Hyster focuses on customization, collaboration with customer

Hyster Co., a maker of rugged lift trucks for demanding environments, is emphasizing collaboration with its customers to provide customized trucks that meet clients' specific operating and business needs. According to Hyster, approximately 40 percent of orders involve some degree of customization.

One way the company is achieving this objective is by offering a wider variety of engines. A recent and innovative example is Hyster's PSI variable engine technology, released in January. Fleet operators can select the most appropriate engine mode based on operating conditions and business objectives. A fleet supervisor can quickly program the engine for fuel-efficiency, high performance (for heavy lifting duty, for example), or a combination of the two, adapting a single truck to different demands.

Hyster has also developed Application Solutions Centers, where industrial engineers work with customers in a consulting capacity to identify opportunities to improve operational efficiencies.