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Lift trucks: Electric scooter increases productivity in warehouses

Personal transport vehicle saves each worker an hour per day of walking time.


Hallmark’s Kansas City distribution center faced a growing problem for its large distribution centers: excessive walking distances. Not only was time lost walking through large facilities, but the added miles were also hard on the employees’ bodies. With a fleet of electric scooters, the company has reduced fatigue that once lowered productivity and led to costly mistakes.

Lona Smith, general manager at the Hallmark facility, says the new three-wheel scooters allow staff to move much faster within the warehouse. “One charge and the scooters will run all day,” he says. “It’s much better than walking.”

The scooters can travel 24 miles on a charge, using a 48-volt, 350-watt front hub direct drive motor. When not in use, the battery will hold its charge for weeks. The compact size allows the vehicle to go through doorways and avoid blocking the drive aisles.

Smith says the scooters will carry workers up to 300 pounds sitting or standing, and can tow up to 400 pounds. A detachable front basket and a back storage box might help a shift manager, inventory control clerk and a maintenance worker share a scooter, saving each worker an average of one hour per day.

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About the Author

Josh Bond
Josh Bond was Senior Editor for Modern through July 2020, and was formerly Modern’s lift truck columnist and associate editor. He has a degree in Journalism from Keene State College and has studied business management at Franklin Pierce University.
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