Never Buy another Reach Truck.
September 17, 2024
WHY SINGLE-DEEP REACH TRUCKS COULD BE A COSTLY MISTAKE FOR YOUR COMPANY
Most warehouse managers and business leaders aren’t aware that the venerable “narrow-aisle” Single-Deep Reach truck is virtually obsolete, and any decision to buy new Reach trucks will very likely reduce your future profitability.
If this sounds incredible to you, you’re in good company. Reach trucks remain an extremely popular forklift in North America and a top seller for many forklift brands.
So how could such a popular solution be such a waste of money? The simple answer is: because so-called “narrow aisle” Reach trucks actually require 10’ wide racking aisles, which are quite generous by modern standards, and have been completely outclassed by forklifts that can work in a very narrow aisle (VNA).
EXCESSIVE AISLE SPACE = HIGHER COST OF PALLET STORAGE
Most warehouse managers are aware that there are more modern types of forklift equipment available such as turret trucks and swing-mast forklifts, that can operate in a 6’ to 7’ wide aisle, but the following factors restrain most companies from taking advantage of their benefits:
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Warehouse managers can be unsure how to create a business case to justify to upper management the more expensive purchase price of modern forklift equipment.
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Fear of staff being resistant to change, and the unknown learning curve to train for new equipment.
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In the pressure of a big move or expansion, managers tend to reduce risk by sticking with what they know will work instead of “going out on a limb” to try to improve efficiency.
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Long lead times for more specialized forklift equipment mean that orders must be placed well in advance of when they will be needed.
ONE CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT
Reconfiguring a running warehouse to have narrower aisles is an operations nightmare, so a move to a new location or an expansion of an existing facility are usually your best opportunities to upgrade forklift equipment.
For most companies this only happens every 5 to 10 years, which means that the stakes are really high when the time comes. But if your research and preparation hasn’t been done well in advance, you will very likely find yourself unable to take advantage of the significant savings offered by more modern VNA forklift equipment. Taking some simple steps now can help you be ready.
HOW TO PLAN FOR A SHIFT TO IMPROVED EFFICIENCY
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Do your research to learn about what’s out there. Talk to industry experts. Ask your forklift provider to arrange a visit to see an operating facility that uses VNA forklift equipment such as turret trucks or swing-masts.
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Project how your pallet volume is likely to grow over the next 5 to 10 years, and get the assistance of a racking company to estimate how many square feet of warehouse space you will need if you move to VNA (very narrow aisle).
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Contact us for a business case template to put the numbers together now, so the management team has plenty of time to digest the information, ask questions, and get comfortable with the strategy to fit a lot more into less space.
ADDITIONAL FACTORS TO CONSIDER
Rack Damage: Wire-guided VNA forklifts almost completely eliminate damage to racking, compared to unguided forklifts that tend to constantly bump into the racks and cause substantial damage over time.
Dual-Purpose Forklift: Swing-mast forklifts can not only operate in a very narrow aisle but can often serve a dual purpose of unloading trucks, which most Reach trucks cannot do. Using the same machine to unload and put away has obvious advantages. This option is limited to warehouses that have a clear height less than 25’.
Double-deep Reach Truck: Double-deep reach trucks offer storage density that is comparable to VNA forklifts. The downside is half of your pallets are behind another pallet and not readily accessible. This drawback is manageable for some companies but not for others and needs to be carefully evaluated before assuming it will work for you.
The team at Meriton is ready to assist with your pallet storage and material handling needs, whether you have a concrete project or whether you are simply looking ahead and planning for the future.