Linde has begun 2013 as the local market’s fastest growing engine forklift company, according to figures compiled by the Australian Industrial Truck Association.
“More and more businesses in the market for new forklifts are considering – and then choosing – Linde, particularly from our IC (Internal Combustion i.e. Gas and Diesel engine) range,” said Linde Material Handling Australia’s CEO, Carl Smith. “We’ve seen this trend over quite a while and I believe it has been brought about by a number of factors. On the one hand you’ve got the intrinsic quality, productivity, safety and efficiency of the Linde engine range and on the other you’ve got customers’ recognition of the many measures we put in place to support them with after sales service.”
With most businesses facing tough economic conditions, the quest for value for money has increased further over the last 12 months, creating another pressure which has worked in Linde’s favour. Responsible managers are also increasingly concerned about occupational health and safety outcomes and want to ensure the equipment for which they are responsible will help make compliance as easy as possible.
“Recognition of Linde’s many advantages over its competitors is definitely more widespread than ever before,” Carl Smith said. “Buyers still look at the bottom line, but that’s not simply the initial purchase price or the monthly long term rental cost. They are more interested in the total cost of ownership, including fuel and tyre costs and downtime.
Performance claims independently assessed
“Naturally every forklift supplier makes its own statements about those things, but Linde’s claims are unique, because we don’t simply expect buyers to accept our word, we rely on independent assessments.”
The issue of Linde engine forklifts’ outstanding productivity provided a prime example of this approach. Despite the company’s proud engineering tradition, it chose to rely on an independent organisation to make direct comparisons with competitors. Linde asked TUV Nord, the world’s most experienced independent test organisation to rate Linde forklifts against their competitors in “real world” operating situations. Cycle times, fuel, servicing, labour and finance costs all went under the microscope, using comparative published data and independent testing. The results and the potential savings they indicate were clear cut – right across the Linde range. Linde Forklifts are up to 22 per cent more productive than their closest competitor.
Fuel efficiency
More recently Linde co-operated with a local firm which was keen to settle once and for all the issue of fuel efficiency. Again, what attracted Linde was the opportunity to have its performance independently assessed. Major Australian logistics company AWH conducted comparison testing with a competitor’s 2.5 tonne counter balance model and a 2.5 tonne Linde H25T 392 forklift. AWH’s records from its Sydney warehouse showed that the competitor’s forklift used 191.50 kilograms of LPG over 15 shifts, the equivalent of 2.99 kilograms per hour. Over its 15 shifts in the hands of the same operator, the Linde forklift used just 147 kilograms of LPG while performing the same roles.
“These types of independent assessment don’t go unnoticed by the market,” Carl Smith said. “Buyers respect the opinions and experience of their peers and that type of information plays an important role in their decision making. On the other hand they back their own judgement when it comes to assessing the features and benefits of various forklifts they may be considering.”
Safety
In safety comparisons Linde never comes off second best. Linde safety begins with superb ergonomics, adjustable suspension seating, fingertip hydraulic controls and a roomy operating space. Built for more than just comfort, Linde cabin space enables maximum protection for the operator’s feet, legs and body. Linde’s counterbalance forklift trucks all feature the revolutionary Linde Protector Frame which combines a protective overhead guard and a supporting frame to form a strong and completely enclosed protective zone, providing optimum structural integrity, safety and protection for the operator.
For a safer, more stable operation every Linde has a low centre of gravity and wide-set masts to maximise operator visibility. The top mounted tilt cylinders on Linde forklifts allow for seamless, smooth control of the tilt movements for excellent load stability in all operating conditions. This unique design also enables slimmer mast profiles to be fitted for outstanding visibility – yet another reason why more and more buyers are choosing Linde.