Archive for December, 2022
How To Get Rebates for Electric Forklifts
Generate Additional Revenue via Carbon Credits with SCT’s Smart Rebates™ Program for Electric Forklifts
Get paid quarterly for switching to electric forklifts with Carbon Credit rebate payments. CARB offers incentives to zero-emission electric equipment users. Electric forklift owners in California can earn cash incentives from California Air Resources Board (CARB) Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Current quarterly payments range from $75 to $300 per forklift/truck depending on the equipment and usage type.
Eligible material handling equipment:
- Electric forklifts
- Electric pallet jacks and walkie rider
- Electric order pickers
- Electric reach stackers
- Yard Truck
Smart Rebates™ Program Details for Electric Forklifts
The Smart Rebates™ program is an energy rebate program managed by our partner, Smart Charging Technologies LLC (SCT). The program allows Toyota Material Handling Solutions (TMHS) client companies to receive rebates from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) through the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). SCT administers and manages these rebates on your behalf to alleviate the complexity of navigating the CARB and LCFS program. This allows you to receive steady revenue from the LCFS program with no out-of-pocket expense.
Benefits to Customers
As a participant in the program, your company will receive quarterly payments based on the electricity used by forklifts and other material handling equipment (MHE). Payments are made every quarter and are typically paid out within ~3 months after the end of the reporting quarter. Typical earnings vary depending on the type of equipment and usage and can range from $75 to $300 (or even more) per forklift per quarter for as long as your company remains enrolled and qualifies for LCFS credits. Note that electricity usage, and subsequent earnings, can vary due to several factors such as equipment mix (class 1, 2, or 3 trucks), load weights and lifting heights, duty cycle, battery charger efficiency, and business seasonality.
How to Earn Smart Rebates with Electric Forklifts
TMHS customers must opt-in and permit Smart Charging Technologies to manage their environmental attributes. An environmental attribute is generated from each kWh of electricity used in your forklift trucks and other electric or alternative-fueled vehicles and equipment. Smart Charging Technologies then sells the environmental attributes every quarter.
How to Participate
- Customer contacts Toyota Material Handling Solutions (TMHS)
- Smart Charging Technologies (SCT) performs site audit
- SCT estimates projected LCFS/CFP credits
- The customer enrolls in the SCT Smart Rebates™ program
- SCT calculates and files quarterly reports
- SCT aggregates credits; and brokers/sells credits
- TMHS and SCT distribute cash rebates to customers
Contact Us and mention “Smart Rebates™” or fill out the form above to generate additional revenue!
Tips for Effective Order Picking
Order picking is one of the most critical processes in a warehouse. It is a complex task that requires speed, accuracy, and efficiency to ensure the right products get to the right customers on time. Here are some essential tips to ensure you get the most out of your order-picking process.
1. Create a Labeling System
A practical labeling system for your warehouse is essential to streamline the order-picking process. Ensure labels are clear, legible, and easy to read from a distance. Utilize color coding and standard symbols to simplify navigation even further.
2. Organization is Key
Being organized plays a crucial role in order picking accuracy and efficiency. Put like items together, separate them by size or type, and assign specific warehouse areas to them. Additionally, it would help to organize your warehouse so that frequently picked items are easily accessible and require minimal travel time for workers.
3. Use Advanced Technology
Innovative technologies are coming out daily to make work easier and more efficient. Voice technology and bar-code scanners can help boost accuracy and speed up order fulfillment times. RFID tracking systems provide real-time visibility over inventory levels across multiple warehouses simultaneously. And Smart Environment Sensors provide operators with pedestrian and object detection. However, it is essential to use these technologies cautiously as they can lead to errors if not properly implemented or maintained.
Want to learn more? Click here to read our blog post about six order-picking technologies and the benefits of each one.
4. Embrace Automation
Automated systems such as conveyor belts or robotic arms can help speed up the order-picking process and reduce errors due to human error. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) can move stock around without human intervention. Autonomous mobile robots can handle hundreds of daily tasks and thousands of orders every week. Investing in automation technology can be costly upfront, but it will pay off overall with increased efficiency and accuracy.
5. Put Safety First
Safety should always be a top priority when working in a warehouse environment. To protect workers, provide plenty of safety gear, such as gloves, protective clothing, goggles, etc. Create clear pathways throughout the warehouse so workers do not trip over boxes or other obstacles. Train employees to use any automated systems or manual processes used in order picking.
Click here for more safety and training tips.
6. Get Expert Help
If you have questions about how to set up your warehouse effectively, we can help. Our material handling solutions experts have decades of knowledge and training to help you choose the right products and solutions for your needs. Contact us to set up a free consultation. We can also help with operator safety training classes at your location.
Order picking is essential to any successful warehouse operation, but it does not have to be challenging. By utilizing clear labeling systems, practicing good organization techniques, taking advantage of modern technologies, embracing automation, and putting safety first, you can optimize your order-picking process for greater efficiency and accuracy with relative ease. Consider these tips when setting up warehouse operations to get orders out faster while minimizing errors!