Reducing downtime starts with the right warehouse truck

Align your internal transportation with today's flow of goods and tomorrow's capacity

A pallet left standing, an order that’s delayed, a truck that misses its departure time: the consequences of a warehouse truck breaking down extend far beyond the vehicle itself. That’s why anyone looking to minimize unplanned downtime needs to look beyond the purchase price. The right combination of trucks, maintenance, and deployment determines how reliably your warehouse performs on a daily basis.

More product SKUs, a wide variety of shipments, and fluctuating order volumes make warehouse management more complex. At the same time, the flow of goods must continue uninterrupted. With Linde Material Handling’s range of warehouse trucks, Motrac helps companies tailor their internal transportation to meet those day-to-day realities. From pallet jacks and stackers to reach trucks, order-picking trucks, and solutions for narrow aisles. In short, the application is (almost) always the starting point.

Start with the task on the shop floor

What distances does a truck travel? How high do pallets need to be stored? How much room is there to maneuver? And does the truck operate for a few hours a day or in multiple shifts? These are questions that directly determine which model is suitable.

Selecting a truck based solely on lifting capacity or purchase price provides an incomplete picture. The load, frequency of use, and power supply must also be appropriate. A truck that is not adequately suited to its task can slow down the flow of goods and cause unnecessary strain. A targeted selection helps ensure that capacity is available where it is truly needed.

Calculate the actual cost of usage

The purchase price is listed on the quote. The costs of maintenance, energy, and downtime only become clear during use. That is why the total cost of ownership should be a key consideration in the decision-making process.

Robust designs and wear-resistant components contribute to operational reliability. Within the Linde product range, the technical specifications vary by model and application. It is therefore worthwhile to discuss maintenance requirements and ease of service when making your selection. The better maintenance aligns with your operations, the more effectively you can organize your planned downtime.

Make safety and ergonomics a priority when selecting your fleet

A collision can simultaneously put a truck, a rack, and an aisle out of service. Safety therefore has a direct impact on warehouse operations.

Depending on the truck and model, driver-assistance systems can support the driver—for example, by adjusting speed when cornering or by issuing warnings when vehicles and pedestrians are approaching each other. Such systems complement a safe warehouse layout and clear work procedures.

Ergonomics also deserves attention. Good visibility, easily accessible controls, and a workstation suited to the task help support the operator during repetitive tasks. This is certainly a key factor to consider when evaluating a truck, especially in cases of intensive use.

Align capacity with demand

Not every capacity requirement is permanent. A seasonal peak or a temporary increase in the flow of goods may call for additional trucks, without requiring a permanent expansion of your own fleet. Motrac offers rental options to tailor your operations to such periods.

Automation requires a similar assessment. Which transport movements occur frequently? Are routes and transfer points sufficiently predictable? With the MATIC series, Linde offers automated transport solutions. A clearly defined application can serve as the starting point for further expansion.

View your fleet as part of the overall process

Reliable warehouse operations are the result of cohesion. The forklift must be suited to the goods, the operator, the available space, and the work rhythm. Maintenance and additional capacity must be aligned with these factors.

That’s why reducing downtime starts with a thorough assessment of the workplace. Motrac brings together Linde’s various warehouse solutions to make that coordination possible: from selecting the right equipment to providing support during operation.

Would you like to know how your internal transportation system can better align with your warehouse operations? Discuss your application with Motrac and find out which Linde warehouse solutions are right for your material flow.