Herald and others,

It seems when business is good (not meaning great) there has been a shortage of good, reliable technicans. Kinda like finding good, used pneumatic tire forklifts (in the US) when used trucks are selling good. It has been this way for both during my 40+ years.

It seems the issues everyone is talking about are not just asscociated with the lift truck industry but other. As an example, I became clsoe friends with a customer of mine who was operations manager for a multi location over-the-road tractor dealer (a well known & respected brand in the US.) It was insteresting to learn from him how similar hourly pay for technicans, GP targets for service, parts, equipment (new & used) sales. And how hard it was to find good, qualified technicans in the Atlanta,GA area. Benefits were above average, too! They had plenty of work being open 7 days 24 hour - 365 days.