Dynatronics sells thousands of medical devices, apparel items and rehabilitation products to help physical therapists, doctors and patients gain or keep better health.
When the company was trying to improve its own fiscal health last year through more energy-efficient lighting in its Ooltewah warehouse, shipping supervisor Dean Trammel stumbled upon an incentive program offered by the Tennessee Valley Authority through EPB for also getting more energy efficient and cleaner forklifts. The lighting project quickly evolved into a warehouse distribution upgrade when Trammel found out he could use a $2,000-per-machine incentive to buy an electric-powered forklift and narrow the warehouse aisles to boost storage in the facility.
"We've found the electric forklifts to be better and they take up less space so we can narrow our storage aisles and get a lot more merchandise and product lines on our shelves as a result," Trammel said.
While the initial cost of an electric forklift can be greater than a diesel or propane powered forklift, the savings in fuel and maintenance costs can provide a quick return on the investment, according to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The cost to purchase, maintain and charge an electric forklift over five years is about $58,000, versus about $80,000 for a propane powered combustion engine lift truck during that same time, yielding a savings of about $22,000 according to EPRI.
Company at a glance
Name: Dynatronics Corp., traded under the symbol DYNTProducts: Physician medicine products, including electrotherapy, ultrasound, rehabilitation equipment, iontophoreris devices, back cushions, mat and work tables, parallel bars and massage therapy products.Headquarters: Cottonwood Heights, UtahHistory: Founded in 1979, the publicly traded company made its initial public offering in 1984, acquired Superior Ortho in Ooltewah in 1996 and has made more than a half dozen other acquisitions since.Staff: 139 employees, including 65 at its Ooltewah manufacturing and distribution center2016 sales: $30.4 millionOoltewah facility: 50,000-square-foot facility on Mountain View Road
TVA also is offering $2,000 for every propane-powered forklift replaced by an electric powered unit.
"It's a lot easier when you get this incentive aid," said Al Bennett, the Chattanooga plant manager for Dynatronics.
The incentive is offered through the TVA Energy Right Solutions Electric Forklift Program, which the utility began to help TVA sell more of its electricity and to help industrial customers to save money and operate in a cleaner manner, especialy in indoor warehouses.
"We are proud of working with our commercial customers to find ways to reduce energy waste and incentives that help them operate more efficiently," said EPB energy analyst Neal Potter.
Based upon Dynatronics' success, Potter said he hopes to make such incentive grants available to other local manufacturers and warehouse operators.
"Lift trucks are one of the most widely used material handling vehicles," he said.
Additional benefits of electric forklifts include less pollution, quieter operation, greater efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.
The batteries in the electric forklifts have be recharged about once a week, Bennett said.