Typical second-hand forklift user has changed, says Jungheinrich

"Customers are now very open minded about buying used equipment, and there is little or no difference in the type of company that acquires new or used trucks," says Neil Warren, Jungheinrich UK's used equipment and short term rental director. "Historically, the biggest buyers of used materials handling equipment have been small to medium-sized companies keen to increase or upgrade their truck fleets but with budgets that cannot quite stretch to new machinery, but more and more larger organisations are choosing to include used trucks in their overall fleets. " One such business is Northampton-based Franklin Silencers. The manufacturer decided to upgrade its materials handling equipment and went for Jungheinrich's used trucks. Franklin chose electric and LPG models for use around the production and distribution sites. The gas-powered truck is used in the production plant, where it unloads deliveries of raw steel. The electric machine is used within the finished goods warehouse. Both are fairly low-intensity operations and this was a key factor in the decision. Franklin's deputy MD Danny Weisenberger says: "We chose used machines because the Jungheinrich models were refurbished to an extremely high standard and represented excellent value for money." Jungheinrich's second-hand equipment is marketed under the 'Ready To Go' brand. Used trucks are refurbished at the group's Dresden factory where every machine is dismantled and all worn or defective parts are replaced – including tyres and lift chains. The trucks are cleaned inside and out and repainted before being reassembled and safety tested.