Top factors influencing forklift buys

Top factors influencing forklift buys

Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America recently conducted a telephone survey of 300 people who buy or specify for purchase the types of material-handling equipment used by their companies. The respondents ranked criteria on a scale of one to 10, with 10 the most important.

Here are the results.

Factors critical in decision-making.

1. Lift truck is highly reliable and durable 9.7*

2. Dealers have parts available when needed 9.3

3. Dealer responds promptly to service needs 9.2

4. Lift truck is easy to maintain and service 8.9

5. Lift truck is easy to operate 8.8

6. Manufacturer offers excellent warranties/guarantees 8.8

7. Manufacturer offers the most value for initial price 8.5

8. Manufacturer has a good reputation 8.3

9. Lift truck offers excellent cost of ownership 8.2

10. Dealer delivers promptly 7.3

11. Manufacturer offers lowest initial purchase price 7.2

12. Dealer has rental trucks available 6.8

13. Dealer has convenient locations 6.8

14. Manufacturer offers complete product line 6.5

15. Dealer provides application analysis 6.1

16. Manufacturer offers fleet-management services 6.1

17. Manufacturer offers financing options 4.7

* Indicates mean rating of each decision-critical factor on a scale of one to 10, with 10 the most important. These decision-critical factors corroborate a similar survey conducted in 1994