The cover of 100 Years of Forklift Trucks.

After-sales service paramount for forklifts
BRUSSELS, Belgium

Forklift customers want comprehensive service agreements with high levels of support, says Toyota Industrial Equipment Europe's (TIEE) sales and marketing director, Andrew Elliot.

"The increase in just-in-time (JIT) operations means forklifts are now under pressure to work harder than before. Ensuring they are as reliable as possible is essential."

Forklift manufacturers needed to work closely with customers to provide service contracts tailored to companies' specific needs, Elliot said in a statement.

Consumers turn to internet first
PORTSMOUTH, VA, United States

US consumers have changed the way they evaluate and buy products and services over the past decade.

A Borrell Associates report cites a March 2005 study by BIGresearch that indicates 74 per cent of US consumers conduct online research before making in-store purchases.

TVH group publishes book on history of forklifts
WAREGEM, Belgium

The TVH group has published a book which it says has symbolical value.

The 200-page book titled 100 Years of Forklift Trucks, which is illustrated with colour photographs, "links the history of forklifts to the future of the TVH group".

It is available in two versions, Dutch/ French and English/German.