Productivity factors to consider in your toolpark
While reducing costs is important, providing workers with inappropriate alternative tools can easily be a false economy. Within your toolpark, there needs to be an effective balance between initial outlay and long-term productivity. There are a number of factors to consider that will help you achieve this balance:
1. Suitability for the job
Equipment selection must be appropriate for the specific demands of the task at hand - this means ensuring suitable tools are provided for the particular site and environment, as well as the job each worker is performing.
2. Ease of operation and maintenance
It’s important to consider the operational elements of the tasks being undertaken, as well as how easy it is to maintain tools. Are, for example, tools being lifted overhead? Will workers be near a power source? Are tools likely to overheat? These factors can have a huge impact on construction site productivity.
3. Lifespan of tool
Alternatives with a lower initial outlay will have a shorter lifespan than higher quality equipment, and how much service a tool can provide in relation to its cost is an important consideration.
4. Total cost of ownership
The purchase price is just one cost associated with tool ownership - and it’s vital to consider the various other direct and indirect costs too. As well as the initial outlay, other costs include: repair, admin, battery replacement, hire, cost of capital and theft. With these additional costs added on, the purchase price may not seem quite as significant.
Having the correct tools in your toolpark speeds up work, reduces downtime, and most significantly - reduces costs for your business. Purchasing alternative tools with a lower initial outlay, therefore, can create a substantial opportunity cost that could have been avoided through better tool procurement.
With over 75 years of industry knowledge, at Hilti our Productivity Experts have helped thousands of customers identify opportunities to optimise and streamline their tool park, digitalise the way their tools and other assets are managed, and keep hidden costs to a minimum to boost overall productivity.