GKN Phasing Out Forklifts

GKN Driveline is transitioning away from forklifts to hand trucks and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at its Celaya, Guanajuato plant, aiming to enhance safety by eliminating forklift-related accidents. Inspired by successful implementation in its Indian operations, which significantly reduced accidents, GKN plans to reconfigure existing plants and design new sites to accommodate this change. The shift, intended to be completed over the next two years, involves reducing material loads and reorganizing inventory management to improve discipline and reduce stock levels. While the primary driver is health and safety, with forklifts causing numerous serious accidents annually, the change may lead to slight cost increases. This move aligns with similar strategies adopted by other automakers like Ford.