Relative to Towmotor- I don't have there actual start up date but it was around WWII time period. The forklift were delveloped to support the military in the European campaign. After the end of the war the US brought back these unit and off loaded most in the New York harbors. No one knew what do do with them at that time but they begain using them in the ports. Hence, Towmotor was credited for the first mass use of forklifts and hence throught out the Northeast qute often all forklift brands referred to as a "Towmotor" in this reregion. Likewise, in the N.W. part of the US forklifts are commonly referred to as a Hyster especially in the wood and paper products indsustry.

From the what it is worth department - Allis Chalmers start in the industry in 1952. Allis Chalmer bought the Buda company at that time. They lasted until the mid 1980's, as Allis-Chalmer. Then that had remantd name like ACMH and Kalmar AC - which are now gone. The Kalmar AC fork lift brand is now known as Tusk. But is still built by Komatsu in Georgia - same as a Komatsu but with a red cost of paint & 3 less letters (the o, m, & a) in the name.