360° solutions

UniCarriers will unveil its plans to create a transparent and uniform platform for its services. Furthermore, the forklift manufacturer will introduce a premium partner status for selected dealers from 2017 and thus strengthen its dealer network as a crucial complement for direct sales. With this strategy UniCarriers is further developing its position as a comprehensive supplier for the European market.

A central pillar of the strategic further development of sales and service is the introduction of UniCarriers 360°. The standardised bundling of all services all over the world is behind this concept. Components are individual financing models, maintenance and repair contracts, warehouse planning, fleet management, driving and safety training as well as the sales of second-hand units. In this way, customers receive all services on an equally high level independent of their location and authorised dealer. In addition to direct sales with an own UniCarriers service network, more than 200 dealers and 50 distributors in Europe alone ensure availability of UniCarriers 360° services area-wide.

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Another part of the growth strategy is the expansion of the international key account business. In order to fulfil the requirements of large customers even better, UniCarriers will introduce the status of premium partner for selected dealers and distributors as of 2017. With those, the forklift manufacturer strives for a particularly close cooperation, for example concerning the product management as well as financing and leasing businesses. The selection criteria for premium partners are, among other things, great experience in the sale of UniCarriers products, an extensive service and spare parts offer according to the requirements of UniCarriers 360° as well as the availability of equipment for rental.

“Our dealers offer competent and personal consultation – and this directly at the customer on site. The certification as premium partner strengthens the important link to them and is part of our quality management in sales,” says Bengt Kristiansson, managing director of UniCarriers Germany and VP of sales and marketing.

Fleet management

UniCarriers has also expanded its product range with a new data-based fleet management solution. The VOM (Vehicle and Operator Management) system evaluates performance data from the MHE used: from condition of the vehicle through usage intensity to vehicle and driver data. Daily reports offer customers the optimal basis to visualise improvement potential in the warehouse, increase fleet productivity and reduce operating costs. The solution is not manufacturer-dependent and can be used even for mixed fleets.

The online Vehicle and Operator Management (VOM) tool transfers all the operating data of the respective MHE directly to the cloud that is set up individually for the customer according to the latest security standards. The fleet management solution then pools these data and generates statistics, which reveal correlations in ongoing operation, for example between operating time and downtime of the different vehicle types. Furthermore, the VOM unit facilitates direct communication between the MHE and back office – the basis for flexible and quick action in the case of current events such as shocks or when maintenance is due.

“The processes in a warehouse can be made more efficient only if transparent data are available,” emphasises Mikael Pålsson, head of product management at UniCarriers Europe. “The VOM provides the information required to successfully control a fleet and make optimal use of its capacity.”

In the development of the VOM, the focus for UniCarriers was both on occupational safety and on smooth, efficient process configuration. A RFID card/fob/tag reader is therefore installed on all fleet vehicles. This ensures that the industrial trucks are operated only by authorised drivers. As an external control authority, they are responsible for safe operation of the vehicles at work. By using the function Pre Operation check they report equipment defects immediately before use. Permanent monitoring by the VOM prevents unnecessary repairs; maintenance intervals and fleet availability are easier to plan. As an option, a module to cater for fewer accidents is available. A shock sensor on the truck immediately indicates an issue to the vehicle and warehouse equipment. Drivers are therefore made more aware of the need to handle the equipment responsibly. Moreover, if necessary, traffic conditions in the warehouse can be optimised. As a result, costs for damage and energy consumption of the vehicles are reduced. The VOM is available as a plug-in installation not only for UniCarriers Equipment but for all brands and types of MHE working in the environment.

Hall 26, Booth G09