Jungheinrich helps warehouses cut energy use, boost uptime and competitiveness through lithium-ion fleets that support ESG compliance.
As warehouses across Australia face rising energy costs, tightening ESG requirements and ongoing labour constraints, material handling equipment is being judged less on upfront price and more on how well it supports long-term operational performance. For Jungheinrich Australia, sustainability has become a practical lever for improving uptime, lowering total cost of ownership and strengthening customer competitiveness rather than a standalone environmental goal.
“Moving more with less” is how the company describes this shift. According to Martin Strogilakis, Head of Product Management at Jungheinrich Australia, the concept reflects a move toward forklift fleets and energy systems that deliver higher productivity, lower operating costs and greater resilience while also reducing emissions.
“At Jungheinrich, ‘Moving more with less’ reflects our commitment to sustainability as a strategic advantage. It’s not just about reducing emissions, it’s about making warehouses more efficient, circular-ready and safe,” Martin says. “By analysing our customers’ processes and understanding their operational needs, we deliver tailored solutions that optimise their forklift fleets and transition them from traditional internal combustion or lead-acid trucks to advanced lithium-ion technology, which is quickly becoming the industry standard.”
From sustainability targets to operational uptime
For customers, that transition is less about meeting environmental targets and more about removing friction from day-to-day operations. In high-volume facilities, the ability to keep trucks moving and avoid energy-related disruptions directly affects service levels, labour efficiency and profitability.
“Every material handling operation faces pressure to optimise costs and minimise downtime,” Martin says. “Our lithium-ion technology delivers higher uptime, faster charging and consistent power output. This allows customers to operate fewer trucks without compromising productivity.”
Energy efficiency is another operational advantage.
“Compared to lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion consumes about 20 percent less energy during utilisation, which translates into lower energy bills, reduced maintenance costs and reduction of unplanned downtime, especially in demanding multi-shift environments,” Martin says.
That combination of energy savings and availability changes the economics of warehouse fleets. Fewer trucks are required to achieve the same throughput, maintenance schedules are simplified, and space previously allocated to battery rooms and change-out areas can be returned to productive use. What is often described as sustainability in this context shows up for customers as simpler, more predictable operations.
Where ESG, energy efficiency and fleet economics converge
Those operational gains are increasingly linked to reporting and compliance as well. Large retailers, manufacturers and logistics providers are now required to measure, report and reduce emissions across their supply chains, including the equipment used inside warehouses.
“Evolving ESG regulations require companies to measure, report and reduce emissions,” Martin says. “Jungheinrich Australia provides transparent energy and CO2 data, helping customers meet compliance requirements confidently and avoid costly penalties. Our Total Cost of Ownership and product carbon footprint calculations use real customer data to quantify savings and demonstrate measurable reductions in emissions.”
For customers, that data turns forklift fleets into auditable assets. Instead of estimating or relying on generic benchmarks, businesses can show exactly how much energy their equipment uses and how those numbers change over time as fleets are modernised.
Sustainability also now plays a role in how warehouses compete for business. Many logistics providers serve global brands that expect their suppliers to demonstrate environmental performance alongside price and service.
“Sustainability is now a competitive differentiator,” Martin says. “Global brands demand sustainable supply chains, and by partnering with Jungheinrich, customers can showcase reduced CO2 emissions and transparent reporting. This strengthens brand reputation, helps win new contracts, and builds loyalty.”
Martin adds: “We lead by example. Recognised by TIME as one of the Top 500 Sustainable Companies worldwide and with SBTi-validated climate goals, we’re committed to becoming one of the most sustainable companies globally.
“Working with Jungheinrich helps customers stay ahead of regulatory requirements, meet stakeholder expectations, and future-proof their business.”
At a time when both customers and workers have more choice, that positioning matters. Modern, energy-efficient fleets support quieter, cleaner and safer working environments while also providing the data required to satisfy customer and regulatory scrutiny.
Asset life is another area where sustainability intersects directly with cost. Rather than treating equipment as disposable, Jungheinrich builds circularity into how fleets are supplied and maintained.
“Circularity is fundamental. It’s about designing systems that keep resources in use for as long as possible,” Martin says. “Our portfolio includes durable equipment, remanufacturing programs like JUNGSTARS and multi-stage battery life cycles. For example, JUNGSTARS save up to 80 percent CO2 compared to new production. Rental and used equipment models further reduce environmental impact, making sustainability economically viable.”
For customers, remanufactured and rental equipment provides flexibility and capital efficiency without sacrificing performance. Fleets can be scaled up or refreshed without committing to full new purchases, while still benefiting from modern energy and safety technology.
Uncertainty around energy pricing, labour availability and regulation is only increasing. Martin says that investing in efficient, sustainable material handling is a way to reduce exposure to those risks.
“Energy prices, labour availability and regulatory requirements are increasingly unpredictable,” Martin says. “Investing in efficient, sustainable technology reduces risk and ensures long-term resilience. Our solutions adapt to future changes in energy infrastructure and compliance frameworks, giving customers confidence to stay ahead of market demands.”
Safety remains a core part of that equation. “Safe warehouses are sustainable warehouses,” Martin says. “Our AI-based assistance systems protect employees, materials and goods while promoting ergonomic, healthy workplace design. This ensures fast processes and supports automated environments without compromising safety.”
For Jungheinrich customers, sustainability ultimately shows up in practical terms: lower energy bills, fewer trucks, less downtime, stronger reporting and safer operations. The environmental gains are real, but they are delivered through the same mechanisms that drive productivity and profitability.
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