Capital Equipment News February 2019

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP – MATERIALS HANDLING

Significance of sourcing MHE from a single supplier

The continuously challenging operating landscape is prompting materials handling equipment owners to look at ways of improving their businesses. One thing that comes to mind is the growing trend of preferring to deal with what they term one-stop shops, meaning that they can source all their needs from one place. By Darryl Shafto , MD of Goscor Lift Truck Company.

L ike most things in today’s world, purchasing materials handling equipment (MHE) is becoming more complex. In a tough economic environment, investing in MHE can be a stressful endeavour as it ties up capital for long periods of time, and the longer the period, the greater the uncertainty and risk involved. Consequently, it must be done correctly the first time, as mistakes are not easily rectified. As companies strive to compete in a tough business space, investment in new MHE takes on a more important role. End users now need to evaluate everything that surrounds the product – from financing through to aftermarket support – in addition to the normal productivity and cost savings calculations already commonly used. This requires a great deal of experience in navigating the ever- growing pool of MHE suppliers, along with answering many critical questions you may not even know how to ask. In the decision-making process, one of the critical considerations should be the ability to source all the end user’s MHE needs from a single supplier. It’s much simpler in the long run to deal with a single MHE provider. Having to purchase equipment that drives your business from different suppliers and being serviced by all the different dealers can be time-consuming and costly. Working with an established supplier means you will have access to reliable support, as well as the parts and equipment you depend on for maximum uptime.

GLTC’s model This is exactly GLTC’s value offering. By virtue of being the sole distributor of several internationally renowned, complementary forklift brands such as Doosan, Bendi, Hubtex and BHS Battery Handling Solutions, the company is a renowned MHE supplier that can address any problem statement optimally and service end users’ needs across board. Bear in mind that in a typical warehouse, not one piece of equipment can do the complete solution, so with GLTC’s multiple brands, one has a 360-degree turnkey solution from one supplier. In a typical warehouse, with the turret trucks one can work at heights of up to 17 m in narrow aisles, with the Bendis you can operate in extremely narrow aisles both inside and outside with the same machine and, with the Doosans, you can lift a wide range of items from the smallest pallet of statio- nery to the heaviest crusher or pump. Turnkey solutions Away from the product, GLTC’s turkey solutions approach means that it can offer customers the flexibility they need, by offering options such as outright purchase, short and long-term rental, as well as maintenance plans. This is complemented by its nationwide forklift sales, service, rentals and equipment spares through a comprehensive dealer network. Once again, this gives customers the much-needed peace of mind, knowing that they are dealing with a company of great standing that can cater for all their needs.

Darryl Shafto, MD of Goscor Lift Truck Company.

In these challenging economic times, we are also cognisant of the fact that it is sometimes difficult for MHE users to buy new and there are some industries that do not necessarily need MHE on a high utilisation basis. Therefore, we have made the refurbishment route a viable alternative by establishing a dedicated Rebuild Centre in March 2017, which is purely focused on refurbishing ex-long term rental units. All refurbishments – spanning across all the forklift brands in the stable – are completed in-house by experienced technicians and close attention is paid to the quality and long-term utility as each component receives the necessary attention to increase the lifetime. Another factor that reaffirms GLTC’s one-stop shop approach is the fact that it is part of the larger Goscor Group of Companies, which comprises a variety of other solutions for the end user, ranging from cleaning equipment to earthmoving equipment and power products, to name a few. Within the business, we also have our own finance division in place to offer tailor- made financial solutions to our customers. b

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