The MHEDA Journal Finds Out What End-Users Are Looking For

Oct. 24, 2011 - PRLog -- The MHEDA Journal Online (http://www.TheMhedaJournal.org), is the leading online magazine for the forklift, conveyor, storage & handling, and general material handling equipment industries. The 4th Quarter issue of the magazine is online now and features an interview with Bobby McGivern, warehouse manager at Bargreen Ellingson, a Fife, Washington-based restaurant supply, design and fabrication company. McGivern discussed his relationship with his material handling distributor and the attributes that he looks for in a successful distributor.

“Our material handling distributor understands that if a piece of equipment is down or in need of repair, it will hurt our operation,” McGivern says. “We have a 24-hour shipping promise, so we need to be firing on all cylinders at all times.”

In the article, McGivern discusses several key factors that he looks for when doing business with a material handling distributor. Demonstration of product, quick response, constant contact and trustworthiness are all traits that Bargreen Ellingson looks for when evaluating the distributor-customer relationship.

“We run two shifts in our distribution center and use electric forklifts,” says McGivern. “We’ve seen our later shifts suffer because the batteries are dying or dead. Our distributor came in and demonstrated new battery chargers. We are testing a quick-charge system and a regular charge system on our forklifts and comparing those readings. We’re getting statistics on those systems before making a buying decision.”

Bargreen Ellingson has had a relationship with its service technician for more than ten years. That personal relationship prompted the company to change distributors when the technician changed jobs. “It was a no-brainer,” says McGivern. “He got to know our equipment, our operation and everything that our company had been through. I trust him and I didn’t want to have a new mechanic take over who didn’t understand our needs.”

To learn more about what the end-user looks for in a material handling distributor, read the entire article on The MHEDA Journal Online. http://www.themhedajournal.org/index.php/2011/10/what-the.... The MHEDA Journal is published quarterly, in January, April, July and October. For more information, contact Steve Guglielmo, content editor of The MHEDA Journal, (315) 445-2347, email: steve@datakey.org.

About MHEDA
Founded in 1954, the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its member journals (http://www.TheMhedaJournal.org), e magazines, newsletters and industry wiki (http://www.wikimheda.org), MHEDA connects the manufacturers of storage & handling, lift trucks and conveyor equipment and distribution leaders for the purpose of delivering optimal solutions to the users of those products. MHEDA publications are the industry’s voice for all matters related to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning the movement and storage of all materials. A 501(c)3 organization, MHEDA members span all of North America.