Capital Equipment News February 2022

Victor Nemukula ascribes the rise in demand not necessarily to higher commodity prices, but to unspent capital during the heavy COVID-19 lockdown period of 2020. Drivers of electric forklift growth He describes transport logistics as “the backbone of the economy” and as an integral part of the logistics industry. “The growth in electric forklifts as well as the uptick in the economy are drivers of the forklift market,” says Nemukula. Naidoo says the current market is driven by the increasing demand for warehouse equipment due to a global spike in warehousing activities. “In essence,” he says, “customers are looking for efficient, better ways to handle goods, and many start with forklifts.” GLTC’s Barber adds the productivity of the equipment, price, maintainability, cost of ownership and improvements in battery technology as current drivers for the forklift market. Innovations for maximised uptime, equipment life In terms of new innovations in forklift technology, Naidoo says Manitou has introduced the Easy Manager fleet telematics system with its forklifts to enable customers to plan their services and monitor driver behaviour and routes, which eventually leads to maximised uptime and equipment life. “Along with this, we have adapted forklifts to utilise several bespoke handling attachments for repeat specialist handling activities. “We also offer an array of options to enhance operator safety such as proximity detection, load detection systems to prevent overloading, and 360-degree camera systems.” Communication between technicians and back-office staff Shumani’s focus, says Nemukula, is on improving customer satisfaction using technology available in the market. “Communication between technicians on site and back-office staff is integrated Electric forklifts for sustainable ware- houses In terms of the future of the electric forklift, Naidoo says that, with sustainability and carbon reduction in the warehousing logistics industry being pressing topics, electrifying equipment has become a major trend in the warehousing logistics sector. to ensure seamless response to customers’ queries,” he says.

The Doosan NX series from Goscor offers outstanding power, durability and operator comfort

QUICK TAKE

It is extremely important to spec the correct machine for the job as using the incorrect propellant type, model or mast configuration, for instance, can impact the machine’s efficiency

The rising price of commodities impacted the cost of raw components to production units

The rise in demand is not necessarily due to higher commodity prices, but to unspent capital during the heavy COVID-19 lockdown period of 2020

The growth in electric forklifts and the uptick in the economy are drivers of the forklift market

The current market is driven by the increasing demand for warehouse equipment due to a global spike in warehousing activities

sales director Patrick Barber, the forklift market seems only to have grown “on paper”. He says that, as a result of the ongoing semiconductor (chip) crisis, the figures may be skewed due to materials

handling equipment suppliers stocking up. “We try to rationalise pricing to remain relevant and market-related. Our only constraint currently is the exchange rate.” Shumani Industrial Equipment MD

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS FEBRUARY 2022 13