan to move the goods over, there is a huge difference in terms of the initial purchase cost of forklifts, but if you calculate the overall operating cost , which may require the least investment in equipment, and the cost of moving a single piece of goods is the highest.
3. The choice between leasing and direct purchase
Leasing forklifts has become a popular trend in developed countries in Europe and the United States. In the United States, 1/3 of construction machinery is completed by leasing. Due to different national conditions, forklift leasing in China is still in its infancy. In economically developed areas (coastal), forklift rental is in full swing. It is conceivable that in the future, China's forklift leasing business will also occupy a very important proportion in the material handling procurement industry just like developed countries.
4. Position the right brand
There are more than 500 brands of forklifts in the world, and there are hundreds of them in China. 90% of the world's top 20 forklift manufacturers have manufacturing plants and agents in China. Go to professional media and institutions to learn about forklift brands sold in the Chinese market.
5. Final decision
If your company wants to purchase forklifts on a large scale (more than 10 units), you need to entrust it to a professional and independent bidding company (very familiar with forklifts and industrial vehicles) or a logistics consulting company to assist. In order to save procurement costs and prevent black-box operations in the procurement process, the decision-making power for final procurement must be in your own hands.
Finally, it needs to be explained that the cheapest forklift supplier is not necessarily the best, just like when you buy other daily consumer goods, you get what you pay for. Forklifts are industrial products that require long-term and stable services as support. If a supplier's forklift is lower than the normal sales price, you can imagine how good his service will be after you buy it. A smart buyer should not only look at the price of the forklift, but also need a comprehensive evaluation before making a decision.
