Automotive
Acceleration of Assembly in Auto and Transport Manufacturing
Automotive and transport manufacturers must prioritize safety, efficiency and speed to meet today’s rising customer expectations. Implementing the right material handling solutions can help auto warehouses keep processes lean without compromising safety.
Challenges in the Automotive Industry
The five most consistent challenges automotive companies face include:
- Safety protocols: The auto manufacturing industry has a high rate of injury and illness, and failure to prevent accidents can seriously harm a company’s workforce, finances and reputation.
- Sustainability: Governments worldwide are introducing tighter sustainability regulations for auto manufacturers, which will require significant investment in research and development and new technologies moving forward.
- Labor shortages: Due to a general lack of qualified labor, many auto plants are understaffed — and relying on overtime to meet production quotas frequently leads to burnout and high employee turnover rates.
- Emerging technologies: Auto manufacturers must stay ahead of new technologies like electric vehicles, automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) to keep up with the competition.
- Tight capital: Due to various global and economic factors, including supply chain issues and a rising cost of living, auto manufacturers operate on increasingly tighter budgets. Finding ways to cut costs and boost profits is essential for survival in this highly competitive market.
Fortunately, heavy equipment brands are creating new solutions to help automotive companies easily navigate these challenges.
Key Technological Advancements
As in every sector, emerging technologies are transforming the automotive industry as we know it. Implementing the right solutions in your warehouse is one of the best ways to modernize your operations for the long term.
Automation and Robotics
Taking advantage of intelligent automation and robotics solutions can enhance your warehousing operations by:
- Reducing costs: Optimizing workflows, reducing human error and mitigating risk help keep operational expenses low and profit margins high.
- Boosting productivity: Automated and robotic technologies can take over strenuous and repetitive tasks, which allows you to meet production quotas without overwhelming your existing workforce.
- Minimizing downtime: Robotic solutions effectively mitigate the risks associated with manual labor. This helps prevent unplanned downtime and minimize potential losses.
- Future-proofing operations: Robotic solutions enable greater efficiency and agility, essential for long-term success in a world where the rate of change only gets faster.
Black Equipment is proud to offer equipment solutions from Yale and Hyster, two companies at the forefront of automated material handling technologies.
Telematics and Software Solutions
Telematics combines telecommunications, on-board diagnostics, global positioning systems and IoT technologies to enable real-time equipment asset monitoring, even over long distances. Connected sensors collect data on everything from fuel consumption to tire pressure, and integrated software solutions like Hyster Tracker and Yale Vision consolidate all that data for quick reference and rapid analysis.
The benefits of telemetry for material handling include:
- Simplified fleet management: Detailed reporting and analysis tools enable powerful insights into fleet utilization so you can pinpoint areas for optimization.
- Predictive maintenance: Automated alerts based on your actual usage rather than predetermined maintenance individuals make it easier to resolve issues before they can impact your operations.
- Operator accountability: Access controls prevent unauthorized employees from accessing and operating your equipment, improving workplace safety and enabling greater accountability.
In addition to new solutions equipped with built-in telemetry capabilities, Black Equipment offers parts to retrofit this technology into your existing equipment.
Our Equipment Solutions
Black Equipment carries cutting-edge material handling equipment from leading brands like Yale, Hyster, JCB and more. Whether you’re looking to purchase a new machine or rent for a specific purpose, we can help you get what your warehouse needs.
Explore some of our top solutions for the automotive industry:
Multi-level order selector
No matter if you’re building a new warehouse or need to outfit an existing plant, order pickers with increased SKU capacity and a narrower travel path can optimize limited space. These sustainable and flexible machines are capable order pickers with the efficiency of a pallet truck.
Ergonomic designs and simplified internal systems maximize operator productivity and safety while reducing the total cost of ownership, which can help boost profitability in the long term. Integrations with centralized software solutions simplify fleet optimization for easy management.
Four-wheel ICE pneumatic
Our internal combustion engine (ICE) pneumatic forklift trucks are lighter and more agile than comparable models, so they can easily make tighter turns. They’re also highly energy efficient, with a space-saving design that reduces your carbon footprint and shrinks your maintenance budget.
Dependable operation with streamlined engines maximizes your equipment’s life span for minimal downtime and maximal productivity. Plus, the ergonomic mast design provides greater visibility, which improves operator safety and mitigates the risk of accidents.
Four-wheel sit electric cushion
If you’re looking for a versatile, maneuverable vehicle with a low cost of operation and a streamlined design, a four-wheel truck from Yale or Hyster is an excellent option. These trucks perform optimally when in continuous use, which enables:
- Higher productivity
- Longer life span
- Low cost of operation
Designed for the ultimate comfort and durability, our trucks also come equipped with Hyster’s award-winning Operator Assist System for safe and easy operation.
Our Services
Black Equipment is committed to providing the most comprehensive catalog of equipment and support services to help you maximize your investment. When you buy or rent from us, you become part of the Black family — and you gain access to top-tier service and support.
Comprehensive Operator Training
Workplace safety is a major challenge in the automotive industry, which is why it’s so important to offer your operators the best, most in-depth training you can.
Our two-part forklift operator training program covers everything your employees need to know to minimize risk while maintaining maximum efficiency, including:
- Safe operations
- Fueling
- Inspection
- Limitations
- Hazards
What’s more, our certified instructors will travel to your location to train your employees on your equipment — no need to travel long hours for one session.
Want to keep training in-house? We also offer certification programs for your internal instructors so you can reduce your training costs in the future.
Support When and Where You Need It
Black Equipment does more than just supply quality equipment. We’re a customer-focused, family-owned dealership with a mission to deliver unparalleled customer support that pivots with you to solve any problem.
When you buy from us, you get access to:
- Preventive maintenance programs
- Extensive parts inventory
- Qualified maintenance technicians
- Peace of mind
We even offer our Premier Fleet service and online portal, so service and repair assistance is only a click away.
