Sustainability has become a major consideration for industries looking to reduce their carbon footprint and lower their environmental impact. The forklift sector is one of the driving forces behind this eco-friendly approach, and the machinery and apparatus you choose can play a significant role in achieving sustainability goals.

Used and refurbished forklifts are a green and cost-effective solution for any business or organisation with a focus on improving its sustainability practices. From construction to farming to warehouse management, used forklifts offer a green alternative to new forklifts, provide substantial cost savings, and also make a significant contribution towards the UK’s Net Zero emissions target which aims to decarbonise all sectors of the economy by 2050.

With the future health of the planet taking centre stage at Earth Day 2024 on April 22^nd, forklift experts, PHL are highlighting the numerous environmental advantages of used forklifts and why more businesses should make them their number one sustainable choice for heavy-duty lifting equipment.

Reduced Carbon Footprint

Like any new vehicle or machinery, significant amounts of energy, raw materials, and precious resources are consumed in the process of manufacturing new forklift trucks. Not only that but harmful compounds that can affect the environment are produced while making new forklifts.

By choosing a used and repurposed forklift that has been carefully serviced and maintained, businesses are extending the lifespan of existing equipment while reducing their carbon footprint. Reusing forklifts is always a smarter and greener alternative to manufacturing new machines, and it helps businesses contribute towards a brighter and greener future.

Less Waste

In addition to generating waste and harmful emissions, the manufacture of new forklifts can negatively impact the environment in other ways. For instance, when a business decides it’s time to get rid of their old forklifts, the machines often end up in scrapyards and landfill sites where they pollute the land around them.

However, acquiring a used forklift is a simple way for businesses to reduce the level of waste generated by the industry. After all, used and refurbished forklifts are made from parts that have already been manufactured, so they produce less waste and don’t require the additional resources that a new forklift would.

Greater Efficiency

Many used forklift trucks are retrofitted with energy-saving features that provide greater efficiency for users. For example, some used forklifts are fitted with LED lights which consume less energy than traditional lights. Similarly, used forklifts can also benefit from regenerative braking which harnesses the energy produced when slowing down to recharge its batteries. Not only does this reduce the energy required to operate the forklift, but it can also save a business money on fuel costs.

Another sustainable benefit of used forklifts is that their old, polluting fossil-fuel engines are often replaced with energy-efficient engines that require less fuel. You’ll also find used forklifts with fully electric engines or hybrid engines that combine gas and electric power, again providing greater efficiency and lower carbon emissions.

Less Downtime

You will benefit from less expensive downtime with a well-maintained used forklift than you would with a neglected model. Regular servicing and thorough inspections will ensure your used forklift gives you hours of uninterrupted service, providing greater efficiency across your business.

You won’t have to look far to find a high-quality used forklift in pristine condition either. Many used forklifts have been carefully looked after by their previous owners and fully refurbished. This means they can operate just as efficiently as a brand new forklift yet at a much lower cost, and they won’t require frequent and expensive repairs.

It’s clear that opting for a used forklift can help businesses align their operational needs with sustainability goals and reduce their carbon footprint by extending the lifespan of existing machinery. Not only that, but many forklift manufacturers are incorporating eco-friendly features into their second-hand forklifts so that businesses can take advantage of these environmental benefits without the extra cost involved with purchasing a new machine.

However, if your business is looking to invest in a new forklift truck or fleet of trucks, there are several factors to consider that can help you make a sustainable choice. For instance, electric forklift trucks and lithium-ion battery forklifts are more energy-efficient and quieter than traditional diesel and petrol forklifts, contributing to a cleaner working environment. Similarly, a quality, reconditioned, used electric forklift will operate just as efficiently as most new forklifts but at a fraction of the cost, and don’t consume dirty fossil fuels.

When it comes to sustainability, used forklifts win hands down on numerous fronts compared to new forklifts. Whether reducing your carbon footprint, providing enhanced efficiency, or keeping waste to a minimum, used and refurbished forklifts are becoming increasingly popular with eco-conscious businesses looking to improve their operations in a sustainable fashion.

In the whirlwind of modern business, brand success has shifted beyond marketing muscle and slick products. Today, a brand’s true strength lies in the tapestry it weaves with its community.

This article explores how fostering deep community connections isn’t just a PR win, but a strategic thread in brand evolution, leading to positive societal impact.

Engaging Local Talent: A Win-Win for Brands and Communities

In a time when globalization is the norm, local authenticity and craftsmanship are becoming more and more valued. Employers now have a rare chance to interact with regional artists, craftspeople, and artisans. By doing this, businesses may take advantage of the diverse pool of local talent, giving their goods and services a unique appeal that appeals to the community.

This is more than just a commercial relationship. It’s about creating a supportive network wherein local talent can display their abilities and businesses can become more genuine and establish stronger ties with their target audience. For example, a neighborhood coffee shop that sources its décor from local artists not only enhances the aesthetics of the area but also conveys a compelling narrative to its customers.

Fostering Community Relationships Through Support and Collaboration

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Fostering strong relationships with the community through support and collaboration is an essential aspect of modern brand evolution. This approach goes beyond traditional business practices, focusing on creating a symbiotic relationship where both the brand and the community benefit mutually. Engaging in community support and collaboration can take many forms, and each offers unique opportunities for brands to strengthen their ties with the people and organizations around them. One effective way to foster these relationships is through partnerships with local community organizations. Brands can collaborate with schools, non-profits, or local government initiatives to support various projects.

These partnerships might involve sponsoring local events, providing resources for community programs, or even offering expertise and manpower for community development projects. By doing so, brands can play an integral role in addressing local needs, from improving educational facilities to enhancing public spaces, thus directly impacting the quality of life within the community.

Amplifying Brand Image Through Community Endorsements

A happy consumer is a brand’s greatest ambassador. Local communities naturally become brand ambassadors when they gain from a business’s actions, whether it is through partnerships, employment possibilities, or support for neighborhood projects. Positive evaluations and recommendations from neighbors have more weight than any amount of sponsored advertising.

Being involved in the community also makes it easier to communicate real stories. Brands can create content that is not only promotional but also endearing and approachable by sharing stories about their community activities and collaborations. This strategy can greatly improve your branding by gaining consumers’ trust and making it seem more approachable.

Environmental Stewardship: A Commitment to Sustainability

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Environmental stewardship is becoming an ever-more-important part of corporate identity in today’s environmentally conscious market. Brands that actively promote environmental sustainability in their communities not only contribute to the creation of a healthy planet but also win over more and more environmentally concerned customers. This commitment can be made in a variety of ways, like by endorsing local environmental projects or integrating energy-saving practices into business processes.

For example, an Indian business might launch or support a campaign to reduce the quantity of plastic waste in surrounding rivers. A business in Australia might start paying more attention to reducing water bills by hiring the best plumbers in Sydney and choosing more affordable resource providers. These programs not only help protect the environment, but also demonstrate the brand’s commitment to sustainability—a quality that consumers are starting to value more and more.

Brands can also participate in educational programs to increase community knowledge of environmental issues. In addition to educating, workshops on energy saving, recycling, and sustainable living techniques foster a sense of camaraderie among participants around common environmental objectives.

Enhancing Digital Engagement and Accessibility in the Community

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Improving digital engagement and accessibility is a crucial part of brands’ community involvement roles in today’s digitally-driven society. With technology playing a more and bigger role in daily life, brands are in a great position to close the digital gap and create a more cohesive community. This role is especially important because it fills a critical need in many communities and is in line with current trends. First, companies can fund projects aimed at improving digital accessibility.

This could entail building up community tech hubs where people can access and learn about digital technologies, giving free Wi-Fi in public areas, or supplying technology resources to poor schools. By improving digital access, brands help to ensure that all members of the community, regardless of their economic background, have the opportunity to have their voices heard.

Championing Social Causes and Community Wellbeing

Getting involved in advancing social causes and enhancing community welfare is one of the best ways for brands to make a lasting impression. In today’s socially conscious market, brands are expected to be more than just providers of goods or services; rather, they are seen as vital parts of the communities they serve. Brands can build deeper connections with their customers and the community at large by aligning with social causes and sponsoring them. This engagement can take many forms, such as coordinating or taking part in health awareness campaigns or lending support to regional nonprofits and charities.

For example, to encourage physical fitness and wellbeing, a company could fund neighborhood sports events or collaborate with a nearby health group to offer free health check-ups. Such initiatives not only aid the community but also align the brand with values of health and wellness, which can be particularly appealing to health-conscious consumers.

In conclusion, a brand’s development in the modern world is closely linked to its standing within the community. Developing partnerships, involving local talent, and actively contributing to community welfare are important tactics that can promote mutually beneficial growth for the business and the community. By doing this, brands leave a lasting legacy that transcends financial success in addition to improving their reputation and making significant social contributions. Brands that place a high priority on community involvement are likely to become industry leaders as they negotiate the complexity of contemporary business.

Businesses and individuals are switching to electric vehicles in ever-increasing numbers. Latest figures show there were more than 1 million fully electric cars registered in the UK in February 2024 on top of a further 56,000 electric vans and 620,000 plug-in hybrids.  

Now, with a government ban on the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars due to come into force in 2035, more and more businesses and employees will be trading in their polluting fossil-fuel company vehicles for a zero-emissions electric model. 

From salary sacrifice schemes to tax benefits, business car insurance specialists, Keith Michaels has weighed up the advantages and disadvantages of driving an electric company vehicle in 2024 and explained what this means for employers and benefit in kind (BiK). 

The Pros of EV Company Cars 

Owning a company car was once a tax-efficient benefit designed to stimulate the UK car market. That benefit soon became diluted as governments clamped down on benefit-in-kind rules, making company cars less desirable for businesses and employees alike. 

The rise in electric cars changed attitudes again thanks to attractive benefit rates for employees and tax deductions for employers aimed at encouraging uptake in EVs, reducing carbon emissions, and helping the government meet its Net Zero target. 

With electric vehicle technology constantly improving, it’s no surprise that businesses are now choosing EVs over standard motor options. Not only is this good news for the environment but there’s less maintenance and lower running costs with electric vehicles compared to those powered by combustion engines. 

The advantages of EV company cars for both businesses and employees in 2024 include: 

Emission-based tax benefits  

Businesses may offer employee salary sacrifice schemes in return for an electric company car with zero emissions as it delivers substantial savings through tax benefits. Instead of calculating emissions, tax rates are fixed for all electric company cars, so businesses won’t pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions on the salary given up, but 1A National Insurance on the lower amount of benefit in kind instead. 

Unlike other so-called benefits in kind such as mobile phones or health insurance, income tax charges for electric cars aren’t based on foregone wages, but rather a percentage of the car’s list price as defined by HMRC. For fully electric vehicles, the rate is 2% until 2024/25 rising by a further 1% each year until 2027/28 when it will freeze at 5% which remains substantially less than the taxable value of a petrol or diesel car.  

VAT savings 

Another tax benefit of electric company cars is that employers can recover any VAT incurred for employees who charge vehicles at work or at public charge points. At present, HMRC states that this doesn’t apply to employees who charge their company EV at home, and they are not entitled to recoup any VAT for business use. 

Purchase price discounts 

Employees who enter an EV salary sacrifice scheme in the workplace can take advantage of potential discounts on the purchase price compared to buying the car outright. Most dealers and manufacturers are crying out for guaranteed buyers for their electric fleets and are likely to entice new customers with significant cost savings and attractive packages. 

Zero congestion charges 

Any employee driving an electric company car will be exempt from paying congestion charges in the UK where they apply. Similarly, company EV drivers don’t have to pay Clean Air Zone charges which are currently in force in Birmingham, Bristol, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow and will soon roll out across other towns and cities. Company EVs are also exempt from London’s ULEZ charges which currently stand at £12.50 per day for vehicles that don’t meet the strict emissions criteria.  

The Cons of EV Company Cars 

Electric company cars provide many benefits for businesses and employees, but there are also disadvantages to consider. From a reduction in take-home salary to limited vehicle options, the drawbacks to driving a company EV include the following: 

Lower take-home salary and pension contributions 

While salary sacrifice schemes can be financially beneficial for employees, they also mean a reduction in take-home salary. This is because the cost of the EV is deducted before National Insurance contributions and taxes apply, potentially leaving workers with less money and a smaller budget at the end of each month. Similarly, salary sacrifice schemes can also negatively impact workplace pensions as a reduction in gross salary means lower pension contributions. This could have long-term implications for an employee’s retirement pot and affect their future financial security. 

Mortgage and loan challenges 

Any reduction in take-home salary resulting from a salary sacrifice scheme could harm an employee’s ability to secure a mortgage and limit their borrowing capacity for loans. Mortgage providers generally base their rules around lending on an employee’s income and monthly expenses. Therefore, a lower take-home salary could be detrimental for employees looking to secure a mortgage or loan or affect the terms of interest they are offered. 

Limited electric car selection 

Those who enter an electric company car salary sacrifice scheme are unlikely to have an unlimited choice of vehicles. Most employers will have a contract or arrangement with specific manufacturers, giving employees a smaller selection of makes and models of EVs to choose from. Not only that, but some employees may also find they are responsible for the upkeep of their company electric car under the terms and conditions of their salary sacrifice scheme. As a result, the employee could be liable for all servicing, repairs, insurance fees, and ongoing costs which could reduce the financial and tax benefits of a salary sacrifice scheme. 

Penalties for early scheme exit 

Many EV salary sacrifice schemes offer limited flexibility when employees leave the scheme early or do not meet the pre-agreed terms of the agreement. There are many reasons why this may happen such as workplace changes or new business ownership, but employees are often charged fees or penalties for exiting a scheme early. Also, when an employee changes jobs they may want to transfer their salary sacrifice scheme to their new employer. However, this solely depends on the agreement in place between the employer and the scheme provider and may not always be possible. 

Overall, electric company car sacrifice schemes can deliver many benefits for both businesses and employees including tax savings and discounts on purchase prices, lower running and maintenance costs, and zero emission charges. However, EV salary sacrifice schemes can also cause a reduction in take-home salary, penalties for early exits, and limited vehicle choice. Therefore, it is essential to weigh up the pros and cons of any electric company car salary sacrifice scheme to fully understand the obligations and limitations involved with switching from fossil-fuel vehicles to EVs.