Lumber Industry Solutions

A TRADITIONAL INDUSTRY EMBRACING FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES

Your operation faces major hurdles as you try to meet both demand and service expectations while protecting your bottom line.

Minimize downtime to keep your workforce moving. We'll help you find the right forklifts for lumber at the best price to boost productivity and get the edge you need. We can help your lumber company reach new heights with the right equipment. 

lumber storage

TURN YOUR BIGGEST HEADACHES INTO OPPORTUNITIES

A lumber mill under a brooding sky, with stacks of freshly cut logs ready for processing.

HEAVY CONSOLIDATION

Access to materials, shrinking profit margins and tightening regulation continues to drive the wave of consolidation in the lumber industry.

  • Right-size your fleet and extend the useful life of equipment
  • Drive efficiency and lower operating costs with telematics
  • Deploy a balanced combination of lift trucks to handle a variety of tasks

TOUGH ENVIRONMENTS

Dust, dirt, wood chips, rough terrain and outdoor weather conditions can push your materials handling equipment and operators to their limit.

How are you going to keep product moving?

  • Maximize productivity with trucks designed for the demands of handling raw lumber or other finished wood product
  • Help prevent damage to finished materials (OSB) with lumber specific truck features, like rubber coated forks, mud guards or lumber stabilizers based on your unique needs
  • Defend against dust and debris with trucks equipped with a reverse fan solution to help protect internal components and reduce the frequency of cleanouts
forklift moving stacks of lumber
A well-organized warehouse with stacked lumber on metal shelving units, ready for distribution.

LABOR RETENTION

Even the most successful companies struggle with recruiting and retaining qualified talent in a tough working environment. Navigating high staff turnover and a limited pool of suitably qualified candidates requires a strong focus on operator needs.

How are you going to reduce turnover?

  • Support operator comfort with advanced ergonomic lift truck solutions
  • Keep your team engaged by implementing continuous training and development programs
  • Help operators to work efficiently and productively all shift by minimizing equipment downtime

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

You face the challenge of meeting strong demand for quality timber products while minimizing adverse effects on the environment and human health.

How will you minimize the impact?

  • Develop a recycling plan for by-products of your operation
  • Embrace alternative power sources like lithium-ion and thin plate pure lead (TPPL) to power your fleets
  • Keep internal combustion engine (ICE) emissions in check using materials handling equipment that meets EPA requirements and offer high fuel efficiency
Stacks of freshly cut logs in the foreground with stacks of lumber and rows of trees in the background, under a clear blue sky.
Stacks of lumber organized in a spacious warehouse.

SAFETY

Working in a sawmill or lumberyard can be one of the most dangerous occupations.

How can you help keep your employees safe and reduce incidents?

  • Establish a culture of safety starting at the top and adopted by all
  • Consider stability systems to help support operator confidence when handling long planks or oversized unpalletized loads
  • Use telematics to track lift truck access and provide operator training updates
  • Enhance visibility and operator protection with next generation equipment, like a fully enclosed and air-conditioned cab that prioritizes excellent all-around visibility

Take Control With Game-Changing Industry Solutions

Maximize production capabilities with reliable solutions that deliver.

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MULTI-DIRECTIONAL TRUCKS

These special forklifts have the ability to move forward and sideways, giving you the ability to move long loads through narrow hallways, both indoors and out.

Browse Equipment >

Tennant sweeper action photo

SWEEPERS / SCRUBBERS

Processing wood creates dusty conditions with debris that is unhealthy for employees. Keep your workshop spotless with a commercial floor cleaner.

Find Floor Cleaning Equipment >

Cantilever

RACKING SOLUTIONS

Cantilever racking allows you to store lumber of any length with no damage. No vertical obstructions in the racking area makes it easy to load/unload products like lumber and plywood.  Crank racking is also useful for easy access with a simple turn of a crank.

Contact A Racking Expert >

HYSTER H40-70UT INTERNAL COMBUSTION PNEUMATIC TIRE FORKLIFT

ICE PNEUMATIC TIRE TRUCKS

The right truck, at the right price, for the right application.

  • Strong and reliable
  • Operator-friendly
  • Simple to maintain

Find ICE Pneumatic Tire Forklifts >

HI-H170FTS back view studio image 1

BIG TRUCKS

Heavy-duty forklift developed, tested and refined to perform in the harshest applications.

  • Robust front-end design
  • Operator comfort
  • Easily serviceable
  • Low cost of ownership
  • Excellent visibility

Explore High Capacity Trucks >

CONNECT WITH AN INDUSTRY EXPERT

Need help finding the right solution? Let our Lumber industry experts help you. Contact us today!

Online Catalog

Shop our online catalog to view our range of quality material handling and industrial supplies.

News & Announcements

Riekes Equipment Receives Industry Award
February 13, 2024

Riekes Equipment, a recognized leader in the material handling industry, has been awarded the prestigious MVP (Most Valuable Partner) Award for its outstanding achievements in 2023 by their industry trade…

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Hyster Unveils New Electric Forklifts
January 22, 2024

Hyster has unveiled two new lithium-ion battery-powered forklifts, the three-wheel J32-40UTTL and four-wheel J30-70UTL. The UTTL is available in capacity ranges of 3,200 lb. (1.5 T)  to 4,000 lb (1.8…

Read More