As a leading online marketplace for used heavy equipment, IronPlanet has a unique perspective on forklifts as they pertain to fleet management. After a brief drop in production from U.S. manufacturers beginning in 2008, demand for this equipment has picked back up and IronPlanet is seeing impressive competition in the resale market for late model lifts. With increased demand comes higher selling prices and more competitive bidding, so those considering adding forklifts to their fleet may want to start searching for the equipment they need soon.
The benefits of forklifts recently became clear to Laura Ashley, a company specializing in clothing and home goods. The U.K.-based business had been relying on large lateral stacker/order picker trucks that hoist workers into the air to retrieve smaller goods from high shelves, according to Materials Handling World Magazine. They kept larger items on lower levels to make them more easily accessible. The company recently reorganized its warehouse in Newtown, Wales, so larger orders were on higher shelves. Rather than lifting workers into the air, the company now relies on a fleet of forklifts to move big ticket items, while smaller orders are easily accessible from the ground.
In the eastern hemisphere our sellers are seeing particularly high demand for non-U.S. manufacturers like Toyota, Linde and Komatsu thanks to a more readily available supply of spare parts. The Middle East in particular is seeing sale prices for diesel-powered forklifts approach retail value. This makes it an ideal time for companies to sell used construction equipment with IronPlanet. The online auction site reaches an international audience, making it easy for sellers to get the most bang for their buck when auctioning used forklifts.
Another development we've seen lately is increased activity from end user buyers. In several recent auctions, we have been pleased to see end users competing directly with larger dealers and distributors for IronPlanet's supply of forklift equipment. As winter and spring approach, the company only expects that activity to continue as end users look for increased value restocking the fleet.
All of this is great news for dealers and contractors in the region with inventory ready to rotate. At IronPlanet.com, our sellers pay low transaction costs and reach an audience of qualified buyers around the world. When coupled with guaranteed inspection reports and our exclusive IronClad Assurance, buyers can bid with a high degree of confidence, resulting in better cost realization.
