How do I know what type of forklift is right for my business?

When it comes to selecting the right forklift for the job — and for your particular warehouse and storage environment — it’s helpful to be familiar with the various forklift classifications. That’s why we created this blog post to help customers understand the differences between the seven classifications of forklifts.

Ultimately, the best way to decide is to consult one of forklift experts. They’ll ask a lot of questions about your warehouse, workflow and more to help you decide what equipment will best serve your needs.

Should I buy used or new?

Occasionally a customer will contact us to explore acquiring a new forklift, but as the conversation unfolds it becomes apparent that their level of usage indicates they might be a better candidate for dependable, high-quality used machine. When it comes to the question of whether to buy new or used, the answer is largely driven by how hard you are going to work the equipment.

What are my service options?

NITCO offers many different maintenance programs, each tailored to the needs of the individual customer — plans designed to optimize efficiency and uptime for low-, moderate- and high-usage applications, as well as programs for managing larger fleets across multiple shifts and multiple locations.

How does NITCO help boost warehouse efficiency?

Whether you’re in the market for a forklift, more specialized equipment like an order picker or walkie pallet truck, additional storage rack capacity or perhaps even a mezzanine to expand warehouse space, chances are there is much to be learned — and productivity to be gained — from taking a moment to examine the bigger picture.

This blog post — Clues to Greater Efficiency Hidden in Your Warehouse — focuses on that process, taking a closer look at inventory, touches, aisle sizes, vertical space, the potential benefits of automation and more.

What industries does NITCO serve?

As a New England leader in the materials handling industry since 1969, NITCO is adept at solving warehouse, workplace and materials handling equipment challenges across a broad range of industries. These include, but aren’t limited to:

• Biotech/Medical
• Building Materials
• Campus/Educational Services
• Food & Beverage
• Government/Municipalities
• Retail
• Warehouse/Distribution
• And many more

Here is some more information about our industry-specific materials handling solutions.

Do you have service technicians in my area?

Our dedicated team of 300-plus employees includes 165 top-flight service technicians, among the best-trained in the industry, who blanket New England in state-of-the-art, GPS-equipped vans ready to respond quickly to your most urgent or ongoing needs.

What forklift training does OSHA require?

OSHA specifies that operators be trained on the specific materials handling equipment they use on the job and that training occur “at least once every three years.” It leaves a lot open to interpretation regarding its operator training standards. For example, an employer can tailor training sessions based on the actual work they do and their actual warehouse or worksite conditions. Check the OSHA “Training Assistance” page for more specifics.

To keep your operations running business as usual, NITCO is now offering online classes led by a live instructor that are OSHA compliant. We have taken our proven traditional training programs and transformed them to work in an online format that ensures your equipment operators are trained, certified, and safe.

Our online forklift training program is a simple system that walks users through the entire training and testing process from start to finish.

The online training will go as follows:

1. NITCO provides all materials (introductory information, training booklets, and homework assignments).
2. Trainees book 2-hour training session with a NITCO certified trainer.
3. Individual training sessions are then held via Zoom video conferencing software.
4. Following training and homework completion, trainees take the OSHA Compliant forklift training test online.

To learn more about our online training programs or to schedule a training, please contact a NITCO rep to get started.

Do you offer warehouse efficiency consultations?

Because NITCO emphasizes having a true partnership with our customers, we believe it is extremely important to examine the bigger picture — your company’s warehouse or storage space layout and the efficiency of your work flow — when you’re considering investing in a forklift or other materials handling equipment.