With ongoing global supply chain issues leading to longer lead times for all types of new materials handling equipment, Toyota Material Handling UK reports that demand for its pre-owned forklifts is at an all-time high as truck users look to second- or third-life machines to support their fleets.

“We're seeing a significant increase in the number of companies that opt for ‘blended’ fleets – a mix of new and used machines,” says Stuart Reilly, TMHUK rental and used director.

“For example, a customer with a requirement for 30 counterbalance trucks may take delivery of 25 new forklifts and, rather than waiting for the remaining five new trucks to be built and delivered, will prefer to obtain five used models straightaway on a short-term rental agreement.”

The strong demand for used equipment comes at a time when the number of second-life units available to rent or buy is down on previous years across the UK market.

“Most facilities where forklifts operate were considerably less active than normal for a period of 18 months or so at the height of the Covid pandemic crisis. As a result, many truck fleets that are now coming to the end of their primary term contract hire period have not been worked as hard as expected, so users are seeking to extend the length of their contract for an extra year or 18 months.

“Fewer returning trucks means a reduction in the number of machines available to enter the next phase of the ‘rental cycle’.”

Reilly believes the current situation could take around two years to resolve and is a potentially significant problem for those manufacturers and dealers that lack scale and significant marketshare. It will have less impact on the biggest players in the forklift market, thanks to the sheer numbers of trucks that they supply.

Only last week, we reported that Jungheinrich had opened its second used equipment refurbishing plant in Ploiesti, Romania to meet the growing demand for second-hand materials handling equipment and create capacity for further growth.