When Marathon Electric’s Warehouse Manager Mark Goodyear began searching for a new forklift supplier, he had one clear priority: finding a company that understood material handling and could provide the service his warehouse needed.
Having previously worked with several forklift hire providers, Mark wanted a more specialised approach. He approached four companies before ultimately choosing Linde Material Handling Australia to supply a long-term operational lease for a new fleet of eight Baoli electric forklifts.
“We weren't dealing with an actual material handling company, and I wanted better service,” he explains.
While price was important, it was Linde's industry expertise, customer service and willingness to understand Marathon Electric's operational requirements that ultimately influenced his decision.
Finding the right material handling partner
Part of the WEG Group, Marathon Electric supplies electric motors and HVAC-related products, supporting customers across a range of industries.
At its Rowville facility in Victoria, the warehouse handles approximately 160 to 250 pallets each week, with equipment used for everything from unloading incoming containers to picking stock from racking up to six metres high.
To meet their operational demands, the new fleet comprises two Baoli KBE25 2.5-tonne lithium-ion electric counterbalance forklifts and six Baoli KBR14–20 reach trucks.
The counterbalance forklifts are primarily used for loading trucks and unloading containers, while the reach trucks support everyday pallet handling and stock picking throughout the warehouse.
The investment also supports Marathon Electric's ongoing transition towards electric material handling equipment, with Mark having progressively reduced the number of gas-powered forklifts on site over recent years.
A partnership that delivers beyond the sale
For Mark, the experience of working with Linde's team was an important part of the decision-making process.
Throughout the selection process, he worked closely with Victorian Territory Manager, Mia Whiteoak, to identify equipment and features that would best suit the warehouse's requirements.
“I had a really good experience with Mia,” Mark says. “She was fantastic. Easy to deal with. Said what she was going to do for me and made it happen.”
These discussions helped shape the final fleet specification, with all six Baoli reach trucks equipped with weighing scales, third-party CCTV cameras and BlueSpot safety warning lights.
Unlike the previous fleet, where only three reach trucks featured weighing scales, the new equipment provides greater consistency across the warehouse. The elevated cameras also give operators improved visibility when positioning pallets at height.
“The camera is definitely a good feature. I think it's a must,” Mark says. “It gives the operator a bit more comfort when they get up to height, because they can actually see what they're doing.”
The two electric counterbalance forklifts are also fitted with weighing scales and BlueSpot safety warning lights.
Beyond equipment selection, Mark was pleased with the coordination of the delivery process. Although the counterbalance forklifts were available earlier, Linde worked around the expiry of Marathon Electric's existing lease and brought forward the arrival of the reach trucks, allowing all eight units to be delivered on the same day.
Service that continues beyond delivery
Since introducing the new fleet, Mark has been equally positive about the ongoing support provided by Linde's service team.
When a few minor faults required attention following delivery, the team responded promptly. Having a regular technician who is becoming familiar with Marathon Electric's operations has also helped establish a more efficient service process.
“They know what they're talking about,” Mark says, reflecting on his experience with Linde's service team.
While it is still early to measure improvements in overall productivity, Mark has already noticed greater consistency across the warehouse. With operators now using similar sit-down reach trucks, some tasks can be completed using a single machine rather than switching between forklifts to handle different loads.
For Marathon Electric, introducing eight new Baoli forklifts was about more than upgrading its equipment. It was an opportunity to establish a long-term relationship with a supplier that understands its operations and can provide dependable support.
And when asked what ultimately convinced him to choose Baoli over the other suppliers, Mark's answer was simple.
“I wanted someone that knows material handling.”