How to Plan Your Forklift Rentals for Holiday and Seasonal Peaks
When the holiday season approaches, businesses of all sizes might see their operations shift into overdrive as orders pile up and facilities face pressure to move products quickly and accurately. For some companies, seasonal forklift rentals are the solution, but it’s important to remember that timing is everything.
The earlier you prepare, the better positioned you’ll be to secure the right warehouse equipment rental and keep your business running smoothly.
Why Early Planning Matters
According to Alex Joseph, Rental Support Manager at Carolina Handling, businesses should start planning their forklift rentals for the holidays months in advance.
“We try to get as much advance notice as possible for any peak-season rentals, especially if it is something that is needed in large quantities like scissor lifts, order pickers and reach trucks. Although we cannot hold longer than a month out, it is still good to know about them up to three months out. That gives me time to acquire additional units, approve repairs on units ahead of time and be ready for the season,” Joseph said.
The takeaway? Even if you can’t lock in your short-term forklift rental until closer to the date, anticipating your upcoming needs and communicating them helps ensure that the right equipment is ready when needed.
Understanding Peak Seasons
While the holidays are typically the most well-known surge period, Joseph points out that rental demand happens throughout the year.
“Interestingly enough, there is a ‘peak season’ going on at all times,” he said.
“We tend to feel four of them the most in our section of the country (the Southeast): June through August is big for retailers doing inventory before the holidays. October through December is heavy for order picker rental and reach truck rental. December through February brings another wave as companies inventory after Christmas. Then in the spring, businesses like home improvement stores need extra lifts to prepare for summer demand,” Joseph said.
Joseph said order pickers and reach trucks are among the most requested rental models during the holiday rush.
The Risk of Waiting Too Long
Joseph said that while booking early doesn’t usually save on costs, it certainly saves on stress and availability.
“It follows the old adage: the early bird gets the worm. Wait too long, and not only might you not get what you need, but you might have to settle for something ‘close enough,’ because that’s all that’s left at that point,” Joseph said.
That 'close enough' scenario can create inefficiencies during the busiest time of the year, when businesses want to avoid delays.
Using Past Performance to Guide Planning
According to Porter Johnson, Sales Manager at Carolina Handling, past experience can be the best indicator of what’s needed in the future.
“Often we say, ‘This is what we have done for you in the past, will that still be your need this year?’” Johnson said.
Alex Joseph said many customers purchased more equipment during the pandemic, and if the units are still in good shape, they may use them for seasonal spikes.
“It all comes down to the storage space at a customer’s facility and their ability and desire to keep equipment sitting in anticipation of using it,” Joseph said.
Matching Equipment to Your Business
Not every company experiences the holidays the same way. Johnson stresses that it’s essential to match equipment to your business model.
“If a holiday rush means heavy e-commerce with lots of SKUs, you may need two or three different types of equipment. But if your rush is because you sell turkeys at Thanksgiving, it’s likely just one type of lift. It’s important to understand a customer's process to help them evaluate material handling that can manage increased demand,” Johnson said.
This tailored approach is where working with an experienced warehouse equipment rental provider makes the difference.
Why Choose Carolina Handling?
Carolina Handling carries the largest narrow aisle fleet in the country.
“That leads to larger than competitor availability to take care of your rental needs,” Joseph said.
1.1 hours is the average response time for breakdown calls.
“We lead the industry in service-managed equipment responsiveness, meaning that if something happens, our team will be out there to take care of it, and take care of it the first time,” Joseph said.
Johnson said Carolina Handling guides customers through the process to ensure they’re ready before the holidays through proactive conversations and understanding every aspect of a customer's operation.
Rental Facts
- Carolina Handling offers short and long-term rentals to supplement your fleet and reduce operating costs.
- Flexible plans and fast turnaround mean you can typically expect delivery within 48 hours of your request.
- Forklift rentals from Carolina Handling include batteries and chargers, are 100% tax deductible, and include maintenance at no additional cost. If you decide to keep your equipment, we offer a fair and flexible rent-to-own program.
