In-depth feature articles about materials handling trends and solutions

Feature Articles

Forkliftaction News takes an in-depth look at current trends, challenges and opportunities impacting the materials handling market. Packed with insights from industry experts, you'll learn about the latest emerging technologies and new solutions on the market.

Showing items 161 - 170 of 225 results.

3 minute read

Chinese exporters hit with anti-dumping duty

Feature Article - 3 Mar 2005 (#198) The European Commission (EC) has imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of hand pallet trucks and their essential parts from the People's Republic of China (PRC). An anti-dumping proceeding was initiated after four European Community (Community) producers, representing more than 60 per cent of the Community's total hand pallet truck and essential parts production, lodged a complaint in March 2004 (Forkliftaction.com News #192). The complainants - Bolzoni-Auramo SpA, Italy; BT Products AB, Sweden; Franz Kahl GmbH, Germany; and Pramac Lifter SpA, Italy - included evidence of dumping and the resulting injury in their complaint. Four exporting producers from the PRC cooperated with the investigation. They were Ningbo Liftstar Material Transport Equipment Factory, Ningbo; Ningbo Ruyi Joint Stock Co Ltd, Ninghai; Ningbo Tailong Machinery Co Ltd, Ninghai; and Zhejiang Noblelift Equipment Joint Stock Co Ltd, Changxing. According to Eurostat data, Community consumption of hand pallet trucks was about 493,000 units during the period considered (January 1, 2000, to March 31, 2004) while the volume of PRC imports increased 138 per cent over the period. The increase in imports was particularly marked between 2002 and 2003 (51 per cent). The market share of dumped imports increased by more than 100 per cent during the period considered. However, the increased market share was found to overlap with the share previously held by the Community industry. Eurostat data showed the average price of imports from the PRC decreased between 2000 and 2004 by 34 per cent. Prices were stable until 2001 before they decreased 12 per cent in 2001 and even further by another 25 per cent between 2002 and 2003. The full text of the story is continued online.

6 minute read

Telescopic handlers: Part 2

Feature Article - 24 Feb 2005 (#197) The two main telehandler markets for French telehandler manufacturer Manitou BF are the construction and agriculture markets. What is the difference between an agriculture telehandler and a construction telehandler? Christine Liew reports.

5 minute read

Focus: Telescopic handlers

Feature Article - 10 Feb 2005 (#195) There is a special materials handling customer whose work thrives in secrecy, depends on superb organisation and benefits from reliable equipment. So what type of equipment does that customer need? Are they that different? Christine Liew reports.

3 minute read

Focus: Manual Materials Handling Equipment

Feature Article - 27 Jan 2005 (#193) While the European market braces for the European Commission's provisional ruling on dumping allegations against Chinese hand pallet truck manufacturers (Forkliftaction.com News #192), the western world is seeking ways to deal with "the monster we created". DAMIEN TOMLINSON reports.

3 minute read

Focus: Manual Materials Handling Equipment

Feature Article - 20 Jan 2005 (#192) Industry awaits EU anti-dumping report. DAMIEN TOMLINSON has the story.

7 minute read

The Year In Review: 2004

Feature Article - 13 Jan 2005 (#191) Forklift markets in the USA, Europe, Japan and China showed growth in 2004 thanks to healthy local economies. That was despite the influence of the Iraq war and the fight against terrorism on the US economy, and the burden of higher steel and fuel prices. CHRISTINE LIEW reports.

4 minute read

Materials handling in South America

Feature Article - 16 Dec 2004 (#188) South America's proximity to the United States suggests neighbourly commonality, but their materials handling businesses are worlds apart. In this special report, DAMIEN TOMLINSON looks at one company that has been through thick and thin in one of the world's most progressive markets.

3 minute read

Crown wins arbitration, opens two Florida branches

Feature Article - 9 Dec 2004 (#187) An arbitrator has found that Florida Lift Systems Inc (FLS) violated its dealership agreement with Crown Equipment Corporation in representing Toyota's competing line of forklifts. Effective from November 1, Crown ended its authorisation for FLS to sell or service Crown products and opened two Crown-owned central Florida branches in Orlando and Tampa. Crown's Andre Lauber manages the two new branch locations. Each is about four miles from existing Orlando and Tampa sites where FLS continues to represent Toyota Material Handling USA (TMHU). Crown transferred Lauber back to central Florida from an assignment in Dallas, Texas. Both Crown and Toyota have major forklift dealership networks in the USA; Crown with 180 facilities, and Toyota with 186. FLS, a long-time Crown dealer, agreed to also represent TMHU in Tampa in January 2004. Previously, FLS started representing Irvine, California-based THMU in Orlando in September 2002. The full text of the story is continued online.

6 minute read

Machinery Storage & Transportation: Part 2

Feature Article - 25 Nov 2004 (#185) The forklift business is an increasingly competitive, global industry and, like most other industrial businesses, it lives and dies by its ability to be flexible and respond to the needs of the market quickly and efficiently. As companies seek to broaden their reach further from head office, transport by sea is now, more than ever, a major part of the machinery supply chain. DAMIEN TOMLINSON reports.

5 minute read

SPECIAL FEATURE: Weighing systems for forklifts

Feature Article - 14 Oct 2004 (#179) WEIGHING systems for forklifts are becoming more up-front in today's materials handling industry, and importantly, they are playing a leading role in the overall efficiency of the modern warehouse. A good system can save hours in a busy setting, and maximise productivity and efficiency for logistics companies, reports DAMIEN TOMLINSON in this first of our two-part series.

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