Cesab Carrelli Elevatori SpA claims that, by year-end, its entire battery-powered forklift range will be fitted with AC technology.

Spokesman Francesca Laudani told Forkliftaction.com News that the company had this year launched AC versions of its 1.2 tonne to 2.0 tonne three-wheelers and its range of four-wheelers.

Cesab's products now have their unique green paintwork applied at a new, environmentally-friendly spray booth in the Bologna manufacturing plant.

The spray booth, the only one of its kind in Italy, uses water-based paints and performs the painting process through a continuous cycle in a closed environment.

Cesab produced 5,320 forklifts worldwide last year. Almost half - 49% - were sold in Italy, 47% remained in Europe and 4% went to the USA. In 2002, the company turned over EUR109 million (USD122 million), down slightly from 2001, when turnover was EUR118 million (USD132 million). This year Cesab hopes to achieve EUR122 million (USD136 million).

Cesab, launched in 1942, has been part of BT Industries since mid-2000. As a result, Cesab's thermal forklifts are powered by Toyota engines.