Lift trucks get smarter

Regardless of the style, lift truck suppliers are developing technologies that drive productivity improvements for users. With emissions control regulations and an increasing desire among users to be more environmental and cost-conscious about energy use, a number of trends have surfaced in the industry.

“Suppliers are looking at technology to improve productivity,” says Jeff Bowles, product marketing manager for Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America (MCFA, 713-365-1000), manufacturer, marketer and distributor of CAT, Mitsubishi and Jungheinrich lift truck brands. “Typical truck and warehouse designs, as well as regulations, can limit things like maximum truck speed, for example. So the trucks have to become smarter to become more productive.”

Developments include increased use of AC and alternative power sources, green technologies, better monitoring of fleets and outsourced maintenance. Here are five of the hottest trends in lift trucks.

About the Author

Sara Pearson Specter
Editor at Large

Sara Pearson Specter has written articles and supplements for Modern Materials Handling and Logistics Management as an Editor at Large since 2001. Based in Cincinnati, Specter has worked in the fields of journalism, graphic design, advertising, marketing, and public relations for 15 years, with a special emphasis on helping business-to-business industrial and manufacturing companies. Specter graduated from Centre College in Danville, Ky., with a bachelor’s degree in French and history.

Subscribe to Modern Materials Handling magazine

Subscribe today. It's FREE!

Find out what the world’s most innovative companies are doing to improve productivity in their plants and distribution centers.

Start your FREE subscription today!

Recent Entries

Hyster donates reach truck to Portland Art Museum

NACCO Materials Handling Group, Inc. (NMHG), in cooperation with its local dealer, Papé Material Handling in Portland, has donated one of its Hyster electric reach trucks to the Portland Art Museum.

Other Voices: Don’t judge a DC by its shape

It's the processes inside the DC that count

April retail sales numbers from Commerce and NRF show mostly modest growth

Commerce reported that April retail sales at $408.0 billion were up 0.1 percent over March and 6.4 percent higher than April 2011. The NRF reported that April retail sales, which exclude autos, gas stations, and restaurants, were down 0.1 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from March and up 2.8 percent on an unadjusted basis annually.

Packaging: Smart Packaging Systems earns DuPont Award for innovation

Smart Packaging Systems won the award for The Cube, a transport packaging system that enables companies to move their products from factory to store with maximum efficiency and full protection of the product.

Toyota AGVs prove their worth

After a lengthy development, AGV solutions pay off for Toyota's auto division.