Hyster has a long history in the lumber industry, originating from a US logging equipment manufacturer formed in 1929. However, with a changing world and a market presenting new challenges, trends, and opportunities, the wood sector is evolving. So how can materials handling equipment play its part in helping this sector thrive?
Meeting greater demand, with less.
The industry shows signs of recovery, all while timber applications find themselves under economic pressures, and are working hard to recover from the inevitable disruptions of Covid-19. This increasingly puts businesses in the wood industry under pressure to do more with less.
Uptime is critical, and the right materials handling equipment plays a big part in keeping operations running. Download our timber white paper to find out more about consolidating a material handling fleet to reduce costs, while still retaining a focus on productivity.
In the new Hyster® white paper, you’ll also learn about other key topics affecting the timber industry, such as:
Alternative Power
More and more, the timber industry is looking to alternative power options and how these could benefit its materials handling operations. Lithium-ion lift trucks, for example, offer the potential for opportunity charging, maximising operational uptime and importantly, they also have the potential to greatly reduce emissions.
The Green Agenda
Sustainability is a key focus throughout the wood industry this ‘green’ approach extends through to materials handling fleets. Choosing zero-emissions electric lift trucks is common in applications that are aiming to meet emissions targets, whether for corporate or legislative reasons. There is often a cost-benefit too.
Embracing technology
Though the timber sector is a traditional industry, it is one that is increasingly embracing new technologies, driven by a need to maximise productivity and streamline processes and sites. In the right settings, eliminating the human factor from materials handling equipment through automation solutions may result in time and cost savings.
Constantly tough conditions
Wood handling operations are typically rugged, dirty, and tough environments. Extreme cold or heat can push materials handling equipment to its limits. Applications should always seek lift trucks that are designed for maximum reliability, with robust powertrain, strong axles and mast, and durable components throughout.
Attachments that enable equipment to be dual function for versatility, performance and fleet efficiency will also help optimise operations.
Hyster Can Help.
Download the new white paper to discover how Hyster can help, with lift trucks designed to be tough enough for challenging wood handling environments, advanced technologies, extensive fleet management capabilities and smart robotic solutions.
Though 2020 has taught us that you cannot always predict what lies ahead, optimising fleets with tough materials handling equipment and assistive technologies is a good way for wood applications to be prepared as the sector recovers.
Talk to your local Hyster® distribution partner or reach out to our wood industry specialists now to discuss your particular needs.