Is your plant relying on forklifts for material movement? If so, read on and join the lean manufacturing crowd . . .

Increasingly, companies are mandating the move to forklift free production floors on the basis of highly visible macro issues like safely improvements, reduced forklift lease and maintenance costs. In addition to solving those issues, forklift free is ideal for labor reduction, which is very important in our current economic downturn.

(3) Key Cost Benefits
Reduced Costs - for forklift leasing, purchase & maintenance
Reduced Labor Costs - fewer drivers can deliver more material
Reduced Inventory - less total WIP (work-in-process) inventory

(3) Key Material Flow Benefits
Improved Efficiency - more material per train than with a forklift
Quicker Delivery - as cycle times are greatly reduced
Improved Flexibility - for sequencing operations

The case is strong for forklift free operation

There is no question human loss and liability costs related to forklift injuries has been the number one driver for forklift free (AKA fork free) plant floors. Each year in the US, nearly 100 workers are killed and another 20,000 are seriously injured in forklift-related incidents. Forklift overturns are the leading cause of fatalities involving forklifts; they represent about 25% of all forklift-related deaths.

The Hyster Company estimates that businesses waste over $1 billion in unnecessary operating costs associated with material handling equipment. A recent study suggested that unfortunately, only 6% of end-users actually know their real maintenance costs. Even fewer have programs in place to reduce these expenses. An old industry axiom states that on the average over the life of a forklift, only 20% of its cost is ownership. Approximately 80% of total forklift costs are operating costs.

Fork Truck Free is a very simple concept!