Demand for Forklifts During the Pandemic

The coronavirus has been with us for over a year now. At the beginning, each of us hoped it would be a matter of weeks, months, or certainly that higher temperatures during the summer period would help deal with the unexpected pandemic. However, time has verified these assumptions. We had to learn to live in a new reality with many restrictions probably only known to us from disaster movies. Many businesses collapsed, while others had to completely reorganize their way of conducting business and adapt to epidemiological conditions. Let’s look at how COVID-19 affected industries where forklifts are used.

The virus dominated business and social life worldwide, turning it upside down. The position of many stable and well-prospering companies was shaken, some had to cease operations, others managed to adapt to new conditions. But even in the greatest crisis, there were industries that faced new prospects and development opportunities.

E-commerce benefits from the pandemic

The e-commerce market was already in very good condition before 2020 thanks to fast and ubiquitous internet access, changing user habits, and increased activity on mobile devices. The outbreak of the pandemic, the risk of coronavirus infection, and restrictions on interpersonal contacts caused most people to start looking for alternatives to traditional shopping in stores and markets. Under such circumstances, electronic commerce could only benefit.
E-shops also took advantage of the situation and responded quite quickly to government restrictions by introducing numerous preventive measures aimed at ensuring the safety of both their employees and customers. The number of delivery slots was increased, contactless deliveries were provided, and cashless transactions became completely widespread.

Demand for forklifts during the pandemic

Employee quarantine, hybrid work models, and sanitary regimes disrupted the existing order in many enterprises. Some of them began looking for additional solutions aimed at maintaining employee safety while improving order fulfillment resulting from increased online traffic. Along with the development of the pandemic, demand for short-distance transport equipment increased. Forklifts are particularly popular, as they constitute essential equipment for warehouses and transshipment centers. Companies that are not prepared to purchase equipment can take advantage of flexible forms of forklift rental short- or long-term. The advantage of such a solution is also the lack of need to monitor fleet servicing schedules – this obligation lies with the equipment rental company.

In which industries are forklifts useful during the pandemic?

There is no doubt that courier companies gained a lot from the COVID-19 pandemic. Food products, household chemicals, cosmetics, clothing, sports equipment, books, toys, and games to kill boredom during lockdown were ordered electronically. This trend was not stopped even by temporary relaxation of restrictions; people fell in love with online shopping and the convenience associated with delivering ordered products directly to their apartments or homes. At the same time, many businesses gave up physical stores or service points. Warehouses and transshipment units of courier companies equipped themselves with forklifts, which streamlined and helped them cope with the increased number of ordered shipments.
An increase in forklift fleets is also noticeable in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Companies involved in the production of disinfectants, gloves, and protective masks recorded unimaginable profits. Panic fueled by the media caused people to also start stockpiling medicines and supplements that strengthen immunity. For logistics, these industry branches pose quite a challenge. Hygiene requirements and safety measures are very restrictive. The specific work environment, often in vapors, dust, gases, or powders with sensitive and often dangerous products, requires the use of additional safety solutions in forklifts.

The job market lacks forklift operators

The dynamic development of e-commerce pulled the entire logistics industry along with it. This had to result in changes in the job market. Despite the general increase in unemployment, demand for warehouse workers and internal transport specialists is not decreasing. Even before the pandemic, there was talk of staff shortages, which the current COVID-19 situation has only deepened. An experienced forklift operator with UDT qualifications is among the most sought-after employees. Demand is so high that companies are trying to recruit people willing to work from abroad. Most often these are our eastern neighbors from Ukraine, who mostly declare satisfaction with working in Poland.

You can read more about the specifics of working as a forklift operator here.

Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented situation that halted economic life worldwide, leading to the collapse of many enterprises. However, it treated some exceptionally gently, only accelerating their introduction of new, innovative solutions. Time will show how permanent the development opportunities and possibilities caused by the current epidemiological situation are. Will this be a temporary effect, or are we facing a new post-pandemic reality with irreversible changes? Will companies that benefited from the current crisis be able to turn temporary fluctuations into long-term success? Let’s hope we learn the answers to these questions as soon as possible.