Moving Parts: OEM vs Aftermarket

Many organizations consider forklifts to be one of the most vital parts or their operation. The type of parts purchased have a direct impact on the efficiency and profitability of an enterprise. The main questions to ask when ordering parts: Should I use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) forklift parts all the time? What are the performance and cost implications if I use “aftermarket parts”?

OEM parts are made by the original manufacturer, while aftermarket parts are made by external manufacturers and not specifically geared toward any specific forklift model, and thus are more generic.

Benefits of OEM parts:

  1. OEM parts are sourced from countries that have greater production standards and made from higher grade materialsNeed forklift parts?
  2. They are supported by the manufacturer with a warranty and quality guarantee that includes labor costs for replacement
  3. Purchasers should not have to buy parts as frequent
  4. OEM Parts exact fitting and functioning components based on original building specs

The quality guarantee associated with OEM parts makes some companies hesitant to stock parts that are not OEM. Aftermarket parts are usually warrantied by the parts manufacture, but the labor exhausted on removing and replacing any other damaged parts from the aftermarket part will not be covered.

There are a few downsides to using OEM parts:

  1. Pricing is higher due to the higher production standards and grade of material. Companies with fleets of forklifts may not be able to use OEM parts exclusively because of the cost.
  2. They can be difficult to find, as they are not distributed widely. For this reason, it is tough for any warehouse to commit exclusively to OEM parts, but with the inherent risk involved in aftermarket parts, it is very important for warehouses to find an aftermarket supplier that can be relied upon.

Deciding which parts to buy can be a tough decision! Using both OEM and aftermarket suppliers, buyers can increase the options available to ensure that you will never be left without the parts needed to sustain the need for running forklifts