notes. In practice, this means advising on the mix of equipment required for specific applications, shift patterns, and operating environments. The accelerating shift to electric equipment Perhaps the most visible change in the materials handling landscape is the steady move away from internal combustion engines towards electric alternatives. While this trend has been building for several years, Nemukula says demand has reached a new level of urgency. “There’s been a shift from internal combustion to electric forklifts in the past few years,” he says. “Food manufacturing companies are increasingly asking for electric forklifts in their procurement process, and the market is gaining traction.” The food and beverage sector has emerged as the fastest adopter of electric materials handling equipment, driven by hygiene requirements, indoor air quality considerations, and a desire to reduce operating costs. Electric forklifts offer quieter operation, zero on-site emissions, and fewer moving parts, which translates into lower maintenance requirements and improved uptime. Customers making the transition are seeing tangible benefits. “Reduced operating costs and downtime,” Nemukula
Across South Africa’s warehouses, factories, and distribution centres, materials handling fleets are being asked to do more with less.
One of the most significant trends shaping the materials handling sector is the growing emphasis on understanding how fleets are actually used.
Downtime remains one of the biggest challenges customers face, particularly when dealing with ageing fleets.
The combination of electric forklifts and automation has the potential to reshape cost structures across the industry.
says simply, when asked about the advantages of moving from internal
We offer all sizes of forklift, either gas, diesel, or electric at different options, either short or long- term rental, outright purchase, and any other options customers need.
combustion to electric equipment. Over time, these savings contribute to a lower total cost of ownership, particularly in high- utilisation environments. Managing the realities of electric fleets While electric equipment brings clear advantages, it also introduces new operational considerations. Battery management, charging discipline, and operator behaviour become critical factors in maintaining performance. “Electric equipment needs to be charged to its maximum at all times, and we ensure that operators adhere to the requirement,” Nemukula explains. This hands-on approach reflects Shumani’s recognition that technology alone is not enough; successful adoption depends on training, processes, and ongoing support. Downtime remains one of the biggest challenges customers face, particularly when dealing with ageing fleets. “Downtime is one big problem, more so with aging fleets,” Nemukula says. To mitigate this risk, Shumani sometimes provides additional equipment to ensure continuity of operations. This flexibility can be the
Shumani Industrial Equipment Managing Director, Victor Nemukula.
difference between meeting production targets and costly disruptions. Supporting uptime in demanding environments In sectors where materials handling equipment is mission-critical, aftermarket support is as important as the machines themselves. Shumani has structured its service offering to reflect this reality, particularly for customers operating large or complex fleets. “With most of our customers, we offer on-site technicians to minimise downtime,” Nemukula says. “Sometimes with very large fleets, we also have a manager on site.” This embedded support model allows issues
to be addressed quickly, often before they escalate into major failures. Maintenance programmes play a central role in sustaining long-term efficiency. “We provide standard scheduled and unscheduled maintenance to all our customers,” Nemukula explains. By combining preventative servicing with responsive support, Shumani aims to extend equipment life while keeping operating costs predictable. Flexibility as a competitive advantage As customer expectations evolve, flexibility has become a defining feature of Shumani’s value proposition. Rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all solution,
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