COVID-19 is having an unprecedented impact on our lives, businesses, and on supply chains.
Lift Truck Supply (LTS) is actively taking steps to keep our customers and our people safe, while continuing to support our customer’s equipment maintenance needs.
LTS is following the guidance of global health experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We are reminding our employees about frequent hand washing, and we are regularly cleaning and disinfecting our facilities, and equipment. Importantly, we are asking that our sales representatives, service technicians, and other employees stay home from work if they feel sick.
Many organizations are quarantining their facilities, but need maintenance or repairs for equipment to maintain production. Below we’re outlining some of the processes we’ve recently implemented to keep your staff and our employees safe; as well as ensure continued access to our products and services.
- Compliance with all government regulations and health safety and guidelines related to the containment of Coronavirus
- 14 days isolation for any employee who has been out of the country
- All technicians are provided with a CDC approved bleach solution to spray & wipe before and after servicing equipment (1/3 cup bleach per gallon of water – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-disinfection.html)
- Weekly updates from suppliers regarding potential supply chain interruption
- Careful guidance and information being provided to our staff to review the best ways to prevent the spread of infection, based on guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These include:
- Cleaning your hands often. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home if you are sick, unless you seek medical care.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
- If an LTS employee experiences symptoms such as fever or respiratory infection, they are required to seek medical treatment immediately.
As this situation is evolving rapidly, we will alert you via email with information regarding any changes to our service.
Our teams are working hard to continue to serve the supply chain needs of businesses during this time, while keeping our employees and customers safe.
Thank you for trusting us with your business.
LTS Technician Disinfectant Procedures Demo Video
Travel Exemption & Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce Documentation
Mar16
Lift & Tilt Podcast – “Short Pour” Bonus Episode : Marijuana Legalization Ruins Floral Supply Chain
Subscribe on iTunes or Google Play
Date: 3/16/20
Host: Robert Dennard & Kurt Guntner
Overview: Robert and Kurt share the story of Christina Stembel of Farmgirl Flowers, and how California’s legalization of recreational cannabis destroyed her supply chain.
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Mar16
Lift & Tilt Podcast – Episode 004 : Effects of the E-com Era on Supply Chains
Subscribe on iTunes or Google Play
Date: 3/16/20
Host: Robert Dennard & Kurt Guntner
Overview: Robert and Kurt sample a citrus wheat beer from Community Beer Co. in Dallas, while discussing how the digital revolution is changing warehouses, distribution centers, and logistics. Supply chain processes, software, robotics, automation, real-estate, and personnel are being transformed to better meet customer demands as well as create greater efficiencies for organizations.
Topics Discussed
1) Doing More with Less
From going vertical with racking to increase storage capacity and open more floor space to employing artificial intelligence or machine learning software to increase efficiency of order fulfillment and inventory turn, e-commerce has forced companies to look for novel ways of efficiency.
2) Sustainable Solutions
The ability to reuse, recycle, or reclaim materials to minimize costs and appeal to eco-conscious buyers serves not only as a marketing function but creates margin in an ever increasingly competitive environment that is slashing profits.
3) Digital Development
Advanced inventory systems are using sophisticated algorithms to provide predictive insights into inventory movement. Paired with company websites, these inventory systems can analyze site traffic and predict SKU level demand spikes to reduce out of stock items.
4) Personnel
With increased reliance on sophisticated systems, robotics, and predictive forecasting, the need for more knowledge based personnel will continue to increase.
5) Real Estate and Geographics
As consumer demand for instant gratification continues to increase the ability to offer shorter delivery times at a lower cost has forced the need for more distribution centers strategically located to serve metro areas. In turn, real estate is at a premium for warehousing.
Source Articles:
Forbes | Logistics in the E-commerce Era
https://www.forbes.com/sites/betsyatkins/2019/05/06/logistics-in-the-e-commerce-era/#5814ae58574d
The Brew & Tasting Notes:
Community Beer Co. – Witbier
“Brewed traditionally using unmalted wheat as a base and lightly spice the kettle with freshly ground sweet and bitter orange peel and coriander seed. The hops are minimal, keeping the focus on the wheat, spices and the unique character contributed by authentic Belgian yeast strains, one of which originated from the same strain that Pierre brought across the Atlantic to America.”
Original Gravity: 12.8
Bitterness: 18 IBU
Alcohol Content (ABV): 5.2%
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Feb18
Lift & Tilt Podcast – Episode 003 : Ethical Supply Chains
Subscribe on iTunes or Google Play
Date: 2/18/20
Host: Robert Dennard & Kurt Guntner
Overview: Robert and Kurt sip a chocolate milk stout from a local brewer while discussing ethical supply chains and their value to businesses. Does your company have a corporate responsibility to the communities in which it operates? Outsourced manufacturing and low supply chain visibility (labor practices, social injustice, and environmentally friendly practices) has become a much bigger topic for consumers and organizations alike.
Question & Answer from anonymous procurement professional.
1) The article alluded to corporate cost reductions being prioritized over social/ethical responsibility. How do managers at the upper echelon’s of organizations balance their sense of duty to business stakeholders with their responsibility of corporate citizenship?
I imagine it’s different, depending on the organization your work at, in terms of how they prioritize profitability over corporate citizenship. That being said, over the last few decades it’s become abundantly clear that social and ethical responsibilities can have a huge impact on a company’s bottom-line – whether that be due to sustainable practices like Starbucks C.A.F.E. program which ensures ethical and sustainable sourced coffee and being view positively by their customers while still being extremely profitable; to the cautionary tales like Nike in the late 90’s where their stock tumbled 40% and they lost 15% market share over unfair labor practices.
Ultimately, it comes down to the corporate culture of the organization, and understanding that we’re here to optimize the supply chain for all of the stake holders involved – customers, vendors, stock holders, employees, and the communities your business impacts.
2) Beyond ethical concerns about environment, health, and safety – how do companies weigh/protect against the potential theft/adoption of proprietary technology?
This is definitely topical with the current trade war between the U.S. and China. In the past the Chinese government has been very lax in policing and enforcing intellectual property rights and I think this falls right inline with an ethical supply chain discussion because companies need to know that the trade secrets that provide them differentiation or a competitive advantage aren’t being negated. Losing proprietary technology or other intellectual properties could mean that business stakeholders are impacted – lower stock prices, layoffs, or in some cases even national security.
It’s a very complex issue, and I think most companies are taking a wait and see approach, because most outsourcing is done in locations like China where the government has so much leverage that organizations have few options if they want access to sell in those markets.
3) For smaller organizations who may just be getting started in outsourced supply chains, what recommendations do you have for managing an ethical supply chain (vetting new suppliers, verifying compliance, etc.)?
Definitely think that every organization should start by building a vendor compliance document that focuses on labor (health, safety, wages), environmental (sustainability, safety, legal), and upstream compliance; meaning their vendors. Get a group of your organizations stake holders around a table and highlight issues that are important to your business or that could be potentially harmful and start drafting a document. Also, you should develop an SOP for vendor vetting and on boarding process to get the ball rolling. The most difficult part is probably in identifying a compliance regimen, whether it’s is an in-house department or an independent third-party to audit vendors, it’s necessary to ensure that suppliers maintain their commitments. Your organization should also consider how transparent they wish to be with their supply chain programs. Some companies, such as Patagonia, utilize their efforts in their marketing and openly list their suppliers on their website to act as a social check/balance for their suppliers.
Source Articles:
Forbes | Building Sustainable & Ethical Supply Chains
https://www.forbes.com/sites/dougguthrie/2012/03/09/building-sustainable-and-ethical-supply-chains/#20ddf5c44179
The Brew & Tasting Notes:
True Vine Brewing – Chocolate Milk Stout
“Aptly and creatively named “Chocolate Milk Stout”, this beer brings together the natural chocolate flavors of roasted malts, the silky smoothness of milk sugar, and the perfect sweetness of real chocolate.”
Original Gravity: 0
Bitterness: 40 IBU
Alcohol Content (ABV): 6.0%
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Jan27
Lift & Tilt Podcast – Episode 002 : Six Sigma & GE – A Cautionary Tale
Subscribe on iTunes or Google Play
Date: 1/27/20
Host: Robert Dennard & Kurt Guntner
Overview: Robert and Kurt enjoy a Mexican style lager while discussing the history of Six Sigma, and how it shaped GE from the late ’90’s to current day. With expert testimony from Toyota’s National Manager of LEAN, Robert and Kurt look to understand how process management systems work and if they can help businesses outside the manufacturing industry. Join us to learn more about process management, and what can be gleaned from past successes and failures of a company like GE.
Question & Answer with Scott Redelman, National Manager LEAN – Toyota Material Handling
1) Given the history/example detailed in the article – do you think it’s possible to focus so heavily on a particular style of process management that it becomes a detriment to the organization?
That all depends. If the process management focus is a detriment to innovation, then maybe yes. In Toyota Lean Management, we are using TPS methodology – which is entirely focused on developing people to incrementally solve problems in their own process. This fosters a culture of continuous improvement rather than an event. It also relies on the creativity on the associates in the organization to solve the issues they face every day whereas often times the style of Six Sigma encourages the improvements to be conducted by the ‘experts’ – the black belts. TPS considers the people in the process to be the true experts in the process. If we value our associates as the experts, and put them in the position to solve problems they face every day, then the culture of improvement builds upon itself. This philosophy looks at management and skilled improvement folks as the culture builders. They don’t exist to solve all of the problems. Instead, management and improvement leaders exist to remove roadblocks in order to put the team in a position to win.
2) For companies that aren’t manufacturers, companies that are primarily service providers or retailers, do you think that the lean styles of management can have the same positive transformational effect that it’s had for manufacturers?
Absolutely yes. Lean applies to everything. Everything we do – at home and at work, in manufacturing, retail, whatever industry – is a process. Wherever there is a process, there’s a process that isn’t perfect that can be improved. Toyota has relationships with customers and contacts benchmarking TPS (Toyota’s lean culture and tools) from health care, military, logistics, accounting and of course service organizations. We even use the skills of lean to support continuous improvement in not for profits! You name it, lean can be applied. Successful lean transformations always begin and are sustained by the culture of respect for people’s work.
3) For companies that are thinking about implementing a process management style such as lean, agile, six sigma, etc. What advice would you have for them regarding implementation and potential pitfalls they should be aware.
First, you have to be ‘all in’. You have to trust the process over time. It can’t be flavor of the month – meaning the top of the organization has to understand the process takes time.
Second, it can’t all be about the KPI results. Instead, focus on the human capital development rather than cost savings. Successful lean cultures focus on singles and doubles (baseball metaphor). Home runs can come later as the organization develops.
Third, designation of ‘lean champions’ is critically important. Choose folks that are ‘servant leaders’ – people that look for how they can help other succeed. The champions don’t need to be leaders on the org chart, but they need to be leaders in the sense that others in the organization respect their approach and are willing to follow their lead.
Finally, pick the methodology that will work best within your organization and that your culture can sustain.
Source Articles:
Quartz at Work | Whatever Happened to Six Sigma
https://qz.com/work/1635960/whatever-happened-to-six-sigma/
The Brew & Tasting Notes:
Deep Ellum – Neato Bandito
“Neato is Deep Ellum’s interpretation of a Mexican-style lager. But Neato’s been working out and is stronger than the others! Light in color, but big in flavor, Neato Bandito wants to help you enjoy all of your summertime activities! Viva la RAZA!”
Original Gravity: 0
Bitterness: 18 IBU
Alcohol Content (ABV): 6.0%
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Jan09
Lift & Tilt Podcast – Episode 001 : Automation & The Human Element
Subscribe on iTunes or Google Play
Date: 1/1/20
Host: Robert Dennard & Kurt Guntner
Overview: Robert and Kurt discuss the ethical concerns regarding automation raised in the Vox article – Robots Aren’t Taking Warehouse Employees’ Jobs, They’re MakingTheir Work Harder. With input from automation experts from Stocked Robotics, Plaskolite, and Toyota Material Handling our hosts attempt to look at the issues from all perspectives – offering warehouse operators and manufacturers key take-aways on how to avoid common operation/labor/public relations pitfalls when implementing automation equipment.
Source Articles:
VOX | Robots Aren’t Taking Warehouse Employees’ Jobs, They’re Making Their Work Harder
https://www.vox.com/recode/2019/10/22/20925894/robots-warehouse-jobs-automation-replace-workers-amazon-report-university-illinois
Fast Company | At Toyota, The Automation is Human Powered
https://www.fastcompany.com/40461624/how-toyota-is-putting-humans-first-in-an-era-of-increasing-automation
The Brew & Tasting Notes:
Saint Arnold – Ye Olde Christmas Ale
A rich, copper colored, hearty ale perfect for the holiday season with a malty sweetness and spicy hop character. The generous use of five different malts is responsible for the full flavor and high alcohol level of this beer.
Saint Arnold Christmas Ale is best consumed at 45° Fahrenheit.
Recommended pairings: Fruit cake, Christmas pudding, & squash bisque.
Original Gravity: 1.067 (17.0° Plato)
Bitterness: 24 IBU
Alcohol Content (ABV): 7.5%
Produced by LTS Studios, an in-house division of Lift Truck Supply, Inc. – a full-line provider of Toyota forklift equipment, service, parts and rentals. LTS – Your Forklift Accessory & Parts Headquarters
Feb14
AICHI E-Series Scissor Lifts are some of the most versatile tools to address your maintenance or construction needs. During the AICHI Next Level Leasing Event, you can lease brand new scissor lifts for as low as $199/month! You’ll get a quality work platform to meet even your tallest tasks. Act Now!
Sep05
Efficient
When all you need is one pass to get an amazingly clean floor, jobs get done faster and you reduce your cost to clean.
• Tightest aisle turn in its class enables incredible maneuverability
• Large, 70-gallon tanks maximize scrub time and tip out for fast, easy cleaning afterward
• High power scrub deck is driven by dual 1.5hp motors
• Optional TrackClean centralized fleet management system helps you monitor and improve operational productivity
Rugged
The SC6500 packs an array of features to extend its service life and minimize maintenance and downtime.
• Low-maintenance AC brushless propulsion drive delivers precise acceleration
• Tubular, steel construction stands up to the toughest applications
• Optional industrial bumper and frame-mounted rollers protect the front and scrub deck from impact damage
Versatile
Get a better clean no matter who is behind the wheel thanks to the versatile technology and design of the SC6500.
• Available EcoFlex™ System allows you to preset, adjust and use only the amount of chemical required for each application
• Offset scrub deck cleans hard-to-reach edges more effectively
• Clear-View™ design and adjustable tilt steering column provide an ergonomic ride for virtually any operator
For more information contact us at:
Lift Truck Supply
T:1.800.873.1828
E: marketing@lifttrucksupplyinc.com
» Learn more
Be sure to share with #ForkliftHeadquarters
Sep05
MaxAccess™
– Minimizes downtime and maximizes efficiency, reliability and longevity through quick and easy access to all engine and hydraulic components.
Easy To Operate
– One-Touch™ controls and a single foot pedal controls direction plus activates the brooms and dust control system and offers the operator the easiest machine to use in the industry.
Clear-View™
– Offset hopper allows the operator to view the side broom and the area in front of the sweeper without having to lean outside the frame of the machine making it safer and more comfortable to use.
Operator Safety
– Hopper safety arm is controlled from the operator’s compartment. Operator is safe from moving parts through the interlocking engine cover. Impact-adsorbing roto-molded body structure and 5 mph bumper provides the ultimate in operator safety.
PERFORMANCE & FEATURES
- True industrial designed Kubota® engine with enclosed gear driven valve train for reliable cost-effective performance
- One-Touch™ lever activates and controls complete sweeping and dust control systems
- DustClear™ 5-Stage Dust Control System minimizes fugitive dust
- Sweep system only activates when machine is in motion, for increased safety and longer broom life
- Wide 50 inch main broom plus the dual side brooms create a superior 77 inch dust controlled sweep path
- Comfort ride 21 inch pneumatic tires offer the operator a smoother ride with less jarring on rough surfaces
For more information contact us at:
Lift Truck Supply
T:1.800.873.1828
E: marketing@lifttrucksupplyinc.com
» Learn more
Be sure to share with #ForkliftHeadquarters
Sep05
HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY WITH A LOWER COST TO CLEAN
Unparalleled durability and ease of use.
High Productivity in a compact package
• Up to 30% greater runtime/productivity versus nearest competitor
Rugged industrial design for maximum life
• Fully protected scrub deck, tubular frame, and extended life cylindrical deck components
SmartKey™ with impact detection
• Provides unique levels of user access to produce consistent results with greater operator accountability, and lower total cost of cleaning
SmartFlow™ and intermittent solution off
• Reduces water and chemical usage by up to 50% while producing safer cleaning results
Offset deck
• For edge cleaning with no added complexity or cost
For more information contact us at:
Lift Truck Supply
T:1.800.873.1828
E: marketing@lifttrucksupplyinc.com
» Learn more
Be sure to share with #ForkliftHeadquarters
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