Combilift has revolutionised the material-handling sector by providing custom-made and space-saving solutions for over 26 years. Innovation is in Combilift’s DNA and since the groundbreaking C4000 model was first launched in 1998, the Irish-based manufacturer has developed a wide array of innovative material handling solutions.
In addition to the first-ever model, the C-Series, Combilift's product lineup includes more than 25 different families of equipment, with capacities ranging from less than 1 tonne to over 150 tonnes. The range features the Aisle Master articulated narrow aisle forklift, compact pedestrian stackers, powered pallet trucks, sideloaders, the Combi-CSS for safely loading and unloading containers, Straddle Carriers, and Mobile Gantries for handling oversized loads.
Combilift offers solutions for a wide variety of lifting needs, so it’s safe to say that whether you need to lift 300kg pallets, long beams of steel or wind towers that can weigh up to 100t, you will find a solution among the extensive portfolio. And if there isn’t one, the dedicated team of R&D and design engineers can likely design one specifically tailored to meet your needs. The Irish company is renowned for its customer-focused approach. Close collaboration with customers has led to innovative developments, including the Combi-LC Blade, which was designed in partnership with Siemens Gamesa.
In 2023, the company celebrated a very special milestone: 25 years in business. They held year-round festivities to commemorate such an achievement, including the launch of five products: the Combi-Cube, Combi-CB70E, Combi-AGT, Combi-LC Blade, and Combi-Connect.
The Irish company entered the offshore wind sector with the Combi-LC Blade and the autonomous truck market with the launch of the electric Combi-AGT, which is the first autonomous sideloader with the option to operate manually.
Combi-Connect is a cutting-edge telematics software that empowers companies to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency and productivity. It is tailored to meet each customer's specific needs, revolutionizing how companies operate and manage their fleets.
Both the Combi-Cube and the Combi-CB70E are fully electric forklifts and feature the new Combi-Eco green. Designed with driver’s comfort in mind and to reduce their day-to-day strain, they are fitted with the newly developed Auto Swivel Seat – patent pending- as a standard option. This feature automatically engages and swivels the seat and armrest 15° to the right or left to accord with the direction of travel selected by the operator. The Combi-CB70E, with a lifting capacity of 7t, is the shortest counterbalance truck on the market of its capacity whilst also benefitting from multidirectional ability, enabling the versatile space-saving handling of both long and bulky loads. And the Combi-Cube, with a load capacity of up to 3t, features Combilift’s unique Dynamic 360 Steering that enables seamless directional change as optional, making this model the most manoeuvrable counterbalance forklift on the market.
2024 has also been a remarkable year, with the launch of two new products: the Combi-CLL (Log Loader), another customer-led solution based on the Combi-CSS and designed specifically to tackle the tricky demands of the forestry industry; and the Combi-SafeLift, which is an anti-overload sensor.
Ensuring safe forklift operations is paramount to Martin McVicar, CEO and Combilift Co-Founder: “Fitting a straightforward device such as the Combi-SafeLift is an effective way to reduce risks for the operator and other personnel, and also to avoid product damage as well as costly repairs.” This simple and cost-effective system consists of a strain sensor on the mast section and a lift cut-out valve on the hydraulic line to disable lifting if the unit is potentially overloaded.
In September 2024, just a year after the three-day celebration to commemorate 25 years in business, Combilift experienced an extraordinary month, achieving a winning streak of seven awards that highlighted the company’s leadership and innovation.
These include two accolades in the prestigious UK Engineering & Manufacturing Awards 2024. Combilift’s Heavy Equipment Team won the ‘Design Team of the Year’ award for their exceptional work on the design of the pioneering 12-Wheel “Combi-LC Blade”, which is engineered to handle offshore wind turbine blades of up to 115 meters in length and weigh as much as 70 tonnes. Designed in collaboration with Siemens Gamesa, it enhances the ability to transport these large, non-uniform loads safely and efficiently from manufacturing sites to storage and deployment locations.
This award not only recognizes the team’s exceptional skill, collaboration, and dedication to solving one of the most pressing challenges in renewable energy logistics, but also highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to providing innovative customer-led solutions
In addition to this remarkable team achievement, Martin McVicar, received the coveted ‘Industry Leader Award’ for his visionary leadership and bold decision-making, which have played a key role in transforming Combilift’s performance and driving innovation throughout the company.
At the UK Materials Handling Association Awards, Combilift secured another double win.
The Combi-LC Blade won yet another award, the ‘Manufacturer Product Innovation of the Year’. And the Combi-CB70 was awarded with the ‘Ergonomic Innovation of the Year’ for its remarkable design.
The company also retained Deloitte's Best Managed Company Award for the 12th consecutive year. This achievement also marks the 6th recognition as a Platinum winner in the 16-year history of the awards.
And last but not least, Combilift were thrilled to receive the most prestigious win to date at the recent Exporter of the Year Awards. They not only secured the title of Manufacturing Exporter of the Year, but also claimed the ultimate honour of being named Overall Irish Exporter of the Year 2024, becoming the first Irish firm in history to win the coveted Exporter of the Year title three times.
Combilift manufactured 18 forklifts in 1998, 17 of which were exported. 26 years later, more than 85,000 units have been exported to over 85 countries. This extraordinary accomplishment further solidifies the company’s reputation as a leader in both the manufacturing and export arena.
Combilift’s innovative products are designed to handle long and awkward loads while navigating tight spaces. This helps improve operational efficiency, safety, and storage space optimisation.
But Combilift is much more than a designer and manufacturer of forklifts and other handling solutions. Martin McVicar: “Space is one of the most valuable assets our customers possess, and if our machines can make it work better for them in terms of storage density, then everyone benefits. The ongoing demand for warehouse space coupled with ever-rising business costs means that space optimisation is now more important than ever. Additional benefits of course also include avoiding the operational headache for management and the workforce of relocating to new premises, the lack of bureaucracy associated with new builds or extensions, and the unnecessary greenfield expansion. We have an in-house team of design engineers who can provide companies with a free-of-charge 3D warehouse layout service. This service demonstrates how warehouse space can be configured according to the capabilities of our products, which in some cases can double available space – a value-added service that epitomises our commitment to our current or potential customers.”
“Sustainability is at our core – we’re highly focused on making our vehicles more environmentally friendly and helping our customers maximise their warehouse efficiency.”
“We invest 6% of our annual revenue in our R&D department, with 98% of it dedicated to the development of electric vehicle technology, including how to measure the efficiency of those vehicles. Additionally, approximately 70% of the machines we currently produce are electric.”
Visit combilift.com to see how Combilift can enhance your material handling operations, making them safer while helping you optimize your existing space.