Forklift hire provides a stable bedrock from which warehouse logistics can function to the maximum levels of effectiveness. In warehouse operations around the world there is a constant need for the movement of goods, often heavy goods, at height and within limited, tight, and busy spaces. Safety must always be a priority in these circumstances, as you are working with heavy goods that could cause injury and fatalities in the worst circumstances. With so many people working in a warehouse at any given time, and plenty of moving objects and logistical challenges, utilising the expertise of a plant hire company to furnish you with the best forklift hire for your warehouse needs could be the vital piece of the puzzle that you are looking for.
How many forklifts you actually need for a warehouse operation is a question that is worth asking when you are first in discussions with a plant hire company. Now, is the perfect time to make the right choices for your needs, and to ‘right-size’ your forklift fleet for your operations. It will depend on the size of the warehouse, the number of operators you have active at any given time, and how many hours each forklift will be used. Utilisation is everything, so it is important to calculate as accurately as possible how many active hours forklifts are in use for to determine how many you need to hire for your warehouse. Even if you think you have an operator on an 8-hour shift, this doesn’t mean that they will be using a forklift for the entire 8 hours. Instead, on average, it might be that forklift operators are active in forklift use for between 4-6 hours each day.
How to maximise forklift use in your warehouse
We have moved into an era where automation has become the buzz word, but this doesn’t necessarily mean the end of all human operations in a warehouse, but smarter utilisation of machinery, processes, and human operators. An ‘on-demand’ availability for forklift use in a warehouse could be the best way to maximise productivity on your site, but this should always be based on accurate analysis of how your warehouse operates and the number of active forklift operators on site at any given time. Shift patterns will also determine the best use of forklifts in a warehouse, with some moving products and other operators wrapping pallets or non-forklift work at different times of the day.
Splitting the shifts into a day shift and night shift, where one shift is about receiving the product and moving pallets, whilst the other builds for the next day, could be the best use of forklift utilisation. Leasing forklifts for these purposes is a great use of company resources as it allows you to be flexible and scalable.
Why should you hire a forklift?
The main reasons you should look to your plant hire company for warehouse forklift hire are as follows:
Free up your capital – Purchasing a forklift outright is a big financial outlay, especially if you are scaling your business and require several machines. This money could be better utilised in other areas of your business if you use plant hire services to rent your forklifts.
Try new models – Renting allows you to try out different models of forklift and telehandler and to try different methods of warehouse processes without worrying about the long-term impact should you wish to change back to what you were doing before or go onto another method entirely after a few weeks or months.
Quick turnaround – Sometimes, a job might come in that is larger than expected or with a tighter turnaround than you first anticipated. With forklift hire, you can ensure that you have the right machinery, right away, minimising downtime and ensuring performance.
Lack of maintenance issues – Rental forklifts will be services and maintained in-between contracts, meaning that whenever you receive your plant hire equipment that it is in tip-top condition. You won’t need to worry about the time and cost associated with repairs and maintenance.
It is vital that the correct type of forklift and telehandler hire is implemented within a warehouse to ensure that the safety of all operators and workers in the vicinity is promoted at all times. In such tight, limited spaces, there are many logistical challenges to the processing and movement of, often heavy and cumbersome, goods on site. Where moving goods at height is a factor, the right plant hire support will help to minimise instances of accidents and injuries, whilst increasing efficiencies and standards across the board. These are essential aspects of forklift hire and operations that make a warehouse successful.
