Material Handling Equipment for the Peak Season
Meeting the expectations of your customers is a year-round goal. However, it is especially important during peak season. During the busy holiday shopping season, distribution centers need to meet high fulfillment demands, and manufacturing facilities will be working hard on year-end production. Careful preparation for higher than average volume is key to meeting the challenge.
Here are some tips to make sure your material-handling equipment is ready to go.
Rental equipment
With the busy season comes additional hours, so your operation needs to be running on reliable equipment. Particularly during peak season, your operators need all the help they can get to meet the extra demand. You can leverage for the maximum output with efficient forklift rental solutions. Be sure to use a supplier that offers a wide selection of lift trucks tailored to your needs. And it’s important to search for short-term and long-term rental options depending on the length of your peak season.
Cross-docking
In logistics, cross-docking is the practice of unloading materials from an incoming source and loading them directly into outbound trucks, trailers or rail cars. Limiting the need for storage ensures that products reach the distributor, and consequently the customer, faster. If this is a good option for your operation, consider additional hand pallet or electric walkie pallet trucks during peak season to help with the process.
Preventative maintenance
Top performance from your lift trucks and reducing downtime is always a goal, but proactive maintenance now is crucial to preventing loss of production during peak season. Inspections and audits should be conducted, focusing on critical equipment that will be subject to the most wear and tear as utilization increases. Connect with your forklift service provider sooner than later to address your maintenance needs.
Spare parts
Take an inventory of your parts and be sure to be prepared for the increased output of your equipment. Stock up on the parts that are most used and the most difficult to restock. Partner with a parts supplier that can meet your needs with an on-site inventory or on-site parts consignment program.
In NE Pennsylvania, Action Lift is ready to be your material-handling solutions partner. We can help with your parts, service, rental, and new equipment needs in preparation for peak season and beyond.
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