By Keith Trumbull
As fleet managers, each day you work to ensure your fleet is cost effective and efficient. You likely have a plan in place to manage your cars and trucks. But do you have a similar strategy for other assets in your organization, such as forklifts, pickers, pallet jacks and other material handling equipment? Often overlooked, these items are just as important to manage as your fleet of vehicles. Whether you’re just stepping into the fleet manager role or have years of experience, here are the top three questions to consider regarding asset management, not just vehicle management.
Question 1: Where are your assets? Getting a comprehensive overview of inventory is often the first place to start. To begin tracking your assets, review what assets the organization has, where those assets reside, and how they are being utilized.
Question 2: When are your assets maintained? Almost every fleet manager has a planned cycle program for cars, but do you apply this same type of program to your forklifts and other material handling equipment? Properly managing assets will ensure your organization has the right assets for the job.
Question 3: How much do you spend on assets? Material handling equipment can be expensive. Looking at how much of your budget is spent on each piece of equipment will allow you to identify costs you might not currently monitor. For example, pieces of equipment may be rented but rarely used.
While these questions aren’t the only ones you need to ask, they provide a jumpstart on material handling equipment management. Next month, we will continue to dive into material handling equipment, providing useful tips and guidance to incorporate into your role as a fleet manager.
Each month, Fleet Management Weekly will feature material handling equipment guidance from Keith Trumbull, Vice President of Material Handling Equipment at Element Fleet Management.
