10 Industries That Benefit from the Right Forklift at the Right Time

Does Your Small Business Need a Forklift? 10 Industries That Benefit from the Right Lift at the Right Time

For many small business owners, determining the right time to invest in a forklift can be tricky. A forklift or lift truck can streamline operations, reduce manual labor, and boost productivity, but at what point does it make financial sense? If your business is growing and you’re handling more inventory, materials, or heavy items, a forklift may not only be helpful but profitable. Here, we break down 10 different types of businesses where a forklift can become an essential part of operations and highlight the best lift options for each as you consider leasing or buying a forklift.

1. Warehousing and Logistics: Electric Counterbalance Forklifts

If you run a small warehouse or logistics operation, the need for a forklift typically arises when inventory volume increases to the point where manual handling slows productivity. A good rule of thumb is if you’re moving pallets or heavy goods daily, a forklift will save significant time. An electric counterbalance forklift is ideal for this scenario, offering maneuverability in tight aisles and efficient lifting of loads up to 5,000 lbs. The electric power source is perfect for indoor use, minimizing emissions and noise.

Here is an example of how an electric counterbalance forklift helps owners of a small logistics business: “Precision Parts Supply,” a growing company managing hundreds of pallets weekly, saw employees spending hours manually moving goods, leading to fatigue and slowdowns. Investing in an electric counterbalance forklift allowed the team to handle 50% more pallets per day, reduce workplace injuries, and improve order fulfillment times.

2. Retail Stores and Supermarkets: Narrow-Aisle Reach Trucks

Small retail businesses, especially those with storage rooms or small warehouses, often hit a threshold where vertical space needs to be utilized efficiently. If your inventory has grown to require higher shelving, a narrow-aisle reach truck is a game-changer. These lifts are designed to operate in tight spaces and can reach shelves up to 30 feet high, making them perfect for maximizing storage capacity in retail environments.

Here is an example of how a narrow-aisle reach truck helps owners of a retail store: “Smith’s Grocery” recently expanded its backroom storage to include taller shelving for bulk inventory. Employees struggled to reach high shelves with ladders, slowing restocking efforts. By adding a narrow-aisle reach truck, restocking time was cut in half, and the store could stock more items, increasing sales potential.

3. Construction Companies: Rough-Terrain Forklifts

For small construction businesses, a forklift becomes essential when material handling on-site becomes frequent and cumbersome. If you’re constantly moving pallets of bricks, lumber, or other building materials, a rough-terrain forklift is ideal. These forklifts are built for uneven ground and can handle loads between 5,000 and 10,000 lbs. Diesel or gas-powered models provide the durability and strength needed for outdoor job sites.

Here is an example of how a rough-terrain forklift helps owners of a small construction business: “BuildRight Contractors” noticed their workers spent too much time manually transporting materials across muddy and uneven job sites. After investing in a rough-terrain forklift, productivity increased by 40%. Workers could quickly move heavy pallets to different parts of the site, speeding up project completion times.

4. Landscaping and Garden Centers: Compact Telehandlers

When a small landscaping business starts handling larger plant deliveries, bags of soil, or landscaping stones, manual handling can become inefficient. A compact telehandler offers versatility, combining the benefits of a forklift and a small crane. With a lift capacity of around 3,000 lbs and telescopic reach, these machines help move materials over short and extended distances, making operations smoother and faster.

Here is an example of how a compact telehandler helps owners of a landscaping business: “GreenScape Landscaping” expanded its services to larger projects requiring heavy stone deliveries and bulk soil bags. A compact telehandler allowed the team to lift and place materials precisely, reducing physical labor and completing projects in half the time.

5. Auto Repair Shops: Pallet Jacks and Walkie Stackers

As an auto repair shop expands, the need for moving heavy parts, engines, or stacked tires grows. When manual lifting becomes a bottleneck, a walkie stacker or powered pallet jack can make a huge difference. These compact electric lifts handle loads up to 2,500 lbs and are ideal for navigating smaller spaces. They provide an affordable first step into powered lifting for small businesses.

Here is an example of how a powered pallet jack helps owners of an auto repair shop: At “Ace Auto Repair,” mechanics were straining to move heavy engine blocks and tire stacks. A powered pallet jack eliminated this issue, allowing mechanics to move loads effortlessly and focus more on repairs, increasing daily output.

6. Small Manufacturing Facilities: LPG-Powered Forklifts

Manufacturing businesses often hit a growth point where moving raw materials and finished products manually slows production. An LPG (propane)-powered forklift is versatile, offering indoor and outdoor use with a lift capacity of 3,000 to 6,000 lbs. These forklifts have a fast refueling process and are suitable for operations that need continuous lifting throughout the day.

Here is an example of how an LPG-powered forklift helps owners of a manufacturing business: “QuickFab Manufacturing” experienced delays due to the manual handling of metal sheets and finished products. An LPG-powered forklift allowed seamless indoor and outdoor lifting, increasing efficiency and reducing production time by 30%.

7. Furniture Stores: Order Pickers

For small furniture stores or showrooms, handling bulky items efficiently is key to productivity. When items need to be stored vertically or picked from higher shelves, an order picker forklift helps streamline operations. These lifts allow employees to move up and down shelving aisles safely and retrieve items weighing up to 3,000 lbs. Battery-powered options are ideal for indoor use.

Here is an example of how an order picker forklift helps owners of a furniture store: “Urban Living Furniture” struggled to access higher storage shelves without disrupting displays. With an order picker forklift, employees quickly accessed and transported bulky items without damaging merchandise, improving customer service and inventory management.

8. Distribution Centers: Stand-Up Counterbalance Forklifts

As small distribution centers grow, faster handling of incoming and outgoing shipments becomes critical. When pallet movement exceeds 30-40 pallets a day, a stand-up counterbalance forklift can significantly increase efficiency. These forklifts offer excellent visibility, fast maneuvering, and a lift capacity of around 4,000 lbs. Electric models are common for indoor use, reducing maintenance costs.

Here is an example of how a stand-up counterbalance forklift helps owners of a distribution center: “NextDay Distribution” expanded operations to fulfill over 100 daily orders. Investing in stand-up counterbalance forklifts doubled their pallet-handling capacity, enabling faster shipping and improved customer satisfaction.

9. Farm and Agriculture Businesses: Diesel-Powered Forklifts

For small farms handling heavy loads of produce, feed, or equipment, a diesel-powered forklift can be indispensable. When daily handling exceeds what a tractor or manual labor can manage, diesel forklifts with 5,000 to 8,000 lbs capacity provide the strength needed. These forklifts excel in outdoor environments and rough terrain, making them ideal for agricultural operations.

Here is an example of how a diesel-powered forklift helps owners of a small farm: “Hillside Farms” needed to move large hay bales and equipment regularly. A diesel-powered forklift reduced labor time and improved safety, allowing the farm to manage daily tasks more efficiently.

10. Home Improvement Stores: Electric Pallet Jacks

Home improvement stores frequently reach a threshold where handling building supplies or tools manually slows down service. An electric pallet jack is perfect for moving loads up to 4,500 lbs quickly. Compact and easy to use, these lifts increase efficiency on the shop floor or in stockrooms without the need for a large forklift.

Here is an example of how an electric pallet jack helps owners of a home improvement store: At “DIY Depot,” employees often struggled with heavy tool shipments. An electric pallet jack sped up restocking by 60%, enabling quicker shelf replenishment and improving customer service.

Is Your Business Ready for a Forklift?

If your small business matches any of these scenarios, it might be time to invest in a forklift or lift truck. The right equipment not only saves time but also reduces the risk of injury and improves overall productivity. Assess your handling needs, the volume of goods you’re moving, and the physical constraints of your workspace to determine the ideal forklift for your operations. Investing in the right forklift could be the step that propels your business to the next level of growth.