Achieving better TCO

IT’S NO secret that the recent end to the red diesel subsidy in the UK has had a significant effect on many businesses’ bottom lines. Coupled with the numerous price rises that have upped the costs of simply doing business, many companies will be taking an even keener look at the numbers next time there’s a renewal or change needed in their fleet.

The cost of the truck itself and the fuel to run it will obviously be the big considerations. But that’s never the whole story. A closer examination of a truck’s features will often reveal a number of things that can have a notable impact on secondary costs of forklift ownership. Costs such as service and maintenance, lost productivity due to downtime, dropped or damaged stock, damage to racking and the work environment, operator and staff injuries, and many more.

Start with the features that directly affect operators. Investment in skilled operators, from wages to training, is one of the biggest costs of running a fleet.

Long shifts can take their toll, often resulting in fatigue and muscle injuries. Arm and shoulder strains are particularly common ailments for forklift operators that can keep them off work or limit what they can do. The more supportive and comfortable the operating environment and controls are, the less likely it is that these types of injuries will develop.

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks pioneered fingertip control units in forklifts for this reason and has continued to refine the design over the years to ensure they’re the most ergonomic and intuitive units available. The sooner operators tire while working, the more likely it is they’ll make a mistake.

That’s why Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks products utilise ErgoCentric design, developed using Scandinavian design principles by the Mitsubishi Design team in Finland. Across the entire product range, everything from the seating and steering to the fingertip armrest controls is made to be adjustable and adaptable to operators of all builds to keep them comfortable while working.

Excellent all-around visibility across the entire product range is important to help reduce collisions, bumps, and scrapes to the truck and environment, while keep productivity high, as the operator will be able to work more confidently. 

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has a number of patented features, such as the DriveSteady system on PREMiA EM platform power pallets that aid stability and traction, giving the three-fold benefit of a more comfortable ride for the driver, less movement of the load, and greater control of the vehicle.

Forging a relationship with a reputable local dealer who understands your business is important. They’ll often be able to provide you with a site survey to help you fit the equipment to your particular operation.

The UK Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks network offers a high rate of first-time fixes, saving further. And the trucks are reliable. The entire powertrain can be covered by Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks’ own 5-year warranty with no limit on a maximum claim.

It pays to weigh up exactly what you’re getting as part of a whole package when bringing in equipment. An initial saving on the truck price may prove to be a false economy if it’s costing you more elsewhere.

Stewart Gosling, Red Diamond Distribution, UK importer of Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks

For more information, visit www.mitsubishi-forklift.co.uk