To request a demo for warehouse equipment, contact a supplier or manufacturer that has a demo facility directly. In most cases, these demonstrations are completely free, and you can bring your own materials to test the equipment under realistic conditions. The sections below answer the most frequently asked questions about the demo process, from the initial appointment to the final decision.
Where can I test warehouse equipment before purchasing it?
You can test warehouse equipment in a physical demo area at a specialized supplier. This is the most reliable way to evaluate material handling equipment, because you operate the equipment yourself with the loads you handle on a daily basis. Not every supplier has a fully equipped demo area, so it’s worth checking this in advance.
A demo room gives you the opportunity to compare different pieces of equipment side by side. You’ll immediately experience how a vacuum lift or hoist responds to your specific load, how quickly you can work with it, and whether the controls feel intuitive. That’s information you can never fully glean from a product brochure or video.
Some suppliers also offer on-site demonstrations, during which a specialist brings the equipment to your warehouse. This is useful when the workspace has unusual floor surfaces, narrow aisles, or specific loading docks that are difficult to simulate in a showroom.
How does a free job analysis work?
A free workstation analysis is an interview and observation session during which a specialist assesses your workstation for ergonomic issues and inefficiencies. The specialist examines what loads are being moved, how heavy they are, how often the task is repeated, and what physical strain this causes for employees. Based on this, the specialist formulates a specific recommendation.
The analysis typically consists of three steps:
- Intake and questionnaire: You describe the situation, the materials used, and the challenges you’re facing. This can be done in advance by phone or email, or in person.
- On-site observation: The specialist visits your warehouse or production facility and observes the work processes in practice. He pays attention to posture, weight, frequency, and available space.
- Consulting Report and Solution Proposal: Following the analysis, you will receive a concrete proposal featuring one or more devices tailored to your situation, including an explanation of the expected benefits for ergonomics and productivity.
The workstation analysis isn't just for show—it's not something you can't do anything with: the report provides you with useful insights, even if you decide not to make any purchases for the time being. It's professional advice with no strings attached.
What types of warehouse equipment can I demonstrate?
In a fully equipped demonstration area, you can test a wide range of material handling equipment, including vacuum lifters, pallet trucks, mobile lifters, electric tow tractors, pallet inverters pallet handling machines. The choice depends on the application: what type of load you’re moving and how that load is packaged or shaped.
The most common applications covered during a demo:
- Pallet handling: pallet trucks, pallet inverters automated pallet solutions for moving and tilting full pallets.
- Box handling: vacuum lifters and grippers for stacking, moving, and palletizing boxes of various weights.
- Bag handling: equipment that lifts and positions filled bags without straining the operator's back.
- Roll handling: solutions for tilting, moving, and positioning heavy rolls of material.
- Sheet handling: vacuum lifters for glass sheets, metal sheets, and other flat materials.
- Drum handling: clamps and lifters for drums and barrels in the chemical or food industry.
We strongly recommend that you bring your own materials to the demo. That way, you won’t be testing a generic object, but exactly the load you handle on a daily basis—including its weight, packaging, and shape.
What should I bring to a demo appointment?
For a meaningful demonstration of warehouse equipment, it’s best to bring your own materials, along with practical information about your workplace and processes. The more context you provide, the more tailored the demonstration and advice can be.
Keep the following in mind:
- Your own loads: Boxes, bags, sheets, barrels, or rolls that you move in your daily work. This allows you to test the equipment under real-world conditions.
- Weights and Dimensions: Record the weight of the heaviest and most common loads, including their dimensions when applicable.
- Photos or videos of the worksite: Images of the floor, aisle width, loading dock, or specific obstacles help the specialist select the right equipment.
- Information about frequency: How often per day or per hour is the action repeated? This helps determine which type of drive or ergonomic solution is most suitable.
- Current challenges: Describe what is currently going wrong: back problems among employees, slow turnaround times, damage to products or packaging.
The more specific you are in describing the situation, the more efficient the demo appointment will be, and the faster you’ll be able to find a customized solution.
How long does a demo last, and how much does it cost?
A warehouse equipment demonstration typically lasts between half an hour and two hours, depending on the number of units you want to test and the complexity of your situation. Most suppliers do not charge for a demonstration in their showroom. It is a free service that is part of the sales consultation process.
A shorter demo lasting 30 to 60 minutes is sufficient if you want to test a single specific device for a clearly defined application. If you want to compare multiple alternatives or are dealing with a more complex workstation involving multiple tasks, one and a half to two hours is a more realistic timeframe.
An on-site demonstration, where the supplier comes to your warehouse, may sometimes involve a small travel fee, but this varies by supplier. Always check this in advance so you don’t run into any surprises.
Ideally, schedule the demo for a time when the employees who will be using the device on a daily basis can also be present. They provide the most valuable feedback and can immediately tell whether a device feels comfortable and practical to use.
How Logitrans Handling Helps Test Warehouse Equipment
Logitrans Handling has a fully equipped demonstration area in Drongen where you can test material handling equipment with your own materials. Our specialists will guide you from start to finish: from a free workstation analysis to the implementation of the most suitable solution. Here’s what we offer:
- A free workplace analysis in which a specialist assesses your situation and provides specific recommendations.
- A demonstration area in Drongen where you can test vacuum lifters, pallet trucks, mobile lifters, electric tow tractors, and more with your own loads.
- Access to a wide range of products for every application, from boxes and bags to pallets, drums, rolls, and sheets.
- Post-purchase support through a maintenance contract that takes a proactive and preventive approach to ensure safety and availability.
- Optional training for users upon installation or delivery of the unit.
Would you like to schedule a demo or learn more about the options for your workplace? Feel free to contact our team, and we’ll schedule an appointment that fits your schedule and situation.
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