We are mid-way through the third quarter of the year and what a ride it has been. We have seen natural disasters, political uncertainty and economic woes across the globe. Who knows what the fourth quarter will bring?
One thing is for sure; the fourth quarter is the time to shop for lift truck fleet additions and replacements. Those of you thinking of multiple lift truck purchases should start to think about what you need next year. As the major manufactures jockey for year-end market share gains, larger discounting flows to the end user. With Toyota, you can schedule delivery when you need it.
Have those new lifts ready to be delivered by your peak season or current lease end. This avoids some rental units or extending duty cycles on costly trucks in service past their planned replacement time.
Plant surveys, power consumption studies, and fleet analysis should begin now. While many are still in the summer mindset of family reunions and vacations, the frugal lift truck manager should also be getting his lift truck ducks in a row. The holiday season will be here before you know it and calendars fill up fast.
Be ready to act in the earlier weeks of the fourth quarter. Year-end factory shut downs and a glut of orders traditionally mean extended lead times for those who wait until the very end. Make the process a planned one and save your energy for other last minute tasks.
From time to time businesses from lumber yards to medical device manufacturers find themselves behind in production due to shortages in material handling equipment. With businesses running lean there is often no fat in equipment inventory for standard production periods, so when the crush comes they find they need to look to short term rentals.
Many of us remember watching the annual showing of "The Wizard of OZ". Back before VHS, DVD and/or on-line streaming you got your one chance a year to catch these classics.
When can you use cheap non-OEM parts and not risk costing yourself time and money in the end? Well the easy answer is never, the more accurate answer would be sometimes.
