More companies embrace ‘second life’ forklift lift trucks

The profile of the type of company that looks to the second hand market for its materials handling equipment has changed dramatically in recent years as the testing economic trading conditions have compelled all firms to seek to maximise value across their forklift fleets.

"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 Ltd’s Used Equipment and Short Term Rental Director.

He continues: "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.""

Retailers and third party logistics service companies in particular are embracing mixed fleets of new and used machines and we are now supplying used truck fleets on long-term contract hire deals."

Just one of the companies attracted to the Jungheinrich used truck offer is Franklin Silencers.

The Northampton-based manufacturer of industrial silencers decided to upgrade its materials handling equipment and, having looked at what was available on the market, opted for Jungheinrich ‘second life’ trucks.

Franklin decided upon electric and LPG models for use around the production and distribution sites. The gas-powered truck is used around 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 steering Franklin’s decision to used equipment.

"We chose used machines because the Jungheinrich models were refurbished to an extremely high standard and represented excellent value for money," says Franklin’s deputy MD Danny Weisenberger.


Jungheinrich’s second-hand equipment is marketed under the ‘Ready To Go’ brand.

Used Jungheinrich trucks are refurbished to the highest standards at the Group’s Dresden factory where every machine is completely 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.

"Because we refurbish our trucks to such a high standard, the operating costs of a used Jungheinrich truck will be the same as a new model, which means that our fully refurbished trucks will give many years of efficient and productive service," says Neil Warren.

"Our aim is to help clients manage their forklift cost base effectively and if we can demonstrate that switching all or a percentage of the fleet to used trucks offers cost benefits without sacrificing productivity or safety, then most companies are more than happy to embrace ‘second life’ truck technology.