Despite the growing possibility of an economic downturn, Briggs Equipment UK Ltd, is one company that intends to grow business in its key markets in 2008. Greg Mulhearn, National Sales and Marketing Director at Briggs Equipment, outlines some of the key issues that companies need keep their eye on in the year ahead.
February 07, 2008 - With economic uncertainty now a reality, 2008 is already promising to be a year where the fittest organisations in the materials handling sector will reap the greatest returns. This means continuing to invest in people, ensuring that they have the skills and competencies to excel in their jobs, whilst keeping a shrewd focus on performance. Investment in enterprise systems and lean processes can be fully realised in tougher times ahead, both in terms of equipment and engineer utilisation as well as in the optimisation of materials planning and service provision.
Astute organisations, such as Briggs, will put resources and continued focus into innovation for example Briggs’ recently established VMLE division that specifically addresses customers’ needs in the tail lift market. In addition, manufacturers need to continue to invest in product innovations such as cleaner running diesel and gas engines, utilising systems such as exhaust gas recirculation, which improves engine efficiencies thus reducing fuel costs and reduces harmful gases such as NOx. The industry needs ongoing investment in trucks that push standards higher, with lower energy consumption, improved performance and lower maintenance costs. Innovations such as these will help organisations retain competitive advantage and see continued performance in the competitive materials handling market.
To remain competitive in this sector it has never been more important to excel at service provision. With this in mind, it is crucial to provide the user with a total solution. It is the ability to be able to advise on the most efficient methods of pallet and goods movement combined with flexibility to deal with changes, that can equally help to maximise capacity utilisation, reduce energy consumption and in turn reduce harm to the environment.
Organisations that specialise in service, such as Briggs Equipment, have proven experience in fleet management and fleet utilisation. This means helping customers reduce their total fleet of materials handling equipment, reducing capital outlay and driving more efficient processes without reducing the ability to get the job done.
The materials handling industry has high expectations for the provision of service and support. It is also difficult to find another sector where labour rates are so conservative, taking into consideration that an engineer is dispatched to the customer’s door, equipped with all the tools, skills and parts to fix the vehicle on-site first time. Yet this is what the best service providers in this industry provide day in day out. It is important to recognise that whilst value for money is crucial, excellent service may not always be the cheapest option. What exactly does the customer get for a premium service in the medium to long term? Increased reliability and uptime with the problem fixed first-time, responsiveness in back up and support as well as significantly reduced costs over the lifetime of the equipment. In taking the bigger picture view the initial costs should be weighed up against the wider benefits of a more medium-long term view on whole lifetime cost. This will be important to remember in the coming year.
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Visit our blog at www.lifttrucknews.net where you can find company and industry news designed to keep you updated with relevant information on some of the topical issues faced by organisations and operators within the UK industry. From opinion pieces from our CEO, through to how-to guides and “what’s new” from Briggs Equipment, join us… It’s worth blogging about.
Briggs Equipment UK
Briggs Equipment UK Ltd is a leading materials handling service provider and sole distributor of Yale Materials Handling products in Great Britain. Providing a wide range of equipment for a broad customer base, Briggs provides innovative, tailored and cost effective solutions on a nationwide basis. With its headquarters and national support centre in Cannock, Briggs people assist and advise in the delivery of long term solutions that enable customers to develop more efficient and results driven businesses.
Media contact:
Tiffany Clowes
Changeworks Communications
T. + 44 (0) 1785 247588
E.
Company Contact:
Scott Bullock
Briggs Equipment
Orbital Way
Cannock
WS11 8XW
T: 01543 430 455
W: www.briggsequipment.co.uk
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