This month, we are highlighting team member Peggy Poulakidas, who is strategic sales manager based out of our Lake Zurich, Illinois, facility. Since joining CCTY more than two decades ago, she has been instrumental in helping to expand our business in the material handling market.
How does CCTY approach tailoring products like its forklift mast guides, side rollers and chain anchor bolts to meet the unique needs of forklift OEMs?
The forklift market is somewhat unique, as each OEM designs its own mast guide and chain roller bearings—preventing them from being used interchangeably. To accommodate these individualized designs, CCTY takes a collaborative approach to customizing bearings. Our design engineers analyze the forklift system as a whole to suggest innovative solutions, such as integrating multiple components into a single assembly. This not only improves efficiency but also helps to streamline production and reduce costs for the manufacturer.
What trends are you seeing with forklift technology that could shape the industry?
One significant trend is the rise of automation, particularly through the increasing use of automated guided vehicles (AGV), which are autonomous mobile robots.
AGVs are really fascinating. They are revolutionizing distribution operations with enhanced labor efficiencies by autonomously mapping warehouse environments and optimizing navigation. These vehicles are often equipped with specialized software, allowing customization to meet the specific needs of individual users.
Another key trend I’ve been seeing is that forklift masts are becoming smaller due to the demand for more compact, agile forklifts that can function in tight spaces with narrow aisles. Shorter masts also offer better operator visibility, which improves overall safety.
As masts become smaller, the mast guides and chain anchor bolts need to be designed to accommodate the reduction while continuing to manage high loads. CCTY has developed stronger mast guides that are more compact and can withstand these loads.
Share a recent project where CCTY helped a customer improve its forklift performance.
Customers truly benefit from the experience our engineers bring to the material handling market. We focus on providing solutions that enhance performance and efficiency. A recent example involves a customer who was assembling three separate components into its forklifts. Our design engineers recognized an opportunity to streamline this process by combining these parts into a single, custom-engineered assembly. This not only simplified the installation process but also reduced overall costs—providing significant time and labor savings.
In another case, we worked with a customer to upgrade its rod ends to a maintenance-free design. This change not only improved the user experience but also extended the lifespan of the equipment, reducing downtime and repair costs. By delivering customized solutions, we help our customers improve both performance and reliability in their forklifts.
As a strategic sales manager, what do you think sets CCTY’s approach to innovation and customer service apart from other competitors in material handling?
Our core philosophy revolves around actively partnering with our customers. We listen to them and will do everything within our power to overcome the obstacles they are encountering. This commitment allows us to provide tailored solutions that improve their overall products.
We also rely heavily on customer feedback and emerging industry trends to continuously enhance our products. Our combination of attentive customer service and cutting-edge motion control solutions positions CCTY as a leader in the material handling sector.
To learn more, visit: www.cctygroup.com/material-handling-bearings-forklift-mast-guides
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